Chapter 23: Stars, Stripes, Blood
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Asada had been drawing when out the corner of her eye she saw Eric shift uncomfortably in his seat. "I'm surprised you're up, there's still almost 2 hours left on the flight." Asada said in a whisper. They started talking in a quiet tone.
"I got some sleep, but between a minor fear of heights and the fact that I hate flying in airplanes means I don't get much sleep on these flights." Eric said.
"You ok?" Asada asked.
"yeah, I just really don't like airplanes." Eric replied.
"Everything will be ok." Asada said as she held Eric's hand.
"Right." Eric said with a smile.
"Well when we land it will be quite late, so what do you say we eat some dinner at a fast food place then get a hotel for the night?" Asada asked.
"Sounds good, then we will meet up with my family tomorrow." Eric answered.
"I can't wait to meet them." Asada said.
"Yeah they're really nice, I look forward to introducing you to everyone." Eric said. Eric thought about something and chuckled.
"What?" Asada asked.
"I can imagine some of them saying something like; Finally he got a girl that will be a good influence on him." Eric replied with a laugh.
"Well I guess we'll find out." Asada said.
"Yeah." Eric said. Eric and Asada chatted for a while until the captain announced they were landing shortly. The plane landed and Eric and Asada got into a taxi that took them to a nearby McDonalds. Asada ordered them each a big mac.
"While we're waiting for our orders I'll check my phone to see some nearby hotels." Eric said.
"Alright, I'll let you know when I see that the foods ready." Asada said. Eric nodded and took out his phone and started surfing the web. Eric found a hotel close to them time the food finished. "How about we go check into the hotel then eat." Asada suggested.
"Alright, I'll call for a cab." Eric said as they walked outside. After a minute a cab pulled up and took Eric and Asada to the Moonlight hotel. They paid the cabdriver and walked in and to the front desk. "Excuse me, how much will a room cost?" Eric asked.
"I need more info, how many beds? Type of view? Standard or V.I.P room? How many nights?" The receptionist asked.
"2 bed, cheapest view, standard, 1 night." Eric answered.
"$250." The receptionist said. Eric's jaw dropped.
"Um how much for all that but with 1 bed instead of 2?" Asada asked.
"$100." The receptionist said.
"I can pay $100 I guess." Eric said with a sigh.
"Better than $250." Asada said.
"Yeah." Eric agreed. Eric payed for the room then they got the key and headed up to their room on the 5th floor. They sat on the bed and watched TV as they ate their food, after they finished Asada stood up while Eric sat in a chair while working on his tablet.
"I'm gonna take a shower, be out in a bit." Asada said.
"Alright." Eric said as he continued working. Asada finished her shower a little while later and saw that Eric was now doodling something on his notepad.
"The water feels nice, you should go take you a shower." Asada said.
"Alright, I will in a sec." Eric said as he finished up doodling a little monster.
"What's that?" Asada asked.
"I'm working on a game app and I want something like this to be the starter creature." Eric replied. Eric handed Asada the drawing, it was a small monster that looked like a little ball that had floating bone shards around it, with menacing eyes and sharp teeth.
"While you are taking your shower do you mind if I make a few changes?" Asada asked.
"Go ahead." Eric said as he grabbed some clothes and stepped into the bathroom to shower. Asada grabbed her own notebook and began making random sketches that were similar to Eric's. When Eric finished showering Asada showed him her improved version. "Wow, that's amazing." Eric said as he looked at the design. "Can I use this as the reference for the creature in the game?" Eric asked.
"Of course you can." Asada replied with a smile. Eric sat in the chair and started working on his tablet again.
"If you don't mind I might request your help with more creature designs." Eric said.
"I'll help you anytime you want, now it's late so come on. Let's go to bed." Asada said.
"5 more minutes please?" Eric asked with a pouty face.
"No, we got to go in the morning." Asada said. Eric moped over and laid in bed with Asada. "You can work on it tomorrow." Asada said.
"You're right." Eric said.
"Goodnight." Asada said
"Goodnight." Eric said as they snuggled close together. They both slept peacefully until morning and they got up and checked out of the hotel. 'Why am I getting a bad feeling?' Eric thought as him and Asada started walking away from the front desk to leave. Eric's eyes widened he saw a guy walk past him. 'hoodie pulled over his head and reaching into his back pockets? That's trouble for sure.' Eric thought. "Asada listen to me, go hide behind one of the thick pillars, now." Eric said in a hushed tone. Asada looked at him with eyes full of worry. "Trust me." Eric said as he turned around and walked back towards the front desk. Asada did as Eric said as hid behind a pillar.
"Everyone get down! This is a robbery!" The guy yelled as he took out his gun and started waving it around at the front desk. "Give me all the money!" The robber shouted. Eric came up behind him and grabbed the robbers hand and smashed it into the desk. The robber dropped the gun and kicked Eric back.
