The Triplets' Curse

Chapter 9 : The betrayal

Franklin did not get a good vibe from Mr. Karl. Though Mr. Karl helped him at all his hard times,there was something which stopped him to trust Mr. Karl. He did not visit the home after that. He ignored Mr. Karl's calls and voice messages. But a part of him always wanted to check on him. Indeed, he was the one who took care of him and his brothers. After a week, Franklin decided to pay a visit. He went to the home and knocked at Mr. Karl's door. “Here I go again,young Franklin”,told Mr. Davis. “Hey..Good morning Mr. Davis” he told and he extended his hand. He shook his hand and noticed that his hands had cuts and bruises. “Sir, are you alright? You are hurt” he told and offered to look for a place to sit. “ Yeah, I am fine. My wife is ill,so I had to cook for her. I was careless while cutting the vegetables, so I deserve this" he told and chuckled. “Fine sir, take care.” “What are you doing here?” “I came here to look for Mr. Karl.” Mr. Davis sighed. “Mr. Karl uhm… I don't know,but that man doesn't like me. And, he showed a great dislike, when I was speaking about you to my dad.” “Yeah, I know. He was the only man I could have trusted. But now..” Franklin sighed. “Now?” he asked with a surprised face. “ Everything is changed sir. I am not able to trust anyone. I feel completely lost. I don't have a single person to whom I can pour out my emotions “ he told with his eyes moist. “Look, Franklin. You know,you can count on me right? Let it out and you will feel better. Trust me. Whatever you tell, will be safe with me” he told as he patted his shoulders. “I don't know sir. I trust you. I trust this place. This is not a home,this is where I grew up. Every brick here knows my emotions and feelings after Adian's death.” “Your brother's death has created a great impact on you. Is there anything you are doing about it?” he asked. “That's a long story. My hopes are down now. It's strange why Michael hadn't tried to contact me before. I mean, he had paid a visit to the home. Why didn't Mr. Karl tell anything about me to him? Was Mr. Karl hiding something? Or was he trying to jeopardize us?” “Frank, you are thinking way too much. Mr. Karl is a good person. My dad told me how generous he is. He is a good soul. He has been working  here for his entire life. He is one among us. So, just give some time.” “Yeah,maybe. That's why I came here to check on him.” “Mm hm. He has gone out of town. Didn't you know?” he asked. “Out of town? Without even putting a word to me?” “Maybe he would have tried to reach out to you.” “Yes, he called me many times. I ignored everything. Do you know where he is now?”asked Franklin. “I am not sure about that. But my dad was telling that Mr. Karl had asked him for a temporary break from his work. He has gone to Southern Milltown.” “Right.. I will see to it.” “Are you going for him?” “Yeah. If it's a temporary break, he may stay there for few months. Once, he told me that he had a sister there. Maybe, he is living there” told Franklin. “Don't think much about Michael anyways. I hope wherever he is, people would be treating him well with good food and basic needs.” “Yeah, I hope the same. Sir, would you mind to accompany me? South Milltown is just 2 hours from here.” “Yeah, sure. I'll drop you there. I don't think so Mr. Karl would like my presence. Let's start tonight,I'll get my car. By then, my wife should be alright.” “Yeah,sure. Take care of her too.”
    Franklin felt a ray of hope after speaking with Mr. Davis. Though he met him only thrice, he felt that  he had so many connections with him. He thought how genuine he was. He was very much moved when he asked his help. After half past 8, Franklin waited for Mr. Davis, outside the home. Mr. Davis got his black Ford for the drive. Franklin got in next to the driver seat, with a small blue backpack. He had folded two or three clothes for emergency and basic needs. “Do you have a girlfriend?” asked Mr. Davis. Franklin chuckled. “They are way out of my league. I'm happy now and I don't feel the need for a commitment. I don't even have a proper job. The home gave me a small house to live. I teach French and History for few kids in my neighbourhood.” “That's interesting. I've been to France.  It's a really great place to live. You earn your own bread for you huh?” “Yes sir. The income is enough for food and to buy my own things” replied Franklin. “Simple life is good Franklin. You take me, I serve here in the home, do business. It's so difficult.” “Yeah, life is difficult sir. We must befriend this bizarre world.” After a while, Franklin fell asleep. Mr. Davis drove him to the address that he got from his dad. He woke Frank and he got up straight from his sleep. He had no idea where he was and was completely blank for a minute. “Yeah sir. I'm sorry, I fell asleep. I'm so sorry.” “That's okay,this is the address that my dad gave me. He had known Mr. Karl's sister through some donators.” “Thank you so much sir”he told and he stepped out from the car.
     As Mr. Davis bade a bye and started to drive, he realized that he had Mr. Davis's blazer. He had removed his blazer and kept on the seat next to his and as Franklin sat on it,he kept that on his lap. Franklin started to shout his name but in vain. He got a lift from a guy in a two wheeler. He went behind Mr. Davis to reach out and hand over his blazer to him. Mr. Davis had stopped his car outside the woods and entered into it. Mr. Davis didn't hear him . Franklin started to suspect something and went behind him. As they kept walking, he was thrilled to see some people there. It was indeed the Father of the home Mr. Alphonse, Mrs. Davis, Inspector Berlin and none other than Mr. Karl. Franklin kept a close watch by hiding himself behind one of the trees. Few people brought a guy out of a cave with his hands tied back. He looked really bad with cuts and scars all over his body. He saw Mr. Davis talking to the guy. Franklin wanted to know who the guy was. He slowly took a step. His eyes stuck to the guy, his heart thudded after seeing him. He looked exactly like Franklin. “Brother.. my own brother…” whispered Franklin to himself.