Chapter 20: Twist of Fate

Victoria closed her eyes, willing off the unwanted desire to sleep. Thanks to Stefano's last little punishment, pain radiated throughout every muscle in her body, even muscles she wasn't aware she had. All her body wanted now was rest, but Victoria couldn't allow that, not yet. Her last escapade could not go in vain. Victoria had acquired two very important things while lugging that damn boulder around Stefano's obstacle course. The first, was knowledge. She knew both from memory of the compound and from over-hearing conversations while outside of the cell she now occupied once more that the guards outside her door were set to rotate in little over an hour. Three guards would take the current two guard's places. One of the guards she knew quite well, and though he was loyal to Stefano, he was loyal enough to her to not attempt to stop her should she try to escape. The other two would have to be dealt with, but at least Victoria could depend on no interference from Aaron. The second important thing, was a bit of wire. It would take some time, but Victoria could use it to pick the lock to her cell door. She knew that the heavy iron door that separated her prison from the rest of the compound was locked as well, but the lock would take no longer to break then her cell door lock. The heavy iron door could be used as an advantage. Hopefully no one would hear the sound of the lock being picked until she used all her limited remaining energy to push the door open. Victoria could rest a few more moments before she had to begin work on her escape. If she made it past the guards, she knew she would be able to make it out of the compound. Most of the new recruits knew only of the main exit, but Victoria knew about the underground tunnels which could be used for quick escapes. There were other exits, three to be exact, and the closest for her to access would be the tunnel leading up to the exit outside of the Dublin Zoo located within Phoenix Park. Victoria didn't know exactly what time it was, but she knew it was night, so she'd be able to exit the tunnels without being seen. Where she went from there, she didn't know, but getting out of this place was the important thing. She only wished she could get Elizabeth out as well, but Victoria believed Elizabeth's safety was secured at least for the time being. She couldn't risk spending needless time within the compound itself. Once those doors opened... she had to escape as quickly as possible, or she might not live to try again.

"I hope she listens and finds the Black boy," Victoria muttered to herself. It surprised her how different her own voice sounded right now. The fact that she could move her mouth to speak amazed her. Stefano's last test certainly hadn't been easy. Victoria was not about to sit around waiting for the next either. If she had to go down, she was going down fighting. Victoria rested another moment longer, before she willed her tired body to sit up and retrieve the wire. She pulled herself up to her feet, painstakingly making her way to the cell door. Victoria could only pray her father didn't decide to pay her another unwanted visit. She pressed herself up against the cell door, reaching around the iron bars to the front of the lock. Being so exhausted, it took Victoria longer then she anticipated to finally pry the cell door open. She pushed the door open, sending out a quiet prayer of thanks. One door down, one to go...

Brady silently pushed the front door closed, leaning up against it with his back. He could hear the voices of his father, Jordan, Gabriel, William and Michelle in the kitchen, but he refrained from stepping any further into the house just yet. He was still reeling from the night's encounter. So many mixed emotions raged inside of him now. One was relief. Seeing Chloe again had given him the clarity that his Diva was, although not the same, at least safe. Another prominent emotion was anger, at himself. Brady cursed himself for allowing Chloe to leave his side again, but he felt he didn't have a choice. As much as it pained him, he needed to gain Chloe's trust. She didn't remember him, or her life in Salem. All she remembered was that Stefano was her father, and she was expected to be loyal to him. As much as Brady had wanted to rip Philip to pieces then and there, he knew that couldn't happen either. Apparently, from the look of things, Chloe, or Elizabeth rather, trusted and knew Philip, or, Merdoc, as Aida had referred to him. Attacking her partner was no way to gain her trust. So, even though he wanted only to beat the shit out of his so called uncle and whisk his Diva away from the evil of Stefano, it would have to wait. Brady also could not put Aida at risk. He had no way of knowing where she was. But he didn't need to know that to know she was not safe. And she would become even more unsafe should Chloe suddenly go missing. So Brady would have to find another way. She had agreed to meet him, then he would gain her trust and get her the hell away from Stefano DiMera forever. Get them both the hell away from Stefano DiMera forever.

