Masked

XVII.

"I'm sorry to ask so many questions, but the only B'n'B in town is... my place."

While the woman spoke, she lead Jonah and Lara up the stairs into the little bar that still was playing music.

"Well, you can't be too careful", Jonah started before extending his hand.

"By the way, I'm Jonah."

"Abby", the woman responded while shaking hands.

Lara introduced herself as well before Abby took the lead again and manoeuvred them towards one of the empty tables.

"Come in, have a seat. Carlos, three", she signed the barkeeper before they sat down.

The brunette took the chance to take off her gear and placing it on the table, including the pistol she got from the last mercenary she and Jonah took down. Abby stared at it with a raised eyebrow, before leaning back in her chair.

"So... What are you here for, exactly?"

"Well, we were following a riddle when our plane went down", Jonah answered truthfully.

"You mean it crashed?"

"Yeah."

Abby let out an unbelieving laugh.

"And you just... Walked out of the crash?"

"Uh, well, you know, it was – cruising pretty low."

While Jonah said that with a somewhat proud undertone, he glanced over to Lara who was watching the scene with a knowing smirk on her lips. She composed herself quickly when she saw that Abby had noticed it too.

"We are looking for Maya ruins", she then said in a matter-of-fact voice.

"Maya? ... You know you're in Peru, right?"

Lara's friend chuckled.

"Yeah. A long story..."

In the meantime, the barkeeper came back with their drinks. Abby thanked him before sharing them out. While she did that, she continued to speak.

"Well, you don't seem like a typical archaeologist."

Jonah hesitated. She clearly meant him.

"Oh, she's the archaeologist", he pointed to Lara, "I'm... I'm just the cook."

Abby seemed surprised.

"Really? Have you tried any of our local ceviche yet? It's a specialty."

Jonah chuckled again.

"Not unless it grows in the jungle."

"Aw, don't tell me you missed our famous Fish Trees?"

Now, Lara's friend couldn't help to laugh out loud, which was joined by Abby shortly after. The brunette had to admit that she felt a little bit out of place, but at the same time, she was kind of excited for Jonah to finally meet somebody. He had been single since what felt like forever, and this was a nice change for once. Lara lowered her head to hide her knowing grin, while Abby had reached out for one of the photos Lara had placed on the table, alongside her gear.

"Where did you take this?", she then asked while holding it up.

"Um... Mexico. Why?"

"Oh, I've seen this symbol before."

"Where?", Lara asked. If Abby actually knew what it was, then that was a good sign.

"There's some ruins nearby, and a small rock with something like this carved on it", Abby explained while pointing to the symbol on the picture.