Understanding and Promises: Chapter 10
Disclaimer: Don't own anything
Authoresses Note: Upload number two of the weekend. I'm on a roll. Please leave your comments, I've worked hard to get these out to you all and I love hearing your comments, criticism and kind words!
Revised on May 5, 2013
There was a town meeting being held the next day to announce Schemer's death. Since Shining Time was a small place, everybody knew each other. It was better to break the news to everyone at once.
Billy was fortunate in that he didn't actually need to come up with a distraction. Paul informed Billy the morning of the meeting that he would indeed attend the meeting, because as a servant of the public it was his duty to support the townspeople. However, he would be late, as he was leaving for Snarlyville momentarily and then make his way over to the town hall once he was finished his other business. Billy was mildly suspicious, as he would have preferred to keep Paul in his sights, but Paul did indeed leave on the next train to Snarlyville.
Closer to the meeting, Billy flipped the sign at the Station to 'Closed' and sent word to Schemee that the coast was clear. This would be Schemee's moment to get his part done. The moment that Billy left was the moment that Schemee was free to go about his business. Billy had given him his Uncle's old copy of the key so that he could get in easily. While Paul was gone during the day, Billy had had a key constructed for Paul's office. He hid the key in his own office and told Schemee where it was kept.
Schemee had been waiting around the side of the building for his moment. Moments later, Billy came around the side and told him the Station was empty and that the entire town. Schemee quickly set about to work. He retrieved the key from Billy's office and let himself into Paul's. His heart was pounding as he went about his job, searching every drawer and cupboard without disturbing it's contents. As the search continued to produce no results, he became increasingly frustrated. He snarled in frustration and slammed a cupboard. He couldn't fail his Uncle, not this time. A small and almost inaudible sound caught his ear. Almost like the tinkling of a bell... Or a train whistle?
"Hello?" He whispered. He scanned the room and suddenly noticed something.
Gold dust. A small amount had been sprinkled on the floor. It was currently resting on a cigar box, sitting on a mid level shelf. Schemee frowned and reached forward. It was definitely gold dust. He bit his lip and opened the box, his heart stopping in his chest. There it was. The bloodstained piece of tie was sitting in the glove box. His lip curled in disgust and his heart felt a combination of deep sorrow and fury. This man, this monster, had murdered his Uncle. He replaced the box quickly on the shelf and walked out. He didn't want to get his fingerprints on the tie, only Paul's and his Uncle's should be found on it by the police.
He stepped out of the office and locked it quickly. He walked around the building, searching for his other thought to be deceased friend. "Mr. Conductor?" He whispered. He walked over to the signal house on the mural and stared at it. He whispered the name once again but received no answer. Shaking his head in confusion he wondered if he had just imagined the sound and if the gold dust was just something leftover. Mr. Conductor couldn't be alive, it just wasn't possible. He turned around to leave the Station, knowing that he now had grounds to call the police. However, there was an obstacle in the way of the door. Schemer jumped backwards and felt his heart leapt into his throat.
Standing in the entrance was Paul himself, and he was wearing a bemused expression on his face. Schemee's heart pounded in his chest and he couldn't breath, his airway felt constricted and his chest was tight with fear.
"Well now, what do we have here? A little intruder in my Station?" Paul said smoothly. "I just returned from conducting my business in Snarlyville and needed another report before I made my way down to the meeting. Why aren't you at the meeting little boy?" He asked.
Schemee found the use of his tongue once more. He felt a jolt of anger at being called 'little boy'. "I've already heard the news. I didn't need to go see the town make a spectacle of the news." He said curtly. He was desperately trying to curb his anger.
Paul frowned suddenly. "Step forward son. Let me get a better look at you." Schemee wanted to hiss back at him and retort to the phrase 'son' but obeyed. He stepped forward into the better light and recognition spread across Paul's face.
"Oh, family of the deceased?" He questioned, trying to sound sympathetic, and failing miserably. "I'm sorry for your loss."
