"Ok, boys and girls," said Lucia sarcastically trying to lighten the situation, "The story goes like this… Once upon a time, on a road trip, we went to this dance club…"
"Wait, what does that have to do with anything," Conchito asked
"Just be patient," Brie said irritably.
"Anyway," said Lucia, "we met some guys there, they seemed really nice and everything, and so we danced a couple dances with them, but we didn't know that they were all friends… I think they tracked us all they way here. So they all led us here to this clearing, had us sing one of our songs, "Moulin Rouge," And then like Ali had this little aura thing going on around her, and then it got brighter, and then with a blinding flash of light it was gone, and she fell to the ground and disappeared."
The guys' eyes all got really big in surprise.
"Wait," said Carlos, "on the phone I thought I heard something about Underworld,"
"You mean hell?" asked Brie, "well I supposed someone was swearing."
"It was Benjamin," said Lucia softly.
"No," said Carlos, "I was talking about Underworld, Mexico, it's a sacred spot,"
"Like the prophecy Ali told us about," said Maria.
"What prophesy?" asked Carlos.
"Ummmmmmmmmmm, I can't really remember…it had something to do with a foreign country and something sacred, and a sacrifice." Said Maria
"I know where we can find it," said Brie, "I'm absolutely sure that I put it on our website some where, where would a laptop be?"
"Skye's probably got one somewhere in that mansion of hers" said Lucia.
"What are we waiting for let's go then," said Brie.
"We'll catch up with you guys later, we've got something to do first," said Carlos.
"We do?" asked Mateo.
"Yes, we do," said Timoteo through clenched teeth and a forced grin as he elbowed Mat in the stomach.
"Oh, yeah, see ya in a bit," said Mateo wincing.
The girls all headed off towards the house.
(No batteries included POV)
"Alright," said Carlos, "I don't care how Sherlock Holmes this sounds but we've got to look for clues,"
"God, are you gonna drag us all over the globe trying to find this girl?" asked Conchito.
"Yes, my fellow warrior, we will fight to the bitter end," Carlos answered.
Tim rolled his eyes.
After about half and hour of searching and not finding anything, the guys all sat down on a log to think.
"I wonder," said Timoteo getting back up and walking toward where Ali had disappeared. He bent to the ground and examined it, rubbing a finger along the grass he exclaimed "Ah ha Flash powder,"
"Well," said Conchito sarcastically, "we know how they did it but where did they take her?"
"I've got a theory for that too," said Tim, "did she have her cell phone with her when this happened? They're always all carrying one around,"
"I see what you're saying," said Carlos, Conchito nodded.
"I don't," said Mateo.
"It means, dipwad, that we're going to track her with her cell phone," said Tim.
"Ohhh, I knew that," said Mateo.
"Which means we're gonna have to contact, Philipé," said Carlos.
After a few moments of silence Mat asked, "don't you have a prophesy in your family?"
"No," said Carlos, "but there's this really old story that's been passed down for generations.
"How's it go?" asked Mat.
"The only part I really remember is…And he shall bring the chosen virgin up from the fires of hell, saving from death and destruction, and any offspring shall hold a great many powers…and he shall rule over, with her as his queen," Carlos narrated, "But seeing as it's just a story and most of it doesn't make any sense than I suppose that it won't help our situation any."
"Well we'd better call Philipé then," said Tim.
Back in the house, the girls were probably having more luck than the guys
(Brie's we go I though as the screen for our website loaded. First things first, mail…I'm sorry but at a time like this you can find help in the strangest places. The first couple of messages were the typical perverts the 'send me your picture, nude and we can get together', Honestly, some people.
"Alright, enough fan mail, said Lucia, "let's find that prophesy,"
"Fine," I said.
Clicking under stories, it brought up all our life stories and such. Scrolling to the bottom, I found what I was looking for. 'AK prophesy' double clicking on it I brought it up.
Here's how it goes…
She shall be of the line of Mary the most holy, and she shall be a virgin, she shall be the one chosen, not only by goodness, but by evil powers as well, she shall either save or destruct. Balance lies in her hands, and the hands of him. And should she stray, he shall bring the chosen virgin up from the fires of hell, saving from death and destruction, and any offspring shall hold a great many powers. After the sacrifice is held in that sacred spot, and evil beaten down with a stave, and they shall rule over, and bringeth peace unto the land.
There was another little bit at the end but I didn't bother to read it, unknown to me Maria did:
But only she can beat the daemon turning his own fires against him, with a pattern old as time itself.
"It's all Greek to me," I said hitting the print button. We might need a copy of it later. Hmm I'm curious I typed in underworld, Mexico. Up popped a bunch of websites related to that topic, but I clicked on the version from Encyclopedia Britannica.
