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     Charles felt a rush of emotions welling up inside him and he did not know how to respond to her, but he spoke anyway. "If that's what you want, then I'll help you.., but you need at least forty days for the sutures to be removed, you know healing takes time. You don't have enough time." he smirked.
     "I can keep him off me for awhile." Lexa said realizing there was a hitch in her plan.
     "Yeah right!" he balked. "Xation will be banging you Sunday night after dinner! You are supposed to be his wife and he hasn't been with you in years, and my God look at you!" he said making a gesture with both hands. "You are so beautiful and charming! You look like that Movie Star Daryl Hannah for God's sake! And now we got you all cleaned up and fit and healthy!" Charles went on getting excited as he spoke "My God! I even have an erection now just looking at you! Are you kidding me?" he said in all honesty.
     Lexa blushed then began to worry that Xation would discover her secret and that would be the end of her. She did not reply to his statement, instead she sat there a moment letting her crafty mind do it's work. It was not until about twenty minutes, after the storm had passed, and they had crossed the Texas border Lexa let out an exclamation. "I know what to do!" she smiled as they sped south down highway 35E. "I will get really drunk on wine at Sunday dinner, Serena told me their parents will be there and they are bringing my neph.., son" she corrected herself, "and you will be there so, once I embarrass him, you suggest another  rehab for the alcohol detox. Then you can take care of the scar before you take to me to rehab and I can heal while I'm in there." she said a sly, cunning smile on her face.
     Charles sighed shaking his head at her cleverness and he said "If that's what you want to do, then I will help you. But this is Xaton Day we are talking about here, this is risky and it might not go as planned but if you're not afraid then I will help you." Leah smiled her eyes clear and bright, a blush to her cheeks, radiating happiness. This gave Charles a warm feeling, and not just the one in his trousers.
     So it was the two stopped at a legendary BBQ joint and ate and laughed and talked and went over their plan. It was about noon when Charles pulled up in front of The Green House in Arlington, this was the finest Spa in all of Texas. Leah had three days of treatments, massages, etc.. ahead of her and she was happy to say goodbye to Charles, who would be picking her up at four on Sunday to bring her back to Xation. She kissed him on the cheek and thanked him once more as she slid down out of the Jeep and was escorted into the Mansion-like Spa by a young beautiful woman with fiery red hair.
     It was about one p.m. when Charles finally made it home to his house and he was surprised to find a note from Serena stating she had brought in a team of maids who cleaned the house from top to bottom, she had restocked his refrigerator, had the pool cleaned and sent over a landscaping crew to mow the lawn and trim the trees and shrubs. She had also purchased a placed new silk sheets and blankets and pillows on his bed. Charles was well pleased and he stripped down and took a hot steamy shower and after he dried himself off he climbed up into his luxuriant bed and wrapped himself in warmth and softness and fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillows.

More Chapter 10

     Charles said nothing looking at her in disbelief. Lexa stared back her eyes as big as saucers "You don't believe me? I am not lying to you." she said offended by his reaction. "My God! Xation is the one who put the lie in believe, Charles, not me." she pleaded her case.
     "Prove it!" he snapped back at her "Prove to me that you are not Leah."
     "Fine!" she said in a harsh tone reclining the passengers seat all the way back as she lifted up her shirt, unzipping her blue jeans pulling them down past her pelvic bones exposing her well tanned, flat stomach "Leah had a C-Section when she had her baby. So where's the scar Charles? There isn't one because I have never had a baby, because I'm Lexa, Leah is dead and you have to accept it." she said zipping up her pants and adjusting her clothes.
     Charles felt all the blood rush from his face down to his stomach he wanted to vomit. He tried to speak but it felt like he had a stone in his throat, his mind raced with the realization that Leah was dead and gone, he had not been helping her at all, but it was her twin sister who had fooled them all. "She's gone?" he stammered "You?" he sighed looking deep in her green eyes not knowing what to say, confused by the mixed feelings of despair and joy. His mind did not know how to react so he wrapped his arms around her, calling her name out over and over again. Charles stroked her long blond hair squeezing her hard against his body making it difficult for her to breathe then half crying, half laughing he began kissing her on the cheek telling her how much he always loved her. Then as the storm raged the wind howling outside the Jeep, the two became still looking deep into each others eyes, they began kissing each other with great force and longing. Charles felt electrified by the sweet, wet, warmth of her mouth and it took several moments for the two to come up for air.
     "No Charles stop." she said panting wiping his saliva off her wet lips. "We must not do this." she said the flash of an old memory of the last time they were lovers. '"No one can ever know what I have told you! We  need to keep this a secret!" she pleaded.
     "Why?"
     "Because if Xation ever finds out he will have me slaughtered."
     "Then let's not go back! I can get money, we will hide." he implored.
     "No. You know that would never work, besides Xation may be a cold hearted bastard, but he's rich and handsome and takes care of his family. I have lived the past five years living off of Doritos, and Diet Coke, I want to live like a queen again. Xation will take care of me."
     "Oh? Well what about your scar? Won't he see you naked when he fucks you?" Charles asked aggravated by her attitude.
     Lexa slapped his face sending a short, sharp, shock to his system. She turned back towards the dashboard fuming as she watched the hail stones bounce off the payment. "When that time comes, and I will continue to  avoid that as long as possible, by then I will have made a scar of my own, it shouldn't take much a nice deep cut, have you sew me up and the masquerade will be complete. You will still help me, won't you, Charles?"
   

Chapter 10 continues

     She felt the weight of her deception weighing heavy, pushing her down in her seat, oh if she could only take flight and fly away from the truth of what she had done, but she could not, now she must be honest. "When we left, do remember John whispered something in my ear?" she asked as Charles shook his head yes, a terrible look of dread washing all the color from his face. "He said, 'Truth is like rain. It saturates everything it touches.'" she paused the sound of the hail stones smashing on the ground outside as the Spring storm raged all 'round. "So before we get back to Texas, I need to tell you the truth." she looked at him lovingly squeezing his hand as she began her tale.
     "Long before we grew up, my sister and I would always play tricks on our friends, teachers, boyfriends, etc... switching places with one another causing confusion and much heartache, all through high school and college. We had a lot of fun!" she smiled with a quick mischievous memory from senior year. "You know we looked so much alike even our own parents had trouble distinguishing us apart.., that's one of the reasons I miss her so much!" she said wiping a small tear from her cheek.
     "I miss Lexa too." Charles reminded her.
     "I know you do, you really did care for her." she smiled stroking his cheek brushing the hair from his eyes.
     "More than you'll ever know." he sighed.
     "No, I do know how much you care." she said with a nervous look in her eyes as she said "Because I have missed you too."
     Now Charles was confused because now Leah was speaking as if she was Lexa, but that was impossible as Lexa was long dead. Then he thought of what she said before. Had she gone mad? Did she think she was her dead sister? Could she be her dead sister? Many thoughts raced through his mind as he sat there staring over at her. "Leah? What do mean?"
     "Leah was bored with Xation she began having an affair. I would come to the ranch on the weekends and she changed into my clothes and would leave. I took her place, Xation never knew. But that Sunday when she was shot to death with her lover, in his bed, in his house, I was stuck. Leah died and I did not! That's why I fled soon after the funeral, I watched them bury Me! I went to my own funeral Charles!" she went on excitedly telling her story. "I am Lexa! I needed to tell you the truth. Old John was right, everything he did and said was right!" she exclaimed as the heavy weight of her pain lifted up and off her soul and she felt happy, unafraid, light as air, clear of mind. Charles felt shell shocked like a bomb had just been dropped. His mind raced back trying to piece together memories to search for a hidden clue, but would could he do? He knew she was telling the truth.

Chapter 10 begins

     It was around six in the morning on Thursday when they finished their stay and Leah and Charles said goodbye to John, who was happy he could be of service to them both. Leah did not want to leave as she had learned so much and shared with him the secret of her pain and deception, it was difficult for her to let go of her embrace. John whispered a few words of encouragement in her ear as he kissed her on the cheek and watched as the two got into their Jeep and turned down the long winding road, back to civilization.
     Charles and Leah rode along in silence the windows down as the cool mountain, fresh and fragrant air blew across their face and through their hair. The two were the most relaxed and happy they had been in a very long time. And secretly they both wished they could live their on that mountain with old John for the rest of their lives, but that would be impossible, Xation Day would not allow that, for every person in his family and organization served a purpose and had a duty to fulfill. Leah knew she would soon be back with him and it made her skin crawl. She began to worry, but used a method John had taught her on of their hours long conversations. So she trained her thoughts to focus on a happy memory she had when she was young, filling her mind with the sound of her sisters laughter when they had their first golf lesson and she hit the ball at an odd angle and sent the hard dimpled ball smack into her ankle and she was hopping around cursing and laughing at the same time. And with that Leah forgot all about Xation and the trying times ahead.
     Now as they drove south towards Texas  massive black clouds rolled across the sky, low to the ground like a dark, thick blanket. Lightning flashed across the sky from end to end, miles and miles apart, Charles felt uneasy driving into the Spring storm but they had a schedule to keep to so on he drove. The closer they came to the storm and the pounding rain, closer to the Texas border, Leah became more frightened and nervous all the peace and serenity she had attained in the past few days melted away from her leaving her mind in circles and her muscles in knots. At one point the driving rain turned to hailstones, the size of golf balls, forcing Charles to pull under an overpass to wait out the storm. After a few tense moments Leah opened up her mouth and spoke, she had decided it was time for her to tell Charles the truth about what happened, she hoped he would still be willing to help her. "Charles," she paused almost smirking knowing full and well Charles was not his name, just an identity, of a dead man, Xation gave to him "I need to share something with you, something from the past, before my sister was killed." Leah said as she took his hand in hers a small tear rolling down her cheek.

