The Following: Peace Love and Happiness
Season 3:
Episode 4: Daddy Issues
Mark stepped out of the shower and began drying himself off. He wrapped the damp towel around his waist. He approached the mirror and glanced at his reflection. There were bags beneath his eyes from lack of sleep and his skin complexion was paler than usual from not eating properly.
It wasn't that the food wasn't available, he just didn't have much of an appetite. He may have lost weight, but he wasn't sure. It didn't really look like it, but it felt as if he had. Since he was always skinny, it was hard to tell.
One second, he was studying his own reflection, then he was seeing his brother smiling at him lovingly. He rubbed his eyes, but his brother still stood there looking back at him. "Luke," He said in a soft voice.
"Yes it is me," Luke replied his smile widening. "Boy you look awful man."
"It has been tough," Mark said shaking his head in dismay.
"Tell me about," Luke said his smile vanishing. He sighed loudly. "Not too long ago, all of us were together." He paused for a few moments. "Now, just look at where we are." He shrugged his shoulders. "We have lost everything."
"Not everything," Mark said in a low voice. "I am still here."
"That is true," Luke said his smile returning. "By the way, thank you for what you are did with me in the forest. It was very sweet of you."
"You're welcome," Mark said with a thin smile.
"Mark we need to talk serious now," Luke said his smile vanishing. "These people you are with now, yes he may be our dad, but we can't trust him."
"I know," Mark agreed.
"He was not there for us," Luke continued, "Mother was. She always was there for us." He paused for a few moments studying Mark as he was processing what he was telling him. "Remember before I died, we were having dinner with some very bad people." He put emphasis on the word bad.
"I haven't forgotten," Mark said. He narrowed his eyes at his brother.
"Good," Luke said nodding his head. "Because, whatever this man has in store for us, is not nearly important as revenge." He paused for a few seconds. "Ryan's niece of a bitch shot me in the head. It is time to shoot back. Twice the bullet, twice the kill."
"I would love to," Mark said dangerously.
"That is awesome," Luke said pleased. "Because nothing is better than revenge and I want Ryan to feel that. I want Ryan to wish that he had never messed with the Gray brothers."
"It is not going to be easy," Mark said trying to think of a plan.
"Don't worry little brother," Luke reassured him. "My physical essence has ceased to exist, but I will always be there for you. Regardless of the time or place. I will always be looking out for you."
A knock on the door interrupted him causing him to slightly jump. He looked toward the bathroom door and then back at the mirror. Luke's reflection was gone, now replaced with his own. He could still hear his words. They flowed through him, similar to his blood. A smile very similar to that his brother always had appeared on his face as he left the bathroom.
He opened the bedroom door and saw Annabelle standing there. When she noticed him only in his towel, she briefly eyed him up and down enjoying his thin, yet muscular frame before turning around. "Papa just wanted me to tell you that dinner is ready," She said blushing.
"Good," Mark said turning away from the door. "I'm starved. Give me a minute and I will be dressed."
"I will wait here," She said as he closed the door in her face.
Literally a minute later, he opened the door wearing dark jeans and a black shirt that had a Pink Floyd logo on it. "I'm back," He said smiling at her.
"It is nice to see you with clothes on," She said boldly. "Anyways follow me, dinner is ready and I bet you are starved." She gave him a small, twisted smile before turning away from him.
Mark followed her downstairs to the dining room which was brightly lit. There were a total of eight places at the table, all except three were filled. The head of the table was empty as well as two beside it. Everyone sitting at the table smiled at Annabelle as she pointed to the seat next to the head. "The honor is all yours," She said looking at him with a small wink.
Mark sighed not wanting to sit next to his so called father. At this point he wanted nothing to do with him. Just as his brother had said to him earlier. He could not be trusted. None of them could be trusted.
Mark took a seat and then watched as Amable entered the room all freshened up. He approached his spot, but didn't sit down. He smiled at everyone sitting around the table before him. "This is a very auspicious time," He began as he leaned against his chair. He looked at Mark who shifted uncomfortably in his spot. "We have a very special guest here." He smiled at Mark. "I have had the pleasure of being reunited with my son, Mark, who has been away for a while," He paused for a few moments as everyone looked at him, causing him to grow even more uncomfortable. "Mark will be staying with us for a while."
