Heartache

Chapter 7 - Saved

Chapter 7 - Saved 

“Hey get up, we got stuff to do” Jason called from the kitchen. I opened my eyes again looking at the mirror again, seeing Jason making breakfast made me smile. I got up and stretched my arms out.
“What time is it?” I looked around the room and saw a pillow and a blanket messily resting on the couch. I removed the covers of me, the heat throwing itself at me like someone would throw away unwanted items. No wonder Jason wore his brumuda shorts and vest. I walked to the bathroom and took a cool shower. The cold water trickled down my body into the drain brushing of the heat from my body. I got myself dressed into my white jeans with a red half – sleeve top. I got out drying my hair and caught Jason looking.
“What?”
“Nothing, hurry up we got to leave” he casually got back to his work not looking up at me but I was sure I caught him smiling.

After me and Jason were ready we left the hotel and went to find Caron’s friend. We knew he was called Mr. Errgly, exactly at 11 am a car was parked outside the hotel ready to take me and Jason. The ride wasn’t that long, it took about half an hour to get there and when we did my mouth dropped open. Mr. Errgly lived in a small cottage, there were flowers nearly everywhere and he also had his own little farm which held a few sheep and some cows. I followed Jason towards the cottage, he stood at the door step with me waiting behind him.
“What you waiting for?” I asked him, he shot me a sharp look then slowly knocked on the cottage door. The door opened and there stood an old man in his eighties supporting his weight with an old, oak walking stick, his back hunched. A huge smile appeared on his face showing only a few teeth, he wore a pair of worn out glasses. The wrinkles on his faced darkened when he smiled outlining the hard features on his face. His filthy white beard covered most of his face, it looked more like a wild forest than a beard. His clothes were worn-out and he had a revolting smell coming from is short plump body as if he hadn’t showered for years. His beady eyes looked at us for a good couple of minutes.  

“You must be sent by Caron, please come in” he stood to one side and pointed inside. What kind of friends does Caron make? I walked really close behind Jason making sure I was careful not to touch him. He looked at me, giving me the ‘keep our distance’ face then carried on walking. I stepped back a little obeying him. 

The man took us down a long hall way it seemed like we were in a horror movie, I was just waiting for the moment for something to either drag me or make me pee my pants. Finally Mr. Errgly opened the lock on a black door.
“Have a seat” he said pointing at the old tarnished couch. I saw his hands, they were wrinkly and had many scars. He quickly hid his hand under his sleeve and smiled at me. Jason sat in the middle with me on his left and Mr. Errgly on the right.
“So tell me children would you like anything to drink, we have some milk or maybe some oatmeal?” For crying out load why anyone would drink oatmeal, at least milk is a little more decent. I didn’t even think till now that someone could drink oatmeal from a glass.
“No thank you, we just want to discuss about the library” Jason said
“Why don’t you tell me what I can do for you” he said to me, despite Jason being in between us two I could still smell his breath, he seriously need a pack of strong mints.
“Erm we want to talk about the library” I said not being able to stop looking at the huge black hairy mole he had on his chin.
“Yes, your friend already said that” his eyes wide
“Mr. Errgly can I talk to you in private please?” Jason asked getting of his seat. Mr. Errgly’s smile disappeared, he looked at me. “She will stay here. Shall we?” he said. Finally after Mr. Errgly’s intense stare at me they went to another room leaving me alone on this revolting couch.  

I began looking around while they spoke. Everything in this room was centuries old, there was an old piano with half the keys missing. There was one peculiar photograph leaning against the wall that grabbed my attention. It looked like Mr. Errgly but more human and on his side was a young beautiful lady. Before I could pick it up the door opened and Jason had a smile on his face whereas Mr. Errgly looked the same as before, just scarier. Mr. Errgly saw me looking at the photograph and came closer. Jason stood in front of me blocking Mr. Errgly from my view.
“May I speak to the lady please” He said shifting Jason to the side then carried on speaking. “That was my wife… if you want you can take her place, it gets lonely here” he smiled instead he was just freaking me out even more. Jason grabbed my arm pulling me towards him.
“Thank for your time sir, we’ll take your leave” Jason said still holding my arm. He gave Mr. Errgly a fierce look then walked towards the door with me following. He slammed the door behind us and carried on walking towards the car.
“Do come back” Mr. Errgly shouted from the only window he had, I felt Jason’s grip on me harden, he was hurting me but I didn’t speak I could tell he wasn’t in the mood. We got in the car and drove off.

