Graham Legacy (22) 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

Kale cried staring at Holly's nearly lifeless form. The vampire had shown up, attacked Holly, drank her blood, and then left. Holly had become unconscious afterwards and hadn't regained consciousness since. Kale was afraid that the blood drained from Holly had weakened her beyond recovery.

To make matters worse, Sydnee and Jack had aged into elders and Murdock hadn't brought them any water in two days. They were all beginning to feel the finality of their imprisonment.

Kanoa finally showed up. Kale gritted his teeth as he faced his older brother. 

Kanoa smirked at Kale. "Hello brother." Kale heard his brother perfectly and noted that a few holes were drilled into the window. "Why would you do this?" Kale asked the only question that came to mind. Kanoa spoke calmly. "I couldn't kill you before. I have to do this." Kale was furious. "Why, Kanoa? Why do you have to kill me? We are brothers!" Kanoa snapped. "I will not be weak!" Kale couldn't begin to understand his brother's twisted mind but tried to reason with him. "It isn't weakness to love your family members." Kale stared Kanoa right in the eyes. "Even if I die down here I will still love you, because your my brother. " Kanoa looked down clearly uncomfortable. 

"Where are my children, Kanoa? The least you can do is tell me where they are." Kanoa frowned. "Their with Jazlyn." Kale tried not to cry. "Please, don't hurt them." Kanoa grimaced. "Of course I wouldn't hurt them!" Kale tried once again to reason with Kanoa. "Holly was attacked by a vampire, I don't know if you sent it but...Kanoa, I don't care if you kill me please don't let Holly die!" 

Kanoa turned from the glass. Kale felt despair but said what was on his mind any way. "Holly doesn't deserve to die, Kanoa. Did Jazlyn tell you we are raising your son? After everything you put Holly through, she still is raising your son, Kanoa." Kale felt his voice go hoarse. "We love him like our own, are you really going to take away the only parents he knows?" Kanoa didn't react but asked. "What's his name?" Kale knew it would make no difference if he told him now. "Matthew. His name is Matthew." Kanoa paused but walked away. Kale began to sob. They would die down here. And their children would be raised by a madman.

Jack and Sydnee had heard the whole thing. Jack tried to encourage Kale. "Don't give up hope yet, he might turn around." Kale shook his head sadly. "You don't know him like I do. He tried to kill Holly, just so he would inherit extra money from our grandfather." Sydnee couldn't help crying. Not just because of their situation, but Kale's story. She couldn't imagine having such a mean brother and that made her think of Xander and his family and she began to sob uncontrollably.

Jack hugged Sydnee. He soothed her as best as he could. He didn't know what else to say really. So he simply held her.

Tragically, death came for Jack shortly after that. The lack of food and water had cost Jack his life. When the music of death started to play, Holly bolted upright. She had been scared that death was coming for her. As they all watched Jack die, they knew that the rest of them wouldn't be too far behind him. Kale and Holly insisted that Sydnee take a nap on the couch. Sydnee obliged, in shock and mourning. The door suddenly creaked open.

Kale was upset at his brother. "What, came to gloat that Jack's dead now? Counting down the minutes until the rest of us die?" 

"I'm letting you go." Kanoa stated. Kale wasn't sure whether his brother was playing a cruel joke on him or serious. "What?" Kanoa rolled his eyes. "Just get out of here, before Murdock shows up." Kanoa turned on his heels and exited, leaving the door open behind him. 

Kale, Holly, and Sydnee stumbled through the door. They were unaware what day it was. They were leaving the prison meant to be their grave. This alone was a miracle in their eyes.

Holly and Kale opted to stay the night at Sydnee's before leaving for Hidden Springs. They were both too weak to drive still and the police would be by in the morning to take their statements. Sydnee called her son. "I'm alive, I'm home now." 

Kale and Sydnee sat in the quiet living room, both still processing what they had been through. "Thank you for letting us stay the night." Sydnee smiled. "I imagine you two will be happy to see all your toddlers again." She sighed. "It felt just like yesterday mine were that little." The door burst open.

Han pulled his mom close to hug her. "Oh, mom. Your alive." He choked out. Sydnee bawled. She couldn't believe it herself hardly. Alive. She hugged Li Li, Selah, and Cassidy. She was so happy to be surrounded by her children and grandchild. 

 

Sinbad burst into the room. Sydnee looked slightly shocked. "Dad? What are-" Han spoke easily, trying to calm her nerves. "Granddad's been looking for you. He rescued Zane and his family." Sydnee felt surprised, she would never peg her father as a hero. "Really?" She asked almost skeptically. Han nodded. 

 

Sinbad was really passed the point of polite decorum. He hugged Sydnee close. "I thought you had died." Sydnee embraced her father, for once not letting hatred keep them apart. "No, I'm alive." She admitted. Sinbad swallowed the lump forming in his throat. "I am so sorry, I'm so sorry..." Sydnee knew he was apologizing for a lifetime of hurt. "Its okay, I forgive you."

 

 Cassidy looked up at Li Li quizzically. "I'm confused. Why does my great-grandpa look younger than Grandma Sydnee?" Li Li bit her lip to keep from laughing. "Because he has fae blood in him." Cassidy turned her head to the side, still unsure. "You mean he's a fairy?" Sinbad coughed and gave Li Li a disapproving look. Li Li tried to correct Cassidy's innocent question. "Well, technically only girls are considered fairies. Guys are just called Fae." 

Sinbad couldn't stop looking at Sydnee. Alive. His daughter was alive. "I will find Reese." He promised as he walked out the door.

Kane was livid when Kanoa returned. "You let them go! Why would you let them go?" Kanoa shrugged. He was sick of playing games. "I couldn't kill him. I couldn't watch him die." Kane pulled the gun out its hidden holster. "Well, I have to kill you. I can't just let you walk away from this." Kanoa didn't flinch. "I figured as much." Kane nodded. "Any last words?"

Kanoa paused. "Give this letter to my brother." Kane nodded taking the envelope. "You'll leave him alone, right? My brother?" Kane nodded. "The game is almost over." Kanoa nodded. "Good luck dealing with Sinbad." Kane felt the jab of Kanoa's words. "I don't need luck." He said as he pulled the trigger.

End of Part 22