Unraveled

Chapter Twelve: Jade City.

Women, if the soul of the nation is to be saved, I believe you must become its soul.

Coretta Scott King.

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Another week has passed and still no sign of Veda, which didn't settle well with Zack. Her body must have shown up by now! Someone should have found her. He was sure she was dead when he dumped her body from that cliff, but right now he was starting to doubt that. He was driving himself crazy from the lack of sleep and overthinking. Pacing around the house, an idea popped in his head; he must go to Jade City.

Since he hadn't heard any news from the police, he started to lose his trust in them. They must be hiding something! He might find the answers to his questions in Jade City. If Veda somehow survived, she would surely go to the only place she knew. Of that he was certain. She was too weak and fragile to really hide from him or to outsmart him.

           Zach dreaded going back to the city he despised the most. Ever since he took Veda and left that hell hole, he never went back. He hated everything about it. The memories of his previous life… His mother, flooded his twisted mind as soon as he saw the sign 'Welcome To Jade City'. Even though the air smelled fresh, as he was on the outside of the City, with beautiful thick, tall trees standing proudly on either side of the road, he couldn't stop himself from pulling his car window up. Him hating the city would be an understatement, he despised it.

Not having anywhere else to crash for the few nights he would be there, he rented a room in a motel, after making sure it was clean enough. Not that anywhere would be up to his standards. He cursed the situation he was in. Even in her death, Veda was causing him a headache. Yet he was 'sacrificing' again for her.

After putting his clothes neatly in the small closet that his room provided. He headed out. Not being totally sure where to, he drove aimlessly around his hometown. He didn't notice where he was heading, till he reached a small one story house. Concrete steps with black railings leading to a small porch. Which had a few plants that weren't there before. The black door with Glass Center contrasted with the light blue walls of the exterior of the house. The long narrowed windows on the left side of the front wall had their white blinders down. Flashbacks of when he personally blocked the view of these exact windows, just to have some privacy with his dear Veda while her father was out getting drunk, came back. And a smile creeped on his lips. He could almost see the scene as if he was watching a movie.

Infront of him was Veda'ss old house. Her personal hell that he rescued her from. He was her Hero. Or at least he should have been. Yet she was so ungrateful and never appreciated anything he did for her. Soon the smile was replaced with a clenched jaw and flared nose.

He stayed for a while, not really knowing if he was hoping to see her or not. He loved her, so he kind of hoped that she was still alive. But he wasn't stupid! He knew that if that happened then he'd be in a lot of trouble. Maybe he could win her back! After all, who else does she have besides him? He was her one true love, she would always forgive him and run back to him.

When Zack got back to the motel, it was already dark. He had grabbed something for dinner on his way back. It wasn't as good as what he was used to for dinner every night. If he was going to be honest with himself, he'd have to admit that Veda's cooking was uncomparable to any other. After all he made sure she learned and did what pleases him. But he wasn't ready to admit that to himself now that she left him.

Zack was busy eating his dinner, when he jumped out of his seat startled, after hearing a knock on his motel room door. Which was alarming since no one knew he was back, nor that he was in this motel in particular. Even the couple girls that worked at the motel, he had previously asked them to not disturb him.

Whoever was behind that door clearly was patient. Soon, the knocking turned to banging. Zack dropped his fork on the plate and got up irritated. He swung the door open, earning himself a fist to the nose. His hands flew to his nose so fast to cover it from the unexpected assault. Groaning and muttering a 'what the hell'. When he finally opened his eyes, he squinted them, pulling his eyebrows together. Shocked and curiously looking at the person in front of him.

The man, who Zach was familiar with, looked so different from what he remembered him to look like. His overall appearance seemed cleaner and well maintained. The man had gained some weight, making his somewhat slim figure look musculine. The deep black bags under his eyes were almost unnoticeable. And his pale skin have gained a slight color. Even his signature bloodshot eyes were clearer, although now his eyes held sadness rather than anger.

"Mr Theel?" Zach has finally composed himself and was able to ask, not being able to hide the shock in his voice though.

" I didn't mean to hit you… here" Veda's father said, while handing Zack a tissue to clean the few blood drops leaking from his nose.

" What are you doing here?" Even though Zack wanted to ask Mr Theel that question, the latter was faster than him.

" What are YOU doing here?!" responded Zack. How did he know that Zack was back? And in this particular motel!

Answering the unvoiced question Mr Theel simply said " I followed you"

Zack's eyes widened in shock. " What… What do you mean?"

" I saw you checking the house. I was shocked to say the least…. Why are you here Zach? And why were you acting like a stalker? What's going on?!"