NationStates Jolt Archive

A tortured man searches for redemption...

Five Years Ago...

It was a quiet night in Boston. The hour was late and most citizens were asleep with few cars on the roads. An alarm pierced the silence, shattering it. A window was busted open, a brick inside with broken glass all around, someone rampaging through the store, tearing at the register desperatley trying to open it. The triggered alarm was like a siren, drawing a nearby police car towards it...towards the rocky shores. The two patrolmen went through the standard procedures, radioing it in and exiting the car, approaching from the side.
"Amherst, I'll go around back. You take the side entrance" the one cop said as he went off into the alley, behind the store. Amherst approached the side entrance, 9mm Glock at the ready as well as his flashlight. The beam from the flashlight illuminated whatever it touched. Heartbeat accelerating, adrenaline pumping, sweat rolling down his face. He cautiously approached, pushing the door open gently and entering the dark store...there was movement
"Halt, police! Put your hands in the air!" he ordered, flashlight trained on the robber, muzzel pointing center mass. The figure turned, revolver pointing towards Amherst. But his training came into play, skillfully firing off two well aimed round. The spent casings spinned in the air, almost dancing. The figure dropped to the ground.
"Dispatch, send EMT...suspect down!" he shouted, jittered by the fact he just fired upon another human being. His partner bursted out from back. He was clearing the other rooms when the shooting occured. He tipped his hat up and holstered his gun. The flashlight illuminated the figure who wore jeans, a gray hoodie and a skull cap. He turned the body over in an attempt to check his vitals. As the body slumped over it revealed the dead face of an 12 year old boy. Amherst shaked and the room began to spin. He threw himself to a corner and puked, nearly gagging as it spilled out onto the floor.
"W-what have I done?!" he asked himself in a panicked tone...

Present Day...

The shreak of the alarm punctuated the dark silence of the bedroom. The man occupying the bed jumped up from under the sheets in a cold sweat, breathing heavily. He paused sitting up, eyes racing around the room in a desperate attempt to clearify where or when he was. After confirming he was alright he sighed and leaned over, hitting the snooze button on the alarm clock. His weary hand ran through his matted hair which was beginning to gray, though gracefully. An empty bottle of brandy lay on its' side on the desk, amoungst stacks of papers, files, and notebooks.
"Fuck..." he uttered and lumbered out of the bed. He shuffled to the shades and pulled them opening. The sunlight of early afternoon nearly blinded him. The room was messy and disorganized though he considered it an organized mess. It was another one of those days...the kind of day you wish you could skip but could not avoid. Time marched on and over him. Amherst walked over to the closet and out on a pair of jeans and a shirt. It was his off day but the company always had clients and cases to solve...

Foster Creek, MA

Main Street in the town was bustling. Cars drove in and out of spaces. Business owners, citizens, and tourists were all clamoring down the streets. It was laste September, almost October. A very famous month for New England. The leaves change colors, old Salem and other old towns recieve throngs of tourists interested in rich history and witchcraft. The leaves were beginning to change. Foster Creek was established on the banks of the Quabbin Reservoir, just 60 miles west of Boston. The town was established in the mid 17th century. It has a rich history and a long one at that. Elias Foster, along with a few dozen followers who decided to leave Boston and the harsh Puritan leaders traveled west around late 1630's early 1640's. They came upon the massive lake and claimed it. They built a settlement which quickly began to spread and grow. Farming, grazing, hunting, trading helped make the settlement grow; however, it was raided several times by local Indian tribes. Elias Foster was killed in the most severe of the raids which nearly burnt half of the town to the ground. His son, Jonas Foster led a party of raiders into Indian territory. They came upon the village and slaughtered the inhabitants. Though, history remembers it as a battle which couldn't be far from the truth. Every year there is a reenactment of the Foster Creek Raid and the raid on the Indian Village. There is an old part of the town which was preserved and inhabited by reenactors. It is a big tourist attraction. Through the years the town recovered and thrived again. Now, the only historic town that recieves more tourism than Foster Creek is Salem, for obvious reasons. Though, Foster Creek has its' fare shares of supernatural incidents...

Hal's general Store, the oldest general store in Foster Creek was busy as usual. It was part grocery store, part supply store, and part restourante. Laura Santini, a local woman walked down the refridgerated aisle. She gracefully moved past other patrons. Her blonde hair was done up in a bun. It was another day to her, though most days treated her well. She worked as a teacher for the local school, the Foster Creek Foxes (a most triumphant football team). Laura taught English at the high school where she just started several months prior. The students liked her as did most people. She was born actually in New York City to an Italian Family in Hell's Kitchen. She was smart, easy going, and beautiful. Men were crazy for her but she was always picky. After earning a degree from the University of Boston she met Dan Lachance, seemingly the man of her dreams. They were in a serious relationship which had been cultivating for the past five years. They lived together in his home. Dan was a native of Foster Creek and a well respected member of the town. She opened up a case and picked out a carton of skim milk and dropped it in her basket. With the basket full she stepped out of the aisle and towards the register.
"Morning, Laura" said Keith Halland, son of the present owner. He was in his twenties and a bit of a slacker but well meaning man.
"Morning, Keith. How's your father and mother doing today?" she asked, placing the items on the counter. Keith began to scan them.
"My dad's off at the loading dock right now chewing out the truck driver who was a day late. And my mom's off at her club right now. Other than that they're doing fine" he replied.
"That's good" she smiled. The cost rang up, she paid and departed. After a walk to the parking lot she got in her car and drove through the town back to her residence. Dan was off at work and it was a weekend so she had no school to do, but a pile of compositions to grade. There was a brown paper bag in each arm as she stepped up the stairs and fumbled with the keys. A brown wrapped box sat next to the door which caught her eye. Laura wasn't expecting a package and put the bags down in the kitchen and promptly returned outside and picked up the package. There was no note attatched and it was quite small. Intrigued, she took it inside and opened it in the kitchen. The brown wrapping just unfolded and there was a wooden box. She felt around it, searching for the lid and found it. It creeked open, the hinges old. Inside was an old pocket watch, nothing else, not even a not.
"This is strange" she said to herself.

Officer Johnathan Williams pulled down the main street going right through the middle of town, the leaves were scattered about and a slightly cold breeze was creeping in through John's open cruiser window. He drove at a slow speed glancing side to side in a relaxed mood, people on the sidewalks often waved and smiled at him, he reached for his coffie and took a sip then replaced it back in the holder before turning the squad car in beside the general store.

