Chapter 7
By MG
Don't own SM…
"Rei, sweetheart, when are you going to come back to me?" She glanced at the slim elderly woman before her; she was beautiful, long flowing gray hair and deep curls, her body garbed in a green kimono. In one hand she grasped a strange-jeweled necklace, in the other, a gold chain.
"Mama...I told you, I've chosen my path already." Rei replied softly to her. "Why can't you just believe that I can do it?" She screamed. "I've made so much of my self."
"Rei, you can't let a simple quarrel stop you from seeing me...there's so much you don't know." She countered with tears in her eyes.
"Mother...I understand, I know that you have your ways, but I have mine know." She paused. "I have a gift mother, I can read fire...I-I can see visions!" Rei continued, pleading her case.
"Rei, I'm not what you think I am...I am much older than you think...and there so much you don't know." The elder woman pleaded. "You must come so that I can tell you all of what is happening." The woman paused. "You may not know it, but you're in grave danger." As soon as the woman said this a small red spot appeared where her stomach lie and grew until it was the size of her belly.
"Mama?" Rei cried out as her mother doubled over in pain. It wasn't until her mother fell to the floor limp, that she clearly saw a hidden figure dressed in a huge black cloak chuckling evilly at her with a blade in their hand. "Who are you?" Rei cried out with tears in her eyes.
"Mama didn't tell you?" She heard a feminine voice say. "Reeeiiii." The voice called out chillingly to her. "I'm coming home for the reunion soon...save a spot for me will you?" The woman laughed evilly, sending shivers down her spine.
"Show your face!" Rei challenged her.
"Uh-uh uh...not yet." The woman replied as she waved a slender finger in Rei's face. "In due time...but remember...I'm watching you." The woman forewarned. "You better play nice." She paused. "Because if you fuck with me...everything you own will be mine…"
~*~
Rei awoke with a start; sweat beading down her face, when she heard the phone ring. She heaved great breaths and sighed deeply as she passed her fingers through her damp perspired bangs. Silently, she arose from the couch and passed the office where Jadeite was working to go to the phone that hung on the wall. She picked up the phone lifelessly and then spoke.
"Hello?" Rei replied. Already she felt a weird feeling in her gut, as if she knew something was wrong. And she was certain that it might have something to do with that dream. She listened to the voice on the other line and then spoke once more. "Yes, this is she." She replied as she twisted the phone cord around her fingers and leaned against the wall for support. Her face suddenly turned pale as the voice on the other line relayed a message to her. There was an eerie dead silence as the phone silently dropped from Rei's fingers and hit the floor with a clang. Her body followed, slumping to the floor, as tears began to make trails down her face. Jadeite entered the hall at the sound to see Rei sitting with her knees up to her chin and rocking back and forth.
"Rei." He soothed, immediately kneeling next to her to console her. "What's wrong baby?" He asked her.
"It's-it's m-my mother...Jadeite...she's-she's dying."
~*~
"What do you mean you don't remember?" Minako asked Usagi in shock.
"Look Mina, I don't know what you're talking about, I went to bed last night and slept all the way through." Usagi replied to her insistently. "In fact, I had a rather pleasant dream last night, but that was it." She continued. "Now look, will you finish getting dressed...if you're so concerned then you'll do as I ask and check his friend out ok?"
"And what if..." Mina began but trailed off the end, as if knowing that Usagi could finish the sentence for her.
"We'll cross that bridge if we get to it-"
"Usagi listen to me! Last night you had me worried as hell and you're trying to tell me you don't remember anything?" She gazed hysterically at her, unbelieving of the situation.
"Can we talk about this later, I have better things to do." She bit before leaving Minako to stand alone in her bedroom.
~*~
"They're coming to the mansion?" Malachite asked in astonishment.
"Yes, I've arranged for a private get together." Mamoru replied to his questioning. "I call it a thank-you meeting for the work she has done...although we both know there's more to it than that." Mamoru finished as he looked through a bunch of the collected files on his desk.
"Amazing." Malachite replied. "Talking about walking into the lion's den."
"I know...things couldn't be going better...except for one thing."
"And that is?"
"Usagi seems to have a mind of her own." He paused. "Now supposing she is the 'Angel of Light'," He paused again. "Her characteristics at times can be soft and angelic almost...but then there are times when to me it seems as if she is trying to hide her true self, and that perhaps she isn't made of sugar and spice and everything nice."
"She's like a walking paradox isn't she?"
