Chapter Sixty-seven

Lia walked towards the car she and Lynnie shared, shivering in the night air despite the temperature outside. She didn't realize how late it had gotten.

She heard a voice behind her. "Excuse me."

Lia whirled around, so off balance she really had no idea what she'd do if it was Danny who called out to her.

It wasn't. It was a young kid who looked like he might be homeless or a drug addict or something. Fear crept up Lia's spine as she began to back up.

He handed her a note with a shaky hand. "He told me to give this to you. Must be important. He gave me $20.00 to make sure you got it."

"Who told you to give it to me?"

"He said you'd know." He said with a shrug before he ran off.

Lia got into her car and unfolded the note in her hand. As she read what was written she knew exactly how to finally do something to save her sister.

She hoped and prayed she could pull it off.

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"Are you ever going to talk to me about what's going on with you?" Kate whispered to Colin.

They were lying on the couch in the cabin – which was blessedly cool. It was a hot and humid night. Kate really should have left an hour ago but he was worrying her.

Colin didn't want to talk. He simply wanted to hold her, just like he was doing, until he finally had the nerve to leave her.

He took a deep breath before he said. "I'm fine."

"No. You're not. But I don't want to argue with you." Kate shifted to sit up and he moved with her.

"Katrina…"

She pulled away. "I gotta go. My father will send out a search party if I don't get back soon." Kate said softly as she got up and straightened her clothes.

Colin didn't want her to leave like this. "I'm sorry."

She shook her head at him. "Don't be. You tell me when you're ready. I just can't sit here in silence anymore. You need to figure out what you want." Her eyes pleaded with him. "When you're ready I'm here. I want to know what's going on with you but you don't seem to need me so…"

"I do need you." Colin insisted.

Colin moved to hold her again but Kate sidestepped him. She moved toward the door and further away. "Good to know. Sweet dreams Colin. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Katrina…" He didn't want her to go, but he didn't want to worry her. If he told her what he was planning she'd go crazy.

"I'll talk to you tomorrow." She said again as she slipped outside, shutting the door sharply behind her.

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"MOMMY!?!? DADDY!?!? NO!!!!"

Alison woke with a start. It had taken her forever to fall asleep. She and Rafe had been up to all hours discussing the predicament they were in – getting nowhere. She didn't want to think about anything anymore but Rafe and her children.

It didn't help matters that she had had another argument with her mother earlier in the day. She didn't have the time or energy to deal with her selfishness right now. She knew, eventually, Elizabeth would wear her down and she'd forgive her - again. This thing with her mother would never end it seemed.  The mere thought exhausted her.

But right now, all she could hear was Becky's cries. She looked over at Rafe's side of the bed and realized he must have already gone to get her.

Rafe carried a whimpering Becky into their room. Sweat soaked the little girl's brow, her baby fine hair sticking to her forehead. Her nightgown looked to be damp with sweat as well. He placed her down on the bed and moved to the bathroom to get his daughter a glass of water.

Alison curled her arms around Becky and pulled her onto her lap. "Shh. Shh. Baby – it's OK. Mommy's here." She held her tight and rocked her back and forth in her arms.

Becky's voice was broken and almost inaudible. She was shaking as she continued to sob. "He's coming to get me. He – he - he's gonna get me."

"Shh. It's OK. Shhh. No one's going to get you, sweetheart. We won't let that happen." As she said the words, fear coursed through her own veins. She was just as terrified as Becky at the moment.

Alison looked over Becky's head at Rafe and saw the sorrow in his eyes. He placed the glass on the bedside table and pressed a cool washcloth to Becky's forehead.

The look of terror on his daughter's face almost made him want to cry himself. Rafe rubbed circles with his hand over and over on her back.  "It's OK, Angel Face. You're safe. Mommy's got you."

"I'm going to get her something else to wear." Rafe whispered as he pressed a kiss to Becky's brow.

"Thanks." Alison said with a sigh.

Her daughter's arms closed tighter around her neck. "Mommy?" Becky sniffled.

"Right here sweetie. I'm not going to let you go. Shh. It's all right." Alison held her closer.

"I had a bad dream." Becky said softly, finally beginning to calm down.

"I know honey." Alison almost didn't want to know but had to ask. She pulled back and wiped Becky's hair off her face with the washcloth. "Do you want to tell me what happened sweetheart?"

"He said that I'd pay for what I did." Becky looked at Alison, her sweet face full of confusion. "Is he coming to hurt me because I got rid of the bad man?"

Alison fought to keep from worrying Becky even more. She shook her head no. "You did what you knew was right, Becky. Don't you worry. No one will hurt you."

"Daddy won't let them." Becky's tone of voice was definite.

Alison glanced at Rafe as he walked back inside the bedroom, carrying a tiny pink nightgown. "That's right." Alison replied. "Daddy won't let them."

Rafe sat beside her and took her small face in his hands. He stared into his daughter's eyes. "I promise you. No one will ever hurt you. Not while I'm here to stop them."

"I know.  I'm OK." Becky said with a sigh, putting on her best grown up voice. "I just don't like being scared."

Alison hugged her closer smiling a bit at how brave she was trying to be. "We don't like you being scared either."

"Can I sleep here tonight?" Becky asked. "I know I'm eight and everything but I slept here the other day when we took a nap. Is it only OK on lazy days or can I?"

Rafe's lips curved into a smile at her question. She was still as sweet as ever. Rafe was terrified for her but he'd make sure he'd do what he'd just promised. "Yes. Sure. It's OK. Drink some water honey."

"I need Bunny. I forgot him." Becky blinked back tears as she looked up at him.

"I'll go get him." Rafe replied, going to her room for the third time.

Alison got Becky changed and watched her drain the glass of water Rafe had given her. Moments later, nestled between her parents with her stuffed bunny in her arms, Becky was fast asleep.

Rafe and Alison weren't that lucky. "Rafe…" Alison's voice was broken as she ran a hand over Becky's head and stared up at him.

"I know." He said simply as he blinked back tears of his own. "I know."