Luna Silverthorne

The sound of the waves crashing against the rocks brought a smile to Annalisa’s lips as she sat deathly still on the outcropping of rocks. The sunrise was coming and she knew her time was coming to an end for the night. Slowly she let the song fade away, leaving behind a sense of calm and peace on the air. A breeze floated across her bare skin leaving a trail of gooseflesh behind. She looked out at the rising sun and took a deep breath; her job was done for the day. Now came time to sleep, her head dropped slightly as she thought about the dreams that came with sleep. If only she could stop them. There were so many times that she wondered if only in her life. As the sun slipped above the horizon Annalisa slipped silently from the outcropping of rocks and up to the beach. She knew within a few moments people would start to gather on the still cool sand as they did every morning. She had to be gone before that happened. Her feet carried her quickly along the water’s edge, always on the still damp sand to the edge of a cliff face. Annalisa could hear people on the wooden steps leading down from the high dollar homes above the cliff as she slipped through what looked to be no more than a crack in the cliff wall. She walked a few feet into the cave before it opened in to a large chamber. “Father I am home.” She called stiffly. “You are nearly late child. Did all go well?” a heavy voice came from the back of the cave. Annalisa lifted her head on a silent sigh as she walked on into the large room. “Everything went fine. Everyone is safe for the night. People are starting to gather on the sand early this morning.” She made her way slowly across the perfectly flat stone floor toward where she knew her father to be waiting. She hated dealing with the man, but for a few more months there was no way around it. Mid-summer was only two months away. That would be the night she was released to live her life on her own. “I had to be careful coming home so that no one would find us.” She explained quickly hoping that he would be in a kind mood and not punish her for coming too close to being late. “It is wise that you do not want them to see you. Your job is not to be seen, but to keep those who sail safe on the waters. It has been the job of every daughter.” He told her, his voice held a note of barely restrained anger. “You will do your job until you come of age and your sister takes your place.” She stepped into the shadows near where her father always sat. She hadn’t seen him in the light of day since she was a tiny child. Annalisa shivered for a moment as she stopped in the archway that leads to his chamber. “Mid-Summer, that is the day I come of age and the day Evelry takes my place correct father?” His laugh held no humor, “Yes, as of Mid-summer you will be free of the duty you hate so much. I will never understand how a daughter of mine could hate the job she was born to as much as you do.” His voice was hard as always and lacking in any emotion even remotely resembling love. She lost the tight control she had over her temper at that moment, “Simple father. I hate having to hide from the people I save. I spend every night singing them to safety, but you always demand that I am home without anyone seeing me.” She snapped unknowingly taking a step forward into the room. A mage light snapped on as she entered, making her gasp in the blinding light. “Dam it child!” came the sharp retort from her father. “I’ve told you to never step foot in this room unless you are invited. She could hear shuffling, and tried to see through the light as something moved on the far side of the room. “I am sorry father, my anger got the better of me.” She stepped back, the light flashing off as she left the room. “Though I do not know why I am not allowed in there. I am your daughter, though I have not been allowed to see your father since I was but a tiny child… to young to even remember what you look like now.” She told him staring off into the darkness of the room before her with eyes that were still tender from the blast of light. “There is no reason for you to see me. I am your father, you are simply my child. Children are not in control of their parents.” His words came from the dark and grated across her nerves. She couldn’t wait until she was free of this. He seemed to read her mind, “But what shall you do when you are free of me? Do you know anything that will make it so you do not have to depend on me? Are you any smarter than the others?” he asked the questions that had been haunting her for years. She held her thoughts blank as she answered him, there was no need for him to know that she had been breaking his rules for years as he slept in the depths of caves.

The street light was broken leaving the corner in darkness as William slowly walked down the street. Sunset had been hours before and now he was ready to see what he could find out. He reached a fin boned hand up, absently running the long thin fingers through the waves of his ebony hair. There was still a faint hint of restlessness in him as he rounded the next corner. For years now he had enjoyed the hunt. Tonight would be no different. He looked around at the young people moving along the street and wondered, not for the first time, why every generation had those who thought it was fun to play the game. 'If only they knew the reality of things,' he thought to himself as he drifted through a crowd of people in their early twenties trying to look like Hollywood's version of a vampire. Not one of them got close to the real thing in William's opinion. His silver eyes caught sight of the sign announcing his destination. A small skull and crossed swords hung over the door to the bar. He was smiling as he passed through the doorway. “Hey Beth.” he called to the massive woman standing behind the bar, “How's shift going tonight?” he asked deciding to enjoy the night and the hunt. “Can't complain. Not that it would help if I did.” she laughed pouring cream into the glass on the bar in front of her. “You working tonight?” He sighed as he slipped onto the bar stool at the end of the bar, “Yeah, but you can still put a splash of rum in that for me.” He took a moment to look her over as he always did. She may have been over six feet in her socks and tip the scales at just over three hundred pounds, but her sweet face and dancing green eyes always seemed to attract bad seeds where men were concerned. After the last few he had taken to keeping an eye on her. Any new bruises and there would be hell to pay for whoever had put them there. Tonight he was happy to see her porcelain white skin was unmarked. She caught him looking as she splashed the rum into his drink. “Nothing to worry about William. Only man I've seen in over a week was in the pages of the latest Cage MacCleod novel I've been reading.” she sat the drink in front of him and leaned forward to place a quick kiss on his cheek. “But thanks for caring.” she stepped back as quickly as she had leaned in. “You're a good friend Beth. I always keep a good eye on my friends.” he smiled taking a sip of his drink. His eyes were carefully taking in everyone in the bar by way of the mirror behind her. Suddenly his blood ran cold. With a slow tilt of his head he attempted to get a better look. There near the door of the bar sat his prey. The man didn't seem the least bit out of place, but William could feel the sense of wrong about him. As he watched the man lifted his glass in a silent salute. “Damn.” he mumbled. Beth caught the single word and knew her easy, laid back shift had just come to a screeching halt. “How bad is it going to be?” she asked coming back over and setting a cup of coffee on the bar next to his drink. “I'll try to get is out back before anything happens, but he's already made me.” he told her finishing the rum and cream in one swallow. “So much for me being on the hunt tonight. Looks like the hunter just became the hunted again.” with a sigh he drained the coffee and stood up. “What do you need me to do?” she asked quickly. This wasn't the first time William's plans had gotten changed by someone being too smart for their own good. “Just keep your eyes open sweetheart. He's cocky, this shouldn't take long.” he smiled, with a quick wink he headed for the door at the back of the bar just as he saw the man get to his feet. The patio was blessedly empty as he stepped out into the night. William was really hoping to avoid causing a big scene at the bar, but from the smug look on the guy's face he doubted it would be possible. He was trying to figure out how to handle things when he heard the door open behind him. “So it was you?” came from the man he had seen in the bar. “Pretty gutsy to be hanging out at a place as busy as the Crossed Swords if you ask me.” William turned to face the man, “Not really, its not a bar that too many of your kind frequent. But you might say it takes just as many guts to call me out in front of a bar full of my friends. Not many would do that.” The man straightened his shoulders, “I'm not your average person. Things like you should be either destroyed or locked up away from polite society.” William had heard this line before, but the level of prejudice people could show always amazed him. “Now as much as I would like to just put an end to this stupidity, I'm going to give you a chance.” he looked the man in the eyes before continuing, “I really hope we can come to an understanding on this. How about you put that nasty little gun you have under your coat on the table, turn around, and leave without any hassle?” he hoped that this time, just once, one of these fools would take the chance and get away without getting hurt. He figured as always that the chance it would happen was slim. They were always looking for a fight to make a name for themselves. “No way. Your bounty will fill my wallet nicely.” the man told him. Almost before William saw him move the gun was in the man's hand and pointed at his chest. William looked down at his chest and laughed, “What am I up to now?” he was getting tired of this game. Just because someone had put a price on his head more years ago than he could count he was still having to deal with people trying to take him out. He sighed knowing it wouldn't end til he either got the bounty lifted, which he couldn't see happening, or got himself killed. “The offer I was made was 4.2 and a new life.” the man smiled, “Not bad when I'll have the job done less than a day after getting it.” William moved faster than the man expected and was behind him before he had finished speaking. There was a small gasp as the razor sharp dagger William always carried slipped silently through the man's coat and into his back. As the man struggled for life William smiled, “For the record, if you want to kill someone just do it. Don't stand around talking about it.” he pulled the blade from the man's back and let his now lifeless body slide to the floor of the patio. He turned and went back into the bar after cleaning off the dagger on the man's shirt and slipping it back onto his belt. Beth looked up from the bar as he came in. “Everything go as expected?” she asked fixing him another drink. He glanced back at the now locked patio door. “As always.” reaching for the glass she had sat in front of him he smiled, “Patio will be closed for a couple of hours.” “Do I need to call Charlie or have you already called her?” she asked forcing herself not to think of what she knew was out on that patio. William sighed, “I need you to call. I left my cell at home. I actually didn't think I would need her tonight.” he tossed back most of the glass of whiskey she had given him in one swallow. He always hated dealing with the ones that were in it only for the money. “No problem.” she walked back to the center of the bar. Glancing at the table where the man had been sitting she picked up the phone. Her eyes worked the crowd as her fingers dialed the number she had learned long ago. A gruff female voice answered on the third ring. “Charlie.” Beth took a deep breath, “Hey, I need you to swing by the bar. It's been a night.” she said watching the faces of the people in the bar. This wasn't her first time making the call to Charlie, but she always felt strange doing it. “Damn. I was hoping for a slow night, I just got off a sixteen hour shift.” she sighed knowing that she had been born into this job, not the one she had as a taxi driver. “How many?” Beth could hear the exhaustion in the other woman as she moved around, “Just one. Should be a short night if everything goes well.” There was a burst of real laughter from Charlie, “Knowing William's luck it's going to be a long night for all of us.” Beth joined in the laughter, “True, but we can hope for an easy night, this place has been steady all night. That and he doesn't look like he could handle much tonight. The man looks like you sound.” “Nice, I'll be there soon. Don't worry I still have my keys.” she hung up before Beth could respond. Beth put the phone down just as a couple stepped up to the bar. “What can I get for you tonight?” she asked stopping in front of them. The man smiled, something about it making her skin want to crawl. “How about a gin and tonic for me,” he paused to glance at the woman beside him. “And she'll have a bloody mary.” Beth fought off the urge to cringe, “Coming right up.” she answered turning her back slightly and mixing their drinks. When she turned around the man was no longer standing there. He was down at the end of the bar talking to William. Beth handed the woman both drinks and took her money. She knew it was best to stay out of things like this until William asked for help. She went back to cleaning the bar. Out of the corner of her eye she watched as the woman walked toward the two men. A few moments later William stood up slamming his drink down on the bar. “Be careful what you accuse people of young man. That's a habit that can get you hurt.” his words carried easily through the bar just as they were intended to. Beth knew things were about to go very wrong. So she stepped over to help try and defuse the situation. “Is there a problem here William?” she asked keeping her voice as calm as she could as she noticed the long knife the other gentleman was carrying secured to his belt. William glanced away from the man long enough to look at Beth, “Nothing me buying this couple a glass of your house wine won't cure.” he looked back at the man. “How about it, the stuff is the best wine in town.” Beth smiled, “I'm sure you will find it to your liking.” she spun away and snagged a beautiful cut crystal decantor on her way to the other end of the bar. She knew just what William wanted them served, and was only too happy to pour the bloodwyne into two hand carved silver goblets. By the time she was making her way back she had managed to get herself back under control. “I do hope you enjoy.” she said sweetly as she sat the glasses down on the bar. The man looked from the elegant silver goblet to the woman he was with. “Now that's how a glass of wine should be served.” he turned and smiled at William. “Sorry about before there was no offense intended.” “None taken, now enjoy the wine. You won't find anything like it anyplace else in the city.” his smile had become warm and welcoming. He watched as they both sat down their original drinks to pick up the goblets. As they sipped Beth was clearing away the first glasses. William looked the young man in the eyes as he finished his wine. “Now be a good boy and take your girlfriend home for the night. Just remember its not safe to go around throwing accusations at people. Some of us aren't as nice as I am.” he blinked and watched as the young man staggered for a moment before turning to the girl. “Let's go honey. I'm not wanting to do the bar thing tonight after all.” he said sitting his goblet on the bar and reaching for her hand. The woman smiled and let him lead her away. Beth released a breath she didn't even noticed she had been holding. “I'm glad that went better than it could have.” “Of course it did.” he handed her the two goblets, “I dealt with them the easy way.” he smiled at her as he watched her rinse the glasses and put them back on the display he had bought for them. She laughed, “I do love the effect that wine has on people.” William sat back down on the stool. “That's why I told you not to drink any of it around me.” he paused as the door to the patio opened behind him. “Hey Charlie, sorry about the call tonight.” Charlie walked up and dropped down onto the empty stool next to William, “Hey beautiful, when you gonna run away to Jamaica with me?” her eyes sparkled with humor. Beth blushed, “Now what would happen to my bar if I ran away with you?” she answered the same thing she did every time she saw Charlie. Charlie let her full lips form a pout, “You could always sell it and open one down there.” it was an old word game they had been playing since the first time they had met the night Beth opened the bar, and to Charlie's disappointment it never seemed to change. Beth caught William's eye, “You think I could run a bar in Jamaica?” He didn't miss a beat, “Sure. I'll even come with you and play night security.” he smiled, glad to see she might actually be taking his advice and giving Charlie a chance. It didn't hurt that the offer would also get him out of here with more ease than just running would. Beth looked around the bar for a moment before saying anything else. When she did speak she had all of her attention on Charlie. “Attention.” she called out after clearing her throat. She didn't often direct anything at the whole bar so when she did she got their attention quick. There was an almost deafening silence in the bar as she began to talk, “Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to announce that as of right now, the Crossed Swords is up for sale.” she watched with satisfaction as Charlie's eyes went from wonder to surprise to almost something like hope. “You're selling the bar, just like that?” she squeaked in a voice that was nothing like any Beth nor William had ever heard before.

