Chapter 21 Totem Pole

The next day Jake woke up bright and early even though he could still feel pain coming from his chest wound it wasn't so much in fact that he couldn't get to his feet, he put on some basic cloths that Curtis had laid out for him and for the first time in days walked out of the room he was in, when he did he saw Curtis was waiting for him as he held onto the katana Tsubaki the well-dressed man offered the sword to the boy as if he was offering an hors d'oeuvre at a cocktail party, Jake hesitated for a moment than he grabbed it swinging it across his back and at that they started to walk.

"All right Mr. Jake as you know I am Curtis and I well be your attendant for this evening."

The man said as he lead Jake down the hallway, occasionally they would pass a maid or another butler they would bow in a show of respect to Curtis, he must've been a higher ranking servant compared to all of them Jake thought but once there eyes fell off the butler and to Jake they showed him no such respect, looks of disgust and hate was all Jake saw in their eyes but he couldn't afford to let it bother him, and it for sure didn't bother Curtis because he continued talking without a care in the world.

"We're going to get you to the entrance exam nice and early, so you'll have some time to prepare."

"When does this thing start anyway?"

Jake asked.

"At noon."

"And what time is it now?"

The butler reached in his pocket and pulled out a golden pocket watch he opened it and spoke.

"It is currently 7 o'clock."

Jake face scrunched up.

"Why are we leaving so early I could've slept in."

"Oh no, no, no."

Replied Curtis as he waged a finger disapprovingly.

"No lazy bugs here, you have a job to do your job is to assist and work for the Sullivan family, and that goal is first reached by passing your entrance exam my job is to make sure you get there on time and I intend to do my job, so you should hush up and prepare to do yours."

Jake rolled his eyes, but continued to follow the man eventually the two exited the building they were in, when they did Jake noticed that the scenery was different than before he didn't see a massive courtyard filled with large mansions no, all he saw were evergreen trees as he scanned his environment he could tell they were in a forest and not in the Sullivan courtyard, he turned and looked back at the building they walked out of and it was no were near as nice as any of the Sullivans homes it was a simply three story building. The building they had walked out of was the servants personal courters they were still on the Sullivans land but much further away in the nearby forest, Curtis snapped his fingers a few times to get the boys attention when Jake turned back around annoyed that the butler snapped at him as if he was some dog he saw he was standing in front of a pure white vehicle that was one of many vehicles sitting in a row, Curtis snapped again.

"Come now Mr. Jake we must be going."

Jake was fed up now with the man.

"We're making good time its only seven like you said, and since you have wheels."

He said shooting a quick glance at the car Curtis chose to drive.

"Well probably get there in no time."

"What's your point?"

Asked Curtis.

"My point is what's the rush, I want you to drive me somewhere before we go to this exam thing."

"No."

Stated Curtis.

"No what do mean no?"

Exclaimed Jake.

"I mean exactly that, no my job isn't to be driving you all around its to escort you to the entrance exam and detours are not a part of my job, now get in the car were leaving."

At this Jake shouted at the man.

Kiss my ass butler boy! I said I want you to drive me somewhere before this stupid test, have you forgotten!?"

Jake announced as he reached for his katanas hilt.

"I'm... a Sullivan now and you work for the Sullivans, that means you do what I say, and I say I want to go for a drive."

Jake had a slight smile on his face he didn't enjoy his new predicament he found himself in, but he was about to take advantage of it at this Curtis cocked his head to the side.

"Mmhmm, I see the problem, I believe that you are miss informed don't get it twisted Mr. Jake."

Curtis said his voice was not as prim and proper it was only moments ago.

"You are a Sullivan now that much is true, but in name only you don't have any of the perks or receive accommodations that they do, your still just some kid from the slums with a placeholder of a last name."

Jake faltered for a moment he thought about pulling the sword out just like he did last time, but he hesitated he held the swords hilt tight within his hands, if this was any of the other Sullivans maybe Curtis would be scared he may even fear for his life, but he wasn't before him was just some kid and just like Nolan had told Jake a few days before eventually the novelty would wear off, and everyone would see him for who he really was. Curtis took a step towards Jake and the boy went on the defensive, but the butler wasn't swayed by it.

If you were a real Sullivan, a true Sullivan then I couldn't do this."

With blinding speed Curtis kicked Jake square in the chest, fiery pain exploded from the boys chest as the force of the kicks knocked him backwards Jake couldn't help but cry out in pain as he laid on the ground, Curtis took more steps getting closer to Jake as he did Jake tried to unsheathe the katana, but the butler was to quick he kicked Jake's arm breaking his grip on the swords hilt he then planted his foot down hard on Jake's chest. Jake screamed in pain as tears fell from his eyes and each passing second Curtis would grind his foot in more, from the building window other servants were watching as the boy was being treated like scum.

"Yes, yes."

Curtis whispered.

"If you were a real Sullivan than I would have been killed long before I could even formulate the thought to do what I just did to you."

He grinded his foot in more and Jake screamed louder as he did small pools of blood started to stain his shirt as his wound was starting to reopen.

"Me being able to do this proves without a shadow of a doubt that you are no Sullivan, so don't think you are something that you clearly aren't."

Curtis finally took his foot of Jake's chest giving the boy a small bit of relief, Jake laid there for what felt like hours catching his breath he eventually rolled to his side and got on his hands and knees.

"I… want... to see my mother."

He barely managed to say.

"I want you to take me to see her before I have to go to this exam."

Curtis looked at the boy with disgust as if he had just stepped in dog shit messing up his new shoes.

"That isn't my job I wasn't told to do so, and you have no power or authority over me."

"Just let me see her…. just for a minute and I'll go with you with no trouble."

Jake begged he was still on his hands and knees struggling with everything he had not to face plant on the ground, Curtis cocked his head to the side once again a devilish smile reached his lips.

"I don't like the way you asked it still feels to demanding it isn't sincere enough, do it again."

Jake paused for a moment than let himself fall gently to the ground he prostrated himself in front of the man, the other servants watching him as he did, Jake did it in the open for all to see and with the politest voice he could manage he asked again.

"Please Mr. Curtis could we please take a moment and see my mother, I only want a moment with her and then I'll go with you with no more questions asked, please sir could you find it in your heart to do this for me."

Curtis's smile grew as he put his shoe on top of the boy's head as he smushed it in, Jake thought the man was trying to smother him to death then the man let out a small chuckle.

"You no something I've never known such a filling before, I… I quite like it."

After a moment he removed his foot of Jake's head then pulled out his pocket watch, he looked at the time and said.

"It's only a few minutes before eight I guess a small detour wouldn't hurt; we do have plenty of time."