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Authors: Andy Frankham-Allen

Seeker (43 page)

BOOK: Seeker
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Jake looked up from where he was sitting. He made a face. “Nah, not quite ready for that kind of healthy kick.”

“Okay, just don't forget, we got a workout to do yet.” Charlie winked and returned to the kitchen.

Jake laughed to himself. He wasn't convinced that Charlie was the one to get him in shape; he liked his beer and meat pies too much. He was about to call out and ask if it was okay to spark up, when he felt his phone go off. He manoeuvred it out of his pocket and stared at the screen in disbelief.

Message received from Will
.

Jake almost dropped the phone, his hands suddenly filling with sweat.

He took a deep breath and opened the message. After reading it he stood up and walked to the living room doorway. For a moment he stood there, unsure of what to do. If he followed the instructions in the text then he would be betraying Charlie's hospitality. But he had little choice.

Despite how much he was growing to like Charlie, Jake had always known that it would come down to a choice between them. He pulled his still wet coat off the banister and called out to Charlie.

“Just popping outside for a smoke.”

“No problem,” Charlie called back. “I'll make sure there's a nice healthy sandwich waiting for you.”

Jake smiled, and immediately felt guilty. He turned and left the house.

* * *

As soon as he stepped out of the house Jake lit his cigarette and took a deep drag. He stood on the porch, watching the rain fall while he allowed the nicotine to calm him. His heart was going ten to the dozen, adrenalin coursing through his body at the thought of seeing Will again.

It had been a week since he had last seen him walking away from the house towards Fulham Broadway Station. Back then Jake had the sense that he'd never see Will again. Since then it seemed so much had happened. Amy, Conrad…and his changing feelings for Will.

Jake stepped off the porch and into the rain.

He looked up the street towards London Road but saw no sign of Will, so he looked down towards Marine Parade and Belton Hills. Standing at the corner was a figure he knew well. Unable to contain his broad smile, Jake made his way down the street. He slowed down as he approached Will, feeling something a little off key about his old friend.

Apart from the fact that Will was standing there in only his jumper, the rain soaking him through, he looked much as he should. His hair was plastered to his head, but rain would do that a person. Only there was something different about him, a coldness to his eyes, which were regarding Jake narrowly.

“Mate, you're going catch tour death like that,” Jake said.

Will looked down at himself and shrugged. “I should be so lucky. Anyway it's only a bit of rain.”

“A bit?” Jake looked up at the thick grey clouds. “Right, a bit.” He looked back at Will, noting how he was not looking directly at Jake. “You okay, man?”

“On a scale of one to a hundred? Not even slightly.” Will looked at him for the first time, full on eye-to-eye contact. Jake pulled back in surprise, then leaned in closer. “Yeah, things have changed,” Will said.

“Shit. What the hell has happened to your eyes?”

“It doesn't matter, the less you know the better. I just wanted to say thank you.”

Jake didn't like the sound of that. It felt final somehow. “For what?”

“For coming here, to look for me. It means a lot.”

“Mate, how could I not? After all we've been through. I love you, Will, no way I was going to lose you.” The words came out a lot easier than Jake would have expected, his voice controlled and natural. Maybe he had finally come to terms with it after all.

“You're going to have to.”

Jake took hold of Will by the shoulders. “No way, not now. I don't care what's happened, what cult you've joined, I'm not going to lose you again.”

“Cult?”

Jake shrugged. “Yeah,” he said, releasing Will. “Heard you joined some cult who believe they're vampires.” He offered a weak smile. “Dumb, eh?”

“Yeah, dumb,” Will agreed, his voice a lot more serious than Jake cared for. “I'm going now.”

Jake reached out for him again, to stop him turning away. “Like that? What the hell's wrong with you? We've been worried sick about you, no one had any idea what happened to you. Not even Charlie.”

“Yes,” Will said, nodding slowly, “I noticed you found Charlie. That's…good.”

“Good? What's that supposed to mean?”

“Just that…It's good you have found each other.”

Jake scowled, his head a mix of notions, his heart tearing through all kinds of emotions. “Fine, whatever. Point is, you're needed back home. You have no idea what's been going on while you've been away. The things that have been happening. Lawrencia…the shit that's going on in her life. Amy left me.”

Throughout the tirade Will just watched him impassively.

Jake shook his head. “You don't care, do you?”

Will frowned. “Care? I…” He looked down and turned away. “Of course I care,” he said over his shoulder. “That's why I have to leave.”

