by Jane West
“That may be true; however, you need to start taking your position more seriously. Do your job! Depose of the mother. She’s utterly useless. For the life of me, I don’t understand what Jon Collins saw in that whore.”
Bane scoffed. “We don’t always get to pick who we fall in love with.”
“Good God, my man! You’ve gone soft for that girl.”
“Don’t worry about my feelings or where my dick lies.” Bane sounded like he wanted to strangle Van.
“Oh, I don’t worry, Du Pont! Matter of fact, I have faith that you won’t let me down. As long as you follow through with our agreement, I’ll keep your dirty secret to myself and the proof in a locked safe.” Van inhaled a ragged breath. “If you betray me, I will report my findings to the Council. They won’t tolerate insubordination regardless of your reasons.” Pure evil resonated from Van’s voice.
A soft gasp escaped my lips.
All at once, Deja vu blasted through brick and mortar to the hidden caves of my mind. For several minutes I froze, feet glued to the floor. I stood there reliving every horrible event that had occurred since Bane had come into my life.
Every frightening detail that had happened to me barreled its way to the forefront of my skull. Bane knowing my father’s murderer, the man in black attacking me, the closet, my injury, the cover up, Jen and me drugged and losing our memories.
It all made sense now.
Bane’s bad boy image was a charade and his interest in me was a lie too. It was all lies to lure me into their insidious trap. Bane, Dr. Van, and my mother were all together.
What a fool I'd become.
Jesus! They used Sara to get at me and now they planned to kill her. That was so disturbing on so many levels. I couldn’t wrap my head around it.
Oh, my God! Jen and Sara were in danger too.
Footsteps and shuffling knocked me back to my present state of reality. If they caught me, I was dead. I quickly sprinted for cover. I noticed a door leading to the stairwell.
Past the door and up the stairs, I darted for the third floor. I had to get out of here! I needed to grab a few things from my room and snatch up Snowball. I gotta find where Bane hid my car keys too. First, I had to warn Jen and find Sara! Then I was putting this devil-may-care town in my rear view mirror and getting the hell out of Dodge.
Secret Passages and Unexpected Allies
When I coiled the corner, my heart did a somersault and crashed into my ribs. I stopped in my tracks. Only a couple of doors down from my suite, I spotted my bedroom door open.
I recalled shutting the door. Maybe I didn't close it all the way. Then again, I knew with certainty that someone was in my room waiting for my return.
I bit my lip, indecisive. What if I turned around back to the stairwell and fled on foot. Then I'd be leaving Snowball behind.
I took a deep breath to calm myself. I’d just lie if anyone asked me questions. It wasn’t as if I’d never told a fib before. Not my best feature but it came in handy now and then.
Holding my breath, I eased my steps toward the door, stretching my ears and eyes for any hint who might be lurking in my room.
One eye slipped past the threshold, and I gawked in disbelief at the last person I thought to see, relaxing on my couch Jeffery!
I stepped inside, arms crossed, with an uncompromising glare aiming at my suspicious visitor.
“Well, the prodigal child decides to return.” The sarcasm in Jeffery’s voice only pissed me off further.
“Jeffery, what are you doing in my room at this hour?” I glared at him resting my hands on my hips.
“Oh, I thought since you’d gotten a little tipsy on the terrace that you might be a little hungry. I just got in myself. I have a busy social life, but you wouldn’t know that cuz you've never asked.” He glared up at me through his sooty lashes. “I would’ve been here sooner, but something tells me that your sweet little face wouldn’t have been here to greet me.” He smiled, scrunching his shoulders together sighing, attempting to play all-innocent. “So, whatcha been doing?” His voice on the surface appeared light, but it was only to mask the arsenic.
I narrowed my eyes ready for whatever he threw at me.
I made my way to the chair by the window. “Not that I have to explain myself, but I had a headache and went looking for some ibuprofen.” I flopped down into the deep cushioned chair.
Jeffery tossed me a small box. “I figured you’d need these. Guess I was right.” A smirk colored his face.
I caught the box and glimpsed down at the label, ibuprofen. “Thanks,” I answered even tone. Nice gesture but I wondered what tricks Jeffery had up his sleeve.
