Dictator s Daughter

by Angell, Lorena

  She let out a cry of pain for both her head and her side. Both boys immediately jumped up and rushed to her side. She was lying on her back and had a small amount of blood on her hand which had been pressed to the back of her head. She looked at the boys. “This is pointless. The responsibility lies with me and me alone.” Her voice was only a raspy whisper as the searing ache pounded through her head.

  “No, don’t say that.” Sean immediately melted beside her and carefully placed his hands on each side of her head.

  “As soon as I am able, I’ll see that you get your mother and sister back.”

  “But, he will kill you.”

  “Better me than them.” One corner of her mouth tugged up in a resigned understanding.

  “Shhh, don’t talk like that,” Sean reached under her knees and shoulders to pick her up.

  Ryan reached over and pulled her shirt together. As he did so, his fingers made contact with her flaming hot skin.

  “She’s burning!” Ryan said to Sean with a sudden change of attitude. “Have you taken her temperature?”

  Sean threw a glance back at his brother as if to say, ‘Naw, we’ve just been up here partying’ and Ryan got the hint. Sean carried her over to the bed and laid her down. He used the scanner thermometer to get her temperature and the reading said one-hundred five.

  Ryan looked over Sean’s shoulder to see the results.

  “That’s too hot, Sean.” Ryan had blood sliding down his lip.

  Sean had a gash above his eye from the brawl. “Go get the medical tape and turn on the shower to lukewarm.”

  “Why?”

  Sean’s patience was gone. “Just do it!”

  Ryan left the room and Sean leaned close to Eliwese’s ear. “I’m going to cool you off in the bathtub.”

  After Ryan had started the water, Sean told him to find a fan. Ryan left the room and Sean stretched tape over her gauze to try to waterproof it. Then he removed his clothes except his boxers and picked up Eliwese carrying her into the bathroom. She had her shirt and shorts on and he decided he would leave her dressed. He climbed into the tub and sat down, holding her in his arms.

  Ryan came in with a small electric fan. “Where do you want it?”

  “Set it up so it’s blowing on her.” Sean held out the IV bag to Ryan. “Can you hang this up somehow?”

  Ryan nodded and hung the bag on a nail on the wall. He placed the fan on the hamper and aimed it at Eliwese.

  Sean’s body experienced two extreme temperatures; her extremely hot skin next to his and the cool air from the fan chilling his wet skin She was curled up in his lap with her head resting on his shoulder and she shivered uncontrollably. Sean encircled his arms around her to offer some comfort, but he didn’t want to warm her.

  Sean asked his brother to retrieve more ibuprofen and water for Eliwese. Ryan did so and together they helped her swallow the pills down. Ryan left the bathroom.

  Eliwese started mumbling incoherently; Sean figured she was delirious again. Many thoughts were swarming inside his mind as he laid his head back against the wall. He still hadn’t allowed his mind to accept his father had been killed and Lyndee and his mother were now prisoners. Chandra had indeed turned them in like he feared; but then again, Riley already knew where Eliwese was. What a mess! How were they ever going to pull through this situation?

  “We can blackmail him,” she said quietly.

  “What?”

  “Blackmail, it will work.”

  “Just rest.”

  He continued to hold her and caressed her forehead with his hand. He tilted his head to hers and rested it on her; he wasn’t sure if she was coherent or hallucinating. He doubted whether or not Eliwese had information damning enough to blackmail the leader of a country.

  An hour went by and Ryan came back in the bathroom with the thermometer and took her temperature. She had dropped to one-hundred three and Ryan helped the two of them get out of the tub; it was a tricky maneuver. Ryan brought in a blanket and wrapped it around Eliwese and then he took her in his arms so Sean could dry off. Ryan took Eliwese back into the bedroom and laid her on the bed. Sean noticed for the first time that Eliwese and Ryan were the same height. Sean had followed with the IV bag and his towel wrapped around his waist.

  “Ryan, would you go warm up some broth for her while I help her change into some dry clothes?”

  Ryan nodded and left the room.

