The Way Back Home's
Value
“Dad?” farrell's voice trembled as the rusty word came out of his mouth.
“Si-who?” the answer was no less shaky.
“Daddy, is that really you? It's me, Farrell.”
“Farrell?” Dad looked at her in confusion. “Farrell?” ask again, this time with a smile. “Farrell? My boy?”
“Yes, I'm Farrell.”
“Jeez. You— Kamu— You look more dashing, more mature. Oh my God, how many years have passed? I haven't seen you since..” Father's sentence is unresolved.
“What happened, dad?”
“I... I'm in jail,” he said with a smile. However, there was no joy there, just sadness and fear. “One day, there are hotel visitors. A man.. Then, he. Tomorrow, he. And, I.. I'm here.”
“Dad killed him?”
“Ngak!” dad said quickly, almost like a rallying cry. “I didn't kill anyone. Farrell, trust me. Your father didn't kill anyone. I don't know why he died. I don't even know who that guy is. He— He's like a regular guy. I— I didn't kill him. Believe me!” Dad's voice is still shaking. The bitterness and sadness was hidden within.
“I believe in you.” Farrell spoke even though he didn't understand what was really going on at the time.
Dad nodded. “Thank you, son. Thank you..” Dad winked and accidentally let a tear run down his left cheek. His thin hands hurriedly wiped. “I thought you were afraid of me or ashamed. Shame your father went to jail. I thought you didn't care anymore.”
“Ngak, dad. We care about you. We just don't know what's going on. We only know that dad disappeared without word after Libby was born. As far as we knew, Dad left us. Go without news. I guess my dad doesn't care about us. It was painful and bitter. We tried to walk on our own and forget about you because we thought you weren't coming back. But, actually... My father was as sick and bitter as we were. Why have you never tried to contact us?”
“What!? I did, Farrell. I always write letters to you. But Albert said you wouldn't accept it. For you, I'm dead. Since I'm now a convicted murderer, I'm no longer your family.”
“Uncle Albert?”
“Only he comes here every year. He... I...” Father was silent for a moment when awkwardness came to him. Then, he asked, “Wait. How'd you get here? Your uncle and I kept this a secret from you and will tell you everything when you're older. About the inn, the door to the magic world, all. I was thinking maybe after college. When you are ready to continue our efforts. Have you graduated?”
“Ya, just got.”
“Ah, so it looks! So your uncle told me the secret of Eden’s Lodge and brought you here?”
“No.” Farrell felt a dark black feeling sticking out from the bottom of his heart. Dejection. “Uncle never told us anything. He never told me that he was in jail. He never gave us any letters. He said dad disappeared, irresponsible, and we should forget about you.”
“What!?”
“Uncle replaces father and mother position at once when mother is sick—”
“Your mother? She sick?”
“Mommy got sick a while after dad left. He couldn't respond or talk like he used to, just falling asleep every day. My uncle helped me in those times. He supported us financially and morally. But, never once did uncle say father was here. Uncle never brought a letter let alone tell magic portal Eden’s Lodge.” Farrell sighed for a while to dampen his feelings. “I'm here because of Christo. At first I couldn't believe it when he said uncle wasn't as good as he looked. Now... I know that uncle hides many things from us.”
“That's the problem.” Farrell didn't really want to tell a story. She feels like she failed as a big brother for letting her two sisters get caught up with an evil witch. However, I need to know all the truth. Just like he thirsts for the truth. “Milo and Libby are at the inn. They are under the influence of a magic potion of a woman named Denise.”
“Who Denise?”
“Friends uncle. Christo said that he wanted to buy lodging.”
“Buying lodging? Again?”
“Again?” Farrell repeated the last word while frowning.
“Your uncle loves gambling. I don't know how much he gave you, but I'm sure the inn makes more money than that. Your uncle is hooked on gambling. He played, then lost, played again, then won. So next. I repeatedly told him to stop. I can't possibly let the lodging income continue to be used to pay the debt. This isn't the first time your uncle wants to sell inns.”
“I— I don't know if—”
“Your uncle must be stopped! You should get back there right away. Ini— It's not about the inn. It's about your sisters. You must free them from the influence of magic — or what is — as soon as possible. Just this time, your uncle used such reckless means. He must be in debt. The question is dark. I can't imagine what your uncle can do anymore. He should be stopped immediately.”
“Dad, there's one more thing. The woman who wanted to buy the inn, Denise, wanted us to find something. What does this have to do with the sale of the property? We are just.. children,” Farrell said, raising his shoulders.
Dad suddenly fell silent. He's down. Although Farrell was waiting for an answer, he did not react.
Farrell until need to call him again, “Dad?”
Dad looked at her with furrowed brows. “I'm sorry. It's my fault.”
“What does father mean?”
“Certificate of lodging..” Dad said it while letting his eyes back down. “That certificate is on you.”
“What certificate? I never even saw it.”
“True, Farrell. You never saw him,” Dad shook his head. “I hid it with a magic spell. That magic spell can only be opened by you. When you unite heart and mind, the lodging certificate will appear.”
“Tu— Wait. Dad hid the certificate with us as the key. That kind?”
Father's shoulder slumped as he replied, “Ya. Stupid me! I should have realized it would put you in danger.”
“What is the inn worth to dad?” ask Farrell.
I can't answer, just duck. “I'm sorry, Farrell. Me... I...”
“Nothing, dad.” Farrell tried to smile in front of me. “Now I understand what the problem is. I'll find a way. I'll help Milo and Libby. And, even if I don't know how much Eden’s Lodge costs dad, I won't let uncle sell it either.”
