Chapter 13
Liz reveals a secret to Eve. The 'creatures' wreak havoc.
Tony waited until he saw Liz come out of another room. Their host, Roy Boon, had given Liz some of his old clothes to wear. They didn't fit, but it was better than the nothing she had had on.
Julian and Eve were still sitting by the fire, talking. Tony walked past them and made his way over to Liz. Liz finished buttoning her oversized shirt, then glared at him.
'What?'
'I find it fascinating that you made it here before the rest of us. It was almost as if you knew Mr. Boon had a cabin out here.'
Liz eyed Julian and Eve, who didn't appear to be paying them any mind. Julian was rubbing Eve's hands as if to warm them up. Eve was staring at Julian adoringly. Liz looked away in disgust. She then returned her attention to Tony.
'Yes, it would seem that way, wouldn't it?' was all that she said. Tony noticed that she had her boots in her hand. She sat down in a chair to put them on. Once done, she then put on a coat.
'Where do you think you're going?' Tony asked. Eve and Julian looked over at them.
'I'm going back home to my husband. Surely, we can work this misunderstanding out.'
Tony snorted!
'You told my father that his very touch repulses you! I don't think there is any coming back from that!'
'We'll see.' was all Liz said, and began to move around Tony. Eve stood up then and blocked her way. Liz threw her hands up in the air.
'Move, Eve!'
'Liz, whatever problems we've had between us, you can't possibly think that I wouldn't try to talk you out of going back to a man, who left you for dead? That's what he did when he threw you out of that compound, with no clothes on!'
'That was just his disappointment speaking! I had misread a home pregnancy test and spoke too soon. I'm sure he's had time to cool off by now.'
Julian stood up as well. He looked at Eve.
'Let her go, darling. Maybe she knows her awful husband better than we do?'
Eve looked from Julian, back to Liz.
'What happens if he does not let you back in, Liz? Are you coming back here?'
'No! I mean...he will let me back in...he has to!'
Tony walked over to stand next to them. He looked into Liz's eyes.
'But, if my father doesn't let you back in, you're not returning here? The only visible sign of shelter for miles? Why?'
'Would you all just get off of my back?! By all means, stay and enjoy your freedom! Maybe Roy can help you find a way off of the mountain! But I'm not sticking around here!'
Eve shook her head and looked at Julian for help. Julian just shrugged. He hoped Tony would leave with Liz as well!
Eve moved out of the way and let Liz pass. Liz walked over to the door and opened it. Suddenly, Eve turned and walked over as well. For some reason, she was getting the strangest feeling, that this would be the last time she ever saw her sister.
'Liz, can you at least tell me why?'
Liz looked her up and down.
'Why what?'
'Why you came after me so hard back in Harmony? Daddy never molested you, did he?' Eve knew the answer, since Celeste had told her a long time ago. But for some reason, Eve had to hear the words from Liz's own lips.
Julian and Tony were now riveted by the drama. They did not notice Roy Boon, eavesdropping from behind the kitchen door, as well.
Liz looked from Eve, to Tony and Julian, then caught a glimpse of Roy from behind the kitchen door. She shivered! She had no choice but to go back to that compound and beg Stefano to take her back!
For she knew who Roy was, and why he was no longer at the compound. Roy had been a scientist, working in one of Stefano's labs. Liz never knew what any of the projects were, or what Stefano and Roy's specific falling out was all about, but she did remember that Roy and Stefano had disagreed about something Roy was working on. And that Stefano had had Roy injected with one of these 'experiments', in retaliation.
Liz still remembered that evening. Abe, Lexie, Theo and Marlena, were off in other wings, with walls that were soundproofed. Neither Tony, or Alicia, had been on the premises then. They never knew what happened.
Liz, who by then, had secured her place in Stefano's life and bed, had been lounging in his room, looking at his classical music CD collection. It was at the moment she was staring at a 'Pavarotti In Paris' CD, that she heard what sounded like an animal cry!
Liz had run out of Stefano's room, with the CD still in her hand. She stood in the hallway, her ears perked to hear a repeat of the sound. She soon heard it again. It was coming from the stairwell!
Liz didn't know what made her open the door and look inside. She looked up the stairs, then down them. She then stepped inside, allowing the door to close behind her. The growl came again, this time from the upstairs.
Liz slowly ascended them. She was halfway up, when she stumbled across the bodies of two of Stefano's guards. Their throats had been slashed open.
Liz knew she should've turned and went back, but she heard the guttural roar again, then Stefano's voice, mixed with others. Then, she heard gunshots!
Liz hurried up the stairwell, until she finally reached the roof. What she saw when she arrived, was something straight out of a horror movie.
There was this large creature, that Liz could only describe as looking a lot like Chewbacca from the 'Star Wars' series. The guards fired at it, but their bullets seemed to have no effect whatsoever. Then, everyone would stand still and watch the creature get calm, and change back into it's human form...which was Roy Boon!
But, as soon as Roy would appear, the guards would try and shoot him in his human form, only to have him change back so quickly, that Liz always likened the transformation as a 'human chia pet, only sped up'. When Roy would change back into the creature, it was like he was protected by the bullets.
