Story 2/1001

• enlarge
• inn
• understanding

Jack looked at the enlarged picture in his hands. It was taken from the surveillance camera next to him. The man in the picture was just like him, it can’t be anyone else – even if he grew a beard, Jack will always recognize those eyes.

Next to the surveillance camera was an old inn. Jack used to go there after hunting. He clenched his fists and walked slowly to the large wooden door. They still squeaked while being opened. Jack could hear laughter to the right of him, coming from a group of men in hunting clothes. They were young, and one of them was spreading his hands while telling a story about a boar he found in the woods.

Jack found a quiet corner in the back. He must be here – he always loved a good hunting story. Whenever Jack wanted to go home early, he would get him to stay for another round, and befriend every hunter in the inn.

“Hi, there. What can I get you tonight?”

“Have you seen this man here? ” Jack showed her the picture.

“I’m not sure, sir. It’s a bit blurry, to be honest.”

“Can you take another look?”

She took the picture and tried looking at it from different angles.

“Why is it so pixelated? Is it from a surveillance camera or something?” She sat next to Jack, surprising him. “Are you a cop?”

“No.”

“Then, why are you searching for him?”

“He has a debt to repay.”

“What are you, a gangster? Who talks like this today?”

Jack looked at her closely. She reminded him of someone.

“How old are you?”

“23, why?”

“You’re finally here.”

Jack turned, following the deep voice. He stood up, ran towards the voice and grabbed him by the collar.

“Hey, what are you doing? Get off of him!” The girl screamed.

Jack couldn’t avert his gaze. He couldn’t stop.

The girl went to the group of young hunters, and they tried to pull Jack away.

It was too late, he spent too much time – only to find him where they used to go together.

But he couldn’t hurt him, either.

“Where is she? Where is Sheila?”

Jack shook off the young hunters and pushed him into a wall. His silent, stubborn gaze only made him angrier.

“You took her from me! You took everything from me! She was pregnant, Will. Did you even know that? Where is my child, Will? Where-“

Tears rolled down Jack’s face, but Will didn’t budge. His arms were relaxed, he wasn’t upset. Like he had been waiting for him. Like he had nothing to feel guilty about.

“Say something, damn you! I have been looking for you for more than twenty years, and you have nothing to say? Where are they?”

He screamed, drowning his pain, when a soft hand pulled on his arm.

“Stop it! Dad, say something. Tell him to stop. Dad!”

Jack eased his grip and looked at the girl once more.

She does look just like her.

But she has Will’s eyes.                                        

He will always recognize those eyes.

The doors squeaked on his way out.