Chapter 8 - Shane

As my fingers hover over my keyboard, I glance to my notepad next to me and scan my notes from my interview with the city’s mayor.  I want to make sure that I include all the important parts of our discussion. 

After the incident with the King the other day, I want to distance myself from the royals and the chaos following the attack.  However, I can’t seem to keep my mind off of it.  It doesn’t help that my idiot friend, Chris, has gotten me involved in it too. 

Technically, I happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, but I’m not going to let my friend end up in the custody of the royal guards either.  Okay.  So, that day isn’t my best day.  If I had been thinking properly, I would have left the area and let Chris fend for himself. 

Why of all days do I pick that particular day to act like a good friend?  Yes.  I consider Chris one of my good friends, but would I really go to jail for him?

Ugh…  This is driving me crazy.  I have to stop thinking about that day.  However, the image of Chris’ goons shooting at the King has been burned into my mind.  I may become old and lose my memories, but I don’t think that I will ever lose that memory. 

The screams of the crowd still echo in my mind, along with the stench of gun powder and the burning my nose from the scent.  I’m still not sure exactly who is the one shooting or if there is only one shooter or more.  All I know is that I was focused on getting Chris out of there before the royal guards could get to him. 

One of the things that I forget to ask him the few times that we talk since then is whether the rest of his idiot crew had gotten away.  I’m not hearing anything in the royal announcements, so I have no idea.  I’m just hoping that if they are in custody, they don’t say anything about me. 

I know that it is selfish, but I don’t want to spend the rest of my life in jail.  I’m too young for that.  Plus, I have so many goals that I want to accomplish.  If I somehow get arrested for trying to save my friend, Chris will switch from being my friend to being my enemy in two seconds. 

“Shane.  Shane.” 

My mind snaps back to reality, as my hands fall on my keyboard and various letters scroll across the computer monitor.  I whip my hands off the keyboard, as I mumble, “Shit.”

I grab my mouse and highlight all the various extra letters.  With my attention still on the monitor, I huff, “What do you want Blake?  Can’t you see that I’m a little busy right now?”

As I scan the document to make sure that I have deleted all the extra letters, Blake clicks his tongue.  “Tsk.  Tsk.  Do you call getting lost in your own thoughts as being busy?”

If he could only know the truth, he will probably agree that it is being busy. 

I sigh and shake my head, while I keep my attention on the monitor.  “Whatever.  What do you want?”

I do a final check to make sure that I have gotten everything correct before I save the document.  This article is due in a little bit, and I can’t risk losing it all right before the deadline. 

Blake huffs, “Did you hear about what the royal guards are doing?”

Royal guards.  Could it be something to do with the attack?

As I open my email and attach the document, I shake my head and glance over the short cubicle wall at Blake.  “Did something happen?”

His eyes open wider, as he leans forward.  “You didn’t hear?  I thought that you would have heard before me.  You always have information long before I do.  Shane, are you slipping or losing your touch with getting information before everyone else?”

I’m not losing my touch.  My number one go-to person, Chris, isn’t going out much.  To be completely correct, I have forbidden Chris from going out, to keep him from being captured.  However, if the royal guards have any credible information about him, the guards would have already arrested Chris.  More than likely, the guards would also be torturing Chris for more information by now. 

I turn my attention back to my monitor and begin typing out the email to my boss and attach the article about the city’s mayor.  “I’m losing my touch.  Nope.  I’m just busy with everything that is going on.  So, are you going to tell me, or do I have to guess?  If I have to guess, I’m giving up already.  I don’t want to play that kind of game.”

I have more important things to do than to try and play this guessing game with Blake. 

As I send my article to my boss, Blake sighs.  “Shane, you are no fun today.  Okay.  I’ll tell you.”

I shift in my seat and turn my whole attention towards Blake.  “Okay.  I’m listening.” 

Well, I’m not really listening, but Blake will sulk if I don’t give him my full attention.  Right now, I don’t need to deal with a sulking friend on top of everything else. 

A faint smile dances across Blake’s face as he leans slightly forward again.  His light brown eyes sparkle in delight. 

I bite my lower lip and contain a chuckle trying to escape. 

In a hush voice, Blake says, “My sources are telling me that the royal guards along with the royal’s security staff are pulling all the reporters, that have written about the attack on the King, into their offices.  The word on the street is that the security company is trying to find some additional information on the King’s attack.  However, I find that aspect odd, since the security company has some of the best equipment that is made.”

A cold shiver runs down my back. 

Are the royal guards coming for me too? 

I have to contact Chris and let him know what is going on.  That is if Chris hasn’t been taken into custody yet. 

Ugh…  How can Chris be associated with something like this?

Gulp.

With my eyes on Blake, I tentatively ask, “Are they pulling in all the reporters who wrote stories on the attack?”

Blake shrugs his shoulders and sits back upright.  “I don’t know.  What I’ve heard is that a few of the reporters have been taken in, but I wouldn’t put it past the royal guard and the royal’s security to pull everyone in and ask them about the events.

The cameras around the venue are good, but often times, first-hand experience is so much better.”

Gulp. 

I can’t argue with that.  No matter how many cameras I’ve watched regarding an event, I always go with first-hand experience.  With this high-profile event, I’m sure that the royal guards and the security company are going to interview everyone there.  However, where do you start? 

Of course, you start with the reporters who are writing articles about the event. 

Shit.  Why didn’t I think about this?

This isn’t good. 

It is only a matter of time now, before either the royal guards or the security comes to get me.  What do I say? 

No matter what I say, I have to keep calm.  Otherwise, I might as well be holding a big blinking sign with an arrow pointing towards me and scream, “I know everything.  Ask me about everything.”

I wonder if Chris knows about this. 

I glance at my phone.  I want to warn him but knowing the royal security is now looking at reporters, I don’t dare contact him.  It may put him in danger. 

How do I warn Chris without actually calling or messaging him directly?