Loss of History

Its Time

"Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light."
-Helen Keller

    We were in that alley for a long time. Thankfully I had Daniel there. We were in pain and bleeding. We needed to get somewhere safe. Daniel had to know. We were breathing hard. we waited in the dark alley as some police cars passed. There was an opening at the end of the alley. A police car came down this alley. We began to run the other way. Just then another police car came our way.
    "Daniel," I shouted. He jumped on top of the car and I followed. We ran as hard as we could away from the cars. Daniel was thinking about something. He then turned into an alley. I followed him. he began to pry open a drain. I helped him out and we got it open. Daniel went down the ladder that lead to a dry sewer. When I came down, my slipped and Daniel had put his hands above my hips to assist. it startled me for a second but it made my heart skip. I got to the ground and Daniel quickly let go of my hips. I was a bit sad. It was dark and I couldn't really see. I could hear everything that was goiing on but I couldn't pinpoint exactly where it would come from. Daniel grabbed my hand and pulled me a sertian way. I was following him blindly. What was I doing? We jogged a while before we came to a ladder. Daniel and I went up hoping that there were no cops. The sky was still dark. We were in the middle of the street when I came up. The street lights were dim but bright. Daniel waited for me to come all the way up.
"Where are we going," I asked.
"My place," Daniel whispered. We walked down the street. I was tired, out of    breath, and in pain. My head didn't hurt as bad and neither did my body. I noticed Daniel was limping a bit. We had finally gotten to a small broken house. I was surprised. Daniel led the way in. There was a couch and a bookshelf full of books. There was a small table in the middle. There were books in almost every corner of this room. Daniel had disappeared into what I believed was the kitchen. I stood there. I then realized what all had happened. My parents and my life was gone.  Daniel came back in with a bowl of something and a rag.
"Sit," he ordered. I obeyed him as I sat on the couch. He had lit a candle just to see enough. Daniel had blood on his face and all over his body. I wanted to cry. I had done this to him and to my family. I could feel the tears coming into place. Daniel took my hands and began to clean them with water. He didn't say a word at all. I let a tear fall.
"I'm sorry," I whispered. Daniel shot a look at me.
"Don't be. There's something you need to know," Daniel spoke. I was waiting for him to say something. "I have been watching you with everything you did. I had nno idea you were already wondering about the history of this country. I would have made my move sooner. I knew you were going to present that essay because of how late you were up. I pulled the fire alarm and set the school on fire. You remind me so much of me and that is why I didn't want you to do it. I didn't want you to become me."
"Who are you, Daniel?"
"My real name is James Kohr. My father owns Hard Core coperations. He manufactures weapons and sells them to the military. He is also the leader of an organization called the Colonies. We are trying to find the documents and rebuild the United States of America. We have only found one peice to the puzzle but we need the rest."
"And you need my help in some way?"
"Yes actually. My father needs a team to retrieve and figure out these clues," Daniel explained.
"So why don't you get one of your buddies from the Skys," i asked.
"There are many reasons why I came down here. I do not want another Sky snob to be on my team. I would rather have someone who knows how to work in order to get to the top."
"I wasn't at the top. I'm by far the lowest person known," I spoke.
"No your not. You treat yourself that way." Daniel stood and went into the kitchen. He came back out with some food. "Here's some food and no I did not drug. I have nothing here  to drug anyone." he smiled.
"You sound like the mafia," i smiled.
"Well there is another room that has some clothes in there. They are my clothes but I think some shirts will fit you."
"Thank you." i spoke. I went into the room and grabbed a shirt. When I came back out Daniel was waiting. He saw that I haven't changed.
"You okay," he asked confused.
"Yeah, i'm fine," I sort of lied. "Where's your bathroom so I can wash up?"
    "Its at the end of this hall. There's only man stuff in there to use."
"Honestly I don't care I use my..." i choked on my words. "Thank you."
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yeah," I lied. I then hurried to the bathroom.
