THE RIDE

Give me happiness, Give me love, Give me comfort,
But tell me about the worst, as it is still to come,
The uncertain future that is connects the Past…

The Ride:

Characters:
Roumoult Cranston: Stubborn curious lawyer and always on the move.
William sterling: A medical examiner, working in New york and Roumoult’s best friend.
Chet: A fat share broker, Cousin of young Cranston.
Mark: Another cousin but less troublesome.
Anne: Chet’s new girlfriend who he wants to impress him.
Janet: Marks old friend. That’s what she said to Roumoult.

19th May 2002.

Good Night Hotel:
The Good night hotel was a three floored round structure colored yellow with black borders. It had beautiful windows with great carvings on them. The three floors were connected by an elevator and a spiral staircase, From inside the hotel had a simple house like environments. It had a strict rule against smokers. Roumoult and his friends had decided to relax here for the night. They had to drive to New York. In two days Roumoult had an important meeting at the third company. He along with William, Chet, Mark, Anne and Janet had gone to a trip to New Jersey to a little town called Vancouver. It was a nice little resort type with lots of greenly and trees. They had a lot of fun.

3.30am.
Roumoult Cranston was sleeping peacefully in his room. William and the others were on the same floor with separate rooms for each. Though he didn’t like Chet much but he had enjoyed his time with them. At first he had thought that might be it was a bad idea but it turned out to be fine. And Fred wanted him to go to this trip as he had taken a lot of stress likely.
The noise of a glass crashing awoke him up. He turned on the lights; everything in his room seemed to be normal. He thought may be it was his imagination. His imagination had a weird habit of running wild. He lay back on the bed and tried to sleep. But something in his conscious bothered him and he got up from the bed. He opened his door and stepped out to stare at the long corridor of the hotel It was a narrow passage with small lights. He shook his head. It had been a short time since he had any kind of dreams. Sometimes he was happy about it but at other times terrified. He had thought of bring Angelus along with them but he refused. Everyone except him and William had work. Roumoult didn’t like the company he was with.
He dismissed his thought and started to turn back to his room but stopped when he heard a noise. He tried to listen to it. It was a loud and fast. He was on the first floor. There was no one in the hotel except them. He followed the noise down the stairs towards another passage that led to the reception and waiting rooms. He walked through the passage but stopped on one door. It was the source of the noise. It was a television. There was a bug’s bunny show on it. He shook his head. But there was no one watching the T.V.
It was the cabin where the hotel manager and owner usually sat. He peeped inside the room but it was empty. He turned and froze. The manager was staring at him through his big glasses with small eyes. He was about 40 years old with big belly. His whole head was like an egg. He stared at him with soar eyes. His name was Rave Stalker.
“Something wrong?” The man asked in a cold tone.
Roumoult gulped. He didn’t like the guy he thought he was spooky but as they had no choice they had to stay in this hotel.
“Nothing I just woke up and came downstairs.”
“Really…” The man still said coldly.
“You like bugs bunny…” Roumoult said changing the subject.
“Yes… so?”
Roumoult thought that the man didn’t like him to.
“You know kids like you shouldn’t be out of your room, on a no moon night like this…” The man said looking out of the big window that was to the north.
“Why not?’
The man immediately looked at Roumoult who felt his heart jump a beat.
“Haven’t you heard?’
“Heard what?”
“Well there are some reports of young men and women being murdered at night… like this….” The man said waving his hand.
Roumoult rolled his eyes.
“Really.” Roumoult chuckled.
The man looked at him with Anger.
“You don’t believe me?’
“No…”
“Why not?’
“Because I think you a making up stories…”
“Really… well it was in the papers about four days ago. Four young men were going to Philphildilpea from the state highway. Normally it takes about 20 hours by road. But they were never seen. But when they didn’t show up the parents told the police and when the police started to investigate all they found was the car… then they investigated more… they went into the deep jungles that were located near the roads… they found all of them murdered….” The man said in a slow tone.
