Chapter 12
Eve, Julian, Tony and Liz find shelter. A creature appears in Harmony.
Luis yawned, as he made his way over to his desk at the Harmony Police station.
Evan and Erin Crane were quite a handful, not that he minded. Sheridan did most of the work. They were actually nice babies(Erin was a bit wild), for Julian Crane to be their father.
Luis shook that thought from his head. Little Ethan was a nice little boy too, and Julian was is father. He yawned again.
Abe said that he might have been in the Himalayas, but that he wasn't sure. Marlena didn't know anything, and made it clear that she spent most of her time, fighting off Stefano's unwanted advances. That meant they still had no leads, though the Himalayas was a start. Just where in the Himalayas? He would speak with Celeste today. Surely, she could give him an exact location, he hoped.
Luis looked up to see his brother Antonio walking towards him. Luis lifted a brow. The two weren't that close, since Sheridan had left him. It was a fact that broke his mother's heart.
Luis leaned back in his chair.
'Antonio? What can I do for you?'
'You look tired.' Antonio commented.
'Yeah, well, Sheridan and I have been looking after Julian and Eve's twins while...well...I know Eve was kidnapped, who knows where the hell Julian is! Sheridan says he went to look for her. I think he's on the run for what he did to T.C.'
'How is T.C.?' Antonio asked. 'I haven't had time to get by the hospital.'
Luis shrugged.
'Understandably depressed. He doesn't know if he'll be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life, no thanks to Julian Crane. Hell, everyone knows he's the one that caused his accident, all of those years ago! Now this! And of course, Lexie has really turned into a two-faced bitch!'
Antonio nodded.
'Yeah, I saw that press conference! She's really a piece of work...especially after all T.C. did for her.'
There was a silence. Luis broke it.
'You didn't come down here to talk about T.C. or Lexie. What's on your mind?'
'I think that someone else has gotten lost in this equation: Liz.'
Luis snorted!
'You heard Abe at that press conference! Liz is married to Stefano DiMera!'
'Yeah, but not because she wants to, I'm sure!'
Luis shook his head slightly.
'What do you mean? Do you know something?'
'Look, I know what most people in this town think of Liz. But, no one knows her the way I do. She can be generous to a fault. I think that she married Stefano to protect Marlena from him.'
'HA!' Luis snorted. He couldn't help it! What the hell was wrong with his brother? That was the most insipid theory he'd heard to date!
'What's so funny?' Antonio seethed.
'Oh come on, Antonio! Take the blinders off for God's sakes! Liz never did a damned thing for anyone but herself! She barely knows Marlena!'
'I'm sure she had a year to get to know her, Luis! My point is, we need to get a rescue crew together...'
'Ho! Wait right there! There is no way Sam is going to scrape up money to save Liz Sanbourne! And if you're thinking of conducting your own half-assed rescue, I'd think again! The DiMera's are not to be trifled with!'
'That's right!'
Luis and Antonio turned to look at an angry looking Abe Carver. Antonio eyed Luis. He hadn't even heard the man come in!
Luis stood up and shook hands with Abe.
'Abe? What brings you by? Did you remember anything else?'
Abe cleared his throat.
'No, I'm sorry I didn't. And I hate that because I care about Eve. God only knows what Stefano and Tony are doing to her by now.'
Luis nodded sympathetically. Antonio peered at Abe. The man looked a bit unwell. There was a sheen of sweat on his face.
'What about Liz? How is she fairing with Stefano?' Antonio asked. Luis rolled his eyes.
Abe kept his expression nonchalant. God knows, he didn't want anyone to know how he had really gained his freedom!
'She looked fine. She really seemed to be enjoying being Mrs. Stefano DiMera.'
'You're lying!' Antonio yelled. Abe's eyes widened. He stepped up to him.
'What the hell are you talking about? Hell, Liz was the one that brought that Eve double here! Now, if you don't mind, I'm here to talk to Luis! I want to make a formal complaint!'
Luis looked puzzled. He eyed an angry looking Antonio.
'Look, I'll catch up with you later, Antonio.'
'But Luis...'
'Later!' Luis snapped. He was more concerned about Abe. He had worked with Commander Carver before, when cases took them to Salem, and vice versa. He was usually very mild mannered. But there was something off about him now. Luis couldn't put his finger on anything, though.
Antonio turned and walked out of the police station. Abe watched his back, before turning back to Luis.
'Alright, Abe. What is this all about?'
'I want to file assault charges against T.C. Russell's daughters.'
Luis frowned.
'Whoa! Wait a minute here! You want to file charges against Whitney and Simone? Why?'
'Because they assaulted my wife...Whitney specifically.'
'When did this take place?'
