MAP OF THE PROBLEMATIQUE

*****I know I stated this in the first chapter-- ALOT of cursing in this story-- but this chapter is the one that definately takes the cake. There is a ton of swearing in this chapter. And it's really really intense, too, so..... prepare yourself. I had the toughest time writing this chapter 'cos it's so heartbreaking.

Chapter 16: Butterflies and Hurricanes

We followed him through the city, and then out the east end; past my bookshop and another ten minutes out to Lake Phillips. There was a small cabin near the lake, and Eddie pulled in to the garage. We stayed far enough behind as to not attract any attention.

"Listen to me," I turned to the pair. "You need to get Joe to the cops, tell them what you told me. Tell them how to get here."

"Wendy, what about you?" Joe asked.

"I'm going in there to find my daughter."

"It's too dangerous! I won't let you, sis."
"Your niece is going to die, Sallie!" I whispered fiercely as I climbed out of the car. I closed the door as gently as I could, trying not to make any loud noises. "Now go."

I watched the car speed off, and I slowly made my way around the back of the house, listening carefully for any sort of sound, but I heard nothing. I wanted so desperately to hear my daughter cry out for me, but there wasn't anything. It was then I could feel the panic begin to settle amongst my nerves.

"Aah, Mrs. Burton. How good of you to join us." I turned just in time to see a grinning Eddie bring the back of his hand across my head, and hard. After that, there was nothing.

The clinking of metal against metal was the first thing I remembered, and after that, it was the throbbing pain on the side of my head. "Mmm....." The bandana in my mouth prevented me from speaking, and I slowly opened my eyes to find Eddie cuffing my hands to an old radiator in what appearerd to be the master bedroom of the old house. "Mmo, non'd.... Ennee, non'd noo dis....." I could barely beg for my own life, much less that of my own daughter.

"Oh, it's too late for that, Mrs. Burton. I can't have you spoiling things for me now. Hell, if I've made it this long without detection, I can make it for good." He finished what he was doing and sat back against the bed. "Truth is, I'm beginning to wonder how you even found me in the first place. You know something I don't? Believe me, I can be a very reasonable person..... when I want to be."

Even if I weren't gagged, I wouldn't have even said a word. I stared at him, breathing heavily, and a piece of hair fell in front of my eyes. Eddie reached over to push it away, and I jerked away from his touch with something that sounded like a growl. He pulled his hand back for a moment and, without any warning, slugged me again, twice, harder this time. I cried out, seeing stars, and within moments, the bandana began to feel heavy as I got a mouthful of blood.

Eddie raised his hand to strike me again when he stopped. He was staring at my neck. "What the hell......?" It was then that I rememberd the hickey. God, no.... My heart slammed harder as something came to him then, a thought, a revelation. "Joe. My God, you're one of Joe's clients." I couldn't describe the look in his eyes then. I think he was beginning to piece everything together.

My eyes went wide and I knew then I wouldn't make it out alive.

I could see the hurricane of fury behind his eyes, and he exhaled sharply. "Right." Without another word, he turned on his heels and left, looking as if he were on a mission.

"Ennee! Ennee, err ar oo goig? Ennee! Oddannit, suffabissh...." I choked on blood, managing to spit some out. I didn't have to guess what it was he was up to. I shook so hard the cuffs rattled against the radiator. When he returned, he had only a small recorder with him.

"Sit up."

I was too stunned to move.

"Dammit, Burton, I said sit up!" Eddie grabbed me by my hair at the base of my neck and hoisted me up. I cried out, pulling away from him, but he grabbed me again and held on. "Listen. Listen!"

He hit the play button immediately, not waiting for me to protest, and I froze at the sound of the sobbing, hysterical voice coming from the little tape.

"No-ooo! Please, mister, don't..... Mommy! Ooh, mommy! I want to go home, please, let me go home!" There was the sound of a fist making contact, and then she screamed. Her sobs came out in gasps. "Oo-o-w-w! Mommy, help me!!"

I couldn't stop screaming. "Noooo! Lyyyia!! Yoo suffabish! I'n gunna fu-ing gill yoo, yoo shi-'ed!"

Clicking off the tape, Eddie finally pulled the scarf from my mouth with a laugh. "What are you going to do, you crazy bitch? Huh?! You're tied up to a fucking radiator!"

"I'm going to tear your Goddamn throat out, you worthless piece of shit. I'm gonna fucking kill you!!" I screamed myself raw. With that, I spit in his face, and for that I was beaten again. Not once, not twice-- I lost count, and retained conciousness, sobbing for my daughter. The pain from the beating wasn't so bad, really, compared to the pain from the tape. I could feel another gash open as he struck me again across the eye. A bruise, I knew, blossomed there. It went on for some time.

"Bevins, freeze!"

He jumped from the shock of being interrupted and spun around. My entire body throbbed from being punched, kicked and torn at. I could barely lift my aching head, but I raised my eyes to find Captain Hamilton, along with five other police officers, including Detective Bellamy and a frazzled Lieutennant Owens. Their guns were all pointing at Eddie. "Oh, thank God....." I panted, coughing.

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Music: Named after the song "Butterflies and Hurricanes" by Muse. It's an incredibly powerful song about how your time has come, and you need to be the best.... "Revenge will surely come, your hard times are ahead." Definately check this one out!