Roumoult stared at him and smiled..
“So there is a murderer out there… trust me I have seen so many of them that I have got use to this…” Roumoult said and started walking towards the stairs..
“As you wish…” The man said and went into his cabin.
Roumoult turned and looked at the empty corridor once but then just dismissed the thought.
He returned to his room and went back to bed.

6.00am.
There was a loud noise. Roumoult sat up on the bed. He rubbed his eyes and looked outside the window it was almost daytime. Again there was the same noise it was a knock.
“Hey Roumoult don’t you have to get back to New York by tonight… get up we have a long way to go… I will just see if there is enough gasoline in our Van…” William shouted and retreated to his room.
Roumoult rubbed his eyes again and went into the bathroom. When he was brushing his teeth he remembered that Wraith his car wanted to come along but as there were many people and they couldn’t sit comfortable in it they had taken a van. Their trip to this place was event less. Roumoult mostly drove and listened to nice music while others chatted.

7.00am.
Everyone was standing near the car. Roumoult dressed in blue shirt with black coat and pants walked towards the van with his handbag with him. Their van was black colored and very spacey. Janet was a catholic with blue eyes and brown hair. She was about 5.8 in height with beautiful figure and sexy looks. She wore a tight black sleeveless top with black tight jeans. She was a fashion designer and had eyes on Roumoult who at all cost avoided her. On the other hand Anne was a sweet girl and a shy one. She was about 5 feet tall with long black hair that she never let down. She always stayed professional. She had small eyes with beautiful but simple looks.
“Hi good morning…” Janet said to Roumoult.
“Good morning Janet.. So who is driving?’
Everyone looked at one another.
“How much time will take?’
“Well I think to reach Stamford, about more 23 hours….”
Everyone already feeling tired.
“I will drive.” William volunteered and got on the drivers seat… while Roumoult was on the passenger seat. In the back three pairs of people could seat comfortably facing each other.
As his or her journey started everyone started talking again.
“Hey William did you know what they use to call Chet in School?” Mark said laughing.
Roumoult instantly smiled.
William did the same and said, “Let me guess… hamburger…”
Everyone busted into laughter…
“Well not quiet…. They use to call him chicken Hamburger with extra cheese..” Mark said and everyone laughed like anything.
The girls couldn’t control their laughter for a long time. Roumoult shook his head but Chet was furious.
“Common guys why don’t you pick someone of your own size….”
“Hey you are equal to all our sizes…” Janet said.
Again there was a roar of laughter.
“You know this trip has been a lot of fun don’t spoil it…” Chet said
“Oh common we were just thinking about the bill that we had to pay…” Mark said.
Roumoult and William merely stared at each other.
Janet was sitting behind Roumoult she instantly changed her direction towards him and said.
“Roumoult you don’t talk much…”
Roumoult looked at her and said,
“There is nothing to say…” Roumoult said.
Then there were the usual talks. In about 2 hours they were out of the town and on the state road that led to New York. The road was wide with a white divider painted on it. It had many curves and turns. William concentrated on the driving while Roumoult on the music. He looked around that the place. It was a so beautiful. Filled with countless trees. The roads in the morning we mostly empty. They had a beautiful and event less ride.

12.00pm.
William stretched at his seat. He was feeling tired. He had drove for about 5 hours non-stop… now the van needed gasoline and they food.
“Hey I am hungry…” Chet said.
“You are always hungry….” Roumoult said stretching on his seat..
“I think we should have taken a plane to this place…” William said.
“Oh don’t worry we will drive now…” Mark said. He felt guilty because Roumoult and William had been doing all the driving.
“No its ok…” William said waving his hand.
“Ok ok guys I think we should look for a small hotel of some kind and of place where we can fill her up….” Janet suggested.
“And there it is….” Roumoult said and pointed towards a big green colored board that said
“ The Big Beast Hotel… only 2 miles…’
“Big.. Beast….” Anne said.
