Chapter Forty-Three

Pandora's Box: Part Two

Hey everyone! Thanks for the wonderful reviews for the previous chapter. Here's the next installment of Ever After. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon.

Sarah raced through the streets panting heavily. She dropped her duffle bag on the ground. It was slowing her down. They continued to chase after her. She pivoted towards a corner and stood shocked when she saw it was a dead end. She could hear their footsteps slowly approaching her. She turned around and slowly stepped back. There were five of them dressed in black suits and ties. They looked serious and almost robotic.

Sarah's back touched the wall. "Who are you? What do you want with me?" They remained silent as they continued to approach her. She slipped her tote off her shoulder and slowly placed it on the ground. Sarah stood in a fighting stance. If they were going to take her, she was not going down without a fight.

Sarah held up her hand and shouted, "Jupiter Star Power!" They stopped as she instantly transformed into Sailor Jupiter. She quickly leaped over their heads and landed in a crouch position. They turned around and saw her running out of the alley. They chased after her. She stopped when they leaped up and disappeared and reappeared surrounding her. One grabbed her shoulder. She flipped him over. She engaged in hand to hand combat with the other four. She blocked their attacks and did a spinning kick, knocking off the glasses of one of them. There was a speck of red in his eyes. They were reborns. The government? The New World Regime? Were the Elysians really the masterminds behind the New World Regime? If not, then why were the reborns still alive after Endymion gave the executive order to destroy them before mankind was wiped out? She asked herself those questions as she fought them. The last time she fought a reborn was eight years ago. Now, they were back.

Sarah leaped backwards and yelled holding out her hands, "Jupiter Supreme Dragon Thunder Crash!" A bolt of electricity came out of her hands and formed the shape of the dragon. They screamed as the dragon went through all of their bodies as they collapsed to the ground. Sarah sighed in relief as she transformed back into her civilian form. She turned around and was surprised to see Derrick standing there watching her with an impressed look on his face. He had her duffle bag held up in his hands and a red wheel less convertible behind him.

He asked amused, "Do you want a lift?" She smiled and nodded.

Lily left Serenity's chambers in the early hours of the morning. Serenity thanked her for letting her know what was going on. Lily smiled weakly before returning to her room in the servants' quarters.

Endymion twisted and turned in bed feeling miserable without Serenity. He felt sick to the stomach like he wanted to vomit. His headache was throbbing against his temple. He desperately wanted a drink but he fought the desire. The doors to his chambers slowly opened. He turned to see Serenity standing in the middle of the room in her robe wrapped tightly around her waist. Her silver hair pinned up in a messy bun. She was not wearing any makeup and still looked young and beautiful.

Serenity stared at her husband. He looked horrible. He looked pale and thin like a sick cancer patient at a hospital. His hair was messy. His eyes had dark circles around them like a raccoon from many restless nights. He looked like he had not eaten in days. Serenity rushed over to him.

He sat up in bed dressed in his pajamas. She sat down next to him. She looked into his eyes. Her hand gently touched his pale skin. "I'm sorry for doubting you."

He looked at her strangely. "What you mean?"

Serenity said, "I thought you intentionally cheated on me with Lady Luckington. I caught you together the night of the ball making love."

He looked confused not remembering the details of that night, but it made sense. She continued, "I had no idea that you were drugged." She shook her head. "I am so…so sorry for doubting you. I'll believe in you baby. I know that you can battle these addictions." She softly kissed him. Their lips broke apart as their foreheads touched.

Endymion smiled in relief. "It means a lot to me that you do."

Serenity lifted up her head. She looked at him nervously. What she was about to tell him will change his life once again and she hated doing it but she had to. She sighed then said, "Endymion…."

He smiled at her. "Yes Serenity…."

"There's something I have to tell you and it's going to hurt you."

Endymion said, "Tell me…"

Serenity said, "It's about your family." He automatically assumed it was about the children. It was his first thought when he thought about his family. Serenity and their children.

Before she could utter a word, the doors suddenly burst open with Lord Davenport marching in surrounded by castle's guards. He held up a white piece of paper in his hand with a pleased expression on his rat-like face.

Lord Davenport pointed a finger angrily at Serenity, who stared at him defiantly. His mouth twitched. "I have a warrant here for the arrest of her majesty Queen Serenity."

Endymion stood up and demanded outraged, "On what grounds?"

Lord Davenport announced, "On the grounds of the murder of Lady Camryn Luckington."

Endymion yelled outraged, "What!" He looked at Serenity who remained silent and equally stunned sitting poised on the bed. He glanced back to Lord Davenport, who was still talking.

Lord Davenport continued forcefully, "We have proof that the queen murdered Lady Luckington."

Endymion yelled, "This is unbelievable!"