This standstill went on for awhile, until finally, the creature turned and jumped off of the roof of the compound. The guards, Stefano and Liz, ran to the edge to watch the creature run off into the night.
Stefano, noticing her for the first time, took off his jacket, to give her warmth. While it was a sweet gesture, what Liz wanted to know was, what the hell had happened to that man, to make him turn into a monster?
Liz never could get a straight answer out of Stefano. But, one day, months later, they went for a walk together outside the compound. Liz, not knowing that they were going any particular place, first began trying to talk Stefano into sending Marlena home, during this walk.
But Stefano didn't want to talk about Marlena. He didn't want to talk about much of anything, as he pulled her down a pathway, that lead to Roy Boon's cabin. Stefano had snickered about how ugly the cabin was, but then told her that he had brought her here to remind her of the danger Boon represented, and how close by he was. Stefano ended his speech, with how glad everyone should be that he provided such generous protection for them, for if they ever were to try and escape, or venture out of here unescorted, then they would surely face the creature that Boon became.
When Stefano had thrown her out hours before, Liz faced the prospect of freezing to death, or warming up in Boon's cabin, then dying later, when he attacked her as the creature. She couldn't stay here. And this crap about fixing them dinner was a farce! Boon was just biding his time until he could slay them all!
And Boon had recognized her. She played the pity card, telling him that she had finally decided to leave Stefano, but he had found out and taken her clothes. Boon had been sympathetic enough, trying to get her warm. But they both knew what he was, and that alone, made it impossible for her to stay here!
'Liz!'
Liz snapped out of her reverie, and looked at her sister.
'What?'
'Did our father really molest you?' Eve asked, wondering where Liz had been, just now.
Liz rolled her eyes.
'It's too late to play the concerned big sister now, Eve.'
Julian began to move forward. He was so sick and tired of hearing Liz's 'poor me' song and dance! And he didn't want Eve to have to hear it either!
But Tony put a hand on his arm. Julian looked at the hand on his arm.
'Did you need something?' Julian asked blithely.
'Don't you see? Eve needs to know this, before Liz dies.'
Julian pulled his arm away.
'You really don't think Stefano is going to let her back inside, do you?'
Tony shook his head.
'No, I don't. But it's not only that. I think we've walked into a trap.'
Julian squinted at him.
'What in God's name are you talking about?'
Tony didn't answer him because he didn't know himself. He was just struck at Liz's visible anxiety. It was as if Liz herself knew, that if Stefano locked her outside of the compound, she could not, or WOULD not come back here, where she could get shelter. There was something about Mr. Boon that Liz found distasteful.
Meanwhile, Eve was still trying to talk some sense into Liz.
'Liz, please, if you believe nothing else, believe that knowing that I could've done anything to stop our father from hurting you, haunts me to this day. But I need to know the truth.'
Liz looked her sister in the eye. What the hell! She was going to be ripped to shreds when Roy Boon turned into that thing anyway!
'No...he never touched me. Instead he sent me away like I was trash...all because of that bitch, Celeste!'
'Liz, Celeste said that you tried to kill her and our father, is that true?'
Liz squinted at her. She then looked at Tony and smiled. She then looked back at Eve again.
'You know, our father didn't mourn our mother for one damned minute, before he was in bed with Celeste! And of course, she would tell you that I was the one at fault, to cover for her own behind!'
Eve began to back away.
'What are you talking about?'
Liz looked at Tony again. Tony began to feel uneasy, and moved closer, as did Julian. Roy still watched from behind the kitchen door.
'What lies are you telling now, Liz?' Tony demanded to know.
Liz held up her hands, as if to protest her innocence.
'No lies! You see, Evie dear, while Stefano does repulse me, there is a part of him that I find quite exciting.'
'Why?' Eve whispered, totally disgusted.
Liz then walked up to Eve, until their faces were inches apart.
'Because I find sleeping with the man, that rid this world, of our heartless father, exciting as hell! I don't know what it is...the turn on of it...oh...Eve...didn't your good buddy Celeste, or your second boyfriend here, ever tell you that little tidbit?'
Eve backed away from Liz. How anyone could be so hateful! Julian walked up behind Eve and put his hands on her shoulders. He turned her around.
'Don't listen to a word she says! She's lying!'
Liz lifted a brow.
'Am I? Tony, am I lying?'
Eve looked from Julian to Tony. She then pulled away from Julian and walked up to Tony. She looked into his eyes.
'If you ever really loved me at all, you'll tell me the truth. Did Stefano kill my father? And did Celeste know about it?'
Tony just looked down and nodded. Julian's mouth dropped open, and he looked to Liz, who had turned and walked out of the door. She hadn't even bothered closing it behind her. Julian walked over to the door and closed it gently, before looking at Eve and Tony.
Roy came out of the kitchen just then, after listening to the whole exchange. So, Stefano DiMera had killed the two women's father? Yet the one that was married to him, didn't care, but the pretty one did?
Roy coughed, making his presence known. He was carrying a tray of dinner rolls, and other side dishes.
'I thought I would bring out some things for you all to nibble on, before the main entree is ready.'
No one said anything at first. Then Eve wiped a tear away.
'May I use your bathroom...to freshen up?' she asked Roy.