End Chapter 9

     After they had finished and were feeling energized and relaxed Leah and Charles changed into some fishing  gear and joined John out on the lake to spend the afternoon fishing. It took Leah a little practice to paddle with her oar correctly while Charles struggled in the back of the canoe as they went in little circles, but soon Leah got the hang of it with much laughter as they set out across the wide lake to a shady spot where striped bass swam in the dark shadows. The three enjoyed their time together as old John told them a little about his life and his time as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. He told them how he met his wife and the difficulties he had bringing her back to the States. John told them how he came to own the land and how he came to build Coldcreek Lodge and what inspired him to open up his home and land to the sick, addicted and dying. Leah was touched by his stories and she felt like a better person having known him.
     It was about two hours later when the trio rowed back to shore with their catch, a little sunburned and tired. Charles was happy as he had caught the most fish. Nihar was waiting to help Leah up out of the canoe and he instructed her to go into the cabin and shower as he would give her a massage with hot stones and an Indian head massage.
     "Why can't I have a massage?" Charles asked disappointed.
     "You come back to the lodge with me, I will teach you how to clean the fish." John informed him.
     "I know how to clean a fish." he said offended.
     "Wonderful! Then you can clean them all, but come Charles your friend Leah is the sick one and she needs this much more than you." he smiled grabbing his walking stick as Charles took the catch walking back up the trail into the woods with the old man as Leah came out of the cabin nice and clean, wrapped up in a plush, white robe. She met Nihar down by the lakeside under a small gazebo; which was covered with a thick, lush  honeysuckle vine that was in full bloom. Nihar turned his back as she removed her robe and slipped under the soft white sheet on the massage table. Leah lay on her back inhaling the sweet scent of the flowers she was dead tired and she felt like she could fall asleep at any moment.
     "Now just relax and you will feel much better." Nihar said as he set a small bowl of warm oil in a tray just above her forehead. The bowl had a small hole in the bottom of it and when he removed his finger from it a slow warm stream of botanical oil flowed on her forehead and seeped down her hair and neck it was a strange sensation but very calming. As this went on Nihar stood at the end of the table rubbing her feet with more warm oil using a technique called Reflexology. Leah let out a few moans of sheer pleasure and comfort and soon she drifted off and dreamed a dream.
     And in this dream she found herself sitting in the sun on a hill covered with wild flowers. She was wearing a long flowing white dress and all was bright around her. Far off she heard the sound of little children's laughter and when she turned back from where the noise came from she saw a mirror image of herself sitting on the hill next to her. She became filled with joy as she saw her twin sister smiling back at her. The sisters embraced and both were filled with the Spirit of Love. Each expressed how much they missed one another and, only when she asked to stay, her dead sister told her she was not allowed to come over just yet. Then her dead sister rose up off the mountain turning back as if she were being called by an unheard voice. She smiled down floating above the flowers the leaves of grass touching her toes she explained she had to go and take care of the little children. She gave her sister a wink and said "Truth is Love." Then Leah found herself awake on the table as Nihar nudged her awake. She turned on her stomach for him and then he placed six hot black stones along the muscles of her spine. The deep, relaxing heat seeped into her tired body and she closed her eyes hoping to dream of her sister once more.

More of Chapter 9

     The three were greeted at the end of the path by a good looking, young, dark skinned gentleman who was wearing only a pair of white gauze-like linen pants and was not wearing shoes. He smiled brightly with a pure perfect white aura about him, he seemed to be radiating light as he spoke extending his hand saying "Good morning John." as he shook the old man's hand the two men embraced warmly as they greeted one another. "And you are my students!" he said extending his hand to Leah "I am called Nihar and I will be your Yoga instructor, now follow me into the cabin where you may select some looser fitting clothing," Nihar explained as they all introduced themselves. John went down to the boat house to prepare a canoe for the fishing trip he would take Leah and Charles on after their Yoga session.
     Charles and Leah followed Nihar into the little lake cabin where he took them to a small room filled with racks of clothing, jackets, fishing vests, fishing poles, hiking boots, etc... of every size, for men and women. All were new with the tags still attached, it was like a little store. Nihar instructed them to take whatever they needed during their visit, as it had already been included in the rate. Leah thought this was a most excellent idea and she delighted in picking out her yoga outfit, a warm soft pink cotton set. Charles chose a pair of pants like their instructor was wearing and did not wear a shirt. He was looking forward to stretching out his body and resting his mind by the cool mountain lake so early in the morning. And it was spectacular Leah and Charles and Nihar stood on their mats close to the waters edge and as they went through the poses, mountain pose, tree pose, forward bends, downward facing dog, warrior pose, triangle pose, cobra, upward  facing dog, bridge pose, etc... the gentle lapping of the waters along the shore, and the reflection of the mountain range and the bright blue sky was so calm and peaceful that the blood rushing through their sore bodies, moving the energy, changed their state of mind. As Leah came up from one of the forward bends a rush of blood and energy flowed to her brain and she suddenly felt dizzy and euphoric, like when she did a hit of heroin. Nihar noticed this and he laughed.
     "Leah, are you alright? Dizzy?" he smiled.
     "It's like a drug." she said trying to get back into the next pose, not used to this effect as she had not done Yoga in many, many years.
     "Yes, and it is free and completely natural." he laughed a little more. "It amazes me that there is even such a thing as drug dealers, or drug addicts! If the stressed out, angry, depressed people of this world would just perform yoga once a day then many evils would vanish and walk about as ghosts, long dead spirits that no one has any use for, and can no longer remember their purpose. But I am just a young man from Bombay. What can I do?" he asked looking at them sweat glistening off his firm chest and shoulders as a wisp of a short black curl caught by a gentle breeze brushed against his cheek as he continued "I can teach this to you and perhaps, you can carry this with you where ever you go."

Chapter 9 cont's

     So it was they sat in the deep forest in the dark shade of the ancient trees as the sounds of Nature filtered through the woods. Charles stared over at the old man, his red skin weathered by too much sun, wind and pain, though he seemed to rest easy in his own being, secure in his own personality, full of wisdom and secrets, ready to translate deeper meanings with the force of lightning, but at the same time he seemed child-like, and humble knowing the Great Mystery, whose message he knew and understood. Charles and Leah watched him sitting quietly smiling surrounded by Nature and then he spoke, softly, slowly imparting ancient wisdom.
     "In order to do what is best, to make ourselves worthy we should study the animals, learning its innocent ways; understand their sounds and motions. Think of the deer; which can endure thirst a long, long time, the hawk the surest bird of prey. the gallant elk, the watchful frog, the owl learned in night wisdom and gentle ways, the ferocious bear, the little foxes active and wily, the crow direct and swift in flight, and the hardy wolf who hunts its prey in the dead of winter in the deep, cold, snows. So all of Nature seeks to survive and the Great Spirit provides for all he has created; and we too struggle to survive in the worlds that we have created in which we are forced to live." John Coldcreek paused a moment allowing his knowledge to pour out over the buds of their minds then continued. "If the animals have existed for thousands of generations then why is our struggle so difficult? Our Nations have provided the best in education, medicine, agriculture, and technology, but still we have all become so tired in our lives we can no longer hear the animals, so much so that we bring ourselves to a stop."
      After a long pause he continued "For everything as it moves, now and then, here and there, makes stops. The birds as they fly stop in one place to make their nests, and in another space to rest in flight. A man goes forth and stops when he wills. So it was that the Great Spirit has stopped. The sun, which is so bright and beautiful, is one place he has stopped. The moon, the stars, the winds he has been there with them all. The trees, the animals, are all where he has stopped, and so we must think of these places and send our prayers there to reach the place where God has stopped to win his help and blessing."
     The three sat there for a moment as the sun rose higher in the morning sky sending dappled streams of light down on their faces. All was calm, the woods, their pulse, the beating of their troubled hearts, their minds were clear and focused as they breathed in the sweet, clean, mountain air. Then old John rose to his feet the well used walking stick helping to support his age worn body as he beckoned for Leah and Charles to follow him down the trail. They did so at a slow rate of pace and then in a low tone the old Kiowa man sang an ancient tribal song "O our Mother the Earth, O our Father the Sky. Your children are we with our tired backs we bring you gifts of love and prayers. Then weave for us a garment of brightness. May the warp be the white light of morning, may the weft be the red of evening. May the fringes be the falling rain, may the border be the standing rainbow. Thus weave for us a garment of brightness, that we may walk fittingly where birds sing. That we may walk fittingly where grass is green. O our Mother the Earth, O our Father the Sky." as he finished his song; which nearly brought Leah to tears, they walked down the path together until they came out of the cold deep woods to a small cabin by a huge lake that was perfectly still reflecting the mountains and sky.

