Saturday, April 29, 2017

Special Chapter - Rita



Rita raced into the house. Dropping the grocery bags on the counter. She hurried to answer her phone. "Jason?" she said breathlessly.

"Did I catch you at a bad time?" his voice sounded distant.

"Yes" she said "I mean no" She took a deep gulp of air held it "I just got home from grocery shopping."

"Is your mother coming to town?" he asked.

She could hear the concern in his voice as well as the irritation she always heard when her mother came to visit. "It's the only time I buy groceries," she admitted "you know I always order out otherwise."

He chuckled a little "don't let her change your mind."


"I won't. I promise" her voice shook with uncertainty.
"Babe you promised" the disappointment in his voice reached her ears.
"I know I promised" her lip quivered as she leaned on the counter bringing a hand up to rub her temples "you don't know how she is." She could imagine him rolling his eyes on the other end of the call. He knew all too well what her mother was like. Her Mother would fight anyone to get her way. There was only one way to do anything, her way.
Rita had lived all her life complying with her mother's wishes. She was the good girl. The one who never caused any trouble unlike her baby brother Thomas. A slight smile quirked her lips up brightening her eyes. Her brother from an earl age made it clear he wasn't going to give in easily to his mother's wishes. He refused to answer to Thomas insisting it was an old man's name. Someone who smoked cigars and had handlebar mustaches with bow ties to complete the look. Rita often wondered where he had come up with that description. Not even their mother could alter his mind and he had been Tommy ever since.
"Rita honey" Jason's voice intruded upon her thoughts "are you alright?"
"I'm fine" she whispered into the phone "she won't stop me from joining you." She looked at the ring on her finger "Jason I really want to come..."

"Call your dad" he said suddenly before she could say goodbye.
"What good will that do?" she asked sounding deflated.
"You said he helped your brother...."
"Yeah" she bit her lip thinking. Her dad hadn't been around much when she was growing up but he had always been available to talk. There had been many times when she had been unfairly grounded and stuck in her room. She'd call him on the special phone he'd given her for such occasions. They each had one hidden in their rooms. A secret kept from their mother who would otherwise confiscate their phones as punishment for some perceived infringement of the rules. "I'll call him" she sniffed into the phone "I miss you" she murmured.
"I miss you too" Jason replied back. She could hear the smile in his voice as he said "I love you sweetheart."
She held the phone to her ear hoping he'd say something else. Reluctantly she laid her phone on the counter the last of the days sunlight glinted off her ring. A silent reminder of all the the secrets she wished she could share and couldn't.
***


Tripping over the vacuum cleaner's cord Rita hurried to the door. Opening it wide her frown was replaced with a wide grin. "Daddy" she cried throwing herself into his arms "you came."
"I said I would" he squeezed her tight "honey I wish you'd call me without it being an emergency."
"Who said this was an emergency?" Rita demanded eyes darting away unable to meet Jeff's eyes.
"You're mother is coming isn't she?" Jeff stated following her inside the house. He could see the struggle inside her and wondered if he had done the right thing by staying with Lisa all these years despite their growing rift. Maybe if he had put his foot down sooner his kids wouldn't need him to be their mediator between them and their mother. Lisa wasn't a bad mother. She loved her children. She wanted what was best for them and thought she knew what that was regardless of what they wanted. He mentally shook himself to stop rattling off all the negative characteristics that had so plagued their relationship throughout the years, overbearing,  perfectionist, domineering, controlling.
Twirling a strand of her strawberry blond hair around her finger Rita nodded. "You know what she's like" she lifted her chin eyes pleading "she'll want to stop me."