Roy looked at her. He couldn't help but feel sorry for her. He didn't know exactly how this Eve woman, or the other named Julian, ended up here, but he sensed that they were not part of the DiMera madness. Tony was another story however.
'Uh, sure. It's just back down the hallway.'
Eve nodded. Julian reached out to her, but she shook her head at him,
'I just need a moment. I'll be right back.'
Julian let her go, watching her back, as she walked down a poorly lit hallway, then turned right. A door closed. Julian turned back to Tony and Roy.
'I'm going to finish cooking dinner...you two stay here and help yourselves to what's here.' Roy said.
Roy went back into the kitchen, then locked the door. He walked over to the backdoor in the kitchen and opened it carefully. Liz would not be making it back to the compound. He also decided against taking his coat, hat or gloves. They would just get ripped anyway. Roy then closed the door quietly behind him.
****
Tony walked over to the table and picked up a carrot stick. He munched on it, ignoring Julian's stares, until he could do so no longer.
'Whatever you have to say, just say it, Crane!' Tony snapped.
Julian folded his arms.
'You know, I was just wondering, how you thought a relationship with Eve, would've ever worked, even if she had not married me, when your father killed hers? How did you think you were going to get away with keeping that from her?'
Tony finished swallowing his carrot.
'The same way you did, when you lied about being complicit in the kidnapping of my sister, nephew and Liz. You just hope for the best.'
'Ah, yes. Well, I do hope you realize it's over, don't you? Whatever chance you thought you may have had to win my wife's heart, truly is gone, isn't it?'
Tony did not answer. Because there was always hope if Julian were dead.
Eve came out of the bathroom. She was carrying some pill bottles. Julian looked at her.
'What is it, Eve?'
Eve was reading the bottles.
'I found these in Mr. Boon's medicine cabinet.'
'You looked in our host's medicine cabinet?' Julian asked, a little surprised at his wife's inquisitiveness. It was so unlike her!
Eve nodded, looking at him.
'I'm not totally familiar with all of the drugs here, but it appears that he's very sick.'
'He looks fine to me.' Tony said.
Eve looked at him.
'When we get out of here, I don't ever want to see you again, is that clear?'
Tony blinked.
'Eve, surely we can still stay friends?'
Eve mouthed the word 'no', then looked back at Julian.
'I'm going to put these back. Mr. Boon needs to be in a hospital. Maybe we can convince him to leave with us?'
Julian reached out and pulled her into his arms. He kissed the top of her hair.
'Of course we can. That's the least we can do for our gracious host.'
Eve smiled at him, then turned and walked back down the same hallway, to return Roy Boon's medications. Julian looked at Tony.
'What did you mean earlier? When you said that you thought we had walked into a trap?'
Tony looked at Julian, then turned towards the kitchen door. He attempted to open it, but found it locked. He then looked at Julian.
'I would be willing to bet my fortune, that Mr. Boon is not in there.'
Julian peered at Tony.
'Oh Good Lord, DiMera! Why wouldn't he be in there?'
'Why can't we open the kitchen door here then?'
'Maybe he doesn't want to be disturbed!'
'And maybe,' Tony countered, 'he doesn't want any of us to come in and find an empty kitchen!'
'Empty kitchen? Where would he go now at...'
Julian stopped talking. Tony nodded, as he could see understanding develop in Julian's eyes.
'You think he left to kill Liz...before she gets back to the compound?'
Tony nodded.
'That's my theory.'
'But why? I mean, do you think she knows why Stefano fired him? Or maybe he blames her in someway? What?!'
Eve returned from the bathroom and saw the friction between the two men.
'What?' she asked, looking from one to the other.
Julian hurried over to her. He held her hands in his.
'Now Eve darling, I don't want you to panic, but Tony thinks Liz may be in danger.'
'I know she is, Julian. She's going back to Stefano DiMera! And he's just evil enough to let her freeze to death outside of the compound.'
Julian looked back at Tony. Tony returned the look. Maybe they shouldn't scare Eve with this. After all, they really didn't know what they were dealing with.
But Julian turned back to stare into his wife's eyes.
'In short, we think that Roy Boon is some kind of homicidal maniac, and that he may have followed Liz back to the compound to kill her.'
Eve pulled away from Julian, eyed Tony, then walked over to the kitchen door. It was locked. Eve knocked.
'Mr. Boon? Mr. Boon are you alright?'
'He's not there, Eve.' Tony said.
'Tony! The man is on four different medications! Maybe he's sick!'
Tony had not thought of that. Julian moved closer to the door as well. Eve backed away, as the two men forced the door open with their bodies. The kitchen was empty, but there was something cooking in the oven. Julian peeked at the meat that was roasting. It did look good.
'There's a back door here!' Tony yelled. Eve grabbed his arm.
'I still don't understand how any of this translates into Roy Boon being a killer?'
'Do you really want to wait around here and find out?' Tony challenged her. Eve looked to Julian. Julian closed the oven.
'It does seem odd that he's not here. This will probably be the first and last time I agree with DiMera, Eve, but maybe we'd better see if Liz made it back to the compound alright.' Eve nodded in agreement, but she was uneasy. Tony hurried back into the other room and opened a closet. There was a coat inside. He hurriedly put it on, then rushed back to the kitchen. Julian and Eve still had their coats on from before.
