The story so far:
It was around midday, in a town named Filmar. An attractive blond-haired woman stood quietly outside the small town’s bank hiding her face in a masquerade magazine. She hesitantly scanned the people around her, dressed in a peculiar purple outfit, which tightly hugged her skin, with sharp shining daggers adorning her waist. She had a lavender laced top with black leather pants, which were barely seen as her purple boots reached all the way to her knees. Her long golden hair, up in a ponytail, flowed most of the way down her back.
Filmar was one of the most populated towns in the country, located in the southern part of a small continent known as Espera. There was a lot of commotion in the streets with many merchants. Most of the people who resided in Filmar were poorer than people from the larger cities, but they were well off. The town was under government control. Newly seized valuables were stored in the town’s bank overnight then transported to the city.
The sun was overhead and it was a warm day with a light breeze. A well built blond-haired man, who looked about 22, carrying two silver pistols around his waist, approached the bank and paused for a moment before entering. The lady closed her magazine and dropped it on the floor, then turned around and followed the man inside.
The bank was not too big. There was a counter to the left and directly ahead was the restricted area, which to the woman’s surprise was currently unguarded. She noticed an overweight security guard leaning lazily on the counter, eyeing them suspiciously, but the blond-haired man paid him no attention and swiftly walked into the restricted area of the bank.
The guard was taken by surprise and shouts, “Hey! Hey!” almost running towards him, but the deceivingly beautiful woman, a little further behind the man...
Filmar was one of the most populated towns in the country, located in the southern part of a small continent known as Espera. There was a lot of commotion in the streets with many merchants. Most of the people who resided in Filmar were poorer than people from the larger cities, but they were well off. The town was under government control. Newly seized valuables were stored in the town’s bank overnight then transported to the city.
The sun was overhead and it was a warm day with a light breeze. A well built blond-haired man, who looked about 22, carrying two silver pistols around his waist, approached the bank and paused for a moment before entering. The lady closed her magazine and dropped it on the floor, then turned around and followed the man inside.
The bank was not too big. There was a counter to the left and directly ahead was the restricted area, which to the woman’s surprise was currently unguarded. She noticed an overweight security guard leaning lazily on the counter, eyeing them suspiciously, but the blond-haired man paid him no attention and swiftly walked into the restricted area of the bank.
The guard was taken by surprise and shouts, “Hey! Hey!” almost running towards him, but the deceivingly beautiful woman, a little further behind the man...
...turns and faces the overweight guard. He tries to shove her aside but she's intent on getting in his way.
"Excuse me," she says as she lets him pass by. Her left hand cautiously slips the .9mm pistol out of the holster fastened his right side. He was unaware of her actions and proceeded into the restricted area to persue the blond-haired man.
As the woman walked back out of the bank she took a quick look at the crowd in the bank. All their faces wore the same expression, soft eyes and mouths almost to the point of being gaped open in surprise. With a quiet chuckle to herself about the idiotic expressions she walked out of the bank and into the streets of Filmar.
She parks herself on a bench not to far away from the bank, waiting for the blond-haired man to come back out...
"Excuse me," she says as she lets him pass by. Her left hand cautiously slips the .9mm pistol out of the holster fastened his right side. He was unaware of her actions and proceeded into the restricted area to persue the blond-haired man.
As the woman walked back out of the bank she took a quick look at the crowd in the bank. All their faces wore the same expression, soft eyes and mouths almost to the point of being gaped open in surprise. With a quiet chuckle to herself about the idiotic expressions she walked out of the bank and into the streets of Filmar.
She parks herself on a bench not to far away from the bank, waiting for the blond-haired man to come back out...
...She feels a cool breeze blowing down the street. Glancing up at the sky there is not a cloud in sight. Looking around anxiously and checking her watch she waits impatiently for the blond-haired man. Minutes pass and still he hasn't emerged.
Opening up her handbag, making sure no one is looking she quickly slips the gun into the bottom of it pretending like she was looking for something then closes it.
Staring at the bank she sees a cop car heading her way out of the corner of her eye. Thankfully it just passes by without any knowledge of whats going on inside...
Opening up her handbag, making sure no one is looking she quickly slips the gun into the bottom of it pretending like she was looking for something then closes it.
Staring at the bank she sees a cop car heading her way out of the corner of her eye. Thankfully it just passes by without any knowledge of whats going on inside...
~Time shifts to just after the blond-haired lady leaves the bank after confrontation with the security guard~
The blond-haired man continued to walk down the hall and past the lockers, until he reached the vault at the end.
"Hey!" the security guard shouts, finally catching up to him. He appeared to be out of breath. The man turned around and raised his eyebrow. "What do you think you're doing!?" the guard questions, reaching for his pistol in his holster, but nothing was there. A look of shock crossed his face.
The man smiled at him, then jabbed him in the face, knocking him unconscious. He kneeled down and reached for the guard's ring of keys. "I'll be taking these if you don't mind." He turned back around and opened the vault to see a glass case in the middle of the empty room with glistening diamonds in it. "Bingo."
He grabbed the diamonds and left the vault to find himself face to face with a tall man in a smart blue suit.
"Jason Cross, isn't it?" the tall man said.
"Who are you?" the blond-haired man questioned suspiciously.
The man in the blue suit ignored his question and said, "Stealing things which don't belong to you?"
Jason raised his head and while looking the man in the eyes, he sternly replied, "But am I really the real thief here?"
The man chuckled...
The blond-haired man continued to walk down the hall and past the lockers, until he reached the vault at the end.
"Hey!" the security guard shouts, finally catching up to him. He appeared to be out of breath. The man turned around and raised his eyebrow. "What do you think you're doing!?" the guard questions, reaching for his pistol in his holster, but nothing was there. A look of shock crossed his face.
The man smiled at him, then jabbed him in the face, knocking him unconscious. He kneeled down and reached for the guard's ring of keys. "I'll be taking these if you don't mind." He turned back around and opened the vault to see a glass case in the middle of the empty room with glistening diamonds in it. "Bingo."
He grabbed the diamonds and left the vault to find himself face to face with a tall man in a smart blue suit.
"Jason Cross, isn't it?" the tall man said.
"Who are you?" the blond-haired man questioned suspiciously.
The man in the blue suit ignored his question and said, "Stealing things which don't belong to you?"
Jason raised his head and while looking the man in the eyes, he sternly replied, "But am I really the real thief here?"
The man chuckled...
"You don't know me." He said.
Jason replied, "But you know me?"
"If you knew me you'd know why I know these things." The man in the blue suit said, obviously trying to confuse Jason.
"Who are you then."
"That's none of your concern."
"Then stop talking to me and leave," Jason replied apparently annoyed.
"Sorry but I can't let you steal those diamonds, they're mine, I was actually on my way to pick them up. I wanted to take them out of the bank before they transfered them, but I see you're already doing that for me" The suited man smirked, the last part was purely sarcasim.
"Ah, so you're Aiden Peltier." Jason turned and grabbed the bag of diamonds, he proceeded to leave the building. Of course, Aiden followed Jason out into the streets not leaving his diamonds. It was weird how he wasn't calling the police or anything, Jason somehow knew he wouldn't so he just went on.
Jason replied, "But you know me?"
"If you knew me you'd know why I know these things." The man in the blue suit said, obviously trying to confuse Jason.
"Who are you then."
"That's none of your concern."
"Then stop talking to me and leave," Jason replied apparently annoyed.
"Sorry but I can't let you steal those diamonds, they're mine, I was actually on my way to pick them up. I wanted to take them out of the bank before they transfered them, but I see you're already doing that for me" The suited man smirked, the last part was purely sarcasim.
"Ah, so you're Aiden Peltier." Jason turned and grabbed the bag of diamonds, he proceeded to leave the building. Of course, Aiden followed Jason out into the streets not leaving his diamonds. It was weird how he wasn't calling the police or anything, Jason somehow knew he wouldn't so he just went on.
She waits there quickly losing her patience. Looking behind her she spots a playground where children are happily playing taking her back to when she was a kid... BANG! She jumps up startled looking wildly around to see where that noise had come from. Looking down she spots a hole in her handbag and gapes in horror. Opening it up and peering in she sees that her lipstick had found its way in and set off the trigger.
Jason was hurrying, knowing that he had made his partner, Veronica, wait longer than expected. As he exited through the doors of the bank, he paused and looked around, but then heard, "Hold it right there. That's far enough." He turned around to see the blue-suited man, pointing a gun at him. Before he knew it, there were two more men in black suits behind him with guns pointed at the back of his head.
The blue-suited man continued in his usual calm tone, "As I was saying, you shouldn't be taking things which don't belong to you."
"And I suppose they belong to you?" Jason said. "I know you're not Aiden Peltier."
The blue-suited man ignored him once again and said, "Hand over the diamonds and I'll let you live."
"A corrupted government official, stealing from the government what they took from their own citizen." Veronica had overheard the conversation and slipped up behind the blue-suited man with the guard's pistol in her hand pointed at him. "Leon Price, you pig. Put down your weapons!"