"We have a witness who overheard Lady Camryn Luckington in your office at the Capitol confessing to you that her royal majesty the queen threatened her and days later Lady Camryn ended up dead." A stumped look crossed Serenity's face then her features turned blank.

Endymion frowned. He knew it had to be no other than Martin. He was the only one in the room that could have possibly heard. He shouldn't have opened the damned door either.

Serenity frowned at Lord Davenport. She could only imagine the lengths Lord Davenport went to get a confession out of Martin.

Serenity turned to Endymion. Endymion stood in disbelief and said, "This is ridiculous. I want these charges dropped immediately."

Lord Davenport shook his head. "I am sorry your majesty but murder is a capital punishment and if sentenced, the accused party is executed three days later." Endymion looked at Serenity in complete disbelief at the outlandishness of this moment. His Serenity will not harm a fly. "Guards handcuff the queen!" Two guards approached her. She rose from the bed and held out her hands in front of them. One of the guards said apologetically, "I am sorry, your majesty."

She smiled. "It's okay, George. You're only doing your job."

'How in the hell does she do that?' Endymion wondered. She remembered every member of the staff's name and even the security guard who greeted him every day at the Capitol. He known these people for eight years and still did not know most of their names. She was only there for fourteen days and knew everybody's name.

George blushed. He could not believe that she remembered his name. He said, "Yes, your majesty. Let me read you, your rights."

Serenity nodded as she smiled. He said seriously, "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand the rights I have just read to you?"

Serenity nodded. "Yes George. You did quite well." He blushed again. He whispered. "I made sure your cuffs are not too tight."

Serenity whispered, "Thank you."

Lord Davenport said annoyed watching the queen and the bumbling guard interact, "Enough already. Take her away! She'll be sentenced first thing in the morning."

Endymion said fuming, "My wife will not spend the night in jail."

Serenity turned to her husband, "It's okay, baby. Focus on your promises. I'll be okay, and call Sammy to represent me." He knew she was referring to the kids.

Endymion watched as they took her wife away. The charges were ridiculous. From Serenity's nonchalant attitude, he knew she thought so too. Serenity would never kill anyone in cold-blood. He knew Cain would know how to handle the situation. He was a better politician than he was. He called Cain immediately, who was equally outraged and promised to do what he could to help his sister-in-law. Once relieved with his brother's reassurance, he reluctantly dialed Sammy's number to defend his wife. It was her request after all and Cain was on their side. The phone rang and a male voice answered. He began to speak to someone he had not spoken to in eight years.

Derrick opened the door to his dorm room easily carrying her duffle bag on one shoulder. He moved to the side to allow Sarah to enter first. Sarah stepped in and looked around the small room with two twin sized beds and a small window in front on them. The party was still going on downstairs.

He placed her duffle bag on the wooden chair in front of his desk. Before she sat down on Justin's bed, he said, "You might not want to sit there. Rini complains how much it stinks." Sarah's bottom stopped mid-air in a squatting position. She moved over to Derrick's bed. She sat down on the soft mattress of his bed. He was leaning over on his desk turning on his laptop. He was not playing her any mind as she studied his strong profile. The penetrating air in his sapphire eyes, his flawless nose, resilient chiseled jawline and kissable lips even his hair was perfect. He did not look evil at all. Derrick the Enforcer's eyes were soulless and terrifying.

Derrick moved Sarah's bag on the floor and sat down in his chair scooting in. He read the websites articles about Derrick the Enforcer. He quickly read each and every article knowing that he had only two minutes before the government locked onto his location. He watched image after image of Derrick the Enforcer slaughtering villagers, impaling them on tall poles, castrating them, ravishing women with his soldiers, killing children. He had no remorse. He was pure evil.

At one minute and fifty five seconds left, he closed out all the windows. He turned to her with a grim and vexed look on his face. He demanded, "Tell me everything you know." He stared at her. His body pivoted towards her. His elbow propped up on his strong thighs and his fingers clasped together. He stared at her with a penetrating gaze not breaking their eye contact. The way that he was looking at her made her self-conscious. It took all her willpower not to stumble over her words. He listened as she told him everything she knew like she told Josh. He could sense that the government had pinpointed their location and in five minutes, they would be there to take them into custody for questioning. Any time one goes on a website that has to do anything with government, there is a countdown along with a count of a number of times a person visited a webpage. If it is too many, it sends a red flag. She did not know much, but her theory was in the right direction. Who were COLD? She asked. He knew the answer now. It was everyone he was related to besides his immediate family. Who were the Followers of Derrick? Humans would chose to follow Derrick because they believed his doctrine that humans were evil and that he was some type of god that would grant them riches and wealth beyond their means if they followed him. They died in battle and went straight to hell to satisfy Dragon. Who was the New World Regime? They were one percent of the human population that controlled all the wealth and power in the world. Their greed eradicated the rest of the humans and made them reborns without willpower. They were the Elysians' pawns. These are the people that his father murdered. They were only the puppets. The Elysians were the puppet master. Cain did not care because they were only human and assisted his brother Endymion in murdering them. It was hard for Derrick to accept the fact that his uncle was evil. That his aunt and uncles were a part of this scheme. They were all so nice and good to him and his sisters. They seemed like good people, but this was ridiculous.

