Generation 2, Chapter 41 - Obsessions (Finale)

A year later Heath stood beside his father at a small gathering of their closest friends and family. Mainly those that already knew of Adam's transformation. Heath was glad that his dad was finally marrying the love of his life. Beverly had been Heath's mother in his mind for the last several years already. Heath hadn't seen Windy, his real mom for years and hoped to never see her again. Windy was a nightmare that Heath tried to forget about but at moments like this he wondered how life would have been like if she had been what his dad thought she was. Why did IF's turn against their life givers? What purpose did that accomplish? Was it another thing Alessandro had twisted over time?

Heath smiled approvingly as he listened to his parents recite their vows and he wondered if he'd ever find that one person he'd fall hopelessly and madly in love with. Part of him hoped he wouldn't, he didn't want to complicate his already chaotic life. Besides love wasn't exactly always something good, just look at his family. His grandpa Peter's first wife Vallari was an evil, vindictive woman who tried to kill her ex-husband. Adam's first love was Windy who almost killed the person she was supposed to love. Uncle Brian's wife died of cancer a few years ago leaving him desolate, alone and raising five kids on his own. Maybe it was a curse on the males in his family? His Aunts didn't seem to have the same problems. Shaking his head Heath looked out into the audience and saw his Uncles Kyle and Elliot holding their daughter Gwen. They looked so happy, maybe their was hope he could find a love like that. It wasn't easy for them Heath knew Kyle's father was an evil IF who wouldn't let his life giver, Kyle's mom divorce him preferring to make her life miserable. Even now as they sat with their arms around each other they were preparing to face-off against the evil man over custody of their child.

Heath knew what Kyle needed was a way to sway public opinion in a positive way to support him. He received an offer from Sim Star Chef to be a judge on the show. This could be exactly what he needed to put himself back in the public eye of course it could backfire; especially if it becomes another fiasco like Sim Star Idol had become. Fingers crossed it would generate the right kind of public appeal and interest that Kyle's father would be ostracized for any actions he might take against Kyle.  The man already had plenty of points against him for his failed attempt to prove his son incapable of caring for himself, plus the fact that everyone despised the man. About the only thing Kyle's father has in his favor was his extreme wealth and his willingness to pay people to do whatever he wants.

When the wedding ceremony concluded Heath approached the bride and groom "congratulations Dad" Heath said hugging both is dad and mom.

***

That was five years ago. Alessandro had been silent for most of that time. Adam and Beverly were enjoying their time together. It was the first time that Heath remembered being at peace, the only thing that could have made things better was if grandpa Peter had come home. It was hard on the family knowing he may be gone forever. It didn't help knowing he was trapped in the future, not when they were missing him here. Heath was getting ready to attend Sim University where he would be joining his brother Quentin and best friend Don who were both juniors there. 

Walking outside Heath breathed in the cool spring air enjoying the slight breeze. As he stood there he noticed a taxi pull-up and stop. A girl with dark hair got out and stared at him. Heath's heart sank as he recognized her "Dana what the hell are you doing here?"

Ignoring his question Dana smiled waving at him "I knew I'd find you" she said eyes gleaming as she walked towards him. "What's the matter? Aren't you happy to see me?"

"Go away Dana. You're not welcome here," Heath crossed his arms hoping she'd get the hint. He had no idea what he did to attract her attention. It was weird when he was ten now that he was a eighteen it was just plain creepy. He hadn't seen her in at least three years. Hadn't even talked to her or thought about her.

"You don't mean that," she said with a smile as she wrapped her hands around his arm. "You're only saying that because of your dad."

"No I'm saying that because I don't like you," Heath said as he pried her hands from his arm.

A frown creased her forehead "I don't believe you" she pulled Heath close as she forced a kiss on him. He struggled to extricate his lips from hers. As he pushed her away from him he heard running steps on the sidewalk behind him.  

"I tried to get here before she did. I lost her at the airport," Don said breathing hard as he came to a stop beside Heath.

