Beneath the Coffee House

Chapter 3

     On the walk, Eli and I talked about our common interests and what we liked to do in our free time. We were trying to get our minds off of this crazy situation we were brought into.

     After about fifteen minutes, we finally made it out of the forrest and set our eyes on the little coffee shop across the street. We were so close.

     "Are you okay?" Eli questioned, his breath noticeable in the crisp fall air. I was starting to shake from the anxiety and the cold. Confronting Jax was giving me the chills. I shook my head yes and took a deep breath.

     "It's just cold, and I'm a little nervous," I confessed.

     "Don't worry. I'll do all of the talking," he consoled. I nodded my head and could feel a weight being slightly off my shoulders. The anxiety of knowing what happened was still there.

     Eli suddenly took my hand and started walking across the street. Butterflies started to swell in my stomach. After crossing, I felt my heart sink when I saw Jax cleaning one of the tables in the front window, he looked so innocent. Eli eagerly strolled to the door and opened it for me. I stepped inside, the scent of fresh coffee beans hit my nose instantly. The sound of the front door jingled as we walked inside.

     "Welcome to SweetBrew," he began, not once looking up from the dark wooden table he was cleaning. "Is there anything I can help you wi-" he gasped as he looked up from his chair and realized who we were. He immediately started making a run for it behind the counter and into the back storage room. Eli started to chase him.

     "Wait, we just want to talk," he assured. Eli entered the storage room while I followed closely behind. We definitely weren't allowed back here. I looked behind to see if any of the customers were alarmed by this commotion, but they all had their eyes glued to either their phones or lap tops.

     "I can't help you," I heard Jax echo through a wooden door that led down a flight of stairs. I heard his footsteps creaking. Eli and I followed Jax down.

     "Why are you running?" I questioned. "We mean no harm."

     "If I tell you anything, I'm screwed." He huffed. We made it down the stairs and entered what looked like an under ground apartment. There was a small living room flourished with a black couch, a large flat screen TV, and many colorful psychedelic wall tapestries. Jax was in the opened kitchen to the right of the living area with his head down on the counter. Eli ran up and began to corner him.

     "Why can't you explain this," Eli said pulling his shirt down to reveal the mark. Jax jumped back in shock.

    "What the-" Jax began. "I had no idea that would happen. I was told if I did the ritual on two people, I'd be free. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." Eli began to clench his fists.

     "Free from what?" Eli intimidated. He was really set off.

     "I can't tell you. All I can say is that she's not human. I never wanted to be caught up with this in the first place, I'm just like you," Jax then pulled his red 'coffee is key' graphic tee down to reveal the same inhuman mark Eli and I had. Eli began to settle down and un clenched his fists.

     "Please, you have to help us," Eli begged calmly. "If were just the same, why don't we help each other?"

     "I-I don't know. I could get in huge trouble if she finds out I'm even talking to you," Jax wiped his sweaty palms on the back of his black ripped skinny jeans. 

     "Who is she? Please, Jax, we just want to know what these marks mean and how we can get rid of them," Eli pleaded. Jax took a deep breath and bit his lip. He began nodding his head yes.