Chapter 22: Saved Soul

One Week Later

A week past since Thelma left, everyone was doing well but I knew that was only their masks, they all were praying madly for Thelma to be safe. I myself do not pray but I sure was hoping, with all my might.

Dreama and I will speak to one another occasionally, we would eventually do our love making but only just straightforward kisses, nothing compared to that one night when I took her.

I would help Bunny with her singing like I promised but only to help clear her voice up; Dreama did most of the teaching.

I helped the boys and Dean with the outside work, even though I didn't need to it still helped me get stronger.

Sometimes when I had absolutely nothing to do and Dreama was busy with Bunny I would help Dolly with cooking…cooking! It was hard to believe that I would cook for someone but it was better then doing nothing.

Jonnie and Jennie have been doing fairly well but not entirely. They have more arguments now, all because Jonnie can't tell her father Jennie already agreed to marry him. I don't blame him; with Thelma gone it made Dean disturbed, if Jonnie mentions a word of it he'll be in denial. But then me, I was secretly courting his daughter. What would he think of a thirty-six year old monster sleeping with just an eighteen year old girl? I was old enough to be her father, well not really but I was close. I hate keeping secrets away from Dean especially after the relationship we created. But in time I will tell all. I can only hope they will accept it.

Thelma though, was she alright? Ever since yesterday I've been feeling a lot more doubtful about her voyage. Thelma…the look on her face, I still remember it. How heartbroken she must have been. I knew she wanted me, but love me? Did she love me and out of jealousy left to get her revenge? It just doesn't make since to do that though. As I learned this past week The Sea Slaughterer was an undefeatable ship and left no ship to survive. This all seemed too much, I asked what else was the reason Thelma wanted revenge for besides the fact that ship was the reason why Dreama lost her voice to sing, I was left silent when I learned that ship was the reason her mentor was dead. They killed him and she was left alone.

I came across Bunny's room where Dreama was staying at yet she wasn't there. I searched the whole house yet she was no where to be found. Then the old barn came into mind and I made my way there.

When I neared the barn I heard Dreama playing or composing I believe for she paused almost every ten seconds then resumed. The song was one I never heard of and it quickly caught my attention, but I needed to speak with Dreama I just needed to hear her voice.

"Dreama?" I spoke interrupting her playing. She quickly grabbed her music sheets and stuffed them in a chest right next to the piano. She then turned on the bench to face me. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to disturb you,"

"Oh no it's alright, I was just fooling around," she said. The words fooling around seem to somehow stimulate me and I approached her like I was some sort of predator getting ready to conquer my pray.

"Fooling around without me?" I asked with desire. She grinned.

"Why, Sir Erik, I hope you aren't having naughty thoughts now are you?" she asked her country accent flowing with grace. I smiled as I went on my knees and placed my hands on her knees.

"No My Lady, I would never do anything you wish me not to do" I said in my gentleman voice. She smiled, and then I quickly spread her knees and pulled her close so I was in between her thighs. She gasped as she placed her hands on my chest. We stared at each other doing nothing; all I did was rub her thighs and waist.

Then suddenly our passions descended as the thought of Thelma came into both our minds. I sighed and placed my hands on her shoulders.

"She'll be alright Dreama, she has to be. Your sister…" I was interrupted by screaming coming from the village. I quickly stood and so did Dreama.

We dashed out of the barn and ran to the village where a group of people were running all to the river where I was able to see three boats. She was back! Then why weren't there shouts of joy? Why were there shouts of terror?

We reached the front of the crowd and I froze, all I heard was Dreama's screams. There before me was Thelma's cold, dead corps.

Her crew rushed her to the Tamber cottage, I was right behind them Dreama right next to me. I couldn't believe what was happening, Thelma couldn't be dead! What had happened?

They busted the door open causing Dolly and Dean to run into the main room. Dolly erupted in a puddle of tears as she rushed to Thelma.

"Oh my little girl!" she cried. "Set her on the table now!" she demanded through tears. Dean rushed in the kitchen and pushed all the dishes off the long wooden table as the crew came in and placed Thelma carefully on the table. Dolly screamed at the crew to get out, they did as quickly as possible. But I couldn't move I just stood there.

Soon the rest of the Tamber family came in, first Tommy and Noah, then Jennie followed by Jonnie.

"Oh my god what happened?" uttered Tommy in disbelief.

"Boys I need you out of this room right now" Dolly's voice was firm, a tone I never heard her use.

"Mama what's going on?" asked Bunny entering the kitchen with great deal of fear.

"Erik get her out of here!" she shouted to me. I nodded and took Bunny's hand and lead her away. The last thing I heard was Dolly demanding that Dreama stay to help.

"What happened to Thelma?" Bunny said trying to hold back tears. I pulled her on the couch and faced her.