"There's towels under the sink," Daniel yelled. I got into the bathroom and shut the door. I started the water and began my shower. I noticed every cut on my skin. My knees were all cut up. When I got out I put the clothes on. I wore the same pants but i wore James or Daniel's shirt. It was a bit big on me but I didnt  I was confused. What was I supposed to do? I sat down and began to cry. I had done this to myself. I have lost my parents. I was with a guy who was skillfully trained in things. I was an amature. I didn't bother brushing my wet curly hair. I knew James or Daniel didn't have that stuff. It felt so weird to have my hair curly. I hate it. I walked into the living room. There was a new candle on the table but Daniel was passed out on the floor with a blanket and pillow. He looked so peaceful. I sat down on the couch and sleep came over me. 
My parents were in the restaurant and I was serving food.  Daniel was there too. A man in the military man walked in holding a gun. Then my parents and Daniel were on their knees about to kill them. The soldier then looked at me.
"You did this Katya," he whispered.
"No," I spoke. I was then they were in front of me and I was holding the gun. I had tears down my face. I couldn't control my hands. My finger pulled the trigger killing my father. I then I came to my mother who was sobbing with me. I pulled the trigger. I then came to Daniel or James. He didn't move. I couldn't pull the trigger but I felt my self slowly start to pull it. Before I could watch it I woke up.
I shot up from where I was laying. Daniel was watching me with a shocking look. i had sweat dripping down my face. I noticed that I had tears rolling down my face.
"I'm going to ask you one more time and you're going to tell me the truth Katya. Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," I lied,"it was just a just a dream."
"Alrighty," Daniel spoke. "I didn't know you had curly hair."
"You don't always know someone just by watching them," I teased. 
"Alright," he spoke.
"Okay what do you want me to call you James or Daniel," I asked.
"James. Unless we're in front of people down here."
"Alright. What time is it?"
"It's way past noon. I'm waiting for Grandpa to get here. And just to let you know that was awesome work last night," he spoke.
"I had no idea what I was doing."
"I know but once we get you more trained you'll be deadly."
"I don't know if I want to be deadly," I smiled.
"Well you're on that way already," he smiled. There was a knock on the front door. James got up and cautioned me not to get up. He went to the door and looked through the peephole. He let out a small breath of relief. He opened the door quickly. The old man walked in holding a couple of bag of things.
"Well you sure know how to rise hell," he smiled.
"We're alive though."
"True. You're actually all over the news this morning. The restaurant got blown up and a girl with straight hair about 5'1 and is dangerous is out."
"Well they one thing right," James spoke.
"So James why is she called dangerous?"
"Let's just say that she can knock down a full grown man and can aim like a boss." James laughed. I smiled at him.
"Look I only took down one guy and shot at two others. I'm surprised I didn't hit him." I pointed to James. I almost called him Daniel.
"Have you told her," the grandpa asked. James nodded. "I think you need to go home."
"What," James yelled.
"James, you have too," the grandpa defended. James shook his head no.
"At all costs I will avoid him."
"James. He can protect you guys."
"I don't need his help. MY father never helps anyone in his family," James spoke.
"I know he is hard to get to especially after your mother, but you have to understand that he does care about you," his grandpa defended.
"No there is no way we can go," he spoke. I got up and went into the kitchen as they argued. I grabbed a glass of water. James then came storming in. His grandpa then came in.
"James think about her," the grandpa pointed at me. James turned quickly around. His face was red.
"Do not bring her into this."
"James, I don't care if I bring her into this you're going to have to tell her one way or another." I was about done with this.
"Shut up," I yelled,"I prefer not to become the center of a fight. But you both need to shut up. If someone hears us we could all be dead. Let's figure this out and what we need to do. We don't need to go anywhere just yet but we do need to do something."
James and his grandfather looked at me with shock. his grandfather put his out for a greeting.
"I'm Benjamin, we have not been properly introduced," he spoke. I took his hand and smiled.
"Katya," I spoke. James threw up his hands and walked out.
"You are very beautiful. Let that be your weapon."  I smiled not sure if I should say something back. James then came in.
"We'll go," James spoke. "We are not going by the elevator, it's too dangerous."