"Underworld, Mexico…
"In the village of Acatzingo Viejo. In the center of the village lie the seven caves of creation, excavated out of a steep limestone slope, where the Mayan ancestors came from, and where they were closest to their Gods, considered even today to be a sacred spot. Alters, incense burners, that are at least 20,000 years old are still used there today, as Mayan decedents go to pray to the elders, and they old gods.
"Also located near this site, is the Pyramid of the Sun at Teothuacan, this pyramid contains stone drains that may have channeled rainwater into the chamber to intensify its connection to the spiritual underworld.
"Interview of the area's current inhabitants reveals a longstanding regional belief that water originates in mountains and issues out of caves. Native groups in Mexico and Central America have long regarded caves with water sources as symbols of "the generative womb of the Earth" that gave birth to humanity.
"The dead and sacrifices are buried near the gates to the underworld, to provide a faster and quicker, direct passage between the two."
(Some of the information from above was taken from http/ blah blah I thought Oh well might as well print it too.
"The guys still haven't shown," said Lucia, "Let's go see if we can find them since we're done here,"
"Ok," said Maria grabbing the papers.
We met up with the guys down in the house's courtyard (like it's been said before, Skye lives in a mansion), using the pay phone.
Lucia poked me, "Psst," she whispered "Don't they have cell phones?"
"I thought so," I whispered back.
"Hey!" I shouted over, they all turned to me.
"Shush," they said as one.
"Honestly," I said, rolling my eyes.
I walked up and tapped Carlos on the shoulder; it was Tim that was calling. "Why are you guys calling on a pay phone, when you guys have a cell phone?"
"All the music and such (the party was still going on) is messing with the signals, so we can't talk to anyone outside this area, and we have to call someone from Iowa,"
"Oh," I said, I little confused, but I wasn't here to argue, so I went back to the girls. "What time is it?" I asked them.
"Quarter 'til," Maria said. I felt a pang of sadness, every time we'd say that, Ali would always look at us with a funny expression and ask "Quarter 'til what?"
"Ok so we have like about a little over an hour until everyone leaves. In that time we need to go ask Skye if we can still use that room and if the guys can get a room too," I said "We can find out who they're calling later" I jerked my eyes over to the guys who were still on the pay phone. It didn't take too long to find Skye she was over by the karaoke station again.
"Where's Ali?" is the first thing that came out of her mouth. Stepping on Maria's toe, to stop the answer she was about to give, I answered.
"She had to leave early." I told her, "something about her cousin or something"
"Ok," she said, buying it, but still a little dubious.
"We were, wondering," I said, "could we keep the room we're staying in for another night?"
"Of course," she said, "honestly you people have been on the road for how long? It would be cruel to not let you have a rest."
"Ok, thanks, also could we have a fellow band that's here spend the night here as well?"
"Why not? What band?"
"No batteries included,"
"Just as long as you people promise not to do anything that make my mother mad." She said
"Sure," we all said with smiles.
And trooped back to the guys.
They weren't on the phone anymore and were all smiles.
"You're gonna love us when we tell you what we just finished doing." Said Mateo
"Some of us already do," Lucia said coyly eyeing Mat.
"No really," said Tim, "we have a way to track Ali, and it'll be here in the morning,"
"It already is morning," said Maria, stifling a yawn.
"Later in the morning then," said Tim. "btw where are we gonna sleep?"
"Here," I said.
"On the ground?" asked Mateo
"No, silly, in the house we got Skye to lend you a room," Lucia answered.
"Is it near yours?" asked Mateo.
"It can be," answered Lucia, "but we promised not to make Skye's mother mad,"
"Darn," he said with a mischievous smile.
Lucia knew he was only joking around.
Maria yawned, "I'm tired let's get some sleep,"
"I concur," said Tim.
So we all went to bed, the boys' room was right across the hall from ours.
(Ali's POV)
I try to stretch as I wake up, no room.
I open my eyes, all is darkness.
It's soo cold.
I don't remember coming here.
(No batteries included POV)
Carlos was up most of the rest of the time everyone else was sleeping, he was tossing and turning and hoping that Ali was ok, she was like a sister to him or a cousin, and he felt responsible.
He whispered a prayer for her safety, and drifted off to a fitful sleep.
(Maria's POV)
I woke up from the sun shining through the window onto my face, I hadn't woken up that way for a long time and it felt good. Stretching, I headed off to find a shower.
