NINETY-NINE: How hard could it be?

Jude began his story just hours before the catastrophe.  He had decided to leave to come to Burton’s the next week and told Simon that day.

“What do you mean?  Why are you really leaving?” asked Simon.

“It’s like I already said.”

“But aren’t you supposed to -” asked Simon.

“I know what I ought to do but I haven’t promised Ricci anything. I got his permission to go to Burton’s ranch. Okay. I need some time,” said Jude.

“I can’t believe this you’re telling me this, and then leaving. Are you going to tell her before you walk out?” said Simon.

Simon stared at Jude in disbelief and simmering rage.

“You yell at me for lying to her and you’re just going to leave,” said Simon. “What a dashing Prince Charming you’ve turned out to be.”

“Let’s not lie to each other, anymore,” said Jude. “I know you’re only pretending not to like her. I know what Ricci has told you to do to keep me on his payroll.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” said Simon.

“You know what’s pitiful, Simon, is do you even know how you feel about her?” said Jude.

Simon opened his mouth and shut it. He looked dead at Jude.

“I sometimes think it’s a spell Ricci has me under,” he whispered. “I have to do what he says, it’s like a compulsion.  I can’t stay away from her.  But I have to lie to her to obey Ricci.”

“I know,” said Jude putting a hand on his shoulder. “Ricci can have that effect on people.”

Jude continued to pack his back. Simon stood there shifting from foot to foot.

“Jude,” said Simon. His voice trembled. “I really need you to stay.”

“No you don’t.  You and Arous will live happily ever after without me.”

“No, Jude, you don’t understand,” said Simon. “I need you to stay to keep her safe.”

“You’re more than capable of doing that yourself,” said Jude.

“No, you don’t understand,” Simon grabbed onto Jude’s arm. “I don’t know what Ricci is going to ask me to do.  I can’t tell him know. You may be the only person who stands between me and -”

“Whoah,” said Jude sitting Simon down. “She’s his daughter.  He’s got plans for her.  He’s not going to hurt her.”

Jude pulled Simon to him and embraced him.

“Try to relax.  Ricci has big plans for Arous and he thinks she’s weak enough to fall for them.  Including falling for you.”

Jude laughed and Simon relaxed.

“We’ve all been part of his scheming,” said Jude.  “You know, I never was good at doing what I was told. I can’t hang around here being manipulated by Ricci. If I stay any longer, I might get us all killed.”

They leaned back on the couch with their arms around one another for a moment of silence. Jude got up and grabbed his back-pack off the table.

“I’ve got one last job for Ricci.  That was the deal. One last job.”

“What is it?” asked Simon.

“All I know is that it doesn’t involve Arous.  How hard could it be?”