I became even more frantic,yanking so hard it was painful. I thought it was stuck fast but itshifted and I gasped in relief.Then I stopped. I kept my ...ingers on it ready to pull but I raised myhead, looking away, thinking. I glanced back to the ring then away outthe window.I pushed the ring back into place.I had to see what this looked like. While it was still happening.Apart from the odd glistening in the carved grooves, the ring didn't lookmagical in the least and it had started to come off.. “It’s going up for auction.”“What? The town?” She said, “That’s National Forest. Can’t sell National Forest.”“It’s been in the Courts for years,” I said. “The Government lost. Seems there was a Patent Deed issued in the1890’s for that mine we found in the cliff face.”“So?”“The claim included the town. Government chicanery,” I said. “They stole it.”“And?”“The town and contents are to be sold Saturday starting at Noon. Wanna go?”“Do I have to go down that road?”“No.” I said, “You can see the. " Luckily her ID was facingme and I saw her name was Kelly,I smiled and replied, "Hi Kelly, I've been called in for a meeting, I'mup to see Mrs Sherwood, if you could call her to tell her I'm on my wayup. Oh, I assume she's still on the same floor? You know how they changethings." I was hoping for a clue to the floor HR was on.Kelly smiled brightly and chirruped, "Tell me about it, all the changesmade make it difficult for us on reception, and soon we'll have the newentry system coming on line. "It's probably due to the fact that she's pregnant with a hybrid baby instead of a normal one of her species."Tamaya sits down at the table and begins eating. Amy passes her a cup of coffee."But she will be alright?" Tamaya asks."As soon as her nausea passes, she'll be fine." Joshua says.Phil looks at his watch then at the clock on the wall."Fuck. I'm late for my shift. Joshua, I need a ride back to our apartment." Phil says."Sure." Joshua says."I'll see you guys at the restaurant tonight.".