Author's Notes:
Okay, this is where the first controversial rape scene of the novel takes place. I guess this was my first actual rape scene; don't worry though, it's not too graphic but I think the other one after that might be pretty worse. In this chapter, Zalira brings Winda back to her apartment room and starts lecturing her on going out on the streets with Kovu, very similar to what Zira did with Kovu in The Lion King 2. Then she unleashes her pride on Winda and watches in stone-cold silence as Winda is savagely gang-raped by the lions while Payton stands witness to it. Meanwhile, Payton is held hostage in Zalira's room and is blatantly seduced by her.Meanwhile, Tess McNeal drags Lena's dog Poodles along for the ride while launching into an impromptu rescue mission to find and retrieve Payton and it is not long before Suzanne and some members of Team Legacy stumble upon a severely injured and weakened Winda as she rapidly goes into shock and calls the paramedics on her immediately. Will Winda survive the trip to the hospital? What will happen to Payton and what exactly does Zalira want with him?
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Chapter 6: The Night At Zalira's Lair
Zalira then entered her bedroom with her minions in tow and with Winda, now free of a muzzle and blindfold, clinging to her jaws. She then hopped onto the bed and wobbled on the water bed and then dropped her young daughter in front of her. Winda then turned around to face her mother and then stepped back in fear with her ears down and her tail straight and shaky. Zalira then faced her minions. "Leave us now. Go back to your quarters. I want a word with my daughter," she ordered. The Tsavo lions then left the bedroom and the security guards safeguarded the hallway.
Zalira then turned her attention to Winda and as she did Kovu, flipped her on her back and then pinned her with her paw. The young businesswoman then growled low in her throat as she glared at her lone child. Winda's breathing quickened and shook as she gazed at her mother in terror and tremors rocked her body. Her eyes dilated and widened in trepidation, not knowing what her mother wanted to do next, especially since she was roaming the streets with the son of her nemesis.
"My little Winda, I am pissed with you. You should have been home by now and instead I find you wandering in the streets of D.C. with an outsider! You know very well that Demurs do not mix with commoners, lowlifes, poor people, and especially outsiders and rogues! There are cats that eat Poor John as food. You are a privileged citizen of the United States of America and as a member of the Demur family you should live and act like it. Furthermore, you are a huntress, a strong, capable young woman and you should practice your leadership skills in preparation for being my heir apparent of my corporation."
"When I die, everything I own will be yours. But first you must prove to me that you are responsible, mature, and smart enough to take over from me. However, if you shame me and blacken our family name and my reputation, especially by running away with that rogue and carrying his child, your inheritance will be precluded long before my death, because then I will disown you. You must be superior to all the others. You're better than them, and you know that."
"The Demurs are destined to lead all of the prides of this world to victory, and we must outsmart and vanquish the humans! What's happening now in the 21st century is sickening me. We must band together and create our own society, by destroying all of the human nations. Once all of the human nations are destroyed, and the human beings conquered, we can set up prison camps all over the world and also create absolute monarchical city-states for all prides. And I will be its central ruler. The prison camps are for exterminating most of the human beings off the face of the earth. We can redesign all of the countries all over again and start from scratch. Not really so much their natural environment, but mostly their government, their military, their school system… I will only accept a number of strong humans who are willing to follow my demands and obey me without question."
"I also have devised some equipment that is capable of manipulating tectonic plates and triggering the supercontinent cycle. These continents will become one once more. Once our overseas empire is created and we have control of all the oceans, we can search the waters for natural resources. This city will be my capital, and my corporation will be the only prominent building to exist in this world, and this is where we will rule this land, earth, water, and maybe perhaps the sky. One day we will fly into space and conquer planets that will be of most important value, including Mars, Venus, Europa, Pluto, Uranus, Jupiter, Neptune, Saturn, Mercury, Io, and Shi-Shi, and I could also roam in other galaxies to take over other planets that may be useful. There may be other lionesses that might build corporations of their own, but none will be as powerful as mine own. You may never know, Winda. Finn may be the key to this plan to pulverize the human race," Zalira explained to her.
