Something Lost, Something Gained (BEING EDITED)

Chapter 6: 17 1/2 Mile rd.

We all ended up sitting on Mr. Perkins's small flower patterned couch as he rummaged through the kitchen. I sat in the middle with Sebastian to my right, and Luke to my left. I felt Bastian's leg brush against mine as he adjust how he was sitting. I looked over to see his face turn a soft shade of pink, I smiled at him and nodded my head.

"It smells like old people in here," Luke whispered. He then let out a nervous chuckle.

Tim walked in with a tray of iced tea and cookies. He placed them on the small table in front of us. I reached forward and grabbed a tea for each of us. We gratefully sipped the cold drinks, Luke leaned back against the soft couch.

"So youngsters, what can I do for ya?" Mr. Perkins asked.

Bastian leans forward, bracing his elbows on his knees. "My name is Sebastian Balthazar, and this is my companion Lucinda O'Connell. Luke here said that you can find just about anyone. We are looking for the relative of Tekonquasha, the Great Indian Chief. Can you help us?" I heard Luke laugh at the way Bastian pronounced the Indian Chief's name.

"Lucinda..." Tim said, "Any relation to Sylvia O'Connell?"

"Um yes sir, that's my mother..." I trailed off.

"Holy great balls of fire!" "I knew you looked familiar my dear! Although the white hair is a bit weird." Tim jumped up from his chair and danced around the room. I gave Luke a sidelong glance. He just shrugged his shoulders.

"How did you know my Mom?" I asked as he sat back down.

"I used to be a teacher at Tekonsha. I had your Mother in high school." Tim sighed. "Gosh that was so long ago, how old are you?"

"I'm seventeen, I'll be eighteen this winter." I said.

"Wow it really has been a long time." Tim held his back as if it pained him. "I know who you are looking for. You're looking for your Father?" I nodded my head and waited for him to answer our question. "Well of course I can help you!"

Tim jumped up from his seat again and danced around the living room. Tim came back with a large address book about seven inches thick. He began to frantically flip through the pages until he stopped somewhere in the middle. Tim slid his finger down the page searching for a specific name.

"Ah here it is! Elan, let's see... He still lives out on the 17 ½ Mile property. LUke you know where to go?" Tim asked.

"Of course sir! I know this land like the back of my hand." Luke's voice was full of confidence.

I stood up from the couch and reached out my hand. Tim shook it vigorously. "Thank you so much for your help sir. I wish you good fortune." I said before leaving. I watched as Sebastian shook the old man's hand as well. We walk back into the cold weather and out to the car. "So Luke, where to?"

After we got into the Dodge, he began to point us in the right direction. We came back to the road that passed by the cemetery. As we drive by I watched Luke hold his breath. Once we were past the cemetery he let his breath out, and he caught me looking at him.

"What?" Luke looked a little embarrassed, "All the little kids on the bus do it."

I heard Bastian laugh from the front seat.

"Nothing I actually thought it was kind of cute." I said letting out a little laugh. I felt my face start to get to get hot. Luke stared at me with wide eyes.

"Cute?' He asked with a wink.

Bastian went silent, I went silent, we all went silent. The gravel and dirt road was bumpy, and very long. I went flying around in the backseat of the car, my head slammed into the interior.

"Bastian!" I screamed as he took a curve too fast, which threw me against the other side of the car.

"Sorry," Bastian said. The next turn he takes a little slower, and way more careful.

"Thank you," I said to him. He smiled weakly into the rearview mirror. I gave him an are you okay look. I saw a slight shake of his head, his face had gone pale.

"Hey Luke, how close is my Dad's house?" I asked him.

"About a half mile or so." He said staring out of the window. I heard Bastian's foot press down on the gas, we tore across the dirt road. In front of us loomed a large wood cabin. I could see the sweat rolling down his face, he turned another shade whiter. We slid into the driveway creating a spray of dirt and debris. Out of the house comes a large man with short brown hair and a dark beard on his face. Bastian threw the car in park before stumbling out off the car. He took one step forward before crashing to the ground.

"Hurry Lucinda we must get him inside," the man said.

"How do you know my name?"