Chapter 10

Shane knew from first hand experience that boy was badly injured and probably needed to go to a hospital, yet he refrained from going. The girl had told him to stay away from the hospital and he felt oddly compelled to trust her on the matter. She seemed to care a lot about Seth. Hadn't she called him her brother? Interesting, very interesting. Seth would have some explaining to do when they got back to the house.

Shane pulled up to the house. He had Zoe unlock the door as he went around to the other side of the car to pick Seth up. Seth offered no complaints to being carried and that worried the lieutenant. He carried Seth upstairs and set him on his bed, followed closely by Zoe.

"Zoe," he said.

"Yeah," she answered back.

"Do you guys have a med kit of some kind?"

"Actually, yes we do."

"Could you get it for me, as well as some paper towels and a bowl of water?"

"Yeah sure."

"Claire, you don't mind staying with the kids a bit longer while I patch Seth up."

"It's no problem; I should probably go check on the baby now." Principal Fletcher said noticing that Shane wanted to be alone with the boy.

"Seth, can you take off your shirt?"

"Okay." With some difficulty Seth managed to remove his shirt despite the pain that was radiating from his back and shoulder.

Shane could not help but grimace as he took in the state of the boy. Dozens of black and blue stripes and long crimson welts covered his back and the bandage placed over his shoulder wound had turned a bright red.

"I think I sprained my wrist."

"I'll take care of it."

Zoe entered the room carrying the requested medical bag and gasped at the sight of her brother. She hadn't seen her brother this badly beaten since he first came to live with them. She wanted to stay with her brother, but catching the look that Shane was giving her, Zoe knew that he wanted to be alone with Seth. It would be more comfortable for Seth to be alone with Shane than to be surrounded by people.

Shane first peeled the bandage off. Even though he was being as careful as possible, Shane still saw Seth flinch, so to take his mind off of the pain; Shane decided to start a conversation with the boy.

"So what was that all about?"

"What was what all about?"

"The girl. Who was she, why did she help you, why did she call you her brother?"

"Because I am her brother." Shane was shocked at this so Seth told him the whole story, starting with the events that happened in his dream and ending at present time while Shane took care of his injuries. The Lieutenant was just finishing wrapping the boy's ribs and the worst of the cuts and his back when Seth finished.

"Are you sure she is telling the truth, are you sure that she really is Lillian?"

"I've never been more sure about anything in my entire life. I won't let her get away this time Shane, I will see her again and this time she is not leaving."

"I have a feeling that you will see her again." Shane said remembering his previous conversation with Lillian.


"YOU DID WHAT?"

"I let him go. I will not let you hold my brother for ransom. I can not believe you would hurt him like that."

"I had to get my point across."

"Yes, but not that way."

"You stabbed him."

"That was on accident, you big jerk."

"Hey, I'm hurt."

"You should be."

"Lillian…"

"Don't worry, I will get you your precious Ghost, but I will not jeopardize the life of my brother or his family."

"That is not what I was going to ask you. Are you going to stay with him?"

"Am I what?"

"Are you going to stay here with your brother?"

"You know I can't."

Graft smiled at this knowing that he had Lillian under his complete control and he never even had to lay a finger on her like he had to with the boy to keep him under his power.

Lillian sulked off. How could he even ask her something like that? He knew that she would never try to be with her brother again. Lillian could never be forgiven for the crimes she committed in the past. She did miss her bother and wanted to be with him so badly, but she knew that this was not possible. She belonged to Graft now. No one could save her now, not even her brother. Her job is to get the Ghost and then skip town and nothing will stop her from doing this because once she is gone, Seth can forget about her and go on with his life.


Chapter 8 has been revised. I know the paragraph was long, but I didn't know how to shorten it, but if anyone has any suggestions, I'm all ears. And no this story is not done yet.