Zack was sleeping in the attic since the rest of the rooms were filled with relatives. But he didn't mind, in fact he was grateful he had his own space. He was to sleep in a thirty-year-old camp bed, the attic was filled with old documents, bills, photos…etc. Zack spent most of the weekend up there on his PSP. The main birthday party didn't take place until Sunday. Sadness stirred in him, why don't they love him? He couldn't understand why they all hated him so much; he didn't do anything wrong.
"Zack come down to the kitchen!" he heard his Mum bellow.
"Coming!" Zack shouted in reply.
It was Saturday night and his Mother was preparing the birthday cake. When she saw him she smiled lovingly.
"Where have you been hiding?" Lisa asked cheerfully.
"In the attic. Out of the way" Zack added.
"Well there was no need to do that" she smiled sadly.
"What was the point of even bringing me along they all hate me"
"Don't talk about your relatives like that" Lisa ordered sternly.
"Why not; it's true?" Zack snapped.
"I need you to set the table up for dinner" Lisa informed.
Zack sulked off to do as he was told. Lisa felt deeply sorry for Zack, but he was far too young to learn the truth. She planned to tell him when he was 13/14 years old. He deserved to know the truth but not yet. She's not sure how he'd handle it but she'd have to get it over with eventually. Her Father didn't help by the way he treated Zack as if he was Rippner. Even Lisa couldn't bring herself to look at Zack in the eyes.
…
Before the party Zack was staying out of the way of his relatives by staying in the attic. He began fumbling through the papers out of boredom, birth certificates…etc. Then Zack discovered a police letter dated from around ten years ago. It was the results of a rape kit for his Mother. It was positive. But how could that be? He must have been conceived around that time. He heart deeply sunk like a stone, no it couldn't be true! His Father couldn't be some wacko terrorist. Then suddenly everything began to make sense, the way his family treated him.
"Zack the Party's starting!" his Mother yelled.
Too stunned to reply he quickly made his way downstairs. His Granddad's friends were arriving all smiles and presents. Suddenly he felt dirty, filthy like he should be here. His Mother was right not to tell him yet; Zack thought bitterly.
"Oi!" Emily shouted at Zack, "Put everyone's coats in the closet".
Zack robotically did what he was told, not fully aware of his surroundings. When he was finished the party was in full swing, well it wasn't a very exciting party; kind of like a 70th birthday party is supposed to be. Old, retired people talking about the 'good old days' very boring to a ten-year-old boy. But Zack didn't feel much like eating or mingling for he was still suffering the huge burden he'd just learnt. What kind of man was his Father to hurt a woman like that? He suddenly felt disgusted with his own skin, that horrible man was with him wherever he went; in his hair, skin, everything. Zack briefly wondered if he looked anything like him. Did his Father know of his existence? Was he even still alive? Zack hoped desperately he'd never have to meet him…
…
Jackson had to pick up an important package in the midst of his confusion. If the test turns out to be positive then he at least knew his name, school and what city he lived in. All that information was more then enough to track him down. A part of him hoped it was his son. But the other half desperately hoped he wasn't. Although from what he'd learnt he was 99% sure that Zack was his son. Jackson wanted the parcel exchange to be over so he could concentrate on his son (still didn't sound right). Poor boy had no idea how he came to be. But he will soon; he'd make sure of that. He irritably knocked upon the door where the package would be delivered. A young man appeared in the doorway, deep ruby eyes and tough skin with sandy blond hair.
"You must be Mr Rippner" he said simply.
"I am Mr Frick" Jackson answered.
"Then come in" the boy said, opening the door for him.
Jackson stepped over the threshold the boy was at least 16 he had red eyes because of a blood clot in his eyes. The boy shouted upstairs:
"Mr Chase! Mr Rippner has arrived!"
Mr Chase walked slowly from the next room and motioned for Jackson to join him. They both entered the study and sat down on opposite sides of the desk.
"Now tell the elderly gentlemen that it's all in there" he told Jackson while passing a rectangular parcel to him. Jackson knew better then to ask what was in it. This mission was pointless, why send him for a rookie's job? Of all the seats in the plane why did he sit next to his son? Jackson didn't believe in coincidences; someone must know about Zack. But how could they know before he even knew? Nevertheless he picked up the parcel and retreated from the house. Everything hung on the DNA test.
…
The flight back to Washington wasn't as much fun as getting there. Zack sat next to an elderly fat man who slept for the whole flight. He planned to confront his Mother at home on what he'd just learnt. His whole body felt like it was crawling with bugs he felt revolting. But what was he really worried about? It's not like his Father knew about him, if he knew and wanted to bother him his Dad would of done it ages ago. Zack hoped. But what if he ever did find out; what then? Then again a man like that wouldn't really care about his child, would he? Zack's head was burning with confusing thoughts. There was a spare seat on the other side of him which was then filled by an Elderly gentleman.
"Hello Zack" he smiled.
Shivers were sent ricocheting across his soul. How did he know his name?
"How do you know my name?" Zack asked, mirroring his thoughts
"Oh I know a lot about you" he sickly smiled.
"Are you-" he began.
"I'm not your Father, I'm his boss" he told truthfully, "What do you know about your Father?".
"Only he terrorised and raped my Mum" he said simply.
"Well there's a lot more to him then that, in fact you've met him"
"When did I meet him?" Zack asked.
"On the plane to Miami, does the name Jackson Rippner sound familiar?" he asked.
"He was my Father?" Zack whispered.
"Yes, he is your Father. Not a nice man but he is good at his job. Looks a bit like you".
"And what job would that be?" asked Zack even though he didn't really want to know the answer.
"Manager of government overthrows, high profile assassinations etc" he replied causally.
"Why are you telling me this?" Zack asked with a tremble in his voice.
"Because we're interested in you, very interested" his voice wasn't threatening but dominating, " We'll keep in touch".
With that the elderly gentleman walked away. Zack's ears were still ringing with what he'd said. Zack certainly didn't want to see him again, he was creepy.
…
The past five days had been agony for Jackson, the wait and the suspense was killing him. He just wanted to be 100% positive that Zack was his kid. It was a stormy Wednesday evening the rain was drumming outside his window like little silver bullets being fired from heaven. Jackson was sitting on his leather couch with a class of violent red wine. Suddenly his mobile let out a bland ring tone which Jackson responded to by answering the phone.
"Jackson" he answered simply.
"It's positive, he's definitely your son" Jameson informed.
A 16 tonne weight just dropped in his stomach, so it was true.
"I'm coming around with your payment" Jackson replied, before terminating the call.
…
The Elderly gentleman sat quietly sipping the cool, plain vodka from a small glass. Jackson slide silently into the seat next to him; clearly troubled.
"How long have you known about Zack" Jackson asked breezily.
"Just a couple of weeks" he answered simply.
"What do you want with him?" Jackson asked, voice as cold as ice.
"That's none of your concern. Having a son does complicate things for you".
Jackson shot him a look of steel.
"In what way?" although Jackson felt he already knew the answer.
"Well some may use him as leverage to get to you" replied the Elderly gentlemen.
Jackson couldn't think of how to reply, he wasn't even sure how he felt about the boy.
"He already knows that you're his Father and of what you are. Your own son is disgusted by you" he chuckled.
It took all Jackson's strength not to hit him so he got up instead.
"I'm going to set this right" he announced as he gracefully walked out of the bar…