This chapter is the sort that sets the stage for important things to come. So bear with the angst. I apologize if the editing is crap.. I suck at it.
*In my story Gotham is about 2 hrs (faster by jet ) from Metropolis. I decided to do this since in the comics they are not that far from each other, but in SV Metropolis is in Kansas rather then where it should be along the east coast(usually New York area). So Gotham is somewhere close enough to Kansas to be a couple of hours away..lol.. Where exactly? I don't care.
~ღ~
Connections.
It was all about connections, bonds, emotions, and ideas that bind two or more together. It was the essence of those who were linked under these things, these powerful emotions and beliefs.
Love and hate two of the strongest emotions, they pulsed like beacons drawing and enticing it. So many people so many lives and their bonds to one another. It could taste it but it could not move, not yet. Slowly and surely the last of the kryptonians strength was ebbing away and drawn into itself. The bond between him and his love was so strong and vibrant that it improved the process, The Soul splitter had not felt this 'alive' for a very long time, it had been so long that the memories weren't clear.
The process that had started deep within it was new and pleasantly unexpected. If it had of remembered it would have known it had gotten this far once before, changing expanding.. but then it had been hunted, defeated, punished, and reduced back to a hungry shell. While the memories of this weren't clear, the survival instinct was. It knew to hide to amass its strength then it would hunt .. no more preying on the weak and half dying.
The Kryptonian's strength wasn't just not its own power, but the power to harness more from the yellow sun as well. To be fully solid and filled with all the raw emotion of humanity was no longer a dream but a reality that was only days away.
It slept hidden away as it grew in strength for a number of days, then something changed and it felt its connection to the kryptonian's love weaken, she was being drawn away .. this could not be tolerated. Not when it was so close, filling with life.
The Soul Splitter fought back, grasping with all its might to the connection it had to the woman, dragging her down into the darkness, its own personal hell.
~ ღ The night before Clark is found ღ ~
It was probably the fifteenth time she had rubbed her hands on her pants, she was nervous. Beyond words, beyond anything she had ever felt before.It had been far easier to marry the guy. Doing this for him, it felt right but yet she was scared to death.
He better appreciate this!.. the thought ran through her head then she snorted at herself. Come on Lois he is going to be pissed.
Well, a mad Clark is better then a sick or dead Clark. That is if he ever comes home..
Her thoughts were every where and if she had of been able to keep track of them she would have remembered that less then five minutes before she had been thinking about cappuccinos', rather then Clark. But her thoughts always returned to him.
"So Lois.. how are you feeling?" Emil came over to her from the other side of the Watchtower balcony.
"Like an air head."
Emil gave a slight smile and nodded, going over to turn the monitors on.
"This must be how Cat feels.. to be completely full of nonsense," she went on not realizing what she said till she got a raised brow from Emil.
"That wasn't nice was it?"
He shook his head, "It is a sign that you are responding to the drug, which is good. In theory if I increase the dosage you shouldn't be able to feel any pain and hopefully Ronnie can bring you into a deep sleep."
Lois felt that nervousness again, "What if she can't? What if it doesn't work and Clark..Clark is still lost."
Putting the connectors he held in his hand down, Emil turned to give her a serious look, "Lois, this has the best chance of working. I admit I don't care for the odds however its what we have to work with. I believe John and Ronnie when they say that breaking the link this creeper has with you will weaken its hold over Clark." He took a deep breath and gave her a light friendly smile.
"Despite the fact I can't prove it scientifically," he gave a slight nod with his head, ".. You and Clark have a deep connection to each other. I have seen you two get through many things and I believe this will be one of them." And he did but he was also a realist and he couldn't promise it wouldn't be a rough journey, so he didn't bring that up.
Lois sighed, wondering if this was how it felt to be crazy. She was tired and wired at the same time, her head spun with thoughts that she could barely keep track of and her heart was forever with Clark.
Chloe and Ronnie came over after a few minutes. Lois felt relief at the sight of her cousin. Knowing she was there to help her through this calmed her nerves, and the look on Ronnies face reminded her that if she suffered it wouldn't be alone. The empath would feel it and suffer too, Lois thought for a moment of pulling out, the idea of putting her friend through the creeper induced nightmare was a bit much.
