Long but vital chapter


A Confrontation

Mercedes was angry that Sam had chosen to go to Lima and she was even more angry that he didn't at least let her know in person that he was going. She woke up to Sara's kind face before she told her what Sam had done.

"He has to come back, he's not safe there alone." She said to Sara.

"He promised to be back today sometime. No one will know he's even there or who he is." Sara explained.

Mercedes shook her head, getting out of bed. "You think all this time I've been running away from just Nathan?"

Sara looked at her perplexed. "That's who you said hurt you and that you'd been running from."

"No, what I said was that I'm running from them. He's just the one they sent, Sam has to get out of that town now!" She said, grabbing her phone and dialing his number.

"He left you a note." Sara said and Mercedes shook her head.

"I don't want a note, I want someone to listen to me! He can not go after them, he can't go looking for answers without even knowing the right questions! You do realize that all of this, him getting security and taking all these precautions is because of one person? A person none of you have even seen but you're okay with him flying off to Lima, Ohio!" She replied, growing angry.

Sara grabbed her hands, forcing her to stop pacing as she dialed Sam again. "You have to trust that he knows what he's doing and that he's more than equipped to handle himself if need be."

Mercedes looked at the woman before frowning. "It's a trap and all of you were pawns. Those people have been hunting me for years and you think him being there, away from me is going to keep them from harming him?"

Sara took a step back, placing a hand over her chest. "Wh-what exactly are you saying?"

"The only thing keeping him from me was Sam. You, Stacey and Stevie need to let me walk out that door and you need to lock it behind me."

Sara shook her head. "I promised to watch after you and I won't break my promise, you are safer with people around you than being alone."

"Why did he have to go?" She asked, grabbing her second phone and dialing the only number in it. She heard the click and sighed,

"I know you're there… I need you." There was rustling on the other end but no response. "Please, you left me a card with your number on it and I never used it."

"You said if I ever really needed you, to call so I'm doing it now." She continued.

CLICK.

Mercedes looked at the phone before shaking her head. "I won't be stuck in this house and I won't put anyone else in danger. If he's here, he's coming especially now that Sam's gone." She said looking at Sara.

Sara frowned. "My son is here and so is the protection he hired for you."

Mercedes snorted. "If you love your son, tell him to stand down, now."

"I guess we're in a bit of a mess."

"A mess is putting it lightly, any last sliver of hope I had ended with that call…"


Not too far

"Damnit Elise! You had to know she wouldn't use that call for herself!" Arthur shouted, slamming his phone down and trying to breathe.

He should've known that she would do that and with good reason Samuel Evans was in immense danger going to look into the Harrison's but it had to be done.

It had been a very long time, hiding in the shadows at the request of Elise Gardener. He'd tried to remain impartial but that proved very difficult due to him witnessing the worst from the very beginning.

2005

"We are gathered here today to celebrate the homegoing of a precious woman. Elise was a strong, loving and devoted human, she loved her family and friends, she devoted her time helping her community and most of all she always had her arms open to anyone who needed her."

Arthur skimmed the crowd before spotting the young child he was supposed to shadow and her grief stricken face nearly killed him.

He wasn't entirely sure how Elise even found him but after one meeting with the older woman, he knew he would do anything for her.

Which is why he was here now. She'd called him and told him that he would start effective immediately. He didn't ask any questions beyond where he needed to be and she told him to observe and report.

He didn't think he would have to at her funeral but since he was attending he wanted to get a good look at the child. There were already a few things that made him uncomfortable, the way the family felt so cold even from a distance and the way Mercedes kept trying to keep distance away from him.

He did not trust David. Why he focused his attention on comforting a child he cared nothing about over the woman who'd lost her mother didn't go unnoticed by him. Arthur also didn't like how Mercedes seemed to be put between a rock and a hard place.

Elise mentioned her grandson and his… persistence. There was also a little girl who he was supposed to tail as well, Carla.

She was the only other person who seemed to be grieving along with Mercedes and the other guest. He watched them the entire funeral and found a hatred growing for Monica, David and Nathan.

But especially David.

He was conflicted on how they handled Elise's passing, she wasn't even dead long enough before the daughter called the insurance company to no avail. It made him happy to know that she had an ironclad will and had taken the steps to prevent her ungrateful daughter from getting a single cent.

That moment started a series of triggering moments for him but none stuck more than him having to see Mercedes struggle to save her sister.