"Who do we have here?" the blue-suited man questioned humorously. "I'm just here to protect what the government wants kept safe from rats like you."
"If that's the case, then why haven't you called for backup?" she asked suspiciously. "Just you and two suits." She pressed the gun into the back of Leon's head impatiently. "I said drop the guns or I swear I'll decorate the street with your insides. And I think you know very well that I would do it. After what was done to Aiden, I'm not fancying the government."
"Ah, of course. Veronica Peltier," Leon said with a grin...
The blue-suited man continued in his usual calm tone, "As I was saying, you shouldn't be taking things which don't belong to you."
"And I suppose they belong to you?" Jason said. "I know you're not Aiden Peltier."
The blue-suited man ignored him once again and said, "Hand over the diamonds and I'll let you live."
"A corrupted government official, stealing from the government what they took from their own citizen." Veronica had overheard the conversation and slipped up behind the blue-suited man with the guard's pistol in her hand pointed at him. "Leon Price, you pig. Put down your weapons!"
"Who do we have here?" the blue-suited man questioned humorously. "I'm just here to protect what the government wants kept safe from rats like you."
"If that's the case, then why haven't you called for backup?" she asked suspiciously. "Just you and two suits." She pressed the gun into the back of Leon's head impatiently. "I said drop the guns or I swear I'll decorate the street with your insides. And I think you know very well that I would do it. After what was done to Aiden, I'm not fancying the government."
"Ah, of course. Veronica Peltier," Leon said with a grin...
Veronica jammed the gun into the back of Leon's head, growing more impatient by the second. "Drop the gun, now." she said, emphasizing each syllable.
"You know you aren't going to shoot me with this many witnesses, especially since the gun just went off and people are staring at us."
"I bet someone has already called the police." One of the suits commented.
"We're in a pickle." Jason added, still clinging onto the bag of diamonds. "We need to leave Veronica, now." She pulls the trigger, the sidewalk becomes splattered with Leon's blood and his body falls limp to the ground with a loud thump. The two men in suits were apparently in shock giving Jason a chance to slap the gun out of the one behind him and Veronica shot the other one in the chest.
"Smart," Jason said as the sound of sirens got closer. He had the man in a head lock the quickly snapped his neck leaving him dead.
Veronica and Jason made a run for the car Jason arrived in, unfortunately he parked it at the end of the block and the sirens were screaming, growing closer by the second.
Running full speed they quickly closed the distance between them and the car. Trying the door it opened instantly and they both quickly got into the car shutting the doors behind them. Finding that the key was left in the ignition Jason slammed his foot down on the accelerator making the wheels squeal before they took off down the street full speed.
"Where are we going?" Veronica said catching her breath halfway through the sentence.
"Dunno. Gotta get away from the cops first." He grinned handing the diamonds to her.
Looking into the rear view mirror he sees that the cops are gaining up on them and speeds round the corner just missing an on coming car.
"Where are we going?" Veronica said catching her breath halfway through the sentence.
"Dunno. Gotta get away from the cops first." He grinned handing the diamonds to her.
Looking into the rear view mirror he sees that the cops are gaining up on them and speeds round the corner just missing an on coming car.
Caught by surprise, the on coming car braked and swerved. Not realizing that he had just got in the middle of a police chase, he collided with a police car from around the corner, resulting in a chain reaction of police cars colliding with each other.
Veronica looked back in relief to see that the police had been delayed. Jason, looking through the rear-view mirror laughed out loud, "Haha!"
After putting a little space between them and the police, Jason slowed down and said, "Looks like we did it."
"Yeah..." Veronica replied with no hint of enthusiasm in her voice.
Jason looked at her and then back at the road. "You alright?" There was no response. "It's that government official, isn't it? You do know we could've got away without killing him? I won't lie, you probably have put us in some deep water by doing that. We'll have to lay low for a while..."
"I saw no other choice," Veronica replied harshly, "He wouldn't have made his men put down his guns because he didn't think I would do it. You heard him say it."
"Look, I don't want to argue with you." Jason replied, eyes focused on the road. Their speed has slowed a bit because the cops were no longer chasing them.
The two thieves made their way to their warehouse on the outskirts of the city. It was almost dusk when they had gotten there.
"Look, I don't want to argue with you." Jason replied, eyes focused on the road. Their speed has slowed a bit because the cops were no longer chasing them.
The two thieves made their way to their warehouse on the outskirts of the city. It was almost dusk when they had gotten there.
The sky red blazing like fire in the late afternoon light. They parked their car in the warehouse. Shutting off the engine they got out of the car making sure no one followed them and quickly walked inside. Not saying a word to each other they walk across the room and added the diamonds to the pile of stolen goods before sitting down to take a break from all the events of the day.
"How long do we plan on staying here?' Veronica said a little aggressively.
"Not sure but it will be a while before we can show our faces in public again. Be all over the news no doubt." he said sighing and resting his head in his hands.
"You hungry?" She stared down at him plainly bored.
"No, no i'm not hungry." he looked up at her matching her gaze.
Veronica grabbed the other set of keys and walked over to the spare car that was left there earlier. Getting into the car and starting the engine making it roar she took off without him disappearing into the night.
"How long do we plan on staying here?' Veronica said a little aggressively.
"Not sure but it will be a while before we can show our faces in public again. Be all over the news no doubt." he said sighing and resting his head in his hands.
"You hungry?" She stared down at him plainly bored.
"No, no i'm not hungry." he looked up at her matching her gaze.
Veronica grabbed the other set of keys and walked over to the spare car that was left there earlier. Getting into the car and starting the engine making it roar she took off without him disappearing into the night.
Veronica knew she shouldn't show her face after what had happened, but she was too hungry, so she stopped at the market nearby and bought a sandwich and a drink. A short while later, she was sitting on a cliff eating her meal as her mind drifted back to the events of not to long ago...
***
It was a cozy warm lit house in the country. The dinner table was set with candles in the center. Veronica was in the kitchen preparing dinner for her and her husband, Aiden, who was due home at any moment. It was their one year anniversary, so she decided to cook him a meal and have a romantic dinner together. As she was checking on the food in the oven, her husband arrived home.
"Veronica?" He sounded like he was in a hurry and out of breath .
Worried by his tone, she turned around and shouted, "I'm in the kitchen, honey!"
They came face to face at the kitchen's threshold and Aiden grabbed her shoulders. "Veronica, quick. We have to go."
"What are you talking about?" she replied, confused.
"You know the cellar we found a week ago?" he asked her.
"Yes," she answered.
"Well, I found something very valuable in there and somehow the government has found out and you know how they are; they say this is their land and anything found or dug up belongs to them, but I found this in the cellar under our house. We should be able to keep it. It will make our dreams come true. With it we can get whatever we want. We can go wherever we want! We'll finally be able to afford your dream house!" He sounded excited and full of hope. It made Veronica feel warm inside.
Suddenly, they heard noises outside. Aiden rushed around Veronica to the window to see shadows moving outside. He turned back around and pulled a cloth bag out of his pocket. "I want you to take this." He put the bag in Veronica's hands. "And I want you to head out through the back door and hurry to the other side of the cliff. I'll meet you there. You understand?"
"Wh-what?! You're not coming??" she asked, both frightened and worried.
"Go! Go now!" he ordered in a very serious tone and she turned and ran out of the kitchen.
Just as she left the kitchen, the front door was smashed open. Aiden picked up his shotgun and went into the living room. "How may I help you?" he asked the men in uniform.
"We're here on behalf of the law. We are to retrieve what rightfully belongs to the government," one of the uniforms said.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Aiden replied calmly.
"Don't play games with us," another officer cut in. "Hand over the diamonds!"
"Like hell I will!" Aiden cocked his shotgun.
At that fateful moment, Veronica had stepped one foot out the back door as she heard one gunshot almost simultaneously followed by another. In fear of what might have happened, she quickly turned around and ran through the house. As she arrived in the living room, she saw her husband's head, from around the couch, on the floor, lying in a puddle of blood.
"AIDEN!" she screamed as she ran over. An officer was lying on the floor. It appeared he had killed one of them and was killed by the next.
"Get her!" an officer ordered.
A man attempted to restrain her, but she kicked him in the face, giving him a bloody nose. The officer by the door raised his gun and fired at her, but she spun around and pulled the bloody-nosed officer in front of her and in an instant, he fell to the ground. She then swiftly grabbed a knife from the dinner table she had set the prior hour and with great speed, she threw it at the officer by the door. It was right on target as he clenched his chest and fell to his knees.
She then heard more officers approaching the front door to come to their aid. She quickly turned and ran for the back door. She didn't stop. She didn't slow down. She didn't hesitate to look back at all; the image of her husband lying on their living room floor in her head the whole time she ran. It wasn't until she had reached the cliff that she noticed she no longer had the bag of diamonds on her...
