Chapter 11

Jumping to their feet, the dogs barked an alert as a car pulled into the driveway. Leaving the computer, Alainna went to the front window, pulling back the curtain just in time to see Jimmy's patrol car head for the back of the house. She stretched. A cup of coffee sounds good right now, anyway.
She entered the kitchen the same time as he did. The dogs ran to the door and he held it, letting them outside, then closing it securely behind them. "Morning, Jimmy! How's it going?" Opening the cupboard next to the sink, she pulled down two mugs as Jimmy threw his hat onto the table, straddling a chair.

Raising an eyebrow at her, he shook his head. "Morning? Al, it's heading for 1:00. Had your mind in the computer all morning, have you?"
"Yep. Working on some rewrites, and sketching out something new." Pouring coffee into the mugs, she carried them both to the table. "Here you go," she offered him, setting one mug in front of him, placing the other in front of the chair next to him.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" he asked as she began to sit down.
Smacking her forehead in response, she jumped back up from the chair. "When are you going to learn to drink that like a man?" she teased, heading for the refrigerator to retrieve the milk for his coffee.

Returning with the milk, she plunked it down in front of him on the table along with a bag of cookies. Cellophane rustled as she dug in the bag, pulling out several for herself before passing it to him. Taking a cautious sip of her coffee, she found it was not too hot, and took a long drink.
They chatted casually for several minutes before Alainna decided to see if there was something he was waiting to tell her. "So, Sheriff, is this a business or social call?" Please, let it be social.
"Both, I guess, Al. I was wondering how things have been going since the cat incident?"
"Thankfully quiet, Jimmy. I have actually had peace and quiet."
"How have you been sleeping?" Sipping his coffee, he watched her with a dark glint in his eyes.

Recalling the wonderful night's sleep in Peter's arms, a slight flush crept across Alainna's cheeks. She could almost feel his arms around her, making her feel safe, as they had throughout the night. "I've managed to sleep fairly well, Jimmy." She sipped her coffee again, a smile playing on her lips.
The glint in his eyes darkened. "Oh, really?" he growled. "I wouldn't think you'd get much sleep at all, being busy screwing Peter."
Stiffening in shock, Alainna gasped, plunking her nearly empty coffee mug onto the table. "James Sartell, how dare you…" Her voice trailed off as the full impact of his words penetrated her brain. "How…how do you know that, Jimmy? Last night was the first…" The wooden chair scraped across the floor as she pushed it back.

Lunging across the edge of the table, he grabbed her by the arm, squeezing hard. "How do I know that?" Leaping to his feet, he jerked her from the chair, dragging her towards the back stairs. "I'll show you how I know that, you slut."
Locking her knees, Alainna refused to move, but her sock-clad feet slipped along the floor without her cooperation. Jimmy tightened his grip on her and pulled harder, hauling her across the linoleum. "Molly!" she screamed loudly. "Manda!"
Jimmy laughed menacingly. "Save your breath, Al. Your little puppies are probably sound asleep right now."
"What did you do to them?" she demanded, struggling in his arms as he dragged her up the stairs.
"Let's just say that the meat they just ate for a snack had a little something extra." He smiled at her, hauling her up the final step.

Shooting out a hand, she snagged the banister, clinging to it desperately. Jimmy grabbed her hand and slowly peeled her fingers off, bending them backwards until she cried out in pain. "Oh, Al, I'm sorry. Did that hurt?" Latching back onto her arms, he dragged her down the hallway towards her bedroom.
Thrashing frantically, she flailed blindly, wildly. Freeing her arms, she shoved him against the wall, bolting towards the front stairs.
With a roar of outrage, Jimmy threw himself at her, tackling her. The two of them thudded onto the hard wooden floor. Rolling her over onto her back, he slapped her sharply across the face. "Don't fight me, Al. I am no Daniel Hollinger. I could mop the floor up with you if I wanted to. Don't give me any reason to do that, okay?"

Entire body trembling beneath him, tears running down her face, Alainna nodded mutely.
He reached his hand out again, and she flinched in anticipation, but this time, instead of slapping her, his hand gently caressed the opposite cheek. He wiped at the tears running down her face. "Good. I really don't want to hurt you, Al. Please, don't make me do that."
Securing his hand around her arm again, just above the elbow, he pulled her to her feet. "Now, let's go take a look at your bedroom."

He half dragged her, stumbling, into the room. The bed was unmade, sheets and blankets still rumpled from their morning lovemaking. Jimmy yanked the covers off the bed and onto the floor, shoving Alainna onto the middle of the bed, pushing her head down into the mattress.
"Start looking there for evidence, Al." He pointed to the bottom sheet, at a crimson stain. "I can see that Mr. Walker lied about your previous relationship." He jumped onto the bed with her, flipping her over and grabbing her by the shoulders, shaking her violently. Her head snapped back and forth like a rag doll. "How could you do that to me?! How could you give that to him?!"
Not waiting for her to respond, he stood up on the bed, pulling her up with him. He pointed to a small hole in the ceiling. "That is how I knew, Al. There's a camera here. I have been watching you for a long time."

All the color drained from Alainna's face and her knees buckled. She sagged and would have fallen if he were not holding her firmly by the arms.
Lowering her back to the bed, he leaned over her, stroking her hair tenderly like the lover he fancied himself to be. "What's the matter, Al? Can't believe it? Why, it was one of your own stories that gave me the idea." He laughed darkly. "I never would have thought about it until I read that book. But once I did, I knew that the idea was perfect."
Alainna squinted up at him. "Why?" she whispered.
"Why? What the hell kind of a question is that? Because I love you, that's why!"
"This is not love, Jimmy, this is obsession."

