Chapter 31 (XXXI) A Small Break

Jackson stood on the platform surrounding God's Tower as he looked down at Duskgate. Despite only being inside the tower for five days, more than two weeks had passed on Terra. He casually strolled down the luminescent stairs, ready for rest and relaxation, and was interested in catching up with Megan, Tara Le Doux, and everyone else at Saint Mary's Orphanage.

The day broke as the sun rose over the horizon, lighting the sky a bright red and sending rigorous bursts of light through the city's thick skyscrapers. The night was achingly silent as a hound's whimper wouldn't be heard from one end of Duskgate to the other, not that anyone would pay any attention to the animal.

Jackson quietly walked through the streets; sporadically, a person would pass by as the city began to stir. He turned onto a familiar road, stopping at a large black gate bearing the words "The Gallery." The gate opened, and Jackson walked into a tall brick building, looking around as he entered the lobby, and walked up the stairs.

He had prepared a room before entering God's Tower, although he did not anticipate losing half of the month he had paid for. He opened the shabby door, entering the run-down one-room apartment. He looked around the basic room; there wasn't much to look at besides a bed pushed into a corner and a chair next to a small desk with a tiny kitchenette on the room's other side.

He closed the door, falling onto the bed with a huff, exhausted from his excursion through God's Tower, and then quickly fell asleep.

***

Meanwhile, inside God's Tower on La Quinta Isla in one of the many headquarters of The Jackal Gang, an intimidating man sat behind a large desk, smoking a large cigar. He puffed out smoke between his thin lips and stared down one of his many grunts, groveling before him.

He was The Jackal, a powerful criminal who had escaped Terra years ago, settling in Ilasa Port. He quickly rose to power, taking out all rival gangs and drawing all criminals in the city under himself.

"I swear, boss, it was him!!" The grunt pleaded, his face bruised and bloody from the beating he had just endured.

The Jackal took the cigar out of his mouth, placing it on a nearby ashtray, shouting, "Get out of here!" as he pointed to the exit, his eyes fixated on the young man's back.

The bloodied grunt frantically nodded, leaving in a hurry and stumbling out of the room before closing the door. A woman stepped forward from the shadows in the corner of the room.

"Notify Flaming Dawn. He's arrived on the fifth floor and exited God's Tower." The Jackal ordered.

The woman nodded to confirm the message, vanishing as The Jackal picked up his cigar, staring at the door with a wicked smile. He tapped his desk twice rhythmically as another woman stepped out of the corner of the room.

"Investigate the boy." The Jackal demanded, pointing down at the ashtray, "I want to know why Tetrakyts wants him."

She nodded and disappeared into the shadows, leaving The Jackal alone, puffing his cigar, smoke escaping his lips as he grinned.

***

Jackson awoke hours later, just after noon, sighing in relief as he stared at the ceiling of his tiny apartment. He left without eating, exiting the old art museum that had been converted into an apartment building.

He strolled through the city, heading toward Saint Mary's Orphanage, looking at the buildings around him and smiling. Being back home felt good, and he couldn't wait to see his 'family.'

The day was calm; he passed by a large group of people walking on the street before he finally arrived, staring up at the tall gate surrounding the orphanage. He smiled as he entered, seeing two girls running around the grounds, holding each other's hands.

He entered through the front doors, taking a small elevator to the fourth floor, heading straight to Headmistress Le Doux's office. As he stood outside her door, he heard a slight rustling of papers followed by a gasp. He opened the door slowly, peeking inside, and saw her face buried in the pillow beside her desk.

"Should I come back..?" He asked with a smile, pointing his thumb behind his shoulder.

She sat up quickly, rubbing her eyes, shaking her head as she turned to Jackson, smiling brightly.

"Welcome back, Jackson!" She stated, standing and walking over to him.

She held onto his shoulders for a moment and then hugged him, giving him a gentle squeeze as she looked up at him, her brown eyes gazing into his bright green ones.

"It's so good to have you back! Megan was so worried!" She announced as she stood on her toes, kissing his forehead gently before hugging him tightly.

Jackson smirked, rolling his eyes as he returned the hug, "Thanks, it took longer to reach Ilasa Port than I anticipated."

The Headmistress laughed, sitting in her chair and looking back at her papers.

"Does Megan know you're back yet?" She inquired curiously, not looking up from her paperwork.

"No, not yet." Jackson replied, crossing his arms as he stared at her.

"Then what are you still doing here? Shoo! Catch her before breakfast!" She said, waving him away as she smiled softly.

Jackson smiled as he exited the office, heading straight toward Megan's room. He knocked before entering, smiling as she turned around from her desk in her seat. Her face lit up as she released an excited cry, smiling as she jumped out of the chair, wrapping her arms around his neck as he hugged her.

"You're finally back, Jackson!" Megan cried happily as she hugged him.

Jackson smiled softly, rubbing her back consolingly, "Well, good morning to you too! Have you eaten breakfast yet?"

Megan shook her head, stepping back, her brown hair flying behind her as she looked up at him with her bright green eyes.

"No, not yet." She replied shyly.

Jackson chuckled lightly, patting her head, "Let's grab a bite to eat then!"

He led her out of the room, walking down the hallway lined with doors and windows along either side until they reached the stairs, descending to the first floor, passing through similar hallways until they reached the cafeteria.

It was bustling with childish banter as they grabbed their food trays and sat at their dorm's table. A bunch of familiar faces smiled as Megan sat beside them, staring up at Jackson nervously as the other kids excitedly greeted him, some giving him hugs and others simply asking him about his journey in God's Tower.