Kurtis Trent

Parisian Streets

6:00 AM

William grabbed Kurtis' shoulders and rocked him on the table.

"Come on. Wake up."

Kurtis opened his eyes, glancing at his brother, and then yawned the sleep off, shifting his elbow so it covered his eyes. His hand over his eyes, as the sunlight came through the curtain of the window stung his eyes. He cursed under his breath and moved his head out of the morning light. He had worked late last night and fell asleep on the table.

Did the police find the woman, or did she escape them?

"What time is it?" Kurtis asked.

"Trouble time," William said.

"What trouble?" Kurtis asked, standing up, he looked at the clock that hung on the wall next to the TV, Kurtis could see that it was. 5:59 AM.

"We have a problem." William sighed and sat on the bed. "The police have identified the woman who left the apartments of the two victims."

"Wait, two?" Kurtis lifted an eyebrow at that.

I only know about Werner.

"Police have found another Monstrum-killing late last night after 2 AM and..." Kurtis tapped his shoulder.

"Brother?"

"The police have identified the woman from last night to be the famous Lara Croft," William said.

"Your friend from London," Kurtis said.

That's why she looked so familiar last night.

"Yes, I don't understand what she's doing here, Kurtis," William said, and Kurtis saw his little brother rub his eye trying to hide any signs that he wanted to cry.

The life of a Lux means no one - no family or friends - made it out alive.

"Look, if this is Lara Croft you're talking about then luck is on our side," Kurtis said. "Last time I checked, nothing can take her down and we need all the help we can get."

"But I don't want Lara to find out about this life," William said. "It was hard enough to keep this from her when she found the Amazonian's stories on those damn paintings."

The once in the museum back in London. I didn't even get to look at those.

"Unfortunately she found out, but the good thing is you're going to leave in five minutes for Turkey so she won't see you. I'll keep in the shadows." Kurtis sighed. "I'll be watching, waiting until I have to step in and fight."

"So to quote from last night brother." William laughed. "She's gonna be difficult to handle."

"Makes it more challenging. Now get your bags and go, you don't want to be late," Kurtis said.

William nodded and grabbed his backpack, leaving for Turkey.

Kurtis also grabbed his bag and his bike keys. Went down past the receptionist who winked at him but he just smiled and continued. Outside on the quiet streets of Paris, he climbed onto his bike. Driving up and down to look for a nearby coffee shop and thinking of how he was going to track down Miss Croft.

If I was the famous Lara Croft, where would I hide?

Lara Croft

Parisian Ghetto

6:00 AM

"You're almost returning to your full powers now."

I walked around in the darkness, the only light from the moon and the milky way as I tried to find her but I only heard her speak.

"You're learning well, Lara. Remember each challenge makes you stronger."

A pause. "Your inner strength is increasing. One battle is not the whole war, Lara. There are dangers, yet unseen, aligned against you."

Lara walked on. A hazy band of light seen in the night sky formed from stars cannot be individually distinguished by the naked eye in a milky way. There was no sign of her, as Lara turned in circles to look for her, but Lara found herself alone in the darkness that was around her. The light of the milky way showed some dunes from far, pyramids in the distance, and she only heard her voice but how if she cannot see her.

"A new world order is poised to emerge from the shadows. You must make your stand. The future needs you and him, now more than ever."

I wondered who this 'him' was and why we both were needed. I didn't feel ready yet. To be honest, I didn't think I ever would.

"I don't think I can go on with this, Putai." Lara sighed and stopped walking.

Maybe I needed to retire and just stay home from now on.

"You have unique strengths, Lara. Learn to trust them."

"How will I remember, Putai?" Lara asked, rubbing her eyes and blinking a little trying not to let the tear fall.

"Whenever your need is strong."

Then she spotted a beautiful amulet that was just a few feet in front of her. Lara carefully stepped to it and took it.

As she took it Putai spoke again from all around her.

"Remember the amulet. It will help you learn."

Lara took a breath. "But the past still troubles me."

Her past flashed through her mind. She saw images of the pyramid falling on top of her, she saw Werner, she saw her parents, and even saw Roth.

"Have patience. Whatever is useful from the past, will come to you as you need it. For now, learn what you must with each new situation."

Lara looked up as she placed the amulet close to her chest, trying to remember that she should keep going, that was what Roth always said.

"I will learn, Putai," Lara said.

"There is great darkness ahead of you, Lara. Remember the amulet and use your strength wisely. You are ready."

"Where are you?" Lara asked, trying to find Putai as she spoke but it was like she was speaking from her hands now, there in the amulet. How the shaman did it, she would never know.

"Where I have always been. Remember the amulet." Lara smiled.

She woke up in an old railway car. Last night she ran from Carver's apartment block and found herself in an abandoned railway area of Paris. She spent the rest of the night hiding from the police. She sat up and took out the small notebook. It fit in her jean pockets easily.

"Eckhardt - client. Be wary!"

I wonder why Werner had to write this.

Lara left it there and went on to the next page. "Louis Bouchard. Useful contact - purchased handgun. Discretion assured."

Now there is someone I can contact for some weapons. I wonder where this Bouchard hides. Better ask around.

"Terrified to go out. Monstrum terrorizing the streets."

That just confirms why he was so jumpy.

She sighed. He wrote he had tried to contact her again in London. Still, she hadn't forgiven him for Egypt.

Werner, I will find who killed you.

Sleet pounded against the side of the railcar. The winter bit at Lara's exposed skin.

She closed the book and climbed out of the vehicle. Huddled close to a fire in an old drum, a homeless male watched Lara as she neared him.

Homeless people have ears everywhere. Might know where Bouchard is.

"Is this your pitch?" Lara asked, glancing at the surroundings of the abandoned railway. There was an old mattress in the corner near the homeless man. Trees and bushes grew out of the ground everywhere. Vines covered the walls.

"All Paris is my pitch. Got any spare changes? For coffee?" the homeless man said, His eyes went up and down her body. He rubbed his chin.

"Maybe. I need to find a man," Lara said.

The man grinned. "Then look no further, ma petite."

Oh, gods. Does this man think I want him? So not my style, thank you.

"There is a particular man," Lara said, pointing at the homeless man. "Bouchard, Louis Bouchard. Know him?"

The homeless man looked down for a minute, then he shook his head.

"No. Never heard of him."

He's lying.

"Even for spare change?"

"Go away! I never heard of him!" he shouted at Lara.

Bingo.

"So where could I ask?" Lara said. "I could use a coffee. How about you?"

"Try Café Metro. In the Place L'Arcada. The owner might be able to help you. Knows all kinds of stuff."

"Sounds like my kind of café."

"What about the spare change?" He held out his hand.

"I didn't say I had any."

I'm broke.

"Then welcome to Paris." The homeless man went on with his fire.

What does he know that he doesn't want to tell me?

Kurtis Trent

Café Metro

6:30am

Kurtis parked his bike at the corner of a quiet café in the Parisian Ghetto. He headed in only to see that the place was as dead as the streets. The owner stood at the register, looking at the newspaper in front of him. He looked up when Kurtis walked in.

He walked up to Kurtis with a smile.

"Can I help you, sir?"

"Yes, can you give me coffee, bacon, and eggs on toast, and maybe an English newspaper."

Kurtis spotted a table at the corner and headed there. The owner walked off after saying something about his order.

It wasn't long before his order was in front of him.

He opened up the newspaper, only to see the famous Lara Croft's face all over it with the headline:

PARISIAN 'MONSTRUM' KILLINGS CONTINUE. LARA CROFT WANTED FOR QUESTIONING.