John got out and walked in to 'Hal's General Store' to get his morning paper,

"Keith! hows it goin' today?"

Officer Williams walked around the front of the store and picked up a chocolate bar setting it down on the counter, he then walked over to the paper stand picking one up scanning over it,

"Alright, here we go..the usual...keeps me goin.."

He set the paper on the table then rested his right hand on his pistol handle...

"It's some pretty out there ay? thats why i don't think i could ever tear myself away from this town" He grinned...

He glanced outside while waiting for Keith to respond..

"It's goin' the usual pace today, officer Williams" Keith replied and scanned the items. "Sure ya don't want any donuts?" he asked in a joking manner. Keith was always a joker, back in high school he was accused of spraypainting a huge penis the length of the football field the night before their big playoff game. The school was frantic to erase this work of a jokster as quickly as possible. Most of it was gone by the game but there was still a faint outline...Keith was a legend in the school but was never really charged with vandalism.

"It's goin' the usual pace today, officer Williams" Keith replied and scanned the items. "Sure ya don't want any donuts?" he asked in a joking manner. Keith was always a joker, back in high school he was accused of spraypainting a huge penis the length of the football field the night before their big playoff game. The school was frantic to erase this work of a jokster as quickly as possible. Most of it was gone by the game but there was still a faint outline...Keith was a legend in the school but was never really charged with vandalism.

John laughed as he heard the same question mostly every day, it was kind of like a joke they had going on ever sence he first started comming in,

"Very funny Keith!, i was thinking about bringing you in on a certian vandalism charge..you know? the one before a specific football game? i have a very reliable source that says you did it man"

John laughed loudly, he knew the truth because he was on the team himself..

"Matter of a fact throw some of them sugar doughnuts in there for me to take back to the station...god help me if i go back with none..Sarge will just send me right back over.."

Williams looked at his paper carefully,

"When they gonna pull our boys out of Iraq...god damn war.." he said to himself..

"Can I help you with anything?" This question was asked to nearly every customer who entered Lachance Sporting Goods. The store was owned by none other than Daniel Lachance himself, fresh out of business school and bursting with ideas. But business had been slowing down, due in large part to the fact that Dan had no customers outside of Foster Creek.

In fact, things were far worse than most people knew. Dan had been having trouble paying his lease on his storefront property, and was close to filing bankruptcy.

This particular day was especially depressing. Dan had agreed to sell paintball guns to some local kids without parental permission, and that had been his only sale. He decided to send his few employees home early. Walking up the gun rack in the back of the store, he picked up a 9mm handgun and loaded a clip inside. He sat down at his desk and laid the gun in front of him. He stared at the gun, weighing his options. His debt was growing, and he might lose his house.

Then he remembered Laura. Laura had been with him for five years now. She had kept him going all this time, encouraging him to try. Keeping the gun in sight, he picked up his phone and dialed home.

Dan fumbled nervously around his pocket as the phone rang. Pulling out a small black felt box, he waited for Laura to pick up.

"I will neither confirm nor deny my involvement in said incidnet" Keith replied, he was always a smart-ass too. "Powdered or glazed?" he asked as he looked over the donut selection.

He heard William's comment as he bagged the other items for the officer. "I dunno, maybe someday" he responded. "Any new crimes today?" he asked.

laura examined the pocket watch carefully. It was a silver one, she flipped it open and it appeared to be very old. It was broke, the time frozen on 3:12. Peculiar, I wonder who sent this? There was no address on it, neither hers nor a return address. No note, no letter, no markings. It was quite strange. She had an admiration for history and saw the antique as something special. Whoever delivered it didn't use the post office so there was no point going to the office. Her eyes locked onto the time that it was frozen on. All of a sudden a shock went through her body, a realization of something. For the past few nights she'd been waking up at that time, but it seemed impossible so she dismissed the notion. The phone rang so she set the watch down and moved over to the phone in hte kitchen.
"Hello?" she asked in her usual sweet tone.

Dan smiled as he heard Laura's voice. "Hey baby, it's me. Just checking up on you." he said, trying to conceal a slight quiver in his voice. He put the small velvet box next to the gun on his desk. Almost instinctively, he flipped open the lid to reveal a magnificent golden ring studded with rubies and diamonds. Dan had had to start working a second job in secret just to pay the down-payment on the ring, but he knew Laura was worth the world to him. For the past week and a half, he had gone through the same routine of getting on one knee and popping the question, usually to a wall or other inanimate object.

Dan looked back at the gun in front of him. He now had a choice; to return to Laura and ask her to marry him, or to end all his financial worries once and for all...

Laura's voice perked up when she heard Dan's familiar tone. She always enjoyed hearing his voice and especially being around him.
"Hey there, sweetie" she replied with a smile "I'm doing just fine, just got back from the store with a few things. How are you doing?" she asked.

"I will neither confirm nor deny my involvement in said incidnet" Keith replied, he was always a smart-ass too. "Powdered or glazed?" he asked as he looked over the donut selection.

He heard William's comment as he bagged the other items for the officer. "I dunno, maybe someday" he responded. "Any new crimes today?" he asked.

John chuckled and shook his head,

"Uhh, throw in a little of both..last time i brought back glazed and was threatened with a desk job if i didn't mix it up a bit"

He continued to grin,

"Yep, but uhh...naw..nothing recently, besides some teenagers getting drunk out in the coopers field there the other night, chased em' down brought one in..that Spencer kid, always getting into shit..kinda reminds me of us as kids ay...oh yeah and there's been alot of kids running around with paintball guns too..i gotta stop over at Dan's and ask him about that..we had afew parked cruisers that got it"

He glanced at the local football team standings,

"For the opening of the season we are already at one win..good start..good start..."

He flipped the paper closed,

"Well Keith, i gotta head out..better get these doughnuts over to the station, top priority"

"I thought we might go celebrate tonight. Let's go out to some really fancy restaurant." Dan stopped thinking about suicide as he heard Laura once more. She always had a way of making even the worst situation feel safe. "I want to see you. What time is it?"

Keith gave a reluctant chuckle as he remembered his younger days of pranks, drinking, and other misdeeds.
"Kids these days need role models" he added with a laugh. He took one package of each kind of donut and scanned them. It was a boring day but he always enjoyed talking with other people. "That'll be $5 total" he said as the total price rang up.

"I thought we might go celebrate tonight. Let's go out to some really fancy restaurant." Dan stopped thinking about suicide as he heard Laura once more. She always had a way of making even the worst situation feel safe. "I want to see you. What time is it?"

