[center][h2][b][u]Hide and Seek: Part 2[/u][/b][/h2] [img]https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSTeNfo7a1_8UhsZzfhr3VD3qSoBwfqlizPnZ1rKMJ-X54kTw6g4Q[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/ZnOpQuF.png[/img][/center] Location: Benjamin’s home, NYC Time: Afternoon, month after the Wolf Hunt. [hr] Benjamin's arms burned as he pushed up then lowered back down. Each time, he repeated the movement in sets. After several hours, he gave one final pushed and hooked the bar on the stand. In a well-practiced motion, his figure slid out from underneath it. Sweat beaded across his surface making him feel grimy from the extreme work out. An arm snatched up a nearby placed towel and began to wipe around his eyes. His wave hair flipped around, some times slipped into his eyes and made them sting. Finishing up, he rose upright. He discarded the towel while he walked toward the door. When his fingers touched the handle, a loud rapping caught his attention. His head whipped about to the source: his bedroom window. Benjamin frowned before he began to investigate. On the still, a blue-black crow stood outside. The beady eyes narrowed onto him and became motionless. Almost like it was studying him. In a sudden burst of energy, the crow's wings jerked out and feet kicked off its perch. It swooped wide once before it vanished into the distance. Benjamin remained at his room's entrance, confused by the sight. It held some familiarity, but weirdness too. He shrugged it off as he turned around to exit his personal space. He managed to catch the clock on his way out. The digital numbers flashed 12:00 PM. [i] 'Explains the hunger pains,'[/i] Benjamin mused. He soundlessly made his way down the stairs into the hallway outside the kitchen. The sounds of the door unlocking and swinging open caused him to pause. It had to be Emma, she was the only one to have keys to the house. As he entered the kitchen, he realized her shift started earlier than this. The oddness strict him, but he didn't linger on it. It didn't matter to him now. He noted she had two large, paper bags in each arm. She struggled to loosen the keys while she juggled them. Despite Lorrie's continual complaints, Benjamin moved closer and reached to help her. [color=chocolate] "I got them,"[/color] he began to take them from her. When Emma came to face him, they fell from her grip. In her shock, she uttered a phrase Benjamin couldn't understand. "¡Oh dios mío, Benjamin! ¿Que está haciendo aquí usted?" In the nick of time, Benjamin had managed to slip his arms underneath to catch the bags. He doubted that Lorrie would've forgiven the waste. He placed them on the counter and turned back to Emma. She appeared to be staring at a ghost. The image of her hands pressed against her mouth and pallor skin created some discomfort in him. He finally broke the silence. [color=chocolate] "Emma, you know I don't understand Spanish. What's the matter?"[/color] His words seemed to recover what sanity she still held. Recovering from her shock, she lowered her hands and spoke. Her eyes still looked him up then down. She seemed to expect him to evaporate at any moment. "Ms. Hart called and said you weren't coming back home until the day after tomorrow. I had to shop and ensure we had food for when you got back. Was there a change in plan?" Emma's voice caused a small headache to bud in his head. Images of a man surface into his mind's eye. A worn, green cap flattened black hair streaked with grey against the auburn skin. Grey eyes stared at him and gave off an aura of familiarity. The image faded shortly after leaving him with a throbbing pain in his head. Emma's hand rested on his shoulder and her eyes filled with concern. Her voice became steady. "Are you all right Benjamin?" All he could do was a nod and deflect her worry with a simple word. [color=chocolate] "Yeah."[/color] She became hesitate to accept this forcing him to farther comfort her. [color=chocolate] "Yes, I am. I just got a headache. I must've strained something during the workout, it will pass."[/color] He could sense the reservation in Emma when she pulled her hand back and turned to the groceries. She began to pull out various food from fresh cod to kosher salt, setting them down into a neat line. "I'll make you some fish tacos. Or would you prefer Philly cheese steak wraps?" Benjamin finally pushed his pain to the side to answer her. [color=chocolate] "Fish tacos sound delicious. Would be faster than the wraps too."[/color] Emma gave a small smile then shooed him out of the kitchen. "I'll start it. Can you see if Mr. Reeves and Ms. Hart want something else?" He shrugged then sulked out. He wandered around the house for a good hour, calling for Daniel and Lorrie. Neither answered him. He began to suspect they weren't home when he returned to the kitchen. By now, the aromas of baked cod filled the air. Cilantro, lime, and other seasonings heightened the already savory scents. [color=chocolate] "I can't find them. I guess they left for something."[/color] Emma didn't comment on it. Instead, she passed him a plate with four tacos prepared and sided by lime wedges, sided by a strange salad. He glanced at it then back to her. Seeing that he expected an answer to her creation, Emma let her smile widen and answered. "It's a Mexican Cesar salad. I found it on the net and it's supposed to be rather healthy." Benjamin nodded and began to head upstairs, his escape paused by Emma's voice. "With Mr. Reeves and Ms. Hart out of the house, you know you don't have to retreat upstairs. I don't mind company while I dine in the kitchen." Emma's offer sounded tempted as he pulled away from the stairs. He sat his plate on the counter and negotiated a bit. [color=chocolate] "All right. I'll stay down here on one condition. The first signs of the dragon lady, you distract her and I'll make my get away upstairs. Deal?"[/color] "Deal."