Gently he took her arm guiding her to the couch "The work you and Jason are doing is important."
"I know" she lifted a trembling hand to her eyes wiping away the tears "it's just mother wants me to finish medical school...."
Jeff took her hand feeling as if someone had thrown a heavy cloak of regret over his shoulders. If only he had seen what Lisa was doing sooner maybe his children wouldn't be afraid to stand up to her and make their own choices Maybe if he had they would have the confidence to be who they wanted to be without fear of her displeasure.
"Daddy it's not your fault" Rita said as if in response to his thoughts "you couldn't have done anything about Mother. Maybe she can't help it. You know how her parents are."
"I know sweetie" Jeff sighed squeezing her hand tight "I just worry that I wasn't there enough for you guys when you were growing up."


"Daddy don't think like that" Rita protested leaning into him "you were there. Who else did I tell about my first date?"
That brought a brief smile to his lips. He could still hear the excitement in her voice as she told him everything about that night. Every nuance, every thought, every glance, every touch she had experienced. If he had let her, she would have named the butterflies inside her stomach for him. He had felt bad that he hadn't been there to be the classic scary Dad instilling fear in the young man's heart who dared to date his daughter. Instead it was him she had confided in. It was him she had shared the news with when she had her first kiss.
"What can I do to help?" he asked voice husky with emotion.
"Daddy your my guest" she protested.
"I'm here to help" his eyes sparkled with amusement "put me to work."

Jeff squirmed uncomfortably beside his daughter as Lisa stared coldly at them from across the table. Her nose wrinkled in disgust as if she had smelled something grotesque. "How many times have I told you not to interfere with me raising the children? I know them better than you do...."
"Mother that's not fair" Rita protested "Daddy worked hard but he..."
"He did work hard" Lisa hissed "he loved his job more than you."
Jeff could feel every muscle inside him stiffen at the unfair accusation. His jaw muscle twitched as it clenched hard enough to make his teeth ache. With extreme effort he spoke "I never put my job ahead of you or the kids."
"I suppose I imagined all those lonely nights when you weren't home or all the school functions you missed because of some big case you were working on. I was a good wife supporting you so you'd make the next big promotion. I never complained about the long hours or the weeks we spent apart." She tossed her napkin down "but it was me who held the family together. I was there not you. I've earned the right to point the children on the paths they should follow."
"That's the problem isn't?" Jeff tossed back at his estranged wife "they're following your path not their own. Can't you see they're not happy?"
"I'm doing it for their own good" she shouted "they'll thank me for it later once they see I was right."


"Mother stop" Rita cried "I don't want to be a surgeon. I want to be with Jason working for Doctor's Without Borders. They need good nurses."
"There's no profit in that" Lisa scoffed "surgeons help people all the time and they don't have to risk their lives to do it." Turning to Jeff she demanded "do you know where she wants to go?"
Jeff turned away from her angry visage his gaze softening on his daughter "I think Rita is capable of making her own decisions. I commend her wanting to be a part of something that would benefit so many others in need."
"Thank you Daddy" she said her voice quivering.
"Why do I bother?" Lisa rolled her eyes "you obviously have no cue what she intends on doing." She paused making sure she had their attention "let me enlighten you. She wants to go to Lunar Lakes. How ridiculous is that?"
"People are dying mother" an edge crept into Rita's voice "I see nothing ridiculous about that." Turning to Jeff "Daddy please tell me you don't think it's ridiculous too. I want to help those people get the medical treatment they deserve."
"Of course it's not ridiculous" he pulled her close hugging her tight.


