7:53am
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
I turn to see if Toby is next to me but he's not. He usually leaves at 7:30 for work so I guess in all seriousness that he wouldn't be there. I walk closer to the door wearing nothing but a bizarre look on my face and my husbands oversized flannel.
KNOCK KNOK
"One second." I say as I go to undo the lock. I open the door slightly and there is a tall pale man with light brown eyes and a buzz cut at my door step.
"Are you Jasmine Hernandez?" He asks calmly.
" yea-yes, I am. Is something wrong?" I ask as I look down my drive way. There is a van that he came in that read CIA. By this time I had opened the door wide to ensure I saw everything.
"You must come with me, I'll explain in the van." He tells me and I refuse."look, the only way we can ensure that you and your husband are safe is if you come with us. Trust me."
"Toby? Is he okay?" I ask very scared and startled.
"Yes, ma'am. Now come with me." He says and I do but very hesitantly.
As he puts me in the van, dressed the way I was when I answered the door he tells me that his name was Asher style. I recognize that name but I don't question him.
"Now, Jasmine, I know you personally so-"
" Wait, personally?" I ask before he can finish his sentence.
"You didn't recognize my name?" He responds.
"I did but didn't intend to question in spite of the circumstances." I say.
"I went to school with you." He says.
There was a long pause between us as memories slowly fade in. I begin to remember again. This guy was one of my best friends back in high school and I guess he achieved his dreams. I don't try reminiscing because I'm to worried about what's happening and I'm sure he understands.
"Now, like I was saying. I know you personally so I'm going to do EVERYTHING in my power to help you two out. You're a licensed survivalist and psychologist. Even better, best in the state, so you know how to make it on your own and you know how people's minds work. We will place you under a witness protection program but you need to make sure you stay hidden and keep alert." He explains to me, "do you think you can do this?"
"Uh-- I don't- I don't know." I say hesitantly.
"It's okay to be afraid but you need to be strong. You need forget everything.. Or "forget" who you are, rather. We will be hiding all your information. You need to be completely forgotten." He tells me as he opens the van door and walks me through the CIA doors where Toby is standing and waiting for me.
"Toby, do you know what's going on?!" I ask being so relieved to see his face.
"Yes, my love, they'll explain it all to you in a minute but first... I need you to put some pants on.. They'll provide." He says as a tall African-American man all dressed in black hands me a pair of blue jeans.
"Here you go ma'am, bathrooms are down the hall." Says the man in the best low voice I've ever heard.
10 minutes later.
"Now, Mr. And Mrs. Hernandez-" says Asher.
"Just Toby and Jasmine, Asher." Says Toby.
Asher turns and looks at both of us one at a time, "...Toby and Jasmine, you will both be put under a witness protection program as explained before."
"But why, what happened?" I interrupt.
"If you let me explain I'll tell you in a minute" he says with a smirk. I apologize to him, feeling bad.
He sits us both down in a dark room kind of like and isolation room and talks to us.
"There is a man after you along with many other people from Bailey Cross's past."
"Wait, other people? Who, and how many?" Asked Toby as he looks at me and then at Asher.
"8 people, including you and your wife. As to who it is, I can't tell you.. For your protection. You will all be in the same neighborhood under the same protection. The people that are victims of this just like you including Bailey, who is not dead and will be put under protection, are the following people:
Haley Rider
ScottRider
Bailey Codd
Analee Tyler
Dakota Tyler
Jasmine Hernandez
Toby Hernandez
Molly Belture
And some of them will be in the same household as you. Trust me, you're safe." Says Asher as we listen very carefully.
I know every single one of these people and see them all as we walk through a slightly clear door into a brightly lit room big enough to fit the world. Everyone is quiet.
"Now everybody listen!" Shouts a woman as tall as me, so pretty short. She has curly dark hair and dark brown eyes. She's obviously part of the CIA and somehow knows every one of us. I don't ask her about herself though. However, she tells us who she is. It's Sandra.
She begins to speak again, "we're going to hide you and keep you safe. Asher and I. You're our dearest friends. You are to be completely forgotten."