His hearing intensified. He could hear the sound of government officials pulling up in front of his dorm in their unmarked black government cars. Everyone downstairs paused what they were doing as they watched the creepy officials dressed in black entered into the building.

Derrick smiled at Sarah "Thank you, Sarah."

She smiled as him. Her eyes closed for a moment. With the flick of his hand, she opened her eyes in surprise to find out that she back at home on her bed. Her duffle bag and tote bag was on the floor beside her. The government officials burst into Derrick's room. No one was there.

Mina bent her back so far down that her body formed the shape of the letter C for her fiancé Cain. She formed an upward facing bow yoga position. She came into the kitchen earlier after working out at the gym. She was starring in an action movie that required her to be in fit shape. She asked Cain earlier if he wanted to test out her fitness in the bedroom later. He absentmindedly said yes as he read the evening newspaper and sipped his tea thinking she wanted to practice her fighting scenes with him. He had no idea that he was going to walk into the bedroom to see Mina butt naked on a yoga mat on the floor forming a bridge pose with her head upside down and her long blonde hair sweeping the floor. Her beautiful temple adorned with neatly trim golden hairs stared at him right in the face begging him to come inside her creamy pink nether lips. At least that's what his other head told him.

He strode over to her stripping off his clothes along the way. He stood before her naked holding and massaging his fully erect big groin in his hand. He brushed his thick, long groin against her already wet folds coating him with her juices. Mina teased him and asked him what the hell he was waiting for. He grinned gazing his hand over her flat, toned stomach before grabbing both of her hips. He suddenly thrust forward burying his entire rod through her slick, wet folds causing her to gasp. Her body had adjusted to his size over the three years their bodies belonged exclusively to each other. When her body quickly accepted him, he smoothly moved in and out of her wet slick fold with long, smooth strokes taking her to the edge before pulling out to the tip before shoving his entire groin back deep inside of her once more. She begged him to fuck her. Cain complied and began fucking her silly for a good ten minutes nonstop as her moans and cries of pleasure filled the room. In fear of the blood rushing to her head and her passing out, Cain unleashed a powerful orgasm and erupted his white load deep inside of her womb. She collapsed weakly on the ground with him falling also. Cain rested flat on his back covered with perspiration as he breathed heavily catching his breath. Mina did the same resting her head on his stretched-out arm. She rolled on her side facing him still catching her breath and feeling slightly lightheaded. She laughed when Cain told her with a satisfied look and lightly patted her side that he thought she was fit enough for the role. They lied on the sweaty yoga mat cuddled in each other's arms on the cold floor for a few minutes longer before Cain scooped an exhausted Mina into his arms and tucked her into bed. She fell asleep instantly. He kissed her softly on the lips.

He walked into the bathroom and hopped into the shower washing the soapsuds off his body with a sponge. He shampooed and conditioned his wavy black hair which was now longer. He wanted to cut it shorter since Mina teased him telling him that his hair looked like Johnny Depp's hair in her favorite romantic movie, Don Juan Demarco. She teased him telling him he looked sexy and only needed the ripped white tunic unbuttoned to her waist showing off his ripped muscular chest and black tights before bursting into laughter. He rolled his eyes and walked away from her clearly not thinking she was as funny as she thought she was. He changed into an old t-shirt and worn-out jeans to greet his guest that had been waiting for him for the last twenty minutes.

He strolled down the dark hallways of his large home he shared with Mina in Starlight City. Their son was fast asleep in his bedroom. He saw a light on in the game room. He walked in see Derrick playing a game of pool by himself. He bent down concentrating as he struck a solid ball with the cue stick. The ball smoothly went into a corner pocket. He stood up watching the balls as he circled the table searching for his next move. It was obvious something was bothering him. He spoke in a cynical tone not glancing up at his uncle, "Hello Uncle Cain."

Cain looked slightly amused. It was one o' clock in the morning and his nephew was in his house playing pool and addressing him in a nasty tone that was unnatural to him. He asked concerned, "What's bothering you, nephew? Is it girl problems again?"

Derrick glanced up with the cue stick in his hand rubbing the top with his thumb. Derrick said clearly upset, "You lied to me my entire life. I thought you actually cared about me and my sisters. You were using us all these years."

Cain frowned at him looking confused. "What are you talking about Derrick?" Derrick glared. He knew exactly what he was talking about! Cain looked up at him nephew with a penetrating gaze that frightened him and slightly intimidated him. "What are you implying Derrick?"

Derrick asked, "Why?"