"What, that is the only way to get you two through. It is really hard to get a car from up there," Benjamin spoke.
"There is no way we can get through security with what is going on."
"There is a way we can do this," Benjamin spoke with a crafty smile.
"How," James asked.
"Disguise her. She's already got the hair for it. They think she only has straight hair. lets just put some highlights in her hair, change the eye color, and get her some make up," the old man thought of.
"You're not kidding huh," James asked. I was going to have stuff done to me that was going be crazy. I have never put makeup on or dyed my hair. If this was to be safe, then I was all up for it.
"I'll do it," I spoke. James looked at me like I was crazy.
"Are you sure," Benjamin asked. I nodded my head. "James are you up for this?"
"It looks like there's no other option," James tried to smile.
"Alright, I'll have everything done in about a week or so. Sound good? Try and stay hidden," he looked at James and me.
"Okay," i agreed.
"My father can't know that we are coming to him. It will ruin the operation," James spoke.
"There's no promises with that. You could need help."
"Wait until it's an emergency."
"Alright," Benjamin spoke. He then left the room and house. James didn't look happy. He went into the living room and left me in the kitchen alone. I drank the glass of water. I then went into the kitchen and sat down.
"Well since you're going to the Sky's I might as well teach how things go up there," James stood from the couch.
"Alright, teach then," I spoke. James smiled and picked up a couple of books.
"The first thing would be how you carry yourself. Everyone is trying to be better than someone else. Try and balance these books on your head." I looked at him like he was crazy. "Just do it."
I set the books on my head and kept them on there for a bit. My back was straighter than normal. James lifted my chin and he smiled.
"Now that looks better already. You always have to keep the chin up and not dodge any eyes. You  look a person in the eyes and you keep that stare. This proves that you are respectful and strong." I met his gaze. His eyes were so dark. My face felt hot and I couldn't keep looking at his eyes. My stomach turned and my butterflies tried to escape. I then quickly looked away and dropped the books. I backed up slowly. I couldn't have feelings for him.
"You okay," He asked.
"Let's just get back to work we have a lot of work to do if i am going to learn," I spoke. I was angry with my self. He was friend and I didn't want to ruin that friendship.
"Alright," James agreed. He had a confused look on his face. Jame and I continued with working on this. I began to walk with the books on my head. I felt like those princesses that had to practice to be proper in order to attend the ball. I walked on my toes and began to change how I did everything. By the end of the first lesson I was sitting straighter. It didn't feel uncomfortable as it use to.
"Well good job, Katya," James compliment.
"Thanks."
"You'll be great for when we leave."
"Well that's good right?"
"Of course. Aren't you hungry cause I know I am," James smiled. I didn't realize that we haven't eaten all day.
"I haven't really realized," I laughed.
"Well that is good," he spoke. "Do you care if I go get something and for you to stay here?"
"I'm fine with that, just be quick please," i spoke.
"Alright. You can read one of those books. They are pretty interesting even though they are all about history."
"Sweet," I smiled. I wanted to know more.
"I do know which book might be interesting though," he smiled.
"What," I asked. He then went into the small room and came out with the book that I saw yesterday when James carried it to school. He handed it to me.
"This is for you to read. It's Benjamin Franklin's note book with some side notes."
"Really," I asked. Who was Benjamin Franklin?
"Just read and see if you like it." James then handed me his book. He then left with a jacket on. I was alone in that small house. I began to read the small book that James gave me. It looked like a real journal with ink pen. I could see the mistakes and could barely read the handwriting. It had started in his life in England and what he was upset about. King George the third sounded unfair and unjust. They began a party to go find new land. Franklin knew that this could be the start of a revolution. I read and kept reading. They started writing the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Benjamin talks about the conflict between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. They were arguing about who would write the actual document. Benjamin explained that he and anyone involved in this was afraid. They were committing a treason against the king.
I was in the middle of the book when James walked in.
"You have literally not moved from that spot," James spoke. I smiled up at him.
"It's very interesting though I wish I knew who all these people are."
