Close Encounters: New World Order (Six Campers Side Stories)

Exploiting Adaption

1 year after Fallen Kingdom:

Ryan P.O.V: Omaha, Nebraska:

I pull up to the apartment block and scan my garage card, I drive down into the garage and park in my assigned spot....43. It's good to be home, work is long but I still wouldn't give it up for the world. S.W.A.T has been really good, and the money is very good. Myself and Yaz had rented out a good apartment in a good neighbourhood and with her sponsors and my salary, we are getting really close to buying our first house.

I took the grocery bags out of the trunk and locked the car. I enter the elevator and head to the top floor. While the block isn't 'celebrity luxury'....it's still quite pleasant. I wait patiently in the lift as it stops at level 5. The doors open as an older lady walks in with a slight limp. I watch her as she sways back and forth. A bottle of champagne is in her hand. What's freaking me out though is that she's just standing, looking at the lift numbers. I reach forward and tap her on the shoulder. "Ma'am.....are you ok?" I ask as she looks back at me. Her eyes are shifting back and forth like she can't focus on anything. "Ojos brillantes.......... ruidos de miedo........demonio." She says as she turns back and walks back out of the lift. I watch her go before shaking the encounter out. "Strange." I say as I click my floor level again.

"Level 8." The lift sounds as I stroll out and head to my door. I unlock the door and walk in. The apartment is lavish....better be, for what we rent for it.  A large living area, nicely done kitchen and a floor to ceiling window where the skyline of Omaha can be seen in the distance. "Honey.....I'm home!" I shout jokingly as I place the bag on the kitchen counter. I place the fruits in the bowl and the meats in the fridge. I feel a set of arms wrap around my waist as I smile. "Good evening." I whisper as I hear a chuckle. "Good evening to you too." Yaz says as I turn and see her in one of my shirts. I lean down and give a chaste kiss before lifting her up onto the counter.....the groceries long forgotten.

"How was work?" She asks as she wraps her arms around my neck and her legs around my waist. "Pretty mellow actually.....lot of paperwork but other than that.....nothing much. How about you? How was training?" I ask as I leave little lovebirds on her neck. "Training was really good. The IOC said that the Games are going ahead in Tokyo next year so we are just waiting to see what happens. My coaches are still keeping my training up to the max though." She says happily which I smile. Yaz worked her ass off to go to the Olympics, being her dream to compete in the largest sporting competition the world has ever seen...to someone like Yaz, it really is a dream come true. And being the lovable and supportive boyfriend that I am, I'll cheer her name from the stands if I have too. What makes her happy, makes me happy and that's all I could ask for.

"Come on, let me down. Someone has to cook." She says as she shoves me away and hops off the counter. I jokingly scoffed at her. "Last time you cooked, you nearly burnt the building down." I say as I pull her into a hug, pulling her away from the food. "Only because you add a bit of oil to the pan." She says as I laugh. "A bit. Not the whole thing." I laugh out as playfully punches me. "Come on, let me cook. And tomorrow....I get you pizza." I say, hoping to bribe her. She pouts before walking off, flipping me the bird as she does. "Love you too." I say as I start to prepare dinner.

We sat at the table...I had decided on meatloaf, mash potatoes and corn. Can never get enough corn. Oh and gravy. As I'm eating, my mind is wandering back to the lady from the lift.  I don't know why but I have a feeling that is really messing with me. "Something on your mind?" Yaz asks me from across the table. I look up and shake my head. "No." I say as she stares at me with a smirk. "Ryan......we have been together for nearly 3 years. I know when you're lying." She says as I chuckle. "Do you know the older lady from level 5?" I ask her as she looks confused. "There's quite a few older women on level 5. Why do you ask?" She says. "I had a run in with an older lady on lift that stopped at level 5 and it gave me weird vibes. She was swaying like she was drunk. All I know is that she speaks Spanish, or I think it's Spanish." I say as Yaz's eyes widen in recognition.