"Typical" Lisa grumbled "I always have to make the difficult decisions to ensure she doesn't ruin her life. Don't you care she could die by going there? People are sick and dying in the streets."
"That's why I have to go" Rita entreated her hoping she'd understand "the people of Lunar Lakes need help. I can help them." Turning to Jeff "if I take proper precautions I'd be no more at risk than anyone else. I know what to do to protect myself. I can do this."
"I know you can" he said despite the fear that gripped his heart. Simbola was an awful disease that lead to an even worse death. "Sweetheart if this is what you want to do. Do it. Don't let me or your mother stop you. Just be sure you're doing it because it's what you want and not what Jason wants."
"I know Daddy" looking across the table where her mom still stood "I want to do this. I want to help those people. It's not about money or prestige otherwise I'd stay in Medical School and become a surgeon like you want me to." As Lisa opened her mouth to launch a protest Rita shook her head "let me finish" she snapped "I love you but it's time I live my own life not the one you want me to have. I've twenty-four years old. I don't need your permission to do this. I am going to do this."
Giving Jeff a piercing glare Lisa moved towards the door "you and I need to talk."
Jeff stood feeling like he was about to face a firing squad. Before following Lisa outside he stopped long enough to hug his daughter "I'm sorry."
"It's ok Daddy" she kissed his cheek "it needed to be said and I needed to say it."
"I'm so proud of you" he kissed her cheek before going outside to receive the blast the mother of his children was going to give him.
***


Jeff found Lisa outside with her back to the door arms crossed. He could feel the tense angry vibrations radiating from her. "I don't get it" she complained "you were never there when they were little yet all of them have become just like you."
"There are other ways of being there than just being physically present" Jeff pointed out wishing he could make her see what the rest of them could.
"I was the one there every day" Lisa continued as if he hadn't spoken at all "that should count for something."
"It does" Jeff agreed "but were you listening?"
"I'm their mother" she snapped "I know what's best for them. I see now I should have been stricter; especially with Tommy."

"You can't control them. That's not what parenting is supposed to be" Jeff walked up beside her "our job is to guide them as they become the people they want to be."
Snorting Lisa turned to him "they're ruining their lives. I don't want a fairy for a grandson. I don't want my daughter dying from some obscure disease when she could be home safe and sound."
"Lisa they're adults" Jeff could hear his frustration rising in his voice making it crackle with stress "they need to make their own decisions. Sometimes that means we're not going to like them. We're not going to agree with them. It's their lives to live not ours." How many times would he have to repeat himself before this finally sank in?"
"How can you be so lackadaisical about this?" she demanded pounding her fists against his chest "their lives are ruined and you don't care."
"Who says their lives are ruined just because they aren't doing things your way?" Jeff asked "Tommy loves his wife and child. He may not be a monetary success yet but he has a wonderful family and a book on the best selling list. That has to count for something."

"I suppose Rita quitting medical school to be with some guy she barely knows is fine too" she walked several steps away looking up into the sky.
"She's known Jason for six years" Jeff pointed out following her "he's her fiance not just some boy."
"He's what?" she cried whirling around gaping at him.
"They're engaged" he could tell Lisa hadn't known. Why did this continue to happen? Why couldn't the kids tell their mother these things instead of letting him spill it unintentionally for them? "I thought you knew" he tried to explain "Rita was wearing her engagement ring."
"Of course I didn't know. They never tell me these things" she turned around walking towards her car "I'm done. They want to ruin their lives they're on their own." She got into the car glaring up at Jeff as he held the door open refusing to let her go.

"Don't do this Lisa" he pleaded "not again. She loves you. Your her mother. She wants your approval."
"Then tell her to say in school" Lisa hissed.
"Why must there be conditions?" Jeff demanded "why can't you just accept them for who they are?"
"Goodbye Jeffrey" she said putting the car in gear.
He jumped back allowing the door to swing shut. He shook his head at her as she glared at him through the windshield. She knew how much he hated her calling him Jeffrey. The way she said it made his teeth hurt. Why couldn't she see the more she pushed the less she got in return?
***

The door opened behind him and Rita ran past him. "Mother wait" she cried "I'll stay. I'll go to medical school. I'll..." She stopped as the car drove out of sight.
Jeff ran up beside her. Dropped to his knees pulling her close "I'm sorry sweetie."
"Why aren't I enough?" Rita cried clinging to him "why does she keep asking for more? I thought I was doing the right thing going to college. She was so proud of me. Then it was medical school like being a nurse wasn't good enough." She looked up through her tears "I liked being a nurse. Talking to the patients. Calming their fears. I've seen so many doctors where the patients are just numbers. They have no time to get to know the people they treat. It's all so impersonal."
"Sweetie if that's how you feel why were you going to comply with your mother's wishes?" Jeff asked stroking her hair.
"I hate knowing I've disappointed her" she sniffed "I don't want to disappoint Jason either."