"You picked the wrong time to try a robbery." Eric said. The robber got into a boxing stance. Eric dodged all of the robbers punches. Eric swept the robber's legs and kicked him across the floor. Eric ran at the robber as he reached for his gun. The robber spun around and pulled the trigger. Bang! Smack! Thud! The robber fainted after Eric hit him square in the face. "Call the police." Eric said as he gripped his bleeding shoulder.
"Eric!" Asada yelled as she ran up to Eric with tears in her eyes.
"I'm ok." Eric said as he sat on the floor.
"Ok? You're shot!" Asada shouted.
"I'm sure the police and Ambulances are on the way." Eric said calmly. Asada sat down and hugged Eric.
"Stop playing hero please, this is just another time you got hurt and could've died." Asada said.
"I'm sorry, but if you are in trouble I'm gonna do whatever I can to make you safe, and I'm also going to stop trouble if I can." Eric said.
"Well then at least keeping coming out of it alive." Asada said.
"As long as you need and want me I won't die." Eric said.
"I will always need and want you, however that does not make you bullet proof." Asada said.
"No but my feelings for you makes me bullet proof, see I got shot and I'm just fine." Eric said as he gestured to his shoulder. Asada just kept ahold of him till the Cops and Medics arrived. The medics removed the bullet and bandaged Eric's shoulder up.
"That arm might, no, it will hurt for a while. So take it easy with that arm." A medic said.
"But in the end you should be just fine." A different medic said.
"Alright thanks." Eric said. Eric gave his statement to the police officers and him and Asada got into a cab and headed towards his home town.
"So where are we going to stay while we're here?" Asada asked.
"My parents said we can stay in my old room." Eric replied.
"Cool." Asada said.
"Odds are they didn't touch anything which means my room will be full of anime stuff and the walls covered in anime fanart and posters." Eric said.
"What kind of anime stuff?" Asada asked.
"An old Anime cosplay outfit or two, some anime weapons, and lots of anime action figures." Eric replied with a smile for all the fond memories.
"I can't wait to see your old room." Asada said trying to picture what it might look like.
"It's probably still messy." Eric said with a chuckle.
"Knowing you yeah." Asada said with a laugh. After a long drive the cab pulled off the main road and onto a dirt road. A couple of minutes later the car stopped at a gate. Eric and Asada got out and payed. Eric stepped to the gate and unlocked it. "How far of a walk is it?" Asada asked.
"Eh if we wanna stop in the town a short walk but If we wanna head straight to the house a decent walk." Eric replied.
"Town?" Asada asked confused.
"Well you see there is a bunch of people living on this huge property and there is a town and a beach. My family owns most of this property, each part of my family has their own house somewhere in the forest away from the rest of the people." Eric explained.
"Whoa!" Asada shouted in amazement.
"If you want I can carry you most of the way quickly." Eric said.
"You sure?" Asada asked.
"Yeah." Eric said.
"Alright but put me down when you get tired." Asada said. Eric nodded then crouched. Asada climbed onto his back.
"Hold on." Eric said as Asada wrapped her arms around him. "Ready?" Eric asked.
"Yeah." Asada said. Eric took off running. "Whoa! Don't over do it." Asada said as Eric was still running at full speed.
"After being in that coma for so long I need some excise." Eric said.
"However you need to do it slowly and not hurt yourself." Asada stated.
"I'm fine." Eric said as he didn't slow down. Eric ran ¾ the way there before he slowed to a walk.
"I can walk if you want." Asada said.
"It's fine, We're almost there." Eric said trying to maintain a steady flow of breath. After just a few minutes a big brick house came into view.
"Amazing." Asada said when she saw the size of it. Eric stopped at the porch and let Asada get down. Eric stretched.
"That was a nice workout." Eric said.
"You still might hurt later." Asada said.
"Maybe." Eric said.
"Eric?" A woman asked as she stepped outside.
"Hello mom." Eric said.
"Come inside." Eric's Mom said. Eric and Asada stepped inside and walked into the living room.
"I'm surprised you're not at work." Eric said.
"I have a few weeks off." Eric's mom said.
"Ah, well mom this is Asada." Eric said as he gestured towards Asada.
"Nice to meet you." Asada said.
"Well it's nice to meet you too." Eric's mom said. "What happened to your arm?" Eric's mom asked
"Oh it's nothing." Eric said.
"He got shot." Asada answered.
"Really?" Eric asked.
"Yeah." Asada said.
"How'd you get shot this time?" Eric's mom asked.
"I stopped a robber." Eric replied.
"You need to stop getting into dangerous situations." Eric's mom said.
"I know, Asada done gave me an earful about being reckless." Eric said.
"You could probably use another." Asada said.
"Oh yay I'm already getting teamed up against." Eric said with a laugh.