When Two Worlds Collide

Chapter 9: The Search

KYLE:

I wake up to the sound of birds singing. When I look at my phone, I see that the date is the 23rd of December. Wow, one more day until Summer's birthday and I still didn't get her anything. I put on a regular grey t-shirt and jeans and head downstairs to the kitchen. Chef Remi is there, preparing the omelets and there is no sign of Edward. Edward is in England for the week. That is his treat from our family. Now, he can see his family at the greatest time of the year, Christmas! Well, my parents were sitting at the dining table, my mom checking her email, my dad reading the morning newspaper.

"Good morning!", I said as I took my seat. They both looked up at me and smiled. "Good morning, my little warrior." My mom pinched my nose and laughed. "Dad, you ok?" I asked him as he looked up from his newspaper and stared oddly as me.  "Oh, yes, everything is ok. Just one question for you, Kyle. Remember that man who came to my office in the middle of the night a couple of days ago?" 

How could I forget? That guy's face was very different from anyone else's. All the scars that looked like they had been marked by knifes. His limp figure as well, looked like he lived a very hard life.

"Yes I remember him." I replied. "Well, do you know him?", my dad inquired. "No, why? Is something wrong?" I asked my dad, wondering what he was going to say next. My dad looked at the newspaper again as if trying to avoid eye contact with me. "Well, the man who came said that he met you and is a very close friend of yours. He told me that he asked if you wanted to go to his cabin next month. I asked him a couple of questions for security reasons, to make sure he wasn't lying of course, but he answered all of them correctly, even things that weren't in your files. After that, I thought he actually did know you so I accepted the offer. Should I cancel?"

He now looked me in the eye. I thought to myself, did I really know him? Well, if I did, then I don't remember him at all. But maybe this was my chance to find out why this guy pretended to know me and what was going on. "No dad, don't cancel," I stated finally, "It's fine. I actually do know him and I already agreed to go so it would be rude to cancel now. Is it alright if I go?"

I asked them. They both looked at me worriedly. "Mom, dad, I'll be fine." I guaranteed reassuringly. They both looked at each other and my mom sighed, "alright, but please be careful." I smiled. 

"Thanks. So mom, do I have anything to do today?" I pried. I really needed to get something for Summer.... Quick. My mom opened her little, black book. Her book has everything that we necessarily have to do; the meetings, appointments, dinners, parties, bank account information, you name it.  "Your'e in luck today, you are free for the whole day, just relax, do you want to do something?" my mom responded. "Yeah," I answered back,"I just wanted to look around town today."

My dad looked at his watch. "Well, we have to go now, son. Be careful there and be back on time alright? Goodbye!" They picked up their things and left, hurrying to the car, bolting to work.

I ate the remaining part of my breakfast alone, then went to get dressed, and left. I kept the key for the house with Remi while I went to town.

The place was really crowded. It seemed like everyone in New York City was there. I was afraid someone was going to pickpocket me. While I was walking around, I passed by some stores, looking for something a girl would like. Now that I'm thinking about it, what do girls like? I accidentally bumped into someone.

Turns out it was Lily Addison, Summer's friend. "Oh, hi Lily. How are you?"  She was dressed very nicely, as usual, wearing the Christmas colors. She smiled," Hi Kyle! What are you doing here?" Great, this is perfect. "Well, Summer's birthday is coming up so I'm looking around for a gift." Lily looked up at me and laughed,"I'm doing the exact same thing. Want to shop together?" I was relieved. "Thank you. I really need help. I don't know what to get her." Well," she started,"she told me before her parents died, they used to buy a strawberry cheesecake for her birthday every year from a small cake factory only in New York City. You will need to make the reservation now because it takes a while. Luckily, I know where it is and that can be one of your presents."

We walked around. I bought her a shiny, green bracelet to represent her eyes. Lily bought her a cute teddy bear. It was really fun and I got to know Lily more. I'm glad that Summer has a friend like her. 