Schemee swallowed and let his mouth run, he needed a good cover for being at the Station. "Thanks... I, um, didn't want to go see the news be given to everyone. It's been... so hard as it is. I wanted to come back and see the Station one last time to, you know, remember some of the... good times." He lied through his teeth. Well, it was only partial lying. Some of it was true, he thought ironically.
Paul nodded and Schemee could see that at least some of his suspicion had faded, though not all. "Well then, you better run along nonetheless. I can't exactly leave you alone here. What's your name?"
"Schemee." He said simply and he saw Paul smirk. He made a motion to leave and began walking towards the front door somewhat warily. This man was a killer and he wanted to get out of his presence as soon as possible.
"Was he your father?" Paul asked to Schemee's retreating back. .
"Adopted. I'm his nephew." Schemee said quietly.
Paul nodded. "You look a little bit like him. You should get going now, I'll lock up behind myself." He said, Schemee just nodded and continued to walk. "Oh and Schemee?" Paul called as Schemee had his hand on the door.
"Yes?" He asked warily.
"You best be careful. I'd hate for anything to happen to two people in one family. It's probably best if you don't wander around Stations after hours." He suggested coldly.
Schemee felt a chill go up his spine but managed to fake a smile. "Okay..." He said and walked out, letting his legs take him as far away from the station as possible.
The town meeting was not a happy one and Schemer's death was not well received. Mayor Flopdinger was the one to break the news. There was a collective gasp when it was announced and as the funeral service information was announced sniffs and sobs could be heard throughout the crowd. Stacy saw Midge Smooch and Ginny, with their heads close together, crying after the announcement. Stacy's heart felt heavy, the way it had been announced to her was anything but gentle yet her heart was still breaking for the townspeople. Fortunately for them, they had been spared the details of his death and were told that it was still under investigation.
No one in town had ever heard about what had happened at the previous staff party and their relationship as a whole was such a well kept secret that nobody ever suspected. And despite how she had broken up with him, she now she regretted never going public with it. She was proud that she and Schemer had been more then friends and she wanted people to know how special he was to her. But now it felt like it was too late. Based on her actions and her wishes in that relationship, she felt that she had made it less special than it could've been.
"No!" She thought to herself fiercely. "It was special. A relationship is supposed to be shared between two people, not an entire town. Regardless of whether people knew about it or not didn't downplay the uniqueness of it. Or how much it meant to both of us."
Still, there were so many things she wished she could have said. So many things that she could have done differently, like putting her feelings ahead of the Station. And her heart clenched at the thought that his last memory of her was kissing Paul. He probably died thinking she was unfaithful, cruel and cold. She never even told him how much she loved him. That was her biggest regret.
The town meeting came to an end and the townsfolk shuffled out remorsefully. There was some talking amongst groups and families, expressing their shock and sadness at the news. Stacy scanned the crowd for Mr. King. Billy was talking with a group consisting of Midge, Ginny, Felix Perez, Winston Barlow, and the children. Well, they weren't quite children anymore. They looked like a group of young adults now. Especially Matt and Tanya, who were about to graduate from high school. Matt, Tanya, Dan, Kara, and Becky were there, looking deeply effected by the news. It wasn't any wonder that they were so upset. They might not have been raised by Schemer, like Schemee had, but they had grown up around him. Stacy, Schemer and Billy had been the adults they came to for help, advice or, more so in Schemer's case, a laugh. Stacy met Billy's eyes and he nodded in Mr. King's direction. Stacy quickly cut Mr. King off as he was leaving.
"Excuse me sir, may I have a word outside?" He nodded his head in the affirmative and she led him to a spot on the steps out front that wasn't occupied by any lingering people.
"I'm sorry Ms. Jones for what happened. I know you were... close." He said somewhat awkwardly.
It occurred to Stacy that he might be feeling responsible for what happened. If Schemer had stayed in Shining Time, maybe this wouldn't have happened.