His clenched his jaw, scowling at her. "Don't you tell me what it is. I love you, and you know that. I have never made a secret out of that."
Alainna's eyelids fluttered. Shaking her head lightly, she forced the lids to stay open.
Jimmy's scowl faded and was replaced by a grin as he gazed down at her. "What's the matter, Al? You not feeling so good?"
"What…what did you do to me?" She struggled to focus on his face.
"Rohypnol, my darling, in your coffee. You'll be taking a little nap in another minute or two." He stroked her face, watching her fight to stay awake.


Carrying her out the kitchen door, unconscious form slung over his shoulder, Jimmy weaved around the still bodies of the two mastiffs who were sprawled out near the back step. The doorframe was etched with deep scratches, and several chunks of wood were missing. Chuckling as he headed for the patrol car, he addressed the sleeping dogs, "Looks like you ladies almost made it back into the house before you fell asleep. You must have heard her screaming, huh?"

Fumbling in his pocket for his keys, he opened the patrol's trunk, laying Alainna gingerly inside. Placing a pillow beneath her head, he covered her with a blanket. "Not the most luxurious travel accommodations, Al, but you won't be there for long."
Returning to the kitchen, he retrieved his hat from the table. He picked up the coffee mugs and placed them in the sink, rinsing them first. My fingerprints are not a problem to explain, but the rohypnol might be.




Parking the pick-up in the garage, Peter jumped from the cab, heading towards the kitchen door with an eager grin on his face. I can't believe I missed her so much. He laughed. You're acting like a kid, he told himself. Yeah, I know, he answered back, and it feels great.
The dogs intercepted him between the garage and back door, wagging tails slowly beating a tattoo against his legs. Leaning over, Peter patted them both. "Hey, Girls, what are you up to?" Thumping them on their sides, he continued on, flinging open the kitchen door and entering the house. Two steps into the kitchen, he froze. Did I just see what I think I did?

Spinning on his heel, he stepped back outside, stooping to examine the doorframe. Running his hands over the destroyed wood, he scolded the dogs. "What did you guys do? Now I'll have to fix this." He grabbed one of the dogs by the head, and studied the sad sack eyes. Something is not right here. The eyes staring back at Peter seemed off somehow. He glanced back over at the doorframe. "I've never seen you guys do something like that." Releasing the dog, he straightened up, bolting back into the house.

"Alainna? Alainna! Where are you?" he hollered. Quickly covering the first floor, he raced up the front stairs when he did not find her. The second floor was also empty.
A sick feeling formed in the pit of his stomach as he staggered into the library, sinking despondently into her chair. Automatically, his hand reached out to grab the mouse. The movement caused the monitors to flicker to life, and a message from her stalker appeared on the left screen.
"I hope you enjoyed this morning. It was the last time. She is mine, now, Walker."
The nerves on the back of Peter's neck twitched. "Oh, my God," he groaned, raking his hand through his hair, "The psycho's got her." Rereading the message, he reached for the phone.


The driveway was filled with deputy cars and Doc's pick-up truck. People were crawling all over the house and yard.
Peter was pacing a hole in the kitchen floor while Doc watched from the table. "Peter, sit down, Son. You worrying yourself to death is not going to help."
Peter glared at him, continuing to pace. "Doc, I can't sit down. If I do, I'll jump out of my skin. I knew I shouldn't have left her alone!"
The older man spoke soothingly to the young man, "Peter, this is not your fault. You couldn't have known that this would happen."
"Yes, I could have and I should have," he insisted.

Lights flashing, the sheriff's car pulled up to the back door, and Jimmy Sartell jumped out, racing into the kitchen.
"What in the hell is going on?" he demanded. "I'm off on an investigation and have to hear over the radio that Alainna is missing?"
Peter stopped his pacing to glare darkly at him. "Yes, Sheriff, she is missing. M-I-S-S-I-N-G, missing! The nutcase left a message on the computer, directed at me."
Jimmy crossed the kitchen floor in three quick strides, halting when they were barely a foot apart. "And where were you today?" he asked pointedly.
"He was with me, all day," intervened Doc. "He is not the enemy, Jimmy."

Peter poked the sheriff in the chest. "That's right, pal. But I have had just about all of your ineptness that I can tolerate. I want the state police called in on this. I want her found, and I want her found NOW!"
"Are you implying that I cannot do my job?" Jimmy hissed through clenched teeth.
"Hell, no, I'm not implying it! I'm saying it straight out!" Peter ducked the jab that Jimmy threw at him, stepping back and returning it with a left hook of his own, catching Jimmy on the side of the face, sending him reeling.

Stepping between the men, Doc and a young deputy attempted to halt the escalating fight. "Boys! This will not get her back! Now, settle down and let's work together."
Jimmy ran the back of his hand across his mouth, staring at the smear of blood that came off on it. "I am not working with him on anything, Doc. But, I will find Alainna," he declared, stalking out the back door.
The nerves on the back of Peter's neck were tingling again. Shut up, he ordered them, I know there's trouble! If you have more specific information, then talk to me.


Prowling the empty house for several hours, Peter listened to the old floorboards squeak beneath his feet. He began to understand what she'd meant when she'd told him that the house had been empty for far too long. He'd only been alone in it for hours, yet the desolation and loneliness screamed at him.
Entering the bedroom, he retrieved the sheets and quilt from the floor, remaking the bed. With a sigh, he flung himself onto it. Alainna, where are you, Love? I'm so sorry I wasn't here for you. He placed his head on her pillow, inhaling the sweet smell, getting lost in the memories of the previous night.

After a while, he rolled over onto his back and stared at the ceiling. I hope you enjoyed this morning. What the hell does that mean? Peter tapped his fingers nervously on the blue and white quilt. This morning, enjoyed this morning.
Understanding flashed suddenly, and he sat bolt upright, speaking aloud. "He was watching! He saw us this morning, in this bed! Oh, my God, Alainna, not only did you sell your soul to me, you may have sold me your life as well!" Jumping off the bed, Peter began to search the room.