He wanted to help, he started to but that bastard came and pulled her away. It broke his heart having to see how they treated her, he came so close to taking her after school when she'd get left.

He only broke once. Admittedly, he felt his humanity slipping away from him but she needed to know she had someone. He saw her walking out of the house, clearly shaken up and decided enough was enough. He slowly followed her before parking and getting out.

"Mercedes?" He said and the young girl stopped walking to turn and look at him.

"D-do I know you?"

Artie shook his head. "Your grandmother sent me… she asked me to look after you." He replied and watched as Mercedes thought over his words.

"Why would she do that?"

Artie moved closer and sighed. "She figured you'd need someone looking out for you."

She frowned. "And you're just now showing up?"

"I've been here the whole time… my job is to watch and document but I… you look like you're on the run. Are you?"

Mercedes shifted. "Maybe…"

"You don't have anything with you, how do you plan on surviving?"

She looked around nervously. "I took some money from my mom's purse… I plan to pay it back but I just can't stay there any longer."

Artie sighed, pulling out his wallet. "Here, this is my card… only call when it's too much." He said, handing her his card. "And take this."

She looked at him and frowned again. "If you're feeling guilty for not helping, it's okay. No one ever helps, only my nana." She said before taking the card and the wad of money he'd offered.

He shook his head, grabbing her arm before she walked away. "I need you to understand that I wanted to help with your sister… I saw everything. I-"

Mercedes snatched away. "You saw everything and didn't do anything to help!" She spat, tears brimming, "You watched! You had the power to save her and me and you just WATCHED! I don't know why my nana asked you to look after me but she wouldn't have stood there and watched that."

Artie knew she was right. He had no right to assume she would be okay with the decisions he made or didn't make. "You have every right to hate me but should there ever come a time when you feel completely boxed in, call me and I will come no hesitation."

She looked at him, still frowning. "Yeah, whatever." She said, walking away. He watched her walk away before shaking his head and going back to his car, he had to trail her but she hit a sore spot in him.

He wished he could say that was when she got out but the woman sent for her. He wished he knew why they hunted the way they did but he heard it all, he'd overstepped the arrangement that night too.

He was never to go onto the property. Ever. Elise knew something he didn't but he heard her being beaten, he was an inch away from busting the doors down but someone beat him to the punch. Liz… the housekeeper. She must've reached her breaking point because he watched her sneak out and call the police.

The police.

Funny how easily they could be paid off but he wasn't surprised when they showed up and no one was arrested. Instead they called an ambulance and spun it to say she ran away and came back that way.

He was in the hospital the entire time. She was there for three weeks, her family never came. Not once did they come by to check on her but Liz did. She was there everyday, she even quit working for them after that.

Artie' wasn't sure what happened to her after she resigned but she was jittery every time she showed up.

He'd spoken to her. Once.

"You know her?" He asked and the woman looked at him before looking back at Mercedes.

"Yes, I've known her for a very long time. She's the sweetest girl… I should've gotten her out there sooner." The woman said, wiping away her tears.

Artie frowned. "Why didn't you?"

"They had me under a strict contract and… wait why are you asking? Who are you? Did they send you here?"

He shook his head, "no Elise did…" He answered and the woman looked at him like she was crazy. "It was a favor before she passed."

She nodded slowly. "Elise loved her deeply. I hate that I failed her, she tried hard to get that baby out."

"She was out though, she was safe for a while."

Liz shook her head. "No, I mean Carla. She'd told them she was going to take her away from them. That she knew their secret and because Nathan was too far gone, she would stop them before they damaged her… Monica was so angry."

Artie looked at Mercedes. "Did she do this?"

Liz sniffled. "No, Nathan did… but he was instructed to do it. I have called and called the police about them but nothing ever happens. I guess when you have as much money as they do, you can buy your way out."

Artie ran his hand through his hair. "So there's a record of the calls you made?"

Liz started to respond but Mercedes began moving and she turned her attention to her. "Mercedes, sweetheart?"

Artie watched as the young girl slowly opened her eyes but just as quickly as she opened them, she closed them back. Artie tried to school his emotions but it was impossible to do especially knowing that the boy was instructed to do it.

"Can you make sure she's okay? I'll be back before she's discharged." He asked.

Liz looked at him worriedly. "I can't… they basically said if they catch me anywhere near her they'll have me arrested."

"They won't, I promise." He said, handing her his card. "Call this number the moment you see them."

Liz took it and shook her head. "Okay, but be quick."

Artie just nodded before walking out of the room and the hospital, it was time he paid these people a proper visit.


