Beneath the Coffee House

Chapter 2

     "Just tell me," I pressured Eli as I handed him his chamomile tea. He thanked me, took a deep breath, and looked deep into my eyes.

     "It was about two weeks ago," Eli began, "I was on my way to anatomy, and it was getting dark. I had to walk over the bridge over the river thats between the science and art buildings. Before I could make it across, I could see a flashing light coming from the rivers side. Out of curiosity, I went down the wooden stairs just beyond the bridge that led to the water's edge. I was thinking someone dropped a phone or lost something worth value. So I finally get down to the water and pick up the object. It was a pointy glass shard from a mirror. I flipped it around to examine it more, and as I looked in the mirror between turns, I could see a hooded man standing behind me. I got up and turned around but before I could say anything he hit me on to of the head with a crowbar."

     "Oh goodness," I gasped. "You didn't get a concussion, did you?"

     "Oh you bet I did," he began. "But that's not the point. The point is that before I passed out completely, I got a glimpse of his face. I can still remember it clearly. He was whispering some creepy chant before I blacked out. I could also smell coffee  for some reason."

     "I heard a chant and could smell coffee too, but I couldn't make out the words," I began. "Did you see his face?" I questioned eagerly. The sooner I found out who marked us, the sooner I could remove it. He nodded his head yes.

     "Luckily, my drawing skills are our side. I can still remember his face clear as day," he explained. Wow, this is going to be easier than I though.

     "Ill go get some paper," I said as I started to get up and make my way to my office.

     "Don't worry about it, I have my bag right here," he stopped me and got up from his seat and took a short stroll to the front door and came back with a black backpack. He then opened it up and pulled a sketch pad and pencil out and flipped opened a couple pages in. As he flipped, I could see some of his sketches. I could tell he had a thing for drawing birds and portraits.

     "Wow," I gawked, "those are amazing." I complimented. He let out a shy smile.

     "Thank you," he appreciated. He then flipped th pad opened to an empty page and began to sketch. I sat back in my chair and sipped my tea waiting for him to finish. About a minute later, he was done. "Here he is. He looks almost exactly like that."

     "Wow," I said admiring his speed. The sketch looked exactly like a picture. Although, I knew I immediately recognized the man in the sketch. I just couldn't help but admire every stroke and every line on the paper.

     "You recognize him?" He asked. I did. The man in the sketch had light hair, chiseled chin, big square glasses, and a nose ring on the right side of his face.

     "He works at the coffee shop down on main, his name is Jax," I explained. He closed his sketchbook and let out a hopeful grin. The man in the sketch seemed like such a sweet person at the store. He would always take my order with a smile. I would have never guessed it would be him. The man on the path had coffee breath. It had to be.

     "Well, then lets get going," he said as he put his utensils in his bag. I widened my eyes at him in disbelief.

     "We're not just going to show up and jump him, are we?" I questioned with fright. I didn't exactly like attention. Attacking this man in public would definitely attract attention.

    "No, no, no," he began, "just confront him and ask him what the heck's going on."

    "Oh, I guess that can't be too bad." I said. He stood up from the comfy leather chair and held out his hand.

     "Come on, we don't have all day," he smirked. I rolled my eyes, set my tea on the end table, and took his hand. We then began our walk to the coffee shop.