Escaping Today - Chapter 8 8.an Unfathomable Truth.

“The young Bachelor Erwin Scott is no longer single”, the headlines read. Below the headline, the photo appeared slowly, of Alisha and Erwin in the car. ‘Where I have seen this girl’, thought Simpson Rocky, adopted son of Chief Abel Clark. He was sitting on the couch as he held the newspaper. Chief Abel entered the living and overlooked over his son. “Reading news?” He asked. “Who’s this Erwin dad?” Simpson asked.

“He’s a multi-millionaire, who had to take up a huge business as his family died in a massacre.” Chief Abel said, sadness lacing his voice. Simpson thought for a moment, “Dad! Will you be grateful, if one day, if I have found any truth about myself?” he asked. “Son, I don’t stop you because you have all right to. But pursuing your past, you’ll see a different you in your future. Remember to be careful Son, your all I have. Don’t make me lose you too.” Chief Abel Clark said and went to Kitchen to prepare breakfast for his Son. ‘Few things can’t be said Son, I really wish you luck but I’m afraid to send you in that way, sure it includes my selfishness but, I have no choice and also I thank heavens that you never regained your past.’ The Chief thought.

***

“Hello?” Erwin answered the phone call. “Sir, Ross here. I think you have already seen the tabloids. You’re their hot topic. I also traced that the initial news was started from the ‘Daily Courant’. The paparazzi is around you 24/7 Sir. I think they dig quite to an extent till now.” Ross said in line. “Ross, Let’s meet and talk. These things should be done face-to-face. Hope you get here on time, my Friend.” Erwin hung up the phone.

“Brother, who’s on the line?” Elena. “It’s Ross Mathews. He’ll be here my sissy-missy!” Erwin pulled up to her hand and popped a kiss on her little nose. “Eww! Brother! Your gross”, she playfully hit his arm with her little hands. “Why, you’re my one and only one honey!” Erwin said holding her in his hands. “Why is Ross coming now, are we having a picnic time now?”Elena asked elated. “No my sissy-missy. He’ll be here on work.” Erwin said, gently combing her hair. “Ok. Then I’ll have my time with Ms. Miles. Put me down.” Elena said. “No”, Erwin demanded playfully. “Put me down. Now!”Elena shouted. “No”, Erwin said through his laughter. “I’m going to tickle you to death” Elena said firmly. “Really? I bet you can’t”, Erwin said mocking. “You can little princess. Margit Doo is here”, Margit Mascot said comically. “This is cheating.” Erwin whined childishly. Margit and Elena laughed. The three of them were getting absorbed entertaining the little kid. “Sir, Ross reporting.”Ross said in a high pitch tone. Everyone became silent for a minute. “Hey Ross!”Elena broke the silence with her happy voice. “How are you Ma’am?” Ross greeted her as her took her from Erwin’s hold. “Great! How about you, Sir?” She shouted gleefully. “Great!” Ross said. “How are you Champ?” He greeted Margit. “As usual, cool” He said as he did a thumps up. “Elena, Brother has some business with Ross, you have to excuse us dear” Erwin said as Ross put down to her feet. “Princess Elena will take her leave now. Margit Doo, let’s set a war towards Fawcett city.” She said as she pulled Margit along with her. “Brother, you need anything just give me a call” Margit said as he was being dragged by Elena. “Sure thing”, Erwin said laughing at the scenario. “Please sit down Ross.” He poured him a glass of water. “You need anything, feel free.” Erwin said as he sat in his seat in the lawn. “No formalities Sir. I’ve done what you’ve asked for. Our troop has landed in new Zealand.” Ross said in a stern-staunch voice. “Tell me about the Troop you’ve sent and also about how and who followed us every day.” Erwin asked. Ross handed him the tablet which contained the photos of the troop. As Ross started, Erwin analysed their faces and the information regarding them.