'At the hospital. They held Lexie down and cut off some of her hair! Now, I understand that they're upset that things didn't work out between my wife and their father, but I won't tolerate his kind of abuse!'
Luis didn't know what to say. First, because he'd known Whitney and Simone all of their lives, and didn't want to do this. Second, because Lexie probably had it coming, and third, because it sounded pretty cool!
But, Luis adopted a professional manner.
'I'll speak with them, Abe.'
'No, Luis. I want you to do more than 'speak' with them! I want charges filed against those two! The whole attack was so uncalled for!'
Luis gently laid a hand on Abe's shoulder.
'I understand that, Abe. I do. But I'm worried about you.'
Abe fussed with the knot on his tie. It was hot in there.
'Worried about me? Why?'
'Oh, come on! You just returned from being kidnapped, by one of the most vicious criminals known worldwide. You're trying to reconnect with your wife and son...it's got to be stressful. Look, let me talk to Whitney and Simone...I'm not trying to give them a pass or anything. If I think you have something here, then by all means, file the charges. But I really think the girls were just blowing off steam. This situation has been so hard on everyone.'
Abe closed his eyes and nodded. He didn't know what was the matter with him! He was so hot...and his heart was racing!
'You're right...I'm sorry, look, I'll have to get back to Lexie and Theo. She's at the beauty parlor getting the rest of her hair cut to match what was cut off. Keep me posted though, okay?'
Luis nodded, watching Abe as he left. He scratched behind his ear. He wondered if Abe had had any sort of check-up since he returned? Luis then took a deep breath, and called the hospital, asking for Fox Crane's room.
****
Abe walked out of the police station, now more sure than ever, that Stefano had done something to him. He just felt so lousy...feverish...
'Abe!'
Abe, who was walking to his car, saw Antonio in front of him. Abe sighed. The man had obviously been waiting for him.
'What is it?'
'I want to know why you didn't help Liz escape, when you made your run for it?'
Abe looked around. The lot was pretty empty.
'Look, don't waste anytime worrying about the woman, Antonio. She's fine. She's DiMera's plaything and he's her sugar-daddy. Liz doesn't need rescuing.'
Abe tried to step aside, but Antonio moved in front of him.
'Did it ever occur to you, that Liz's marriage is no more than an act of self-preservation? I mean, it wasn't like you were man enough to rescue them!'
Abe's eyes began to burn!
'I wasn't 'man enough'?'
'Oh come on, Abe! Everyone has wondered how the hell you were kept prisoner, in the same damned building as your wife, and yet, she doesn't know about it! You were too cowardly to try and escape, and now poor Liz is paying the price!'
'Shut-up!' Abe growled.
But Antonio was on a roll!
'No! No, I'm not going to shut-up! I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't escape, but were let go! You really expect people to believe, that you finally had the balls to stand up to the DiMera's after all of this time?'
'SHUT-UP!' Abe half screamed/growled. Antonio's mouth dropped open, as Abe collapsed to the ground, convulsing wildly!
Antonio began to take a step forward, to see if he could help, when he witnessed the back of Abe's suit tear open! The shirt underneath ripped as well!
'What the hell!' Antonio cried, backing away, then ran around the metamorphasizing Abe. He hurried back inside the police station!
Luis and a few other officers, looked up when Antonio came bursting back in! Luis rolled his eyes.
'Antonio, look, for the last time, there's nothing we can do about Liz!'
'This isn't about Liz! Abe is turning into something out there in the parking lot!'
Luis hurried towards Antonio.
'What?! Are you crazy? Have you been drinking?'
'Luis, I'm telling you, something isn't right with him!'
That was when 'something', crashed through the front bay window of the police station! Officers, including Luis, grabbed their guns, and began firing at the enormous thing, that looked a lot like that Sasquatch creature, from the old show 'The Six Million Dollar Man'!
Someone screamed 'Bigfoot', as the shots kept coming. Either none of them hit the creature, or they didn't affect him, because he growled angrily, knocking a desk into the air! It landed on two officers!
Luis grabbed Antonio's arm, throwing away his now empty gun. The creature was throwing desks as if they were baseballs! Luis looked at Antonio and the other officers left.
'Go out the back, quick!' he screamed. The officers hurried out down the back hallway, with Luis and Antonio following suit. The brothers were the last out of the door, when the Sasquatch crashed through a wall, making his own door into that back hallway! Antonio looked at Luis fearfully.
'I'm telling you, that's Abe Carver!' he yelled. Luis shook his head, grabbing Antonio's arm again.
'Let's get the hell out of here!' Luis yelled back, eyeing the creature as it ran down the hall, directly towards them! Luis and Antonio ran out into the back hallway, and into the night.
