Lost Treasure: Into the City

The next two months of summer fly by. Ben was proud as a peacock that I agreed to be his girlfriend. He opened doors and was very affectionate in public. Tammy was furious but she never challenged me again.

Kim was excited for me. Ben’s parents threw a 4th of July party with fireworks and everything. Kim allowed him over for dinner a couple of nights. He was very polite.

I talked to Ramon throughout the week. I asked him about the directory on the web site. He said every alpha had a password. So, I needed to find my father’s password. I figured it would be on the papers with the map. I’ll look for it later.

This weekend Kim has to work late. I told Ben to come over for a movie. I get the popcorn in the microwave and start it. I pour the chips into a big bowl and put ice into two cups. I set it all up on the coffee table. The doorbell goes off. I open it to find Ben with his hands in his blue jean pockets with a black button up short sleeve dress shirt. His hair is gelled up and he has on a fancy cologne.

I let him in and he greets me with a chaste kiss. Then sits on the couch. The microwave alarm sounds, I fetch the popcorn and pour it into a bowl. I set it down on the coffee table and start the movie. Ben said he liked action movies, so I put on Transporter. Fighting and fast cars works for me.

“How was your day?” I ask plopping down next to him.

“Uneventful. It dragged on forever. I thought it was never going to be time to come.” He said, pulling me close and grabbing a handful of popcorn.

“Yeah, same here. I had to clean the house, dishes, but after that I was bored. I’m glad you’re finally here. I was getting lonely.” I confess laying my head on his shoulder.

He smiles and kisses the top of my head. After the soda is gone and half the food is gone, we are no longer paying attention to the movie. Ben and I are in a heated battle with our tongues.

My fingers are deep into his hair as I’m straddling his lap. His hands wander my body, his touch gentle. He feels so good. A loud bang on the front door jerks me from our activity.

I peek through the peephole in the door. It’s Ramon! Damn, what is he doing here?I open the door a crack.

“Ramon? What are you doing here?” I ask. I hear Ben get up and he grabs the door and opens it wider.

Ramon looks stunned. At a closer look he looks like he’s been in a fight. He’s got a black eye, a fat lip and a cut on his forehead. His clothes are all torn up.

“Jewel, I needed to get to you first! I’m sorry for interrupting your date but you’re in danger! Can I please come in?” He spoke firmly.

I look to Ben who doesn’t look happy, but I let him in. On shutting the door, I locked it. I go get Ramon a glass of water and the first aid kit, while the two guys sit at the kitchen table.

On returning I hand the glass to Ramon and ask what happened. I start doctoring him as he explains.

“I was at the cafe with Tim and Michelle where Kim works. We were eating dinner minding our own business when these two large guys came in.

They sit at the bar and order. They sat there and they were talking about you, Jewel. They have a picture of you and asked Kim about you. She looked at the picture then at the two guys.

She told them she’s never seen you before. So, I knew right away these guys were bad news.”

I stop, frozen. Ben grabs my hand causing me to jump. “Are you okay?”

I shake my head. “What did they look like, Ramon?” I already knew the answer.

“I can tell you they were rogues, they smelled heavy of it. One guy had a patch over one eye. Black long straggly hair pulled back to a ponytail. Square face, dark long beard, crooked nose.

The other guy has long hair too. But his face looked all mangled with scars from...burns? They looked pretty rough.

Listen Jewel, they know Kim was lying. They tore the place up, we tried to hold them off but they’re on their way here! You need to leave now!”

At this point I’m freaking out. My heart is pounding. They found me; I can’t believe they found me.

“Ramon, get Ben out of here! Keep him safe!” I finally say.

“Oh no Jewel, I’m not going anywhere!” Ben stands.

I cup his face, “Please Ben, these men are not regular men, their monsters! They are the ones who killed my family. I can’t believe they found me...it would kill me to know they got someone else I care about. Call the police to help Kim.” I explain.

“What are you going to do?!” Ben exclaims.

I kissed him one last time. I pull away, a tear falls down my cheek. “Run.”

I run into my room and grab my survival pack that I never unpacked. I hear pounding on the front door. Ben and Ramon slip out the back door. I escape out my bedroom window. I get on the bike Michelle still let me use and cut through the neighbor’s backyard.

I peddle north as fast as I can. I hit the freeway; I feel the energy in my chest gather. They must be close if my ability has activated. It explodes, my legs pedal the bike at lightning speed. I’m gone out of sight in seconds.