It was funny how she’d got it, though, the apartment was on the small side and the owners were considering combining it with the apartment next to it. They’d charge more for the larger apartment. Joy had walked into the estate agents as the woman was pulling the card from the window.
‘Oh, that’s perfect how did you know?’ Joy said, taking note of the lowered rent and vacant availability.
‘Oh, they’ve just asked me to remove this because no one was showing any interest. I could ring them.’ She gestured for Joy to follow her.
‘I’m very interested,’ she said. The woman was flicking through further details on her desk to find the leaflet about the apartment.
‘Here you go, take a look.’ She opened it between them and pointed out the specs to Joy. Then showed her the pictures of the simple apartment, with the magnolia painted brick, and dark cream carpets throughout.
‘And the rent is this one on the card?’ she asked, pointing.
‘You want me to ring them and see if they want to let you rent it?’ the woman asked, picking up the phone.
‘Yes, please, would you? I’m desperate to find somewhere quickly,’ Joy said and sat back as the woman made the call.
Nodding at her when she got the response Joy was hoping for she soon hung up.
‘She told me to give you the key right now and have you sign the paperwork. There’s no deposit if you can pay a month’s rent in advance.’
‘That’s brilliant,’ Joy said, and just like that, the apartment was hers. She had everything she owned in the old car she’d borrowed from Casey. She rushed around to the apartment, let herself in, and began arranging her things. She had to beg, steal, and borrow a few necessities – like a bed, sofa, and pots and pans. But it wasn’t long before it felt like home. Almost as if she’d been living there for months rather than days.
Once again the solution to that day’s task almost fell into her lap as she sat eating lunch in one of the café’s booths. Her empty sandwich plate sat to one side, decorated with crumbs and a scrunched-up napkin. A large coffee mug, empty on the other. And in front, a large piece of blueberry cheesecake.
As she took the first bite, enjoying the flavours, the crumbliness, she noticed a woman at the next table eyeing it up.
‘Is it good?’ the woman asked.
‘Delicious!’ Joy told her smiling.
Despite it being her lunch hour, customers never considered it rude to talk to her.
‘It looks it, but I’m on a diet and not meant to be eating dessert,’ the woman said.
‘Well, it’s important to stick to your decisions.’ Joy nodded, smiling at the woman’s resolve as she watched it waver. ‘It’s made with low-fat cottage cheese, and blueberries are good for you. But I’m sure you’ve got something equally delicious.’
‘I’ve got a salad,’ the woman said.
‘Salad is good.’ Joy smiled and took another, slightly too large bite, closing her eyes as she closed her mouth. The taste was just that good. Or so she wanted the woman to think.
‘One piece won’t make a difference. Like you said, it’s fruit.’ The woman got up and went to the counter.
Joy smiled, that wasn’t what she’d said but she’d completed her task, and rather easily too. ‘I wonder if everyone else reading the book was finding the tasks as easy,’ she thought as she glanced out the large front windows.
The weather had been somewhat turbulent, winds pulling litter from garbage cans and forcing it to dance through the streets. As she sat giving her lunch time to settle a gust of wind bustled a parade of trash across the large window. A couple of the customers gasped in shock. A moment later Joy joined them. Clinging to the window was a paper print out reading: Call Mike. Beside it, another read: Break his heart.
It tucked itself under the other and they both peeled off and blew away. Joy sat there in shock. She didn’t want to call Mike, no matter what she’d said about taking some time to think about things, she didn’t want to talk to him ever again. Not after what he’d done with Ginger.
As if to confirm what was required of her Ginger sauntered past on the arm of the customer who looked like Gene Kelly. Joy’s heart skipped a step and caught hold somewhere in her throat.
CHAPTER NINETY-TWO: ABADDON
‘Do you think she saw?’ Ginger asked.
‘Yes, she saw. I felt the pain from here.’ Dom chuckled.
‘Oh, I love messing with her!’ Ginger giggled.
Dom stopped in his tracks and span her to face him.
‘Do you think Mike will want you when he finds out how much you’ve been messing with Joy; the woman he loves?’ Dom demanded.
‘The human,’ Ginger pouted.
‘You are such a ditz, why did I ever agree to marry you?’ Dom asked forcing her to walk again.
‘Because I’m amazing in bed?’ Ginger said.
‘You’re pretty decent in bed. I didn’t marry you because you can fuck. I didn’t marry you because you were smart either,’ he said.
She stopped to glare at him as he kept walking. It was a marriage of convenience, not that he ever told her that. It had just been necessary to get what he wanted. He’d thought he could get rid of her long ago but he’d had difficulty finding a reason that would satisfy the Demon judges. Still, they’d lived happily on permanent separation for years now. Neither one caring who the other slept with.
She didn’t follow him. Instead, she watched him walk down the street and get into a long sleek black car. The car waited as if expecting her to run to catch up. Instead, she flipped him the birdy and as obviously as she could, walked into the jewelry store.
He sighed. She was going to force him to pay for some trinket or other she would never wear.
‘Let’s go,’ he said to the driver.
