Thunder boomed. Lightning flashed. It was pouring in San Francisco, California and that was where the boys now were.
Aaron sighed. Jake had been right. He was always right. Aaron should have listened to him. There were thousands of people homeless and penniless here. Who would notice them? Who would help them? They were homeless on the streets in the middle of the night during a thunderstorm.
Sopping wet he plopped down on a park bench. Jake sat next to him. He seemed to notice Aaron’s discouraged mood.
“Hey Aaron?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t worry. We’re in this together. This isn’t your fault, or mine. We can do this.”
Aaron was about to reply when a man walked up.
“Excuse me” a the man said. He was short and stocky, with a kind smile on his face. “You boys look wet and cold. And I’ve never seen people so young out on their own. Why don’t you stay at my house for the night?”
Aaron jumped up “Thank you so much, sir, for your kindness. We would love to stay at your house.”
“Hold on a second Aaron.” said Jake. “We can’t go jumping to whomever we meet. Remember the man in black. We can’t trust every one.”
“Son, I don’t know which man you are talking about but I am an honest man. What could I take from you? I know you don’t know me, but you don’t have much to loose. Just stay for a day.”
It really was pouring and everyone was cold. The man looked kind and he was standing in the rain trying to convince them to let him take care of them. And it was only for one night. So Jake agreed and the man led them to his house.
The man was the owner of a small used bookstore with a two story house above the building. The man showed the boys into a warm, cozy room with one small bed and a tiny gas fireplace. He turned it on and the boys sat down.
“We don’t know how to thank you,” said Jake.
“Helping people reward enough for me. I’ll bring some cloths up that might fit you. You can take your showers now.” He left the room.
“He is so good to us,” said Aaron happily.
“I know. I’d love to stay here but we need to go to school and I don’t think he can afford that. Besides, he didn’t even invite us to stay,” said Jake.
“Maybe he will. But nice as he is, we can’t trust everyone. We’ll have to leave tomorrow morning.”
“Well, as long as we’re here, I’ll use it. I’m going to go to take a shower,” Jake declared. He left the room.
Aaron sat on the floor. It was warm in here.
The door opened. The man came in. He had two pairs off clots with him.
“Thank you so much Mr… ?”
“Mr. G. And you two are ?”
“I’m Aaron. My brother’s name is Jake.”
“Okay Aaron. I found some clothes that might fit. You must be comfortable. After all, sure you’ll be staying for a very long time.”
Was it his imagination or was there a red glint in Mr.G’s eyes?. Mr.G left the room leaving Aaron to sit and think that may be Mr. G wasn’t so honest after all.
——————♦———————–
The next morning the boys woke early and got up. They brushed and washed up. Then they went down. A delicious aroma met them.
“Breakfast is ready!” called Mr. G.
And what a breakfast! Pancakes and sausages. Scrambled eggs and hash browns. The boys filled themselves up. When they got up, Mr. G. said “I’ve got a full day planned ahead. We’ll have so much fun!”
“I’m sorry Mr.G., but we have to go now,” said Aaron.
“Come on boys, I’ms sure you can stay one more day!”
“I’m sorry but we’re going,” Jake said firmly. He and Aaron pushed past Mr.G. and went twoards the door.
Mr. G. barred their way “I’m sorry boys, but I think you can stay one more day,” he said icily. His voice sent shivers up Jake’s spine.
They both involuntarily took a step back. And then Mr.G. began to change. His skin peeled away like layers of an onion. Underneath was unhumanly smooth green skin. His eyes had no whites and were blood-red. His teeth were dull and oddly spaced like a doll’s. His hands and feet ended at razor sharp claws. His raven black hair stuck up like spikes.
He growled and took a step forward. The boys started backing up. “You will stay or I will kill you. Pick one.” He took another step forward. Jake and Aaron had backed up to the wall.
Suddenly a voice spoke “Back off, you filthy Goron,” Jake whirled around. A group of men stood behind them. They were dressed completely in black. But strangest of all was their leader who had bright orange hair and was holding a bright glowing object. He pointed it at “Mr.G.” and said “To the dungeons.”
There was bright flash of light and Mr.G. disappeared. Aaron didn’t know whether to feel happy or sad. He couldn’t trust these men any more than Mr.G. His mind was blank. Too much had happened in the past few days and now he thought he saw monsters and men in black. He felt like lying down and never getting up.
The leaders of the group saw the look on his face and said “Don’t worry A lot may have happened just now, probably more than your Earth-grown brain to comprehend but we’re here to fix that. I am Drake, captain of the P.O.T.R.O.E.”
“P.O.T.R.O.E?” was all that Jake could stammer out.
“Protectors of the Realm of Eketh.”
Jake looked like how Aaron felt. This was the limit. He didn’t care what happened next. He would follow what seemed to be his retarded kidnapper to his must likely doom. He gave up.
He took a ball out. It seemed to be made of clear glass. “Now I am about to use magic. As first timers, you might be knocked out, so be prepared.”
He spoke into the ball “Eketh, castle grounds in the city Elderest.” There was a loud crack. The boys huddled together. Then everything went black.