Then, her claws were exposed and she was just about to slit Winda's throat. "I know your main weakness is your sexuality and your attraction to men. It will get in the way of what you have to do. Don't let that rogue make you stray away from me. Remember, when you're the head of the corporation, you get to control my minions. But you're still just a cub. You will mature in time," she informed her daughter warningly. "You… bitch," gritted Winda through her teeth. "Don't you ever say that!" roared Zalira indignantly and then she brandished a whip and struck her daughter on the back. Winda screamed in terror as Zalira kept on whipping her on the back and then assaulted her on the face. "You can strip all you want, but you will never find a mate at your age!" shouted Zalira as she kept on chastising Winda. Then, she made a loud whistle and then the Tsavo lions strolled into the room. Zalira glanced at the lions and then to her beaten daughter, and then commanded, "Punish her."
The Tsavo lions then charged at Winda and to her horror they attacked and assaulted her. Winda's piercing scream rang in the night as she essayed to fight off the bigger lions. Zalira merely watched the attack and then shrugged. She snorted and then got out of the bedroom, leaving Winda to the mercy of her attackers. Payton was watching from behind the bathroom window and was stunned by the voracity of the attack. He could occasionally hear Winda scream in pain as one Tsavo lion kept on ravishing her. Payton bit his lip and knew there was nothing he could do. Who knows? He might be next. Finally the Tsavo lions fled the room and Winda lay on her back in bed, crying. Payton then rushed to her side and caressed her fur in order to comfort her. Winda just pushed him away. "Don't touch me, you bastard!" she hissed while enraged tears poured down from her eyes. "I'm sorry," apologized Payton sympathetically. "Sorry doesn't cut it, you asshole!" snapped Winda.
"Can I stay with you?" offered Payton. "I don't care," replied Winda furiously. Zalira then casually stepped into the room and glimpsed at her daughter. "Haven't I told you if you defy me, serious consequences will occur in this household? You don't learn, Winda. The more you disobey me, the more hurtful it will get," she chided Winda. She then closed the door and locked it. Payton was immediately afraid. This was a very bad sign indeed. Zalira was also clad in a blue bathroom robe, which was another bad sign. Payton knew exactly where this was going. "Young Payton, hasn't your father discussed with you the birds and the bees?" asked Zalira.
"Nope. He doesn't talk to me about virtually anything at all," Payton spoke nervously. Zalira then jumped onto the bed and then approached Payton. She then pushed Winda off the bed and onto the floor and was soon sitting next to Payton with a seductive smile on her face. Winda was blotched with fresh blood and small scratches decorated her body. She growled in an infuriated matter while her fur was frizzled and wild once more with that menacing look.
...
Meantime, Tess McNeal rose from her bed and then took a glimpse at Abraham Hershel, who was sleeping soundlessly. She then laid her head on top of his and then noticed that Payton was gone. Tess McNeal then started at the realization. "Oh no! Payton!" she whispered. Tess McNeal then jumped out of her bed and accidentally ricocheted on Lena's back, causing her to grunt. She then strode to the rich woman and then tickled her hair. Lena reacted by slapping her hand away. "Don't disturb me," she mumbled. Tess McNeal then went for Oxy, who was asleep with Oxygen. She then brushed her head with her hand, and Oxy subconsciously flinched. Suddenly there was a sound of scratching, and Tess McNeal cocked her head to see Poodles pawing on the window. She then ambled to the Shih-Tzu and gave him a brief pet on the head. Poodles yipped in her direction.
Tess McNeal spotted a leash and a collar and soon got an idea. "I'll take this pooch for a walk," she muttered to herself with a smile. Tess McNeal grabs hold of the leash and the collar and then placed the collar around Poodles's neck. She then attaches the leash to the collar and made a pull on the leash. Poodles then looked at Tess McNeal quizzically with his ears cocked suspiciously. What the fuck is this? Where are we going? We better come back before sundown or Lena will kill you for this, was the middle-aged dog's thought.
"Relax, boy. Hopefully we'll be back. If I get stuck in a jam, I'll unlatch this leash off you and you report back to Lena," Tess McNeal reassured him. I've seen even crazier bitches, but she is the craziest of them all. What does she want with me at 3 o' clock in the morning? Unless it's something perverted. Bullcrap, Poodles thought while grimacing and frowning. "We have to find Payton. He's disappeared," explained Tess McNeal. Great! Kid's officially a runaway. He's probably sick of this penthouse as much as I am, Poodles thought while crinkling his nose.