Cain smirked. "Derrick, don't ask questions you don't want the answer to. Because if I were to answer that question, then this perfect little world we live in will cease to exist. You want me to be your good old Uncle Cain planning his wedding to your Aunt Mina. And what about your cousin Denim fast asleep in his bed? He starts primary school in the fall. What about Ami, Edward, and your little cousin Apollo? What about all those wonderful moments you shared with your Aunt Evelyn who helped you bake homemade cookies from scratch with your cousins Maddy and Annabella and who also read you bedtime stories and tucked you into bed at night as child? What about your Uncle Adam helping you finished your science fair projects and calling him whenever you had questions about your math homework? Do you want all of those simple moments to go away? Because if you ask me that question again and I give you the answer, then things will never be the same for any of us. Everyone you know and love will be affected by that answer, even your country little girlfriend Sarah posting her nasty little blog entries. So by all means, ask me the question again if you really want to know the answer."

Derrick paused for a moment. There were more people affected by this decision. It affected everyone that he loved and if he opened Pandora box's and found out the truth. He could never return to this life again. He looked across the room at the man who was more of a father to him than his biological father. But the world was coming to an end, the Anti-Messiah was born, and the devil will soon walk their world. He discovered earlier tonight that the reborns still existed. This world was only an illusion. He opened his mouth looking at his uncle with the confidence of a king and not a boy. He asked firmly, "Why?"

Cain glared at his nephew. "Simple. Family means everything to me. I had to save my people from extinction, which I have done. The Earth King was reborn. He gave us our immortality and through procreation with the humans, my kind was saved from extinction while the useless humans were wiped out thanks to my brother."

Derrick asked, "What do you mean?"

Cain said, "Humans are flawed creatures with the capacity to destroy. They consumed and destroy everything they touched. We lived in this world called Elysian peacefully with one another. We controlled the population so we do not overpopulate the planet. We eat what we need and consume that also. We co-exist in this world with God's other creatures and we don't pollute the world that God has given us. We don't ignore global warming, kill creatures for sport, or cut down rainforests that are needed as oxygen. Our existence intertwined with the humans and they are the only creatures that destroy. Without them, my kind can exist peacefully for eons without their devastating ways ruining everything."

Derrick said, "You provoked him."

Cain smirked shaking his hand and wagging his finger. "No, I didn't. Don't try to make me the bad guy. Endymion killed Rick Thornton. He killed the New World Regime members, and he killed the humans. The only time he did not have free will was the night you were created."

Derrick became emotional. He cried out angrily, "You're lying. She was not one of you."

Cain smiled. "I knew about your father being alive since he was twenty-one-years old. Karen Henderson was a struggling college student who came from nothing. She watched her father blow his brains out because he was so miserable in life. He was optimistic about life and no matter how hard he tried to make a good life from himself and his family, things never worked out for him. She tried to find employment but no one wanted to hire her citing that she lacked experience or was overqualified because of her degree. The only jobs that she could get were minimum wage jobs. So when I walked into her life, I was like a godsend."

A twenty-four-year-old Karen pressed the beer tap down behind the bar as she filled a customer's request for beer. She handed the customer the glass mug of beer. It was late in the afternoon and except for a few stragglers wandering in, the joint was pretty empty and dead. It only became alive at night packed with college kids from the surrounding campuses. She felt overwhelmed inside. She was drowning in six figures worth of debt. She thought going to an Ivy League school and majoring in finance would guarantee her good job and a better life for her mother, who was dying from cancer and had medical bills that were also in the six figures. The insurance companies refused to cover her mother's medical expenses saying that she maxed out her health insurance policies and all type of other bureaucracy to bail out of paying her expenses. What the hell they wanted her to do? Her mother was her only family and they did not give a damn. She tried to keep herself together and not allow people to see how much of a wreck she was on the inside. Her brain was fried. She did not make enough to pay her rent. She was considering becoming a stripper and prostituting herself on the street to make ends meet. She already felt like shit and her landlord, a man old enough to be her grandfather, threatened to kick her out. She begged him that she would do anything. He unfastened his pants and told her to blow him. She cried the entire time as he pumped his bitter taste down her throat. If it was not for her mother and her faith, she would have seriously contemplated killing herself. It was cheaper to die than to live and no one gave a damn about you in the world. Everyone was so damned selfish and only cared about their own self-interest.

Cain Bennett walked in dressed in an impeccable sharp gray suit that looked like it was tailored for his body. He surveyed the bar that looked pretty cheap for his taste. Karen looked up and met the beautiful stranger's gaze. He looked like he did not belong there. He walked up to the girl who stared at him like most mortal women did. He sat down on the stool in front of her and ordered a beer. She nodded and fixed him a beer. He smiled at her and gave her a tip that was too large. He smiled and said, "Keep the change."