  Sean helped her dry off and change. He found her a tank top and another pair of boxers to wear.

  “I was serious in the bathtub when I said we could blackmail my father.”

  “You must have some crucial information about him then.”

  “I do; why do you think they tried to kill me?”

  “Right.”

  Sean worked with the bandages on her back, removing the old ones and replacing them with fresh gauze and tape. When he finished, he covered her with a sheet and went out into the kitchen to see what was taking Ryan so long.

  Ryan stood in front of the microwave, waiting for it to finish. He turned his head as Sean entered the room. “I couldn’t find the soup,” he explained his delay.

  “Ryan, I’m sorry for punching you. I shouldn’t have done it.” Sean’s head hung low.

  “Don’t worry about it.” Ryan opened the microwave and pulled out the cup. “If it wasn’t for your girlfriend, I’d have tromped you flat,” he winked as he walked past Sean into the bedroom.

  Sean just stood there in a daze for a few moments. Then he turned around and went into the bedroom; he found Ryan spoon-feeding Eliwese. Sean stayed in the doorway and leaned against the frame watching as she sipped the liquid from the spoon and Ryan silently continued serving her. Everyone was in deep thought.

  Sean followed Ryan back to the kitchen once Eliwese had finished her broth.

  “She told me she can blackmail her father into releasing Mom and Lyndee.”

  “Blackmail? What dirt could she possible have on him?” Ryan asked skeptically.

  “She has dirt. She told me some of it. I think it might work.”

  “What do you mean think? Two lives are on the line here; either it’s going to work or it’s not.”

  “She has people trying to kill her because of what she knows. Wouldn’t you think her information is valuable?”

  “Yeah, well, Dad is already dead because of her. If Mom or Lyndee dies too, I’ll kill her myself,” Ryan said heartlessly and walked back into the room with Eliwese.

  Sean brought a chair from the table into the bedroom and sat down. Eliwese was lying on her right side with her knees pulled up toward her stomach and Ryan was sitting in the armchair next to the bed. The clock on the bedside table showed one o’clock PM; it had only been twenty-four hours since their world upended.

  “So, what would you blackmail your father with?” Ryan asked.

  “Information he doesn’t want the world to know,” she answered.

  “Like what?”

  “It’s complicated.”

  “I think I deserve to be a part of these secrets for a change. Why did you flee? What do you know about your father?”

  “Ryan, that’s enough.” Sean didn’t think Eliwese was up to being bullied.

  She said, “It’s ok, Sean. My father is a wicked man, which is no secret. Let me explain first why we need to blackmail him. You see, it sounds so easy to just simply give me back in exchange for your mother and sister, but that’s not how it would be. The moment my father got me back, the four of you would be killed. My father would not kill me right away because he still needs his heir. But as soon as that is accomplished I will be disposable too. So blackmail is the only way to free your mother and sister and keep all of us alive. The information I have isn’t just about sinister deeds and atrocities he has committed; it’s more about what his future plans are.”

  “Future plans?” Sean asked surprised.

  Ryan quickly looked at Sean as if to say, ‘you don’t know what she’s talking about?’

>   Eliwese closed her eyes briefly and took in a slow deep breath and let it out even slower, “He plans to invade this country and take over.”

  Ryan laughed. “Ha, that’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. How would he even begin to do that? He doesn’t have the power to pull something like that off.”

  Eliwese smiled a tiny smile. “It’s small minds, like your own, that will make it possible for him to succeed.” She coughed. “You see, I know he does have the manpower, nuclear power and the money to pull this off. That’s why he wants me back. He doesn’t want me blabbing his plans.” Eliwese shifted around in the bed and Sean could tell she was in pain.

  She continued, “I had hoped to leave your house and make my way to the capital to inform the heads of government. It didn’t work out that way. My sister, who’s been taking my place back in my country, must have been discovered and that’s why the television started reporting me missing when they did.