More Chapter 9

     So it was they ate their fill and when a long pause settled over the group the old man smiled placing his napkin over his empty plate and with a warm twinkle in his eyes he looked over at Leah and Charles and said "Now, have you had enough, are you ready for a long nap?" he laughed a little.
     "Oh, yes!" Leah said as the warmth of the early morning sun kissed her face.
     "Good, your body and mind are prepared for our first steps on our journey together, now come, follow me." John said getting up from his chair and walking over to a small wooden spiral staircase; which led the trio down to a veranda underneath the balcony. "So, we will not be taking naps, instead we shall take a long walk through the woods to work off our heavy meal, as this is what is best for us at this time." he smiled again grabbing a long walking stick with the head of a bear carved into the top of it. Charles and Leah followed him down a long cold trail in the deep forest of trees. "Here now, observe." John said pointing up "We have tied white ribbons up on the limbs of the trees every few feet, so if you get lost on the trail follow the white ribbons and if you want to go to the top of the mountain ridge follow the red ribbons. We do not want anyone to get lost." he smiled again walking briskly ahead of them. They walked about a mile and came to a little clearing by a small creek in the woods. There was a long thick log that had fallen many years ago providing a perfect place to stop and rest. They sat themselves down saying nothing as John bade them to remain silent and listen to the sounds of the forest creatures stirring awake.
     Birds chirping, the water flowing in the creek, squirrels scurrying up in the trees, rabbits rustling through the ferns, the screech of an owl off in the distance. "Listen..," John spoke in a hushed voice "The animals want to speak to you."

Chapter 9 continues

     Charles and Leah set out under the black sky and brilliant shining stars in the country, she felt a little sleepy listening to the classical music and the hum of the engine so she drank the last of the hot chocolate from the thermos and reclined her seat cuddling up with the soft warm blanket Charles supplied for. Charles smiled when he noticed she had fallen asleep and was snoring a little, he had a warm feeling in his heart knowing he was doing his best to take care of her, and it was refreshing to have someone to take care of.
     It was about 4:30 when he woke Leah as they drove up into the mountains down a long winding road north of Broken Bow, just south of Heavener. The two felt a little lost driving through the deep woods all alone in the dark. After a few spooky moments along the road it finally ended up in the gravel drive of a huge stone and log Adirondack style mountain lodge; which was lit up and was a beautiful structure. There in the doorway stood an old man who was tall, broad shouldered, deep set brown eyes, high cheek bones, short white hair slicked back. The man welcomed his guest and invited them into his home.
     "I am so glad your journey brings you safe and sound to my property." he smiled an ancient grin extending his hand to the petite woman standing before him "You must be Leah, it is so nice to meet you." he said warmly as he introduced himself "I am John Coldcreek, and this is my home, and yours, for the next few days." he turned and shook hands with Charles. "I believe we spoke on the phone earlier Charles, so very nice to meet you and thank you for participating, your friend Leah needs our help." John said the smile never leaving his face. Charles shook his hand firmly happy to see the sparkling eyes of this aged, wise man who had been through much in his long, storied life.
     "Oh thank you so much for fitting us into your schedule."
     "Yes well," John's face saddened a bit "The woman that was to be here this weekend succumbed to the her radiation treatment for her pancreatic cancer, so.., " his voice trailed off. Leah suddenly felt very fortunate and she felt lucky to even be alive. "But now you have been sent to take her place and now you will receive the help she did not have a chance to enjoy. So come the sun rises soon and we have prepared a breakfast fit for a Queen." the three walked through to the great room; which was about forty feet long and thirty feet wide, two massive fireplaces where on each end and where lit filling the room with a comforting warmth. There where groups of long supple leather sofas flanking the fireplaces with woven blankets, a nice collection of handmade baskets, a few large sculptures of buffalo and Native American warriors astride their war horses and there was a baby grand piano by the backdoor. Charles was impressed with all the antiques and the native style of the lodge. He was more impressed when John introduced his daughter to them and she was beautiful. Tall, thin, long black shiny hair, she was of Kiowa and Vietnamese descent, she was about thirty with clear skin like porcelain, she was wearing a simple long black cotton dress that only exposed the skin of her arms, she was barefoot and smiled with a bow as she opened up the two massive wood and glass doors and led them out to the large balcony.
     "How beautiful." Leah gasped as she stepped out,the woods and lake below them as the sky brightened and Mt.Ida loomed off to the left, all was peaceful and still, the lake off in the distance looking like black glass reflecting the mountain as the sun slowly warmed the sky with pale colors in the clouds, ribbons of amethyst and coral streaking the sky. A long cedar table, large enough to accommodate twenty, was loaded with a gourmet selection of fruits, eggs, berries, bacon, sausage, pancakes, waffles, biscuits and gravy, etc... Then as the three helped themselves to a big breakfast John's daughter sat at the piano and began playing softly as the three sat and talked sharing conversation's and stories about the mountain and the woods, and the fish swimming in the lake. Leah felt comfortable and safe there on the balcony overlooking the dark and secret woods as the sun slowly filled the sky, looking like a hand painted work of art. Leah sat for a moment burning this quiet serene memory in her mind forever, she had not felt so warm and welcomed in a very long time, and she actually realized at this moment she did not have a care in the world, and she knew this feeling would not last for long, so she wanted to take her time and enjoy it.

Chapter 9 begins

     Now it was about four in the afternoon when Charles finished his last task for the trip and that was to pack a suitcase for Leah. Charles did this as she went for a swim and lay by the small pool sunning herself on this 80 degree April day. He was almost finished when she returned to her room unexpectedly.
     "What are you doing?" she asked wrapped up tight in a bright blue beach towel her wet hair wrapped around her high cheek bones of her well tanned face.
      "Our little trip remember?" he answered glad to see a healthy golden glow returning to her once pale and ashen skin.
      "When do we leave?" she asked her shoulders giving a disappointing shrug.
      "At midnight." he replied throwing a bikini and a pair of sandals into the little black suitcase; which he closed.
     "Why in the middle of the night?" she whined.
     "Because, those are my instructions."
     "Good ol' Charles, always doing what he's told." she said with a mean spirit.
     "Now you be nice! Be nice, be nice." he snapped back at her insult; even though she was absolutely right. Then he felt bad for snapping at her so he opened his mouth to apologize, but then she spoke giving him a sad look of shame on her face saying "I'm so sorry Charles! I can not believe I was just so rude to you! What has gotten into me?" she said throwing her arms around his neck weeping on his shoulder a little.
     "You and I just need to get out of this house!" he hugged her tightly feeling her full breast press against his chest, her cold nipples erect from the water's caress. Her body had been filling out nicely now he had been feeding her all manners of food "I think it will be nice up in the mountains, fresh clean air, spring time, just think of all the flowers blooming in the meadows by a clear, still lake." he said picturing the scene in his head; which instantly calmed his mind and his mood. Leah said she agreed, but still balked at the idea of leaving at twelve, in the a.m. Charles laughed and informed her with a smile saying "We have to be there for the sunrise breakfast, it starts at 5:30 and it should be spectacular, here the brochure says, 'we sit out behind the lodge as the sun rises up from the east over Mt.Ida and the pristine forest below. A bounty of a feast set before us.'" he handed her the pamphlet as the two became excited for the first time, about anything, in a long time. So they ate a big dinner, went to sleep early and at the stroke of midnight, from the old grandfather clock in the hall, the duo piled into his fully stocked Jeep heading north on highway 35E.
   

End Chapter 8

     Leah sat across from Mr.Pruce as Serena watched her intently waiting for her reaction. "So you want me to talk to a psychiatrist?" she replied startled Mr.Pruce had just shared his shocking information.
     Mr.Pruce laughed saying "He's not a psychiatrist, he is a Holistic Healer." he explained.
     "You all think he can help me?" Leah asked as all at the table shook their heads in agreement.
     "Well he helped me stop smoking." Mr.Pruce smiled.
     Leah could not believe him "You quit? But you've smoked a pack a day since you were 13!" she said her mouth hanging open.
     "Oh aye!" Mr.Pruce replied "But no longer my pretty lady. He helped me, and God knows if he helped an old fat bastard like me, then just think what he can do with you, a dainty little flower." Mr.Pruce smiled as he took her little hand and gave it another good squeeze. She smiled back and looked for a moment in his small green sparkling eyes; and as she looked at him Mr.Pruce was suddenly overcome with a terrible sadness and it showed on his face as he averted his gaze and took his hand off hers wiping away a small tear.
     "Bengiman what is it?" Leah asked distressed by his reaction.
     "It's nothing" he retorted then he opened up and spoke "It's just.., for a moment there you reminded me of your sister, and I miss her so much! And I just want you to know," he paused taking her hand in his as Charles and Serena got a little choked up as they too remembered their dear, sweet, dead friend Lexa, Leah's twin sister. "I will never let anything, like what happened to her, EVER happen to you."
     Now Leah became very uncomfortable as the death of her sister's sadness fell down among them and she suddenly felt as if she was being smothered. She could feel the weight of the terrible sadness pressing her down in her chair. She spoke in a whisper as tense as wire saying "If I go see this man will you all let me go upstairs now? It's still very early and I'm tired."
     "Oh of course." Serena perked up wiping a tear or two from her cheek as she stood and embraced her sister-in law "We did come too early, we were just so excited to see you." she said kissing Leah on the cheek as she led her back in the house and up to her room.
     Charles and Mr.Pruce still sat at the poolside table a moment longer as Bengiman explained to Charles just where he would be taking her and giving him an envelope full of money, as the cost for a three day stay at the cleansing treatment center was over nine thousand dollars. Charles looked through one of the brochures and he was very interested by what he read. So he took the money, said goodbye to the duo and then he set about the rest of the day packing up his Jeep Grand Cherokee for the four hour drive up to the mountains of Oklahoma.