Suspicion oozed over me like warm blood.
“I saw Aidan’s uncle’s car when I pulled up into the drive. I was concerned for you. That uncle of his is mean as a Tasmanian Devil!” Jeffery paused a minute studying me. “You look a little bothered, boo.” He tapped his finger on his chin, eyes sharp and judgy. “Are you okay?”
I propped my elbows on my knees, laying my face into the palms of my hand. Confliction rode heavily on my shoulders. If I told Jeffery, he'd do one of two things, A: tell Bane or B: help me escape.
I took a chance with B. “I just overheard a private conversation." I breathed in a sharp breath and spilled the beans. "I know this sounds like I've gone mad, and maybe I have, but Mister Aidan and his uncle believe I have mystical powers, but the whole murder part has got me worked up into a tizzy.” I licked my lips. “I need to get out of here! Can you help me find my car keys?” my eyes pleaded with Jeffery.
“Gurrrlfriend, you’re putting me in a sticky spot, which most of the time is a good thang but not this one.”
Tears started to collect as I stared at Jeffery.
“Never mind, chile!” Jeffery waved his hand. “I'll get your keys. Mister Aidan has them in the kitchen in the junk drawer.” He bounced to his feet. “Come on get your stuff and don’t forget that damn cat. I don’t get paid enough to take care of no stinkin’ cat!”
***
Moments later, I had everything in my bag, a quick change of clothes and Snowball tucked in his special kitty bag.
With our guard up and hands full, off Jeffery and I went.
“I know a back way that no one takes. It’s the servant’s entrance. Mister Aidan doesn’t care which way Dom and I travel throughout the castle, but whenever his uncle or that damn cousin of his comes a knockin', I hide in these old secret passages. Come on we need to get to stepin'. Pick up those damn legs, gurrrl!” Jeffery snapped, jerking my hand, nearly making me fall on my face.
I mumbled curse under my breath at that coco-buttered man. I think that was Jeffery’s flare. He had the arrogance of a queen bee, like the land of nectar. Golden honey, gooey and sweet, yet in the same breath, he’d sting the shit out of you. A required taste, I had to agree.
We hurried through a door leading into a gentlemen’s parlor or a more current term, a drawing room. Dark Mahoney wood paneled walls and crimson winged-back chairs placed around a gambling table. The room screamed man cave. It reeked of cigars and sweat.
Jeffery ran to the large bookcase that covered a whole wall. He tipped back a book from the case. Apparently, it was a lever. The whole bookcase slid open.
I gawked in awe. I thought things like that only existed in books and motion pictures.
Hand over fist, my arm was jerked forward, and Jeffery halfway dragged me into the small opening. “Pay attention, Chile! You gonna get both our heads on the chopin' block.” Jeffery urged as he closed the bookcase behind us.
My eyes orbed, terrified. “Are you kidding?”
“I never kid about my lovely head.” He twisted his face. “That came out wrong.” He huffed. “Come on!” He tugged on my arm dragging me down a dark, narrow passage.
I covered my mouth, coughing from the cloud of dirt flying in my face. “How do you see? There’s no light and,” I coughed, “the dust?”
“Stop your bitchin'?”
&
nbsp; “I’m not complaining!” I snapped back.
“Shush!” he jerked on my arm even harder, making me pick up the pace. “Voices carry down ‘ere!”
“Sorry!” I half whispered and choked on a mouthful of dirt.
After several corners and spirals of stairwells, I felt like I was on a roller coaster. My stomach churned with queasiness from ingesting all the dirt but then we stopped.
Jeffery tapped three times on the center of a wall, another entrance opened. We passed through it and down another corridor that was less dusty with more light.
When my eyes adjusted to the light, I realized we were standing in the kitchen.
In a flash, Jeffery made a dash to a drawer. Hurriedly, he drew out my keys and jerked my wrist leading me to the warehouse.
We rushed through double doors and down another corridor. My lungs were screaming for air, but there wasn’t any time to waste for something as little as breathing. I’d do that once I’d made my get-away.
Once we reached the elevator, Jeffery punched the G button. Seconds later, we stepped out into the warehouse and the rolls of vehicles.
Not missing a beat, Jeffery kept my feet plugging.