'Let's go.' Tony said, as he rushed past them out of the door. Julian and Eve looked at one another, before following suit.
****
Liz could see the outdoor lights of the compound. She breathed in heavily. She hadn't wanted to admit it before, in Roy Boon's cabin, but she wasn't completely confident, that her husband would take her back in.
Liz knew if she could see the compound, then she was within camera range. Did Stefano know she was headed back? Would he really be so cruel, as to leave her out here, knowing that her only choice was to head back to that monster's cabin?
Liz could barely make out the footprints that she, Tony, Eve and Julian had made, only hours before. As she stared down at them, it was at that moment, that she heard a noise.
Liz turned around, only to find Roy Boon staring straight at her! Liz backed up a bit, half looking at the compound. Stefano's men had to know that she was out here, and who she was here with! Why didn't they do something?!
'Why did you follow me back here?' Liz asked, trying to keep a level tone of voice.
Roy walked up to her, Liz backed up again.
'Did you really think, that once I had you in my world, I would let you go?'
'Your world?' Liz whispered.
'Anything outside of that godforsaken compound over there! I bet Stef is in there watching this whole thing! The fact that he hasn't sicced the guards on me, tells me what he really thinks of you!'
'Look, Mr. Boon...I'm sorry that you lost your job...'
'MY JOB?! I LOST MY HUMANITY!'
Liz sucked in a breath, and began to cry, as Roy Boon performed his 'chia pet' transformation, right in front of her! He then began moving towards her.
Liz turned and ran towards the back door of the compound, screaming all the way. When she reached the heavy, metal door, she began pounding on it!
'STEFANO PLEASE! I'M SORRY! DON'T DO THIS!'
Liz stopped pounding, as the lights around the door, illuminated the creature's shadow. Liz backed back against the door, then held up a hand, to ward the Sasquatch off.
'NOOOOOO!' she screamed, as the creature swiped violently at her throat.
****
Stefano watched the slaying from inside his TV room. He sniffed, then wiped a tear out of one eye. He then stood up, and turned off the monitor that Liz had appeared on. A guard stood in the doorway.
'Bury her, then get everything together. We're leaving.' he said, without any emotion.
****
HARMONY
Rebecca drove like a bat out of hell, past the Harmony Swamp. She had returned to Harmony to confront Marlena Black, for going on TV and slandering her good name!
Yes, she had had Marlena kidnapped, but that woman had no real proof of anything! And until she did, she should stay off of TV!
Rebecca had already obtained a lawyer, in case the need should arise. She hoped it would not. Because the last thing she needed, was to look guilty to John.
She had resigned her position at Basic Black, under the false pretense of giving John space, so that he could work things out with Marlena. Rebecca could give a damn if he ever worked things out with that woman!
Rebecca had hoped like hell, that John would not accept her resignation. For if he hadn't, then she could take it as a sign that he still cared for her. But, she watched heartbroken, as he took the typed piece of paper, from her hand.
As she rounded a corner, Rebecca saw something in the road. She stopped suddenly, causing her breaks to squeal. When she finally saw what it was, she was sorry she had stopped at all!
Some kind of huge, hairy monster, was in the road! His eyes were yellow, and strangely enough, Rebecca could've sworn he smiled at her!
Rebecca put the car in reverse and began to back back down the road. But the curve was hard to maneuver in her panic, and she ended up backing down into a small ditch that went into the swamp.
Rebecca slowly turned her head, as the creature made his way towards her car. Tears of fright sprung into her eyes. Why did this have to happen to her now?! What was this thing, and why was it harassing her?!
Rebecca began to unlock her driver's side door, as the creature suddenly ran up to the passenger side window, and slammed a heavy paw through it!
Rebecca screamed and jumped out on her side! She fell out onto the ground, then began to crawl backwards in the road, as the creature slowly made his way towards her. Rebecca began to sob openly.
'Don't kill me! Don't kill me, please! What have I ever done to you?! Go away! Go away!'
The creature was about to reach down towards her, when headlights beamed in his face! The creature put a paw over his eyes! Rebecca turned her head slightly to see a police siren.
Sam Bennett and surprisingly, Bo Brady, from Salem, jumped out, with guns drawn.
'Abe!' Bo screamed. 'No one wants to hurt you!'
Rebecca looked back up at the creature. Abe? Abe Carver? This thing was Abe Carver! That made things 100% worse! Why would Abe Carver want to kill her?!
The creature turned and ran into the swamp. Sam made his way over to Rebecca. She sobbed, then put her arms around Sam's neck, as he picked her up and brought her back to the squad car.
'Are you alright?' Sam asked.
Rebecca continued to sob, not because she was upset, but because she liked being in Sam Bennett's arms! No wonder Ivy had been so relentless in her pursuit of him!
Bo lowered his gun, then looked over and Sam and Rebecca.
'We need to bring Lexie out here. She may be able to get her husband out of the swamp.' he said, angrier than hell, that Stefano, had once again, hurt a friend of his! Obviously, Stefano had used Abe as some kind of guinea pig!
