Chapter 21b - Sinister Detour
Wow, I look great. Kyle had finished getting changed. No longer was he wearing his usual orange T-Shirt, green trousers and orange polyester jacket. Instead, he had changed into a smart looking brown shirt, navy blue Jeans and black shoes. He knew not to overdo it - after all, it was only a concert performance at the indoor Denver Arena, but he still wanted to give a smart impression. He looked at his watch, 5:15pm - just under three hours to get there. Combing the final few streams of his red hair, he carefully placed his hat back onto his head and brushed off any minor creases on his shirt. Although he'd gotten dressed and changed early, he'd decided to leave around about this time. Two bus routes and a bit of walking wouldn't bother Kyle. This performance had been in Kyle's mind like a bug - the only thing that had driven his excitement over the past few days. He felt slightly guilty that it had been the only thing he had talked about to his friends. Although Kenny had been interested in the subject, the others didn't share Kenny's enthusiasm - especially Stan.
Kyle had never seen Stan so glum. But something in the back of Kyle's mind was telling him that Stan's emotion was merely masking something else - something much more different than the one Kyle saw.
Kyle made sure he had everything. Watch - check. Money - check. 3rd Item - check. She won't be expecting me to bring this. As he picked up the 3rd object as it leaned up against his bedroom wall, he placed it in its bag and put it around his shoulder and across his back. Everything good? He nooded. Turning the light off and shutting the door, he made his way downstairs. Kyle was the only one in the house - his family had gone out for the evening; a request made by Kyle, he wanted this perfect time to himself...and Sarah too.
Right, next stop, Denver Centre. But just as Kyle reached for the door, the phone on the nearby hall table started to ring. Kyle turned around with a confused look. Placing the bag by the door's side, he walked over to the phone and picked it up.
"Hello?"
"Hey dude, it's me."
Kyle instantly recognised the voice and smiled. "Oh, hey Stan, what's up."
"Not much - just lying around in bed."
"In bed? You feeling OK?"
"Yeh, yeh, just a bit tired that's all."
"Oh, OK."
"Listen, dude, can you meet me somewhere tonight?"
"Ah jeez Stan, I'm just about to go out - I promised Sarah I'd go and see her perform."
"I know, I know."
Kyle seemed confused. Stan didn't sound as glum and depressed as he sounded back at school. But Kyle wasn't bothered.
"But listen, I just wanted to talk to you about something, that's all."
"Well...OK, where did you want to meet me?" Kyle listend carefully. He got quite a surprise at Stan's reply. "Really? You want to meet there? Why?"
"I just thought it would be good to talk to one another there - I've found that place to be really secretive and private anyway."
"Yeh but, wouldn't that be breaking in and stuff?"
"No of course not. I found a secret way in anyway, just listen for a moment."
Kyle listened again as Stan gave him the directions for where to meet him. "Are you sure about that?"
"Trust me Kyle."
"And are you sure I'l still have time to get to the Denver centre."
"Of course, I promise."
"Well...alright. I'll set off now. But don't keep me waiting - I need to get to this concert for when it starts."
"That's fine, see yer' later Kyle."
"Yeh, see yer' Stan." Kyle placed the phone down and took a deep breath to pause and think for a moment. I can trust him, I know that. There was a slight bit of doubt in Kyle's head. Nevertheless, Kyle had made a promise. It's not far from the first bus route anyway. Kyle picked up the bag and made his way out of the house.
Meanwhile, on the other end of the phoneline, a synthesised vocal modification device had just been turned off. Xerok placed his communication device into his jacket pocket and smiled. Perfect. It was a trap - Xerok's sinister deception had worked. A pair of binoculars hung around his neck as he stood atop a hill - a perfect place to spy on anyone of his targets...especially Stan and even worse, Kyle. Xerok turned around and began to walk down the hill. Next stop, the rendez vu point. His smile grew. Ah...the fireworks factory - a perfect place for anybody to die.