(Briana's POV)
When I woke up Timoteo was standing over me, I started, but he put a hand over my mouth, motioning with his other hand to follow him. I followed him curious, in my pjs. He led me down a long corridor to a room with glass walls and a sky-high ceiling. Open the door silently; I realized it was an indoor pool. I gasped.
"You like my little surprise?" he asked.
"Wow, how'd you know this was here?" I asked him.
"I've been here before, I'm sure Skye wouldn't mind if we took a dip, care to go swimming with me?" he asked bowing.
Curtsying through my giggles I took his outstretched hand. In the towel room I found some extra swimsuits, finding one in my size, I took it to a nearby bathroom and changed into it. Tim was already in swimming trunks when I got back. I jumped into the pool and his outstretched hands; he caught me and dunked me under the water. It was a heated pool thankfully, both from the sun shining onto it and from heaters. The bottom of the pool was painted with sea creatures. When I came up, I splashed Tim, and swam to the opposite end of the pool; he came after me with a determined look on his face. I giggled again. This would be a fun morning.
(Lucia's POV)
When I awoke everyone else was gone. I'm gonna go get breakfast, I'm famished I thought. Down at the buffet, I met up with Conchito, and Mateo.
"Hey," I greeted them.
"Nice hair," said Mateo, jokingly.
"Yeah, right back at 'cha I'm sure the cowlick just came back in style" I retorted. He vigorously began to try and flatten his hair. And I got breakfast, right now a bagel was sounding wonderful, especially if I could find some cream cheese to go with it.
(Maria's POV)
After I had thoroughly cleansed myself, of all the dust from the road, and any essence left from 'Pablo'. I went back to the rooms, throwing on some comfortable clothes, my sweats; I went over to the room across the hall to check on the guys. The only one there was Carlos and he was sitting with his back towards me. I walked up to him, peaking over his shoulder I saw he was holding a picture of Ali.
"You miss her don't you?" I asked.
"Yeah," he said.
"I do too, I hope she's alright,"
"Yeah," he said again.
"Is your vocabulary normally this limited?" I asked trying to lighten the situation. He smirked.
"Let me tell you something," he said.
"What's it about?" I asked.
"Let's just say you could help me out in a situation." He answered.
"If it involves kissing you, the answer's no 2 reasons 1) I've got my eyes on another guy and 2) that'd be stabbing my friend in the back,"
"I'm sorry, but no it doesn't involve kissing…wait did you say a friend? Which one?"
"I-I-I can't tell you, I-I-I'm under o-oath."
He pouted but I wasn't about to give in (Ali herself didn't realize that she was in love with Carlos, so I wasn't about to tell him anything Ali didn't know).
"Alright, anyway, what if I told you, that I know this girl, she's someone you know, I'm pretty sure, and well, I used to think it was just protectiveness, but now I can't stop thinking about her, I'm wondering whether or not she's okay, every minute that I'm away from her. And she's always seemed to act like I'm her older bro or something, what would you suggest to do?"
For a moment I stood there speechless, and then something clicked.
"OH…MY…GOD, you love her don't you, you love Ali! I knew it! Guess what! I think she's in love with you too!" I was squealing.
"Whoa calm down, what 'cha talking about?"
"Honestly, man, if you think you can hide who it is you're crushing on…"
He cut me off. "Whoa slow down!"
I was hesitant "You don't like Ali?"
"Like yes, Love well…that could come later I suppose, but for now she's like a baby sister and we have to find, her,"
He's lying through his teeth I thought, I'd been trained in detecting lies and I could tell that there was a passion for Ali behind those eyes, Oh well, let him think that he's won
"Oh k," I said.
"Anyway, moving off from the subject, what was that about a prophecy you guys were talking about earlier?"
"Here I'll run and get it," I told him, I ran back into us girls' room and grabbed the prophesy, scribbling a quick note on a sticky pad, and bringing it with me I ran back to Carlos.
(Carlos' POV)
Yes! I shouted in silent celebration after Maria left the room.
She came back about five minutes later, with some papers.
"Here you go," she said, "now I'm gonna go get breakfast!" and she left the room.
I eyed the papers and my eyes grew wide, this was the family story wasn't it? How could that be, how could we both have the same story? This is weird!
On the second page I found a note that read:
LAIR!
Don't worry she doesn't know that you like her
Mari
Cool
(Maria's POV)
Oh gosh the stubbornness of guys sometimes honesty!
Down at the buffet Lucia, Mateo and Conchito were already eating. Grabbing some cereal I sat down to join them.
"So…any idea where Brie is?" asked Lucia.
"Nope, I figured she'd be down here with you all."
"She's probably with Tim somewhere private happily…" Mateo began, but stopped when Lucia pushed him and I glared at him.