"Son," John called from the kitchen doorway. He had heard the door, figuring it was Brady. "Son, what is it? You look..."
"Confused as hell?" Brady asked. He shook his head, walking over to the couch and flopping down on it, running his hands through his blonde hair. "I saw her Dad. I found her."
"Found who?"
"Chloe. She's here, Dad. I saw her," Brady stated.

"What? What the hell are you talking about son?" John demanded. He too sat down on the couch. By this time, the noise from the living room had attracted Jordan as well, though Gabriel and William stayed behind.

"What I'm talking about is... I saw her. I talked to her. We, um... kind of bumped into each other. Remember I told you I was going to go for a walk? Well, I ended up at that church, St. Michan's. I wasn't going to go in," Brady said before his father could yell at him. "I just... I just had to see the place. I didn't even know that's where I was going until I found myself asking strangers for directions. I just had to scoop it out. Well... when I started back, I decided to take a different path. When I came down the hill to turn onto the sidewalk, I ran, literally, into a young woman. That woman was Chloe, Dad," Brady explained. Before John could ask the inevitable question, Brady continued. "Yes, Dad, I let her go. Before I could get her to leave with me, Philip showed up. Or Merdoc, or whatever the hell they call that psycho. Even though Aida told Chloe to seek me out, she wouldn't come with me tonight. But, I did get her to agree to meet me tomorrow. I only pray nothing goes wrong..."

"Was she alright? Did she know you at all?" Jordan asked.

"No, she didn't remember me. Just as Aida said, she thinks she's Elizabeth DiMera. Chloe wouldn't know any of us, but Aida did talk to her. She didn't try to turn me away, she seemed... she seemed to know me, even though she couldn't remember me." John nodded knowingly.

"Perhaps as it was with Hope and I. Memory flashes perhaps due to exposure of something, or in this case, someone familiar. It's a hopeful sign," John stated. Brady nodded, leaning his head back and closing his eyes.

"I wanted so badly to take her away right then and there, though I knew she'd protest. I just couldn't risk it. Philip was there, for one. And even if I could have warded him off... I don't know where Aida is. I couldn't... if Chloe went missing..." Brady didn't need to finish the thought. Nor could he bring himself to say it aloud as he looked over at Jordan knowingly. "I just pray nothing else goes wrong. If something happens to her now, to either of them now, it'll be my fault... for letting her leave..." Brady murmured...

Victoria took a deep, calming breathe. She had succeeded in jarring the lock, but had yet to push the door open. It was her hope that at least one of the three guards would be standing directly in front of the door, so she could be bought some time. Victoria had to rest a moment first, however. God, if she didn't get somewhere safe to sleep... You had to hand it to him, Stefano sure as hell knew how to break even the toughest of opponents. Victoria waited a moment before she prepared herself to push open the heavy iron door.

"It's now or never," Victoria murmured aloud to herself. Summoning up all her remaining energy, Victoria shoved open the iron door. As luck would have it, the first guard was directly in front of the door. He went sprawling face first on the floor, while the second received a fierce blow as the door pinned him between it and the wall. Aaron, the only one Victoria knew she could trust not to interfere for the good of either side, had been standing in the doorway of a corridor a few feet away. The moment he heard Victoria's cry of anguish as she slammed open the door, a sly grin crossed his face, while he stood motionless, leaning up against the doorframe. Aaron watched silently as Victoria approached the first guard, already regaining his balance. Bringing her arm back, Victoria lashed, palm out to slam directly into his nose. He fell back hard against the wall, slumping helplessly to the floor, just as the second was able to push the heavy weight of the door off him and advance towards Victoria. This one grabbed Victoria from behind, pinning her arms, a tactic Merdoc had used on the ship. Only this time, Victoria had been put through too much hell to let the move get the better of her. Ignoring the immense pain from previous torture, the fatigue that would surely send her to her knees before long, Victoria pushed her shoulder into the guards broad chest, putting all her weight into the move and managing to flip him over her head. The guard landed with a thud on his back, while Victoria grabbed his shoulders to do a mid air twist, landing on top of him. She grabbed him, one hand on each side of his head, and slammed the back of his head back onto the cold, hard floor, knocking him unconscious. Satisfied that both opposing guards were rendered incapable, Victoria stood, facing Aaron.