Tess McNeal then tried to think of a way to reach the penthouse, and then snapped her fingers when she finally came up with something. She then took a deep breath and then hydroelectric energy surged throughout her body. Tess McNeal then charged up her power and soon mist evaporated from her body. Poodles then stiffened up when he realized what was going to happen and then his thought was, Holy shit. In a blink of an eye Tess McNeal shot up into the air like a rocket with Poodles dangling from his leash. He then landed on her back and then discovered that Tess McNeal was already in the air.
The feisty French actress was gliding at 200 mph. She was a sizzling, cooling, shooting star that was a fleeting spectacle in the April night. Tess McNeal and Poodles sped above neighborhoods, streets, schools, banks, and even police stations. One police station caught Tess's eye. She then bolted onto the sidewalk and then rebounded on the hard concrete ground before skidding in front of the station. Just then, a couple of police officers strode out with a suspect in their hands.
Tess McNeal recognized the person immediately. It was Mrs. Vright, and the old skeleton and bones peered at her hostilely. "I will remember your face, you she-devil tramp," she hissed coldly. Tess McNeal gasped and Poodles snarled and barked at the black hearted old woman. "Why don't you be quiet, you little beast," snapped Mrs. Vright. The little Shih-Tzu yapped even louder. "You leave him alone, you damn bitch! That's Lena Rosenberg's dog you're back talking!" Tess McNeal shouted at the top of her lungs. Mrs. Vright chuckled in glee and then spat in Tess McNeal's face, making her indignant.
"You and your fucking team. You think you can stop Mr. Piano and me? I don't think so. My Shadow will pulverize your Troubadour and will ultimately win. Someday, Mr. Piano will be the next President of the United States and you will all pay!" threatened Mrs. Vright. Tess McNeal only laughed bitterly. "People like you have made my Abraham bitter. Don't tell me that Zalira is involved in this too," she sassed to Mrs. Vright.
"Zalira has plans of her own. It is not my business to divulge her schemes to you. Mr. Piano will have his revenge," Mrs. Vright riposted back. "We'll get him yet. You'll see," vowed Tess McNeal. Poodles barked approvingly. I love a woman who's acting like a big time bitch. She's got attitude, were his thoughts. "You're very spunky for such a young woman. I admire your courage," observed Mrs. Vright. Tess McNeal then got to her feet and then picked up Poodles. She then cradled him in her arms. "Where do you think you're going at this time of night?" demanded Mrs. Vright. "For a walk," was Tess McNeal's answer before she ran away from her. "Don't let me catch you smooching off to someone!" ranted Mrs. Vright aggressively. Tess McNeal was galloping through the streets wildly, desperate to get away from the old dog. She then looked down upon Poodles and then simpered sweetly. "Maybe that's why they call you trouble," she teased him mildly. Poodles hiccupped.
An hour later she and Poodles finally found Zalira's apartment building. Tess McNeal sets him down on the ground and then he scampered ahead of her. She then followed him as fast as she could. Just then they ran into a security guard. "Hold it. Who are you?" he interrogated them. "Tess Anne Jean McNeal. This is Troubadour "Poodles" Rosenberg," answered Tess McNeal. The security guard jumped when he heard the surname "Rosenberg". "T-T-That's her dog? Oh, excuse me! Please, please, come in, come in," he stammered. Tess McNeal then proceeded to enter the apartment building. As she ascended the stairs and crossed the hallways, she was awed by the seemingly endless line of security guards that were standing motionlessly with machine guns and Thomas submachine guns. Tess McNeal then found a door that read, "Demur".
A security guard then shoved the butt of his Thomas submachine gun into her face. "Hey lady! Demur's room is off limits. Now get out!" he barked at her. Tess McNeal balked at the sight of him. But she stood her ground. She knew what was like to be around security guards, especially rude ones. "Make me," she dared him while crossing her arms. The security guard lunged at her and then Tess McNeal went through him laughing and soon got into the room. He was filled with fury. "That woman!" he roared. "I must be dealing with a ghost!" He then noticed little Poodles yapping away at him. "Hey, little punk. Why don't you scram!" growled the security guard and was about to kick him out of the apartment when he was swiftly blinded by cold, icy mist. He was then shoved into the fence while Tess McNeal reappeared with mist condensing in her hands. "Hey buster! Why don't you try freezing your ass in the Sierra Nevada sometime?" she challenged him and then she released an outburst of energy and soon the hallway was shrouded by mist.
