Stop That Hacker! UNEDITED VERSION (2020)

Chapter 2

"Oh, dear. But I'm not going in that direction."

"Please anywhere. My brother is not picking up."

"I'm heading to Walter's bridge..."

And that's when it hit me. The devil's den was somewhere around there.

"PERFECT. Hold right there."

She dropped me off close enough for me to run there. I had a clue about where it was but now that I was here I couldn't spot the place. Come on! A sign! Anything.

"Hey watch it!" A man yelled from his car at two girls. "Do you want to die crossing the street like that?"

That got my attention. I turned around and ...that's it! I saw our car parked on a side street. I ran to it and glanced around the houses until I heard music.

Following the faint music, I found the place.

Devil's den.

Yes. Ace. Ace.Ace...I panic walked to the door. I was still covered in paint and in my old shirt but it was an emergency. I had no money and no car. I needed Ace.

Music was blasting inside and I could hear people's voices inside.

I held the carrier close to me. I need to find Ace. I mustered my courage and entered the den. And very soon I knew why I had not been invited.

 There was expensive tech equipment everywhere, boys drinking and gaming, some hooking up with their girlfriends. Senior high schoolers really looked like they were adulting. I felt like I might have underestimated senior parties.

One passing guy looked at me.

I smiled. "Um. Excuse me do you know Ace.." But he ignored me.

I walked further down the place and tried to talk to someone but they were all in their own thing.

I tried dialing Ace again but there was no answer. The house seemed huge and there must be over fifty people.

Tears welled up in my eyes. So many people and not one wanted to help me.

"Momo is going to die because of me." I panicked.

"Who is Momo?" A deep voice gave me a jolt.

Surprised at the sudden question, I glanced down in the direction of the couch.

A guy was relaxing on the cushioned couch, his legs crossed and on the table, his arms crossed over his hoodie and he had a large computer book over his face. He was napping even with all the noise?

"Momo will die because of me and there is no one to help me."

He rose and the book fell in his lap. His eyes were like a cold sky on a winter morning. With his piercing gaze, and his dark hair he seemed to be annoyed with me. I felt shivers ran down my back and I couldn't break eye contact.

"Who is Momo?" He asked practically ready to chase me out. "And why are you covered in paint?"

That was it. The last thing I needed was..."I just..my brother..my cat.. my cat fell in my paint and..."

"What?" His eyes opened wide and he rose from the couch in a second. I stepped back when I saw he was two heads over me.

He looked down at the carrier. "Your cat fell in paint and you....?"

"I need to get her to the vet now!" I started hyperventilating with tears in my eyes.

"Come." He grabbed my carrier and my wrist. " I'll drive you."

"My brother.."

But I was already being pulled in a rover. He placed my cat in the back and pushed me in the front seat. He started the car in a second.

"Where to?"

"I take him to Jefferson's vet clinic. It's up through the center and..."

"I know where that is and that's pretty far. Let's just take him to a clinic nearby."

"I don't know any other clinic. My parents took us um... I don't have any money on me." I suddenly realized. "I was thinking I would find my brother and.."

"Don't worry about it. Let's save this cat first. Google vet clinics nearby."

I quickly searched and found one. He drove like a maniac and I was grateful. Not even five minutes later he parked and we got out running to the small clinic.

"Hi, how can I..." The vet stopped seeing how alarmed we were.

"My cat.," I said breathlessly.

"Fell in paint." He finished.

The vet took the carrier and instructed us to sit.

"My Momo Is going to die. How could I let this happen?" My eyes welled up with tears again

"Don't panic hun. You're here now." The receptionist told us. "You did a good job putting on the pet cone."

I covered my face and tried to swallow the sobs. She was right. I was here now. I did all I can. But my tears were coming out from relief and worry. 

"Momo is going to be fine." I told my self. "She's gonna be fine."

 I placed my hands down and rubbed my eyes.

 He patted my head. I looked up at him with my blurry vision. "Thank you."

An hour later the vet showed up and she was smiling. "She is going to be just fine. We took the paint off and did a poison check. She's a bit tired and shaken up so we sedated her. There was no need to trim her hair because it wasn't an oil-based paint. You can come and pick her up in a few hours. I will prescribe some pills for you to give her the next couple of days just in case."

"Thank you." I went and shook her hand. She smiled and then proceeded to tell me what to give her.

We walked outside to the parking lot and I could finally take a breath of air.

"I think it's starting to rain." He pulled out his hand, looking up.

I realized this stranger might have saved my cat's life and I didn't even know his name.

"Thank you so much for the ride and for paying for me. I don't even know how to repay you..."

"It's alright." He said in such a deep voice I felt the shivers again. I could finally properly observe him. He was tall and handsome but for some reason, he seemed unapproachable and scary.

"Want to wait there?" He pointed in the neighboring coffee shop and I hesitated.

Then the rain poured in an instant and my decision was made for me.

"Sure. Let's go." I said.