The day was almost over, the sky was going gray not because it wanted to rain but just because it was getting dark, this was Washington, Langley. The weather was not sunny but misty and a bit foggy, people were already closing up shops and heading home with the hope of having a hearty dinner with their beloved family but one woman was not hurrying, rather she seemed to be taking in the misty air with deep enthusiasm and a wide smile on her face as she dragged her two bags with her. She was petite but had enough curves under the thick pants and black puffy jacket which she wore, her eyes were emerald green in color and were shaped like almonds giving her an exotic look and her plump lips were wide in a smile that showcased her pearly white teeth and to top all these, she had a lone dimple at her right cheek. Serena Black was a young woman of twenty two years, she might have appeared too strange for the town if it wasn't for the thick boots and black baseball cap which she wore because well, thtrieds Washington and rain could fall at any time.
"Taxi!"
The woman called as soon as she sighted a yellow cab, she got in and mentioned the name of a motel which she was going to stay not far from town, she needed all her access to the road. She placed her two big bags in the booth and hurried into the backseat of the car.
"New in town?"
"Yes, how do you know?"
The taxi driver gave a gruff chuckle as he gestured to his face through the windscreen.
"You're all smiles, people in Washington don't smile that much at this time of the day, its 9pm, people are too tired from the days work, all they want to do is rest."
"Right,I see, I guess I should tone down my smiling huh?" she bit her lower lip skeptically as she tried to rein in a blonde tendril from poking her in the eyes.
"Nah its okay, its refreshing for a change."
She grinned at him, "Thank you"
"So what brings you to town, here to see someone or..." He left the question hanging
"Well yes, I'm looking for someone but also, I'm a professional traveler"
"Oh interesting"
"Yes, I travel round the country making trips to discover new things, new cultures and new adventures then I share my knowledge with the world, I'm a solo adventurer" she replied proudly.
"Wow, your job sounds awesome, I hope you find the person you are looking for"
She had a faraway look on her face as she muttered softly, "I wish so too."
They were silent for the rest of the trip until they reached a cute two story motel which they stopped in front of. The building was painted a warm color of blue and decorated with murals of flowers of various types. To further accentuate its warm invitation to travelers, potted plants were deposited at every corner giving it the visual of a greenhouse but an outside one. Like a gentleman, he got out of the car and helped her get her two bags out, with a cherry thank you and a nod, she paid him with some extra tips.
"Goodbye and have a lovely stay here in Langley"
"I will, thank you"
Good thing she had made a reservation before coming here, she was quickly shown her room and immediately she plopped down on the bed and sighed with her eyes close. She laid there for a while, you would think she had fallen asleep but then she inserted her hand into her jacket and brought out the picture of an older woman sporting a head of white hair though she wasn't necessarily old just older. The woman had a soft smile on her lips and and her pale blue eyes sparkled like they knew secret to questions always asked. She ran a lone finger gently along the woman's face as her eyes turned misty.
"Grandma, I promise I will find you. I'm getting close" she whispered as a tear course down her cheek and settled in the crook of her ears. Suddenly, her phone rang startling her that she dropped the picture.
"Hello"
"Serena Black?"
"Yes?"
"Good evening ma'am. We have a small burgundy bag here that has your ID and your passport along with some personal items, please can you come get them? Apparently they were found a mile away from the airport"
Her eyes widened in shock as she looked at her belongings, she never knew she had lost a bag and the most important one at that.
"Oh my God, thank you so much. I had no idea, can you give me your address? I'll be there in an hour if it's not too much for you"
"Alright, I'll text it to this number, I'll be waiting"
"Thank you"
With a dash, she grabbed her car keys, eternally grateful that she could have her car delivered here a month before she arrived. The address said the local post office, she could get there in time. She pressed on the accelerator as she drove through the street in the middle of the road, her heart was beating in a nervous thumb and her fingers consistently drummed the steering wheel. Suddenly, the car sputtered and stopped.
"What, but I just serviced it two months ago" she grumbled as she got out of the car and headed for the hood of the car, just as she was about to open it she caught sight of numerous figures in black spring out from both sides. She looked up in alarm to see about ten men all in black coming closer to her.
"Hello princess" a raspy, back scratching voice crooned from the one who had no gun in his hands. She backed away silently towards her car.
"Uh uh! Stay where you are, I don't want to hurt you by mistake"
"What do you want?" She whispered.
"Nothing", the man shrugged, his black eyes shiny under his mask, "...just your money and any other valuable you have with you"
"You can have my car and my phone but that's all I have here"
"Bullshit" he spat, she flinched.
He sprung towards her and made to grab her, she fell on the ground as she tried to escape his hands. She wanted to scream for help but the road was as deserted as a graveyard and its sides were covered mostly by tall evergreen trees that seemed to make it seem more lonely. Just as the man was about to grasp her again, a large figure landed between them, the man screamed and backed away. Her mouth fell open as she saw that a four legfed beast bigger than a human female was standing between her and her attackers and it was staring right at her. Silence reined in the place then she squeezed her eyes and gave a blood curling scream.