A/N- Hey guys! This is Taylor; finally back with my update on The Hunt. It's been a while, hasn't it? I'd say it's been a couple of weeks since I last updated. Anyway, a bunch of things happen in this chapter so be prepared to withstand their journey in Paris!
Enjoy the chapter!
KIM
Bienvenue a Paris!
That's all I've been hearing ever since we got off the plane.
Well, here we are.
In the lovely, picturesque city of Paris.
From all the places I've visited in my lifetime, Paris is by far the most magnificent place I've ever seen. Just looking outside the view of our hotel room, is like a glimpse of something magical and astounding. The buildings that had existed for centuries still standing…the monuments I can catch a remarkable view of…the people strolling by…and how could I forget the sky? As it was still summer, the sun shone brightly across the nimble city, with the clouds cheerfully striding through the cornflower-blue sky. The best part of the view was that I could see the one and only Eiffel Tower, standing over everything like a bright star.
The Eiffel Tower.
Where the next clue is hidden.
As lunchtime was around the corner, we got freshened up from our ten-hour flight and made our way towards the streets of Paris, searching for an authentic restaurant that…well…would suit Eddie's fancy.
Many people joyously pranced by with a variety of different accents as the tourism here was immensely high. I could see people playing instruments liberally along the streets, with large smiles plastered on the audiences faces as they were serenated by the beautiful instruments. There were a number of old buildings lined up on the sidewalk. I could almost taste the fresh baguette as the toasty, warm smell made its way to my nose all the way from the cafes. And here and there, I could even see guys hugging and kissing their girlfriends.
Oh, right.
Paris is the city of love.
How could I forget?
I emit a look towards Jack, and he looks down on me, and smiles.
Oh, Kim…let's face it. You're hopelessly in love with the boy.
Am not!
Whatever, but you're only lying to yourself.
"Ah, it feelz good to be back in Par-ee!" Eric said in a deep French accent…which was weird when he mixed it in with British accent. Ever since Eric got promoted, he's been even more obsessed with his video camera than ever, which is the only downside of this trip.
"You've been here before?" I asked.
"Well, of course! When I was a little tot, my Mum took me to Paris a couple of times. That's when I realized I wanted to be in the film-making industry…so this place is like my home."
"Wow…your mom shouldn't have taken you to Paris then." Jack mumbled. I rolled my eyes, nudging him playfully.
"I can't believe we're in the actual city of Paris!" Milton exclaimed. Eric's camera immediately shot to Milton's direction. "The culture, the monuments, the historical background—"
"Forget all that crap!" Jerry said shoving a hand over Milton's mouth, much to Milton's resent. "The clubs they got here, the smoking-hot French babes! And I even hear there's a European Swimsuit Model Company that I SO want to see—"
"Well, girls are one thing, and I am dying to see the swimsuit models!" Eddie laughed. "But, I'm just excited that we're eating lunch now. All the food! Chez Chartier is just a few blocks down!"
"You know what I really want to see?" Rudy chimed in. "Mimes! How do they do the whole walking-down-the-stairs thing? I'm sure if I learn Mime tricks, I can definitely win a girl. Just gotta find a Mime to teach me how to do it!"
"Yeah, considering they don't speak…good luck with that Rudy." Jack smirked, patting his shoulder. Rudy rolled his eyes.
"More importantly, I sense romance tingling between this blonde and brunette," Eric said, pointing at Jack and me. "Good thing Bobby gave me a better HD camera…I'm going to need that for all those Jack and Kim shippers out there!" I blushed hardly, not knowing how to respond to that ridiculous comment.
"I'm telling you, by the time we leave Paris, Jack and Kim is so going to be boyfriend and girlfriend!" Jerry exclaimed. "You can feel the love!"
Aggravated, I punched him the stomach hardly.
"Feel that love," I snapped, slightly smirking.
"I wish I could've brought Julie with me to Paris." Milton sighed sadly. "She's always wanted to go to Paris, and see the Eiffel Tower…"
"Wait, you have a girlfriend?" Eric asked. "Didn't see that coming."
"Hey, for your information, I'm pretty irresistible!" Milton said. I rolled my eyes. "And Julie and I are getting pretty serious now…and this place just reminds me of her! If only she was here…"
"Yeah, and you could've finally kissed!" I said. "I mean, what's more romantic than kissing in Paris?"
"Yeah, but Milty's too scared to kiss Julie!" Eddie said, pinching his cheeks teasingly.
"How long are we going to have to wait for this?" I said, annoyed. "I even kissed you for practice, and you still haven't kissed her yet!"
"Wait…" Jack said, taken aback, staring at me wide-eyed and shocked. "You kissed… Milton?"
Oh, curse me and my big mouth.
"Ooh, the drama!" Eric sing-songed. "This is good stuff." I gave him a glare.
"Pssh, no why would you think that?" I attempted, putting on a sheepish grin. I skimmed the streets, looking for a distraction.