The night was cool and the breeze carrying a slight scent of Jasmine. The music floating on the air was a mix of southern country and blues. The man sitting at the picnic table reading a battered old novel barely noticed as he reached up and ran his fingers through the short curls of his hair. Something was bothering him, but he couldn't put his finger on it. The small camp fire beside him was burning down in preparation for cooking of the night's meal. With a sigh he put the book down and lifted his head, “Great, again something is just not right tonight.” he stood up and wandered to the edge of his campsite. He was pacing at the edge of the road, watching the rattletrap cars pulling through the campground. As he turned back toward the all-weather tent he had set up he felt a stabbing pain in his chest. The sensation was so quick and so sharp that it took his breath away. Johnathan dropped to his knees gripping his chest. As the pain began to fade, he forced himself to stand up. This was the third or fourth night that something had felt wrong, but yet nothing seemed to be happening. He made his way to the tent to rest for a minute. His heart was tight and his breathing rapid. Suddenly images flashed through his mind, a car, a flash of light, and a scream. His breath caught, “Damn it. What is happening?” he gasped as the images continued to flash through his mind. Someone was hurt and there didn't seem to a way to help whoever it was happening to. A woman walked past on the road, causing Johnathan to look up. She was a regular at the campground and he waved as she rounded the curve near his campsite. He opened the zipper to his tent and slipped inside. This time he was going to manage to find whoever it was while he was in trance even if it took him all night. He settled onto the air mattress he used a bed and began his meditation breathing. However it wasn't long before he knew the trace he was hoping for was not coming. His heart was racing too fast. He couldn't calm himself after tonight's attack. Laying back he fought to get control over his rebelling body. “Damn it Loki... if you are going to show me the problem give me the ability to fix it.” he mumbled not realizing that he was not falling into a trance but the dream realm. The room was cold as ice, making Johnathan's breath form a cloud in front of him. “Where am I?” he asked with a glance around the nearly empty room. The silence was his only answer for a moment. Suddenly a faint flash of light caught his attention. He turned toward the light. “Johnathan... I need you.” the voice was faint and slightly familiar. “Who are you?” he called looking around, there was nothing to find. The room he was standing in was nearly empty. There was a small wooden table, a straight back chair, and a small writing desk in the corner. “A friend, someone that you haven't seen in years. We only talked a few times over the last few years. But something is wrong, I need your help.” the voice told him with a light breath of fear. “How can I help, I can not even see you.” he was starting to get scared as the voice began to center into his mind. He knew her, had known her for years. “Back in the world, I am miles from you. I need you to let me come to you. I can not tell you more, and I can not promise that you will not get hurt.” she told him. “Now return and answer me...” her voice faded to be replaced by the ringing of his cell phone. He picked up the phone and looked at the name of the caller. He didn't recognize the number but something told him to answer it. “Hello?” he answered the phone knowing he sounded like a fool. “Johnathan, it's Amber... Can you help me?” she asked softly. “Amber?!? Where are you?” he asked suddenly recognizing the voice from the strange dream. “I'm in a little town outside of Cleveland. I need to get out of here. Can I come there?” she asked her voice rapidly firing the words. He didn't pause for thought, “Always. Do you have a way to get here?” he asked forcing his mind to think of what he would need to help her not knowing what was wrong. “I can take Greyhound. Are you sure that I am welcome there.” there was a strange sound in the background followed by an increase in her breathing. “Amber, you should know that my door is always open for you. There is nothing that I will not do for you if it is within my power to do so.” He told her honestly. “Ok, thank you. It's not enough to say but it's all I can say. I will be there in about 3 days. Please be waiting for me.” Johnathan took a steadying breath, “Just call and let me know when to be there. Do you need to know the address here?” “I'll get it, when I get close. I am too scared right now. I just need get out of here. Keep your phone on.” she hung up before he could say anything else and his heart once again began to race. He flipped the phone closed and tried once again to meditate into the needed trance. One again it eluded him. As the dream realm closed in on his mind once more he knew that the powers he had kept locked away for so long were once again awake and still not under his control. “Johnathan... Don't help her.” a deep angry voice snarled from the darkness. “You will regret it if you put yourself out to help her. There is nothing to come of it for you.” “I have to help. It is in my heart.” Johnathan snapped back, there was nothing he would not at least try to do for Amber. “Do you not know what is happening to her even as I speak to you?” the voice growled on. “I know she is scared. That is all I need to know to offer my help and safety.” He was angry, and the voice telling him to not help her wasn't making it any easier to not be. He looked around, the darkness was complete no more than a few feet in every direction. “Where have you taken me?” The voice laughed, “This is my construct room. Everyone that can travel in the dream realm with ease has one, even you. I simply choose not to show you much of it.” there was an edge of kindness now that the topic was away from Amber. “Why do you not want me to help her?” he asked knowing it was a bad idea to bring the topic back to Amber, but needing to know what was happening. The voice filled with anger and the space that was lit around Johnathan got smaller. “Because she is more powerful than she should be. We need her to be powerless.” “Never!” Johnathan didn't understand anything that was happening, but he wasn't going to let anyone hurt Amber. He sat back up on the air mattress, reaching for the small notebook he always kept near at hand. The events of the night warranted writing down. He began with a brief summary of the last week to keep everything in order. “Monday night- something began tonight, I felt a power trying to tap into the abilities that I have kept locked down for years. However nothing more than the first little tap happened tonight.” he quoted as he wrote the words in a flowing script across the paper. “By Wednesday I knew something was very wrong, but not able to figure it out I was left to simply wait and watch as the events unfolded. Tonight Friday evening- dreams began. Well travels to the dream realm, a place I have not consciously went to in many years. The first was Amber, not that I knew that until I returned and answered the phone. The second is a more sinister being. Something that hides in the dark and wants to hurt her. I refuse to let it. Even through I can see now that it means fighting with powers that I have no control over. That in itself means trouble for me. I know of only one person that can help. The only questions that remains are will he be willing to train me and can he train me fast enough to keep her safe.” he set the pen and notebook down. Taking a deep breath to steady himself he got out of his tent. The walk to the site where one of his oldest friends was camped was not a long one, however it was long enough that he could think. He had to figure out how to ask for what he needed. As he rounded the last curve in the road Johnathan could see his friend's modest RV sitting at the back of the line. “Chris? You home?” he called as he approached the thirty some foot vehicle.

“Why should I sign that?” she snarled. Donnie smiled, “Because if you don't I won't be giving you anything. You see that's the bright side for me, I don't really have to give you anything.” he told her, “So you might want to take the offer and run.” he finished handing her a pen. “But you are a minister, pastor at least. How can you want me to sign something like that?” her words were wet with tears. Donnie waited a moment for her to get herself back under control. “Simple, I know you, and I know you well. If I don't make you sign it you will be asking me for money to live on for the rest of your life. I don't feel like being your bank for the next forty or fifty years. As for me being a pastor what does that have to do with any of this?” he asked staring into her eyes. “Whatever.” she snapped grabbing the pen and signing the paperwork. “When do I get the money?” she demanded with only a hint of the little sister he had grown up with still in her eyes. This was just what he expected of her, “Just pick out a house that fits within the parameters outlined in the paperwork and you will have everything within seven business days.” his grip on his temper was fading fast, he reached over and picked up the stack of papers. In a moment he had removed his copies and handed the remainder to her. “Until then get out of my office.” Marie stood, “Gladly, you aren't worth my time anyway.” she stormed out of the office taking her copy of the paperwork with her. As the door slammed behind her Donnie was picking up the phone. He dialed his mother's number from memory. She picked it up on the second ring, “Hello Donnie.” her voice was instantly soothing to his rattled nerves. “Hello mother, how is the most beautiful woman in the world?” he asked feeling calmer at just the sound of her voice. “The most beautiful woman in the wold, I wouldn't know, but your mother is doing fine. How are you young man?” she asked hearing the edge in his voice and not liking it. “I'm fine mother. Just missed hearing his voice.” he hedged. He knew he couldn't hide it when something was wrong, but that didn't mean he wouldn't try. “Your sister showed up didn't she?” his mother asked her own voice full of venom. “I knew she would, that's why I had that paper written up by the lawyer. She signed it.” he told her. He couldn't believe there was still a tiny part of him that had hoped she wouldn't. He heard his mother sigh. “Does it really surprise you Donnie?” she asked, he could hear the concern in her voice. “No.” he told her truthfully, “But that also doesn't stop it from hurting when I'm reminded money is more important to my loving sister than her own family.” “I know, but now it's almost over. Tell me you remembered to put restrictions into those papers for the house. If you didn't she'll find a way to spend way too much of your money.” his mother worried. “Don't worry mom she won't get more than I'm willing to give. Did the car get there?” he asked knowing it would make his mother smile. Her girlish giggle was just the reaction he had wanted when he bought the car for her. “What in the world am I supposed to do with a bran new flame red sports car?” she asked, not sounding the least bit disappointed in the car. “You drive it. It's fun and I know you've never had anything like it. With everything you and dad gave up for me and Marie I thought it was time for you to have something special.” “And I thank you for it. It's beautiful, now get on with the things there at the church.” she told him softly. “I know you have lots to do. In that you are just like me and your father you will do anything you set your mind to. I only hope that you didn't inherit the mess your father made of his life. I hope all of that died with him.” Donnie looked up to the ceiling, from his mother the worry wasn't as much of a knife to heart, but it still hurt. “I haven't mom. I'm just doing everything I can to keep this church running and still manage to make time for myself. I am glad that your car was delivered safely.” he explained, “Have a good day and I will talk to you later.” “Ok Donnie. Talk to you later.” she laughed. Donnie hung up the phone and stood up. He slowly walked over to the bookcase. He was about to pick up one of the old books to get lost in for a few hours before going home when the phone rang again. He was back to his desk with it in his hand before the third ring. “Hello, Monarch Ministries, how can I help you?” “I'm not sure Pastor. I was wondering if you might have a few minutes this afternoon to spare to speak with me?” the woman asked keeping her voice very calm and deliberate. Donnie felt the sigh of contentment slip from his lips, “For you Jenna I always have time.” he laughed. He had grown up with her and been best friends since they were little kids. “Thanks, I could really use a friend for a few minutes.” A sadness was creeping into her voice and it worried him. He could hear the un-shed tears in her voice, the sound felt like a knife to his heart, “Jenna what's wrong?” he asked forcing his own voice to remain gentle. Jenna sighed, “Nothing really, just everyone was right including you. Tom dumped me last night.” there was a bitter laugh in her normally sweet voice, “Heavens that sounds so high school.” Donnie took a deep breath to bank the anger he felt at Tom, “No it doesn't. It sounds to me like you got hurt. What can I do to help?” he asked quickly. It wouldn't be the first time he had helped to put her back together after some guy broke her heart. There was a long pause on the other end of the line. “I wouldn't mind spending the evening with someone that actually cares about how I feel.” Donnie understood that need. “I can be done here in say an hour. You wan to meet me here or someplace else?” he hated seeing her hurting. Jenna thought for a moment, “Why don't you meet me at City Park?” Donnie felt a small smile, “By the swings?” he asked knowing that was where they had always met at the park. Jenna let out a real laugh, “Always. See you in about an hour.” she hung up before he could say anything else. Donnie hung up the receiver and went back over to the bookcase to get his journal. He made quick work of the entry that he had been neglecting for nearly a week. He got to the park about ten minutes before he was supposed to meet Jenna. He sat in his new car for a moment watching Jenna as she relaxed on the swings. He smiled when she glanced over at the car. “Hey.” he called getting out and shutting the door behind him. “Hey yourself, “ she called starting toward him. She looked at the car he was relaxing against with envy, “Nice ride.” He glanced back at the mustang, “It's fun.” Jenna ran her fingertips over the hood as she got close enough. “How you pull this off Preacher man?” she asked slipping into the passenger seat. He always got a kick out of her calling him that, she was after all the only one that seemed to understand why he had taken that path. He laughed, “North Carolina Lottery. I hit it big, bought both me and mom new cars. Even went so far as to buy the place I was renting and pay off mother's house.” he explained dropping his long frame back into the driver's seat. “You want to go for a ride?” The smile that crossed her face lit up her eyes, “Hell yeah.” she hooked her seat belt before looking at him with a sober face. “How much did Marie manage to get out of you?” Donnie had been expecting the question and from Jenna it didn't bother him one bit. “A new house for her and the man she married,” he paused for a breath knowing the money was going to irritate Jenna, “and sixty thousand in cash.” he started the car. “She even signed a paper saying she can ask for nothing more.” he paused for a moment as he drove out of the park and turned down the main road of town. He had been thinking about one thing since finding out he had one. Now it was time to get an answer. He took a deep breath, “Jenna, if you could have any one thing in the world what would it be?” he asked never taking his eyes off the road. Jenna sat perfectly still for a long moment before saying anything. “Anything in the world?” she asked hesitantly. “Anything money can buy.” he carefully maneuvered through downtown traffic. He was heading for the one place he was sure no one would look for him because he was fairly certain that no one around town knew it was there after all this time. “A house. A place of my own that would allow me to get out from under the condo.” she answered watching as the city began to fade away past the mustang's windows. “Sounds fair enough.” Donnie said taking a left-hand turn onto a small, seldom traveled road. “Why do you ask?” she kept watching as the cityscape turned to trees and nature. Taking another corner he began to slow down. “I figure I have more money than I can ever spend. So I was thinking about fulfilling people I care about's dreams.” he slowed the car a bit more and turned onto a dirt road. “By the way, welcome to my only secret.” the words were no more than out of his mouth before the car went around a curve and the building that had been hidden was revealed. “Wow Donnie, what is this place?” she asked not able to take her eyes off the ancient stone cathedral. Donnie parked in front of the cracked stone steps, “You know the little place I have been renting for the last few years?” She was confused, “Yeah, but what does that have to do with this?” “When I went to the owner and offered to buy it out right, he jumped at the chance to get rid of it. I didn't know why at the time, but I wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth if you know what I mean. So I bought it lock, stock, and secrets. This place is one of it's secrets. Ended up with almost two hundred acres of heavy forest and hidden at the back edge of it next to the government land was this place. Over that road is government land that I have known about for years and always wondered about because it is posted. No one is allowed back there.” he opened his door and climbed out. “You are the first person I have shown it to since the night I found it.” he waited as she got out of the car. “Can we go in?” she asked looking longingly at the massive oak doors sitting at the top of the steps. Donnie's mind drifted back a week to the night he had found the place. He had done Sunday morning service at Monarch Ministries, and decided to let the youth pastor do the evening service. He had been wanting to explore his new property. After finding the old weed covered road that ran down the back of the land he bought, he found the cathedral. When he had first driven up there was a catholic mass being held. The vehicles parked around, old horse and buggy, had intrigued him enough that he had gone in. Jenna's voice cut through the memory, “Donnie are you ok?” she was asking, by the tone of her voice he knew it wasn't the first time she had asked. He took a deep breath, “I'm fine, and yes we can go in.” he told her as he lead the way up the stairs. He paused at the top for a moment before opening the door. “No one has used this place in over a hundred years. It could use a good cleaning.” he opened the door and stepped back to let her go inside. Jenna looked around, he was right everything had a layer of dust on it, but she could still see the beauty of