***
As her mind slowly came back to the present, she noticed she had tears in her eyes and her half-eaten sandwich was being nibbled on by a squirrel. She leaned back and watched the sunset...
***
It was a cozy warm lit house in the country. The dinner table was set with candles in the center. Veronica was in the kitchen preparing dinner for her and her husband, Aiden, who was due home at any moment. It was their one year anniversary, so she decided to cook him a meal and have a romantic dinner together. As she was checking on the food in the oven, her husband arrived home.
"Veronica?" He sounded like he was in a hurry and out of breath .
Worried by his tone, she turned around and shouted, "I'm in the kitchen, honey!"
They came face to face at the kitchen's threshold and Aiden grabbed her shoulders. "Veronica, quick. We have to go."
"What are you talking about?" she replied, confused.
"You know the cellar we found a week ago?" he asked her.
"Yes," she answered.
"Well, I found something very valuable in there and somehow the government has found out and you know how they are; they say this is their land and anything found or dug up belongs to them, but I found this in the cellar under our house. We should be able to keep it. It will make our dreams come true. With it we can get whatever we want. We can go wherever we want! We'll finally be able to afford your dream house!" He sounded excited and full of hope. It made Veronica feel warm inside.
Suddenly, they heard noises outside. Aiden rushed around Veronica to the window to see shadows moving outside. He turned back around and pulled a cloth bag out of his pocket. "I want you to take this." He put the bag in Veronica's hands. "And I want you to head out through the back door and hurry to the other side of the cliff. I'll meet you there. You understand?"
"Wh-what?! You're not coming??" she asked, both frightened and worried.
"Go! Go now!" he ordered in a very serious tone and she turned and ran out of the kitchen.
Just as she left the kitchen, the front door was smashed open. Aiden picked up his shotgun and went into the living room. "How may I help you?" he asked the men in uniform.
"We're here on behalf of the law. We are to retrieve what rightfully belongs to the government," one of the uniforms said.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Aiden replied calmly.
"Don't play games with us," another officer cut in. "Hand over the diamonds!"
"Like hell I will!" Aiden cocked his shotgun.
At that fateful moment, Veronica had stepped one foot out the back door as she heard one gunshot almost simultaneously followed by another. In fear of what might have happened, she quickly turned around and ran through the house. As she arrived in the living room, she saw her husband's head, from around the couch, on the floor, lying in a puddle of blood.
"AIDEN!" she screamed as she ran over. An officer was lying on the floor. It appeared he had killed one of them and was killed by the next.
"Get her!" an officer ordered.
A man attempted to restrain her, but she kicked him in the face, giving him a bloody nose. The officer by the door raised his gun and fired at her, but she spun around and pulled the bloody-nosed officer in front of her and in an instant, he fell to the ground. She then swiftly grabbed a knife from the dinner table she had set the prior hour and with great speed, she threw it at the officer by the door. It was right on target as he clenched his chest and fell to his knees.
She then heard more officers approaching the front door to come to their aid. She quickly turned and ran for the back door. She didn't stop. She didn't slow down. She didn't hesitate to look back at all; the image of her husband lying on their living room floor in her head the whole time she ran. It wasn't until she had reached the cliff that she noticed she no longer had the bag of diamonds on her...
***
As her mind slowly came back to the present, she noticed she had tears in her eyes and her half-eaten sandwich was being nibbled on by a squirrel. She leaned back and watched the sunset...
Struck with overwhelming fatigue Jason decided not to wait up for Veronica, she’s a big girl, she can take care of herself he thought to himself. He retired early to his cot in the corner of their small warehouse.
Of course, even though he’s tired he can’t sleep, his mind trailed off the time when he met Veronica…
***
It was a cold and dreary night, the sidewalk was slightly luminous from the night’s previous rain reflecting the light from the street lamps. Jason was walking home from his night out with “the boys.” Silently walking, not really paying attention to anything beyond his own thoughts, he turned the corner and smacked faces with a blond woman.
“I’m so sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.” Jason said, helping the young lady up. She looked awful, her skin was pasty white, her eyes were bloodshot, and her clothes were filthy. Her face was nice though, aside from the color of her skin, that is. Perhaps she’s a hobo?
“It’s fine, I wasn’t paying attention either.” She said lightly, then started to walk away.
“Wait!” Jason shouted, “is there anything I can do for you? You do look rather pale.” She sighed.
“No, I’m quite fine by myself. But thank you for offering.” She said and starts to walk off again. Jason grabbed her arm.
“Could I at least buy you something to eat? I’m concerned.” He said with soft eyes. Thinking about it, she was kind of hungry, plus if she didn’t let him give her something he’d never go away.
“Uh…sure why not. But it is rather late, you think any restaurant around here is still open?”
“Hmm…you’ve got that right. You’ll just have to come to my place then.” The lady just stared at him. Instantly knowing what she was thinking he corrected himself. “Just for something to eat, I’m not a creeper or anything, I swear. You’ll just have to trust me.” Apparently he didn’t realize how stupid that sounded.
“Alright, I’ll trust you…a complete stranger.” She accepted knowing that if she did get into any trouble there was no doubt that she could get herself out of it.
Minutes passed and they walked down the sidewalk not uttering a word to each other.
“Here we are,” Jason said, stopping in front of an apartment. The outside was constructed of rusty brick, there we’re black bars on all on the windows, typically Filmar residence. Jason fondled with the door for a while then they made their way up to his apartment.
“I’ll make soup, sound good?”
“I’m up for anything.” The blond woman replied
“Soup it is then. Oh, what’s your name?”
“Veronica.”
“Mine is Jason, nice to meet you Veronica.” She just smiled and nodded. Veronica wandered over to the living room and sat on a couch in silence while Jason made the soup.
About ten minutes later Jason arrived in the living room with two bowls of Chicken Noodle Soup in his hands. He set one bowl on the coffee table in front Veronica then he seated himself in the chair across from her. Veronica picked up the bowl and started eating.
“I haven’t had this since I was a kid,” Veronica commented. “Brings back a lot of good memories.” She smiled and continued eating.
“Chicken Noodle Soup always reminds me of my mom, she would make it for me whenever I’d get hurt, when I was sad, and when I was sick.” He smiled, “And you looked sad.” Veronica shrugged.
“You know how life is, especially when you live in this pit. When the Government just views you the scum on the bottom of the pit.” She said, more talking to herself the Jason.
“I know too well.” He replied.
“Oh?”
“My mom was murdered by a Government Official when I was twelve. it was a Sunday afternoon and we were headed for church. My mom wanted to stop at the grocery store before to get some flour, she loved baking. She told me to stay in the car ‘cause she was only going to be in the store for a minute. She was shot down in the parking lot, apparently there was a robbery just down the street and the thief was on the run. The Government Official was chasing after him just shooting anyone that got in his way. Unluckily my mother and four other people were in his way, he just shot them down like birds.”
“That’s terrible, who cared for you after that?”
“No one, she was the only one I had left.”
After this Veronica shared her story, eventually she ended up falling asleep on the couch. Jason grabbed a throw blanket and spread it across her then he retired to his room for a good three hours of sleep.
***
Turning over, Jason slowly drifted into sleep.
Watching the sky slowly fade into black she gets up picking up her rubbish and going over to the car. Getting in she hides her rubbish in the glove compartment. Smirking a little she starts the car and drives off back to their hide out. Shortly after arriving there and parking outside she silently walks into the building making sure Jason is still asleep. She sneaks over to the pile of thieved goods and kneels down taking a small object from the pile and stashes it in her pocket. Getting back up she tip toes out of the room into the next one before lying down on an old couch that looked distinctly old stains and springs sticking out of it. Closing her eyes she slowly nods off to sleep.
As she drifted off to sleep, she began dreaming...
***
"What are you doing here?" a familiar voice said. "I thought I told you to come tonight."
"I know," another man's voice said, "but I can't stop by tonight. I had to bring them by today."
"So, you brought all the ones I asked for?"
"Yes, here are all the blueprints you wanted."
"Thanks, now hurry and go, I have a guest here at the moment and you might wake her."
The door slammed closed as Veronica opened her eyes. The sun was shining bright through the opening in the curtain. "Blueprints? What blueprints?" She thought to herself. "Where am I?" It took her a while to remember the events of the night before and how she ran into Jason. She got out of bed and walked out of the room.
"Oh, you're awake," Jason said. "Sleep well?"
"Yes, thanks," Veronica replied.
"Well, breakfast is almost done," he said as he walked to the kitchen.
Veronica moved to the nearest table and looked through the papers. "Bank blueprints...?" She filed through the blueprints and came across one titled "Bank of Filmar."
Just then, Jason entered the room saying, "Tea or coff-" He stopped as he saw her holding the blueprints in her hand.
"These are bank blueprints," she told him.
Jason turned red. "Uhh, yes, well... you see... I'm an umm... Archit-"
"The Bank of Filmar," she started, interrupting him. She placed the other blueprints on the table and walked towards him, circling around him once and provocatively saying, "I heard that they will be storing precious diamonds there over the weekend."