"One might say that." Mamoru replied. "If she's an Angel, I'll have to say that she is the most seductive Angel I've ever seen." He glanced to Malachite knowingly when he heard the downstairs doorbell ring. "That would be them." He said got up from his spot in the den and left to go open the door.
~*~
Rei's breath stilled as she entered the room and saw her mother lying on her deathbed.
"Mama." She cried softly as she went to her side and held her hand.
"My baby...you came." Her mother said softly as she laid still, the respirator on her mouth making her breaths come out in wisps.
"Of course I came." Rei whispered, the words barely leaving her lips.
"Jadeite." She nodded in recognition to where he stood at the door and he nodded back in respect, giving her and Rei the space they needed.
"I'm going to go get some coffee Rei, anything you need?"
"No...no thank-you." She said softly to him before he walked out the door. As soon as he was gone she turned back to her mother with a worried glance. "Mama...what happened to you?"
"I guess...that my time is up." Her mother said softly as she looked towards the ceiling.
"But mama that can't be so...you look so young and beautiful...and"
"Reianne...my body may look young, but my spirit…my spirit is so old." Her mother said with a raspy voice. Rei turned away slightly before turning back to her again.
"I'm so confused." Rei murmured softly. "I had a dream last night Mama."
"I know." Her mother said causing her to gasp.
"Mama?"
"Reianne..." Her mother paused as she began to cough. "There are some things that I didn't tell you...and...I should have told you long ago." Her mother continued as she kept coughing throughout. "There is reason that I support the cause that goes against the elimination of what you consider…cough…evil."
"Mother save your breath please...wait till you are strong enough."
"No." Her mother reprimanded sternly. "This must be told...everything is in the balance." She paused, her eyes going distant. "I was just a young girl at the time...I didn't know any better." Her breath came out evenly, as if going into a trance. "I wish I never let it happen, but it did…and I do not regret it." She paused again. "I went on a retreat with my friend...sort of a planned vacation away from the strain of school." She paused. "We convinced our parents to let us stay with a friend in France." She coughed as she placed her palm on Rei's forehead. "Now watch." She said softly. Rei cried out as a white flash went off in her head and she felt like she was being transported into another world.
~*~
"Olivia! Olivia!" A high-pitched yet soft voice called out into the courtyards. A woman with long dark ebony hair and radiant blue eyes looked up from the book she was reading and answered.
"Yes Elizabeth, what is it?"
"The carriage is here Olivia, now if you do not get your nose out of that book we shall miss it!" She giggled as she snatched the book from Olivia's hands and ran off with it to the entrance of the their small villa.
"Hey!"
"If you want it then come!" Elizabeth shouted back as she hiked up the skirts of her long green velvet dress and ran into an old brick building. Olivia sighed as she picked up her hat, and hiked up her dark blue velvet dress before following in Elizabeth's tracks.
~*~
"Is it not wonderful?" Elizabeth exclaimed as she looked at the ocean with admiration.
"It is quite beautiful." An unknown voice entered the conversation, startling the two girls. Elizabeth's breath caught in her throat as she came face to face with a man with long silver hair; Olivia merely looked down at her feet and towards the railing of the ship, which they stood before.
"Afternoon sir, what may I ask has given us the pleasure of your company?" She asked with a smile as Olivia stood silently, her shyness taking over; she was not as good with words when it came to men as Elizabeth was.
"Well, you fine looking ladies looked as if you needed someone to accompany you to breakfast this fine morning...and I sought you out as being perhaps your tour guide."
"My name is Elizabeth, and my friend's name here is Olivia." She paused. "We are most obliged by your gracious offer, and we would be more than happy to accompany you." Elizabeth replied just as Olivia jerked her in the arm. "Excuse me, but it seems that my friend would like a word with me in private." Elizabeth replied before following Olivia a little ways ahead.
"Are you insane Elizabeth?" Olivia exclaimed. "We hardly know that man!" Olivia reprimanded.
"You worry over nothing..." Elizabeth scolded while rolling her eyes as she turned to smile at the man; he smiled back charmingly. "Besides did you even take a look at him...he is so handsome. I very much doubt that he would bring any harm to us...and besides, he is only accompanying us to breakfast, not to our rooms." Elizabeth giggled. "But with his size and caliber, I would not to mind if he came to my room." She whispered to Olivia in her ear.
"Elizabeth!" Olivia exclaimed shocked. "That is hardly the behavior for a lady!"