Karen felt hot and bothered looking at the beautiful man. Men like him did not walk into places like this. She asked, "What brings you here?"

He smiled. "I'm in Boston on business. My company is in negotiations to open a new bank in town."

Her eyes widen. She knew who he was. She became flustered as she fanned herself. She was acting like a fan girl who was meeting her idol for the first time. "Oh my gosh! You're Cain Bennett, CEO of Bennett Industries. You're like the sixth richest company in the world. You're worth billions." Cain looked impressed as he sipped his beer as she continued to ramble. "You built local companies with eco-friendly products. You spend millions of dollars each year on programs to help fight against world hunger and poverty. You made your first million on your nineteenth birthday and became a billionaire at the age of twenty- two. That's nearly impossible. You have the best financial institutions in the world. My dream is to work for your company."

Cain smiled and said, "And why should I hire you?"

Karen said, "I graduated top of my class at Northwest University with a three point nine point grade point average and I have experienced working in management."

Cain asked interested, "Where?"

She blushed. She was embarrassed to say fast food joints but they were the only places that would hire her. She said dejectedly, "McDonalds…."

Cain burst into laughter. "Really?"

Karen frowned and said upset, "Hey, I was the best damn manager. I never missed a day of work. I knew how to control my staff and the customers were happy. I increased the profit there by thirty percent and it was the cleanest restaurant in town."

Cain laughed. He stared at her with twinkle of amusement in his eyes. "I'm taking you to dinner tonight. Wear something sexy."

Karen was flabbergasted. Did he just tell her that he was taking her out to dinner without asking? Karen cleared her throat. "Excuse me. But I don't know you that well, and I have a life so don't assume that I don't have plans. If you want to go out with me, ask me." She really didn't have plans but to watch the reruns of sitcoms but he did not need to know that.

Cain smiled finishing his beer. "Fine, go out with me tonight."

Karen placed a hand on her hip and sassed, "That's still not asking."

Cain leaned forward. "It's the best that you are going to get out of me. You know you don't have plans tonight, and you already know that you are going to say yes to me. Because when I leave this crappy little bar and crawled back into my limousine that will take me to my private jet, you'll regret not saying yes to me for the rest of your miserable life. Always wondering what if I went out with the stranger in the bar. Was he the answer to my prayers? So I'll pick you up here at seven and wear something sexy. I like beautiful things." Her breath stilled as he smiled at her then walked out of the bar.

At six fifty-nine pm, she stood outside of the bar dressed in a strapless sparkly sequin metallic thigh length dress with a sweetheart neckline showing off her curvy body and silver stilettos. Her fiery red hair hung loosely and she had her girlfriend Rebecca flat iron her hair. She went down to the mall and brought some costume jewelry from Isis, a costume jewelry store in the mall. She wore dangling diamond earrings and a silver necklace with a heart shaped diamond. Her supple cleavage was on clear display. She felt like a high end prostitute waiting for her rich client to pick her up. She lost her pride the moment she performed sexual favors for her landlord to avoid eviction. At seven o' clock sharp, a black limousine pulled up. A petite woman dressed in a black suit and tie with her hair tied up underneath her chauffeur hat opened the back door and stood to the side. Cain smiled at her and gave her the once over. He said, "You look nice." She smiled as she slipped into the cool black leather interior of the back of the limousine and slid over next to him. She immediately caught a whiff of his fresh aftershave and the intoxicating musk of his cologne. He was elegantly clad in a sharp dark tuxedo. He looked handsome with his short black hair slick back in a sleek hairstyle and serious sapphire eyes underneath his thick, black eyelashes. The chauffeur closed the door. He had his legs crossed as he read over some documents.

She asked curiously crossing her long legs, "What are you doing?" The driver pulled off.

Cain said, "I am looking for any discrepancy in these documents. We sign the paperwork tomorrow and I want to make sure every sentence in the contract is to my liking." He flipped through the document. She remained silent gazing out the tinted dark window at Boston's busy nightlife for the rest of the ride as he was absorbed in the paperwork.

The limousine soon stopped. The chauffeur opened the door and Karen was shocked to see bright flashing white lights. She was on the red carpet with paparazzi snapping photographs behind velvet rope. Cain stepped out the limousine and held out his hand for her. She accepted as he helped her out of the limo. She slipped her arm around the crook of his arm as they walked down the carpet together and photographers eagerly snapped photographs at them yelling for them to look this way and that way. Cain ignored them and Karen was too shy to try. They walked into a beautiful enormous room surrounded by expensive artwork and a gigantic, sparkling crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling as they continued down the long spiral staircase to the floor where the room was filled with hundreds of the richest and most powerful people in the world. Presidents, royalty, CEOs, heirs to billions, oil tycoons, banking executives, owners of sports teams, the most powerful members of the press, and famous celebrities. No one in that room made less than seven figures a year. Cain greeted and mingled with the guests and introduced Karen to the big shots in the room as beautiful soft music played in the background by well-known and award winning musicians. They sipped expensive champagne, danced, and ate hors d'oeuvres. The champagne relaxed Karen and loosened her tongue. She became more comfortable around the big shots and took their business cards. She even danced with one of her favorite celebrities and took a photograph with him.