He let go of my wrist and said “Sorry”. I could see the area where he held me go light red.
“It’s okay. What happened when you spoke to him?” I asked when we got back into the hotel room.
“He said he will help, we called Caron and it’s sorted”
“So the library’s saved?”
“Nearly, Caron just has to do some paper work then we’ll own the land so the shopping mall can’t be built there unless we want it too”
“That’s great” I smiled at him as I sat down. Jason made a few more calls while I cleaned up. It was at 11 when everything was done and finally I and Jason sat down, me on the bed and him on couch.

“So Jason… are we like friends now?” I asked playing with my hands but not looking at him, I saw his head move up with his eyes on me
“How about if I say I’m not a good friend?” he asked using his hard voice
“I think I should be the judge of that” I looked up, are eyes meeting, it felt like he was searching for something in my eyes but had no luck.
“It’s going to be challenge with me”
“I like challenges” I smiled. He stood up and walked towards me, he sat beside me and moved his hand towards me while it hovered in the air he said
“Alright I still get to call you lobster through” he said smiling
“Fine” I said and shook his hands. The touch gave me shivers.

“Are we supposed to go home tomorrow or we can stay a while?” I asked
“Well Caron said the work is done so we can either stay or go, your choice”
“I think we should stay, you know just to look around”
“You sure that’s all you want?” he smirked lifting his brows
“Yes completely sure. So like, since were friends can I ask you something?”
“Depends on the question” his face went serious again the smile vanished.
“Erm how come you don’t like your fathe...” he interrupted me
“I don’t want to talk about it” he said and walked away. I never understood why guys say that, it was like he was afraid to show me his emotions. I followed him outside onto the balcony.

The soft breeze hit me as soon as I stepped outside, the wind blew though my hair giving me a fresh feeling. I walked to the railing where Jason was standing.
“You can trust me” I said wondering what he was thinking. The bright opaque moon hanging in the pitch black giving the sky a sparkle. There were only a few twinkling stars but both of our concentration was on the moon.
“My dad died from cancer”
“I’m sorry” I said, it must have been hard for to him to heal.
“Just after he passed away, Peterson married my mom and ever since then he’s been trying to take dad’s place. But I won’t let him”
“But that doesn’t mean you have to hate him” despite the darkness with the moons light it was enough to tell me Jason wasn’t smiling.
“First promise this stays between us” his eyes fierce
“Promise”

“My step isn’t actually who he says he is, he abuses my mother” he said looking away.
“Doesn’t your mother say anything?”
“Nope she thinks loves him, she says it’s his way of showing love” he smiled a sarcastic smile
“Have you tired talking to her?” 
“Yeah but she won’t listen to anything I say, I’ve just stopped talking to them”
“Thanks Jason”
“For what?” his brows narrowed
“Well for trusting me, I didn’t expect you to tell me anything”
“Don’t get used to it. Your turn to tell me about your family” he said as he walked towards the chair and sat down.

He patted the chair beside him and I walked towards him taking the seat he offered. I relaxed myself and closed my eyes. “My parents died in an accident. I sent my younger brother to Canada where he stays with his friends and I’m here with my aunt and uncle. You know when I heard the news about the library I just broke down, the only way for me to connect with my parents was through book and it was taken away”
“I know how you feel. My dad was crazy for books too” I turned and saw Jason looking at me. His eyes looked like they were yearning for someone, requesting for help but no voice came out.
“We should go” he got up and held his hand out towards me and I took it. He pulled me up with the hand he held a burst of wind brushing against my face. My shoulder touched his arm instantly sending a jolt through my arm into my body. He let go of my hand and walked inside. I followed.