The Prince - Book Two - A The Selection Fanfiction

Chapter Three - The Errand

I screamed as Avery grabbed my arm and shoved me out of a secret exit in the back of his rusty hut. I looked out onto the vast landscape before me and glanced back at Avery, getting an approving nod. I returned it and ran.
I ran for what seemed like forever and when it finally felt safe enough to walk I was exhausted. Up ahead I saw a village. It looked as if it belonged to a couple of grungy old eights. I ventured slowly into the village and tried not to draw attention to myself. Although, that was rather hard, considering that fact that I was wearing a quite torn up dress and a wilted tiara upon my messy hair.
I walked along, searching for any signs of the Red Diner Pub.  I glanced sharply to my left as I felt a small fragile tap on my shoulder.  I looked the brittle female figure up and down.  She had a maroon shawl on over her dainty dress.  She was an old woman, yes, but still looked powerful enough.
   "May I help you?"  She asked in a shaky voice.
   "Yes, do you happen to know where the Red Diner Pub might be?"
Her face grew dark. "It's just down the street." She relied while lifting a filthy tired arm to point at the faded red structure.
I smiled weakly. "Thank you." As I walked off I heard her soft voice warn me. She told me to be careful.
       What could be so terrible about that place?  I wondered.  Now I wish I'd never asked.
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       I swung open the creaky and decaying barn door to the Pub.  Dust, dirt, and the strong scent of alcohol and body odor stung in my nose like a sort of poison.  Looking around at my surroundings, I saw that I was the only girl and most likely the best dress even with my tattered gown.  A few of the men stared at me while others walked right up and lifted strands of my ratty hair with their dirt caked and sweaty fingers.
       "Now what's a pretty little girl like yourself doing here?"  Said one of the men attempting to touch my hair.
       I swatted all them away and announced my presence to anyone who hadn't noticed me yet.  "I'm here to deliver a message to a man by the name of Jonah Parker.  Do you know where I might find him?"
       "Sure, sweetheart."  He cooed.  I rolled my eyes.  "He's right over there."  He gestured toward a clearly drunken man who seemed to be trying extremely hard not to topple off of his red little barstool while gulping down another shot. 
       Jonah had crusty pale skin with lots of rest blotches.  His hair was deep brown like mine but was stubbly and left a dull bald spot on the top of his thin head.  His face was quite sculpted and he could definitely be a show stopper of he tried and showing by his musky denim overalls and torn up red shirt it didn't look like he was trying at all.
       I glanced back at the man who gave me a nervous smile and looked back over at Jonah.  Taking a deep breath, I made my way to the leathery red stool next to him and sat down at the bar.  The waiter asked me if I'd like anything but I declined.  Anything from here would probably be drugged, judging by the looks of everyone here.
       Jonah didn't even noticed me until I piped up, mentioning the note from Avery.  At sight of the message he seemed to sober right up and almost tore the thumb for my hands.
       "Hold on."  I demanded.  "What is this supposed to say exactly?"
       He shifted his eyes around, avoiding eye contact.  "Uh...nothing..."
       "If he made me come all this way it's not nothing."  He looked away.  I grabbed his face and moved it towards mine, forcing him to look me in the eyes and earning suggestive looks from the other men in the Pub.  "What's in this note."
       He cracked.  "Fine.  It's money.  Lots."  I let his face free.  "He told me he'd be sending someone from the castle soon.  I'm guessing that's you?" 
       I nodded.  "Yeah.  He told me you were going to take me back.  So let's go."
       He chuckled.  "It's not that easy."  He leaned towards my face which made me just about slap him but just as I pulled up my hand he spoke.  "There's a truck out back.  If you can distract everyone here for five minutes I'll be out of here and waiting for you where you came into town."
       "Okay.  Let's do it.  Go."  I said as he pulled away and nearly tripped three times on the way to the door.
       Now I have to distract them.  I thought.  Easy.
       I walked over the the guys.  "So, tell me, which one of you is the strongest."  I said winking. 
       The men all fought for my attention.  What can I say, I was good at acting.
       "I know, you should all arm wrestle."  I smirked. 
       That they did.  They also broke a table.  After five minutes was up, I blew them a kiss and strutted out of the door, leaving them all in awe.  As soon as I exited the Red Dined Pub I sucked in a breath of fresh air and darted towards the rusty black truck in the distance.  I'd had just about enough here in this small town.
       Jumping into the messy truck,  I decided Jonah was in no condition to drive.  After forcing him to let me take the wheel, we took off.  I flew across the flat terrain and back to where Avery was hiding out to see if he was okay and take him back to my dad.
       I daintily hopped onto the ground and rushed into the little metallic hut only to see Avery lying motionless on the ground.  I slid on my knees and over to him.  Flipping him over, I assessed his wounds seeing a singular gunshot to his stomach. If he wasn't dead yet he would be soon.  But if we got to my house quick enough my mom might be able to save him.
       I called Jonah over to help me carry Avery into the back of the truck.   I secured him into the trunk and headed back up with Jonah.
       "We need to get to my house.  My mom has remedies and can help him if we make it there quick enough."  I stated.
       Jonah simply nodded and let me conduct the rest of our journey.  It didn't take long to get near my house.  In fact I could see it from the place I was at.  I sped up a little but I shouldn't have because as I sped up I took my eye off the path to look at Jonah and hit something.  Hard. 
       There was a loud crash and the truck sunk down.  I must've popped a tire.  Luckily Jonah and I were ok but meanwhile, Avery was dying in the back.  Dragging out Jonah to him, I pulled him out and started lifting him.  Jonah looked at me like I was insane.
       "The truck can't be fixed in time and my house is right there.  We have to at least try.  For my dad."  I half whisper, half shouted at him. 
       Tears stung lightly in my eyes as memories of Avery came rushing back in a flood.  I remembered him being like a 'backup parent' to me before he disappeared.  I used to call him 'Abery' because I couldn't pronounce the 'V' and my parents and him would always laugh.  I would not let him just die.
       It looked like Jonah couldn't either because he lifted with me and we started running along the barren streets, to my house.  I could only hope we made it in time.
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A.N.
I want to say thank you for being patient with me as I struggled to update.  I also want to thank you guys for 2k on 'The Girl!'  I'm so stoked.  You guys have been so great and I love you all!  Thank you so much!  Haha but now you hate me cuz of the epic cliffhanger.  Oh and that picture?  A sneak peak to one of the selected's future...who is it??  Think about who has red hair...hmmm....  Can't wait!!