The security guards were rushing in the confusion and bumped into each other. Some of them collided so hard that one of them fell out of the fifth floor. Tess McNeal scooped up Poodles and then vanished back into the room. "Whew. That was close, right Poodles?" Tess McNeal breathed a sigh of relief. "Who is this?" importuned Zalira as she paced over to Tess McNeal. "Tess McNeal. I'm looking for Payton," replied Tess McNeal. "Aren't you that French actress who worked in the underground entertainment world as a singer and actress and crossed over to the mainstream and who was eventually killed by her husband?" inquired Zalira curiously. "The same one. How did you know about my past life?" confirmed Tess McNeal. "Newspaper addict. I'll read any damn newspaper I could get my hands on," retorted Zalira. "Really? That's interesting. What newspapers have you read?" questioned Tess McNeal. "Ah, Miami Herald, New York Times, Washington Post…" muttered Zalira as she shambled on to her bed.
"You also read the San Francisco Post, haven't you?" asked Tess McNeal. Zalira whizzed around and stared at her. "Why, yes… That's where I read about you, and your sister," she answered meekly and with a sheepish grin. Tess McNeal froze and braced herself to listen to any comment Zalira may have to say. The day Nessie died was one of the worst days of her life. She remembered crying and screaming over her sister's lifeless corpse in her own home. Even though now Tess herself was a ghost, she has not made contact with her dear sister for the last 26 years. But deep in her heart she knows that Nessie is very happy somewhere in the depths of Heaven, because she was a kind and altruistic creature. "I'm so terribly sorry about your darling Nessie. I really am. I could only imagine how awful it must've been to go through the loss of a sibling," Zalira sympathized uncharacteristically.
Tess McNeal scoffed in disbelief. "You don't know what it's even like to be human. You're just a cold, selfish, soulless monster," she accused. "I'm no human, but I do have human feelings," countered Zalira while glowering at Tess. "Oh really? Then what's THAT I see ON THE DAMN FLOOR?" snarled Tess McNeal with a sarcastic look on her face while pointing at Winda, whose paw was barely trembling from the vicious beating. Winda was gasping for air and her eyes seemed distant and glazy. Zalira then moved to Winda and shielded her from the actress. "Winda's as much as a bitch as I am," she defended her daughter. "Then I have reason to believe that she is a mirror image of you," declared Tess McNeal decidedly. "Where's my Troubadour!" bellowed Lena Rosenberg as she bulldozed her way into the room. Tess McNeal then switched her attentions to the infamous Queen of Hell.
"Oh, don't worry Lena. Poodles's here, safe and sound," Tess McNeal assured her. Poodles then raced to his owner and leapt into her arms. Lena then caressed her dog's fur and examined him closely. Then she turned to Tess McNeal. "I must say I'm impressed. You've done a good job protecting my dog from those bastards in this apartment," Lena praised her with one of her rare smiles. "I'm very handy at taking care of things that belong to others," boasted Tess McNeal proudly.
Just then, May, James Peterson, Paul Swimmerton, Drs. Rachel Walters and Mark Sloan entered the room and then May treaded to the weak and fragile Winda and placed her two fingers on her neck and felt her pulse. She then turned her head to the others. "I'm afraid she's dying," May announced lamentably with a shake of her head. "NOOOO!" screamed Kovu as he ran into the room and came to Winda's side along with Kiara. "Winda, we're going to take you to a hospital. You'll be okay. Please don't die," murmured Kiara while rubbing her head gently against Winda's. "Hello? Yes, I need an ambulance immediately. There is a lioness cub that is dying quickly. Hurry, please!" Paul Swimmerton called on his cell phone. "Okay, Mr. Swimmerton. The paramedics will rush here as fast as possible. This young girl will be taken to Children's National Medical Center. We'll drive her to Georgetown University Hospital where she'll be airlifted there," replied the 911 dispatcher.