"Now before we begin eating," Amable continued, "I want to introduce the rest of the family." He looked at Annabelle and said, "This is Annabelle and you have already met her."
Mark looked at Annabelle who smiled him, which caused him to swallow with uncertainty. He wondered what her thoughts of him were.
Next to her was a young man, named Tim, who had black hair to his shoulders. He was skinny and seemed to about twenty years old. Next to him was Cruz, someone he had already dealt with before. On the other end table sat a middle aged woman name Charlene who was not looking too happy at the moment. She had blond wavy hair and pale skin.
On the other side of the table sat a girl about ten years old named Ashley. She had red shoulder length hair and freckles all over her arms and cheeks. In the next spot was a thirteen year old boy named Jacob, who had short brown hair and a Red Sox baseball cap. In the last spot sat a muscled man named Michael. He was wearing a Stone Sour shirt and a backward Tigers cap.
"Now that we have all be introduced," Amable said taking a seat. "It is time to pray before we eat." He took hold of Michael's hand and watched as everyone took each other's hand. He took Mark's hand who was not used to this at all. "Bless us oh Lord, and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive from thy bounty, through Christ, Our Lord. Amen." Amable opened his eyes and smiled at his family lovingly, "And now it is time to feast."
Ryan opened his fridge and pulled out a carton of milk. He poured himself a glass and then turned on the TV. The news was on, talking about the recent heat wave and how much longer it would stay that hot. He made a face not liking the weather predictions. He then took a sip of milk.
The weather report ended and next the sports segment. The topic of the Mets came up and what could be done to make the once popular franchise winning again. The reporters spoke about the 80s and early 90s and how much fun it was for a Mets fan then. The other reporter mentioned that he was a Yankees fan.
Ryan was about to change the channel, when he heard his phone ring. He looked at the caller ID, not recognizing the number. "Hello?" He asked beginning to feel anxious.
"Ryan Hardy," A male voice said, "This is Hannibal Lector."
"Oh hello Hannibal," Ryan said feeling instant relief. He knew that Hannibal was not a threat to him.
"I hope I am not calling at a bad time," Hannibal began. "But I just wanted to see how you were feeling."
"I am okay," Ryan said confused to why he was calling.
He felt it was slightly odd that he was calling him now. Other than their conversation in the kitchen about possible therapy, they really didn't say anything else to each other. Yet, Hannibal seemed to have some interest in him and he wondered why.
"I am glad to hear that," Hannibal replied. "And how is Mike feeling?"
"He is still in the hospital," Ryan said thinking back to when he visited him after his head was stitched up. "He should be released in a day or so."
"That's good," Hannibal said pleased. "So I was not only calling to see how you were feeling. I actually wanted to also see if you were interested in therapy."
Ryan groaned inwardly. He set his glass of milk on the counter as Carried stepped into the living room wearing nothing but his shirt. She saw him on the phone as she approached. She smiled at him and he smiled back.
"Hannibal," Ryan said, "I will get back to you on that one."
Ryan ended the phone call. He reached for his mil and took a sip. "Morning," He said looking at her.
"You're up early," She said stepping up to him. She leaned close and kissed him.
"Yeah," Ryan said setting his glass on the counter again. "Couldn't sleep."
"Well I slept like a baby," She said giving him a sensual smile. "I haven't slept that soundly in a long time."
"Glad to hear," He said pleased.
"And I like it when you smile," She said staring into his eyes. She felt like she could lost in them. "You should do that more often."
"When the time is right," Ryan said with a shrug, "And the mood is right."
"What kind of mood are you in now?" She asked hugging him tightly.
"A good one," he said continuing to smile at her. "Despite all that is going on, I feel pretty relaxed now."
"Good," She said pleased.
Carried kissed him hard. She reached behind his head pushing him closer as she played with his tongue. He held her tightly with one arm and with his free hand, he played with her hair. She moaned softly enjoying his every touch.
When they broke apart moments later, she was out of breath "I am going to jump in the shower," She said giving him a seductive look. "Care to join me?" She bit her lower lip.
