It was around three in the morning when the Marlow's got home with the boy. He refused to give his name, so Annabelle just called him Jim. When 'Jim' asked why that particular name, Anna replied with a simple shrug. She didn't know why either. He didn't look like a Jim. Defiantly didn't sound like one either.

"Well son, if you don't got a place to go, I guess you'll have to stay here." Anna's dad said helping 'Jim' sit down at the kitchen table.

"Sir, I appreciate your hospitality, but it is truly in your best interest to forget I ever came here and let me be on my way." He started to stand up, but Anna's mom pushed him back gently.

"Now don't be silly. We got room, stay at least until your leg heals."

Annabelle had been leaning in the doorway watching him critically. When he had gone into surgery he was very protective of a small square remote like-thing. He made sure no one touched it by requesting no anesthesia be used. Everyone, includingfive year old Daniel, protested. Who in their right mind would want their knee snapped back into place without some form of painkiller?

'Jim' apparently. He didn't even wince when the knee made a loud crack. Daniel dubbed him a super human.

But Annabelle thought otherwise. This boy had to have been trained not to feel pain, or show he was in pain. Which was absurd. Who would teach a young boy of fifteen not to show pain?

"Ma'am, you have all been so welcoming, but I'm not someone you want in your house. I'm not a bad person," he added due to the worried look on their faces, "But some bad people want me."

"More of a reason to shelter you!" her dad thundered, "You're just a boy! How can you protect yourself from these 'bad people'?"

Only Anna caught the mocking smirk underneath the fake smile he wore, "I have my ways, sir."

"I think we should let him go." Anna joined in and walked to the sink. She poured 'Jim' a glass of water and handed it to him. "It's not like we haven't tried."

"Annabelle Cathy Marlow!" her mother cried, "Where is your heart?! He's a young boy with a broken leg, how do you expect him to survive out there?! It's three in the morning, where will he go?"

"Not now obviously," she said irritably, "In the morning. I'll drive him to the airport, buy him a ticket-"

"Sweetie, we don't have that kind of money," her dad whispered to her.

"I have money. I'll buy your ticket and you can go back to Canada or wherever. It'll be under my name so no bad guys can follow you."

'Jim' looked at her as if seeing her for the first time.

"I can't take your money. If you just take me to the airport in the morning I'll find my own way." He took a sip of the water, "You guys are too kind."

Her parents beamed.

"I'll set you up in the guest room." Her mom scuttled out the kitchen thanking God for changing 'Jim's' mind.

"You'll need a change of clothes," her dad muttered, "Might be a bit big, but you look about my size." Then he too shuffled out.

Anna sat across from 'Jim' and looked at him analytically.

"You will explain things tomorrow, like how you got in my fields, and what happened to your leg." Her voice was very forceful.

"You'd never believe me," he replied bitterly, all traces of the previous gratitude gone.

"I live on a farm; I'm willing to believe anything. I'm just a small town hick who don't know no better," she exaggerated her southern drawl on the last part.

He rolled his eyes, "Whatever, I'd like to get some sleep. Can we leave before twelve?"

"You better watch it sonny boy, I can just say you should stay a little longer, remember, I'm the only one on your side. I don't know where you need to be, but you can't get there without my help."

As if to illustrate her point, 'Jim' tried to stand up from the chair, but failed miserably, ending up on the floor. Annabelle walked over to him and winked before holding out her hand. He took it grudgingly and glared.

"I can't wait to get off this farm." He grumbled as she led him up stairs.

"Neither can I."

............§............

As Annabelle pulled into a parking space she noticed 'Jim' had pushed a button on his remote-thing. A red light had begun flashing slowly.

"What's that?" she asked when they walked up to the entrance.

Glennville had a small airport that only had two planes. Both were just shuttles that would take you to a larger airport in Savannah.

'Jim' looked at the remote as if it were unimportant and shoved it back into his pocket. "Just my portable phone."

"I've never seen one like that before."

He held the door open for her.

"Well you wouldn't now would you Farm-Girl?"

"Just because I live in a small town doesn't mean I'm an ignorant idiot. Now, who are you?" She pulled him over to a small corner. The room was empty, as usual.

"I am unimportant."

"Cut the crap. What's your name?"

"Jim" he slyly smiled.

Annabelle groaned in frustration. She instantly regretted bringing him to the airport before questioning him. Now she had no leverage.