Mercedes was on pins and needles sitting in Sam's office. She'd been calling him for hours and he still hadn't picked up.

"Sweetheart you need to eat something, trouble doesn't like an empty stomach." Sara said, carrying a tray of food in with her.

Mercedes frowned. "I'm not hungry… have you heard anything from him?"

Sara sighed. "If I had, would you be angry?"

"Is he okay?" Mercedes asked.

"It was brief but he's fine. He's sorry he hasn't answered but it's because he was on the plane."

Mercedes sat down, letting out a shaky breath. "Did you tell him to come back?"

"Yes and he said he'll be back first thing in the morning, now will you please eat?" Sara asked, placing the tray down in front of her.

She hated lying to Mercedes but until Sam answered her texts, she figured it would make it easier to ease her mind with a little white lie for now. In truth, the only thing she did know was that Sam had landed and that his first stop would be to the hospital but what she feared was that whatever he was looking for, he was going to find and it would be a great deal of trouble for everyone involved.


Sam had been standing in the hospital lobby at the nurse's station for the past two hours to no avail. He'd asked to speak to the senior director and had been getting the runaround ever since. He looked at his watch and frowned again, he was running behind on the time he allotted to come here before he went to follow the other lead Sue sent him.

"Hello, my name is Sheila. I hear you're wanting to speak with the director?"

Sam looked at the woman before nodding. ``Yes, I need to ask about something that happened around 1989. I know that's a long time ago but it's important."

The woman looked at him hard for a moment before nodding. "Okay I have a few moments, follow me." She said, turning and walking away towards a long hallway. Sam followed her into an office, she took a seat and Sam followed.

"Okay, what information are you needing?" The woman asked and he sighed.

"A baby, a little baby girl was born here in March…" he pulled out his phone, pulling up the email. "March 20th. Her mother's name was Denise Jones."

"1989 is well before I took over.. Some of those files are hard to find, is there a reason why you need them?"

"Well my… the child is a friend and she… it's hard to explain that but she was adopted by someone named Monica Jones. She said she was the sister of Denise but Denise didn't have a sister…:

Sheila frowned. "Look, if this is some weird test, I'm not falling for it. I don't know anything about A Denise or Monica and I have to ask you to leave before I call the proper authorities."

Sam stood looking at her confused. "I'm not… it's not a test, I need to know the person that signed off on then taking the baby. I don't… here." He said, handing her his card. "I'm not from here and I am trying to help someone who needs it! I need this because something terrible is going to happen to her if I don't."

She took the card, looking it over before sighing. "I can not help you, you need to leave. You need to go back to wherever you're from and let it be."

Sam took a step back, looking at the woman before nodding and pulling out his wallet. "How much?" He asked and Sheila scrunched up her face.

"I don't know how you do things where you're from but I can't-"

"Bullshit! You know something and you mentioned Monica when all you had to do was say you didn't know anything about the child or her mother. So how much?" He demanded. "I can write more zeros than they could ever dream up so tell me how much it's going to cost to set an incredibly… amazing woman free?"

Sheila shook her head. "I…" She stopped when her phone rang. "If you'll excuse me." She said, tossing a file on her desk and looking at it then at him before answering her phone.

Sam looked at her before grabbing the file and walking out of her office, he made sure to tuck the file into his jacket before heading to the car he rented. When he got inside, he pulled the file out and placed it on his seat as he checked his watch.

He was on a tight schedule and needed to make sure he was back to the airstrip before eleven. It would take him roughly an hour to get to Toledo and as much as he wanted to look though that file he needed to get to Toledo. He put the address into his GPS and headed on his way.


Nathan smirked as he walked along the sidewalk, his plan was going just as he planned. The man she was playing house with was out of state and she was alone. He found the little security she had around her amusing, so amusing that he managed to take care of the two burly men last night.

He didn't have enough time to enjoy torturing them but he left them tied up for later, he had one more small hurdle. Whoever the asshole that was heading the security, he was an allusive motherfucker but he found out some fun information and planned on using it to get him away from her.

He watched as people walked by smiling and chatting like life was grand and luckily for them it was, they weren't in his way. He was growing tired of waiting and he was even more tired of chasing Mercedes. He would've found her sooner if that man hadn't gone and put a stop to his progress.

He stopped walking and looked around, he rarely felt someone watching him but the feeling was high. He needed to hurry and get the bracelet from Mercedes after he had his fun first of course.