****
One hour later, the melee at the Harmony Police Station, was all over the news. Fox, who was well enough to walk around, was sitting in T.C.'s room with Whitney, Simone and T.C.. T.C. didn't say much of anything. They watched the television in there.
'So, you're telling me that you think this 'creature' is Abe Carver?' Fox asked Whitney.
T.C. looked over at them.
'What are you talking about?' he asked. Simone eyed Whitney. She hoped like hell that her father didn't still have some sort of misplaced concern, for Lexie!
Whitney took a deep breath, eyeing Simone.
'Daddy, we had a run in with Lexie earlier. Abe didn't appreciate it. And he told us so. He even went to the police station to complain on us. Luis called me in Fox's room to warn me.'
'Daddy, his eyes were yellow!' Simone cried out.
T.C. eyed both of his daughters, before looking at Fox.
'You believe this nonsense?'
Fox shrugged.
'I believe in my wife. If she thinks Abe Carver is some kind of animal, who am I to say it isn't so?'
'Daddy! We don't know what's happened to him during this last year! Maybe Stefano DiMera did something to him?' Whitney theorized.
T.C. looked away.
'That would mean Lexie and Theo are in danger.' T.C. murmured. He stared down at his legs, then picked up one of his pillows and punched it.
'Lexie and Theo are in danger, and here I am, helpless to do anything about it! They need protection!'
Simone's mouth dropped open.
'You can't be serious!'
T.C. noted the surprised looks on Simone, Whitney and even Fox's faces.
'Lexie and I have had some problems...'
'No, Daddy! Lexie went on TV and dogged you!'
'Simone, Daddy is probably tired...' Whitney tried to interfere. But Simone put a hand up.
'No, Whitney! Daddy needs to hear this! Lexie has made her decision, and it's Abe! It's Abe because Abe is not flat on his back in a hospital bed! The last thing you need is to be worrying about that worthless heifer! And if her husband is a big, nasty looking creature, it couldn't have happened to a nicer person!'
Simone then turned and walked out of the room. T.C. shook his head sadly.
'My little girl is so full of hate! Where did she get it from?'
Fox and Whitney looked at one another, unable to believe that T.C. could actually make a comment like that with a straight face! T.C. began to focus on the TV again. A reporter was saying that no one knew where the creature was at this time.
****
'Come on Eve darling, we'll find shelter soon.' Julian cajoled his wife.
Eve wasn't really that tired. But she was cold. And if she were this cold, with a coat on, imagine how Tony and Liz were. She tried to turn her face back towards them, but Julian wouldn't allow her to look back at them.
Tony, meanwhile, was colder than hell! But, his thoughts of Eve naked, and making love to her, while Julian was tied to a chair, helpless to do anything but watch, were keeping him somewhat warm!
Damn his father! This was the cruelest thing that man had done to date! Well, Tony reasoned to himself, maybe not THE CRUELEST, but this was bad all the same!
He glared at Julian's back. Tony knew that he should be the one up there with Eve, helping her along. An idea came to him, and he ignored the cold and ran ahead to catch up to them. When he reached the couple, he positioned himself on Eve's other side.
Eve jumped when he appeared! Julian squinted at him.
'What do you want?' Julian asked snidely.
'I'll have you know, that I am just as concerned about Eve, as you are.' Tony answered, looking at Eve. His poor darling looked so cold!
'Eve, if you could put aside your animosity towards me, during this trying time, I would like for you to lean on me, to help you walk.'
Eve was oddly touched by his offer. Julian was not.
'Uh, no. She doesn't need your help! And don't think I don't know what you're up to!'
'Julian, we do need each other out here.' Eve said.
'Eve, we wouldn't be 'out here' if his family hadn't pulled every stunt in the world, to break us up!'
Julian then pointed at Tony.
'And who do you think you're kidding? You don't care if Eve can walk or not! You just want to use her for warmth!'
'That's not true!' Tony snapped.
But Julian pulled Eve away from him.
'Get the hell away from here!' Julian yelled. 'Go check on your step-mother!'
At the mention of Liz's name, Eve dared to peek behind her. She then gasped! Tony touched her arm. Julian eyed Tony's hand on Eve's arm.
'What is it?' Tony asked.
'She's gone!' Eve cried out. Tony and Julian looked behind them. Liz was not with them.
Tony bit his lip, then looked at Eve. Eve was such a beautiful, sensitive, compassionate person. Yes, her sister had probably perished, in nothing but a bra and panties. And that bothered Eve. Tony thought it was sweet.
Tony rubbed her arm again, for comfort, and the hope that maybe the friction would give him some heat. Julian slapped his hand away from her! He then looked at Eve.
'Darling, we all knew that this would be a perilous journey. And with Liz in nothing but her underwear...well...her chances of survival were limited.'
