Chapter 9
The hotel was small, but brightly lit in the coming gloom of evening. William looked around, and smiled at the gulls overhead. He'd be at his father's tomorrow. He had given Tyler the address and he had said he knew the place well. William had been surprised but hadn't asked questions. He wondered now if it was a mistake.
William set his bag down on the bed and went into the bathroom. He looked around it, and tried the window. It was unlocked and just big enough for him to squeeze through if need be. He hoped there wasn't a need.
Tyler came in moments later, his coat now hung over his shoulder. He looked menacing even without it, but William felt safe in his care. His mother had once told him he had a knack for figuring out people, and he hoped he wasn't being deceived this time. He doubted it; Tyler seemed to know his father, although he wouldn't let on. William watched from the bathroom threshold as Tyler threw himself onto one of the beds.
"So, kid," he said aloud, "it's getting pretty dark, but there is no site like the moon on the Pacific Ocean. Care to join me in some people watching?"
"Umm…I dunno. I just wanna lay down and go to sleep myself. I'm so tired right now, I don't know why. You go on, I'm gonna go to bed. We have to find my dad in the morning."
"Sure thing, but I think I'll join you here. People watching's no fun when you're alone. I claim this bed though, because I don't feel like getting up anymore." Tyler's smile seemed to brighten the room. William didn't know why, but it actually seemed brighter. Not that psychological crap where a pretty girls face lights up the room, but like each of his teeth was a tiny light bulb.
Who knew, with Tyler they probably were.
William grabbed some things from his bag and went into the bathroom again to change. He let the water run a moment before he started brushing his teeth. He though about a shower, but he was too sleepy to really go through with it. He hated jet lag. REALLY hated it. But a good nights sleep would do him good. Jet lag or no jet lag.
There was a knock at the door.
Over the sound of water in the sink he heard Tyler get up. He heard people talking. In his mind he heard one word:
"RUN!"
William threw open the window and looked around. He didn't see anyone, and he could still hear talking in the other room. He slipped out of the window and landed in the gavel in his bare feet. It hurt a little. Mom had never let him run around barefoot except in the house and his feet weren't used to the tint rocks gabbing at his soles.
He started to run. He tripped and fell but ignored the pain at his now bleeding knees.
"Which way?" his mind hollered out to Tyler.
"Go to the beach! Run down the boardwalk until you come to a peer with a hotel on it. There's a shop out front. It sells shell necklaces and novelties. Go in and say tell the lady behind the counter that Durden sent you. She'll protect you. You can trust her. Hurry!"
William had never run so fast in his life.
----
"So, what it is you wanted again Agent…?"
"Thomas. Agent Thomas. We're looking for a little boy. Owner said he saw a boy fitting his description come here with you. So…where is he?"
"Who, John? I sent him off on an errand. Kid's my ex-wife's. Said it was my responsibility to take care of him even though he's not mine. Little whore. Pawning the kid off on me so she could go and sucker some other poor guy into trusting her. Hate her guts. But the kid's sweet enough. Don't know why you'd be looking for him though. Sheila wants him back?"
"We're looking for a boy going by the name of William. Ran away from home the other day. When's your son going to be back Mr. Anger?"
"Don't know. Sent him off for batteries and milk. He didn't know where to get 'em around here and I gave him enough cash to hook him up with some girl for the night, so if I'm lucky he won't come back. He knows I didn't really want milk." Tyler's own yell nearly made him wince.
"I see. You letting ten year old boys run around with prostitutes Mr. Anger?"
"TEN?! I wish the boy was ten! Then he may not get all these ideas of killing me in his head. John's nearly seventeen now. Short for his age, but seventeen none the less. Still underage I know, Agent Thomas, but I never approved of him doing what I've been suggesting he's been doing, just saying that if he doesn't come back then that's what he's doing."
"I see. I see. May I use your bathroom?"
"By all means, but its in St. Louis if you don't mind the flight. This one here's the hotels. But I'm sure they won't mind you using it either."
The agent glared at Tyler and walked over the bathroom door. The handle turned and Tyler thanked God that William hadn't locked the door when he went in there. It might have been disastrous. He went and sat on the bed as the man who called himself Agent Thomas used the lavatory.
William was asking him where to go. He told him the only place he could think of. Linda's. He hoped it wasn't a mistake. He hoped that there were other "agents" just around the corner waiting for William. He suddenly hoped William's shoes weren't around anywhere.
The agent came back in.
"You sending your son out barefoot?"
"Hardly. John has more shoes then pre-teen girl trying to style and failing. He wearing a pair of workin' boots if I remember correctly. Went in there to change his clothes from what he traveled in since they were dirty. Boy never cleans up after himself."
"I see. Well, that's it, I guess." He turned to leave. "Wait. You wouldn't happen to have a picture of your son would you?"
"Seeing as he isn't really my son…but no, I don't. Not a big picture man, always distrustful of camera's myself. Seem like the devil's work. But I can describe him to you." Tyler describe a young man that could easily be William, but obviously wasn't. He sat telling the officer, and hated himself for being so adept at lying.