"Of course," He said watching her walk toward the bathroom. She was too cute. He was about to follow her when there was a knock on the door. "Damn," He cursed wondering who that could be.
Ryan opened the front door, to find Max standing there holding Shoprite grocery bags. "Good morning," She said smiling at him. "I brought breakfast and Gina will be here soon as well."
Ryan had completely forgotten. They had planned to spend the day doing some research. That is when Carrie came over and his next day plans slipped his mind. That was until now.
Before Ryan could respond. He saw Gina approach carrying a cardboard box with files written on it. "Good morning guys," She said with a smile. "I brought the files, which means we have a lot of work to go through."
"Um," Ryan began. He gripped the door uncomfortable unsure what to tell them.
At that moment Carrie approached with nothing but a towel around her midsection. "Ryan where," She stopped abruptly when she saw Max and Gina by the front door. "Oh," She grew instantly embarrassed.
"Yeah," Ryan said tapping the door awkwardly.
Carrie turned and left the living room to change. "She spent the night," Ryan said stating the obvious.
"I can see that," Max said stepping into the apartment. She set her bags on the floor beside the kitchen.
Carrie returned moments later fully dressed. "I'm sorry about that," She said embarrassed.
"Don't worry about that," Max replied with an awkward smile.
"I'll let you guys get to work," Carrie said turning toward Ryan. "It looks like you are going to busy."
Ryan stepped out into the apartment hallway. "Full day of research," He said with a small shrug.
"Am I going to see you tonight?" She asked hopefully. She leaned close giving him a small kiss.
"Of course," He said with a smile.
"Well I have to run," She said feeling sad. She wished she could spend the entire day with him. "I guess I will see you tonight."
"See you later," He said kissing her again.
Ryan returned to Max and Gina who had the table already set for breakfast. He saw bottles of orange juice and grapefruit juice. There was a plate of toasted bagels, a bowl of scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, and cut up vegetables. There were three different types of cream cheese and two types of sliced cheese.
"So how are the love birds doing?" Gina asked with a playful wink.
"We are fine," Ryan simply said as he took a seat.
The three of them ate breakfast chatting about their health, Mike's health, as well Jeffery's who was feeling better after taking three shots to the chest If it weren't for the bullet proof vest he was wearing at the time, then he'd definitely be dead.
After they ate, they went to the office and began their research. Gina handed out files to each of them and they began to read. Ryan got Joe's file, while Gina got Molly's and Max received Lily's file.
Joe's file read as this. He was born and raised in London. He moved to the United States where he studied and became a professor of literature. While attending the Lightford Academy, a 17 year old Joe Carroll attended this school, was taught under Dr. Arthur Strauss.
Carroll, like others before and after him, became a "student" of his...more so than just on an academic level. He tutored the youth on how to remove eyes with precision from his victims but also states that Joe wasn't even his "best student". There was one more. A French man whose name is unknown.
He had a relationship with Claire Matthews, another professor at Winslow, whom he married and fathered a son, Joey. Claire told Joe she was pregnant in 2002. He taught literature at Winslow University, emphasizing the Romantic Period, with which he was obsessed. His lectures focused on writers such as Thoreau, Emerson, and his favorite and idol, Edgar Allan Poe.
In 2003 he published his first and only novel, The Gothic Sea, which was inspired by Poe's last and unfinished work, The Light-House, according to Claire he fancied himself as Poe and that his novel was his way of finishing what Poe began in his unfinished work. However, it was a flop commercially and critically. This angered him and caused him to begin murdering female students.
Like Poe, Joe believed in the "insanity of art" and that it needed to be physically and emotionally "felt". He began to create his own form of art - eviscerating college girls. He gouged out their eyes as a tribute to some of his favorite works of Poe. The Telltale Heart and The Black Cat, because Poe believed the eyes were one's identity, the windows into one's soul. He remarked during one of his lectures, that Poe equates death with beauty and nothing was more beautiful than the death of a beautiful woman.
Lily's file was much smaller. She was adopted and raised by a billionaire. It was under assumption that she murdered him just to get his money. She is an avid art fan and runs her own gallery. Not much else is known about her. Not only, because she was smart and deceiving, but because she had a lot of connections. Many that the FBI didn't know about.