"Is that so?" he said, pretending he didn't care. "And why are you telling me this?"
Barely allowing him to finish she replied, "Will you help me get them?" He just looked at her without saying anything. She continued. "No point hiding it from me. I'm not the police. Those diamonds were stolen from a man named Aiden Peltier. They don't even belong to the government."
"What's that got to do with you?" Jason asked.
"My full name is Veronica Peltier. Aiden Peltier was my husband."
"Ahhh I knew there was more to it than just the diamonds."
"So what do you say, Jason?"
"We split the diamonds?" he said, bargaining.
"If that is the only way, then so be it," Veronica said.
***
As she woke up, she reached in her pocket for the bag of diamonds she stashed in there earlier, but they were no longer there. "That b*****d..." She sat up on the couch, but noticed she was sitting on something. She got to her feet and saw the bag of diamonds on the couch. "There you are," she said as she picked them off the couch.
***
"What are you doing here?" a familiar voice said. "I thought I told you to come tonight."
"I know," another man's voice said, "but I can't stop by tonight. I had to bring them by today."
"So, you brought all the ones I asked for?"
"Yes, here are all the blueprints you wanted."
"Thanks, now hurry and go, I have a guest here at the moment and you might wake her."
The door slammed closed as Veronica opened her eyes. The sun was shining bright through the opening in the curtain. "Blueprints? What blueprints?" She thought to herself. "Where am I?" It took her a while to remember the events of the night before and how she ran into Jason. She got out of bed and walked out of the room.
"Oh, you're awake," Jason said. "Sleep well?"
"Yes, thanks," Veronica replied.
"Well, breakfast is almost done," he said as he walked to the kitchen.
Veronica moved to the nearest table and looked through the papers. "Bank blueprints...?" She filed through the blueprints and came across one titled "Bank of Filmar."
Just then, Jason entered the room saying, "Tea or coff-" He stopped as he saw her holding the blueprints in her hand.
"These are bank blueprints," she told him.
Jason turned red. "Uhh, yes, well... you see... I'm an umm... Archit-"
"The Bank of Filmar," she started, interrupting him. She placed the other blueprints on the table and walked towards him, circling around him once and provocatively saying, "I heard that they will be storing precious diamonds there over the weekend."
"Is that so?" he said, pretending he didn't care. "And why are you telling me this?"
Barely allowing him to finish she replied, "Will you help me get them?" He just looked at her without saying anything. She continued. "No point hiding it from me. I'm not the police. Those diamonds were stolen from a man named Aiden Peltier. They don't even belong to the government."
"What's that got to do with you?" Jason asked.
"My full name is Veronica Peltier. Aiden Peltier was my husband."
"Ahhh I knew there was more to it than just the diamonds."
"So what do you say, Jason?"
"We split the diamonds?" he said, bargaining.
"If that is the only way, then so be it," Veronica said.
***
As she woke up, she reached in her pocket for the bag of diamonds she stashed in there earlier, but they were no longer there. "That b*****d..." She sat up on the couch, but noticed she was sitting on something. She got to her feet and saw the bag of diamonds on the couch. "There you are," she said as she picked them off the couch.
Jason walked into the room as Veronica was fondling the diamonds. “You remember we’re dividing those up, right?”
“Of course I remember,”
“Fifty-fifty.”
“Sixty-forty, you remember these were my deceased husband’s diamonds in the first place, right? I think it’s only fair I get more.” She replied, tightening her grip on the velvet bag.
“I think it’s only fair we split them equally since I was the one who did all the stealing, planning and what-not.” He said in an as-a-matter-of-fact tone.
“I jacked the guard's gun.”
“Big whoop, and toddler could’ve done that. It takes a mastermind to plan out robbing a bank, especially since you had no idea which vault the diamonds were in.”
“That is totally beside the point, they we’re my husbands diamonds, I will pay you for helping me get them back but it’s only fair that I a bigger share.”
“You are so stubborn.”
“Yeah, so.” She rested her hand on her hip.
“Why don’t we draw out of a hat…no…that’s a stupid idea. I don’t know how we’re going to solve this one Veronica. We don’t have the time for such arguments…we need to get out of here before we’re caught.”
“Okay…why don’t we just leave town together then decide what we’ll do.”
“Okay.” Jason agreed.
“Of course I remember,”
“Fifty-fifty.”
“Sixty-forty, you remember these were my deceased husband’s diamonds in the first place, right? I think it’s only fair I get more.” She replied, tightening her grip on the velvet bag.
“I think it’s only fair we split them equally since I was the one who did all the stealing, planning and what-not.” He said in an as-a-matter-of-fact tone.
“I jacked the guard's gun.”
“Big whoop, and toddler could’ve done that. It takes a mastermind to plan out robbing a bank, especially since you had no idea which vault the diamonds were in.”
“That is totally beside the point, they we’re my husbands diamonds, I will pay you for helping me get them back but it’s only fair that I a bigger share.”
“You are so stubborn.”
“Yeah, so.” She rested her hand on her hip.
“Why don’t we draw out of a hat…no…that’s a stupid idea. I don’t know how we’re going to solve this one Veronica. We don’t have the time for such arguments…we need to get out of here before we’re caught.”
“Okay…why don’t we just leave town together then decide what we’ll do.”
“Okay.” Jason agreed.
Veronica, through her subtle methods of persuasion, had chosen the direction in which herself and Jason would go. Although Jason had many objections, recognized that he stood no chance at all of resisting her stubbornness.
"OK, so once we get to Intherele we can go our seperate ways?" Jason was talking through a mouthful of corned beef sandwich.
"If you really want to be rid of me that much..." Veronica's mood had not yet improved. The pair had stopped along a dusty road, refilling their veteran getaway car's tank. Jason chose to ignore her deliberately difficult attitude.
"And the diamonds?"
"-will be dealt with. So soon as we reach Intherele's gates. Don't you trust me?" Veronica did not need to change her tone of voice for Jason to roll his eyes.
"I wish I wasn't so easy sometimes." Jason gave a look of friendly discontent.
"Ok then. We can leave now if you're done stuffing your face." Veronica walked in her usual classy manner towards the passenger side of the car.
*
After a long sticky 4 hour-long car ride, Veronica stretched her legs. Jason's hair was rough and damp. The sun overhead beamed over the white rooftops of Intherele. They had decided to leave the car to retire outside a small theatre, many children were playing in the streets. Intherele was a small classy town, more Southern and much warmer than Filmar. Jason and Veronica decided to spend one night in a hotel villa, not far from the town's East Gate.
The two of them walked casually into the hotel building looking like they had just come from the beach. Wearing shorts and t-shirts.
"Hello how can I help you?" asked the receptionist.
"A room for two please." replied Jason before Veronica butted in.
"Two single rooms." she said giving Jason a bad look implying that she wanted to be left alone. Jason paid the money and got handed the room keys. Giving Veronica her one he headed off to his room going up the stairs.
"Where are you going?" she called from the bottom of the stairs. He glanced down at her then continued to his room leaving her by herself.
Feeling a little agitated Veronica wandered off in search of some entertainment. Finding a bar she walks in and takes a seat. She peers up at the television watching sport drifting off into deep thought when she hears a voice.
"What will it be, ma'am?" She looked around noticing the bar tender staring at her.
"Oh sorry a tequila and two shots please." she said watching the bar tender walk off and make her drinks. Coming back and putting the drinks in front of her and eyed her suspiciously. Without a second glance she scooped up the shots, swallowed them one after the other then started on the tequila.
"I'll have one of what she's having," a young gentleman said as he sat beside her at the bar. He had short dark brown hair which was spiked with blue eyes and was quite tanned. Veronica ignored him and continued to drink. "You might want to slow down there, miss."
"Thanks for the tip," she said blankly, while lifting the glass to her mouth once again.
"Your tequila, sir," the bartender said as he put the glass on the counter and walked away.
"My name is Aaron," he said. "What's yours?"
Veronica, looking a little agitated, turned and opened her mouth to say something, but stopped as she saw two officers enter the bar behind Aaron.
"I have to go," she said, getting up quickly and leaving.
"Hey!" the bartender shouted, but Aaron stopped him and said, "I'll pay."
Veronica didn't hear Aaron or the bartender as she left the bar and headed for the hotel, which was just down the street. She went up to her room and as she put the key into the door, Jason appeared.
"I've been thinking," he began, "and I've decided that you can keep all the diamonds."
Veronica took her key out of the door and faced him. "Why?"
Jason sighed. "I can't help but feel a bit guilty for taking some from you after what you've been through. After all, there are many other banks, which I have blueprints for already."
Veronica couldn't help but smile at that statement. "You actually have done a lot for me. I can't really understand why."
"I know I said we go our separate ways once we arrive, but how about we spend tomorrow together. Intherele has a nice shopping center."