Stopping in front of the bookshop he scowled. "Elise's Place…" he muttered, pulling out his phone and taking a picture before sending it off. He sighed, trying the handle but it was locked.

He walked around the side of the building and pulled out the bottle out of his jacket, humming as he stuff the shredded cloth into it before lighting.

"Burn baby, burn. Hmm, mhmm. Burn baby burn." He sang before tossing through the back window and walking away.

He waited ten minutes before rushing into the bakery across the street. "HELP, FIRE! There's a fire at the bookshop!" He shouted, seeing the panic cross the patron's faces.

"Call 9-1-1 and Bas, call Mercedes, let her know a fire broke out!" A man said and Nathan just eased out smirking.

This was by far his best plan yet, she would know he set the fire and she would come or she wouldn't either way today was the day he was going to get that bitch all to himself. It amazed him how aloof all these people were, she was a danger to them all and yet they still entertained her.

He'd been watching, he saw how she walked around smiling and kissing that man. He also saw her friends, lucky for them she warned them to stay away but he would be lying if he didn't have a slight hunger for the one called Marley. Sugar-sweet and oh so naïve but she would be collateral that he didn't really care enough about.

No, he had to focus, after being in the hospital because that asshole got his hands on him, he lost a great deal of time and all that time it took for him to heal only made him want to get to her even more. He had countless weeks to sit and think of ways to make her feel like he did.

He pulled his phone out and brought up his security app. "These people are idiots." He said smirking as he watched everyone except Mercedes run out of the house but he saw a quick glimpse of her trying to come but was pushed back inside. "Mhm, guess I'll have her to myself in that lovely house of his."

He waited until the fire trucks arrived before getting into his rental and heading to Mercedes. He knew no one was left in the house but her and unfortunately for her, that little security of hers wasn't going to arrive to save her this time. Nor was her little white knight because he was states away, no he would get to enjoy torturing her this time.

He smiled as he neared the house and opted to park a few paces away before coming up through the back. Small towns meant old locks and people rarely changed their locks. He knew based on the house that that wasn't the case but he was smart enough to sneak by when they were asleep and mess up the lock to the point all it needed was a firm nudge.

He walked inside through the kitchen his whole body tingling with excitement, he looked around noting the fancy decor before smirking as he grabbed one of fine China and threw it on the ground. Then he did it again and again until he could hear feet padding on the marble floor.

The more he threw the quicker the feet got until the sound stopped and he inhaled, smiling as he turned around. "Well… I see you've gotten mighty comfortable here." He said looking at Mercedes.

She looked at him and he grew angry at the lack of fear in her eyes, he would have to change that. "Nathan… you need to leave, I am no longer doing this with you." She said, trying to reign in her horror.

He just tilted his head and smirked. "You look good, how long did you wait before spreading your legs for him?"

She shook her head. "Your obsession with me is disgusting and-" She took a step back when he moved towards her. "Leave."

"I would but everyone is in town trying to put out the fire in your little shop, cute naming it after nana by the way. You have something I want and I need it now." He replied, grabbing another glass as he moved towards her. "Give me the keys, Mercedes."

Mercedes let out a shaky breath. "I don't have any keys." She said, slowly backing away before jumping her he threw the glass at her.

"You're lying and we both know I don't like that." He warned, grabbing another glass and throwing it at her bare feet.

Mercedes jumped but refused to run, that's what he wanted her to do and she couldn't give him that satisfaction. "Nathan, I don't have an fucking keys! Why don't you go ask Monica and David why they sent you after something they know I don't have!" She shouted and he laughed before throwing the glass directly at her head but she dodged it.

"Monica and David didn't send me you twat, I stopped doing their dirt when that man beat my ass because of YOU!" He shouted before lunging at her. Mercedes wasn't quick enough and he managed to get her down before she could run.

He flipped her over and straddled her. "Just like old times!" He beamed, grabbing her shirt and ripping it off. "Only this time you can't stop me, you see your little friend did you a favor when he beat me."

Mercedes fought against him. "I don't know what you're talking about!" She said, trying to knee him but it only caused him to press down into her more.

"Uh-uh, I know all your little tricks! Tell me, did you fight him this hard? You filthy slut! You barely even know him and look at you, walking around acting like you didn't take from me!" He spat, slapping her and growing angrier when she didn't react.

"I don't have the energy to fight you nor do I want to give it to you." She said and he let out a strangled noise before punching her.