“Akiiki: He is from Uganda. Although he has a criminal record, he is the best assassin. His speciality is he kills only when there is a need or else he just gives them a bed rest for a year. His strength, his guts to target and he never misses out. His weakness, he loves kids too much and his mother.

Toshiro: He is from Hokkaido, Japan. He lost his parents in an earthquake that occurred when he was doing his engineering at Tokyo University. He is known as a master mind in his college for his hacking skills. He worked for a security agency but was soon fired as they felt a threat from him. Due to this he actually hacked into their computers and this resulted in company’s downfall. He was sent to jail for one year. His strength: Hacking. His weakness: Nothing.

Samorn Nin: She is from Thailand. She was an ordinary girl, but her parents have to sell her to save her little brother who was suffering from leukaemia. She killed her benefactor and escaped from their country. Since she has killed someone, she was caught in Philippines and was in jail for 2 years. She did not study much but she has a capability of learning new things at a faster rate than any other person. She adapts to her circumstances fast. Her strength: Learns everything in short amount of time. Her weakness: Her brother.

Darro: He is from Scotland. He is a son of car mechanic. At a very young age, he learned about machines and how they work. He created his own mechanical plane with a remote control by the age 14. He is now the owner of the car servicing company. He has got a criminal record for maybe one week for bashing his drone into someone’s home in his neighbourhood but his dad always encourages him to excel in what he is doing. His strength & weakness: His family.

Gewa: She’s an orphan. When she arrived at Chime Orphanage, she was already raped as a child and lost her memories. She has a trauma of being touched and hates being forced to do something she hates. Later at age of 6 she got adopted into a Jewish family. Since the family wanted to change her name, she refused to go and escaped from her adopted family. She went back to the orphanage and continued to work for a while. She is pro at Taekwondo and yoga. She knows how to control people and hypnotises them in a second. Her Strength: Hypnotism. Her weakness: Orphanage.”

Erwin sat there analysing what Ross told him about. “Ross”, Erwin spoke up, “We want their strength to be firm and their weakness to be Strength.” “Akiiki’s Mother should be safe, Darro’s Family, Gewa’s Orphanage, Nin’s Brother. When their weaknesses are safe, they will work with their hearts.” Erwin said placing the tablet on the Tea pie. “I understand what you mean; I’ll do the remaining arrangements. I’ll take my leave now.” Ross stood up on his feet. “Ross, I would like another batch of people to track Ian. Something is fishy with him. I feel like he’s in danger.” Erwin said lugubrious. Ross looked at him for a moment, “Sure thing Sir”, Ross said and took his leave.

AFTER TWO DAYS: NEW ZEALAND

“Hello Ladies and gentlemen.” Ross entered the dusty garage with broken down equipment scattered all over the place. “The reason to gather you all here is, well, you and I have a mission here in New Zealand.” Everyone were seated in the wooden chairs and with all new faces facing each other. “We have to find someone. Here are the clues,” Ross handed then a photos showing purple background with “even their under covers are also in these logos. So all we have is these clues and limited time.” “Should assassin these people with these logos?” asked Akiiki. “No blood buddy. All you have to do is trace these guys and report. But one thing you have to do is, keep yourselves safe and sound for the people who depend on you and for that you have to kill, then don’t hesitate.” Ross said in profound voice.

“Then why do you need me?” Toshiro said. “A hacker?” Ross called out. “Don’t you know you’re a black hat and a very intelligent one too? Plan out everything you can and a fine escape route too. Your life is on the line, the most. They all depend on you Mr Toshiro. Good luck.” Toshiro laughed out, aloud, echoing the garage. “You think I’m that worthy? Practically, these won’t work out.” Toshiro said in austere tone. “ToshiroI hope you will know how worthy you are.” Ross affirmed.

“Well, that’s for the day. This garage is yours. Good day guys!” Ross strolled himself out with a victory smile. “Bastard!” yelled Toshiro.