When we reached my beetle, Jeffery halted abruptly. He shoved a handful of cash into my hands. “Boo, take this! You’ll need it to get away. Don’t tell anyone where you’re goin'. Just get the fuck outta of ‘ere. That uncle of Mister Aidan’s is one bad mofo. I’m tellin' you when white folks are mean; you don’t want to cross their path. So, you run, boo, run your ass off and don’t stop until you is in China.” Jeffery snatched me up into his arms and hugged me. “Go on! Git the hell outta ‘ere before any of those fuckers see you.”
Tears came to my eyes, “Thank you, Jeffery! I don’t know what to say.”
“You say nuffin! Go on now, git!” Jeffery opened the door for me and handed me the key. “Follow the arrows and it will take you straight outta ‘ere. You don’t need a password to leave.” He smiled, but it didn’t reach his worrisome eyes.
A moment lingered as Jeffery, and I gave one more silent farewell, then I dove into the beetle, sliding the key into the ignition. The beetle started up, sounding as loud as ever.
With no more time to spare, I released the break and slammed it into first gear. I was off in a flash, and the taste of bitter freedom caressed my parched lips.
I checked my rear view mirror and Jeffery was still standing, watching as I sped away. I'd misjudged Jeffery. He’d been my friend all along. It touched my heart, and I’d be forever grateful for his kindness. I opened my palm and looked at the wad of money. I gasped in shock. The cash appeared to be all several one-thousand-dollar bills. Crap! Did they make bills that large?
Jeffery advised me to get out of town. Wise decision but with Bane and his uncle and all their resources, they could pluck me from anywhere. Where could I go? Who could help me find a solution? The police would be out of the question. Bane owned the locals. Besides, I learned my lesson from the last time.
Then it hit me! Ms. Noel!
Untouchable
During the worst storm of the year, it had to be the one night that I decided to make my get-away. If I thought the hailstorm couldn’t get worse, I soon discovered how naive I was.
Thunder roared, breaking sound barriers, and lightning crashed, shooting hot streaks of light across the ominous sky, hemming me in from every direction. Winds howled as the blinding sheets of rain pummeled my car.
I sped down the countryside as my car rocked like a baby’s cradle. The headlights were hardly enough to see the dark road ahead, but it didn’t deter me from speeding.
At any second, I feared my car might get swept away by raging floodwaters. Coupled with the towering pines snapping back and forth, I held my breath that I didn’t end up crushed by a fallen tree.
There was no refuge. I had no other choice but to push through this storm and pray I made it to Ms. Noel's in one piece. I checked my rear view mirror. No signs of another car's headlight. At least I had that advantage.
My gut told me that once Bane and his uncle discovered that I was gone, they'd come looking for me. My best friend right now was to gain momentum. It was a race. My chance of keeping my head intact depended greatly on me getting off their radar. I had to get to Ms. Noel’s fast! My heart pounded against my chest as I floored the gas pedal.
Finally, I began to see small specks of light ahead. I was almost there to Ms. Noel's. I turned onto the main drag and sped past the diner and onto Saint Anne Street. I could see Ms. Noel’s house now in plain view. Suddenly, my lungs expanded, and I could breathe. The porch light was on as if she had been expecting me. Quickly, I pulled up to the curb and tugged on the break. I knew I should hide the beetle, but that would have to wait. I wanted to get inside out of this torrential downpour before Snowball, and I drowned.
At that second, a bolt of lightning struck, shattering all around me. The black sky lit up, electrified and enraged. I jolted with a squeal and Snowball hissed. We both felt the peril in the atmosphere.
I grabbed up Snowball who was shivering with fright and tucked him under my hoodie. I flung the door open and leaped out, making a mad dash for Ms. Noel’s covered porch while Thunder nipped at my heels. Poor Snowball dug his claws into my chest, meowing and hanging on for dear life.
The second my feet hit the porch; Ms. Noel dressed her housecoat, stood holding the screen door open. “Chile, hurry! This rain is the devil makin' babies!” She hollered over the pounding rain.
“Sorry for coming at this hour.” I shivered, standing in a huge pool of water. Snowball, just as wet, laid trembling in my arms. “I didn’t know who else to turn to.” The desperation in my voice made no room for question.