"Uh, because you just told us that." Jack replied. "Huh…that would've been interesting information to know…" Was he actually hurt by this?
"OH, we got a dawg right here!" Jerry said, pointing at Milton. He pushed him off hastily.
"It didn't mean anything. It was only because Milton was such a big baby and got visions of her Aunt Gerdy." I said. Jack rolled his eyes.
"Hey!" Milton said.
"Okay. Whatever." Jack shrugged. However, I could see a glint of envy and hurt flicker in his eyes.
"Aw, is Jack jealous that his favorite girl kissed Milton?" Eddie asked. Jack shot him a glare.
"Shut…up…" Jack growled. Before any more argument on this could come up, I could see an old-fashioned building with a rusty sign saying "Chez Chartier."
"Look, we're here at the restaurant!" I said loudly, beckoning that I didn't want to talk about that anymore. I ran into the French restaurant for the first time, and had my mouth slightly agape. We all went to sit in one of the big tables, with Eddie seeming the most excited out of all of us to be in a French restaurant for the very first time. Eddie grabbed the menu, skimming his eyes giddily throughout the entire menu. As it was a big booth, we managed with Milton, Jerry, Eddie and Eric sitting on one side, with Jack, me and Rudy sitting on the other. A young-looking waiter passed by us, and gave us a tired smile.
"Bonjour et bienvenue a Chez Chartier! Vous Désirez? "He asked. We all gave him blank stares. Milton faced us rolling his eyes.
"He asked 'What do you want to eat?'" Milton said. A chorus of "OH's" echoed throughout the room, as Eddie and Jerry started telling the waiter what they wanted…and quite a list it was. The waiter managed to catch the phrases of food that Jerry and Eddie wanted, and scribbled it down on his pad. Jack, Rudy and I asked for a simply asked for Poulet Frits which was just chicken with fries. Milton, being the French guy he was, managed to order his meal in French.
"Monsieur, je voudrais un coq au vin, un bisque, et un baguette, avec un tarte, s'il vous plait. Merci ! " Milton said.
"Bon. votre repas arriveront peu de temps. " And with another tired grin he sauntered off, leaving us staring at Milton with our jaws dropped.
"God Milton, how did you learn French so well?" I asked.
"Uh, it's called French Class…something you people don't even listen to." Milton said. I rolled my eyes.
"Okay, back to why we're even in Paris in the first place," Jack said. "So, we need to get to the Eiffel Tower like soon, before the other groups get it. There should only be five copies left of the fourth clue, so we better hurry…"
"So after lunch, we're going straight to the Eiffel Tower…" Eddie said, as he anxiously waited for the food. "Got it."
"Wait…" Milton said. "But, where in the Eiffel Tower is it hidden? Do you know?"
"Uh…" I said. "All I heard Drake say was that it was in the Eiffel Tower but—"
"But it could be anywhere!" Rudy exclaimed. "On the top, underneath, in plain sight! Oh no, what are we going to do?"
"Calm down Rudy!" I said. "It has to be in there somewhere so let's not—"
"Kim?"
I jerked my head up to see who was calling my name to see someone I haven't seen in a long time. I quickly rose up from my seat to greet him.
"Travis! Hi!" I exclaimed. He smiled.
"Hey Kim…can I talk to you?" He asked shyly.
"Um yeah sure…is everything okay?" I asked.
"Yeah but I just need to tell you something…wanna get a table?" He said. I smiled.
"Sure." I said, and I was about to walk with Travis, when I felt a tight hand grip my wrist. I turned around seeing Jack, looking clearly annoyed.
"Hey…don't fall for his tricks…okay? Because, I got a bad feeling about this." Jack said, glaring like Travis like he was some kind of terrorist. I rolled my eyes.
"Ugh, will you relax already? He's not a monster, you know..." And with a cold glare, and a flip of my heel, I walked out.
I sat down in another table next to Travis, and he faced me with that spikey blonde hair and those kind sea-blue eyes. "So listen…I was thinking we should get to know eachother better…and I know this is probably the worst time ever to ask, since the stakes are getting so high with this Hunt thing but…will you go out with me? For one date?"
My eyes were so wide they were ready to fall out of my head.
Travis just asked me out.
Should I go?
No I shouldn't.
Why not?
It's just one date.
What could possibly go wrong?
Aw, how can I say no? Just look at that innocent face!
You know what, I'm saying yes.
I'm not going to care what Jack thinks.
"Um…sure, I'd love to." I said, smiling, finally made up my mind. He smiled back, but there was something about his smile, that was…different. It had a twinge of…guilt? Anxiety? I wasn't sure.
Stop listening to Jack! Travis is a good guy…there's nothing wrong with him.
"Oh, that's…that's great." Travis sighed, laughing a bit.
"Where do you want to go?" I asked.
"How about tonight? Me and you on the Eiffel Tower? And uh…maybe we get the clue together. You and I forming alliances. I know where it's hidden."