Ronnie must have sensed her apprehension for she smiled at Lois and took her hand, "Don't be worried for me Lois.. I told you a long time ago pain is worth it when it helps to save lives..You and Clark.. your my friends your more then worth it."
Nodding, Lois laid back, feeling the effects of the latest dose Emil gave her. She not only felt like an air head, but detached and distant from herself. She could hear Chloe whispering words of comfort but could not focus on them.
She had no recollection of sliding under, feeling the pull of sleep, the kind of sleep devoid of dreams, an emptiness.
It was hard as they watched to not worry but there was a sense of forbidding, that at any moment things would get worse. It didn't help as the hours passed, and night slowly turned to morning, that Clark had not been found.
Tess continued to coordinate between the members of the Justice league as the searched for their leader, their comrade and friend. Clark could be literally anywhere and though they didn't want to think it, the worry he was lost forever ran like wild fire through their minds.
Emil did his best to monitor Lois and Ronnie, trying to think of way to help push Lois into a real deep sleep. He wasn't sure how much longer the empath could keep fighting and he worried for Lois' heart. Her vitals were erratic at times and though they would level out fairly quickly the amount of times they dipped was seriously concerning.
Eventually it seemed to be alright, Ronnie took a deep sigh and suddenly stood and stepped away. "She is sleeping.." she stumbled and then sat back down.
"I don't know though if the connection is broken.. I could feel it there, its hungry and determined."
She took another deep sigh feeling a burning sensation through her lungs, "I just don't think I am strong enough to break its hold on her.. but.. " Ronnie glanced over at Lois "Maybe the sleep will help.. "
Emil nodded to Chloe to help with Ronnie then gave a comforting smile, "It will help, all we can do is wait and see, at the very least the rest will do her good. If we're lucky we'll find Clark soon and some how end this."
~ ღ ~
It did not feel desperation, though at times it did feel something very much like anger. This was what it was feeling now. It felt them pull her.. this other one pushing on its connection and interfering. It despised the interruption.. the hunger was worse when the kryptonians lover wasn't feeding it. Time to change things.. it stretched and moved and was noticed.~ ღ then 3 hrs later ღ ~
It had been fine, in fact it had been going great, things had seemed to be improving. Clark had been found, Lois had finally slipped into a peaceful rest, the only thing that had Oliver unhappy was Chloe leaving with Emil to Gotham. It wasn't the fact she'd be there for Clark but the unnerved feeling he got every time his wife was around Bruce. Knowing his jealousy was unfounded did not help it. It only had him feeling jealous and guilty.But to make his internal battle worse everything suddenly changed, Lois wasn't okay and he was terrified they were going to lose her. One of the worst things in the world was to watch someone suffer, fear losing them and not be able to help. Oliver was living in a nightmare.
Lois had flat-lined. They had got her back but her rhythm continued to be erratic. The defibrillator had been brought out and Oliver turned away unable to take it anymore, glad that at that moment Chloe did not know.
"Clear!"
There was silence as they listened, waited. The beeping from the monitor became slower, more regular. Oliver found himself letting out a breath of air he hadn't realized he had been holding.
Ronnie's next words took away any sense of relief, "Oh gawd.. it has her!"
Oliver spun around but Tess beat him to the punch with, "What do you mean?"
"I'm so sorry..I lost her.. I can feel the darkness." all colour had drained from the nurse's face.
~ ღ Meanwhile- ish ღ ~
Curtains were closed keeping the harsh light of the new day out. His skin was as white as sheet, all the handsome chiseled features were sunk in. Clarks, Superman suit had been stripped off, his body bathed and covered by linen. He shook and moaned with a raging fever, the hours passing slowly in pain and dreams of loss.She never came any closer to the bed then fifteen feet. She couldn't risk hurting him more. Her presence in the room, however kept the seizures at bay. So she sat, kept vigil.
