Card Apprentice Daily Log

Chapter 145: Lost Captain

Date- 25 Mar 2321

Time- 6:45

Location- Sky Blossom City, Benny’s sandwiches

I thought it would be hard explaining to uncle and auntie Wyatt why I did not inform them about my parents passing or not invite them to their funeral. But it seems Elliott discussed this with them earlier today and had smoothed things over, instead of blaming me for not informing or inviting them to the funeral of my parent’s uncle and auntie consoled me saying, “We don’t blame you for forgetting to inform us, Wyatt. It’s not your fault you did your best. And sorry we were not available in your time of need but in the future let’s try not to repeat the same mistakes.”

“I am sorry uncle and auntie, because of my ignorance you were not able to see the last moments or say goodbye to your brother and sister in law. And yes, in the future I look forward to your guidance.” I apologised to the middle-aged couple in front of me. As responsible elders, they forgave me for my mistake and acknowledged their shortcomings. For such people, I had respect and nothing else.

Though papa Wyatt and uncle Wyatt are not blood-related brothers, their bond is no less than blood-related siblings. Their relationship was not of convenience but rather conviction and bond formed enduring countless hardships and tests of time. So for orphan uncle Wyatt, the death of papa Wyatt was more than just losing a close friend but he lost his last family member. That’s how important papa Wyatt was to him but due to the ignorance of young Wyatt, he had missed the funeral of his only brother but still, he found it in him to not hold it against me instead console me.

After that, our entire car ride to Benny’s sandwiches, we had a pleasant conversation and I got to know more about mama and papa Wyatt. Especially the part about mama and papa Wyatt’s party members, it seems uncle had met with them. I did not know if they were alive but I knew that if I found them I would be able to get some of the answers to mysteries surrounding the death of mama and papa Wyatt. Yes, mama Wyatt asked me not to look into it but according to Williams warning their enemies don’t seem to want to leave me out of this. Better I find them before they reach me. So I forwarded all the info I could get on the mama and papa Wyatt’s party members from uncle Wyatt to Elliott to help me find them.

…

“Wyatt, what are we doing here in front of an old sandwich shop?” Asked Beth, looking at a run-down shop blocked with queuing customers. It was past 7 and people were out to have breakfast on their way to work. This was the life of the average citizen. They had to leave for hours earlier than their office time to get a proper breakfast and not be delayed by unreliable public transportation.

“Isn’t it obvious we are getting our breakfast here? Normally I would order takeout for three double-decker cheese bomb meat sandwiches and visit my parent’s grave. Today we will be doing the same.” This was kind of a tradition created by Wyatt, twice or thrice a week he would get up early, order the sandwiches and visit his parents grave to have his breakfast before leaving for school. Young Wyatt was used to having breakfast by himself when mama and papa Wyatt were on a mission but these last two months he could not have breakfast alone, rather than starving himself he decided to have breakfast with his parents. Not a healthy habit to cultivate but young Wyatt was that lonely. And these past few weeks young Wyatt visited his parent’s graves more frequently, thanks to the bullying and being outcast by the ones he believed were his friends.

Hearing my answer Amy grab hold of Beth’s wrist signalling her not to open her stupid mouth, then Eliza stepped in saying, ” it is pointless for all of us to wait here, we will just be blocking the busy public’s path. How about we head to the cemetery while two of the drivers bring our orders.”

“That sounds good! Let’s do that” I agreed.

…

Date- 25 Mar 2321

Time- 7:20

Location- Sky Blossom City, St. Raymond’s Cemetery

“Old man Ben! I have finally brought my friends and family along with me today.” I said to the old grave keeper who was busy sweeping dried leaves off of the graves.

The first time visiting his parents’ graves after the funeral, young Wyatt brought three sandwiches one for him and the other two for his parents but he faced the obvious problem after he finished his sandwich, the other two sandwiches were still untouched. That’s when young Wyatt broke down into tears realizing the obvious… Seeing the devastated young Wyatt wail for an hour, the old grave keeper took pity on young Wyatt and came to console him, suggesting that they both have the remaining sandwich. That’s how old man Ben came into young Wyatt’s life if not for him maybe young Wyatt would not have lasted for two months.

Modern television showcases and jokes about weird students having lunch with the janitor or school staff but they fail to show the sadness and loneliness behind it.

“Wyatt! Good morning. I see you took my advice. I was starting to get worried since the last time you visited you did not look so good.” The old man Ben replied, looking at me and the crowd behind me. The last time young Wyatt visited here was the morning he de decided to commit suicide.

“Good morning to you too, come let me introduce you to everybody…” I introduced everyone to Ben and vice versa. After the introduction, uncle and auntie Wyatt thanked old Ben rigorously, “thank you for taking care of our child.”

Will uncle and auntie were thanking Ben, Eliza and Elliott dragged to the side and Elliott whispered, “Man are you for real! The guy you keep addressing as old man is actually a big shot, the lost captain of the tiger squadron, the strongest squadron sky blossom city has ever seen.” Eliza nodded and said, “The tiger squadron is the prime example for any party or guild in Sky blossom city, they are the nearest to legends in our city. He has been missing for three years. To think he was acting as a grave keeper in a corner of the city.”

The more Eliza and Elliot praised Old Ben the more distressed I became, young Wyatt had spent two months with him and he was bound to notice the changes in me.