“I think it means big feast….” Roumoult said and turned to Chet “ that means good news for you…”
Everyone chucked.
“Hey Will how much is the gasoline?’
”There is half the tank but I don’t want to take any risk…”
“Ok if there is a pump we will surely stop…”
“And if there is not….” Chet said in a worried tone.
Roumoult turned to him and said
“Then also we will stop…”
Everyone laughed.

12.30pm.
They were sitting in a small place with few tables and chairs. There was only one cook who as the manager of the place. The hotel was nothing but a small cottage with a big shed.
“so much for the big beast…” William commented as they were seated to a table of six. The girls sat together in the middle. They had ordered couple of sandwiches and soft drinks as there was nothing much to ask for.
“Tell me why such a name… why not a small hotel or a small beast hotel… or something like that….” Mark said.
Roumoult folded his hands and said
“Why don’t you ask him?’ And then laughed.
Everyone joined him. Their sandwiches and drinks arrived.
“Excuse me… I don’t want to bother you but… why the name…” Mark asked curiously.
“Mark.. Common….” William said.
The stocking man just stared at him for a while and then said,
“It suited the situation…”
HE turned and started to walk.
“What situation?’ Roumoult asked immediately.
The man stopped and now stared at Roumoult from top to bottom.
“You don’t know…”
“Know what?’ William asked.
“Well about a week ago I think there were about 4 murders… when the police started to investigate it they found the tracks of a unknown animal…!”
The group stared at the man.
“What animal?’ Roumoult asked.
“Roumoult…” Scolded William.
“Well he is said to have four fingers and big foot…”
“So you kept the name of this hotel on the beast….” Mark said.
“Yes it attracted more tourist..”
“You changed it in a week…” He asked again..
“Yes…”
“What do you know about this creature?’ Roumoult asked.
William gave him a long stare.
“Well there is only one thing I know… he has not been caught yet…” The man said and walked away.
“Oh my god…” Anne said trembling…”what if we are next?’ She said
Roumoult stared at her.
“Hey… Anne don’t tell me your are scared because that stocky man told you about a fake story… common there is nothing like creatures of the dark… vampires or werewolves…”
“Don’t say that…” she said getting hysterical.
“Have you thought about it…. What if there is a murderer out there?’ Roumoult said.
William banged his head.
“Roumoult you are not driving today…’ He said and then started with his sandwich.
On Anne request they changed the topic to cars and work.

2.00pm.
They were back on the road with Mark driving. Janet was on his side and Roumoult and will were in the back. Roumoult was reading a novel while William was sleeping.
“So William how is work?” Chet asked.
William opened his eyes and said,
“Its fine…”
“Oh no monsters… or disappearing corpses…” Chet said mocking.
Everyone laughed except Roumoult who merely stared at Chet.
“Well at least I have something other to do than to break stock…” William said leaning towards him.
Again everyone laughed. Roumoult looked out of the window towards the barren area that they were crossing now. It was not completely devoid of plants but there was mostly sand. Mark was driving about 40 miles/hour. He concentrated less on the road and more on Janet who seemed to like it.
“Mark.. Do me a favor and keep your eyes on the road..” Roumoult commented.
Everyone giggled.
“Right we don’t want to reach the hospital with Roumoult you know… That could be more dangerous than the beast…” Janet said mocking.
Roumoult smiled shaking his head. William was sitting right in front of him and laid his head on the window trying to sleep…
“That reminds me. Roumoult what do you think about that story that stocky man told us…” Mark asked.
Roumoult kept his book down and said,
“Well I think it has been made up by the hotel owner to attract tourist and scare them off…”
“Oh common guys not again….’ Anne said throwing her hands in the air.
“Common… don’t you find it fascinating…” Chet said.
William opened one of his eye and looked at Roumoult who looked back.
“Yes he is right are you not a little curious…” Mark said turning behind.
It was then Roumoult straitened up.
