The Story Continues

Arnold held the knife close to his face as he stared at Jonathan. "I am going to kill you," he spat in a menacing tone.

Jonathan felt helpless with the patches covering his eyes and the cane in his hand. Arnold had the advantage at the moment, but he thought about what Jim Blye had taught him. "Turn out the lights and see who has the advantage." He slowly backed away from the madman as he felt his way towards the light switch. Jonathan stumbled into the doorframe, and he realized he was in the laundry room. The main electrical switch was on the wall just inside the door, and Jonathan fumbled for the lever. Finally, feeling for the switch, he pushed it down, the entire house going dark in the process.

Arnold looked around as he realized what Jonathan had just done. From somewhere in the dark, he heard the blind man say, "Now we're on equal terms."

Arnold pulled a lighter from his pocket and walked towards the fireplace. "You'll die so sweetly, in the dark," he said as he bent down, and turned the knob on the gas. The fire roared to life and illuminated the room enough so Arnold could see movement across the kitchen. He quickly scanned the area around him. "That's right, no light," he said as he moved into the middle of the room. He spun as Jonathan emerged from the doorway. Using his cane, Jonathan moved towards the island while Arnold squatted on the other side of the counter. "Can't see in the dark," he goaded.

Jonathan heaved a breath and moved along the island to the far side. Arnold moved quickly to the other end as well. "Is he here?" he laughed as he held the knife up in front of Jonathan.

Although he could sense the frustration set in, Jonathan knew he needed to keep his wits about him and wait for the right time. He quickly made his way back along the island. "Where is he?" Arnold spat as he followed him around the island. Jonathan backed up as he felt Arnold closing in on him. "Can't see in the dark, can I? Can't I?" Arnold sneered as he stalked Jonathan around the kitchen. "Can you?"

Jonathan nearly lost his balance as he backed away from the madman. Arnold, sensing the fear taking over in Jonathan's mind, reached over with his knife and quickly swiped Jonathan's forearm. "Can you see him?"

Jonathan recoiled as he felt the hard metal press against his arm. "Ahhh," he cried out.

Arnold stared at the man who he held responsible for his sister's death. As he stepped forward in preparation to attack, Jonathan made his move. He raised his cane in front of him, and as he felt Arnold move towards him, he swung the cane around, knocking the knife from Arnold's hand. He let out a grunt as he lunged for the man standing in front of him. Jonathan pushed and pushed until Arnold backed into the fireplace. The surprise attack caught Arnold off guard, but as he fell to the floor, he regained his composure and pulled Jonathan down with him.

They struggled near the fireplace, and Jonathan could feel the heat of the flames licking at his skin as Arnold pushed him dangerously close to the fire. Jonathan kicked at Arnold's feet and finally kicked them loose of their footing. Both men rolled away from the fire, and Arnold tried to crawl towards the knife, lying on the floor. Jonathan grabbed him and pulled him back over his shoulder where he was able to roll over and found himself on top of his would-be assailant. Arnold caught him off guard and pushed Jonathan off of him, once again trying to reach for the knife. Jonathan pulled the man back towards him then rolled over, so he now straddled the man's chest. Grabbing Arnold's jacket, Jonathan pulled him up then punched him with his right hand. He continued hitting him until he heard Jennifer call out his name. Sensing Arnold no longer struggling under his weight, he crawled off the man as Jennifer rushed to his side. He groaned as he reached for her.

"Jonathan," she cried as she helped him up. Guiding him into the rocking chair, she said, "It's alright. It's alright. It's alright, Darling. It's over. It's over."

Jonathan's breathing labored as fear, anger, and relief washed over him. He felt her comforting hands on his legs, his arms, and then his head. "Take these off, will you? It's killing me," he begged as he reached for the eye patch.

"No, Darling. The doctor said you're not supposed to."

"Please, take them off," he begged louder as he grasped her arms. He groaned in pain.

"Alright, alright. Sh," she whispered as she reached around to the back of his head and slowly peeled the bandage away. As she raised his head and slid the patches off of his eyes, she prepared for the worst.

Jonathan felt the patches fall from his eyes, and as he opened his eyes, he sensed the lighting in the dark room. He blinked several times as his eyes adjusted.

Jennifer stared intently into her husband's eyes as she waited for some sign from him as to the result.

As he regained his vision, Jonathan turned his head slightly to look into Jennifer's fear-filled eyes.

"Can you?" she whispered.

"Yeah," he said quietly. "Yeah, I can."

Relief poured through Jennifer. "Ah," she gasped as tears of joy ran down her cheeks. Jonathan reached up and tenderly wiped away the tears. That simple gesture told her that he had regained his vision. He was healed. This latest ordeal behind them, she gasped again as she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly.

Jonathan wrapped her tightly in his arms, not wanting to ever let her go again.

Lieutenant Gray received the 911 call from Jennifer and rushed to his friend's house where they found Max unconscious on the back patio, and Arnold tied to one of the kitchen chairs. Officers took Arnold into custody as he ranted about Jonathan killing his sister and how he'd never let Jonathan get away with it.

Both Jonathan and Jennifer provided statements to Lieutenant Gray while paramedics tended to the lump on Max's head. He refused a trip to the hospital, and Jennifer promised she would take him to his doctor the next morning. Finally, after several hours, Max, Jennifer, and Jonathan went to their bedrooms to try and sleep off the adrenaline that had been pumping through their systems.

"Darling, we should go back to your doctor in the morning to have them check your eyes. I know your vision's returned, but I am still concerned we removed those bandages too early, and although you can see now, you could regress throughout the night."

"Fine, but I am not putting those patches back on my eyes."

They crawled into bed, and Jennifer rolled over and laid her head on his chest. "Fine. I am just so thankful that you can see again."

"I am, too." He pulled her close to him and kissed her head. Before long, they were both sound asleep.