Chapter 4

Charlie and I got ready to go to Franz Lovelace's family and friend gala. I told Charlie about the bizzare incident I had with him, and about the phone call. We weren't exactly sure if Franz had Bryan or not but we were certainly on a mission to find him. He wanted me at the gala. He was desperate. It was worth checking out.

I bought a dark blue cocktail dress with an asymmetrical hemline that was higher in the front than in the back. It was sleeveless and pinned at my neck. I put on some of my black heels I already had and put on a pair of silver dangling earrings. My chocolate mousy hair was done up in a low curly ponytail with curls framing my face.

Charlie put on a suit with a dark blue tie to match me. It was the first time we ever got dolled up since our wedding. It apparently was also a masquerade gala so I bought a mask for me and a mask for Charlie. I didn't want to put my brothers or Genesis in anymore danger so I took them to Nana Sandra and Grampa Carl. Charlie drove us down to the pier. There were more cars there then I thought. The boat was docked and had a ramp leading up to it. There were string lights everywhere. She was a luxury cruise ship that could fit over 2,000 passengers. It had ornate lodging, and it was a 1936 ocean liner, offering art deco decor, fine-dining and a pool and spa. It was certainly something Lovelace Industries owned.

"What would he want with our Bryan?" Charlie asked as he parked to car.

"I don't know...but let's not cause a huge scene...there's something I want to do first."

"What's that?"

"Find my baby."

I reached in my purse and took out Bryan's toy keys. Using my energy I would be able to locate him. My eyes lit up in a magenta hue. I traced the inner workings of the ships hull, and travelled through its corridors. Suddenly I saw him. It was Bryan on one of the lower decks. He was inside of a kennel dog crate. He was crying loudly but no one was coming to him. I could see him tremble within the bars of the crate. I gasped and dropped Bryan's toy.

"No!" I screamed.

"Harmione!"

"He's here Charlie! Bryan's here!"

Charlie glared and got out of the car. I followed suit. We didn't run but walked swiftly up the ramp. Charlie held my waist and I held the hand rail as we entered the ship. We were then greeted by Franz himself. Even with a mask on I knew it was him.

"Ah, welcome!"

"Give him to me you son of bitch!" I strutted over to him.

"Harmione LeMay!" Franz spoke out. "I thought that was your gorgeous bod underneath all that. I'm afraid I don't know what you mean..."

"You know exactly what I mean, take me to him!"

"To who?"

"My son, he was stolen from me and you took him!"

"Your little boy was kidnapped...oh my, well that's news to me..."

"I know he's here, and I know you have him, now give him back to me, give him back!" I screamed. Charlie grabbed my arms.

"Har...do what she says Franz...I can't hold her back forever."

"You must be Mr. Lemay..."

"Charlie...yeah."

Well Charlie...I would...but I can't...not right now...come dine and dance with me."

"I swear I'm gonna kill you!" I cried out.

"You won't as long as I have the boy...see as long as I have him...you'll have to do whatever I say...come with me and enjoy the gala and then I promise I'll let him go...continue to disrupt and disturb my guests...the boy will be hurt...terribly.

Charlie slowly let go of me as I calmed down.

"That's better...shall we go."

"What do you want?" I asked.

"Just a lovely night with you...Harmione...come on."

Franz took me by the arm and lead me into the dinning hall. Charlie's fists clenched as he followed us. The hall was lively with all sorts of guests. Franz led us to a table. I took a seat next to him. Charlie took a seat next to me. A woman in a pink cocktail dress sat on Franz's left side.

"Wonderful party Mr. Lovelace!"

"Franz please...and I'm glad you are enjoying yourself."

Franz picked up a fork and knife. He began to cut a steak. Each table had a plate with steak, potatoes, and carrots perfectly arranged. Along with a piece of chocolate cake for dessert and white wine.

"Now Harmione...you must know all about technology."

"I...I know very little about it."

"What about the Plumbers they have technology way beyond that of the human race."

