Men Of Letters

Buzz Buzz Buzz

"Ah...my stupid alarm," I said sleepily. I wanted more sleep, but I had places to be. I wake up Ryland, my boyfriend. We both got up and headed to our closet. Our closet was the size of an actual room. We wore the same clothes, so we shared the closest. Ryland picked out a button up and I wore a flannel. After, we both got dressed we went to the bathroom to fix our hair and put finishing touches on our faces. I went downstairs to make breakfast because Ryland could not cook. I made avocado toast and a green juice. Very healthy. Our kitten, Poof, tried to eat it. He always tried to eat everything he could find. Naughty. Ryland locked him up in his cage (which is suppose to be for a big dog). We walked out of our front door and headed to our garage. Our mailbox was open. Strange, the mail usually comes at noon, it was only nine in the morning. Inside was and old looking piece of paper. 

Dear Ricky and Ryland, 

We are part of a secret society and save this nation you live in. We are not part of the government. And technically do not exist. Both of you, we need your help. Go in your garden and find your next clue.

-?

We head to our garden and open the gates. There were arrows pointing us the way. Ryland noticed a patch of grass was missing under the tree. We have to dig. We just got our nails done and we both hate dirt. I will dig because I want to be sweet. About a few feet down there was an old wooden box. Inside was another note and two IDs. The IDs had our picture, but not our names.

You found it. Must be easy. We had to place arrows because of how large your garden is. How much money do you have? Never mind that. You both have new names. Ricky as John Smicket and Ryland as Ash Dasher. Do not tell anyone what your real names are. If you dig a little deeper, you will find another box with a cell phone. It has my number on it and I will text you coordinates to your location to meet me. Do not contact me, I will contact you.

-?

"I think we should get the police," I said worryingly. 

"I will protect you and I have never let anything happen to you before. Do you trust me," he said while pulling me into a comforting hug and kissing my forehead.

"Thank You," I said as we were walking back to our car.

Ryland had to drive because I was shaking. About an hour or so later Ryland woke me up. We were in the middle of nowhere and the only thing around was an old warehouse. Apparently, I had fallen into an uneasy sleep. Ryland notices my tear streaked faced. I think I was crying in my sleep. 

As he kisses my cheek he says, "You are all right. I am right here. There is no need to be scared. I hate to see you like this."

"I know, I am just scared," I said pulling him into a tight hug.

"You will be safe and just remember I have you," he said softly. 

Just then, a man walked over. He knocked on my window making me jump. Ryland looked at me and gave me a calming look. He opened the window enough for us to hear what he is saying. 

"You made it. I thought you were not coming, but here you are. Follow me inside, I want to show you something," he said in the creepiest voice. 

I shoot Ryland a worrying look and he kisses my cheek and tells me not to worry. He gets out of the car first and walks around to open my door. He takes my hand and guides me toward the warehouse. Inside there was an open room with a map in the middle and doors leading else where. Ryland walks me down a set of metal stairs into the room with the map. We are told to take a seat and listen.

"We need to show you something, Ricky," one of the men said.

Ryland steps in and says, "I stay with him and whatever he sees, I see."

Sounding irritated the other man says, "Sir, I do not know if we are allowed to do that."

Pulling all my strength I say, "No, if you want me here, he is not leaving my side."

"Fine," the man said.

The men were not happy with this decision, but Ryland stays with me. I am glad he stood up and said something. I would not be able to do that. Now, the men were showing us a bunch of photos and statistics. None of them were really interesting. After, about an hour we both stood up to leave.

"We really do not want to be a part of this. We are both sorry that we can not help, but we have dinner plans," Ryland says, laying our fake IDs on the table.

He takes my hand again and we walk up to the front door. As we begin to walk to our car, one of the men run up to us. He was just begging us to stay and help them. I stepped in and said that we have plans and we do not want to get involved. We walked quicker to the car. Ryland opened my door and then ran to his side to open his. We got in and drove off. In the car, we were both silent for half of the drive. We also look terrible, so we have to go home before going to dinner. Once home, we opened the door and took our kitten out of his cage. Then, we went upstairs to get dressed and to fix up everything. We both put on button ups, fixed our hair, and fixed our faces. 