"Thank you, but I've got something very important to tell you. It's about Schemer's death. It wasn't an accident sir." She said pleadingly.
He gave a sigh. "I certainly don't think it was, his car was found by the docks with signs of a struggle near the Indian Valley Railroad storage unit."
Stacy hadn't known that piece of information but filed it away for future reference. She took a deep breath and said what she came to say.
"Paul killed him." She said simply.
"I... Wait, what?" He questioned, registering what she had said.
"Paul murdered Schemer. He told me, he showed me a piece of Schemer's tie that he had taken from him." She explained.
A silence fell between the two as Mr. King took in this information. He finally cleared his throat and spoke slowly.
"Ms. Jones, that is a very strong accusation to make-"
"I know but it's-"
"-and it's one that I don't believe for a second." He spoke over her.
Her heart sank. "But sir, you have to listen-"
"I don't have to do anything, Ms. Jones!" He snapped. "Do you honestly think that I would hire a cold blooded killer to be my second in command?"
"Yes, because even you can make mistakes! He's a snake, he's good at lying and even you could be fooled!" She said angrily.
"Ms. Jones I am giving you three seconds to withdraw your earlier statement! One-" He began to say angrily.
She was about to raise her voice at him and tell him how wrong he was, and how disrespectful to Schemer his denial was, but a group of people walking up the steps distracted her. A group of three, led by Paul, were walking towards Mr. King with determination. She closed her mouth, which had been left gapping during her speech and Mr. King turned around to follow her gaze.
"Mr. King, a word if you please?" Paul asked with polite coolness.
"Paul, you missed the whole meeting, where have you been? You missed the very unfortunate news." He said, looking disappointed at Paul's lack of attendance.
Stacy said nothing, and looked on with morbid curiosity. Something was going to happen, and it wasn't going to be good.
"I know, I regret that I wasn't present at the meeting, I was held up at Shining Time Station. However I was already informed by some of your other employees. I also regret the news itself, it's a terrible event of course." He said with fake sincerity. Stacy bristled but kept her composure.
"Well, what is it then?" Mr. King inquired, looking a little suspicious.
"Well, you see, I was just perusing some old records and files at Snarlyville and Shining Time Station and found out some disturbing things." He gave a mock sigh. "Mr. King, is it true that you allowed one Horace Schemer to return to work at the very Station that he started a full passenger car?" Paul asked, his eyes blazing victoriously.
"Well, yes... but..." Mr. King sputtered. "Now see here, what is this?" He thundered at Paul.
"Mr. King, I've placed an appeal on your position as Head of the Indian Valley Railroad. And I've won, this lovely lawyer here confirmed the details this morning. I just had to return to Snarlyville to pick up the legal documents." He explained quietly.
Mr. King just looked at him with an incredulous look on his face. "This is an outrage!" His voice began to raise.
"You've been displaced from your position due to being declared unfit to run the railway. You have two days to vacate your office." Paul stated matter-of-factly.
"And you've made a huge mistake Paul!" Mr. King jabbed a finger into his chest. "Who could possibly run the railroad without me?" He roared.
"That's why I've had this judge here accompany me, he is hear by instating me as the new Head of the Indian Valley Railroad. It's perfectly legal and binding and my lawyer wrote up the contract. I was the only applicant, save for the deceased Mr. Schemer, and with the full buy-in cost I am now in charge and own 100% of the stock." Paul beamed.
Billy had since moved closer to the group. He and Stacy stood side by side as they watched the whole thing unfold. Things were beginning to make a lot more sense now. Mr. King gaped at paul in horror. He backed up to where his employees were standing.
"I can't believe it... This can't be true..." He said in shock.
"It is, now I believe it's time to bid you a good day. Stacy, Billy, I fully expect to see you at work tomorrow. There's no negotiations on the matter." He said darkly.