"How...how did you know about the-"

He began to cut my steak for me.

"There we go sweetie." He told me. "Do you need salt or anything?"

"No...I'm fine...thank you."

"What about you Charlie, you're awfully quiet over there."

Charlie sighed.

"I actually have to take some medication before I eat."

"Oh is that so...go ahead."

"Actually Franz...I don't want to do it in front of all these people..."

"There's a washroom down the hall to the left, you are welcome to use it."

I looked at Charlie. He looked at me. I then used my power of telepathy toward Charlie.

"Find Bryan...I'll stall Franz...I'll try to guide you through my mind okay?" I told him through our mind link.

Charlie nodded. I nodded back.

"Be careful." I heard his voice say.

"You too." I told him.

Charlie nodded and left the hall. I turned back to Franz.

"Franz...I'm not very hungry right now...can we eat after we dance a few rounds?"

"You want to dance, hm...well alright...a few of my guests are already in the ballroom...I'll show you where it is."

I smiled as he took me there.

"Go to deck G." I said in my mind to Charlie.

Charlie made his way down to Bryan while I danced with Franz.

"Left." I heard Harmione say. There weren't any guests among the lower hatches.

"Go straight and make another left."

I didn't feel comfortable leaving Harmione only with Franz but I knew she could handle herself. I went down a flight of stairs. On the wall was a sign in bronze that read "Deck G".

I smiled and turned the corner. She was leading me beyond the third class rooms. I was deeper into the hull of the storage compartment. It hadn't been used in decades. There was some rust and water damage but nothing too bad. I could just tell that this part of the ship was old. Knowning Bryan was down here made me furious. That's when I heard it. Bryan's cry.

"Bryan!"

I ran into an empty storage room and found dog kennels. Inside one of them was little Bryan. I could tell by his cries and by the way his hands trembled his sugar was low.

"Dada!" He screamed.

"It's okay, it's okay Daddy's here now." I took my mask off to not frighten him further.

I opened up the cage and took him out. I held on to him tightly. He contiued to scream and cry.

"Okay son...okay." I gently put him down and took off my dress jacket. I wrapped it around him and took my insulin pen out of its pocket. Bryan's face was bright red. He was terrified and his sugar made him feel worse.

"Daddy's gonna take care of you...I promise."

I pinched up the flab of his little stomach and stuck him with my pen. He screamed louder.

"I know I know..."

I looked at the dial of my pen. I still had another dose. I shook it and pulled my white button up out of my pants. I then stuck myself to help Bryan and I both. I grunted and put the pen back in my jacket pocket.

"Come on...let's get Mommy and get out of here."

I started to pick him up when I was abruptly grabbed by someone. It was a man working for Franz. He was a little bit more muscular than I was. Although that didn't faze me. I had a little over 12 years of self defense and martial arts training. With Bryan there, there was no way I was going to let him beat me in a fight. He smirked and tried to punch me. I dove under his arm and hit him in the back of the neck. All the while Bryan continued to scream and cry.

I screamed violently and threw myself at the man. He blocked my blows and punched me in the chin; he then kneed me in the stomach. I grunted and hit the wall holding myself. He smiled at me. I then threw up my arms and fisted my hands. They shook with anticipation of his next move. He attempted to punch me and I blocked his blows. He then hit me in the face and kicked my feet out from under me. I hit the ground hard and spit blood out in the process. When I returned to my feet I dropped kicked my left foot on the right side of his face. He doubled over and coughed. He started to stand and I kneed him in the nose. He promptly fell over on his back, and lied there lifeless. His nose was broken and a few of his teeth were now missing. I limped over to Bryan and wiped the blood from my mouth. I then rolled up my sleeves and pulled my tie loose.

"Let's get out of here buddy." I said breathlessly. Bryan had grown quiet. He just held his arms up at me. I smiled and picked him up. He placed his head on my chest. I left with Bryan to get back to Harmione. If Harmione didn't kill Franz tonight for this, I would.