Dead & Lost: Final Return To Freedom

Asher & Ryan

Asher stopped the car in front of a big, old house. "We're here". He sighed pushing the break.

Michael peeked his head out. "This place is very far from the airport. It seems_ it's at the end of the city".

"Damn right". Asher nodded."It's the west end of the city".

"What? West end? Are you kidding me?". Michael was frightened.

"What do you mean?". Asher asked.

"Hoia-Baciu's close enough from here". Michael replied.

"So what?". Asher shrugged.

"Aren't you scared living here? This house is the last house of the street". Michael said.

"Living near a forest isn't scary Michael". Asher chuckled.

"There's a lot of difference between living near a forest and living near Hoia-Baciu". Michael said.

"Here we go again". William sighed and stepped out of the car as he felt that Michael is going to start a debate.

"There's no ghost living in Hoia-Baciu. It's all supernatural activities that make people afraid. Don't you worry.I've been living here for years. Nothing bad has ever happened. You're scared. But lemme tell you that you're not at all insecure here. I guarantee you'll be alright". Asher consoled the scared Michael.

"Whatever". Michael pushed the door open and hoped out.

Asher smiled at Michael. He looked back at Rosie who was staring angrily at Michael.

"Sweetie! Would you please step out as well? I have to park the car and get the luggage out of the trunk". Asher said politely.

"Sure. Come on out Alexa". Rosie nodded and got out.

At evening after the group had rested, Asher prepared coffee. Another handsome guy popped up. Named RYAN. He was Asher's younger brother. Aged as same as Michael and Rosie. He was middle heightened and somehow resembling to Asher.His blue eyes were watching everything so carefully.

Rosie felt uncomfortable by his gaze."Why are you staring at us like that? We aren't Martians". She said putting down the cup of coffee.

"I'm sorry Rosie". Ryan apologized. "I'm a spy in Military forces. I'm told to observe things carefully and am unable to get out of my spy thing even at home". He elaborated.

"Spy". Michael said slowly.

"His mind is like a that of Einstein's". Asher said.

"He would be very intelligent then". William smiled at Ryan.

"Not more than Asher". Ryan shooked his head.

"Hehe". Asher chuckled. "Liar". He patted on his brother's back.

"No No No! it's not a lie". Ryan laughed.

"Spy_ & Cardiologist". Rosie said rubbing her chin. "Why have you chosen such different fields?". She asked Ryan.

"I was always interested on spying everyone & Asher always wanted to help the people with heart problems so that no one dies like our Mom". Ryan replied.

Everyone kept quite for a while.

"I feel sorry for your parents". William started the gossip again."Your Mom was a very nice lady. May she rest in peace".

"Amen". Asher nodded.

"A fun fact! William? Remember when everyone stared at the YOUNG HIGHSCHOOL BOY?". Ryan giggled.

William thought for a while. "I do!". He started laughing.

"Ryan?". Asher said in a low voice.

"What? They're all good old memories Bro". Ryan shrugged and turned to William, Rosie and Michael. "Well, William! He's the same even today, he hasn't changed".

"Really?". William said. "Wow! he's still single?".

"Yeah". Ryan nodded.

"God!". William was amazed.

"What's the fun fact?". Michael asked.

"Asher is called Attitude Boy in the city". Ryan replied. "Okay?". Michael examined Asher from head to toe. "Well, he's handsome, he SHOULD have some attitude ".

"Exactly". William agreed. "Everyone at the highschool used to tease him for being single but he never cared".

"Why? Are you not interested in girls?". Michael asked Asher. Rosie was listening very carefully.

"No, the kind of girls which Asher likes, only exist in fantasies". Ryan chuckled.

"Shut up". Asher was blushing. "I'll prepare a pizza for you people". He stood up.

"Aww! Brother doesn't wants to be discussed!". Ryan said with a laughter.

"Keep quiet Ryan". Asher smiled.

Ryan looked at Alexa. "You wanna say something?". He read her mind.

"I don't like your house". Alexa replied.

"Alexa!Bad Girl! Don't say that". Rosie put her hand on Alexa's mouth.

"Let her speak". Ryan pushed her hand away and smiled at Alexa. "What's the reason princess?". He asked in a low voice.

"It's dark and it's spooky. It's quite different from our house". She replied.

"This is not our house. Our house is opposite to this one_ across the road.This house was my Aunt's. She died and before that, she gifted it to me. All my and Asher's friends from America who come to visit Romania stay here". Ryan told Alexa.

"You should renovate it". Alexa suggested innocently.

Ryan chuckled and looked at Asher.

He smiled in return. "That's not a bad idea! I'll do it as soon as you people leave. Being a doctor I'm very busy. I don't have enough time to clean the houses. Ryan comes on holidays and cleans the both houses.But my princess, when you come here next time, it'll be like a palace".Asher said.

"Sure. God-Willing". Alexa nodded.

"Yeah! God-Willing". Ryan kissed on Alexa's chubby cheeks and lifted her up. "I love chocolates. Do you like chocolates?(Alexa nodded) Come on let's go to the market and buy some of them. We'll eat together okay?". Ryan said to her. "She'll be with me William". He said looking at William.

William nodded.

Ryan gestured Michael to go with him as well. He got up and went out with him.

Night descended. Everyone went to sleep. A strong wind blew which opened the partially closed window of Rosie's room. She got up to close it as she felt cold.

Rosie was about to close the window when she saw a guy sitting on the study table in the house opposite to theirs. "Asher". She whispered. "You're quite handsome".

Rosie kept on watching him for a while. He was typing something on his mobile phone. "Nevermind". Rosie shrugged and closed the window.

In the morning, everyone woke up early and had breakfast together. Asher prepared fresh orange juice, waffles and toasts.

"What a nice breakfast!". William cleaned his hands with a handkerchief and stood up from the table. "You're a nice cook". William said to Asher.

"Thank you William". Asher smiled and gathered the empty dishes from the table.

Rosie stood up. "I'll help you Asher". She said and collected the dishes. Asher looked up at her. "No need for that Rosie. I'll do it myself. It's my daily chores". He said.

"Let her do it Asher. She's always trying to find a way to do some work even at home. I'm surprised how she spent yesterday without doing any work in the kitchen". William interrupted.

"O-okay". Asher said reluctantly and picked up the dishes.

Asher and Ryan took the group to the most heart touching and beautiful places of Cluj-Napoca. Everyone admired the beauty of the city.

"I IS beautiful! Not gonna lie". Rosie chuckled as she took a deep breath, standing on the high hill from where the whole city was visible.

"I told you". Asher smirked looking at Rosie.

Rosie looked at him suddenly and then dragged her eyes away. "Whatever". She shrugged.