His moan snapped her out of remorseful thoughts of a life many years ago, one that had hurt him. She waited for him make another sound but he didn't. Her heart fell, he had to come out of this. Go home to those who loved him, back to a world that needed him.
The door opened but she made no attempt to move, only gave a slight nod to the blonde that entered. She received a nod back before Chloe went and sat down on the side of the bed, taking a wash cloth.
The sweat poured off him like nothing she had ever seen before. It made her think of Lois and how she looked, how her body was reacting. In many ways they were mirroring each other. Swallowing back the tears she shook her head and ran a cool wash cloth over his forehead and face.
"Its gonna be alright Clark, somehow.. I won't give up on you!"
She spoke softly over her shoulder, " Has he cried out more?"
"A little yes, but not for the last hour" a soft voice spoke back, unable to hide the worry.
Chloe nodded, "He's asked for her again?.."
"Yes.. " there was a pause, "Chloe.. I don't think I should be here if.. when he wakes."
Turning, Chloe gave her a look, "He'd want to know you're okay.. and " she sighed. "We can use all the help we can get."
"I can help without having to be here once he wakes, I don't want to dig up old wounds. I really don't see Lois wanting me here..and I can't blame her."
Chloe frowned, "Lois will want whatever it takes to for Clark to come back to us. If it means you being around then she'll deal." she sighed, "Not to sound unkind but her issues won't be what you think they will be. Neither will Clark's. In all honesty its your motives."
There was silence for a moment then a quiet, "I know.. and this is why I shouldn't.."
A loud moan cut through the air from Clark. Both women turned to look at him as he began to twist and turn in the bed, arms flying. Chloe barely missed getting hit in the face.
"Lois!.. LOIS!" his voice boomed out. He kept repeating her name over and over, each time he sounded more frantic. Chloe swallowed back tears and moved forward a little trying to calm him or wake him, whatever worked.
"Clark.. please Clark!"
It was obvious he could not hear her.. some of the time Lois' name was sobbed out in a voice neither woman had ever heard Clark use before.
A moment later Bruce and Emil came in, the three of them trying to hold Clark down.
"Something has changed hasn't it?" Chloe looked over at Bruce while trying to keep a firm grip on Clark's shoulder. Forced at times to let go in order to not be flung about.
Bruce nodded, his words cut off by Clark's continuing shouting for Lois.
" I don't think he is gonna calm down anytime soon." Emil shouted over Clark.
Turning Bruce looked to the corner, "Closer.." there was a hesitation so he said it again, "Lana! Closer"
Swallowing hard, Lana closed the gap between her and Clark. He moaned in reaction to her presence, his shouting now having become murmurs of his wife's name, his body still.
Emil took the opportunity to check Clark over then looked at the others. "His heart is erratic.. I think this has to do with Lois.." He looked at Chloe. "Lois ..Lois slipped into the darkness, Ronnie is working to get her out." It wasn't the best moment to mention the rest.
Clark let out a groan, green ivy trails began to crawl up his arm that were nearest to Lana. She stepped back in reaction, once she was far enough away he began to thrash again violently, causing Emil to fall backwards.
Bruce ran and pushed her forward hissing, "It may hurt him but it also might be keeping him alive"
Lana stood closer, pointed at the green trails and snapped back, "He shouldn't be reacting that strongly! I don't have THAT much kryptonite in my system.."
Emil answered before Bruce had a chance to respond, "This is true but he reacted like this to just a drop when he went unconscious before. "
"Its the darkness him and Lois talked about isn't it? This Soul splitter has them both.." Bruce recognized the expression on Chloe's face, the one that clogs were working over time in that clever brain of hers.
"What are you thinking?"
Chloe glanced at him, trying to tune out the sound of Clark in obvious pain, "We are in a literal battle with this thing.. We know kryptonite works, somewhat, but obviously too much and we risk killing him. " she shook her head and ran a hand through her hair.
"No.. I have to think this through more.. "
"Chloe we don't have time for this!" Bruce nodded for Lana to step back a little. Hopefully he would stay calm now, but he wasn't going to risk killing Clark from Kryptonite poisoning.