"Lucy Lawless, eat your heart out. Nice move, Vicky," Aaron murmured.

"I could have used a little help ya know," Victoria stated.

"You, help? Nah. If someone can live through the beating Stefano bestowed on you and still manage to have the energy to push open that door, they don't need help," Aaron replied. Victoria shook her head, making her way towards him and the corridor which led to the tunnel exit she needed.

"He's going to ask you why you didn't stop me," Victoria pointed out.

"Of course. You know me, always thinking on my feet. Now get going, before I change my mind," Aaron replied. Victoria nodded, moving quickly passed him. "You so owe me. If he kills me, I'm coming back to haunt you." For the first time in what seemed ages, Victoria smiled as she started walking away, quickly disappearing around a corner. She gave thanks for at the very least being allowed some luck; she didn't cross paths with a single living person all through the path to freedom. She didn't slow down until long after she had reached the surface, greeted by the cool safety of the night air...

Elizabeth lay sideways on her bed, facing the bathroom door. She held the white bear tenderly in her hands, observing it from every angle. The simple, yet obviously affectionate gift seemed to mean so much to her, but she couldn't figure out why. It was, after all, just a stupid stuffed animal. Given to her by a very handsome man, that is. A young man that, just as the bear she now held in her hand, seemed somehow connected to her. It was so frustrating, not being able to remember almost her entire life. Up until just recently, Elizabeth could securely believe in everything her father had told her about her life. But now, now over a course of mere hours, she was left unsure, enable to continue trusting in every word the man told her, simply because he was her father. And now, after coming face to face with Brady Black, she was more sure then ever that Stefano was keeping something from her.

"You're lying to me, father. I just know it. And tomorrow, I'm going to find out the truth, once and for all," Elizabeth vowed. "And I swear, if I find out you are lying to me about who I really am, you're going to regret it."

"I do not think so." The voice from behind caused Elizabeth to jump nearly a foot off her bed, whirling around to face the door. She had closed and locked it, after giving Merdoc strict orders not to tell anyone about tonight, or she'd personally see to it he got a worse beating then Victoria had recently received. Of course Stefano would have a key. She hadn't heard the door being unlocked or opened.

"Father! What are you doing here?" Elizabeth demanded.

"Call this... a visit from a concerned parent," Stefano replied. He stepped the rest of the way inside, leaving the door open. "So, what is this I hear about a young, mystery man you are set to meet tomorrow?" Stefano questioned. By now, Elizabeth had stashed the white, Diva teddy bear under her bed. But he had seen it. Not that he would have to see it. Merdoc had told him about seeing the "mystery man" who could only be Brady Black give some small, white object to Elizabeth before allowing her to leave. He had been too far away to see what it was, but he knew she'd been given something none the less, and had made sure to tell Stefano.

"I have no idea what you are talking about," Elizabeth lied. Oh, that Merdoc was going to get his...

"I do not take kindly to liars, Elizabeth," Stefano stated firmly, obviously very displeased. "Young Merdoc informs me that you met with a young man tonight. Not only that, but he says you have plans to meet with him again tomorrow. Now, what I want to know is, who is this young man you are conspiring with?" Stefano inquired, although he knew all too well whom Elizabeth had encountered.

"My business is just that, father, MY business." Elizabeth replied coolly.

"Ah, yes. Well, unfortunately, daughter, that is where you are wrong. Anything that concerns my children is of great concern to me. But, you needn't tell me whom you were with tonight. I do believe I can figure it out on my own. Would it be... Brady Black, perhaps?" Stefano asked. Elizabeth blanched, immediately adverting her father's intimidating glance.