"I noticed you were wearing your ring," Jeff said "I thought you had told your mother about your engagement."
"I hoped she'd notice" Rita squeezed his hand "stupid huh?"
"No not stupid" Jeff hugged her "I'm sorry you're being forced to choose between them."
"What should I do?" she cried looking to him for answers "I don't want to hurt either of them but" she bit her lip unable to go on.
"But" Jeff tilted her face up to his "no one can make this decision for you. Only you know what's in your heart. Listen to it. I'll love you no matter what you decide."


A smile spread across her face "even if I make the wrong choice?"
"Even if" he smiled back at her "a wrong decision is something you can learn from. Just be sure you decide for yourself. Don't worry about what I want or what you mother wants. It's not our decision to make. It's yours."
"You think I should go don't you?" she asked a hopeful gleam in her eyes.
"I can't make this decision for you" he smiled down at her "I have every confidence that you can make it for yourself."
"Thanks Daddy," she hugged him tight "you always make things so much better."
She ran ahead of him towards the house. He watched her sadly. He knew eventually he'd be kissing her goodbye. She'd choose to join Jason in Lunar Lakes. He'd spend his nights awake worrying about her until the Simbola outbreak was under control. Hoping and praying his little girl wouldn't be one of it's many victims. He'd repeat to himself that it was her decision and he'd be proud of her regardless.

Thursday, April 27, 2017

4.34 One Bad Situation After Another

Author's Note: This chapter contains subject matter that might be distressing to some. Please do not read if you have a problem with the mention of death, murder, teen sex and pregnancy.


 Silver ran a finger along the debris ridden experiment strewn table. He watched the man hunched over his test tubes, glasses perched on the bridge of his nose. Clearing his throat Silver watched with a measure of interest when the Van Winkle patriarch jumped as if prodded by an electrical charge.

Turning Peter knocked over a beaker of yellowish goo that dripped slowly to the floor. "What are you doing here?" he demanded once his eyes locked on the white haired male.

"To help" Silver announced with a wave of his hand.

"Yeah right" Peter grumbled turning to remove a beaker from the heat.

Stooping he wiped up the gelatinous yellow goop from the floor.


"Why must everyone assume I'm a bad guy?" Silver asked his voice overly grieved as if it wounded his feelings that anyone would think his motives were less than pure.

"Are you serious?" Peter grunted in dismay as he wiped the goo from his fingers "you've tormented my family for years. You have some gall to feel put upon when we naturally assume you're the bad guy." He looked up his blue eyes flashing "that's like asking a poisonous snake not to bite. It just can't be done."

"Pity" Silver fingered the beakers arranged on the table.

"Don't" Peter glared at Silver as he tipped some of the contents onto the table.

"Don't what?" Silver asked with a sneer "I thought I'm the bad guy. Bad guys destroy things just because they can."


"So you admit to being the bad guy" Peter watched the man's fingers hovering over the next beaker.

Silver tipped the beaker over spilling the contents onto the counter "I guess a tiger can't change his stripes."

"Guess not" Peter grunted turning his back on the man "leave when you're finished making the mess you've come to make."

Silver smirked. He liked that Peter was unfazed by his antics. "What would you say if I could provide you with the DNA sample you need for your experiments?"

Peter held his breath a moment before exhaling "Quinn would never give the sample to you."


"She wouldn't have to" Silver dismissed the idea "the DNA is mine."

"That's not the DNA I need" Peter resumed his work hoping the irksome man would get the hint and leave.

