“  So, these spirits were invoked ritually for positive crop growth, health, and fortune; however, they were also considered to be able to incur illness or misfortune if not given proper respect?” I asked making sure I was understanding. We had been talking about Diwatas for almost an hour. Apparently, they are ‘gods’ or ‘guardian spirits’. I also learned that his name was Alex. Alex saved my life, supposedly. But, if they are spirits who give fortune unless they have not been given respect, then why would they of even messed with me? I still don't understand the details.
  “They wouldn't of messed with me, right, I would of been left on the road, so why did you decide to help me?” I asked him, happy that he did take the time to help me, but also confused why he did it.
   “I have to show you, I can’t just explain it.” Alex told me giving me a look through the rear view mirror. “Plus, you would of been ran over or eaten by wolves….or maybe just starved to death.” He laughed. “How long has it been since you have had anything to eat?”
   The sun was starting to come up, so I asked what time it is. He replied saying it's 6:30am. “So, about 10 hours, I'm so hungry, I thought the town was near last night?” I said starting to wonder if I was wrong to trust Alex.
  “We got off track when they followed us, I had to lose them somehow.” He said, and for once, I trusted him. “Now, we are going to my groups base” “What base?”

   “We fight off Diwatas”
   “Why are they even after you, did you disrespect them?” I wondered out loud.
“Not at all, they’re after my father, so I will…” I cut him off.
  “You will protect him?” He smiled.
   “Yes, yes I will” He said. After that we went silent, only the sound of other vehicles passing. So, at least we were close to a town...right? Not sure if I want this crazy trip to end, and have to return to Nick. I decided it was the right thing to do. I should apologize and make it up to him. What I really should do is call Sara and tell her it was my fault and Nick needs her. But I'm not going to, instead I'm going to make sure he never lets another female, anyone, move in again.
   We stopped at a gas station and I got out. I headed straight for a big bag of chips. My favorite are hot cheetos. I reached into my pocket. But nothing was there. “Oh no!” I said out loud. I must've lost my twenty. I sadly put back the cheetos and slowly walked out with my head hung down. For the first time in awhile I noticed how dirty I was. The red hoodie I had on is now more of a brown, and my blue jeans now have two more holes than it should.
   “What did you get?” Alex asked me when I slid into the passenger seat. I now felt more comfortable around him and the front had better cushioning.
   “I must've lost my money out of pocket, so nothing” I said, my stomach growled loud. Loud enough for Alex to hear.
    “Let me buy you something, but I got to get gas” He handed me two twenty dollar bills. “Spend as much as you want, but can you get me some skittles?”
    I was shocked at the amount of money in my hands. To be honest, Nick and I never had that much money. “Thank you, and I will” When I entered, I went straight for the skittles. After, I got a coke from the soda machine and I decided to get one for Alex too. On my way to check out, I passed the Hot Cheetos. I want them, but I'm already spending more than I would of with my own money. Which isn't right so I continued to check out, without my Hot Cheetos.
    “Sweet” Alex said when I handed him the coke and skittles. I started to drink mine when I realized I didn't get food for me. After he started to drive off, I tried to hand Alex back the change, but he rejected it saying I can keep it. Man, I really wish I would've gotten those hot cheetos.

After about five minutes of driving, Alex pulled the Jeep into a driveway. “This is the base?” I asked looking at the small normal looking house in front of us.
  “Nope” he said getting out of the Jeep. I sat, watching him until he disappeared around the house.
   “Wait!” I yelled and scrambled out of the Jeep. I ran over to where he went and found him picking up a rock. “What's that for?” I wondered out loud.
   “You’ll see” He smiled and winked. For a slight moment my stomach started to fill up with butterflies. Then I realized we just met, plus people wink all the time. But what does he mean? All of a sudden he jumps up over the fence. I stared in shock. The fence was like 9ft tall, a little taller than average fences. Whoever lives here must want to keep out people. Well...that didn't work against Alex.
    “Wow, how’d you do that?” I asked him. I realized he probably couldn't hear me over the height of this fence. I took a running start at the fence, Leap! I hit right in the middle of the fence. “Oww”
Alex must of heard me hit the fence, he yelled over to me “Hey, You alright over there?” He jumped to the top of the 9ft fence and sat down. Reaching for my hand, he pulled me over the fence. “You must of hit the fence hard” He told me when he saw me holding my arm.
“Ya…” I nodded and he walked off. I quickly ran after him. “Where are you going? Isn't this trespassing?” I asked when I saw a ‘No Trespassing, will be shot’ Sign.
“No, well..kind of…” He answered me, with a sly smile. His smile made me feel like butterflies were flying around in my stomach. I could almost feel as though I was dizzy. No one has ever made me feel so...so...special. He kept on walking for what felt like hours, but was really only a couple of minutes.