“Mark watch out!!!!!” he shouted.
Mark look forward it was a black cat crossing the road. He slammed the brakes. The tired screamed but it was too late.
Everyone one in the car was thrown off his or her seats. Roumoult was thrown over William. When the car stopped they were still in shock and in the middle of the road.
“Everyone all right…” Roumoult said.
“What happened?’ Anne.
“Black cat right in the middle of the road…” Roumoult said.
William stared at him.
They stepped out of the car.
“I think I killed it…” Mark said trembling.
Roumoult sat down to see if the dead cat was below the car. But he was stunned there was nothing there. He checked the wheels there was no blood or fur…
“Where is it?’ Chet asked.
“Where is what?’ Anne said
“The cat is not there….” Roumoult said standing up.
“But but I… I saw it….’ Mark said breathing heavily.
“Me too…” Roumoult said.
“But I didn’t….” Janet admitted.
They looked around there was no sight of the cat.
“but it was there… I killed it…” Mark admitted.
“But then there has to be a dead cat or something to indicate like that… may be when the car stopped it ran away someplace else…” William said.
Roumoult looked around but there was nothing but trees. Mark again looked below the car. There was nothing.
“But who could it be?” Mark said.
Chet was listening to everyone still sitting in the car.
“You know what…” He said coming out of the car “May be it was the ghost of the cat…”
Everyone stared at him.
Roumoult rolled his eyes.
“I don’t think there was anything… common guys it was just a cat… and the only thing matters is that it is not dead…” William pointed out.
“How can you say that? Anne said.
“Fine… think logically.. do you see a dead cat? I don’t… so lets move..” William replied.
“I think he is right….” Roumoult said.
But mark was still not in agreement. He was scared. He had never had an accident before.
“I am not driving…”
“Oh common…. I know this time you will drive more carefully…” Chet said.
“Janet please sits behind…” Chet ordered.
Back on the road with Janet on his side the group traveled towards their destination. Roumoult kept an eye on the road while William was reading a book. Janet was busy with her nails but Roumoult noticed that Anne was trembling.
“What’s wrong Anne?’ Roumoult asked. It attracted everyone’s attention.
She merely smiled but then said,
“You might think that I am old fashion or something but a black cat cutting the road is not a good sigh….” She said.
“I knew she would say something like that…” Janet said.
“Common guys we merely killed it….” She cried.
Roumoult raised his eyebrows.
“But we didn’t kill it…” William said without taking his eyes off the book.
“Look Anne I know you are a very religious person but this just is superstition… It is only in your mind.” Chet pointed out.
Mark was speech less he drove the car slowly and carefully. His mind was thinking over the issue again and again. He was worried that he would not be able to drive carefreely from this day on.
“But…”
“Please!!!!!” Mark shouted.
It was then a big cargo truck passed them with full speed. It was a big blue truck with white container. Roumoult just glanced at it and then looked at Anne but decided not to say anything as it would make Mark angrier.
For an hour no one spoke. Few cars passed them from the opposite side. Somewhere families but most of them were vacant. Roumoult couldn’t read his book anymore so he started looking out of the window again. There was nothing to see but some mountains, few huts, trees and Lots of water. Sometimes the sun would peep out of the clouds and shed its light over the flat terrain and then after a few minutes clouds blocked it. He wily looked around when there was a sudden sound of horns from behind. Roumoult immediately looked behind. It was a group of youngster who were driving very fast and ruthless. The vehicle drove by them was a big truck with lots of horsepower. They were about 4 of them. Mark slowed down a little and let them pass. They shouted and waved at them and disappeared in a few moments.
“Wow what a way to go…” Janet commented.
“Yah…” Chet admitted.
Roumoult stayed quiet.
“Common guys we are getting scared of a little accident that didn’t even happen… lets have little bit of fun…” Chet said cheerfully.
“Yah lets have some fuel first….” Roumoult said and pointed out the gasoline station, which was located some distance away from the highway.