the place. “This place is wonderful. Do you plan on moving Monarch Ministries here once we get it cleaned up?” she asked starting to walk around and take stock of what was there. Donnie stood just inside the door watching her, “I haven't decided yet. There are a few things I have to consider in that idea.” “Like what? It's a lovely old place that just needs a new church family to call it home.” she continued as she walked around calculating what it would take to get the place up to code and usable. “You are right about it being a lovely old place, but I'm not sure about bringing Monarch Ministries out here. There is something very interesting about this place.” he hedged. He didn't want her to think he was crazy, he needed to know if she would see the same thing he had. Jenna stopped wandering to look at his face. She had known him a long time now, and she could see something was wrong. “Donnie what's wrong?” she asked stepping closer. “Don't worry about me, I brought you out here to show off and help you work through this thing with Tom.” He stepped away from her. He was having a hard time lately thinking when he was too close to her. “There's nothing to work through. The SOB left me for MarryAnne. He couldn't handle that I don't put out.” She explained quickly. “Seems to be what usually happens.” he said staring at the dusty alter in front of the room. “God, I'm sorry I didn't mean that.” Jenna was standing there smiling, “Don't be sorry, it's the truth. Men are fine dating me until they realize that I mean it when I say I'm not having sex until my wedding night.” Donnie could hear her temper starting to ramp up. “Hey, I think you're doing the right thing remember?” he joked. She laughed, not noticing the growing number of people sitting in the pews. Donnie glanced down at his watch. “Um, Jenna. We might want to step back outside.” he didn't know if she could see them or not, but he did know that the Wednesday evening service would be starting soon. He wasn't going to interrupt it. Jenna glanced around after looking at his face. “Ah service will be staring soon.” She walked up to an elderly man in a black suit standing by the door. “Would you mind if we joined you tonight?” she asked him simply. His smile lit up his face, “Anyone, and everyone is welcome here. Please bring your husband and sit.” he held out his hand in invitation. She turned to Donnie. In that moment her safe solid world crashed in around her ears. She had been about to correct the man when two things made themselves known in her mind. First was the fact she was talking to a ghost, and second was the thought of Donnie as her husband made her heart race faster than it had ever before. So instead of saying anything she simply made her way to the pew he had pointed out and sat down. Donnie was sitting beside her in less than a moment. “This is a ghost service right?” she asked him pushing the thought of him as her husband from her mind. “Yes they happen three times a week. Sundays at ten-thirty in the morning and Wednesday's at six.” he watched the last of the people come in. “They also have a small service on Sunday nights.” They sat through service amazed by what they saw. At the end as people were leaving a young woman stopped at the end of their pew. “Excuse me sir?” her voice floated like a feather in the breeze. “Yes,” Donnie responded, “Can I help you with something?” The young woman blushed, “I simply wanted to thank you.” He stood up and held out his hand, “My name is Donnie, and what is it that you want to thank me for?” he asked as she shook his hand. “For bringing our services back. We went so long without them.” a young man stepped up and put his hand on her shoulder. She glanced at him, “I'm sorry I have to go now. Thank you again Pastor Donnie.” she smiled as she let the young man lead her away. Donnie turned to Jenna. “Did she say that I brought back their services?” he asked as other people filed past him only to disappear as they went through the doors. “Yes, but more to the point at least she knows you are a Pastor.” she laughed falling into the line of people heading for the door. As she stepped outside into the setting sun she stopped and took a moment to collect her thoughts.”Donnie remember on the way here you asked me what one thing I wanted in the world?” “Sure.” he was confused but figured she would explain. “I said a house, that's not true.” she felt her chest tighten in fear. Her next words would change her life forever. “I think the one thing I would like is a dinner at Le'Marik.” She looked so scared he wondered what was going on, it was such as simple request.” A dinner at Le'Marik?” he questioned. “Yes, a fancy dinner with you.” her words were strong but she was shaking slightly as she stood there looking into his eyes. Donnie wasn't sure what had just changed, but something in his heart told him that whatever it was, had to be very big. “Ok when?” he asked trying to take the question in stride. She smiled slowly, “Well it's Wednesday evening, right? How about Friday at eight?” Donnie nodded, “Sounds nice. Now how about I take you back to your car?” he asked feeling strange. Jenna felt a laugh bubble up inside her, “That would be just fine.” the longer she thought about the man in the cathedral calling Donnie her husband the more she began to wonder if she had been blind. She decided to move back to a safe topic as they walked toward the car and climbed in. “So what are you wanting to do with this place?” she asked closing the door after settling into the passenger seat. Donnie was still a little confused by the dinner thing, but tried to keep up. “I was thinking I might try to get permission to bring Monarch up here, but I want to make sure not to bother the services that are already here.” he told her putting the car in drive and heading back toward the city. “That sounds like a good plan. We know we can interact with these people.” she was still smiling. She watched him as he drove wondering how long she had been ignoring the fact that her best friend was a handsome man. The ride back to the park was quiet, with both of them thinking their own thoughts and enjoying simply being in the others company. As he pulled in next to the ragged old truck she called hers Donnie spoke, “Jenna, are you sure about this dinner idea? I offered to buy you anything in the world and you tell me all you want is a dinner with me.” he had spent the drive trying to figure it out, but the reasoning was escaping him. “I'm sure. I want dinner with you at Le'Marik.” for the first time she noticed his sea-green eyes had a strange look in them. Maybe pressing her luck this time would lead to where she wanted so badly to go for so long. “But we've been going places together for years.” Something had changed in the church and it was confusing him. Jenna turned in her seat so she was facing him. “That is true, but we've never done anything special. There's never been a date. I want to...” she trailed off as her nerve faded. Before he could respond she climbed out of the car, into her truck and was gone. He sat there for a moment feeling like a fool. How long had he wanted some kind of a reaction from her saying that he was something more than a friend. Now he had gotten the chance and blown it before he even realized it was there. “I offered her all the money I have and she wants a date. God I'm a fool.” he leaned forward and rested his head on the steering wheel. “How can I fix this?” he mumbled into the darkness. As he sat there Donnie felt a calm come over him. There was a way to fix this, he just had to think it through. He leaned back and started the car. A few minutes later he was pulling into the front drive of the church. He shook his head as he looked at his sister's car parked at the back of the lot by his office. “Great, just great.” he climbed out of the car and walked over to the door. She was waiting on the leather sofa just inside the door. “Donnie.” she said politely. “I am glad you came back by the church. I would like the chance to speak with you again.” her words were almost to stiff and polite. He had to keep a tight reign on the laughter, but maybe seeing her again was going to be to bad if he could push her buttons. “I just ran to a meeting. What can I do for you?” he asked trying to gauge just how far to push her. “I found the house I want, and before you get snippy it fits into everything you outlined in the paperwork.” she kept her voice kind and even, but Donnie could hear to amount of willpower it was costing her. He knew how much behaving like this must be costing her emotionally and he had more important fish to fry tonight. “So contact my lawyer and give him the information.” She forced a smile, “Thank you Donnie.”was all she said before getting to her feet and leaving. He didn't say anything, just watched her leave. With a sigh he picked up the phone, now he really needed to make a few calls. The first number he dialed from memory without stopping to thing the office might be closed. It was answered on the second ring. “Johnston and Mitchell, late night.” the voice joked. “Don't you ever go home Kevin?” Donnie asked relaxing slightly at the sound of his old friend's voice. “Not before about eleven of late. What are you still doing at the church?” Donnie sighed, “Marie should be contacting you soon. She stopped by tonight to let me know she found the house she wants.” “Great. Then I assume she signed the papers?” Kevin asked quickly. “Yes, now I need to ask you a question, but I want an answer not a speech.” Donnie knew he sounded strange, however there wasn't anything he could do about it. “Ok, I'll keep the law talk brief, this sounds important.” “It is, what do you know about Le' Marik?” Donnie asked knowing Kevin was going to jump on his about asking. Kevin didn't say anything for a moment, when he did his voice sounded slightly strange to Donnie. “Le'Marik is a pricey place. It's known for good service, great food and high dollar romance.” he paused to let out a low whistle. “Why you asking about that place? It's next to impossible to get a table there. The place is usually booked months in advance.” Donnie sighed, he knew Kevin had a few contacts at the restaurant and if asked would be able to get him the table he needed. “Because I need a table there Friday night about eight-thirty.” he answered hoping to not have to give away too much. “Wow must be someone really special if you want Le'Marik, and in only two days.” Donnie could hear the laughter in his friend's voice. “Can you pull it off?” he asked trying to keep his heart from pounding too loud. “Of course I can do it. I just want to know who's got you so stressed out. You only call me to ask for a favor when you can't think of another way out.” “Let's just say I didn't even try any other ways. I need that table Kevin and I can't afford to make any mistakes on this.” he could hear the fear lacing his own voice, but at the moment really didn't care. There was nothing he would not do to guarantee that things went smoothly. Kevin knew from the tone of his friend's voice that he wasn't joking, this was really important to him. “You'll have the table.” “Thank you. Now I have to make a few more calls.” Kevin cleared his throat, “Donnie who are you setting all of this up for?” With a sigh Donnie gave up. Kevin had been one of his best friends for years, and if he was honest with himself he needed to talk it through. “Jenna.'” he answered simply. He took a deep breath as he waited a heartbeat for Kevin's reaction. “Jenna? You mean your best friend and my sister Jenna?” he asked fighting to keep from laughing. It was just what he expected from his friend. “Yes that Jenna. Now are you going to lecture me about it?” he snapped. “Nope. The only thing I'm going to say about it is that I've talked to both of you at length about many things. If you hurt her Donnie it will end badly.” Donnie glanced around his office his heart racing in his chest. “I won't hurt her Kevin. I've already nearly blown this once. It has to be perfect.” “You want to talk this through now or you want me to meet you at the house in an hour or so? You sound like your nerves are fried on this.” Donnie sighed as his eyes caught on the picture of the three of them that had been taken at graduation. “Kevin you know how long I've waited for this chance. I can't let my own stupidity destroy it.” “What did you do?” Kevin asked knowing his friend needed to talk. “”Well I thought I was being smart, about the lottery money. You remember that nightmare in a box right?” he asked picking up the picture and tracing his fingertips over Jenna's face. “I remember,” Kevin laughed, “I'm dealing with all the legal parts of it, but what does that have to do with how you feel about Jenna?” “I offered her anything she wanted that money could buy, and the only thing she asked for was a dinner Friday night at Le'Marik.” “Ok, so why are you so nervous? It's just a meal.” Kevin asked his voice nearly vibrating with laughter. “Damn it Kevin! You know I've been in love with the woman since grade school.”

“Donnie, what the hell have you done now?” Marie demanded as she stormed into his office. Donnie looked up from the paperwork he was working on, “What are you getting all bent out of shape over?” he asked watching the anger flash in her eyes. “You can start with that fancy car out front with the sticker still in the window.” She was now standing in front of his desk and he knew where this was going. “If you sit down I will do my best to explain what’s going on.” He told her leaning back in his chair. Marie stalked over to the opposite chair and dropped into it with a sigh. “This better be good.” Donnie took a deep breath, “That car is paid in full.” “Right forty-six thousand dollars, paid in full. With you being a Pastor. How is that possible?” she asked, her voice still much louder than it needed to be. “Before I answer that you should know that both my house and Mother’s have been paid off.” He was enjoying making his baby sister angry. It was a childhood sibling rivalry that he never quite grew out of. Marie jumped up, “Damn it Donnie what have you done? If you’ve gotten yourself mixed up with Father’s friends Mother will skin you. She already lost him to those men; there is no way she would be willing to let you deal with them.” She was pacing the room now radiating anger with every breath. Her accusations were fast making Donnie angry himself. It seemed to him that every time something good happened to him, or he could do something nice for their mother Marie starting shooting off her mouth about their late father’s old friends. For the moment he was able to keep his temper in check. “I haven’t heard nor seen any of Father’s friends since his funeral.” He snapped. Marie stopped pacing at the edge of his desk to glare at him. “Then explain the money.” She demanded. “That’s simple, it’s called the North Carolina State Educational Lottery.” He forced a laugh through the anger. “You are telling me that you won the lottery, and that’s where all the money came from?” she asked carefully. All she could think was that he had dealings with the men that had killed their father years before. “That’s right; two hundred seventy-three million dollars. It was the single biggest win on record. The first thing I did was pay off everything I owed and deal with the house for mom. Then I took a small piece of it and bought that car just for the fun of it.” He paused hoping she had gotten herself under control as he was explaining. He didn’t have the heart to deal with one of her temper tantrums today. Marie had managed to get the slightest of grips of her temper, but it wasn’t holding well. “What about me? Do I get anything out of this or is it just our precious mother who does?” she asked almost sounding sweet. This was not an unexpected question, “Of course, all you have to do is sign this.” He told her sliding a thin stack of papers across his desk. “You sign that and you get a house to share with that husband of yours paid in full and sixty thousand dollars in cash.” He was smiling as he explained. She glanced at the papers, “What is it that you want me to sign?” Donnie leaned forward, “Just a little something my lawyer drew up. It says that upon getting the house and money you are relieved of the ability to receive anything more from me. This is a one time deal Marie.” He told her watching as the anger once again filled her eyes.

The door swung opened with a clash of hard wood and iron. Elana stood in the opening glaring at those who were gathered around the oak table dominating the room. Her eyes were flaming with anger as they searched out the face of her father. "Damn you old man!" She screamed letting the anger control her tone of voice. "How dare you tell that fool brother of mine he can lead the troops into battle? He can barely lead himself to supper most nights." Her father turned from the men at the table to face the anger of his daughter, "He shall lead them into battle in the morn. He is the eldest of the family, and shall stand in my stead." his own voice was strong and solid, a feeling that did not fill his heart. "But father, there must be a way to save him, if you send him into battle not only shall his body return broken but also his spirit." she knew this to be true as well as she knew that it was she whom should lead the men she trained with daily into the coming battle. Only with her at the head of the charge did her father's troops stand a chance of winning. It was as if he had heard her thoughts when he spoke again, "Young lady you forget your place. You are the lady of this Holding, though I allow you to train it does not mean that you are a warrior." his heart was not in the fight, but he knew with his high ranking troops sitting at the table there was little he could do. Her anger was over powering, "Train, you say you allow me to train. I think not father, It is I that train your men, the ones you hand over to your foolish son to lead to their deaths in battle." she stormed on into the room, her voice carrying back out through the doorway towards the rest of the Holding house. "Even some of these men have trained under my knowledge," she looked at some of her star pupils one by one, "What say you men? Should Leeland lead the battle cry on the morrow?" The men looked from her to her father then on to each other not knowing what to say. One man took a deep breath and rose to his feet. Turning to men he thought of as a second father he paused for a moment to ready himself for the response to what he was about to say. In his memory no one had stood against the Lord of Rivers Holding and remained in his employ. "Master Owen, "he paused to steady himself as the golden green eyes turned from the beautiful raven haired woman near the door to feel as if they were cutting through him. "I fear your daughter is right, and this time I will stand behind her. If you send us into battle behind Leeland I shall not fight." he looked around at the men gathered around the table, "Who here has the courage to stand with me?" Master Owen swung his gaze to each man sitting at the table, his heart half hoping they had the courage to stand against him on this one. His voice was calm and strong when he spoke, "If anyone here shall stand at her side, then I shall step back and allow her to lead the army.”

