Chapter 27

Nightmares Revisited

It was cold, and nearly freezing outside. The dense soaking rain shower made the air even cooler. Combined with the dark of night, it was difficult to stay focused on the road ahead. The car traveled along at slightly less than the speed limit, the wipers making time with the tune that was playing softly from the radio. "Only 15 or 20 minutes and I'll finally be there, I can't wait" she thought as the lights from the car seemed to be consumed by the darkness of road, and the blur of rain against the front windshield. As the car approached the blind curve of the narrow two lane blacktop, a pair of lights were noticeable coming from the bend in the road. As the car cleared the curve the lights were almost blinding. It was most difficult to keep the yellow line in focus ahead. As soon as the lights came by, her focus shifted back to the road ahead. "God I hate driving in this mess, it's so hard to see." The thought sent chills down her spine. She resumed her driving to the intersection ahead. "Just one more light and I'll be there" the young woman sighed as the car came to a stop at the red light. She sat quietly in the vehicle listening to the Christmas music wafting from the speakers of the stereo. She smiled with the thought of spending the entire holiday with her boyfriend. "I hope he loves the gift I got him" she noticed the light had changed and started through the intersection. Suddenly a large cargo truck slammed on his brakes, half asleep at the wheel, the truck skid to one side trying to avoid the small Honda Accord in the road before him. The young lady never had a single thought in her mind when the truck knifed through the front passenger side of the car, just behind the front wheel, and dissecting the front end at 45 degree angle to the drivers side. As the truck and the car came to a stop, the driver of the truck jumped from the cab to run to the aid of the person in the car.

Traffic was backed up the parkway, and flashing lights from emergency vehicles could be seen up ahead. He sat quietly in the truck as traffic slowly was directed around the accident at the intersection. He could see the truck, off to the side of the road, barely damaged. The faint silhouette of a small car was in the middle of the intersection, it was impossible to identify the car. Even if it were broad daylight, it would have been no easier to. As the young man approached the intersection, he looked at the mangled front end of the car. It was literally severed from the front of the vehicle. "Damn." He thought to himself. "Christmas Eve can't even be peaceful and accident free." He shook his head in disgust at the tragic thought. As he passed the accident, taking a right turn toward his home, he felt uneasy as he looked back into the rear view mirror, noticing the tag on the front bumper, at least what was left of it. He swung the truck around in a slow u-turn and approached the wreck from a different vantage point. He exited the truck, as he ran toward the car, where paramedics and firemen were washing down the front of the smoldering front subframe of the vehicle. The officers at the scene were reluctant to let the man through to the gurney that held the occupant of the mangled vehicle. His heart was racing as he forced his way through the emergency workers. "God no, PLEASE!" the young man screamed as he recognized the vehicle, along with the medic standing next to the covered body on the gurney ahead. As he approached the medic, the man could tell he was very upset from the twisted pain on the face of the young man. "Please! I have to see if it's…" the Medic did everything he could to hold the young man on his feet as he slowly pulled back the sheet of white and red, as the young man screamed in hurt and anger at the bloodied figure of his girlfriend as she lie motionless beneath the blood soaked sheet. Sobbing uncontrollably, the young man fell to his knees, now soaked from the rain and blood from his beloved, as he had embraced her limp body before collapsing. He noticed the sheriff, as he escorted the driver of the truck toward his car. The young man rose suddenly and approached the sheriff. "I'm sorry son, there was nothing we could do. She apparently died instantly." The sheriff's partner was busy giving the driver a breath test. Which he adamantly refused at first, and subsequently failed.

As the deputy cuffed the driver to place him in the back seat, the driver spoke to the young man. "I-I'm so sorry. Please you…you have to believe me. I didn't mean to hurt anyone!" The young man simply looked at the driver in disbelief. "It's not my place to forgive you. But I'd be glad to place judgment on you myself. You drunk fucking bastard!" The young man struck the driver with a flurry of fists before the deputy and Sheriff could pull him off the drunken man. "You don't have a right to do that to me! I want to press charges!" the driver spat out with a now bleeding nose and lip. "Shut up buddy! You're lucky I don't let him finish beating the shit out of you!" the Sheriff spoke in an angered tone of disgust. "Son, I'm really sorry. If you want to place any civil charges against him for the accident, just come to the station and see me ok?" the Sheriff spoke as he placed his arm around the young man to comfort him. He returned to his still running truck, and climbed inside, now soaked to the bone with cold freezing rain. He sat quietly in the cab, and began sobbing gently to himself as the wrecker and the coroner came and retrieved the car and his lovers body. The coroner got necessary information for next of kin and when they would release her body.

The young man arrived at the home of his girlfriend, her parents had been informed prior to his arrival. He slowly trod to the front door, his clothes still damp with rain and blood. He knocked at the door, as the young girl's mother answered the door. The young man collapsed into her arms, crying and holding her tightly as her father came over and offered his arms in support. "I can't…I Can't believe Donna is dead!"

He fell to the floor, slamming his fist into the floor, causing his own fist to bleed, as Donna's parents crouched down beside him crying. No one noticed the beautiful engagement ring that had fallen from his shirt pocket to the floor at the time. To him now, it was only a harsh reminder of the importance of the evening he had planned.

