The Forgotten City

Chapter 7

Ian and I arrive back at the motel, hand in hand. Darkness descends upon the small group of adventurers. A cold chill creeps up my back as I turn and notice the heavy dark fog gathering in the streets. Everyone stays together because the lighting wasn't the greatest in this town, but as I look around...

"Hey, guys? Where are John and Jeff?" I ask.

"I don't know," responds Tiffany. "They were with me most of the night. I didn't even see them stop, or whatever when we were walking... Maybe John tripped in the dark and Jeff stayed back to help him up?" Her face unsure and slightly uncomfortable.

"JOHN! JEFF! YOU GUYS OUT THERE?" calls out Professor Williams out into the fog.

There is no response except the wind rustling in the trees.

"What do we do?" asks Jason.

"We need to go look for them!" insists Ian.

"Okay, here is what we are gonna do," Professor Williams says. "We are going to bed and hopefully they are just messing around and when they get tired, they will come back and sleep. If they are still missing in the morning, then we will go out and look for them. Okay?" He looks around to see everyone's responses.

Everyone nods their heads in agreement, but we are not happy about it. Everyone turns and heads up the stairs.

Ian turns me in his arms and holds me. "I would invite you up to my room, but there is no way in hell I want you anywhere near Jason right now," he whispers into her hair.

"I'm just fine right here in your arms for the rest of my life," she sigh back.

"You have no idea how it made me feel to watch you put up with all Jason's crap. He treated you like dirt, and it hasn't even been just recently. He's been seeing other girls since he started dating you. I just wanted to punch him, but I knew it wasn't up to me. It had to be your choice," he growls into my skin.

"I wish I would have known ahead of time what a jerk he was. I wouldn't have even bothered," I admit.

"You deserve so much better than him. Let me show you..." Ian whispers into my mouth.

I lean into his body, feeling safe in his arms and yield to his kiss. Suddenly my body starts to burn from his careful touch. I want to feel the burn; to be cleansed by fire. I want to be reborn and rise from the ashes of my past.

I moan into him and his hunger feeds mine. His hands touching me, so softly; he creates an all consuming fire of need. I pull Ian to me aggressively, demanding more. I need to feel, and I need it to be with Ian...

Ian growls as he kisses his way up my neck and up to my ear. " I need you so badly... I want you now, but I can't... When I finally claim you... I'm going to keep you forever..." he pants.

Suddenly, a low vibration starts shaking the ground and a cacophony of low, haunting sounds echoes through the fog; sounds of lost souls calling for help.

"What was that?" asks Ian.

"I don't know, but maybe we should go inside while that fog is creeping closer. It's kinda freaking me out," I reply, panicking.

Ian nods and grabs me by my hand and we run up the stairs. He gives me a quick hug. "Goodnight, sweetheart. I'll see ya in the morning," he says and watches as I open the door and duck inside.

I stood leaning against the door, out of breath and listen to his quick foot steps retreat to the room next door. When I hear his door close, I turn around to face the room and notice all the girls are looking at me with varying expressions on their faces.

Sara looks fit to be tied, with her red angry face all scrunched up; I am surprised I haven't been attacked yet.

Samantha just looks annoyed.

But Tiffany... She gives me a saucy wink and a sly smile. She runs up and squeezes the breath out of me, then grabs my arm and hauls me over to our bed.

"So..." she starts, "Tell me EVERYTHING!" she insists.

I don't know anyone on the planet who enjoys gossip as much as my BFF.

So, I do. I start with when I got back from the library, and me forgiving the big jerk in the first place, and him going all possessive on me. I tell her about the almost rape in his room, and how Ian saved me. I tell her about dumping his sorry backside at the diner, and basically telling Sara that those two deserve each other. I blush as I tell her what Ian had said to me and how his kisses heal me.

Tiff gives her undivided attention to the story, so wrapped up in the details; asking questions and gave all the right responses throughout the telling. She is the best at girl talk! I love this girl like a sister. No wonder we have been together since second grade.

"Oh, I am so happy for you, girl!" she squeals after I finish my very emotional day. "You snagged the hottie, and gave the dirt bag the boot. Not to mention you stood up to Miss Prissy pants! Is Ian as good of a kisser as he looks?" she giggles.

I blush. "Better!" is all she can respond.

Tiffany gave me a hug, understanding I have had a long and emotional day. "Okay, you go get some rest and we will totally talk more in the morning! This whole creepy town has mostly put me off boy talk right now... But I need to talk to you tomorrow about John!" she bubbles.

"I promise! In the morning I am all ears.... Hopefully he just went out for a drink with Jeff and everything is okay," I add.

"Yeah, I just don't know what happened! I was just walking along and all of a sudden we are here and they aren't with me! I totally missed them leaving! What is wrong with me?" Tiffany's voice grows steadily higher in pitch as she is getting more worked up; the situation finally hitting her full force.

"Don't worry, sweetie! They will show up later tonight with some dumb excuse saying they needed a snack or whatever, and we will see them in the morning. And if they don't, we will hunt them down so you can yell at them for making everyone worried!" I promise.

"You got that right, girlfriend!" Tiffany sighs in relief, as if what I said made perfect sense to her and there is no reason to worry.

But as I lay in my bed that night, darkness all around me, I can't help but feel something is still terribly wrong in this Forgotten City.