"Seeing as how we never celebrated our achievement, I think that's a nice idea," Veronica replied.
"Alright. I'll see you tomorrow then." Jason smiled, then turned and head back to his room.
"Thanks for the tip," she said blankly, while lifting the glass to her mouth once again.
"Your tequila, sir," the bartender said as he put the glass on the counter and walked away.
"My name is Aaron," he said. "What's yours?"
Veronica, looking a little agitated, turned and opened her mouth to say something, but stopped as she saw two officers enter the bar behind Aaron.
"I have to go," she said, getting up quickly and leaving.
"Hey!" the bartender shouted, but Aaron stopped him and said, "I'll pay."
Veronica didn't hear Aaron or the bartender as she left the bar and headed for the hotel, which was just down the street. She went up to her room and as she put the key into the door, Jason appeared.
"I've been thinking," he began, "and I've decided that you can keep all the diamonds."
Veronica took her key out of the door and faced him. "Why?"
Jason sighed. "I can't help but feel a bit guilty for taking some from you after what you've been through. After all, there are many other banks, which I have blueprints for already."
Veronica couldn't help but smile at that statement. "You actually have done a lot for me. I can't really understand why."
"I know I said we go our separate ways once we arrive, but how about we spend tomorrow together. Intherele has a nice shopping center."
"Seeing as how we never celebrated our achievement, I think that's a nice idea," Veronica replied.
"Alright. I'll see you tomorrow then." Jason smiled, then turned and head back to his room.
The hallway in which Jason's room was in was dark and the walls were thin. He could hear cries, screams and silent conversations as he walked past each door until her reached his at the end of the hallway. He reached into his pocket, grabbed the key and unlocked the door.
Inside was a single bed and a three-drawer dresser with purple paint and green knobs. Jason noticed that there was no TV. "Well...straight to bed then yes?" he said to himself and plopped onto the bed.
The covers were itchy and the pillow was a tad damp. Lovely he thought and flipped the pillow over. It was also damp on the other side so he just threw it to the floor and used his arms as a pillow.
Suddenly Jason was struck with overwhelming tiredness and drifted into a dreamless sleep.
Inside was a single bed and a three-drawer dresser with purple paint and green knobs. Jason noticed that there was no TV. "Well...straight to bed then yes?" he said to himself and plopped onto the bed.
The covers were itchy and the pillow was a tad damp. Lovely he thought and flipped the pillow over. It was also damp on the other side so he just threw it to the floor and used his arms as a pillow.
Suddenly Jason was struck with overwhelming tiredness and drifted into a dreamless sleep.
( Let's pretend this is actually a nice hotel in a nice town.. you know.. since Antrist did call it a "villa" ).
It was 11AM when Veronica woke up. "Looks like I've missed breakfast," she said to herself with a yawn. She head to the bathroom to have a shower. It wasn't until noon that she left her room and went down to the lobby to find Jason sitting on a couch reading the morning paper.
"Well aren't we up nice and early," he said to her.
"Yeah, sorry, the bed was just so comfortable."
"Well you missed breakfast," he began, "but we can go and get lunch. I'm sure there are plenty of restaurants in the shopping center. Let's just hope we don't run into any unwanted trouble. We are still wanted after all."
So they head out into town with the hope that they can finally have an enjoyable day.
It was 11AM when Veronica woke up. "Looks like I've missed breakfast," she said to herself with a yawn. She head to the bathroom to have a shower. It wasn't until noon that she left her room and went down to the lobby to find Jason sitting on a couch reading the morning paper.
"Well aren't we up nice and early," he said to her.
"Yeah, sorry, the bed was just so comfortable."
"Well you missed breakfast," he began, "but we can go and get lunch. I'm sure there are plenty of restaurants in the shopping center. Let's just hope we don't run into any unwanted trouble. We are still wanted after all."
So they head out into town with the hope that they can finally have an enjoyable day.
Jason and Veronica walked out of the hotel and into the cobblestone streets.
"It's so fancy, I don't remember seeing this when we came in." Veronica noted.
"Well, it was dark when we got here so that's understandable."
As they walked the streets they both noticed little Merchandise tents. Must be some kind of street fair They both thought. They passed the tents, admiring all of the puppets, jewelry, fruits, and carvings that were being sold. With smiles on their faces they casually came to the end of the little tents.
"I'm beginning to love this place. It's so cozy. Old towns like this really warm my heart. I think with my share of the diamonds I'm going to purchase a condo here." Veronica said casually as they passed a giant lolly pop store.
"You know," Jason said while slinging his arm around her shoulder. "I really like it here too, and I can't go back to Filmar. So I think I'd like to stay here too"
"Get your own condo sleaze bag." Veronica brushed off Jason's arm.
"Whoa, I didn't mean to imply that."
"It's so fancy, I don't remember seeing this when we came in." Veronica noted.
"Well, it was dark when we got here so that's understandable."
As they walked the streets they both noticed little Merchandise tents. Must be some kind of street fair They both thought. They passed the tents, admiring all of the puppets, jewelry, fruits, and carvings that were being sold. With smiles on their faces they casually came to the end of the little tents.
"I'm beginning to love this place. It's so cozy. Old towns like this really warm my heart. I think with my share of the diamonds I'm going to purchase a condo here." Veronica said casually as they passed a giant lolly pop store.
"You know," Jason said while slinging his arm around her shoulder. "I really like it here too, and I can't go back to Filmar. So I think I'd like to stay here too"
"Get your own condo sleaze bag." Veronica brushed off Jason's arm.
"Whoa, I didn't mean to imply that."
As the evening approached, they found themselves in front of a classy restaurant. Jason walked forward and read the menu displayed on the window. "Hmm, they seem to have a nice selection." He held the door open and said, "Ladies first."
"Oh, what a gentleman," Veronica smiled as she entered.
"Table for two," Jason told the man at the front desk.
"Right this way, sir," and they were escorted to their dimly lit table in the corner.
"My, this will be the most expensive dinner I've had in quite a while," Veronica said, once they had finished ordering.
"Not to worry," Jason began, "dinner is on me tonight."
Once again, Veronica smiled and replied, "Well, you sure know how to treat a lady." She put her hand up and said, "Excuse me, waiter, where's the restroom?"
The waiter pointed to the other end of the restaurant where a silky curtain was hanging in a doorway.
She grabbed her handbag and rose to her feet. "Won't be long."
As Veronica entered the ladies room, she placed her handbag by the sink and stared into the mirror for a moment. As the door opened, she pulled out her makeup and started touching up. A young lady wearing an elegant dress about the same age as her approached the sink adjacent to Veronica and began examining her own face in the mirror. She turned to Veronica, as if just noticing who she was, and said, "Hey, you're the lady who was sitting with Jason just now."
Veronica stopped doing her makeup and turned with a surprised, yet suspicious look at the young woman. "I'm sorry?"
"It's just... I know Jason. We used to be quite close and I just recognized him tonight. It's been a while since I've seen him. Oh, and my name is Demi, by the way."
As if the statement had gone in one ear and out the other, Veronica returned to doing her makeup.
Then the young ladies eyes widened. "Oh! You're that lady! News hasn't reached Intherele yet, but I was in Filmar yesterday and happened to read the newspaper, and you're the blonde mentioned in it!"
This time, Veronica closed her lipstick and put it in her handbag. She then turned to face Demi with a not so pleasant look. "I didn't want to dirty my hands tonight..." she thought to herself.
There was an awkward moment of silence until Demi finally said, "Don't worry, I already know that Jason does things like that for a living. Afterall, we've worked together in the past."
"Oh?" Veronica said, having her curiosity sparked.
Demi turned back to face the mirror and began fixing her hair. "Yes, and as a fellow lady, I feel it's my responsibility to at least warn you that Jason is a two-faced p***k."
"And why is that?"
"Hmph, I won't ever forget that day. We pulled a job together and we were supposed to split the bounty, but the next thing I knew, he had disappeared with all the cash and thought he had finished me off. Luckily enough, I escaped just in time." Demi had stopped doing her hair and was staring into the mirror at her reflection with an angry expression.
"Why are you telling me this? Veronica said calmly. "Why should I even believe you?"
Demi turned to face Veronica. "Because I have no reason to lie to you. I don't want him to have the satisfaction of doing this to another partner again. Us ladies have to stick together, you know. I want my revenge and you can do just that by beating him at his own deceitful game, before he does to you what he did to me."
"Thanks for the tip," Veronica said plainly as she picked up her handbag and head for the door.
"Wait," Demi urged.
Veronica stopped with her back towards Demi.
With a shaky voice, Demi began, "Please don't mention me to Jason. If he knew he failed and I was still alive, he wouldn't stop until he killed me."
Veronica opened the door and stepped out. "It's our little secret," she said as she slammed the door behind her.
Demi grinned...
"Oh, what a gentleman," Veronica smiled as she entered.
"Table for two," Jason told the man at the front desk.
"Right this way, sir," and they were escorted to their dimly lit table in the corner.
