[ WP ] You 're collecting your mail when an unfamiliar letter drops to your feet . It 's a handwriting you have n't seen in centuries .

Letters plop onto the ground just as I walk toward the door. I pick them up and rifle through them. Bills, junk mail, the usual and nothing else. I shuffle my feet and hear a crinkle. I look down and see a letter under my foot. I reach down and pick it up. The handwriting looks familiar, like beautiful calligraphy. I have n't seen that handwriting in, well, centuries. 
 
 It looks like Niccolo's handwriting, another immortal. As immortals were hunted, I fled to the New World like many of the other like minded souls protected by the remnants of the Knights Templar. They all thought themselves to be unworthy to drink from the cup of life, the Holy Grail. I was not so bold nor was Niccolo. The smarter ones did not drink from it to my shame. Da Vinci could have done wondrous things. 
 
 My thoughts refocus on the present. I look down at the letter and finally open it. My heart thumps against my chest. Niccolo was a close friend but also a dangerous adversary. I open the letter. 
 
 `` Dear Count, It has been some time since we last met. I am afraid I need your help to protect the cup of life. We are all that remains of the immortal for now, but dangers lie ahead. Meet me at the closest Starbucks to your house.'' 
 
 I close the letter. Immortals could die. Decapitation and burning to ashes did the trick, every time. I take the letter to the kitchen and find my matches. I strike one and light the letter on fire. I hold it in my hand for a few seconds and watch it burn. Then, I drop it into a metal trash can and let it finish burning. I'm going to catch hell for this, I know. Months of comments about smoking again. Oh well, I grab my car keys and hop in my Prius and head to Starbucks. 
 
 I pull my keys, lock my car, and head inside. There, he sits along the far wall, able to see all exits. He looks the same, not a day older. I do n't know if I should hug him or punch him. He sees me and smiles. He stands, and we hug. 
 
 `` Nick, you son of a bitch, good to see ya.'' 
 
 `` Kevin, thanks for coming.'' 
 
 We sit down. 
 
 `` What's up?'' I ask. 
 
 `` Nice disguise. B-level celebrity. You always were good at impressions, St. Germain.'' 
 
 `` Well, I try. Lifetimes of experience. Someone has the cup?'' 
 
 `` The Scientologists,'' says Nick. 
 
 `` We're already screwed then. Why bother? Do they have the blood of Christ? Or the blood of an immortal? If we're all that's left, the best thing to do is get out of here.'' 
 
 `` No blood, but you get one priest to bless some wine...'' says Nick. 
 
 `` Hmm... that's never worked before. I'm staying out of this. I do n't trust you, Nick. Something's wrong. Find the Templars. This is their expertise.'' 
 
 `` The Templars are gone. You always liked a good mystery. You've become soft, have n't you?'' 
 
 `` No, my life is n't worth the cup that gave me said life. It was good to see you Niccolo.'' 
 
 `` They also have the Ark and the Book of the Dead. They're trying to resurrect L. Ron Hubbard, to turn him into a god.'' 
 
 `` Did n't you waste hundreds of years looking for those items?'' I think for a second. `` You know it could work, do n't you?'' 
 
 Niccolo drinks the rest of his venti. I stare at him silently, as much as I want to jest. 
 
 `` Old friend, I found them. I had their help. I told them the Book of the Dead could place Lafayette's soul in my body, and the Ark could give me God-like powers. But, they want to be immortal, so I have to give them an immortal. Sorry, Kevin, that leaves you. I probably ca n't kill you, but others can suffer. You can come with me, or I can kill everyone here.'' 
 
 I look around. Starbucks is full of people on their laptops or chatting. Dozens of people working or escaping the heat. I nod in agreement and walk out to Niccolo's car. I wo n't be home for dinner. I start to text, but Niccolo knocks the phone out of my hands. 
 
 [ Here is part II ] ( https: //www.reddit.com/r/nickkuvaas/comments/5x8si0/wp_youre_collecting_your_mail_when_an_unfamiliar/ )