Eve sniffed.
'You know, once upon a time, Liz was a good person.'
Julian nodded, not believing that, but he pretended to agree.
'I'm sure she was, dearest. But it would not have done any of us any good, to share our clothing with her.'
Tony nodded in agreement.
'Julian is right. Besides, we don't know that Liz is dead. For all we know, she might have made it back to the compound, and begged Stefano to take her back.'
Julian smiled at Tony this time.
'Yes, that's right! After all, Stefano was just blowing off steam...maybe if YOU turned around and went back, your father might let you back in as well.'
Tony was about to answer that, and not too kindly, when a sound stopped all conversation. Tony moved away from Eve and Julian a bit, to listen.
'What is it?' Eve asked.
Julian shrugged.
'I have no idea.'
But Tony grinned.
'Someone is chopping firewood! I recognize the sound...through there!'
Tony suddenly ran in the direction of the sound, thanking God that someone was around to help! Then, when he got warm, he was going back to the compound to kill his father, and work on another plan to make Eve his! But for now, he needed to get warm!
Eve looked at Julian.
'Do you think he knows where he's going?' she asked.
Julian didn't comment. For what he had not told Eve, was that he didn't believe that they would find a place to keep warm by nightfall. And if they didn't, then they were finished.
'Tony probably knows this area better than we do. Let's just see where he made off to, okay?'
Eve smiled at him, but privately, she knew he was worried, and just didn't want her to know it. Julian put an arm around her to help her walk, as they followed the direction Tony had run off in.
****
When Julian and Eve reached their destination, they found an ax, cut wood and better still, a cabin! There was fire coming out of the chimney.
Eve turned in Julian's arms and held him tight. Julian smiled as well. Tony must've went inside.
A door opened, and a man with dark hair, and fortyish looking, came hurrying out.
'Mr. DiMera told me there were others! Hurry and get in here so you can get warm!'
Julian and Eve hurried to the best of their ability, after the man. Julian then helped Eve hop up the steps to the cabin door. The man opened it for them, and Julian and Eve went inside.
The first thing they saw, was Liz sitting by the fireplace! She had a blanket around her. She glared at Julian and Eve. Tony was standing in front of the fire, warming his hands.
'Why, Liz,' Julian purred, 'you're alive.'
Liz's teeth were still chattering. But the look she gave both of them, was a definitive scowl.
The man closed the door, then stuck out his hand to Julian and Eve.
'Roy Boon. I used to work for Mr. DiMera's father over there, until he fired me.'
Julian and Eve glanced at one another. That was the last piece of news, either one of them wanted to hear right now. Their 'savior' used to work for Stefano DiMera, great!
Tony turned from the fire. He looked surprised to learn that bit of news as well. He looked at Liz, but her teeth were chattering so, that he knew he would not get a straight answer out of her.
Tony walked up to Mr. Boon.
'You said you used to work for my father? When was this?'
'A year ago maybe.'
'What did you do for him?'
Roy Boon smiled at Tony. And it was not a friendly one.
'Why don't I fix us some dinner, then we can all get acquainted, alright?'
'That sounds wonderful.' Julian said, looking at the fire. Eve was starting to shiver. Julian walked over to the chair Liz was sitting in, grabbed the back of it, and pulled her away from the fire!'
'Hey!' she chattered loudly.
Julian then pulled up two nearby chairs, and beckoned Eve forward. Eve sat down in one, Julian the other. They put their hands out towards the flame.
'This feels marvelous.' Eve admitted. Julian smiled at her, then looked over at Liz, and grinned at her. Liz returned his grin with a murderous look.
Roy walked off into another room, leaving Tony to stare after the man. He was getting a bad vibe about their host. He tried to search his memory about what he had heard about the man's employment with his father. For Stefano DiMera didn't 'fire' people. When he was through with most people he considered help, he killed them.
Yet, this Roy Boon was alive and well, and living somewhat close by to the compound. Something was wrong.
Meanwhile, Roy Boon turned on his stove. He hated Stefano DiMera, and the sight of anyone related to that man, made him sick...and angry. Tony was his son, that woman that had shown up half-naked, was his wife, and the the other two...
Roy wasn't sure what their connection was. But, if they were out in the elements with the first two, then they were probably no damned good as well!
He had been doing so good. He had been trying to control the creature within him, out in the wilderness, where he wouldn't hurt anyone. The creature that Stefano DiMera had turned him in to.
But Roy knew, that the beast within, would probably be making an appearance tonight. It was only a matter of time. He looked down at his hand, then began to breathe hard. His knuckles were already covered with hair. Roy closed his eyes, trying to slow his breathing. When he opened them again, the hair was gone.
