The afternoon sun hovers over Middleton Park as its light bathes the green random positioned trees, freshly mowed grass, brightly painted park benches, and the assortment of joggers, walkers, and bird feeders. Under the protection of one of the mighty maples' foliage, a couple sits on a large blanket enjoying the afternoon as they relax after a remarkably nice lunch at Buenos Nachos.

The idea to go to the park belonged to the young blonde haired man wearing a red jersey over a long sleeved black shirt, khaki cargo pants, and white sneakers. He clearly planed it ahead of time since he brought the blanket with him when he met his girlfriend for lunch. The young woman, a redhead who wore a white short sleeve shirt with a red heart printed on the front, pink pants, and white sneakers, thought it a most romantic idea and ask her boyfriend who gave it to him. The young man remarked he wanted to spend a great afternoon with the most beautiful girl in the world and that he got the idea while watching an old romantic movie on television. Nothing else was on that night.

So here they sit, leaning their backs against the thick, wide trunk ofthe maple, his arm wrapped around her shoulders as she curls against his side with her arms around his torso. She rests her head on his right shoulder as he rests his head on top of hers while each closes their eyes in utter contentment. The soothing, cool breeze splashes upon their faces as the afternoon slowly fades around them. Suddenly, a familiar beeping emanates from the redhead's pant pocket and brings her slowly crashing back to reality. She reaches into her pocket, pulls out her kimmunicator, and answers it without moving from her current position.

"Hey Wade. What's the stich?"

On her kimmunicator's screen, a young ten year old genius wearing a blue short sleeve shirt appears with a computer keyboard and monitor in front of him. He sees the position his friends are in and knows he interrupted one of those quiet moments these two more frequently shared ever since their lifelong friendship evolved into some more.

"Sorry about the interruption," Wade responds. "Are you two in the park?"

Kim sweetly answers, "Ron's idea."

"He looks asleep."

Kim glances at Ron, who repositions his head against the tree trunk in response to Kim's movement as she sits upright on her knees. He makes some inaudible mumblings. Kim looks down and sees Rufus, Ron's pet naked mole rat, asleep in Ron's pocket. His mouth opens at random intervalsallowing inaudible sounds escape.

"Ron's so cute when he's sleeping isn't he?" asks Kim as she looks fondly on Ron.

"Ummm… sure, why not?" responds an uncomfortable Wade, who quickly moves on to the reason for his call. "Anyway the reason I called is someone needs your help."

"Someone always does. Who is it?"

"His name is Stewart Emerald, a wealthy entrepreneur who made it big selling quality makeup."

"If he makes quality makeup, why I am I just hearing about him now?"

"His makeup is used mostly in movies, especially horror movies. Also, he has a thing for masks."

Kim raises an eyebrow, "A thing?"

"He collects them, but not just any masks. He collects movie masks and masks crossing into the bizarre. He scours the world for any mask that seems to fit his tastes. He's developed quite a collection."

"Let me guess. One of his collectables was stolen."

"Last week. He was away at a meeting and he found out last night when hereturned home that one of his masks was missing. He wants you to take a look at the crime scene and get his mask back."

"All right, you set us up with a ride while I wake up sleeping beauty."

"Emerald already has sent a ride. It will be waiting for you just outside the park. Have fun."

Wade signs off and the screen goes black. Kim places her kimmunicator back into her pocket and turns her attention to the still sleeping Ron. She gently shakes his shoulder in an attempt to wake him.

"Ron."

He doesn't wake up.

"Ron?"

Unknown to Kim, Ron and Rufus experience the same disturbing dream. It starts off in a damp, cold cave with torches running along both sides of the cave's tunnel, which has very few stalagmites and stalactites. Slowly they move deeper until they reach a large space illuminated by torch light. In the center stands a decorated stone alter where a wooden box with ritual drawings and symbols painted on it sits. Slowly, the box opens and a red, eerie light escapes from it. Then a wooden mask slowly floats out of the box and hovers for a few moments, revealing that the eerie light emanates from its eyes. The mask slowly turns in the air and comes to a stop in a vertical position revealing its face, which is decorated to resemble a monkey with red, gem light eyes. The mouth consists of a painted evil grin while its soulless eyes petrify the two before the eerie red light intensifies and engulfs them.

"Whoa!"

Ron and Rufus abruptly waken, a subtle look of shock filling their faces. Kim notices immediately that something's wrong.

"Ron, are you all right?" asks a concerned Kim who places a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"What? O yeah. Ah… I'm all right. Right as rain because rain is never wrong and nothing's wrong. Hah ha," Ron nervously responds as he tries to recover from the disturbing images and the feelings they emit.

"Ron, it's me. I know when you're freaked and you're an 8.0 on the freaked scale right now."

"It was just a weird dream, Kim. That's all. Nothing to get all freaked over about."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No!" Ron almost screams, "It mustn't ever be remem…" He quickly stops and returns to his normal speaking voice. "I mean it isn't worth talking about. It's probably just something I ate at lunch."

"Maybe Rufus ate the same thing," responds Kim as she peers down at Rufus.

"What?" Ron looks down at Rufus and sees a very upset naked mole rat trembling in his pant pocket. "Oh, yeah," Ron says as he tries to make light of the situation. "He probably did. Heh, heh… "

Kim knows that Ron is more disturb about this dream then he tries to convey, and she wants to press on but they have a new mission. She decides to give him more time and space in hopes that he will open up a little more on his own or before she presses the issue again.

She stands up and looks down on him. "Wade has a new case," Kim says. She still carries a concern look on her face.

"Okay, when do go?"

"Are you sure? This is just reconnaissance. I can give you the info when I get back."

"No, no. I'm okay and besides we're a team." Ron stands up and looks right into her green eyes. "Don't worry," Ron says in an attempt to ease her concerns. "I'm okay. I swear."

Kim places her hands on Ron's face, each hand on a cheek, and gently brings his forehead close to her lips. She gently kisses him there and then hugs him. "I can't help it," Kim says as she buries her head against his shoulder.

Ron returns the embrace by wrapping his arms around her. "I know, Kim," Ron quietly exclaims as he rests his cheek in her soft, red hair.

After a few moments, they both gently pull apart from each other. "We better go," Kim says. "You sure you…"

"I'm sure," responds Ron as he gives her a reassuring smile. She returns it but fails to completely hide her remaining concern. The two quickly exit the park in order to meet up with their ride, a black SUV.