Solar Eclipse of the Heart

I Need to What?

I pulled up to Harpers school about fifteen minutes before she got out of class. I didn't feel like just sitting in my car and waiting for her so I crawled out and leaned on my car. I slowly looked around the area, assessing the safety of this place and trying to identify any threats. So far everything looked peaceful. There were young children playing on the front lawn of the school and the buses were lined up waiting for their assigned students to board them. This town was extremely small and in the middle of nowhere so it didn't seem like anything threatening could touch Harper here. Still, I didn't like the odds. My mind has been constantly running trying to figure out why that filthy rodent chose this innocent girl of all people, what game was he playing at? His goal was ultimately to take over my position, but this girl wasn't going to be of any use to him in accomplishing that. He either was very dumb or extremely smart and both thoughts terrified me. A dumb man has nothing to lose, therefore he will destroy anyone and anything in his path to reach success. An intelligent man can reek so much havoc without getting his hands dirty and use everyone he knew as a pawn to get him to where he wanted to be.

The school bell pulled me out of my revery and my eyes shot up to the doors. I had purposefully parked where I could see all three doors, that way I didn't miss Harper leaving the building. My eyes scanned carefully through the see of teenagers trying to catch a glimpse of her, and there she was. In a pair of jeans and a t-shirt that looked like it had something to do with music and her brown hair up in a messy bun. She looked exhausted as she headed to her car to head for home when she spotted me, I hid my smirk. I saw her quickly look away and walk the rest of the way to her small Chevy Cavalier, I couldn't tell what it was. Slowly, I stood from my position and headed over to her, for some reason I was excited to see her. 

Stopping behind her I waited for her to turn around, and things went better than I expected. She not only turned around, but ran right smack into me. She looked surprised and started questioning me on why I was here. I quickly explained to her how I found her and may have even fibbed on the true reason of my visit. How could I tell this sweet woman that she was in fact in trouble, just not the kind she was thinking of. 

Crawling into my car I started the twenty minute drive to her house. I knew her parents were going to ask questions, but I didn't see them turning me away from their home, especially since I was here to offer their daughter safety. I doubt that they would like what I had to offer, but hopefully they would look past that and think about what was best for their daughter.

I pulled up in front of a small yellow house, in wasn't large by no means but it was very cute. I stepped out of my car just has Harper pulled up into the driveway and parked. She slowly climbed out of her car and waited for me to join, so I quickly made my way up to her and we walked into her home together. 

"Mom I'm home!"

"How was scho-Harper who is this?"

Her mother looked extremely confused and uncomfortable while she stood there staring at me. I put my hand and decided to introduce myself.

"Hello ma'am. My name is Alessandro Colombo. I don't know if you remember but I was the gentleman that your daughter delivered that package to."

Realization appeared in her eyes and she slowly began nodding her head.

Planting a polite smile on her face she asked, "What can we do for you Mr. Colombo?"

"Well I was hoping I could have dinner with you and your family to try and at least thank your daughter properly."

Harper's mother looked at the clock and said, "Well my husband should be home soon and then dinner will be served. Make yourself at home."

Turning to Harper she said, "Dear clear off and set the table before your father gets home."

Harper sighed and got straight to work. It was then that I noticed a delicious aroma hanging around in the air. It smelled like mash potatoes and gravy and a meat of some sort but I couldn't quite figure out what.

Twenty minutes later Harper's father walked through the door and stared at me. Smiling, I reached my hand out and introduced myself to him. 

"Honey, Mr. Colombo will be joining us for dinner," his wife said as she brought the food to the table. "Sit everyone. Dinner is ready."

After eating a delicious meat loaf and conversing with Harper and her family, I decided it was time to get down to the real reason I was here.

"Actually Mr. and Mrs. Brown, I came here to speak to you about Harper's safety. My people and I believe she is in serious danger and that the man who gave her that package is after her. I came here because I would like to offer her safety, at my home in Colorado. She needs to move in with me."

The table went extremely quiet, so quiet in fact that you could hear the crickets. Then a loud high pitched voice erupted. 

"I need to do WHAT?!"