Watch your head for those surprises…they'll jump out at you out of nowhere.
After a horrible parking job, Peter cut the engine and dialed Astrid back at the lab. Was this the right address? Was someone sending them on a wild goose chase?
"Astrid? Astrid! There's no one here-- in the building….Wait! Olivia's car is here!" Peter spoke frantically over the phone.
"Peter, check around back. Look for any signs of entrances. Ugh, storm basements, anything." Astrid tried to remain calm over the phone but the raise of timbre in her voice caused Walter to look up from what he was doing. Astrid pulled the phone back and stared at it. Peter had abruptly hung up on her.
"Oh, my dear. Is everything all right?" Walter asked, placing the beaker down and casting a glance at Astrid.
"I honestly don't know, Walter…But, I'm going to call in for back-up," Astrid trailed off.
X
Running around to the back of the massive decrepit house Peter stopped when he spotted the bulkhead door nestled in the back. Walking up to it, he noticed there was a lock on it. Something wasn't right. Peter lifted his head and surveyed the area. There were four or five other similar houses to his left and right. A sudden wave of nausea rushed over his body; had a strong feeling that something was amiss. It scared him to think of his unusual bond with Olivia. Looking down at the bulkhead door once more he felt it again. It was like a pulling of sorts, like a magnet, but the feeling wasn't coming from this house. Taking a few steps back he tried to let his feeling guide him.
X
Olivia's eyes fluttered and faint noises began to come in focus along with her vision. The first thing she felt was her searing in pain cheek against cold, dusty concrete pavement. It was dark but she could make out plastic in lieu of walls; they were hung up all around her. Holding her breath, Olivia tried to lay as still as possible and listen to the voices coming from the far left of her.
"Yes, I've administered the dosage. The signs were clear….Yes, I'm sure she saw him…I'll get rid of the body…"
She then heard a faint crying noise.
Samantha!
She managed to scream just before she felt a hard blow to her stomach and a large hand place a potent rag over her mouth and noise. Drowsiness permeated throughout her body which now felt heavy. Trying to keep her drooping eyes open she could barely make out a face through slits. It was Him. And then pure darkness.
X
Peter stopped where he was when he heard a scream. Running toward the last house on the left he found a similar bulkhead. He quickly threw open the doors. Seeing it was pitch black, he left the doors open and began his descent until he felt the tip of what he could only assume was a gun on his back.
"Stop! It's not him," cried a voice that seemed vaguely familiar. Peter turned around to see a recognizable agent. His name eluded him.
"She's down there, I know it," Peter cried, apparently angry that they were wasting time on him.
"We'll handle it from here, Bishop." Peter was about to protest when he felt that feeling again—pulling him away from the door. Peter took careful steps backwards and out of the basement. He listened to the agent bark orders to the other orderlies and make their way down the basement. Peter slowly backed away from the house and make an all out run, following his lead, to the other house.
X
"How did I do, Mommy?" Livvy, while trying to catch her breath, asks Mother.
"You danced beautifully!" her mother smiled a genuine smile while clutching a three year old Rachel in her arms. She danced with her all heart as a child until He came along and shattered her song.
…..
A twelve year old Olivia found herself dancing for Him, but no longer with passion and heart. The heavy gaze she felt seared her skin when she was forced to dance for Him. She tried to close her eyes when she danced naked in front of him but she only saw a silent audience. When she lifted her leg and followed through with her arms she pretended she danced alone on a dark stage. The feel of his skin on hers would abruptly cut her from her fantasy every time. Nothing would last forever, Olivia promised herself when she fell backward against the bed.
……
He was absolutely sure of it. Olivia was here. Turning on the flashlight and hoisting the gun he stole from one of the agent's pack, Peter whirled around to his right and left and made his way through the basement.