"I'm the product of that original experiment" Silver let his words hang in the air between them "I knew that would get your attention." Silver grinned like the Cheshire cat pleased with himself.

"It does make a difference" Peter grudgingly agreed "the question now is what do you want from me?"

"That's the rub isn't it?" Silver chuckled "you're right I do want something. How much are you willing to do for a chance to solve this infertility problem? Will you give your great great granddaughter a chance to have her own family?" He knew by the look on Peter's face he had the man hooked. All he had to do was reel him in.

***



Phoebe sat on the bench her leg bouncing up and down while she waited for her boyfriend to arrive. A twig snapped causing her to jump up in surprise. Whirling around she found a couple of squirrels running from tree to tree in search of nuts. With an aggrieved moan she sank onto the bench to wait. She glanced at her phone. He was late. What was taking him so long? Her fingers hovered over the keys debating whether or not she should send another text. Closing her eyes she resisted the urge. What use would it make? He hadn't responded to the last three messages she had sent. Why would this one be any different?

Restlessly she got to her feet. She swung her arms as she paced back and forth in front of the bench. She tried not to think about the reluctance she heard in his voice when she last spoke to him. The grudging agreement when he said he'd meet her. Things hadn't been the same since that night.

She hugged her arms tight around herself as her mind drifted. It had been a full moon she recalled. It had been so bright. They hadn't needed flashlights to guide them to their favorite place. A smile graced her lips as she remembered the way the air seemed to sizzle with magic as his hands caressed her skin. His touch made her skin tingle with a heat she'd never felt before. When his lips met hers her mouth opened inviting him in. Everything within her came alive. She felt his heart beating in his chest as her hands explored his body. His hands moved up her shirt unclasping her bra. Everything was happening so fast. Her brain was yelling at her to slow down. As one new sensation swept through after another her brain completely switched off.

Before she fully realized what they were doing she woke up in his arms naked shivering from the cool breeze. The sky had a rosy hue as the sun began to rise. He had nuzzled up close to her murmuring in his sleep as she tried to crawl out from beneath him. "We need to go home" she said as he protested her attempts to wake him.



The wind stirred her hair. It was hard believe that magical night was six weeks ago. Hard to believe that the boy she gave her virginity to had hardly spoken to her since that night. What she thought had been a magical, special, mind blowing moment had been nothing more to him than sex. Tears pricked her eyes as a feeling of shame and worthlessness swept through her. How had she been so blind. Did she really think at fourteen well fifteen in less than a month, she'd find her one true love? Yet she had believed. She still believed in love at first sight. Believed there was one person for everyone. She had been an idiot.

"Well" his voice startled her "I'm here." He tossed his dark hair from his eyes the suns rays picking out the purple highlights.

She put a hand up to her chest "you startled me" she gasped.

Crossing his arms he smirked "I don't have all day."

"I..." she bit her lip staring into is handsome face. He was older then her. More experienced. She knew instinctively she wasn't his first "I think I might be pregnant."



His eyes went wide then narrowed an instant later "you think it's mine?"

Her mouth dropped open upon hearing the doubt in his voice "of course it's yours if I'm pregnant," she stammered. She reached a shaking hand up to wipe away the angry tears that were cascading down her cheeks "I...I've never had sex before that night or since."

He had an odd look in his eyes as he gazed down at her "what do you expect me to do about it?"

His voice was brittle. His tone confirmed what she already thought, that night meant nothing to him except another notch on his belt. What a fool she had been to think he loved her. "Nothing" she spat at him "I want nothing from you."

Shrugging he took a step forward "then why am I here?"


"I thought you might want to know," she took a deep breath willing the tears to stop. She didn't want him to see her cry.

"Anything else" he asked his voice clipped and bored.

Crossing her arms she looked him up and down "you don't really care do you?" She didn't know why she asked. The answer was written all over him.

"Not in the slightest" he turned to walk away.

