The Neighbors

"Please," Wyatt begged as he knelt in front of Laveda. He was literally on his knees begging her to be rational. This pain was killing him emotionally while he knew it was killing her physically. "Please, V, I can't watch you die. I can help you. Think of Vera, think of Chris. Would they want you to die like this?"

It was a low blow on his part but after nearly a week she was dying. He was going to loose her if he didn't watch it. Besides that, his demons had been a 'little' too aggressive those first two days when he'd left them unsupervised.

Now she didn't trust him. Of course, in her position he wouldn't trust him either. He couldn't think like that though. He had to be sure of himself. He couldn't let his emotions override his control.

"Go to hell," she growled, anger flooding him at her insistence. "How many times do I have to tell you and your goons? I… Will… Never… Bow… To… You." She enunciated every word she spoke as to tell him how serious she was.

"Then rule at my side," he said before he could stop himself. His eyes grew just as wide as hers. He'd said the words and he hadn't been prepared for them. They'd just slipped out in an unshielded moment.

Anger quickly shaded her features and she got to her feet, from her knees. Her hands clenched in a fist, being held by the chains.

"You killed my family, destroyed the world, and are having me tortured. Why would I ever consider ruling at your fucking side Wyatt?" She demanded and he cringed. "Oh, wait. Let me guess, I wouldn't have to bow to you, just lay down and take it, is that what you mean? I'd rather go to the demonic wasteland and be hunted by all of your minions I'd sent there. Leave my sight and send in your next torturer."

That sent anger coursing through his veins. Did she think this was fun for him? Did she think he got off on her torture and pain?

He was seeing red so he stood up and left the room. Let her get was coming to her. He was tired of trying and caring.

--

Pandora sat in Laveda's room, waiting for news. She hoped today would be the day Laveda gave up her futile fight and realized how stupid she was being. Instead, she watched as Wyatt opened the door.

She looked at him expectantly but he just shook his head, like every day before this one. Her heart broke, especially when she realized his pants were wet from what looked like a mix of dirt and blood.

A shiver crossed her system and she began to cry. Laveda was as good as dead. She knew it. Wyatt came in the room and pulled her into an embrace. She felt his hopelessness and knew he knew it too.

--

Robert couldn't do it anymore. He couldn't sit by and watch Wyatt destroy Laveda. She was the object of Wyatt's desire. Wyatt could torture her indefinitely if he truly wanted. He could heal her wounds only to inflict more tomorrow then repeat the process.

He knew Wyatt could, he'd seen this treatment be handed down on resistance members of the past. Wyatt's mood was turning sour, quickly. If Laveda survived another infamous, dusk to dawn, endless round of torture she'd be forced into that scenario. Wyatt would begin healing her only to inflict the injuries himself.

He'd seen this happen many times in the past.

She wouldn't be his next victim. He didn't care if Wyatt killed him. He wouldn't let him destroy her. Two people, in all, could stop Wyatt if they gathered their strength together. Those two people were in two different times.

If this worked right, he'd get them merged into the same time-line.

At that moment Robert shimmered to the underworld prison where he was holding her. He walked those halls and nobody questioned his presence. He was, after all, Wyatt's second-in-command.

As he neared her cell he felt the guards holding her in. They were strong, strong enough to hold the most powerful beings out there. The one trigger on it, which allowed Wyatt to enter without it perceiving him as the intended victim to hold, was .

Slowly he opened the door and cringed at the sight which caused him to hesitate. Her clothing was all tattered and mud caked. Sweat and mud streaked her blonde locks, matting it down to her head. Her face was bowed downwards as she hung loosely by her wrists.

Blood rolled down her arms as the metal bit into her flesh. Her knees rested on the ground, as comfortably as it could.

He moved forward and unlocked the chains. As soon as her arms were down she was standing with her blood covered hand at his wrists. He stood there frozen. Whatever he'd expected this was not it.

--

Laveda heard the door open and light shined into her pitch black surroundings. She squinted her eyes, as they tried to adjust once more. From the look outside of that room she'd think it was daylight hours. She must have passed out if night had already fallen.

Whoever had opened the door hesitated and she felt a little anticipation rise up inside of her. Maybe, just maybe, she could use that to escape. Though her muscles all shook from the lack of use and exhaustion she held them still.

Footsteps approached and she forced herself to remain slacked. Whoever it was didn't hold themselves like the normal demon. Their footsteps were forced, slow. Most of the demons who came in there were confident in stride, even giddy. These weren't.

Then they did something she didn't expect. Hands reached up and fumbled with the chains at her wrists. They released her.

Instincts kicked in and she stood up. Her hand flew out and grabbed the demon's throat while squeezing. Her blue eyes didn't look up till she heard a voice.

"V," his wheezing voice whispered. "It's Me… It's Robert… I'm trying to… Help." Her hand released as she looked up at the face of one of her oldest friends.

"Why are you here?" she demanded.

"I can't watch you die… I can't watch him destroy you. You are still one of my best friends. Please, I can help get you to the manor. You can finish what Chris started," he said and at that moment she wished she could tap into her empathy powers. She wanted to know if he was lying. Even Telepathy would help.

However, she didn't get the chance to dwell because she began to sway. His hand reached out and grabbed her shoulder to steady her. Then he shimmered to the attic.

"Hurry, do your thing. Find the spell and go back in time," Laveda heard him say as she stumbled to the podium. Her hands brushed the cold surface and a spell from the book of shadows entered her brain.

"Here these words, hear the rhyme. Heed the hope within my mind. Send me back to where I'll find, what I wish in space and time," Laveda stated as she looked at the triquetra drawn on the wall, still. It began to glow.

Robert tossed her some clothing and turned away. She changed, her body hurting and weak. Then she hurried into the portal just as Wyatt orbed in, yelling and swearing. The last thing she saw was an energy ball whizzing by her head.