7 yrs, Gone and Forgotten

Chapter 17: To See for Myself

Jake’s POV

     Strolling through the front doors of the old farm estate I couldn’t help but smile to myself. We were close, close to taking down Lumen, close to bringing Eva home, and close to restoring peace and order to our world. I only prayed silently to the goddess herself that she guided us through this mission with no hiccups, and if everything went well, this time next week it would be an all-new beginning for everyone.

     “Jake, where have you been?” Mr. Grumpy himself shouted from the staircase as I closed the door behind me.

      “Setting everything up, the files and evidence have been delivered and we are ready to execute our plans tomorrow evening.” I stepped up and patted him on the shoulder as we turned to head toward the kitchen. “I have already met with everyone, and they know what they are supposed to do.”

      He stopped just short of the doorway, “Why didn’t you tell me Eva was part of all of this? You know how dangerous it is?” I swallowed a little in fear, he would for sure kill me, he hated involving her specifically when it came to a possible fight. “Did you really think you could hide it, I felt her as soon as we arrived, I know she is close. Now leave and go get her.” He turned and stomped into the kitchen leaving me following like a lost puppy.

      I leaned up against the counter and crossed my arms, “You know better than anyone if she is in the middle she is there for a good reason. And besides I can’t make her do anything.”

      He slammed his fists down on the counter causing me to look over at him, “Let me guess, she will be there tomorrow night?” I only nodded my head, “Very well then, she is coming out of there if I have to drag her screaming and kicking. You might not be able to do anything, but I can.” He took several deep breaths and I watched as he tried to calm himself, “So who are the players we should expect?”

     “Lumen and Claire of course, there are some other players involved but we aren’t sure exactly who yet. Best guess is when we enter and they notice us, pay attention to who flocks together. Those will be who we need to take out. Transport to take them all back home is already set up and will be waiting for us outside. If everyone sticks to the plans, then it should go without any problems. Snatch and grab basically.”

     “Jake tell me the truth, I know you have been following this, I know Luscious is close as well, is there anything that could possibly go wrong, can we expect any wild cards?”

      I took a deep breath, “There is always a wild card in our world you know that.”

     For the first time in a long time, I watched my friend become his old self even if for a brief second, “That’s not what I mean. I have a feeling deep in my bones that something is to come, good or bad I don’t know, but its coming, it’s here and I don’t want my parents or sister caught in the crossfire.”

    Maybe now was as good a time as any to break the ice a little, “Everything should go perfect as long as we stick to the plan. But,” he raised his brows at me and I watched Mr. Grumpy return. “Calm down, I just said but. Anyway, getting Eva out will not be that easy, she has made a friend and is rather attached to her. I don’t think she will leave without her.”

    He smiled, “Then we bring her to.”

    I laughed, I would like to see him try and take her without permission. “That will not be as easy as it sounds.”

    He leaned back against the counter and smirked, “It’s a girl, what isn’t easy about grabbing her too. Does she know of our world?”

    “Nope, not a thing. And let’s just say special doesn’t come close to touching what she is, especially in Eva’s eyes. Just remember I told you so.” I pushed off the counter and made my way out of the kitchen without looking back. I was skating on thin ice with him, and I knew it, I only hoped that it all paid off in the end.

      I made my way to the study where I found Luca going over the files that had been sent to him along with the evidence, we needed to prove Lumen and Claire guilty. I closed the door behind me and took a seat opposite of him.

      “I am glad you came Jake. I was just fixing to head out for a couple of hours, and I wanted to go over a few details first.” He greeted as he closed the files and slid them to the side of the desk. “First and foremost, how is my daughter?”

    I smiled thinking about holding her in my arms the night before for the first time in forever and remembering how happy she was. “Luca she is the happiest I have seen her in I couldn’t tell you how long. She sent the book and stone with me, and I have already given them to Carol so that she could hide them. We can’t let him know we found them.”

     He ran his hands over his face before sighing loudly and slumping down in the chair. “I know, I know. I could kill that old witch for her hair brain ideas, and the wild goose chase. But in all of this we are as much to blame for everything that is happening now. If only.”

     “I know if only we had been stronger for him, but we all watched the self-destruction path he was on, and we thought there would never be another chance. Luca we only were doing what we thought was best for him. I am like you though; I could kick my own ass right now.”

      He chuckled lightly, “So did you meet her?”

     I smiled at the memory of Lee wrapping around my neck, “I did. And let’s just say it was rather hilarious, but Luca for the first time in a long time I have hope.” I cleared my throat, I needed to tell him, “However we have a problem.” He nodded and I leaned forward, “He plans on taking Eva even if by force, and I told him it wouldn’t be that easy because she wouldn’t leave Lee, so he plans on taking her too, and Luca she doesn’t know anything about this world.”

     “What do you mean doesn’t know? How can she not know, she has lived amongst them all this time?”

      I shrugged my shoulders, “No idea how she doesn’t know but she doesn’t. And with her not knowing this could turn out bad, someone could get hurt.”

     He stood up and rounded the desk to lean in front of me. “Don’t worry about that, you just make sure my daughter gets out of there safely. I am sure the rest will work itself out the way it is meant to be.” He grabbed jacket off the back of the loveseat and headed toward the door. “Now if you will excuse me, I have an old friend to meet.”

     I stood up and followed him out of the door, “Where are you going?”

    “To see for myself.”