The Stolen and The Gone

Eight

Hey guys! So there's gonna be a bit of a twist in this chapter. It's not going to be Cam talking but someone as equally as important. It will explain what's going on in chapter nine. Enjoy!

One month ago

The wind was beginning to pick up as the sun set glistened over the delicious waves of the ocean. Their Sunday lunch was filling and their time there was fun. Nothing but a few friends hanging out, enjoying life while it lasted.

Dean flung his arm over his best friend's shoulder and sighed contently, the tiny pony tail bobbing in front of them making Darren smile.

Life is good, thought Dean. He regretted thinking this after it popped into his mind. An image of his Nana stood before his eyes, making a shiver run down his spine. Ever since she... he didn't want to think about it. And thinking about his parents made him cringe internally. Guess not that good.

Hunter pulled his goggles on top of his head and ran to where his girlfriend started packing their picnic baskets and blankets into the truck. He gently stroked her hand when he tried to take the woven basket from her and loaded it into the boot. A simple affectionate gesture, making her turn red under her tanned skin.

Dean picked up his pace and tried to wipe those images out of his head. This is what's important right now, not my family, not my sisters or brothers or parents or responsibilities, what matters is my friends.

"Hey, boy! I know they say three's a crowd but I had a good time." Hunter climbed into his drivers seat and winked at Yuki in the passenger side, looking dainty and relaxed.

"Yeah," said Dean, rubbing his belly. "I think I ate too much of those rolled-up-shrimp-rice thingies."

"A lot of people say it's the number one sushi dish", said Yuki.

"Damn, those were good."

"You expect less?" She asked, hand on her chest.

"Of course not." He settled into the backseat and put his hands behind his head. "You're the best cook."

The car fell into settled silence as they drove Yuki back to her place by the beach shops. Places here didn't have names, they were just places. Of course you could call them by their Earth names, not that many people do so. The beach they were at would be in a place called Melbourne, or something. Then again, Dean has never been to Earth. He could never go.

Although he didn't have knowledge about the other world, he was an expert on this one. He knew how people worked here, how the biological factors of this world added up into something he loved learning about. Sometimes he wishes he'd never stop learning and travel to every extent in this world, discover new gifts, people, species of all things.

That was why he'd always wanted to be a lecturer someday, to carry on his findings and knowledge to people who had none. He had tried to get interviews at most of the good colleges, mostly near where he lived so that it would be cheaper to travel. His family had not been lucky with finances lately and required support from the government. That was the only way they got through these days.

He closed his eyes and leaned onto the door. My poor family. If only I could get damn job.

They pulled up to Yuki's house after five minutes, not that far from the beach. Nothing is very far from anything here, he reminded himself. The beach house looked like an ancient dojo, big enough to fit Yuki's seven siblings, four grandparents and parents.

They climbed out of the jeep and stood before the front door mat. Yuki turned to Dean after breaking a deep conversation with Hunter about pastries and mannequins. She looked up at him with empty eyes the colour of water thrown onto snow.