Finally, we got to the cake shop. It was a rundown, small shop, called "Wonderland." When we entered, I couldn't believe my eyes. It was so colorful and painted so beautifully. You wouldn't have been able to tell from the outside. There was an old couple at the counter. "Sorry, place is closed.," they announced.

"I'm sorry, we're here to make a reservation." Lily and I pleaded. "Well, we're closed so get out!", the old man yelled. "Stan!" the old lady yelled back at the old man,"these kids don't mean no harm. They just want to make a reservation, our last probably..." She looked sadly at the counter of wonderfully decorated cakes. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to pry but what do you mean your last reservation?" Lily asked curiously.  

The old couple looked at each other and the old lady started talking. "Well, a long time ago, our shop, 'Wonderland', was very famous and busy here. When we got married and opened this business, we didn't think it would bring this much attention. People from every corner of New York would come to taste our fine masterpieces. But then, as time passed, less and less people were coming to our store. Now, you two are the only customers we have had this entire year. The government has tried to shut us down before but we made a deal that if we get to our target, then we would keep the place, but we didn't make 5% of it yet. So, now Stan and I are bankrupt and the people are turning this place down. Oh, I am Gloria by the way. Nice to meet you."

"Maybe I can help." I responded smiling. Stan and Gloria looked at me as if I was joking. "Yeah," Lily said optimistically, "this is Kyle Hunter, son of the owners of Hunter Enterprises. He and his parents are multibillionaires. They can probably sponsor your shop and keep this place open." They both looked at me as if I were a Christmas miracle.

"Will you help us?" they begged. "Of course, I just need to talk to my parents about this shop and you guys will be back in business. About that reservation for a strawberry cheesecake, though, can you finish by tomorrow morning?" Stan opened what looked like an accounting book and wrote the time that I would come pick it up. "Is this time good enough?" he asked smiling. "Yes, thank you. Come on, Lily, let's go." I picked up the shopping bags and we left, waving goodbye to the couple.

The crowd got bigger when we came out. Lily almost got hit a couple of times. I held out my arm "Here, hold on to me." She blushed and slowly, held my arm. Many guys tried to touch her as we walked, but I moved away from them so she could feel more safe. I knew she felt safer because her grip on my arm loosened. As soon we as got out of the huge crowd, we were at the end of the town, where there were many rundown shops. I saw one shop sell cupcakes and paid for two. Lily and I ate our cupcakes and joked around. As we left, we saw Summer.  

"Hey, Summer" we shouted. She looked at us and smiled. "Hey guys. What are you doing here?" I looked at Lily and I could tell she was bad at lying. "Well, we were just hanging." I replied, "Lily, can I talk to Summer privately please. You can go home if you want." Lily smiled and got her bag from me and waved goodbye to us and left. "What do you need Kyle?" she asked curiously. 

"Can we meet up tomorrow?" I asked. She blushed, "yeah, I'm not doing anything. Where and when?"  "How about Square park at noon?" She looked at me, her green eyes checking if I was lying. She held up her pinkie, looked at the ground and blushed. "Promise?" I laughed and pulled her face, chin up. I put my pinkie against hers and we shook. "I promise, well I have to go. See you tomorrow." I said as I left.

                                       ---------------DECEMBER--24TH-----------------

I am already in town, going to  'Wonderland' to get the cake for Summer. I went in and the bell on top of the door rings. I see Gloria and Stan smiling at me. "Good morning Gloria, Stan." I greeted them cheerily. "Good morning, Kyle. How are you? We have the cake right here." I smiled. "Thank you. Well, I better leave now. Goodbye." They said bye as I left. The streets were empty. I was waiting on the sidewalk. The light turned from red to green and I walked. As I walked, I was thinking about how Summer would react and smiled. Then, I heard a car beep at me.

The last thing I saw was the car's headlight and an outburst of blood.