CHAPTER NINETY-THREE: MAËL
Mike was in his room, holding the strange bracelet. It had been on his dresser when he’d turned in for the night. A piece of jet it looked like, with an intricate design not unlike Mauri hei-tiki jewelry. The cord holding it seemed to be made of hair, woven together, and as he inspected it he slipped it over his wrist. There had been no note, no indication of who it was for or where it had come from. But somehow he knew it was meant for him, it felt like it was, and like it belonged on his wrist. His mobile rang, making him jump. It hadn’t rung for days.
‘Hello,’ he said.
‘Sorry, was I disturbing you?’ Joy’s voice was curt and unsure.
‘No, hey Joy, I was just getting ready for bed.’ He was babbling, he knew he was, but he didn’t want her to hang up. So, he forced his mouth to stop moving.
‘I can ring another time?’ she sounded like she wanted to.
‘No, seriously, right now is fine.’ He sat on the edge of the bed and fiddled with the bracelet.
‘Ok, well…’ She paused and he waited. Maybe she was going to ask to meet up or go out, talk about things.
‘Look, if you want to do this in person we could meet somewhere,’ he suggested. Keeping it casual.
‘No, Mike, listen.’ She sighed. ‘I know I gave you hope that maybe one day we’d figure things out and get back together, but I can’t. I mean I don’t want to.’
‘Oh.’ He deflated.
‘You cheated on me, whether it was because you were drugged or not – look, I’ll be honest, I don’t know how you could be so out of it you still manage to sleep with someone else – and I can’t get over that,’ she said. ‘We were good together, but I think you had way more going on than you were telling me. Then there’s the way you reacted to the book. You scared me, Mike.’
‘I’m sorry,’ he stuttered, feeling dry. ‘I didn’t mean to scare you. Are you still playing?’
‘Yes, you asked me not to stop, it seemed important, and I’ve had nothing but good luck since. I don’t have too many more tasks to go.’ She sounded like she was smiling. ‘I, er, I picked up a couple of your things by mistake when I moved out. I thought I could drop them by sometime?’
‘I could bring them to your new place, I have Casey’s car on permanent loan now,’ she suggested.
‘No, I’m sorry Joy. I wish I could give you my new address but…’ He paused and wiped his face with a sleeve. ‘What is it you took?’
‘Just a couple of t-shirts, they were in with the laundry. And your Tarantino DVD was in one of my DVD boxes,’ she said. They’d watched that movie over and over. He didn’t think he’d ever be able to watch it again.
‘If you don’t want them, bin them,’ he repeated.
‘You can’t just give me the address?’ he could hear her frowning.
‘No, I wish I could, I wish we could talk in person and sort all this out. There are so many things I wish I could tell you but I just can’t right now, it’s not safe for you,’ he said.
She laughed.
‘Not safe? What the fuck are you on this time? I rang to make sure you understood it was over, no more loitering outside the café, no more hopeful voice messages, no more following me home,’ she snapped.
‘You saw me?’
‘No, Dom did, he told me you’d followed me.’
Mike didn’t know who Dom was but she seemed annoyed at him too. He didn’t think it was wise to ask about Dom now.
‘I wasn’t following you, well I was, but just to make sure you were okay.’
‘I’m fine!’ she snapped. ‘Or at least I would be if you’d just get the message. Whatever you’re on, whatever you’re taking, get yourself sorted out. We’re done!’
‘I’m not on anything,’ he said into the dial tone.
Waves crashed around him as he stood on the very small rock island in the middle of the ocean.
‘Hello?’ he screamed into the void. ‘Hello!’
Spray from the waves soaked him to the bone, his cotton pyjamas no help against the onslaught. He began to shiver. A light swayed on the horizon, getting closer, the hulk of a huge ship emerging out of the gloom.
He heard the anchor drop, the splash as it hit the water pulling the ship to a full stop. Out of the shadow of the ship came another swaying lantern on the bow of a small rowing boat. The oars rested inside. No one manned the boat. But somehow it maneuvered alongside the island of rock and waited for him to clamber aboard.
As the little boat knocked up against the ship a rope ladder came down, bouncing a little at the bottom. Mike stood and noted the unnatural lack of rocking and swaying, despite the roughness of the seas around him.
Grabbing at the rungs and beginning to climb–it was far more difficult than he expected. Banging into the solid wooden, barnacle encrusted, hull of the great ship. He would feel the bruises tomorrow. Rung after rung he climbed, certain the ship was far taller than any he’d ever encountered before, he reached the top and pulled himself over the side onto the deck. There was no one there. A few lights with a dim orange glow swung with the ship’s movement but not one single person greeted him. He wondered if it was a ghost ship.
Shivering, he made his way to the door that led to the cabins, and hopefully some kind of explanation– or at least some dry clothing. Pulling open the intricately carved door with the stained-glass windows he stepped into warmth. No longer cold and shivering he looked down. His pyjamas had vanished and in their place a pair of below the knee cream trousers, knee-high socks, and brown shoes. His torso ensconced in a warm red wool jumper, over a soft cream shirt. He smiled, it was nice to be warm again.
