SCENE TWO Betty talked up a storm as the two headed towards the small house he'd
built for Cassie years ago -one that hadn't been lived in since his daughter
had been sent to live with Maria, but, nonetheless, had been cleaned weekly
by a native girl. Now it would house him and his daughter.
"So, what do you think?" Roarke asked as the two entered the small
two-bedroom home.
"Oh, Daddy, it's beautiful! I love purple." Betty Mae admired the tiled floor
with tiny lavender flowers which matched the covering someone had put
into the dining room table. The cupboards were plain dark brown, and the
counter tops were a shiny white with miniature lavender flowers to go along
with the tile and table.
If her admiration was high in the kitchen, then the small room that would
be hers brought squeals louder than the ones at the dock. The walls, carpet,
and bedding were all lavender. Roarke hid the pain the sight was causing
him.
Cassie's touch had ruled supreme in this place, and Betty Mae's delight
only served as a reminder. Shaking the heaviness which wanted to settle
over him, he told his daughter he'd be in the living room when she finished
unpacking. Mr. Roarke tried to relax in an overstuffed white speckled chair. The walls
of this room, like the kitchen, were all white. And the couches matched his
chair. The glass coffee table held flowers, and few books, but nothing else.
While Betty Mae unpacked his mind drifted.
- "Roarke, I love it!" Cassie's face beamed and she threw her arms
around him. "It's just the right size." His bride's face beamed up at him and
soon it wasn't the house they were thinking about -
A darker picture instantly replaced the happy memory. Dark forest, angry
trees - he was running and had urged Cassie to flee to the main house.
His wife had reached the 'safe' zone and he was getting closer, only to find
himself bound by Kalinda's ropes. -
Kalinda. The name alone made his stomach churn. The woman had held
onto something he'd promised years ago, but she'd conveniently chosen to
forget the clause that had freed him from having obligation to keep it. The
clause simply stated if she didn't keep her end of the deal, he wasn't bound
to keep his.-"You're finished!" Kalinda hissed like a woman possessed. And she
started throwing sharp blue flames his way. His shirt was ripped off
and welts instantly appeared, but Roarke did not cry out. Nor did he when
his skin was cut with ragged edges and blood ran down his torso. A powerful punch from an unseen force blackened one of his eyes, and heat
was thrown his way that parched his lips. Still he did not cry out. If he had,
then Cassie would hear and try to save him. No, it was better that he die, and
she stay safe
What made Kalinda stop, he was too out of it to tell. Nonetheless, halt she
did. Not only did the crazed woman stop, but she left saying she'd be back.
It was then that he felt his ties being loosened and his body being propped
up. "Run if you can." the voice whispered in his ear. Forcing himself to turn
his face,_ he panicked when he managed to see through his one good eye.
The one he saw holding him upright gave him an adrenalin rush."Cassie!" His voice was low but horror still _riddled_ it. "W...""Shh," she whispered and they'd both run to the main house. - "Daddy, Daddy, are you all right?" Betty Mae was shaking her father's arm.
He jolted as the memory of Cassie's own shaking as she'd closed the
office door behind them faded."Uh, yes." He pushed the memory away and gave his daughter a smile. "I
was just thinking.""It must have been bad thoughts because you looked awful." Her voice was
soft as she got up in his lap. "Do you want me to go away?" Her eyes
showed she thought his silence had meant he really hated the idea of her being around."No, oh, no. I don't want you gone." Roarke gathered her close. "I just
carry a heavy burden." "I'll help you carry it if you want." His young daughter spoke softly. The man started to speak, then sighed, "Just be yourself, darling;
sometimes that's the only thing you can do." Holding her close, he kissed
the top of her head. "Let's go find something for you to do while I am at
work."