Lana did and felt relief when the his skin improved and he remained calm.
Then a thought flashed through her head.
"Would the kryptonite exposure have the same effect on Lois? If they are connected and its connected through Lois would it help?" She glanced between Emil,Bruce and Chloe.
"Its possible if we expose Lois to a dose of it, that at the very least it will help bring Lois out of the darkness." Emil looked at Chloe, " Then once she is awake again we can try another approach."
Chloe nodded and sat back down next to Clark. She ran the washcloth over his head feeling her heart break. "We need to find it.. If we can get Lois asleep and Clark better we're going to need to know where it is so Clark can fight it."
"Can he though?" Bruce spoke up. Hating to voice the possibility .
Lana answered this time, "We find it.. we'll make sure he can. Clark isn't alone!"
Placing a hand on her shoulder, Bruce nodded, "NO he isn't but fighting something that can't be touched, that can leech off bonds between people..its not the same."
"No it isn't.. but Lana is right!" Chloe headed for the door. "Bruce there is so much I haven't told you. Clark .. " she glanced one last time at her dying friend. "I've seen Clark do things, fight odds that other men would never get through.."
Bruce nodded. Chloe left but he made no attempt to move, first watching Emil go through Clark's vitals then turned his attention to Lana.
Pulling her aside he roughly hissed, "Would you like to explain to me what you were doing!"
She scowled back, also keeping her voice low, pulling her arm from his. "How did you expect me to react?"
"You knew the reason I asked you to stay, then what? you chicken out!"
"How about we put you in a room with your dying ex lover, who by the way is married and hasn't seen you since you became poison to them..literally, then tell me Bruce how you would feel?"
A glare passed equally between them till Bruce finally looked down then back up at her. While his face had soften his tone had not, "Fine.. but don't do it again.. I told you to begin with I would not baby you. And I won't Lana.. you wanted to make things right, so make them right. Being squeamish won't help him."
Lana shifted her gaze from him to the wall, arms crossed, unable to reply. He was right and she knew it.
Bruce turned to Emil, "Tell me what you need... we'll get this set up."
~ ღ ~
Darkness spread out endlessly and she drifted. At times she felt like she was on the edge about to fall of a precipice. When those moments came she found herself calling out for Clark. Not that she had a voice but she thought of him, for him. She only ever really felt safe in his arms. Not that she'd ever admit to it out loud, but the world scared her, so much scared her. Yet with him, whether making love or discussing what to have for dinner she felt safe, happy, and complete.Here in the darkness she was alone and afraid.
After a while, though she had no understanding of time, she could feel another presence. Someone who was neither the creeper or Clark.
Ronnie..
She tried to grab on to her presence but she could never seem to hang onto her long enough to escape. The darkness pulled at her, she felt the Soul Splitter, the way it leeched on to her and understood why it was called this. The further she fell into the darkness the more her very being felt as if it was being torn asunder.
Clark!
He was her only thought. Screaming out into the black, reverberating.
He answered .. Lois!
How was he here? He shouldn't be here but the thought had to wait. Smallville was here with her in hell and she would take what she could get.
She found him and clung to him, a shudder passed through her at how weak he felt. This time she would protect him from the thing in the dark, and she did.
ღ Later that Night ღ
He looked so peaceful at the moment, all she wanted was for it to stay that way. He was the one currently asleep and she was the one awake now. It could not stay like this.Sighing, Lois picked up the wash cloth and wiped his brow, "So..here I am, playing nurse maid. When really I know that Emil, Ronnie and everyone else would prefer I was laying down. But you know me, as if I'd listen." She tried to smile but it wasn't coming, she settled for tracing the contours of his face with her fingers, tucking the covers in.
"Truth is Clark.. I.. I have to do something again that I know you're so not going to be happy with. I have to go back to sleep and this time..I think it will work. John and Ronnie are going to tag team in my head .." she laughed at how that sounded.
"That along with a bit of kryptonite exposure should hopefully disconnect me from the creeper.. " She brushed her hair back, wincing at the pain in her chest, feeling a nervousness at even confessing her
feelings to an unconscious Clark. But she needed to tell him, she knew once she did she could go through with it. Clark was always that sounding board, the one person who could uplift her and yet make her face what she didn't want too.