Candlelight flickered further in the room, and lanterns hung from beams. Carpets, thick and oriental covered the floors, soft underfoot. He assumed he’d wandered into the captain’s cabin without realizing. But he wasn’t expecting to see anyone in here either. Boy was he wrong.
Behind the dining table, in the centre chair sat a huge man. Not unlike Blackbeard the pirate, Mike thought. But somehow more sophisticated. Refined. Noble. He shook his head to clear the strange thoughts. He knew this man; he’d seen him before somewhere.
‘Do you know who I am?’ the man asked.
‘I don’t know, you seem familiar,’ Mike responded.
‘I once gave you a bag of candy, it was Demon candy.’ The man’s voice was deep and rich.
‘You knew my mother,’ Mike said.
‘Yes, I knew her.’
There was something about this conversation that felt familiar as if he’d had it before but couldn’t remember it.
‘I think you look different now, in this place.’ Mike gestured around the captain’s cabin.
‘A little.’ He chuckled. ‘I can appear however I want to appear.’
‘Why am I here?’ Mike asked, edging closer, trying to get into a position where the light from the candles and lanterns weren’t in his eyes.
‘I thought we should meet, unfortunately, we can’t yet do it in person. It would be unsafe for you.’
‘Father?’ Mike said almost in a whisper.
The huge man smiled warmly, and Mike felt loved as if he’d found home. He was certain he was going to start blubbering. He took a deep slow breath trying to get his emotions under control.
‘Your friend,’ he used the word cautiously, ‘will not have her soul removed if she fails the tasks, her life on earth will not be marred like that.’
‘You can prevent it?’ Mike asked.
‘Yes, I’m the King of Hell, but I can’t do it for everyone. They are following the rules to the letter, I don’t want it to be obvious I know what they’re up to until I can determine what their ultimate plans are.’
‘Did you love my mother?’ Mike rushed to get the words out, reaching across the table to his father. Wanting to ask the most important question on his mind.
‘Very much,’ his Father said. ‘Do not take that bracelet off, no matter what happens. We’ll see each other again very soon.’
‘Thank you,’ Mike said. ‘Thank you.’
Tears ran down his cheeks.
‘Mike?’ he could hear a voice calling him from far off. He rolled over and pulled the duvet over his face to hide from the light, and woke up.
Sitting up, he looked around. Why was he here? He’d been on a ship. With…
‘Father?’ Mike said.
CHAPTER NINETY-FOUR: PINK
Joy didn’t think forcing someone to commit a sin against their will was a good thing. She’d agreed to complete the tasks but they hadn’t, probably didn’t even know about them. She considered getting Casey’s boys a bucket of sweets and encouraging them to eat them all in one sitting but that didn’t seem right somehow. She didn’t want to put her friend through the hassle of dealing with kids throwing up all night. It didn’t seem fair somehow.
She still had no idea who to make sin when the rudest man she had ever come across entered the café. Not even entered really, forced himself past the old lady trying to bring her trolley in. Pushed through tables and customers to get to the counter. Not the end of the queue but directly in front of Judy at the cash register.
‘I want pie and chips, with peas, sauce, and a mug of tea. Chocolate cake for dessert and a strawberry milkshake,’ he said.
‘There’s a queue sir, you need to wait your turn,’ Judy said.
‘I’m in a rush,’ he told her.
‘Not if you’re ordering that much you’re not.’ She smirked. ‘Back of the queue please.’
‘I don’t have time to wait for all these oldies to get their prunes and custard,’ he said slamming his fist on the counter, a wad of cash in its centre as if that would make a difference. ‘Place my order.’
‘End. Of. The. Line!’ she told him.
‘Sir, why don’t you come with me,’ Joy said, smiling at the man and gesturing him down the counter, away from the cash register. As he walked further down she winked at Judy and mouthed ‘I got this.’
Judy was surprised and pleased, shrugging and suppressing a laugh.
‘If you just take a sea
t sir I’ll bring your drink right over.’ She sat him in the booth closest to the serving area with a good view of the cake counter.
She brought out milkshake with cream and sprinkles on top. Tea in the largest mug she could find and piping hot. Placing both on the table she added a complimentary starter.
‘It’s alright Guy I’ll take care of this one personally.’ She smiled at her boss, back in the kitchen.
‘No spitting in his food!’ he pointed a spatula at her warningly.
‘No spitting,’ she said. Finding the long fish plates, she filled one with a steak and kidney pie, a mountain of chunky chips, and two servings of peas. She added a garnish just for effect and, balancing the plate on a metal tray, took it out to the man.
‘Thank you,’ he said. ‘Nice to see someone knows the customer is always right.’
‘Certainly, sir, enjoy your meal,’ she placed a basket of bread buns, ready sliced and buttered, in front of him. Then retreated behind the counter to watch him make his way through dinner.
Judy inched closer as she perused the desserts.
‘What are you doing?’ she whispered.
‘Just serving the greedy guts what he deserves,’ Joy smiled. Judy giggled and pointed to the devil’s food cake, not yet sliced into. Joy smiled, perfect.
She cut a larger than normal slice and plopped it into a large bowl, then added a large helping of chocolate sauce and double cream. Popped it in the cold counter whilst she went to collect his plate.
The Soul Game Page 27