The agent left. Tyler watched thought he sheer curtains as he got into a car with another man and drove away. When they were out of sight, he changed his clothes, and started walking toward the beach. Just a man out to enjoy the setting sun on the water. That was all.
He reached Linda's in no time flat, though. And smiled at the tall blond working the counter. It wasn't Linda.
"L around?"
"Yeah, she's in the back, handsome. What you doing back so soon. Thought you ran off to the east coat."
"I did. But our scavenger pal needed me to round up the livestock."
"The boy?"
"Yeah. He here?"
"Sho'nuff is," She said in a bad put on southern accent as she batted her eyelashes. Tyler was about to ask what the problem is when the door swung open.
"I'm looking for something for my wife. Can you help me?" It was the other man from the car.
"If you wouldn't mind waiting a bit. I'm dealing with another customer at the moment. Why don't you look around for a bit, while I help this man here, who was here before you?"
She all politeness; the man scowled. She walked over to Tyler and got real close to him making a point of showing him around and taking her time.
"No, no. This just isn't right. I want something larger! I have a large house to fill."
"Of course." She turned to the other man. "My apologies, I must show this other customer the back room. How about I get the owner out here to help you. She's on break, but I'm sure she won't mind."
She led Tyler to the back room, shutting the door behind them.
"Linda. Some creep just came in here. I think he's looking for Tyler here and the kid. Take care of him would you?"
"Sure, Liz." Linda stood up and pressed her body hard against Tyler, her mouth just inches from his ear. "Stay away from my girl, handsome. Wouldn't want any accidents."
Tyler laughed and saw William sitting on a small cot in the corner of the room.
"How are you, Will?"
"Ok, I guess." Williams's mouth trembled as he thought-spoke to Tyler.
"Alright. I know how to get us out of here, just follow my lead, ok?"
William nodded. Liz looked incredulously from one to the other, as they did nothing but stare at each other.
Tyler grabbed the boy's hand and took him out the back door. It didn't lead into the street but into a small apartment. They went out the front door there, and Tyler suddenly picked William up. The looked scared for a moment, then, getting the hint, pretended to be asleep.
Tyler hailed another cab, made sure he had some extra cash, and got in. As the car pulled away there was the sound of double gunshots, and the sound of a woman screaming that a man just shot someone, then himself and for someone to call 911. William smiled to himself. He had thought she was a resourceful woman.
The hotel was small, but brightly lit in the coming gloom of evening. William looked around, and smiled at the gulls overhead. He'd be at his father's tomorrow. He had given Tyler the address and he had said he knew the place well. William had been surprised but hadn't asked questions. He wondered now if it was a mistake.
William set his bag down on the bed and went into the bathroom. He looked around it, and tried the window. It was unlocked and just big enough for him to squeeze through if need be. He hoped there wasn't a need.
Tyler came in moments later, his coat now hung over his shoulder. He looked menacing even without it, but William felt safe in his care. His mother had once told him he had a knack for figuring out people, and he hoped he wasn't being deceived this time. He doubted it; Tyler seemed to know his father, although he wouldn't let on. William watched from the bathroom threshold as Tyler threw himself onto one of the beds.
"So, kid," he said aloud, "it's getting pretty dark, but there is no site like the moon on the Pacific Ocean. Care to join me in some people watching?"
"Umm…I dunno. I just wanna lay down and go to sleep myself. I'm so tired right now, I don't know why. You go on, I'm gonna go to bed. We have to find my dad in the morning."
"Sure thing, but I think I'll join you here. People watching's no fun when you're alone. I claim this bed though, because I don't feel like getting up anymore." Tyler's smile seemed to brighten the room. William didn't know why, but it actually seemed brighter. Not that psychological crap where a pretty girls face lights up the room, but like each of his teeth was a tiny light bulb.
Who knew, with Tyler they probably were.
William grabbed some things from his bag and went into the bathroom again to change. He let the water run a moment before he started brushing his teeth. He though about a shower, but he was too sleepy to really go through with it. He hated jet lag. REALLY hated it. But a good nights sleep would do him good. Jet lag or no jet lag.
There was a knock at the door.
Over the sound of water in the sink he heard Tyler get up. He heard people talking. In his mind he heard one word:
"RUN!"
William threw open the window and looked around. He didn't see anyone, and he could still hear talking in the other room. He slipped out of the window and landed in the gavel in his bare feet. It hurt a little. Mom had never let him run around barefoot except in the house and his feet weren't used to the tint rocks gabbing at his soles.
He started to run. He tripped and fell but ignored the pain at his now bleeding knees.
"Which way?" his mind hollered out to Tyler.
"Go to the beach! Run down the boardwalk until you come to a peer with a hotel on it. There's a shop out front. It sells shell necklaces and novelties. Go in and say tell the lady behind the counter that Durden sent you. She'll protect you. You can trust her. Hurry!"