"My, this will be the most expensive dinner I've had in quite a while," Veronica said, once they had finished ordering.
"Not to worry," Jason began, "dinner is on me tonight."
Once again, Veronica smiled and replied, "Well, you sure know how to treat a lady." She put her hand up and said, "Excuse me, waiter, where's the restroom?"
The waiter pointed to the other end of the restaurant where a silky curtain was hanging in a doorway.
She grabbed her handbag and rose to her feet. "Won't be long."
As Veronica entered the ladies room, she placed her handbag by the sink and stared into the mirror for a moment. As the door opened, she pulled out her makeup and started touching up. A young lady wearing an elegant dress about the same age as her approached the sink adjacent to Veronica and began examining her own face in the mirror. She turned to Veronica, as if just noticing who she was, and said, "Hey, you're the lady who was sitting with Jason just now."
Veronica stopped doing her makeup and turned with a surprised, yet suspicious look at the young woman. "I'm sorry?"
"It's just... I know Jason. We used to be quite close and I just recognized him tonight. It's been a while since I've seen him. Oh, and my name is Demi, by the way."
As if the statement had gone in one ear and out the other, Veronica returned to doing her makeup.
Then the young ladies eyes widened. "Oh! You're that lady! News hasn't reached Intherele yet, but I was in Filmar yesterday and happened to read the newspaper, and you're the blonde mentioned in it!"
This time, Veronica closed her lipstick and put it in her handbag. She then turned to face Demi with a not so pleasant look. "I didn't want to dirty my hands tonight..." she thought to herself.
There was an awkward moment of silence until Demi finally said, "Don't worry, I already know that Jason does things like that for a living. Afterall, we've worked together in the past."
"Oh?" Veronica said, having her curiosity sparked.
Demi turned back to face the mirror and began fixing her hair. "Yes, and as a fellow lady, I feel it's my responsibility to at least warn you that Jason is a two-faced p***k."
"And why is that?"
"Hmph, I won't ever forget that day. We pulled a job together and we were supposed to split the bounty, but the next thing I knew, he had disappeared with all the cash and thought he had finished me off. Luckily enough, I escaped just in time." Demi had stopped doing her hair and was staring into the mirror at her reflection with an angry expression.
"Why are you telling me this? Veronica said calmly. "Why should I even believe you?"
Demi turned to face Veronica. "Because I have no reason to lie to you. I don't want him to have the satisfaction of doing this to another partner again. Us ladies have to stick together, you know. I want my revenge and you can do just that by beating him at his own deceitful game, before he does to you what he did to me."
"Thanks for the tip," Veronica said plainly as she picked up her handbag and head for the door.
"Wait," Demi urged.
Veronica stopped with her back towards Demi.
With a shaky voice, Demi began, "Please don't mention me to Jason. If he knew he failed and I was still alive, he wouldn't stop until he killed me."
Veronica opened the door and stepped out. "It's our little secret," she said as she slammed the door behind her.
Demi grinned...
As the door closed behind Veronica, Demi's mobile phone rang; Caller ID: Aaron.
"It's done," she said, answering the phone.
"Did she believe you?" Aaron's voice came from the phone.
"Yes."
"Good, it's going according to plan. Hopefully this will split them up, making whichever one has the diamonds more vulnerable and that's when we'll make our move."
"I don't understand why we can't just take the diamonds from her now, Aaron," Demi said.
"That's because we don't even know if she has them. Jason might have them. We can't be sure. We just have to watch them closely and whichever one ends up victorious in their soon to come feud, will be the one we go after."
The bathroom door opened and Demi quickly said, "Alright, I'll see you later then, sweetie," and ended the call.
"It's done," she said, answering the phone.
"Did she believe you?" Aaron's voice came from the phone.
"Yes."
"Good, it's going according to plan. Hopefully this will split them up, making whichever one has the diamonds more vulnerable and that's when we'll make our move."
"I don't understand why we can't just take the diamonds from her now, Aaron," Demi said.
"That's because we don't even know if she has them. Jason might have them. We can't be sure. We just have to watch them closely and whichever one ends up victorious in their soon to come feud, will be the one we go after."
The bathroom door opened and Demi quickly said, "Alright, I'll see you later then, sweetie," and ended the call.
Veronica arrived at the dim table where her and Jason sat, smiling as he saw her approach. She smiled back, hesitantly. "I need to keep my cool..." she thought to herself, "I don't want him to know I'm up to anything."
"Welcome back," Jason said cooly. Veronica just smiled again and took her seat. She also noticed that the food had already arrived. Then she picked up her fork and started eating. Jason did the same
Out of the corner of Veronica's eye she saw Demi walk out of the bathroom then past her table. Jason looked right at her but his face didn't reveal anything except that she was a complete stranger to him. A little confused she put her fork down and cleared her voice to talk. "So, do you travel often?"
"Yeah, I've traveled all over the place, you might understand, in my line of work it's kind of required." he replied silently.
"Is there anyone out to get you that I should worry about?" she asked bluntly.
"Well..." Jason started.
"Welcome back," Jason said cooly. Veronica just smiled again and took her seat. She also noticed that the food had already arrived. Then she picked up her fork and started eating. Jason did the same
Out of the corner of Veronica's eye she saw Demi walk out of the bathroom then past her table. Jason looked right at her but his face didn't reveal anything except that she was a complete stranger to him. A little confused she put her fork down and cleared her voice to talk. "So, do you travel often?"
"Yeah, I've traveled all over the place, you might understand, in my line of work it's kind of required." he replied silently.
"Is there anyone out to get you that I should worry about?" she asked bluntly.
"Well..." Jason started.
*
"As you know, running the land as a thief is a... umm...”. Jason lost his trail of thought.
"Yes?" Veronica gave Jason a look of slight impatience.
"Well... it's not exactly a 'clean' line of work." Jason looked slightly hopeless at his lack of ability to choose the right words. "What's this about, anyway??"
Veronica just brushed off Jason's question as if she hadn't heard it. By now, Veronica had finished her drink. "What do I have to do to get a glass of wine around here?!" She called over to the waiter, causing an old lady dressed in a blue satin dress on the adjacent table to emit a slight gasp. She slumped back in her chair with her hand to her forehead in frustration. Jason gawked at Veronica, his expression reading nothing other than surprise.
"Are you alright?" he asks. "Sorry, ma'am" he adds to the frightened lady.
"It's… Nothing." says Veronica curtly.
The waiter comes to the table with a bottle of cold Chardonnay. "Domo arigatou," she snatches the bottle from the waiter, who looked down his nose at her while she wasn't paying attention. She quickly pours herself glass, as if Jason wasn't even there. Despite her hasty temperament, she very slowly and collectedly takes a sip of wine. Her temper seemed to cool down.
"Hmm... do you mind?" Jason shakes the wine bottle.
"Of course not, help yourself. You're paying, right?" she gives him a slightly tipsy glare. Her usual icy nature was clearly a maintained effort - as her mood subsided. "You didn't answer my question."
Jason had hoped Veronica would drop the subject. He then realised he was a fool for ever thinking so, based on Veronica's keen obvious persistence. "It's complicated. I make a lot of enemies, taking things that aren't technically mine. Y'know?" Jason looked ruffled.
Veronica gave a startlingly loud cackle at Jason. He recoiled, and glanced at some of the eyes that were staring as by now, heads were turning toward their table. Straightening up, Veronica focused on Jason once again. "You," she gave a short pause "...obviously don't do a very good job of it, then."
Jason's patience with Veronica's mood didn't know whether to be amused or impatient. "We don't quite work the same way then, do we." he said, almost through gritted teeth. “Let my enemies come, they won’t know what they’re up against.”
“Interesting…” Veronica sipped her from her glass, seeming much more lucid. The pair continued to wine and dine, late into the night.
*
The night seemed to drag on for Jason as Veronica drank more and more. A lot had happened in her life recently and she wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to let loose. Jason understood this, but he was worried that she was overdoing it.
"Waiter!" Veronica shouts in an inebriated voice.
"Um, Veronica, I don't think-"
"Another drink!"
"-that's a good idea," Jason says with a sigh.
"You know what, Jason?!" Veronica says, her eyes unfocused and her words slurred together. "I thought I was the most beautiful lady here tonight, but then a lady came into the restroom when I was in their earlier and I think I might have some competition!"
She was now shouting and most of the restaurant's occupants were looking at her. Demi and Aaron were sitting together at a table on the other side of the restaurant, both looking very nervous.
"She had long red hair and a the nicest cream colored dress I've seen!" Veronica took a sip of her wine and continued." Actually," she slammed the glass down on the table, "she's probably still in here!" She began to scan the restaurant. "I want to show you what she looks like so you can tell me that she's not as pretty as I am," she slurred following up with a hiccup.
Demi and Aaron quickly got up from their seats, leaving the money on the table, and quickly headed for the door, with Demi attempting to cover her face on her way out. Lucky for Demi, Veronica was currently scanning the opposite side of the restaurant, so the two of them were able to make their narrow escape.