Molly was an ex-girlfriend and occasional lover of Ryan Hardy. They met at a party and dated for a while, before he breaks up with her. She remembered him being withdrawn. It isn't clear how long she had been part of Joe's cult, but she would give information about Ryan to him. She also was a nurse at a terminal ward. She revealed later on that she felt that she is an Angel of Death who was killing the patients in her ward. She also wanted to be the one to kill Ryan.
Ryan groaned and shut Joe's file. "What is the point of this?" He asked rhetorically. He was in no mood for this. "This is all stuff that we already know."
"That is true," Max said looking up at him. "But this is something that needs to be done." She gave him a reassuring smile. "Believe me I want everyone, all those bastards out there that have even breathed one miniscule breath of involvement in this mass destructive cult, to be behind bars." She sighed, "But until then, we have to find out everything we can about these people and Joe, Lily, and now Molly, seem to be the most important people in the picture now."
"I agree," Gina said. She took a sip of coffee. "Don't worry Ryan, soon we will be out there, guns blazing like in some crappy Arnold Schwarzenegger film."
Ryan chuckled as he reopened Joe's file. There was still more on him and he knew he had to read through it. Research was just important, even though boring, as searching for people involved in the cult. Who knew how many there could be? How close that person was to them? It could be almost anyone.
Joe was dreaming again. But this time it wasn't of his experiences as cult leader. He often dreamt about different futures of himself if he hadn't been arrested. Now, it seemed as if he was having a peaceful dream of his family. It was far different from the terrifying and disturbing dreams that he usually had.
He was with Claire and Joe in a canoe in the middle of an unknown lake. The weather was warm and sticky. Thick dark clouds covered areas of the sky often shielding the sun. It threatened to rain any moment. Tall trees and large rocks surrounded the lake.
Joe sat on one side of the canoe with a fishing rod in his grasp. Joey sat a few feet away watching his father with such curiosity that only a boy could have while Claire watched her husband lovingly.
"And the fish eat that?" Joey asked pointing to the steel can of worms by his father's ankle.
"Not only do they eat it," Joe pointed out, "They go crazy for it." He looked at his son. "Yummy in their very tummy."
"That is disgusting," Joey said shaking his head.
"Do you want some?" He asked pointing to the can.
"No way," Joey shook his head. He made a face. "Never."
"Well I find them delicious," Joe said pretending to reach into the tin.
At that moment his rod tugged. He grabbed it and began to wheel in the fish. "Get ready Joey," He said glancing at him. "I think it is a big one."
"How can you tell?" Claire asked curiously.
"I can feel it," Joe said pulling the rod.
At that moment a splash was heard and a fish flapped around. Joe stood up and began to wire it in, when suddenly the canoe shook and turned over. He fell in hitting the side of his head on the edge of the canoe. He felt the splash, but no pain whatsoever. He swam and grabbed the edge of the canoe, pulling himself over it.
He expected to find his son and wife looking at him worried and thankful that he was okay. But they weren't there. In fact he was not even in the canoe or in the lake. He was also quite dry. He found himself though, in a large courtyard, surrounded by many trees. Birds chirping could be heard in the distance and the sun shone through the trees brightly, nearly blinding him.
"Claire?" He called out. He turned around looking for them but only saw trees. "Joey?"
Suddenly Ryan popped out of nowhere, causing him to jump. "Hi there," He said with a smile on his face.
"Jesus Ryan," Joe said shaking his head.
"I am not Jesus," Ryan frowned. "But I guess I should be flattered."
"Where is Claire and Joey?" He asked taking a step toward him.
"Far away from you," Ryan said giving him a no care look. "Far away from the animal you are."
"Is that how you see man Ryan?" Joe asked with a raised eyebrow. "Do you see me as an animal?"
"Yes I do," Ryan said with a dangerous smile, "And do you know what we do with animals?"
"No," Joe asked confused. "What?"
A gun suddenly appeared in his grasp. "Animals are meant to be put down." He motioned for Joey who was suddenly standing beside Ryan. "Joey, show me what I have taught you."
