A/N: Ack! I'm so sorry, guys! I know that those of you with story alert enabled got a message in your email that said I uploaded a second chapter; but I did, in fact, not upload one. Something went wrong with the story while I was editing a few errors here and there, and [because I absolutely fail at 's story uploading system] created a replica of the first chapter. I deleted the replica, but the emails that were sent out could not be eliminated. I'm so sorry! ;A; As a gift for you all keeping your patience with me for so long, I've decided that I'm going to put aside my homework and try to finish the next chapter by next week. Sorry, again!

Riley was miserable. His book wasn't selling, he was still girlfriendless, and his car- the only thing he'd received from his near-death experiences during the search for the Templar treasure- was once again repossessed. He'd never admit his mental state of mind, of course, especially not to his best friend. While Ben was an especially trustworthy man, Riley still always felt as if he were in competition with the other treasure hunter, and so put on a cheery smile whenever he was nearby. But his façade was cracking. He honestly didn't think he would be able to keep up this happy-go-lucky attitude for much longer.

Riley knew he was no competition for Ben. Ben, who was the poster boy of treasure hunting; Ben, who was happily married to a gorgeous blond; Ben, who lived in a three story estate; Ben, who was smart and charming and everything Riley wasn't. Riley was a geek with no job who lived in a one-room apartment. He didn't have half a chance compared to his friend, and that meant that he was probably going to be the first voted off the island. Or perhaps he had been already.

Briiiiing. Briiiiing.

The phone's ringing, Riley realized. After a few moments spent rubbing the remaining sleep out of his eyes, Riley slowly rose from his worn-out couch and answered. He didn't bother putting on a joyful disposition.

"Hello?" He croaked, his voice rusty and unused. He hadn't spoken to anyone in a while.

"Riley, it's Abigail," a female voice buzzed out of the receiver. Riley could already tell that she had bad news. There was a pause in which Abigail was probably expecting him to reply with something along the lines of, "Oh, hey, Abby, nice day today, isn't it?" But Riley said nothing, so she continued.

"Look, Riley…" She sighed. Her breathing came over the line in a steady rhythm. "Ben and I aren't going to be able to meet you at the bookstore today for the signing. Something came up."

Abigail was quiet for a moment, waiting for the young man's reply. When none came, she voiced her concern. "Riley, are you okay?"

"Fine," Riley grumbled, and then hung up.

Yep, he was already off the island.

o~o~o~o~o

Abigail still held the phone against her ear long after Riley ended their conversation. She was a little miffed that he had just hung up like that, but she knew there must be a logical explanation. Maybe he was sick? He hadn't been sounding too well over the line, so perhaps that was the reason. Either way, there had to be something wrong with their loveable techie. Worry forced its way onto Abigail's features, causing her to frown, and she knit her eyebrows together as she put the phone back in its place.

"Hey, Ben?" She called into the hotel's bathroom, leaning against the door frame. "When was the last time you spoke to Riley?"

Ben paused in his shaving, a thoughtful expression on his cream-covered face. After a moment he answered. "Um… I think about two weeks ago. Haven't had much time with all these projects. Why?"

"He seemed… off when I called him. He sounded a little sick," Abigail admitted, crossing her arms. Ben turned his head to look in the mirror again.

"You know how Riley is. He probably just woke up," he shrugged.

Abigail leaned in to put an arm around Ben's middle, kissing the side of his head.

"I hope you're right."