"You do? That's great, but why don't we just go now?"
"Oh, because we have to go when it's late... when less people are there, so nobody thinks we're up to no good…plus…" And here, he put his hand on top of mine. I felt a huge lump forming in my throat, and my heart racing. "I think it would be kind of romantic if we had dinner on top of The Eiffel Tower."
I smiled. "Okay…tonight it is. Can't wait."
"Me too." He smiled, and I stared into his eyes once more. However I was the one to break from the staring contest.
"Um, I better go back to my dojo…I'll see you tonight?"
"See you then." He said, and with a flirtatious wave, I got up and ran back to my seat, with butterflies fluttering in my stomach, and my mind feeling like it's departed into another world, with a dreamy smile plastered on my face. The food seemed to have arrived already as the smell wafted into my nose. Once I set down, the guys all gave me curious stares.
"Well…what did he say?" Eric started flipping his camera switch back on, after taking a bite from his Coq au vin.
"Oh, nothing…just…things," I said, trying to stuff my mouth with chicken so I wouldn't have to talk.
"Uh, he was holding your hand, that can't be nothing," Jack said, a little annoyed. I faced him.
"Wait; hang on…were you spying on me?" I asked, folding my arms across my chest. His face turned red.
"OOH BURN!" Jerry hooted.
"So what did he say?" Jack said, trying to change the subject. I shook my head in disbelief.
"Nothing, okay? God he just asked me out no big deal—"
"Wait, he asked you out?" Milton said, with a smile. "Where? When? Girl, you gotta give me deets now!"
Ah that was Milton. He can be such a girl sometimes.
"Tonight at the Eiffel Tower." I said. "It's no big deal."
"Well to Jack it looks like a huge deal." Eddie said. "Just look at him!" I turned my head to Jack, whose face immediately turned red.
"I am not jealous, okay? So what if Kim goes out on a date? Kim, I hope you have a…good time." He seemed to stress on those last words, giving me the most disbelieving smile he could've ever given me.
"Wait, what about the clue?" Rudy asked. "We're still forgetting about that."
"Well, Travis knows where it is in the Eiffel Tower, so we're going to get it together." I said.
"Hey, mind if I come with you on the date, Kim? I need to videotape that!" Eric said. I looked at him in incredulity.
"No!" I yelled. "You don't stalk girls when they're on dates Eric!"
"Wait, so you formed an alliance?" Jack asked. "How can you even trust this guy? You barely know him! What if he does something to you?"
"I know him very well!" I said defensively.
"Oh yeah?" He challenged. "What's his last name?"
"Oh, pssh, that's so easy his last name is…" But no more words came out of my mouth. They couldn't.
I didn't even know Travis's last name.
"Exactly." Jack said. "You barely know him, and you're going on a date with him. That is ridiculous."
I scoffed. "I can't believe how…ludicrous you're being! I think the whole reason why you're mad about this, is because it's about you. It's always about you, isn't it? You always want things to go in your own way."
"I don't trust him! What happened to trust no one?" Jack said.
"What happened to being friends? You're acting so overprotective of me, and I'm sick of it! Now I'm going to go back to the hotel and get ready for my date…and if you really want that clue for yourself, go get it yourself!" And with that, I got up and stormed off to the hotel to get ready for my date tonight.
Just get the clue yourself?
What's happening to us?
Why is Jack so angry about this?
And why am I starting to regret even saying yes to this date?
JACK
Overprotective?
I can't believe her.
After a couple of hours of some "guy-only" sightseeing in Paris, the six of us (excluding Kim thanks to her cliché hasty exit) decided to head to our hotel room, casually strolling along the streets of Paris in the evening sun. The vivid shades of pink, blue and orange softly blended together as the moon started to faintly appear. It all looked gorgeous. Yet I wasn't able to enjoy my first day in a foreign country with the greenery of parks, and the beautiful old-fashioned buildings or even some of the trendy cars speeding by.
And that's not just because of my lack of sleep with the different time zones.
My mind was only focused on the fact that Kim actually agreed to go on a date with that…that bottle-blond, blue-eyes, stalker-ish, smile flaunting, North Carolina boy. Okay fine, I'll admit, if someone were to look at me right now, they can see a little green monster forming in my enraged eyes. Yes, I the Jack Anderson was resentful of Travis taking Kim out on a romantic dinner-for-two.
But you should know one thing.
When Jack Anderson senses evil.
There is evil.
I tore away from the infuriating feeling of feeling "dumped" by Kim, and turned my attention to the camera that was centimeters away from my face, causing me to grow aggravated.
"Eric!" I scolded. "You don't have to record every little moment you know? Jesus."
"Hey, how can I not record you with that bitter, envious look on your face?" Eric said with a smile tweaking at the corner of his lips. "You being jealous should definitely leave the Kick watchers flying!"
"Uh…Kick watchers?" Rudy asked, in confusion. "What's that?"