"Hey it's a possibility," said Conchito, coming to his rescue.
"You too!" I said.
"Course, hon," said Mateo as he leaned in to give Lucia a small peck on the cheek. Lucia turned her head at the last moment so they met mouth to mouth.
"Hey looks like fun," said Conchito leaning towards me, I gave him the satisfaction of a short kiss, no tongue, I hadn't learned how to French yet.
Carlos came rushing down the stair at that moment.
"Oye muchachos," he called.
"Sí, señor?" Lucia asked. She knew he was excited, cuz he was talking Spanish.
"Este es el Prophesy, correctomuda?"
"Sí," she answered him.
"Preguntas Qué?"
"Qué?" she asked.
"Escucháis."
"Nosotros son escuchamos."
"despues leo este Yo es comprendemo este es la misma a mi familia fable."
"Really" I asked.
"Sí" he said.
"Hmm" I said, "how could both you get the same story passed down for like generations."
"Uno más preguta para Philipé,"
Seeing as I have relatives who speak Spanish and I'm very fluent in it I understood this convo but you might not have so I'll translate:
Carlos: Hey guys!
Lucia: Yes what's up?
Carlos: this is Alicia's prophecy right?
Lucia: Yep
Carlos: then guess what?
Lucia: what
Carlos: Listen to this
Lucia: We're listening
Carlos: after reading this I found out that it's the same as my family story.
Me: really
Carlos: Yes
Me: Hmmm, how could you both get the same story passed down for like generations?
Carlos: One more question for Philipé
Back to the story.
"Who's Philipé?" I asked.
"Oh," said Conchito, "He's the guy who's gonna help us find Alicia."
"You seem fairly confident in his talents, how can you be so sure he'll deliver?" asked Lucia; all of a sudden we heard a chopper outside. We all ran to the window.
"There he is now," said Carlos.
(Alicia's POV)
I've been brought into a larger area, I can now stand.
A whip lashes my shoulder.
"Ow" I yell in pain.
"You'd better behave during you're stay here," says an ominous voice.
(Brie's POV)
"We'd best get down to breakfast now," I told Tim, we were sitting next to each other in the hot tub and he had his arm around me. I started to get up.
"If you leave now I swear I'll push you into the pool on your way out," he told me.
"Whatever," I said rolling my eyes, getting out of the hot tub; I went to the towel room to grab my pjs. When I walked out, I caught a movement out of the corner, stealing a quick look in that direction I realized it was Tim, crouched and ready to spring, taking me with him into the pool. I left him alone, but calculated someway to counter his spring, I just figured that I'd side step him. In mid-spring he dropped to the floor, because all of a sudden we both heard a very loud noise kinda like a giant-jackhammer, the glass walls began to rattle. I also dropped to the floor. A huge black shape glided over. Upon seeing it, Tim got back up.
Offering his hand to me he said, "yes let's go down to breakfast, our guy has just arrived."
Taking his hand I told him "Someone's got a lot of explaining to do, when I get around to interrogating."
He laughed; it was a wonderful laugh, full of happiness.
(Maria's POV)
He walked in the door, Philipé; I think they'd called him. He was wearing black from head to toe, and he wore sunglasses, his hair was a sandy brown. He strode toward us with a confident gait.
"Greetings," he said with a British accent.
"Is this the guy you guys hired?" I whispered to Conchito.
"Sí," he told me.
Tim and Brie came down the stairs at that time; they both had dripping wet hair.
"You guys didn't share the shower did you?" Lucia asked her.
"No," she said with an appalled look.
"Hello," said Timoteo.
"Hi," all the rest of us said.
"So you must be Philipé." I said.
"Well actually Timothy-Samson Jacob Philip Smith." He said, "but you can call me Jake, or Philip, if you wish," he added as he saw my eyes grow large.
"I'm Maria, or in English Marie Starino." I told him.
"I'm Lucia, or Lucy, (Lace) Sue Lynn Carlson." Lu told him.
"I'm Brie, or Briana, in both languages, my last name shall remain confidential," I elbowed her, "It will," she said with a serious face, but one look from Tim and she burst into giggles.
"I already know the rest of you," he said, nodding to them in turn as he said their name. "Carlos, Tim, Conchito, and Mat," when he came to Mat's name they both gave each other equally icy stares.
"I also know that I'm here to assist you in the tracking and saving of your friend Alison Kay." He told us.
"So, Timoteo, told you the plan over the phone, right?" Carlos asked.
"Yes," Philipé nodded. "So where's this chick's number?" He was finally beginning to sound a bit more normal.
"Number 5 on speed dial," said Mateo handing over his phone.
"Let's get cracking," but there was still something way too upper class in his accent.
