CHAPTER NINETEEN

Though Van Zyl knew what happened to Dika and the twin brother, the fatality of the accident nullified Jr as a suspect. No matter the numerous times the crew shed innocent blood, their colleagues' death brought sorrow and tears to the camp. They were all buried at the Alijha Cemetery.

Alijha grieved the most. He began to get worried about the safety of his grandson. He didn’t want to lose his life. He couldn’t suspect him because it didn’t make sense. Alijha called Martin and Jad aside after the 

burial and said to them, “Keep a close eye on the boy.”

Few days after the fallen trio's burial, the crew had to take a long sail from the Yemen Coast to the Egyptian Coast. Alijah had a chat with Jr before their departure. Since the Dika’s demise, Alijha has been drinking excessively and spent his time inside the room.

“Jr let’s talk.” He said with a drunk voice.

“OK...”

“Ever since you came here, there has been so much pandemonium in the camp, and my boys have been so uncomfortable…” He paused and took a sip of his cider.

“As we will be sailing across the sea, I have decided to terminate your contract. Initially, I thought it would work. I gave you the money. Your visit is now overdue, you need to leave grandson.”

“Perhaps I overstayed, but I didn’t want to leave now...”

“But you’re going to, unless you want to temper with my instincts.” He said with a rough tone.

“What if I decide not to go? What will you do, kill me as you did to my father?” After saying this, he walked away before Alijha could respond.

On his way to the room, he met Jad.

“Hi Jr...” Jr ignored him and proceeded with a troubled face.

“I beg your pardon,” Jad said as he continued walking his route. ‘What’s wrong with this moody boy?’ Jad asked himself trying to figure out what might have hurt Jr.

Jr got into his shorts then went back to the dining room. The crew was already in, they were four vacant seats. Dika’s, the twins’ and Alijha’s. The dining room was now not noisier than before. They missed their fellow brothers, and there was a void where they should've been. 

Jr sat brazenly on Alijha’s seat. The crew looked at him with eyes perceiving him disrespectfully because it was a taboo for a son to sit on his father’s chair. They couldn’t say anything because they feared him.

Jr then stood up after eating and silently rushed to his grandfather. Some questions bubbled in his mind, they needed answers. He needed clarity of their previous conversation. He found the old man sited on the lounge. He noticed the old man was so drunk and hallucinating. Jr tiptoed and sat on the other side without him noticing. He stood there for some few moments mesmerized by the beautiful view.

“A very nice view indeed,” Jr said to himself, loud enough for Alijha to hear.

“Didn’t hear you coming.” He said with a fading voice. Jr drew closer to him looking at the half-dead man. Wondering what to do, kill or spare him. He battled in his thoughts. His kindness and mercy spoke louder in his mind.

‘Should I forgive him, should I forget about the wrongs he did in the past? Is there any sound justification for my mission? What I’m I really gaining in killing him? I’m I just gratifying my ego? Will the gods spare me if I spare him? What will my life be beyond this?’ Jr asked himself questions while standing there beside his grandfather. Tears cascaded in her eyes. He blinked them off. He decided to leave him there alone. He padded to his room.

The following morning he missed the breakfast. His absence meant a lot to the other guys. They freely talked, and there was so much joy in their midst. They discussed lots of things, exchanged ideas about their welfare.

They realized the harm that Jr brought into their camp. The divisions he caused, he instilled hatred towards one another. They stayed there for a couple of hours. Martin and Van didn’t say much about Jr., but they had a very refreshing breakfast full of laughter and enjoyment. Which was something they hadn't experienced for a very long time. 

Jr woke up and went to Alijha’s palace before he could bath. He found him lying on the floor. It seemed as if he had been drinking cider all night. He was in a mess. He was numb and half asleep, he helped him stand up and sit on the couch. He brought a glass of water, hoping he will sober up.

It was a golden opportunity for his secret mission, but his heart was full of unusual remorse. He dragged him to the bathroom, undressed him and then left him there to the bath. He struggled, but he got out of the bathroom with some strength. He prepared himself, then came and sat next to Jr. His heart was beating faster in that long moment of silence, questions without answers popping up and down. He waited for Jr to say something before he could say anything, but Jr remained silent.

“Remember I earlier on requested that we strike a deal, I’ve come for it.” Jr finally said.

“What do you want Jr?” His voice was trembling.

“You are my grandfather…” He said slowly.

“The upcoming trip you were talking about, it’s sad to let you know that some of your guys won’t return alive... I’m going to kill them.” He said sternly.

“You can’t do that, son…” His aching voice paused.

“These guys are all I’m left with. Are you sent to destroy my legacy?”

“A legacy built through shedding the blood of the innocent? Do you really know what happened to Dika and the twins? I’m an assassin… We’ve bought a house for you in one of the elite suburbs of Yemen, for you to live in it your entire life. We will be paying you a visit occasionally; my mother, sister and myself. Don’t worry about your crew.” He said boldly.

“That’s a sealed plan grandpa.”