"Had I known but yesterday what I know today,
I’d have taken out your two gray eyes
And put in eyes of clay;
And had I known but yesterday you’d be no more my own
I’d have taken out your heart of flesh
And put in one of stone."
I’d have taken out your two gray eyes
And put in eyes of clay;
And had I known but yesterday you’d be no more my own
I’d have taken out your heart of flesh
And put in one of stone."
– Quoted from Tam Lin
Things had gone from bad to worse as far as Reese was concerned. She was alive, thanks to Kane, as much as she hated to admit it. She had gotten plenty of food the past few days. But Kyle and Grayson had been sleeping more and more and Reese hadn't seen either of them stir in quite a long time. She wondered if she should risk acting on her plan without help. The original plan was to get either the gun or cellphone from Murdock. Ultimately, the goal was to call Kane's mom, Allison. Reese knew that Allison was the only person who could reason with her son. Reese wondered how closely Kane monitored the surveillance cameras. She decided she had to get the gun from Murdock regardless. Kyle and Grayson could die soon. The thought terrified her. Suddenly the door opened.
Reese felt her heart skip a beat. Axel. Was here. She stood in shock, trying to process what was happening.
Axel hugged Reese in relief. "Your alive." He choked out. He felt a lump forming in his throat. Andrea and Zach were both dead but Reese was alive. And he would keep her alive. "Thank you" was the only word Reese was able to say. Axel and Reese lingered in their hug a moment.
Axel couldn't stop staring at Reese. "Did Murdock hurt you?" Axel swallowed. He thought of Murdock's hands around Andrea's neck. "He didn't did he?" Reese blushed. "No. Not at all."
Grayson, who had slowly gotten to his feet disagreed. "Well, that's a lie on two counts." Kyle stood. "Technically, it's not. Because nothing really happened." Axel looked confused but moved on. "We need to get you all out of here." Grayson turned to Kyle. "I'm gonna go by my house...well, where my house used to be." Kyle nodded. Axel realized who Kyle was. "Kyle Reed? Your sister's looking for you."
Axel brought Reese home. He had already called Sydnee with the news. He hadn't expected Cannon to be at Reese's house, and tried not to cringe as his former best friend hugged his ex wife. Reese felt conflicted and was unsure why. Axel had been the cheater, and yet hugging Cannon felt wrong some how. But hugging Cannon also felt right. She was still dazed over her experience in the basement.
Sydnee arrived with Cassidy and Reese threw her arms around Cassidy. "Mom! I missed you! I'm glad you didn't die." Reese chuckled and then felt herself choke up. "I'm glad I didn't die either, baby." She turned to Sydnee and hugged her.
Cannon spoke to Axel. "I want to thank you for bringing Reese back. And I hope your okay...with everything. I wanted to talk to you about dating Reese." Cannon paused. "I heard about Andrea and Zach." Axel spoke gruffly. "I don't want to talk about it." Cannon noted Axel hadn't quit looking at Reese. "Well would you rather talk about, Reese? Seems you can't stop staring at her." Cannon stated pointedly. He didn't appreciate Axel's sudden interest in Reese.
Axel didn't respond. He didn't want to fight with Cannon. He couldn't begin to describe to his friend the ordeal he had been through. Axel didn't know if he himself would ever fully understand it. Cannon spoke again. "Did you hear me? I said-" Axel cut him off. "I heard I...I am just relieved that she is alive, Cannon." Cannon nodded. "Well, good then."
Cassidy hugged Axel. Axel was in shock. He hadn't seen her since divorcing Reese. He had been sure she hated him. "Hi, daddy." He hugged her back. "Hey, sweetie. Did you have fun at Grandma's?" She nodded. "Great-Grandpa Sinbad found the bad guy...well that's what Grandma said." Before he could ask another question Cassidy noticed Cannon. "Cannon!" She squealed clearly delighted. Axel waved at Sydnee.
Reese was reprimanding her mother. "Why would you call Cannon?" Sydnee looked confused. "Well isn't he your boyfriend?" Reese nodded. "Yes, but-" Sydnee put her hands on her hips. "But what? You better not fall for Axel again, that boy is trouble!" Reese was embarrassed at her mom's acuity. " Of course I won't fall for him again! Its just....well you see..." Sydnee gave up. "Good luck with figuring that out. I'm going home."
Axel noted how much Cassidy clearly loved Cannon and tried not to feel hurt. It was his own fault. He shut out his own daughter long before he divorced Reese. Axel tried to look at the situation with maturity. His daughter was alive. Reese was alive. That was enough. He suddenly remembered what Cassidy had said about Sinbad. "I gotta go, uh, see you all later."
