Chapter Eight – The Untold Story
Declaimer: I do not own National Treasure or any of the characters. That right belongs to the Disney Corporation.
Author's Note: Glad you're all enjoying my writing, I love receiving your reviews! You are all so kind. I'm working hard to get out the next few chapters; I'm already in the process of writing the next 2. Thanks again for your kindness
As they ran in the direction Abigail led them, Ben and Riley stayed quiet while watching doors and paintings fly by in front of their eyes.
Finally when they came to a stop they all stared at a doubled door with an 'exit' sign hanging above their heads.
Just as Ben grabbed the door handles they all heard a loud scream echo towards them. They concluded that the inhabitants of the Academy had found Jake in the barren library probably running around with his hands tied.
Before they looked back to see if anyone had seen them, Ben grasped the door handles even tighter and turned the knobs.
The doors opened suddenly giving them the chance to hurry outside. Once outside they noticed they had exited through the back doors which gave them an advantage because they would go unnoticed by Ian.
"What do we do now?" Riley asked, taking a breather from all the running.
"Isn't it obvious?" Ben replied, also trying to catch his breath.
"Pack your bags boys; we're headed for the Caribbean." Abigail announced smiling.
After looking around at their surroundings for a few minutes they all looked at each other, "What now?" Abigail spoke up.
"We'd better pick up a taxi before we're spotted." Ben replied looking out over the nicely mowed lawn.
"How about we stay at my apartment for the night?" Riley asked, "It's near here."
Abigail and Ben looked at one another in pure disbelief, "You live in Massachusetts?"
Riley shook his head, "No, but I live in New York which is close to Massachusetts and might I add a heck of a lot closer than Washington D.C."
"You live in New York?" Ben asked, realizing he really didn't know his best friend.
"Ben, you didn't know that?" Abigail asked, sounding a little surprised.
"Ian handled the hiring of all the team members that were used in locating the Charlotte, I was never informed." He replied to Abigail.
"Remember that little cubicle you had said you found me in?" Riley asked Ben, " I worked in the weather department of one of the local news stations as a computer technician and analyst as well as the local weather navigator."
"So that is how you navigate and know so much about computers." Ben concluded, still in disbelief, "Although, I thought you were moving in with us."
"I am, everything is in boxes, but I'm sure it will be spacious enough to use for one night." He retorted.
After arguing about their next move they decided they would follow Riley's advice and head for his apartment.
They hailed a cab quickly and made their way for New York
Back at the Academy, after 30 minutes of trying to convince the students and professors he was an electrician looking for the wiring of the library and explaining that the shoelaces were of his assailant who stole his wallet; Jake slowly made his way out of the building quickly before suspicions followed.
Ian, who was pacing back and forth in front of his van, looked over at the body approaching him.
"They escaped." Jake stated, rubbing his wrists where the laces had blocked his blood.
Ian angrily attacked the side of the van with both of his palms, slapping the metal hard, "Damn."
"However, I do know where they will be heading, although, they took the clue with them," Jake replied, breathing heavily.
Ian, who was now smiling evilly, looked over to Jake, "Well done. Where is the location?" he asked clearly not giving much interest in the clue itself.
"The Caribbean Island housing the town Port Royal is where we'll be heading." Jake managed to say through his heavy breathing.
After a few minutes of talking about game plans they decided to finally call it a night and head back to their hiding place.
Back in the taxi with the three, Riley seemed to be sleeping with his head leaning far back against the cushioned padded seat while Ben, who seemed a little uneasy, watched Abigail look out the window at the passing cars, signs, and construction crews on the interstate. It never really occurred to him how much quiet, peaceful moments really made his think.
As he sat watching his soon-to-be-bride and yet-to-be wife, he began to think about all of the experiences he would encounter such as being a good husband and a decent father.
Hours later, after the three of them had allegedly fallen asleep out of pure exhaust, they were awoken by the honking of distant cars they knew all too well to be the sounds of the 'Big Apple'.
Large buildings of all shapes and sizes started to appear with random colorized lights and flashing signs, "Hey before we head on over to my place we should pick up some dinner. There is a really good Chinese take-out place around the corner here." Riley started half-speaking to the driver, who understood right away what Riley wanted him to do.
They made a quick right and parked on the side of the road where Riley took Abigail and Ben's order of Chinese. After picking up their order Riley returned to the taxi carrying the familiar Chinese style take-out boxes associated with the Oriental food.
After getting situated they headed for 'Riley's Crib' as he jokingly put it as they rounded another corner.
The apartment building appeared middle-sized to the rest of the buildings of New York, or so Ben supposed.
After tipping and paying the money for the taxi they all walked inside, carrying their Chinese dinner with little wooden chopsticks.
"Hey Chris," Riley said as he entered, acknowledging the man at the front desk, "Any mail?"
"Not that I recall sir, perhaps a few bills." The man replied.
"Then perhaps it's best if I leave there for the night. They can wait one more day. I've had enough bad news for one day." Riley retorted, chuckling a bit, "These are my companions, they'll be staying the night."
"It's a pleasure." Chris said directly to both Ben and Abigail.
They all boarded the elevator quietly, keeping to themselves as they ascended to each floor. The only sound they heard came from the bell that went off for each level.
When they made it to floor 20 they quickly entered apartment number 412.
As they crossed the threshold of Riley's dwelling Abigail and Ben watched as Riley flipped the light switch to reveal the barren, box-laden residence they half-expected.
"Nice place." Abigail said sarcastically.
"Thanks." Riley retorted with the same tone.
Ben eyed everything with his keen sense of discovery. His eyes shifted over the counter where an answering machine light that blinked periodically, "You have a message."
Riley walked over and pressed 'play' not even thinking about who could've left the message.
Suddenly a female voice came on the machine, echoing through the empty rooms, "Hey Riley, it's me Christie. I know it's been a while since we last talked, but ever since I saw you on TV I can't stop thinking about you. Call me so we can get together sometime." After the final words the machine beeped loudly, ending the voice mail.
With disturbing glances from both Abigail and Ben, Riley knew what they were thinking and could only give an embarrassing smile back to them as an explanation.
All at once, after taking a look around Ben noticed Riley's computer was still hooked up in one of the corners of the room, "I'm going to jump online and get us some airline tickets for tomorrow morning, alright Riley?"
His friend nodded at him and took a seat on the nearby couch that had been covered with bubble wrap. As he sat on the sofa the wrap created the well-known popping noise that sounded even louder in the barren area, "What a long day."
"Yes, but at least now we can rest and rejuvenate ourselves." Abigail wisely informed him.
Shortly after Ben booked the flight for the next day they all made sleeping arrangements. Riley pulled out a stowaway cot from the closet and generously offered his full size bed to Ben and Abigail, making sure they both pledged they wouldn't do anything in the night.
Once situated in bed the lights went out and thoughts invaded their restless minds. None of their thoughts were as intense as Ben's thoughts of failure and danger. He believed they were dragging themselves deeper into the depths of great discoveries with much to lose. What if going any further means the loss of all I care about or what if Ian kills only one and leaves everyone else to mourn their death? These were only a few of the thoughts he encountered. However, what finally got his mind to rest was the fact that everything he was thinking were all 'What ifs' that weren't proven. Believing just that got him to sleep that night for a short while in peace.