Escape to Earth 1: Running From Fate by Saxon Andrew

glass, “It’s on the house. Congratulations.”
    Salud turned red and raised her shoulders. It had been years since she had been kissed and she had to admit, it was pretty good. At least he confirmed he was the one that made the insertion.
    An hour passed and the Stalker finally got up and left the restaurant. Lukas watched as he walked down the street, stepped off the curb as a rental car stopped in front of him, and got into the passenger seat. Once it drove away, he went to Bob, “I need a short break.”
    Bob was the night manager and he owed Lukas for saving him from busboy duties after Tony died. “Go ahead. Trevor has things under control.”
    Lukas walked over to the woman and pulled up a stool, “I’m sorry if I embarrassed you.”
    “What was that all about? And how did I hear you but not really hear you?”
    “It’s complicated but…” Lukas paused and looked over his shoulder. There was a little old man sitting in the back corner booth staring at them. The stare was odd but the man’s smile was absolutely out of place. Lukas turned back to Salud and she said, “He is still staring at us. Do you know him?”
    “I don’t.” Lukas turned back around and saw the old man was almost laughing. He was dressed in a tweed jacket with a white shirt and a bowtie. His hair was grey and he had whiskers that ran along his jaw lines down to his chin. The beard was immaculately trimmed. Lukas shook his head and knew the bowtie is what made him look…different. The man lifted his arm and waved Lukas over. Lukas turned to Salud, “Excuse me a moment.” Salud nodded and he walked over to the table. “Pardon me, but do I know you?”
    “No, you don’t. But you and I need to have a discussion about some issues. You don’t have to worry, your Stalker buddies won’t be able to hear us.” The man never stopped smiling and Lukas was stunned into silence. The old man raised his eyebrows and said, “Invite your lady friend over, she should be involved in what we discuss.” Lukas couldn’t move. He felt paralyzed, was this the moment of his death? The old man shook his head and his bright smile turned into just a smile. He leaned to the side and looked around Lukas at Salud. He waved her over and she stood up and walked over to his booth. She looked up at Lukas and saw he was trembling. What was going on? The old man waved his hand at the other seat across from him and said, “Please sit down. Salud slipped into the booth and the man looked at Lukas, “Come on, Lukas. Don’t freeze up; you’ve demonstrated too much intelligence to do that now.”
    Salud reached up and pulled him down into the seat beside her. She looked at him and said, “What’s wrong?”
    Lukas shook his head and said, “You’re a Sentinel.”
    The old man laughed out loud and said, “I told you that you were smart.” Salud saw Lukas’ face turn pale white. What was going on?

Chapter Seven
    Salud looked at the little old man and said, “What is a Sentinel?”
    Lukas forced his heart to slow down and turned to her, “The Sentinels are the most powerful species in the Universe.”
    The old man smiled, “Call me Pat. And your statement is not completely true.”
    Lukas looked at the Sentinel and said, “Alright, the most powerful in this galaxy.”
    Pat smiled, “That’s better.”
    Salud shook her head, “What in the hell are the two of you talking about?”
    Pat looked at Salud and pointed his index finger at her, “For the next few minutes, why don’t you sit back and listen to what Lukas here and I discuss. By the time we’re about halfway done, you should understand what’s going on.”
    Salud crossed her arms on her chest and leaned back in her seat. She looked at Lukas and heard him say, “Are you here to kill me?”
    Salud dropped her arms, leaned forward, and opened her mouth but Pat extended his index finger at her again and shook it; she closed her mouth, “Wait…” he stared at her with a small smile and she