Chet wondered how Roumoult could always keep a track of things to come. He would always point out what was there and what was not there. On the other hand Chet himself never was so cautious when someone else was doing the driving. Mark drove through the dusty road toward the station.
When the van stopped everyone stepped out and stretched. The group was tired of all the traveling. When they looked around there was no one in sight. Mark filled the petrol while Roumoult went inside the small structure that seemed like the center. The place was abandoned All the stuff like oil cans, some food, cold drinks, chocolates, chips etc were just lying there. The place was hardly arranged. Everything was scattered.
“Hey are you sure the tank is filling up?” Roumoult asked as he came out.
“Yah.. Why?’ Chet asked
“Because there is no one inside…”
“May be he gone for a walk….” William commented.
When the tank was full he checked it. But still there was no one around.
“What do we do?’ Roumoult asked.
“Common just pay the money and lets go…” Janet said.
“But there has to be someone who I should pay…” Chet said.
They waited for a few moments and then owner showed up. He apologized for the inconvenient and then washed the car for them. While he was working on the car Roumoult looked at the time it was almost 6.00pm. Now Mark was getting tired so Chet volunteered to drive.
6.30pm.
Chet talked a lot as he drove. He talked about stocks, people, and money women and Food. Roumoult and William dozed to sleep. Upahead he saw an intersection, not knowing which way to go he stopped the car.
“Hey which road goes to New York?” he asked.
“I don’t know…” Mark said.
“May be Roumoult knows..” Janet said and woke Roumoult up. He sat up in a few minutes and twisted and turned his body. When Chet asked him he thought for a while and said it was left.
“Hey man I don’t want to get lost or something…”
“Trust me… its left…” Roumoult said yawning.
“How do you know?” Janet asked.
Roumoult thought for a while and said,
“I just know… just do it..” Roumoult said and resumed his sleep.
On his way Chet confirmed twice by looking at the sighs on the road to see whether they were on the right track. Mark sat besides him quietly and stared at the road. After a few minutes Chet saw a board showing they were no the right track. He was happy but Marks dull face bothered him.
“What’s wrong?’ Chet asked.
“Nothing I just… I was thinking about the event… I am sorry Anne I shouted at you… I was so furious but now it seems ridiculous… I should have kept my eyes on the road…”
Everyone was quiet for a while.
“Don’t worry… but now you are alert… that is good… it means you have learnt…” Roumoult said smiling. Mark looked behind and smiled at him.
“Ok how about some music?’ Anne said.
“Hey we have been listening to music all the way to this trip… now lets do something more..” Janet said
“I was thinking… if we find a good motel we should stop… Because there is no way we are going to reach tonight…you know it is dangerous to drive at night….” Roumoult suggested.
Everyone shook their heads in agreements. Chet sighed again Roumoult had forseen what they should do and what not.
“Ok so what do we talk about?’ Anne said.
“Anything.. Like ghost… spirits… vampires… something interesting… something unsolved something fascinating…” Janet said excited.
William merely stared at her and then smiled towards Roumoult who seem to be looking at something..
William looked in the same direction. It was an old cemetery.
They exchanged glances.
“Hey guys what do I do?’ Chet asked.
The entire group looked on the road. There was priest asking for a lift.
“Don’t stop..” Roumoult warned.
“Common he is a priest… I want to do something nice…” Chet said.
“WE don’t have place…” Mark said…
“Oh yes we do?” Anne said.
“Yah…” Janet added.
“I am saying don’t do it…” Roumoult repeated.
“Common lets just ask him where he wants to go…” Mark agreed.
“I don’t think this is a good idea…” Roumoult said again.
“Look Roumoult this is my Van I say we give the man a lift… what is the harm in doing some good work…”
“He came out of a cemetery…” Roumoult pointed out.
“So he is a priest…”
‘They are usually found in churches…”Roumoult remarked sighing. William stayed quiet.
