the invisible villain

Reunion

The hotel room’s balcony faced the track. Which explained why it was so popular among those coming for the race. They were up on the fifth floor, and were high enough to enjoy a view of a part of the track, with the cars and everything.

“I can’t shake off the feeling that this matters,” Ludwig said when they checked in.

“The balcony?” Alex asked.

Originally, the three of them said they would be sharing a room. And that too was because of Ludwig. The morning before they set out, he rushed out as soon as he woke up, searching for Alex and Abe. And when he found them, he said they should share a room. Both Alex and Abe knew better than to question Ludwig. Gypsy blood flowed through Ludwig’s veins. And an ancestor of his was a famous and powerful seer. And Ludwig had inherited some of this power, for he had visions sometimes, that appeared as dreams or even when awake. These visions revealed the future, though always as a puzzle, as an enigma. They told Ludwig what to do, but never why. And those dear to him, with whom he shared this secret, never questioned these visions. So, when Ludwig made such a sudden announcement, Alex and Abe simply nodded.

“Yeah,” Ludwig said, walking out onto the balcony. “The balcony. Feels important. Don’t you feel it?”

“No,” Alex said.

“But now that you’re brought it up,” Abe said, “can’t shake off this ominous feeling.”

Ludwig smiled. And stayed silent.

The room was a suite. There was the king size bed. And a couch. Alex claimed the bed, for her and Abe. Ludwig accepted the couch. After freshening up, they headed down for the complimentary breakfast. Ludwig and Alex were both very fond of the complimentary meals.

They saw the others already eating in the restaurant. Their rooms were on another floor, mainly because they didn’t book suites. The twins were sharing a room. Akira and Justine had separate rooms. The three rooms were next to each other two floors down from the suite.

And it wasn’t just the four of them at the table. A young man with an all too familiar face was chatting up Akira. He was smiling warmly, his body language was respectful . He was clearly kissing up to her. That much was clear, even if he was far enough to be inaudible.

“Come,” Alex said, grabbing Abe’s hand and leading him in. “I’m sure,” she said, answering the question on Abe’s face without actually looking at him.

Ludwig was curious, but he held his silence. There was no rush. And he didn’t want to break the momentum. They were at the table when they heard him speak the final words.

“Please remember, you will always be welcome. Do consider it.”

Having said his piece, Isaac looked up and his smile immediately fell as his eyes rested on Abe’s face.

“You,” Isaac said, and stopped.

Isaac then scoffed, and walked away, clearly in a terrible mood.

“You’re familiar?” Akira asked.

“You could say that,” Alex said.

“Yes,” Abe cut in. “We are familiar. What’s on the menu?”

The change of topic couldn’t be more deliberate or obvious. But it didn’t matter, certainly not to Abe. And if not to Abe, then to no one else either. Wasn’t the most cheerful breakfast, but was far from the worst. After the meal, Akira and the rest went to Benny’s garage. The other three decided to go for a walk.

“It’s a loud city,” Ludwig said, looking at the colourful buildings and the busy streets. “More than most cities. And you would think it has to do with the race. Wouldn’t you? You’d be wrong. The city is surely a little busier, but this is how it is usually. With such a stunning view of the sea and the many teams showing off with their exhibitions, this is a very popular holiday destination. Enjoys such a large number of tourists each year, tourism is the biggest industry. You’ll never find someone leaving the city without a souvenir. Which is what we’re out to get. Souvenirs.”

“You’ve been here before?” Abe asked.

“Yes. Exhibitions. So much money. It’s like honey to the ostentatious. There have been several art exhibitions. And many unwelcome guests at those shows.”

The people and the traffic, the rush was a slow moving stream, not at all uncomfortable to be inside of. The three held hands, Abe in between holding Alex’s hand with his left and Ludwig’s with his right, looking like a family of three. No one gave them another look in the midst of things so much more deserving of their attention. They walked through the market once, making a mental note of the things that caught their eye, things that made for the perfect souvenirs. As they retraced their steps, they stopped at the marked stores. The bags in their hands rapidly grew in number, as if multiplying. The had a lot of souvenirs to buy. They had a lot of people to buy souvenirs for. Even with their hands full with more bags than could be counted at a glance, they didn’t look out of place. And they were almost at their hotel, when they saw Isaac.

Isaac wasn’t alone. And he wasn’t walking freely. He had somewhere to be. And yet, he stopped. For Abe.

“You,” Isaac said, his eyes frozen on Abe, and the scowl on his face deepening. “Just what is it? What are you? Worthless.”

Abe showed nothing, but that wasn’t how he was inside. Alex and Ludwig shifted closer, both glaring at Isaac.

“Let’s go,” Alex said,

Abe nodded. And the three started walking again. Toward Isaac. But keeping away from him.

Isaac didn’t move into their path. But he didn’t hold his silence.

“Do you even know what’s going on? What you’ve done? Do you even care?”

Receiving no answer, Isaac shook his head. And continued in a harsher voice.

“Of course you don’t. That is how the worst kind of people are.”

He then spoke to his companions, but in a voice loud enough to be audible to the other three.

“Maybe it’s a good thing. Akira. Not being in our team. With such friends, she can be no better. We’re better off without terrible people.”