Karen soon found herself standing on the middle of dance floor with Cain's arms encircling her body. A chill shivered up her spine as he grabbed her hand. Her blue eyes watched as he placed her hand firmly on his broad shoulder interlocking it with his. His other arm slid around her waist and he pulled their bodies closer. Her bare legs brushed against his muscular thighs. She sighed as she inhaled his exotic, intoxicating musk engulfing her senses finding herself surrendering to his warmth and sensual touch. He smiled at her as they blended in with the rest of the crowd and glided across the dance floor.

Cain spun her around the dance floor as they danced. She felt like a fairy tale princess as he twirled her around the dance floor and spun her back into his warm embrace. He dipped her in his arms as her left knee lifted up in the air and bent. Their blue eyes locked as he lifted her back to her feet. She pressed her hand against his muscular chest as his hand lazily brushed against hers before he trapped it with his. Cain stared at her as she gazed into his seductive sapphire eyes like she was completely captivated by him. He smirked internally knowing that he had her exactly where he wanted her. "I can give you everything you want. I can give you money beyond your means to where you will never have to worry about money again. I can cure your mother's cancer and pay her medical bills."

She did not tell him about her mother. She asked suspiciously, "How do know about my mother? I did not tell you that. Who the hell are you?" She tried to wiggle away from his embrace but he easily restrained her. His hold on her waist tightened.

Cain said, "I know everything about you, Karen. I know that you walked in on your father blowing his brains out at age fifteen because of broken dreams and an unfilled life. I know that you grew up poor and missed out on so much because your parents could not afford it. I know that you lost your virginity to your high school boyfriend in the back of his dad's pickup truck and he filmed it and showed it to everyone and you became labelled as a slut. I know that you are drowning in debt and nothing ever works out for you no matter how hard you try. You can't pay your bills. You can hardly focus on school. You're stressed out and on top of that, your mother is dying and her insurance company is refusing to pay for the coverage that can remove the tumor and save her life." He twirled them around as she started to feel dizzy. "I can give you everything you want. I can even give you Darien Shields."

Her eyes widen. How did he know about Darien? She'd been in love with him for nearly a year but he was obsessed with his Japanese girlfriend back home named Serena. He talked about her nonstop. Cain smiled showing off his flawless white teeth. "You desire him. I can give him to you."

"How? He's in love with Serena."

Cain grinned as he pulled her closer into his arms. "People fall out of love every day." Karen did not understand what he meant. "Now, what do you want Karen?" His hand sensually caressed the material of her dress before he pressed his hand firmly on small of her back.

Karen asked, "Are you the devil?"

Cain bent his head and whispered sensually against her ear with a sinful smile, "He's my best friend. What do you want Karen?"

Karen felt his hot breath on her neck as he danced with her around the ballroom floor. "What do you want, Karen?"

Karen asked, "Do I have to sell my soul to the devil?"

He laughed, "No."

"What must I do?"

"Only one thing."

"What?"

"Sleep with Darien tomorrow night."

"What?" The music stopped. They stopped dancing.

He stared at her as people passed around him. "Sleep with Darien tomorrow night."

"That's it?"

He nodded. "Yes, Karen. Fuck Darien Shields and I will give you everything your heart desires. You'll never want for anything again."

Karen said, "Darien does not like me like that." She gave him blowjobs when he was stressed. He went down once on her when they were both high and drunk which was very enjoyable, but he had this stupid theory that as long as he did not penetrate, he was not cheating. She wanted him. He was well endowed and she loved tasting him because he was always clean and had a unique taste unlike any other man. She smiled. The idea of getting pregnant with his child did not frighten her. He was a beautiful and smart man. Anything he gave her would be a beautiful gift. She saw them married and happy.

Cain opened his hand. A small white powdery substance in a tiny Ziploc bag appeared in his hand like magic. He said, "Slip this into his drink."

"What is it?"

"A simulant that arouses one's sexuality. You must do so tomorrow night. It is when he will be the most vulnerable."

She looked up at him. "And if I don't?"

"Then continue to live the same boring mediocre life drowning in debt and living paycheck to paycheck."

"And if I do?"

He laughed a haunting laugh. "The endless opportunities. You're become one of us and we look after our own." Everything turned blurry and faded black. She woke up the next day lying on her mattress on the floor of her small roach infested studio apartment that looked as barren as it was the day she moved in it a year ago with her few possession scattered across the floor next to her. She glanced at her phone charging on the floor next to her. It was ten o' clock in the morning the next day. She was dressed in an oversized t-shirt. She thought last night was a marvelous dream until she saw the powdery package of the floor that Cain held in his hand last night tempting her.

