Chapter 47

Kayla blamed herself over and over for giving way to Olivia's insistence because by the time they got back into town, Olivia's temperature was so high that she could hardly speak, her usually vibrant green eyes listless in her pallid face. Kayla drove her back to the hospital and within moments, she and a nurse tucked Olivia back into bed, administering antibiotics and a mild sedative. Susan, who was on night duty, came in and informed her that Sergeant Newton had come out of surgery successfully and was recuperating at the ICU.

Kayla sat with Olivia as she fell into a drugged sleep, the IV hooked back on her hand. It was 2.37 in the morning; more than half the night gone.

Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she wondered if Bo, Steve and the others would have any luck finding Carly. But then again, if she knew her brother very well, he won't rest at all until he did. Bo never allowed anything stop him from getting things done. She vividly remembered the dark period when she'd thought her life was over; when Steve had supposedly died. Bo had vowed to avenge his death, even if it meant going to jail for it. Bo was always so driven to protect the people he loved without thinking of the consequences and taking it to heart whenever he felt he'd failed them.

Olivia takes that from him, she thought, touching the girl's hot cheek. She and Shawn-Douglas... Rebels to the bone.

Her mind turned to her husband, Steve. Some people used to call him Bo's "dark half" but that all changed after he and Kayla unexpectedly fell in love. Steve was so much like Bo in many ways, the difference being he learnt to control himself, became less impulsive. But like Bo, remained driven at anything he did. Between them, Carly will be found.

She jerked as her cell phone suddenly rang out in her pocket.

'What the hell's going on?' her mother's agitated voice piped up. 'Nathan called me earlier and told me about the shooting but when I got there with Stephanie he told us that you and Olivia dashed off to God knows where! We've been trying to call you, are you both okay?'

'I had the phone on the whole time; I guess the signal wasn't so good. We're fine, Mum. Bo sent us back, Olivia began running a fever.'

'You shouldn't have let her out in the first place,' Caroline scolded. 'How's my little one?'

'She's sleeping now, by morning her fever should have broken.'

'And Carly?'

'We still don't know where Carly is, Mum. Vivian killed herself without telling Bo...'

'Run that by me again,' Caroline interrupted, incredulously. 'That woman... committed suicide?'

'Shot herself in the neck,' Kayla said grimly, 'without telling Bo where she buried Carly. I don't know how he's going to do it... I just hope he's not too late. I don't even want to think of what Carly's going through locked up in there.'

'He'll find her... and she'll be alive, I just know it. The good Lord didn't bring her back from the dead to meet this kind of end, Kayla.'

'I hope so, Mum... I pray so. Why don't you try and get some sleep now.'

'There's no way I can sleep until I know that girl's out of the ground. Call me the minute you hear from Bo.'

'I will, promise.'

Caroline hung up. That vicious prima donna she hated so much was finally dead and the world was already a better place without her. Yet her death was on her own terms, Caroline thought. I would have killed her myself if I'd had the chance... after what she did to my son, to all of us so many years ago. And as if it wasn't enough, she poisoned my granddaughter and Victor actually took her side!

She picked up the phone again and dialled Victor's cell number. It rang several times before he finally answered, sleepy and furious at being woken up at almost three in the morning.

'Your accomplice is dead,' Caroline didn't mince words.

'My accomplice? What the devil are you talking about...?'

'I mean your precious Vivian's dead, the same Vivian who poisoned your granddaughter and then sent her goon to kill her... who buried Carly alive again!' Caroline spat, anger rising. 'The same Vivian you defended! What do you have to say for yourself now? How did it feel to go against your own family... again?'

Silence. Then Victor spoke quietly, 'I can explain.'

'Of course you can. The problem is, it's not going to be the truth! I know you better than anyone else, Victor Kiriakis, enough to figure out that you knew what Vivian was going to do to Carly and Olivia the whole time! Do you hate Carly that much that you'd condone what Vivian did?'

' I swear to you...'

'Don't you even dare, you son-of- a-bitch! What you should be doing right now is pray that Bo finds that girl alive because no way will you escape what's going to come to you, believe me!'

Slamming the receiver hard on the cradle, Caroline sobbed; her shoulders shaking. You simply never knew what a moment of selfishness would lead you to. Hers had led her to Victor; she'd felt abandoned by Shawn, who at time was so busy trying to set up the family fish market in order to provide for his family. Victor Kiriakis, the sophisticated, Greek tycoon had bedazzled her with his charms and attention and given her more than she'd ever dreamed of. The result had been Bo and she'd kept his true paternity a secret for many years; both he and Shawn had found out the worse possible way. Even after the dust settled and they were a family again, the consequence of her action prevailed. Bo had to live with the fact that he wasn't a Brady by blood and whether he liked it or not, a career criminal was Shawn Douglas' grandfather. As for Victor, being Bo's father didn't stop him from battling with his own son over Carly who he'd manipulated into marriage in the first place; even stooping to attempted murder, arson and faking his own death to punish them both. While Carly lay between life and death at the hospital after walking into the trap meant for Bo, Shawn had vowed to kill Victor if she died. Caroline coolly knew what she would do to Victor if Bo was too late to save Carly now. I will blow his brains out.

