What Am I?

Chapter 17

The wind was pleasant and the night beautiful. But it was even more beautiful for Andrea because she was spending it with Dylan. Max and Dylan had planned the same night for Andrea and Emma. However, things were better with Andrea and Dylan. She had spent such quality time him after a while.

It was late so they decided to head home. It was a long walk to the car, neither said a word, but weren't bored. They just walked, hand in hand, as if there was no end. The warmth of his hand was enough to make her feel that she hand everything she needed.

Andrea was a little disappointed that they had reached the car. If she could, she would walk home with him. But she was feeling a little uncomfortable in all that synthetic that her body was wrapped in.

They sat in the car and Dylan started the car. The engine started with a monster's roar, but the very next minute, died down like a crying child put to bed.

"Oh God!" exclaimed Dylan when he saw coal black smoke rising from the engine.

There was not a chance that the car would move even an inch forward. It just stopped.

Andrea got out from the car and stood next to Dylan.

"What are we going to do now?" asked Dylan, looking around to see if any car was on the road. But the only thing he could see were trees and an empty road. The carnival was over and everybody had left.

"We'll have to walk Dylan."

"Are you out of your mind?! I'm not gonna walk."

"Then what are we gonna do?!" screamed Andrea with enough stops in the middle of the words to scream out the last word in Dylan's ear.

"Ouch! Don't scream. I'll think of something."

Before Dylan thinking about what to do, they heard a car honk in the distance. That honk was the only thing he wanted to hear.

"Look, there's a car! It's coming right here. We're going in that."

"Dylan, I'm not gonna sit in some stranger's car. We don't even know that person."

"Andrea, I'm with you. Nothing will go wrong. And we have Ralph too. He's really powerful."

"Who the hell is Ralph?"

"Oh..um..this is Ralph. I know it's kind of weird but..yeah."

"That's sweet Dylan. You're not weird" smiled Andrea.

When Dylan looked at the road again, the car had stopped right in front of him. The window slowly rolled down and in the moonlight, half of the man's face looked slightly silver and the other half completely black. His eyes scanned Dylan and Andrea while his hand rested on the window.

"It's not really wise to stand alone in the streets at this hour" said the man as he smiled at Dylan.

As he stuck his head out of the window, Dylan got a better look at his face. Middle aged yet a handsome man with salt and pepper hair still looking slightly dark. The cloth on his toned arms was almost stretched to its limit. A rather fit man for his age.

"That's why we're looking for a way to get home" replied Andrea. "Since you are standing here, I assume Noctor Street is your destination."

"Yes, yes it is."

"Great, I'm headed that way. Get in!"

Andrea was averse to them sitting in the car. She gave him a worried look , trying to tell him not to get into the car.

The man noticed the uneasy look on Andrea's face. He gave a slight smile and stepped out of the car.

"You can go ahead and check. I have no weapons on me. I'm completely clean." He gave a laugh.

Andrea and Dylan were extremely embarrassed that he was able to read her expressions.

"It's fine you two, I know where it's coming from. I mean sitting in an unknown person's vehicle at a time where he can easily steal from you and stab you to death and not let anyone know, ahh it is a little terrifying."

Dylan and Andrea just looked at him, perplexed.

"Okay, that took a dark turn" said the man as he looked at the ground.

"Just get into the car, it's getting late. I promise both of you will reach home in a single piece.

He opened the door and sat in the driver's seat.

While getting in, Andrea whispered to Dylan, "He's going to kill us Dylan, I'm telling you, he will."

"He won't. No killer or thief says that he'll rob us or kill us before doing it okay. Now get in"

"That's the worst theory I've heard" said Andrea with her teeth clenched as she got into the car.

There was a weird silence in the car. None knew what to say. They kept pushing the thoughts of initiating a conversation. Finally, the stranger broke the silence.

"So, what are your names?"

"That's Andrea and I'm Dylan."

"Nice to meet you Dylan and Andrea. I'm Steve, Steve Dukingburg. It's not been long since I've moved here. Business should be set up in no time."

"But what do you actually do?"

"I'm a veterinary surgeon and also have an animal shelter. The shelter is almost ready and my animals are going to be moved by next week. I'll get my permit to practice by next week too. It was pretty easy to get it since I've been practicing for long before coming here."

"Oh my God! You have an animal shelter. That's amazing!" exclaimed Andrea.

"It sure is. Actually," he said, putting his hand in his pocket, "both of you can drop by once the place is ready.' He removed his card and gave it to them.

"I think both of you will really enjoy."

"Oh, you can stop on the left."

They had reached Andrea's house. Dylan a got out of the car with her to leave her till her door.

"See, I told you we'll be fine. And now you can spend time with animals all around you."

"Yeah whatever" she smiled. "I'll see you on Monday?"

"Sure" he smiled as he kissed her goodnight.

"Your GPS shows that you have to turn right Mr. Dukingburg and I have to go straight. Thank you for the ride and the card."

"I can drop you, it's not a big deal."

"I prefer walking and it's hardly a distance. Goodnight."

"As you wish. Goodnight son."