Laura twirled the phone cord around her finger as she paced around the kitchen, a giddish smile on her face.
"That sounds wonderful. I'll pick out a nice dress. Well..." she leaned over to look at the wall clock "It's 2:26 right now. What time are you thinking?" she asked. The idea of going out was always appealing to her. The two of them always had nice times out.

Dan leaned back in his chair and put his feet up on his desk. "I'll come home a little early, maybe 4 or 5. But listen I've got some customers coming in right now so I'll talk to you later. And Laura, I love you." the words came out so naturally he barely had to give them a thought. At that moment Dan knew she was the one.

Keith gave a reluctant chuckle as he remembered his younger days of pranks, drinking, and other misdeeds.
"Kids these days need role models" he added with a laugh. He took one package of each kind of donut and scanned them. It was a boring day but he always enjoyed talking with other people. "That'll be $5 total" he said as the total price rang up.

John pulled out his wallett and gave Keith a five dollar bill,

"Your so right my friend, people like me and you ay!"

He grinned once more, took his purchased items and walked towards the door,

"See you later Keith! and uhh! gimmie a call for this poker game we are setting up for this weekend over at my place!"

He walked outside and went right to the cruiser. Once he got in and set the items on his passenger seat he glanced over at Lachance Sporting Goods,

Dan, Dan, Dan..selling paintball guns to kids..

He chuckled and turned the key starting up the car, it roared to life and John backed out onto the street putting the squad car in drive he moved towards the Sports store. Officer Williams pulled into the parking lot and got out but held his 2 way attached to his chest by his mouth,

"Dispatch, 2-4 here, i'll be right over gotta make a stop"

Dispatch replyed,

"10-4, officer Williams"

John walked through the door to see Dan sitting behind the counter, the store was pretty near emty, he walked over to a glass case and seen a bunch of paintball guns then shook his head...

After walking back over to the counter went to address the owner who he knew on a personel level but he was on the phone, John simply nodded and waited...beside him stood Clive Bowie,

"Clive" he aknowlaged the man standing there giving him a nodd

Clive Bowie wandered through the sporting goods store, looking for some fishing lures and line. After picking up a few Rappala spinners and a spool of Triline, he approached the register, and seeing noone was there, called out for the owner Dan, who also happened to be his neighbor.

"Dan! You working this register? Am I gonna have to leave an IOU?"

"That sounds just fine. I'll be waiting...love you too" she replied in a sincere and loving tone. She put the phone back on the reciever and went about unpacking the items in the bags. The pocket watch sat on the table. The lid of it looked like it once held a small picture in it, but there was no picture to be found. But, she thought nothing about it at the time. Laura decided that she'll tell Dan about it when he comes home later in the day. The young woman had a whole list of things to do. She had stickie notes galore on her desk in the living room where she worked. Little reminders for her to keep her on track and on top of things. After unpacking the last of the items she scooped up the pocket watch and walked over to her desk to work on the compositions. She opened a drawer and put the watch in it. There was a large stack of papers to grade and she unfolded her glasses, putting them on and began the laboring task of grading the papers, some of which were just horrible, bursting with errors and mistakes. She sighed and flipped through the pages of the first report.

Boston

Amherst managed to pull himself together and make it to his car which stalled at first. After some motivational words to it, the car started and sputtered down the road. His company was a descent success and right now there were a few cases to take care of. The life of a private investigator was an interesting one. He stopped at the office breifly to check up on things. Mrs. Yates, the secretary, a lovely woman in her forties was busy at the front desk.
"Good afternoon, Mr.Amherst" she said as she continued to type.
"Afternoon, Heather" he mumbled but with a smile and walked into his office. Marcus Greene, a black man in his thirties was sitting there with a bag. He was friends with Amherst for several years now and joined his team at the company.
"Jimmy, you're late. You know we got to spy on Mr.Ferguson today at the Lucky 7 motel, where were you?" he asked in a half serious tone, knowing why he was late.
"I was busy catching seductive mistresses" he replied and cracked a smirk.
"Alright, I'll drive" Marcus laughed and they left.

Keith laughed and put a new stack of brown paper bags up. "Yeah, I'll give you a call later today. I have to check to see if the other guys are still free. As of now we're still good, c'ya" he said and waved.

Dan put the phone back on it's receiver before he noticed the cop standing outside his office. He scrambled to grab the 9mm pistol laying on his desk, which he stealthily slipped into one of the drawers. Collecting himself, he walked outside his office and stopped next to the policeman.

"Hey John, I mean Officer. What can I help you with?" he coughed nervously into his hand and shifted posture several times.

Then, noticing Clive Bowie, shouted, "I'll be right over. Give me a minute."

He turned back to John. "You mind if I ring up Clive quickly?"

Dan put the phone back on it's receiver before he noticed the cop standing outside his office. He scrambled to grab the 9mm pistol laying on his desk, which he stealthily slipped into one of the drawers. Collecting himself, he walked outside his office and stopped next to the policeman.

"Hey John, I mean Officer. What can I help you with?" he coughed nervously into his hand and shifted posture several times.

Then, noticing Clive Bowie, shouted, "I'll be right over. Give me a minute."

He turned back to John. "You mind if I ring up Clive quickly?"

John stepped back and nodded to dan, staring into his eyes, he could tell Dan was uptight, maybe for him being there or for other reasons...

"I can wait Dan, me and you gotta have a little chat man.."

Officer Williams turned around and started to walk around the store looking at all the goods on display, he stopped at the gun case and admired the sidearms there within while waiting for Dan to finish with Clive...

Tobias Hastings walked out of the empty rectory. He polished the crucifix, the chalice and the other various relics of the church.

He had noticed that as the years passed, his flock grew smaller and smaller. Less and less people attended every year. But he didn't let it upset him. It was how the times were, and the Lord did work in mysterious ways. It was not his place to question the workings of the world. He was just to accept them and provide guidance for those who sought it.

The Church was humble, small, designed somewhat to resemble the Basilica in Rome. It was significantly smaller, and had a small message board in front. It had originally read "Come an receive the Lord" but it had been changed to read something innapropriate by local children. It needed a new message anyway.

"Evening Mass: 5:30
Confessions Heard: 7-9 pm
What can we hide from the Lord that which comes from the Vessel created by the Lord?"

Dan ran over to Clive at the register. "Hey, neighbor." he said as he greeted Clive. With a practiced hand Dan began to scan the items through the laser. He rang up the bill on the register and turned back to Clive. "Fishing? By the way that'll be $10.49. Cash or credit?"