Her eyes at last opening to the dark, Alainna moaned at the pain in her arms. Trying to move them to relieve the pain, she discovered quickly that her hands were cuffed together around a slat in the headboard. Blinking her eyes, she tried to adjust to the darkness and clear her fuzzy mind. What's going on? Where am I? Images of Jimmy's sudden transformation and betrayal skittered across her mind. Oh, my God…
Tugging on the cuffs, she winced when the metal bit into her wrists. That won't work. "Handsome, where are you when I need you?" she murmured.
A groan from the opposite side of the room answered her.

"Peter? Is that you?" Hope crept into her heart and her voice.
The groan repeated itself, then a voice spoke, "No, Al. It's not Peter."
Alainna recognized the voice instantly. "Daniel? What the hell is going on?" she snapped.
"I'd like to know the answer to that question myself. Damn it, my head is killing me."
"Great, I'm stuck in a nightmare and the only person I have for company is a snake. The mystery of my stalker is cleared up. It wasn't you, Daniel."

He laughed ruefully, the sound echoing across the dark room. "No, it wasn't me, not this time. I learned my lesson the first time. But do you want to tell me who it is? Whoever he is, he hit me from behind and nearly split my skull."
"It was…Jimmy." Her reply held continued disbelief.
"Jimmy? Sartell? The sheriff?"
Shifting on the bed, she told him, "I can't believe it either, Daniel, but it's true. Hey, are you cuffed to something?"
"No, I'm tied like a trussed up turkey."
"Turkey is right. Wiggle your arms. Get us out of here. I'm cuffed to this bed. Metal is not that easy to wiggle out of."

The door to the room was abruptly flung open, light assaulting their eyes, causing them both to squint. "Did I hear talking in here? Are my guests awake?" Jimmy Sartell stalked into the room. "Ahh, Al, my sweet, how nice of you to join me." He turned, glaring at Daniel. "I think we need some privacy. You're going in the other room, Daniel." Grabbing him by his tightly bound arms, he dragged him out of the room. Daniel yelped sharply as his arms were pulled beyond their limit.

Alainna cringed as Jimmy returned, sitting down next to her. Her eyes squeezed tightly shut as she felt the caress of skin against her cheek.
"Al, why do you flinch like that?" His voice sounded wounded. "I'm not going to hurt you. Not if you do like I tell you. In fact, if you decide to cooperate with me, I'll even let you out of here."
"Well, why don't we talk about it, Jimmy? You tell me exactly what you want." Opening her eyes, she looked hopefully at him.

He stretched out next to her on the bed, snuggling up beside her. "Oh, I think you know what I want, Al." He ran his fingers up and down her arm, then trailed them down her side.
She inhaled sharply, biting down on her lip, trying to control the fear that was growing larger by the second. "Jimmy, please…"
"Please? Please, what, Al? Did you beg this morning with Peter?" Jimmy shifted his weight, half covering her body with his own.
Alainna closed her eyes. Please, God, let me wake up from this nightmare.
Jimmy's hands became embolden by her lack of response and he allowed them to roam down the front of her body.
She shuddered beneath him. "Jimmy, don't…don't do this. Please! I thought we were friends."
He laughed sharply. "I am sick of being your friend, Al. Friend is just another word for someone you don't want." Leaning over her face, he leered at her. "So, do we do this the easy way, or the hard way?" he asked.

She swallowed the lump of fear in her throat. "I…I ddon't know, Jimmy. Please, just let me go. I won't tell anyone it was you."
"No, I don't think so, Al. I've gone to a lot of trouble to figure this whole thing out. I am finally going to get what I've wanted for a very, very, long time."
Alainna's mind filled with a picture of the dead cat, impaled on the stake. Her stomach twisted within her as she considered what he intended to do to her. "I think…I'm going to be sick."
He backpedaled, carefully appraising the pallor of her skin which had suddenly faded to a pasty gray.
She began to breathe heavily, turning her head towards him. "I'm not kidding you."
He jumped from the bed and pulled the cuff keys out of his pocket. Unlocking them quickly, he hauled her from the bed to the bathroom, shoving her to the floor in front of the toilet just in time. He turned his back as she was sick.

He allowed her limited privacy to use the toilet and clean herself up, then dragged her back to the bed and recuffed her. She was too weakened to resist.
He lay back down next to her, propping himself up on his elbow. "Nice try, Al. But I've seen you throw up before. Remember that time when we went out to the lake? What were you, about 17? You had never had a drink in your life and you downed four wine coolers. Man, you were trashed. I thought you were literally going to puke your guts out." He laughed, remembering the foolish kids they had been.
Alainna tried to capitalize on the happy memories. "Yes, I remember, Jimmy. I also remember how you backed into a tree. And the time we got the pickup stuck in the mud and had to call my dad to come and get us out. And the time we stayed out all night looking at the stars from the top of Sunrise Mountain."

His eyes grew dark again, his voice changing from friendly to menacing. "Yes, all those things, Alainna, and you throw me over for the first pretty boy who comes along." He growled deep in his throat and rolled on top of her, fumbling with her clothing.
Closing her eyes, she screamed in his face.
He pressed his hand sharply over her mouth. "Shut up! Al, please, don't make me hurt you," he begged. "Please, just…do this for me." He slowly removed his hand from her mouth.
"You are hurting me, Jimmy. Get off me!" Squirming beneath him, she sought an escape that proved elusive. The weight of his body had her firmly pinned to the bed.
Anger and rage flared black in his eyes. "No. You've picked the hard way. So be it, Al." He began to fondle her again, leaning down to kiss her.

Lunging forward to meet him, she bit him on the cheek, drawing blood.
He reared back, slamming her across the face. "You bitch! I can't believe you did that." Clenching his hand into a fist, he hit her again, harder.
Alainna was grateful for the blackness that was clouding her mind. She slipped into unconsciousness like the arms of a friend.