The next night a distraught and red eyed Darien walked into the bar after having a horrible conversation with his girlfriend on the phone. When he was not looking, she slipped the powdery substance in his drink. He thanked her unaware that she slipped something in his drink. She smiled weakly. It was Darien who soon became the aggressor. He became more confident with every glass of beer he drunk. He took her home to her place and had animalistic sex with her on top of her mattress on the floor. He fucked her brains out at a pace so powerful and ferocious; she thought he was not human. He did not care that he was so rough with her or that the condom broke and his seed was leaking inside of her. He wanted to trap her and make sure that no man ever touched her again. He wanted her to get pregnant and belong only to him. His eyes turned golden as he released himself inside of her calling her Serena fully aware that he wanted to impregnate her. No other man would ever take her always from him. She would always belong to him. Karen tilted her head traumatized as he collapsed on top of her trapping her with his body. He thought she was his girlfriend. He impregnated her on purpose because he thought she was Serena. He wanted to impregnate Serena. She cried silent tears until she fell asleep. She woke up a couple of hours later. She could hear him dressing himself and then creeping out of her apartment. It would be eight years before she saw him again.

The next day her life drastically improved. Later on that morning, she received a call back from the human resources office of a local bank job she interviewed months ago for. She was hired on as a financial advisor making twice as much as she made as a bartender. Her mother's health insurance company miraculously had a change of heart and decided to pay for her mother's medical bills and her treatment. The doctors were able to remove the tumor. Her mother was well again. She found out that she was pregnant with Derrick a few weeks later. She tried to call Darien, but he had dropped out of college and she had no idea where he was. Then, Peter Summers walked into her life. He was mutual friend of Darien, Karen, and Fredrick. He always liked her and he was a nice guy. He asked her out one night in class and she agreed. His kisses were soft and sweet. He was not ashamed of her as Darien was. He was the first man to ever treat her like a lady and he loved her unconditionally. When she confessed that she was pregnant with Darien's child. He was hurt at first then came back around a few days later and supported her through the entire process. He even read the baby books and accompanied her to Lamaze classes. Six months later, she was promoted to bank manager and now made enough money to put a significant damper in her student loans. She was able to pay them off two years later and she created a good life for her son with her husband.

Peter surprised her when she went into labor at the hospital and he asked her to marry him stopping the doctors before they took her on the gurney into the operating room. He spotted a priest in the waiting room and asked him to marry them. The priest quickly married them before she was rushed into the delivery room to give birth to Derrick several hours later. Peter stood by her side holding her hand the entire time. She woke up a couple of hours later still recovering from giving birth. She could hear her baby cooing. She opened her eyes and watched from the hospital bed in her hospital room amazed as Peter embraced Derrick in her arms proudly claiming him as his son and did not hesitate to sign the birth certificate giving Derrick his surname. Peter made Karen very happy, and he was perfect father to Derrick, even though he was athletically inept. They had a nice, simple boring life and that was completely fine with her. The only thing she disliked with Peter was that he was a dreamer like her father and never content with the scraps life gave him. She watched as he changed jobs like he changed clothes but she supported him regardless since she made enough money now to pay the bills. Her mother's cancer came back and she passed away. Karen was sad but she had seven more years with her than she would have had and her mother adored her grandson. Karen sat by her mother's side and watched as she peacefully slipped out of the world. She kissed her mother good-bye and thanked her for being a wonderful mother. A year after her mother died, she accepted another job in Baltimore, Maryland when Derrick was eight that paid twice as much as she was making at her current job. She lost her husband in a car accident a few months after moving there which led to her meeting Darien again at the hospital. She gave up the life she spent eight years creating to run away with Darien Shields. It was the best decision she ever made even though it ultimately meant her death…

Derrick looked at Cain. Cain stepped into the room towards his nephew. "I tried to make you all a family before you were born. I knew your mother really wanted Darien not boring Peter so I tried to speed things up. Consider it a Christmas gift."

Derrick asked, "What did you do?" Cain smirked.

"Come on Darien, Blurred Lines was a complete rip off of Marvin Gaye's 'Got to Give It Up'." It was eighteen years ago on Christmas Eve night. Darien was driving on the interstate in Los Angeles from a Christmas Eve party for Darien's coworkers at one of his colleague's home. The DJ played Robin Thicke's "Blurry Lines" and the females engaged in a discussion about how it objectified women and encouraged rape. Darien argued that it did not and it paid homage to Marvin's Gaye's "Got to Give It Up." He found himself defending his argument against his female colleagues and his wife.

Twenty-two-year old Darien shrugged his shoulders. He smiled as he drove home. His very pregnant eighteen-year-old wife Serena sat in the passenger seat with her seatbelt on and her hands resting on top of her belly. "I like the song. It was catchy."