"Veronica, please..." Jason urged, slightly red from embarrassment.
"Waiter!" Veronica shouts in an inebriated voice.
"Um, Veronica, I don't think-"
"Another drink!"
"-that's a good idea," Jason says with a sigh.
"You know what, Jason?!" Veronica says, her eyes unfocused and her words slurred together. "I thought I was the most beautiful lady here tonight, but then a lady came into the restroom when I was in their earlier and I think I might have some competition!"
She was now shouting and most of the restaurant's occupants were looking at her. Demi and Aaron were sitting together at a table on the other side of the restaurant, both looking very nervous.
"She had long red hair and a the nicest cream colored dress I've seen!" Veronica took a sip of her wine and continued." Actually," she slammed the glass down on the table, "she's probably still in here!" She began to scan the restaurant. "I want to show you what she looks like so you can tell me that she's not as pretty as I am," she slurred following up with a hiccup.
Demi and Aaron quickly got up from their seats, leaving the money on the table, and quickly headed for the door, with Demi attempting to cover her face on her way out. Lucky for Demi, Veronica was currently scanning the opposite side of the restaurant, so the two of them were able to make their narrow escape.
"Veronica, please..." Jason urged, slightly red from embarrassment.
"HRRMPH!" Veronica pouted and slammed her hand on the table, "She seems to have left! We should go find her Jason, so you can tell me how pretty I am!" Jason called the waiter for their check. Almost like he was way ahead of him the waiter was instantly at his side with the check, and Jason paid as Veronica stood there, pouting.
"Veronica, I think we've had enough excitment for tonight. Perhaps we should just go back." Jason said, then stood up and grabbed her purse, coat, and then her arm and led her out of the resturant eyes following them the entire time.
As soon as they got about a block away from the hotel Veronica bursted into drunken tears. Jason ignored it, and they kept walking.
They arrived at the hotel shortly and Jason practically carried the sobbing Veronica into her Hotel Room. He took her shoes off and put her to bed. He flicked the lights off and was about to leave the room when Veronica plead, "Jason...don't leave me." With a sigh Jason returned to her side.
"Why?" He asked.
"Just don't." Not in the mood to argue he pulled up a chair and sat while Veronica drifted into a sleep.
"Veronica, I think we've had enough excitment for tonight. Perhaps we should just go back." Jason said, then stood up and grabbed her purse, coat, and then her arm and led her out of the resturant eyes following them the entire time.
As soon as they got about a block away from the hotel Veronica bursted into drunken tears. Jason ignored it, and they kept walking.
They arrived at the hotel shortly and Jason practically carried the sobbing Veronica into her Hotel Room. He took her shoes off and put her to bed. He flicked the lights off and was about to leave the room when Veronica plead, "Jason...don't leave me." With a sigh Jason returned to her side.
"Why?" He asked.
"Just don't." Not in the mood to argue he pulled up a chair and sat while Veronica drifted into a sleep.
Veronica stared around the barren room. She had awoken and felt oddly sick, the room was swaying. She looked around for Jason but could not see him.
“Oh great, he left.” Veronica put her hand on her hip and stared toward the floor in a very theatrical manner. Then, she fell to her knees as the entire room gave a very sharp jolt. “What on Earth?”
Veronica regained herself and made toward the door. The walls were fashioned wooden boards and she could hear jovial talking further down the corridor, along with a loud roaring in the background.
“Jason?” she called toward the voices. They stopped talking straight away. A figure emerged from around the corner; and Veronica relaxed a little when she saw the figure of her husband walking toward her.
“What is it, Veronica?” he said to her softly. “Did you sleep well?”
“Jason… I thought you left…” she pulled him into an embrace.
Veronica slowly released her grip and stared into her husband’s eyes. “What are we doing, today?” she asked.
The two of them walked together toward the opening from which Veronica’s husband had come. They were met by a bright sunlit day as they walked out onto the ship’s deck. Two others were sitting around a table on the deck, one of them a dark haired boy with bright blue eyes, no older than nineteen, the other an older man, with the same dark hair and blue eyes; clearly his father.
“Sorry to keep you waiting Mr. Holier,” Veronica’s husband said to the older man.
“That’s quite alright. Can we head back to shore now? My boy has afternoon classes.” The man stood up and ruffled the boy’s hair who looked indignantly embarrassed. The boat jerked, Veronica fell over backwards.
“Ouch!” Veronica stood up and rubbed her hip, recovering slightly from her fall. She then examined her hands which were covered in mud. She saw that she had grazed her palm and was bleeding a little. “… w- … WAAA! Mommy!”
Veronica exploded into tears, gripping at her grazed palm. She jumped up and down and bawled. A petit blonde lady wearing a rose coloured cardigan came dashing from the back door of a grand white house, to which the garden Veronica was playing in belonged.
“Ohh… my dear, what happened?” the lady gently took Veronica’s now tear-sodden hand and took a close look at the grazes. “Did you fall?”
“Mhm…”
Veronica’s tears died down. The lady took her back into the house, where she walked through a highly decorated hall, which lead through into the kitchen. The hall was adorned with dried flowers and portraits of a dashing tall dark haired gentleman, a petit motherly figure, and a small girl with a long blonde ponytail. Veronica followed closely behind the lady and sat down at the kitchen table. The lady left the room.
“I’ll be back in a minute, sweetie…” she smiled sweetly as she left toward the hallway.
“So. You say you know nothing about the disappearance of this boy from your school?” said the detective sitting across the table from Veronica. He was a husky black man with a steely cold stare. He had this formidable stare fixed at Veronica, unerring. He slid a picture across the table toward Veronica. She took the photograph from the table and looked at it. It was a tall blonde boy wearing a basketball shirt. He looked like he could be in the grade above Veronica, but she was not sure. There were so many different kids at her school; and she was unlikely to recognise one from a different grade. Veronica felt so unnerved by the detective; she wanted nothing more than to see her mother, to seek her sanctuary. She struggled with the urge not to cry, the detective had noticed her efforts.
“I know you’ve had a hard time, losing your mother…” he retracted the picture after Veronica placed it back on the table. “…but try to remember. Have you seen this boy?”
Veronica coughed with tears. She ran from the room, ran through the dark hall, no longer were there pictures in the hall. The only flowers here were crumbled to dust. She burst from the front door, out into the dark night. She continued to run, run as fast as she could, the tears streaming from her eyes. She stumbled on the uneven ground, and stayed laying there; face-down on the moonlit plain.
“Where are you?!” she called into the darkness.
“Why did you leave me!” an echo returned.
“I need you!” she screamed at the top of her voice.
“How could you leave, at a time like this?” another echo rebounded against the trees surrounding Veronica. Someone was coming from the shadows, Veronica rose to her knees.
“M… mother?” Veronica pleaded at the shadowy figure. “Is that you?”
“Where did you hide them?” the figure barked at Veronica, causing her to flinch and fall to one side down to her hip. “Where did you hide them?!”
The figure beat Veronica with a long iron rod to the shoulder. She wailed and fell to the floor, unable to rise again through the pain.
“I wont ask again!” the figure’s voice was more aggressive. Veronica thought she was going to die, that this was the end of her. She rolled over onto her back, and looked up toward the sky. The stars and the moon were diamonds; she stared up into the heavens at their crystalline beauty. They glistened beautifully against the night sky. She could hear a distant calling.
“Veronica… Veronica…” the voice called in a booming voice which rippled across the landscape.
“Who’s there!” the darkened figure interrogating Veronica demanded of the night.
“Veronica!” the voice became louder. A bright light could be seen coming from behind the trees, shadows and silhouettes of woodland went flickering by; as the light circled the clearing. “VERONICA!!”
The mystery man became nervous and staggered on his feet. He backed away from Veronica’s withered frame, his face hooded yet clearly following the light. The light came from behind the trees in a luminescent rushing flash, smashing directly into the hooded man. The light ascended toward the sky, the hooded man had vanished. Veronica’s eyes stared up into the radiance.
“Veronica, listen to me, you have to wake up!” the light exploded with a resounding boom, Veronica sat bolt upright to see Jason sat beside her bed, now covered in a prepared glass of orange juice.
"Oh I'm so sorry!" she said looking at Jason covered in her breakfast. "Agh!" she put her hand on her head. "My head hurts."
"You should try to take it easy for a little while," Jason said. "You had quite a night last night. I'll clean this up." He left the room.
Veronica sat there staring into space.
"You should try to take it easy for a little while," Jason said. "You had quite a night last night. I'll clean this up." He left the room.
Veronica sat there staring into space.
Last night... Demi... If what she said was true, then Jason is just putting on an act right now, probably to get closer to me and catch me when I'm vulnerable. Wait! But I just... he was here while I was sleeping? The diamonds!
She quickly reached for the dresser by her bed and opened the drawer. She gave a sigh of relief as she saw the diamonds still in there and closed the drawer. She lay back and continued to think.