Chapter 12

The sun had risen by the time she awakened again. Opening her eyes cautiously, she prepared to shut them again quickly if Jimmy was nearby. Turning her head to scan the room, she whimpered when she accidentally brushed her face against her own arm. Ow, that hurts, she thought. I'll bet there's a nice bruise there.
"Al? You awake now?" Daniel called from the floor on the far side of the room.
"Daniel? Is Jimmy gone?" she asked hesitantly.
"Yes. He left hours ago." Daniel's voice was filled with anger and pain.
She heaved a sigh of relief. "Daniel, I don't understand why we're in your hunting cabin, but you know this place." Alainna examined the room, recalling her last visit to the god-forsaken place. That was a nightmare, too. What is it about me? "Figure out a way to get us out of here!" she ordered him.
"You're the one with the imagination; you figure it out," he snarled. "I don't know why I'm here, but I wouldn't be, if it weren't for you."
She tugged on the handcuffs again, then rolled onto her side, twisting her arms to take a better look around. "Try to get out of those ropes, Daniel. It's the only shot we have."


Peter spent the night tearing apart the entire room before noticing the small hole in the ceiling over the bed. Racing to the attic, he discovered the camera and computer. Standing over the equipment, his body trembled with restraint as he curled his hands into fists, tightly controlling the urge to grab the equipment and smash it into a million pieces. Unbelievable. This guy is a real sicko.
Doc arrived as Peter wandered into the kitchen to brew up yet another pot of much-needed caffeine. The old man held a mug out to him. "Here, Son. You look like you could use this. And so could I, so pour one for me."
Peter took the mug gratefully. "Thanks, Doc. You get any sleep?"
He shook his head. "No more than you did, I'll wager."
"Nope, no sleep. But I did find something very interesting."


Peter softly cursed the workings of the system from the front porch as the deputies' car disappeared from the driveway. After waiting for what had seemed an eternity, the officers had at last arrived on the scene. Peter had followed them like an angry ghost to the attic, and watched as they'd dusted for prints, coming up empty. The camera and computer confiscated as evidence, the team of 'investigators' once again left the restless spirit to his lonely wanderings.
And the damn Sheriff didn't even bother to show up. Stalking to the living room, Peter yanked open the gun cabinet, carefully appraising the collection of weapons that had belonged to Alainna's father. Enough is enough. I will find her myself.

Withdrawing the shotgun Alainna had used to threaten Daniel and Edgar Hollinger, the beginnings of a plan formed in his nerve-wracked mind. That's where I'll start, with Hollinger. Reaching again into the cabinet, his fingers groped along the top shelf for her father's old handgun. He had watched her clean it the day after Daniel and Edgar showed up in the driveway. Fingers latching around the grip, he pulled it out. Colt Delta Elite, 10 mm, semi-automatic. Very nice. He hefted it in his hand, testing the balance, the weight. Curling his hand around the grip, he slammed the magazine into place.

The hammering began in his head. No, I don't have time for that now! Past, if you have something to offer me, do it, or stay the hell out of the way. Tucking the Colt in the back waistband of his jeans, he grabbed a box of shotgun shells, and headed for the back door.
Plucking the pick-up keys from the hook near the door, he tossed a glance at Doc, who was feeding the dogs. "I'm going to find her, Doc. You wanna come, or not?"
"I'm just an old, country doctor, Peter, and I don't know how much help I'll be, but I'm coming." Setting down the bowls of dog food, he followed Peter out the door.



Smoking a cigar, Edgar paced his office. He snatched Daniel's picture off his desk and threw it across the room. It smashed into the door, glass plate shattering. Damn spoiled brat. Thinks just because his father's the boss he can do as he pleases.

The door flew open, crashing into the wall behind it, and Peter Walker stormed into the office, broken glass crunching under his feet as he crushed the remains of the picture. Doc Waldron stood framed in the open doorway.

Edgar took the cigar out of his mouth, scowling at him. "Something I can do for you?"
"Yes. I want to know where that snake you call a son is." Peter stood in the middle of the office, bouncing lightly on his feet, body language daring Edgar to challenge him.
"I wish I knew that myself. The little bastard didn't show up for work today." Edgar puffed on his cigar again, sending the noxious smoke in Peter's direction.
Peter spun, regarding Doc for a moment, then jerked his head towards the door. Understanding the message, the other man quietly shut the office door.
Peter closed the distance between himself and Hollinger in a few quick strides, his hand flashing out to connect with the man's throat as he slammed him up against the wall. Hollinger's feet were left dangling inches above the ground as Peter's forearm replaced his hand, pressing against Edgar's windpipe.
With his left hand, he plucked the cigar from Hollinger's hand and tossed it to the floor, grinding it into the luxurious carpet with the toe of his boot.

Eyes bulging in their sockets, Hollinger struggled weakly. Peter slammed his left fist into his stomach. "Now, are you ready to help me, or not?"
Peter waited patiently while Edgar struggled to breathe. "Well?" Edgar nodded his head. Peter released him, allowing him to slump to the floor.
"I…I don't know where he is," he croaked, voice harsh from near strangulation.
Peter jerked back his foot and aimed his kick while waiting for Edgar to continue.
"I..I…sometimes he likes to go up to his hunting cabin."
"Directions?" Peter asked pleasantly.
"I know where it is, Peter," Doc informed him. "That's where Alainna laid Daniel out that…one night."
Peter's eyes flashed with rage. That makes sense, he thought, take her back to the scene of his first attempt.
"Thank you, Mr. Hollinger, you've been very helpful. Oh, and by the way, forget about Alainna's property and stay the hell away from her." He nudged the cowering man with his toe. "Have a nice day." Whirling on his heel, he stalked from the room, Doc close behind.