"Oh come on Olivia, I am only having a little fun...besides, you promised that when we finally went to France that you would loosen up." Elizabeth said as she quirked her eyebrow. "He is just being friendly...this is our vacation and first time to France, the city of Romance as they say." She continued. "Let yourself live!"
"Alright." Olivia gave in reluctantly. "I guess it would not hurt to have breakfast with him."
"Oh Olivia you are a saint!" Her friend exclaimed as they joined the man and walked off to the breakfast hall.
~*~
"This is my brother Robert." The man, who had introduced himself earlier as Charles, said to them. "He will be accompanying us for breakfast as well."
"Nice to meet you Robert." Elizabeth immediately replied as she gave him her hand. He smiled back charmingly, his shiny red hair cascading down his head as he bent to kiss her hand.
"The pleasure is all mine milady." He replied.
"So, what brings you two lovely ladies aboard this ship?" Charles asked them.
"We are on a long overdue vacation to France." Elizabeth replied eagerly.
"Ah, France." Robert replied in a French accent. "The perfect choice I must say...I myself am returning home from business in Wessex." He continued in a subtle voice. "But to be back in France again...it would be heaven."
"France is the place of Romance." Charles noted in the midst of the conversation. "I too am returning from a long business transaction and can not wait to return to the place where love began."
"What is it like?" Elizabeth asked with fervor as she placed her hands beneath her chin, her elbows on the table.
"Well, at night the stars light up the skies and the music softly drifts into the windows of every home, as well as the smell of fresh sourdough bread and sweet cakes."
"Rubbish, I can not imagine that Paris can be so lovely every night." Olivia interjected cynically, speaking for the first time since they had arrived at the table. "Especially with that simpleton now on the throne."
"The lady speaks, so she has a voice after all." Robert commented causing Olivia's cheeks to turn a tint of red with anger.
"Yes she does, and she has better things to do than to sit here and listen to two gentlemen talk there heads off about things that that have little to do with romance or even love just so that they can win my favor, and possibly my bed side!" She stood from her chair, shocking Elizabeth. "Now if you will excuse me, gentlemen, Elizabeth, I am going out for a breath of fresh air." She nodded to each one of them accordingly and then was off; Charles stood up from his chair shortly and placed his napkin on the table.
"Excuse me." He said before leaving the two of them to continue with their conversation.
~*~
"I have offended you?" He asked her as soon as he reached the railing where she stood.
"No...I am fine." She sighed. "I would rather be alone is all." She turned her eyes to look at him.
"Look, I am sorry about both my friend and my behavior in there...I assure you that my intentions are truly honorable."
"Am I to believe that every man who says to me that his intentions are honorable is indeed an honorable man?"
"I do not know how it is that I must respond to that one." He replied, somewhat at a loss. "I would request that you trust me, but seeing that to you I am a complete stranger...trust is not an issue, is it?"
"No...it is not." She murmured.
"You have been hurt before have you not?" He asked as he faced the ocean and away from her piercing gaze. "Is this why you are so closed off to the world?" She turned her gaze to the watery depths before them.
"That would be the easy route out...would it not?" She replied softly but with confidence. "If I had been hurt before than you could easily mark me as a fallen woman who needs comforting, and then you would be one step away from your goal." She paused. "If only it were that easy...perhaps I am just a strong willed woman who needs not the company of a man such as yourself at this time." She looked at him and then back at the ocean. "Of course, the latter would not be an easy route now would it?" She continued. "For men tend to think the way to a woman's heart is through her tears and heartbreak."
"Ah, but milady...if you wish not to be judged then perhaps you should not judge me as well." He said with a smile.
"I stepped right into that one…" She smiled sheepishly, the first genuine smile since they had been there.
"You should smile more often, it is quite becoming of you."
"I am truly sorry for the way I have behaved as of late." She sighed as she slumped over the rail.
"That is quite all right, I like a woman who has fire in her soul." He chuckled deeply. "And tell you what, you can make it up to me by joining me for dinner."
~*~
He had proved to be quite the gentleman Rei, and had my admiration as we continued to talk of life, philosophies and sweet nothings...no one had ever captured my attention as did he. And that night, he proved himself even more worthy of my attention as trouble began to be amiss on deck.
~*~
Olivia awoke with a start when the boat alarms sounded. Not that she had slept soundly anyway, she could her the sounds of lovemaking through the thin walls coming from the cabin next to her as Elizabeth had no doubt invited the Robert fellow back to her chambers for the evening. When she had placed on her robe and walked out into the crisp cool air, she was greeted by the glance of an obviously worried Charles.