"Father, it is not what you think..."
"Oh? So you aren't following in your sister's footsteps by conspiring against me? Because that is what it looks like."

"I am not plotting against you father. I'm just trying to find out the truth!" Elizabeth stated.

"Yet you were not satisfied with the truth I gave you? That is very unlike you daughter, to distrust me so much you would go to my most hated enemy. I'm afraid this is very unacceptable. I can not allow you to be drawn into the same trap your sister Victoria allowed herself to be lured into. You are not going to be meeting Brady Black tomorrow, Elizabeth. I forbid it."
"How do you plan to stop me?" Elizabeth challenged. "By locking me up just as you did Victoria? What kind of father does that to his own children, simply because they did not live the life he expected them to live. I deserve to be allowed to find the truth for myself! Even if that means going to Brady to do so!"

"I had expected you would say such things, Elizabeth my dear. I did not want to have to do this to you, but I am afraid I must. It is my responsibility to keep my children safe from harm, no matter what I must resort to. And the Blacks will cause us nothing but harm. Merdoc, Alison." Stefano stepped aside, allowing Merdoc and another one of the female trainees to step inside the room. They immediately grabbed Elizabeth, each taking one arm. "Take Elizabeth down to the dungeon and lock her up with Victoria," Stefano instructed. Elizabeth struggled in vain to get free as Merdoc and Alison began to drag her out of the room. That was when a breathless guard, Sam by name, came running up.

"Mr. DiMera, might I have a word with you please?" Sam asked hesitantly.

"Can't you see I am busy? Move out of the way, you fool. Elizabeth is being taken down to the dungeon to be held with her sister," Stefano stated. He delighted in Elizabeth's struggle to be released, and her cries of "Get your fucking hands off me Merdoc!", but the appearance of the young guard troubled him. Sam seemed nervous, as if he would be torn apart for being the bearer of bad news.

"Um... well, that's just... that's just it, Sir. Victoria... Victoria has escaped."

"What?! That's impossible!" Stefano boomed. Sam flinched, as if expecting to be beat down any moment. "You imbeciles! She's just one girl! One bloody, broken, barely able to stand on her own two feet girl! How could this happen? What happened to the guards outside her door?"
"Well, Sir... Gareth and Vince... are dead. Apparently, Victoria picked the lock of both her cell and the dungeon door. Gareth received a blow to the nose that killed him, and... well I guess the blow to the back of the head must have been too much for Vince." It hadn't been. Neither one of them had been killed by Victoria's hand. Not that Stefano would ever know that.

"What about Aaron? Where the hell is he?" Stefano demanded. At this moment, Aaron came up behind Sam, noticing first Elizabeth struggling in Merdoc and Alison's grasp, then Stefano's angry death glare. "You! Where were you when all this occurred."

"I wasn't there."

"Where the hell were you then? Why were you not at your post?"

"Hey man, everyone's gotta take a piss now and then," Aaron stated. Stefano glared at him.

"I would not be so arrogant if I were in your possession. Sam. I want you to bring me the tape from the video surveillance of the dungeon level. Merdoc, Alison, take Aaron here with you to the dungeon. We shall hold him there until I see those tapes."

"Um, Sir..."

"What is it now?" Stefano demanded as Merdoc reached for Aaron, who did not show any sign of fighting.

"The um... the surveillance camera... it was destroyed... the tape's gone as well," Sam stated hesitantly. Stefano appeared to be about to blow his top, but thought better of it.

"No matter. Take them both down to the dungeon and insure they do not escape. If they do, Sam, it shall be on your head," Stefano warned. Sam gulped, but nodded, taking Aaron's arm from Merdoc so he and Alison could put all their attention on Elizabeth. "I will see you in the morning, Elizabeth my dear." Elizabeth glared daggers at her father until she was forced out of her bedroom by Merdoc and Alison. Stefano watched them drag his daughter and Aaron off towards the dungeon. This was definitely not expected, but all would be taken in stride. Stefano DiMera always won...