Amongst old buildings with patios holding potted vegetables such as tomatoes and the beautiful gondola's of modern day Venice, a man and a women of English origin walk down the busy street holding hands.
The man turns his head and smiles at the woman. "I've always wanted to see Venice."
"It's beautiful." Her smile said it all, but the sun's reflection on her ruby necklace spoke volumes.
"Rachel, I'm so glad we took this trip. I love you."
Rachel swelled up with blissful content. "I love you too, Charlie."
Before they knew it they both had stopped and kissed each other in the middle of the street. As people passed them and quickly stared they didn't care. Charlie, or as he more commonly called himself Charles, and Rachel broke their kiss wanting more, but knew that this was not the place for it.
Breathlessly Charles pointed over toward the famous canals of the city. "How 'bout a bit of a ride on the gondola, milady?"
He offered his arm to her and they walked over to the nearest canal with arms linked and matching anticipatory grins.
Charles and Rachel met a grinning oarsman who greeted them saying, "Ciao!" The oarsman was different from most of the other ones in that he wore a robe over his head much like he would have if he'd been a female Arab, but that had been a male voice. Not even an Italian accent at that. The tourists figured he was just trying to be different and maybe he was. Besides they were too much into each other.
Charles and Rachel nodded in affirmation as he got on first before lending his hand to help Rachel up into the gondola.
As they took a seat the oarsman began to paddle along the canal through Venice slowly but surely. Charles and Rachel cuddled and just as soon as they were off, they were kissing again. They couldn't tell you what the scenery looked like along the banks or who the people around them were. Those two were completely lost in each other and not even a lion or tiger could separate them. Ok, maybe one of those could have.
What felt like mere seconds of bliss to the couple ended as the oarsman began to paddle back to shore. Charles and Rachel broke contact as he noticed that she still wanted more and Charles was not going to deny that. "Sir, how about another round? It's our honeymoon."
The oarsman continued to paddle to shore towards a warehouse as Charles again asked, "Did you hear me, sir? We'd like another round. "
There was no nod or even a grunt from the oarsman as Charles began to get impatient as the oarsman stopped paddling once they had reached shore. He began to yell, "Sir! Did you hear me! Sir! I will pay you!"
Again, nothing. Charles was furious and now so was Rachel. Charles grabbed the oarsman's arm and gently shook it which made his head covering fall off making both him and Charles scream in pure shock.
The oarsman's head was dark green and it turned around with beady eyes grabbing Charles's arm and twisting it behind his back.
He was powerless against this thing and he had no idea why it was restraining him. Charles was terrified. "What… what do you want with me?"
Rachel got up and yelled, "Let him go! Let him go" She tried to save him, but was quickly pushed back by the figures other hand knocking her down on her back on the gondola.
Out of the warehouse came four green skinned creatures running over to them and all the couple could do was stare at each other wondering what they could possibly do. They had no idea if they would live to see tomorrow.
Again Charles pleaded, "Whatever it is that you want. Just name it and let us be. I'm begging you!"
The creature held him strong and said nothing as a couple of the others jumped onto the gondola. Rachel swung at one of their heads with a punch, but it did nothing as the other grabbed her legs as she screamed.
Soon Rachel could do nothing as the other creature had grabbed her arms behind her back. She yelled, "Help!" as desperately loudly as she could and soon was joined by Charles. There cries went unheard and the creatures began to pick Rachel up while she wriggled around in vain.
The creatures hoisted her up lifting her until the other two grabbed her while keeping her restrained. Soon they were dragging her towards the warehouse and Charles could do nothing but watch.
His heart was breaking as he watched the love of his life being carried away and screaming for somebody, anybody, to save her.
"Charlie! I love you!"
Charles could only respond with an impassioned cry. "I'll find you! I promise!" It was the last words he said to her as the warehouse door was opened and the four creatures and Rachel disappeared into it shutting the door behind them more than likely never to be seen again.
The creature continued to hold him as everything fell silent. Charles was heartbroken, but a small part still cared as he feared what they would do to him next…