Lying on the sofa, Caroline vividly recalled when she'd first laid eyes on Carly. More than half of Salem was at the pier that clear day in 1990 participating in a rally against Jencon Oil who was threatening the various small businesses in town, including their own fish market as well as the environment. In the middle of it all...

'Who's that over there with Marcus? Lovely lass, isn't she?' Shawn commented.

'Hmm... Beautiful,' Caroline narrowed her eyes at the girl talking animatedly with Marcus Hunter. 'She must be new in town, I've never seen her before.' Curiosity nagging her, she walked up to the couple, Shawn close behind, still holding their protest signs. 'Hello Marcus.'

'Mr and Mrs Brady, fancy meeting you here!' Marcus said in his usual jovial way. Turning to his companion, he placed his hands on her shoulders. 'I want to introduce a friend of mine, Dr. Carly Manning. Carly, this is Kayla's Mum and Dad.'

Caroline hoped her surprise didn't show on her face. The girl looked too young for a doctor, early twenties at least. Mostly likely an intern. And she looked so... what was the word, chic. The simple but expensively cut white blouse she had on coupled with her hair style would cause anyone to mistake her for a fashion model.

Carly's eyes shone warmly as she replied, 'pleased to meet you both.'

'Hi,' she replied.

'Our pleasure, doctor.' Shawn smiled.

Another thing, Caroline silently noted, there was a slight trace of an accent in her cultured tone... German or Dutch, she wasn't sure but she could hear it. Marcus was a workaholic, it was about time he got himself a girlfriend. And she liked this Carly Manning very much already.

Rising, Caroline went to the cabinet and pulled out a candle. Placing it on the counter, she lit it then got down on her knees, bowing her head in prayer.

::::::::::::::::::::

He watched her face closely as she broke the fortune cookie, her eyes widening as she pulled out the solitaire diamond ring. For a minute he worried she would find it too small, but her expression was of surprise and delight. She stared at him, smiling; unable to speak.

'What's an engagement without an engagement ring, huh?' he grinned.

'This is... beautiful,' she whispered, hugging him. 'It's just so beautiful!'

'Yeah,' he chuckled, stroking her hair. 'Told you there's good fortune in there.'

'I love it. It's beautiful.' She pulled away, still holding the ring. Considering she was a Countess with probably a king's fortune worth of jewellery languishing in a deposit box somewhere, he was deeply moved at her reaction, like she'd just received a very special gift.

'I'm trying to think of what to say, say the right thing, just in the right way.'

She shook her head, eyes bright with tears. 'You don't have to say anything.'

'You're right; it's exactly what I figured out. Because when you and I were on top of the Castillo, on top of the world...we said it all.'

Taking the ring, he slid it on her slim finger, the diamond glittering in the candle light.

'All there is...what I feel. All I have to do is look at you, all that I got going inside... there are no words.'

She nodded solemnly, slanted green eyes fixed on him.

'Only music... and the silence.' He continued, echoing her words to him at Izzy's loft. Looking down at Carly, his love for her rendered him at a loss for more words. But then again, they needed no words at all. Their love for each other was more than evident.

Holding her cheek, he whispered emotionally, 'love you, princess.'

Sobbing, she hugged him again, pressing her cheek against his. 'I love you too. I love you so much!'

Bo, are you still there?

I'm here. Keep talking, princess.

For a minute there I lost you.

I was suddenly thinking about the night I gave you the ring. Remember?

Like I'd ever forget. You hid it in a fortune cookie. She chuckled. Always full of surprises.

It makes everything we do more fun, don't you think?

No complaints here. Every day was always an adventure with you, sailor.

And we're going to have more of them. When I get you out of there, the first thing we're going to do is go sailing. The whole day; just the two of us.

I can't wait. But what I really want right now is hold you and Olivia and Ciara again.

Long as I get to hold you first.

He heard her chuckle softly. I hope hearing me say I love you hasn't gotten old.

Never. And I love you too, Carly Marie. More than you possibly know.

Bo stiffened as he suddenly heard a choking noise. Then a gasp.

Princess, what's wrong? Talk to me!

I can't breathe! More choking. Bo, I can't breathe!

'Carly, don't cash out on me now!' He shouted out loud, Roman and the others almost jumping out of their skins.

'What the hell is this shit, Bo!' Max snapped, completely fed up. They've been driving for well over two hours and all that time, Bo would fall into some trance before saying 'straight ahead,' or 'getting close.'

'Quiet!' Roman, who was driving, admonished him sharply. 'He's had visions before and we've got nothing else to lead us to Carly. He knows what he's doing!'

Brady leaned forward anxiously. 'Uncle Bo, what's happening... is Carly okay?'

