The Aftershock
As Judson and Mac watched Gabe drive away down the dock Mac looked to Judson and said. "Do you think that he'll come back?"
"To tell you the truth I really don't know. He took all of his things with him." Judson said.
"I know but I'm going to miss him." Mac said before walking off the deck and on to the dock and stood were Gabe's car had been minutes before and she realized that Gabe was gone and he probably wasn't coming back. Mac just stood here not knowing what to do.
Gabe was gone and there was nothing she could do about it. Judson stood up on the deck of the boat and watched Mac wondering what she was going to do about Gabe just leaving like that, but then it hit Judson like hard hand slap in the face Gabe was gone and he most likely wasn't coming back. Mac and Judson just stood in there positions waiting for the other to make the first move. Mac decided that she would and turned around and headed back towards the boat and walked right past Judson and below deck were she was going to go and grab a beer and go to her cabin and finish up the dive maps for there latest dive. As she headed to her room she remembered that she had to go past Gabe's old room and she turned around and headed back towards the living room. She wasn't ready to go that far just yet.
As Gabe drove down the highway he wondered if he had done the right thing by leaving Adventure Inc, but he knew that he couldn't let Chris down. As he pulled into the gas station to get some gas he saw two young girls in there middle twenties standing over by a black jeep. As he filled up the small convertible he could hear them saying "Liz were screwed we should have never gone on this stupid trip in the first place. The jeep is dead and we only have 100 dollars left it's not enough to get the jeep fixed."
"Sarah what are we going to do a hotel is to expensive and if we did find a hotel then there's the problem of getting here. Were by the harbor and all the hotels are in the city. The taxi fare would cost about 50 dollars or more."
As Gabe stood there filling up his car he wondered what he could do for the two girls. He walked over to the two girls and said "Hey is there anything that I can do to help?" Gabe asked as he approached them.
"Are car broke down and we only have 100 dollars left not even enough to rent a hotel room for a night." Sarah explained.
"Well there's a boat in the harbor the owner's name is Judson Cross and he might need some help. It's about an hour away if you walk." Gabe said.
"Really you really think?" Liz said with a smile as she looked over at Sarah. "Well what do you think should we go and see?"
"We don't have anything to lose and we need the money if were going to get the jeep fixed. So yeah let's go and see this Judson Cross. Thanks... uh I didn't catch your name."
"Uh it's Gabe. Just tell Judson that Gabe sent you and just tell him the same thing you told me."
"Okay." Liz said, "Thanks a lot."
"Yeah thanks a lot." Sarah said as she and Liz turned to start their long walk to the harbor.
"Hey wait a minute here's some money so go and get yourself a cab." Gabe said handing Sarah a
fifty-dollar bill.
"Thanks again." Sarah said taking the money out of Gabe's outstretched hand.
As Sarah and Liz walked in to the small grocery store and gas station to phone for a cab Gabe turned to the pump and inserted his credit card and paid at the pump. He got back in the car and turned the engine on and pulled out of the station and drove a little ways out of the line of view of the station and waited until a cab showed up and Sarah and Liz got in and drove in the direction of the dock and the "Vast Explorer". Once he was satisfied that they were on there way he pulled out of his hiding spot and pulled on to the highway on his way to his new home with his brother Christian.
As Sarah and Liz pulled up to the dock Sarah got the fifty dollar bill out of her pocket and noticed a piece of paper folded in with the bill. She paid the fare and got out of the car with Liz. As she and Liz walked down the dock Sarah pulled back a few steps and unfolded the paper it read.
"Hey Sarah,
I know this is kind of abrupt but I was wondering if you would like to go out sometime?
My cell number is 221-2626 or you can reach me at my brother's house at 883-2621
Call me. My real name is Gabriel Patterson BUT PLEASE call me Gabe."
"Wow. Hey Liz wait up!" Sarah yelled as she ran to catch up with her friend.
"What is it?" Liz asked as Sarah passed Liz the note that she had found in the fifty-dollar bill.
"Do you think that I should give him a call later?" Sarah asked her best friend with a smile.
"Of course are you out of your mind. That guy was gorgeous and lets not forget HOT!" Liz said.
"Okay then that settles it I'll call him later." Sarah said as she and Liz continued their search for
the boat the "Vast Explorer."
As Sarah and Liz came to the last boat on the dock there hopes started to fall and that the boat had already left the harbor. Liz walked ran up to the boat and read the name that was on the side of the ship. It read "Vast Explorer".
"Hey Sarah I found it." Liz yelled as Sarah ran to catch up.
"You think any ones home?" Sarah asked.
"I don't know, only one way to find out. HEY ANYONE HOME?" Liz yelled
"Yeah someone's home what can I do for you?" A woman with black hair said as she emerged at the top of the boat.
"Were looking for a man named Judson Cross. Dose he live here?" Sarah asked.
"Yeah he does do you want to speak to him?" the women asked.
"Yes please." Liz answered.
"Come up on deck." The women said.
Sarah and Liz walked up the gangplank and followed the women to a set of stairs. She descended so Sarah and Liz followed. When they came to the bottom of the stairs they saw a man in his mid thirties sitting at table reading the paper.
"Hey Judson these two girls here want to speak to you." The women said as she sat down in one of the four chairs.
"Well what can I do for you girls?" Judson asked.
"We broke down at the gas station a couple miles from here and we only had 100 dollars not even enough for a night at a hotel. We met this guy named Gabe and he said that you might have some work for us to make some quick money." Liz explained as Sarah stood there and
looked around.
"Well Mac what do you think?" Judson asked as he turned to the women beside him.
"It's okay with me. With Gabe not here at the moment were a few hands short."
"Okay that settles it your hired. You can start today. Do you have any luggage?" Judson asked.
"Wait a minute what are your guys name's?" Mac asked.
"My name is Liz and this is Sarah." Liz said. "All of are stuff is back at are jeep at the gas station."
"Okay let's go." Judson said as he got up and went down a hall to Sarah's left and disappeared in to a room. He came back with a cell phone and car keys in hand.