"I'm scared ..because I felt it, the creeper and I know I felt you. I am scared of losing you ..I know I say all these things about us being able to take on anything and I mean it, but sometimes I worry that one day I'll be wrong!"
Lois leaned down to touch her forehead to his and closed her eyes, whispering, " I died..sorta just for a moment," She swallowed a tear spilling down her cheek and on to his face. "I love you and I don't know if this will work, it didn't last time.. they barely got me back.. atleast we now know that kryptonite effects me and it."
She ran a hand down his face, and kissed his lips. "For you Smallville ..for you I will do this.. I'd go to the ends of the earth for you. Just please.. fight for us..wake and fight!"
~ ღ ~
"Clark soon I promise.. you need to eat first!"Chloe ignored the glare she received and again pushed him back. He was no where near ready to get out of the bed and she wasn't sure he was ready to hear about Lois either.
"Just tell me Chloe.. is she okay?"
"Yes Clark.. she is. Lois is fine but you are not.. I can answer all your questions in a bit but I need to you do this for me!" She felt like she was dealing with a small child. Between the expressions he was giving her, his general attitude, and his constant need for reassurance.
Some moments he was completely Clark and others it was as if he was .. She wasn't sure how to define it but he wasn't really himself. Though with everything that had happened it wasn't surprising.
Clark felt frustrated at the lack of answers on Lois but he could tell by the look in Chloe's eyes that she was okay. Though it didn't help matters that he was being fed soup by his best friend because he was to weak to move yet. He wasn't sure though how much soup was going to help.
It was obvious that the power the Soul splitter had drain from him wasn't going to be that easy to recover. A part of him however wondered if he was really free, if the connection it had to him was gone.
Chloe tried to lighten the mood and talked about this and that as she fed him, feeling relief till she realized that he wasn't really listening to her. When the bowl was empty she stood and sighed. Only one thing was gonna make Clark better, seeing his wife was okay with his own eyes.
"Alright... I'll talk to Emil. But please rest Clark and stay in the bed please.."
"So I can see Lois?"
"Yes.. its just we needed you to be more awake and stable before you did."
Clark felt confused. "Did I hurt her last time?"
"Oh No!.." Chloe sighed, "Clark this isn't the first time you've been awake in the last few days, the last time you didn't react so well and then you slipped back." A sadness flickered across her face, Clark caught it.
"Chloe what..what happened?"
"Its just been a really rough the last few days.." she wasn't about to bring up Lois part in that, not yet. "I thought we were going to lose you, I really did." The both of you.
Taking her hand Clark squeezed lightly, mentally frowning that such a small gesture left him feeling tired. "I'm alright Chloe.."
She nodded, her hand slipping from his before she turned and headed for the door.
Just before she left she gave him a serious look, "Please.. Just be patient, rest okay. Lois is fine!"
He nodded, but the thought that if she was so fine then why wasn't she here with him? Ran through his head.
Closing his eyes, he leaned back and tried to relax but his thoughts wouldn't cease. Nagging questions burned away and while he had no energy in which to pace he mentally did so. Why wouldn't they tell him or let him see her.. what was going on?
He wasn't aware when the physical fatigue had taken over and he suddenly found himself snapping awake, unsure of how much time had passed or what woke him. Barely a second after he opened his eyes the door opened, Chloe and Emil both came in.
Clark had not been aware he was scowling till Emil commented with, "I take it you're feeling better, seeing you can frown so thoroughly now." He began to take Clark's vitals, ignoring the long sigh Clark released in his impatience.
"Well I am satisfied that you're up to this."
What did he mean by 'this'?
Chloe nodded and grabbed a remote and hit a button causing the wall panel on the far side of the room to release revealing an entertainment unit. Clark grunted finding it a little amusing that Bruce should have a system. He had really began to think the man didn't know how to have a good time, beyond the appearance of appearing like a play boy.
"Chloe, can I please see her?.."