Eve, Julian, Tony and Liz find shelter. A creature appears in Harmony.
Luis yawned, as he made his way over to his desk at the Harmony Police station.
Evan and Erin Crane were quite a handful, not that he minded. Sheridan did most of the work. They were actually nice babies(Erin was a bit wild), for Julian Crane to be their father.
Luis shook that thought from his head. Little Ethan was a nice little boy too, and Julian was is father. He yawned again.
Abe said that he might have been in the Himalayas, but that he wasn't sure. Marlena didn't know anything, and made it clear that she spent most of her time, fighting off Stefano's unwanted advances. That meant they still had no leads, though the Himalayas was a start. Just where in the Himalayas? He would speak with Celeste today. Surely, she could give him an exact location, he hoped.
Luis looked up to see his brother Antonio walking towards him. Luis lifted a brow. The two weren't that close, since Sheridan had left him. It was a fact that broke his mother's heart.
Luis leaned back in his chair.
'Antonio? What can I do for you?'
'You look tired.' Antonio commented.
'Yeah, well, Sheridan and I have been looking after Julian and Eve's twins while...well...I know Eve was kidnapped, who knows where the hell Julian is! Sheridan says he went to look for her. I think he's on the run for what he did to T.C.'
'How is T.C.?' Antonio asked. 'I haven't had time to get by the hospital.'
Luis shrugged.
'Understandably depressed. He doesn't know if he'll be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life, no thanks to Julian Crane. Hell, everyone knows he's the one that caused his accident, all of those years ago! Now this! And of course, Lexie has really turned into a two-faced bitch!'
Antonio nodded.
'Yeah, I saw that press conference! She's really a piece of work...especially after all T.C. did for her.'
There was a silence. Luis broke it.
'You didn't come down here to talk about T.C. or Lexie. What's on your mind?'
'I think that someone else has gotten lost in this equation: Liz.'
Luis snorted!
'You heard Abe at that press conference! Liz is married to Stefano DiMera!'
'Yeah, but not because she wants to, I'm sure!'
Luis shook his head slightly.
'What do you mean? Do you know something?'
'Look, I know what most people in this town think of Liz. But, no one knows her the way I do. She can be generous to a fault. I think that she married Stefano to protect Marlena from him.'
'HA!' Luis snorted. He couldn't help it! What the hell was wrong with his brother? That was the most insipid theory he'd heard to date!
'What's so funny?' Antonio seethed.
'Oh come on, Antonio! Take the blinders off for God's sakes! Liz never did a damned thing for anyone but herself! She barely knows Marlena!'
'I'm sure she had a year to get to know her, Luis! My point is, we need to get a rescue crew together...'
'Ho! Wait right there! There is no way Sam is going to scrape up money to save Liz Sanbourne! And if you're thinking of conducting your own half-assed rescue, I'd think again! The DiMera's are not to be trifled with!'
'That's right!'
Luis and Antonio turned to look at an angry looking Abe Carver. Antonio eyed Luis. He hadn't even heard the man come in!
Luis stood up and shook hands with Abe.
'Abe? What brings you by? Did you remember anything else?'
Abe cleared his throat.
'No, I'm sorry I didn't. And I hate that because I care about Eve. God only knows what Stefano and Tony are doing to her by now.'
Luis nodded sympathetically. Antonio peered at Abe. The man looked a bit unwell. There was a sheen of sweat on his face.
'What about Liz? How is she fairing with Stefano?' Antonio asked. Luis rolled his eyes.
Abe kept his expression nonchalant. God knows, he didn't want anyone to know how he had really gained his freedom!
'She looked fine. She really seemed to be enjoying being Mrs. Stefano DiMera.'
'You're lying!' Antonio yelled. Abe's eyes widened. He stepped up to him.
'What the hell are you talking about? Hell, Liz was the one that brought that Eve double here! Now, if you don't mind, I'm here to talk to Luis! I want to make a formal complaint!'
Luis looked puzzled. He eyed an angry looking Antonio.
'Look, I'll catch up with you later, Antonio.'
'But Luis...'
'Later!' Luis snapped. He was more concerned about Abe. He had worked with Commander Carver before, when cases took them to Salem, and vice versa. He was usually very mild mannered. But there was something off about him now. Luis couldn't put his finger on anything, though.
Antonio turned and walked out of the police station. Abe watched his back, before turning back to Luis.
'Alright, Abe. What is this all about?'
'I want to file assault charges against T.C. Russell's daughters.'
Luis frowned.
'Whoa! Wait a minute here! You want to file charges against Whitney and Simone? Why?'
'Because they assaulted my wife...Whitney specifically.'
'When did this take place?'
