The drive from the bustling outskirts surrounding the S.I.D. to Ben’s home neighborhood was a short one, only about ten minutes long. Once he was out of college, Ben had made sure to buy the closest house to his workplace that he could find. The end result wasn’t the best or most luxurious place, but it was certainly convenient.

Ben walked up to the entrance of his house and knocked on the front door. A minute later the door was opened by his current live-in partner and long term girlfriend, Jacqueline.

“Hey.” He said.

“You didn’t tell me you’d be late.”

“I’m sorry.” He replied. “Geisinger had us all stay longer to tell us about the mission tomorrow.”

“What is it this time?”

Ben walked inside and shut the door. “Oh, it probably won’t be anything too big, just going into the Forbidden Cave to retrieve whatever remains of that dead kid we can find.”

“Sounds lovely.” Jacqueline stated sarcastically. “Honestly it seems unnecessary to me. I think just a singular gravestone would be fine. And besides, didn’t he get crushed? What would there be left of him?”

“Well, bone fragments probably.”

“How would you get to them?”

“Jackie, we have top of the line tech with us. A few rocks is not an issue.”

“If you say so.”

Ben went to look through the refrigerator. “So, anything interesting happen at work?” He asked.

“You don’t care.”

“You know, sometimes I like hearing about the simpler life.”

“Simpler? That department is doing bad things to your ego.” She said. “Well, if you really do care, there was a board meeting. A lot less interesting than hearing about someone getting possessed, I’m sure, but you know, it’s something.”

Ben got out a bottle of scotch and poured himself and Jacqueline a drink. He handed one of the glasses to her and together, they clinked them.

“So…” He started. “I was thinking about taking a vacation somewhere soon. I love doing what I do, but it’s real tiring. I’m sure you’re tired too.”

Jacqueline nodded. “I hear that.”

“I’m thinking in a month we could go to Venice or Paris or Athens or really any place you’d like.”

“I’d be fine with going anywhere.”

“Well, if you had to pick anywhere in the world, where would it be?”

She tilted her head. “I don’t know, I’ll have to get back to you.”

Ben took a sip of his scotch as he listened.

“I’d really like that, going away for a week.” Jacqueline told him. “Away from the world, no worries, no problems, just you and me and wherever the road takes us.”

Ben leaned in to kiss her. “I have a surprise for you, when we get there. I think you’ll like it.”

“It better not be some ghost or monster you caught.”

“No, no.” He chuckled. “No, I promise you it’ll be good.”

“I’ll take your word.” She replied. “So, do you want to watch something tonight? I kind of do.”

“What do you want to watch?”

“Oh, I don’t know. I’m sure there’s something stupid we can find on Hulu or HBO.”

“Something light and cheesy?” Ben suggested. “I gotta find a dead kid tomorrow, I want something happy.”

Jacqueline smiled. “Of course.”

***

The movie they chose to watch was indeed cheesy, but not exactly in the way Ben was thinking. It was one of those awful sci fi horror films from the fifties, the ones people call “B movies” today. Terrible acting, terrible writing, terrible camerawork, and a stupid plot. It had it all. Half the time he was wondering why those guys from Mystery Science Theater 3000 weren’t on the screen.

Ben wasn’t really paying attention to the movie though. His focus was instead on Jacqueline, the beautiful woman wrapped in his arms.

The two kissed a lot that night, so much that Ben didn’t even know how the movie ended.

***

As the TV was turned off, Ben took another drink of scotch.

“You’re so hot, Jackie.” He said. “I could just eat you up.”

Jacqueline took the bottle away from him. “I think you’ve had too much to drink tonight.”

“What?” He asked jokingly. “That’s crazy.”

“If you have a hangover tomorrow, don’t blame me.”

“I drank a healing potion yesterday.” He replied. “I think I’m good.”

She smiled then went in to give him a deep, loving kiss.

***

Ben was mostly bullshitting about the healing potion. The one he drank wasn’t very strong, only meant to heal small injuries like cuts and scrapes. Still, he was pleasantly surprised when he was already feeling less drunk just a few hours later during his shower. At least he wouldn’t have any problems waking up tomorrow.

He turned off the water and dried himself. He checked the time once he was done, 10:36 PM. He groaned, he was going to have to go in an hour early the next day for physical training. And then he’d have to spend the whole day in the Forbidden Cave.

As the mission was getting closer, he remembered just how much he despised that cave. Dark, damp, cramped in way too many places, and full of creepy crawlies. So much danger was concentrated there, and it was built like a maze. He had no idea why anyone would go into it willingly.

That was his job.

The world of magic and the supernatural was tough. Someone had to be on the front lines. Some days it really did feel like it was kill or be killed. Geisinger had to talk him out of that mindset, but a part of him still believed it.

He couldn’t live with himself if that light ended up hurting anyone.

Well, that was tomorrow’s problem. For now, he should just try to get some rest.

He walked up to the bedroom he and Jacqueline shared and, seeing her already fast asleep, crashed into bed with her and shut his eyes, bracing himself for the long day ahead.