Chapter: Five Departure

With no window and a closed door the chilly bathroom was the very definition of darkness. Oskar and Eli lay tightly packed in the tub, snuggled together under a thin, dark blanket which offered more protection from light than cold. Oskar remained fully dressed and they both shared his heavy coat for a pillow. Oskar was on his side with Eli pulled close, her back against his chest and his arms snaked around her. The morning sun would be arriving shortly.

"Eli?"

"Yes Oskar."

"Since Jan really wants to help, do you...think maybe...we could tell him about you? About your "illness" I mean." Oskar's face was so close to the back of Eli's head that her hair tickled his nose and lips when he spoke.

"I don't think that would be a good idea Oskar. You see, when people find out about what I really am it usually ends badly for them...sooner or later." Eli's voice tapered off with regret.

Oskar squeezed her for a moment hoping that she would feel the comfort that he intended. "Is that why you told me we couldn't be friends when we first met?"

Eli wiggled a bit then found Oskar's clasped hands over her stomach with hers. "Yes."

"I guess it's a good thing that neither one of us listens to you." Oskar chuckled.

The bathroom echoed with mixed laughter then silence returned to the darkness.

"Are you getting hungry yet?"

"Mmm...not really. I can wait a couple of more nights before I have to...do that."

A long moment without speech followed Eli's reply then Oskar felt her body relax against his. Just like that she was sound asleep. Oskar burrowed his face into her hair and kissed the back of her head. The darkness gave him a safe, calm feeling while Eli's presence made him content. A lingering fear that she would somehow be taken from him often surfaced when he lay beside her sleeping form. He would fight off the fear and sleep with the idea that he was her protector, her knight. Nothing could take her from him as long as he had his arms around her. His embrace tightened.

One building over the morning sun was peeking through the livingroom window of Jan's apartment. The inability to sleep past dawn had plagued Jan for most of his adult life. He had no need for an alarm clock. He twisted and stretched, gave his eyes the command to open but they resisted. Finally he managed to force a squint until his eyes could adjust to the brightness offered by the morning. To his surprise he found himself sprawled out on the couch again, still in his clothes from the day before. He sat up slowly and felt a dull ache just behind his forehead, either from too much sleep or not enough. His limbs were heavy, like dead weight. His mind was sluggish, full of cobwebs.

The last thing he remembered was sitting down on the couch to rest his eyes and collect his thoughts. That was shortly after Eli had left. Eli. Oskar. Had it all been a dream? He was too groggy to pull reality from the whirlwind that had been his last two nights. Jan groaned at the thought of work as he stood up. Like a morning zombie he staggered and moaned his way into his bedroom toward the only thing that could revive him, a hot shower.

After a short while Jan came out of the bedroom much more awake than when he had entered. With one last strecthing of his arms over his head along with a long yawn he cast off fatigue and prepared for the day ahead. When he put on his coat the shiny colors of Oskar's Cube resting on the table caught his attention. He walked over to the table and picked up the Cube. He tilted it and rolled it around in his hand to examine it. No side boasted completion. He was much more at ease with Oskar and Eli's dilemma now. He had pleaded his case and offered his services. What else could he do? He slipped the Cube into his coat pocket and left his apartment. Outside he noticed instantly a fresh layer of snow that seemed to erase all proof of yesterday. As he headed for work he wondered if the evening to come would bring two young reminders.

Oskar awoke with a small rumble of hunger from his stomach. He eased his arms away from Eli and carefully rose up and out of the tub. With outstretched arms and small steps he searched for the door. A light thud from the impact of his hands against the wall allowed him to search the darkness for the door frame, then the door, then the handle. Quietly he left the bathroom.

The drawn curtains in the apartment filtered the sunlight making the adjustment from no light to dim light a gentle process. Oskar was grateful as he rubbed his eyes. He strolled into the dining room where their suitcases still resided on the table. He sat in one of the chairs, pulled the suitcase full of toys and trinkets over to him and unzipped a pocket in the lining of the lid. After digging around in the pocket Oskar pulled out two candy bars then pushed the suitcase out of the way. Knowing that Jan had recognized him made him leery about venturing outside alone. He didn't want to leave the building in daylight so the candy bars would hold him over until Eli got up. Then they could go out and get him something better to eat. Then, maybe, Eli would decide if they were staying or leaving.

Quitting time came sooner than Jan expected. There had been nothing special about the day. Just an average day on the job but the hours had seemed to fly by. He glanced at the clock in the garage then out the window. The clock could have been wrong but the sun wasn't. It was gone, had been for a while. Jan decided to call it a day. He threw on his coat, checking the pocket for the Cube as he settled into the heavy garment. Still there. After locking up the garage his routine trek began.

When he arrived at the complex he came to a halt and stared up at the second floor of Oskar and Eli's temporary home. He thought about marching up there and putting more effort into his concern for their cause but he knew the choice they faced must be decided without force or pressure. The ball was now in their court. He sighed quietly and went to his apartment.

