Chapter 2
1158 Words
Duncan knew that fully well that Justin would not seat back after what happened, but he was ready for anything, he had been pushed continually, used recklessly and abandoned. He was done living that kind of life, he was ready to take anyone who would stand on his way to success.
He recalled the look on Justin's face, he had made him angry, that was his aim, he knew they were probably wondering what happened to the timid, tongue tied boy they once knew and used. This was his second chance in life and he had every plans of living it to the fullest.
He was determined to change his fate or at least die trying.
As soon as Duncan got home, the noise in the kitchen drew his attention. A sweet smell filled his nostrils drawing him even closer to the direction.
"What's going on here?" Duncan asked with a smile on his face.
"Son!" His mother sent him a sweet smile, "You're back."
"Yes mom, Hi dad." He sent his Dad a small smile, his eyes focused on varieties of different specialities meticulously arranged on the kitchen table.
"Welcome back Duncan, how's Clara and her father?" His Dad asked with a smile.
Instead of replying, Duncan asked, "What's the party for?"
"Oh this." His mother grinned before exchanging looks with her husband, his father. "Your Dad and I decided to make our local specialities for Clara, I think she might like them."
No, his mother was wrong. He could recall clearly that as soon as he mentioned the specialities, the bag was ripped out of his hand and every item was thrown into the waste bin without a remorse.
Duncan remembered the pain he felt then as he watched the meals his mother had prepared so earnestly discarded as though her efforts meant nothing.
"Come and have lunch, when you're done eating, take this down to Clara's." His father instructed patting the already packed bag.
"Okay dad." He answered. After lunch, he grabbed the bag then headed to the charity event taking place just down the street.
The townhall was filled to the brim when Duncan got there.
"Hey you, participant or volunteer?" The gateman asked staring at him with red eyws.
"Hm.. volunteer." He said.
"Go that way." The gate man pointed at another gate by the left.
Quite a number of volunteers were there already, patiently waiting for instructions. They were given a tag and had duties allocated to them.
Duncan was asked to help with the setup of the chess game segment. He followed other volunteers to the location and they began to arrange the arena for the games. They cleaned the chairs and set the board ready for the players.
The game already begun before Duncan was done cleaning, he could hear the loud cheers coming from the spectators watching the game. With his curiosity piqued, he walked towards the gathering where the international chess competition was going on then watched the game silently.
Duncan stood outside the hall as soon as the game was over, he leaned on the wooden door post as people exited the hall chattering wildly.
"You made the wrong move Ethan."
"Wrong?" His opponent, Ethan scoffed. "I've been playing chess for decades, you can't lecture me Sebastian."
"Why can't you just admit that you made the wrong move?" Sebastian asked heatedly.
"I would not admit to that because I didn't make the wrong move." Ethan replied.
Duncan watched the two elders argue over the game they had just played, he stepped in turning to Ethan who played black.
"That was one dangerous move you played there sir." His voice made both elders stop.
"What do you mean?" Ethan asked.
"I noticed you moved your knight to c6 instead of c5, it was an unexpected move." He said.
Ethan smiled, "You saw that."
"That's why I keep saying you made a mistake." Sebastian the player on white argued.
"It was quite an aggressive move but it left the queen opened to weakness, I would advise you place your knight on c5 instead, it would put more pressure on white." Duncan explained.
"You think you can lecture me on Chess?" Ethan asked. "I'm very experienced boy."
"I think you can try listening to me to find out." Duncan said.
"Let's go play somewhere else." Sebastian suggested. "This time, I will take you down, new move or not."
"Come with me, I know a place." Ethan said walking ahead of the men. He led them into a building, only stopping to say hi to the receptionist.
They went into a quiet room, "This is where I play chess sometimes." Ethan said pulling the board out from a cupboard.
"Let me help." Duncan helped him arrange the board and set the chairs then the game began.
There was silence as each men played quietly, suspecting the other's move and trying to get the upper hand.
"That's your chance, move your player, attack his knight." Duncan instructed which Ethan obediently followed.
They continued the game in silence, Duncan watched, he calculated every move before they were made.
Ethan raised placed his hand on a game, ready to move it, "If you move that, he will have the upper hand." Duncan said and Ethan paused recalculating his move.
"Move your queen to h6." Duncan instructed.
Sebastian released a dissatisfied grunt as he watched Ethan deliver a devastating checkmate to his king.
Without sparing the two another glance, he picked up his things then stormed out angrily.
"I didn't notice that move at all." Ethan said smiling.
"Not many do." Duncan replied.
"Come play with me boy." Ethan said with an impressed smile on his face, "Not many young men as your age appreciate the game of chess."
Duncan smiled.
Ethan Anderson, a well respected senior prosecutor in the state, he had married from Duncan's home town, he always mentioned it on Tv with so much pride. His son was the local chief police.
"Here's a speciality from my hometown, it's a gift." Duncan said giving the older man the bag. "I'm sure you'll like it."
Ethan smile widened as he collected the bag, "Thank you." He said.
"May I know who you are?" Ethan asked, "I must say, you intrigue me."
This was his opportunity, Duncan seized it, "I'm nobody special, I just applied for a civil service position, I am still hoping I get lucky." He said moving a player.
"Why lucky?" Ethan asked.
"I mean, I have the right qualifications, but I still need luck." He explained.
"I see." Ethan murmured eyes on the chess board.
"Just like the current case the police are tackling, I believe the answer is hidden deep in the facts." Duncan explained hoping to catch Ethan's attention by mentioning his son's recent case.
That caught the old man's attention, Ethan stared at him with curious eyes, "For a jobless man, you know a lot of things."
- Writer