"Olivia, are you all right?" He asked exasperatedly as he immediately went to her.
"I am fine...what is going on?" She asked him worriedly. She watched as he hesitated but for a moment to take an approving glance of her sleepy appearance before answering her.
"It appears that we have a murderer on deck...the captain has called an Emergency meeting." She responded with a sharp gasp. "I was afraid you might be hurt."
"I am fine." She paused as she looked down. "Are you all right?" She asked him shyly, yet briskly.
"Yes, thank you for asking...come, we must go to the meeting in the dining hall." He dragged her along in the opposite direction of her room.
"But I must lock my door." He waited for a few moments for her to do so and then quickly escorted her away.
~*~
Olivia looked around the room and when she saw her friend enter with Robert behind her, she calmed down with the knowledge that her friend had arrived safely.
"It appears that we have one death on board this ship." The Captain began. A round of gasps was heard throughout the room in response to his statement. "A woman was found dead, with only two marks on her neck as a possible point of death. We can not currently attain the information as to how it is that she died, but we are certain that she was killed by another." He continued. "From now on, lock all doors when you are in your rooms and if you chose to be out of your rooms always walk in a group of a least two. Do not associate with those whom you do not know. When we catch the culprit we will let you know. But we strongly suggest that ladies sleep in groups of two and that you have a man escort you to your rooms at night. If you have not one, we will provide you with an escort. That is all for now, you may return to your rooms."
~*~
"Are you sure that you are all right?" He asked from where he stood before her door. She softly nodded a yes; her body visibly shaking with fear. "I do not know if I should believe that reply or not."
"Well, this is turning out to be a...well, a nightmare." She said softly to him. "This was supposed to be a chance for me to loosen up...but instead I am now on a 24 hour watch that is accompanied by fear, anxiety, and tension."
"I am not that bad a company am I?" He asked, causing her to blush noticeably. "If you wish...I can sleep in your rooms—"
"No!"
"I did not mean that." He quickly stated to counter the wall that would immediately build back up if she misunderstood his intentions. "Do you hate me all that much?" He inquired.
"No...I mean."
"So you like me?" He quirked an eyebrow at her as he crossed his arms and leaned against her doorframe, causing her cheeks to redden.
"No...I mean..." She sighed an exasperated sigh and gave in reluctantly while throwing her hands in the air. "Well, it is not a sin to like somebody!" She pointed out.
"It is in your case." He rebutted quickly. She crossed her arms over her chest and made a motion to go back into her room when he lay his guard down for her. "Wait, I am sorry, that was...very ill-mannered of me." He paused. "I like you too." He quickly brought up his hand to lightly caress her chin. "Which is why I worry that you are in that room by yourself." And before she could put up any protest he spoke once more. "Do not worry, I shall sleep on the floor, and you can tie me up if you wish." She blushed and look down upon the ground before half yawning half sighing; she stepped aside lightly and motioned him to come in.
~*~
The both of them lay in their respective spots, him on the floor with some blankets for cushioning and her on her bed; the both of them were staring at the ceiling. Neither could get any rest as the sounds coming from the room next door continued to draw on. It had been apparent to them both that after the meeting Elizabeth and Robert made no hesitation to resume their horizontal dancing.
"You awake?" She whispered into the night.
"No, I am sleeping just as peacefully as the bed upon which they are currently scr—"
"A simple yes would suffice." She cut him short. "I thought for sure that by now they...they...that they would..." She began, looking for the words to complete her thought.
"Tire out?" He chuckled deeply as he finished her thought. She was happy he could not see her face because it was flushed red with embarrassment at their conversation. Although he did not know her current physical state, he could tell that she was slightly uncomfortable about the situation in which they had been placed, so he quickly changed the subject. "Want to go for a walk?"
"OK." She sat up quickly, a little too enthusiastic about leaving he thought.
~*~
"So, what are your plans when you arrive in France?" He asked.
"I am supposed to be staying with a friend there." She replied softly as she looked at the moon and its reflection on the water.
"I see." He whispered. "A female...or male companion?" He continued softly, the latter coming out in a soft blurb.
"Female...I grew up with her in Wessex." She told him. "But then she moved to France, we still wrote, and then one day she invited us over." She paused. "So here we are."
"The nice short version." He stated simply.
"The only version." She replied.
"I wanted to give you something." He stated softly, changing the subject. "I mean...it is nothing really...no big deal, but I just...I thought that you should have it." She turned around in shock as he presented her with a black velvet box.