"Sorry, I did not mean to get you into that. I thought we would be helping someone or at least doing something that mattered," Ryland said, sounding sad.

"No, it is fine. You were trying to do good. No more worrying about that we have plans to do and food to eat. Thank you for protecting me," I said with a tone to comfort him.

"I said I would no matter what. I love you," he said.

"I love you too"

We locked Poof back up and went outside. The restaurant was not far from here so we decided to walk. He took my hand and led me down the street. This restaurant was so cute. We were seated outside and surrounded by twinkling fairy lights. Our food was absolutely amazing. In the middle of dinner, I heard something. And Ryland knew something was wrong because of the expression on my face.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"I...I heard something from behind me."

"What was it?" he asked

"Someone said that they would not leave us and they needed us," I said with a tremble in voice.

"Ricky, come sit next to me. I will protect you," he said patting the chair next to him.

I slide over and rested my head on his shoulder. I was scared for the both of us. To the point where I was shaking. Ryland could feel that I was shaking and he suggested that we should leave. We put the money on the table, he took my hand and we left the restaurant to walk back home. At home we decided to watch a movie on the sofa. We snuggled up on the sofa under large blanket and watched a good movie. After the movie, I already fell asleep on the couch. Ryland woke me up and we both went to bed. In the morning, there was a note on our outside doorstep.

I told both of you we need you guys to help us. Instead you leave and go to dinner. This is your last chance before we start taking actions. Go back to the place you went before. Trust me we are watching.

-?

As I finished reading this, I fell backwards and hit my head on the table. Ryland freaked out and ran over to me. Honestly, that was a little dramatic of him, but it was also extremely sweet. He told me to sit on the sofa and he would get me a cup of tea. He also came back in with an bag full of ice and some paper towels. He handed me the tea and started to clean the cut on my head. After he clean it, he put the ice on my head and told me to lay down. 

"Ryland, I told you I am fine. Also, how am I going to drink he tea while lying down?"

"Ricky, you fell and hit your head. I am going to call the police because this is getting serious. I will not leave your side and this will all be solved soon," he said while placing a soft kiss on my cheek. 

He grabbed his phone and called the police. They were here in five minutes. They knew something we didn't. Ryland let the police in because he would not let me get up. They were brought in the living room (where I was) to talk to us both. Ryland brought in all the notes and the photo he managed to take of the man and his coworkers. The police gave me an odd look and Ryland caught them starring. He quickly explained.

"Ricky is on the couch because he fell back and hit his head while reading the latest letter from the people I was telling you about."

Ricky handed the letters, the cell phone with the mystery man's number, and the picture he had taken to the police officer. He gave them a quick glance and put them in his case. We also told them about the place we went and the coordinates. They said they would have to examine them back at their building and they would station a few officers at our house. After a little more talking, all but three of the officers left. One was stationed in front of the house, one in the back of the house, and one to stay with us. That is going to be a little weird having a strange man follow you and your boyfriend around your home. Ryland snuggled up with me on the sofa and we watched a film. The officer was also enjoying the film. We made sure he felt like he was at home. After the movie, I was so tired and we decided to go to bed. We told the officer we had a guest room if he would like to sleep, but he decided on sitting by our bedroom door instead. We would not allow him inside, but we had to keep the door open. That is really creepy having someone watch you sleep. I fell asleep right away and so did Ryland. About three in the morning I woke with a terrible nightmare. I could tell I was crying and I needed to make sure stay quiet so I do not wake Ryland. Too late. He heard me and sat up next to me.

"You okay?" he said still half asleep.

"Yeah, just a dream"

"A really bad one from the looks of it. You are crying," he said kissing me. 

"I know, I am sorry for waking you."

"I prefer if you did wake me."

