The Ancient Guardians

The Ancient Guardians (Chapter 9)

THE ANCIENT GUARDIANS

Chapter 9

I couldn't believe it; she was actually here and very close to William. That's why I didn't want to meet any girls tonight; now I won't be able to go back to Marla. Even for my age, I was still kind of tall in the crowd, so I got on tiptoe and tried to see Will (how hard could it be to find a hunchback in a crowd?). I saw him near the place where I had left Marla earlier, he was squinting as if to focus on something. I got out of my spot and made my way to join him. There's no way it could be Marla, she wasn't innocent enough, which was why I liked her. I had to be really careful so she didn’t see me pass by, so I went around her, staying hidden behind others. I finally joined Will and saluted him with a slap on his hump. “Hey hunchback.”

            “Oh, should’ve figured it was you.” He responded.

            “Do you know who she is?” I asked him.

            “It’s one of those two girls.” He answered pointing at Marla and another girl to her right. “There were the only ones in the range of the rock when it turned blue and became as cold as an ice cube. Clint’s on his way here.”

            “Right.” I looked at the other girl. She had wavy blond hair, blue eyes, red lipstick and she was covered by a blue shirt and maroon jeans.

            “You think it’s the blond? She has wavy hair, like waves and she’s dressed in blue. Might be a connection.” William said.

            “I think so, I met the other one already and she doesn’t fit the part very well.”

            “You already met her?” He looked kind of jealous and had his usual frown I liked so much.

            “Yeah, my brother introduced her to me. Maybe I could lure her away and then we could be sure it’s not her when the rock doesn’t change.” I answered.

            “Not a bad idea.” He said.

            Then Clint came up behind us, looking excited. “Where is she? Are you sure you read it right?” (I’m guessing he was a little anxious).

            “Yes I did.” Will answered. “It’s one of those two.” And he pointed them again.

            “I’m going to lure one of them away so we can know which one she is.” I told Clint.

            “Nice thinking.” Clint continued. “William and I will go after the guardian, take her to my car, then I’ll drive her to her cave alone. You two stay here and find your way back to the apartment.”

            “Wait. Why aren’t we coming with you?” I asked him.

            “Well, I don’t really need your help to take her to her cave and I thought you could stay here and enjoy the party. We won’t leave until tomorrow morning anyway.” He answered.

            “Good point, but it’s already morning, Clint.” I pointed out.

            “Oh, details…now hurry up and make your move.” He continued.

            “Alright.” I answered. Then I made my way around Marla to make it seem like I came back from the house. When she saw me her eyes lit up and she waved at me. I smiled and joined her.

            “Well, it’s about time Alex; I was getting impatient.” She said.

            “Sorry.” I noticed she had finished her beer. It was as good a time as any. “Hey, you want to go take a walk? I’m getting tired of the noise and I’d like to hear you better.” I told her.

            “Thought you’d never ask, barefoot-boy. Let’s go.” And she hooked her arm on mine, like her friend did with my brother, and we walked away. As we passed beside some guy she extended her arm with her empty beer held out and put it on his chest. He instinctively took it with his hand, then he looked oddly at it, probably noticing it was empty, but we were already gone.

            “So, where do you want to go?” I asked her.

            “Anywhere is fine.” She answered.

            “Okay.” I had to watch out not to touch her with my hand; my arm was fine but my hand would probably burn her a little. My phone vibrated in my pocket, which was the one opposite of my arm Marla was holding. The others must’ve gotten the last guardian. I checked it quickly on my side so that Marla wouldn’t ask about it: “The rock turned back to normal! The last guardian’s all over your right arm!” I admit I didn’t see that one coming. I couldn’t believe Marla was the guardian. I turned my head to look at her…and saw right down her shirt. I stopped staring right away. Concentrate. I thought. I had to act fast. I kept my phone on the side and sent back a message. I wrote: “I’ll get her by your car and distract her attention, get her then.” I didn’t like doing this to Marla but I had to. When we got to the sidewalk I subtly led her to the right, where we would pass by Clint’s car.

            While I was considering the idea of Marla being the guardian of Water, she snuggled her head on my shoulder with her eyes closed and gently said: “Hmm…you’re so warm.”

            Then she held my arm a little tighter; I could feel her breast press against my elbow. Wow, she sure is something. I thought. I saw Clint’s car in the distance; we were getting close to it. The best way to distract Marla when we got there was to pretend to kiss her, and when she’d close her eyes obviously waiting for a sweet and tender kiss and not a burning one, that’s when the guys could get her. We finally got beside the car. I stopped walking, which forced her to stop too. “Marla.” I said. She didn’t answer. I looked at her. Then I yelled: “You can come out, guys!”

            William got up from behind the car. “Aren’t you going to distract her?” He told me.

            “Don’t need to.” I answered. “She’s asleep.” I took her by the arms and pushed her off me. Her head drooped.

            Clint came out from behind the car too. “Well isn’t this convenient.” He said. “It won’t look like a kidnapping anymore.”

            William sniffed. “Is something burning?” He asked.

            I noticed that a little smoke was coming from my hands touching her sleeves. I quickly passed her to Clint. “Sorry about that.” I felt embarrassed.

            “Don’t worry about it, you’re still not used to it yet.” He told me. He opened the car door, lifted her like she weighted nothing, and put her in the seat and tied her seatbelt. “I’ll wake her up over at the cave. You go have fun for now. Go back to the apartment and I should be there later.”

            “Okay, bye.” I said.

            “See you later.” Will added.

            Then Clint got in the car and he drove off. William looked at me.

            “Well, I’m going to go back right now, I’ll see you there.” He told me

            “Fine, I’ll stay here a bit.” I answered. Then he turned and ran off in the direction of the apartment. I looked back towards the party. A lot of people had left; I could see my brother and Ryan holding each other and singing by the bonfire (obviously drunk) and Jessica laughing at them. I started walking back to them; it was time to say goodbye.