Chapter 13
Beatings and Notes

Alec was still sniffling as the boat finally stopped. Erik gently picked Alec up, and carried him over to a chair.
"Your arms feel like Cori's arms," Alec said quietly as Erik sat him down in the chair.

Erik, who was usually amused by what came out of the boy's mouth, couldn't help but to ask.

"How do you mean Alec?" Erik asked with a puzzled and curious look on his face.

"Well, when Cori holds me, I feel safe. They make me feel like no one can hurt me, because she will protect me. Your arms feel the same way."

"Alec, your sister asked me to keep you safe. If my arms make you feel safe, then I guess I'm doing what I'm suppose to."
Erik knelt down in front of the small boy, and looked him in the eye.
" I must be honest with you Alec. I am not used to having children down here. I don't really know the first thing about children. It's one thing spending a few hours with you every day, but you're going to be here for a little while, I'm not exactly sure if I can keep you entertained for a whole day not to mention a few days or weeks."
"Everything will be okay Erik, I promise. I'll be as quiet as a baby mouse. You won't even know I'm around. I'm kind of used to being quiet and staying out of the way, so mother won't notice me. It will work out," Alec said as he gently placed his small hands on Erik's shoulders.

Erik was completely caught off guard when Alec leaned over and gently kissed his cheek.
"I love you Erik,"
Erik was unsure what to say. Could the fondness he felt for this boy pass for love? He just knew he had to change the subject and fast.
"Alec, I better go get your suitcase. Will you just sit there until I return?"
"Yes Erik. Cori made me promise to obey you like I obey her," Alec said with a matter of fact look on his face.
"Thank you Corrine," Erik thought to himself as he turned to his desk.
He wrote a quick note. He had to make sure not to use the paper or ink that he normally uses for his notes. He had to make absolutely sure that this note could not be traced back to him. If anyone realized that he was the one to write the note, it could mean his capture.

He turned the corner and he could see the suitcase with Alec's stuffed rabbit and the music box that he'd giving him sitting on top. He walked over and looked into the darkened room. Corrine was nowhere in sight. He quietly slid the mirror open and placed the note on her desk. He picked up Alec's things and left.

A few hours later Corrine walked stiffly into her room. The beating she just received made her sore. She looked at herself in the mirror, and was completely in shock. "Is that really me?" She thought to herself.
Her left eye was swollen shut, several bruises were just starting to form on her whole right side of her face. There were so many of them that it looked like one huge bruise. her lip was cut and bleeding. She couldn't tell how badly her lip was really bleeding due to the fact that some of the blood was from her nose. She knew she looked horrible, but she knew it would look worse the next morning. She was bound and determined to never tell where her brother went.

She was about to fall on the bed and have a good cry when she noticed a note on her desk. She grabbed it up and read:

My dearest Corrine,
Your very much loved book arrived here safely and unharmed. I do promise to keep it in my safe keeping until you can reclaim it. I do hope we visit together soon.
Your trusted friend,
E

Corrine burst into tears. Partly because she knew her brother was safe, and partly because Erik was wise enough to not mention her brother nor himself. If her mother had read it, she would never guess the real message of the note.
"Thank you Erik," Corrine whispered very softly just in case anyone was listening outside her door.