“Babee, no bother. Let me take Snowball and I’ll get him some cream. In the meantime, you rest on the sofa.” Ms. Noel’s smile soothed better than any cup of chicken soup.
Ms. Noel headed for the kitchen with Snowball, and I made my way to one of the rocking chairs by the fireplace.
As my mind began to unwind, I started shivering. The shock was starting to set in, and the sting of cold rain and everything else that had gone down from the moment I set foot in town began to seep into my bones. The trembling wouldn’t stop, and my teeth chattered away. I leaned over, arms stretched letting the warmth of the fire soak through to my weary bones.
Shortly after, Ms. Noel returned with a hot cup of tea and a dry blanket. She always knew the perfect remedy. I smiled up at her. “Here babee, wrap this around ya and drink some of this tea. It’ll calm ya nerves.” She patted my shoulder and pulled the other rocker across from me. We both huddled around the fireplace. “I knew ya be comin’ tonight.” She smiled warmly. “Franny said ya in trouble. The devil is out tonight and is ready ta play.”
I shrugged with a bitter laugh. “Did the devil have blue eyes by chance?”
“Catin, the devil has many faces.” Ms. Noel drew in a thoughtful expression. “We just have ta remember that God don’t like ugly. Hmm uh, he sure don’t.” She rocked back and forth with a little more zest than usual. I reckoned she felt the electric static in the air as I did.
“They're coming for me, Ms. Noel!” Fear bristled the back of my neck.
“Chile, who’s coming for ya?” her brows collided.
Chills trickled down my spine as the conversation pillaged through my brain once again. “I overheard Bane talking to Dr. Van.” I gulped, “Dr. Van, the principal is his uncle!” I nervously sipped my hot tea. The tea soothed my insides, and the cup warmed my hands. I swallowed another sip and returned my frantic gaze back to Ms. Noel. “Remember the séance?” I wrapped the blanket tighter around my shoulders.
“I sure do.” Ms. Noel’s face grew pale.
Leaning closer, I spewed my horrible findings. “I think Bane is the faceless boy in my dreams, and he and his uncle are coming after me. The people my father warned. They think I'm their meal ticket! That-that-that I have powers of some sort. It all sounds crazy!" my voi
ce shot up an octave. "They plan to kill!" My head was spinning. “I haven’t figured it all out yet!” I stared at her wide-eyed and terrified. “You’re right, Ms. Noel about Sara. The-the-the stalker, he’s the reason why Sara's been running all these years.” I breathed. “Bane knows the stalker. His-his-his name is Zak!” I gulped air. "Or it was his name. Bane killed him after he attacked me at school." I inhaled deeply. "I didn't slip on baby oil. Zak attacked me. Bane and Sara both have been covering it up.
“Lord have mercy!” Ms. Noel stopped rocking, eyes expressing shock.
“That’s not all.” I paused. “My mother sold me to Bane! I think Sara is in on the plan with Bane and his uncle.” I raked my hands through my damp hair.
“Lord, sweet Jesus! I knew that woman’s heart was black.”
I swallowed against the knot lodged in my throat. “That's not all. Bane's been protecting my father’s killer.” Knowing this about Bane hurt more than the threat of death. Take my life, torture me until I can’t scream any longer but aiding and abetting a fugitive, my father’s murderer, was such an unfathomable betrayal that I’d never forgive him. Ever.
“For goodness sakes, Chile! Are you sure that’s what you heard?”
“Yes! I’m certain! I heard it with my own ears.”
“You don’t worry none! We have help.” She flashed a promising smile. “Visitors are coming to help.”
My brows furrowed. “Who’d be coming at this hour and in this storm?” I pulled the blanket tighter; shivers covered my body.
“You just rest ya eyes, on the couch. Ya going ta need all the strength ya can muster. There’s magick in the air tonight, and it’s mighty angry.” She patted my knee.
A cold dread spread over me as I nodded my head. It had been a taxing night. My eyes were starting to grow heavy, and another bout with a headache lingered. I gathered to my feet and leaned over Ms. Noel, hugging her generously. “Thank you! You’re the only person I have in this whole wide world that I can trust.”