Will woke up violently, in a massive cold sweat. He noticed he startled Skuld, but she never woke, still lying next to him as he was now sitting straight up in her bed. His heart was still racing, beating rapidly and erratic in his chest. As he calmed down, he looked over at the beautiful young lady beside him. Strangely he didn't feel comforted by her closeness to him at the moment. Only the feelings of resentment, he always held inside for not going to pick up Donna, so that he could get her most important gift from him that Christmas Eve. Had he waited and picked her up, maybe. Just maybe, he thought, if I'd picked her up it never would have happened. Or even if it did, maybe they would have died together. But then if that happened, Regina would be alone. He didn't want that either. So much for fate, and goodbye to destiny. Will never felt the same about anything since that fateful night. Donna was his soul mate, his lover, his best friend. He often thinks, maybe he sees a lot of her in Skuld? Or maybe he is expecting to much from her? And what the hell is with the robot she's got? Is she really that smart? And on top of seeing..an angel? Or was it? I must have been really, really plastered last night, he thought.

Will slid back beneath the sheets, as Skuld cuddled next to him, even closer and placing a leg over his. He smiled at first, and slowly fell back asleep, after staring at the clock on the nightstand, which now showed 4:15 am.

Will awoke only an hour and a half after drifting off to sleep after his recurring nightmare. He slowly slipped out of bed, and headed downstairs to the kitchen and sat quietly at the table. Soon after Belldandy had awakened at her usual time and came down to the kitchen to start some breakfast for everyone. She came in quietly, and Will didn't notice her presence at first.

Bell: "Good Morning Will. Are you feeling ok?" Bell had a very concerned look to her face.

Will: "Oh. Hi, Belldandy. I'm fine really. I just woke up early is all. I was trying to collect my thoughts."

Bell: "Your Thoughts? Is there anything you'd like to talk about?" Bell had since sat next to Will and carefully held his hand. She was a very sweet and wonderful person, Will was thinking in droves before he answered her question to him.

Will: "Well. Nothing that I really need to talk about I guess."

Bell: "Now Will. You know I'm always here for you. Please if something is bothering you, I want you to talk to me. Anything you tell me is always private."

Will: "can we go somewhere more private?"

Bell: "Certainly, if that's what you wish."

Bell took Will by the hand and led him into the closed in porch area behind the house. It was cooler here, and the air sent a chill up his back. But it was quiet and private, and seemed like a good place to talk.

Bell: "So what seems to be bothering you Will?"

Will: "well you see Bell. It's like this…"

Will began explaining his recurring nightmare, and his feelings he had for Donna, verses the feelings he has for Skuld. And how uneasy it makes him feel to get close to someone like that again. Bell sat quietly and listened to every word he spoke with the utmost attention, never once taking her eyes from his face. At first it made him feel a little embarrassed, but after he saw how much she really cared to hear what he had to say, he felt more relaxed. By the time he had finished his story, Bell had placed her hands on the sides of his cheeks and looked intently into his eyes, and he noticed she had a tear running from eye down her cheek. She slowly tilted her forehead to touch his, she moved back and kissed his forehead. He felt strangely relieved, but at the same time, he felt the feelings of pain leave his body. It was almost a feeling of blissfulness. He really wasn't sure what to make of the whole thing, but she made him feel much better, Without even speaking a single word.

Bell: "Will. Do you feel better now?"

Will: "Yes, actually I do. You sure have a strange effect on people. Not in the bad sense, heck. You know what I mean."

Bell just giggled and answered him with a nod.

Will: "You seem like a very religious person Belldandy. Are you?"

Bell: "Well, sort of. I wouldn't say exactly "religious". But more or less, you could say I follow a higher order."

Will: "Hmmm. Never thought of it in that manner. I'm sorry if our cursing offends you or anything, we can all get pretty vulgar sometimes."

Bell: (laughing)" Oh Will. That's just fine. It doesn't bother me in the least. To me it's just a way some people express themselves."

Will: "That's a relief. I've worried that we've offended you with it."

Bell: "No not at all. So..umm. You really feel as you said about Skuld?"

Will: "Yes. I just feel unsure sometimes. It's like I don't deserve someone as good as she. And there's always the fear of history repeating itself."

Bell: "You will just have to trust me when I say you'll not have to worry about that with her. I promise, and my promises stick. Hehehe."

Will: "Well, I trust you Bell. I really do, thank you so much for talking to me." Will opened his arms and wrapped them around Bell as he kissed her on the cheek. Belldandy could only blush.

Bell: "Oh my. Hehe. Thank you Will."

Will: "Sorry, didn't mean to embarrass you."
Bell: "Not embarrassed, just overwhelmed."

Will: "So what's for breakfast?"
Bell: "What ever you like! Would you like to help me?"

Will: "Boy would I! You're a terrific cook."

Bell: "Say, you aren't too bad yourself. I may even learn a few tricks from you." Bell smiled as they went back into the kitchen to make everyone breakfast.

