Chapter 61 Lose Face

"Don't let her go, Arnold" Raymond suddenly blurted out.

"Why?" Arnold asked.

"Ciara....she may not look it but she's a good woman. Very rare. Endangered species among the numerous 'species' of women" Raymond replied.

Arnold looked quietly at Raymond, and they burst into laughter.

"I wasn't expecting that" Arnold said. "Though I'd admit she's a good woman. Endangered species, you say"

"Don't let her go. But how Dr Wilson was able to decipher your feelings even before you understood them still remains a mystery, I guess" Raymond said

" I believe I stared at Ciara often, I mean more than usual and wanted to engage her in conversations every little chance I got. I mean I did little things that gave me out. And as we both know, Late Dr Wilson was very observant and protective, especially when it came to his daughters"

"Yeah, I understand that very well, and it still surprises me when he made that offer" Raymond said

"It still gets me thinking. Raymond, don't you think we're part of something bigger? Like a lot bigger than we're involved in right now"

"I get that feeling too, sometimes. But I can't place my hands on anything, so I just brush it off"

"Ciara heard something she shouldn't have, when they visited Kelly"

"What did she hear?" Raymond pried.

"She hasn't told me anything yet, but the information was enough to scare her"

"How sure are you she heard anything?"

"One hundred percent sure! I saw her tiptoeing, trying to sneak out. That was when I heard voices and knew she eavesdropped on something she shouldn't have. I helped her escape. She looked as pale as snow and didn't even want to go back to her room"

"I see. Arnold, I don't know why I have been having this feeling for a while now"

"What feeling?"

"Like something is about to happen. Like every second takes us closer to some 'dooms' day"

"I got that feeling, the moment I heard Vanessa had returned"

"Me too" Raymond said. "I thought it was because of my past with her but the feeling keeps nudging me. It heightened when I saw Theodore. I don't know why but I feel he knows something we are yet to find out"

"I agree with you. Remember he asked if you knew or had anything related to Vanessa in possession. It's the accuracy for me. He didn't sound like he was guessing. He sounded like he knew what was going on and a lot more"

"Yeah, I think so too. I always get this eerie vibe when I am around him. It's like he can see through me without even trying. Yet, my instincts tell me, I can trust him"

"He doesn't seem like a bad guy, tho we can't let our guard down around him especially because of what happened today. It's strange none of us could touch him, let alone hit him. His movements and speed seemed, unrealistic, unnatural"

"Yeah. But that gives us a fair idea of what to expect from the powerhouse"

"Have you given it to Vanessa yet?"

"Yeah. I did when she visited me. She seemed clueless but I know with time she'll crack it and that'll give us our next lead. I just hope she does it soon because it seems we're running out of time"

"Yeah. I have to check up on the guys. Let's discuss our next move when I return" Arnold said and rose to leave.

Before he walked out, he hit Raymond hardly on his right shoulder.

"Ouch!" Raymond screamed.

"That's for making me lose face. At least, you could have left the part that made me lose respect out of the narration" Arnold said as he walked out.