The Triple Date Disaster

Chapter 12: Coffee and Clues

Aaron didn't move from his spot on the ground.  Frustration kept him there.  Not only was that the second time Ash was being a jerk, but once again Aph vanished before his eyes.  With all do seriousness, this was getting quite annoying.  He finds a clue, sees Aphmau, clue gets thrown in the garbage, he looses Aphmau.  This went on in an endless loop.  It felt like in the weeks they've been looking for the girls they made absolutely zero progress. 

Zane walked up behind Aaron and told him, "Aaron, we need to go.  The park hasn't led to any more clues about the dreams.  Where was your dream?  Maybe we can check there?"

Aaron got up and followed Zane and Travis out of the park.  As they continued to interrogate Aaron about his dream, in which he continued to give zero answers, he kept thinking.  Even thought it wasn't much, they still had a few clues.  Those were what he needed to piece together.  

He led Zane and Travis to a near by cafe.  Once they entered they ordered three coffees.  The cafe was painted crimson by the counter, and a mild tan on the rest of the walls.  It was decorated with bright green ferns that perfectly accented the hard wood floor.  As they sat down at one of the oak wood tables, the decor gave them a warm feeling inside.  They felt as if they weren't as alone as they were before.  Once they received their coffee orders Aaron made sure he had Zane and Travis's full attention.   

"Okay," Aaron started, "We don't have a lot of clues.  The few we did have Ash pretty much lit on fire with her bright orange lip stick."  He shuddered and continued, "She said that our dreams didn't tell 'where' but 'why'.  I'm not sure what that means, but..."

"Aaron," Travis interrupted.

"Yes Travis?"

"Look.  Zane and I have been talking.  Aaron, do you still trust us?"

"Yes.  What kind of question is that?"  Aaron was taken back, and very confused.  He tried to study Travis's face.  He seemed disappointed.

Zane continued, "Ash said you haven't been honest with us."

Once those words came out Aaron became very still.  He almost felt betrayed.  He raised his eyebrows, giving them a look of disbelief.  "Seriously?" he asked, "You would believe that bad dressed fairy over me?" 

Travis's tone was hurried, he spoke as if he was trying to calm Aaron down.  "No no  no!  Not at all!  That's not what we're saying.  It's just, you haven't told us about your dream yet.  You've been very quiet, and secretive.  You keep staring into space and zoning out as if you're seeing a ghost.  If you're holding anything back that could help us find the girls, you need to tell us."

Aaron considered what they said.  Yes, it was true.  He was hiding his dream from them.  He wanted to forget it to be honest.  However he also knew that he wasn't being fair to Zane and Travis.  Or to the girls for that matter.  I mean, if he knew something that could help find them faster, shouldn't he share it as soon as physically possible?  For all he knew they could of found them by now, that he was the one keeping them where ever they were.

Aaron took a drink of his coffee and rubbed his forehead.  It started to ache again.  Maybe he should tell them about the headaches too?  

"Okay," he conceded, "you're right!  I haven't been completely honest.  Okay?  My dream took place in a cave.  The cave was crumbling to the ground but Aphmau sat there in the middle of it stroking a wolf pup.  I told her we needed to leave, and she sat there.  The wolf howled and she was gone.  Ever sense I've been seeing her in different places.  The same figure that was in the room the night we all had the dreams, with the pup."

Travis interrupted, "So we all had dreams where..."  "That's not all," Aaron continued, "Ever since that night I also have been getting headaches, like really bad ones."