  “The radio report said I was kidnapped, but rescued and returned to the country. The way I see it, that served two purposes: first, to make the people of Rendier angry with Baylend for trying to extort money from their leader. They will have no problem with Rawlings bombarding Baylend in retaliation. The second purpose would be to make it seem like I am alive and well. I am the ‘vessel of the heir’ bringing stability to the minds of my people. Without an heir, coups would arise and make for worsening circumstances in my country. They placed my sister in my position to return the calm.” She finished and laid her head back down and closed her eyes. “The conditions are ripe for a hostile takeover. If you can’t see it with your own eyes, Ryan, then maybe you better open them up.”

  The room went silent for a moment. Sean’s realization of how close Eliwese felt Baylend was to being seized overwhelmed him. He looked at Eliwese as she lay there with her eyes closed, breathing quick shallow breaths.

  Sean said, “Most of the crossers I’ve known were on the run for their lives. You crossed the border in an attempt to save Baylend and put a stop to your father. You crossed for our lives.”

  In a quiet, weak and choked up voice she added, “The cruel irony here is the people I’m trying to save are dying anyway. Death and injury surround vicious intentions; I am so sorry about your father’s death. I knew when I set out on this course it was inevitable some people would be killed. But if I could have seen the pain in the both of your eyes ahead of time I wouldn’t have done this.”

  Sean and Ryan looked at each other.

  Sean walked over to the side of her bed and sat down. He placed his hand on her head and caressed her lightly. “Losing our father is huge, I won’t deny it. But, I don’t blame you.”

  She looked at him.

  “What if you knew about this hostile takeover and you did nothing? How many people would have died then? Who knows?”

  Eliwese closed her eyes.

  “Can I ask you something, Eliwese?” Sean asked.

  She nodded and wiped her tears that slipped out of her closed eyes.

  “In your planning of this whole thing, what did you plan to do with your life after your father was removed from power?”

  Eliwese looked up into Sean’s eyes. “I never planned that far.”

  He figured as much. Sean got up and scanned her temperature, one-hundred two point five.

  “Rest.” He leaned forward and kissed her forehead and left the room with Ryan.

  Eliwese wiped her eyes again and thought about the last question. She really hadn’t figured she would survive. Then again, she hadn’t figured on so many people being hurt or killed; she had to make this right for the two brothers.

  **********

  Sara Cutler lay on the hard floor of the cold room too weak to climb up on the bed. She didn’t know for sure where she was, but she had a good idea.

  Her mind searched back in time to the mad scramble that occurred when the Hummer arrived at their home. The door was busted down by the armed men in black suits and Paul tried to talk sense to the men forcing their way into their home. He opened his arms wide saying, “Search the whole house if you must, she has already gone.”

  They began beating Paul, pausing for questions that Paul refused to answer. Sean had called on Paul’s phone and the main thug ripped the phone out of his hand. He tried to talk to Sean, but was hung up on.

  “Where will he take her?” The man yelled at Paul.

  “I don’t know,” Paul responded defiantly.

  More beating, blood, gruesome crunching sounds; it was enough for Sara to break free from the man who had her pinned to the couch. She rushed to the aid of her husband, only to be shoved out of the way like a toothpick; hitting her head on the table.

  Ryan busted in on the scene and was quickly subdued.

  More men had scoured the house and brought Lyndee and Beth downstairs. Sara remembered the look on Beth’s face as she looked down the barrel of the gun, and the bloodcurdling shriek from Lyndee as Beth was gunned down.

  Later, they were dragged out the front door to the walkway where more arguing transpired. Paul must have sensed the outcome of everything and turned his head toward her and mouthed, “I love you.”

  She watched in horror as the main thug shot Paul in the head. As Paul fell forward, she broke free and rushed toward him. Strong arms caught her around the waist and held her tight. She just wanted to be with her beloved husband, why couldn’t they grant her that last wish? She screamed until no more breath would come out of her. Ryan had fought viciously with the men holding him back. A roaring sound filled Sara’s head blocking out the horrific events her eyes witnessed. She looked around for Lyndee but couldn’t find her. Where was she? Had she been killed also? New panic hit hard; too much violence, too much to take in.

