Sorry about the delay in publishing this one. You'd think that on a two week schedule, I'd find time to update this on time. Anyways, here it is, with the help of Spirit Speaker, who is an incredible author of her own. Read and enjoy, my friends.
Lucas really wasn't looking forward to coming back to Chicago. As he saw the cities skyline slowly start to overtake the view out the front of the bus, he couldn't help but wonder if he hadn't made a mistake. He was bound to get in trouble here if he took too long. But then again, he wouldn't mind a little distraction from his travels.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we'll be at our destination in about 20 minutes. That'll get you there a few minutes early, long enough to get something to eat if you wish," the bus driver announced.
The one thing that worried Lucas about coming back to Chicago, or any major city along this route, was the high probability of running into a rather unfriendly Immortal. The odds of running into one that was on sabbatical were a joke. Immortals lived for The Game. It was the only thing that mattered to his race. There it was, that dark and despairing thought. His people. He was not human, he was Immortal. He did not know why he was chosen, and Methos implied that none of them had ever figured it out. Lucas wondered for a moment whether they'd ever meet again. The man may have been a dick, but he had saved his life. It would be nice to see he was still alive.
While Lucas continued thinking about his experiences over the past 18 years, the bus arrived at the station a few minutes early. Lucas sighed, grabbed his bag and stepped off. His next bus wasn't due at the station for another 70 minutes, so he decided to go check out the cafe they had in the station. He found a seat quickly and started looking over their menu when he felt the familiar buzz of a nearby Immortal. He tried to keep calm and not draw attention to himself, but he knew he would be found real quickly. It was impossible for them not to find each other. So while he waited and looked over the menu some more, a middle aged man sat down across from him.
"This wasn't taken was it?" The gentleman asked with a tone of amusement
"Go right ahead. I'm not doing anything 'til I get something to eat." Lucas wasn't in the mood to fight, though he did have his sword near him.
"Oh come now, do you think I'm that rude that I'd kill a boy eating lunch in this crowded place? Smart thinking on your part though, making sure you stay in a crowded area. Makes it harder for me to challenge you if I desire." There was something about the man's voice, as if he was raised in a different time but tried to keep up with the changing dialects. His voice had a slight southern accent to it.
"Sir, I really don't want to fight you. I'm just on my way to visit St. Augustine. I hear it's lovely down there." Lucas hoped that would help the stranger just move on.
"Ah, the old Spanish Fort. I remember it well. It's only been 150 years since I was near there. Maybe I should take a trip sometime," The stranger laughed.
"Please, sir-" Lucas started.
"Call me Jack for now,"
"Ok, Jack⦠You really don't have to do this. We can just go on our way and that'll be the end of it. No need for us to fight." Lucas was desperate at this point.
Before either of them could say anything more, the waitress finally came up to them.
"Can I help you gentlemen?" She was young and rather polite for being in such a lousy job.
"I'll take a club and a Pepsi. And for my young friend here, let's get a pulled pork and another Pepsi too," Jack ordered before Lucas could say anything.
"Will that be all for you then?" She asked
"I suppose an order of fries would be fine too," Jack added. The waitress nodded and then left to go fill the order.
"If you're just going to kill me, why bother buying me lunch?" Lucas was confused.
"Because I haven't decided whether or not I wish to kill you yet. You may be useful to me in taking down an old rival." Jack stared off for a moment as he said this.
"And why would I even know who that is? I haven't been at this for very long," Lucas sighed with relief knowing that he wasn't going to be killed right away. "Do you always recruit new players to help with old conflicts?"
"Only sometimes. Sometimes I recruit them to help serve in wars. Though that's harder to now than it was back in the day. This technology makes it difficult to fake having been in the Services that long." The man had the impression of being an officer at some point in his life.
"Just who are you?"
"An old war hero, dead before his time. Or so history would have you believe. I fought because I didn't think it was their problem. I didn't care one way or the other about the rights of property, I just didn't think I should have to," Jack rambled on.
"And how do you think I can help you?" Lucas was cautious.
"My old rival, Sherman. I have heard he's on his way back to town. You can help me or not, but I think you would do well to help me. The man is a monster and should have been taken out decades ago. But that doesn't matter. He won't be here for another couple days from what I understand."
"Why are you here? There's no way you could have known that an Immortal would be coming to this cafe."
"Oh that's simple enough. I own a series of cafes around town and this just happens to be one of them. Your bad luck is all. I never did get your name."
"Alex. Alex Rock." That was the name he was going by lately.
"Well then, Alex. It seems that you had either the worst luck ever by meeting me here, or fate likes you. Our kind doesn't tend to live long without some guidance. I can help you out with that," Jack offered his hand but before Lucas considered shaking it, their food finally arrived.
Lucas just has terrible luck doesn't he? Anyone besides Spirit Speaker have any guesses as to who Jack is? And do you think he's trustworthy? Thank you to everyone who is following any of my stories. Leave a review, it helps get these published on time.