'At the hospital. They held Lexie down and cut off some of her hair! Now, I understand that they're upset that things didn't work out between my wife and their father, but I won't tolerate his kind of abuse!'
Luis didn't know what to say. First, because he'd known Whitney and Simone all of their lives, and didn't want to do this. Second, because Lexie probably had it coming, and third, because it sounded pretty cool!
But, Luis adopted a professional manner.
'I'll speak with them, Abe.'
'No, Luis. I want you to do more than 'speak' with them! I want charges filed against those two! The whole attack was so uncalled for!'
Luis gently laid a hand on Abe's shoulder.
'I understand that, Abe. I do. But I'm worried about you.'
Abe fussed with the knot on his tie. It was hot in there.
'Worried about me? Why?'
'Oh, come on! You just returned from being kidnapped, by one of the most vicious criminals known worldwide. You're trying to reconnect with your wife and son...it's got to be stressful. Look, let me talk to Whitney and Simone...I'm not trying to give them a pass or anything. If I think you have something here, then by all means, file the charges. But I really think the girls were just blowing off steam. This situation has been so hard on everyone.'
Abe closed his eyes and nodded. He didn't know what was the matter with him! He was so hot...and his heart was racing!
'You're right...I'm sorry, look, I'll have to get back to Lexie and Theo. She's at the beauty parlor getting the rest of her hair cut to match what was cut off. Keep me posted though, okay?'
Luis nodded, watching Abe as he left. He scratched behind his ear. He wondered if Abe had had any sort of check-up since he returned? Luis then took a deep breath, and called the hospital, asking for Fox Crane's room.
****
Abe walked out of the police station, now more sure than ever, that Stefano had done something to him. He just felt so lousy...feverish...
'Abe!'
Abe, who was walking to his car, saw Antonio in front of him. Abe sighed. The man had obviously been waiting for him.
'What is it?'
'I want to know why you didn't help Liz escape, when you made your run for it?'
Abe looked around. The lot was pretty empty.
'Look, don't waste anytime worrying about the woman, Antonio. She's fine. She's DiMera's plaything and he's her sugar-daddy. Liz doesn't need rescuing.'
Abe tried to step aside, but Antonio moved in front of him.
'Did it ever occur to you, that Liz's marriage is no more than an act of self-preservation? I mean, it wasn't like you were man enough to rescue them!'
Abe's eyes began to burn!
'I wasn't 'man enough'?'
'Oh come on, Abe! Everyone has wondered how the hell you were kept prisoner, in the same damned building as your wife, and yet, she doesn't know about it! You were too cowardly to try and escape, and now poor Liz is paying the price!'
'Shut-up!' Abe growled.
But Antonio was on a roll!
'No! No, I'm not going to shut-up! I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't escape, but were let go! You really expect people to believe, that you finally had the balls to stand up to the DiMera's after all of this time?'
'SHUT-UP!' Abe half screamed/growled. Antonio's mouth dropped open, as Abe collapsed to the ground, convulsing wildly!
Antonio began to take a step forward, to see if he could help, when he witnessed the back of Abe's suit tear open! The shirt underneath ripped as well!
'What the hell!' Antonio cried, backing away, then ran around the metamorphasizing Abe. He hurried back inside the police station!
Luis and a few other officers, looked up when Antonio came bursting back in! Luis rolled his eyes.
'Antonio, look, for the last time, there's nothing we can do about Liz!'
'This isn't about Liz! Abe is turning into something out there in the parking lot!'
Luis hurried towards Antonio.
'What?! Are you crazy? Have you been drinking?'
'Luis, I'm telling you, something isn't right with him!'
That was when 'something', crashed through the front bay window of the police station! Officers, including Luis, grabbed their guns, and began firing at the enormous thing, that looked a lot like that Sasquatch creature, from the old show 'The Six Million Dollar Man'!
Someone screamed 'Bigfoot', as the shots kept coming. Either none of them hit the creature, or they didn't affect him, because he growled angrily, knocking a desk into the air! It landed on two officers!
Luis grabbed Antonio's arm, throwing away his now empty gun. The creature was throwing desks as if they were baseballs! Luis looked at Antonio and the other officers left.
'Go out the back, quick!' he screamed. The officers hurried out down the back hallway, with Luis and Antonio following suit. The brothers were the last out of the door, when the Sasquatch crashed through a wall, making his own door into that back hallway! Antonio looked at Luis fearfully.
'I'm telling you, that's Abe Carver!' he yelled. Luis shook his head, grabbing Antonio's arm again.
'Let's get the hell out of here!' Luis yelled back, eyeing the creature as it ran down the hall, directly towards them! Luis and Antonio ran out into the back hallway, and into the night.