Chapter 8 continues

     "Leah," Charles whispered in her ear as she stirred awake. She sat in her bed wondering when he had carried her back upstairs to her own bed.
     "Yeah?" she said squinting her eyes from the bright early morning sun streaming in through the open window.
     "Can you come downstairs, Serena and Bengiman have come to visit you." he smiled handing her the robe next to her bed.
     "But I'm still in my pajamas." she whined.
     "It's okay, you're amongst friends here." he smiled helping her out of the room and down the stairs. As she descended the staircase Bengiman and Serena rose to their feet and came to greet her with beaming smiles upon their sweet faces. Leah felt a wave of joy overcome her and she felt a little tear softly roll down her cheek as she was embraced by the duo; whom where so delighted to see how well she looked.
     "Oh sweetest, dearest Leah!" Mr.Pruce exclaimed giving her a kiss on the cheek hugging her tightly. "I'm so happy to see you looking, fit and well!"
     "Oh, careful," she exhaled "not too tight, I can't breathe Bengi." Leah laughed as he let go quickly.
     "Sorry, bout that Love, I'm just so glad to see you." he smiled pinching her pink cheek a sparkle in his eyes.
     "Thank you both for coming.., I'm sorry I am not more presentable." Leah said pulling up the collar of her robe closer to her chest.
     "Nonsense! You look beautiful" Serena, Bengiman Pruce and Charles reassured her, and they were completely correct, it had been two weeks now and she was becoming stronger and healthier each day.
     "Are you enjoying this time here with Charles?" Serena asked as the four went and sat outside in the full fresh fragrant morning.
     "Very much so," she smiled up at him "In fact the weather has been so nice this week I have been able to go for a swim most days." Leah answered cheerfully.
     "Wonderful! That is why you are looking so tan." Mr.Pruce said patting her hand and giving it a squeeze.
     They all sat there for a moment or two longer when the real reason for Serena and Mr.Pruce's visit was made apparent. "Leah." Serena said the happy look in her eyes clouding over to one of concern and worry.
     "Yes." she answered and after a long pause she looked over at Serena and said "What's the matter Serena? You have a frown on your forehead."
      "We need to discuss the.., rest of your treatment." Serena said plainly.
      "What does that mean?" she asked growing fearful suddenly.
      "What she means by that is..," Mr.Pruce said squeezing her hand a little "We all just know, feel you could benefit from talking to someone about what happened, I mean God knows we're all intrigued, but frankly, it is really none of our business. So we have arranged for you and Charles to take a little trip near-by and we have someone safe, and skilled in these manners, and I promise, everything you tell this man will remain a secret only to be shared between the two of you, well you two and God." he smiled trying to reassure her.
     "Oh is that a fact? And how am I to be sure of that?" she scoffed folding her arms across her chest.
     "Because," Bengiman paused rubbing his bald head taking his sunglasses off to look her deep in the eyes.
"He's helped me many times."

More Chapter 8

     Leah was still half asleep when she heard Charles and Serena talking about her as they stood over her bed. Charles was saying something about her blood test and Serena seemed relieved by his news. She heard Charles tell Serena goodbye as he went off to stock up on groceries. Leah stirred from her rest wanting to speak to Charles but he was already gone. Serena urged Leah to lie back down but she  awoke with a terrible feeling of dread and foreboding. She burst into tears and cried out to Serena who held her hand trying to calm her down.
     "Ssh, Leah it is going to be okay." Serena smiled sweetly.
     "Thank you Serena," she wept "you were always so kind to me, you always treated me like a sister." here Leah began wailing when she said the word sister. "God, I miss my sister so much! Why did she have to die?" Leah cried so hard, with a lump in her throat, she had trouble catching her breath with a pain so deep in her heart it felt like it was being cut in two.
     "Leah, you have to let her go, you can not let the ghosts from your past haunt you." Serena said calmly with a deep look of sincerity in her dark eyes. Serena watched and waited as the painful memory of finding her dead sister's body washed over Leah. It took her about ten minutes to cry herself back to sleep. Serena wiped Leah's redden, tear stained cheeks with a cold damp washcloth. She sat in the rocking chair for an hour or so longer reading a book waiting for Charles to return. When he arrived back at the house laden with bags of groceries Serena helped him put everything away and while they did so she spoke to Charles about Leah's condition.
     "Now you have done an amazing job taking care of her and her physical condition is vastly improved, but..," she paused putting away a carton of strawberry ice cream. "I am extremely concerned about her mental health, tell me has she told you anything about her time away?"
     "No, actually she refuses to speak about it." he sighed "and I can understand that."
     "Well, she won't talk about it with me either." Serena sighed taking the ice cream back out of the freezer and digging in with a spoon. "We need to find some one for her to speak with, I'll find a therapist for her, she needs to get this all about before we bring her back to my brother." she informed him as she shoveled a big bite of sweet ice cream into her mouth.
     "I tried to bring a priest to talk to her but she refused." Charles sighed.
     "Why would she refuse?" Serena was shocked as Leah had been a devout Catholic, well until she ran away that is.
     "She kept saying she was too ashamed." he said rubbing his head as the familiar dull throbbing started yet again. "I tried to get her to mass last Sunday, but she was still far too sick."
     "Well get this ice cream away from me and I will go and see about a therapist for our poor girl." Serena said pushing the now half empty carton away from her. She gave Charles a hug and a sweet, sticky kiss on the lips and she went on her way.
     Charles  went and had a lie down in his bed after he took a few aspirin, he fell asleep as the rain began to pour outside his window. It was very dark and cold when he awoke to the sound of Leah calling his name.
"Charles, it's cold and I'm scared can I sleep in your bed with you?" Leah said softly. Charles got out of his warm bed, straightened the covers and allowed her to crawl in. He then, out of respect for his friend, tucked her up in the blanket and then laid down on top of the covers and curled up beside her placing an arm around her and holding her tight. He did this to soothe her nerves and make her feel safe and loved. Charles cared a great deal for Leah and he would do anything she asked of him.

Chapter 8 begins

     "Xation I am going back to visit Leah today and I want you to come with me." Serena begged her brother, who sat behind his massive desk in his downtown high-rise office.
     "No." he said not looking up from the financial documents he was signing.
     "Why not?"
     "Because, dear sister, I am still too angry." he retorted.
     "You are always angry, there my grumpy brother." she said sarcastically, in a tone he did not appreciate.
     "Serena she ran away from me and abandoned our only son!"
     "Well you still love her, no" she said her voice changing to a more gentle tone.
     Xation looked across his desk sighed and said softly "Yes."
     "Well, that is all that matters. So I will ask you once more come with me and visit your wife. Charles has been amazing with her, she's put on weight, her sores have cleared up, the dentist gave her all new teeth, she is starting to look more and more like a member of this family day by day." she happily informed him. "You know you should be very thankful Charles is still a member of your organization."
     "With his background he does not really have a choice, and besides," he paused putting his pen down "I have a too many business meetings today and I am flying to Manhattan tonight." he said going back to his papers.
     "When will you return?"
     "Well then I have to fly to Madrid to look at another horse."
     "Another horse? God how many horses does one man need?" Serena said throwing up her hands.
     "I need fresh blood for my brood mares."
     "You did not answer my question." she said irritated.
     "Then after that I am flying down to Augusta for Masters week to see Angel Cabrera play, then I will be back next Monday."
      "Oh Angel do you think he will win?" she asked.
      "I hope so, but there is some new black kid out of Stanford who everyone is talking about, so we will see. But I am looking forward to seeing him play." Xation digressed then continued. "Oh and mother and father will be her that following Sunday to welcome Leah back into the family, so you tell Charles to make sure she will be ready and healthy. I do not want my son to see her as she was when you found her in California, and tell him to call me as soon as he gets the results of her blood tests back from the lab." he instructed her as he wrote a note in his day book.
     "Very well, have a safe trip and bring me back a present."
     "What would you like?"
     "Bring me back an autograph from the winner of the tournament. The Master's 1997 already? Last year went by so fast." she sighed "My how time flies." she said realizing her 30th birthday would soon be approaching. With this she sighed again disheartened. Serena kissed her brother goodbye and left his office making her way down to her limousine. She did not feel like visiting her sister-in law now, but she was a dedicated member of her family so she did what she thought was the right thing to do and instructed her driver to take back once more to see Leah.
    

