"Everybody listen, please."
Hershel screamed from the floor to the two ladies and Luke. Flora and Claire walked quickly to the Professor, so did the boy in the blue sweater.
The last few minutes were quiet awkward: Claire tried to be serious, but didn't wanted to cry out of fear again.
And Luke just realized that Flora was also in danger. He nearly forget the horrible Portrait of this night, which Hershel found a week ago: It only showed, that Flora and himself ran away from something. Who knows what? But he knew, nothing would happen. The plan just HAD to work.
Flora instead thought of breaking the plan. As if Ben would stay when he sees Luke? She couldn't play the confident girl anymore and of course was absolutely sure about her feelings for Luke but Ben was somehow nice as well. Flora was just too confused and insecure.
"Okay, go on. We're here."
Hershel nodded, when everyone stood in front of the door, almost ready to go.
"Alright, Flora, where's the Phone? I hope you have Ben's number."
He asked, while She searched the phone on the desk right behind her.
"Yes, I have and the Phone too."
She faked a little smile, squeezed Luke's Hand and saw that he wasn't actually there. Deep in thoughts, Flora assumed.
"Well then, Claire? How do you feel?"
He stepped closer, faced her and caused her to giggle. Was he so accustomed to his new mustache?
"Dear, your ähm... beard's lopsided."
"Oh, would you mind if I..."
Hershel ripped the black mustache off and continued:
"...Much better. Do you think you could handle the situation alone, when we're leaving you in the park?"
Her smile elapsed and became to an expression of fear.
"You promised me that you won't leave me alone."
"No, didn't meant it like that. Do you remember the sign you have invented?"
"Yes..?"
"Just make the sign inconspicuous and I'll be right there."
"Okay, then.. let's do it."
Claire smiled at him brought the mustache back to his place and opened the door. Hershel looked once more in his apartment and heard Flora talking, but not to Luke.
'I hope that we're inserting the right solution for this Puzzle...'
he thought and left the gear finally.
"Hi, Flora's speaking."
Luke sat on the couch and Flora laid there, with her head resting on his thighs.
"Hey Gorgeous! How are you?"
"I'm okay. Ben? Could I ask you something?"
"Yeah, go ahead."
"Would you like to come and spend some Time with me? Everybody's gone today and I'm bored."
He hesitated... Flora started to get nervous. She looked up with her big dark eyes, as Luke stroke a few Hair strands off of her front.
"Yes, I'll come. About... eight o'clock?"
She sighed in relief..
"Perfect. So, see you in... 30 minutes."
"Till then honey."
After that, he hung up.
"Thank god, He'll be here."
Flora threw the white phone on the low desk behind her and brought her hand to Luke's cheek. Pressing his lips together he formed a fond smile for her and said:
"Wish Ben wouldn't come and ruin the moment..."
Her heart made hundred jumps per seconds, also her eyes began to sparkle, but soon concern returned in her mind. Too soon.
"Same here... but I'm glad and happy when he's here. That means that he isn't the culprit and of course Claire's save. Hopefully..."
Meanwhile:
"Fallow me..."
Hershel whispered in a weird voice. It sounded a bit higher, even his strong accent was nearly gone. Claire stood in each step he made and landed at the end of his way in an abandoned alley. The sky was full of shining star, everything was silent around them and very dark.
"I see the Park..."
Hershel said with his ordinary voice.
"I'm afraid...but hey, I'm glad when it's over. My personal Nightmare will end!"
Claire forced herself to smile, but forget him. He was mess... not just the way he looked like, also from the inside. She felt it...
"Hershel? What's wrong?"
"Honestly? I don't know what to feel. Right now I could cry... but then I could kill the one who's waiting every, single for you, probably lurking behind the next bush. I'm sorry... I know that I behave extremely bad like I never did before.. but this is too much for me."
Claire laid her hand on his shoulder and looked him deep in his eyes, while she tried to talk to him normally:
"You're a Gentleman.. no doubt. But after all.. you're just a man. And don't forget, you aren't yourself tonight, so you can do what you want . It doesn't matter."
Softly chuckling, Hershel took her in a tight hug and kissed Claire on her forehead. She closed her eyes, just living the moment. After that she smiled at him once more and left him in the alley... he knew she was on the way to the park...
In Professor's Apartment:
"Luke... its 8:15 pm."
Flora paced up and down, awaiting the sound of the bell.
"Ben's only a little late, nothing to worry about."
Luke screamed from the bathroom, quiet annoyed by her. He had to hide himself there...
"But maybe he's..."
Drrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. 'Oh the sweet, deafening sound of Hershel's bell', She thought and opened the door for ...Ben?
"Hello!"
A Man came in, hugged Flora very harsh and gave her a few lovely flowers. But was he really Ben? He looked like him, the voice was the same but the way he acts is just...different.
"Hey Ben. Nice to meet you again. Do you want something to drink?"
Fast she eyed him suspiciously... the result: Good Costume. 'Ben' smelled like Ben, had the same clothes on like Ben would wear them, they even had the same smirk. The mysterious Man had everything that represents Ben down perfectly.
"A cup of Tea, Please."
'I'm already sick of you, Dude.'
Luke thought, after he heard his slimy, cocky voice. Flora and 'Ben' walked in, to the living room, when the man in black asked:
"May I ask where Luke is? I'm just curious about it."
Sitting down he held his cup high to get some of the Tea from Flora, which she nearly poured over his long Hands. She smiled and thought of Hershel, as he burned his Hands with Tea.
"Actually, He's on the way home. But I don't know where exactly he is."
Suddenly the Bathroom door flew wide open. Luke slowly moved towards to the living room, still smiling.
"There he is."
'Ben' raised an eyebrow and laughed loud. Flora's smile faded away, her face seemed paler than it usually was too...
"Great... why does it has to rain now?"
Claire asked the sky and looked around herself. She was sitting on a red blanket, with a sandwich in her hand. The only thing that was near her was Hershel, who stood right next to a snack bar, with his back turned to her. But if she would make the sign, he would see it from the side.
"This Moment looks like the Portrait the Killer made..."
Claire whispered to herself. How true it was.
Then, sooner than she thought, a man walked up to her. He wore a long black coat, had dark brown hair and two gloves on.
"My Word...No!"
Hershel was freaked out:
those Gloves were the same, which he found on the crime scene of Mr Burwell.
"Hello Cl...Miss. Sorry if it's rude to ask for, but, why are you sitting on the meadow when it's raining."
The Man held out his long Hand and offered her to get up. Claire smiled at him and asked:
"Hello..., why are YOU standing here in the rain, young man?"
Laughing he returned that he was on his way back at home, but then he saw her here and the Gentleman thought she needed help.
"Oh, well it would be kind of you if you had an umbrella for me."
He bent down to her and replayed:
"Sadly I don't, but my coat is large enough."
Claire looked at him with disgust and fear but overplayed it quickly. Now she had to make a choice: take the risk to die (who knows what he has in that huge coat) or that he'd bother her along, till something happens...
"Good Idea, Thank y..."
Claire couldn't finish her sentence.. She screamed and was knocked out by a dull hit on her head.
The unknown man bowed down to her as Hershel jumped in.
"Oh no..."
Author's Note: Soo again a sequel to my last chapter.. Hope you've liked it! Please R&R for the next part... Thanks for reading!