****
One hour later, the melee at the Harmony Police Station, was all over the news. Fox, who was well enough to walk around, was sitting in T.C.'s room with Whitney, Simone and T.C.. T.C. didn't say much of anything. They watched the television in there.
'So, you're telling me that you think this 'creature' is Abe Carver?' Fox asked Whitney.
T.C. looked over at them.
'What are you talking about?' he asked. Simone eyed Whitney. She hoped like hell that her father didn't still have some sort of misplaced concern, for Lexie!
Whitney took a deep breath, eyeing Simone.
'Daddy, we had a run in with Lexie earlier. Abe didn't appreciate it. And he told us so. He even went to the police station to complain on us. Luis called me in Fox's room to warn me.'
'Daddy, his eyes were yellow!' Simone cried out.
T.C. eyed both of his daughters, before looking at Fox.
'You believe this nonsense?'
Fox shrugged.
'I believe in my wife. If she thinks Abe Carver is some kind of animal, who am I to say it isn't so?'
'Daddy! We don't know what's happened to him during this last year! Maybe Stefano DiMera did something to him?' Whitney theorized.
T.C. looked away.
'That would mean Lexie and Theo are in danger.' T.C. murmured. He stared down at his legs, then picked up one of his pillows and punched it.
'Lexie and Theo are in danger, and here I am, helpless to do anything about it! They need protection!'
Simone's mouth dropped open.
'You can't be serious!'
T.C. noted the surprised looks on Simone, Whitney and even Fox's faces.
'Lexie and I have had some problems...'
'No, Daddy! Lexie went on TV and dogged you!'
'Simone, Daddy is probably tired...' Whitney tried to interfere. But Simone put a hand up.
'No, Whitney! Daddy needs to hear this! Lexie has made her decision, and it's Abe! It's Abe because Abe is not flat on his back in a hospital bed! The last thing you need is to be worrying about that worthless heifer! And if her husband is a big, nasty looking creature, it couldn't have happened to a nicer person!'
Simone then turned and walked out of the room. T.C. shook his head sadly.
'My little girl is so full of hate! Where did she get it from?'
Fox and Whitney looked at one another, unable to believe that T.C. could actually make a comment like that with a straight face! T.C. began to focus on the TV again. A reporter was saying that no one knew where the creature was at this time.
****
'Come on Eve darling, we'll find shelter soon.' Julian cajoled his wife.
Eve wasn't really that tired. But she was cold. And if she were this cold, with a coat on, imagine how Tony and Liz were. She tried to turn her face back towards them, but Julian wouldn't allow her to look back at them.
Tony, meanwhile, was colder than hell! But, his thoughts of Eve naked, and making love to her, while Julian was tied to a chair, helpless to do anything but watch, were keeping him somewhat warm!
Damn his father! This was the cruelest thing that man had done to date! Well, Tony reasoned to himself, maybe not THE CRUELEST, but this was bad all the same!
He glared at Julian's back. Tony knew that he should be the one up there with Eve, helping her along. An idea came to him, and he ignored the cold and ran ahead to catch up to them. When he reached the couple, he positioned himself on Eve's other side.
Eve jumped when he appeared! Julian squinted at him.
'What do you want?' Julian asked snidely.
'I'll have you know, that I am just as concerned about Eve, as you are.' Tony answered, looking at Eve. His poor darling looked so cold!
'Eve, if you could put aside your animosity towards me, during this trying time, I would like for you to lean on me, to help you walk.'
Eve was oddly touched by his offer. Julian was not.
'Uh, no. She doesn't need your help! And don't think I don't know what you're up to!'
'Julian, we do need each other out here.' Eve said.
'Eve, we wouldn't be 'out here' if his family hadn't pulled every stunt in the world, to break us up!'
Julian then pointed at Tony.
'And who do you think you're kidding? You don't care if Eve can walk or not! You just want to use her for warmth!'
'That's not true!' Tony snapped.
But Julian pulled Eve away from him.
'Get the hell away from here!' Julian yelled. 'Go check on your step-mother!'
At the mention of Liz's name, Eve dared to peek behind her. She then gasped! Tony touched her arm. Julian eyed Tony's hand on Eve's arm.
'What is it?' Tony asked.
'She's gone!' Eve cried out. Tony and Julian looked behind them. Liz was not with them.
Tony bit his lip, then looked at Eve. Eve was such a beautiful, sensitive, compassionate person. Yes, her sister had probably perished, in nothing but a bra and panties. And that bothered Eve. Tony thought it was sweet.
Tony rubbed her arm again, for comfort, and the hope that maybe the friction would give him some heat. Julian slapped his hand away from her! He then looked at Eve.
'Darling, we all knew that this would be a perilous journey. And with Liz in nothing but her underwear...well...her chances of survival were limited.'