William had never run so fast in his life.
----
"So, what it is you wanted again Agent…?"
"Thomas. Agent Thomas. We're looking for a little boy. Owner said he saw a boy fitting his description come here with you. So…where is he?"
"Who, John? I sent him off on an errand. Kid's my ex-wife's. Said it was my responsibility to take care of him even though he's not mine. Little whore. Pawning the kid off on me so she could go and sucker some other poor guy into trusting her. Hate her guts. But the kid's sweet enough. Don't know why you'd be looking for him though. Sheila wants him back?"
"We're looking for a boy going by the name of William. Ran away from home the other day. When's your son going to be back Mr. Anger?"
"Don't know. Sent him off for batteries and milk. He didn't know where to get 'em around here and I gave him enough cash to hook him up with some girl for the night, so if I'm lucky he won't come back. He knows I didn't really want milk." Tyler's own yell nearly made him wince.
"I see. You letting ten year old boys run around with prostitutes Mr. Anger?"
"TEN?! I wish the boy was ten! Then he may not get all these ideas of killing me in his head. John's nearly seventeen now. Short for his age, but seventeen none the less. Still underage I know, Agent Thomas, but I never approved of him doing what I've been suggesting he's been doing, just saying that if he doesn't come back then that's what he's doing."
"I see. I see. May I use your bathroom?"
"By all means, but its in St. Louis if you don't mind the flight. This one here's the hotels. But I'm sure they won't mind you using it either."
The agent glared at Tyler and walked over the bathroom door. The handle turned and Tyler thanked God that William hadn't locked the door when he went in there. It might have been disastrous. He went and sat on the bed as the man who called himself Agent Thomas used the lavatory.
William was asking him where to go. He told him the only place he could think of. Linda's. He hoped it wasn't a mistake. He hoped that there were other "agents" just around the corner waiting for William. He suddenly hoped William's shoes weren't around anywhere.
The agent came back in.
"You sending your son out barefoot?"
"Hardly. John has more shoes then pre-teen girl trying to style and failing. He wearing a pair of workin' boots if I remember correctly. Went in there to change his clothes from what he traveled in since they were dirty. Boy never cleans up after himself."
"I see. Well, that's it, I guess." He turned to leave. "Wait. You wouldn't happen to have a picture of your son would you?"
"Seeing as he isn't really my son…but no, I don't. Not a big picture man, always distrustful of camera's myself. Seem like the devil's work. But I can describe him to you." Tyler describe a young man that could easily be William, but obviously wasn't. He sat telling the officer, and hated himself for being so adept at lying.
The agent left. Tyler watched thought he sheer curtains as he got into a car with another man and drove away. When they were out of sight, he changed his clothes, and started walking toward the beach. Just a man out to enjoy the setting sun on the water. That was all.
He reached Linda's in no time flat, though. And smiled at the tall blond working the counter. It wasn't Linda.
"L around?"
"Yeah, she's in the back, handsome. What you doing back so soon. Thought you ran off to the east coat."
"I did. But our scavenger pal needed me to round up the livestock."
"The boy?"
"Yeah. He here?"
"Sho'nuff is," She said in a bad put on southern accent as she batted her eyelashes. Tyler was about to ask what the problem is when the door swung open.
"I'm looking for something for my wife. Can you help me?" It was the other man from the car.
"If you wouldn't mind waiting a bit. I'm dealing with another customer at the moment. Why don't you look around for a bit, while I help this man here, who was here before you?"
She all politeness; the man scowled. She walked over to Tyler and got real close to him making a point of showing him around and taking her time.
"No, no. This just isn't right. I want something larger! I have a large house to fill."
"Of course." She turned to the other man. "My apologies, I must show this other customer the back room. How about I get the owner out here to help you. She's on break, but I'm sure she won't mind."
She led Tyler to the back room, shutting the door behind them.
"Linda. Some creep just came in here. I think he's looking for Tyler here and the kid. Take care of him would you?"
"Sure, Liz." Linda stood up and pressed her body hard against Tyler, her mouth just inches from his ear. "Stay away from my girl, handsome. Wouldn't want any accidents."
Tyler laughed and saw William sitting on a small cot in the corner of the room.
"How are you, Will?"
"Ok, I guess." Williams's mouth trembled as he thought-spoke to Tyler.
"Alright. I know how to get us out of here, just follow my lead, ok?"
William nodded. Liz looked incredulously from one to the other, as they did nothing but stare at each other.
Tyler grabbed the boy's hand and took him out the back door. It didn't lead into the street but into a small apartment. They went out the front door there, and Tyler suddenly picked William up. The looked scared for a moment, then, getting the hint, pretended to be asleep.
Tyler hailed another cab, made sure he had some extra cash, and got in. As the car pulled away there was the sound of double gunshots, and the sound of a woman screaming that a man just shot someone, then himself and for someone to call 911. William smiled to himself. He had thought she was a resourceful woman.