"Err, it's their pairing name? Duh!" Eric exclaimed. "Jack. Kim. Kick. Their fans came up with it. Isn't it cute?"
"Whoa, Jack and Kim have a pairing name?" Jerry chimed in. "Well say hello to the next Jelena!" He exclaimed teasingly. I felt my face heating up drastically, rolling my eyes.
"You guys are ridiculous." I growled angrily.
"Well Jack, you better step up your game bro," Eddie said, putting his arm around my shoulder. "Because right now, Kim's getting ready on a dinner date with Travis that's on top of the Eiffel Tower, while you're standing here still denying your love for her."
"Put us out of our misery Jack, and make your move already!" Milton exasperated. I rolled my eyes once more, as we walked into the hotel lobby.
"Why don't you put us out of our misery by making your move on Julie already?" I said, attempting to change the subject that's causing my face to grow as red as a tomato.
"If Julie was here, I'd love to take her out on the most exhilarating, romantic date ever." Milton said, pushing the elevator button. "But my little pumpkin pie isn't here to enjoy Paris with me. So stop talking about her, got it?"
"Ah forget it, it's never going to happen," Rudy said irritably, with a tweak of a smile on his face. The elevator doors slowly slid open revealing someone with a nose buried in a book entitled "Paris Sights to Capture".
A girl.
Her sandy-brown hair fell over her shoulders, fixing her glasses to her eyes as she stared at us in pure astonishment. She straightened her vintage dress, and when she stared at Milton, she spread a wide smile across her face.
"Milton?" She screamed with glee.
Milton had an enlarged, stunned smile grow on his face as he finally comprehended who the girl was that was ready to throw her arms around him.
Looks like everyone found love on this trip.
"Julie?" We all choked in unison.
MILTON
"Julie!" I exclaimed in happiness, bringing her into my arms as we laughed in harmony. The moment seemed so miraculous, yet so surreal that my Julie, my favorite girl, my little chemical concoction, my—
Get to the point, Milton!
Sorry. Anyway, the fact that she was here sent my heart flying. With her sandy brown hair graciously flowing over her shoulders, her creamy pools of eyes as it twinkles under the lobby chandelier, and that lovely smile that sets me free. However, all these possibilities raced through my head as to what she was doing here in the enchanted city of France. Is she here because of her uncle Ty? Are The Black Dragons here too? "What are you doing here?" I asked pulling away from our somewhat long embrace.
"Oh, I visited Paris for a fun-ducational trip!" Julie giggled with the most beautiful smile I've seen. "I'm here with my Summer Adventurer's Club. We came to Paris to get some credit points for college. So far, we've visited The Arc de Triomphe and The Eiffel Tower, and tomorrow, we're seeing the Louvre Museum. Isn't that great?" I smiled at her.
"What's great is that you're here with me!" I cried merrily. "I missed you so much! It's been two weeks since we last talked…when I got roped into this Hunt thing."
"Aw Milty, I missed you too!" She hugged me once again.
"Aw." Jerry chimed in. "Nerd love."
"Hey, it's cute." Rudy said.
"Makes great footage," Eric said cheerfully.
Jack, Jerry and Eddie pulled me aside, bringing me closer to their ears.
"Okay, Julie's actually in Paris, which is…really surprising," Jack narrowed his eyes. "So now, you have to make your move. Take her out to dinner…like now."
What?
Dinner?
Now?
"Wait, what?" I hissed back.
"You heard him." Jerry said. "What's more romantic than a candlelit dinner in Paris? Totally swag, plus you get to finally make your move. Come on, Kim didn't kiss you for nothing."
"Make your move, Milton." Rudy smiled. "Make your move."
"I'm not even properly dressed! Plus, I don't know if I'm—"
"Hey Julie, Milton wants to take you out on a very special dinner tonight!" Eddie yelled, turning his attention to Julie. I gave him a cold glare, shaking my head uncontrollably. Julie faced me with willing eyes.
"Really?" Julie exclaimed. "Well, I was just about to head to dinner to this restaurant called the Chez Chartier. I heard it's a good place. Ready to go?"
"Oh, he's ready." Jerry said, and shoved me closer to Julie. With an apprehensive, quivering breath, I held out my arm and she interlocked hers around mine with a wide. I reluctantly started walking out the lobby in a mature-like posture, with a stunned look on my face taking Julie to the restaurant I just went to for lunch.
What have the guys just done?
Because as usual.
Milton Krupnick wasn't ready.
Not just for the date, as I wasn't dressed properly.
I wasn't ready to kiss Julie.
JACK
Well, hopefully Milton's reunited date with Julie goes well.
Jerry, Eddie, and I approached our hotel room. The hallway was calm and quiet, except for Rudy and Eric's indistinct talking as they went into the room they shared. Our room was a double suite, with Kim having her own room yet again, while I shared with the guys in another…and knowing how rambunctious Jerry and Eddie get overnight, I decided to share a bed with Milton. Knowing Kim was inside—getting ready for her stupid date—I knocked on the door.