He turned around and walked away. At first, Stacy was rooted to the spot in terror, unable to believe that he was now in full control of her life. There was no escape. But then, Schemee's words came back to her.
We're divided, we're all scared, and we're still hurting. But together, we stand a chance.
"No Paul." She said commanded, her voice holding all the authority of a true Station Mistress. He stopped dead in his tracks and turned around to face her.
"What did you say?" He demanded.
"I said, no." She replied stubbornly. "I'm not going to be working for you for another second. I'm not working under a maniac any longer!"
"I believe I said there wouldn't be any negotiations, now you better just play nice and follow my orders." He spoke softly and dangerously. The judge and lawyer had already left, so he wasn't trying to cover his words in the face of people of the law, he was trying to put on his full intimidation tactics.
"I'm going on strike! Against Shining Time Station and the Indian Valley Railroad!" She said with a snarl.
He fell silent once more before giving a cold bark of laughter. "Ms. Jones, how does one person plan to go on strike?" He drawled.
She fell silent but suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder. "I'm going too." Billy's deep voice said from behind her.
Paul sputtered in rage. "You both can't leave, you're the only two staff at Shining Time Station!"
The group of people with Billy crowded around Stacy and Billy. "We're in too, we've grown up at Shining Time Station!" Becky said tearfully.
"I don't know what's going on, but I fully plan to find out Paul. And until everything is fine, I refuse to use the Indian Valley Railroad." Midge said angrily.
Paul stood there, fuming silently. "Then so be it. I don't need you, I've already got control of the railroad. I'll give you one more chance to come around Ms. Jones."
She raised her head confidently. "I'm not budging." She said.
"I see." He nodded. "Then we have nothing left to say to each other." He turned and walked briskly down the many steps of the town hall building.
The group stood in subdued silence, for those who had just heard the news today, the wound was still very raw. "We've got work to do. Let's go find Schemee and see what he's found." Stacy said, leading the group back towards Schemer's house.
Schemee stood in the living room, everyone centered around him. "I managed to find our evidence. I've called the police and left an anonymous tip. I made it detailed enough and they're definitely going to reinvestigate it. They've finally got our suspect on their radars."
A collective cheer befell the room, and for a second Schemee felt a rush of happiness. After a few hours of planning, supporting and comforting each other, it was just Billy, Stacy and Schemee left.
Schemee felt almost as if he was the replacement to the old trio, and he hated the feeling. He didn't want to feel like he was taking his Uncle's place as the head, well, schemer for lack of a better word. Once all this was over, he'd give up scheming and tricking for good. It would be his last big scheme, and it would be in his Uncle's honour.
"I'll start up my car and give us all a ride back to my place. I don't want either of you staying in empty houses tonight." Billy explained seriously.
Stacy gave a small smile, "Or you don't want to be alone?"
He gave a light laugh, "That too."
After he left with his car keys, Stacy and Schemee were alone. He perked up suddenly.
"Oh, Stacy, I completely forgot about something. Our Christmas tree was still up when I came home the other day." He said a little sadly but continued on. "There was one present left under it, it's for you. I think that he would have wanted me to give it to you." He said shyly.
Her eyes widened. She forgot that he had a present to give her. As she thought about it, it just reminded her of how she had broken up with him and she felt another rush of sadness.
Schemee picked up on her mood, "If you don't think you can handle it, I can just hang onto it for awhile." He suggested.
"No, no, it's fine. I was just thinking about something. I'd be honoured to take it." She said.
Hours later when they had settled into Billy's house, and the other two had fallen asleep, she opened the small package carefully by moonlight. The wrapping paper revealed a small jewelry box, and upon opening it she discovered the most beautiful and most tragic present she had ever received in her life. Closing the box carefully, she enclosed her hand around it and held it close to her heart, planning on getting a chain for it so that she could wear it there forever.