Chet stopped the car.
The priest was a young man in his 30’s, slim body, and oval smiling face with small eyes. he was about 6 feet dressed in black with a collar.
“Good evening… “
“Hello father…” Mark said.
“I am very sorry to trouble you… but I would love if you could offer we life till my next destination…”
“And what is that?’ Roumoult asked.
“Well another cemetery…”
“There seems to be to many of them around here…” Roumoult commented to William who smiled.
“Well you are welcome father…”

When they were back on the road the father sat besides Roumoult. Janet sat between William and Anne.
“Well where are you children going?” The father asked politely.
“New York…” Janet replied.
“Oh isn’t that too far away.” He said softly.
“That’s the idea….” Roumoult said.
“I hope you enjoyed your stay…”
“Yah we did..” William said.
For some time there was complete silence.
‘Tell me father do you often come to this place..” Roumoult asked.
“No… I came here on a request of the family… I had no idea there was no bus service here or other wise I would have brought a car…” The man said sadly.
“Then how did you get here…” Roumoult asked curiously
“A friend of me dropped me here about 6 hours ago…” The priest said.
Everyone exchange glances.
“What have you being doing here for six hours..” Janet asked.
“I think young lady that is solely the church business.”
Roumoult stared at William who looked at the sky.
“What kind of business?’ Chet asked.
“Mr. I don’t think you will like what I will say… because I have to keep it a secret…” The priest said.
Roumoult cleared his throat and said,
“Don’t tell us you were digging a grave….” Roumoult said. Everyone busted into laughter. That included the priest.
“How did you guess?’ The priest asked immediately.
Roumoult was stunned for a second. Everyone looked at the priest and then at Roumoult. All of their faces were white by now.
“I think my friend here was just joking…” William pointed out.
“Well I was digging a grave… I am happy you guys don’t think I am crazy or something…” The priest replied rather happily.
Roumoult looked at William who shook his head.
“Why were you digging the grave?” Roumoult asked rather seriously.
“Roumoult.” William said staring at him in the eye.
“Oh nothing… family matters…”
“You were digging it yourself…” Anne asked half scared to death.
“Yah… don’t worry it was a very old man… but a strong one….” The priest stopped on seeing everyone’s expressions.
“Oh… I didn’t mean to scare you…” The priest admitted.
“Why were you digging the grave?’ William asked finally.
Mark was trembling. He was already scared and on top of it this priest was talking about digging people.
“Oh I you it was just family matter…” The priest grumbled.
“Why?” Janet asked.
“Ok alright if you insist but I am not going to tell you the name.. The family wanted to know if the corpse was still there…” The priest admitted.
Everyone again exchanged glances.
“What they thought it would go somewhere?” Roumoult asked looking the priest in the eye.
The man hesitated and looked at the confused kids.
“Ok ok… no they thought that he was some how responsible for some deaths…”
Anne grabbed her cross.
“The deaths of the four kids.. I mean teenagers…” William asked leaning forward.
Now the priest was getting uncomfortable.
“Look they thought that somehow this man killed them… but he didn’t…”
Roumoult looked out of the window and then at the priest who was looking the other way around.
“I know we have troubled you but can I ask on thing more…. Was the corpse still there?” Roumoult asked.
Chet gulped. Mark closed his eyes… William shook his head. Janet waited for the answer.
“Yes it was untouched that is the good news… now are you happy….”
For some time there was silence. Roumoult was still not satisfied with his explanation. It seemed ill logical… he couldn’t place it in his mind.
“So why go to this second cemetery…” Roumoult asked. Everyone stared at him, William gave a warning sigh.
“I have a friend there who lies in peace… I go to his grave every time I come here…” The priest said happily.
Still Roumoult didn’t like the idea of the priest being in the car. For few seconds no one spoke.
“So what do you kids do?”
Everyone exchange glances as the priest waited for an answer. But then he merely turned to Roumoult and said,
“What do you do for a living son?”