Liz reveals a secret to Eve. The 'creatures' wreak havoc.
Tony waited until he saw Liz come out of another room. Their host, Roy Boon, had given Liz some of his old clothes to wear. They didn't fit, but it was better than the nothing she had had on.
Julian and Eve were still sitting by the fire, talking. Tony walked past them and made his way over to Liz. Liz finished buttoning her oversized shirt, then glared at him.
'What?'
'I find it fascinating that you made it here before the rest of us. It was almost as if you knew Mr. Boon had a cabin out here.'
Liz eyed Julian and Eve, who didn't appear to be paying them any mind. Julian was rubbing Eve's hands as if to warm them up. Eve was staring at Julian adoringly. Liz looked away in disgust. She then returned her attention to Tony.
'Yes, it would seem that way, wouldn't it?' was all that she said. Tony noticed that she had her boots in her hand. She sat down in a chair to put them on. Once done, she then put on a coat.
'Where do you think you're going?' Tony asked. Eve and Julian looked over at them.
'I'm going back home to my husband. Surely, we can work this misunderstanding out.'
Tony snorted!
'You told my father that his very touch repulses you! I don't think there is any coming back from that!'
'We'll see.' was all Liz said, and began to move around Tony. Eve stood up then and blocked her way. Liz threw her hands up in the air.
'Move, Eve!'
'Liz, whatever problems we've had between us, you can't possibly think that I wouldn't try to talk you out of going back to a man, who left you for dead? That's what he did when he threw you out of that compound, with no clothes on!'
'That was just his disappointment speaking! I had misread a home pregnancy test and spoke too soon. I'm sure he's had time to cool off by now.'
Julian stood up as well. He looked at Eve.
'Let her go, darling. Maybe she knows her awful husband better than we do?'
Eve looked from Julian, back to Liz.
'What happens if he does not let you back in, Liz? Are you coming back here?'
'No! I mean...he will let me back in...he has to!'
Tony walked over to stand next to them. He looked into Liz's eyes.
'But, if my father doesn't let you back in, you're not returning here? The only visible sign of shelter for miles? Why?'
'Would you all just get off of my back?! By all means, stay and enjoy your freedom! Maybe Roy can help you find a way off of the mountain! But I'm not sticking around here!'
Eve shook her head and looked at Julian for help. Julian just shrugged. He hoped Tony would leave with Liz as well!
Eve moved out of the way and let Liz pass. Liz walked over to the door and opened it. Suddenly, Eve turned and walked over as well. For some reason, she was getting the strangest feeling, that this would be the last time she ever saw her sister.
'Liz, can you at least tell me why?'
Liz looked her up and down.
'Why what?'
'Why you came after me so hard back in Harmony? Daddy never molested you, did he?' Eve knew the answer, since Celeste had told her a long time ago. But for some reason, Eve had to hear the words from Liz's own lips.
Julian and Tony were now riveted by the drama. They did not notice Roy Boon, eavesdropping from behind the kitchen door, as well.
Liz looked from Eve, to Tony and Julian, then caught a glimpse of Roy from behind the kitchen door. She shivered! She had no choice but to go back to that compound and beg Stefano to take her back!
For she knew who Roy was, and why he was no longer at the compound. Roy had been a scientist, working in one of Stefano's labs. Liz never knew what any of the projects were, or what Stefano and Roy's specific falling out was all about, but she did remember that Roy and Stefano had disagreed about something Roy was working on. And that Stefano had had Roy injected with one of these 'experiments', in retaliation.
Liz still remembered that evening. Abe, Lexie, Theo and Marlena, were off in other wings, with walls that were soundproofed. Neither Tony, or Alicia, had been on the premises then. They never knew what happened.
Liz, who by then, had secured her place in Stefano's life and bed, had been lounging in his room, looking at his classical music CD collection. It was at the moment she was staring at a 'Pavarotti In Paris' CD, that she heard what sounded like an animal cry!
Liz had run out of Stefano's room, with the CD still in her hand. She stood in the hallway, her ears perked to hear a repeat of the sound. She soon heard it again. It was coming from the stairwell!
Liz didn't know what made her open the door and look inside. She looked up the stairs, then down them. She then stepped inside, allowing the door to close behind her. The growl came again, this time from the upstairs.
Liz slowly ascended them. She was halfway up, when she stumbled across the bodies of two of Stefano's guards. Their throats had been slashed open.
Liz knew she should've turned and went back, but she heard the guttural roar again, then Stefano's voice, mixed with others. Then, she heard gunshots!
Liz hurried up the stairwell, until she finally reached the roof. What she saw when she arrived, was something straight out of a horror movie.
There was this large creature, that Liz could only describe as looking a lot like Chewbacca from the 'Star Wars' series. The guards fired at it, but their bullets seemed to have no effect whatsoever. Then, everyone would stand still and watch the creature get calm, and change back into it's human form...which was Roy Boon!
But, as soon as Roy would appear, the guards would try and shoot him in his human form, only to have him change back so quickly, that Liz always likened the transformation as a 'human chia pet, only sped up'. When Roy would change back into the creature, it was like he was protected by the bullets.