Pulling out a briefcase, he set it on the table; upon opening it I found that it was filled to the brim with a bunch of high-tech equipment. He plugged a laptop into a nearby outlet, opened some programs, and typed in Ali's number, after about five minutes of searching he said. "Got it!" clicking on a logo. "She's in Mexico, near a small town called Acatthinho Beyho,"
Translating that into Spanish letters…I covered my mouth.
Conchito noticed, "What's up?" he whispered.
"Underworld," I murmured.
"What?" he asked.
"Underworld," I said louder so that everyone could here me.
"I'd rather not go to hell thank you," Philipé said, sarcastically.
"I think she's talking of a sacred spot in Mexico" Carlos said, saving me.
"Oh yes, Acatzingo Viejo" I winced at the poor translation, but nodded. "What does that have to do with anything when we're clearly looking for Acatthinho Beyho?" he asked me.
"Honestly, for being such a smart person, you're kinda stupid," said Brie, at this about a dozen secret service members popped out of their hiding places, before Philipé told them to go back to hiding, I memorized their hiding places.
"Whatever do you mean?" asked Philipé.
"You obviously don't have any Spanish heritage in your family," she told him.
"No," he said, obviously getting agitated, I saw Tim tell Brie with his eyes, 'be careful he's not a guy to mess with'. She waved it off.
"You've never actually traveled to a Mexican speaking village either have you?" Brie asked.
"Why yes I have, but I have a translator," he was getting pissed off.
"Come on Man, did you take Spanish at all in unior high" she said hoping to give him a hint. By now he was too mad to care, in one swift movement he pulled a gun from his jacket and held it to her head.
"For your information, I took French classes in junior high, and German in high school, why learn Spanish I told myself, so many already know it, I can just get a translator, Now tell me what you are leading up to or I will be forced to pull the trigger and kill you,"
Briana half rolled her eyes, and then stared Philipé right in the eye "one, I'm leading up to the fact that Acatzingo Viejo and Acatthinho Beyho are one and the same thing and two, sure you may have killed before, but I don't think you have the guts to pull that trigger on me," He had half put the gun down at the explanation, but at the second comment he almost brought it up again.
" I don't like your lip girl," he told her.
"Guess what," she said, "I …don't…care," and with that she went back to stand by Timoteo, he put his arm around her and held her close him, probably reprimanding her for doing such a thing, I turned my attention back to Philipé, he was still fuming.
(Briana's POV)
I walked back to Tim. He was slightly gasping, before I'd realized what he was doing, he'd grabbed my shoulders "Don't you ever-ever-frighten me that way again!" he said in a demanding whisper. He shook me for punctuation, then wrapped his arms around my so tightly that I though I might just burst. "Ever," he added, and kissed me before releasing me.
"I don't know," I said rubbing up against him, "I like this particular kind of outburst. Besides at least now he knows that I'm brave, and won't stand for any crap that he seems to enjoy dishing out."
(Ali's POV)
When I again awoke, I still couldn't see. I was being scrubbed raw, with lavender smelling scrub brushes, in really cold water. When they were finished, they carried me somewhere and I was rubbed down with a ton of sickly sweet lotions. I was draped in a robe, and designs were painted on my face, then I was left there. I went back to sleep.
(Maria's POV)
We hit the road as soon as possible after packing just enough belongings to survive on. Off to Mexico, we all had fake IDs so we had a new name and history to remember. Philipé had also forged passports so we could cross between the countries.
Philipé rode in our car, cuz the guys didn't have any room, they were carrying the luggage. Philipé kept his distance from Brie, but flirted on and off with Lucia. At one point in time during our trip, he began massaging my shoulders.
"Planning on becoming a masseuse?" I asked jokingly.
"Not yet," He told me.
"You'd make pretty good money, it's Lu here's second in line choice for a career," I told him.
"What's first, famous musician?" he asked.
"Brie rolled her eyes, "No, garbage collector," she said sarcastically.
At this he stiffened.
"Don't stop," I told him, "That massage felt really good,"
I thought of one of Brie's favorite sayings. 'A guy's least favorite words are don't and stop, unless their stuck next to each other to say don't stop.'
I stifled a giggle.
"What is with girls and laughing," asked Philipé.
"Do you really want to know or was that question rhetorical?" asked Brie.
"Rhetorical," he retorted.
Author's note: Bad Spanish I know, but I've only taken two years and well if their hispanic it makes sense that they should talk in their native language every once in a while right? even though this may be one of the last times I have Spanish in this story because I myself am very bad at the language, don't worry I won't always be I plan on taking four years, five if I can find an AP class.