“I am a lawyer…” Roumoult answered politely.
“Ah… That is why all the questions… So is your entire family connection with law..”
“Nope..” Roumoult said immediately.
“Father where do you stay… I mean where do you live?” Janet asked.
“Oh New York…”
Roumoult looked at him.
“Well we can give you a lift till New York…” Chet said cheering. But the others were not that happy about it.
“Well thank you but I have some work to do… I mean there is a friend of mine who lives in the country side and needs my help…” Priest answered happily.
“I am curious to ask what kind of help?” William asked giving a crocked smile.
The priest was happy to answer.
“Well I do social service… I help the people and souls in trouble… I give guidance… and I teach some students about science…”
“That is very nice…” Anne said happily.
“What do you mean by helping souls and people….” Roumoult asked.
The priest looked him in the eye and said,
“Well you might not belive but I help people who are trouble by ghost… or something that is not explained…’ The priest said.
“Wow… that is cool…” Janet said.
“I am happy that this generation is open minded about these things.” The priest said happily.
Mark was listening to the entire conversation and was thinking about it.
“Well can I ask you something?” William said.
“Yes of course… anything I can help you with…” Priest said.
“What about dreams?” William asked.
Roumoult looked question at him.
“Well dreams are random things.. my son…”
William shifted his position and then said,
“These are not random dreams… they turn out to be true events… and they are mostly horrifying…” William said.
Everyone looked at him.
“William don’t tell me you get such dreams…” Janet said softly.
“He doesn’t… he is asking for help… but for someone else…” The priest said studying.
“Who?’ Anne.
Roumoult stayed absolutely calm. He made no sudden movements.
“All am asking father is how do we stop them?’
The father thought for a while.
“What happens in the dreams?’
“Well actually it depends on the situation.. Sometimes it is murders.. Some times murderers…” William said calmly.
Anne was scared she looked at Janet who was extremely excited about all of this.
“Well I think I will have to see the patient for that… I will have to know his history… I will have to know the consequences it has had over him…
William shook his head.
“The consequences are worst….” William said and folded his hands.
The priest’s face fell. He wanted to help but he knew he would have to have some privacy.
For sometime everyone stayed quiet. They dropped the priest in front of a cemetery with no name. They said good byes and drove off. When the car was going away from the cemetery Roumoult turned and looked behind.
“Something wrong?’ William asked.
Roumoult looked at him and then said,
“I think we should go there and see if he is digging another grave…”
Everyone frowned.
“Oh god…” Anne said.
“Common guys… aren’t you even a little curious… he could have stayed with us for the entire trip but no he has to get down at a abandoned place at seven in the evening… this is ridiculous.. I think there is something wrong with that guy…” Roumoult said.
Everyone stared at each other.
“Roumoult I know you are a mystery solver but right now we need is a hotel and no more scary stories…” Mark said.
“He could be the murderer.” Roumoult said referring to what he had heard so far.
“I am not going to find out.” Chet said.
“I still think..” Roumoult started to say.
“Roumoult!!!!!!” William scolded.
Roumoult folded his hands and sat quietly.
“Well he does listen to you…” Janet commented.
“hey guys do you really think that guy came all the way from New York to this place to dig a grave…” Roumoult said again.
William stared at him.
Everyone thought for a while then Janet spoke.
“Well it doesn’t fit in the logical sense…” Roumoult commented.
“There are lot of things that don’t fit in the logical sense…” William said.
“Dig a grave that is scary…” Anne said.
Roumoult looked out of the window again. Now it was getting darker and darker. Crop fields on both sides now surrounded the road. All he could see was the trees behind the crops and the stars. As the time went by there was nothing to be seen except darkness. The road was quiet abandoned. One or Two cars would show up after about 1 hours.
“Guys it is almost 9.00pm we should find a good hotel…” Janet said feeling the cold.
Everyone shook their head in agreement. Chet was still driving the car. He was yawning again and again.