This standstill went on for awhile, until finally, the creature turned and jumped off of the roof of the compound. The guards, Stefano and Liz, ran to the edge to watch the creature run off into the night.
Stefano, noticing her for the first time, took off his jacket, to give her warmth. While it was a sweet gesture, what Liz wanted to know was, what the hell had happened to that man, to make him turn into a monster?
Liz never could get a straight answer out of Stefano. But, one day, months later, they went for a walk together outside the compound. Liz, not knowing that they were going any particular place, first began trying to talk Stefano into sending Marlena home, during this walk.
But Stefano didn't want to talk about Marlena. He didn't want to talk about much of anything, as he pulled her down a pathway, that lead to Roy Boon's cabin. Stefano had snickered about how ugly the cabin was, but then told her that he had brought her here to remind her of the danger Boon represented, and how close by he was. Stefano ended his speech, with how glad everyone should be that he provided such generous protection for them, for if they ever were to try and escape, or venture out of here unescorted, then they would surely face the creature that Boon became.
When Stefano had thrown her out hours before, Liz faced the prospect of freezing to death, or warming up in Boon's cabin, then dying later, when he attacked her as the creature. She couldn't stay here. And this crap about fixing them dinner was a farce! Boon was just biding his time until he could slay them all!
And Boon had recognized her. She played the pity card, telling him that she had finally decided to leave Stefano, but he had found out and taken her clothes. Boon had been sympathetic enough, trying to get her warm. But they both knew what he was, and that alone, made it impossible for her to stay here!
'Liz!'
Liz snapped out of her reverie, and looked at her sister.
'What?'
'Did our father really molest you?' Eve asked, wondering where Liz had been, just now.
Liz rolled her eyes.
'It's too late to play the concerned big sister now, Eve.'
Julian began to move forward. He was so sick and tired of hearing Liz's 'poor me' song and dance! And he didn't want Eve to have to hear it either!
But Tony put a hand on his arm. Julian looked at the hand on his arm.
'Did you need something?' Julian asked blithely.
'Don't you see? Eve needs to know this, before Liz dies.'
Julian pulled his arm away.
'You really don't think Stefano is going to let her back inside, do you?'
Tony shook his head.
'No, I don't. But it's not only that. I think we've walked into a trap.'
Julian squinted at him.
'What in God's name are you talking about?'
Tony didn't answer him because he didn't know himself. He was just struck at Liz's visible anxiety. It was as if Liz herself knew, that if Stefano locked her outside of the compound, she could not, or WOULD not come back here, where she could get shelter. There was something about Mr. Boon that Liz found distasteful.
Meanwhile, Eve was still trying to talk some sense into Liz.
'Liz, please, if you believe nothing else, believe that knowing that I could've done anything to stop our father from hurting you, haunts me to this day. But I need to know the truth.'
Liz looked her sister in the eye. What the hell! She was going to be ripped to shreds when Roy Boon turned into that thing anyway!
'No...he never touched me. Instead he sent me away like I was trash...all because of that bitch, Celeste!'
'Liz, Celeste said that you tried to kill her and our father, is that true?'
Liz squinted at her. She then looked at Tony and smiled. She then looked back at Eve again.
'You know, our father didn't mourn our mother for one damned minute, before he was in bed with Celeste! And of course, she would tell you that I was the one at fault, to cover for her own behind!'
Eve began to back away.
'What are you talking about?'
Liz looked at Tony again. Tony began to feel uneasy, and moved closer, as did Julian. Roy still watched from behind the kitchen door.
'What lies are you telling now, Liz?' Tony demanded to know.
Liz held up her hands, as if to protest her innocence.
'No lies! You see, Evie dear, while Stefano does repulse me, there is a part of him that I find quite exciting.'
'Why?' Eve whispered, totally disgusted.
Liz then walked up to Eve, until their faces were inches apart.
'Because I find sleeping with the man, that rid this world, of our heartless father, exciting as hell! I don't know what it is...the turn on of it...oh...Eve...didn't your good buddy Celeste, or your second boyfriend here, ever tell you that little tidbit?'
Eve backed away from Liz. How anyone could be so hateful! Julian walked up behind Eve and put his hands on her shoulders. He turned her around.
'Don't listen to a word she says! She's lying!'
Liz lifted a brow.
'Am I? Tony, am I lying?'
Eve looked from Julian to Tony. She then pulled away from Julian and walked up to Tony. She looked into his eyes.
'If you ever really loved me at all, you'll tell me the truth. Did Stefano kill my father? And did Celeste know about it?'
Tony just looked down and nodded. Julian's mouth dropped open, and he looked to Liz, who had turned and walked out of the door. She hadn't even bothered closing it behind her. Julian walked over to the door and closed it gently, before looking at Eve and Tony.
Roy came out of the kitchen just then, after listening to the whole exchange. So, Stefano DiMera had killed the two women's father? Yet the one that was married to him, didn't care, but the pretty one did?
Roy coughed, making his presence known. He was carrying a tray of dinner rolls, and other side dishes.
'I thought I would bring out some things for you all to nibble on, before the main entree is ready.'
No one said anything at first. Then Eve wiped a tear away.
'May I use your bathroom...to freshen up?' she asked Roy.