::a tired elf stepped through the door of the office looking for the man, or was it dragon that ran the place. She wanted to turn in her application. She sat down in the soft, welcoming looking chair, wondering how anyone could work in such a cluttered place. Luna sat there for a few minutes waiting until she realized that the wait was going to be longer than she had time to wait. With a smile she stood up and carefully placed the package of scrolls on Wyvern’s desk:: ::The scrolls fell open to await Wyvern and his approval:: The shiny blood red sports car plunged through the guardrail with a thunderous crash coming to a stop as it became imbedded among a cluster of magnolia trees. The once mint condition Corvette lay smashed amidst the wreckage of small trees at the edge of the cluster. Heat from the mangled engine scaring the base of the tree it rested against. Loretta turned her head slowly to look at her friend and her breath caught in her throat. Kelly lay lifeless in the passenger seat, the side of the car having been pressed in by the impact with the trees. Loretta slowly tried to move her legs to find that they, while she was still able to feel them were pinned under the weight of twisted metal and fiberglass that was once her pride and joy. It was only moments later when help arrived. The EMTs carefully cut her out of the car taking as little time as they could. Pulling her to safety as the tree that had been supporting the car gave way under its weight. She looked at the dark haired EMT just as she noticed that her brother, Lynn was still standing near the car. “Tell him it was over fast.” She whispered using more strength than she wanted to. Everything hurt at the moment; she prayed in the back of her mind that there wasn’t as much damage done to her as she thought there was. The EMT, she still didn’t recognize him, said something to her as they put her in the ambulance, but she didn’t catch what it was as the darkness slipped over her and she faded to unconsciousness. *** The EMT looked down at Chris, this wasn’t easy on him. “Check her vitals again.” His words were clipped and edging on panic. “Something’s not right.” He grabbed for the blood pressure cuff and slipped it around her arm just as the color began to fade from her face again. The numbers on the cuff were less than he was hoping; they were losing her. “Damn it. Chris you are not dying on my shift you hear me.” He growled running quickly through the rest of her vitals. “Shit she may be bleeding internally.” He grabbed for another set of needles to set-up an IV drip to keep fluids flowing into her. “Get a move on guys or we are going to lose her.” He growled at the driver. Reaching down he placed a hand on the side of her face, “Don’t give up just yet Chris, there’s too much out there for you.” He told her softly. Her eyes fluttered, “It hurts.” She whimpered dragging in a ragged breath. There was a moment when she tried to speak but nothing came out so she tried again, “The baby… am I losing my baby?” she asked him. “I don’t know, all I can tell you is you have lost a lot of blood. You are bleeding internally and until we get to the hospital there isn’t much that can be done. It’s not far now. Just hold on.” His words faded as she slipped back into the painless darkness. *** Lynn glanced back as the ambulance began to pull away; he hoped that would not be the last image he had of his sister. His eyes slid back to the car, and the remains of the woman the other EMTs were just pulling from the twisted metal. His heart clenched in his chest at the sight of Kelly’s lifeless face. “Travel light,” he whispered to himself, raising his voice to be heard over the sounds of the officers there he spoke again, “Take care of her.” He told the EMTs before turning back to the car. Now was not the time to get lost in his grief, now was the time to figure out what had happened. He took notes on everything, and bagged all the evidence he could find that something more than just an accident occurred there. He knew in his heart that something was wrong. Cleaning up the remains of the scene took him three hours of bagging, writing, and answering questions that only mattered because he was the first responder. After the scene was cleaned and the car hauled away he could leave. It only took about ten minutes to get to the hospital but to Lynn it was the longest ten minutes of his life. He had known when they were taking his sister out of that damn sports car of hers that she had a better chance of not making it to the hospital than living through it. But as far as he knew she was still fighting to live, and knowing his twin as well as he did he knew she wouldn’t stop. As he parked his patrol car and got out he suddenly realized that he was shaking like a leaf. He forced himself to take a moment to gather himself together, he couldn’t crack now, he had to check on her and get through this. “Lynn, Loretta is going to live.” The Dr. said as Lynn walked into the hospital. Lynn thought his heart was going to stop, “What room is she in?” Lynn asked. “At the moment Chrissie’s in ICU and I don’t plan on letting her be moved until sometime late tomorrow afternoon.” The Dr. told him with a smile. “Can I see her?” Lynn asked wondering again if she was going to be ok. “Yes but only for a few minutes. There are some things I want to keep an eye on. Just because I said she was going to live doesn’t mean that everything is as good as it could be right now, your sister is a special case and as such has to be handled carefully. Even one small mistake on my part could cause more trouble than any of us want or need.” the Dr. spoke in a clam voice that did nothing to calm Lynn’s nerves. His sister was his life; there was nothing he would not do to help her. “Just let me see her and while I am do your best to find the number of that oil rig about 2 miles offshore.” Lynn snapped knowing that was going to be the hardest phone call he ever made in his life. “Now what room is she in?” he asked again. “519 just down the hall. Remember though she looks really rough right now.” Lynn knew that, he had seen them pull her from the wreck that had been her car. His feet took him the short distance to the door of the ICU. With a deep breath he pushed it open, to be met almost instantly by the head nurse on duty. “Lynn I am so sorry. She’s in 519, stable but in bad shape. Have you gotten in touch with Michael?” she asked him tears slipping down her face. “Not yet, it’s not going to be easy, he’s out under the rig right now. Not supposed to be back on land for another week or so.” The two of them were walking towards room 519, the fear tightening in his chest with every step. “He’s not going to take this well you know. The four of you were closer than anything I have seen in a long time.” She said as they reached the door. “For me losing Kelly is like having my arm cut off; I don’t know how he is going to handle losing his sister and having Chris this bad off.” Lynn reached out and pushed the door open, his eyes searching for his sister on the bed. She lay so still he thought his heart was going to break. If it wasn’t for the sounds of the monitors proving she was still alive he knew he would have lost it. He was still wondering in the back of his mind how he was holding it together over Kelly. He and Kelly had been an item since they were in high school, about the same time Michael had hooked up with Chris. He took a step into the room. Chris’ voice was just a whisper, “Don’t call him, not tonight at least. We can get a hold of him in the morning. There isn’t anything he can do for Kelly, and I will be in better shape to see him in the morning. I don’t see a point in worring him.” The words sounded old and tired to Lynn’s ears. “Chris I am so sorry. I wish I could have gotten to you faster, maybe saved her.” He mumbled stepping closer. Chris turned her head toward him, her eyes showing the sadness at the loss of her best friend. “You didn’t do anything wrong Lynn, she was gone the moment it happened.” She took a deep breath the pain flashing in her eyes. “Now morn her and move on.” The words were full of pain. “I can’t. I don’t know how.” The tears falling from his eyes were heavy in his voice. He dropped into the plastic chair next to her bed. “How am I going to live without her sis? She’s been a part of me for so long.” Chris looked at her brother and knew that what little hold he had on life was slipping away quickly. She needed to do something, but the damage to her body was limiting the choices she had. She reached over and pushed the call button for the nurse’s station. “Yes, are you in pain?” came the almost instant response. “No, but I could use some help. I need a grief councilor in here if one is available.” Chris spoke slowly, her chest hurting from the use. “Let me check, I would say it was for your brother right? You seem to be dealing well with things.” The nurse said quickly. “Yes, just send them in if you find one. Thanks, and oh by the way if you could find me a real hamburger I would be grateful.” Chris tried knowing they had her on a liquid diet. There was a laugh before the speaker cut out. She looked back over at Lynn and reached out her unbandaged right hand towards him. “It will be ok.” She figured her words wouldn’t get a reaction as bad as he was crying now, but she hoped they would offer some comfort. It was only a few minutes later when a pretty blonde haired lady knocked lightly on the door to the room. “Hello, my name is Elizabeth; I heard that you requested a visit.” Her voice was light and sweet, making Lynn lift his head. He wanted to tell her to go away, but knew that his sister was right, “She wanted me to talk to you.” He said turning in the chair to face her more directly. The woman stepped into the room. “Is that right Loretta?” Elizabeth asked softly. “Yes, he just lost his long time girlfriend in the accident that left me in here.” Chris told her watching as she pulled up a chair and sat down beside him. “Lynn is my brother; the two of us grew up with Kelly and her brother Michael. He doesn’t know his sister is gone yet, but I feel dealing with Lynn is more important than calling someone that is not going to be able to get here for a few days anyway. We can deal with Michael in the morning.” Chris rambled her voice floating from strong to weak. Elizabeth turned to look at Lynn, “I will start by reminding you that you are a police officer, and in that you know that life will go on. However I know that right now you aren’t so sure you want it to. Am I correct?” she asked knowing that this was not going to be a normal counseling session. Lynn smiled having said that same kind of thing many times before to many different people. “I know, I just never realized how badly losing a part of your life can hurt. We always thought we had plenty of time so we never got around to making things official.” He told them, it was feeling better just to talk. “The woman that was killed her name was Kelly right?” Elizabeth asked. “Yes, my best friend and the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.” Lynn’s words still held tears but he was coming back to Chris and she was getting less and less worried that she might lose him to the pain before it was all over. “Let me ask you this. Did Kelly know you loved her?” Lynn smiled, “Yes, I think I have been telling her that every day for the last twelve years. Since we were in the seventh grade together.” He smiled as the memory of the first time he told her floated through his mind. It was just after school started for their seventh grade year, and the first time Kelly had worn a dress to school. He had seen her smiling at another boy and without thinking he punched the younger boy in the eye. He screamed at Kelly that he loved her and ran down the hall away from her. “Then you know she was thinking about it tonight right?” “Yes, we were supposed to meet up with Chris at Koas and Collections for dinner. I was finally going to ask her to marry me.” Chris spoke up, “She knew.” The simple statement brought the tears back to Lynn’s eyes. He looked up at his sister, “How, I never told anyone. I just invited you two to dinner tonight, which I always do when Michael goes out on the rig.” Chris drew in a shaky breath, she was getting tired and the muscles in her chest where the seat belt had tightened on her were really starting to hurt. “You bought the ring three days ago at Nathan’s. Did you think that she wouldn’t find out?” “I didn’t think about it. Did Nathan tell her?” He asked feeling a bit better that she at least knew he wanted to make things permanent. Chris forced a smile, “Not really he told me you had been in and looking at rings, I mentioned it to mother and she told Kelly. It was a beautiful ring that you chose by the way.” “Yeah, but she will never see it.” The tears started to fall again. Chris spoke up, “She might not see it but I would say that no one would have a problem if you buried it with her.” She hoped the words were comforting. Lynn looked up, “You think I should?” Chris wanted to thump him, but the effort would have taken too much out of her. “Yes, I think that would be perfect.” She lifted her hand back toward Lynn and smiled, he would make it. “I guess we should call Michael tonight, but I don’t know how to get in touch with him out there.” Her breathing was starting to get shallow from the pain. Lynn glanced at her, “I think I am going to let you get some much needed rest, after all I have been in here a lot longer than the Dr. said I should be, I will deal with getting in touch with Michael. Do you want to see him when he gets here?” he joked knowing that she would want to see him. She had been in love with Michael nearly as long as he had been in love with Kelly. “Sure, but do me a favor and tell him it’s not as bad as it sounds.” She commented as she watched him head to the door. “That I will do, I just hope that someday I can make sense of what happened tonight.” She heard him say as he left the room. Chris looked at the counselor and shook her head. “It will take him a long time to understand what happened here. Lynn made his way to the front of the emergency room area and found a man sitting in one of the uncomfortable plastic chairs reading through a three year old magazine. “David James, what are you doing here?” he asked walking up to the man. David looked up, brushing his overly long hair out of his eyes, “Wondering how your sister is doing? Once they put her in her own room I am supposed to get a statement from her about the accident. By the way Captain is outside talking to some of the officers from the scene. He wants to talk to you. He made everyone else stay outside. With everyone knowing Chris is in here it’s like half the squad showed up to check on her.” Lynn sighed, “So Captain is taking me off the case?” he asked looking around. “Go out and ask him for yourself, I don’t know what he wants you to do now.” David told him. Lynn smiled and headed for the door. He wasn’t looking forward to dealing with the Captain on all of this. As he made his way through the doors he caught sight of the Captain standing in a group of uniformed men and women. Captain Jefferson Marshall was a powerfully built man who stood nearly seven foot tall. His brown eyes had a habit of making even grown men feel like a ungainly teenager. The mop of burnt auburn hair that was usually falling in his eyes just seemed to add to the menacing look of the man.“David said you wanted to speak with me.” He commented loudly as he walked up. The Captain turned his head, “Yes Lynn. I have news you don’t want, but you know I have to do it. I have to take you off the case. I don’t want to but I can’t leave you on it; it was your girlfriend and your sister that were run off the road tonight. Your girlfriend was killed and your sister nearly so.” he explained, his eyes held understanding as he continued; “Now unofficially you can do whatever you want as long as you stay hands off. I know you want to catch the monster that did this, but you have to keep your nose clean. As of tonight you are on paid leave.” “And just how long are you doing that for?” Lynn asked. “Six weeks minimum and you to have to pass a psych evaluation before you can come back. I think you might need it having been first on the scene tonight.” Lynn glared at his friend and Captain, “So you think old Lynn’s going to crack this time do you. Tonight wasn’t my first dance. I’ve had rough cases before.” The Captain took a moment to look around, “I know, I remember the night your father was killed. It’s not something I will ever forget. In fact I think I will take the image of the room to my own grave.” Lynn pictured the room where he had found his father slumped over his desk just before his twentieth birthday. “Neither will I, and what makes that all the harder is we never found his killer.” “You were just a rookie back then. There wasn’t really anything more we could do.” Captain Marshal reminded him knowing that it most likely wouldn’t help anymore than it had over the years but it was the best he could do. “So, I’m on paid leave, at least there’s that. The bills won’t stop just because you think I’m going to crack this time. I won’t you know. Kelly may have meant the world to me, but sometimes being a cop makes everything a bit off in the world.” The Captain looked at him for a moment. “That is truer than you know. Sometimes we do things that we would never do if we were anything other than a cop.” He glanced around the group gathered in front of the emergency room. “Ok guys, disperse for now. Chris is going to make it, and I am sure these nice people here don’t need us standing around here bothering them.” Lynn reached in his pocket and pulled out his new cell phone. Taking a deep breath he dialed his mother’s phone number. She picked up on the second ring. “Hello.” “Mom, I have news you are not going to want to hear.” He tried to keep his voice level and calm. There was a sharp intake of breath, “What happened? Did Kelly say no?” she asked. Lynn took a steadying breath, “I never got to ask her. She and Chris were in a car accident tonight.” He didn’t want to tell her that Kelly was gone. He didn’t want to think about it. “Oh my, is she ok?” she asked her voice filled with fear. “No, Chris is in ICU at Memorial, and,” he paused to take another deep breath, “Kelly was killed instantly.” His voice broke, but he managed to hold it together. “Oh gods, I’ll be there as fast as I can.” She hung up before he could say anything else. Lynn closed his phone and slipped it back into his pocket. Turning he spoke to the Captain. “My mother is on her way.” Captain Marshal’s breath caught, Lynn’s mother was not a woman he enjoyed dealing with on the best of days, and this was not even close to a good day. “Then you will forgive me if I take my leave. Your mother and I are not the best of friends, never have been.” Lynn felt the first real smile of the day come over his face, “That is an understatement, but I can understand you wanting to be out of here when she gets here. My mother can be a bit hard to take sometimes. Just make sure to keep me up to speed on the case.” “Will do. Now get back in there and deal with your sister she is going to need you.” Hewatched Lynn head back into the hospital wishing that he could see the fireworks when Michael arrived, but there was no way on earth he was dealing with Mrs. Havershik. The woman had driven him crazy for years. Lynn dropped into the chair next to David in the waiting room; he wasn’t ready to go back to his sister just yet. “Did they tell you when you could see her?” David looked up, “Yeah, when she gets her own room. They said sometime tomorrow afternoon.” “So why are you still sitting here?” Lynn asked wondering what other bad news he had for him. “I wanted to talk to you about some things you saw tonight. Did you see what happened?” David asked writing down his own thoughts on what had happened. Lynn looked over at David, “Not really, by the time I got there it was over. The car simply looked like a mangled mess of steel.” “So you didn’t see who ran them off the road?” David asked again. “No, by the time I got there Kelly was already gone and Chris was floating in and out.” Lynn continued with a sad sigh. He wasn’t really interested in talking about this right now but he knew it needed to be done. “Ok why don’t you head back in? I’ll come back in the morning. Let her know that I hope she gets better quickly.” David stood up and put his hand on Lynn’s shoulder. “And take care of yourself too.” “I will. See you in the morning.” Lynn smiled standing up and heading back towards the ICU. He stopped at the swinging door and took a deep breath. Pushing it open he was once again met by the head nurse. “Hey Lynn. She’s doing a bit better now. She’s going to make it without