The Many Adventures of Lara Croft

Book 1: Tales of Atlantis

Chapter 2

Next thing I knew, I was in a black old fashioned limousine driving to Preston B. Whitmore - sitting on a tan leather seat across from Helga who was pouring herself a special cocktail as she was staring at me.

"Drink?" Helga offered

"I'm not thirsty." I replied, still looking suspicious at her.

10 minutes later, we arrived at his mansion house which looked different from Croft manor - it seemed bigger and had a really dated look to it. Honestly, I felt like I went back in time 80 years when entering the mansion and the limo. As we came to a halt, I followed Helga inside to the main hall towards the elevator. For a big mansion, it looked very empty as far as people go but the statues and artifacts were stunning! As we entered the elevator Helga stated while not even looking at me, after pressing the top floor button,

"Follow these rules and you might make it out alive: Do not look, speak, breathe, and notice Mr. Whitmore. If you think I'm scary, wait till you meet him. He has very few visitors and if he doesn't like you, well… I'll let you find what he might do to people he dislikes. Also, do not sit in his chairs or look at his trophy case. He hates loud sounds and hates slouchers! So for your sake, stand up straight and don't make sounds! You have been warned."

Gee, what a nice fellow. Honestly, I don't know what to expect. As she explained all of this, my heart started racing, hands shaking - I don't know why I'm afraid of Mr. Whitmore? I guess it's because what Helga is saying could be true and I'm inside a stranger's home so… he couldn't be worse than the Island, right?

The elevator stopped and the old metal bar door opened with a voracious squeal that echoed through the large room making my heart skip a few beats. Helga put her left hand on my back and pushed me out of the elevator. I quickly turned to face her and she shut the elevator door telling me,

"Good luck."

As the elevator started making its way down with Helga inside, I turned back around looking at the large room and knowing nothing about Mr. Whitmore, I did exactly what Helga told me yet, if Mr. Whitmore didn't like me, I would be prepared to fight back to survive. I slowly made my way to where the fireplace was not making a sound and I saw the back of Preston B. Whitmore facing me while he was in a meditative pose.

"Please, come take a seat. Welcome Lara! It's finally nice to meet the daughter of thee Lord Richard Croft!" said Mr. Whitmore with such a positive delightful tone. Wait, so he's not what Helga described? That was nice of her.

"Let me guess, Helga told you I'm vicious and hate slouchers and hate breathing and blah blah blah etc.? HA HA HA! She's a jokester, that one! Don't worry. Come sit down! Do you like tea?" Mr. Whitmore continued, still with an kind energetic tone.

"Earl Grey is usually my go to when I meditate. It soothes the soul! But I have plenty of flavors!"

"No thank you. How do you know my father?" I asked, concerned while sitting down.

"Oh, your father and I had an encounter a few times. Smart man he was! I've only had the pleasure of meeting a few explorers and archeologists in my life who had such determination to look for the unknown and lost! How's the old man doing these days anyway?"

Trying not to cave into my emotions, I replied with a somber tone "He's dead."

"Oh, I'm truly sorry. He was a good man. I knew him from his early days back in Oxford. I do apologize for your loss." Whitmore replied with sorrow.

Trying to get to the point, I asked with a stern voice, "Mr. Whitmore, why am I here? What do you want from me?"

He paused for a moment, sighed, then turned towards me and replied, "Well, knowing your father, I called you in to help me with a little project. I assumed archeology runs in your blood as it did his… I need your help finding Atlantis and to me it seems you miss the thrill of archeology."

"You don't know me." I snapped trying to stay calm. Hey, you can't blame me for being a bit frazzled at an old man's mansion.

"I know more than you think kiddo. How's therapy going for ya? Mrs. Keva Dryden is a nice person. Amazing family. She makes a killer lasagna! Homemade drizzled cream sauce! Mmm.."

I felt alarmed and stunned. The look on my face was shocked with a hint of defensiveness and all I could do was get ready for the threat speech.

"Look Lara, I'm not here to threaten you or make you feel uncomfortable. I know about Yamatai. I didn't know about your father but I knew that you were on an expedition. I can't imagine the pain you went through. Who do you think tipped your friend Anna about getting therapy? Spoiler alert, Mrs. Dryden works for me. I don't have many options right now but I feel you could be the right person we need for the mission." Mr Whitmore spoke with a gentle, yet assuring voice.

"Finding a mythical land?" I asked sarcastically. Of course I'm in denial! I mean I got forced to come to an old man's mansion who apparently knows about me and wants my help to find a fairytale dream!? Are you following along? - good. Let's continue

"Hahaha! I know! You aren't the first to consider me crazy! Trust me there have been others!... many others… Look, I think having the chance to continue your father's legacy is a great way to help mend that hole inside of you. You might have been a student prior to Yamatai, but you got guts, kid. That survival instinct! That expedition heart! The urge of wanting that spark of adventure! I was like you before." Mr. Whitmore spoke with such Valor.

Maybe he's right… or maybe he's just a creepy stalking kook. But, somehow, I felt something eating away at my heart - something trying to tell me he's right. However, why must I go through that living hell again?! It's hard enough to think about, and Sam -... could this expedition fix me? Maybe it could finally get Jonah off my back - him wanting me to get a life and all. All I know is that this might be the only chance to overcome my fear and hopefully mend my friendships.

"Fine. I'll help." I stated, not knowing what I just got myself into. "What day would we start?" I continued.

"Why, in about 3 hours of course!!!" He exclaimed with such joy, laughing.

"No way! I don't have anything packed! And what about my butler, Winston!?" I frantically questioned Mr. Whitmore.

"Nonsense! Helga already has your essentials bag put together from the time you entered the study room! And Mr. Winston has already been informed about your travels, including your friend Jonah! Every worry you have, has been dealt with." Mr. Whitmore delightfully answered.

Honestly, I'm shocked. And a bit violated.

"So, am I the only one you reached out to?" I asked as I sat back down, puzzled with everything going on. I mean, seriously, what are the chances of a girl like me getting the chance to find Atlantis - if that place even is real?

"Well I've had the pleasure to gather together some other recruits who will be helping you on the quest ahead! I know, I am pretty proud of myself. Hard bunch to gather but hey, sometimes to get a job done, you have to be a little creative! Welcome, your new team Lara!" Mr. Whitmore explained while he laid a folder out on his desk with profiles and pictures of the team.

As I walked toward the desk to see the files, the names of the recruits were laid out in the following: -

End of Chapter