He glanced back at John, whom he noticed was admiring the gun rack. "I've got some real beauties in the back, if you'd like to see." Dan shouted to him.

Dan ran over to Clive at the register. "Hey, neighbor." he said as he greeted Clive. With a practiced hand Dan began to scan the items through the laser. He rang up the bill on the register and turned back to Clive. "Fishing? By the way that'll be $10.49. Cash or credit?"

He glanced back at John, whom he noticed was admiring the gun rack. "I've got some real beauties in the back, if you'd like to see." Dan shouted to him.

John continued to scan over them then his attention drifted to a long nose .357 magnum, it was beautiful...

"Ay! ahh Dan, what are you asking for the uhh.. .357, long nose...my old man would like that for his birthday i would think...go real nice with his gun collection, ...it seems my little brother got into guns recently too, brought home a paintball gun the other day..."

Officer William's chuckled to himself knowing he had just put Dan on edge, John loved seeing peoples reactions when he said things like that...he glanced up..

"Here's your receipt." Dan handed Clive his receipt while looking back at John. "Have a nice weekend. Talk to you later, Clive." he grew even more tense, knowing he'd been caught.

Dan proceeded briskly over to the display case next to John. "The .357? Uhh, looks like it's on sale for $499. If you'd like to see, I just got a new shipment of rifles and shotguns, right over here." he motioned with his arm towards the other firearms. Then he noticed the paintball equipment rack was directly behind him. It would be hard to get off the subject now.

"Here's your receipt." Dan handed Clive his receipt while looking back at John. "Have a nice weekend. Talk to you later, Clive." he grew even more tense, knowing he'd been caught.

Dan proceeded briskly over to the display case next to John. "The .357? Uhh, looks like it's on sale for $499. If you'd like to see, I just got a new shipment of rifles and shotguns, right over here." he motioned with his arm towards the other firearms. Then he noticed the paintball equipment rack was directly behind him. It would be hard to get off the subject now.

John watched Clive leave then nodded looking back in the case,

"Yeah...uhh..Dan...see...i gotta get right to the point, then we can discuss further buisness"

Williams hesitated before continuing,

"Dan, im gonna ask you before i acuse you..you know me right? we go back man, now..have you been selling paintball guns to kids without parental consent? man..thats irrresponcible..and i can't seem to figure out for myself why you'd do somthing like that..because see..acouple of our squad cars have been the target recently.."

John stood there silently waiting for Dan to reply, he removed his aviator sun glasses and placed the on his breast pocket......

There was no denying it. Dan's face read guilty. "John, I'm not gonna lie to you." he sighed softly. "I have been, and I know it's wrong. It's just...the bills have been getting hard to pay. Unless things improve here, I might have to close down. And I really like this town, I grew up here. I want to stay here and raise a family. Besides, I think I'm going to ask Laura to marry me tonight." Dan hoped his friend would take pity as his ramblings finally ceased. His voice showed his desperation.

There was no denying it. Dan's face read guilty. "John, I'm not gonna lie to you." he sighed softly. "I have been, and I know it's wrong. It's just...the bills have been getting hard to pay. Unless things improve here, I might have to close down. And I really like this town, I grew up here. I want to stay here and raise a family. Besides, I think I'm going to ask Laura to marry me tonight." Dan hoped his friend would take pity as his ramblings finally ceased. His voice showed his desperation.

John's face turned from serious to a calm, cool, understanding look as his friend told him what was going on, he placed a hand on Dan's shoulder and patted it, he could tell he was desperate,

He sighed...

"Dan im really sorry things arn't working out, and...uhh..jesus.."

After a breif pause he continued..

"Look..i will help you out anyway i can man, i know it's hard to ask help from people but don't forget you got friends.....im telling you right now, im not going to charge you...but this can't continue, if you need some extra cash i will lend you some time things get going again, i know your going to object but i will not take no for an answear..."

He watched his friend's reactions to his words,

"I can't even see myself ever leaving this town, it's a great place to raise a family and settle down...although i used to think it was a shithole when we were younger..."

He waited for a reply....

John felt bad for Dan and his hard times, now he understood why he would do such a thing...

"Thanks, John." Dan let out a sigh of relief and patted his friend on the shoulder. Looking back, he couldn't believe he had considered suicide. He should have been the happiest guy in the world; he was going to ask the woman he loved to marry him, he owned his own business, and he lived in a town full of close friends.

One crisis averted, his mind was cleared. "I'm lucky to have friends like you. Hey, you wanna go do something or are you still on patrol?"

"Thanks, John." Dan let out a sigh of relief and patted his friend on the shoulder. Looking back, he couldn't believe he had considered suicide. He should have been the happiest guy in the world; he was going to ask the woman he loved to marry him, he owned his own business, and he lived in a town full of close friends.

One crisis averted, his mind was cleared. "I'm lucky to have friends like you. Hey, you wanna go do something or are you still on patrol?"

John smiled,

"Some guys wish that had what you got Dan, i still havn't found my dream girl...well, remember April from the cheerleading squad..ahaha!...should of kept her around for a bit longer..but she an't nothin close to the woman Laura is, your lucky..i will grab that .357 for dad though! he's gonna love it!"

He looked back in the case then to Dan,

"Ahh, nothings going on around here...another guys taking my shift in..."

He glanced at his watch..

"10 minutes, just gotta drop some essentials off over at the station...Sarge wants his doughnuts..so will the others.."

He grinned,

"You might aswell come on over with me though, from there we'll go over to the bar and play some pool, darts or somthing like that...common!..then we'll talk about how much im gonna loan you..ahaha"

"And you gotta let me see this ring for Laura man, you got it right?"

He gave him a playful shove....

Dan smiled and reached into his left pocket. He then reached into his right. "I think I left it in my office, hold on." He ran into his office and began rummaging through his desk. Still smiling gleefully, he yanked open one of the drawers. Next to the loaded pistol he had hid there earlier was the tiny velvet box which contained the engagement ring.

He brought it back out and dropped down onto one knee. Holding up the box to John, he said in a mocking tone, "John, please accept this ring, and-" he could barely contain his laughter. "Just look at the damn thing." he handed the box to John and opened the lid, revealing the golden band studded with rubies and diamonds.

"That cost me an arm and a leg. I had to commute to Worcester four days a week in secret to work a second job just so I could put the down payment on that." he waited to see John's reaction.

