~ Before the Clock Struck One ~

Chapter 3

~*~ Chapter Three~*~

Aaron waited frantically for Ricky to stop the car and turn around. There was plenty of space around them, but Ricky continued to slowly drive closer. What was he doing?

"Turn around," Aaron finally told him.

"But maybe they can help," Ricky argued back.

Aaron was incredulous. Could a doctor really be as stupid as all that?

"Turn around," he repeated. "They don't look like the helpful type."

Ricky kept going, pulling up to a sideways stop near the group. The beautiful red convertible now looked like a hunk of rusty metal next to the circle of flashy Ferraris, Porsches, Corvettes and Lamborghinis. The hard, indifferent faces of their owners turned in their direction, and a trio of tall, muscular, tattooed men came over to investigate. Aaron vaulted into the back and hovered protectively over Gypsy, making it even more difficult to see her and the pistol in his hand.

"Can I help you?" asked one of the guys, leering over Ricky.

"Yes actually, the girl is injured and we were told to bring her to someone named... Amy... I think." Doubt began to leak into his polite tone as he got a closer look at the "helpful" men. "Uh, Aaron do you remember the name?"

Now of course Aaron remembered the name perfectly. He could still hear Gypsy's fading voice ringing in his ears. "Find Amethyst," she'd said before the lights had fully focused. But he shook his head and tried in vain to appear nonchalant.

"No, I don't remember," he said, shrugging his shoulders stiffly.

Another of them glanced at the seat behind Aaron and nodded slowly, understanding their predicament. "Was the name Amethyst? She's the only healer around here."

Ricky brightened. "Yes! That was the name. Where can we find her?"

Aaron wanted to wring his neck.

The three guys exchanged a loaded look. "Hey Sean!" the third one called. "There's someone over here you might like to meet."

Aaron stiffened. That name seemed dreadfully familiar. He strangely felt as if this Sean fellow was an old enemy of his, and he certainly didn't have the time to deal with more trouble.

Out of the group came Sean. He was tall, strong, and dark-haired; he carried a rifle and, at the moment, a wide grin was stretched across his handsome face. The grin vanished instantly when he saw Aaron.

"How on earth...? What are you doing here?" he spat. He slung the semi-automatic off his back and pointed it straight at Aaron's chest. "Get out of the car!" he shouted, suddenly livid.

Ricky went white with fear and obeyed instantly; even going so far as to raise his hands high above his head and dropping to his knees once he was away from the vehicle.

Aaron didn't move.

Sean approached the idling car cautiously. He peered in the backseat and did a double-take. Although he couldn't clearly see who it was, he could see that she was in bad shape. Sean also noticed the subtle way in which Aaron moved so as to continue blocking her from view.

"What did you do to her?" He sounded disgusted.

Aaron couldn't bear to be accused of hurting Gypsy, nor could he stand to wait any longer and give Sean too much of an opportunity to stop him. If Sean found Gypsy at such a disadvantage, what would he do?