“Hey Chet do you want me to drive?’ Roumoult asked.
“I am fine…”
“Common… you have been driving for a long time now… I think four hours…”
“More than that… oh oh….” Chet said in a long tone.
“What” everyone asked and looked ahead at the road. There was a red Ferrari parked on the side of the road with a woman waving at them to stop.
“Ok what do I do?’
Roumoult didn’t say anything. William merely was staring at the lady. Roumoult noticed his expression. Chet stopped the car. The lady was in her 30’s wearing a red top and black jeans. She had black hair, which was curly and ended on her shoulder. Her eyes were blue and small; her face was round, fair and almost flaw less. Chet just kept staring at her. She came to Mark’s side and side.
“Hi… please can you help us?’ The lady said but then looked at William who stared back at her. She hesitated for a while and then said…
“Are you?.. William.. Sterling?” She asked.
Roumoult was stunned.
“Do you guys know each other?’ Janet asked smiling.
“Ashley Carrel…” William said excited.
“Hey…” they shook hands and William stepped out of the van. Everyone looked at Roumoult who looked back.
“Where have you been all these years?’ Ashley asked.
William smiled.
“You were in San Francisco….” William asked.
“No I was not… I have shifted to New York…” She said.
“What?” William asked stunned.
“Yes… I think about a year ago…”
“Where do you stay in New York?’ William asked.
Everyone in the Van exchanged glances.
“Oh…Manhattan… and you?’
“Stamford…”
“Oh my god we were so close….” She said excited. They hugged. Roumoult cleared his throat.
William realized immediately.
“Oh I am sorry guys… this is Ashley… we were classmates when I was in san Francisco..”
“Before you came to New York…” Roumoult asked.
“Yes…” William answered, Roumoult merely smiled.
He introduced everyone.
“William there is something wrong with my car… I don’t know what to do...” Ashley said.
“Sure I will look into it…”
Roumoult raised his eyebrows. As far as he knew William didn’t know anything about cars… Both of them walked to the car and opened the bonnet.
“With him there I have no chance…” Chet said sadly.
“Frankly I don’t think she will give you one..” Roumoult commented and got out of the car. Everyone giggled.
Roumoult came to William’s side and stood there. They were checking every possibility. He yawned and stretched. For the next half and hour everyone pondered over the car but there was nothing wrong with it. It was now Roumoult’s turn.
“William have you checked the water in the battery…” Roumoult asked.
William face fell. He had not thought of that. When he checked it. Roumoult was right it was the water. Roumoult sighed and went back to the Van and lay comfortably on the seat. The group scattered in the area for a while but no one went far. Corn crops surrounded the place where they were standing. They could hear a lot of night flies. No other sound was there. The two cars stood there for about an hour.
After the repeated attempts Ashley’s car started. They said their goodbyes and the group returned to the van.
“Well for a while I thought we were going to have more company…” Janet said.
“I thought so too…” Anne said.
“Well she was going to New Jersey… to her aunt’s place..” William said opening the back door.
“to bad…” Roumoult said in a teasing tone…
Everyone giggled. William merely smiled.
“You should have seen the look on his face when he saw her…” Roumoult said to the group.
Everyone shared his thoughts and teased William who said nothing.
“Hey Roumoult do you mind driving till we reach a hotel…”
“We are stopping already?” Anne said looking at the time it was 10.00pm.
“Well we have wasted more time today….” Chet said thoughtfully.
“Yah it is taking more time…” Roumoult said thoughtfully.
“I think we have been on the road for 15 hours…” Williamsaid
“Well that means we have to cover more seven hours that is about 500 kms… approximately…” Roumoult said calculating.
“Hey that is too much… And whatever…. Tomorrow is Sunday…. And the 21’s may…” Roumoult said again.
William merely smiled.
“Ok I will drive… till the next stop…” Roumoult said thinking. Chet sat behind and William sat on the passenger seat next to Roumoult. Again they were on the road.