"Don't ever call me again" she called after him "I never want to see you again." She held it together long enough to watch him walk out of the part before sinking onto the bench. Now what was she going to do?

***


Phoenix knew something was wrong the moment he arrived in his haven. It was silent. Too silent. The trees were still which they never were. Where were the twins?

"You've been keeping secrets" a man said as he came from the house.

His heart thudded against his chest as the emissary came to a stop in front of him. "I don't know what you mean" he said evasively eyes never leaving the emissaries face.

Tapping his fingers on a device the twins appeared before them held within a stasis field "are these not your children?"

"Dad" the twins cried at once struggling in their invisible prison "what's happening?"

"It's going to be alright" his voice confident despite the panic that made his heart pound.



"Who is their mother?" the emissary demanded unconcerned with the fear he was raising in the children.

Phoenix gave the man a cool calculated stare "their mother is none of your concern."

The emissaries eyes glared at him with undisguised anger "I beg to differ. Their mother is of great concern. She's another watcher. Don't bother to deny it. Who is she?"

Phoenix turned his gaze away from the enraged man. He knelt before his children "don't be afraid. No matter what happens. Don't be afraid."

They nodded eyes round with fear despite their father's words to the contrary. "We love you daddy" 
Ivy cried wanting to bury her head on her father's chest. Feel his comforting arms around her.


"I know sweetheart" Phoenix blinked back tears not wanting them to see him cry "Ellery take care of your sister."

"I will dad" he nodded eyes moist with tears but like his father he was keeping the waterworks from gushing.

"Isn't this sweet" the emissary cooed "too bad the boy won't be able to keep his promise."

"You can't separate them" Phoenix protested as if he had any power to prevent it.

"Who is the mother?" the emissary demanded.


Phoenix wanted nothing more then to gather his children to his side. Hug and kiss them. Assure them that no matter what happened they would have each other. He couldn't do or say any of that. It was all too clear the emissary was going to take them. Separate them from each other and everything they ever knew. "I'm sorry" he whispered blinking fast.

"Very well" the emissary said coldly "you Phoenix Cross broke the watcher code of conduct. These illicit children are hereby property of the council to do with as they see fit."

"Wait" Phoenix implored "please allow me to say goodbye to them."

As if he were deaf to the man's pleas the emissary continued "all parental rights are hereby rescinded. The children known as Ellery and Ivy cross are given into the hands of the council." The heartlessness of the proceedings left them stunned. The man released the stasis field "with the power invested in me I give you the mark of the ...."

"Go" Phoenix shouted at his children hoping they remembered what they had prepared in case something like this happened.



Ellery grabbed his sisters hand nodding once towards his dad before vanishing with her. To Phoenix it felt like forever for the children to vanish but it was only a few seconds. A maneuver they had practiced in case it was necessary to evade the council. The twins were now truly on their own. In a dimension other than their own. 

"Where did they go?" the emissary demanded coming towards Phoenix. The air vibrating with the beings rage. 

Shaking his head Phoenix took a step backwards "I don't know and even if I did I wouldn't tell you."

"You don't know" the emissary shouted sending a bolt of energy towards Phoenix.

Phoenix stumbled back crying out in pain. Toppling over he was dimly aware of voices around him and the stricken look on the emissaries face. Then nothing but silence, darkness and pain.

***


Serafino waited at the edge of the castle boundaries. Why had Silver insisted on meeting him here? It was too close to his adversary. He glared up at the dark foreboding walls. This should have been his. Serafino could feel his rage bubbling up within him. 

How could the clan elders be so stupid as to want a mongrel vampire as the ruler? Even the mongrel preferred to act and live like a human. It even had a human wife. On the other hand he was a pure breed. He was of noble stock. He Serafino should be the esteemed one of Moonlight Falls. If only his assignation attempt had been successful. Hard to imagine that was over ten years ago. Luckily for him he had not spent all those years in prison. He still had powerful allies.

