Thank you all so much! Enjoy!

Chapter 12

Mary furrowed her brows as Anna twisted and turned in her sleep. They were nearing the end of Anna's first week in the hospital. But Mary knew this was going to be a long journey. Anna was in bad shape. She had a knot the size of a ball on the back of her head where Alex had attempted to subdue her and was the cause of her concussion.

The detectives wanted to speak with Anna to get more details about what had all occurred in the cave, but Dr. Clarkson told them they would have to wait. Anna's memory was fuzzy and she couldn't tire herself out. Her entire body needed time to heal.

Rubbing her hands anxiously in front of her, Mary tried to think of ways to help her friend through this nightmare. She didn't know what to do. She wasn't sure it was a good idea to wake her or do anything to startle her.

Slowly, Anna eased back into a deeper sleep. Mary calmed, sitting back in her chair. She had barely left Anna's side this whole week. Tom had taken over at Downton and hired temporary help while Mary was away. At first, he had suggested her father, but Mary said no. Her father was retired and didn't need the stress of that job after what had happened with his ulcer. No, a temporary hire was better. Mary didn't know when she'd be able to return. Her attention would be on Anna for now.

She and Matthew decided to hire Jenny to help with Zachary at their house. Matthew had to return to work. It wasn't like he could just find a replacement for him at the law firm. Jenny seemed glad to get to be around Zachary again and Zachary loved her. It also let Mary be able to be with Anna all day.

Once more Anna's body began move around, her brows creased and a strangled sound left Anna's lips.

"Anna?" Mary quietly tried. "Anna? You're alright. You're safe now. Anna?"

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Plop!

Anna opened her weary eyes to see that Alex had dropped a bag with a sandwich in front of her face. He then walked up to her and offered her a sip of water. She gladly took it. Her mouth was parched. She couldn't remember the last time she had something to drink. She couldn't remember what day it was or what time it was. It felt like she had been inside this cave for weeks.

"Eat up," Alex commanded.

"Why?" Anna spat back. She was feeling feisty today. He was going to kill her, so what did it matter?

"Keep up your energy," Alex said. He sat down beside her, pulling the sandwich out of the bag. There wasn't much of a sandwich, just enough to keep her alive. That was what he was doing. He was keeping her from fading away so he could torture her more. It was sick.

"Just kill me already," Anna stated, meeting his eyes. Alex grabbed at her hair and pulled her face to his, making her whimper. The sound of her in pain made him smile.

"No, no, I love you, Anna. I want you to live."

"Then why am I here?" Anna questioned. Alex lifted the sandwich up to her lips.

"Take a bite," he told her again. Anna met his eyes, but did as he said. However, after she chewed it up, she spit it right into his face. Alex dropped the rest of the sandwich onto the dirt floor and wiped his face, before back handing her against the cheek.

"You bitch!" He screamed.

"Kill me! Kill me already, you coward!" She yelled. Alex just began to laugh. He stood, using his foot to squish the sandwich into the dirt.

"I'm not a coward, Anna," he calmly began. "Do you really think you are the first person I've ever brought into this cave?"

Anna swallowed hard, her body trembling.

"What are you saying? What does that mean?"

Alex began to pace in front of her, as though he was working out the details of what to say to her. He kicked up the dirt and then sat down on one of the rocks.

"Here's the thing, Anna. My family were a bunch of know it alls."

"You…you killed your family in here?" Anna croaked.

"Well, just my brother."

Anna blanched.

"But you….you told me you loved your brother, David. And…and…."

"You remember when I visited him in Paris?" Anna bobbed her head back and down. "He was here, in this cave. Slowly dying."

"But why?" Anna cried.

"I was going to have to share the fortune with him. I couldn't have that," Alex simply stated.

"You…you killed your brother because of money?"

"And my parents. You see, they decided they weren't going to give my brother or me any of their money when they passed. They were about to cut us off, thought we were too…spoiled. So when they were about to leave for a vacation, I messed with the breaks of the drivers car. They all died in a horrible car crash."

"But…they were your parents," Anna said. "Why…."

"Anna, you have to understand. I get what I want. My parents and brother were in the way of the family fortune. I couldn't have that, could I? And then I wanted you. And I got you."

Anna began to cry then.

"Don't worry," he quietly whispered, bending down to her ear. "My brother is buried in this cave. So you're never truly alone."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Anna woke up panting. Her hand coming up to rest on her pounding head. The memory hit her so strongly. She suddenly felt the need to vomit. She lurched forward and was grateful when someone placed a bin under her mouth.

"That's it," the kind voice said. Her eyes closed. It was John. John was here. "Just let it out." Another wave hit her and more bile rose through her throat. The vomiting only made her head feel worse and it made her chest ache where her ribs were still trying to heal. Tears sprung to her eyes.