Soon after they began breakfast, everyone made their way back down to the kitchen from all the wonderful smells. Shane and Urd were the first two to arrive.

Shane: "Hey Bro. Hi Bell."

Bell and Will: "Hey, good morning!"

Urd: "I'm starving, is it ready yet?"

Bell: "In about 5 more minutes ok?"

Shane: "Man it smells good doesn't it?"

Skuld: "Yep it sure does!" Skuld came in and gave Will a hug and a peck on the cheek, she did the same for Bell too.

Bell: "Skuld, is Kei up also?"

Skuld: "Yes. He said he'd be here in a few minutes."

Megumi: "Morning everybody."

Everyone: "Morning Megumi, and Sora."

Megumi: " So what are we gonna do with the club next weekend?"

Megumi got up and smiled at Will, and generously plopped herself into his lap and hugged his neck.

Will: "Uh, what's all that for?"
Megumi: "Come on now. I have to charm you into joining the club. It won't be as much fun without you."

Will: "Ok. Ok. I'll be in the club, ok? But don't expect me to be around too much. I do have business to run. And RPT stuff is pilling up on me like crazy."

Sora: "YAY! So you really are joining? That's great!"

Megumi: "Thank you Will. You're great. Oh, and Skuld said she'd compensate you for it later." Megumi winked at him.

Skuld: "Compensate? Huh? What's that about?"

Will: "Oh Boy. I could use some.. "compensation" too."

Bell and the others all started laughing.

Skuld finally realized what they were laughing about and started to blush.

Kei: "Hey guys. Morning Bell. (he kissed her sweetly) So how is everybody this morning?"

Will: "Fine. You ok Kei?"

Kei: "Yep. So I was thinking we should have an open house this weekend for the club once we get things cleaned and organized. Bell and I will be there in the evenings after work to get things in order. So any help would be appreciated."

Will: "I think I could help a couple of nights."

Kei: "That's nice Will, but it really isn't nescess.."

Megumi: "Yep yep yep. Is so, he's now a Club member. Hehehe!"

Kei: "Huh? Cool! So you changed your mind Will?"

Will: "Well, it sorta got changed on it's own really. Heh."

Sora: "So with the open house, should we have like a cookout and stuff for kids to do too? I like have half a dozen RC cars the kids could race for fun on a makeshift track."

Bell: "That's a wonderful idea Sora!"

Kei: "Hey that does sound like a great idea."

Skuld: "Where's Will? He disappeared before our eyes…"

In came a pair of legs and a huge box, Will sat the box on the floor and opened it up.

Will: "Sorry, I wanted to bring this in to you all."

Megumi: "Wow. Look at all the sweet stuff in here!"

Megumi pulled out a universal CAI (cold air intake) setup, a certificate for 1,000 dollars of parts or service from RPT, An RPT satin jacket, and also five Nstep jackets, ten die cast collectible NHRA cars, five plastic glue together models, and a 500 dollar certificate to the local parts store, last but not least, an unmarked trophy to boot.

Will: "It's not really a lot, but it will give people an incentive to stop by and get a chance to win these things in drawing. Save a couple of jackets and the trophy for the car show judging, of which I'll judge by the way. None of my cars or the one's I've worked on are eligible of course."

Bell: "Oh Will that is so nice of you!"

Skuld: "Thank you Will. It really means a lot to the club."

Will: "Ah, come on guys, it's not that big of a deal."

Kei: "Yes, but to the future members of the club it certainly is."

Megumi: "Terrific! Sora and I will make up the flyers on the computer today and put them out around town. Let's go do it now Sora!"

Megumi and Sora ran upstairs to Kei's computer to start on the flyers. Bell and Kei gathered up the dishes and utensils to clean up, and the others all started to go their separate ways for the day.

Greg and Emilio met Donovan and his side kicks at the Waffle House at the last exit out of town. They'd only talked to the man on the phone before, and it was just as they had imagined. Donovan was a big fellow. Six foot eight inches and every bit of three hundred and thirty pounds, thin hair in the front, with a long pony tail in the back. The rest of his head was covered by the bandana neatly folded onto his head like a hat or a cap of sorts. He was also heavily tattooed, many they assumed that he'd gotten while imprisoned. He had the look of a biker, but without the leather and accessories. He simply wore jeans and denim button down shirt with the sleeves cut off, and some swank leather and snakeskin boots.

Donovan: "So you guys know Will 'eh ?"

Emilio: "Yeah. He's a real pain in the ass."

Greg: "Shut up Emilio. So what are into Will for anyway?"

Donovan: "I'm into him for about ten years almost. That bastard ratted me out, so I aim to get retribution."

Greg: "We don't care for the guy either, but we don't want him dead."

Donovan: "So I look like I want to go back to that god-forsaken place? I ain't out to kill him. Just ruin his ass."

Emilio: "So what's the plan?"

Donovan: "Woah, slow down boy. In due time. Come on inside and we'll eat and talk about it."

Greg: "Ok. Let's go grab a bite."

The group went inside to sit and eat, and talk about the plan to wreck havoc on Will and his friends and family.

Next Chapter

Let the Rivalry Begin!