A short time later as Jan was heating up a bowl of soup on the stove he was pleasantly surprised by two simultaneous yet inconsistant knocks at the door. He hurried over and opened the door. Oskar and Eli stood there smiling, amused by their failed attempt to knock in unison.

"Hey you two. Come in." Jan said, trying to hide his enthusiasm.

They stepped in and Jan closed the door. Oskar's smile faded when Jan turned to face them.

"Jan, I'm...sorry about running out like I did." Oskar said, unable to look directly into Jan's eyes.

"Oh, don't be Oskar. I understand. I'm sorry if I scared you. That wasn't my intent." Jan said as he placed a hand on Oskar's head and brushed his hair around, causing Oskar's smile to return.

"Would you two like some soup? I've got plenty more."

"Um no thanks, I...I mean we just went out and ate before coming here." Oskar admitted.

"Please be careful if you go out. I'm sure I'm not the only one who remembers your picture in the papers and there's all kinds of bad people out there." Jan advised, looking from Oskar to Eli.

"Don't worry, I kept my hood on and we got it to go and brought it back to the apartment."

"Good thinking. Well, make yourselves at home while I finish preparing my supper."

Oskar and Eli took their places at Jan's table. He joined them when his soup was ready. Jan couldn't help but notice under the dining room light that Eli did not look well. She appeared quite pale and gaunt yet she was full of a child's energy and zest as was Oskar. The three of them enjoyed a comfortable time of togetherness with harmless questions and funny comments. Jan especially enjoyed the playful banter between Oskar and Eli, remembering fondly what it was like to have a friend with whom such exchanges were welcome and encouraged. Such memories felt as though they came from another life, lived a long time ago. Jan finished his meal and left the table to rinse out the bowl.

"Hey Jan, do you have any games?" Eli asked.

Jan turned off the water, placed the bowl and spoon in the sink then rubbed his chin in thought for a second. "I believe I do." he said walking off into his bedroom. He returned a few moments later with a dusty box and sat down at the table. Oskar and Eli looked on with curiousity. Jan removed the top on the box, reached in and pulled out a checker board.

"Do either of you like checkers?" he asked.

"Oh yeah, I love checkers!" Oskar replied excitedly.

"Me too!" Eli added.

Oskar cut his eyes toward Eli who was beeming with an impish grin. He looked over at Jan, who was busy setting up the game, with a defeated frown. "It's gonna be a long night for us Jan."

Oskar and Jan held their own during a long and intense tournament but in the end it was Eli who was crowned "Queen" of checkers. Oskar wasn't surprised but Jan was amazed at Eli's level of skill. Jan reluctantly put an end to the festive night when he realized that the midnight hour was only minutes away. With dawn and work looming just a few hours away he needed to get some rest.

To Jan's delight the next day came and went quickly and the night was full of Oskar, Eli and countless double and triple jumps on the checker board. He wanted to begin discussing some of his ideas for their predicament but decided not to interrupt the fun just yet. Like the night before the midnight hour arrived too soon.

The following day Jan was a little more eager to get home. When he locked up the garage he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out the Cube. It was solved. He had been working on it with every spare minute that he could find and he was anxious to show Oskar. With a satisfied smile he slid the Cube back in his pocket and began his journey home with thoughts of a new strategy to use against the "Queen" of checkers.

Jan went straight to his apartment and waited impatiently for Oskar and Eli. The checker board was lined with red and black pieces ready to do battle. The Cube was still hidden in the coat pocket. When the usual time for their visit came and went he grew restless. A couple of hours later he grew worried. He put on the coat and went in haste to their apartment.

Jan knocked on the door. No response. He knocked again, a little louder, a little longer. No response. He took hold of the handle and turned. The door wasn't locked. Jan took a breath and retrieved the Cube from his pocket hoping it would serve as an invitation. He pushed the door open, peered inside the poorly lit apartment then stepped inside with the Cube in hand. The hallway light was on and Jan could hear the sound of running water coming from the bathroom. It was fast and loud. The shower.

"Hey kids, it's me, Jan." he announced as he closed the door. Still no response.

Jan noticed a crumpled lump lying near the hallway's edge. He placed the Cube on the table then walked over to inspect the object. He bent down to pick it up and recognized it as one of the shirts Eli had been wearing. It felt wet and heavy. When he held it up in the light he gasped. The shirt was drenched in blood. He dropped the shirt, yelled,"Oskar! Eli!", as he went cautiously toward the bathroom.

A startled Oskar bolted from the bathroom meeting a panicked Jan just before he could enter. Both of them held distressed expressions on their faces.

"Oh thank heavens! Oskar, where is Eli? Is she ok?"

"Yeah...she's fine. You should go!" Oskar began urging Jan to the door with motions from his eyes and hands.

"But her shirt...it's covered in blood! What happened?" Jan retreated backwards slowly.