End Chapter 7

     "Oh God! Charles this scale cannot be right." Leah exclaimed as she stood still on the bathroom scale.
     "No it's right." he sighed.
     "But it says I weigh 97 lbs!"
     "Yes, well that happens when you take heroin instead of eating." he rolled his eyes. Leah said nothing a horrible look of despair on her face, nearly in tears. "It's okay sweetheart, all we have to do is feed you." he tried to calm her hugging her tightly, but not too tight lest she snap in two. She felt like little bird in his arms and as he rubbed her back gently he realized he could feel the vertebrae in her back protruding out like little pebbles.
     So it was over the next week he fed her three times a day, a huge breakfast, lunch and dinner. In between meals he gave her as many fruit smoothies as she could drink, unbenkownst to her he mixed in massive amounts of protein powder so she was consuming at least ten thousand calories a day. She would normally fall into a deep sleep after eating as her body was not used to using it's energy to digest food. Now in the evenings is when her withdrawals usually took hold and he would sit up with her, watching over her through the fevers and the body aches. He would give her light massages after her baths to help ease her pain and it did her heart, and soul, and mind good to know she had such a good friend who cared so much about her. At times she would cry, tears streaming down her face like a waterfall. Charles let her cry and dried her tears when she felt better. She had been so lost and so alone and so numb to her grief; but now she felt as if she had opened up her eyes for the first time and she could see a light at the end of her long dark tunnel of sorrow and pain. It was so difficult to be sober. When the terrible thoughts of the past entered her brain she could always drink or take her drug of choice to forget what had transpired over the past five years, but now she knew she had to let herself feel all the pain and emotions that she had suppressed for so long; and all the while Charles was with her refusing to give up on her.
     One week to the day of her kidnapping she had gained thirteen pounds, she had her new teeth and Charles actually saw her smile. Though she was upset because there was no phone or computer for her to use, strictly for her own good,  Charles hooked up a v.c.r. to the television in her room and he supplied her with all sorts of films, and  all the episodes of a particular show, that was really about nothing, and  the t.v. comedy made her laugh and, even though Charles was a disgraced ex-physician, he knew laughter was always the best medicine. He loved the sound of her happy laughter. So they would sit and watch movies and t.v. together like two old friends. On this particular night Charles fell asleep in the rocking chair by her bed and she was suddenly awoken by the loud sound of Charles screaming.
     "Charles? Are you alright?" she asked startled as he awoke in a cold sweat eyes wide in terror. It took him a moment to realize he was not dreaming.
     "Oh God Leah!" he said trying to catch his breath.
     "You were having a nightmare." she said as her heart stopped racing so fast.
     "I'm sorry." he said rubbing his eyes pulling his hair back from his face.
     "It's okay." She reassured him as she got out of bed and gave him a warm hug to comfort him. "You were saying something I couldn't understand."
      "What did I say?" he asked a hint of fear in his eyes.
      "Something like sauve moi." she informed him "What is that?"
      "It's a French saying" he sighed a hard lump forming in his throat a tinge of pain filling his heart.
      "What does it mean?" she asked intrigued.
      Charles looked her deep in the eyes all the color draining away from face as if someone had just walked over his grave. He took a deep breath and softly spoke "It means.., save me."

More Chapter 7

     Leah awoke from what seemed like a thousand year long sleep she looked around the darkened room  feeling the cold night air blowing through the open window. She called out for Charles and he soon appeared at the foot of her bed. He switched on the new lamp on the nightstand and the introduction of the light hurt her eyes, she squinted  as her eyes adjusted to the light she sat up in her bed amazed by what she saw.
     "My God! Where did all this come from?" she asked as she looked around the room  which had been filled with dozens of crystal vases full of all sorts of flowers: roses, lilacs, gardenia's, fox-glove etc... and among the bounty of bouquets were boxes and shopping bags full of designer clothes, shoes, lingerie, perfumes, along with a massive black bag of Chanel cosmetics, Leah's favorite.
     "Serena came to visit you yesterday." Charles informed her.
     "How long have I been asleep."
     "About three days."
     "You're joking!" she asked in disbelief. "What did you give me"?
     "That's not important." he said holding her hand. "The only thing that matters right now is how you feel."
     "Well," she sighed "I am starving." she laughed.
     "Good! Now do you feel like having a bath? Serena brought you a lot of stuff she put it on the counter in the bathroom for you."
     "Yes, actually." she said yawning and stretching as he helped her up out of the bed, Charles made her feel very relaxed and safe. He went down to the kitchen and tried out the new juicer Serena brought. Leah filled up the tub with Lady Primrose royal jelly bubble bath and she shaved her leg, and other areas, for the first time in months. She rinsed off and wrapped up in a thick white terry cloth towel drying her skin. Then she dropped the towel and gazed at her frail naked body in the full length mirror. As she rubbed a soothing mixture of oil into her skin she realized now how much weight she had lost. Her head looked enormous on top of her scrawny shoulders, her ribs jutting out, pelvic bones sharp and angular. Her breast looked like two
deflated clown balloons. Then the reality of her self-inflicted situation sunk in and she wanted to cry. She was a woman of thirty eight, yet she had the body of a twelve year old little girl. She missed her beautiful, round, plump breasts, and her curvaceous hips, and her tight, firm, buttocks, you could bounce a quarter off of. But now she was mortified, and here is when her vanity insured her resolve to get better. She wanted to be strong and healthy once again. She missed being sexy more than anything else she had missed before in her entire life.
      She wrapped up her weak, frail body up in her robe and went down stairs to the kitchen where she, in tears, promised Charles to do everything he tells her. So he explains he will take her to the dentist in a few hours to get her teeth fixed. When they finally came back, four hours later, she was in much pain and disgusted with the prognosis. She had three dead teeth pulled and would need three new implants and porcelain veneers on all her teeth. They took a mold of her teeth and gums; which was very uncomfortable, and she would need to return in four days for the procedure to be complete. Fortunately for Leah her husband Xation would foot the $45,000.00 bill.

Chapter 7 continues

     "Charles?" Serena spoke into her cell phone "Are you still asleep?"
     "No, I've been up for awhile."
     "How is she?"
     "Still resting." Charles replied sitting at his kitchen table.
     "Good, now listen I am sitting here with my brother having breakfast, and he would like to know what I should bring for our sleeping beauty?" she smiled over at Xation who sat across from her reading his paper as a light wind blew softly, the birds chirping in the trees over the lush, immaculately landscaped lawn, as a lavish breakfast was placed on their table by one of Xation's servants while the two sat by his deep, sparkling pool.
     Charles thought for a moment and asked that she bring some clothes, shoes, undergarments etc... as Leah came to Texas wrapped only in a sheet from off her bed and had absolutely nothing. Serena seemed excited at the prospect of going on a shopping spree and when her brother handed her a bundle of hundreds totaling $10.000 she was even more ecstatic. "Thank you Xation, I am sure she will appreciate it." she smiled over at him as he ate his omelet showing no emotion. "Xation, I know this is difficult for you, but I think I have something here in my possession that just may cheer you up." she beamed as she reached down in her large Italian leather hand bag pulling out a thin black photo album with gold trim. Before she handed it across the table she said "Now you know she wasn't alone when Hays took her, she was with her lover.., a small time heroin dealer." she informed him his eyes flashing with rage.
     "How is that information supposed to cheer me up?" he seethed pushing his plate away from him.
     "Because last night I had him taken care of, after all, leave no witnesses remember?" Serena handed him the thin photo album and he opened it up. Each photo captured the mood of his rival's terror and fear, she had done a good job framing the subject and using the flash. All of the photos were clear and in focus, he particularly liked the one where the silver tip of boot kicking in his skull gleamed in the flash, and it did his heart good when he saw the one of his eye popping out of it's socket as he lay broken and beaten down in the earth, but the one of him being set on fire, with the trees and the glow of the fire, that one was his favorite. "You did all this for me Serena?" he smiled over at her a tear of joy welling up in his eye.
     "Well of course my darling brother, anything to make you happy." she smiled sweetly going over and kissing him on the cheek. "After everything you have done for our family this is the least I could do,and I promise," she said taking a seat on her big brother's knee "Charles and I will give Leah back to you in mint condition, happy and healthy and ready to be a mother, and a wife again. On this you can be assured." she kissed him again, smiled took one more sip of her mimosa gave him a  wink saying "Now I am off to Saks Fifth Avenue." Xation watched his little sister leave, he sighed, glanced at the album once more, then went back to his newspaper.

Chapter 7 begins

     Leah finally fell asleep and Charles spent the next few hours moving all the antiques he had collected and crammed in the living room out into the garage, as Leah had suggested. After he draped everything in white sheets he straightened up the living room, cleaned out the fire place and then brought fresh towels and linens up to her room. He sat in the rocking chair for a few moments as he watched her sleep. Just as he was exiting the room she stirred awake with a terrible fever. She complained that she felt like she was in an oven and he opened the windows up letting the cold night air in the room. The lilacs and jasmine were in full bloom and the thick sweet scent hung heavy in the air.
     "Thank you, that feels nice." Leah smiled a little up at him.
     "Leah, I think I need to hook you up to an I.V., you are really dehydrated, I promise it won't hurt."
     "Can you put something in it to help me sleep?" she asked as he remained silent. "I just feel like a should just go to sleep for awhile."
     Charles did not respond he simply went to the next room took out an I.V. bag and did mix a drop or two of very powerful sleep aid in it and after he inserted the needle and tube into a vein in her hand she fell asleep. Charles went back down stairs took a hot shower then got into his bed. He took the bottle of vicodan, sighed and slipped it into the draw of the nightstand. It took a few hours of tossing and turning but he did fall asleep for a little while.

