Arezzo, Italy

The Airport

Kurtis Trent

Five days later, Kurtis was sitting at the airport waiting near gate one. His flight was going to leave in an hour. He was leaving Arezzo, Itay, and was going to New York from there he would take his motorbike, that he airlifts, from there to Salt Lake, Utah. His old hometown was where he would start looking for answers. Right now he was enjoying his cup of black coffee while reading the newspaper.

The Newspapers headline was: Lady Lara Croft back from the dead?

Do these people not have like a life or something.

Kurtis sighed as he read on, Lady Croft arrives at home after being missing for nearly two years. Everyone wants answers but Lady Croft has still not come out for any comments to how she survived a temple collapsing on top of her or why she has been hiding for the last two years.

Kurtis placed the newspaper down and sipped his coffee.

Reports are so annoying.

Not long after, a woman came and sat next to him. Kurtis gave a glance at her. He smiled at her as she was wearing her usual outfit, a pair of short jeans with a black top with some flip flops.

The woman glanced at him and caught him staring. She returned the smile.

The speaker buzzed to life and there was an announcement, "Flight A320 from Arezzo to New York has been delayed for five hours due to technical difficulties. We are sorry for the inconvenience."

Kurtis groaned, the longer he took to find his brother and stop the Cabal, how shorter his time got. He already got word that the Cabal had found the first location of the obscure paintings. One of five, meaning the closer they get in finding all the shorter time he has in stopping them.

Kurtis let out an irritating sigh, to catch them he must be faster and smarter.

It's only twelve of us left, meaning if we fail then the Cabal wins.

"Kurtis."

He glanced back at her, "Steph, what are you doing here?" He finally asked.

"I brought you this," Steph said, handing him the file. "I dug a bit deeper and found something on your brother and the last place he has been."

"Thanks," Kurtis said, taking the file.

"I think you'll like the place he was last seen."

Kurtis opened up the file and read through it until he saw the name. "Looks like I'm changing my flight."

Steph chuckled, touching his shoulder. "Just be careful."

Her fingers trailed down his arm, goosebumps running through the hairs on his skin.

"Gunderson was blind," Kurtis said. "When he found out who I was, I quickly escaped."

"Still he knows how you move," Steph said, her hand leaving his arm. "He gave Eckhardt the tips to track you down."

"I have to go. Go into hiding until the Cabal is no more." Kurtis said. "I'm gonna find all the paintings and destroy them."

They both stood up. Steph smiled at him and planted a kiss on his cheek before leaving.

Steph, why can't I just tell you how I feel. Why does it feel like there's a wall between us? My mind wants you but my heart tells me no.

Kurtis watched her leave and sighed, heading over to the airline kiosks to change his flight so that he was going where his brother was last seen. The lady smiled at him as he approached.

"How may I help you, sir?" the kiosk lady said.

"Can I change my flight to London, please?" Kurtis said, handing her the ticket he bought a few hours ago.

"Yes, sir," the kiosk lady said, typing on her computer and printing a new ticket.

"Here you go, sir," the kiosk lady said, handing Kurtis the ticket. "The flight leaves in a half an hour, please be ready at gate five."

Kurtis nodded and he went back to a chair and sat and waited again.

While he waited he took the file and opened it up.

Let's see what he has been doing.

02/2001: He went to Egypt to meet up with a woman known as Lara Croft. They were digging for the Amulet of Horus. Something went wrong and Lady Croft was buried underneath a temple after it collapsed. Rumors say that they had released Seth and Miss Croft had imprisoned him again but this led to her being buried alive.

So William knew Lady Croft and this is why she has been gone for two years.

Kurtis shook his head reading on.

03/2001: William and Werner von Croy were still busy digging and searching for the Lady's body but the government came and took away the digging forms. The government said that the temple was more important than one person's life. It was their ancestor's greatest work and should be left alone. William stayed in Egypt and went on studying the ruins of the pyramids in the area. Trying his best to find another way to find the Ladies body.

I wonder how close he was with Lady Croft to go through this search for her.

2002: William decided to pack up all his things and give up the search for Miss Croft. He left Egypt and has been traveling all over the world. From Egypt to Rome, to Japan back to his hometown in Utah.

What has he been doing, looks like Steph could only find out where he was going.

2003(Present year): A week ago William traveled to London, he was on the lead of something big but he didn't tell anyone what it was.

The intercom buzzed to life again and his location was up next. He got up and walked to the gate that would lead him to the plane.

Surrey, England

Croft Manor

Lara Croft

Sunlight poured through the curtains, making her shift in her bed. The door creaked open, making her open her eyes as the strong scent of tea wafted up to her nose, tickling her senses. Lara looked to her left to see Winston stepping through the doorway, a tray in his hands.

Ah breakfast, wonderful.

"Rise and shine, Lara," Winston said, setting down the tray at the end of the bed. "It's a beautiful day."

"Morning, Winston," Lara said, sitting up straight.

Winston strolled towards the curtains, pulling them back. The sun flitted through the window making the room brighter, stinging Lara's eyes.

Lara placed her hand over her eyes. "Bugger."

"It's a nice day to enjoy," Winston said.

Lara lowered her hand, glancing at Winston.

"And why would I want to do that?" Lara said.

He only smiled at her taking an envelope.

"Because of this letter I got this morning," Winston said, handing her the envelope.

"Thank you, Winston," Lara said, as Lara took it from him and examined it. There was a return address that can be sent back to London.

He nodded and walked out of her room, closing the door behind him.

Lara stood up, grabbing her cup of steaming tea. She walked out onto the balcony. A week had gone by since she had been home, with only her close friends knowing that she was alive. She didn't want to talk to the reporters. Sitting her tea down on the table, she leaned over the railing - overlooking the manor's lush garden. She sighed, glancing at the white envelope and tearing off the top. There was a piece of paper inside, which she took and unfolded open.

Dear Lara,

I heard that you have returned from Egypt. I couldn't believe what I heard, but I'm happy that you're alive and healthy. I have something that belongs to you and I want to give it back to you, personally. I know you are wondering what I want in return, well I only want to chat and see how you've been coping after the whole event.

Please meet me in London, at the National Gallery by the Amazonian's story tomorrow at 1 pm.

I hope to see you again.

Yours truly,

William Heissturm

Lara folded back the paper and glanced back at her garden.

After Egypt, I didn't even call him. We're best friends and my partner, back in Egypt.

Lara sighed as she didn't want to be reminded of Egypt again. William had helped her look into the Amulet of Horus and he even had warned her of the danger.

I should have listened.

She grabbed her tea and headed back in, she had to prepare for her trip to London tomorrow.

I wonder what he has of mine.