the invisible villain

Here comes the plot

Abe was so sure he was fine, that everything was going to be okay. And so he was completely blind when something did happen. And it all began most inconspicuously.

There was a boy, and there was a girl. Both seniors in Avery university, in different departments. They met at a mixer. Clicked. Started dating. Fell in love. Made plans for the rest of their lives together. And because they wanted to spend more time together came up with a dastardly plan. They decided to do the academic projects together, as an inter-department cooperation. And they had the perfect excuse to convince the professors. The project of theirs was so large and so close to projects in the real world, they would need resources similar to the real world. Which meant, they would have to cooperate with other departments. Additionally, it would be also be educational in the sense that they would have an appreciation of the world they would stepping into after graduation. The professors weren’t just convinced, they were so impressed with the idea, they decided to implement it for all students in all departments, starting with the first years.

It wouldn’t have been a problem for Abe, if it weren’t for the small accident. He was the only one left when a group of three from the business studies department showed up requesting for a student of stats in their team. They were building a model of a bubble in an investment heave industry. They had everything else. A student of economics, a student from computer engineering, and a student of finance. They only lacked a statistician who could help with presenting the large data more elegantly. Abe wouldn’t have any complaint joining them. They weren’t ambitious with the project. Even if it turned out to be impressive, it wouldn’t the kind of impressive that would have professors fawning over them. And it certainly wouldn’t attract undesirable attention of the students. He even met with them, introducing himself and listening to their introductions.

Abe, statistics.

Lydia, economics.

Baron, computers.

Welma, finance.

And that was the problem. Welma. With short hair, tiny pearl-like eyes, light brown skin, average build, dazzling smile. Not the kind of pretty that one would call city toppling, but very beautiful nonetheless. She was the first love of the protagonists, of his dear brothers. The one Abe wanted to stay away from the most, because he didn’t believe in the slightest that red was a colour that looked good on his hands.

And so, run away he did.

“I’m sorry,” he said to the group of three smiling happily. “I can’t do this.”

And without offering another word in explanation he got up, and literally ran away.

The next day, the three of them found him again in the afternoon.

“Can you tell us what’s wrong?” Baron asked. “You were okay. And then you weren’t. Clearly something happened. Or something’s wrong. Can you tell us please? We are very serious about the project. And we could certainly use your help.”

“Couldn’t you ask anyone else,” Abe pleaded.

“Do you think we’d be here begging you if there was someone else,” Lydia said with a scowl.

She was clearly unhappy. And she had no trouble expressing this unhappiness.

“I’m sorry,” Abe said, his face showing how true his words were. “I really am. Please. I can’t do this.”

“Explain,” Lydia said tonelessly, her arms folded over her chest.

“I can’t,” Abe said, hanging his head.

“You suck,” Lydia said in the harshest tone.

And then she walked away. Dragging Baron and Welma along. Abe sighed, hoping this was the end. Lydia sure seemed like she had given up on him. Baron persisted. He found Abe again after classes.

“It’s just us,” Baron said when they were sitting down on the university grounds. “Can you tell me? Is it the project? Is that what’s worrying you and made you change your mind?”

Abe paused. He looked at Baron who had a gentle expression but eyes aglow with intelligence. He realised that Baron had noticed.

“Yes,” Abe said.

Baron was surprised. The two looked into each other’s eyes, and all that had to be said was said through their eyes. And Baron sighed sadly, finally giving up.

“Lydia didn’t mean what she said,” Baron said, defending his friend. “We came looking for you, you know. We asked the professors. And they told us you were good. No, more than good. Their exact words were that you were the most promising student they had encountered, like ever, and they weren’t sure themselves how good you were because you were so intent on seeming average. Lydia is like a genius, you know. We grew up together. Neighbours. Family friends. We were born weeks apart. So, we were always together. She could have gone anywhere, but she came here because Avery was the best university I could get into. She speaks harsh when she’s unhappy, but she’s the warmest person I know. I just don’t want you misunderstanding her.”

“I wish you two the very best,” Abe said honestly. “I hope you’re happy forever.”

“Thank you,” Baron said, beaming. “As for Welma, Lydia and she are friends from economics class. Lydia says there’s something about Welma. I think I see it too. She’s a nice girl.”

“I know,” Abe said. “It’s not that.”

“But it’s her.”

