A tired looking James opened the door. "Bri, what are you doin' here?"
"I need to crash here for the night. Long story, but I can't stay at my house." Brian explained quickly as he barged into James' house and locked the door behind him.
"What's goin' on?" James asked in a sleepy voice.
"Honestly, I don't exactly know." Brian replied. The two headed up to James' room. Brian pulled out a spare matress out from under James' bed and James handed him an extra pillow and a blanket. "Thanks man."
"No problem." James yawned and he was soon asleep.
Brian couldn't sleep. His mind was racing. He thought back to a time a few years ago.
"Now Brian, listen to me, this is very important," Mark started.
"For the hundredth time, I'm listening dad!" Brian insisted.
"Ok, you know how you keep asking about your mother," Mark started.
Brian's face lit up, "Yeah,"
Mark held up a hand as if to stop Brian's anxiety. "Well, she was involved with something, I don't know what though. Anyway, because of whatever it was, we are in danger." Mark saw the fear crept into Brian's eyes. "You see, since she died, they have been after me," He paused, "And you." Mark watched his 'son' take everything in. "This is what I need you to do. If anything ever happens to me, you are to take the key to the safe deposit box, I showed you where that was, right?" Brian nodded gravely. He didn't even want to think about this. "You are to take the key and go to the bank. There will be instructions for you. You are to do EXACTLY what they say, you understand." Again, Brian nodded gravely. "Before your mother died, I promised her that I would look out for you, and that's what I intend to do." All this was scaring Brian.
"D-dad, why would they want us?" Brian questioned.
Mark let out a sigh, "I don't really know, but Alex, your mother, told me that I had to protect you. I decided that you were old enough to learn of this and understand it." Mark up his hand on Brian's shoulder, "But I do know, that they'll stop at NOTHING to get what they want, got it." It was more of a command then a question.
The words '...they'll stop at nothing to get what they want....' rung in Brian's ears. Brian reached up and forcefully whipped his eyes. He looked up at James, who was sleeping soundly. After what seemed like forever, Brian fell into a light, restless sleep.