Inside the relatively nice Manhattan loft, a young woman took off her coat with a sigh. It had been a long day at work and all she wanted to do was collapse in her bed and not wake up again for at least 2 months. Her eyes shifted to the pile of papers, both on her coffee table and in the black messenger bag hanging on her chair. She sighed and pushed back her hair tiredly. After a moment, she took out her phone from her coat pocket and turned the screen on. No missed messages.

She unloaded her bag and placed the files waiting for her on the table with the others, laying her phone within easy reach next to them. Not wanting to focus on the work in front of her, she pushed it aside and got to her feet. Wandering to the kitchen, she opened her fridge and pulled out some leftover Chinese food. As she stuck it in the microwave she heard her phone buzzing in the other room. With a groan she headed to answer it, sure that it was her boss with even more work for her to finish before the next morning. Without even looking at the screen she hit the "talk" button.

"Yes?" she said.

There was silence before the voice on the other end said quietly, "It's me."

The woman immediately recognized the voice and looked at the screen. "Number Blocked." Of course.

"What's going on? Are you alright?" she asked worriedly.

"Why wouldn't I be?" said the voice, slightly defensive.

The young woman laughed and said teasingly, "You never call me. Why now?"

"Just wanted to check up on you," came the short response.

The woman looked disappointed, pursing her lips as she saw through the lie. "Right… So, how have you been?"

"Alright I suppose. Bit quiet without you guys around."

"I'm sorry. I've just been so busy with work. But how's…?"

"He's fine," came the answer, a bit too quickly. "I saw him yesterday."

The young woman smiled. "I'm glad. I'm sure he really appreciates your visits. I'm sorry I haven't been able to come with you." There was silence and then the young woman asked in a low voice, "Does he still think I turned him in?"

There was a sigh on the end of the line. "I'm not sure what he thinks, to be honest. We don't talk about you much."

The young woman fought back the sudden rush of tears. "I didn't know it was him, you have to believe me," she pleaded. She shook her head as if the woman on the other end of the phone could see her.

There was silence once more. "I know," came the answer finally. "I believe you." Then in a voice so quiet it was almost to herself: "I have to."

"Sorry?" asked the young woman, confused.

"Nothing. I just mean… I have to believe that there is still some good in the world, you know? Even in our lives. Our type of lives."

The young woman's voice tightened. "I was never part of your life. And even if I was, I gave that up a long time ago. You know that."

There was a pause. "I know. But it will always be there with you. Trust me. You can't run. No matter what happens, loyalty always wins."

"Are you alright?" asked the young woman, alarmed at how hollow the other voice sounded.

A thread of desperation and urgency snaked its way in. "It's… I'm fine. But I need to ask you something."

"Of course." It came out as more of a statement rather than an offer. The young woman waited, her breath suspended as she listened.

There was long pause on the other line and then out of nowhere came, "Do you know where he hid the treasure?"

The young woman was stunned. "What? I- No, I- He never told me, I never asked." Her brow furrowed. "Why do you need to know?"

"That's not important" came the quick answer. "He told me it was in San Diego, that's all. But what if it was a test? I need to know for sure."

"Why would he do that to you?" demanded the young woman. "He loved you, he wouldn't lie to you. If he told you it was in San Diego…" She faltered. "But why do you need to know? Are you in trouble again?" Without waiting for an answer, she continued. "I can help you. Just tell me if you're in some kind of trouble, if you need money! Do you owe money to someone? Is someone coming after you? I have connections, we can fix this. Just let me help you!"

"I don't need your help," came the voice from the other line. Earlier it was hollow, evasive, but now it was cold and distant. "I have to go. But before I do, could you do me a favor?"

"Of course," said the young woman, wanting to help in any way. "What do you need?"

"Look out for him. He's being released in eight weeks. Keep an eye on him? Make sure he doesn't do anything stupid, fall back into old ruts." There was a pause. "Please."

The young woman sat frozen. "What? Wh- Why? Why can't you?" she asked in a daze, not liking where this was going.

"I think yesterday was my last visit for a while," said the woman on the other line. The young woman in the apartment opened her mouth but before she could the other woman cut her off. "Don't try and stop me. I know you, I know what you're going to say."

"Wait!" the young woman pleaded into her phone. "Don't go. I know what you're planning on doing. Don't run. Let me help you!"

"Goodbye," came the answer. Then a click. Then nothing.

The young woman slowly took the phone from her ear, stunned. Leaving her food in the microwave she flipped through a couple of files on her table to take her mind off things but soon snapped then shut again. Something was wrong but she couldn't put her finger on it. Rubbing her eyes an enormous yawn reminded her how tired she was. Letting her eyelids close she made a note to herself to look up her friend tomorrow and see where she had been and try to put the pieces of the puzzle together and figure out what exactly was going on.

Hope you enjoy! Please let me know what you think, if you have suggestions, etc. I would love to hear from you!

~moviegal101~