Dana stared at her brother "you followed me? You creep...."

"Me? Look who's calling me a creep. I'm not the one obsessed with a boy who doesn't even like me." Don laughed at his sister.

Anger flashed in her light blue eyes "no you've just been in love with him since we first met him. He doesn't like you anymore then he likes me."

"What the hell are your talking about?" Don stammered "Heath and I are just friends. There's a difference you know." He eyed Heath nervously wondering if he believed anything Dana just said.

Dusting imaginary dirt from her clothes Dana glared at her brother "just because you're in the closet doesn't mean I don't know."

Mouth dropping open Don stared at her "what the...I never...." Turning to Heath he said "I'm not... I..."

Shrugging Heath put a hand on Don's shoulder "it's ok I know what she's like. She'll say anything to make you look bad and to get what she wants." Looking at Dana he said again "go away."

"You're always taking his side. If I didn't know better I'd think you had a thing for him," Dana smirked at him "I always get what I want and I want you." She smiled at Heath fluttering her eyes.

"The feeling's not mutual," Heath muttered "why don't you find someone else to obsess about. Maybe they'll appreciate it more then me."

"No I knew the first time I saw you that you were the only one for me." Walking up to Heath she slid her arms around him purring "soon you'll know it too and we'll be together forever." She kissed him again on the lips feeling him pull away from her. It fueled her desire to conquer him as she pressed against him as she felt hands pulling her away.

"Dana what's wrong with you?" Don yelled at her "you can't force yourself on him."

"What's the matter baby brother? Jealous?" she sneered at him "don't get in my way Donnie I'll take you down. You're no match for me. I'm better then you. Always was and always will be." She shook his hands off her before turning and walking away.

"Where are you going?" Don called after her. He would have followed her except for the restraining hand on his shoulder. Turning to look at Heath "I should follow her. Make sure she doesn't do anything stupid...."

***

A taxi pulled up beside her. She hesitated wondering how the driver knew she needed a ride or maybe she was being paranoid and the taxi was just driving along and saw her walking. Whatever it was here and she was tired of walking. Getting in she told the driver the hotel she was staying at, if you could call the hovel a hotel. As the driver turned down a road Dana asked "why are we going to the airport?" After a moment of silence she asked again.

"I have my orders," the taxi driver informed her pulling up to the terminal. Getting out the taxi driver said "the Van Winkles are special. Protected by the dragons. You are no longer welcome here." A couple of guards approached to escort Dana to the waiting airplane. As the taxi driver departed he said "enjoy your flight and don't come back."

"Why am I being treated like this? Where is my brother? Why is he allowed to stay when I can't?" she struggled in the grasp of the guards demanding answers.

"Ma'am you're brother will be joining you. He however is welcome to come back. He is not causing problems or threatening a protected family," the guards boarded the plane with her making sure she was secure in her seat.

Don arrived a few minutes later. As he walked past her seat she glared at him "why are you so special?"

"I'm not I just don't threaten people," Don said casually. "Heath and I are friends. I couldn't let you come here without trying to help him. You may be able to fool our parents into believing you've changed but I know better. You're still the same evil, vindictive girl I grew up with. If I can save Heath from falling into your clutches I will."

"Careful brother you may regret getting in my way," she snarled at him.

"The only regret I'd have is if I did nothing," Don told her as he sat down. The rest of their flight was spent in silence. They were met at the Bridgeport airport by a woman that looked strangely familiar. "Who told you we would be here?" Don asked knowing if he had left on his original flight he would still be in Dragon Valley for another couple of days. How did this woman know they were going to be here? Alarms were going off in his brain as he backed away from the woman when a sharp shooting pain in his neck distracted him. He fell to his knees, then the floor losing consciousness. He was barely aware of being picked up and carried.