"YOU WILL GIVE ME WHATEVER I WANT! I OWN YOU! YOU ARE A NO-GOOD MURDER AND A SLUT!" He shouted, hitting her repeatedly, this time causing her to cry out but when he hit her in the head causing her blank.

"Mercedes." Mercedes turned her head, blinking but her vision was too blurry. "Mercedes, get up and fight!"

"Nana?"

"You need to fight, help is not far but you must fight!"

Mercedes let out a sob. "Why did you leave me? Why did you have to go?"

"Sweet girl, I never left. I have always been with you, I will always be with you but if you don't get up and fight… they will win.

"I'm tired of fighting, nana. I'm tired of running…"

"You have to remember what happened, you have to let that wall down and remember who the real monster is. FIGHT!"

"Stupid bitch!" Nathan shouted bringing his hand up to hit her again but she got her hands free and stopped him

"I told you the last time, you'd never touch me again." She said through gritted teeth before using all the force she had to get him off of her. Her body was sore and her head was spinning but she knew she had to fight him.

She stood shakily before lunging at him, she got him to the ground, pressing her knees into his chest causing him to gasp for air.

"Not fun is it?" She asked grabbing his head, bringing it up, and slamming it down. "Does that feel good?"

Nathan tried to hit her but when she started punching him repeatedly he used his arms to protect him from the blows.

"Uh-uh!" She said shifting so that he couldn't protect himself. "YOU WANTED A FIGHT! FIGHT BACK BITCH!" She shouted as tears begin flowing down her face.

"Mer-" He gasped but she didn't let him finish when she punched him again.

"FOR YEARS YOU AND THAT MAN HURT ME! YOU ARE JUST LIKE HIM!"

"Mercedes." A voice came from behind her but she kept slamming his head into the ground before feeling herself being lifted. "It's okay, you can stop now."

She screamed out, trying like hell to break free before she began sobbing.

"You were there that night! You could've stopped him but you just watched! I remember everything!" She said, trying to breathe.

"Mercedes, listen to my voice… he can't hurt you anymore." Artie said, turning her to face him. "Look."

Mercedes blinked, looking behind him and seeing police everywhere. "It's over?"

Artie looked down at her and frowned. "We both know the answer to that but you need to get to the hospital."

"I don't want… Sam!" She said, realizing what he just said. "You have to go get him, why are you here?"

"Because my job was to watch and observe you and only when you called was I to intervene. I've been waiting years for you to call me." He explained.

She shook her head. "Why didn't you just…"

"Do you remember before you ran away the second time? Nathan wasn't there and neither was David, do you remember?"

Mercedes winced trying to think. " I… yes."

"And they didn't come after you for a long time, remember?" She nodded.

"I intervened but it wasn't easy to find you after I did. I had to keep them away from you so I went away but when he found you again… I knew you needed someone so I sent Unique and-"

Mercedes looked at him shocked. "You sent her?" She asked in disbelief.

"You were never alone, every place you went someone was there. Didn't it seem weird that you were able to find places to live with no money? How do you think Shelby found you?"

"Wha- what?" Her head started spinning before her knees buckled and everything started to fade into blackness.


Sam looked at the address one more time before getting out of his rental and heading up the walkway. He checked his watch seeing that he was making good time before knocking in the door.

He waited a few moments before knocking again and took a step back when the door flung open.

"Can I help you?"

Sam looked at the woman, lost for words. "Ah… are… are you, Colette?"

She frowned. "Yes, are you trying to sell something because I'm not interested?"

Sam shook his head, looking at her intensely. "I'm not… I'm sorry you just really look like someone I know."

The woman nodded before slowly backing away. "Whatever sick joke you can stop, I don't know you." She said before starting to close the door but Sam stopped it with his foot.

"You're Derek's sister? Derek Jones?" He asked quickly and she opened the door, narrowing her eyes at him.

"Who are you and how do you know my brother?"

"Can I please show you something?" He asked and she sighed before nodding. He pulled out his and turned it so she could see.

Colette leaned in before looking up at him in shock. "Who are you? And who is that?"

"I'm Sam and I think she's your niece… Can I come in and talk to you?"

She nodded, stepping aside and letting him.


Breaking news just out of a small town in Ohio, a local couple once beloved by everyone, is now under investigation for a myriad of charges some of which dates back to as far as 1986. Some charges include tax evasion, kidnapping, money laundering, identity theft and murder. Stay tuned for more information.


WHEWWW... There will be a time jump mid-next chapter! The real shit is starting now!