Roy looked at her. He couldn't help but feel sorry for her. He didn't know exactly how this Eve woman, or the other named Julian, ended up here, but he sensed that they were not part of the DiMera madness. Tony was another story however.
'Uh, sure. It's just back down the hallway.'
Eve nodded. Julian reached out to her, but she shook her head at him,
'I just need a moment. I'll be right back.'
Julian let her go, watching her back, as she walked down a poorly lit hallway, then turned right. A door closed. Julian turned back to Tony and Roy.
'I'm going to finish cooking dinner...you two stay here and help yourselves to what's here.' Roy said.
Roy went back into the kitchen, then locked the door. He walked over to the backdoor in the kitchen and opened it carefully. Liz would not be making it back to the compound. He also decided against taking his coat, hat or gloves. They would just get ripped anyway. Roy then closed the door quietly behind him.
****
Tony walked over to the table and picked up a carrot stick. He munched on it, ignoring Julian's stares, until he could do so no longer.
'Whatever you have to say, just say it, Crane!' Tony snapped.
Julian folded his arms.
'You know, I was just wondering, how you thought a relationship with Eve, would've ever worked, even if she had not married me, when your father killed hers? How did you think you were going to get away with keeping that from her?'
Tony finished swallowing his carrot.
'The same way you did, when you lied about being complicit in the kidnapping of my sister, nephew and Liz. You just hope for the best.'
'Ah, yes. Well, I do hope you realize it's over, don't you? Whatever chance you thought you may have had to win my wife's heart, truly is gone, isn't it?'
Tony did not answer. Because there was always hope if Julian were dead.
Eve came out of the bathroom. She was carrying some pill bottles. Julian looked at her.
'What is it, Eve?'
Eve was reading the bottles.
'I found these in Mr. Boon's medicine cabinet.'
'You looked in our host's medicine cabinet?' Julian asked, a little surprised at his wife's inquisitiveness. It was so unlike her!
Eve nodded, looking at him.
'I'm not totally familiar with all of the drugs here, but it appears that he's very sick.'
'He looks fine to me.' Tony said.
Eve looked at him.
'When we get out of here, I don't ever want to see you again, is that clear?'
Tony blinked.
'Eve, surely we can still stay friends?'
Eve mouthed the word 'no', then looked back at Julian.
'I'm going to put these back. Mr. Boon needs to be in a hospital. Maybe we can convince him to leave with us?'
Julian reached out and pulled her into his arms. He kissed the top of her hair.
'Of course we can. That's the least we can do for our gracious host.'
Eve smiled at him, then turned and walked back down the same hallway, to return Roy Boon's medications. Julian looked at Tony.
'What did you mean earlier? When you said that you thought we had walked into a trap?'
Tony looked at Julian, then turned towards the kitchen door. He attempted to open it, but found it locked. He then looked at Julian.
'I would be willing to bet my fortune, that Mr. Boon is not in there.'
Julian peered at Tony.
'Oh Good Lord, DiMera! Why wouldn't he be in there?'
'Why can't we open the kitchen door here then?'
'Maybe he doesn't want to be disturbed!'
'And maybe,' Tony countered, 'he doesn't want any of us to come in and find an empty kitchen!'
'Empty kitchen? Where would he go now at...'
Julian stopped talking. Tony nodded, as he could see understanding develop in Julian's eyes.
'You think he left to kill Liz...before she gets back to the compound?'
Tony nodded.
'That's my theory.'
'But why? I mean, do you think she knows why Stefano fired him? Or maybe he blames her in someway? What?!'
Eve returned from the bathroom and saw the friction between the two men.
'What?' she asked, looking from one to the other.
Julian hurried over to her. He held her hands in his.
'Now Eve darling, I don't want you to panic, but Tony thinks Liz may be in danger.'
'I know she is, Julian. She's going back to Stefano DiMera! And he's just evil enough to let her freeze to death outside of the compound.'
Julian looked back at Tony. Tony returned the look. Maybe they shouldn't scare Eve with this. After all, they really didn't know what they were dealing with.
But Julian turned back to stare into his wife's eyes.
'In short, we think that Roy Boon is some kind of homicidal maniac, and that he may have followed Liz back to the compound to kill her.'
Eve pulled away from Julian, eyed Tony, then walked over to the kitchen door. It was locked. Eve knocked.
'Mr. Boon? Mr. Boon are you alright?'
'He's not there, Eve.' Tony said.
'Tony! The man is on four different medications! Maybe he's sick!'
Tony had not thought of that. Julian moved closer to the door as well. Eve backed away, as the two men forced the door open with their bodies. The kitchen was empty, but there was something cooking in the oven. Julian peeked at the meat that was roasting. It did look good.
'There's a back door here!' Tony yelled. Eve grabbed his arm.
'I still don't understand how any of this translates into Roy Boon being a killer?'
'Do you really want to wait around here and find out?' Tony challenged her. Eve looked to Julian. Julian closed the oven.
'It does seem odd that he's not here. This will probably be the first and last time I agree with DiMera, Eve, but maybe we'd better see if Liz made it back to the compound alright.' Eve nodded in agreement, but she was uneasy. Tony hurried back into the other room and opened a closet. There was a coat inside. He hurriedly put it on, then rushed back to the kitchen. Julian and Eve still had their coats on from before.