Laying on the bed, she waited, but for what, she wasn't quite sure. She entertained herself by writing all types of escape scenes in her mind while Daniel attempted to really escape from the bristly ropes that held him captive. "Daniel, how's it going?"
"Just great, Al, just great."
"Sarcasm never did suit you, Daniel."
"Well, if you lived with my father, than you'd be sarcastic, too." Daniel continued to pull and tug at the ropes around his hands, having succeeded in loosening them somewhat, but not enough to grant freedom.
A crackling noise captured their attention, causing them both to freeze and evaluate it. "Daniel?" Alainna sniffed the air. "Daniel, I smell smoke!"
Daniel began to jerk at the ropes furiously. "So do I."



Peter pushed the pick-up to its limits, screeching around the curves of the country back road.
"I'm sorry, Peter, I should have thought about the cabin in the first place."
Peter risked a quick glance at the old man. "Doc, it's not your fault. Now that we know a possible place for her to be, let's not think about blame, or fault, or any of that. Let's think about getting her out of there."
Doc nodded his head, placing two shells into the shotgun.



The roaring of the fire grew louder, filling the entire cabin with the snapping, crackling sounds that heralded their on-rushing death. The temperature in their bedroom cell had become almost unbearable. Alainna yanked on the handcuffs in desperation, hoping the lubrication of her own blood would allow her to slip out of them. Coughing on the smoke pouring into the room, she ignored the pain in her wrists.
Managing to work one arm free, Daniel scrambled to loosen the other. Finally slipping both arms free of their bonds, he set to work on the ropes binding his ankles.
Freed at last, he crawled to the bed where Alainna was secured. Rising to his feet, he first grabbed her hands and yanked, trying to assist her. It was ineffective. The only result was her yelp of pain. Grabbing onto the slat of the oak bed, he tugged, jerking on the wood. Lungs beginning to fill with smoke, he choked out a short apology for what he was about to do. "Sorry, Al."
He turned, stumbling towards the door. Flinging it open gave the fire a new rush of air, causing it to burn even hotter. Daniel Hollinger staggered towards the front door, leaving Alainna behind.

"Daniel!" she screamed. "You snake! Get your sorry butt back here!" After a few more futile tugs at her wrists, Alainna lay still, trying to accept the inevitable. Well, Handsome, it looks like I'm out of tomorrows. I am really glad that you convinced me to live for today, although this particular today stinks. I liked yesterday a lot better. You were right, neither one of us knew what the future would bring. I hope you find your real home, Handsome. There's somebody out there who misses you; I know it. I love you, Peter Walker. Tears streaming down her face, she closed her eyes in resignation, praying for a quick end to the terror. This is not the ending I would have written for myself.


The scene before Peter's eyes sent his world spinning in horror. Smoke and flames poured from the cabin as the conflagration raged within. Slamming the truck into park, he leaped from the cab just in time to see Daniel Hollinger stagger down the front steps.
Racing to the choking man, Peter grabbed him by the shoulders. "Where the hell is Alainna?!"
Unable to answer verbally, he raised his arm to point towards the inferno.
"You bastard." Peter's left cross connected with the right side of Daniel's face, sending him unconscious to the ground. One problem taken care of, Peter took several steps towards the cabin - and stopped, as the visions of his nightmare swirled around him.

Head pounding, Peter watched the fire merge with the fire from his dream. Fire, raging, roaring around him. A figure in the distance, obscured by the smoke. He heard his own voice calling out, "Father!" as the ceiling fell in on him. He watched in horror as the figure of his father was crushed by a falling beam, as well.

Peter was jerked sharply back to reality. A fire had taken his father; he was not about to let the same thing happen to Alainna. He raced up the front steps and into the inferno. Please, let her be all right! I've lost enough already. Not Alainna, too.
Frantically searching the cabin for her, he crawled on the floor, avoiding the smoke clogging the air as he made his way towards the rear of the cabin. Entering the back room, he came upon a pile of ropes. "Alainna!!" His voice seemed small, swallowed up by the roar of the fire. Continuing his explorations, he ran into the post of a bed. Reaching up, he pulled himself to his feet.

There, in the middle of the bed, was the object of his quest, her face covered with soot from the smoke. "Alainna!" Seeing the tear tracks etched into the dirt, his heart broke. Reaching out his hand to her neck, he was relieved to find a steady, strong pulse thudding there.
Roused by his touch from her near unconscious state, her eyelids flickered. "Pet…er?" She began to cough, then drifted back into semi-consciousness.
"It's okay, Alainna, I'm going to get you out of here," he assured. He evaluated the cuffs and the headboard, taking her hands into his own. He tugged on the wooden slat, quickly realizing that would be ineffective.
Running his left hand over the oak slat, he reached down to cover her face with his right hand. Focusing on a point somewhere behind the piece of wood, Peter pulled back his hand and drove for the imaginary point, slamming his hand through the wood, splinters flying.
Frantically pulling the cuffs free of the broken wood, he gathered her into his arms, and staggered for the door, turned back by the rapidly intensifying flames. Racing to the nearby window, he set Alainna down on the floor.

"Damn thing's stuck!" Groping blindly in the thick smoke, his hands connected with the chair by the dresser. Grabbing it with both hands, he swung it fiercely, and was rewarded by the sound of crashing glass as the chair made its way through.
Peter pulled the quilt from the bed, laying it across the shattered glass to provide some protection. Smoke filling his lungs, his head began to swim, and he knew consciousness was fleeting. With no time for gentleness, Peter seized Alainna, dropping her still form onto the ground outside and quickly following her out the window.
Hacking from the smoke, he picked her up again, heading for the front of the cabin, where Doc was waiting.