"You will in time," he smiled. He held some bags of groceries and then some Chinese food. The smell made my stomach grumble. He set the boxed food on the table and went into the kitchen with the rest.
"Sorry it took so long. I decided to go to the store to get some food so then we don't have to leave again."
"Sweet," I smiled. I knew how to cook. I helped my father all the time in the kitchen. He sort of made me memorize all the recipes just in case he died. He always joked with that.
"Well I have some rice, chicken, beef, and cookies," he smiled. I laughed at him.
"You can't cook, huh?"
"No, but I know that you can," he smiled.
"Thanks. I'll have to teach you some day," I laughed.
"Why? there's no point to cook in the Skys."
"Why?"
"All the food is already made, and all you have to do is heat it up." I thought that was so weird. Here theres either food in bags that are frozen but you'd still have to make your own food. It sounded disgusting.
"And people like that?"
"Well for some that is all they know," James spoke.
"What did you think of that muffin," I asked as he went into the kitchen to grab some plates. He came back in.
"That was probably the best muffin I've ever had," he smiled. We began to grab the food that we wanted and began to eat.
"What's your favorite color," James asked out of nowhere. I almost choked on my food when he asked that question. I wondered if he was really asking this question.
"Why are you asking me this," I asked.
"If you are going to be my partner for this USA stuff i'd like to know you instead of watching you." He smiled like i knew what I was going to say.
"Fine, my favorite color is green," i spoke.
"Why?"
    "Well it reminds me of trees and grass and anything that used to be really here," I spoke. "What about you?"
"Blue, not because of the sky but there always many different shades of the color. Most mean something."
"That's interesting," I smiled.
"Are you okay with everything," JAmes asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?"
"Well let's just say that you lost everything in less than an hour and now you're basically running for your life. If i was you I would probably be trying to kill myself."
"Well that's the thing you aren't me. I'm fine. I don't see any point in crying over the loss of everything. My parents were good parents and I loved them but I know they would not want me to cry over them. The restaurant, well when this is all over with I'll try and start it back up again," I smiled.
"At your age?"
"Yes at my age. Then it will give the restuarant time to actually grow. I know how to run a buisness and I know all the recipes that my dad used."
"Well that's good," James smiled but he looked hurt in a way.
"Are you okay," I  asked.
"Yeah. I keep thinking about what my father is going to say," He looked hurt.
"What happened between you two?"
"Well let's just say that him and I don't see eye to eye. Ever since my mother died he has been working himself to death on basically everything. He's engaged to another woman. But he just doesn't care what happens in his own family. I bet you he will say something nasty to you when he meets you."
"Look, your father can say all he wants but we really need to focus on what we need to retrieve," I spoke. James smiled and looked at me. I tried to keep my eyes locked with his. I couldn't do it. I looked down at what I was eating.
"Speaking of which, when we get there we will start working on the clue."
"I'm surprised you haven't memorized it." I smiled.
"Well I'm sort of not aloud to look at it."
"Let me guess your father doesn't want you on his team to look for the stuff huh?"
"Yeah. He thinks its too dangerous."
"James we almost got killed last night. I can see how he gets the idea of its too dangerous."
"Look I live dangerously. I just can't sit behind a desk all day and wait for something to happen."
"Alright," I smiled.
"What all can we do?"
"I don't know. This is your house."
"MAybe we should eat then sleep," James smiled. I nodded and kept eating. There had to be something else to do. It was fairly late though. I finished my food. When I got up i took the plate and silverware and began to wash it. James came in with his stuff.
"You know we have a dishwasher," he spoke. My face became really hot. I just realized that this was a habit. I always washed the dishes at the restaurant and at home. We didn't have the luxury of a dish washer.
"Oh," I smiled. I didn't even look for the dish washer. A small bit of pain pinched my heart.
"Are you alright?"
"James I'm fine. It's just a habit," I lied. I could feel James' eyes on me. He seemed to know there was something wrong. I didn't want to tell him that there was a problem with the whole situation. I want to be here and figure out this history. I hated who ever sent those men down to my place. They killed my parents. They almost killed James. And they killed me.