Paul's office had been thoroughly searched that very day. He was fuming, but had already long removed the incriminating tie piece after his encounter with the Schemee brat. He was still in the clear, and he had recently moved forward with the other part of his plan which had granted him total control of the railway. First Schemer, then King. Those were his two obstacles. The strike and railway protest had struck him with anger, but to be honest he didn't actually need the employees or clients. Not anymore, he had only needed their support, given willingly or forced, before he had achieved the power that he needed. Still, that Jones woman had crossed him one too many times. Not to mention all the town people who rejected him, they would all pay soon.
It was time for the last and final step of his plan. To be perfectly honest, he hated rail travel entirely. His parents had been killed in a train wreck and he had never gotten over their deaths. Yet, he spent most of his life working for railways. So that he could understand them, figure out how they worked, and then when the time was right, destroy the whole organization from the inside out. His plan was to make an example of the Indian Valley Railroad, and show the world how obsolete and useless rail travel was. Once sufficient damage had been doled out, he could use the aftermath to promote air travel. Which was, in his mind, a much more reliable and profitable way of transportation.
Once he had shown the country the mess that a railway was, he would rip up all the tracks, and use all the land to create a series of airports, with one large, central one built entirely on the former town of Shining Time Station. The remaining town people would be forced to move, because he had enough money to purchase all the land. The railroad would just be a minor cost to him, an overhead if you will.
With a smirk he called up his thugs. "You know where Twofeathers keeps his engine, yes? It's time to frame those strikers and take care of a few adversaries if you know what I mean..."
A garbled response came from the other end. Paul smiled wickedly.
"Right, we're going to time it perfectly. You know when the afternoon express comes by and you know where Twofeathers' train is. Yes, they're going to go out with a bang." He finished with an evil smile.
From the shadows, a small figure stood watching him. This was the poison that was killing the Station's magic. He had been sent here to stop him. But he needed someone to help him and it didn't seem like the strikers were in any position to help. They were in grave danger it seemed. There was someone else though. A weak magic signal was coming from far away. It would take him awhile to find and reach him but he was this Station's only hope. The twelve inch man disappeared in a cloud of gold dust.
A groan escaped his lips as the pounding pain in his head was becoming more and more apparent. He was drifting out of unconsciousness and back to land of the living. And it hurt like nothing else. He drew a deep breath and opened his eyes fully for the first time in days. He immediately recoiled at the sunlight filtering in through the closed blinds. His head was aching and he felt a bit shaky. He put a hand to his face and could feel how clammy they were. What had happened to him and where was he?
He opened his eyes, slowly this time, and let them adjust to the light. He was in a bedroom, one that was clearly not his own. He was in a twin sized bed which was facing a television on a dresser. Nothing looked familiar to him. He slowly got up and felt his muscles protest from disuse. He stretched out his back, feeling the bones crack in their sockets along his body. He tentatively placed one foot, than the second, on the ground. Finding he had the strength to stand he walked around the room slowly. He was wearing clothes that were not his own, he noticed.
The door opened an a lady that looked to be in her fifties entered, looking shocked to see him. "Oh, you're awake dear." She exclaimed happily.
"Err, what happened to me?" He asked, his voice was hoarse and felt rough in his throat.
"You've had an accident. My husband rescued you from the beach in Dillylick. We've been taking care of you" She said.
He tried to think back but found that his memories were fuzzy regarding what had happened to him. "I'm not sure that I remember." He said truthfully.
"You've had a concussion, it'll come back to you." She reassured him. He nodded and looked around. "Thank you for looking after me. How long have I been here?" He asked.
"A little shy of a week. You've been unconsciousness for the most part, up until now that is." She said with a smile.
Schemer felt that he could trust her, she seemed like a nice lady. "Why don't you lay back down? I'll bring you up something light to eat so that you can get your strength back up. Food might be a hock to your system but I'll make something gentle. Just take it easy Horace."