“Yes. It’s her. I’m sorry I can’t explain more.”

Baron shook his head. It was he who pressed. Abe was so patient, he couldn’t complain.

And so the two shook hands, and separated. Maybe they could have been friends. Maybe they were, in another life. In this one, they separated as acquaintances with good feelings for each other.

Abe was happy it was over. Only, it wasn’t. Not really. Lydia and Baron gave up. And since Lydia was the brains of the project, they didn’t come looking for him. But Welma wasn’t done. She came looking for him a week later.

“We found someone,” she told Abe. “Not from statistics. From Baron’s department. He’s good at math. Studied statistics in school, more than was required. He likes computers better, which is why he didn’t try for the statistics program. I just wanted you to know.”

“Okay,” Abe said.

He smiled. And turned to leave. But she stopped him.

“Can I ask you something? Why do you not want to work with me? Did I do something? Do you dislike me or something, for some reason? Can you tell me?”

She was a wonderful person. Truly deserving of being the first love of his brothers. Did they meet yet, he wondered. She hadn’t graduated when she died in the novel. So, they should have met. He didn’t want to cross paths with his brothers. He didn’t want to get tangled up in the plot.

“No,” he said, looking and sounding honest. “It’s not that. I just realised I wasn’t really ready for a project like this. That’s all. I’m not smart or motivated like you all. It struck me as I looked at you three. I wouldn’t be a positive addition to the team. That’s all. We haven’t even met before. Why would I have anything against you? Really. You’re overthinking.”

She nodded. Didn’t seem very convinced, but nodded anyway. And didn’t stop him again.

Abe returned to Cafe feeling overwhelmed. There were no customers just then. Alex and April were playing battleship at a table. Alex was having coffee. April was feasting on caramel pop corn. And they were both wearing extremely serious faces. Alex had sunk three of April’s ships. And April had sunk four of Alex’s. But April’s carrier and battle ship remained. The big ones were easier to hit than Alex’s still afloat destroyer. The game was yet far from over. Just as Abe walked in, Alex hit one of April’s ships. Alex screamed in delight and drank her coffee. April groaned, and stuffed her mouth with the dark coloured pop corn. The two of them looked at him as Abe sat on the third chair. And the game was forgotten.

“What’s wrong?” Alex asked.

“Welma came to speak with me earlier,” Abe said honestly.

“Really?” April asked. “Who’s Welma? And what’s wrong with her speaking with you?”

“Nothing’s wrong about her speaking with me,” Abe said. “Just that we shouldn’t be meeting. Our paths shouldn’t cross. That’s for the best.”

“Why?” April asked.

Alex shook her head at April, a clear sign asking April to stop.

“About the project?” Alex said to Abe.

“Yes,” Abe said. “They found someone. From Baron’s department. She wanted to let me know. She also wanted to know if she’d done something wrong? If I disliked her?”

“She’s not letting go, is she,” Alex said.

“No. I don’t think so,” Abe said sorrowfully. “I need a break.”

“Yes,” Alex said. “Maybe go somewhere.”

“Ludwig would love to have him over,” April said. “He’s got this thing. He’d need all the luck he can have. He’d love our lucky mascot with him.”

That was what everyone called Abe, and they did so with the best of intentions. Early on they noticed that jobs on which Abe helped went better than those on which Abe didn’t help. And when Abe was involved in the early stages, with the planning and preparations, those jobs didn’t have a hitch. There were even pleasant surprises. Like accidents that were unfortunate for the targets, but extremely fortunate for those working on the job. And Abe himself seemed to never encounter any trouble, except for his tragic past of course. That was all Alex told them. That Abe escaped from a tragic past, and the two of them decided to become a family. Anyway, Abe was the darling of the god of luck. And their lucky mascot.

Ludwig was stealing two priceless pieces of art. A vase from five centuries ago that was presented by the emissary of one kingdom to the king of another, in whose vault it remained until archaeologists dug it up. And a shield dug up from the same vault that shouldn’t have been there. The mystery multiplied the value several fold. The two pieces were displayed in two separate museums. A week later they would be taken on a tour of the country, after which it would be so much more impossible to steal them. The next few days presented the best window. And he would have to steal the two on the same night. The job demanded a lot of planning. A lot of preparation. It was most certainly among the toughest jobs Ludwig had ever done. And he could certainly use the help.

