The Marmalade Cure

CECIL

Cecil couldn't sleep.

He felt dehydrated.

Nothing surprising.

Fate couldn't even let him have a good night's sleep.

If it wasn't thirst, it was a nagging bladder. If not his bladder, then nightmares had to play hide and seek with him.

There I go again. He sighed. Depression and anxiety should have been my first and last name "Depression Cecil Anxiety".

He chuckled darkly.

Pulling aside the sheets, Cecil untangled his long legs and went to get himself a jug or two of water.

While padding through the hallway, he was jarred by the irritatingly loud cell phone beep.

Damn! Who could that be?

Not another collector, he hoped.

Taking a deep breath, he picked up the phone and looked at the screen.

*Unidentified Caller*.

Should he receive it?

What could he lose, apart from his dignity, but since it was barely surviving anyway, Cecil tapped the accept button.

"Hello?" Cecil could hear the trepidation in his voice.

"How would you like to be debt free for once?" Came a falsely cheerful reply.

"What?" -Cecil thought he misheard. Must be my stupid brain.

" If you bring me what I want, I will pay for your freedom " The voice continued, now in a detached, almost dead voice. But it inflected at want and pay, just the right moments to get his attention.

Now I get it ! Cecil thought darkly: another blackmailer.

He was about to move away from the phone, when he heard the voice say:

" Don't drop the call. Listen. Go to the Z -Terminal tomorrow. You will find a plane ready to leave. If you bring me the parcel, you get your freedom"

That was dramatic. And stupid.

"What parcel"?

" The one in the purple satchel".

"What...."

"Bye"

"Wait...!!!"

But the call was disconnected.

"Way to be clear" Cecil muttered angrily.

He dropped the phone back on the mantel.

But he kept standing there.

He knew.

It was obvious.

He was going to the airport tomorrow.

it was obvious, the unknown caller knew about his past. He knew about Cecil's uncanny tracking abilities or we he wouldn't be demanding his services. He knew how to jangle an ex spy's nerves.

He knew how desperate a man could get to save his life. He had gotten Cecil.

And when the phone rang next, Cecil picked it up, knowing full well he was getting into a pit full of trouble.

A trouble that will cost him dearly. But hey, at least his mind would be occupied enough to lose it's incessant chatter.

Anything to put his anxiety on hold.

Yawning, he went to fill several syringes.

His favorite part of the job