Jacob eyed the little bar and restaurant with apprehension, it was an unassuming little place, a weird mix between a real restaurant and fast food. Deep fried appetizers, sandwiches, pizza, pasta, and just to be confusing, salads.
It was just after mid-day, past the afternoon rush but hours before the evening one, the place was empty. There was one car in the parking lot, and Jake knew there were no more than three people working, probably 2. Jake had been waiting for this day for over a month, Teacher institute day... he was off from school and being 16, didn't need a baby sitter. His parents were at work until this afternoon, and he made a point to say he was excited to walk down to this misplaced restaurant so his dad left him 20 bucks to get food.
It started several months ago, the itch in the back of his head that something was off, wrong with the world... Images of this place and the bartender haunted his thoughts. Memories, feelings of having an older brother invaded, but he was an only child. The school rumors that the family owned business was a place of dark magic seemed preposterous but with each passing day he grew more and more sure that this place did something to his older brother and tried to erase all memories of him. Near his breaking point, his parents thought he was going crazy. He had to recant his beliefs to keep from going to a child therapist, but he hatched his plan... and today was the day.
Jake walked into the bar/eatery and sat at one of the small tables. The bartender was a tall thin man with a young looking face, but his brown beard had two stark white spots on each side of his chin betraying his aging. He grabbed a menu and walked over handing it to Jake. "Funny to see someone your age at this hour, do you know what you want?"
"Two slices of pepperoni pizza and a coke."
"Alright then, a man who knows what he wants. I like it." The man gave a friendly smile before returning to the bar.
"Yes, I'm on a mission!"
"One minute, let me get your order in."
Jake winced, he's already bungled his delivery.
The man returned a moment later with Jake's drink, "Sorry man, what was that?"
"Yes, I'm on a mission!" Jake said with renewed conviction, and was enraged to see the bartenders eyes light up in delight. "I'm here to find out what you did to my brother! I know I had one and I know you did something to take him away from me!"
The man's initial shocked confusion flashed over to understanding before he feigned ignorance, "Ah hum, I'm sorry kid but I don't know who you or your brother is and I didn't take anyone away from anyone else..." There was a hollowness in his voice. Jake was sure he was lying and what's more, the man wanted to say, or a the very least, hated lying, or maybe liked thinking of himself as the good guy... whatever it was, he had to know!
Jake didn't let up, he constantly glared at the man. To anyone else it would be almost funny to see a 16 year old staring daggers at and intimidating a 30 something year old man, but by the time the food arrived, the man was apprehensive to deliver it... "Tell me what you did to my brother!" Jake growled.
"I didn't do anything to your brother... I promise" the man pleaded, thankful to scurry back behind the bar.
"Then what did you do?" Jake insisted across the small empty room.
"You really don't want to know kid, move on, live your life, you'll be happier for it."
"I refuse!" Jake violently bit into his pizza without letting up his glare. "I'll never leave you alone."
The man sighed in defeated exasperation. "Suit yourself." The man poured a beer from the tap and called Jake into the kitchen area, he handed the beer over. "Drink this as quick as you can, don't say I didn't warn you, and you can't say I didn't try."
The cook looked up and gave the bartender a look of empathy. "Oh, really man?"
"Yeah" the bartender called back.
Jake tried the beer hating the taste. The bartender prodded Jake to go faster keeping an eye out for any new customers that may enter. After what felt like ages to the bartender, Jake had finished... "Now, where's my brother."
"Go back, finish your meal, you'll understand everything in a day or two. Really, I promise." The bartender retreated out of the kitchen taking the mug, a moment later he brought the bill, which included the beer to Jake's shock. Jake left the 20 pocketing the receipt.
Jake glanced at the bartender. "Really, just give it a few days. You obviously know where to find me." Something about the bartender and cook's reactions made him pause on continuing to press the issue right then. If nothing else, Jake could probably get him in trouble for serving beer to a minor.
"I'll be back." Jake said
"I'll be here." said the bartender.