Dan smiled and reached into his left pocket. He then reached into his right. "I think I left it in my office, hold on." He ran into his office and began rummaging through his desk. Still smiling gleefully, he yanked open one of the drawers. Next to the loaded pistol he had hid there earlier was the tiny velvet box which contained the engagement ring.

He brought it back out and dropped down onto one knee. Holding up the box to John, he said in a mocking tone, "John, please accept this ring, and-" he could barely contain his laughter. "Just look at the damn thing." he handed the box to John and opened the lid, revealing the golden band studded with rubies and diamonds.

"That cost me an arm and a leg. I had to commute to Worcester four days a week in secret to work a second job just so I could put the down payment on that." he waited to see John's reaction.

John waited while Dan went to his office, when he returned and got on one knee John backed up and cracked a large grin,

"You crazy bastard! ahaha save it for Laura!"

Williams looked at the ring in the palm of his hand, Dan explained where and how he got it then John replyed,

"Well shit....looking at this ring i think i will marry you, so yes! lets do it!"

After a bit of laugter he continued,

"She's gonna love it man, i know she will! but get your shit together and lets get out of here!..and don't forget dad's gun!"

John leaned on the wall resting his free hand on his belt.....

"Oh, right." Dan took the key to the pistol display case off the lanyard on his neck. He opened the door of the case and grabbed the .357 Magnum off the shelf. "Any ammo with that?" he called as he gathered together the necessary paperwork for firearm purchases. He came back with the gun and paperwork. "Ah, hell, you can fill this out tomorrow." he put the papers on top of the case. "And if you don't, you can arrest yourself, okay?"

He handed the gun to John and headed to the register. "Check out and we'll hit the road." By the time he finished talking he had typed in the price into the register, and begun printing a receipt. He also had car keys in hand to the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo parked outside.

Craig Lowell looked out a window from his desk. His partner, John Williams, had taken a walk or something. Things were pretty easy in Foster Creek. Just another quiet town in New England. Craig thought that nothing would ever happen. Getting up he saw the only police ca was goner in the whole town. He thought the John had taken it and went into the "armory". The armory was pretty much a closet with a gun rack and a ton of ammo that would last for a long time. He saw the two .357 Magnum revolvers, one .38 Special, and a shotgun. Also locked away was AR-15 and a couple of clips. He always wondered why the hell this small town had a gun like that for the police department. Craig didn't really care. Closing the door he went back to his desk.

"Oh, right." Dan took the key to the pistol display case off the lanyard on his neck. He opened the door of the case and grabbed the .357 Magnum off the shelf. "Any ammo with that?" he called as he gathered together the necessary paperwork for firearm purchases. He came back with the gun and paperwork. "Ah, hell, you can fill this out tomorrow." he put the papers on top of the case. "And if you don't, you can arrest yourself, okay?"

He handed the gun to John and headed to the register. "Check out and we'll hit the road." By the time he finished talking he had typed in the price into the register, and begun printing a receipt. He also had car keys in hand to the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo parked outside.

John laughed when Dan commented about the paper work and took the gun,

"I'll do it as soon as i head on over to work tomorrow, im gonna run over to the station and drop off these doughnuts and my gear...my parteners over there with no car right.."

John pulled out his wallett and passed Dan his Visa,

"Put it on there..."

He glanced outside briefly then at the .357 on the counter, he picked it up and lifted it up and down judging the weight,

"God damn hand cannon..."

Then his 2 way attached to his chest started going off...

"Officer Williams"

John pressed in the button and replyed,

"Yeah, im just at the sporting goods store..be right on over, over"

"Roger that"

John shook his head.....

Craig had just recently come back from a hunting trip up in Maine. He had a good time, but was happy that he was back in somewhat of civilization. Craig went into the armoury and took .357 Magnum revolver out. Taking some bullets out from a box, he reloaded the gun. He pretended to shoot someone and noted that he needed to go to brush up on his skills with this weapon.

Dan scanned the card and handed it back. "And...sign there on the keypad. Alright, we're good. Here's your receipt." he handed the slip to John. "Not a huge fan of revolvers myself. Give me a 9mm or an assault rifle any day." he smirked and turned off the register.

"You head on over to the station. I've got to get some of my employees back in here so I can go. I'll let them close up, Laura's expecting me around 5. We can meet up at the bar. I could really use a few drinks to take the edge off for tonight." the thought of asking Laura to marry him sent a nervous chill down his spine.

Dan scanned the card and handed it back. "And...sign there on the keypad. Alright, we're good. Here's your receipt." he handed the slip to John. "Not a huge fan of revolvers myself. Give me a 9mm or an assault rifle any day." he smirked and turned off the register.

"You head on over to the station. I've got to get some of my employees back in here so I can go. I'll let them close up, Laura's expecting me around 5. We can meet up at the bar. I could really use a few drinks to take the edge off for tonight." the thought of asking Laura to marry him sent a nervous chill down his spine.

John nodded,

"Alright Dan! i'll meet you there, i gotta go over to the station and see Craig...he's probably wondering where the hell i went with the damn car..."

He signed the keypad and took the revolver in his hand,

"See you over there man!"

John walked outside and got in the car, he put the revolver in the dash and locked it, after starting the car he pulled off and drove to the station. The officer pulled out front, retreived the doughnuts, locked the cruiser and went in,

"Ay! Craig...where you at?"

He nodded to the secratary,

"Hi John" She said with a smile

John walked into the backroom where the armory was located,

"Hey! sorry i took so long...i had to cheak out somthing reguarding those paintball guns...still nothin'"

Williams never usually lied but in this case after Dan had told him what was up he felt really bad for his friend and decided to let this ONE thing slide...

"Here you go sir!" he said placing the doughnuts on the water dispencer with a big grin...

Dan stayed at the store until two of his employees had returned. Then he went back into his office. He quickly organized his desk but something was stuck in his mind. He didn't know why, but he felt the urge to take the 9mm pistol still in the drawer. "I need to get to the bar." he said quietly to himself.

"What was that, Mr. Lachance?" an employee behind him asked, causing him to jump from being startled.

"Nothing. Oh, I think we have a customer. Get on the register." Dan ordered the employee away and grabbed the pistol. He slipped it into his pocket and walked out the front door of "Lachance Sporting Goods."

He unlocked the doors of his car with a remote, and opened the driver door. Dan took the pistol out of his pocket and looked at it carefully. He shook his head and tossed it onto the back seat. He then turned on the car and headed for the bar.

"Thanks John, but you don't have to call me sir."

