Play@YSDC

"Thank you, that really helps," says Jacqueline. "We'll be off to St. Phillip's then. Do you have directions to it?"

"Thanks for your help" says Ellis. "Let's go."

The route back to St Phillips is a long one, down either Seventh or Eighth Avenues. It is afternoon now, and the shoppers and strollers of the morning have been replaced with small gatherings and impromptu music in porches and alcoves. Invitations to join the former are not infrequent, and JJ is known among several of the latter, eliciting a few risque if veiled comments to the effect of whether Ellis is a new boyfriend. Despite the problem you are investigating, Harlem's community has a way of buoying the mood.

When you reach St Phillips, there are a few people entering and leaving, although Alexander Junior is not among them right now.

"Let's find the Pastor" says Ellis.

Jacqueline nods and goes inside with him.

The interior of the church is cool, but well lit through the stained glass windows. It's not Sunday, but there are plenty of people within, most sitting quietly, perhaps praying. A few speaking to the two Pastors currently on duty.

OOC,Average of your two Luck scores: 47 Rolled 1D100: 35

You are pretty sure the young man speaking to one of the pastors is Alexander Junior. His body language is hunched and cowed, no matter the reasurance that the pastor is trying to project.

Ellis is torn between eavesdropping and being a good Christian. In the end, his honesty wins out.

“We should wait until he’s finished” he whispers to Jacqueline. “Better not interrupt.”

The conversation continues a few minutes more, with both men growing slightly more agitated - whatever Alexander Junior wants from the pastor, he does not appear to be getting it. However they keep their voices low, and make an effort to end their talk amicably. Alexander Junior sits quietly for another more minutes, seemingly in prayer, before getting up and making his way toward th exit. As he grows closer, you can both see tears in his eyes.

"Alexander!" Ellis calls out. "May we speak with you?"

"It's me, JJ," says Jacqueline. "We're here to help you."

"Miss Johnson!" Alexander exclaims. "And... Mr Lammons, isn't it? You teach James? How... how is he? They sent you to find me didn't they?"

Ellis spreads his arms.

“They’re really worried about you, Alexander. Do you want to tell us about it? We can help.”

"Elijah is covering for you at Colonial," says Jacqueline, "but he can't keep it up much longer before they give your route away to Giuseppe."

"I can't go home," he says. "I'm afraid I'll be putting them in danger. I tried getting away, but I couldn't. I'm... blacking out, I guess. When I come to, I'm always back here, a shed in the park. I don't know what I do when I'm... him."

"James told you that?" Alexander's shoulders slump with mixed relief and despair. "I tried to explain to the pastor here, but he doesn't believe me. Yes, sir. I've been dreaming about him for weeks now. It's as if he's talking to me. He says... he says my family belong to him... I thought it was just nightmares until James told me he'd been having them too. What if he hurts them? If I don't let him take me, will he go after James instead?"

JJ,This would be the first time you've heard about the man in Alexander and James's dreams.

"Take you where, Alexander? What does he want with you?"

The story seems unbelievable, but Ellis can tell that Alexander is being genuine. He's met enough dishonest kids in his time as a teacher.

"This is all new to me," says Jacqueline, "but I can tell it must be serious."

"Not take me somewhere," Alex replies. "He wants to take me over - have my body. I think he's a dead man. The way he dresses, it's old. I know ghosts shouldn't be real, even the pastor doesn't believe me. But it's what he says to me.