"What should I do?" inquired Paul Swimmerton. "Find a blanket and treat for shock if present," instructed the 911 dispatcher. Paul Swimmerton then turned to Lena. "Mrs. Rosenberg, does she have shock?" he made an inquiry of her. "The hell she does. She's fading fast. Those bastards better get here soon or we'll lose her," was Lena's retort. Suzanne and Thomas Carmichael also arrived. Lena then approached her. "Don't stand there, Suzanne! Go to a bathroom and get a bath towel. Winda has shock. Someone attacked her," she snapped. "Not to mention raped her," added Dr. Rachel Walters. Suzanne then dashed to Zalira. "Listen, Zalira. If you are in any way the instigator of this vicious, cruel, and brutal assault on your daughter, the hospital will sue you for this," she threatened her. "The bathroom's to your left," was Zalira's rejoinder.
Suzanne galloped to the bathroom and then turned on the lights. She glanced around frantically and then found a dry, fluffy bath towel hanging on a hook on the wall and took it down. She then returned to her teammates with the towel and then threw it on Dr. Rachel Walters. The doctor then laid the towel on Winda and then Kiara climbed onto the bed and fetched a pillow. She then jumped down and placed the pillow under Winda's head. With her latex gloves on and a mask over her mouth and using her index finger, Dr. Rachel Walters took a swab of blood from one of her wounds and then scanned it with her eyes. "The blood is already drying. From the looks of it she has lost a lot of blood. 20 to 30% of it. She'll need a rape aid kit in addition to a blood transfusion," concluded Dr. Rachel Walters. Dr. Sloan then dashed in with an oxygen tank and then placed the oxygen mask over Winda's muzzle.
"How do you feel, Winda?" questioned Dr. Rachel Walters gently. "My body hurts a lot," complained Winda. "Do you know who raped you?" persisted Dr. Rachel Walters with her eyes intent on her patient. "Maluku did this to me," gasped Winda with a squeak in her voice. "He and his goons attacked you?" guessed Dr. Rachel Walters. "They all did. They hurt me," insisted Winda positively. "Do you know who made them attack you?" Dr. Rachel Walters questioned her. Winda sniffled with the chilly, hostile look on her face before answering, "My mother did this." Everyone was shocked. Lena then menaced towards Zalira with wrath emerging in her blood while the nefarious lioness cowered backwards in fear. "How dare you. How dare you do this to your own daughter!" she screeched in anger. "It was for her own good. She was running around with an outsider and disobeyed me!" argued Zalira. "Nothing you can say will justify the hideous deed you have bestowed upon your child. If I could I will rip out your black heart and destroy it. I will throw you to those same dogs that had deflowered your girl," scolded Lena viciously.
"If she is with child I'll disown her forever!" snarled Zalira. "Oh, but what if her rapist gets her pregnant! Then what do you do? Do you disinherit her then?" contended the wealthy New Yorker. Zalira then stopped and in a flash, charged at Lena. Lena braced herself for the attack. Zalira then lunged at her and soon they wrestled on the floor, grabbing for each other's throats. "Mother no!" yelled James Peterson in horror. "Well, there goes the greatest catfight in the world," commented Henry Rosenberg. Just then a Pikachu sped into the room in a cloud of electricity and rushed at the two women while sparks were emerging from her body. "PIKACHU!" screamed the Pikachu and then lightning flashed all over the room. She then landed on the ground and soon spun around Zalira and Lena rapidly. The electric energy in the room soon got so intense and powerful that a huge blast of light exploded into being and tore through the building. At that moment the paramedics arrived in electricity resistant suits and then scooped up Winda and put her on a stretcher while holding the oxygen tank and the oxygen mask to her muzzle and made away with her. At the same time, everyone was getting electrocuted.
"Fuck you, you stupid Pikachu!" Lena shouted. Finally the electric storm fizzled, and everyone lay on the floor, vaporized. Zalira's fur and hair was electrified and frazzled as electric currents seer throughout her entire body. She coughed and then hopped onto the bed and then snatched Payton by the throat and then soared out of bed and plunged out of the apartment building through the window. Lena then sat up from the electric fury and then looked around and soon discovered that Zalira had made her getaway. "Damn!" she swore. "The bitch got away again!" Then she turned to the Pikachu and glared at her while the Pikachu could only manage a foolish grin while her face blushed bright red in abashment. "Next time kid, don't try that combination of Agility, Shock Wave, and Volt Tackle when you want to break up a fight," the Queen of Hell growled displeasingly. Everyone soon got up and then stared down at the Pikachu, upset. James Peterson cleared his throat while Henry Rosenberg tapped his foot irritatingly.