"What is it?" She asked softly.
"Open it." She eyed him carefully before prying the box from his hands and opening it. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw what lay inside for her; a gold chain was carefully nestled in the silk cloth within, a huge red ruby surrounded on its sides by a thin layer of emerald which was in turn surrounded by a fine intricately cut gold design.
"I couldn't possibly—"
"You can and you will." He told her softly as he plucked the necklace from within the box and began to fit it around her neck. "It is a good luck charm, passed down in the family...we believe that it keeps away those who would wish to harm you...and in these times, I think you can use it."
"I cannot take this Charles...it is too beautiful...too special, and I am not special enough." She continued but he interrupted her once more.
"Say no more...you are special, Olivia." He said to her. "And something deep within me tells me that I should give this to you...and I never ignore a feeling." He finished huskily.
"I do not know what to say..." She said as she looked at the necklace that now lay nestled above her bosom. "I do not know how it is that you can consider giving me something priceless not a big deal...especially a family heirloom...I mean, you hardly even know me."
"I have known you long enough...and you need not say anything." He ended her arguments as he leaned over swiftly to capture her lips in soft butterfly kisses. She was alarmed to say the least, no man had ever kissed her before, and she was unsure of how she was too react. It was considered improper to say the least, being with a man late at night and unescorted, and kissing him no less! Eventually, she gave into it and slid the palm that held the box to his chest where she could feel his heart beat, and her other hand she slid to the back of his head as she closed her eyes and gave into the moment.
~*~
As time passed by we spent more and more time with one another, walking around the deck, or reading poems together...or that sort of thing that couples do. I hardly saw my friend while we were there, she was always hopping about from place to place...and though I would never say it to her, it was my opinion that she was a little promiscuous. I wouldn't be surprised if by the end of our time on the ship, every man had some time with her except for Charles. And then there was the thing with the murders. Occasionally someone else would be killed, and no one knew the cause. It frightened me greatly, but Charles was always there to comfort me, even as the murders began to be dismissed as nothing more than a breakout of some disease because the cause of death was never really known; the bodies were always found lifeless, and pale with two strange marks on their necks.
As our time on the ship came to an end, I felt at ease knowing that he was there, and for me it seemed as if our time on the ship was too short...as I knew that I was falling deeply into something that I didn't understand. The evening before our departure, we lay kissing passionately …but he didn't let it get to far, saying that he didn't feel the moment was quite right yet...and saying good bye would be so much harder if we did. That man was such a gentleman...and I found myself very sad when it was time for us to part.
~*~
As Olivia settled into the carriage that was to take them to the home of their friend, she touched her lips lightly, the heat from Charles's kiss still left to linger. He had left her with his address and number, telling her that if she ever wanted anything, she could call him, or even visit. She had turned to leave, but he was not letting her go that easily and swiftly brought her into his embrace for a quick kiss. He had a feeling that once she arrived in Paris, their unescorted nights together would end. Elizabeth only quirked a brow at her before Olivia followed, grabbing onto her hat that the wind threatened to blow away, her face an apparent red hue.
It always seemed to be that color these days. She thought bemusedly. When they were finally settled in, Olivia was surprised to see that Elizabeth immediately dozed off. Probably tired from her frequent excursions. She sighed as she glanced out the window and gazed longingly into Charles's direction. I do not think her mother will allow me to visit his home. She will only say that it is improper for a lady away from home to do so…but then that would mean…that would mean I shall probably never see him again…She forced herself to look away from the window, heartache already beginning to consume her soul.
~*~
Weeks later...
"I do not think it wise for us to be walking about at such in hour unescorted…we should have never tried to take leave of your mother's house without permission" Olivia stated, announcing her protest at her friend's obvious disregard for the unprotected situation.
"Olivia." She chastised, obviously annoyed. "Lighten up!" She giggled, her golden curls bouncing up and down. "The house that is hosting the party is not but so far away...it will be only a few moments and we shall be there. I go there all the time for parties and such."
"Unescorted Jasmine?" Olivia questioned unbelievingly. "I can just imagine." She drawled. She did not for a moment believe that the girl was silly enough to walk through these parts in the dark frequently without an escort.
"Olivia, it is all right, there are three of us, who would attack three girls?" Elizabeth retorted.
"None of us know the slightest about how to defend ourselves, who would not attack us?" Olivia responded.
"We are almost there...soon you will have to worry no longer." Jasmine stated simply.
