Page 16 of Obsession of the Egoist
We can have a normal conversation…Kuon thought, listening to Gray moving about the boat. The water splashed, then everything quieted again.We used to be best friends when we were kids. We used to be a family, and no one understood me better than Gray. When did this change? Maybe, if we try, we can become a family again? I can meet Helen.
He opened his mouth to ask Gray about it, but the phone chimed, then again and again. At first, Kuon ignored it, but the annoying signal kept repeating piquing his interest. The reluctant, slow way Gray answered the call made Kuon suspicious.
“Yes,” Gray finally said. Kuon lifted his head, and his hearing sharpened. It was so quiet that he could hear the voice coming from the speaker. A voice that sounded like a breaking crust of bread. Kuon’s teeth clenched. “I’m busy now. I’ll call you back later. Just keep still.”
“That was Rick, wasn’t it?” Kuon asked as soon as Gray hung up. “Why the hell does he call you?”
“Huh, so it’s true. If you lose one sense the others are enhanced. Now I’m curious…”
“Gray, why did Rick call you?” Kuon insisted.
“Relax, it’s just a small return favor. Nothing important.”
Even though Kuon couldn’t see Gray’s face, the air of irritation coming from him was clear.A return favor?A bad feeling crumpled his chest. “What kind of favor?”
“Kuon, I’m not Mother Theresa. My help isn’t free. I got him out of jail, and now I need something back.” Kuon scrambled to his feet, and the boat swayed. It tilted right, then left. Gray grabbed Kuon’s shoulder, steadying him on his feet. “Careful, if you fall into the water I won’t jump after.”
“What the hell, Gray? That was your deal with me. Don’t mix my friends into your shady shit!” Sinking his fingers in Gray’s wrist, Kuon ordered, “Call him. Or better, give me your phone. NOW!”
Sounds of lapping water and rhythmical rocking of the boat filled a moment of hesitance. A slim smartphone landed on Kuon’s palm.
“Why are you pissed?” Gray asked, recovering his usual, patronizing tone. “He’s a big boy. I didn’t force him. Just asked for a favor, and he said ‘yes’.”
“As if he could refuse. You’re unbelievable… And here I thought that I can trust you, but the truth is, you always exploit people. You never let an opportunity slide. Just like before. Dial him!”
The light pressure applying to the phone informed Kuon that Gray complied. The tones cut the air, and Kuon lifted the phone to his ear. “Rick, It’s me…”
“KUON, COME ON. I PROMISEI won’t mess with your friends anymore.” The conciliatory notes in Gray’s voice did nothing to pacify Kuon. He kept twisting the Rubik's cube for blind people in his hands. Raised designs on the tiles tickled his finger pads, but instead of calming him, it infuriated him.
“I don’t believe you.” Kuon twisted the row and winced, as he realized the perfect side on the left was ruined. “Tsk…”
He put it aside and buried his face into his palms. So much anger and frustration built inside of him, that he didn’t know if anything else remained in there.
“Come on, how long are you going to be mad? Nothing bad happened to your precious friend. Let’s forget about it, okay?” When Kuon said nothing, Gray added, “You won’t see me for the next two weeks.”
That stirred a reaction. Kuon threw up his face, concerned. “Two weeks? Why so long? Gray, I’m sick of this place…”
“I know… Just a little longer, baby brother. They promised to start the scar therapy in a week.” A cold hand ruffled his hair, and Kuon thought that Gray smoked too much, to the point where his vascular system failed to keep his limbs warm even indoors.
“They promised it a month ago…” Kuon slapped his hand away.
“I know, but… Hey, it was a good day. Let’s not ruin it. I said I’m sorry. What else do you want?”
Kuon huffed, unable to let the topic go. He felt responsible. After all, he introduced Gray to Rick. “What kind of job did you assign him?”
“Nothing important. He just has to pick up a package at one point and drop it in another.”
“Drugs?”
“No. Information.”
“I hate you,” Kuon growled, scooping the Rubik’s cube again. The damn thing didn’t want to solve, no matter how long he twisted it, and for that, he couldn’t let it go.
“Whatever. I’m hungry. Want to eat out?”
“Finger food…” Kuon sighed, getting up. The thought that he would have to stay alone for another two weeks soured his mood.
CHAPTER 4