“What are these tabs for?” Asked Erwin. “They’re just a regular multivitamin tabs, no need to worry.” Said Weber Ailbe, the chemist said as he flipping the gold curled hair which brushed his shoulders with his movement. “Actually, they are of high quality medicine with longer shelf life.” He walk passed through his cabin. “Erwin” he placed his hands over the shoulders of Erwin who was seated examining the results, “dude, you’re worked up. Look at you, ever since you saved that girl, only your problems have added on. Don’t you think?” Weber said. “Ailbe, it’s not her fault. She is more pitiful than me.” Erwin said in convincing manner. ” The young bachelor Erwin Scott is no longer single”, teased Weber. “ohshut up Ailbe.” Erwin said as he shoved Weber’s hands off from his shoulders. “Remember, I just came to meet you my friend. FBI has got hands over her case now, so I’m just being careful.” Erwin said as he rose from his seat and shoved the papers into his inner pocket of his coat. “I’ll take my leave now. Bye buddy” Erwin said, “Better not jump on any conclusions. Okay?” Erwin said as he gave Weber a quick hug and left. Weber stood looking at Erwin’s back as he left the cabin, seems like he is ignoring his heart, stupid fella! Weber chuckled.

SPRING DAN HIGH SCHOOL: SIMPSON ROCKY

“Hey Rocky” called out Michelle Finnie, the classmate of Simpson, approached as she clutched her bag strap with anger. Simpson turned back, as his thoughts stopped bringing him back to reality. Michelle is short tempered tomboyish girl with full of dreams of becoming a detective and acts like one. She is better looking with bob-cut hairstyle much less described to be pretty. She is good at catching people’s personalities. “You!” Michelle pointed out her but lowered as she saw the baffled Simpson. “Are you alright?” She asked concerned. Simpson nodded and smiled, “Finnie, Can you do me a favour?” He implored. “What’s it?” she asked. He pulled her along with him to the basketball ground, leaving them alone. “If, ever, something happens to me. Give this to dad. Remember, only when something happens to me, and don’t sneak.” He said in serious tone. “What’s going on?” Michelle asked flummoxed by the words uttered by Simpson. “Listen, I don’t know yet, but this is going to be tough.” Simpson said depressed. “I can understand that, you are concerned about your memory loss, but dad is concerned about it as well. We as siblings, we share a lot of things that we couldn’t tell our parents. I beg you Rocky, don’t do anything rash, else we might cause a ravage in the lives of people who are concerned about us.” Michelle explained. “So, you want to know. Okay” Simpson paused as he sighed, “I know something about myself.” He whispered.

“What?” Michelle asked smacking his arm.

“I think, I remember my past.” He whispered again.

“You are kidding?” Michelle chuckled, unable to believe.

“I remember myself, being with a couple. And that couple is not our parents” He said as he held his head down in desolation. “I wish my dad was Mr Abel Clark.” He yelled.

Michelle hugged him, “don’t try too hard. It’s fine.” He hugged back. “Take it slowly. We kept your name as it is because, you can find yourself. I was young when our parents divorced. I knew all along that you were more confused than I was. You looked pitiful. Even though I stayed with my mom and step-dad, I always found a way to approach you, just to be with you, just to save you, my brother.” Cried Michelle as they pulled away from each other. “I have already started my journey, knowing my fate Finnie. There’s no turning back now. Without knowing, everything came to me as a flash, I have no time and don’t tell dad about this.” Simpson pleaded.

“Then promise me. I have to know everything you do. Your every step should be known to me, else you’ll be keeping me in danger” Michelle said in sombre tone as she wiped the never ending tears.

“I promise but you have to promise too, that you’ll keep it a secret.” Simpson demanded.

“I promise” Michelle said as she wiped her tears.

Simpson smiled as he started tickling her. “Stop it Rocky! You idiot!” she started laughing, resisting him.

His past may be a tale of woe that will be intractable for everyone. No matter, how unfathomable the truth is, I will always protect him, my little brother. Thought Michelle unheeded.