"Kim? It's us." I called. I heard footsteps approaching, and with a twist of the doorknob, the door swung open, revealing a totally glammed-up girl who I remembered saying that she hated dressing fancy. Kim wore a sequined navy-blue dress with a glittering black cardigan on top. Her honey blonde hair was in curls as it dangled over her shoulders, and she merrily shrugged when she saw us.
We, however, stared at her in awe.
"Hey guys." She said simply, letting us come inside. We however couldn't move for a second.
"Whoa." Jerry, Eddie and I breathed.
"Are you going to get inside or not?" She retorted rather impatiently. Jerry and Eddie looked at me.
"Uh—Jack wants to actually!" Eddie said. She gave me a bit of an annoyed look—must be because of our argument from earlier today.
"Wait, what?" I glared at Eddie.
"Yeah, Jack this is your game not ours." Jerry mumbled. He shoved me in the room. "We'll wait outside!" I faced Kim, and with a roll of her eyes, she slammed the door shut. Taking no notice I was in the room, she simply went back to her room, and continued to apply makeup on her face.
"So…just one date, huh?" I started. "More like prom."
"Hey, I'm a girl, I'll wear stuff like this…suck it up." She snapped.
"Why are you even wasting your time and going to this thing anyway?" I said. "We could've found the clue today instead of you wasting time."
"Jack, I need a break from this stupid thing!" She yelled. "And I'm still getting the clue. Just not with you guys."
"Right. You'd rather get it with someone you barely even know instead of your friends—who you at least know the last names of."
"Why are you so against this? You can't force me not to go!" She yelled, the tone of her voice growing harsh.
"I'm not forcing you not to go!" I countered. "I'm just worried that's all."
"Of what, Travis murdering me? Yeah Jack, why don't you go start planning my funeral." She eyed me coldly.
"No, of him breaking your heart!" I shouted, clearly irritated. The anger in her eyes slightly softened, but not enough to talk at a calm level. Kim walked over to the suitcase, and grabbed the scroll with the riddle in it out of the box. She stomped towards me, and shoved the scroll in my hands.
"Take it," She said irritably. "If you really want that clue for yourself. You just always want the spotlight. For everything."
"That's not why! I don't even care who finds it!" I said defensively. Rolling her eyes, she picked up her purse fixing her eyes to her phone as it had buzzed.
"Travis is waiting outside. I gotta go." With a cold glare, she stomped off. I followed behind her, with the scroll still crumpled in my hands, and she opened the door revealing a curious Jerry and Eddie.
"So? How did it go?" Jerry said teasingly with a raise of his eyebrow. Kim shoved him and she ran to the elevator. Jerry and Eddie gave me confused looks.
"What's with her?" Eddie asked me. I shrugged helplessly.
"Well Kim's going on a date with a guy that she barely knows, and she's mad at me because apparently I'm being hostile." I growled.
"Dude, she looks wazzed off, yo!" Jerry said, still clutching his chest.
"Let's spy on her date!" Eddie proposed.
"Let's get to the lobby. Like, now." Jerry said, and he dragged my arm to the elevator, not even giving me a say in what I wanted to do.
But now that I think about it, spying on Kim's date was an option that formulated in my head.
The doors slid open, and Jerry, Eddie and I ran out seeing Kim by the front entrance, smiling at a boy who was in a real fancy get-up. His blonde hair was overly gelled and pushed back, and he wore a blue blazer over a t-shirt and that stupid grin on his face that apparently made Kim melt. The two of them locked hands and talked with eachother, both seeming to be in a daze as they smiled at eachother dreamily. My face fell, and it felt like my feelings were bundled up and tossed back and forth, rattling in my brain with disappointment. Jerry and Eddie faced me.
"Sorry, man." Jerry mumbled.
"I couldn't care less. It's just I don't trust that guy. There's something going on, I know it." I said.
"Wait…" Eddie said pointing a finger. "Look at those guys." My eyes followed to where Jerry was pointing and there were a group of boys who were staring at Travis and Kim as they started walking out. Mumbling together and smiling maliciously, it seemed that they started to follow the two lovebirds on their date. All of them seemed very familiar in their Bobby Wasabi T-shirts and such, yet there was one guy that stood out of all of them. He too, had blonde spiky hair, with a malevolent grin glued on his face his crystal blue orbs eyeing Travis and Kim's every movement like a hawk.
That person.
Was Drake.
And that's when the pieces started to come together as Drake and the rest of the boys started to walk out of the lobby as well…in the direction Travis and Kim went.
"Guys that's Drake. He's following Travis and Kim…that must mean something really is wrong." I said, my eyes enlarged, and my heart thumping loudly in my chest. Jerry and Eddie faced me fearfully.
"Where are Travis and Kim headed?" Eddie asked.
