Chapter 1
It is dark and moonless as the sounds of howls are enough to make the blood run cold. Among the howls is the sound of running feet along the forest floor. Each twig snapping as the one running doesn’t seem concerned with being quiet. It is so hard to see anything around but there is shapes of stone walls up ahead. However, there is also a strange building appearing.
There is sunlight around it while the rest of the forest and possible stone walls are still cast in darkness. The one running looks ahead as he jumps over one stone wall hoping this will aid in his escape from whatever is creating those howls.
He can see that the building is actually an old castle tower. However it is in such amazing shape to the point where it looks brand new. But everything around it seems to be aged somehow.
It is a mystery to the young man who is running for it as if it is his lifeline to get somewhere safe. The tower is calling to him as if he is supposed to find it. The howls are drawing closer so there is no time to admire or wonder for long about this strange tower.
He keeps running as hard as he can to it as a huge beast seems to be drawing hear. The moment he enters the sunlight and reaches for the door, it starts to open slightly...
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Lucas jolts awake as the phone rings. He is covered in sweat from the strange dream he has just experienced. This is not the first time that he has awoken like this. Moments before the final ring for the call hits, Lucas answers the phone. He wonders who is calling as he says, “Hello, Lucas Alagon speaking.”
There is a male voice on the other end of the line. The voice says to him, “Lucas, don’t you recongize your best friend’s number? Did I wake you? You sound as if you just woke up.” This is the voice of Marcus Jones, best friend and foster brother of Lucas.
Lucas blinks as he hears the familiar voice. He smiles a little as it always helps him calm down after a bad dream to hear his best friend’s voice. This is the voice that calmed him back when they were younger as foster siblings. Lucas chuckles as he says, “Actually you did wake me up. But it was at the perfect time. So what has you calling me at...”
Lucas trails off to check the time only to see that it is almost nine in the morning. He remembers going to bed close to midnight last night doing some research on castles hoping that will give him some answers to his dream.
Marcus chuckles as he says, “You know me and my timing. It is either perfect or way off. So what I need to say to you can’t be done over the phone. All I can tell you is what I have is something you will want to see.”
He is not trying to be cryptic but it is really important to tell Lucas in person because of what he has found so far. Marcus has been doing his own share of keeping an eye out for anything that relates to his friend’s dreams.
Lucas wonders what Marcus has found. He says, “Okay I can be down there in an hour. I have some reports to turn in from my last historical adventure anyway. I know how you run that office, I will see you soon.”
Marcus chuckles as he says, “You are lucky I was not on your ass about those reports. Your last adventure was two weeks ago and I need those by tomorrow anyway. Always waiting as long as possible. I will see you in an hour.”
After the phone call ends, Lucas prepares to get ready to head to the historical research office that his best friend/foster brother owns. Ever since he can remember, he and Marcus have always loved history. Now that they are older, they are having chances to uncover history but working with different agencies and colleges to uncover as well as teach about the past.
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Lucas manages to get to the office building just as promised. The clock on his radio has just turned to 10 am before he turns off his car. Lucas gets out of the car and heads into the building with a nod to the security desk officer on duty today. Most have argued that there is no need for this, but honestly even historical things need to be protected.
Lucas shows his badge that lets him get into the building and once in, he heads up to the top floor. The building has four floors and the top one is mainly for the top members of the company only. Lucas only has access thanks to Marcus and because he helped Marcus build this company. However, Lucas likes to do most of the traveling to save Marcus from having to do that part.
Upon arriving at the top floor, Lucas sees Meg at her desk like always. Seeing her brings back good and bad memories as he watches the beautiful female writing something down. Lucas knows that things ended badly between him and Meg a few years ago. Sometimes when the sun hits Meg’s golden blonde hair like it is now, it makes his heart ache at what he once had.
Lucas has no desire to try anything with her ever again. Thankfully that ache he feels doesn’t last for long as he sees Meg’s cold stare at him now. It seems that his old flame has finally looked up to see who has arrived.
Meg coldly says, “Lucas...” Her tone and gaze says it all about how she feels. Any love still felt is only on Lucas’s side of things. Meg hates when he comes to the office because she has grown to hate Lucas. But this company has given her a good job so she puts up with him for the sake of her job.
Marcus comes out of his office and notices how Meg is acting. He smiles at Lucas and says, “Hello my friend, how are you? Please follow me to my office. Miss Sterret, please take any messages that come in for me. I have a meeting with Lucas that will take a little bit of time."
Meg's icy tone thaws as she politely says, "Of course Mr. Jones." Upon hearing that, Marcus leads the way into his office. Lucas follows knowing something major is going to happen. It is not often but when Marcus is involved with his assigned tasks, then it is something important.
Lucas settles into a chair the moment they enter the office and waits to hear what has to be said or shown to him. Tasks like this always have a file or two for review of known information already.
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So here is a story I have been working on for a long time. It was only in the hand written stages until now. I hope you enjoy the mystery and adventure that awaits.
