A/N: I do NOT own National Treasure. I do, however, own the plot and the OC and would appreciate if you didn't steal them.

National Treasure Story

By: AutumnsAshes

Chapter 3 – An Unexpected Meeting

The morning after Riley was mugged Ben, Abby and he had gone to the police station to see if they could help. They told the police of Riley's predicament but the pompous police chief just puffed up and laughed. He told them that muggings' were a common thing and to search for someone with the description 'a kid in a baseball hat' would be ridiculous. Riley's temper began to rise again as the air-headed self absorbed officer continued to mock them. He swore he could see doughnut crumbs falling of his massive beard for each work he spoke. From there Riley had a few colourful things to say to the officer before they got kicked out of the building. How could a police chief just openly laugh at a distressed citizen like that? What was this world coming to? Abigail was quite surprised at her friends sudden out burst but then again she couldn't blame him. He had lost his bank card, ID, money and … the pink slip to his car. Now she knew why he was so uptight, he loves that car more than anything in the world. Abigail sighed and hoped he would find something or someone to get his mind off that car. Ben, being Riley's best friend, tried to lighten Riley's anguish so he took them out for some wings. It was nearing 7:00 and they hadn't had supper either so why not?

The three friends spent three and a half hours talking and reminiscing on good times they had in the past. Riley seemed a bit better but Ben and Abby were still able to see through his façade, and it was clear that he was still upset. They left soon after and started on their way back to the hotel. They were walking past an alley when Riley abruptly stopped. There lying in the alley was the kid who mugged him. Riley furrowed his eyebrows and paced up to the sleeping thief before picking him/her up by the collar and slamming him/her against the wall. This action woke the teen and made him/her yelp when their back made contact with the wall. She/he looked up into the angry eyes of the man who he/she had mugged the night before.

"Where is my wallet?" He asked forcefully. The teen cowered at the harsh tone of his voice but couldn't respond. She/he was still in to much pain from the beating she/he got earlier that night. Riley's saw the bag grasped firmly in the thief's hands and motioned for Ben to check it. Ben was hesitant at first, this was going a little too far, what happened to the goofy care-free Riley he knew two days ago. Still, Riley was his best friend, so he managed to get the bag out of the thief's hands and started looking through it. The teen's eyes widened and she/he started to panic, even it hurt like hell, and she/he had to have his /her bag. Ben eventually found Riley's wallet with everything in it. He had also found a picture in the bag of a family. There was a mom, a dad, two boys and a girl. Ben tore his eyes away from the picture when he heard a soft whimper from the direction Riley was in.

"Please don't take it… It's all I have left." The teen hoarsely whispered with tears streaming down his/her face. It had taken all of his/her energy to force out those words before she/he passed out. The thief's head dropped down to his/her chest and the black baseball hat fell off of her/his head. Riley's confused face changed to one filled with complete and utter shock. The thief was a girl who looked to be about 17 or so. But that wasn't what shocked him the most. Her body was covered in dark blue and purple bruises and there were also some cuts that were still bleeding pretty badly. It was hard to tell the dried blood from the dirt. Riley looked over to see Ben with the same look on his face before he recovered and went to help her. First he made sure to check her pulse then he flipped her over and lifted her shirt slightly so they could check her stomach, and it was even worse. It seemed like her skin had completely changed from a fleshy colour to blue and purple. They then noticed the cut marks all over her arms and the dried blood coming down from her mouth. The scary thing was that all the bruises and blood were fresh.

Ben assured Riley that nothing on this girl was caused by him but Riley still felt numerous pang's of guilt in the pit of his stomach. Ben and Riley decided that they would help her out and take care of her. Based on her appearance they assumed she lived on the street. So, Ben, being the stronger out of the two, picked her up and the headed back to the hotel where Abby was most likely waiting for them. Maybe she would know what to do.

Well that was a depressing chapter and yes I realize Riley is out of character but I have an explanation that ties into the story and the movie so just wait for that. Please Review.