SYNCHRONICITY (The Lone Wolf)

32

After Sebastian dropped off the film in the mailbox to get processed, he, Alison, Judy and Topher met at the favorite Tex-Mex restaurant for a last dinner together before their trips would separate them for a few weeks. Judy couldn't help but show off her engagement ring that Topher had given to her. They'd decided on taking in a few clubs for drinks and dancing for as long as Alison could keep up; she was to be their activity barometer.

They hit three different clubs, blissfully unaware that they were being followed by their Guard as well as two squads of Evil Doers. Leaving the third club, they were fired upon and the young men were forced to engage, helping to protect their women as well as each other.

Three of the Guard were injured and two were dead, leaving only Sebastian, Topher and Judy to defend themselves. Sebastian shoved Alison into the back of the car and was forced to remain there. Two squads of military wizard appeared to mount an offensive and took out and apprehended the remaining Evil Doers. Topher was injured as was Sebastian. Judy sustained a few scrapes and bruises, but was alright. Only Alison was physically uninjured. The Captain instructed the women to remove their soldiers from the scene and take them home. If they required medical attention, they were to get them to the wizard-hospital in DC.

Alison was nervous driving Sebastian's bike with him on the back of it; he was slumped over her, making steering and shifting gears difficult. She managed to get them into the apartment and got him to the bedroom and tended to his wounds. He ended up with only one scar, over his eye. He assured her that he could still see out of his eye. He wearily stood up and went to the living room to call his parents and informed them of what had happened, telling them that their plans would be delayed. His mother fretted, insisting that she was coming out to them, to pack them up and move them to stay with them or at least see to his injuries because she was a trained mediwitch and it was her job and he was her son and he wasn't to argue.

During the night, there was a loud knock on the door. Alison wearily donned her robe and wearily went to the door and looked through the peephole. On the other side of the door was Gunny, the Captain of the Guard and four large, mean-looking battle-ready Marines, as well as four women in uniform who looked to be medical personnel.

She cracked open the door and looked into Gunny's eyes. "Hello Alison. May we come in please?"

"Why? It's late."

"We need to speak to you and Matus...Sebastian."

"What about?"

"The events that took place tonight."

"And it can't wait until the morning? Sebastian's finally asleep," she replied, the annoyance quite evident in her voice.

"You're no longer safe here, Ma'am," the Captain said wearily...he'd taken some hits and was barely fixed up of his injuries, plus he'd lost several of his men. "Please..."

She nodded and opened the door.

They filed inside and looked around at all the decorations as well as the large grand piano still sitting near the fireplace and tree.

"Wow," Gunny said under his breath. "My wife would kill to see this in person..."

Alison stood in the middle of her living room. "Can I get y'all some coffee? Won't take but a minute..."

"Only if you're going to have some Ma'am," The Captain said.

"Well," she said as she shoved her hands in the pockets of her housecoat, "judging by the looks on your faces, it isn't good news. I guess I should wake Sebastian up?"

"Yes Ma'am," the Captain said."

She nodded as she sighed. "Have a seat then, I guess?" She headed toward the back of the apartment and opened the door. Sebastian was already sitting up on the edge of the bed, trying to wake up enough to stand. His body felt heavy and he hurt, all over. He swallowed hard and looked up into her brown eyes.