He turned. His foot brushed against something in the thick brush. The wind rustled the air around him. He sniffed. It was thick with the scent of blood. Hungrily he followed the scent. It had been too long since he had the pleasure of dining on sweet succulent blood. Plasma fruit was no substitute for the real thing. The years he had been incarcerated and the following years of probation he had been deprived of the real thing. Treated like an common criminal. It irked him to know he had helped pass that law into existence. Even worse knowing Adam had argued to the contrary. His argument had been what if blood lust took over the criminal and that led him to kill someone. Like that would ever happen. He, Serafino was stronger than that.

His eyes glowed a dangerous glint within their orbs. His mouth watered as his hunger grew. Something lay in the bushes. Dropping to his knees beside the inert body all logic fled his mind as blood lust to control. His fangs protruded as he scooped the semiconscious woman in his arms. 
Her eyes fluttered open, emerald green and frightened. She murmured something as his fangs sank into her artery in her neck. He sucked hungrily upon the succulent nectar of her blood. As his blood lust abated he laid the woman's corpse on the ground where he had found her. Her blood dribbled down his chin staining the front of his shirt. He breathed deeply as his heart rate slowed to nothing. Opening his eye he moaned aloud "what have I done?" He reached an unsteady hand over to close the woman's eyelids unable to take the blank glossy stare. The woman's once rosy complexion was chalky white from having her life's blood drained from her. 



Looking around he could see the castle walls through the thick shrubbery. With a sickening realization he knew Silver had set this whole thing up. Silver had arranged for him to be here. 
Ensured the woman would be unable to call for help. Knew that Serafino would not be able to control the blood lust once it manifested itself inside him. This had been Silver's plan all along. He had never meant to follow through on his end of the bargain.

"Oh but I did" Silver smiled at the man "I said I'd take care of the woman." Gesturing towards her body "and I did."

Serafino swallowed, the taste of the woman's blood filled his mouth almost making him want to gag. "You framed me for murder" he growled.

"I didn't frame you" Silver laughed "I simply made it easy for you to commit murder."

The blood drained from Serafino's face "I didn't murder anyone..." he postured.

Silver stepped into the shadows "tell that to the guards while her blood drips from your chin."



"Where is she?" Adam cried stumbling into the crowded area. The guards parted allowing him access. "Beverly" he called her name falling to his knees beside her body. Crying he cradled her lifeless boy in his arms "Beverly don't leave me." He rocked her body back and forth moaning "don't leave me. I need you." He buried his face in her hair filling his senses with her lingering scent.

"What is he still doing here?" Keenan demanded.

"We are waiting for transport" one of the guards informed him.

Glancing towards his distraught father Keenan ordered "get him out of here before the esteemed one sees him."

The guards eyes slid towards Adam and nodded. Taking Serafino by the arms he prodded him into moving.

Struggling Serafino pleaded to Keenan "I didn't kill her."

"Of course you didn't" Keenan snapped "you only tried to kill my father and you want me to believe you didn't kill my mother. Do you think I'm an idiot? You have her blood all over you."


"You have to believe me" Serafino cried desperation taking control as he broke free from the guard "I was set up. I had no control over my actions."

Shaking the desperate man Keenan coldly glared at him "why should I believe you?"

"There's a bigger threat" Serafino insisted "he's the one who set this up."

Before Serafino could continue several guards led him away. Keenan watched silently dwelling upon Serafino's words. There was only one other person who was a bigger threat to his family. Keenan shivered as his mind said the man's name silently within his mind.

Keenan glanced over at his grieving father. The guards had gotten him to release Beverly's body. A sheet shrouded her body. Shoving aside everything else Keenan went to him "dad you're coming home with me."

Turning towards the sound of his son's voice Adam nodded with blank eyes. "She's gone," he moaned falling into his son's arms.

"It's going to be alright" Keenan soothed doubting every word he was saying. There was no way this would ever be alright.