Sydnee arrived just as Kyle did. He hugged Holly. "I can't believe you were taken to." Holly stammered. "I need to find Lyddia." Kyle stated. "I need to find Kane." Sydnee couldn't help interjecting. "My father caught up with Kane." She pulled out her cellphone and showed Kyle the address. "I believe this is where they are at." Kyle nodded. "I'll be back." He confirmed to Holly and Kale and headed out the door.
Axel trained the arrow on Murdock. He had planned on dragging out Murdock's death but couldn't. Axel just longed for this to be over. He wanted to move on from it. Sinbad clutched his chest, clearly thinking about Andrea and Zach as well. Axel drew the bow taunt.
As Axel released the arrow he felt free somehow. Murdock could take nothing else away from him.
As death came for Murdock, Axel wiped tears from his eyes. He would never see Andrea or Zach again. This realization hit him as hard as a truck and took the wind out of him. Axel tried to calm down as death carried Murdock out, and after a moment nothing was left but the whisper of the spirit realm.
Kyle burst into the room. He was out of breath. He didn't know how long Sinbad would let Kane live, so hailed a cab and ran the rest of the distance. "I need to speak to Kane." Sinbad nodded. "No problem. Kane's got exactly twenty minutes till his appointment with death."
Kyle sat down across from Kane. There was so much he wanted to say to this man. Kyle knew he didn't have much time. "Where is Lyddia? I know you had her kidnapped the same time as me." Kane stared at Kyle thoughtfully. "You know, Lyddia is a close associate of mine-" Kyle cut Kane off. "I know you used her as a prostitute for several months. Tell me where she is." Kane smirked. "Do you really think you love her? Do you really think a girl like Lyddia is capable of love? While she does have some wonderful attributes I doubt-" Kyle interrupted. "I'm a cop. We can go back and forth like this all day. Although I doubt Sinbad would be too happy with that."
Sinbad agreed. "Nope. Pretty sure if you keep playing dodge I may have to draw out your death by several hours at least. "
Kane glared at Kyle, not hiding the fact that he hated being cornered. "I can't tell you much. You were on Kanoa's hit list and Lyddia just got caught in the crossfires, I suppose. Murdock brought her to the basement, I didn't see her until she was nearly dead." Kyle choked out. "Dead? She's dead." Kane shook his head. "I sold her to an acquaintance in Bridgeport." Kane didn't break eye contact with Kyle. "Even if you do find her, she's as good as dead." Kyle felt violent anger but kept his emotions under control. "Can you tell me anything else about Lyddia?" The corner of Kane's lip twitched into a most vile smile. "Not related to finding her no." Kyle knew if he stayed another moment in Kane's presence he would kill him. He decided it best to leave.
Sinbad reassured Kyle. "We'll keep him alive a few more hours and see if he decides to tell us anything else." Kyle nodded but he was sure that Kane had told him the truth. Sinbad smiled grimly. "He will have plenty of reasons to regret his actions by the time we get through with him." Kyle stood, walking to the door.
"I slept with her you know." Sinbad and Axel went silent and Kyle felt adrenaline seize his system. He balled his hands into fists. He had figured as much, but hadn't pressed Lyddia for details. He now knew how entirely low Gage Kane was. "You say that as if she had a choice." Kyle walked out. He wanted to kill Kane but he refused to do it. He couldn't jeopardize going to prison. Not when he had to find Lyddia. The clock was already ticking. If she was nearly dead when Kane saw her...Kyle refused to think of a negative outcome as he hailed a cab.
Sydnee hugged Grayson who had finally come over after visiting the charred remains of his family's home. It was a bittersweet reunion. When Grayson was in the basement he didn't have to think about the future because he assumed he would die. Now the thought of living without his family seemed nearly unbearable. "I am so glad you are alive!" Sydnee exclaimed crying. "I was so close to your father and I thought I had lost all of you!" Grayson hugged her tightly. "No, I'm still here. I'm still alive."
Holly turned to Sydnee. "We need to be going. Kyle just called and he's on his way to Bridgeport and we can't stand being away from the toddlers another moment." Sydnee nodded. "I understand, I am so glad you stayed with me though."
Holly hugged Sydnee. Holly had only known her a short while but she felt bonded to her. They had survived horrible imprisonment and near death. Holly felt herself ready to cry again and pulled away from Sydnee.
Sydnee smiled. "Take care, kid. Enjoy your life. It will fly by and soon you'll be as old as me. Holly nodded as she followed Kale out the door.
End of Part 23
Author's Note: While both legacies will continue this is the end of their time together. They will now both be in their own storylines again...less people will die and order is restored to the sim universe ;)