Maybe Jason isn't so bad after all. He had his chance to take the diamonds and leave last night, but he didn't. And we did have a nice time together yesterday. Maybe he's changed since he was with Demi. Some of the things he says even reminds me of...
"Well I'm going to have to wait for this to dry now," Jason said, re-entering the room and breaking Veronica's train of thought. He had taken his shirt off to wash it and was now carrying it to the window to hang. Veronica was startled by his half-naked appearance.
"Jason," she began.
"Yeah?"
"You stayed here all last night?"
"Well yes, you said not to leave you."
"I did?" Veronica said looking down at her blanket. "I can't recall."
"Well you did have quite a bit to drink at Le Verre last night."
"I must've made a scene..."
"Don't worry about it, Veronica," Jason replied, pouring her another glass of orange juice. "I'll go into town a little later on to get us some lunch, so you can just try and relax today. But I'm going to take a quick shower first."
Veronica lay back down and stared at the ceiling as Jason left the room, unable to get the nightmare she woke up from out of her head.
"Jason," she began.
"Yeah?"
"You stayed here all last night?"
"Well yes, you said not to leave you."
"I did?" Veronica said looking down at her blanket. "I can't recall."
"Well you did have quite a bit to drink at Le Verre last night."
"I must've made a scene..."
"Don't worry about it, Veronica," Jason replied, pouring her another glass of orange juice. "I'll go into town a little later on to get us some lunch, so you can just try and relax today. But I'm going to take a quick shower first."
Veronica lay back down and stared at the ceiling as Jason left the room, unable to get the nightmare she woke up from out of her head.
I can't let these nightmares get to me. I need to stay strong... If Jason really is planning something, I can't let my guard down, even if he seems harmless.
After spacing out for a couple minutes, Veronica let out a heavy sigh and glanced at the clock on her nightstand. "Eleven twenty-two," she whispered to herself. She sat up, thought for a moment, and decided to slowly get out of bed, get dressed, but maybe shower first.
Walking slowly towards the bathroom, Veronica noticed that Jason was using her shower. Great, she thought, I'll just steal the room key out of his pants and use his shower. Cautiously she turned the handle and opened the door. The bathroom was huge and the shower was located in the very far right corner. Oh great, steam shower. She could see Jason's naked, foggy figure shampooing his hair. She quickly looked for the pants, located on the counter across from the shower. She tip-toed across the room and rushingly slid her hand in each pocket until her hand touched the square peace of plastic in the front left pocket. Bingo Just as quietly as she had entered, she exited and made her way to Jason's room for her own steam shower.
It was weird walking into a room duplicate to hers, exept everything was flipped. Spacing out for a short moment, she noticed that he had a chair instead of a couch. But she brushed that thought away and walked into the bathroom, started the shower checking the temperature with her hand until she got it just right, undressed, and then hopped in. She let out a relaxing sigh, then robotically washed herself and hopped back out.
Forgot to grab fresh clothes... Instead, she threw on a robe, grabbed her clothes, the room key, and headed back out torwards her room.
As soon as she opened the door she found Jason leaning against the wall, in a robe of his own, staring at her impatiently. "Sorry!" She squeaked. "I don't suppose you grabbed my room key for me?" he pulled a plastic card out of a pocket in his robe and they exchanged.
As Veronica walked away, out of the corner of her eye she saw Jason enter his room and shut the door.
She quickly dressed herself in a pair of jeans that hugged her waist in a complimentary fashion, a simple dark purple long-sleeved shirt and a pair of wedge-heeled black boots that she tucked the bottom of her pantlegs in.
Veronica slipped the roomkey into her back pocket, grabbed her black jacket and left the room, headed for Jason's room.
She knocked on the door, and waited. After what seemed about two and a half minutes Jason opened the door, immediately followed by, "I thought I told you to relax today." he threw a playful glare at her.
"Sorry, I just can't stand not doing anything all day. I hope you understand. I'm perfectly fine, except for my slight headache, that seems to be fading anyhow." She replied
"Alright, just let me grab my jacket and we'll go out to lunch." He was about to turn to leave when a man wearing a black suit and sunglasses, of course, pulled a gun out on both of them. Jason reacted quickly by pulling Veronica in the room and shutting the door.
Veronica stood in a brief moment of shock while Jason dissapeared into the bathroom, for whatever reason.
Walking slowly towards the bathroom, Veronica noticed that Jason was using her shower. Great, she thought, I'll just steal the room key out of his pants and use his shower. Cautiously she turned the handle and opened the door. The bathroom was huge and the shower was located in the very far right corner. Oh great, steam shower. She could see Jason's naked, foggy figure shampooing his hair. She quickly looked for the pants, located on the counter across from the shower. She tip-toed across the room and rushingly slid her hand in each pocket until her hand touched the square peace of plastic in the front left pocket. Bingo Just as quietly as she had entered, she exited and made her way to Jason's room for her own steam shower.
It was weird walking into a room duplicate to hers, exept everything was flipped. Spacing out for a short moment, she noticed that he had a chair instead of a couch. But she brushed that thought away and walked into the bathroom, started the shower checking the temperature with her hand until she got it just right, undressed, and then hopped in. She let out a relaxing sigh, then robotically washed herself and hopped back out.
Forgot to grab fresh clothes... Instead, she threw on a robe, grabbed her clothes, the room key, and headed back out torwards her room.
As soon as she opened the door she found Jason leaning against the wall, in a robe of his own, staring at her impatiently. "Sorry!" She squeaked. "I don't suppose you grabbed my room key for me?" he pulled a plastic card out of a pocket in his robe and they exchanged.
As Veronica walked away, out of the corner of her eye she saw Jason enter his room and shut the door.
She quickly dressed herself in a pair of jeans that hugged her waist in a complimentary fashion, a simple dark purple long-sleeved shirt and a pair of wedge-heeled black boots that she tucked the bottom of her pantlegs in.
Veronica slipped the roomkey into her back pocket, grabbed her black jacket and left the room, headed for Jason's room.
She knocked on the door, and waited. After what seemed about two and a half minutes Jason opened the door, immediately followed by, "I thought I told you to relax today." he threw a playful glare at her.
"Sorry, I just can't stand not doing anything all day. I hope you understand. I'm perfectly fine, except for my slight headache, that seems to be fading anyhow." She replied
"Alright, just let me grab my jacket and we'll go out to lunch." He was about to turn to leave when a man wearing a black suit and sunglasses, of course, pulled a gun out on both of them. Jason reacted quickly by pulling Veronica in the room and shutting the door.
Veronica stood in a brief moment of shock while Jason dissapeared into the bathroom, for whatever reason.
A few moments later Jason came running out with his pistols. The man on the other side of the door was kicking it to try and break it down. Jason ran to the window, trying to find a way to escape. They were on the second floor, not too far from the ground. As Jason stuck his head out, he saw a man on a ladder by the window, painting the outside of the building.
"Veronica, come on!" Jason shouted, as she was holding the door so it wouldn't give in so easily to the rampaging man on the other side. She left the door and ran over to the window just as Jason was climbing through it. "Excuse me," Jason said to the painter as he gripped the ladder and forced his way onto it.
"Wha-what are yo-you doiiiiiiiiiiiiiing!" he exclaimed as he slipped and fell, grabbing a hold a few steps down.
"Give me your hand!" Jason said to Veronica, holding out his hand.
Veronica looked back. The man was still kicking at the door and it seemed like it would give way at any moment. She climed out of the window as Jason helped her onto the ladder with him. They quickly made their way down the ladder, forcing the stubborn painter below them to also climb down.
As they reached the bottom, they heard the door break open. "Let's go!" Jason shouted, grabbing Veronica's hand. They both turned and run for the main street.
The man quickly made his way to the open window to see the two masquerade themselves in the late afternoon rush. "Dammit!" he cursed. He didn't have a clear shot. He turned around and rushed out of the room.
"Veronica, come on!" Jason shouted, as she was holding the door so it wouldn't give in so easily to the rampaging man on the other side. She left the door and ran over to the window just as Jason was climbing through it. "Excuse me," Jason said to the painter as he gripped the ladder and forced his way onto it.
"Wha-what are yo-you doiiiiiiiiiiiiiing!" he exclaimed as he slipped and fell, grabbing a hold a few steps down.
"Give me your hand!" Jason said to Veronica, holding out his hand.
Veronica looked back. The man was still kicking at the door and it seemed like it would give way at any moment. She climed out of the window as Jason helped her onto the ladder with him. They quickly made their way down the ladder, forcing the stubborn painter below them to also climb down.
As they reached the bottom, they heard the door break open. "Let's go!" Jason shouted, grabbing Veronica's hand. They both turned and run for the main street.
The man quickly made his way to the open window to see the two masquerade themselves in the late afternoon rush. "Dammit!" he cursed. He didn't have a clear shot. He turned around and rushed out of the room.
