I am Caine

by Alisa and Helen

Part 8

As soon as most of the crowd had gone to get some sleep, Caine stopped Alyssia from leaving.

"Please, stay. We need to talk."

Helen was taken completely by surprised by David Carradine's request, her curiosity getting the better of her. Wild thoughts entered her mind, and some of them not fit for public viewing. When she looked toward her friend, she saw something in Alyssia's face that caused her to become more serious as well. Something was up and she wanted to know exactly what it was.

Alyssia stopped and waited. She watched as Caine moved over to where David's instructors were and also spoke to them. Whatever he was planning on doing, it was obvious that he wanted to include more in on the situation, whatever that situation might be. When they had met in the Sanctuary, Caine had indicated to her that he was here to help, but who was in trouble and how was it possible that Caine should be here? Unless this was some elaborate joke. Perhaps David was gearing up to play the part of Caine again and he was practicing the part here at Omega. Alyssia, however, did not believe that. Her own senses told her that this man who looked like everyone's idol, was just who he said he was, Kwai Chang Caine.

"Alyssia, what's going on?" Helen asked, trying to keep her voice down so it would not carry.

Alyssia turned to face her friend. "How well do you know David Carradine?" she asked.

"That's a strange question. You know we both know as much as anyone else. We both read his autobiography. We've chatted with him on his website. We saw him here at Omega last year. . . "

"I want you to watch him now, and tell me if that is the same man," Alyssia interrupted.

"What are you driving at, of course that's David."

"No he's not," said Alyssia quietly. "But he certainly could pass for the real thing."

Helen looked at her friend agasp, "You can't be serious. You think that man's a fake, that . . ."

"I did not say that," Alyssia interjected. "Oh, he's real all right. But he's not David Carradine."

If he's not David, then who is he?"

"You know my abilities, Helen. You know I wouldn't say something unless it is true."

At that moment, "David" signaled to Alyssia that she should follow him. Without another word, Alyssia made her way across the room.

Helen quickly followed on her heels, not wanting to be left behind. She was determined to learn the answer that Alyssia had neglected to tell her. What was going on? If this man was not the real David Carradine, then who was he? Anger rose in Helen. If this man was some kind of imposter and the staff of Omega was trying to pass him off as the real thing, they were going to hear from her plenty. In the mean time, she wasn't about to be left out. What better way to get the goods on these people if they were trying to pull a fast one on innocent unsuspecting folks, especially with a group of David Carradine fans.

Caine led everyone back to the guest speaker's quarters. He then instructed everyone to sit. Donald Hambone, David Nakahara, Michael Marsh, and Karen Holden, all glanced at the two women who had been included into the group. All wondered what was going on. Slowly Caine circled the room, as if he was gathering the courage to speak. When he finally did, all ears were turned in his direction, but not all were willing to believe his tale. In the process of telling it, he had decided not to divulge one piece of information. It was going to be hard enough for them to believe the rest.

"Alyssia, you don't really believe this crap," Helen whispered. "Come on, what's really going on."

At that moment, Caine doubled over in pain. David must be once again going through some kind of torture. Someone wanted to make certain that he suffered and in turn, Caine was feeling every blow.

Alarm showed on everyone's face except Alyssia's. She quickly found Caine's pouch and placed some herbs in his mouth while Donald held onto Caine to keep him from falling on the floor.

As the pain subsided from his face, Caine spoke, but it was evident that it had not left his voice. "It is over for now. We must find him. I do not know how much longer I can keep up the pretense. The next time, he may not survive."

"What's he talking about?" Michael Marsh questioned.

Alyssia placed her hands on Caine's face and felt his pain. Through that touch, her own psychic abilities brought on the images of the dreams. This time, one of the images was more clear than the others. "Somehow he's connected to David Carradine. Every time David suffers, he suffers."

"How do you know?" asked Michael.

"Because they are both Kwai Chang Caine."

"That's crazy. There can't be two Caines. Caine isn't real." Donald stated.

"Not in our world he's not," Alyssia stated. "But . . ."

Everyone turned to look at the stricken man. All thought the same thing. How was that possible? Then Helen spoke.

"That just can't be."

"Roll up my sleeves. It is the only way they will believe me." Caine said through clenched teeth.

Alyssia helped to roll up the sleeves of Caine's shirt. She touched the exposed skin and felt the brands as well as saw their distinctive shapes. They were real, just as he was. She had not fully believed until now. Caine weakly lifted up his arms, the brands exposed for all to see. Whatever was happening to David, it was taking its toll on Caine as well. It did not go unnoticed, but for the moment, everyone stared at the brands in awe. Karen Holden was the second to reach out and touch them. She had seen David many times without the brands having worked with him on his videos. As she touched them, she saw Caine react slightly to her touch.

"They're real," she said in surprise. "I've seen the brands on David before. They looked real. The make-up job that was done was excellent, but you could not touch them. These you can touch. They are real."

After that, the room exploded with a myriad of questions.

End of part 8