Joey took the gun out of Ryan's grasp and pointed it at his father. "I hate you," He said in a weak voice.
"Joey," Joe began. His eyes welled up. "Don't."
"You destroyed this family," Claire said as she suddenly appeared. "So now it is time for you to go." She took Ryan's hand. "Joey do it. Make Mommy proud."
Joey gave his father a pleased smile as he took a step toward him. He raised the gun high and said, "I wish I never met you." With that he shot him in the head.
Joe gasped and woke up with a start. He thrashed around trying to block the bullet, before he realized that it was all a dream. He sat up and wiped his sweaty brow with the palm of his hand. "Damn," He muttered. He knew that he couldn't fall back asleep on the account of another nightmare.
Amable whistled a jovial tune as he made his way into the basement. He unlocked the last door and stepped inside. He locked the door behind him and then made his way to Giles who was looking at him fearfully. "Oh you aren't happy to see me," Amable said shrugging his shoulders. "Well the feeling is mutual." He slapped him playfully on the cheek. "So are we going to be more helpful this time?"
"Nope," Giles simply said. A tear dripped down his blood stained cheek and to the table.
"That's too bad," Amable shook his head. "You know I really don't like doing this."
"That's a lie," Giles said swallowing loudly.
Amable eyed a blowtorch on the table and decided to use it. He rolled up his sleeves and then took it. "You got me there," He said turning it on. "I love this shit."
"I am not going to say anything," Giles said.
"That's too bad," Amable said stepping up to Giles.
He leaned over him and lowered the flame a few inches from his left eye. Giles gulped loudly but didn't say anything. Amable watched as beads of sweat appeared on his dirty brow and then slowly dripped down to his face.
"You do realize how much easier this would be for the both of us, if you would just let me know what I want to know," Amable said in a childlike tone. "Please don't make me hurt you more than you already are."
"Agent Giles," He began in an almost robotic tone. "Born in 1964, Austin, Texas. 131-08-4621."
"Just stop it," Amable scolded him. "Do you wish to die?"
Giles didn't answer him. Instead, he continued to shout out his personal information without a care. Amable cursed and lowered the flame until it nearly touched his eye. Giles screamed out as agonizing pain overtook him. He shook wildly in the bed nearly breaking out of the restraints. The skin around his eye turned bright red and black as it began to bubble and blister. The skin darkened and the blistered soon popped.
"Okay now," Amable said turning off the blowtorch. "Will you tell me what I want to know?"
Giles was crying in pain. He shook his head yes and when the pain subsided enough for him to talk, he looked at Amable with his good eye. "Ryan knows," He said in between breaths.
"Don't take me for a fool," Amable snarled punching him in the gut. "I know that Ryan knows nothing about Claire. He is busy with someone else." He paused and turned on the blowtorch again. "So if you value your other eye, tell me what I want to know. Where is Claire Mathews?"
"I don't know," Giles softly said through clenched teeth.
"I doubt that very much," Amable said waving the blowtorch in front of his face. "I know you were one of the agents that helped keep her hidden from everyone after her so-called death." He paused and leaned close to him. "Where is she?"
"I don't know," He said shaking his head.
"Stop lying to me," Amable shouted at him.
Amable lowered the blowtorch over his good eye. Once again, Giles' high pitch screams filled the room. He thrashed around wildly in the bed as the skin around his good eye burned. Blisters appeared and soon popped.
"Where is Claire Mathews?" Amable said turning off the blowtorch. "A name will even help."
Giles was breathing heavily as the pain subsided. He swallowed loudly and looked in the direction of where he thought Amable was standing. "Fine." He said giving in. "US Marshall Scott Thompson."
"Good job Giles," Amable said pleased.
"Will you let me go now?" Giles asked doubting that he actually would.
Amable tapped him on the forehead playfully before turning away from him. He left the room ignoring Giles completely. He locked the door behind him and thought about what his next move would be. He knew that he couldn't let Giles go, so killing him was the only answer. The next question was how he would get a hold of Scott. If he wanted to get Claire, he knew that Scott was the key.
Hope you liked it! Sorry about the long update. Been busy with school, but now the semester is finished. Which means more of The Following!
Shaw18