The Return of Adam Sanders

CHAPTER SEVEN

Adam wasted no time in heading to the address, although a part of him wondered if he was being set up, due to how fast Logan had changed his mind and given him the location of Louisa. 

He found himself wishing Ariel would be with her, his arms ached to carry her and feel her. 

He walked briskly as he tried to locate the area. Thanks to Cecil and Logan he had no means of transportation anymore nor a way to contact Raul. Raul surely must have been searching for him, he hoped that against all odds, Raul would prove himself competent and find him.

As Adam walked by the side of the road, he failed to notice a loose thorn in a shrub, seeking to devour its victim, at the last minute, he unfortunately noticed it just as the thorn tore through his trousers and into his flesh

"Fuck! Bloody hell. Can this day get any worse" he profanely cursed at the thorn, while trying to soothe the throbbing pain that ran down his calf to his ankle. 

Ignoring the pain in his legs, Adam limped on slightly as blood flowed down and soaked his already tattered and stained trousers. 

He trudged on to his destination. At a far distance, Adam sighted a bus stop and sighed in relief, he hoped to rest his leg there and also see how he could get on the bus to shorten his journey. 

Painfully, Adam hastened his steps to get to the bus stop, his throat craved for water as he was thoroughly thirsty. In all the drama of the day, Adam realised he had yet to have any food or water, as if in agreement, his stomach rumbled loudly. He tried to pat his stomach to seemingly assure it. The hope and anticipation of seeing his child trumped his hunger. 

"Wait a little longer, you'll get to eat and possibly feast. For now, I have nothing on me and so I can't satisfy you just yet" he spoke out loud, the stomach once again rumbled in response and Adam couldn't help but chuckle. 

He pulled up to the bus stop, and gladly relaxed himself onto one of the seats, the second occupant of the seat hurriedly stood up, abandoning his seat to get away from Adam. Adam could feel the heated gazes on some of the bystanders on him, but he ignored them, as he bent to rub his leg and apply pressure on it. 

"Young Man, you look like you need help. You also look like one who has been through hell and back."

Adam chuckled to himself and looked up to catch the gaze of an older man looking sadly at him, the man looked a little frail and no better than Adam, but Adam had the decency to not point that out. 

"You can say that again Old Man" he patted the seat next to him, indicating for the old man to sit his weary body. Taking the cue, the man folded his frail body into the seat. While seated, the old man dipped his hands into his trouser pocket, in an obvious search for something.

Having found it, he brought his hand out of the pocket and stretched his hands to Adam

"Here son, take this. You clearly need this more than I do."

In confusion, Adam looked between the outstretched hand of the man that contained a five pound bill and the man's face, curiosity colouring his face. The old man chuckled at the odd look on Adam's face.

"Not to worry, I saw this at the dumpster on my way here, I was going to buy a beer but you look like shit and look like you'd need it more" he answered, whispering the latter part of his sentence. 

Adam was filled with gratitude, and bowed his head in appreciation

"Thank you old man, or should I rather say kind man" 

The old man slightly flung his hand in response, saying

"No need to thank me, just make sure you pay it forward" he sighed to himself. 

Adam nodded his head in response

"I sure will, can I have your number? You can write it down, I will like to see you again and appreciate you" 

The old man cackled 

"Where does a poor man like me hope to get a phone? You can always catch me on these streets. No need to appreciate me though. Like I said, you clearly need it more than I do."

Adam once again nodded his head, and made a mental note to look out for the man and repay his unexpected kindness. The man had been an angel for him, coming right on time to help with his needs. 

The bus pulled up at the bus stop and the driver honked his horn to announce his arrival and departure in a few minutes. Adam hurriedly gathered himself as he limped towards the bus, turning back once again to show his gratitude to the stranger, he called out to him

"Thank you old one, I won't be forgetting this soon. I will surely repay you" the man smiled and waved in return

Some passengers who had overheard Adam and witnessed the exchange, snickered to themselves, wondering how an obvious pauper would be able to repay anyone at all. 

Adam stepped foot into the bus, and he could feel the driver's glowering glare as well as some of the passengers. He ignored them, as he paid the stipulated price for his fare into the machine and collected his change. 

Taking an empty seat, he sat down as he waited for the bus to move. He interestingly noted that everyone avoided his seat like a plague and no one dared to sit beside him. He shook his head at their stupidity and their affinity in avoiding those they deemed poor and unworthy. 

The door of the bus closed, and the driver began the taxying the bus down the road. Adam leaned his head on the headrest and closed his eyes shut as he fell into a light sleep, only awakening when the bell of the bus signified he had arrived at his destination. 

He hurriedly descended the bus despite the pain in his leg and walked towards the description Logan had given him

Adam marvelled at the view before him, the area looked too pristine and seemed like a place for the high and mighty. 

Adam proceeded towards the restaurant, his steps giddy as he looked forward to seeing his wife and daughter after so long of being away from them. Finally getting to the entrance of the restaurant, the doors opened automatically as it was a sponsored door, and he proceeded inside, oblivious to the malicious glare the receptionist threw at him. 

"Just where in the bloody hell do you think you are headed to, you fucking church rat!?" she called out angrily at him, as she continued to glower at him. Adam stopped in his stride, looked at her and pointed to himself in question

"I see no other wretched-looking fucker in this reputable restaurant of ours. So yes motherfucker, I'm referring to you!" she responded arrogantly 

Adam had had enough of the insults on his appearance and made to chase the arrogant lady but was interrupted by another voice

"What the heck is going on out here Freya?"