"The Eiffel Tower! I think Drake's going to do something!" I yelled.
"Oh no!" Eddie shrieked. "This is bad, this is bad!"
"Well, let's go then!" Jerry said. Immediately, Jerry, Eddie and I charged out the hotel door, sneakily running behind the chain of people to The Eiffel Tower.
Drake and his "minions".
And the two lovebirds prancing about like a happy couple.
Like I said when Jack Anderson senses evil.
There is evil.
Whoa.
As Jerry, Eddie and I approached The Eiffel Tower we couldn't help but stand and admire one of the wonders of the world. As night had raised the city lights were up and running illuminating the effervescent streets of Paris ever so beautifully. The Eiffel Tower stood proudly as the golden lights twinkled, bringing a bit of stress to my eyes. The scenery was gorgeous. What a place.
Okay, switching back to my mission.
Jerry, Eddie and I tip-toed to the corner of the monument where we could see the deserted lobby of The Eiffel Tower. I turned to Drake and his minions as they crept into the entrance of The Eiffel Tower, where I could see a few people still loitering around. From where I was standing, I could see Kim and Travis walking into the elevator with shy grins on their faces. With Travis's grin however, there was a twinge of apprehension…of guilt…of regret.
Is he as bad as I think he is?
Resuming back to the mission, I saw the elevator doors slide shut, and I could hear Drake and his demon-friends mumbling something together, as if devising a game plan while they were huddled in a circle. Along with the scheming I could also hear faint manic laughs. Rather than using the elevator, the boys started climbing up the stairs rapidly. Jerry, Eddie and I dashed inside the tower building. I faced the two and they both gave me curious looks.
"So what's the game plan? Drake's probably heading up there to trash Kim's date." Eddie said.
"I think it's about more than just trashing her stupid date, Eddie." I breathed heavily. "So, I'm going to go up there."
"Wait, but if you go up the stairs—"
"I'll go up the elevator." I interrupted Jerry. "And I'll warn Kim and tell her to come down."
"Can't you just beat them up at the stairs? I mean, come on…that is your specialty." Jerry said.
"I can't just beat them up…not with people still around." I hissed. "The safest thing is to bring Kim down."
"What about us? I think we'd make good back up…eh?" Eddie said.
I shook my head. "No, you guys stay here. If I'm not back in the next half-hour, get help. Call Rudy or something."
"Aw, really?" Jerry wailed. I nodded.
"I don't want anything happening to you guys." I said. "Just stay here, I'll be back." And with that, I rapidly clicked the button to one elevator numerously, waiting for the elevator doors to slide open.
Yes.
The top of The Eiffel Tower.
Where rather than going for sightseeing, and admiring the lovely view of France.
I'm rescuing a girl from her possible doom.
KIM
"How are you enjoying it so far?"
I stared at the lovely, delectable food, sitting on my plate and just waiting for me to devour it, when I've only been taking small bites. The view from the top of one of the wonders of the world seemed so overwhelming, with the city lights brightly shining on the ground, the little cars racing by, and even the little people who looked like ants from up here. And the dinner that Travis had planned seemed extremely grand, with a neat, fancy gourmet dinner set up with a nice round table, and two chairs on both sides, as we sat down.
Yes, yes, it was nothing but a cliché dinner date in France.
However it was sweet.
Mature.
What a gentleman he was.
"It's…it's great." I said, seeming to be at a loss for words. He smiled. "I don't know how you planned this so quickly."
"I planned this ahead of time actually." He said. "I just got lucky that you actually said yes."
I smiled. However, I felt it slightly falter.
Because, rather than thinking about how sweet Travis was, there was only one guy that, much to my frustration, has been lingering in my head like an annoying bug.
You got it.
Jack.
Was he jealous? Was he telling the truth? Or was it that stupid overprotective mind of his on overdrive?
I wasn't sure.
But I shouldn't be thinking about him.
Not during a moment so serene, so magnificent…so perfect.
"So, why don't you tell me about yourself?" Travis said, breaking the awkward silence. I looked up at him.
"Um, okay what do you want to know?"
"Well, for one thing, you're a girl…how did you get so interested in martial arts?"
"I'm flattered by the way you stereotype girls." I said sarcastically, with a smile to convey that I was teasing. He chuckled.
"Sorry," He laughed. "Didn't mean to offend you."
"It's okay…but that's exactly what I wanted to do, you know? Break that stereotype of girls being weaker than guys. I just want to prove people wrong and not being looked at as just another pretty face…and once I want something…I go for it."
Yeah that's me…Kim Crawford.
Your 'voice of reason'.
"You're not like the others are you?" He said, seeming into to be deep in thought as he stared into my eyes.
"Well, I hope not…even when wearing a dress like this," I laughed.
"I think it looks beautiful." He said, smiling at me genuinely. I smiled shyly, looking down.
Aw, he called me pretty!
And Jack said he was a heartbreaker.
