Jukai

Chapter 31: The Dinner

Terry Richmond

In the desert... when I heard your name

I had one day left before I returned home. Benjamin had invited me to dinner, but I wasn't sure if he would give me the answers I needed.

All I wanted was clarity, a sense of peace amidst the chaos. Even if I left with nothing but the truth, even if it wasn't what I wanted to hear, I needed something to quiet the storm inside me.

I made my way to the hotel lobby. The atmosphere was far better than the last one. As I passed the front desk, I saw the young lady behind the counter offering a polite smile as I approached.

I gave a quick nod to her, heading toward the exit. As I was about to leave, I noticed the bellman standing near the door, tipping his hat as I passed by. "Take care, sir. Safe travels," he said, his voice a little louder than expected in the quiet lobby.

I returned the gesture with a small wave. Continuing toward the parking garage, the hum of the elevator doing little to soothe my nerves.

Reaching my rental car, I fumbled for the keys, my fingers trembling as they brushed over the metal.

The soft click of the door unlocking broke the silence as I slid into the driver's seat.

We talked about Nicole, or at least it felt like we did, but in reality, it was more of a circle, never quite getting to the heart of it.

It felt like he never gave me a real answer. His words danced around the truth, leaving me more confused than when I started.

Pulling out of the parking garage, I set the GPS for Benjamin's house, a 30-minute drive ahead of me...

I was prying for the truth, digging for something real beneath Benjamin's vague words. Every unanswered question gnawed at me, and I refused to leave without clarity.

Finally, I pulled up to the house, my eyes tracing the clean lines of a well-kept townhouse nestled within a gated community. It was quiet and orderly—nothing like the chaos in my head.

Shutting off the engine despite taking no action to get out. Instead, I sat there staring at the front door. The answers I needed were in there, just beyond that threshold.

I took a slow breath, steadying myself. What was I walking into? What would I leave with? The questions gnawed at me, each one heavier than the last.

I didn't have time to waste. I only had one day left before I had to go back home. And I wasn't leaving without the truth...

When the sky turns into red...I'll be out here on my own

Was she dead or alive? The question haunted me. A part of me felt like she was gone, but I didn't want to believe it.

I wanted her to come home with me, to go back to our life, our routine—the way things used to be. But deep down, I feared that was nothing more than a dream.

Staring at the journal Amber had given me. My fingers hovered over the worn cover. Should I bring it inside or leave it in the car?

The weight of it felt heavier than it should—like it carried more than just words. Taking a deep breath, I set it down on the passenger side and stepped out.

Quickly glanced at my phone, confirming the address. This was the place.

The house loomed ahead, its porch light casting a soft glow against the evening sky. Climbing the stairs, I steadied myself before knocking.