'Let's go.' Tony said, as he rushed past them out of the door. Julian and Eve looked at one another, before following suit.
****
Liz could see the outdoor lights of the compound. She breathed in heavily. She hadn't wanted to admit it before, in Roy Boon's cabin, but she wasn't completely confident, that her husband would take her back in.
Liz knew if she could see the compound, then she was within camera range. Did Stefano know she was headed back? Would he really be so cruel, as to leave her out here, knowing that her only choice was to head back to that monster's cabin?
Liz could barely make out the footprints that she, Tony, Eve and Julian had made, only hours before. As she stared down at them, it was at that moment, that she heard a noise.
Liz turned around, only to find Roy Boon staring straight at her! Liz backed up a bit, half looking at the compound. Stefano's men had to know that she was out here, and who she was here with! Why didn't they do something?!
'Why did you follow me back here?' Liz asked, trying to keep a level tone of voice.
Roy walked up to her, Liz backed up again.
'Did you really think, that once I had you in my world, I would let you go?'
'Your world?' Liz whispered.
'Anything outside of that godforsaken compound over there! I bet Stef is in there watching this whole thing! The fact that he hasn't sicced the guards on me, tells me what he really thinks of you!'
'Look, Mr. Boon...I'm sorry that you lost your job...'
'MY JOB?! I LOST MY HUMANITY!'
Liz sucked in a breath, and began to cry, as Roy Boon performed his 'chia pet' transformation, right in front of her! He then began moving towards her.
Liz turned and ran towards the back door of the compound, screaming all the way. When she reached the heavy, metal door, she began pounding on it!
'STEFANO PLEASE! I'M SORRY! DON'T DO THIS!'
Liz stopped pounding, as the lights around the door, illuminated the creature's shadow. Liz backed back against the door, then held up a hand, to ward the Sasquatch off.
'NOOOOOO!' she screamed, as the creature swiped violently at her throat.
****
Stefano watched the slaying from inside his TV room. He sniffed, then wiped a tear out of one eye. He then stood up, and turned off the monitor that Liz had appeared on. A guard stood in the doorway.
'Bury her, then get everything together. We're leaving.' he said, without any emotion.
****
HARMONY
Rebecca drove like a bat out of hell, past the Harmony Swamp. She had returned to Harmony to confront Marlena Black, for going on TV and slandering her good name!
Yes, she had had Marlena kidnapped, but that woman had no real proof of anything! And until she did, she should stay off of TV!
Rebecca had already obtained a lawyer, in case the need should arise. She hoped it would not. Because the last thing she needed, was to look guilty to John.
She had resigned her position at Basic Black, under the false pretense of giving John space, so that he could work things out with Marlena. Rebecca could give a damn if he ever worked things out with that woman!
Rebecca had hoped like hell, that John would not accept her resignation. For if he hadn't, then she could take it as a sign that he still cared for her. But, she watched heartbroken, as he took the typed piece of paper, from her hand.
As she rounded a corner, Rebecca saw something in the road. She stopped suddenly, causing her breaks to squeal. When she finally saw what it was, she was sorry she had stopped at all!
Some kind of huge, hairy monster, was in the road! His eyes were yellow, and strangely enough, Rebecca could've sworn he smiled at her!
Rebecca put the car in reverse and began to back back down the road. But the curve was hard to maneuver in her panic, and she ended up backing down into a small ditch that went into the swamp.
Rebecca slowly turned her head, as the creature made his way towards her car. Tears of fright sprung into her eyes. Why did this have to happen to her now?! What was this thing, and why was it harassing her?!
Rebecca began to unlock her driver's side door, as the creature suddenly ran up to the passenger side window, and slammed a heavy paw through it!
Rebecca screamed and jumped out on her side! She fell out onto the ground, then began to crawl backwards in the road, as the creature slowly made his way towards her. Rebecca began to sob openly.
'Don't kill me! Don't kill me, please! What have I ever done to you?! Go away! Go away!'
The creature was about to reach down towards her, when headlights beamed in his face! The creature put a paw over his eyes! Rebecca turned her head slightly to see a police siren.
Sam Bennett and surprisingly, Bo Brady, from Salem, jumped out, with guns drawn.
'Abe!' Bo screamed. 'No one wants to hurt you!'
Rebecca looked back up at the creature. Abe? Abe Carver? This thing was Abe Carver! That made things 100% worse! Why would Abe Carver want to kill her?!
The creature turned and ran into the swamp. Sam made his way over to Rebecca. She sobbed, then put her arms around Sam's neck, as he picked her up and brought her back to the squad car.
'Are you alright?' Sam asked.
Rebecca continued to sob, not because she was upset, but because she liked being in Sam Bennett's arms! No wonder Ivy had been so relentless in her pursuit of him!
Bo lowered his gun, then looked over and Sam and Rebecca.
'We need to bring Lexie out here. She may be able to get her husband out of the swamp.' he said, angrier than hell, that Stefano, had once again, hurt a friend of his! Obviously, Stefano had used Abe as some kind of guinea pig!