"Are you ladies all right?" A man with long black hair suddenly appeared as if from the wind.
"We are fine...we are going to the Lisbon Party." Jasmine said dazzlingly.
"Perhaps we shall escort you...after all, who knows what dangers lie out at this time of night." A second man appeared, his hair of a golden color.
"Oh we are fine." Jasmine continued. "After all, I walk these parts every night...what possible dangers could await us?"
"Anyone in particular expecting you?" Now there were three, the third's hair the color of a chocolate brown; the girls were almost surrounded, the men blocking their path.
"No...not really." Jasmine said nonchalantly yet irritatingly as she tried to step around them.
"Jasmine!" Olivia gasped. "That is not true...we...someone is very well expecting us." She lied.
"Excuse me gentleman, would you please step aside?" Elizabeth objected.
"I am sorry, but we can not allow you to go any further." The first man stated.
"If you do mind, we were on our way somewhere." Jasmine protested once more, her voice shaky.
"But then what would be the fun in that?" The second man asked as he opened his mouth and licked his lips, revealing a pair of razor sharp fangs. They screamed and began to run, the men chasing after them.
"Elizabeth!" Olivia cried out as her friend tripped on a log and fell to the ground. She immediately went to help her as Jasmine continued to run away. "Come on!" She extended her hand to help her up, hoping against all hope that she could get away.
Too late.
Two of the men had caught up with them in a flash and one had hoisted Elizabeth into the air just as it started to rain, causing her to scream.
"Let me go!" She cried. "Please!"
"Not much, but you will do for now." He replied as he took her a little ways away where he sunk his teeth into her flesh.
"Elizabeth!" Olivia cried out but could only run as the other man tried to catch her, the cries of her friends echoing into her ears. Luckily for her, the rain combined with the dirt made the grass into a slipper like paste and he fell to the ground. She continued to run, but then too her horror, she too fell and just like that he had easily caught up with her. She turned to him, crying and pleading for her life.
Too her surprise he backed away, but she noticed it was not because of pity. Rather, the charm around her neck was glowing, and the man immediately put his hands up to block himself from the light.
"Bloody hell!" He replied as recognition and a dawning fell across his face; he looked upon her in fright. "The master will not be pleased." He disappeared. And then it was quiet, dreadfully quite as Olivia realized one truth; she was all alone, the cries of her friends could no longer be heard.
One.
Then two.
Finally three...the tears silently began to fall to the ground as her hair stuck to her body, her clothing soaked and muddy. They were gone, just like that. One minute they were there, and the next minute she was all alone and crying in the rain, her dress all mudded up from sitting on the ground. She was in a strange place, a strange town, with no idea about how she was to get home. She could not even ask, being that she did not know the address or any of the names of the streets. Within a few minutes all that she knew or was familiar had been taken away from her. She stood up from her spot on the ground and began to wander the streets, looking for someone who could possibly give her shelter for the night so she could think things out, and avoid getting sick, as well as the other odd things that could be walking about. Though it had stopped raining, the streets were silent and still. She walked beneath the street lamps and surveyed her surroundings; there was almost no one on the streets. She clutched her muddy shawl around her bare shoulders as she began to hear footsteps behind her. Fearing the worst, she picked up the pace of her steps, the tears falling once more as she realized that this would more than likely be her end. As she increased her steps, so did whoever was behind her...it seemed like the faster her pace became, the more theirs also increased, until finally they began to call out.
"Mademoiselle." A man called out. "Madame." The voice continued as it made more of an effort to catch up to her until she was running. Her breath was heaving in her chest when finally she stopped, unable to go on any further. She was slowly becoming excepting of her fate when the man spoke, surprising her. "Madame, tu as perdu ceci." He reached her and handed her a small white rectangular piece of paper that she slowly took from his hands. Shock marred all over her face as she realized what she was holding...the paper with Charles's information...how could she have forgotten about it? The man turned and was about to leave when she called back to him.
"Monsieur." She called to him. "Monsieur attend!" She pleaded; the man turned to look at her. "Comment puis-je trouver cette route?"
"Cette route est ici." The man replied. "Tournes à droite puis...et j'ignore quelle maison c'est."
"D'accord, merci beaucoup Monsieur." She replied gratefully before running off in the opposite direction.
~*~
"Rei you must believe that it was my only hope, I did not know where else to turn...."
"Mother, why are you apologizing?" Rei asked in wonder with teary eyes as her mother's tale was beginning to scare her.
"Because...what happens next will surely make you hate me."