Eve sniffed.
'You know, once upon a time, Liz was a good person.'
Julian nodded, not believing that, but he pretended to agree.
'I'm sure she was, dearest. But it would not have done any of us any good, to share our clothing with her.'
Tony nodded in agreement.
'Julian is right. Besides, we don't know that Liz is dead. For all we know, she might have made it back to the compound, and begged Stefano to take her back.'
Julian smiled at Tony this time.
'Yes, that's right! After all, Stefano was just blowing off steam...maybe if YOU turned around and went back, your father might let you back in as well.'
Tony was about to answer that, and not too kindly, when a sound stopped all conversation. Tony moved away from Eve and Julian a bit, to listen.
'What is it?' Eve asked.
Julian shrugged.
'I have no idea.'
But Tony grinned.
'Someone is chopping firewood! I recognize the sound...through there!'
Tony suddenly ran in the direction of the sound, thanking God that someone was around to help! Then, when he got warm, he was going back to the compound to kill his father, and work on another plan to make Eve his! But for now, he needed to get warm!
Eve looked at Julian.
'Do you think he knows where he's going?' she asked.
Julian didn't comment. For what he had not told Eve, was that he didn't believe that they would find a place to keep warm by nightfall. And if they didn't, then they were finished.
'Tony probably knows this area better than we do. Let's just see where he made off to, okay?'
Eve smiled at him, but privately, she knew he was worried, and just didn't want her to know it. Julian put an arm around her to help her walk, as they followed the direction Tony had run off in.
****
When Julian and Eve reached their destination, they found an ax, cut wood and better still, a cabin! There was fire coming out of the chimney.
Eve turned in Julian's arms and held him tight. Julian smiled as well. Tony must've went inside.
A door opened, and a man with dark hair, and fortyish looking, came hurrying out.
'Mr. DiMera told me there were others! Hurry and get in here so you can get warm!'
Julian and Eve hurried to the best of their ability, after the man. Julian then helped Eve hop up the steps to the cabin door. The man opened it for them, and Julian and Eve went inside.
The first thing they saw, was Liz sitting by the fireplace! She had a blanket around her. She glared at Julian and Eve. Tony was standing in front of the fire, warming his hands.
'Why, Liz,' Julian purred, 'you're alive.'
Liz's teeth were still chattering. But the look she gave both of them, was a definitive scowl.
The man closed the door, then stuck out his hand to Julian and Eve.
'Roy Boon. I used to work for Mr. DiMera's father over there, until he fired me.'
Julian and Eve glanced at one another. That was the last piece of news, either one of them wanted to hear right now. Their 'savior' used to work for Stefano DiMera, great!
Tony turned from the fire. He looked surprised to learn that bit of news as well. He looked at Liz, but her teeth were chattering so, that he knew he would not get a straight answer out of her.
Tony walked up to Mr. Boon.
'You said you used to work for my father? When was this?'
'A year ago maybe.'
'What did you do for him?'
Roy Boon smiled at Tony. And it was not a friendly one.
'Why don't I fix us some dinner, then we can all get acquainted, alright?'
'That sounds wonderful.' Julian said, looking at the fire. Eve was starting to shiver. Julian walked over to the chair Liz was sitting in, grabbed the back of it, and pulled her away from the fire!'
'Hey!' she chattered loudly.
Julian then pulled up two nearby chairs, and beckoned Eve forward. Eve sat down in one, Julian the other. They put their hands out towards the flame.
'This feels marvelous.' Eve admitted. Julian smiled at her, then looked over at Liz, and grinned at her. Liz returned his grin with a murderous look.
Roy walked off into another room, leaving Tony to stare after the man. He was getting a bad vibe about their host. He tried to search his memory about what he had heard about the man's employment with his father. For Stefano DiMera didn't 'fire' people. When he was through with most people he considered help, he killed them.
Yet, this Roy Boon was alive and well, and living somewhat close by to the compound. Something was wrong.
Meanwhile, Roy Boon turned on his stove. He hated Stefano DiMera, and the sight of anyone related to that man, made him sick...and angry. Tony was his son, that woman that had shown up half-naked, was his wife, and the the other two...
Roy wasn't sure what their connection was. But, if they were out in the elements with the first two, then they were probably no damned good as well!
He had been doing so good. He had been trying to control the creature within him, out in the wilderness, where he wouldn't hurt anyone. The creature that Stefano DiMera had turned him in to.
But Roy knew, that the beast within, would probably be making an appearance tonight. It was only a matter of time. He looked down at his hand, then began to breathe hard. His knuckles were already covered with hair. Roy closed his eyes, trying to slow his breathing. When he opened them again, the hair was gone.