We decided we could not sleep, so we got dressed and went downstairs. The officer followed. He was giving us questioning looks. Ryland explained my nightmare and that we were going on a walk to try and calm down. One of the officers came to join the one that was already with us. The other had to stay behind to watch the house. One in front of us, one behind us, and both us in the middle holding hands. We walked up and down the street talking to each other and getting strange looks from the officers. We did not care, we were having fun. We walked for another hour and by the time we were done it was five in the morning. We were back at our home and we were both tired. The officer went back outside and the other went inside with us. Ryland told me to try and not have nightmares. He told me that he was here and when he was here I was safe. I feel asleep in his arms and I woke the next morning to him cooking in the kitchen. He can barely cook, so he had recipes pulled up on his laptop. This made me giggle because the kitchen was a complete mess. I walked up behind and hugged his waist. It made him jump at first, then a smile appeared on his face. 

"Good Morning, I let you sleep in and I thought it would be nice to cook for you."

"I thought you could not cook," I said teasing him.

Looking at his laptop he said, "That is why I have this."

We both laughed for a few minutes and I asked if I could help him cook. He said instead of cooking, I should get dressed and pick an outfit for him. I went up into our closet and picked white t-shirts, black jeans, and a cute grey jacket. I put on mine and laid his on our bed. I grabbed my phone from the side table next to our bed and turned it on. One message from an unknown number.

I told you to stop fooling around. We need you to help us. There will be consequences, if you do not show. Trust me, we are everywhere and you my not know it.

-?

I dropped my phone and sat on the bed. Ryland came up to change into his outfit and saw my phone on the floor. He picked it up and read the message, then handed it to the officer and closed our door. He sat on the bed next to me and wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

"Ryland, he has my number. How did he get it?" I said so confused.

"I have no idea, but I am so sorry I dragged you into this."

"No, it is fine. I went along with it. Did I crack my phone?'

"Yeah, really bad."

I began to cry, I was scared for my life. He knew us and he watched us. No matter where I was, I was not safe. Ryland took me downstairs for breakfast, which was french toast and orange juice. We talked about his cooking and everything else when there was a knock at our door. The officer told us to stay here and he would answer. It was the police chief coming to tell us about the men.

"These men are criminals that escaped from prison. Not all of them, but most of them have been convicted. They called themselves The Men of Letters."

I was unable to say anything, so Ryland stepped in, "Any other information that could help us get them. Ricky seems to be terrified for his life and I was not sure if he can handle any more of this."

"Yes, we do. We are sending some of our best men in to extract them. This will all be over soon."

"Thank you, for helping us," Ryland said, placing a hand on my leg.

The chief told when they were doing it and they would call us when it was all over. After he left, I just wanted to be alone. I excused myself and went upstairs and layed on my bed. Hiding underneath the blankets. Maybe thirty minutes later, I heard the door open. Ryland was here, I did not even have to check. I felt him sit down and place his hand on my leg. I slowly removed the blanket to see him sitting there. 

"Sorry, everything was so overwhelming. I just wanted to get out of there and be in silence for a little bit."

"That's alright. I just got a call saying they got the people, The Men in Letters. You are safe now. There is nothing to worry about. I have a surprise planned out for tomorrow."

"Cannot wait," I said very joyfully.

In the morning, I woke with our bags packed and plan tickets to a tropical place. He planned a surprise trip for our anniversary. Ryland was in the kitchen talking to the cat sitter who will be taking Poof while we are away. She left as I was coming downstairs. He also made breakfast. I kissed him gently on the cheek and thanked him for all he has done this past week. After eating, we basically shut down the house and before we left Ryland had to run back upstairs because he forgot something. We drove to the airport and had a four hour flight. The hotel room was amazing and had a huge balcony. Ryland went out to look at the balcony and I came out five minutes later. And he was on one knee proposing. I said yes and we enjoyed the rest of that day. Later that night I found a piece of paper under my shoe.

Thanks for getting rid of my problems.

-?