Graham Legacy (21) World's Collide

"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."

                                                 – Quoted from Tam Lin

Holly hugged Kale. She really couldn't think of anything else to do. For a while the thought of a rescue seemed sure, plausible. Murdock had installed a window with unbreakable glass, as well as adding a security camera with audio that could pick up every word they said. They had plenty of water, but three more days had past, at least by their estimation of time. Holly was beginning to believe she would never see her children again. The thought was crippling. 

Kale tried his best to comfort Holly, but he was beyond promising everything would be all right. At this point, chances were things weren't all right and they were possibly going to get worse. Kale hoped both of them lived through it, or at least one of them. 

He couldn't stand the thought of their children being raised by strangers, or worse Jazlyn. Kale knew if Jazlyn got custody of the children they would never be safe from Kanoa. The thought of his brother made him sick now. He sincerely hoped his brother had nothing to do with this. He also hoped the kids were safe wherever they were. He couldn't think about the kids, and not knowing where they were or he would drive himself crazy. For now, he just tried to be present for Holly.

Over in the basement where Lyddia was being kept prisoner, things were getting much worse. Paris died from lack of water.

She then pleaded with death for her brother's life to no avail.

The Grim Reaper did give Stella a few minutes to say goodbye to Parker. Stella was devastated! Lyddia had a hard time watching the scene, thinking about Kyle and hoping he hadn't died.

Li Li went outside of Jeff's house to check on Cassidy. She was swinging rather somberly. "Is my mom going to die?" Li Li was taken aback by the question...how do you answer a question like that? She thought honesty was the best policy. "I don't know, sweetheart. But we are all trying our best, including the police." Cassidy nodded thoughtfully. 

Li Li gave Cassidy a hug. "Your mom would be so proud of you, being so strong." Cassidy nodded. "I know."

Sinbad stopped by his house to check on Axel. He was practicing with the archery range. "I can't find them!" He lamented. "Two days and nothing." Axel let an arrow fly and then responded. "You can't give up." Sinbad snapped. "Don't you think I know that? I just-I just can't cover it all alone."

Axel nodded. That was the closest Sinbad would ever get to admitting he needed help. "We can do this. We just have to pace ourselves and really comb the neighborhoods." Sinbad nodded. "Let's get going."

Cannon stared out at the river. All the currents moved more quickly and slowly in different places through out the whole body. He was starting to realize that Reese really might die. Or be dead already. He stared numbly out into nothingness. He had taken a chance on love with Reese and this was how fate was repaying him. He vowed that if she died he would never love again. 

Linden Murdock stared at Reese, grinning nearly fiendishly. Both Grayson and Kyle were fast asleep. It had been Kyle's watch, but he had nodded off. 

Reese had a feeling that it would come to this. She felt terrible, she had egged this on earlier because she was so desperate to see her daughter again. She knew if she yelled that Grayson or Kyle would be awake in an instant. But her throat constricted in fear and Reese couldn't even swallow, let alone yell.

Murdock took advantage of her silence and pulled her in close, kissing her. Reese was absolutely repulsed and felt light headed. This was so wrong. She pushed back but he pulled her closer mercilessly.

Reese had an unlikely ally, as Kane was watching the security feeds from all the basements. He saw what Murdock was doing and his blood boiled. He had kidnapped Reese when she was ten, it was true, but his own mother had taken care of her. Kane was protective of Reese, even though she was Jack's daughter, even though she would always despise him, he would not let this happen to her.

He called Murdock's cellphone. Kane hoped for Murdock's sake that he answered. If he hurt Reese, Kane was pretty sure he would kill him. 

"Hello?" Kane spoke very calmly. "What were you doing just now?" Murdock wasn't always the brightest. "Well, you got the security feed, you tell me." Kane paused deliberately. "You are never to lay a hand on her again." Murdock scoffed. "Oh, right and what I'm doing is so much worse than what your doing, letting her starve to death. Your a real humanitarian, boss."

Kane deliberated for a moment. "Your right, about the food that is. She is mostly down there to enrage Sinbad." Gage finally conceded, "Don't let her starve. Feed her from now on. And keep your hands to yourself." Murdock wasn't happy but obeyed. "Alright, boss."

Kyle woke up and saw the open door. He saw Murdock leaving and jumped to his feet.

The door slammed with an audible thud. Kyle feared the worse. And it was his fault. He had fallen asleep.

Kyle turned to Reese, feeling like a terrible friend. "I am so sorry, Reese, I just fell asleep so fast I didn't even realize..."

 Reese blushed and interrupted. "Kyle, it's fine nothing happened. But I finally know for sure that Kane is behind this! I heard him when Murdock answered his phone!" Kyle felt relieved and then confused. "So how does knowing Kane is behind this help us at all?" Reese smiled. "Well, it means I might live." Kyle rolled his eyes. "Well, good for YOU I guess." Reese countered. "WE might live. All three of us."

Holly saw a blur and shivered. "Did anyone else see that?" 

Everyone decided to cry at once. Except Holly. She saw the figure entered the room in less than a second. "It's a...

"Vampire!" Holly managed to squeak before the vampire tore into her arm. Everyone was shocked.

Lyddia sat in the experimental chair barely conscience. For whatever reason, Murdock had brought it down here and spent hours torturing her. Even though there were no restraints, Lyddia felt too weak to move. Lyddia had noted that Stella had been fading fast. Lyddia was terrified of being the only one left. The door creaked open and Lyddia braced herself for more painful head trama.

Gage Kane stood in the doorway. Lyddia's heart fluttered sickly and she felt her mouth go dry. The sum of all her nightmares was standing before her. He had beat her, controlled her, sold her, and made her life a living hell for several months. Seeing him standing before her now, Lyddia suddenly knew she would never see Kyle again.

End of Part 21