Kneeling at Daniel's side, Alainna's surrogate father heard Peter's coughing coming around the side of the building. Rising to his feet, he headed for him, heart lurching when he saw the limp form cradled in Peter's arms.
"Put her down!" he commanded.
Peter was more than happy to comply. Gingerly lowering Alainna to the ground, he sank down beside her, covering his mouth as wretching racked his own body.

Doc quickly began to assess Alainna's condition, checking her airway, breathing and pulse.
The fresh air was a balm to his abused lungs, and at last he drew a good breath. "Well? How is she?" he demanded hoarsely.
Doc continued working over her, answering without looking up, "She took in a bit of smoke. Smoke inhalation is a very tricky thing, Peter. I wish the damn squad would get here. She needs oxygen, and she needs it now."
"Did you call them?" he croaked, knowing a cell phone was standard equipment in the doctor's bag.
"Of course, I called them. They'll be here as soon as they can. As will the fire department and the sheriff's department."

Brows furrowed, Peter ran a trembling hand over Alainna's face, speaking softly, "Come on, Alainna, wake up. I want to talk to you." He glared across the yard at the still form of Daniel Hollinger. "What about him, Doc? Is he okay? I want to be sure he lives, so I can kill him."
Doc actually smiled at him. "He's fine. I don't think he inhaled much of anything."
Alainna began to stir. "P..peter?"
"Shhh, Alainna. Don't try to talk. Just concentrate on breathing, ok?" Wiping some of the soot from her face, Peter clenched his teeth when he discovered the large welt on the side of her face. Trembling hands moved to brush the hair from her forehead.
"I…" coughing interrupted her, "I thought…"
"Shhh. Never mind what you thought," he soothed. "We still have more todays to spend together, Miss Writer. I was not about to let you leave me."
"Jimmy…" Another fit of coughing racked her body, and she thrashed beneath their hands. "Jimmy…"
Doc stroked her arm, trying to calm her. "Jimmy will be here soon, 'Lainna. Now, please, just lie still and be quiet. You're making it harder on your body."
Looking up at the two men, she frantically shook her head, entire body beginning to tremble. Eyes widening, she started to wheeze and gasp.

Two concerned men exchanged a glance across her. "Peter, my bag's over near Daniel. Get it for me, will you?"
"Sure thing, Doc." Jumping to his feet, Peter crossed the yard at a trot to retrieve the bag.
Lights flashing, the first aid squad arrived, fire engine right behind. While firemen ran hose lines, the volunteer EMT's quickly grabbed the medical equipment from the compartments. Doc waved them to his side.

Peter brought Doc's bag at the same time the EMT's joined him. The physician quickly fastened an oxygen mask over Alainna's face while Peter knelt at her head.
"'Lainna, darling, I'm going to have to sedate you. I need to tube you, Sweetie, and you do not want to be awake for that." Sure hands retrieved the necessary items from within the trusty black bag. "I need an IV kit," he snapped at the EMT, who quickly supplied the requested supplies.

Alainna pushed the oxygen mask off her face, hands still linked together by the handcuffs. "No," she croaked. "Wait!" She coughed, frantic that she was not able to communicate with them.
Peter stroked her hair, soothing her. "Please, Alainna," he put the oxygen mask back in place, "don't fight us. Doc is only trying to help you."
"Peter…" Her voice was muffled by the mask. "Jimmy…"
"Yes, Jimmy is coming, Alainna. Don't worry about it. Daniel will be taken care of, and he will not be able to hurt you again."

The sheriff's car pulled up to the chaotic scene. "See? He's here now, Alainna. Just relax."
Leaping from the car, Jimmy Sartell raced to Alainna's side. "How is she?" he demanded.
Doc answered him. "She's taken in a bit of smoke, Jimmy. I need to sedate her so I can intubate her, but she's been calling for you."
Jimmy grinned down at Alainna, who blanched, growing even paler beneath layer of soot. "Oh, she has, has she?" Leaning over her, he gently stroked her face. She turned her head, trying to avoid his touch. "I'm here, Al. It's okay." He looked over at Daniel, who was being treated by one of the EMT's. "Daniel. I should have known."
Peter glared up at him. "Yes, you should have. You could have prevented this, if you had taken him into custody."
The sheriff turned his attention to Peter. "I told you, I couldn't do anything without evidence."
"Well, there he is, caught red-handed with her. You can't ask for better evidence than that. Go arrest him."

Thrashing about on the ground, Alainna shoved at Doc as he tried to start an IV line. She again pushed the mask off her face, trying once more to communicate, "NO!" Harsh wheezing accompanied the next word, "Jimmy…"
Jimmy looked at the other two men. "Gentlemen, why don't you give me a minute or two alone with her? Maybe I can calm her down enough so that you can do what you need to, Doc." Ramming his hand into his pocket, he fished for his handcuff keys. "While I'm at it, let's get these handcuffs of her. My key should work."
"Ok, Jimmy, but make it quick. If I don't tube her now and her throat swells, then I'm going to have to trach her. And I don't want to have to do that." Doc stood up, taking Peter by the arm. "Come on, Peter. I want her settled, and if it takes Jimmy to do that, then so be it."
Peter reluctantly followed the old man over to the ambulance, several feet away. "If you say so, Doc."

Once they were out of earshot, Jimmy leaned back over Alainna again, uncuffing her. "Well, you managed to survive. That's okay, I really didn't mean for this to happen. Although it would have tied all the loose ends up nicely. If both of you had died in that fire, no one would have ever suspected me at all. Now, I'm going to have to take matters into my own hands again." He stroked her hair, then cupped her face in his hands. She jerked, trying to evade his hands. "Oh, lie still, Al. You're having enough trouble breathing, aren't you? You look kind of pale." Jimmy placed a tender kiss on her forehead. "Al, if I can't have you, then no one can."