much worry. At the moment we aren’t so sure about the baby. He’s not been doing as good as he could be.” She told him not knowing that he didn’t know about the baby. “Her what?” Lynn demanded. “Her baby. You didn’t know Chris was almost 3 months pregnant?” she asked him smiling. “No. I didn’t. Can I see her now?” he asked wondering in the back of his mind what it would be like to be an uncle. “Sure. She resting comfortably now.” She stepped back to allow him in. He made his way to her room and quietly slipped inside. She was awake, “Yes Lynn. Is everything ok?” she asked. Lynn looked at her bruised face, “Not really. Mother is on her way, and I still haven’t tried to get a hold of Michael yet.” “Why is mother coming?” Chris asked lifting her hand to cover her eyes. “Because she’s worried about you, so am I. What is this I heard from the nurse about a baby?” he asked with a smile. Chris blushed, “Well, the Dr. said that the baby was doing ok, not as good as he wanted but better than he expected. With everything that happened in the crash, including the internal bleeding they just wanted me to be very careful of things I do until he’s born.” “Why didn’t you tell me you were expecting a baby?” he demanded. The door opened before Chris could answer him, “I think I can answer that one.” A deep male voice spoke from the doorway. “At least I hope it’s because she didn’t know.” Chris’ face lit up, “Michael how? Shouldn’t you be out there helping build that new oil rig?” she asked reaching for his hand. Michael stepped close, “Seems a Captain Marshall pulled a few strings and had a helicopter bring me in. For some reason he thought that the two of you might wait to call me.” He took Chris’ hand and brought it to his lips. “Now I know my baby sister is gone, and that I will fall apart about later. How are you doing beautiful and what is this about a baby?” Chris blushed again, “I’m about 3 months along, and as for why I haven’t told anyone I didn’t find out till this morning at my appointment for my yearly exam.” “WOW.” The word came out of Lynn and Michael at the same moment. “I’m going to be a daddy.” Michael continued. “What in the world are we going to do?” he asked a little shell-shocked about the baby. Chris grinned, “That one I have already figured out. We raise our baby and try for the best life we can.” She took a deep breath, “That is if you want the baby?” Michael’s temper flashed, “If I want the baby? Why wouldn’t I?” Chris and Lynn both fought to keep smiles hidden, “Well we never talked about kids, marriage or anything like that.” “True enough, but that doesn’t mean I never thought about it. I’ve always wanted to marry you and have a family with you. Just because our families think the match is a disaster doesn’t mean anything to me.” He dropped down to one knee beside her bed, “Marry me Loretta Havershik, and make me the happiest man alive.” Chris’ heart was torn in half, part of her was happier than she had ever been, while the other felt guilty about Lynn and Kelly. Before she could say anything Lynn spoke up, “Tell the man yes Chris. Don’t lose another moment with him.” She looked from Michael’s face to Lynn’s, “You don’t mind?” she didn’t want to do anything to cause him more pain. “Tonight was supposed to be your night.” Michael looked up at his friend, “You were asking Kelly tonight?” he asked softly, angry at himself for forgetting the pain Lynn had to be going through. Lynn smiled, “Yes, I was and I think with the new life on the way tonight is perfect for the two of you to make it official.” He told them tears running down his face. “Thank you for your blessing Lynn. It means a lot to me. So how about it Chris; are you going to make me an honest man or not?” Michael asked from where he was still kneeling on the floor. Chris’ smile was brilliant, “Yes.” Lynn clapped quietly, “I am very happy for the both of you.” He watched as Michael got up and gave Chris a careful hug. “Now Chris, no one has told me anything other than you are going to live. How much damage was done to you in that crash?” Lynn asked dropping down lightly on the end of her bed. She sighed, “For the most part just bumps and bruises. The biggest thing was a broken rib that did some damage on the inside and cut up a few things in there. They got everything taken care of and think that in time both me and the baby will be fine.” She assured the boys standing next to her bed. She was about to say more when there was a loud commotion at the nurse’s station. Lynn stood up and hurried to the door, “Damn. I was hoping we had longer.” He turned to look back at Chris. “Mother’s here. Do you want me to deal with her?” Chris thought about it for a moment, “No, just let her in, and go tell that fool of a Dr. of mine that I want in a normal room tonight. There is no reason that I should be trapped in ICU.” Lynn nodded and pushed the door open. “Hello mother.” He kept his voice low and calm. He was hoping she was there because Chris was her daughter and she loved her, but he doubted it. “It was good of you to get here so fast.” She spun around, “Good why? What’s happened now? These nurses won’t tell me anything.” She demanded her voice shrill and loud, he hated it when she was like this. “All I meant mother is that she will be glad to see you. She has some really good news for you. Michael is with her now, but since she’s asking for a normal room I don’t think it would be out of the question for you to go in. I am going to stay out here for a few minutes. I need to find out if anyone has called Kelly’s parents.” He told his mother as he led her across the hall to the door of Chris’ room. He stepped back and watched as she pushed the door open. “Be nice Mother.” He called as she went through the door. ### Chris looked at her mother as she came in and hoped she was at least remotely under control. “It’s good to see you mother.” Shelly Havershik looked at her daughter, “Wish I could say the same. You look horrible Loretta. I guess from the looks of it that car of yours finally cost you something.” Chris’ anger was instant and magnificent, “I understand that you never liked the car or the fact that Michael bought it for me, but that was wrong for you to say. Someone ran Kelly and I off the road tonight. I may have only been hurt, but Kelly my second best friend in all the world lost her life tonight.” She glanced at Michael. “If you can’t show me respect, the least you could do is show some to your future son-in-law.” She waited for the explosion. She wasn’t disappointed, “You will not marry that man.” The door slammed open before either Chris or Michael could respond. “And you Mrs. Havershik will not talk to my patient that way. If you can’t show respect you can leave. I don’t care if you are a member of one of the richest families around. I’ve dealt with Chris long enough and often enough to know you are only here for show anyway.” The Dr. said coming through the door and taking Chris’ chart off the end of her bed. “You are one lucky girl in a couple of ways Chris.” “Listen you self absorbed pompous jerk, I am here because she is my daughter and this is where I should be. Why does everyone think I would be here for any other reason?” “Because in all the years I have been treating your children the only time you are available is when it makes you look good or there are checks to be written. Now may I get back to my patient or must we continue this here and now until you are escorted out again.” He turned back to Chris as she spoke. “Why am I lucky Dr.?” she asked looking at the people in the room. She found the anger on her mother’s face amusing, however she had never felt very lucky with her mother around. “ First of all it looks like both you and the baby will make a complete recovery. Past that, you have a very stubborn and demanding brother. Your paperwork to move to a private room is being done as we speak.” He explained watching out of the corner of his eye as Shelly absorbed the news that she was going to be a grandmother. He turned to face her, “Mrs. Havershik, you look pale is there something I can do for you?” Shelly glared at her daughter, “How dare you get pregnant. That man is not good enough for you.” She snarled. “You have no idea mother.” Chris snapped, “You can leave. They will call you if something happens and you are needed.” She watched as her mother stood up aghast and stormed out of the room, with a smile she turned back to the Dr. “So when will that room be ready?” ### Lynn turned back to the nurse’s station as his mother stormed out of the room seeming to not see him or anyone else in her anger. He wasn’t even surprised, the woman may have given birth to him and Chris, but she was the most uncaring woman he had ever had the displeasure of dealing with. “Everything will be fine with my mother. She’s a bit of a pain, but she shouldn’t do any damage to Chris. My sister can stand up for herself with the best of them.” A young red-haired nurse’s aide walked through the doors of ICU. “Officer Havershik, there’s someone at the main entrance that would like to speak with you.” She smiled walking up. “Thank you. I’ll be right out.” He watched as she hurried back through the doors. He looked back at the nurse, “You have my cell number if you need me.” He headed out the doors having a feeling it was Kelly’s parents that wanted to see him. As he rounded the last corner, he saw he was right. “Mr. and Mrs. Matthews, I am very sorry about Kelly. If there is anything I can do please let me know.” Angelia Matthews stepped forward and without saying anything wrapped him in a loving hug. James spoke in a quiet voice, “Thank you son. The best and only things we can ask of you are to let us know what is going on and to be there for Michael.” Lynn stepped back. “That you can count on.” He took a deep breath, “I hate to ask, but have you been down to identify Kelly’s body?” Angelia responded, “Michael did that when he got here and we were told. Personally I would rather remember her as I last saw her. She was so happy about meeting you for dinner tonight.” Lynn smiled, “I’m glad the last memory you have of her is a happy one.” He could only wish it was that easy for himself. James looked at him, “I heard you were first on the scene. That must’ve been really hard.” “It wasn’t easy, but as I am sure you know after all your years on the force, sometimes being a cop means shutting everything off.” Lynn’s eyes were sad, but he stayed in control. James’ eyes hardened, “true enough. Can you by chance tell us where to find our son?” “He is with my sister. They should be moving her to a private room soon. If you ask at the desk I am sure they can tell you where she is once she’s been moved. I have something I need to deal with, so I will be back later.” He told them starting to walk away. He didn’t wait to see how they responded, just made his way to his car. Climbing in he closed the door and dropped his head to the steering wheel. It was long past time for him to take a few minutes to himself. ### The car was parked at the edge of the lot, the man inside watching Lynn as he sat in his car. Slowly the man started the car and began to pull away, “Tonight is not your night Lynn. But be warned, your time is coming.” The man drove out of the parking lot past where Lynn was fighting for his sanity. ### Lynn lifted his head just as the car slipped out of the lot. “Ok, time to break a few rules.” He mumbled to himself, slipping the seatbelt on and turning the key as a plan began to form in his head. He drove to police headquarters and parked in his normal spot. He got out and walked inside. The Captain meeting him at the door, “What are you doing here? I thought I put you on six weeks leave.” Lynn just looked at him, “I promise I won’t leave my desk. I just want to read through the reports.” Captain Marshall looked him in the eyes, “Not one inch from your desk and you only get copies of the reports.” “That’s fine, I want everything on tonight, I want to know who ran them off the road.” Lynn snarled pushing past the captain and heading for his desk. He sat down just as his phone rang. He picked it up on the second ring, “Officer Havershik, how can I help you?” The voice on the other end of the line was distorted, “Take your Captain’s advice and stay away from your sister’s case. It was an accident, leave it at that and move on.” Lynn started to speak, but the voice on the line wasn’t done. “You will find that this number comes back to a throw away pre-paid cell phone, so don’t waste your time tracing it just listen. Kelly died in an accident, one that shouldn’t have happened, but did. Leave it at that and move on. Nothing good will come of you digging into the crash.” Again Lynn started to say something, but the voice continued, “If you value your family, you will stay out of the case. Digging into things you shouldn’t can be very costly.” The line went dead. Lynn put down the phone, “At least I have all that recorded.” He mumbled to himself. “Have what recorded?” The captain asked stepping up with a handful of papers. “It was a call telling me to back off my sister’s case. It’s not the first time someone didn’t want me on some case or another.” He told him reaching for the papers, “So what do we know?” The captain handed over the papers, “Not much, from the looks of the scene they didn’t have much of a chance to react.” Lynn started to thumb through the papers and got caught by one of the crime scene photos in the pile. “Where was this taken?” he asked showing the picture to the captain and not wanting to take the time to look through the file to figure it out. “Fifteen to twenty feet from the car. You know the photo guy working tonight, the man takes pictures of everything within a quarter mile of the scene to make sure we have it all recorded. Why?” “Because something in that picture is wrong, it shouldn’t be there. Is the evidence list in here too?” he asked flipping through the papers. He found the paper he was looking for. “Right, here it is. The book is listed as a leather bound journal type, language unknown. Will you allow me to look at it?” he asked Jefferson. “Sure with my supervision. What about the book caught your attention though?” “The writing on the cover, it looks familiar. Something about it tells me that I’ve seen it before.” Lynn stood up and started towards the evidence room. He knew Jefferson would follow him. They got there and the Captain took a moment to sign the two of them in. “Ok, so you want to look at the book anything else?” “Not at the moment.” Lynn watched as Jefferson went and got the book out of the evidence box for the case. He brought it back over and handed it to Lynn.” “Holy crap I was right.” The words were out of Lynn’s mouth before he could stop them. His fingers traced the hand engraved letters on the cover of the journal, his face going white. “Lynn, what’s wrong?” Jefferson asked. “Captain, sir, the name on this journal is that of my great grandfather. I haven’t seen this book in years.” Jefferson looked at him, “Maybe your sister had it with her?” he questioned, “and that’s how it was found outside the car.” “Not likely. It went missing the night my father was killed. Something’s funny here.” Lynn was getting angry. He felt like he was being played for a fool. He watched Jefferson’s face drain of color. “I haven’t thought of your father or his death in a long time. The case was classified as a cold case long ago.. Why would you think this is linked to it?” Lynn flipped through the book, “No, Chris wasn’t likely to have it. She wasn’t much into our father’s library, but you might as well sit down.” Nothing had changed in it since the last time he had seen it other than about ten of the entries were marked with post it notes. “I’m going to be here awhile I’m not as good at translating Gaelic as I used to be. This will take me a few.” He took the small notepad he always carried out of his back pocket and began translating the marked entries into it. Jefferson smiled to himself, Lynn might be smart enough to get out of this alive after all. He watched as Lynn copied the entries, personally having no idea what they said or why they would be important. As he sat there he thought about the calls he had been getting lately. Something was defiantly going on. Things had been set in motion and now he wasn’t sure he was going to get out of this with his skin. With the accident tonight and the calls over the last few days threatening a long dead cop, things were not feeling as safe as they could in his world. Jefferson was thinking hard about resigning from his post as police captain. They sat there almost two hours before Lynn put his pen down. “I’m done. You can put this back now. I have everything I need from it.” He handed the journal back to the Captain, and stood up. He waited while Jefferson put it away and signed them out. Then they headed out of the evidence room, Lynn walking towards the front door of the station. “I’m going home. It’s been a long day.” He called to the captain across the station as he reached the main doors leading outside. The drive across town was one he had done enough times he could nearly do it in his sleep. As he pulled to a stop in front of the high rise where he lived his cell phone rang. He snagged it out of his pocket as he climbed out of the car. “Havershik.” “Don’t you ever say hello when you answer that thing?” the voice on the other end demanded. “Not usually. What can I do for you Jimmy?” he asked walking up the path toward the main doors. “You told me told me to call if anything strange showed up at the shop.” He responded. “Can you get down here?” Lynn sighed, “Is there any way that it can wait today has been a really bad day for me.” There was a pause on the other end of the line, “I heard about your sister and your girlfriend, but this is important. It looks like something from your past.” Jimmy told him. “Ok, just give me about an hour. I really have to grab a shower. I feel nasty after the day I’ve had.” “Ok, when you get here come in the side door.” Jimmy told him before hanging up. Lynn slipped his phone back into his pocket and walked on into the building. He headed straight for the elevator. The doors slid open just as he walked up. “Hey John.” He smiled at one of his neighbors, as they passed at the doors. The doors slid shut again and he turned back around to press the button for the 32nd floor. The elevator began to climb silently toward his floor. He was a bit surprised when the first time the doors opened again he was on his floor. “At least something went right tonight.” He said to himself as he stepped off the elevator. One of the delivery men for the building was walking toward him down the hall. “Hello Lynn. I just left a package for you by your door. I hope everything is ok.” After the day Lynn had been through he stopped and looked closely at the young man. “What do you mean?” The guy looked confused, “Well, the package is from the law office your dad used to use. The one out of New Orleans.” Lynn’s heart felt like it fell to his feet. “Oh.” He took a careful step towards his apartment, “Thanks Marc.” He stopped just in front of his door and reached down for the box, his fingers stopping just short of touching it. He bent down to get a better look. It seemed safe enough. With a breath he picked it up and unlocked his door. He flicked the light on with his elbow and headed for the kitchen table. He set the box on the table and sat down in one of the high back chairs. He reached up and started to cut the tape on the box, the need and want for a shower momentarily forgotten. As he got the box open he saw the simple typed letter laying on top. Greetings Mr. Havershik; My name is Thomas Case. I am a lawyer working with Keith, Matthews, and Roarke. We handled many dealings for your father; Joseph Havershik. A few weeks ago this box arrived at our offices to be forwarded to you. The contents of this package are detailed on the reverse of this letter. My best wished for your future. Thomas Case Lynn put the letter aside without looking at the back of it, and took the manila envelope off the top of the stack in the box. He opened it and felt his heart tighten again, as he pulled out a stack of stock certificates. “This must be worth a fortune.” He said to himself. He was just reaching back into the box when his cell rang. He picked it up again, “Havershik.” “Boy you need to say hello when you answer that thing.” His uncle’s voice commanded. “Why? For being my personal cell, I’ve gotten nothing but cop calls tonight. So how can I help you dear uncle Douglas?” “Can’t I call just to talk?” Douglas asked sounding tired. “I’m thinking not today. It’s been bad from the start. So what’s wrong?” Lynn felt like everything in his life was going wrong, and was just waiting for the next thing to crash in. “Well you are right. It