I am sending virtual chocolates to my blessed reviewers! Can you or can you not taste it!
Chapter Seven
I was standing, alone, in the kitchen of my house until my father entered. He didn't look at me or greet me. Instead, he set his briefcase on the counter and checked his watch. "We've just been hired."
"We?"
"Go get your bags. Our flight leaves in-"
"Dad, I have school."
"You have talent." He didn't even consider my excuse.
"Please..."
His voice rose. "Go get your bags now." Each word was said slowly, even and controlled. He lifted his hand ominously.
I flinched, understanding. Leaving the kitchen to go get packed, I knew that there was no way out.
The memory faded as I awoke, finding that Arthur was pulling into a rest stop. I rubbed my eyes and forced them open. Unable to help myself, a long yawn escaped my lips. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Arthur smile.
He parked the car in a small parking lot in front of a large center for weary travelers. He shut off the Mercedes. "Tired?" he asked.
"Stupid motion sickness pills always make me tired." I muffled another yawn as I opened the door and stepped outside. After I shut the car door, I raised my arms above my head, stretching out the stiffness.
We took our time as we walked up the sidewalk and into the center. Once inside, I saw a sign with an arrow pointing to the restrooms. Another arrow pointed in the other direction, to a spacious area for visitors needing a brochure or a map.
After finding the restrooms, Arthur and I went our separate ways. I found that I did not have to use the bathroom so I walked over to the mirror and did a double take on my appearance. Not too terribly awful, but my ponytail was loose and drooping and quite a few hairs hung, free, around my face. Earlier that morning I had managed to spare a couple minutes and apply some make up. With that at least I didn't look too bad.
I quickly took out my headband and fixed my ponytail before putting it back in. I straightened my knee length, brown and white dress and pulled down on the quarter sleeves. I stood a little taller and left the restroom.
I found Arthur in the visitors section, not looking through brochures or at a map, but staring out through a wall covered in a long row of tall windows that reached nearly from the ceiling to the floor. The sunshine shone through the large windows, casting Arthur's single shadow across the floor. The shadow's head stretched to the tips of my toes. He unfolded his arms and put his hands into the pocket of his tan slacks.
I walked to him and casually slipped my arm through his. He didn't respond in any way.
"Is something wrong?' I asked him quietly.
No response.
"Arthur?"
He suddenly froze, body rigid.
"Arthur, whats wrong?"
His gaze focused on something, his eyes narrowing.
"Arthur!" He was starting to scare me.
Suddenly he shoved me against the wall, perpendicular to the windows, covering me with his body. I looked over his shoulder just as the glass in the window closest to us shattered, falling to the ground in a tinkling of countless shards. A scream pierced the air. I think it was mine. Glass sprayed the both of us and everything seemed to happen in slow motion. I shut my eyes tight and Arthur turned my face away from the window. The alarming sound of shattering glass subsided.
And then it was over, as quickly as it had come. Arthur took a cautious step back, away from me. He looked through the empty frame of the window, a cool breeze blowing in.
"What just happened?" I asked, my voice shaking.
Arthur glanced back at me with a grim expression, but had no answer.
He stepped carefully over the glass covered floor, closer to the open window. I followed him until we were both standing in the empty window frame. I tried to follow Arthur's gaze and found myself focusing on a dark figure running across the lawn towards the building.
"We need to go, now." Arthur grabbed my hand with his and turned. He dragged me along until we reached the doorway when he stepped back, body flat against the wall. I quickly did the same. The door opened and I watched warily as a familiar man entered. The man from the plane. He stopped, the door swinging closed behind him, and looked in the opposite direction of us. He gripped his gun. Black... and deadly. I shuddered.
Before he could turn his head and see us, Arthur lept into action, grabbing the man's gun from his hand. The man turned around just in time to see Arthur hit him over the head.
I watched wordlessly as the man crumpled to the ground. I'd seen Arthur work like this before, but only int the dream world. Never in reality. Arthur squatted down and checked the mans pulse. He stood, pocketed the gun, and ran a hand through his hair. He shook his head.
"Cobb couldn't possibly have mentioned this to me over the phone, could he?" He muttered angrily. He looked up at me, eyes filled with both frustration and concern. "We need to leave." he announced, voice torn. After glancing around suspiciously he added, "There might be more."
I shivered, but not from the cold.
We walked swiftly to the car, trying not to draw attention to ourselves. Only once we started driving did I notice how much I was shaking. This was not a dream. We were in reality and someone was trying to kill us.
So? How'd you like it? Finally got some action in there! And there's more coming...