Alainna froze, terror clearly readable on her face. "Oh, Al. I'm not going to hurt you. But I will take out the competition. And Daniel, too. Yes, Daniel has been the perfect scapegoat. What a shame that when I try to take him into custody, he's going to try to escape. And Peter's going to try to stop him." Jimmy shook his head in mock sorrow. "Sad, two men shot in our peace-loving county."
He stopped talking as Peter and Doc approached.
Peter sank to his knees next to Alainna, who reached out her hand to him. He took her hand in his own, and raised it to his lips, kissing it gently, feeling slightly nauseous at the damage done to her wrist. She squeezed his hand as hard as she could. He looked at her in surprise. "What, Alainna?"

Tears began to run down her face. Please, she thought, help me tell him. Please don't let me lose the one thing is this world more important to me than the words I write or the imagination that brings me those words. Summoning up the energy, she pushed the mask off, choking out, "Peter…Jimmy…did this." The edge of panic in her voice made it past the smoke induced hoarseness.
Peter leaned closer to her. "What did you say?"

Doc swabbed her arm with an alcohol pad, ready to start an IV and sedate her. "Peter, I have to do this. The longer we wait, the more time her throat has to swell on us. Do you want me to have to cut her throat so she can breath?"
Peter shook his head. "No, I don't want that." He turned his attention back to Alainna. "Sweetheart, just relax, ok?"
"NO!" she gasped, breathing extremely labored, face pale but filled with fear. She tugged on Peter's hand, drawing him closer to her. "Peter…look…at Jimmy's…face." Exhausted by her efforts, she closed her eyes.

Peter stared at her in confusion. Then he swung around to inspect Jimmy's face. There was a large red welt on the side of it. "Jimmy, what happened to your face?"
Jimmy ran his hand over the welt. "Oh, this? I had a drunk who resisted arrest last night. He paid for this, though, let me tell you." Jimmy grinned at Peter, then moved closer to Alainna's side again.
Eyes flying open in terror as he tried to touch her again, Alainna choked out with all she could muster, "Don't touch me!" The protest launched her into a major coughing fit and she struggled to breathe.

Peter gripped Jimmy by the shoulder. "Back off. You're scaring her and making it harder for her to breathe." He shoved the sheriff aside and got close to Alainna's face, repositioning the mask once more while stroking her hair.
Doc plunged the needle into her arm, causing her to flinch. He taped the IV firmly into place, then administered the sedative. "Okay, 'Lainna, in just a few minutes you'll be going to sleep. Then, Sweetheart, I'm going to put a tube down your throat, just as a precautionary measure. When you wake up, you'll be in the hospital, and the tube will be there to help you breathe. Try to remember to relax, okay?" The physician waved the EMT's closer again, and they began to prepare the equipment needed for an intubation.

Peter was watching her face carefully. Every time she glanced at Jimmy, he saw absolute terror in the sky blue eyes. Placing his face directly in front of hers, he blocked her view. What is it she's trying so hard to tell me, he mused, something that she's willing to give up breathing for?

Not wanting anyone to hear, he mouthed his words. "Jimmy?" he asked silently. She nodded her head frantically, pain and fear springing to light in her eyes. The truth hit Peter like a dagger in the heart, as he swung around to stare at Jimmy's face once more. Jimmy was looking over at Daniel, who apparently was regaining consciousness. Several of the deputies who had arrived were standing around him. Jimmy trotted over to grab Daniel by the arm.
Peter turned back to Alainna, speaking softly. "Jimmy did this? He's the one who took you?"
The head nodding was even more frantic this time. Peter placed his hand on her arm, stroking gently. He nodded his head to indicate his understanding and she sighed in relief, taking a deep breath. Leaning over, he placed his mouth next to her ear, "I understand, Alainna. You just relax now. I love you." He kissed her ear lightly, and straightened up.
Convinced that Peter now understood the situation, Alainna's eyes fluttered and she let herself be pulled down into the darkness.

Seeing her go out, Doc quickly injected her IV push with a paralytic agent, then grabbed an airway from the EMT, threading it down her trachea. "I'm in. Bag her!" he instructed. While he taped the airway in place, an EMT fastened the Ampubag onto the end, forcing enough air into her lungs. The physician listened to her lungs for a moment, nodding his satisfaction to the EMT's. They prepared to load her onto a stretcher while Peter stalked to Jimmy's side.
The sheriff was busy beating Daniel, his deputies watching with slight grins. While the man protested his innocence, looking to the deputies for help, Jimmy back-handed his "suspect" across the face, sending the man to the ground once more.

Peter halted his approach several feet from the sheriff. "Do you often beat suspects, Jimmy?" he asked sarcastically.
Jimmy whirled. "Only the ones who hurt people I care about."
"Care about? Oh, you care about Alainna? Then why did she just pitch a fit about you getting near her? What was that all about?" Peter's hands were curling into fists already. He forced himself to relax.
"I don't know. She's had a rough time. She's upset and confused."
"Yes, I'd say she was. Must have been hard on her to be betrayed by a man she loved like a brother."

Jimmy straightened, his posture alert. "What are you talking about?" he asked. "There was never any love lost between Al and Daniel."
Peter made a great show of carefully studying Jimmy's face. "You know, you should have that looked at. Those look like teeth marks. A human bite is very bad news. That drunk must have been something." Peter peered closer. "I hope you didn't catch anything."
Jimmy's hand flew to his face, fingertips running over the marks, not liking the implications of Peter's interest in them.
"Why?" Peter asked simply.
"Why what?"
"Why did you do this to her? She cared about you, but that wasn't good enough was it?" Peter's voice did not betray the anger he felt.

The deputies were watching this exchange with great interest. Daniel began to get to his feet, again loudly declaring his innocence and Jimmy's guilt, but a shove from a deputy sent him sprawling into the dirt again.
Jimmy's hands began to shake. "You're crazy."
"No, you're crazy. You just couldn't stand it, could you?" Peter taunted, attempting to provoke him into a confession, "You could not stand that she loved me. More than that, you couldn't stand that she took me into her bed, right Jimmy? How long did that camera set up take you? How long did you watch? Did you get a big kick out of watching me make love to her?"