***

Several hours later Don woke up in a small bare room. He tried the door. Locked of course. He tried tugging on the knob but it wouldn't budge. Pounding on the door he yelled in the hopes someone would hear him. At least tell him what was happening. Where was he? Why was he here? He didn't know how long he screamed for someone to come before he gave up crumpling to the floor. 

A slot at the bottom of the door opened revealing a sandwich. Taking it Don realized with a heavy heart that he was going to be here a while as he obviously wasn't going to starve to death and that someone was out there. Removing the sandwich from it's plastic bag he wrinkled his nose in disgust, peanut butter.   Gross he hated peanut butter and the way it left his mouth feeling coated with slime. Sighing he took a bite fighting his gag reflex as he swallowed. Who knew when he'd be fed again? 

After eating he explored the room he was in. A door led into a small filthy bathroom. The upside he had running water. He ran the faucet cupping his hands to wash the taste of peanut butter from his mouth. In the main room there was an old sleeping bag that was damp to the touch and smelled of mold. The old bare light bulb above his head flickered once then went off altogether.

Groping for the sleeping bag Don used it as a pillow as he lay on the floor in the dark. Where was his sister? Had Dana somehow arranged this? Who was that woman he saw at the airport? He couldn't shake the feeling that he had seen her before, she looked so familiar....

***

In a well lit room two women sat enjoying each others company. The younger woman asked "why are you helping me?"

The older woman laughed but her merriment didn't reach her eyes as she answered "we're helping each other. Your brother is the perfect bait to lure our prey out of hiding. Heath will have no choice but to come."

"I don't understand how that will help you," Dana gave her a confused look.

"I'm after much bigger fish then that little tadpole. I want the father...."

Nodding as a smile spread across Dana's face she said "you're using Heath as bait to get to Adam." 

Giving the woman a look of scrutiny she asked "what do you want with him?"

Frowning the woman chuckled to mask her growing irritation with the girl "that's for me to know and for you to mind your own business." Taking a sip of wine the woman continued "let's just say Adam thinks he's beaten me. I don't give up so easily. I'm going to remind him who he's dealing with. I have an objective to accomplish and I've waited long enough." She ran her fingers through her short blue hair as she spoke.

"When Adam comes you'll give Heath to me, right? I can do whatever I want with him? He's mine. Right?" Dana asked.

"Of course," the older woman said all the while thinking that the girl was beyond stupid if she thought she was going to just walk out of here. Adam, her nemesis would be gone along with his brat. They had defied her long enough. Being rendered to doll form again would be a small price to pay when she got rid of the father and it's halfling progeny. Meanwhile she would appease this silly little girls desires.

There was something in the older woman's voice that caught Dana's attention. She was agreeing too easily. She's not as stupid as she appears. Dana hid her dismay as she continued to play the part of the dumb silly lovesick girl. She asked "can I see my brother?"

Smiling the woman nodded "in the morning. Right now he's crying himself to sleep. Did you know he was afraid of the dark? You won't get anything sensible out of him tonight. By tomorrow he'll be putty in your hands."

"He's not to be hurt," Dana said hoping her show of concern would throw the woman off a bit. Not that she cared much about her brother's discomfort but it was one thing being the one to inflict his pain and standing by and letting someone else do it.

"No my dear he's merely uncomfortable," the woman frowned "why the concern?  I thought you didn't like him."

"I don't but that doesn't mean I want you hurting him," Dana smiled adding "that's my job."

"I see. In that case you'll see him tomorrow," she stood up clearly dismissing the girl. "Now I have other things to attend to."

Dana watched the woman go. Hearing the lock click as the door closed. She frowned realizing she was clearly not free to roam about free. She knew she would need to keep her guard up around this woman. She was trouble. Dana doubted that any of them would be walking away from this once she got her hands on Adam. Sitting at the table and the remains of their supper she wondered how the woman had known they would be arriving at the airport. She was expecting them. She drugged her brother right from the start. How did that woman know she would go with her willingly? She looked so familiar. The blue hair and the blue eyes were the same shade as Heath's ... Dana was positive she had just spent the evening in the company of Heath's mother. If Dana wasn't so twisted she'd be appalled by the obvious malice the woman had towards her own son. Dana knew that trusting her would be a mistake. She didn't care what happened to her brother, he was soft and sooner or later he would meet his demise. With Adam out of the way it would leave Heath vulnerable which would work to her advantage. She needed to come up with a plan where she and Heath walked away from this alive.