"Rhonda Sarah Petrie," started Thomas. "Pika…" Rhonda hiccuped and then she transformed back into a Firebird. "Number one, Rhonda needs to control her powers, and number two, she should be paying more attention to the situation instead of running into it and electrifying everyone," Henry Rosenberg groused to James Peterson as they sat in a rented 2008 Nissan GT-R. "Don't blame her, Henry. She's only 15," pointed out James. "15 my ass. Teenagers don't pay attention to what they're doing at all nowadays," growled Henry Rosenberg as they made a sharp right turn. "Do you know exactly where we're going?" May importuned Henry. "When you're dead, you have an automatic sense of where you're heading. And I happen to know that this hospital is just around the corner," was Henry's answer. He then turned the corner and then Georgetown University Hospital was just over the horizon. Unfortunately, the parking lot was also besieged by news reporters, and Henry knew that Todd Foster had to be one of those reporters. He then slammed on the brakes and then sped to the hospital.
Once they materialized at the hospital driveway, they got to an empty parking space and parked there. Then everyone got out and soon was coming towards the crowd of reporters and flashes of light and clicks from cameras and the high volume of voices bubbling all at once. Just then, a perky, 4"3, spunky, pretty and eager faced, bubbly, female, long, floppy haired, brunette Canadian reporter with nylon cotton stockings, black strapped shoes, a woolly black and white checkered blouse, a ocean blue skirt, a handkerchief sapphire bandana and a blueberry cap with a night black tip got in their way and was attempting to accost Henry with some questions. "Hi! Aren't you Henry Rosenberg, the famous real estate developer from New York? I have some questions for you first off! Do you know the rape victim Winda Demur?" she addressed him. Lena then barged her way in and then gave the female reporter a hard shove. "How about this? Why don't you fuck off, you nosy brat?" she snapped at her. For some reason the Canadian reporter was unfazed to Lena's aggressive behavior and proceeded to courtesy in front of her. "Well, I must say I heard a lot about you too, Mrs. Rosenberg," she commented.
"And who you might be?" inquired Suzanne. "The name is April Beaucroft. I'm from Ontario, Canada. I just joined Todd Foster's team two months ago and now I'm his new partner," answered the giggly reporter with a smile. Suzanne was tickled pink by this infectious new personality. She was bright faced and enthusiastic and was very optimistic about the world. "Um, excuse us, Miss Beaucroft, but we have to go see Miss Demur," piped in Rhonda. April Beaucroft then directed her microphone to Rhonda and grinned at her. "Are you Rhonda Sarah Petrie of London, England? You are that little freshman at Winston Churchill High School, right?" she asked her. "Uh, yeah. I am. Any other questions?" answered Rhonda uncertainly. "What do you think of Paris Hilton, Hannah Montana and Britney Spears?" April Beaucroft persisted.
"First off, I think kids everywhere are getting brainwashed by Paris Hilton. Not everyone is going to be rich you know. Besides, I don't think she is a good role model for them. As for Hannah Montana, I could care less for her, although I just hope that she doesn't end up like Britney Spears. And speaking of Britney Spears I think she just needs to get away for a little while. She has two young kids that need to be taken care of. Frankly I'm not even sure if she's ready to go back into acting after all of the hullabaloo she's been through the last few months," Rhonda confessed honestly.
"Is this your opinion of them?" continued April Beaucroft. "That's my general opinion of them, yes," confirmed Rhonda while giving a nod. "And one more thing. I just hope that Hannah Montana does not regret giving up a normal childhood to be a teenage superstar," she also added. "Well! I'm impressed by your candor Miss Rhonda. Anything else to add?" remarked April Beaucroft. "Yes. I'm going to let Hannah Montana do what she does and I'm also going to respect her decision to do so and also in regards to her family," replied Rhonda. Just then, Lena Rosenberg pushed her way through and Rhonda had to step aside for her. She grabbed the microphone from April Beaucroft, unnerving the young reporter. "First of all, what's your business in interrogating us?" she retorted while fluffing up her hair. "My sources tell me you guys are in town and I just want to find out more information about you," answered April Beaucroft. "Uh oh. Nosy reporter," muttered Hugo to Laverne.