"Please just tell me your real name. What are the chances we'll ever see each other again?" before he could answer she continued, "Exactly, their slim. So just tell me. Haven't you ever heard of stories of strangers meeting in random situations, and then telling them their whole life story?"

"Indeed I have, but-"

"Okay then! Seriously, my life is so dead beat. I'm miserable here. You appearing in my yard was the coolest thing that has ever happened in this stupid town. And no one really knows about it! Please, just tell me a tale of adventure, danger, bad guys and good guys. Anything, you can even lie!" Annabelle pleaded moving closer to the boy. It wasn't with seduction intentions, but the boy blushed.

He backed away a few inches. If Annabelle had blinked she would have missed him pull out his 'portable phone'. The light was flashing much faster than earlier. It was almost a constant light.

"Look, Belle, if I told you who I was you'd be sucked into my world. My world isn't as glamorous as most people think. You need to just stick to your New York plan and live out your normal life." He said the word 'normal' with a sense of longing that only fueled Annabelle's curiosity.

"Just tell me! I hate my normal life. I despise it! I'd give anything to meet... meet a vampire or something. Or a spy!"

The boy's face looked mortified for a second before he masked it with absurdity, "Yeah good luck with a vampire."

Annabelle noted how he didn't say anything about the spy part, "Oh sweet Jesus."

The mortified look crossed his face again, "No! No, no, no, no. Don't say it! Forget it. You don't know anything."

A beep came from the boy's pocket. He pulled out the remote, and the flashing red light had now turned blue.

"I have to go now. Thank you for everything. I'll remember you." He said sincerely trying to walk away.

Annabelle felt like she was in a Hollywood romance.

"Take me with you," she said impulsively.

He stifled a laugh. "As if."

"Take me with you or I tell everyone that you're a spy."

This time he did laugh, "No one would believe you."

"Ha! Shows what you know of small towns. The sheriff arrested a doctor because the town hobo called him a space alien. The police took a homeless persons word over a doctor. Trust me, or they certainly will."

Indecision and exasperation painted the boys face. "Fine. But there will be no coming back. You'll be stuck forever. And you can't say goodbye to your family. We leave now."

Annabelle firmly nodded her head. She loved her family, but she never fit in.

"Can I leave a letter?"

The boy started walking to the airfield; he motioned for Anna to follow.

"You can send a letter, when we get to where we're going."

"Good..." She said with a sense of vertigo. Was this all really happening?

Together they ran out to a helicopter.

"My name is Rech, spelt R-E-C-H, you'll notice a lot of people in my business have unusual names, get used to it. I hope you're good at acting because you'll do a lot of it." He shouted over the helicopters roar.

"Okay." She said. Secretly she pinched herself to make sure this wasn't all a dream. It was all surreal...

"Um." When they got into the helicopter cabin the pilot was going to ask a question, probably why Rech was with a girl, but thought better of it. "Headquarters?" he asked instead.

"Indeed." Rech leaned back in his chair and sighed.

"I don't know if you'll believe me, but I love you." Annabelle said smiling like a kid on Christmas.

"A lot of girls love me, I'm irresistible," he waggled his eyebrows.

"Don't worry, in due time you'll love me too."

Rech smiled, Annabelle could tell he was thinking the same exact thing.

...§...

Dearest Family,

Stop worrying about me. I'm fine, more than fine. I'm with 'Jim', no Dad, he didn't kidnap me. I love you all so much and will miss you all a lot. But I won't be home anytime soon. Maybe ever.

Mom, you've done your job. I'm a proud, independent woman who will defiantly make a difference in the world. I'm going to miss your crazy antics, but just remember, Daniel isn't the neatest boy in the world. His room will get messy. Stop freaking out. I love you.

Dad, you've also done a good job. I won't be some loose girl who will get with any boy who flashes a twenty dollar bill. You can put away your shot gun now. I'll be your baby girl forever and ever. I love you.

Daniel. GET OUT MY ROOM! Now, my life savings is under my mattress. It's a good thousand dollars. If you spend it on gum or toys I will come for you. Please use it for a COLLEGE education. Trust me; I have my ways to know what you're doing. You could even say I'll be spying on you... ha. I love you, you little cow-tipper.

Tell all the cows I'll miss pulling their utters every morning...or don't.

I love you guys (in case you didn't catch the twenty times I said it).

I'll miss you guys so so so so so so much.

Don't forget me.

Your darling daughter,

Bells

PS My bag is still by the south gate, would you mind getting it for me before the cows eat it up. Thanks