***

One evening during a peaceful family meal Heath felt his I phone vibrate. Glancing briefly he noted he had a text from Don. Resisting the urge to read it right away Heath waited until after his Uncles left and he took the opportunity to congratulate Percy on his recent engagement to his Aunt Grace. Going up to his room Heath took his phone out, smiling as he anticipated Don was going to inform him of the apartment he found for all of them to share this fall at Sim University.

His smile faded, dropping to his knees stunned into shocked disbelief....Don was being held captive in Midnight Hollow by Dana. His mind whirling in disbelief he wondered how Dana knew about Midnight Hollow. Why was she allowed to be there? He thought all imaginary friends hated humans. It didn't make sense. His friends life was at stake, he had no choice but to comply with Dana's demands that he come.

He knew he couldn't trust her and even though he was willing to give himself up for his friend, Dana probably wouldn't let him go. She would use Don as leverage to force him to do whatever she wanted. Shaking he saw all his dreams of college and his future plans going up in flame all because of Dana's absurd obsession with him. A soft knock on his door broke up his thoughts as his brother entered "hey Quentin what's up?"

Quentin looked at Heath with his pale blue eyes faintly glowing in the semi darkness of the room. "I should be asking you that. I can smell your anxiety all the way downstairs. What's wrong?"

Sighing Heath said "I should have known I wouldn't be able to hide it from you." He handed Quentin his phone.

Frowning Quentin said "you're going aren't you," Quentin stated. 

"What else can I do? He's my best friend," Heath stood up staring into space.

"Then I'm coming with you."

"You can't" Heath protested despite his relief "you have school and finals...."

Shrugging Quentin squeezed his shoulder "none of that matters. Don is my friend too. I want to help."

"Thank you," Heath said feeling Quentin wrap him into a hug. Quentin pulled back abruptly prompting him to ask "Quentin is something wrong?" he asked concerned.

"No little brother," Quentin looked down sighing before looking up again "when do we leave?"

"As soon as possible. Only problem is how to sneak out without getting caught," Heath bit his lip he had no experience at sneaking out of the house. Never had the desire to defy his parents and now that his father was mostly vampire it was next to impossible.

Quentin was looking at him with conflicting emotions flitting across his face "you're going to have to clear your mind otherwise your dad is going to sense your anxiety and know somethings wrong." 

Heath knew he was practically shouting stress. It was his anxiety that alerted Quentin. "I know," he said "I don't know what to do about it. I've been repeating the same music lyrics in my head since I read the message. Dad's going to know somethings wrong if he doesn't already."

Quentin's eyes glowed as he suddenly swung out and hit Heath squarely on the jaw. Moving fast he caught Heath before he hit the floor. "Sorry little bro it's the only way I know to shut someones mind off."

***

An hour later Heath opened his eyes. Blinking as he realized he was being carried, slung across Quentin's wide shoulders. "What ... what happened?"

Hearing Heath speak Quentin slowly lowered the boy to the ground. "I ... knocked you out."

Rubbing his jaw where it was tender Heath looked up at Quentin bewildered "why?"

Shrugging "it was the only way to keep your mind quiet until I was able to sneak us out of the house without alerting your dad." Quentin sat down beside him careful not to touch him "you're alright aren't you?"

"Yeah I'm fine," looking around he asked "where are we?"

"Close to Dragon Rapids," Quentin said eyes and ears alert "once we cross the rapids we'll be fairly close to Bridgeport where we can take the portal to Midnight Hollow."