The Mystery of the Dead Band

Chapter 4

From that day on, we each got to go out and explore the town we used to know. It was like a dream every time I left the woods. I still couldn’t wrap my head around it. Justinia really saved us. Now with the power to leave this place, we needed to start planning against Mr. Schietz. We needed Anton to go back to Mr. Schietz and suggest the idea of making his new music video here, across from where our music video was shot. Anton had to also tell him that once the music video is done, the next day for them to throw a concert, and once his band starts playing, so will we. Everyone will be shocked, especially Mr. Schietz. We will have our revenge and the truth about our death will be exposed.

"Anton, come here." I yelled. Anton came downstairs and looked at me questioningly.

"We have a plan…" and I told him everything.

"Okay, so I go to Mr. Schietz, I get him agree, he comes, you get revenge?" Anton struggled to say.

"Yes, make him think it would be his way of indirectly showing that he is the top, he has all the success." Jonas explained.

"Okay, I go now?" Anton asked.

"Yes, but if you betray us we shall haunt you forever." Joakim threatened.

"Okay, I go. Be back soon I can." Anton said walking out of the door.

"So, now that I am freed, may I figure out a way to get home?" Justinia asked.

"No, please don't go yet!" I said grabbing her hand.

"Why not…?" she asked.

"Justinia, none of us want you to leave because you are our freedom, you are our savior. If you leave we will be stuck here forever. Stay until this whole revenge thing is solved, then you may leave if you wish." Niclas said.

"Okay, I'll stay until your plan has been executed, but then I do have a family to get back to. Don't get me wrong, I love being here with you guys, but I do miss my family." She said.

"We know, but thank you for staying until the plan is a success."

"So what now? Do we just wait?" Petter asked.

"We do what we always do, play our songs, relax, and now we can escort Justinia into town to get food." I replied.

"With what money?" Jonas countered.

"We can steal if we must. We can't let her starve."  I replied.

"Steal? I don't know…" she said unsurely.

"How else will you get food?" Niclas asked.

"Fine, but maybe I could somehow get a temporary job to pay for food?" Justinia suggested.

"How? You don't speak our language; we can just get Anton to give us some money to hold you over for food."

"And what about other basic necessities?" Justinia pushed.

"I don't know… we should go into town and see if you can make a friend…" I said trying to think of a way to take care of her.

"Okay…should I get ready to leave?" she asked.

"Yeah, let me just get a hat to cover my head wound." I said searching around for it.

            Petter and Joakim started to play a card game while Jonas and Niclas went upstairs. Justinia was ready to go, and I shoved my hat on and took her hand. As we walked to the road I could tell she was a bit cold. I felt bad. We had no right to keep her here, but we needed her. I had to find a way to make sure she has food and essentials.

            We arrived at the end of the woods, and every time I got nervous. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to pass over, but we did. It amazed me. She smiled at me seeing the joy in my face. I shrugged. We continued to walk to town in silence. It wasn’t too long of a walk but it took a good twenty minutes. Once in town people were rushing about, trading and buying. I looked around for someone around her age who could speak English. I looked at Justinia with her blonde hair and blue eyes and admired her. She looked at me, I instantly looked away. I glanced back at her to see a smile on her face.

"Excuse me, sir?" A voice called from my side. We turned to see a boy about Justinia's age.

"Yes." I answered back.

"Your eyes…" he said.

"They're contacts." Justinia interrupted.

"Oh, they look so strange, why wear them out?" the boy asked politely.

"There is a band, and the lead singer wears them at concerts, he wears them to honor the band." Justinia continued.

"Oh, that is interesting. I do not think I have seen you two in town before…" the boy said.

"Yes, um, we just moved to this area and thought we should get to know the town and the people." I said.

"Well I am Verner. I work here during the day, selling a bunch of different items. I also have lived her for a long time, I could show you two around if you would like?" Verner asked.

"That would be nice, but see, the place we have moved into is not yet ready to live in, and our old house the new owners have moved in. I can withstand the house not being ready but my sister here is more… gentle, and I am trying to find a place she could stay at." I said.

"Oh, well, I have an extra room at my house, she is welcome to stay until your house is ready, and you too if you want." Verner offered generously.

"That is very kind of you. Justinia, please accept this gentleman's offer. I would hate for you to stay in the conditions of the house." I said.

"Oh, I wouldn’t want to intrude…" Justinia said shyly.

"It is no problem, my mother wouldn’t mind. She said that she has always wanted a daughter." Verner joked.

"Okay, well thank you very much Verner."

"No problem, let me walk you guys to my place." Verner said as he locked the door to his shop.

            We walked through the streets, and got to a neighborhood. It had small quiet houses. Verner smiled back at us as we approached his house. He opened the door and called to his mother. She appeared coming out of the kitchen.

"Mother, this is Justinia, and I didn’t catch your name mister."

"Jay." I replied.

"And Jay and their house is not ready to move into, and I offered them the guest room until their house is ready, I hope that is alright."

"Of course Verner. Come in, make yourselves at home." The mother said then walked back into the kitchen.

"Come on, don't be scared." Verner said when he saw we didn’t move.

"May I talk to my sister for a moment." I asked.

"Of course." Verner said walking into the kitchen.

"Okay, I have found you a place to stay, you will come back after lunchtime and report to us and we shall report to you. Good luck."

"Don't go yet." She said as I let go of her hand disappearing before her.

            I opened my eyes and was at the woods edge. I walked back to our broken down house and told the band what happened.