"Hey," John soothed. "Sit back. Don't overdo it." Anna rested back against the bed and was thankful when John offered her a cloth for her lips. "Do you need some water?"

Anna's head shook.

"I…." She still struggled sometimes to speak. "The police. I need….I need the police."

She watched John's brows furrow.

"Dr. Clarkson said…."

"Please, John. I…I remembered something…I…"

"Alright, alright, I'll ring them to come over."

"Thank you."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

When Mary arrived back at the hospital, she was surprised to find Detective Carson sitting next to Anna's bed. Her head cocked slightly to the side and her lips fell into a straight line.

"What's all this? I thought Dr. Clarkson said you weren't allowed." Although Mary had found Carson to be a much better detective than the snake Vyner, she still felt an unease with any of them. Had they listened to her friend earlier, this may have never happened.

"It's alright," Anna's weak voice told her. "I..I asked them to come."

Mary stood awkwardly for a moment.

"Oh."

"Will you come and sit with me while I talk to them?" Anna asked. At that, Mary couldn't say no. She preferred it, actually. This way she could make sure they didn't overwhelm Anna or push her too far.

"Of course," Mary replied with a smile. She walked over to where Anna was and sat down next to her, so that she was across from Detective Carson.

"I…I don't know you," Anna then said to the detective. "Or perhaps, it's my memory. I can't…."

"No," Detective Carson assured her with a smile. "I've taken over for Detective Vyner. He's been put on administrative leave and we are looking into a harsher punishment, Anna. I am truly sorry for how he ignored your cries for help."

Mary could see Anna's eyes shining with tears.

"They never listened," she whispered.

"No," Mary agreed, her voice harsher. "They didn't."

Carson cleared his throat, but kept strong. "I know. I will be taking further action. And the other detectives and officers that turned a blind eye to Vyner's behavior will also be punished. This is not acceptable."

Anna sniffled, but nodded.

"Thank you, Detective."

"Now, can you tell me why you rang me here today? Or shall we do it another day. You look tired." Mary was thankful to hear the worry and concern in Carson's voice.

"No, I…have you…have you searched the cave?"

"Yes, it has been searched where you were found. Some items have been put away for evidence. Is there something in particular you were searching for?"

Anna shook her head.

"The…the…you need…" Anna's voice was growing thin.

"Anna," Mary broke in. "Maybe you shouldn't overdo it. Detective Carson can come back another day."

"No," Anna argued. "Just…just give me a minute."

Anna closed her eyes, bringing her hand up to rub against her forehead. She took in several deep breaths, before slowly opening her eyes and looking to Carson. Her eyes were full of determination.

"Alex admitted to me in the cave that he killed his parents and his brother. I…he..he cut the breaks of his parents' car and buried his brother in the cave. My memory is fuzzy, so I don't know….just you should check to see if he's in there," Anna finally got out.

"Oh my god," Mary muttered, covering her mouth with her hand.

"Do you happen to know where the brother was buried?"

Anna shook her head.

"If he told me, I can't remember," Anna said. "I…I know you need more, but that's what I have right now."

"No, this is great, Anna. When you're feeling up to more, we'll go over it then."

Detective Carson stood up and gave them both a nod, before leaving.

"Oh Anna," Mary then said, taking her friend's hand within her own. "How horrible that must have been for you." Mary watched as Anna's lower lip trembled.

"Is Zachary alright?" Anna just asked, obviously not wanting to talk about it. Mary gave her a small smile.

"He's with Jenny. He's doing great. She's bringing him by in a little bit. Why don't you rest up until then, alright?"

"Alright."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

When Anna woke up, she was surprised to find Zachary on John's lap. John was showing him his flashlight and Zachary was clapping with excitement. A smile graced Anna's lips.

"This is a surprise," Anna said, the smile still on her lips.

"Mary had to run outside for a work call. I hope it's alright…" John stumbled, but Anna's smile only grew.

"He likes you," Anna said.

"He likes my flashlight," John replied, his own lips curling up. "He's a sweet child."

"He is."

At that, Zachary glanced up and met Anna's eyes.

"Mama!"

John stood and carefully sat Zachary down next to Anna.

"Be careful with your mama," John quietly told him. Zachary placed his hand on Anna's cheek and pulled her down to kiss her nose. It made Anna laugh and then wince, as she placed her hand on her side.

"Here," John offered, grabbing a fresh ice pack for Anna. Anna took it and placed it on her ribs.

"Thank you," she quietly said. "I've gotten quite use to seeing your face."

"I could stop coming by, if you'd like. I only…"

"No, I didn't mean," Anna paused, a blush forming on her cheeks. "I am grateful you keep checking up on me. You are my guardian angel."

"Angle?" Zachary asked his mother. Anna nodded, patting his head and then pointing to John.

"Yes, Zachary. John is Mummy's guardian angel. He saved me and made sure I got to be with you again."

Zachary just smiled.

"Angle!"

To be continued...