The Forgotten City

Chapter 9

Entering the cafe, I glance around and notice it is far less busy than yesterday. In fact, it is completely empty. Where is everybody? Maybe it is too early for the breakfast rush? I check my watch. It is just after 8 in the morning. Huh... And as far as the staff, there is only an older guy behind the counter. As we walk up, I see dark bags under his eyes, like he hadn't slept in weeks.

"What can I get for you?" he wheezes.

"Can I get a coffee and a bagel with cream cheese?" asks Tiffany.

"Sure, and you two?" he directs his question to Ian.

"How 'bout a couple hot chocolates and some eggs and bacon?" He asks and turns to look at me. "Whad'ya think?"

"Sounds good to me," I smile.

"Got it. I'll bring the orders out as soon as I can."

Ian pulls me close to him in a corner booth, while Tiffany sits on the opposite side.

"Where is everyone?" whispers Tiff.

"I was just wondering the same thing," I whisper back.

"Don't worry, sweetheart. We will figure out where John and Jeff are, and then someone will fix the bus, and we can get out of this soul suckin' town. Then we can spend the weekend out in Cali gettin' dirty," Ian winks at me again.

While his playful tone helps loosen the knots in my chest, the look in his eyes is anything but reassuring.

"Sounds fun... If we can ever get that wreck of a bus working again, that is," I sigh.

"And when we get back home, I'm gonna take you on a real date. Then I'm never gonna let you go," Ian whispers.

"Where are we going to look for John and Jeff?" asks Tiffany.

"I'm not sure. Where was it you saw them last? Maybe the diner?" I suggest.

Just then, Jason walks in with his arms around Sara, followed by Sam and Ben. They all look over at us as the saunter over to the counter to order. I pointedly ignore them and snuggle deeper into Ian's arms. Ian doesn't seem to mind in the least, as he pulls me into his lap and nuzzles my neck.

The old man turns up with our orders a few minutes later. The eggs are cold and the bacon burnt, but the hot chocolate is perfect.

Taking a sip, I let my body relax into the warm chocolaty goodness and lean my head against Ian's shoulder. Not wanting to think of what is going on in this middle-of-nowhere-town, I figure it is a good time for a distraction. "So, what do you think we are going to find when we get down to Cali? Anything exciting? Or just a lot of dirt?" I ask.

"Probably old pottery, lots of rocks, lizards, scorpions.... You know, lots of treasures," Tiff answers cheerfully.

"I think I already found the treasure I was looking for," Ian whispers in my ear, then shovels a fork full of limp eggs into his mouth.

I giggle again. I'm starting to feel like a kindergartner with my first crush! He always knows what to say to make my heart race. Maybe going home to be with Ian is all the treasure I need to...

Suddenly, a mob of angry people bursts through the door to the cafe. The man in the lead marches right up to our group and shouts, "It's you, isn't it! You are the ones comin' into our town and takin' our families and friends! What have you done with 'em?"

Ian stands up and holds his hands out for peace. "What are you talkin' about man?"

"We're missin' our children, neighbors, and even the librarian! I saw ya goin' in there! No one else would do such a thing!" Another man yells at us.

Jason comes over to our table and places a calming hand on the first man's shoulder. "Hey, we don't have anybody. If you don't believe me, you can check out the motel we are stayin' at."

"Get your hand's off me!" he yells, swinging his arm around and knocking Jason in the jaw.

Jason backs away, looking at all they eyes suddenly focusing on him, and tries to make it out the door, while Sara pulls out her cell and dials.

"We are at the cafe on Main Street, and there is a mob here. They are trying to hurt my boyfriend!" Shrieks Sara into her phone.

Ian shoots up, "Stay in here with Tiffany," he yells over his shoulder, pushing his way through the door.

A bigger man, wearing a denim jacket crept up on Jason, pulls out a knife, lunges at him.

"Move!" Ian shouts as he attempts to push Jason out of the way, but he doesn't reach him in time.

Just as the cops pull up, the man with a knife plunges it into his gut, causing blood to spurt out of Jason's mouth. The man backs away with an evil glint in his eye.

Jason gawks down at the knife, plunged to the hilt. His hands shake violently as he tries to place them around the protruding object.

Sara screams as she rushes to him.

Tiffany and I are right on her heals.

Ian wraps his arms around me as Jason falls to his knees. He looks up at us and tries to speak, but all that spews out is more blood.

I vaguely hear one of the cops call for an ambulance. One of the cops arrests the man in the denim. Others are walking around breaking up the mob.

Sam, Ben, Sara, Tiffany, Ian and I all stand around our friend as we watch him take his last bubbling breath. He falls on his back in what seems like slow motion. A single tear manages to drip down his cheek. His eyes look like the fog that is slowly rolling in from the end of the street.

One of the officers moves over to us. "I need to get some statements from you about what happened out here today," he declares.

We all look at him in shock, but nod.

"Why don't you guys head back to the motel, and we will be with you shortly," he says in a softer tone.

"Okay," is all I could say.

Ian keeps his arms around me as we walk back to the motel.

Nobody looks back as the fog creeps up and consumes the body laying in the street.