End of Chapter 6

    "Charles!" Leah shouted from her sick-bed.
    "I'm right here." he said sitting in a rocking chair beside her.
     "Oh, I didn't see you there." she said startled a little. "How long have you been sitting there?"
     "Since you went to sleep."
     "What time is it?" she asked feeling a bit queasy.
     Charles looked at his watch "It is two 'til ten, in the p.m." he smiled at his friend sitting on the bed next to her. "How are you feeling?" he asked taking her hand in his, rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb.
     "Not good."
     "Can you be a little more specific?"
     "Well, I need to puke my guts out and I feel like there is a bowling ball trapped in my lower intestine." she said plainly, very matter of fact.
     "I see.., let me help you to the bathroom, you throw- up and I'll get you something for your constipation."
     Leah did as he directed and it felt good to get the contents of her stomach out. Then as she flushed the toilet and washed her face Charles came in handing her a large white pill that was nearly the size of a shot gun shell. "You expect me to swallow this.., horse pill?"
     "Your not supposed to swallow it." Charles informed her.
     "I'm supposed to stick this up my butt?" she scoffed.
     "Yes, unless you need me to do it for you." he replied.
     "I'll do it myself, thank you." she rolled her eyes.
     "Wonderful.., I'll just leave you two alone then." Charles smiled as he closed the door and speaking through it said "The medicine will take effect soon, then you will feel a little better.
     Over in East Texas amongst the tall, dark and piny woods Slater lie down at the bottom of a shallow grave, he had been savagely kicked all over his body, with steel-tipped boots the two men wore. All the while the petite black eyed beauty kept snapping pictures of the brutal incident and as Slater felt the pain engulf his body he felt his right eye bulge out of its socket, as the men had broken the occipital bone; and as he felt the cold gasoline being poured down over is body he realized he was going to die now and face God for all the terrible things he had done in his short pathetic life. He was more afraid, terrified, of what horrible wrath God would pour out over his soul, than these enraged psychotics. Let me burn. So it was, Serena lit up a match along with Hays and Mr.Pruce and they each gently tossed the fire down into the little pit and with a great whoosh the flames engulfed the flesh of the heroin dealer and soon there after he gave up his life and his body belonged to earth; which his remains would smoldered in for one hour.
     Serena watched in the darkness by the light of the full moon as Hays and Mr.Pruce covered up the dead body with freash wet soil and soon the hole was filled in and their victim was gone. It was easy, not too expensive and Serena had twenty photos to show her brother, but first the trio realized how hungry they were so they left the woods and the dead body behind and stopped in Sulphur Springs at an old Denny's for some bacon and eggs.
                                                       

More Chapter 6

     Slater felt them lifting him up out of the hot, stinking trunk his body was racked with pain. He felt the cold night wrap around his sweaty skin chilling him to the bone. The two strangers stood him up, but his legs had fallen asleep hours ago so Slater dropped like a sack of potatoes to the hard dirty ground. He had no idea where he was but he had an uneasy sinking feeling he would never see home again.
     "Little bastard can't even stand on his own two feet." Mr.Pruce laughed as he kicked the bound helpless man in the stomach.
     Slater felt the short sharp kick and he moaned as the woman with short black hair stood over him a look of sheer disgust and anger on her face. He had never met her, or the two men standing beside her but he knew whoever they were they would not let him get out of, wherever, here was alive.
     "Now what did you have in mind my dear, what would you like us to do to him?" Hays asked as Mr.Pruce glared down at their victim.
     "Well, now boys, I was wanting to hurt him and kill him, but how can we do that without spilling any of his blood?"
     "What does it matter?" Hays asked as Mr.Pruce gave her an odd look.
     "Blood is disgusting! And besides these jeans cost $700.00." she replied.
     "My Christ! Seven Hundred for a pair of blue jeans, I mean these are fabulous, but how does a pair jeans get to cost that much?" Mr.Pruce asked dumbfounded.
     "Well, first they are designed in Italy, then the fabric is cut in Taiwan then shipped to China to be assembled, then sent to India to be embroidered, then sent back to Italy for labels and buttons so there you are, a very expensive pair of well traveled pants."
     "Christ I haven't even been to India." Mr.Pruce commented.
     "Do you want to go India?" Serena asked.
     "Hello, don't mean to interrupt but we have someone to kill." Hays spoke loudly "I'd like to be home before midnight."
     "Yeah, sorry." Mr.Pruce said "Yeah, so we can fuck him up without spilling his blood.., but it won't be as much fun." He answered staring down at Leah's boyfriend.
     "Okay, kick him in the stomach again I want to get a picture." Serena smiled aiming the camera close up to their frightened, doomed victim. Kick. Click. Flash.

Chapter 6 continues

     "Did you bring the Polaroid camera?" Serena asked as Mr.Pruce stepped out of his s.u.v.

     "Here you go,said you can keep it." he said handing it to her along with a fresh pack of film. "You'll have about twenty snapshots. Now where is he?" Mr.Pruce asked peering around in the dark past the headlights in the dark remote wooded area.

     "We have him in the trunk." Serena said pointing over to the long black sedan parked under the pine trees. Hays slid out from the passenger's seat a lit cigarette dangling from his lips.
     "How long has he been in there?" Mr.Pruce asked as went over looking in the trunk Hays opened for him.
     "About twelve hours, but he's been knocked out most of the day." Hays replied.
     "He's probably thirsty. You haven't given him any water? Have you?" Mr.Pruce inquired.
     "Oh, no." Serena informed him.
     "Good, this man needs to suffer for what he's done to our Leah." he said spitting down on the half-naked bound man, duct tape over his mouth, eyes closed, barely alive. Serena pointed the Polaroid camera at their victim and snapped a picture. The flash lit up the darkness and the bound man opened up his terrified eyes.
  

Chapter 6 begins

     "Charles." Leah said pushing the empty bowl away from her.
     "Yes?" Charles said wiping the counter.
     "I don't feel so good." she said rubbing her belly.
     "Do you need to vomit?"
     "No.., can you help me upstairs I feel extremely weak."
     Charles took her by the hand and she leaned up against him feeling light headed and dizzy. It was a struggle to put one foot in front of another and Charles had to scoop her up in his arms and carry her upstairs and he felt the lightness of her frail, weak body in his arms. It was as if he were carrying a bag of pillows in his arms, but her body was a bag of bones and skin. He laid her back down in the comfortable warm bed and pulled the covers up over her. She looked up in his eyes and she looked tense and uncertain.
     "What is it Leah, you can tell me."
     "Well," she paused speaking in a whisper. "When they took me.., I wasn't alone Charles." she said eyes darting back and forth with her nervousness.
     "And?" he asked.
     "There was a man, Slater, my boyfriend/dealer. I am afraid they might have taken him too, but I don't know what happened." she said her voice getting faster her eyes darting back and forth as she grabbed up at his shirt. "Do you think they took him Charles? Why would they do that, he has no idea who I am. He never knew Xation, why would they take him?" she asked frantically clutching at him.
     "Leah, Leah." Charles said taking her hands in his trying to calm her. "Just relax, let's not get worked up about something that we have no information about."
     "You don't know anything about it?" she asked tears welling up in her green eyes.
     "I can honestly tell you, I have no idea what they are up to." and this was the truth, well half of it, he thought.
   