is my job that caused me to call. I got a call tonight about a missing car.” Douglas started. Lynn wasn’t in the mood for a run around, “Douglas, please just get to the point.” “Ok, man you must really have had a bad day. The car was the same make and model as the one that was seen the night your father was killed.” He continued, making Lynn’s head spin. “Douglas you have to be crazy. How would that car still be around? After all these years, someone would have done something to it.” “They did. It didn’t come across my desk as a stolen car, but through another case. A couple of kids found the car down at the quarry. Seems there was some strange evidence found in the car. My boss is making noises about reactivating your father’s murder case.” Douglas had Lynn’s attention now, “What kind of evidence?” “A number of things; first and foremost both your father’s DNA and evidence of something criminal.” “My father’s DNA?” Lynn asked slightly confused. “Yes there was trace amounts of blood evidence inside the car. Both on the seat and on some clothing. That blood was your father’s I wanted to let you know that the feds were reactivating the case before you found out from someone else. People are going to want to talk to you again.” He explained. “Right another round of questions I have no answers for.” Lynn snapped feeling a bit hopeless. He was overloading and knew it. “Douglas, do you know when they are going to want to talk to me? My life is a little more than messed up right now. I don’t know how you haven’t heard yet, but Chris and Kelly were in a car accident tonight. Kelly didn’t make it and Chris is in the hospital.” Lynn explained deciding not to go into more detail about any of the other stuff that was happening. “Oh damn. I’m sorry. I’ve been in the field and out of contact with most everyone since the call about the car.” Was all Douglas could say. “Thanks. So if you could keep the questions off for a bit I would be grateful.” “I’ll give you as much time as I can, but I can’t promise long.” Douglas told him. “I just wanted to keep you informed.” “Well, call back if you get anything new. If I don’t answer leave a message. Right now I have a stack of things I have to get done.” Lynn hung up without saying anything more and put the phone on the table. Them reactivating his father’s murder case was not something he wanted to deal with right at the moment. He didn’t bother to take another look at the box, he just headed for the shower. ### Michael slowly pushed Chris down the hospital corridor. They were moving her to a private room. “So love, what happened tonight?” Chris sighed, “Short and sweet of it; some asshole ran Kelly and I off the road. The details, I don’t have many. I didn’t get a look at the driver, but the car was a 2002 or2003 mustang, yellow in color. Gods it was ugly. The thing came right at us. I swerved to miss getting hit and ended up in the Magnolia grove out on Route 17.” A voice spoke up from behind them, “How could the car have come directly at you and you not have gotten a look at the driver?” David asked. Michael stopped, “I thought I would have seen you before now.” “Yeah well are you going to answer my question Chris?” “Why are you asking David?” she questioned him, she never had liked the man all that much. “Because it’s my job. I am supposed to interview you about what happened.” He explained. “Great. I am so sure Lynn is happy that you have the case, and as far as for the answer to your question the windows on the car were tinted.” She snapped. “If you didn’t see anything how do you know it was a he?” “I don’t. The only thing I know is that I got hurt and my best friend Kelly was killed. There isn’t anything else I can tell you.” She looked up at Michael, “Can we go now?” He began to walk again, “Of course.” They left David standing in the hall and moved on towards her new room. ### Lynn shut the water off and reached for a towel. He gasped as his fingers touched something hard and wet sitting on the towel rack. “Son of a bitch.” He climbed out of the shower still dripping, his eyes coming to rest on a small metal box covered in what looked to be blood. He stepped back and grabbed for another towel to dry off. He headed into his bedroom and grabbed the phone off the nightstand. His fingers were shaking as he dialed 911. “911 what is your emergency?” The woman’s voice asked. “I need assistance at 2613 Rockak Road, the penthouse suite.” He says looking back at the bathroom door. “I think an officer could handle this. It’s a simple Bio-hazard removal.” his words were clipped, but his hold on sanity was starting to slip. There was a pause on the line, “Lynn Havershik, is that you?” She asked. “Yes, Jeanette.” He answered recognizing her voice. “Oh hell. How bad is it?” She asked. He could hear the keystrokes as she tapped at her computer. “It’s not that bad, somebody left me a gift is all. It’s just a…” his voice dropped off as something slammed into the back of his head rendering him unconscious. “Lynn! Lynn!” Jeanette called into the phone. The man standing over Lynn could hear, and wanted to answer the phone; however his boss told him to speak to no one. So he left the phone where Lynn had dropped it and slipped back out the way he gotten in through the patio door. It was only a few minutes later when the door to the apartment gave easily to the manager’s master key. “Damn it Lynn.” David snarled dropping down to check on him where he lay on the floor. Lynn groaned as David shook him. “What the hell happened here?” he asked looking around. “Good question, but not one I have an answer for. I was taking a shower, and grabbed for my towel. There was some type of bloody box on the towel rack.” He stood up and went to get his robe. “I came back in here and called 911 and went black.” He belted the robe looking around the room. “Nothing looks to be disturbed in here.” “Ok, you mind if we turn this into a crime scene?” David asked taking his notebook out of his pocket. “That’s why I called.” Lynn snapped, he didn’t like when his life started to fly out of control. David looked up from the notebook, “True, but I was talking making you more than just a witness.” Lynn spun around, “Why? “Because you were attacked, we don’t know what is going on. We need to do this by the book.” David explained. Lynn was less than happy about it, but he understood. “Fine, do what you have to do.” He walked over and sat down on the couch. It looked like he would be standing Jimmy up after all. He watched as they documented everything in the place, including the growing bump on his head. About 3 hours later they left his apartment in nearly as good of shape as it had been when they got there. However they hadn’t gathered anything more than the box and a few bits and pieces of evidence. He picked up the phone and dialed Jimmy’s number. Jimmy answered it on the first ring, “What happened? Why didn’t you show?” Lynn laughed, “The same kind of things as the rest of my day. Lately if it can go wrong it will.” He stood up and began to pace, “What did you have that you wanted to show me? I really don’t feel like leaving the house.” Jimmy paused, “A watch came in this morning. Something I really think you need to see.” Lynn sighed, “What is so special about the watch?” Jimmy was a good man, but there were times when his view of what was important wasn’t the same as Lynn’s. “It looks like the one your father always carried.” Jimmy told him sounding more nervous by the word. “You mean the silver and emerald seaman’s watch?” Lynn asked. “Yeah that’s the one. Was there something that I could look for to check and see if I am right?” Jimmy asked. Lynn thought about it for a moment, “Yeah, if you open the cover there would be a small star engraved at the bottom.” He heard movement on the other end of the line. “Five points surrounded by a circle?” “Yep, I guess I will come down and deal with it.” He hung up and went to get dressed. He was hoping that the meeting with Jimmy would prove more productive than just the watch. A few short minutes later he was back in the elevator headed down to the garage where the valet would have parked his car. The doors slid open and he stepped out into the dimly lit parking area. It was the only place he didn’t like about his building. His feet took him to his car in short order. Climbing in he caught sight of his reflection in the mirror. “Damn it’s been a hard day.” He mumbled to himself. “That it has.” He heard as clear as day from behind him. He spun his head to look in the backseat. His eyes could just make out the shadow sitting on the passenger side of the car. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be hiding in that castle of yours somewhere?” Lynn asked the figure in the shadows. “Don’t ask questions. You know I only show up when you need me. Now go get your father’s watch, things are going to get bad.” The figure told him. “Ok , just don’t sneak up on me again.” He started the car and pulled out. It wasn’t a long drive to Jimmy’s pawn shop. Within minutes he was pulling to a stop in front of the building. He turned back towards the backseat only to find it empty. “That man is going to drive me to drink one of these days.” He climbed out of the car and headed for the side door of the building. Jimmy met him at the door. “Come on in and I will get you the watch.” He followed Jimmy inside catching the moving shadow out of the corner of his eye. They went into a office and Lynn dropped into the worn leather chair in the corner. “So who brought the watch in?” Lynn asked reaching over to dim the bright column light behind his chair. He saw the shadow darken as Darious stepped into it. “A young woman, mid-twenties, red hair, green eyes, Irish accent.” Jimmy answered walking over and opening a small box on his desk. He carefully pulled the watch out, “I have no idea how she got it.” He gave Lynn the watch, his eyes scanning the room. He always felt like he was being watched when he was around him. “Did she leave a name?” “Sharron Williams. Mean anything to you?” Jimmy asked sitting down and trying to get comfortable. Lynn caught the movement as Darious slipped back through the shadows. “Nope, but that doesn’t mean much. Did you have her sign your normal paperwork?” “No, just gave her eighty dollars and got the watch. I saw the ID but I didn’t copy it. Had a feeling if I tried she would have bolted with the watch.” “That was smart Jimmy, and thanks you for getting it back for me. What do I owe you?” Lynn asked knowing there was always a price when dealing with Jimmy. Jimmy thought for a moment, “How about a promise. Your promise that you will not back down, that you find Kelly’s killer. She was a great lady. You two should have had a long life together.” He told Lynn, sadness filling his eyes. Lynn smiled, “You always were sweet on her. She thought you were pretty cool too.” The words made Jimmy smile, “Thanks, now get back home and get some rest. You look like hell my friend.” “Thanks.” Lynn stood up and headed for his car. He didn’t know if Darious would be there or not, but he hoped his shadowy friend had found something. He unlocked his door and climbed in, “Dare?” he whispered. There was movement in the backseat, “Lynn you are in for a lot of nasty things. This case is going to bring out a lot of skeletons from a lot of closets, not all of them simple people. You are going to have to fight for this case if you want it.” Darious explained, “Now I want you to put this thing in gear and drive. Go where I tell you to if you can bring yourself to trust me.” Lynn didn’t question the command. He simply started the car and put it in drive, “Where to?” “Take Jefferson towards the bridge, I’ll tell you when to turn.” Lynn followed orders, taking Jefferson towards the Key Bridge. He wondered what was going on, but knew he wasn’t going to get much out of Darious until the man was willing to tell him. “Did you find Sharron?” he asked anyway. Darious growled, a sound that always put a bit of fear into Lynn, “Yes, you need to turn left at the next light.” “Ok, care to tell me what’s wrong?” Lynn asked. “Let me start by saying that I’m going to test your faith and your beliefs before this is over. Take a right on Treelane.” Darious said softly. Lynn followed instructions barely noticing the longer he drove the darker it became. “How?” he asked not really understanding what was going on. “I will explain when we get where I am taking you. Right now though head through the iron gate coming up on your left.” As he turned the car and drove through the gate Lynn started to worry a bit. “Dare is Chris safe?” “She’s fine. It’s you I’m worried about.” Darious told him, “Park at the bottom of the stairs.” “Where are we?” Lynn asked still feeling something strange. He just wished he could put his finger on what was wrong. “My estate. You will be safe here.” He opened the back door of the car and climbed out. “Come on it. You should know by now that you have always been and will always be welcome in my home.” Darious smiled, now no matter what Lynn would always have a safe place to run if he needed it. “True enough. Give me a minute I want to call and check on things with Chris.” Lynn told him getting out of the car himself and pulling his cell out. He dialed the hospital’s number from memory. “Memorial, how may I direct your call?” the switchboard operator asked. “Loretta Havershik’s room please.” “One moment while I check the room number.” There was a pause as she put Lynn on hold. A moment later she was back on the line. “I’m sorry, but there is no one by that name admitted at this time.” “What do you mean? She was in ICU a few hours ago.” Lynn suddenly knew that something was very wrong. Even the sister he knew and loved that healed faster than anyone he knew shouldn’t have been able to heal that fast. “Ms. Havershik was released about an hour and a half ago. With a clean bill of health. I do not see a stay in ICU for her. Have a good day.” She hung up the phone in Lynn’s ear. Something was really wrong now. Without thinking he called Chris’ place. She answered on the second ring. “Lynn? What’s wrong? Why are you calling here. I thought you were at home resting.” She asked not wanting to have to try to explain anything right now. While she was healed physically, she was still worn out on the inside. “I just want to know that you are ok. I will be resting soon. I am staying with a friend for at least a few nights. He feels that I need protection.” Lynn told her, feeling grateful that she was safe and healed. “Ok, then I will talk to you in a few days. Take are.” Darious had been standing a few feet away. “Everything ok now?” he asked knowing that by this point Lynn must be about out of his mind wondering what was going on. “Yes and no, she’s fine, but what I can’t figure out is how in the world she is out of the hospital already.” He told Darious looking around as the man, still hidden in the folds of a ancient looking cloak lead him up the stairs towards the main entrance to the house. “Lynn, tonight you are going to learn a lot of things. Most of them are not going to set well with you to start, but know that everything is as it was meant to be by powers bigger than either of us.” He told him opening the road and motioning for him to step inside. Lynn walked in looking around as he did wondering how and why his friend seemed so much different from the last time he had seen him. There had always been an air of mystery around Darious, but tonight it seemed like more of an air of danger. “What are you being so mysterious about Dare? What do you know that I don’t?” he went inside and slowed down to let his eyes adjust to the darkness of the inside of the house. The door shut behind Darious as he followed Lynn inside. The lights came up making Lynn wonder what was going on as everything took on a red tint. “Let’s head to the library and I will do my best to explain everything that is going.” Darious smiled as he removed his cloak and hung it on the hook just inside the door. Lynn walked next to his friend and for the first time in a long time, years in fact, he took a long look at him. The man stood just under six foot tall, with a stocky build. His black hair hanging almost to his waist in a thick herringbone braid. Lynn took in the steady strength of Darious’ golden brown eyes. “I have faith in you.” His words were soft, but still a touch shaky. “Lynn, have a seat.” He sat down on the end of a leather couch after taking a moment to pour both Lynn and himself a glass of whiskey. He wasn’t looking forward to getting into the things he was about to explain to Lynn. Some of the secrets he was about to put into the open hadn’t seen the light of day since the day they happened. He watched Lynn sit down and look around the room. “Why do I think you are trying to avoid having this conversation?” Lynn asked watching emotions float through Darious’ face. “Because I was hoping to never have to sit down with you and have this conversation. I have things to tell you that you are not going to want to hear.” “I understand. Where do you want to start?” Lynn asked taking a deep breath. “Well I guess the first thing I should tell you is that I have been around longer than you know. I have been friends with your family for longer than you have been alive.” “How? You aren’t but a few years older than I am?” Lynn asked. “Again, this is not a conversation I ever wanted to have with you. I want you to promise me that you will sit there and listen. Don’t interrupt me until I’m done. This is not going to be easy on either of us. Can you promise me that?” Darious asked looking at the man sitting a few feet from him whose life he was about to turn upside down. “I can do that.” “Ok, we can start with information about you and your sister. She is home from the hospital because she is healed. You know that she heals fast right?” “Yeah, she always has. What does that have to do with anything?” Lynn asked. “She isn’t a normal person dear. I don’t know how you are going to take the information that I have for you, but you and your sister are special. The two of you are different from most people.” “You aren’t making any sense Dare. What are you trying to tell me?” Lynn asked looking at his friend. “I am trying to tell you that, your sister is not human.” He paused, waiting for Lynn to react. He didn’t get much of one. “Not human? Explain.” Lynn’s voice was calm, and sounded like he almost wanted to believe his friend. “She’s a vampyre. As am I.” “So you changed her?” Lynn asked thinking that he might have a grasp of what Darious was going to tell him. “Didn’t have to. She is a natural born vampyre.” Lynn spoke without thinking, “How can that be, she’s my twin.” “That is because your father is.” Darious explained hoping that Lynn wouldn’t ask the hard questions just yet. He wasn’t that lucky. “My father was a police officer; that is until he was killed a few years ago.” Lynn told his friend, he didn’t understand what Darious was trying to tell him, but something really didn’t feel right suddenly. “The man that raised you was a police officer; however, he was not your father. Your father was a man much older than he looked and much more powerful in many ways.” Darious started to explain. Lynn looked at Darious. “You are kidding right? You are trying to tell me that my father was a vampyre and that would make both me and my sister vampyre.” “Yes, your father is vampyre, as is your sister, however through some twist of fate you were not born active.” Darious watched as emotions slipped across Lynn’s face . “The only question that I can ask is why?” “Why what Lynn?” Darious asked with a smile. He figured Lynn wanted to know why he had never heard this information before, he was wrong. “Why were we born different? Why was she born active and me not?” he asked looking down at his hands, before Darious could answer him he asked another, harder question. “Are you our father?” Darious had been hoping that he wouldn’t have to answer that one. “Yes. I have known your mother for a very long time. Do you want me to explain how everything began?” “Yes, but first, I would actually like to know more about what we are. I guess I can understand why she never goes out in the day, she hasn’t in all the time I can remember.” Darious smiled slowly, this was going to be the longest part of the conversation with Lynn. “I can do that. It might take a while to get things sorted out to your liking. I will do my best to answer your questions and to put aside some of the myths of what we can and cannot do. I will even try to explain why you didn’t get any of the bonuses to what you are.” “That sounds fair.” “Let me start at the beginning. That means explaining what a vampyre is…” he took a deep breath, “Or more to the point what the differences are between what is real and what the world thinks we are.”