"Your sister had an accident don't worry she'll be alright," clearly a lie. I had no idea what had happened if it was an accident or not and if she'll be alright. When I saw her she looked dead, she was pale, not moving. She looked cold.

My thoughts were torn out of my mind when I heard Bunny's silent sobs.

"She won't be alright" was all she said.

I grabbed her shoulders and made her look at me.

"Don't say that! Don't say it…" my voice cracked and next thing I knew tears were stinging my eyes. I tried hiding them but the site of Bunny sobbing was just too much. The salty tears traveled down my face and I quickly looked away.

Bunny then placed her hand on my deformed side and brushed away the tears. I looked at her not knowing how to react. Her tears kept pouring, she then pulled me too her and she sobbed on my chest.

A child crying in my arms, a child begging for comfort. This is what it would feel like, it felt beautiful. While Bunny cried in my shirt I cried on her shoulder as I stroked her hair.

Dean left the room to check on the others and left Dolly to her work. Dolly worked on Thelma for nearly an hour before she got the bullet out. She would live thank god, the bullet nearly hit her heart, any closer she would have been dead.

As Dolly cleaned her wound Dreama cleaned the rest of the areas that had blood on it, she then came across her hands. They were covered in blood. Tears quickly sprang to her eyes and fell just as effortlessly.

"Mother there's so much blood," she cried as she began to clean the blood off. Dolly only continued to clean her wound.

"Just clean Dreama" was all she said.

Dreama stared at her mother then continued cleaning, her tears falling freely yet she made no sound.

Three hours later everyone was silent. Bunny was now sitting on her fathers lap clinging on to his vest; Tommy and Noah were sitting next to each other a nervous look upon their face, and Jennie was in Jonnie's arms, holding on tight. I was sitting on the couch deep in thought.

Thelma left because of me, because of my feelings for Dreama. If I continued this behavior Thelma could do it again and that time she may not be so lucky. I couldn't risk that, not in a million years! Thelma saved my life, I owe her this much.

But Dreama, what I feel about her is real, or is it? That one question has been bothering me ever since Thelma left. Do I love Dreama? Do I just simply want her body? Or do I want her love?

The door opened and out came Dolly and Dreama. Everyone stood and rushed to them.

"Is she alright?" asked Noah.

"Will she be ok?" asked Jennie.

"Will she live?" asked Bunny.

Dolly looked at everyone with a straight face.

"She'll be fine, she's resting now, her soul has been saved. Dean I need you to carry her to her room." Dean nodded and entered the kitchen which only a minute went by before he came out with Thelma in his arms. Her clothes had been stripped from her body and all that was there to cover her was just a blanket.

We all followed Dean to Thelma's bedroom and stopped when he entered her room. We all waited for him to come out.

"Can we see her?" asked Bunny. Dean narrowed his head.

"Let her rest for a couple of days," said Dean closing the door half way before heading down the stairs. Everyone followed him, the only ones that stayed was me and Dreama.

We did not say anything to each other, we just stood there. Me right next to Thelma's door, she only yards away.

I finally glanced in her direction, tears traveled down her face. Her brown eyes were big and red; her long black hair was messy and hanging down her shoulders.

So much pain she must be going through. She still thinks it is her fault I know it. I can't let her suffer, and I can't lie to her anymore.

"Dreama,"

She looked up at me and took a step forward.

"Yes" she choked and looked away.

"I need to tell you something," she looked at me and noticed my seriousness.

I walked to her and took her hands in mine; I looked into her eyes and was suddenly hooked. I was going to tell her my secret; I was going to tell her the truth behind the face, behind the invisible mask I wear right now. She was going to know my story.

Please forgive me…

Hey guys, well what would Dreama think about his past? Review and I shall write more! Or...yea...

ok one more thing I just want to clear things up for you guys you know...about everyone's age when they were born and so on so forth so yea here you go...

so this is how it works, I write their names then year they were born and how old they are now...just so you know the timeis set in 1870 and I'll put down any other important info if I must.

Bunny - born 1858 - 12 years old in 1870

Jennie - born 1855 - 15 years old in 1870

Jonnie - born 1853 - 17 years old in 1870...not part of Tamber family

Dreama - born 1852 - 18 years old in 1870...lost voice 8 years ago in 1862 when she was 10

Tommy - born 1850 - 20 years old in 1870

Noah - born 1850 - 20 years old in 1870

Thelma - born 1844 - 26 years old in 1870

Dolly - born 1827 - 43 years old in 1870

Dean - born 1817 - 53 years old in 1870

Ok if you guys have any questions please leave it on the review board and I'll gladly answer them in my next chappy...kk later.

"Life is a mask,its our job totake it off and discover the journey behind it not in front for there is nothing there but a mask"

Crystal A.