Jay - Ahern's Burden

“We need to go now.”

“Do you have everything?”

Jay sat confused on the edge of his bed. The sheets had been taken and the room left barren. All his personal effects were at an unknown location. He could hear Nuvi and Barclay’s discussion through the closed door.

“Yes,” Barclay answered. “I have everything.”

“Then leave,” Nuvi stressed. “They can’t find him.”

Barclay embraced his wife. “I will return.”

Nuvi nodded to hold back her emotions. “Go, so you can return.”

Barclay hurried to Jay’s room. “I’ll explain later,” he said, letting go of the handle. “Right now, we need to leave.”

“Why?”

“I need more time to explain,” Barclay stressed. “If we don’t go, you will never know.”

Jay looked down at his hands.

“Stand,” Barclay said, going to one knee. “Take my hand and close your eyes.”

“Where are we going?”

“Let me show you.”

Scared but obedient, Jay took Barclay’s hand and closed his eyes. He immediately felt his body pulled in every direction. His stomach turned inside out, and he squeezed Barclay’s hand for support.

“Open your eyes.”

Jay brought his hand up and squinted against the blazing sun.

“This is the Isle of Taq,” Barclay explained. “We will be safe here.”