"Kim, I have to tell you something," He said, clearing his throat. I looked up, staring at him, beckoning him to continue. His eyes suddenly turned angst-ridden, filled with regret and guilt, and he opened his mouth hesitantly to say that—
Suddenly, his phone rang off. He grabbed it from the table hastily, and stared at the phone, looking at the Caller ID. His eyes were widened with uncertainty and he looked at me, flashing a half-hearted, feeble smile.
"I have to take this, I'm sorry." He said, rising from his chair. I got up along with him.
"Is everything okay?" I asked with concern. He seemed to be unable to speak for a moment, but he nodded, still managing a smile.
"Yeah, everything's fine, I just need to take this…just stay here okay?"
"It's cool, go ahead." I smiled.
"I'm sorry." He said, but when he said it this time, it seemed more…sincere. Like he's really sorry for something…like he didn't want it to happen. With somewhat of a sad look, he ran inside the interior of the building¸ which I believe lead to the stairs, and shut it. With a bored sigh, I stood up from my seat, and walked closer to the terrace, where I could see a better view from the top of the tower. The city lights blurred into my eyes, and the motor of cars echoed faintly in my ears. The chill wind brushed on my skin, and flowed through my blonde hair. Everything seemed so serene and discreet…
"So we meet again, huh?"
That voice…
I recognize that anywhere.
I twisted around, seeing a large group of boys standing and eyeballing me maliciously with sinister grins curved on their faces. My eyes were enlarged with surprise, and I could've sworn my bottom lip was quivering in anxiety. Chortling, one of the boys stepped out and walked closer towards me, and gave me a wave.
"Well, well I knew I'd be seeing you again." The boy said.
"What do you want, Drake?" I replied coldly.
"It's funny Kim," He started slowly walking around me in circles. My feet seemed to be glued to the floor, standing like a statue. I took deep, uneven breaths as he started walking around me. "I didn't think you'd actually come here. I thought you were smarter than that."
"What are you talking about?" I asked skeptically.
"We all know why you came here Kim." He said.
"Yeah, you came to go on a date with my dojo-mate!" One guy peeped from the large crowd. Drake rolled his eyes.
Wait…what?
The crowd is a lot bigger…and Drake only has four members in his dojo.
"Let me do the talking, man!" He whined.
"Wait…" I said, thinking. "Why is… Travis's dojo with you?"
"I'll ask the questions here, sweetheart." He replied, grinning cockily. "You came here for the clue didn't you? How did you find out about it?"
"In case you haven't noticed, I'm kind of a smart girl." I retorted.
"If you were smart, you would know it's rude to eavesdrop." Drake said. He grinned evilly here. I furrowed my brow, staring at Drake, utterly baffled.
And I'm positive that you're confused about this situation as well…
So sit tight…
It's about to get crazy.
"Wait…you knew I was eavesdropping?" I said, with a crack in my voice as it escalated higher.
"Stupid, silly girl…if you hadn't eavesdropped we wouldn't be here." Drake smiled. The rest of the boys snickered, inching closer towards me. My heart thumped rapidly in my chest, with butterflies in my stomach, and my arms and legs immediately feelings like jelly.
And as soon as Drake said those four words, I knew that I've just made the biggest, stupidest mistake of my life.
"Welcome to the trap."
"You…you…you set me up! The clue isn't hidden in The Eiffel Tower…is it?" I screamed at them, still standing in place. They all laughed.
"Kim, you set yourself up. You were the one to eavesdrop on us. And you were the one to believe our little act. We were just the icing on top of the cake." Drake said. "Now…we can do this the easy way or the hard way. You can give us the object you found back in Hawaii…and we'll tell you where the clue really is."
"In your dreams, San Francisco boy," I said icily.
"Then I'm afraid we have to do this the hard way…" Drake said. "My North Carolina allies…get her."
I ducked as one of the boys aimed their first punch, and I stepped back. I spun around and kicked the boy in the stomach, causing him to fall down, and clutch his stomach in pain.
But he just rose right back up.
Five boys circulated around me, and they started flying all the punches and kicks they could. I ducked, and did what I could to defend myself…punches, kicks, slaps…in fact I wasn't doing so bad, since they hadn't hit me yet.
But that's when things flew downhill.
From behind me, I could feel two tight, muscular arms wrapped around my arms and waist tightly like a rope. From below me, I saw another guy tying ropes around my legs, so I had no spot of defense whatsoever. I struggled to release from the boy's rigid grasp, but it rendered itself useless.
"Let…me…go!" I growled, as I continued to struggle from the idiots grasp. All he did was chuckle. I saw Drake step towards me, giving me a smile, with the other boys behind him.
"Hey you had your choice." Drake said, stepping so close, I could smell his nasty breath. "Now it's my turn. And I think your brain needs a little hiatus from the clue-investigating don't you think?"
Oh no.
He wouldn't.
