There was something else that really bothered me: my parents.

When I found out that I was alive and could go home, I thought about them a lot. They didn’t have social networking accounts, so I couldn’t find out how they were doing, if they were healthy or not. My dad is probably spending time in the garage or fishing, my mom is watching TV while the cake is in the oven…

Once, after borrowing a cell phone from Dimon, I tried to call them, but a woman’s voice kept saying: “The number is not available”. My father’s cell phone didn’t answer. And what would I say when I got through: “Hi, it’s me”? How would I explain where I was calling from and how I got here?

Maybe I shouldn’t go to this mythical palace, why couldn’t I write the book at home? But I knew that when I came back I would try to forget what I had experienced. And not to upset my parents – “What about your pension, son?” – I will continue to work in the editorial office, on weekends I will dig beds in the cottage, get married, have a cat, children, and get fat. I won’t have time to write a book.

Or maybe I’m just a bad and selfish son – I’m leaving my old parents, for some inexplicable goal… I felt a pang of guilt. Well, what if I return to them after the trip, as they say, victorious on a white horse? I decide to do so and went to the Mangrove Hotel to talk to Austin again, since Irene had refused the ticket.

The bungalow was locked. I looked in the window – no one. There was an audio player with headphones and a tape on the porch. And old A-ha album: Minor Earth-Major Sky. My favorite! With the airplane cockpit on the cover. How old was I when I heard the first time – nineteen?

I put the tape in the player, walked down to the bay, sat down in a lounge chair under a tree and pressed a button. Something creaked and rustled inside, and a pleasant male voice sang:

To love me true or let me go

In between I don’t want to know

This is how it was to be

No more us and no more we

My thoughts involuntarily returned to Irene. Tears came to my eyes, goose bumps ran down my spine, and the Norwegian continued to torment mu soul:

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Once again on the station

See your face in a crowd

Comes again the sensation

You can’t hear yourself think

With their voiced inside your head

Hey, I wish I care

I fast-forwarded through the tape. Here’s another one of the best: “Thought that it was you”.

Like so many years ago, something that seemed gone forever tore at my heart. I wanted to press play button over and over again – why aren’t we together, Irene?

You know my deepest sin

You’ve seen me deep within

So fill me now like wind

And let the miracle begin

I sat on the beach until evening, listening to music and reminiscing about my life on the Island. Austin didn’t show up. The red sun had set behind the mountain and the silver moon had already emerged from the bay. In the distance, two bright scarlet points shone over the sea. They slowly rose into sky, getting closer and further apart – someone in the beach was shooting burning paper lanterns into the sky. According to Thai legend, this is the way to purify the human soul. Couples seal their love with them, and some make a wish.

As soon as the twinkling lights were lost in the stars, I turned the player off, put it back, and headed for the club. The red scale on the lock pick was empty and the yellow scale was full, so all I had to do was return the mediator and I wouldn’t owe the Dark Ones anything.

“Where are you going now?” Bulldog tapped his pencil glumly on the counter. “What are you going to do?”

“I’ll take care of myself,” I said nonchalantly.

“Don’t screw around,” he glared at me straight. “Did you hear about Randy? I’m running the club now, and the job of administrator is open. Do you want it?”

“Where did this generosity come from?” I squinted at him. “I’m not a rookie.”

‘That’s why I’m offering you the job,” Bulldog grumbled. “You’re a proven guy with experience. The bosses don’t mind. We can sign the contract right now.”

“I don’t want to,” I opened the door.

“Why not?” he raised his eyebrows. “The money is good.”

“I’m sick.”

“Are you poisoned or something?” Bulldog didn’t understand. “Shall I give you a pill?”

“I’m sick of your club,” I said calmly. “And of this work. I am tired.”

“Take a rest, I’ll give you a week’s vacation, you deserve it.”

“It won’t help. I have to go.”

“I won’t ask you twice!” the new chief growled in my back.

“You don’t have to.”

“You’re an asshole!” He snapped.

“Okay. But at least I’m alive.”

On the street, after counting the rest of my money, I went to the souvenir shop, where I’d been eyeing one thing for a long time. The price didn’t matter anymore.

To be continued