The sky was ebony black, rain pouring down as Lylith stood in the doorway of the old barn. The storm had chased her across the fields on her way in, soaking the ground and keeping the sky alight with the fire of lightning. As she stood there watching the rain come down she wondered when it would be letting up or if she would be making a run for the main house through the freezing rain. Just as she had decided that it would be better to just make a run for it and deal with getting wet, the rain began to slow enough that she felt she could make it. Running through the lighter rain her heart raced until her feet landed on the worn wood of the front steps. “Damn it. This storm is going to destroy the south field.” She snapped slamming the door behind her. “Personally, I would say you are going to loose the east one too.” Came a husky male voice from the darkened room. “Kane, what the hell are you doing here?” she demanded flipping on the lights. She didn’t wait for a response, only headed for the cabinet where she kept her emergency supplies. Pulling out a package of candles Lylith turned to face him, “Well?” “Father sent me.” The words were tight and clipped. She had always hated that tone of voice from him. “Why?” this was one visit she planned to get over as quickly as she could, “What does he want from me now?” she asked. “He wants an update on the place it’s not going to look good if you loose both the south and east fields. That’s a lot of your crops gone, which means a big piece of your profits will be gone.” He went on to explain. Lylith stomped closer, the anger in her eyes rivaling the storm raging outside. “What does it matter to him? He doesn’t have a say in Chaos Farms. I bought this place with my own money. Father’s never even been here.” She was about to continue when her voice was overpowered by the storm as it raged. There was a nearly deafening boom as something smashed into the side of the house. A moment later the lights went out. When they didn’t flash back on she heard Kane swear, “Why hasn’t the generator come on?” he asked. Lylith smiled to herself, “Because it only runs the medical buildings around here. I’m just fine with candle light until the power comes back on.” She knew that wouldn’t impress him. He was the type of person who could or would not go without modern conveniences. She began to light the candles and place the around the room. She glanced at Kane, “You might as well get comfortable. You’re in for a…” her voice was cut short by a strange sound coming from outside the window. As she looked up her heart caught in her throat. Where a few moments before she had been able to see the storm raging through the window it was now black as pitch and nearly silent. Fear raced through her, but she refused to let it show. Taking a deep breath she made her way to the window. Lylith carefully reached up and placed her hand on the darkened glass. It was warm to the touch, where it should have been cold from the storm. “What the hell?” she asked trying to pull her hand away from the window. It didn’t seem like she had the strength to do it. Her hand was stuck to what her mind was rapidly realizing was no longer glass. Kane stood up, and with the calm authority of his monetary position in life promptly fainted. Lylith turned her attention back to the window. It began to cool, letting her hand go in the progress. “Something really strange is going on here.” She mumbled to herself. The moment she lifted her hand from the glass she could both hear and see the storm again. A shadow moved across the window making her heart again go cold. Without a second thought she ran to Kane’s side intent on waking him and getting him out of the room. “What happened?” he asked shaking his head as he fought to stand up. “You failed, let’s get you upstairs. I have crops and stock I have to check on.” She told him knowing her time was running short. The shadow she had seen outside shouldn’t have been there. She lead him into the back room and smiled, “why don’t you lay down and rest. I will come check on you when I get back.” She was walking back towards the door before she even finished talking. Her feet quickly took her downstairs and to the mudroom. Grabbing her coat she headed out to the barns. “Johnny you got everything under control out here?” she called pushing the heavy door shut behind her as she went into the main barn. “No, not even close.” He yelled from the other side of a mostly closed door. She ran to the door and tried to push it open. It wouldn’t budge. “What happened out here?” she asked putting a bit more force against the door. “When the power went out, everything out here went a little crazy. The generator didn’t kick in and everything started to go down. We lost containment on about half of the units. We will be months rebuilding the data.” He paused as he heard the door scrape open. “How are the sleeper units?” Lylith asked stepping on into the room. “We only have the one occupied. As far as I know we didn’t loose containment on it.” He explained looking at the display. “Yep containments fine in sector four.” Lylith stepped up and glanced at the monitor, “Damn if the sleeper is still contained we have bigger problems.” She was typing codes into the console and bringing up stats on the unit. Nothing had opened the door to it in over twenty-four hours. “Why do you say that? I would have thought you would be as happy as I am that we didn’t breach containment.” He continued to check other displays and make notes. “Because I saw something when I was in the house, when the windows shifted back there was a shadow out there. It looked like a sleeper.” She explained. The man in the lab coat standing beside Johnny spun around and stared at her. “It looked like a sleeper?” he repeated quietly. “That’s what I saw. So if he’s still here we need to find out what is going on. My brother is up at the main house, and I won’t have him seeing anything from down here.” She knew the anger could be heard in her voice, but there wasn’t anything she could do about it. “Shit, tonight is not a night for Kane to be here.” Johnny snapped as he resumed typing rapidly at the terminal. “Yeah, do we have any idea how the animals are dealing with the storm?” Lylith asked walking toward the back of the room and the doors leading to the sleeper units. She needed to see for herself that he was there and unharmed. “They are the only thing getting through without and problems. Go look in on the sleeper, then we will start taking inventory on what happened.” He watched her slip through the door. It didn’t take long for her eyes to adjust to the darkness of the hallway. “Why in the world did this happen tonight?” she asked the darkness. Her only answer was the hum of the generator. She stopped under the blue light marking the elevator and pushed the button. A moment later the door slid open to the steel box. She took a deep breath and stepped inside. Even though she designed the lower levels of the complex Lylith still hated going down the elevator to get to it. The ride itself was over in less than a minute, but she had to stay inside the box until the scan was complete at the bottom. “Hey Mark.” She called when the red security light came on to let her know they were starting the scan. “Good evening, Lyl. We will do our best to make this as quick as we can.” The voice came through the speaker above her head. “I know. I’ll live, you know, I hate this part, but I know that it is needed. I can’t risk bringing anything down here.” She replied as she watched the light blink. “Very true. You have put a lot into this place.” He told her through the speaker. “You can say that again. I made this place my life for the last five years. You finished that and scan yet? My brothers at the house and I don’t have much time tonight.” She always hated the scanning part of going underground. They scanned everyone that went down to make sure that nothing could harm the sleepers. There was a collection of beeps as the light went off. “All done.” His voice came through the opening in front of her as well as the speakers. “Thanks. I shouldn’t be long.” She told him grabbing a white lab coat from the hook on the wall next to the elevator door; she slipped it over her shoulders and headed down the hall towards the containment rooms. She still had a bad feeling. The first three sleeper rooms were empty as they should be, but when she got to the fourth it was also empty. “Damn. I knew I was right.” She slammed her hand against the panic button next to the door just as she saw movement further down the hall. She knew the System would bring people from all over to the empty sleeper room. So she headed off after the movement, taking only a moment to reach into the pocket of her lab coat and switch on the locator there. And she made her way down the hall she could hear people getting to the room. However her attention was on the slight movement she could still see further down the dimly lit section of hallway. Lylith wanted to call out, but she thought it might spook whoever was there. The last thing she wanted to do was scare a sleeper. Her feet took her silently down the hall closing the distance between her and whoever was moving. Suddenly there was a flash of light in front of her, “Damn.” The word was out before she could think about it. Her feet wet out from under her as something or someone crashed into her. She lay on the floor of the hallway shaking her head as she could hear the tussle down by the sleepers room. “Lylith, you alright down there?” a voice called from back by the room. “Yeah, you catch that?” she called standing up and leaning against the wall for a moment. “Catch what? I was about to ask you what happened. I heard the siren and went to calm down the sleeper. I saw you fall a few moments later.” He told her as he walked up to her. Lylith stood there staring at him, “You have to be joking. I know there wasn’t anyone in that room when I went past, and someone just knocked me down running back that way. You had to have seen them. I heard the commotion as they got near you guys.” She explained. The guard stood there shaking his head, “There wasn’t a commotion Lyl. The sleeper was slightly upset that we interrupted his meditations, but other than that everything was fine.” His voice was clam, but seemed calculated to Lylith’s ears. Something was really wrong here. She smiled and began to walk back towards the unit. She wasn’t saying anything until she knew more. There was another guard standing at the unit door when she got there. “Hey Lylith, you have everything under control?” William smiled. She had known him for years, and hoped she could trust him. She stopped at the door to look through the window. Her eyes could just make out the form of the sleeper sitting in the darkened corner. “Unlock it, I want to check on him personally.” She commented looking at William. To his credit William only hesitated a moment before stepping up and using his keycard to unlock the door. “Be careful, he is still a little agitated.” His voice was steady, even as his eyes darted around. Taking a deep breath she pushed the door open and stepped inside. “Hello Jason. How are you today?” she asked the still figure in the corner of the room. Her only response was a low growl. “Sorry about the interruption, but I haven’t been able to get down here lately. Have things been going well?” she tried again. This time the response was different, “It’s different now.” His voice came from the corner. The information got her attention. Nothing in the place was ever different. They were very careful to make sure of that. “What’s different Jason?” she asked carefully. He turned from the darkness to face her, “Everything.” The single word chilled her to the bone. He went on, “The sights, the sounds, the abilities, everything has changed.” He dropped his head. “I have spoiled all your work.” It was finished on a quiet sigh. Lylith took a step closer to him, “You haven’t done anything Jason, but I have to ask were you out in the hall a few minutes ago?” A sad fear filled his eyes, “I’m sorry I knocked you down Lyl. I can’t control the new abilities yet.” He faded to a shadow for a moment. “I’m really scared.” He whispered as he solidified once again. Lylith reached toward him only to have him pull back out of her reach. “Don’t touch me. I don’t know what will happen if you do.” He told her. Lylith was about to try to comfort him when the speaker overhead crackled to life. “Doc, we have a situation.” Came Marc’s voice full of panic. She glanced from Jason to the door and back, not knowing what to do. He solved the problem for her, “Go. I will be fine, I couldn’t get any further away than the end of the hall. I promise I will do my best to stay here.” He told her with a silly smile she loved most about him. “If there are any problems, you will have them find me right?” she asked. He nodded, “Yes now go. If they are bothering you in here it has to be important.” His words did nothing to calm her. Lylith stood up and took the few steps to the door. “Ok, open it.” She told the guard stationed there. He opened it and let her out of the unit. She turned to look back at Jason, “I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Lylith walked quickly towards the main desk down there. Marc was standing at his desk looking at a display screen, his face as white as a ghost. “What’s wrong?” she asked unable to see the display. He looked up at her, “Your brother,” he paused, “Brown hair, tacky business suit?” he asked, his eyes dropping back to the display. Lylith’s heart sank. There was only one way Marc could know that by looking at the display. Her loving brother had found the elevator and was in it. “Oh shit.” Was all she could think to say. Marc looked at her, “It’s at the bottom, scan complete. I turned off the communications and was waiting on your thoughts.” “Crap, crap, crap. There is no way out of this there?” she asked knowing her own programming wouldn’t let the elevator go back up without opening to either the complex or the quarantine side. Neither of which did she really want to explain to him. Lylith took a deep breath and walked toward the elevator door. “Let him out on that side. I don’t want to have to explain quarantine to him. This will be hard enough.” She stopped in front of the doors. As the doors slid open and she held her breath. He stood there for a moment. “Lylith, what in the hell is going on here?” His voice was strangely calm. “Well that is going to take more than a little explaining. If you want to come with me I will do my best to help you understand.” She stepped back and motioned for him to follow. Up his eyes were taking in everything and he followed her down a brightly lit hallway from the main halls. “Lylith, where are we?” He asked. Lylith smiled to herself and pushed open her office door. “Come in, sit down, and we can talk.” She said stepping back. She walked over and set down at her desk. Kane followed her into the office. “This is not any stock crop farm is it?” He asked sitting down in the south leather chair across the desk from his sister. “In a word, no. It’s a lot more than that, but we do raise horses and crops here. It’s just not all we do.” She started to explain. “How much do you want to know and how much of that will you be passing on to our father?” she had never wanted to tell anyone what was going on within the walls of the complex. “From what I have seen already I’m not telling dad at damn thing. I want to know more about what’s going on around here because the place looks cool.” He told her watching fear play across her face. “So why don’t you start with the basics and we’ll see what happens.” Lylith looked at him and for the first time let the fear around her heart loosen. “This place is a research lab.” She began, “we are trying to find cures for things that are killing people around here as well is trying to understand why new things are developing in this world. I won’t go into detail on any of it, but I can say things are progressing nicely.” Her eyes never left his face and she was happy to see belief shining in his eyes. “Okay, but there is another question I have, why is all of this built under a ranch in the middle of nowhere?” He asked looking around the room. “That one is simple. We didn’t want just anyone to find us. You are the first person who doesn’t work here that has come down the elevator.” She explained reaching out and grabbing a notebook off the desk. “So how many people know about this place?” Kean asked his eyes noting the security camera hanging quietly in the corner. “Other than the people that work here, about half a dozen.” She followed his gaze, “the only rooms not monitored here are the restrooms and employee sleeping quarters. Outside of this place the people that know about us have all given either time or support to us.” Her hands were sorting through the files from the folder. “Do you want to explain any why you are down here instead of tucked into bed up at the house where I left you?” She asked slowly. “Because there was a problem, the house was hit by lightning.” He told her. Her eyes snapped up. “What!” “I said the house got hit by lightning. The back porch was hit, lights are melted but other than that there wasn’t much damage. I came out to the barn to let you know and found the elevator.” His eyes sparkled with mischief. “That figures. It would be tonight of all nights someone would find this place.” she told him on a sigh.