Craig put the revolver back and locked the closet door. He went over to the water dispenser and took a donut. Taking a bite, Craig looked at John.

"So John things went well. That's nice to know. This town is so damn quiet, but I enjoy it. So your off duty until tomorrow. John if anything comes up I will give you a call, but I nothing will happen. Well I guess I will see you tomorrow John."

Finishing off his donut he sat back down at his desk.

"Ok cool"

John remembered he had to go meet Dan at the bar for a game of pool,

"Craig, i'll have my radio on..if anythings up give me a call, im leaving the car here..if anything goes on i'll be right over!"

He smiled,

"Ill grab the doughnuts before i come in tomorrow, see you tomorrow Craig.."

He went to get in the cruiser then remembered,

Oh yeah, shit...im walking..

He strolled down the sidewalk smiling and nodding to people, he was very well known in town, John was in a good mood and loved doing his job. After walking for a short period of time an old truck pulled over beside him and inside was one of the hottest girls from the cheerleading team in highschool, Ashley Carter,

"Hey! John! where you going..? need a lift..?"

He smiled at her and walked over,

"Yeah, sure Ashley...you headed towards the bar?"

"Hop in" She smiled showing her perfect white teeth....

He took his knightstick off his belt and got in the truck. During the drive they chatted about randomness, he made her laugh and smile, when they pulled outside John was reluctant to get out of the vehicle,

"Soo uhh, can i give you a call some time then?"

She smiled then replyed,

"I don't know John...i havn't heard from you ever sence that night in the locker room after that big game...when you were talking to Angela..?..are you still that same man..or..?"

He looked stunned and was lost for words..

"well uhh..no! certainly not! noo! i was an ...idiot..back then....i never realized how..how good of a person you were..i mean are! are!"

She laughed at him,

"Bye John!"

He closed the truck door,

"So means yes!" he said with a smile..

She nodded her head and drove away......

Officer Williams threw his arm up in the air,

"Yes!" he shouted then walked into the bar, he seen Dans car in the parking lot beside some motorcycles and other vehicles just before he went through the door. It was smokey inside and country music filled the air, John nodded to afew of the locals as he walked in scanning the room for Dan....

Clive walked back to the Winchester and unlocked the door. He walked upstairs and threw the fishing stuff on a desk. Time for business he thought to himself. He turned on the open sign and wiped of the bartop. He usually got plenty of business in the evening and hopefully this one would be no different.

Boston

The Lucky 7 Motel was one of those...less formal of motels. The kind where one pays by the hour and is hardly there longer than that. It was known as a hot bed for prostitutes and some drug dealing. The nieghborhood wasn't too great either. A sedan glided into a parking lot opposite the motel. Amherst and Marcus were inside the car. They rummaged through their bags and Amherst took out a camera.
"This should be a good one" he said. This was the type of job he got some sort of almost dark pleasure out of. That would be discovering the cheater and breaking the news to the family, thus breaking them up. He was miserable, cynical, and irate much of the time. Those who were close to him, saw a different side, a more funny side.
"Which one do you think it will be this time?" Marcus asked, turning off the car. The dynamic duo sat there for about a half hour when a sleak black BMW parked next to the motel.
"Hello, Mr.Baxter" Amherst said as he zoomed in on the car, snapping a few shots of the car, license plate, and the man in the fine suit stepping out.
"This guy needs to learn some stealth" Marcus added. The man in the suite shifted his view once or twice to see if anyone saw him, seeing no one he walked up to the office, slid something under the window, recieved a key, and walked down the row of rooms. to room #6. The camera snapped more and more pictures. The door opened up. A latino woman, wearing quite tight black leather opened the door.
"Goddamn! Look at that!" Amherst blurted.
"Limme see!'' Marcus said as he shifted his view to get a better look. The two figures at the door talked a second then she slapped him across the face. The investigators looked on and struggled not to laugh. But, the suit seemed to like it and she pulled him in by the necktie.
"You got all of that?" Marcus asked.
"You bet your ass" Amherst replied as he sat back. "Well, I'm sure Mrs.Baxter would love to see these photos" he grinned.

Laura hammered away at the compositions. Her senior class had to write a standard 5 paragraph essay on Beowulf. The topic: Anglo-Saxcon religion and Christian themes in the story. Much to her dismay, several of the students failed to grasp the concept. Day after day they'd read a section of the ancient epic, discuss what they just read, and fill out a work sheet. The material was presented in an easily digestable way for the students but some of them just didn't get it. She spent the first grading period reviewing proper writing and essay formats. A few of the essays were just...below par for the lack of a better word. Her red marker circled mistakes and filled in ways to fix them on the margins. laura sighed and continued to work. All of a sudden, as she set her pen down for a much needed break...there was a ticking. At first the young woman didn't notice it but then her ears caught the sound. She shifted her eyes around, searching for the source which could not be found. Finally, she determined that it was coming from the drawer...he slide the wooden drawer open to see the watch. The hands weren't moving and the sound stopped. Strange? I thought I heard it ticking believeing that the burden of work was getting to her she closed the drawer and went to the kitchen for a glass of water.

"Ok cool"

John remembered he had to go meet Dan at the bar for a game of pool,

<snip>

"Yes!" he shouted then walked into the bar, he seen Dans car in the parking lot beside some motorcycles and other vehicles just before he went through the door. It was smokey inside and country music filled the air, John nodded to afew of the locals as he walked in scanning the room for Dan....

Dan was sitting at a bar stool, having just been handed a frosty mug of Irish ale. Noticing John coming through the front door, he lifted the mug to the air and let out a great shout, "Hey, John!" He stood up and took a large gulp of the golden liquid before heading over to where John was standing.

"Got a table right over here." Dan nodded his head toward the second pool table from the right. He had already taken the liberty of setting up the balls and polishing two sticks. All it needed was players.

Boston

The duo sat in the car for almost an hour as they're target did whatever he did with the dominatrix prostitute. Cars drove by, the day went on as they sipped coffee and bullshited about "back in the day". Though, Marcus did most of the reminicing while Amherst sat there and nodded.
"I'm tired of sitting around, let's get some good pictures" Amherst finally said, opening the door to the car and darting out, camera ready.
"Wait! We can't do that" Marcus replied, getting out as well. There was no stopping Amherst, he was getting a thrill from the chase, the suspense. They approached the motel room. Inside, moaning, groaning, and muffled screaming!
"Sounds like someone's in distress" Amherst mocked and stepped in front of the door, readying his boot. One swift and powerful kick of his leg knocked the door open.
"We're here to help!" he exclaimed, camera up to his face. To their amazement Mr.Baxter was in a compromising position. He was tied to the bed with rope, buck naked, and a red ball strapped to his mouth. A woman wearing leather and holding a whip stood next to the bed. The shutter of the camera opened and closed. Amherst couldn't hold back the laughter.
"What the hell do you two want? It costs extra to watch!" the dominatrix said through her mask.
"No thank you, ma'am" Amherst said as he quickly backed away with Marcus behind him. Baxter shouted through the red ball, straining to move, despite being tied down. This was gold...

