The Script of Evil

39 - Déjà vu

Slowly and with much effort Jack pulls himself out of the bed and sits drunkenly on the edge, feeling lazy to rise. Lack of sleep is taking its toll! He hit the bed at seven straight from work without undressing and after washing only strategic parts quickly because little time was left before they must depart to the airport to fetch Billy's mother. Her flight lands today, Saturday, at 13:00 in PE and they all want to be there when she disembarks.

Via a WhatsApp call, they have already spoken to her and sketchily explained what is going on. Rene, who slept with Jack this morning, has also risen to wake the kids and tell them to prepare themselves. They will all have lunch with Emilie at the airport in order to discuss the way forward.

The bedroom door suddenly swings wide open and Rene stands there bewildered and frightened with a piece of paper in her hand.

"What is it, my dear?"

Rene silently walks up to him and holds the paper out to him. It is a printed picture with writing at the back: "Dearest Father and Mother, please don't be cross with Billy, because he did not want to, but I persuaded him there is no other way out. Please go and fetch Billy's mother and bring her with. Meet us here. You'll understand later on ... turn over ..."

Jack turns the note over and recognizes a printout of the Google Map that Michael showed them. A thick cross covers the home surrounded by high pine trees. Nico told them that the task team hasn't yet visited the place, but that it is monitored 24/7 by satellite and hidden agents but that no activities have been reported as yet. After Michael told Nico that the occult probably knows about the task team, Nico replied that his leader must decide whether to visit the place or not. At that stage, the task team had no leads on or tracks of the people who tortured Billy or as to the whereabouts of the prophet. At this stage, the owner of this smallholding is their only lead and they are investigating all his properties, businesses, and contacts clandestinely. Except for that, they are in a cul de sac.

And now the children silently slipped out while they were sleeping! Is it Kadin's curiosity or is it the bug in her brain? Dammit! He must have known that he can safeguard his family against dangers from outside, but how does he protect them from the bug in her brain?

Upset Jack jumps up. Suddenly he is wide awake and full of energy.

"Rene, phone Michael immediately! I am sure they have gone to him to give them a lift to that place. This place is a smallholding next to the sea on the way to the SardiniaBay seafront and I don't think they would be mad enough to walk all the way." Jack grabs his clothes from the cupboard and clothes himself quickly.

Rene quickly gets her phone. "Hello, Michael here."

"Michael, are or were Kadin and Billy with you?"

"No, Madam. I don't understand. Where do you mean? I'm handing out food here in St Georges Park?"

"The children silently slipped out and left us a note that we must get Billy's mother from the airport and we must meet them at the place where the professor was kept. We thought it would be too far to walk. Maybe they asked you to take them to the spot."

"No, Madam, I'll never do something like that! But what is now happening, is very strange!"

"Strange isn't the correct word, Michael!"

"No, Madam! You don't understand. It is so difficult to explain. Déjà vu, Madam! I have dreamt of this moment. Madam, please come and pick me up. I am going to wait for you at the nearest gate to the swimming pool in Park Drive. Please pick me up when you are on your way to the airport. I must go with you!"

"Michael, do you want to tell me the children really went by foot? It is a long way off. How long will it take them?"

"Madam, if they departed early from you they could have been there by around one-o'-clock. I presume they took a kwêla till after the Walmer settlement and take a shortcut if you plan cleverly and know what you are doing."

"Shortcut?" Rene thinks a bit and works out the route in her mind. "Goodness Michael, the shortest route to those smallholdings near SardiniaBay goes through dangerous, desolate, bushed places and also through squatter camps. We will pick you up, Michael, the more heads looking for them the better."

The call has scarcely ended when she searches for Nico's number.

Concerned Jack takes her shoulder: "Have I heard correctly? They walked all the way?"

Vehemently she shakes her head. "They even left their smartphones next to the note on her bed. It looks as if they wanted to prevent the task team following them and to force us to meet them at that place! What is going on Jack? I'm trying to reach Nico. Maybe they can locate them with a drone."

***

The comfortable running shoes helped a lot but Kadin's feet are sore and tired. She hopes they are at the right spot. It was a very long walk and they jog-walked and it was difficult keeping up with Billy. The people in the squatter camps through which they travelled, looked curiously at them because they stood out like sore thumbs. They sometimes had to negotiate the smallest bush paths and by times they stopped and she frequently wondered whether they would find an opening to get out of the bushes. They passed shacks made of garbage bags and branches by woodcutters hidden deep in the thick bushes. She chilled and looked around anxiously and foresaw how they were going to encounter a man with an axe or a panga or were surrounded by barbaric men, but they came through unscathed. Her parents are never going to trust her again!

They recognised the landmarks and are sure that they are on the smallholding near the house. Quickly they walk through the row of pine trees and now Kadin sees the giant building. She looks at her wristwatch. If it is the right place they have done it!

She looks at Billy and he smiles at her and excitedly they move forward. It is an enormous place with beautiful gardens on both sides. They walk over a dirt road and approach a space resembling a parking area. They climbed the stairs and walk over a marble veranda up to the front door. Kadin smiles when she sees the number 666 in thick, golden numbers on the front door and looks at Billy who confirms by nodding.

"This is the place, Billy, it is exactly as in our dream!"

Is this heavy door going to open like in her dream when she turns the handle? She puts her hand on the handle and then they hear a strange noise right behind them and she lets go. They turn around and look up. It is a drone that appeared from somewhere and lowered itself to their level. They see something turning while making a sound and then realize it is the camera that is zooming in on them.

Kadin gets hold of Billy's shoulder. "Nico's task team. Billy, let's greet them. Now they can tell our parents we have arrived safely!"

They smile and wave at the drone that is now right in front of them. Kadin waves with her arm in a 'come here' gesture and now turns the handle and the door opens. They slip in leaving the drone behind and close the door quickly.

They are in a room like a big hall and there are a big 666 in golden numbers against the wall opposite them. Kadin's voice echoes through the room. "Just as in our dream, Billy!"

Billy takes her hand and together they walk to right beneath the golden numbers. Billy hits with the ball of his fist against the wall. It echoes hollowly through the hall. He hits it six times and waits a few seconds, then again and again another two times and they stand back waiting anxiously.

Once again their dream becomes a déjà vu moment when they hear a strange noise coming from the wall and then the wall splits open just to the right of the numbers like a giant sliding door. They step forward into a little dark room with steps that lead downwards. Lights come on and illuminate the steps.

Excitedly they smile at each other. So far everything in their dreams came true just like the dream about their visit to the psychiatrist. The opening behind them closes and they hold hands tightly. They are standing in a closed room with steps that lead downwards.

Billy turns and kisses Kadin full on her lips. "Come! We are almost there."

In anticipation, they start to walk down the steps while holding hands tightly.