The Golden Keepers (The Golden Keeps Book 1)

by EMA LEE

  “She seems nice” Dillan said.

  “Yeah she is.” I told him.

  For some reason I couldn’t get myself to look at him. I was so embarrassed. I shouldn’t be embarrassed because he already knows I like him. I finally got the courage to look up at him and smile.

  “So.. You talk about me to your mother?” he said smiling.

  “Oh shut up.” I told him with a grin.

  Mom finally came over with our breakfast and put it on the table! We must have been really hungry because neither of us spoke while we ate. Once we finished eating we stayed there for a while. Dillan was watching the T.V. then turned to look at me.

  “It’s crazy, all of this alien talk.” Dillan said.

  My heart sunk. I didn’t want to have this conversation with Dillan. He looked at me for a response. I had no idea what to say.

  “Yes, it’s very crazy. The one they keep talking about on the news doesn’t seem very nice.” I said.

  “It’s kind of scary. I mean, how are we supposed to know who the humans are and who the aliens are?” he asked.

  My muscles started to get tense. I felt like someone had lit me on fire. I didn’t want him to know who I really was. He might not talk to me again. He might consider me odd, or dangerous.

  “Well, I’m not sure, but I don’t think they can all be bad. Didn’t they say there were a bunch of them? And they have only shown two dangerous ones on T.V.” I responded.

  “Yeah I guess you’re right. If there are good ones I hope they will come out soon. This dude on T.V. is destroying my city.” He said while his eyes were glued to the T.V.

  Dillan had made me realize that we needed to act fast. These humans are assuming all of us are dangerous when it’s not true. We needed to prove it, but I can’t let people know I’m not from here. I have to think of something that will be able to hide mine, Dean, and Shane’s identities.

  “Alright, I have to go Dillan. I will see you tonight at 6.” I told him as I got up and started to leave the restaurant.

  A Date Gone Wrong

  As I entered the surf shop I saw Cali and Josh there. They seemed to be in an argument. I walked over to the boxes of new surf suits and started to put it up on the shelves. Sometimes having extreme hearing isn’t the greatest. No matter how hard I try to ignore people’s conversations I always seem to get myself stuck in the middle.

  “Josh you can’t just assume someone is an Alien, that’s not cool!” Cali said to Josh.

  “Well, I’m not assuming. It’s just.. He’s like a pro at basketball! Like NBA material. And he’s way new here.” Josh said.

  Could they be talking about Dean? I hope it’s not Dean. My stomach started to twist. I needed Dean. I need my friends. I need to be able to live here in peace.

  “He’s our friend. So you’re not going to do anything about it! You got it?” Cali exclaimed.

  “I know. I would never do that. I won’t bring it up again.” Josh said touching Cali’s hand.

  “Thank you.” Cali said with a smile on her face.

  She leaned in to kiss him then he left the shop. Once Josh left Cali skipped over to help me put the suits on the shelves. It goes by way faster when there are two of us doing the work.

  “So, you going on that date with Dillan tonight?” Cali asked.

  I started to get red and butterflies filled my stomach.

  “Yeah, he’s going to show me around town.” I replied.

  Cali smiled and went into the back of the shop. She came out with a box in her hands and handed it me.

  “Open it!” She said joyfully.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  “Just open it! I got you something and you better love it because it’s from me!” Cali said while jumping up and down.

  I looked down at the box and started to remove the top of the box.

  “Surprise! It’s a new bikini!” She yelled as I pulled out the Coral colored bikini.

  “Just to add a little color to your suit collection” She said while smiling.

  “Thank you so much Cali!” I responded.

  ‘ding’

  Dillan entered the shop.

  “Hey Stra! You ready to go?” Dillan asked

  “But it’s only five.” I said in shock.

  “Surprise! I’m letting you off earlier so you can go on your date with Dillan!” Cali said pushing me towards him.

  “Well, great! Let’s go!” I told Dillan.