Dan was sitting at a bar stool, having just been handed a frosty mug of Irish ale. Noticing John coming through the front door, he lifted the mug to the air and let out a great shout, "Hey, John!" He stood up and took a large gulp of the golden liquid before heading over to where John was standing.

"Got a table right over here." Dan nodded his head toward the second pool table from the right. He had already taken the liberty of setting up the balls and polishing two sticks. All it needed was players.

John smiled when he seen Dan by the table and walked over,

"I didn't wanna go home and change out of this ahaha, i'll do it after this first game in the bathroom..."

He had a duffel bag with normal clothes in it slung over his shoulder which he tossed on the floor, he took one of the sticks and looked to ensure it was chalked..

"Who's breaking?"

He grinned...

OOC: I forgot to include he had his duffel bag in my past posts, but...he does :)

"The case is closed. No need to go into it further." The mayor said to a swarm of press, as rumors of an old murder case were going to be repoend.

"Sir with DNA testing potentailly leading to a suspect, why not reopen it?"

"Simple, there were no prime suspects and we don't even have a gurantee match. Now that is all I have to say."


"Mr. Mayor,"

He walked from the press room to his office. "These people." He sighed and took a drink.

"I'll break." Dan headed to the opposite end of the table and readied a shot at the cue ball. "Besides, you couldn't hit a ball if your life depended on it." he smirked and whacked the cue ball.

A flurry of movement covered the table as balls scurried every which way. Unfortunately, none went in. "Damn, looks like I spoke too soon." he backed away and gave John the table.

The sun was beginning to set as they light turned to an amber glow. The clouds around the sun bursted with color. It was another beautiful day in Foster Creek. The citizens of this town went about their activities. The night life in Foster Creek was pretty descent as well. Several bars as well as a few dance clubs and a strip clube. There was always something to do, go see a movie, go boating out on the reservoir or whatever. Hunting was also a big thing because for miles upon miles around the town there are woods and hills, perfect for deer hunting. There was a specific store down off the main street, a sort of ''different'' store. Inside in a back room, several people were gathered around, chatting.
"Is everything ready for tonight?" asked the voice of a young woman.
"Of course, he'll bring the most important part" another female voice replied.
"That's great. Then everything should go well...for tonight" the other young woman replied. She opened up a small wooden box and took out the contents. A small locket dangled from her delicate hands. She was white and her fingernails had black polich on them. The locket was gold, though worn. "This will be a night to remember" she said, almost in a daze as the locket danlged from his hand.

Craig said good bye to the secretary and sat alone in the police station. He didn't mind being alone and liked his job. Being a police officer in a quiet town like this was easy. During this boring times at the police station he usually read a book. Going to his desk he opened it up and found the book he was currently reading, Red Storm Rising. He thought it was a pretty good book and usually liked Tom Clancy. Craig was very much into anything that had to do with the military. A couple times he thought about joining the military, but he knew that his parents would have disapproved of it. Though Craig was in the Massachusetts State Guard. He saw down and started to read the book. Taking a glass out he poured himself some coffee. Craig took a sip and went back to reading his book.

All of a sudden the phone rang at Craig's desk...

Craig put it down his book and wondered who the hell was trying to call him. This was a very rare occasion. So he picked up the phone.

"This is the Foster Creeks Police Department."

A raspy voice spoke through the reciever "Hello, this is Bob Lawson. I'd like to report that some of my animals been killed out in me field. Can someone come on out and check 'er out for me?" he asked. Bob lawson was a local farmer in his early fifties. His farm was around for decades, past down from one generation to another and was descently successful. Bob was a smoker, a chain smoker. Also, he wasn't too bright. He dropped out of high school because he couldn't work the farm and do school at the same time. "I'm out at the Lawson Farm here" he added.

"Okay Bob I will be out there in a minute."

Craig put down the phone and went to get a .357 magnum, just in case. He loaded a couple of bullets and went to the police car. Craig got into the car and drove it to the Lawson Farm. Though he was a bit angry that this call interrupted his time to read, but glad that he had something to do. Stopping the car he went up to Bob's house. He knocked on the door and waited.

Bob shuffled over to the door. He was wearing jeans which were worn and faded as well as a plad shirt and a white longsleeve shirt underneath, with a pack of cigarettes in his pocket.
"Thanks for comin' down, Craig" Bob said as he extended his hand out on the front pourch. "How 'er ya doin'?"

"I'm doing fine. How about yourself, Bob? So you have some dead animals. What kind of wound was it?"

Craig looked around at the forest. He wondered what first of all did it to the animals. Probably a local citizen, but it could be an animal.

"I'm doin' alright" Bob replied as he began to walk out to the pen a few yards away behind the barn. He raised cows, goats, the usual. He began to walk, boots clopping through the dirt towards the pen.
"Well, I came out earlier today to check up on 'em when I came around to the gate and saw three of 'em lying there dead. I opened up the gate and hurried over to them. All three of 'em had their belly opened up, with a bunch of their guts missin''' he replied as he opened up the gate to the pen. In the middle of the large pen were three motionless lumps, flies buzzing around, the ground stained with blood.
"On top of that another two of my goats are missin' as well" Bob said as he shoved his hands into his pockets, standing over the dead goats. "It's sick what they did to me goats. probably some of those high school hoodlums, they're always up in the woods doin' God knows what" he said as he took out a cigarette.

Craig looked at the dead goats and looked a way for a second. The smell was horrible. He looked at Bob.

"Who the hell would do this kind of stuff. I'm going to find this kids and bring them in. I will be back in a couple of minutes. Those kids are probably still in the woods."

Craig started to walk across the field into the forest. He slowly crept and made sure that he didn't make any sounds. He was going to find these kids even if it took all night.