Jake didn't get that. It sounded too much like what Amy had said. Like the twisted logic he had used to convince himself he was doing right by copping off with Conrad. “This is bullshit, Will! So much has happened, you're not the only one who's changed. I
need
you!” he shouted.

Will turned back to him in surprise. “Why…?”

Jake let the breath escape between his teeth. “Because I love you, is why. When you were gone…well, I realised how much I needed you.” He stepped forward to take Will's hand. “Don't you get it?”

Will looked down at their hands, and pulled away sharply. “I'm sorry, Jake. But I have to leave. Just do me a favour.”

Jake swallowed hard, unable to believe his ears. “What?” he asked, trying his damndest to control his emotions.

“Keep an eye on everyone for me. Especially Curtis. Can you do that?”

“Of course I can.”

“Thank you.” Will leaned forward and kissed Jake on the lips. “I will be in touch, but please don't try to find me again.”

With that he turned and walked away. For a moment Jake stood there, the tears stinging his eyes. He placed his fingers on his lips.

* * *

Sam crossed the road and set off down the slope of Belton Way. It was time. Seeing Jake had been a bad idea, but it had taught him something. He couldn't return to Lilly, not now. Instead he had to…

There was a buzzing in his jeans, and he removed the phone. He allowed the song to play out.

You're haunted by yesterdays and still sore from the fall
,

All you need is to whitewash these old walls
,

We'll paint something new, if you listen to me
.

He looked up from the name, and across the road to Jake, who stood there, his own phone held in his hand, directed at Sam. Not for a moment did Jake look away.

But Sam did. Something caught inside him. He knew what it was, but he shut it down. He looked up and closed his eyes, allowing the rain to wash over his face.

Willem Townsend was gone, the life he had once lived little more than a dream. Sam had much to do. Out there, somewhere in the world, something was calling him. He didn't know what it was, but he knew he had to seek it out.

And to that end Sam set back off down the sloping grass. It was time to paint something new as his namesake sang, and start again. He flung the phone onto the damp wet grass, leaving Willem's world behind.

The Still As Yet To Be…

“You see?” Sam said, “choice.”

The other man nodded, but his sword did not come down. “Yes, free will. You chose not to give in to the path destiny made for you. And yet, somehow, you still ended up here.”

Sam shrugged. “Well, again, I refer you to choice. We all make our choices, and we have to live by the consequences of them.”

“You have never lived by the consequences.”

“Do you think so? It doesn't matter. You were chosen for this, and you accepted. Two choices that led us both here.” Sam smiled, and put his hands behind his back, leaving himself open. “Very well, decide what must be done.”

“It was never my choice to make,” his old friend said, and struck with his sword
.

To be continued…

And Thank You To…

It's true that a book is never written by one person, not really. So many people play a part, offer up little moments of inspiration, suggest ideas and avenues not previously considered. And so this is a big thank you to all those who have helped, inspired, or just been there, during the long process of writing and editing
Seeker
.

Special thanks must go to my muse for ten years, Betty Medeiros, to Gary Russell who gave me my first professional gig back in 2004 and recommended me to Tim at Hirst Publishing.

To all my friends, in particular; Gillian Joubert, Joanne Shah, Ryan Hunter, Lawrencia Abugre, Daren Thomas, Andrew “Drewski” Turpin, Russell Dryden, Katie Riggs, Lisa Challoner, Mark Carlin, Martyn Edge, Soniah Lilley, Claire Higgins, Jolene Ferries, Sharon Bidwell, Tricia Heighway, Joe Wilson, Anne Brooke, Sam Stone, Mark Michalowski, Trudi Topham, Luke Spillane, Tom Webster, Samantha Reeves and Gillian Smith.

And, of course, to all the family who have supported me over the years, especially; Mother, Tracey, Traci-Anne, Jordan, Alan & Mandy, Shannon, Nancy, Kayleigh, and Jamie & Shelley.

A final thanks goes to Kurt Schneider for allowing me the use of the lyrics from Sam Tsui's latest single, “Start Again.” Everyone at The King's Cross, Cardiff, for their help with the launch (in particular Will Elliott), and everyone at Hirst Publishing and Untreed Reads Publishing for their hard work in getting both versions of this book out there.

If I missed anyone, as I no doubt have, apologies. There's another three of these books coming, so…

Andy
,

14th February, 2011

BOOK: Seeker
4.35Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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