Chapter 2
Clanking glasses and boisterous laughter was all I could hear. I couldn’t see Elijah anywhere. Oh, where was he? He said he’d be here. I didn’t like being in these kind of places and he knew that. A few guys were checking me out and one winked at me. I crossed my arms over my chest and looked down as I walked to the ladies room. Once I got in there I walked right back out. It’s absolutely disgusting what people do and I couldn’t believe people did that in public. Not to mention that it’s the women’s bathroom. Hurry up Elijah!
I went and sat down at an empty table hoping no one would acknowledge me. Of course it was wasted hope.
“Can I get you anything?” A snobby waitress asked me. I looked up at her and just said no thanks. She gave me a dirty look and flicked her unnaturally blond hair back before she turned and walked away. At least it was just a waitress. I was getting very uncomfortable from the looks guys were giving me. This was not going to end well. Of all places we could meet and he chooses here? I guess I couldn’t complain though. It would be less conspicuous here. I was starting to get impatient and I began to scan the place for him. I quickly looked away from the entertainment and then I spotted him.
His unusual wardrobe was a dead giveaway. He was wearing a nice suite and standing with his hands behind his back completely at ease. He turned his green eyed gaze on me and inclined for me to come to him.
I got up shakily and made my way to him trying not to bump into anyone. I didn’t like working with Elijah one bit, but it had to be done.
“Elijah.” I said politely.
“Clarissa.” He replied dipping his head slightly.
“Okay lets get this over with.” I said heaving a big sigh. He motioned for me to follow him and I did. We had to go through the back which was even worse than the front. I don’t see how people could put themselves through this, it’s demeaning and wrong. Not to mention gross. I concentrated on where Elijah was going and tried not to see what was going on around me. We finally got to the exit door and stepped outside.
Jesus, people were ridiculous! Out here too, really? Disgusting.
“You sure picked the perfect place to meet. I think I’d much rather meet in a dumpster next time.” I scrunched up my nose in disgust. He chuckled and cleared his throat.
“You know my reasoning. Now come, we have work to do.” He started walking towards the parking lot.
“What am I delivering now and to who?” I asked.
“A very important item.” Was all he said. I sighed. He stopped in front a decked out red Corvette and gestured for me to get in. I just laughed.
“You’re joking right? You want me to drive that? And how is that no conspicuous?” a serious look came across his face and I got in the drivers seat. The keys were already in the ignition. Elijah opened the trunk of the car next to him and brought back something shrouded in a cloth.
“What’s that?”
“This is very important Clarissa and must be handled with care. You are to take this to 402 Maple Dr., it’s up in the mountains about an hour drive from here. There’s a reason you have this car, just keep that in mind.”
“Well can I at least know what I’m transporting so I know the degree of importance?” I asked while reaching out to grab the object. He hesitated and then removed the cloth just enough so I could see it.
“This is a very important chest. Do not let it touch your skin, am I clear?” I just nodded. I couldn’t stop staring at it. I wanted to touch the intricate gold design on top, trace it with my fingers but I stopped myself and looked at Elijah instead. He covered it back up and handed it to me. I took it from him very carefully making sure I only touched the cloth. I put it on the passenger seat and put the seat belt on it. It was sort of heavy. I turned back to Elijah.
“What’s in it?” I asked him. He didn’t respond for a minute and I raised an eyebrow. He sighed irrateably and spoke.
“Money. Very important money. Now don’t go trying to open it an use it. This money has no value to your,” he stopped and cleared his throat. “To you. Now go. This needs to be delivered as quickly as possible. He shut my door and I just started the car. It rumbled under me. Yeah, I think I might ask to keep this car. It purred as I let it idle, but as soon as I put my foot to the gas and pressed down it lurched forward and growled hungrily. I was out of the parking lot in ten seconds. I had one more glimpse of Elijah and then I was racing down the freeway.
I had so many questions. Mostly the same questions I always had. Like where did he get this car? How much longer did I have to do this? Who was I working for? Why were they hiding so much from me? But now my new question was, why had he started to say “your” and then stopped himself and say you? And how wouldn’t this money be valuable to me? Money is money right? So many questions that will never be answered. Whatever. I was tired and just wanted to get this job done. I needed to study for my test on Hamlet that was on Monday. My roommate was probably taking advantage of me being gone tonight. I wouldn’t doubt it if she threw a party. I rolled my eyes and sighed, imagining the mess I would probably get back to and have to clean too no doubt. I wonder if the dean would let me room with someone else. Alicia was just…well not a good roomy to put it nicely.
As I was driving up the forest highway towards Maple just thinking, I noticed a car for the first time. I think it had been there before but I wasn’t paying attention. It was keeping it’s distance and its headlights weren’t on. That was odd. I had my brights on, this road was almost completely black even with the brights. I can only imagine how dark it would be with none on. I sped up a little going 80 now. The car behind me sped up too and put their lights on. Okay, this didn’t seem like a regular person out on a night drive. I was being followed. No, I was being chased. Now I knew why Elijah had given me this car. The car was almost right on my bumper now and I pressed down on the gas speeding down the road. The engine was roaring now, thrilled that it could use it’s speed. I was going almost 110 miles per hour. Damn! I had glanced at the speedometer and when I looked up there was headlights coming towards me.
I cursed out loud and swivled around them. The car spun around and started pursuing me with the other car. Great, now there were two. I saw one stick their hand out of the window. It looked like there was something in it too. I couldn’t tell what it was until all of a sudden my drivers side mirror was gone and I heard a bang. Guns? They had guns?! Oh my God you having to be kidding me right now. I pushed the gas pedal all the way down and the needle on the speedometer strated moving up. It went all the way to one 1900. Holy crap, that’s fast. I looked behind me and didn’t see anyone. I slowed down to 184, I didn’t want to crash.
I slowed down a lot more once I started getting close to Maple. I saw the sign to Maple Dr. and slowed down to about 70 before I stopped and turned left onto Maple. There was another sign and I stopped to read it.
NO MOTOR VEHICLES PAST THIS POINT