'She's losing oxygen, fast...' Bo's voice shook.

Steve cursed. 'Do you think we're anywhere near her now?'

Bo was about to respond when his eye caught on a familiar sign on the side of the road. It read: "Green Oaks, Four Miles Ahead."

OF COURSE! He and Carly had taken Nicky and Shawn-Douglas camping there over Vivian's objections. Where else would that woman's sick mind turn to, the last place any one would guess.

'I'll say we are!' he exclaimed. 'Rom, drive straight to Green Oaks... that's where she is!'

I'm coming, baby...we're almost there. You've got to hold on, you hear me?

Roman picked up speed, three police cars following close behind.

Carly struggled to breathe in the now airless casket, holding her head to quell the waves of dizziness hitting her with full force. Gasping, she unbuttoned her blouse, unfastening the front of her bra but it gave very little comfort, her lungs were starting to feel like lead. There was no air left in the oxygen tank.

Hurry Bo... please, please... hurry! She tried to say to him but then blacked out.

Carly... Carly, say something!

'She's not answering me, Roman!'

'Just a few more miles, little brother. We'll get to her on time.'

Please God, don't let her die... don't take her away from me!

After what seemed like an eternity, they arrived at their destination.

::::::::::::::::::::::::

Dizzy from the impact of Lawrence's fist and the edge of the desk, she shook her head, trying to focus. He was kicking Sarah who was trying to crawl away, screaming and crying. She pulled herself up on shaky knees and out of the corner of her eye; the antique dagger glittered up at her from where it lay. She picked up without hesitation, heart beating fast. Their freedom was a few seconds away; she couldn't afford to miss her target.

She meant to catch him unawares by stabbing him from behind but he suddenly spun round, the knife's point getting him in the heart instead. She didn't care if it took several more stabs to end his miserable life; Lawrence Alamain's reign of abuse was going to end tonight.

'You... would kill... your own father...?' he gasped faintly, cold fingers grasping her wrist.

'You... are not my father,' she hissed in his face before pushing him away from her, sending him sprawling on the ground.

'Mummy?'

Kayla jerked awake at the sound of Olivia's faint voice, hurrying over to her.

'Olivia?'

Olivia opened her eyes, staring up at Kayla. 'It's alright, Mummy...' she whispered. 'He's dead, I stabbed him.'

'I know... I know, honey,' Kayla soothed her, 'go back to sleep now.'

'He's dead... he can't hurt us again...'

'Yes, yes...' Kayla kissed her forehead, stroking her curls, 'and I'm so proud of you. Now close your eyes... that's it...'

:::::::::::::

The strange force within Bo told him to follow the path on the left and he took it, certain he was almost there; the others following close behind, shivering in the cold night air.

Bo suddenly ran forward. 'There! It's over here, you guys!' He shouted excitedly.

By the light of their torches, they could see a spot that looked like it was recently dug up.

Snatching a shovel from one of the officers, Bo frantically began digging; Roman, Steve, Brady, Max and Phillip feverishly joining in; sending chunks of dirt and snow flying in their haste to get to the buried woman.

'Come on; put your backs into it!' Bo snarled, sinking the shovel deep into the earth again, telling himself that Carly was still alive. She just had to be... she has every reason to live!

On and on they dug until suddenly their shovels struck wood.

'Almost there now!' Steve shouted.

Hearts hammering painfully in their chests, they dug up some more dirt until the casket finally came into view.

Dropping his shovel, Bo leaped into the pit, shaking fingers feeling the side of the casket for the lid.

'Use this!' Roman tossed down a crowbar an officer handed to him. Catching it, Bo prised the lid open, revealing the woman inside.

'Carly!' he choked tearfully, running his hands over her face amidst triumphant shouts from the men above.

Brady and Steve jumped into the pit and helped Bo lift her out of the casket.

Several hands reached out and Carly was half –carried, half pulled out of the pit.

'Stand back, all of you!' Roman barked at the men. Roughly nudging everyone aside, Bo knelt over Carly, tilted her head and opened her mouth, breathing deeply into it. Steve crouched beside him, holding Carly's wrist.

'Carly... come on baby... breathe, open your eyes...' he whispered, brushing back her hair and administered rescue breathing again but it still yielded no result.

'Please, Carly...' he begged, tears falling down his cheeks. 'Come on... come on... I'm not letting you leave me again! Breathe!' he began compressing her chest, the others watching with bated breath.

'I'm getting a pulse!' Steve cried out. 'Keep going!'

Bo didn't need to be told twice, his hands repeated the compressions over and over.

At last, Carly's chest began to rise and fall slowly. 'It's working!' Brady exclaimed, almost weeping with relief.

'Carly?' Bo held her face anxiously. 'Carly, can you hear me?'

Carly's lips half parted, her eye lids fluttering. Then suddenly she began to cough.

'Oh thank God!' The men gave a deafening cheer as Bo held her in a vice grip.