  We waved good bye to Cali and left the Surf Shop. In front of the shop there was a green jeep. Dillan opened the door and let me in. Then walked in front of the jeep and got in on the other side. We started driving out of the town. I had no idea where he was taking me!

  I looked out the window while Dillan drove. We drove pass a bunch of tall green trees. There were no other cars on the road. Every once in a while I would see a deer leap through the trees. They looked so elegant and beautiful. Dillan reached over to hold my hand. His hand felt rough, but very warm. It fit perfectly with mine.

  I looked down and watched his thumb run up and down my hand. I tried to hide my smile as best I could and looked in front of us. We were approaching a big city.

  “I thought you were going to take me around the town?” I said laughing at Dillan.

  “I thought so too, but then I figured why not take you to the big city and show you around!” He said as he brought my hand up to his lips and gently kissed it.

  I started to notice the tall buildings as we started to enter the city. Dillan pulled up into a parking lot next to a sushi restaurant. Once he parked the jeep he got out and walked over to my side of the jeep.

  “We’re here” He exclaimed as he opened the door for me and helped me get out.

  We started walking towards the restaurant when we heard a loud explosion from around the corner. It was the captain and his partner. They were running straight at us with bags of money over their shoulders laughing. The captain recognized who I was and reached his hand out preparing to grab me. Dillan noticed and stepped in front of me to block him. The captain didn’t seem too happy that he did that. He grabbed Dillan by the collar of his shirt and threw him through the glass window. People from the restaurant started to crowd Dillan to make sure he was okay. I looked over at the captain and he smiled at me.

  “This can be our world. We can rule the humans. Join us!” He said reaching his hand out.

  He attempted to put his hand on my shoulder but I blocked it and pushed it away. The captain seemed surprised.

  “I will never join you.” I told him.

  I felt energy shoot up my legs and arms. I wanted to fight him, but I couldn’t in front of Dillan, or the rest of the humans. They would know who I was.

  “Have it your way but I warn you. You are making the biggest mistake of your life.” He smirked as he started to walk past me.

  His partner started to follow him. I felt like she was staring deep into my soul even though I couldn’t see her face. Her black uniform and mask made me feel lost. She then turned her head and started to run with the Captain. I needed to get back home. I needed to tell Ryan and Shane what happened. We needed to do something about it.

  I turned around and ran to Dillan who was motionless on the ground. There was pool of blood on his side. I kneeled down and put my head to his chest. It was still moving. I started to lift up his shirt and saw the cut. It was five inches long and blood was running out of it. I heard the sirens in the distance. It was getting closer. I stayed next to Dillan holding his hand as the ambulance approached. Two men got out of the vehicle and grabbed a stretcher from the back of the vehicle. They started to run towards us.

  “Sorry miss, but we need you to step back please.” One of them said as he kneeled down next to Dillan.

  I stepped aside and watched them lift Dillan and put him on the stretcher. They started to walk towards the ambulance then stopped. The man turned and looked at me.

  “Are you with this man?” he asked.

  “Yes, yes
I am!” I told him.

  “We will need you to come along.” He said.

  They started to walk to the ambulance again and I began to follow them. They lifted him into the back of the vehicle and I climbed in and sat next to Dillan.

  “So are you a relative or his wife?” The man asked as he hooked Dillan up to some machines.

  “Girlfriend, I’m his girlfriend.” I told him.

  I couldn’t believe I just said I was Dillan’s girlfriend. We have never kissed. This was our first date! Probably the worst date ever. I didn’t even know if Dillan would ever want to go out with me after this. Talk about bad luck!

  The ambulance came to a stop and the men opened the back of the vehicle. They lifted Dillan up and started to take him into the building we were at. I got out of the vehicle and took a look at it. We were at the hospital. I started to run after the men carrying Dillan when I felt an arm reach out in front of me.

  “Hold on their honey, I’m afraid you can’t go back there. They are taking him for immediate surgery.” The nurse told me. “You can wait over there.”

