An Immortal's Favour

Jack- The Curse Game

*

During the night, I gave Karlton a call, just to see how things were going with him.

"She's fine now. You really came through for me, and I can't thank you enough," he said.

"It's no problem."

"You're fine, I hope? Everything going good with your trip and all?"

"It's taking a turn for the worst if I'm honest."

Karlton sighed, saying nothing for a while. "I won't pry, but if you feel like talking about it, go ahead."

"It's family stuff," I said.

"Your pa still?"

"Unfortunately."

There was a pause. "Does Bo know?"

I licked my lips, turning to one side. "More than before."

"And how's she doing?"

"I can go fetch her if you want to talk to-"

"No," Karlton cut across, his voice followed by crackling from his end of the line. "No. I should probably get going."

"What did she do to you?" I asked, trying not to laugh.

"Nothing. Look, I'm really needed elsewhere."

"Fine, fine. Sorry for keeping you. Have a good night."

While Gale and I prepared to leave the next morning, with our bags splayed open over our beds, I got a call to head down to reception. When I slowed to a stop before the desk, a giant of a man looked up. He came forward, cheeks puffed out as he smiled, and took my hand into his own. His grip was loose, and my hand fell from his quickly.

"Jacob! It's me, Qwesi, from boarding school. Johnson's older brother, remember?"

"Good to see you." I gave a measured nod, not feeling much in terms of familiarity towards the guy. "Can I help you with anything?"

"Oh, I just heard you were in town. Thought maybe you'd like to catch up."

"Who told you I'm here?"

"There's this lovely park nearby. I don't know if you'd paid it a visit yet, but..." He placed a hand on the small of my back, guiding me towards the double doors. Gale hovered behind us.

The trill of a telephone sounded. A few hushed words followed before the receptionist called out to me. "Mr Agyakwa? There's a message for you from a...Peter Agyakwa, was it?" She returned her attention to the receiver briefly.

I huddled against a wall half a minute later, painfully aware of the stare that Qwesi was burning into my back, while Gale guided him out of the lounge to offer me whatever privacy I could've had in a room teeming with strangers. Perhaps she thought he might gossip to some others back home. I doubt I'd be surprised if he did. As my nerves threatened to spiral out of control, I reached for the lobby phone and dialed the number I'd been given.

"Jacob, morning."

"Morning, Father." My heart swelled at the sound of his voice, gravelly and dry as it was.

"How are you, son?"

"I'm...I..." This conservation couldn't have come at a better time. Finally, I had the chance to get to the bottom of whatever the hell was going on. Finally, I could put my mind at ease. "It's good to hear from you. Mother and I have been so worried-"

"How long until we meet? I want to see that you're well with my own eyes."

Footsteps echoed behind me, and I brought the receiver closer to my ear.