Chapter 9: Lost and Found

Chapter 9: Lost and Found

Constance struggled against the strong arms that encircled her. She tried to bite the hand that covered her mouth, but it was no use, this person was just too strong. The person pulled her back into the alley that she had run out of, probably to "off" me in the dark, no witnesses. She could see her life flashing before her eyes, why had she become so comfortable? She had thought that she was safe, that no one could possibly know who she was, except Irons. But how had he known she was at Sara's apartment? He hadn't seen her... Many thoughts swirled through her mind and then Ian's face, as a little boy, came swirling by and froze in front of her face. I'm so sorry, she thought to herself, I should have saved you when I had a chance, but I got careless and now I'm going to die, leaving you with that monster. She surrendered to her attacker's grip, it was no use; her life was over.

A sigh fell from Irons' lips; he had reamed out every one of the guards that had let Ian pass. He knew that there had been no way for then to stop Ian, he was unstoppable, yet Irons knew his weaknesses. Ian was the puppet and Irons was the puppeteer. Irons knew which strings to pull and when, he had even had a way out of the last tiff, when Ian had tried to kill him. It hadn't been the first time, but it did seem that Ian was becoming more rebellious since Sara had entered the scene. That's why he had called in Mr. Big, his old bodyguard. Mr. Big loved killing people; it was one of his hobbies. Irons knew that Mr. Big would complete the task Irons had set before him, but Irons had felt uneasiness when Big had seen Ian. He had just sent him to Sara's apartment, which had been a reluctant decision. He didn't trust Big with Sara, but that was the only place Constance may be. Big had always been overly protective and jealous, almost as if he loved Irons like a father. Irons needed to keep a close watch of Mr. Big. He felt that there was something that Big had planned that he could not see through. It made him nervous. "As soon as Big is done, I'm getting rid of him for good."

Constance was still being drug through the alley, this person hadn't tired, and he was still just as strong. She had completely given up by now. She felt herself stop, or should she say the attacker stopped and turned her around to see face to face. Constance gasped, big tears rolled down her cheeks as she looked at her attackers face. "Ian? I-is it you?" She grabbed his face gently with both hands inspecting the tall, dark and handsome man that stood before her. His hand that had been covering her mouth went up to a loose strand of hair that had fallen in her face and brushed it away. He removed his black cap and fiddled with it in his hands. Her heart was pounding as she recognized the hazel eyes that stared at her and the long black hair curled by his face. "It is you!" She embraced him. She felt his body loosen as he let her hold him. She pulled away and looked at his face. "You are so handsome, look at you..." She stepped backwards holding him far enough away to take in his complete form. "So tall and strong." There was no fear inside of her anymore; she felt a peace. He was standing in front of her, her son; he was magnificent.

He dropped his head, still fiddling with his cap, "We need to get out of here, it's not safe." He gently grabbed her hand and walked her up the fire escape and into Sara's apartment. He stopped right inside the window. Constance pulled his arm, "Come on in, Sara won't mind, she wants to help me." Ian stood his ground; there was no way that Constance could have pulled him in. "What's wrong?" She stroked his face.

He had forgotten what it had felt like to be loved, "She wouldn't want me to go further inside." He knew that this must sound insane or childish to Constance, but he was nervous about new things, and there were a lot of new things happening to him recently.

Constance tugged on his arm again, "Believe me, she won't mind." He walked slowly with her to the couch. "Sit down, I'll make us some coffee." Constance went into the kitchen and went about starting a pot of coffee. Constance breathed in the aroma of the rich coffee as it began to boil. She turned around and saw that Ian was standing in front of the couch just staring at it. She felt laughter rising in her chest, she tried stopping it but it was too late, she burst out laughing. Ian turned around and looked at her with a perplexed look on his face. She walked over to Ian and pulled his coat off, against his will. "Make yourself comfortable, or else." She pointed a finger in his face and smiled. He looked at her like a little boy who had just gotten in trouble, and sat down on the couch. She walked over to Sara's closet and hung up Ian's coat.

"Constance?" His voice sounded far away. He looked up at her with teary eyes. She saw the little boy in his eyes, so trusting, just wanting to be loved. She walked over to the couch and sat down. Ian didn't take his eyes off of hers. He reached out for her; she grabbed his large frame and pulled him close to her. "I missed you." Her eyes teared up at his soft whisper, "I love you, Mother."

She felt his body start to quake and she realized that he was trying not to cry. Trying to be a man, just like Irons had taught him to be no emotion. She cradled him in her arms smoothing his hair. Oh, how she had longed to be his real mother. She had longed to hold him like this to always be there for him. She had wanted to help him through his teens and wanted to watch him go to college, but no, he hadn't been granted a normal life and neither had she. She hoped that somehow she would be able to make it up to him. She had to take down Irons she just had to.

Sara was awakened by water dripping on her face. She opened her eyes and realized that she was still in the strange hidden room. The man who had helped her was busy cooking eggs in an old skillet. He turned to her as she propped herself up against the wall. "How are you feeling?" She gave him a "you know" look while rubbing her head. He smiled at her and went back to making eggs.

Sara rubbed her arms; it was freezing in here. She rubbed her right wrist and felt her heart drop into her stomach, her wrist was naked! Flashes of her ordeal came back to her, the man on top of her, pinning her arms... her eyes widened as she remembered the incident, he had taken the Witchblade!! The Witchblade was gone! "I lost it!" She scolded herself. "Now I have to get it back, from that APEMAN!!"

The man turned towards her with the eggs and put to on a plate for her, "Don't worry so much, it will come back to you. One thing that was lost was found tonight, and you will find the Witchblade too." He handed her the plate and a fork. Sara looked at him lifting one eyebrow. No more riddles, mumbo jumbo crap, she thought. He looked at her like he had heard her thoughts. "A little lost and found never hurt anybody." The man smiled at her.

"Oh, great." She whispered to herself. Another psycho, why does everyone that I meet have to be psycho? She took a big bite of egg. This was going to be a very long day.