Bob stood there as Craig went off towards the woods. "I don't know if you'll find 'em yet. The past few weeks they've been out there at a weird hour of the morning." Bob added before Craig got too far away. "Sometimes there not too far away, other times they're up at Deer Junction, way up there in the woods." Deer Junction was an area about three miles back in the woods. It was a small valley which was at the base of a descent sized wooden hill. It was a favorite area for hunters and teenagers.
"I chased 'em off a few times when they were close. Usually a bunch of those crazy cult kids, listening to that heavy metal music and whatnot. Last time that I knew that they were around was last week...about a quarter past 3am I reckon." Bob said as he lit a fresh cigarette and puffed the smoke into the air.

Craig looked at his watch and guessed that he would have to wait a while before the kids came back. As he walked he went down a small hill. He was going toward Deer Junction. His hand was no his gun making sure that if the kids tried to do anything he could atleast scare them. Every step he took was deeper into the forest. A walking a mile he stopped and rested for a minute.

Bob stood there, puffing away a cigarette as Craig walked up the dirt road which led to Deer Junction. He then looked around and swore under his breathe, wondering what he was going to do with the dead goats.
"I hope ya catch 'em, Craig" he called out before Craig was out of earshot. It didn't take the man long to get far away but still had a distance to go and it was getting darker out. He went back to the barn, putting on some gloves and getting a shovel...

Meanwhile...

Laura finally had enough of the essays. She was three quarters of the way through and decided to finish the rest of them the next day. She and Dan had a date that night and she had to get reay. She slide the glasses off her face and hurried up the stairs to get a shower.

Craig stopped resting and started the trek to Deer Junction. He had only been a couple of times to Deer Junction. But those times had been a couple of days long. Craig had a built a shack type structure to sleep in, when he wasn't hunting deer. He noticed that the sun was gone and dark had replaced it.

In the basement of a house several people gathered, it was dimly lit. They either sat on an old couch or a few bars stools or stood around, waiting. They chatted to pass the time away. The door at the top of the wooden stairs creeked open. Light foot steps went down the wooden stairs as the slender figure of a young woman appeared before them all.
"Did he get it?" she asked to the others.
"Yes, Venus...he got what we need for tonight" another woman said. "It was a bit messy but he got it."
"Did you accompany our brother on this mission?" she asked.
"Yes, he worked well and proved he wanted to be with us for tonight"
"Excellent" Venus grinned, exposing her pearly teeth.

Bump

The Mayor walked out of his office. A few men we're waiting for him.

"Bout time."

"Why don't you broadcast it?"

"Shut up and get in the car."

"Prove to me you are who you are."

The mysterious man showed him a crest from Skull and Bones

They both got into the car.

"I have a problem. Some bueracrats and nosey people are trying to poke around in old cases, that I have no desire to authorize the reopening. If they go to the Suprem Court they'll have the files and I'm History."

"Calm down Mr. Mayor, do you know how many Bonesmen are on the Supreem Court? We'll keep the ball in your court."

Bump

Laura stepped out of ths shower and quickly put on a white towel. She mad her way into the bedroom where she got dressed and began to prepare for her date with Dan...

Bump

Amherst walked down the patio of the Baxter Resdience which was located on Bacon Hill. Their home was of Victorian style, quite a nice and expensive home. The PI had a satisfied smile in his face. Marcus, walked behind him, disappointed.
"Jimmy, don't you think you went to far with kicking down that door..." he paused, pursing his lips "I mean...we already had the photos of him entering the room. Was it necesary to do what you did?" he asked.
"Yes it was. For all we knew, it could've been an innocent business meeting. I had to make sure" he replied sarcastically. Residents a block away could've heard Mrs.Baxter scream as the photos were slid across her glass table in the living room. Amherst derived a certain amount of enjoyment from other people's...misfortune.
"It looks like Mr.Baxter will be sleeping with the fishes once he finally gets the balls to come home" Amherst added as they trudged up to the car...

"officer Jack Stone, we of the board have found your are the only SWAT team member that is not,part of this on going case including the Boston PD,DEA and the FBI of the corruption of your team,number of officer's of the PD and number of DEA agents "said one man seated in front of Jack
the talk goes on for hour's


"so my cover story I'm a street cop being sent to add to there number's"said Jack

"can you carry that out"ask one of the man seated in front of Jack

"with my back ground yes"said Jack

now

Jack pull's up in front of the Station in his Jeep
"well he goes"said Jack to himself as he get's out

Dan had just sunk the eight ball. "Maybe next time, John." he always pretended to be gracious in defeat. Secretly, he was relishing this victory. He glanced down at his watch quickly. "Hey, I've got to get back to Laura. Rematch next time, alright?"

Before John had a chance to respond Dan was out the door of the bar. He had only had one glass of beer, which had been several hours earlier, meaning he was safe to drive. Dan started the ignition on his green and black-striped Mitsubishi Lancer Evo.

The car itself was a reminder of Dan's past. Before moving back to Foster Creek from Worcester, he had been heavily involved with street racing. He had won the Lancer from a pink slip race by the smallest of margins. It wasn't exactly a "street legal" car, but no one in Foster Creek seemed to bother him about it. Besides, he was legitimate now. However, living on a legitimate income had proven difficult for Dan, as his shop's success had proven. Deep inside, he longed to be back on the streets at dusk, racing for the big cash payout.

He continued down the road to his home, pulling into his driveway at 5 o'clock on the mark.

Laura was just putting on her earings when she heard the familiar sound of Dan's car pulling up the driveway. She looked at the clock and it was on time, a smile went across her face as she continued to prepare herself for their date.

OOC: Sorry for my absence, is this still going or what?

OOC: Yes it is, unless everyone just suddenly cut and run

Bump

Dan got out of his car in the driveway and walked into the house through the garage. After scouting out the living room area and deciding Laura was upstairs, he called, "Laura? I'm Home!" he had one hand behind his back holding a bouquet of roses.

"Dan?!" she called out as she fixed the last earring. She bolted down the stairs at lightning speed and saw him before her. They hadn't seen each other all day but it felt like an eternity.
"Whatcha got there?" she asked with a smile as her lips connected lovingly with his.

A car began to drive down the streets, heading toward the town limits. It was now dark out, the light nearly gone, slipping beneath the horizon. The car was nothing special, except for the people inside.
"Venus, are you sure this will work? It seems a bit-"
"A bit what?" Venus snapped back.
"A bit risky. We've never done anything like this before...nothing this far" a woman in the back seat uttered, unsure of what she was doing there.
"Don't worry about it. Everything has been set in motion. He will get what we need and everything will be ready for us." Venus replied, calmer now.

Bump