Chapter 14 of Indiana Jones and the Mystery of the Ark

Posted by Goodsport from adsl-216-102-199-185.dsl.snfc21.pacbell.net on July 08, 2000 at 01:40:21:

Chapter 14

    Lauren sat out on the steps in front of the house, smoking a cigarette and thinking. Indy came out and wrinkled his nose,

    "I thought you quit."

    "Old habits die hard," as took another drag.

    "Penny for your thoughts."

    Lauren smiled, "We'd be up to fifteen dollars."

    Indy laughed, "More like thirty."

    Lauren laughed and stubbed the cigarette out, "I'm guessing the Nesses are on your nerves."

    "And you and your brother," frowning, "The Ark is nothing to joke about, Laurie."

    "I know that," staring at him, "I've heard the stories and read your notes. And Mom sent us to Sunday school."

    Indy started to say something as Lauren said, "Dad, I know about the occult. You taught me everything you know and learned a great deal. I can face danger and know my limits."

    Indy looked at his daughter's eyes - burning bright like two coals - and smiled, "Just be careful."

    "Aren't I always?" smiling as she patted his hand, "Go enjoy yourself, Dad."

    "What about you?"

    "I'll be fine," as she reached into her pockets for another cigarette, "Trust me."

    Indy rolled his eyes and went inside. Lauren watched the sunset as she saw Mark and Matthew walking in her direction.

    "Jones!" Mark said, "What's a pretty girl like you doing out?"

    "You'd have to ask Anita that," grinning as she lit her cigarettes.

    "Still smoking those French cigarettes?" he asked.

    "Once in a while. Relieves stress," as she took a drag.

    Mark laughed and said; "I'd better see how Anita is doing. Care for a game of poker later?"

    "Same stakes?"

    Mark laughed and turned to Matthew; "Lauren, Anita, Tom, and I would always play poker at the stakes of the loser doing something dreadful that the winner wold put to task. One time Lauren demanded we each give her a hundred dollars ---"

    "Those were for school books," she reminded him.

    Mark whispered and said, "She did, but most of it went to a trip she took to the Swiss Alps."

    Matthew laughed as Mark said, "She always managed to win most of the hands. We thought she cheated."

    "I did not," grinning; "I'm just a good player."

    "Care to prove it?" Mark asked.

    "Sure," sighing a bit, "Give me an hour to adjust and you time with Anita," thinking a bit, "Shall we say next week?"

    Mark chuckled, "Two hours, Jones," as he went into the house.

    Lauren smiled and moved from the stairs to let Matthew pass, "I think your mother's inside with my father."

    "Can I sit out here with you?"

    "Your funeral," as she finished the cigarette.

    "It's beautiful out here," he commented.

    "I know. I haven't been here in years. Stateside, I mean."

    "You live in France?"

    Lauren nodded, "And you're --?"

    "Everywhere," sighing, "No home to call my own. The army is my life."

    Lauren nodded as she finished the cigarette and said, "Excuse me."

    She put one foot in the door and he asked, "What are you afraid of?"

    Lauren spun around, "Excuse me?"

    "You heard me," looking at her.

    "Let me guess. A psychologist?"

    "Nope, but is was my minor."

    "And your major was sticking your nose in where it doesn't belong."

    Matthew was taken a back a bit, "Lauren -"

    "Dr. Stephens to you," she snarled as she went inside, leaving him in shock.

* * * * *

    A man watched the two in the distance as he laughed to himself, Ah, Lauren, still as feisty as ever. He looked around and saw another man in the shadows. His eyes narrowed and bent down Who's this guy? he wondered.

    Jean-Paul watched the little spat with amusement. Ah, Lauren Jones, you've baited another man in your trap, he thought, he'll have to die as well. He walked in the shadows to the other side of the base, where his car awaited him. Soon, Dr. Jones, everyone you have close to you will die, thinking to himself.

    The next day, Lauren was looking through some cartons in Warehouse Six. She was frustrated a bit and muttered, "A few boxes of ammo, cooking supplies for the kitchen, but no Ark."

    "Find anything?" Eric called out from the other end.

    "Nothing important," she called back as she looked at the worn out crate in front of her. The markings were barely legible with army stamps but the words "TOP SECRET" and "CLASSIFIED" made her curious. She opened the carton and let out a shout of delight, "Eric, get Dad and Marion over here. I think I found it."

    Silence developed around her as she grew irritated, "Eric, no time for fun and games…" she started to shout out in his direction and stared down a gun barrel of a dark clothed man.

    "Ah, Dr. Stephens, you've found it," the man said in a heavy accent.

    Lauren stared in disbelief and stammered, "Jean-Paul? What are you doing here?"

    Jean-Paul was unmoved as he pointed the gun at her and said, "I don't like questions."

    That's all Lauren remembered as she blackness enclosed her.

*************************

Tessa, we are anxiously awaiting your Chapter 15! :)

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