End Chapter 5

     "Charles," Mr.Pruce said feeling rested and relaxed after his deep tissue massage. "Xation is driving me back over there to pick up my car, so he wants to know if you need anything from the store for his wife?"
     "Uh.., " he passed the phone to Leah, who took the receiver from him and spoke softly to Bengiman as she told him a laundry list of items: lady razors, facial cleanser, apricot scrub, toner, moisturizer, body lotion, shampoo, conditioner, tampons, bananas, Frosted Flakes, three bottles of Concord grape juice, and two half-gallons of Blue-Bell ice cream, one strawberry, one rocky road. She thanked Bengiman, who was happy to oblige her, and Xation paid for everything, as always.
     About thirty minutes later at 5:35 p.m. Xation pulled up in his expensive black BMW as Mr.Pruce gathered all the bags from out of the back seat. He implored Xation to come inside and speak to Leah, but he declined saying it was much too difficult for him to see Leah in her wretched condition and Mr.Pruce understood.
     "Well that's alright mate. I totally understand, so one good thing about today." he said before he closed the side door.
     "And what might that be?" Xation asked wishing this day had never transpired.
     "It stopped raining." Mr.Pruce said grocery bags in hand as the clouds parted and the sunlight came streaming through far across to the west on the horizon shining on Bengiman's face warming his skin. Xation said nothing only driving away to tend to his business meetings and social functions.
      Charles opened up the door for him and helped him with the bags. As the two were in the kitchen Bengiman asked to see Leah but Charles informed him that she became ill again, freezing cold this time so she was in the steam shower of the master bathroom.
     "Yeah Charlie," Mr.Pruce said opening up the family size box of Frosted Flakes and pouring himself a bowl he spoke "she's gonna get really bad, but.., you used to be doctor so I don't have to tell you. I don't envy you Charlie," he said using a nickname Charles loathed. "but," he said mouth full of cereal "I do admire you." Charles said nothing, thinking his slight concussion made him a bit more kinder and not so loathsome, a nice change. "So listen." Mr.Pruce said a serious tone coming to his voice, a meanness in his eyes.
     "Yes?" Charles asked his pulse quickening.
     "Hays,Serena and myself will be taking care of a problem in few hours, when it's dark. I'm sure you know what I'm talking 'bout." he said looking Charles in the eyes, who shook his head yes. "Well then, Serena wants to know if you have a Polaroid camera? She wants to take pictures for some reason."
     "Yes, I think so." Charles said as he we went to his bedroom closet and retrieved it along with a fresh pack of film. When he returned to the kitchen he found Mr.Pruce slicing a banana into a bowl of cereal for Leah who sat at the table in her bathrobe and her wet hair wrapped in a towel. She was smiling and seemed to be feeling better as she rummaged through her bags of goodies she had asked for. "Feeling better?"
     "A little, not cold anymore, Bengi brought me breakfast for dinner." Leah smiled eating a spoonful of sweet corn flakes. "Thank you Bengi, and you too Charles.., I did miss you and I am glad to see you." she said smiling at her two friends who were happy to have her back.
     "Think nothing of it my love," Mr.Pruce said kissing her on top of her head "you're like the little sister I never had, and I want you to know that I would do anything required to keep you safe, Leah." Bengiman said looking down at her as she stared up intently into his dark small eyes. "from anyone that mean to do you harm.., past, or present."
      "Okay, I appreciate that." she replied a cold chill creeping up her spine.
      "Right then," he said taking the camera and film from Charles "Thanks mate, and you young lady I hope you feel better at noon tomorrow, Serena wants to take you to Nieman Marcus to buy some new clothes and make-up and what ever else you require my dear sweet lady." he said kissing her hand "and do what this man tells you, he may not look like much but he is very helpful." Bengiman laughed "and we will have you back to good as new in no time."
      "Great, I can't wait." Leah beamed standing to hug her huge British buddy.
      "Cheery bye." he said as he exited the kitchen and went out to his Range-Rover where he climbed in took a small bottle of Crown Royal whiskey out of the glove box and took three long sips before he called Serena and informed her he had secured a camera. She gave him instructions to drive east out into the country to a deserted old property deep in the Piny Woods, where she and Hays were waiting with their victim and Bengiman Pruce was about an hour away.

More of Chapter 5

     Leah had felt well enough to join Charles downstairs all wrapped up in a long warm white terry cloth bath robe. The rain had not let up and Charles kept the fire going as Leah sat curled up in a wing chair beside the stone fireplace. She sipped slowly from the cup of warm, delicious soup staring into the flames watching as they danced listening to the hissing and popping from the burning wood. Charles sat in the chair across from her not saying anything, just waiting to listen if she chose to speak, but she did not it was calm and peaceful something she was not accustomed to, it was nice.
     A few minutes later she sipped the last drop of soup it warmed her belly and she wanted more. "This is wonderful Charles, thank you." Leah smiled handing him her empty cup.
     "Let me get you a little more." he said happily going to the kitchen returning with a fresh helping. Charles found Leah pulling a few sheets off the antique furniture he had crammed in the living room.
      "What's all this Charles?"
      "Well that is a Wooten desk it is very rare and worth a small fortune." Charles went on, as she sipped her soup, showing her an eighteenth century games table, a Tiffany lamp, six matching nineteenth century English Hepplewhite side chairs, two eighteenth century Louis XVI arm chairs along with a few large bronze sculptures etc...
      "Why do you have all this?"
      "Well, if anything happens, when something happens I have left instructions with an auction house to sell off everything and give all the proceeds to charity."
      "Are you expecting that to happen anytime soon?" she asked concerned.
      "Well, no." he lied.
      "Then put it in the garage. It looks bad out here covered in sheets."
      "Not with the harsh winters and blistering summers, no, not here in Texas, I'm sorry if it bothers you."
      "It's okay, I don't mind." she smiled sweetly touching his arm lightly.
      "It's just I've been alone here for so long now I guess I didn't notice." he sighed.
      "Charles.., don't you have a girlfriend?"
      Charles shook his head and only laughed.
      "Charles, you are far too handsome and far too intelligent to sit home all alone by yourself." Leah reminded him.
      "Yeah, and when they ask me what I do for a living.., how do I explain that."
      "You don't have to tell them the truth." Leah laughed but Charles did not, he felt very embarrassed and less like a man than ever, so he got up went to the kitchen and rinsed the dirty dishes and put them in dishwasher. Leah stood beside him her head resting on his arm as she put her arm around her lonely friend. Charles felt a warm spot growing in his heart and he was extremely happy to be in his kitchen with his long lost friend. Then the phone rang.

Chapter 5 cont's

     "Waiter!" Mr.Pruce called out taking the piece of now, warm raw meat off his head as the tuxedo clad waiter approached.
     "Yes sir?"
     "Here," Mr.Pruce said slapping the raw steak in the palm of the waiter's hand, who looked mortified "Take this back into the kitchen and cut it into little pieces then put it in a doggy bag."
     "A doggy bag sir?" the waiter sound indignant.
     "Yeah, for my dog.., stupid." Mr. Pruce added as the waiter rolled his eyes slightly as he returned to the kitchen.
     "Brutus will enjoy that." Xation said as he sat there trying not to think of his wretch of a wife, he felt ill to his stomach with a slight headache and he had meetings all the rest of the day. Xation was worried on many fronts, but it was nice to sit here with his best friend and chat and drink and eat and try to be merry.

     "I love that fucking dog, my old bulldog." Bengiman smiled finishing off his second plate of food. As he took his last bite he looked up as two older black gentlemen were seated at a table across from the two. "Oh my Christ!" Bengiman exclaimed his eyes lighting up as he stared at the taller of the two men. "Do you know who that it is?" he gawked and Xation did not he shook his head no.

     "That sir, is Mr.Charley Pride, sir." Bengiman said his eyes glistening as he explained "Me mum loved Country music and he was her favorite.., Oh God I want his autograph, please Xation let me go over, I won't embarrass you, promise."
      "Go on have a laugh." Xation said shaking his head slightly.
      So big, burly, bald Bengiman got up grabbed a cocktail napkin off the table and went over to Mr.Charley Pride and told him profusely how great a singer and song writer he was and what a credit he was to the Great State of Texas and may he please have an autograph for his dear departed mum; which he promised to frame with a picture of her. And Mr.Pride was delighted for the recognition of is work and talent from a fan from so far across the sea and was happy to know he still had fans in England. Bengiman shook his hand a little too long as he told Mr.Pride he was so proud to have met him. He then went back to his table beaming as if he had just met the Queen and Xation was very happy to see his friend enjoy the experience, it helped to cheer him up a bit. Then he paid the three hundred and twenty two dollar bill leaving five one hundred dollar bills in the black book and he and Mr.Pruce went on their way. Xation had problems back at the office and he had business to tend to, but before he dealt with those matters he dropped Bengiman off at the Spa at Crescent Court to get a massage and have steam while he set about tending to his appointments.

More Chapter 5

   "God Charles, I am so sorry!" Leah said wiping the vomit off her face as she looked down at the mess by the bed.
     "That's what tile floors are for, don't worry about it." Charles smiled taking her by the hand "Do you feel well enough to take a bath?"
     "Yeah." she said taking a whiff of her underarms "I seriously need to bathe!" she laughed as Charles helped her to the adjacent bathroom where Charles gave her a bathrobe to put on as he drew a nice hot bath for her; which he added a large amount of watermelon scented bubble bath to. He stepped out of the room as she got in the tub then he came back in and helped wash her hair as he was rinsing out the lather from her hair he looked down at her frail arms covered in sores and scratches he felt so sad to see what was once one of the most ravishing women he had ever known looking so beat down and weak and Charles vowed to not commit suicide until he nursed her back to health.
     "Charles," she sighed "I just want you to know I really appreciate your kindness." Leah looked up at him tears welling up in her eyes as she started to cry.
     "Shh, it's alright Leah, don't cry, I promise I won't let anything happen to you." he tried to reassure her.
     "But what about Xation?"
     "Don't worry about him right now, we need to focus on getting you strong and healthy. So I want you to relax in the tub and I will go downstairs and make you some hot soup, you need to eat something."
     "But I feel sick to my stomach." she moaned.
     "That's because you need nourishment, your vomit was thick, white and foamy."
     "You can tell what's wrong with someone by their vomit?"
     "Well of course, that and urine and feces."
     "Really?"
     "Yes, in fact see these cracks by the corner of your mouth?"
     "Yeah they hurt." she said rubbing them.
     "Well that tells me you are lacking B-12 and B-6 vitamins, and stick out your tongue, yeah you have cracks on the surface of your tongue and that tells me you lack zinc and you liver is polluted." Charles informed her.
"But wait 'til I do a full examination and then I will let you know everything that needs to be corrected. Mainly you need rest and proper nutrition that and..," he paused looking in her mouth "well, you need to see the dentist in a few days. You have some missing teeth and a few that look pretty dead, but as I said you are my patient, my only patient and you will receive the best care Xation's  money can buy. Okay, will you let me help you?"
     Leah looked up at her dear friend and she agreed, but she asked Charles that when she recovered if he would help her get away from Xation  he lied to her and said he would, but he would have said anything to get her to go along with the program. Charles stepped out of the bathroom and went down to his kitchen to prepare some homemade chicken soup for Leah. As he did so, he worried about Serena and Hays and the man they were going to kill. He knew they would wait until dark but he had to take his mind off of the terrible happenings, thanking God he did not have to kill anyone today.

