Ch 12

Cody looked up to the door being opened. He saw Dot walk in.

"What the hell ya doin over by him? Ellen you been talkin ain't ya?"

Ellen didn't answer, she just kept rocking. He watched as she went to Jimmy who was starting to stir. She quickly tied his arms and legs before turning back to Cody.

"Now what to do with you."

"What's goin on here?" Asked Cody.

"I'm her sister, that's her husband." Said Ellen.

"Shut up Ellen! Ya ain't supposed to talk!

"Can I have my medicine now? Please, I need it."

"I told ya to shut up!"

Cody sat and watched the poor girl. They obviously had her hooked on something but he didn't know what. Jimmy groaned and began to move. He had fell asleep last night after watching some damn imaginary dot for hours. Cody needed to choose his words wisely.

"Morning!" Said Shannon cheerfully from behind Cody.

"Morning Mrs. Shannon." Said Dot.

Cody stayed quiet and watched the odd scene in front of him. Shannon went and sat beside Jimmy on the bed. She stroked his hair as she looked in his face.

"Darling, are you awake this morning?"

Jimmy turned his head from side to side. He slowly opened his eyes. His head was splitting.

"Morning honey. I have missed waking up with you in the mornings." She smiled.

Jimmy had gotten some of senses back as he frowned looking at her.

"Can't you say good morning?"

"Morning." Jimmy whispered.

"Better. Breakfast will be ready soon. I know you are starving since you missed supper last night. I know it was unfortunate."

"Not really." Said Jimmy quietly.

"What did you say?"

"I feel sick."

"Dot get his medicine ready. He must be a little under the weather. It will make you feel so much better my love."

"I don't want that. I'll do whatever you say."

"It doesn't work that way."

He didn't answer. She stood and went to Ellen. Jimmy frowned as he noticed Cody for the first time. Cody looked at Jimmy shaking his head. They needed to get out of this.

"Ellen go change into your brown dress. We have to make a trip after breakfast."

"I want my medicine first."

"Not til I say. Now do it."

Dot came back in with a long strange looking needle. Cody watched as Jimmy started to yell and squirm. They held him down as they shoved it in his arm. They stood back and watched as his breathing slowed. Cody was in shock. So that's how they were keeping him. Ellen saw the medicine and rushed Dot to try to take it.

"No Ellen, you can't have it yet!"

Cody watched as Jimmy started staring at the ceiling again. A small trickle of blood running down his arm unnoticed. His entire body went slack as he stared. Ellen was fighting Dorothy now with all her might. He turned his attention back to them. As they fought, he tried his ropes again. He felt one hand come loose.

"Why?! Why does he get it?! I want it!"

"Stop Ellen!" Yelled Shannon.

"I ain't your damn sister! I'm just a whore who looks like her and he ain't your fucking husband! Ya killed both of em years ago and you can't get them back you crazy bitch!" Ellen was screaming at the top of her lungs.

"Stop it! Stop it now!" Screamed Shannon having a full blown meltdown.

"I ain't! I ain't! Not til you give it all to me!" Ellen screamed as she charged Dot again smashing her into the dresser breaking it.

Cody saw Shannon completely lose it. She ran over to her so called sister with a piece of sharp broken wood. She jumped on her back and stabbed her. Shannon kept stabbing her even after she fell dead. Cody got his other hand free as Dot went to try to pull Shannon to her. Blood covering her hands and dress. Cody got himself untied and went to Jimmy. Dot was still trying get Shannon to stop stabbing the other girl. Cody didn't take time to untie Jimmy. He got under his arms and tried to drag him out the door. He got him outside and on the porch before he saw them look around. He quickly untied Jimmy and looked around for anything to use as a weapon. Jimmy lay there smiling absently. Cody slammed the door. He pulled Jimmy to his feet.

"Come on Jimmy." He said as he threw his arm around his shoulder and pulled him with him.

He ran inside the barn and spun Jimmy to face him, leaning him back against the wall.

"Come on please."

"Cody. Your so fast. You see the light?"

"Oh my God. I need you to try to follow me ok."

"I can run forever. I'm happy. I think I'm...You see the light?" Jimmy said reaching out.

"Shut up." Cody slammed his hand over Jimmy's mouth as he heard footsteps.

"Jimmy, shhhh."

Jimmy stood swaying. He reached out again to touch something. Cody slapped his arm back down which made Jimmy laugh. Dot heard the slight noise. Cody heard them coming their way. He pulled Jimmy behind him toward the trees at the back of the barn. They eased out the barn at a slow run. Cody felt it before he heard it. He spun around and saw Dot holding a shotgun. He faltered and fell onto his chest. Jimmy kept walking absently until Dot got in front of him.

"Come on back Steven. Shannon is upset."

"Cody. I thought he was here. Like three times. Shannon? Why you talking to ... Three, like three. You see the light?"

"I do baby. Let's follow it back inside."

They stepped over Cody as they went back in the house. Once inside, Dot sat Jimmy at the dinner table. Shannon had cleaned up and was coming back down. She sat with him at the table as they were served their breakfast. Jimmy looked at his plate. Dot walked over and leaned in his ear.

"Eat ya breakfast." She said.

"Eat your breakfast." He said as he started to eat.

Shannon sat smiling.