The lights had gone out on the block…again. This was the fourth time where just past midnight the power on the entire block just cut off. Wait...no it wasn't. Since when did Hadley's power ever cut off? Where was she? Hadley let out a frustrated sigh as she stood up to turn on the gas heater. Just as she lit a candle, she heard purposeful steps coming up behind her. Suddenly, a strong presence grabbed her and pulled her into the bedroom, nearly making her drop the lit candle. It would have sent the entire house up in flames. The door swung closed immediately behind her and her attacker. It was none other than her very own Freddie Page. Was she...was Hadley dreaming again?

He snickered, but soon it turned into a full blown, gut-filled laugh.

"You scared me to death, Freddie!"

"Oh Hester, you…you should've seen your face," he said, giggling as he let go and took a step back, putting his hands into his pant pockets. "Bloody brilliant I tell you."

"You had no right to do that! I could have hit you!" she snapped at him in a matronly way.

Freddie laughed even harder at that comment than the whole face debacle. "Freddie, I'm being ser-" he stopped her with a finger on her lips, closing the little gap between them. Suddenly his eyes held not only mirth but mischief and hunger as well. Oh dear…

Her breathing softened, and soon she relaxed into his touch as she wrapped an arm around his waist, leaning into him to meet his lips. The kiss was gentle and slow but deep as he sucked on her bottom lip. Suddenly, Freddie pulled her closer and she could feel his erection pressing against her hip. Confident hands ran over her breasts, teasing her nipples until they ached. Oh, William could never do this to her. But who was William? Freddie took his time to undo her dress and lifted her breasts from her bra. She pushed her chest forward, and he obliged by ducking his head and sucking her breasts until she moaned and grabbed the belt looped in his tailored pants.

"Mmm...Hester, you're so forward."

"Is it too much, darling?"

"It's wonderful," he purred as he took a step back to give her room to undo the belt.

As she pushed the clothing down, his cock sprang forward. Her hands ran up and down its length, enjoying the hard heat modestly, if that was even possible. Freddie grunted and grabbed the back of her neck, pulling her into another passionate kiss and walked them back to the bed where he pushed her down onto it. As he stood in between her parted legs, his fingers slid into her as his thumb rubbed her clit. With eyes closed, she bucked her hips up to meet his sudden thrust with his fingers; she let out another moan as it hit her in just the right spot.

Then Freddie pushed her onto her back; his cock slid along her entrance, causing her to whimper in frustration. He wasted no time as he thrust into her, filling her whole. "Freddie," she moaned.

"Tell me...what you want."

"H-Harder," she breathed in between thrusts as he made love to her hard and deep. The pressure in her built, drowning out everything else and with a sharp cry; her climax exploded through her. The tremor drew forth his own climax as hot seed pumped into her, both of them coming undone as they moved in rhythm.

She sobbed out softly as he withdrew from her, both of them shuddering and gasping for air. Freddie lay on his back, away from her until she sidled up to him and pawed. He did not embrace her back though. Emotion flooded through her, but he couldn't give her what she needed. She wanted him though. That was enough.

Hadley awoke with a gasp. Black dots were blotting out some of her vision as she stared at fluorescent lights. Why did her chest hurt so badly? Looking down, she saw the skin of her chest was burned and bruised. Her throat hurt horribly from the intubation tube stuck down her throat. The doctor beside her was putting away paddles as a nurse pulled out the tube and put an oxygen mask on her. They had tubes running out of her arms, and they were sewing up the ugly gashes in her forearms. Wires were stuck all over her skin and head.

Tears slowly slid out of Hadley's eyes. She'd been so close! Now she would have to endure the looks...the court hearings...the questions…the stigma. The nurses seemed to notice and thought she was in pain because they decided then was the time to give her a sedative and something for the slight sting in her arms the lidocaine didn't cover. Maybe she could pretend she was dead for a little while. After all, sleep was just death without the commitment. As her eyes slid shut, Hadley thought she could hear Annabelle calling her name.