Chapter 5 continues

     "Oh yeah this tastes great." Mr.Pruce said enthusiastically eating his steak as Xation sat across from the table not having much of an appetite. "You see this place is great they have all their meat brought in from Bosque county." he went on talking with his mouth full. "There's a family that came from Scotland back when Texas was it's own country, they have the oldest continuous line back to those original Angus they brought over on the boats. Mmmm fresh meat." Mr.Pruce smiled.
      "Well that explains the prices." Xation commented, not that prices mattered to him, Mr.Pruce laughed as he gulped down a glass of red wine. "So you are feeling better?"
     "Yeah, but the back of my head still hurts but I'll be alright when the swelling goes down."
     "Waiter," Xation beckoned the tuxedo clad young man whom he ordered another steak from.
     "How would you like that prepared?"
     "Raw." Xation said to the startled waiter.
     "Raw?" he asked confused by the request.
     "Yes, that is what I said now go bring me a raw steak from the kitchen." Xation instructed the waiter who did as he was told and returned in a moment with a thick beautiful cut of expensive beef. Xation took it off the plate and stood up walking over to Mr.Pruce and placed the meat on the swollen red bump on the back of his friends bald head. "There you are my friend, that should take the swelling down."
     Mr.Pruce adjusted the steak on his head so it would not slide off and he laughed saying "Look at me sitting in this fine restaurant with of fucking fifty dollar raw piece of meat on my head." he said quite amused.
     "Does your head feel better?" Xation asked
     "Well.., yeah actually it does, thanks mate." he smiled.
     "So what happened at Oliver's this morning?"
     "Oh my Christ, you should've been there." Mr.Pruce smiled recalling the events. "So when I came to the lady was kneeling down over me, her eyes all expressive with concern for my well being and Lord let me tell you this bird was fit! Long, tan ,well toned legs. Flowing strawberry blond hair, big green eyes, and she was wearing a short white skirt so as she knelt there I could just see up her skirt ever so slightly." Mr.Pruce said wide eyed as he told his story.
     "Who was she?" Xation asked intrigued.
     "Oliver's cousin, can't remember her name too busy lookin' at her tits." he laughed "Not to worry we got in and got out with the paintings she was too worried about me. So she hasn't a clue, but.., I think she gave Charles her number, not sure though I was pretty out of it." Mr.Pruce informed Xation as he finished his baked potato. "Xation, you've hardly touched your lunch, I know you are upset but you have to eat, you know keep up your strength."
     "Here." Xation said sliding his plate of fillet Mignon and asparagus over to his overweight friend "you eat this, everything tastes like bitter ashes to me." Xation sighed pouring himself another glass of wine.

Chapter 5 begins

     Charles went back into his house not sure if Serena and Hays were correct in taking the man from California and he felt very sorry for him. Leah was sitting up in the bed staring at Charles as he quietly walked into the bedroom. He looked at her as he sat on the end of the bed he wanted to cry but he smiled sweetly and spoke to her "Leah, I am sorry we had meet each other again like this, but I missed you so much I worried every day you were gone and I must admit I thought you were gone forever, but now we have you back and I hope you will allow me to help you." Charles said as he reached out to hold her hand.    
         
     Leah sat there as if frozen no emotions on her face, her eyes like two stagnant pools of grey as she looked at Charles as if he were not even there and he heard her whisper "Why do you care. Y'all should've left me for dead."
     "Leah, you are my friend, you and your sister I loved you both as if you were my family and as you well know, I don't have any friends and you are the only family I have left." he said sadly a pain in his heart as he squeezed her hand.
      "What about Xation?" she said his name tasting like bitter ashes in her mouth.
      "What about him?"
      "Your loyalty is to him not me." she said rolling over turning her back to Charles.
      Charles sighed gently rubbing her back not knowing what to say. Then Leah sat up half way coughing loudly. "Leah?" He said holding her hair back as she leaned over the bed and vomited all over the tile floor.

End Chapter 4

     "Well Charles, I'll tell you." Hays said sighing. "When I went to take Leah she wasn't alone." here Charles began to feel sick to his stomach as he stood there looking up at Hays who was at least half a foot taller than he. "I mean I had no idea, so we had to.., " Hays paused "just come out to the car and I will show you."
      Charles took an umbrella from the closet and he and Serena followed Hays out to the long black car and that is when Hays opened up the trunk showing Charles a man in his boxer shorts his hands bound with duct tape over his mouth. The man, Leah's boyfriend, was semi-conscious, still alive. "Charles we had no choice but to take him, he would have alerted the authorities, we could not take a chance." Serena explained a note of stress and tension in her voice.
     "Well what do you want me to do?" he asked dreading their answer.
     "We just need you to inject him with something so he will go to sleep." Hays informed him.
     "What do mean, like sleep forever?" he asked a little agitated.
     "No, no, nothing like that Charles." Serena smiled "We just need him to go to sleep until nightfall so we can take him out to the piny woods and get rid of him ourselves." Charles agreed and he went upstairs filling a hypodermic needle with two solutions to put the man to sleep for nine hours, he had thought about going ahead and giving him an overdose to save the doomed man for Hays and Serena who surely would torture the man that had been sleeping with Leah and giving her heroin. But Charles did not want to have another soul haunting his dreams, so he let Serena and Hays go on with the man they took from California after he promised not to tell Leah or Xation what he had witnessed. Charles watched as they drove off the property and as a loud roll of thunder shook the heavens Charles went back inside to check on Leah, whom he was very concerned with. Charles did not believe he could nurse her back to health in such a short time, but he would have to try, after all. her life was depending on him.

Chapter 4 cont's

     "Xation, you have to calm down." Hays implored him as he poured him a small glass of whiskey; which Xation drank then slammed the glass, smashing it against the fireplace. He tried to take a deep breath, he tried to calm down, but Xation blood was boiling and all the rage and frustration building inside him against his wife was too much to take.
   "Alright take it easy there my son." Mr.Pruce said standing close to Xation speaking in a whisper as he rubbed his back a little "It will all work out, just let it go." he said reassuringly trying to ease his friends pain. "What matters now is that we all have her back and she is safe." Mr.Pruce spoke nodding his head "And that's a good a thing, right Xation, this makes us happy. Yeah?" Xation sighed and began to nod his head in agreement and Charles was amazed how caring Bengiman Pruce could be and how quickly he calmed the enraged Xation down.
     "Yes," Xation said rubbing his furrowed brow "It is just all too much to take. I had no idea, no time to prepare myself, I thought she was gone forever, I.., " he spoke quickly winding himself back up.
     "Xation you don't have to explain I know, most of all .how much she means to you. You didn't mean to hurt her I, we all, know that." Mr.Pruce said glancing back at Hays and Charles who stood  by a little stunned by the recent proceedings. "So let's me and you get out of here, I have a great story for you about Oliver and these fucking paintings; which by the way are unfucking believable! Did you see?" Bengiman said taking Xation away from the fireplace and over to the paintings.
     "Yes, they are exquisite, well worth my time and money." Xation agreed.
     "So Charlie, wrap these back up Xation and me are outta here."
     "Yes." Charles replied hurrying to re-wrap the four paintings wanting Xation out of his house. Just as the two men departed Xation stared up the stairs then he walked over to Charles and he looked him dead in the eyes a cold feeling came over Charles and he wanted to look away, but he dared not break eye contact with the ruthless, much hated Latin man as he spoke.
     "Charles, three weeks from today my mother and father are bringing my son back to Texas and if my wife is not suitable to be reintroduced to her son, then I will have no choice but to make her disappear for good this time. So do your best Charles she has a lot riding on you." Xation said coldly and calmly and with that he and his best chum Mr.Pruce made their exist. Charles stood there for a moment in silence when Serena came downstairs crying informing him that Leah had hyperventilated and passed out stuck under the bed. Charles hurried back upstairs and found Leah back under the corner of the bed where the lamp had fallen and broken. He found a few cuts and scrapes on her as he pulled her out from under the bed. Charles put her back in the bed and went downstairs to get Serena and Hays out of his house, but before he could do that Serena and Hays had another disturbing surprise in store for him.