It took me a while, but I finally convinced her of the need to hide alone and to talk to me(as myself) in the morning.
When I was sure she was asleep, I snuck back into my room. Antha and Trixie stayed in my Dad's room.
Around nine, Antha woke me, and we all had breakfast.
After we ate, Trixie and Antha watched TV, while Elizabeth took me aside, and told me about last night's events.
"Are you sure you weren't dreaming?" I asked with fake doubt.
"Yeah!"
" I don't know..." I said in my best hesitating voice.
After a while, I 'let' her 'convince me. She quickly went to explain things to Antha and Trixie ,while I decided to make the arrangements.
Discreetly, I went outside to call her father and told him of the new developments. Needless to say, he was very happy.
"Where would you like me to take her?"
"I gotta call the deprogrammer, and see what he says." he told me. "What is your cell number?"
I gave it to him. and we hung up.
Elizabeth joined me outside.
"I told them about what happened and that I had to hide somewhere with your help." she said.
"Uh...start packing, and I'll make the arrangements"
"Okay..." she left.
It bothered me how gullible, and willing to believe in this crap she was. Those bastards Morlock and Bryan were taking advantage of her! What if I had been a pervert? I'd have a field day!
A while later, her dad called me back, and told me where to go. I wrote down the directions, and his cell number.
That night, Elizabeth and I left in my SUV. She had packed a few things and looked nervous. Poor girl! Between 'Rick's ' visions, and the 'reformed demon' she'd really gotten quite a few scares. However, this was a better alternative than staying at that cult! Thankfully, during our rehearsals, I had told Charlie to have them leave a note. This way, for now, I didn't have to worry about the Bryan and Morlock looking for her.
I let her choose the radio station. The music gave me a headache!
"Why do you have so many mirrors?" she asked.
"I've only got one real eye" I explained. "So I've got more blind spots. Mirrors help fix that"
"Oh..."
After a while, I stopped at a gas station with an AM/PM, giving her thirty bucks.
"Go get yourself some snacks." I told her. Guilt and worry had encouraged me to give her the money.
She got some stuff, while I pumped gas.
The drive was long, and we had to go up a mountain. Finally, we arrived in this little cabin that was isolated. Great! No nosy neighbors!
With her help, I got everything, and we took it all inside. The place was dusty, had no furniture, and several spider webs. With an old broom, that had flattened bristles, I got ride of the spider webs. Elizabeth mostly walked around, and unpacked her stuff.
"Sorry it's not much" I told her lamely.
"As long as I'm safe." she smiled. "Are you gonna stay too?"
"Yeah" I lied, as I planned to leave as soon and her father and the deprogrammer came.
A while later, I heard them approaching. When they came in, I held Elizabeth by the arms. The deprogrammer, who had a buzz cut, crossed his arms and watched the scene.
"Dad????" She angrily turned to me. "What the hell is going on???" The girl struggled, but she was no match for someone who used to restrain grown men bigger than him.
"There was no reformed demon" I told her finally, as her dad gave me a 'what the hell' look.
"Rick isn't a real psychic" her dad said seriously, though I could tell he was worried sick by the look in his eyes. The girl had scars on her arms, and looked very skinny. "He's an actor. Don got information on everyone before hand and gave it to him."
"Dad hired you! You didn't really care! Son of a bitch!!" she began to scream and struggle against my grasp. "Does Hope know this??"
"No...she didn't" I said simply and added. " I do care. That's why I did this."
"I'll take it from here" the deprogrammer said, and within seconds, Elizabeth was in his grip. "I'll need to work with her alone."
Reluctantly, the dad and I left.
"You checked him out, right?" I asked.
"A niece was treated by him." he said. " I don't know how to thank you enough!! Not only did you get her out, but you gave us extra time before they'd go looking for her!"
"I'm just glad to be able to help" I assured him.
We talked some more, and he promised to keep me apprised of Elizabeth's progress.
"Before I forget, here's the rest of the fee" He handed me a check. "I put in a little extra, but what you did has no price!!"
"Thank you" I said simply.
"It was wonderful to see her again!" he said. "Even for just a little bit. She needs to put on some weight, though"
"She sure does" I agreed.
After some more chatting, we went our separate ways. While I was happy about a job well done, I knew that I still needed to deal with Antha and Trixie. Then, I had an idea!
TBC