For a moment, the entire yard went still, the only sounds heard were the crackling of the fire and the work of the firemen trying to put it out. Then, with a roar of outrage, Jimmy launched himself at Peter, body slamming him to the ground and bolting towards the ambulance where the EMT's were just about to load the stretcher with Alainna. Doc was at her head, squeezing the life-giving bag.

Jimmy leaped to Alainna's side, placing his gun to her head. "Nobody move, " he warned.
Looking at Jimmy in confusion, Doc continued to bag her.
Peter took a step in Jimmy's direction, then halted when Jimmy spoke. "Freeze, Peter. I mean it. If I can't have her, then nobody can."
Daniel staggered to his feet. "See? I tried to tell you that it was him. He's a crazy bastard. He kidnapped both of us. And I'm not sure what else he did to her last night, but I heard her screaming."
Peter's heart lurched at this revelation from Daniel.

The deputies stared at their boss. "Jimmy, what the hell are you doing? Put that gun away and get away from her," Lance ordered his superior.
"What am I doing?" he snarled. "I am protecting this woman from him." He jerked his head in Peter's direction.
"If you call this protection, I'd hate to see what you call assault," Peter snapped. "Let's see, you've terrorized her, kidnapped her, and nearly burned her to death. Now you've got a gun to her head." And I'm thankful that she's not awake to see or feel it, he thought.
"I love her, and you don't." Jimmy's hand trembled as he held the gun next to her temple.
Talk him down. Keep him occupied. "You're wrong. I do love her. In fact, I love her so much that if she woke up right now and told me that she'd rather be with you, that she'd be happier that way, I'd let her go. I just want her to be happy. I love her that much, Jimmy." Peter held his hands out in front of him, trying to appear non-threatening.
"Oh, how sweet," Jimmy drawled sarcastically. "It doesn't matter, anyway, because I am not going to let her go. If I can't have her, neither can you."

Stroking Alainna's hair with his left hand, Jimmy kept the right hand with the gun close to her temple. He was murmuring softly, the expression on his face soft, and caring. Jerking his head upright, he scowled at Doc who had been quietly continuing to provide Alainna with life-giving air. "Back off, Doc."
The old man glared at him. "Jimmy, I can't do that. If I stop bagging her, she stops breathing. And if she stops breathing, she dies."
"NO KIDDING!" Jimmy gestured at him with the gun. "I said move away. This is perfect. I don't even have to do a thing. See, I'm not killing her. You are. Terrible medical care." Unwilling to obey, the old man continued to squeeze the bag. Jimmy's gun hand flashed out, smashing the weapon into the old man's face, sending him reeling.

Several deputies took a step forward. Jimmy turned the gun on them. "NO! Freeze. Don't take another step, or you will join Alainna." Jimmy glanced back down at the stretcher, where Alainna's still form was slowly slipping towards death as she was denied air.
Peter evaluated how long it would take him to grab the gun >from the back of his jeans and fire it. She doesn't have much time. Pondering the concept, he came to a quick conclusion. If I could only distract him for a minute, I think I could take him.

Doc provided him with the distraction he needed. Climbing slowly up from the dirt, hand pressed against his nose which was tricking blood, he yelled sharply, "Hey! Put that down now, Jimmy. You don't want to hurt Alainna."
In a fluid motion that belied the fear consuming him, Peter reached around, closing his fingers on the grip of the gun, yanking it from his jeans. Suddenly, the quiet voice that had whispered through his soul on occasion spoke quite loudly. "There is always another way, Peter." He hesitated. In that moment, another gun roared, and the bullet found its mark.

Lance Godwin stared at the barrel of his gun, then swung his gaze to his boss, on whom he had just fired. The gun trembled slightly in the young deputy's hand.
The angry expression on Jimmy's face was replaced by one of surprise as the gun slipped from his fingers to land on the stretcher beside Alainna's head. His hands clutched his chest as he looked down at the crimson stain slowly spreading across his beige uniform shirt. He collapsed over on top of Alainna's unconscious form.

Face impassive, Doc quickly moved to Alainna's head and began again squeezing the bag attached to the tube in Alainna's throat. The EMT's grabbed Jimmy and lowered him to the ground, checking his pulse. One looked up at Doc and shook his head. Doc's face never changed as he gave the edict, "I am pronouncing him," having just decided Jimmy was a DNR. "What's the time?"
The paramedic glanced at his watch. "11:08 am."
"Mark it." He smiled down at Alainna. "He won't hurt you again, 'Lainna."
One of the EMT's gently took the bag from Doc's trembling hands. "Here,
Doc, let me take that for a while." The other EMT pulled a blanket from the ambulance and covered Jimmy's body with it.

Peter stood with the gun dangling from his fingers for a moment, then returned it to its holding spot. Oh, Alainna, he thought, Doc's right. He'll never hurt you again. You're going to have some rough memories from this one, but together, we'll get through that.
Peter walked to Alainna's side. He stroked the side of her face, avoiding the tube and the tape that fastened it in place. "I'm so sorry, Love. I'm sorry I wasn't there to prevent this. I should have been there to protect you."

The lines in Doc's face softened as he watched Peter with Alainna. How could I have ever thought this man wasn't good enough for my girl? The dogs were right when they brought him home. Thanking God for the gift of this man, he said, "Peter, it wasn't your fault. She's safe now, so let's not think of blame, right?" He grinned at Peter as the young man realized that Doc was throwing his own words back at him. "Let's just think about getting her back home and into the warmth of your arms, okay?"
Peter smiled at Doc as he helped lift the stretcher into the ambulance. The driver slammed the doors behind them, and climbed into the cab.

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