Chapter 3
Ashley's POV
I open the door to find Craig. We are going to a movie since our plans have been changed by Spin & Paige. I giggle to myself. I look at Craig as a strange smile crosses his face. It isn't his usual go-lucky happy smile...something more evil...wicked...unnatural. I know he's bipolar but this is something else. As the grin widens my face fills with fear. I turn on my heal and begin running through my house.
"Ash...where are you going?" He asks concernedly. I turn and see his warm smiling face and all my fear melts away.
"Checking my hair," I cover. He puts his arm around me and his other hand in his pocket. I think nothing of it. We get to his car and he opens the door for me. As I put one foot in he swings his hand out and covers my mouth with a rag. My sharp intake of breath causes a dizzy feeling and I fall forward into the car, blacking out.
Craig's POV
I pick up Ash off the seat and set her up in it gently. My plan so far is going exactly as planned. I drive to the garage singing along to the songs playing on the radio. I pull up to the house and pick up Ashley. I go into the room where Manny slept. As I walk in I notice a blanket around Manny. The sedative! It has worn off!
She had woken up...she knew now where she was. This puts a damper in the plan. I lay Ashley on the cot I had set up for her and give her too a sedative. She relaxes from the tense sleep she was in and fell into a deep one. I hurry over to Manny praying her eyes will be closed. Oh how wrong I am. Her eyes are very much open and she is very displeased.
Manny's POV
I fling the blanket off of me and jump up. I see this shocks him and take advantage of it. My fingers tighten around the needle in my hand. I had seen the sedative liquid and filled the needle with it. Kay would be waking soon if the sedative had already worn off of me. He stands for a moment and I push him over the table. Jumping on him I hold the needle above him.
"Why are you doings this?" I yell, tears streaming down my face. His lips curve into a smile.
"Manny you won't hurt me." He chuckles.
"Really? Don't be so sure." I glare.
"You won't, you haven't the stomach." He continues to chuckle.
"Where is Kay?" I cry...the needle inches from his face.
"You mean Katerina? She's in the other room." He looks to the door on our right. Without thinking I jump up and try to run to the door. He grabs my ankle and I fall forward. Turning me over on my back he straddles me and I see an evil glint in his eye. He twists the needle out of my hand and jams it into my side. I cry out, feeling myself fall into a deep sleep.
Craig's POV
Panting I lift Manny off the floor. Being extremely light she is easy to lift. I laugh to myself at the thought that she had almost escaped. If any of them do my plan will be ruined and I can't have that. That would be very bad. I cover Ashley and Manny with a blanket and unlock the door to Katerina's room. Manny had called her Kay. How inappropriate. Now that I know her real name I know how perfect mine is for her. The child is sitting on her bed, legs crossed, head in hands, crying. I go and sit next to her. She looks at me and begins to scream. I cover her mouth with my hand.
"Listen Katerina, it's Daddy. We've never met because mean Mommy said no...it's her fault...she's bad...she's evil." I speak into her ear. Saying it until she repeats it numerous times. She sits on my lap. I smile at her.
"Where is mommy?" The intelligent two year old asks.
"Well Katerina, mommy and your Aunt Ashley are sleeping." I say softly.
"Why do you call me that?" She asks.
"Call you what?" I ask.
"Katerina," She is confused. "My name is Kay," She states.
"No, it's Katerina. Your mean mommy changed it." I say. I hear Ashley begin to stir. It is time to put the whole plan into motion once again. I stand up and hand Katerina a stuffed animal off the shelf. "I have to go work now honey. You play with this while Daddy goes to work." She accepts the toy happily as I shut the door and lock it.
Ashley sits up and stares at me. Her eyes fill with tears...and fear. I advance her and put my plan in motion.
