The Source

Part 17

Becca: What are we doing here? Freen smiled at Becca. If we're breaking and entering, I'm telling you right now this date will end up with you in handcuffs and not the kinky kind. Becca crossed her arms. Freen took out the keys to the place and jingled them in front of Becca.

Freen: The owner is a very good friend of mine. Come on, officer. Freen laughed and Becca followed her inside. When we were at my house, we didn't get a chance to talk about all of the art pieces that I have. She led them through a door and looked at Becca. I followed your advice and found a place to keep all my paintings. On the security keypad that was on the wall, she pressed her passcode. It turned green and automatically all of the lights in the room turned on as well revealing approximately 30 paintings in their individual displays.

Becca: Wow. This is amazing. She walked further into the room. I knew you had enough paintings to have your own gallery. Why don't you let the public see this as well? Freen scoffed.

Freen: Well, there's a certain thief on the loose that already took one of my paintings. I don't want to risk the rest. Becca tensed up at the mention of The Artist. She stood in front of an art piece and Freen stood right beside her.

Becca: How's Olga doing? It must have been traumatizing for her. Freen sighed.

Freen: It was, but she's doing much better. I'm taking all the necessary precautions for it not to happen again.

Becca: Yeah, I bet it won't. She whispered to herself.

Freen: Sorry? Did you say something? She leaned closer to Becca.

Becca: Oh nothing. I hope that we catch him and anyone who's involved in this whole mess soon.

Freen: So, you actually think he has an accomplice? Becca walked around with her hands behind her back holding her bag.

Becca: Everything seems to point in that direction. Freen opened the door to a storage room that was barely lit by a lightbulb. Not first date material, Freen. Changing the subject!

Freen: Would you like something to drink? This vending machine has the finest drinks in this whole gallery. We have some Coke, diet Coke, orange Fanta, Sprite, Dr Pepper, and my personal favorite Mountain Dew. Freen wiggled her eyebrows. Becca's nose wrinkled in disgust.

Becca: I can't believe Freen Sarocha drinks pee in a can. Freen gasped exaggeratedly and placed her hand on her chest.

Freen: Officer, you have just committed a crime against my persona. I think you should leave. She grabbed Becca's hand and started dragging her out of the storage room causing Becca to laugh.

Becca: Stop it! Freen placed her hand on her cheek and caressed it.

Freen: You're so beautiful when you laugh. Becca tried so hard not to blush.

Becca: Focus, Becca. She might be the enemy. Why do her lips look so plump and kissable? Oh God, she's leaning in. Ahh! I'll regret it tomorrow. They closed their eyes and leaned in, but Becca placed her hand on Freen's chest to stop her.

Freen: I'm sorry. Did I do something wrong? Becca seemed to be distracted by something.

Becca: Can you smell that? She took a deep breath in.

Freen: What do you- She caught a whiff of it too. Smoke. Freen ran to the door and when she opened it the gallery was covered in thick black smoke with orange flames at the back.

Becca: Where's the fire extinguisher?!

Freen: I have no idea! She grabbed Becca's hand. We have to get out of here, come on! Becca quickly went to the water fountain and got her jacket wet.

Becca: We can use this to breathe better. Freen found a cloth in the storage room, got it wet, and covered her mouth and nose. Let's go! They went around the edge of the room where the fire still hadn't reached. The fire alarm should have been activated by now! A metal rod fell in between them. Freen!

Freen: Go! I'll go around it! She ushered Becca to move. The fire was getting stronger by the minute. When she found a path, she could take to exit the building, she saw lettering on the floor. 'This is just a warning! He better pay up soon or there will be real consequences. The Origin.'

Becca: Freen! Come on! She was standing by the door waiting for Freen to get out. She moved swiftly through the flames until she reached Becca. The sirens of the fire truck could be heard in the distance. Freen was coughing intensely. Breathe, Freen. Help is on the way.

Help arrived 4 to 5 minutes later. The firefighters put out the fire quickly and gave the thumbs up for the police to check out the building. The owner of the gallery checked on Freen first to make sure she was okay and then spoke to the police officers.

Firefighter: The fire alarm was taken out. That's why we didn't get notified.

Becca: Talk to me, Shen. Was this intentional?

Shen: Did you get yourself checked out, Armstrong? He tried touching her forehead which had some soot on it.

Becca: I'm fine! Shen walked towards the ambulance where the first responders were checking Freen out.

First responder: Breathe in for me. Freen did as she was told and started coughing. The responder placed the stethoscope on her back to hear her breathing. Okay, put the oxygen mask back on. You should be just fine. It's just a little smoke inhalation. Freen nodded.

Shen: Ms. Chankimha, could I ask you a couple of questions? Freen gave him a thumbs up. She was struggling to breathe a bit. What were you doing here this late at night? And did you tell anyone about it? She shook her head.

Freen: I was showing Ms. Armstrong my art collection and that's when we noticed the fire. No one knew I was coming here tonight.

Shen: Have you received any threats recently? There was a warning on the floor. It says 'He better pay up soon or there will be real consequences. The Origin.' Do you know what it's about?

Freen: No. I don't even know what The Origin is, sir. She needed to have a serious talk with Heng after tonight.

Shen: The Origin is a group of drug dealers that sell illegal substances to mostly the rich. You don't happen to know anyone who buys any of these substances, do you? Your brother perhaps? Freen tried sitting. Shen's attitude was pissing her off.

Freen: What are you trying to say about my brother? That he's buying drugs? Is that what you're saying officer? Becca tried helping her calm down. Don't mess with my brother, officer... She looked at his badge. Shen. I don't know what the warning was about but leave my brother out of this! Do you even know who you're talking to?! Shen raised his hands up.

Shen: I'm just covering all my bases, miss. No need to get irritated. I'm going to speak with the owner. Excuse me. Becca gave her a water bottle.

Becca: Sorry about that. Shen can be a bit insensitive at times. She caressed Freen's forehead. You sure know how to keep me on my toes, Chankimha. Two failed art collection tours, a robbery, and now attempted murder. Freen chuckled gently.

Freen: You can't say our first date isn't memorable. I didn't even get to kiss you good night like the movies. Becca scoffed and shook her head.

Becca: You're unbelievable. Maybe on our third date. Freen smiled widely.

Miss Mela: I almost bit my nails off when I found out the story of their first date, but as Freen Sarocha would say, 'Go big, or go home.' This is only the beginning.