Chloe turned and came back towards him, stopping right at his side. "Clark, you will but its her wish you see this first..and we need you stronger..please!"
He frowned but couldn't argue on the stronger and took the remote she handed him.
"Hit play and call if you need me.." at last look she gave him Clark had a sudden flash of pain in his chest. What was he about to see?
Chloe and Emil left, leaving Clark to take a moment to gather himself.
When he finally got himself to hit play he found the sight of their bed at the apartment greeting him. Then Lois came into view, sitting down she took a moment to compose herself, brushing some of her hair over her shoulder.
Clark swallowed against the ache at seeing how ill she seemed, the dark circles under her beautiful eyes, signs of bruises still on her face.
"Clark I know you're going to be so mad.. and I don't blame you really, but I had to do this, make this choice for us. " Lois began, giving a stern expression as if she was prepared to argue.
"I'm sorry.. I really am.. its just " she shook her head, "I waited Clark but you didn't show, its been five days with no word of you and my heart..I don't think I can take much more. I've done this.. let them put me to sleep for you. I hope it will bring you back"
"I'm sorry.." he whispered unable to stop the tears from forming. He knew before she had even said it, what she had done. Why Lois.. "I would have found another way."
She continued as if answering his question, " I wanted another way, I meant when I said about being scared Smallville, but a world without you is too much to bear and I need you to come back. We both can't be awake and until this is solved we both know it has to be you. I can do the whole reporting thing..put my nose where others don't want it but I can't do what you do Clark..and if this is to end you need to be the one awake."
She wrung her hands then stood and looked down for a moment before turning back to the camcorder, "Your just gonna have to buck up buddy..be brave .. because I will be right there, albeit it laying in a bed but that doesn't change the fact that I'll know if your slacking off."
Clark found himself laughing at this, leave it to Lois to turn from sap into some sort of orders from General Lois.
She now pointed at the camcorder, and in affect him, "Don't you dare think for one second that I can't come and kick your ass if you give up, the world needs you. So find this super creep that's messing with us and beat his shriveled phantom backside. Cause really? "
Lois gave a kinder look, sat back down, the military brat facade fading away, "Cause really Smallville.. I'm lost without you too, and i am really looking forward to naked Clark Kent on a Caribbean beach, you promised!"
She looked down for a moment and took a deep breath, he could tell she was trying not to cry. " I know you..you're going to worry about me but don't. I'm not afraid of this weirdo. I've..we've faced bigger fish then him. And we'll do it again. I know I said I am scared and I am ..but not of him..it. Just of never seeing you again.. You once said you could wait forever for me.. but I can't for you Clark..I just can't, I need you!"
He felt a sob escape him. Unsure which was worse, the fear of losing her or the idea of the suffering she went through for him.
She moved toward the camcorder her voice cracking a little, "I love you Clark Kent"
He knew her next words, felt them, said them as she did, "Always and forever!"
With her face right there he could see the tears in her eye's but she smiled, "Oh and don't forget!" she did her familiar pantomime for him not to forget his glasses then it went black.
Clark sat there unable to move, to turn the tape off or to care. He knew she was right but the knowing did not make it any easier. Even though the tears had already came, though he had sobbed and his body shook, he wasn't prepared for the strength of despair that washed over him. What if I fail?
What if he could not give her always and forever? Life wasn't a fairy tale, there weren't always happy endings. Sometimes the hero died. He knew this.
It didn't register at first that Chloe had come back in, standing quietly at the door. Unsure of how to proceed or what to say. Did she tell him that Lois had almost died, or just leave him to deal with this. It felt wrong to keep it to herself but equally wrong to say it. It would never be a good time, whether he was strong or weak. She decided for now to wait..
After several minutes he finally looked at her, despite the tears on his face his eyes were like steel. "I want to see her.."
"Clark.."
"Chloe.. I want to see my wife. I don't care that I am still weak. Get a wheel chair if you must but I want to see my wife!.." his tone of voice left no room for arguing.
Chloe found herself nodding and heading back out the door to do as he asked.