Abe wanted to stop. Alex wouldn’t let him. She leaned into him, and kept him walking. They only stopped when they were back in their room. They dropped the bags on the bed. Ludwig walked out onto the balcony, looked down, as if searching. Didn’t take long to turn back in. And then, he voiced the question he’d kept within himself all morning.

“What’s going on?”

Alex and Abe were on the couch. Abe was leaning against Alex, his head on her shoulder, and her arms wrapped around him.

“Isaac Greeve,” Alex said. “Before Abe was Abe Fleur, he was August Greeve. Isaac’s brother.”

“The son who died?” Ludwig asked.

Alex nodded.

“Was that their doing?” Ludwig asked.

“Yes,” Alex said. “That was their intent. We took advantage of the opportunity.”

“So, just now, it was about that?” Ludwig asked.

“No,” Alex said. “Just now was something else.”

“What?” Ludwig asked.

“Welma,” Abe said.

“Welma?” Ludwig asked, confused.

“Welma,” Abe repeated.

“The girl from Cafe,” Alex said. “Who works part-time.”

“What’s she got to do?” Ludwig asked.

“They like her,” Abe said. “Both brothers. In love with the same girl. They only know me as the boy from Cafe.”

“Then what I” Alex said.

But instead of explaining, she pulled out her phone. And called April. April answered the call on the third ring. Always on the third ring.

“Hello boss,” April greeted cheerfully. “I’m so glad you thought of me. Unless you’ve got work for me. Then, I’m unavailable. Busy. Can’t get to the phone. Tell me you miss me.”

A smile crept onto Abe’s face. The sight of that warmed the hearts of Alex and Ludwig.

“April,” Alex said. “We just saw Isaac. What happened there?”

All traces of laughter disappeared from April’s voice immediately. She answered in the most serious tone.

“Damn. I’m sorry, I didn’t want to tell you. Didn’t want to ruin Abe’s mood. So, a couple of weeks ago, the brothers showed up at Cafe. And made a scene. They didn’t like Louie sticking so close to Welma. Screamed at him. Demanded he keep some distance. The right distance between boys and girls. You know Louie. He laughed at them. Did the exact opposite. Threw his arm around Welma’s shoulders. And she didn’t push him away. The brothers didn’t like that. They told Welma they liked her. Confessed, just like that. In front of everyone. At her place of work. Embarrassed her. And she embarrassed them right back. Told them she liked someone else. She couldn’t accept their feelings. The brothers were shocked. Didn’t want to believe her. Said they knew she was lying. Told her she didn’t have to choose between them right away. Just keep away from Louie, who liked her too. She was shocked. Louie was shocked. Didn’t expect the brothers to confess for him too. She told the brothers she wasn’t lying. She did like someone. It wasn’t Louie. And she didn’t have to convince them. But if it would keep them away, she didn’t mind telling them who. Abe. She told them she liked Abe. And Abe was better than all of them, in every way. She then asked the brothers to stop bothering her. They were heartbroken. Looked it. And they left. Didn’t come back again. Didn’t think you’d encounter Isaac. Guess he hates you, Abe. Was he rude?”

“He was horrible,” Ludwig said. “The things he called Abe. I want to destroy him.”

“What did he say?” April asked, her voice low like it was when she was furious.

April and Ludwig weren’t quick to anger. The times they were angry could be counted on one hand. And every time, was terrifying. For those their anger was directed at.

“Terrible, terrible things,” Ludwig said.

He sounded no different. Only someone who knew him well could hear the difference. Could hear the notes of anger.

“Doesn’t matter,” Alex said. “Not right now.”

“What do you mean,” April said.

“How could you say that,” Ludwig said.

April and Ludwig spoke together.

“Not right now,” Alex repeated.

And everyone fell silent.

“There’s more,” Abe said, looking at Ludwig.

Abe told Ludwig everything. April knew, but she stayed on the call anyway. It was easier for Ludwig to believe. He had his own little bit of supernatural-ness, after all.

“I still can’t forgive them,” Ludwig said at the end.

“Yeah,” April said.

“You could have been hurt,” Ludwig said.

“Yeah,” April said.

“He was,” Alex said.

“Doesn’t matter,” Abe said. “Isaac. Isiah. The Greeves. None of them matter. They’re not the enemy. The enemy is far stronger, far more insidious. The plot. I ran away. Kept as far away as I could. But it won’t let go. Won’t let me be. So, I’m thinking. Maybe you were right Alex. Maybe running away isn’t the answer.”

Alex nodded. April and Ludwig stayed silent, even though they weren’t as comfortable with the conversation as Alex was.

“What do you want to do?” Alex asked.

“Fight back,” Abe said. “If it won’t let me be, then we’ll make it so it has no choice. Solve everything, so there’s nothing for it to do. It can sit in the corner, crying.”

“Alright,” Alex said. “I’m never one to shy away from a good fight.”

“And me,” April said, her excitement loud and clear.

“And me,” Ludwig said, slower and muted. “Although, I need a little help still, catching up, you know.”

“No probs honey,” April said. “Leave that to me.”

“For now, though,” Ludwig said. “There’s something I have to do.”

“A bit of revenge, I assume,” April said.

“A bit of revenge alright,” Ludwig said, grinning. “You’ll love it.”