  She pointed to an area with a lot of chairs. I walked over to the area and sat down. I was terrified. I couldn’t lose Dillan he was someone I really cared about. A nurse started walking towards me. I was hoping it would be good news about Dillan.

  “Miss, Dillan’s procedure is done. You can see him now.” She said.

  I quickly got up and followed her. We stopped at room 307. She opened the door and I walked in. Dillan was asleep on the hospital bed. I walked over to him and stared at him. He was the most perfect being I had ever seen. I ran my fingers through his hair. His hair was so soft and despite everything that happened, he still smelt really good! I pulled up a chair and sat next to him. I was looking around the room but my eyes kept turning back to Dillan’s hand. He held my hand in the car, I’m sure it’s okay to hold his hand here. Right? I tried to brush the idea off but I eventually gave in and held his hand. While looking at him I saw a T.V. remote on the stand next to him. I picked it up and turned the T.V. on. I flipped through a lot of channels. I couldn’t find anything to watch. All of a sudden I saw Dillan get thrown into a glass window. I stopped flipping the channels and watched as they talked about the captain and his partner. They had robbed five banks now. And have injured 45 people in the city.

  That spark of energy went through my entire body. I felt like I was going to explode! I felt Dillan’s hand twitch. I quickly turned the T.V. to a different station and looked at him. He was starting to wake up. He looked over at me and smiled.

  “How long have you been here?” He asked.

  “Oh, only a few hours” I responded.

  It had been a long night.

  He looked down at my hand that was holding his and he grinned. Then he looked up at the T.V.

  “I didn’t know you liked cooking shows” He said.

  I looked up at the T.V. and saw a cooking show on. I smiled and looked back at him.

  “Yup, cooking is my favorite! All this cooking stuff has made me hungry though. I think I’m going to go get something to eat.” I told him.

  I couldn’t believe I lied to him. I hate cooking. And I wasn’t hungry at all after the events today. I had to get out of there though. I had to figure something out to get rid of the Captain once and for all.

  “Alright, Will you come see me tomorrow?” He asked.

  I looked at him and smiled. “Of course I will be back tomorrow. I will tell Cali I can’t come into work” I said as I started to get up to leave.

  Dillan held onto my hand tight and pulled me back towards him. I could see a look of fear on his face. I think he started to remember all that had happened that night.

  “Please be careful Astra.” He begged.

  He really cared about me. He was willing to give his life for me! I couldn’t believe it. I kissed his forehead and put my lips to his ear.

  “I will, I promise” I whispered.

  I let go of his hand and started to walk out of the hospital room.

  The Golden Mask

  My mind started to go crazy. I need to fight the captain. I need a disguise, but what! Something that says I’m terrifying but I’m on your team humans. Since I was in the city I figured I could get an idea out of something. I started to walk down the street. I was a couple blocks from the hospital. I saw a masquerade store across the street. There were a bunch of masks displayed in the front. I crossed the street and walked into the shop.

  “Hi! Welcome to Majestic Masks” the guy at the counter said with a wisp.

  “Thank you!” I said as I started to walk to a corner to look at the masks.

  “So what kind of mask are ya looking for?” the guy asked.

  His question puzzled me. I had no idea what kind of mask I was looking for. I thought for a minute then responded.

  “Something that is intimidating but not.”

  He looked puzzled. What I had said made no sense at all. Then it clicked in his head and started to walk away. I started to follow him. He went over to a shelf and grabbed an old brown box.

  “I’ve been saving this for years! I created it myself. It’s one of a kind!” he said as he pulled the mask out of the box.

  There is was. The one thing that would hide my identity from the world. It was a pure gold mask with navy blue emeralds surrounding the eyes.

  “I always thought maybe a super hero would wear it one day, but who am I kiddin.” He said.

  I smiled at him. He was a cute kid.

  “What’s your name?” I asked.