  The men carried Sara to the Hummer and shoved her in the back seat. Handcuffs were slapped on her wrists and locked to the front seat. The man who shot Paul climbed in the other side and sat next to her.

  She watched helplessly as her son Ryan was punched in the stomach and gasoline cans were emptied onto her home. The Tront’s from next door ran over and pulled Paul’s body away from the raging fire and Sara heard sirens echoing in her mind as if they were down at the end of a long tunnel.

  She could see Ryan was still alive as the vehicle roared out of the yard. Relieved, she thought of Sean and hoped he was safe.

  “Wake up, Sierra.” The calm male voice tried to arouse her from the hell that was her dream.

  Had it been a dream? The hard floor her cheek was flattened to told her it was real, not a dream. She opened her eyes slowly.

  Expensive polished black dress shoes were near her face with the owner crouched in those shoes. She turned her face a little to see who it was.

  Victor Rawlings reached his hand down to her forehead and she flinched at his touch. She pushed up to a seated position but away from him and her head began to spin violently.

  “I received a call this morning.” He stood and walked casually over to an elegant chair and sat down regally, “My men were about to storm the home of my daughter’s kidnappers. Imagine my surprise to find it was you and your husband… Paul, was it?”

  Sara refused to grace him with an answer.

  “All those years ago, I truly believed you to be dead. I saw your burned body with my own eyes and even pretended to cry at your funeral. How did you do it? How did you fool both me and my father?”

  “Dr. Rand-, I mean, Dr. Roth.”

  “The doctor was in on it?”

  “Both times. Remember all the puking you did the night I disappeared? I only wish he’d put more poison in your food.”

  “An elaborate charade which allowed you a few days across the border; but what I want to know is how your death was faked so convincingly.”

  “Small minds tend to believe what is placed before them.”

  “I’ll ignore your insult for now; you’re saying that Dr. Roth lied about your identity?”

  “Figured that one out all on your own did you?�
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  “We were married, you and I. Does that mean we’re still married? No, don’t answer that.” He put his hands up in front of him with palms facing Sara. “You’ll never hold any special place in my heart, Sierra, especially after kidnapping my daughter.”

  “You don’t have a heart and we didn’t kidnap your daughter.”

  “Sure you did. You must have wanted to get even or extort money out of me somehow. Whatever the reasoning, I’m glad it was you or I’d never have known you are actually alive. And just look at you…. still so beautiful, so vibrant, so…deceitful. You haven’t changed a bit. How many years ago was that?”

  “Not enough.”

  “Still have the same bite, don’t you? Tell me,” he stood, “how old is your daughter Lyndee?”

  “She’s Paul’s.”

  “I don’t really care whose she is; she’s a she.”

  “Oh, that’s right; you can’t seem to sire a son. You have no heir. That must be so frustrating for you.” Her sarcasm hit a nerve.

  “I’ll have my heir soon enough.”

  “Not if you’re relying on Eliwese to give you one. You won’t get your hands on her anytime soon; my son’s won’t allow it.”

  “Sierra,” he took a step toward her, “I’m not here to argue with you. You are missing out on some important details, I’m afraid. Let me get you up to speed here. You see, your Paul is dead, at the hands of my men. Your daughter Lyndee is here in the palace, in the hands of my men; many of them as a matter of fact.” He laughed a little. “And your two handsome sons have your life in their hands. You see, if they don’t hand over my daughter then you will be killed. As for Lyndee, she reminds me so much of you in your younger years, I think I’ll keep her for myself.”

  “You bastard!” She lunged at him from across the room. She just wanted to hurt him, even if it was just a little.

  He stood ready for her attack. In fact, he was waiting for it. For just a fraction of a second, it frustrated Sara to know she was giving him what he wanted. As she made contact with him, he wrapped his arms around her tightly and restrained her arms in his. Her legs took over the job of causing pain and she kicked his shins repeatedly as he picked her up and smashed her on the bed. Their cheeks and foreheads kept colliding in the struggle.