Finding You Again

Chapter Thirteen

"I didn't know what was in store when you walked right through the door. Then I saw you over there, our blue eyes locked in a stare. I didn't know quite what to say…"

Something More by Aly & A.J. (Hollywood Records) from Into the Rush

"I have to admit, Jo," Darren said as he pulled off his gas mask in an alley beside a gas station thirty minutes later. "That was a good plan, even if it wasn't entirely original."

"Hey, sometimes you gotta stick to the status quo," Jo grinned. "Let's get into the gas station and change, okay? If we're gonna help my dad, we've gotta hurry. Walker's speech is about to start in twenty minutes or so."

Lugging the heavy bag along with them, Joline and Darren entered the gas station. "Let's change in the bathrooms," Joline said.

"Yeah, more private than an alley," Darren commented.

"There's that," Joline said, then started bouncing up and down, "but the main reason is that I really gotta pee!"

Darren chuckled. "Alright, gimme my clothes. Don't forget the vest," he added in an undertone, noticing the cashier giving them a strange look. "We might end up needing it. I'll meet you back here in five minutes."

The bathroom was one of the most disgusting places Joline had ever visited. She found herself holding her breath while she used the facilities and then slipped on the tight black jeans and undershirt, then the bullet proof vest, which felt very much like an overweight life jacket, and finally, a loose black shirt with long sleeves. She was glad it was loose because she didn't want to have to explain to anyone why she was lumpy because of that stupid vest.

At least it'll keep me relatively safe, she thought.

Darren was already dressed and purchasing two candy bars and waters when she came out of the bathroom. "Hey," she said quietly. "Do you know where the Days Old Motel is?" she asked the clerk.

The old man looked at them strangely. "Why are you two youngsters wanting to check into a hotel?"

Joline's face turned red as she started to explain, "No, you see, we're cousins. We're visiting a friend and—"

"I don't think that's really any of your business," Darren said coldly, staring at the elderly man.

The man cleared his throat. "My apologies. It's two blocks away. It's in the bad, poor part of town though. I hear Walker's giving a speech across from it in about fifteen minutes, though. Say, you're not some political crazies trying to sneak in are you? I should call the police, I should, and tell them there's some punk kids in here about to assassinate Walker!"

Joline gaped at the man. Darren groped for a response. "Actually we're big supporters of Walker," he answered. "We know security's going to be tight where he's going to be giving his speech, but we thought it would be amazing to listen from somewhere in the hotel."

"Oh, well, in that case, have a nice day!" the old man said cheerily. Darren shook his head as he hailed a taxi.

"Crazy old man," he commented. "Absolutely wacko."

Eric knew that it was almost time. But there was something wrong. He was shaking. He wouldn't be able to aim and kill this Walker guy if he was trembling so badly. He could hear the sounds of people getting set up, hear security trying to make sure everything was okay.

He had decided that he didn't want to do this. Even his mind wasn't wanting to anymore. But how to get out of it, he didn't know. He had three days to kill Walker, they'd told him. Three days to live. Or three days to figure out what to do. He didn't know anyone. He didn't even know who he was anymore.

He didn't like the odds.

He could run. But they would find out. If they didn't, then at the end of his three days, when they saw that Walker was still alive, they'd push the button that would end his life.

He really didn't like the odds.

At that moment, the door was kicked open. He snatched up his gun. He aimed it. And froze.

Standing in the doorway were two children. Both of them were eerily familiar. He didn't know why. His finger hesitated on the trigger. Then he lowered the gun. "Who are you?" he demanded. He was amazed to hear that his voice was shaking. He was giving in to emotion. He was becoming weak.

The girl stepped out of the shadows. Eric gasped when he saw the brilliant blue of her eyes. They're the same color as mine, he realized.

"Daddy?"

~Emachinescat ^..^