"So, do you love your dog very much?" importuned April Beaucroft. "Of course I do. He's my world to me. I adore him with all my heart," was Lena's answer. "What is your relationship in retrospect with your husband Henry?" was another one of April Beaucroft's questions. Lena blanched out before clearing her throat. "Well, Henry is also one of the most important people in my life. He's my soul mate and friend of course. We went through everything together, especially with the bullcrap in the late 80's and early 90's. I'm nothing without him," she replied calmly. "What about your goddaughter Oxy?" April Beaucroft went on. "That's Laverne's adopted daughter. At 3 years, she is already a very mature and responsible young woman. She has grown up at the rate that I've never anticipated. She is also an excellent mother to her children and a great wife to her husband Oxygen. And as for my children, they're already developing their personalities. My son Coffin is growing up to be a very brave and fearless young boy, especially since that he almost died at his birth. And my eldest son James is taking great care of them," Lena explained.
Just then, the helicopter was already up in midair, and all of the reporters scattered in different directions while snapping photos of the departing aircraft. Strong gales and wind currents were blowing in as a result of the strong force of the helicopter's propellers and Rhonda and the gang were watching wordlessly as the helicopter soared into the black sky and disappeared without a trace. Rhonda then turned to Tess McNeal and Suzanne. "Tess, Suzanne. Take the 2008 Nissan GT-R and drive back to the penthouse and rouse up the rest of the team. Bring all of them to Children's National Medical Center and tell them that Winda has been brutally attacked and raped and that she is in critical condition and could die."
"Also tell them that Zalira has run off without a trace with Payton and that we need to get him back," she instructed them carefully. "We'll do so, Rhonda. Don't worry about us," Suzanne reassured her. "Yeah, I'll drive," insisted Tess McNeal. "Forget it. I'll drive," Suzanne volunteered. Tess McNeal shrugged in defeat. She knew better than to argue with a veteran actress, especially when the argument is about who gets to drive a car. Suzanne and Tess McNeal strolled to the car and then got in and closed the doors shut.
Then the engine was ignited and soon the 2008 Nissan GT-R backed up in the driveway and then zoomed into the empty, quiet streets. Then, a limousine drove by, and the windows rolled down to reveal Todd Foster! He was sitting on a couch with a martini in his hand and then cocked his head to his new partner. "Hey April. Why don't you give those youngsters a ride?" he drawled, intoxicated. "That's great," accepted Kiara and then everyone got into the car in courtesy of the chauffeur. The chauffeur then closed the door and then got into the driver's seat and then slammed the door shut. Todd Foster was on the brink of being passed out. May and Lena were sitting on the left side next to him.
"Hey, Mr. Foster. Are you alright?" May made an inquiry of him. "Hey gorgeous. Let's say we get down and dirty in my place tonight," Todd solicited while mumbling in his drunken state. Lena slapped him across the face and this only made Todd Foster growl at her. Her reaction was to roll her eyes and look at the window. The limousine then glided into the streets and then screeched southbound into the interstate. "By the way, where are we staying?" was Kovu's question.
Author's Notes:
I think this was an interesting chapter and it highlights Zalira's ambitions; I think she is just as ambitious as Mr. Piano and perhaps a lot more. She seems to be looking for bigger and better things and I think she is also just as arrogant, haughty and conceited as Mr. Piano. It just dawned on me now how much Zalira and Mr. Piano have in common, especially where their treatment of their children are concerned. As for that 2008 Nissan GT-R model, I had to look up on the Internet to find a good car for Suzanne and Tess to drive. Well, that rape scene with Winda could have been worse and it appears she is in critical condition.
I think it is obvious by now that Zalira is attracted to Payton and will stop at nothing to get him, even if it meant abducting him. Well, you know what they say: Great minds think alike; birds of a feather flock together, and the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I could think of another adage but now it escapes me. I also noticed how far this story is progressing. I think it's going at a very rapid pace now. We might be going in the middle of the story by now. The conflict's heating up. By the way, about Poodles, his real name is Troubadour because I never really liked the name Poodles since it sounds so silly and gay and it's just a nickname. Besides, I don't think Lena would really name a dog that. Everyone just calls him Poodles but his actual name is Troubadour.
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