Abe nodded. Alex was hesitant, but she nodded in the end. April beamed as she called Ludwig on his phone. And Ludwig beamed when told Abe wanted to join him. Alex agreed to let Abe go on the condition that she went along too. She didn’t have the slightest doubt that she had to be present to ensure Abe didn’t get himself into too much trouble. And to ensure Ludwig didn’t get carried away. April promised to take care of Cafe. And she also called for help.

Alex and Abe took the last bus out. In the morning, the three of them enjoyed a large breakfast at the restaurant opposite the service apartment Ludwig was staying at. Afterward, they visited the museums. It was Ludwig’s second time. He played the role of a host perfectly. No one could have suspected them as anything other than a family of three. Ludwig detailed his plan. Alex offered suggestions. Abe was a good listener and nothing more. That night he sat watching a movie, as Alex and Ludwig worked. Ludwig was out. Alex provided support from the apartment. She got into the museums’ security systems, disabled the alarms. Ludwig remained in the shadows as he broke in, stole the vase and the shield, and escaped. Immediately after he left, Alex re-enabled the alarms. And both quietly left, without leaving behind a trace. Ludwig returned an hour later. They drove away that very night in Ludwig’s car. By the time anyone realised the thefts at the museums, the thieves were long gone.

They first drove to Ludwig’s home, where he grabbed another bag filled with clothes and necessities for a vacation. And then, they drove west. The end of the road was seven hundred kilometres, ten hours away. Alex had reserved two suites at a five star resort right next to the sea. There was a private beach. Great food. Not many guests since it was the middle of the week in the off season. Just perfect for a three day holiday. The three of them left behind everything. Staying only in the present. Enjoying it to the fullest. Relaxing. Rejuvenating their tired spirits. Feasting on exotic delicacies. Even getting drunk. Abe was allowed wine after it was diluted with water, so it gave him an illusion of drunkenness. But for him who had never tasted alcohol, the illusion was real enough.

It was night when they arrived. They were tired, since all three had taken turns behind the wheel. They had dinner. And hit the bed. It was well into the morning when they woke up. They were here for the sea and nothing else. They didn’t care for the city or the tourist attractions. And so, they weren’t pressed for time. They woke up, washed, walked the beach, burying their feet in the sand and washing it in seawater. Laughing as the sand tickled their feet as it flowed away with the receding waves. Only turning back in as their stomachs grumbled. It was just after noon. They could head to one of the two restaurants for lunch.

Lunch was slow, long and filling. Afterward, they returned to their suites. Showered. Changed. Enjoyed the sea from the balconies. Went to dinner. They had fish and crabs freshly caught from the sea. And then, they went to the beach, with the wine. They drank to the sight of the night and the sound of the sea. Only heading back after the two bottles were empty. Wobbly on their feet, leaning onto each other to stay up. They made it to their rooms and collapsed on the beds.

The next day was a repeat of the previous. Only, they went to bed earlier. So they woke up before dawn. And they had breakfast at the buffet that was complimentary to guests staying at the resort. The rest of the day was the same. The fourth morning, after breakfast, they drove back.

They drove slower on the way back. Only after eleven hours driving into the city. It was late when they finally arrived at the lakeside. Alex invited Ludwig to stay the night. And he didn’t refuse. He did grumble endlessly the next morning, when Alex and Abe woke him long before 6 am. Ludwig was a night person. He hated early mornings. And he hated Alex and Abe for forcing him to greet an early morning.

At 6:30 am, Abe opened Cafe. Everything was in order, not that he had any reason to doubt it wouldn’t be. At 6:45 am, April walked in, with a loud greeting.

“Abby, you’re back. How was the holiday?”

She was beaming like it was she who’d gone on the holiday.

Abe smiled at her. And answered.

“It was great. Alex even let me have wine,” he said, telling her the most important thing first. “Diluted of course. But still wine. And I think I got drunk too. I was hazy. And I think I was no different from the two of them, and they were most definitely drunk.”

“Wow,” April screamed, truly excited for him. “Congratulations. Not very long now, when you can have wine, undiluted. And beer. And vodka.”

“Yes. Beer and vodka.”

“They’re the best.”

“They’re the best.”

They both fell silent. April with an expression of longing. Abe with one of anticipation.

And then, at 7:00 am, Alex arrived, with breakfast and Ludwig.