Thanking her he moved back to the bed. He was pretty much stuck here until he could reach someone he knew or figure out what had happened. Wait, wasn't anybody looking for him? Someone had to worried about him. He reached over and grabbed the television remote and turned it on. He felt so detached and needed to get caught up with current events. He'd have to get ahold of someone soon. He found a news Station and relaxed as the newscasters spoke about recent news. He suddenly thought about something, something the lady had said. She had called him by his first name. How did she know his name if he never gave it to him? He frowned and wondered how she might have found that out. Maybe she had contacted someone who knew him. He felt his eyes droop and began to relax into his pillow once more.
"-in local news, a strike group has formed at the Indian Valley Railroad." His eyes shot open at the news, he worked for the Indian Valley Railroad.
He leaned forward to watch the screen. "They are located at Shining Time Station and appear to be protesting the new ownership."
New ownership? Who was that again? He couldn't quite remember.
"In other news, the search for the missing Shining Time man still hasn't produced any results. The case was reopened due to a new anonymous tip. It is believed that foul play is involved."
What Shining Time man? Who had gone missing?
"Local Horace Schemer disappeared approximately a week ago, any news about his whereabouts would be greatly appreciated by friends and family. Schemer, pictured here, it believed to be deceased at this point-"
Schemer heard nothing else all he could focus on was the picture of his face that had suddenly been flashed in the corner of the screen. Him? The missing Shining Time man was him? And they thought he was dead! His mind suddenly flashed back to the Dillylick docks. Paul had him surrounded by thugs. He had been beaten up and thrown in the water. They had tried to kill him. Everyone thought he was dead.
He suddenly leapt out of bed. He had to get out of here and let someone know that he was alive. He reached the bedroom door but suddenly stopped. But if he went back, he would surely be killed for sure this time. Paul had tried to kill him once, he'd try again in a heartbeat. The women suddenly opened the door again and entered. He suddenly felt suspicious of her.
"Who's your husband?" He asked.
She looked puzzled. "What's wrong dear?"
"You knew my name. You either knew who I was already or new me from the news reports! I'm supposed to be dead if you hadn't noticed. Someone tried to kill me. What made you not come forward to the police?" He asked.
"That was my husband, he thought something fishy was afoot and thought you'd be safer here." She explained.
He nodded. So it was a good thing that no one knew where he was and these people had helped him in more ways then one. He relaxed slightly. "I'm sorry, may I speak to him?" He asked.
She looked thoughtful for a moment but eventually nodded. "I'll go get him." She agreed. He turned around and waited by the bed. The door eventually opened and he turned around to be greeted by the second big shock of the day. For a split second he thought it was his Uncle Allcott, but this man was far too weathered to be his Uncle. They were nearly identical, save for the fact this man had aged faster.
"Horace." The man said simply, not quite knowing what to do or say.
Schemer took a step backwards into the bed in shock, falling into a sitting position. "It's you." He said. "You're the one who found me."
He nodded his head. "Yes, it was me."
Schemer regarded him with narrowed eyes, trying to read the man in front of him. He was still taller, Schemer hadn't quite grown to his father's full height. And his father was currently regarding him with the same analytical look that Schemer was wearing. Both were trying to measure the other up, trying to determine what angle each was going to go for.
"So... You got remarried?" Schemer finally asked, breaking the long silence. He never broke eye contact with his father.
"Yes, well your mother and I eventually legally separated." Jasper explained simply.
"Hmm." Was all Schemer said, he couldn't really find anything else to respond with.
"I cleaned up." His father suddenly said. "I've been clean for fifteen years now."
"That's good."
Jasper noticed that while his son was being civil, his answers were curt and somewhat cold. He didn't blame him though.
"Your wife seems very nice." Schemer finally offered.
"Alice? Yes, she's a very wonderful person. Look, Horace I'm very sorry we couldn't meet under better circumstances-"
"Would we have even met at all? If this didn't happen, that is." Schemer suddenly asked, looking up and meeting his father's eyes with a hard stare. "You have been clean for fifteen years, you have been in some contact with my mother, yet you never even tried to contact Julie or me."
