The Journal [A Sequel To Maya's Diary]

Chapter Nine

Tess's POV

We walked past houses, streets and tall buildings.
Day had run off, exhausted from the tireless human activities and begged for night to take it's place. Of course the night did, moving in it's grace and lighting up the sky with the spherical ball of calm and quiet.

I was still on his shoulder, bumping my abdomen with every step he took on his skeletal framework. I wanted to scream for help, but my lips were still sealed up with the sticky silver duck tape. People rarely were in sight, dispersing gradually and the few that showed up, were carefully avoided by him.

We approached slowly to an abandoned house and he brought me down, resting my back on a cold, poorly furnished wall. I moved away fretting and studying the shackled excuse of a building. He stuck his face out through the window. Peering through the dark, until he was sure no-one was in sight.

I mumbled unintelligible words and he quickly turned. Frustrated by my futile attempt, he took out the tape. I released a soft cry of pain on the removal and blurted out the words I held in, "Why did you take out the tape? I thought it would save you from more trouble, if you didn't have me to deal with?"

"As a matter of fact, I'm enjoying your company," He said, stooping low and resting on his toes.

I said nothing, but panted inwardly. Then he spoke up again, "You said to get to the diamond, I need a key. Where is it?"

I hesitated briefly then said, "There was only one key. When my father willed his assets in my name, I hadn't become a major. Therefore, I couldn't claim it. I was only seventeen when he died. News got to me, that the key was with his very close friend. He was the keeper."

He retorted impatiently as he stood, "Where can I find this keeper?"

"You won't. He's dead."

He paced about again, kicking an old used plastic bottle that laid crushed and abandoned helplessly on the cold concrete. Whoever drank from that bottle, must have sucked the life out of it. My eyes trailed back to his, before he continued.

"What killed your father again?"

"Can we not discuss this?" I said leaning against the wall.

"Sour subject. Let me guess, he was murdered in cold blood."
I turned sharply towards him, swallowing a lump that got stuck up in my throat. How did he know that? I was about talking, before he interrupted and continued.

"..same as the other man, right? Now isn't that more than just a coincidence, that your father and his friend who both protected the key, died mysteriously alike?"

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that whoever killed them, will come for you. So you are better off here with me alive, than out there, dead."

"Why are you telling me this? I thought you wanted me dead too. Why do you care?"

"Oh no. I wanted the diamond, but not at the expense of your life."

"Look, I've told you all I know about the key. Please let me go."

"Not yet. I need to be sure you aren't lying." He stooped to whisper another question "Now tell me, was there another key?"

"No, there was only one," I whimpered.

"I hope so." He said, fixating his eyes again sternly into mine. His phone buzzed and he stood to reply. A call followed and he moved a meter away to answer it.

As he did, I slowly clutched my necklace. I choked it's ends with my fingers and slightly freed it from my torturous grip as I peeked through the dim reflection of the night's light and stared at the dangling end. It's design was unique. It had a small circular opening at the top, and two small rectangular ends protruding the end. My heart skipped a beat at the sudden realization of what I had on my neck, it was the key.

He came back minutes later and with every suspicious look he glared at me, I wondered if he had found out too. I had managed to tuck the key within the lacy material of my dress. Hopefully it would find shelter there.

"I'm leaving," He said. His words were briefly spelled out.

"Leaving to where? You are not leaving me here alone this night all by my self are you?"

"Someone's coming to stay with you." I said nothing, but sighed. I didn't have to wait for long, before the person to take his place arrived. He was tall, probably taller than him and well built. Unlike him, he didn't have a ski mask on and I wondered why. They exchanged words and after few minutes, he left. Leaving me with the other who guarded the entrance.

I shuffled my feet against the cold floor. Dust had attracted my loose gown followed by the night's cool breeze, slow and quiet beckoning me to dreamland. Slight goosebumps popped up on my tanned skin. I needed a covering.

"Excuse me....excuse me. Can I at least get a duvet, a jacket or something?"

He shot a bloody look at me and stood not flinching.

"I'm thirsty," I said after few minutes standing. Disheveled strands of my hair were all over my neck. I managed to add, "Are you going to stand this way all night?"

"Shut up and sit down."

I complied sliding my back against the wall and landing back to the ground.

"You said you were thirsty. Stay here, I'll get you some water." He left the room and I struggled to loosen the grip of the thick flax rope. I had after few minutes of forceful struggle, pulled it out. I made for the small window's lintel sprinting briefly, before the familiar voice held me still.

"Where do you think you're going?"

He held me by my neck and sat me down. Clenching his hand to a fist and raised it in an attempt to punch me. I countered his action, by lifting my hands to shield the effect and closed my watery eyes, expecting the worst. I heard a thud and only then, did I squint my eyes through my fingers that were slightly apart to see what went amiss. I saw him lay helpless on the ground, and standing in his place was a young man.

"Now that's not how to treat a lady." He said facing the motionless body. "Oh hey there," He said facing me with a smirk.

"What did you do?"

"He was hurting you."

"I didn't ask for a revenge murder."

"Relax, I didn't kill him. I only poisoned him. The poison will last long enough for me to tell you, all I have to tell you and you will listen to all I have to say. As for him, he will awake, weak."

"Why should I listen to anything you have to say?"

He moved inches closer crossing over the motionless body that lay between us and whispered with a serious tone, "You will listen to me, because I have some truths about your father and the key."