::a young elf reaches into her leather bag and pulls out a grouping of scrolls placing them carefully on the desk where people may read them if they wish:: “Five o’clock sounds good, I’ll see you then.” Christopher hung up the phone and turned back to his computer. He glanced at the old mantel clock to check how long he had to make it across town and still be on time. ‘Two hours should be plenty of time.’ He thought to himself as he began to shut down the computer. He picked up his laptop case making sure the recorder in it had fresh batteries. He didn’t want anything to go wrong with this interview. Leeland might be his friend and his wife’s brother, but that didn’t mean he wanted to have the interview or see this book published. The parking garage where Christopher kept his vintage mustang wasn’t far from the high rise apartment he and his wife Jessica shared. As he stepped up to the car and pushed the button to unlock it he thought about her for a moment. She had been one of the people that thought he was the right person to do the profile book on her brother. Personally he wasn’t sure anyone should, Leeland wasn’t always the nicest of people when it came to reporter type questions, but he had agreed and that was a start. The drive to Leeland’s warehouse loft didn’t take long, it never did. As Christopher came down Rampart he decided to grab a bite to eat at the Orange store, curry beef always sounded good to him. He pulled the mustang to a stop in front of the place and climbed out, looking around at the random people gathered outside the store. It was the only part of this side of town that he wasn’t fond of. He never really felt safe there anymore. He was in and out of the store quickly with his food in hand. He drove on up to Marigny and turned right. The one-way streets of this area always drove him crazy you had to either turn early or go past your destination to get there. He turned on Dauphine and made his way to Mandeville and the warehouse loft where Leeland lived. He sat in his car long enough to eat about half of his dinner before closing the package and climbing back out of his car. He really wasn’t looking forward to this interview. He knocked on the door and waited. A few moments later a voice could be heard from inside, “Come in Chris, you’re early as always.” Christopher opened the door and stepped through it into a room that always made him smile. As he looked around he knew this place would hold a prominent place in his book. The office looked like something straight out of an old Sam Spade detective novel, from the simple wooden desk at the other side of the room to the walls of books. His eyes did as they always did and scanned the covers of those books as he walked in, there was everything from his last thriller novel to tomes that must have been hundreds of years old on those walls. “Hey Leeland, thanks for agreeing to this, I know it wasn’t something you wanted to do.” He took in the normal appearance of his brother-in-law and smiled to himself. The man fit the scene as well as any old gumshoe would have. The brown hair hung long over his shoulders and the goatee only had a few strands of gray streaking through it, but as usual it was Leeland’s eyes that told the story. Their hazel depths held more secrets than Christopher wanted to find out. Leeland closed the file folder on the desk in front of him, “No it isn’t, but at least I know you and know that you will do a good job of the story. Now I’m in the middle of a case so lets get this started, I don’t have a lot of spare time at the moment.” He snapped, he really hated this idea, but with the publicity he had been getting something needed to be done to let the public know the real truth of how things had started. Christopher sat down in the leather chair opposite the desk and reached into his case to pull out the recorder. “Ok as we discussed on the phone I want to record this so that I make no mistakes when I get back to my place an start writing.” He turned it on and sat it on the desk. “So it is September 7, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. This is the opening interview with Leeland Jackson concerning his involvement with the capture of serial killers here in southern Louisiana.” He smiled at his friend and hoped that he wouldn’t kill him before this was over and the first of the books was finished. “Where do you want me to start?” Leeland asked looking with dread at the recorder that was about to make a novel out of the last fifteen years of his life. Bourbon Street was dead as always for just before midnight on a Sunday night in the middle of summer as Leeland walked out of Johnny White’s just before midnight. He wasn’t ready to go home yet, but needed a change of pace for awhile. It wasn’t a long walk to the next tavern on his mental list, just a few short blocks up the street and around the corner before he was slipping through the doors of the Dungeon and ordering a beer. As the tiny yet beautifully tattooed barkeep handed him his drink he decided that he didn’t want to be inside after all and headed back. Something about tonight just made him feel like outside was best. Something was coming. He didn’t know what it was, only that it felt bad. He couldn’t have been more right. As he began walking again he found himself headed towards Jackson Square. It was normal to make a trip through there after dark most nights however; this was not making him feel any better. Even the square, someplace he called a second home felt like trouble was brewing. His eyes scanned the scene for the problem, but found nothing. Nothing looked the least bit out of the ordinary. He walked quickly around the square seeing the faces of people he knew, some were his friends others just faces he knew. He made his way along the walk, his eyes scanning for what was wrong. Matthew made note of the reader at the corner of St. Ann and Charters, she never seemed to change, and not once had she looked better. There along the fence was a battered and bleeding body that no one else seemed to be paying the least bit of attention to. His heart tightened as he recognized the patch on the dark hooded sweatshirt the person on the ground was wearing. He quickened his pace to get to the body praying in the back of his mind that she wasn’t dead. Leeland knelt down next to the still form that lay against the fence. “Jessica… Jessica?” he asked reaching out and lightly shaking her. The woman groaned as he touched her, making him pull back his hand, “Hurt.” The word was a whisper. Suddenly his sister was standing beside him with her med bag in her hand. She didn’t say anything, just dropped down and began to assess the woman on the ground. She started at her feet since Leeland was knelt down next to her shoulders. Leeland thought his heart would stop; it wasn’t who he had thought it was. Instead of his sister laying there in the pool of blood it was a woman he hadn’t seen in years. “Elizabeth…oh god Lizzie? What happened?” he asked carefully tracing her face as she turned to look at him. She tried to speak, but the words simply wouldn’t come. He reached into his pocket and grabbed his phone, within seconds he was dialing 911. “Don’t move. I’m getting help. Just stay with me.” His eyes found his sister’s and silently pleaded for her to do everything she could. The dispatcher answered on the second ring, “911, what is your emergency?” “A woman has been beaten, she is at the St. Ann’s gates of Jackson Square.” His words were clipped as he looked around at the people simply going about there business not even seeming to notice what was happening. “She needs an ambulance.” It wasn’t unusual but it still bothered him. “One is on the way, is the woman breathing?” the dispatcher asked. “Yes, but its shallow and slow.” He told her tracing his fingers over Elizabeth’s hair. “You have to make it. I won’t let you die, not here and not like this.” His words were more for himself than for either Elizabeth or the woman on the phone. The look in her eyes was far away and he began to help his sister check her over. His heart dropping again as he saw the nasty stab wounds she had received to her stomach. “I understand. Someone will be there soon sir.” The woman told him softly. He sat the phone down and reached back to pull off his satchel. He always kept a small amount of first aid items on him when he was wandering the streets. He took out a clean rag and began to wipe the blood off of her face. Knowing that Jessica would deal with as much as she could and he wanted to keep Lizzie alert and with him. “Elizabeth? Can you hear me?” he asked scared that she was too far gone to answer him. Her face looked so pale he wasn’t sure she was going to make it. Elizabeth groaned in response, her eyes fluttering open and fighting to focus on his face. She lifted her right hand and placed it on his arm. “Leeland?” she struggled to ask. The pain in his heart nearly took his breath away. “Yes beautiful, its me. What happened?” he asked feeling the tears start to fall from his eyes as he began to take count of the number of small wounds she appeared to have over her face and neck. It looked to him like something had shattered in her face. Before she could answer he heard the ambulance pulling up and stood up to make sure they knew where they were needed. Suddenly everyone seemed to notice her at once. As the EMT stepped up and took over the actions of making sure she was stable Leeland started looking at the group of people that had gathered around as he had knelt there with her. “What are you all looking at? None of you seemed to care about her until the ambulance showed up. If she dies because no one here bothered to do anything to try and help her you had all better pray that the gods above have mercy on you, because I won’t.” he growled. People began to walk away, that is everyone but a heavy set woman who continued to stand a few feet away watching the EMTs stabilize Elizabeth. “Go away Karrie, I don’t even want to see you right now. That is your setup I walked past on the corner. There is no way you missed whatever happened here.” His anger was all but consuming him. He couldn’t believe that one of the regular readers would let something like this happen without at least calling for help for the person. “I didn’t know who it was.” She tried to answer from where she was standing; she knew it was not a good idea to get any closer to him. Not when he was in this kind of mood. They had never been the best of friends in the first place. “It shouldn’t have mattered who it was. We were taught to watch out for people in need and to help them if we could. Someone attacked her, you should have done something to help.” He snapped, “I have no idea how she could be laying here and no one notice her. After all this is New Orleans. Nothing goes unnoticed here.” Jessica looked at him, “I’m sorry. I saw her walk by, but I didn’t think anything of it. She looked like a drunken homeless lady. She’s only been there a few minutes.” Leeland’s eyes looked from his sister to the woman the EMTs were working on, and back to Karrie, “Even with a reading my sister came to help. How can you be so heartless?” he asked watching as his sister’s boyfriend walked up and put his arm around her. Jessica stepped closer, and lowered her voice. “You could smell it because of what you are same way I could, Street Doctors notice things like that before most people would. Leeland took a calming breath and turned back to Karrie, “Now take off.” She looked at him with the strangest expression, “I have as much right to make money out here tonight as anyone else.” “No you don’t, not tonight.” He snapped watching her storm back toward her setup. He looked at Jessica and could nearly read her mind, “I can’t go with her, but I plan on meeting her at the hospital. Good luck tonight Jessica. I think you will need all of it that you can get.” He told her. Something about the night still felt wrong but he couldn’t figure out what it was, but attacks like this didn’t happen often. He followed the ambulance to the hospital on his motorbike praying she would be ok. He knew they might not let him in to see Elizabeth when he got there. Parking in an employee only space he headed inside. “Evening Kathleen.” He said to the nurse working the emergency room desk. She was someone he had known for years. “Evening Leeland.” She responded. “How are things tonight?” She commented looking up as he came in. “Haven’t seen you in awhile.” “Things tonight are not good. You just had a young woman come in. Can you tell me who got the case?” he asked hoping that she was going to give him the information without too much trouble. It wasn’t something they normally did but they were close and he knew the fear was written all over his face, so he was hoping that his position held a little weight tonight. He was in luck. “Lawrence McKennia. Do you want me to look up the case?” she asked. “No, I’ll just talk to Larry.” He said walking toward the doors leading to the examination areas of the emergency room. As he pushed open the doors his heart tightened in his chest yet again. What was he going to do if she didn’t make it. He wasn’t sure that he was going to be able to handle that. He saw Larry just a few steps inside the emergency room. “Hey McKennia, got a second?” he called. Larry stopped and turned around to look at his old friend. “What can I do for you Leeland?” he asked. “It usually takes a disaster to get you to come in here.” “I am hoping you can give me a status report on your newest patient, a young woman that came in a bit ago.” Leeland told him softly as he walked Larry walk towards him. A sadness came over Larry’s face, “I’m sorry, she didn’t make it. Did you know her?” he asked coming to a stop in front of Leeland. Leeland dropped against the wall his legs no longer wanting to hold him upright. “What do you mean?” Larry looked confused, “She passed away before she arrived here. There was too much blood loss and trauma. She never had a chance.” Larry explained. His words did nothing to make Leeland feel better. “She can’t be gone. It’s not fair.” Leeland snarled knowing that he had to at least appear to stay in control as long as he was in the hospital. Larry reached out and put his hand on Leeland’s shoulder. “She is gone. I am sorry, there wasn’t anything I could do. How did you know her?” he asked leading Leeland in the direction of the doctor’s lounge. “I don’t remember you hanging out with strippers anymore.” “She was an old friend. I’ve known her for years, just hadn’t seen her in a long time. Wait a minute did you just say stripper?” Larry sat down in the chair next to him, “Yeah my last patient was a stripper from Big Daddy’s. She was turning tricks on the side and from the looks of it one of her Johns wasn’t impressed. “Oh hell. I didn’t mean her, the woman I’m looking for was the victim of multiple stab wounds. Kathleen must have misunderstood.” “I heard her come in. Madison got her, took her straight into surgery from what I heard. Stay here and I’ll see if I can get you an update.” He said standing back up and heading out of the lounge. Leeland sat in the plastic chair shaking as he waited for his friend to return. It wasn’t long. “She will live but. I would recommend helping the police to find out what happened tonight.” Before Leeland could say anything static filled the room from the over speakers, “Lawrence McKennia, you are needed in ER stat.” “Go I will be fine.” Leeland said. Lawrence smiled and slipped out of the lounge. Leeland sat there in the hard plastic chair trying to keep his mind from running away with him. It seemed like an eternity later when a tall skinny redheaded woman opened the door and walked in. “Leeland Jackson?” she asked looking at him. “That’s me.” He said looking up at the woman. “Do you have information on Elizabeth?” he asked. “Yes, she is in her own room now.” She tried to smile, but Leeland could see she was tired. “You can see her whenever you want to.” She forced a second more believable smile and turned toward the door. “Room 1642.” She slipped back out of the room leaving him alone with his thoughts once again. Leeland sat there for a moment with his heart racing. Now that he knew she was going to make it he didn’t know quite how to deal with what was going on. He hadn’t seen her in years and suddenly she shows up beaten and bleeding in Jackson Square, New Orleans, Louisiana. He stood up and headed to her room still having no idea what he was going to say to her. The walk to her room only took a few moments, but he was slightly shaking by the time her got there. Lifting his hand he knocked lightly on the closed door thinking to just keep walking if she didn’t answer. “Yes.” Her voice came softly from the other side of the door. He pushed it open and stepped inside, letting the door stick in the open position behind him. “Hello Elizabeth.” His own voice came out as a whisper at the sight of her laying so still in the hospital bed. He watched her smile slightly, “Hello Leeland, I thought I had dreamed seeing you.” Her voice was weak, but he could hear the fight in it. “It was no dream. Do you remember anything?” he asked reaching out and brushing his hand over hers. “From my day yes, about the attack not really much. All I know for sure is that somebody jumped me outside the Dungeon tonight.” She winced in pain. Leeland hated seeing her hurting and tried to comfort her, “Why were you there?” he asked unable to move his hand from where it rested on hers. Elizabeth got a faraway look in her eyes, “I came here to see you and Jessica.” She whispered. He didn’t know what to say so he just stood there waiting for her to continue. “I knew you would show up sooner or later, and I didn’t feel like going to Johnny White’s it was too early from what I remember from the last time I was down here.” “Yeah Marry Ann doesn’t come on shift until one. So where are you staying?” he found himself asking. Elizabeth blushed and shifted slightly on the bed, “Here until they release me.” Leeland shook his head, “Then where, and how long were you planning on staying in New Orleans?” “I don’t know where I will be staying, I had been hoping to crash with either Jessica or another friend, but I didn’t get the chance to get a hold of Dolphin before I ended up in here. As for how long, I had been planning on making New Orleans my home.” She told him quietly. “That’s cool. Now all we have to do is make sure that nothing like this happens again.” Leeland told her. “I wish I knew what happened tonight.” She mumbled. “What do you remember? I know you said you don’t remember much, but anything would help them find who did this.” Leeland told her noting the New Orleans Police Officer standing at the nurse’s station he could see through the open door. Elizabeth could see the officer too, “Ask him to come in and take the statement. I don’t want to have to go over this anymore than I have to.” She struggled. “I thought that would be a good idea too.” He smiled walking over to and out the door. Elizabeth watched Leeland talk to the officer for a moment before the two of them came back into her room. “Liz, this is Officer Hackinstien.” Leeland said as they walked in. “Hello Officer.” She tried to smile. “Hello. I hate to have to ask you about what happened tonight, but if we want to catch the man that did this I need to.” He said softly. “I don’t remember much.” She looked from Leeland to the officer, “The only thing that I can tell you is that they were standing outside the club. They had a heavy hoody on with a madi gras mask.” The officer smiled, “How did you get to the square?” he asked. “I walked. I knew Jessica was there, I knew she could help. She’s a medic.” Elizabeth shook her head, “I didn’t realize just how bad I was hurt.”