Ten minutes later they were in the room that held Lois, it was set up more like a hospital room. Though the rich colours of the Wayne mansion were an improvement, so was the bed.
Clark was out of the wheel chair and at Lois' side at the sight of her before Chloe could react. Though weak he felt drawn to her, finding enough strength to go to her. He took her hand and held it to his face.
"Lois I'm here.. I said I'd always come.." She had to know that he would keep his word, even if he was afraid he couldn't. She was his strength in more ways then one, strength to keep trying.
He felt the wheelchair being set behind him, an easy option to fall back into. He needed it, to rest but he needed Lois more. Her bed was big enough for the both of them..so he carefully moved over her and laid down at her side.
Clark grasped her hand in his, loving how she always seemed made for him, in every way. He noted that Chloe had left and sighed, glad to have this time alone with his wife.
He brushed some of her hair behind her ear and leaned in close, his head resting on the pillow next to hers. "I will do this.. I'll put an end to this! I will sweetheart.. For you I will!"
~ ღ Metropolis: 5:06pm Present day ღ
Stacey placed the last dish into the drainer and reposition the phone between her ear and shoulder. "Rick please reconsider.. you have no idea if he'll show and now your going to miss dinner.""Ah babe don't say that..I'll be there and I promise its all above board.." his reassuring tone brought a smile to her face. Ricky was often just to sweet for his own good.
"I didn't say that I was worried about that..I told you I trust you, its just him. I mean why ask to meet you there?"
"Because its his cargo..I've seen the shipment order, its all good. Just as it should be."
Stacey went over to the stove to stir the chili, took a taste before answering. " Do you want me to stay on the phone till you see him?"
"How are you suppose to put food on the table woman if you do that?"
"Oh, you didn't just say that! "
"Well its true isn't it..?"
"Yeah.. well so much for your dinner then smart ass, It will be nice and warm in the dogs belly when you get home."
His laughter caused her to laugh. She turned the heat off the pot and glanced out the window at the kids playing on the swing set. "Seriously Rick.. dinner will keep and the kids are playing.. I can stay for the moment if you like.."
"Your worried that he'll figure out what I can do aren't you?"
Stacey rolled her eyes, it annoyed her that he knew what she was really thinking. "I'd be lying if I said it hadn't crossed my mind."
"I've been doing this for years.. and no way he could trace it..besides what can he do about it anyway."
"I know.. I am proud of you you know.. I just want you safe is all!"
"I love you babe!"
"Love you too Ricky!"
"Oh, I think he is here.." she could hear the sound of docks over the phone,the water, the ding of shipping vessels and the sound of distant voices. "Whats that..?"
"Whats what?"
Rick didn't answer right off, "I don't know.. just thought.. I mean I swear I just saw like one of those creepy death things from the potter movies!"
Stacey had to laugh, "What? I think you watch to many movies..its starting to rot your brain..next you'll be saying its a zombie."
"No.. I'm not that bad!"
“Says the man who,after seeing the latest in the zombie trilogy,had a baseball bat under his bed.”
"Zombie or robber..it would work.."
"Hmmph.." She responded,then stopped setting the table at the strange sound that came over the phone.
Rick was saying something but she wasn't sure what. After a moment she realized he wasn't talking directly to her. She assumed for a second that his contact had arrived till she caught his tone of voice and realized he was freaked, genuinely so.
"Oh!...please oh god!.. please!.. please don't.. it hurts.. Stacey it hurts Stacey!"
"Rick baby..whats going on? Did you get hurt?..Rick!"
"It touched me ..oh god it touched me.. just like in the movies.. call 911 ..I can't breath!" She could tell he was struggling.
Not wanting to get off the phone Stacey ran for the house phone, trying to reassure her husband through the cell. "I am ..Ricky.. I'm here.. talk to me babe! Please!"
With shaky hands she dialed and barely got out the words before she could hear Rick screaming then she felt it, a pain like no other, her very soul being wretched from her. The room tilted and she dropped both phones and hit the floor. Her scream matched his then they both went silent.
"Ma'am..you there ma'am?... the Ambulance is on its way..Ma'am?"
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