  “Max Stanley the third” he replied.

  “Well, Max. I’m Astra and I would love to buy your mask.” I told him.

  I went over to the mirror and put it on. I covered my eyes and nose. My eyes were a deep blue color. I turned to Max.

  “What do you think?” I asked.

  “Wow, your eyes look awesome!” he responded.

  I walked over to the cashier desk to pay Max.

  “How much do I owe you?” I asked as I started to pull out my wallet.

  “Nothing!” Max said. “It’s perfect for you. I designed it just for you.”

  I smiled at him and started to walk towards the door. I turned around and looked at Max.

  “Before I leave Max, I need you to swear to keep a secret”

  “Anything Astra” Max replied.

  I put the mask to my face which made my entire body glow.

  “Never tell anyone who’s behind the mask”

  Max shook his head with his jaw opened.

  “I will see you around Max.” I said as I walked out.

  I looked up and saw a clock. It was eleven thirty. Mom was going to freak out if I wasn’t home soon. I saw a bus stop down the street and started walking to towards it. I looked at the times and the next bus wouldn’t be there until eleven fourty-five. That was fifteen minutes. I sat down on the bench staring at my mask. I heard a squeaky noise a little ways away and turned to see what it was. It was an old lady pushing a cart. She was wearing rugged clothes and had a bunch of junk in her cart. I hid my mask and watched her as she sat down next to me. I started to look at the items she had in her cart. There was one thing that stuck out specifically to me. A pair of gold spandex pants, I wanted them. How am I supposed to get them, I couldn’t just steel them from a poor lady.

  I looked in my wallet to see how much money I had. I had a twenty dollar bill. I turned to her and forced a smile.

  “Excuse me miss, but I noticed those gold spandex pants and was wondering if I could buy them from you.” I said.

  “How much do you have?” the old lady asked.

  “A twenty dollar bill.” I told her.

  “Get lost lady!” She told me.

  I couldn’t believe it! She wasn’t going to give them to me. Now I had to steel them! She pulled out a bag of seeds from her pocket and started to eat them. I started looking around to think about how I was going to take the pants from her. I saw a little white poodle by t
he lamp post by us. I walked over and picked up the dog and carried it back over to where I was sitting. I started to pet the dog but I could see it staring at the old ladies seeds. I slowly started to let go of the dog so it could escape. The poodle walked up to the lady, grabbed the bag and started to run away.

  “Those are my seeds you stupid dog!” The old lady said as she got up to chase the dog.

  I quickly reached into her cart and grabbed the gold spandex out and took off. I started to feel guilty that I took the pants, but I needed them. I took the twenty dollar bill out of my wallet, ran back to her cart and placed it on top. Then I started to run towards the hospital to look for another bus stop. I saw a bus stopping, I ran as fast as I could to get on it.

  “Whoo! I didn’t see you coming.” The bus driver said laughing.

  “Thanks for waiting.” I told him as I walked up into the bus.

  The bus dropped me off back in town. The streets were empty and everyone was asleep. I started to walk home, I missed Dillan. I wasn’t sure how long they would keep him in the hospital. Hopefully it wouldn’t be too long. I opened the door to the house slowly so mother couldn’t hear me coming in. The light clicked on in the living room.

  “You don’t think I can hear you a mile away?” She asked me.

  I forgot she could hear things far away too. I closed the door behind me and walked towards her.

  “You know it’s one in the morning.” She told me.

  “I know. I’m sorry.” I responded.

  “I saw the news. Is Dillan okay? Are you okay?” She asked.

  I went over and hugged her. It had been an eventful day and I was tired from it all.

  “He tried to protect me mom.” I said as a tear streamed down my cheek.

  Mom held me really tight.

  “He must really care about you sweetie.” She said.

  “I felt so useless. I couldn’t save him or else people would know who I was.” I said while crying.

  Mom kissed my forehead and helped me get ready for bed. She walked me into my bedroom and tucked me into bed.