The journey to recovery

Chapter 39

Chapter thirty nine

Stage three : Indecision and Secrecy

California 

Ferdinand's P.O.V

A squall bombarded us before the helicopter landed on the roof. At the corner of my eye I saw Troy with some brunette. First my right cheek then my left hurt at the jabs from the corner of my lips.

  Good for him!

Once the helicopter hovered on the ground  I crouched down to Chester.
" Hold on to me real tight okay?" I told him who nodded.

The little boy wrapped his arms around my neck while I was in ready position.

Once the blades quit spinning I ran into the ride out of this wet hell with Chester.

" We made it "he uttered.

" I told you we would okay we can try to call your elder sister again" I told him fishing out my phone when I spotted Dawn and  gave a small smile. After the unsuccessful  phone call I  looked out the window and  looked at the water on the streets that hid  the cars out there.

I got the same sinking feeling in my stomach as the helicopter begun to hover then lift off the ground, Chester was still quiet the whole ride.

At ten thousand feet I failed to look out of the window again I kept my gaze on those around soaked and miserable,the helicopter then on myself.

Wonder where we're going to stay?

My question got answered when we arrived at the Church frantic people moving to and fro at the church ground.

Oddly enough we were left bewildered at the landing spot apparently waiting for the others to arrive.

At eleven to midnight I belief we were finally acknowledged by a nun " Sorry about the misfortune and delay hello there " she apologised while she acknowledged Chester not really replied by anyone she ushered us into the church pews grouping us to the space at the side of the pews.

" Thank you sister" the matron appreciated on the behalf of us.

My eyes were narrowed into slits at the brunette who stood one of the tallest amongst us.

I'm watching you high cheek bones and brown eyes.

A tug at my hand shifted my attention to down at my left side where Chester was.

" What's up? " I replied  and followed his gaze to the nun.

" I'd like to take him to the rest of the kids"

" Oh, sure Night little buddy" I bidded him  farewell  with a hug.

There after I got on the pew right behind me to have an aerial view contented the few lights from the gadgets weren't near me.

I opened my laptop and went to my email to write to father.

Sorry dad,
Reck won't be able to find me at Hollywood we had to relocate because of the flood I'll inform you more when I settle.

" Okay" I muttered slamming my laptop shut then wiggle the DHL box out of my bag. After opening it I finally turned it on.

Yes there's still mail on the laptop!
Not that I can't retrieve it's just easier this way.

There's the airplane ticket to Denmark. I searched further only stumbling across the images of a bungalow.

I guess this is where he went to stay ? Looks expensive though even with his balance.

I couldn't make out a theory with what I  got all I see is a house. I searched some more settling at the old videos he made.

Nostalgia flooded me again before I pressed on the play button.

The clipped started off with Verena and I at a match. I remember this one we were at our semi finals doubles.

" There they are"

" There they are" he annoyingly muttered  not moving the videocam.
" Just following their request don't move right Doug"

" Ah" cried Doug besides Ryder.
" Toughen up" chirped Ryder exhaling " Go to the lower bench" snapped Doug after an extended period of time.

He moved to the parents recording their kids to spin around and walk over to the tennis ball  machine. Then as though he's taking a selfie he stood in front of the supply of tennis ball.

" Ryder get away from the fucking ball machine" I joined the rest of the aggravated players.

I stopped on that video so that I get nostalgic just for the experience of it. Eventually I stopped the whole search since I wasn't getting anything useful.

The next day Chester left with his parent and sister and I decided to get back on track and find another hostel despite not paying for this place to stay I was ready to leave.

" Monterey Bay Lodge" smirked Shawn to be booed at and frowned upon. " Santa Cruz hostel  " spoke Maud most of us feeling indifferent to it.

" I also got Santa Cruz " I spoke in the group. " Okay who voted for Santa Cruz" asked Dawn. I put up my hand
" Three out of five"

" Monterey Hostel" " Five then it's settled Monterey hostel" announced Dawn. We didn't really leave that day since we all over slept and this agreement was done in the evening.

After doing a few chores  in the church I was ready to snooze the night away. At the right moment of falling asleep a force whacked me at my middle awakening me.

I shot my eyes open and shots daggers at the idiot that crash landed on me.
" Sorry" No shit I shifted again for a comfy position when it dawned on me who he was back in my late childhood.

" Craig?"

It was him just no afro and a little stubble,with a quizzical look taking a few seconds longer to remember. I was just about to tell him it's me when he got it.

" Nante?Nante!" he chirped as I nodded my head yelping as he gave me a hug lifting me off the ground.

After the hug I was grateful for my dark complexion because black people don't blush.

" You look good " That's a first he barely noticed me when we were younger!

" Thanks so do you?" I replied. And I'm eloquent?

" So what are you doing here?"

" Taking refuge after the flood I was at a hostel where you were you before the flood ?"

" Some motel  got any good spots for me?" He asked a little timid.

Why is he timid is there some scary guy behind wait could it be ..me? No no!

" Yeah me and a few friends are going to Monterey hostel tomorrow you should join us"

" Cool see you tomorrow then "

" Sure" I grinned.

A few more hours into the night I got out Ryder's laptop again racking my brain again.

I looked at the picture again reading the address.

Hel,Tz That means it's not in Denmark. I searched again stumbling on the copy of Dad bank statement.

Why does Ryder have dad's bank statement?

Just I was about to drown deeper in those puzzles I found his place of stay in Denmark and probably where he got killed.

AB Blegdammen