His fist was spread wide out in the air, aiming for my skull. My eyes widened, as I still attempted to release from the firm grasp. Suddenly, out of nowhere, my mind trailed back to what happened from that night…
The gun aiming towards my skull.
The glimpse of a malicious smile on the killer's face…
"Say goodnight princess." He smiled.
"Say goodnight princess." The coated boy had said in a low husky voice.
The voice.
It was a boy.
And with a laugh, he swung his clenched fist, aiming for my skull…
When a hand caught it.
I stared awestruck, at the brunette's sudden entrance, as he defensively stepped in front of me. His back was turned on me, but I could instantly tell who it was as soon as he growled his famous catchphrase "You probably shouldn't have done that."
Jack.
Jack kicked Drake's stomach, leaving him flying, and the rest of the boys started attacking him. Jack managed to lock eyes with me for a second, and they were filled of pure anxiousness. Not anger…not resent…they were filled with concern.
But his eyes immediately turned away, and he used all the tricks and motions he could to defeat the two dojos. Rather than letting go, the guy held on to me even tighter, dragging me away from the battle scene. I struggled even harder, but he wouldn't budge.
"Don't think you're leaving that easily." The boy huffed. "We have a special place reserved for you…" And when I looked at where the guy was dragging me, it seemed to be a door.
With the words "Storage Closet" etched on the top of it.
"LET…GO…OF…ME….NOW!" I screamed, strangling harder than ever, attempting to wriggle my way out of the grasp, and yet failing once again. I frantically turned my head to Jack, who was trying his best to battle the boys.
But 9 against 1 are tough to battle.
Even for The Jack Anderson.
Jack was trying to use all the karate moves he could, punching and crushing all the bones he could, taking down one boy at a time…
Not his smartest move.
Drake peered behind him, and aimed a long metallic rod to his head. My eyes were wide with worry.
Oh crap.
"JA—" I started to shrill loudly.
And the boy's hand clasped over my mouth.
Making it too late.
The rod collided with Jack's head with a loud "bang!" and Jack collapsed to the ground, not moving a muscle. Two of the boys picked up his body as if it were a toy, and dragged it over to where I was. Tears sprinkled down my eyes, as I saw Jack unconscious. I screamed under the hand that was over my mouth, but they all took no notice. Drake opened the closet door, and they threw Jack in the closet. The boy that had covered my mouth finally took his hand away, and I faced Drake.
"You wouldn't dare!" I screamed.
"Throw her in too." Drake smiled. "I think these two need some rest." Obeying, the boy flung me into the closet, and my body collided against the cold floor.
"Sweet dreams you two." Drake said. I weakly attempted to rise up, but couldn't. I could only see darkness as the inky black sky rose, making it hard to see Drake's face. "We'll be back after we get the fourth clue, and your object. I'm sure Travis would love to know that the plan worked."
Tears continued sprinkling down my cheeks.
Travis.
He set me up.
He played me like a puppet.
He…
He betrayed me.
I stared at Jack's unconscious face in utter guilt and anxiety.
"So…Travis…he knew about this?" I asked.
"Sweetie, he's part of this trap. You were just stupid enough to fall for it." Drake said malevolently.
"You're a real monster, you know that?" I retorted weakly.
"Thank you. Au revoir, mon chère." Drake said in a French accent. And with a chorus of laughter, they slammed the door shut and locked it, leaving Jack and I in darkness.
Pure darkness.
I feebly attempted to bang on the door, but it was no use. I tried shaking Jack awake, but it was also no use.
I had to face the fact.
I was horribly tricked.
I was horribly used.
I was horribly trapped.
And I was enduring a horrible time in Paris.
A/N-Oh my freaking god. A LOT of things happened in this incredibly long chappie! Let's start with Travis. I'd really like to know what YOU think about Travis, because right now, he's somewhat of an iffy. So is Travis the good guy…or the bad guy? I mean, he did lure Kim into Drake's trap! Speaking of which….JACK AND KIM ARE LOCKED UP IN A CLOSET! How will they get out? Who's going to break them free? Will they ever get their revenge on Drake? And…what about the clue? Turns out Drake totally set Kim up, and tricked her. So, if the clue isn't hidden in The Eiffel Tower, then where is it? I'll give you a hint…the place HAS been mentioned in this chapter…see if you can find out where the fourth clue is! Okay, let's get away from the tragedy of this chapter. How about JULIE! See, I told you a surprise guest was to appear! Yes, she's back…but will Milton and Julie finally have their first kiss?
So. Many. QUESTIONS!
Frankly, this is chapter is like crap to me. I'm not really satisfied with it, but if you guys like it then I guess that's all that matters. Anyway, hope you enjoyed the chapter! Review my amazing readers! Please review! I took a lot of time and effort into this chapter, even with my state tests next week! So make me happy with the reviews! Thanks so much for reading! Luv you guys!
Peace and love,
~Taylor
PS- Expect an update from me again on the 30th…MY BIRTHDAY! :D