"Would you have wanted me to come back?" Jasper countered.
Schemer curled his lip as he regarded his own feelings on the matter. "No, I wouldn't have." He said with an angry stare.
"I didn't think so, nor do I blame you." Jasper said simply. His lack of showing emotion only served to enrage Schemer.
"How can you stand there and look me in the eyes? How can you act so cold after what you did?" Schemer ground out.
"Because there's nothing I could possibly say to make things better, I've accepted that fact." Jasper explained. "Would me saying 'Sorry' really help you out now?"
"Don't mock me!" Schemer hissed. "Maybe it would, not like you would try. You haven't changed at all, you're still the cold and reclusive person you've always been to me. You don't even regret-"
"I regret many things!" Jasper boomed, cutting Schemer off. Involuntarily, and much to both their shame, Schemer flinched.
Jasper immediately looked awash with emotion. "I... didn't mean to yell like that... I would never, could never, repeat what happened. I swear that to you..." He covered his mouth with his hands, looking more forlorn and lost than Schemer had ever seen him look in his life.
"Mom said it was an accident. Is that true?" He asked.
Jasper looked up. "Yes, it was an accident. But an accident I can never forgive myself for." He said, regret in his voice.
Schemer just nodded, he found it odd to see his father in this state. The cold and unemotional man that was previously in the room with him would be what he could call himself accustomed to. Not this distraught and regretful person here.
"Every time I think about you, every time I've seen you since I brought you back from the beach, is a constant reminder of who I was. I... just have trouble handling it... And I can't even imagine how seeing me must make you feel." Jasper confessed.
"It's a shock, mostly." Schemer confessed. He had no trust for his father, but could tell that his father offered him no danger anymore.
"Just?" Jasper asked, sounding confused.
"Yeah, I mean, I've had my whole life to get over things. Sorry you didn't move on." Schemer said honestly, with a shrug.
"You're sorry? How can you be sorry?" Jasper asked incredulously.
"I don't know, I just am." Schemer snapped, not wanting to talk about it any further.
"You're a better person than I ever could have been." Jasper said softly. "Look, my words can never be enough, is there anything at all that I can do to ever help you?"
"You're right, they probably won't be, and saying 'Sorry' probably doesn't mean much either." Schemer admitted. "To be honest, I just need to figure a way out of this mess, and then get on with my life."
"What were you planning on doing? How are you going to get back?" Jasper asked.
"I'm not. Going back that is. I just can't go back there where someone who wants to kill me is staying. I'm going to leave here as soon as possible and get out of the way of your lives. But I do have to get out of here. I'm not safe and it's probably not safe for you to keep me here." He explained.
"But if they think you're dead, you're not bringing any danger to us here. And I'd prefer that you didn't leave until you're fully healed. You're still injured and a little sick." Jasper explained.
Schemer considered this for a moment. "I would prefer to leave as soon as possible. But, I'll stay for now."
Jasper got up. "Wait here a moment, I've got to go get something." Schemer waited and he came back moments later holding an envelope.
"This is fifteen years worth of money that I saved and tried to give to your mother, for you and your sister. She stubbornly refused but I held onto it until I could find some way to give it to both of you. I think you're going to need it now."
Schemer shook his head. "I can't accept this, I'll only take what I need to get out of here, no offense to you and your wife but I just can't see myself being a part of your lives. There's too much between us and I need to move on, again."
"So, you're really leaving? That's what you've decided?" Jasper asked.
"What choice do I have?" Schemer asked.
Jasper gave a sigh and sat down beside him on the bed. "Sometimes the choice isn't always clear, sometimes it doesn't always present itself as an option that we can take. But there's always a choice. I may not be the best to preach about choices because I've made every bad choice in the book. But I can tell you this, walking away is the hardest thing you'll ever have to do when you've got people left behind."