"N...Nothing, she's ok. Really. Please. You have to go." Oskar's tone was frenetic.

"Oskar, I would really like to see Eli, to make sure she's ok." Jan said forcefully.

"Please Jan, you've gotta trust me. She 's fine. I promise." Oskar implored.

The sound of the water ceased. Jan's eyes went past Oskar towards the bathroom. Oskar looked back down the hallway then at Jan.

"See. I told you. She's fine. Now please leave Jan. We'll come over in a little while."

Jan stared hard at Oskar then he stole another look down the hallway. Every fiber in his being told him to push Oskar aside and go to the bathroom, make sure all was well. Oskar's plea for trust resounded in his ears. He looked at Oskar and the foreboding in his eyes shook him. Bewildered and concerned he turned towards the door. Jan walked to the door like a prisoner being marched to a cell. Oskar made no attempt to open the door. He stayed put between Jan and the hallway. Jan opened the door and left. Oskar locked it behind him. Eli emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a towel, dripping water from head to toe. Oskar went to her. She bowed her head and spoke dismally.

"We have to leave Oskar. For his sake and ours."

"I know Eli. I know. We should tell Jan that we're going. We owe him that much."

With her head still down Eli nodded.

With every minute that passed Jan's anxiety heightened. Nothing could distract his mind from running horrible scenerios of what might have happened to Eli. He paced. He sat. He paced more. He was rubbing his hands together in thought when he noticed dark spots of dried blood on his fingers from the shirt. He went to the kitchen sink and washed his hands but his fears would not wipe away. The look on Oskar's face before he left was burned into his thoughts. While he was drying his hands with a towel the sound he was anticipating broke the tension that held him firmly, a knock at the door. He slung the hand towel behind him as he ran to the door.

Jan yanked the door open. Oskar and Eli stood opposite him. A sad resolve covered their faces. A huge sigh that carried Jan's fears left him.
"I was so worried! I didn't know what to do!" Jan exclaimed. Oskar and Eli entered. Jan closed the door then looked at Eli. He was relieved to see that she not only appeared to be fine but looked healthy, better than he had ever seen her before.

"We're sorry Jan." Oskar said. "We didn't mean to upset you."

"I'm just glad everyone is alright. What happened?" Jan's voice was calm again.

"That's really doesn't matter now. Jan we...we have to leave." Eli answered sadly.

"What? Why? What's wrong? I thought..."

"We don't want to Jan, but...it's best for everybody if we do."

Jan looked at Oskar.

"She's right Jan. We don't want to go but we can't stay. It's just too dangerous." Oskar added.

"Dangerous? What do you mean? Was it something I did or..."

"No! You did everything right and we're really grateful." Eli said as she stepped close to Jan. "I wish we could tell you more but it's better for you if we don't." Her eyes welled up with tears. Jan knelt down in front of her, wiped a falling tear from her cheek, tried to force a smile but couldn't.

"I wish I could keep you both from whatever is threatening you."

"I want to give you something that someone," Eli glanced at Oskar,"gave me when I was very lonely. Something that helped me."

Jan was puzzled then Eli threw her arms around Jan and pulled him into a hug, resting her chin on his shoulder. At first Jan was like stone in her embrace then he melted, raised his arms and hugged her. They parted with sniveling noses and wet eyes after a long embrace.

Jan rose and turned to Oskar. Oskar reached into his coat pocket and pulled out the mastered Cube. Jan smiled. "Nice work." Oskar said with a small smile. "I want you to have it." He stretched it out to Jan.

"Oh Oskar I can't take that. It's yours." Jan wiped his eyes.

"I'll never solve it with you know who around and besides, it brought me Eli. Maybe it can do something special for you." Jan accepted the Cube.

Before Jan could say anything two long blows from a car horn disrupted the moment. Oskar looked out of the livingroom window.

"It's our taxi Eli. We have to go."

"What? Now? Tonight?" Jan spoke, overwhelmed with emotions.

"Yes. I'm afraid so." Eli answered.

Oskar opened the door and stepped out after Eli. He was closing the door when Jan yelled, "Wait!"

Eli turned and peered in through the half open door with Oskar.

"If you two ever need anything, I'll be here." Jan guaranteed with as much of a smile as he could muster. Oskar and Eli smiled, then closed the door.

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"Fashioned by the Maker, sought by the Thief is my soul most precious.

Fragments of intricacy, pieces of essence, remnants of beyond;

Scattered from the womb, dispersed throughout destiny, hidden within life.

Steps grow longer, paths grant choices, the cold of shadows numbs.

By outward forces, invasive means, a journey becomes a search.

Light reveals darkness, darkness reveals truth, truth condemns.

A simple gesture beckons sentiments, bonds loosen, a new path emerges;

Introspective hills, ardent valleys, no footprints, no destination in sight.

Hints of fragments, proof of pieces, thoughts of remnants propel."