Serena rolled her eyes outraged, "I can't believe you said that. It objectified women!" She looked over at him disgusted with him. "You just like the naked girls in the video."

He said in his defense, "Well, you like Jennifer Lopez's 'I Luh Ya Papi'. That objectified men. Just saying."

Serena said amused, "That's different."

Darien looked at her in disbelief. Serena chortled. "She was trying to prove a point at how the music videos objectified women and she flipped it and objectified men. Men had a problem with it."

Darien laughed, "I guess so. Who wants to see half-naked men walking around showing all their junk?"

Serena laughed, "Plenty of happy women!" Darien rolled his eyes then began to laugh.

He turned to her and said as he reached to turn on the radio, "You are so full of it!" As luck would have it, Marvin Gaye's "Got to give it up!" was playing on the radio. Serena and Darien laughed at one another as they waited at a red light. They were the only car at the intersection. Darien laughed as Serena danced in her seat to the song doing the neck rolled as she snapped her fingers to the beat. She watched as Darien laughed at her. She laughed as he joined in. Cain appeared standing on a street corner in a dark hoodie shielding his face. The light turned green for the eighteen wheeler to drive. Cain grinned seeing that Darien and Serena were distracted waiting at the light. With the flick of his hand, he turned the light green.

Darien drove across the intersection not seeing the truck until it was too late. He saw beaming white lights in the corner of his eyes nearly blindly him. His eyes widen he turned towards his wife. His wife still danced happily to the song. An eighteen wheeler crashed into the passenger side of the car flipping them over until the car stopped rolling in the middle of the intersection. Everything faded to white….

Derrick said angrily, "You're a monster!" His uncle tried to kill Serenity and Rini. He could not imagine a life without Rini in it. She was his best friend.

Cain said upset, "How Serena survived that accident I have no idea. It should have killed her. You would have had your father."

Derrick said tightly, "I was happy in my life with Peter. Both my mother and I were. It wasn't until we met Darien that my life turned to hell. I lost my mother because of you people and my father lost his mind."

Derrick circled his uncle. "So where do I fit in? You no longer need my father. Serenity created the Anti-Messiah. Where do I fit in?"

Cain smiled. "You become the Earth King. Prince Derrick will take over your body and rule the Earth like he was meant to."

Derrick snorted shaking his head. "So you think I am going to actually let you turn me evil? He was a monster. I rather die than be him again."

Cain said, "I think I can persuade you, Derrick."

"And how is that, uncle?"

He saw an image of his sister Rini lying unconscious somewhere red and fiery. Derrick froze as Cain stood behind him looking at the image. "You either join us or your precious Rini will become the devil's whore like her mother. Her greatest fear."

Derrick said quietly, "She is your niece."

Cain said heatedly, "She is nothing to me. As far as I know, my brother died thirty-two years ago in a car accident. Endymion's family means nothing to me. You're the only one I give a damn about."

Derrick was shaken up inside. "You're heartless."

Cain whispered, "Say it, Derrick. Say what I know the answer is. With the snap of my finger, I can have your little sister turned out. Then, she has her Lunarian blood back. The demonic world really finds that desirable. If you don't believe me, ask your stepmother. How many wild stories did you hear about her?"

Derrick closed his eyes. He couldn't lose Rini. Endymion was in love with Serenity. She was his sanity. He loved Katie too. But Rini was always his and he was hers. She was his best friend. The first person he ever met that understood him. He was her best friend and they were there for one another like their father was never there for them. He lost his grandmother. He lost his father Peter. He lost his mother Karen. He'll be damned if he lost his sister too. His eyes turned golden as he opened his eyes. He disappeared.

Cain's eyes turned golden as he disappeared also.

Cain reappeared to see Derrick standing in an open field of Elysian several yards away from him. He was dressed in blue armor and cape. Cain smiled. He looked like his father at that age.

Cain smiled. "I have no desire to fight you Derrick. Do as I say and you shall survive this."

Derrick yelled, "I'll be damned if I go out without a fight."

Cain said, "This is stupid. I will not fight you. You already lost. This battle was lost when you were still a boy."

Derrick yelled out loud, "Sword of the Earth! Come to me!" The Sword of the Earth appeared in his hands. He twirled the sword and held it in front of him as the golden crystal glistened in the night.

"As you wish." A golden armor appeared on Cain. He took his sword out of his sheath. Derrick raced towards Cain. Cain raced towards him. When they halfway apart, Cain disappeared shocking Derrick. He reappeared behind Derrick and stuck Derrick with a blow from behind. Derrick spun around and fell to the ground and blocked his uncle's blow with the Sword of the Earth. Derrick yelled as he used his strength to push Cain off of him. Derrick disappeared and reappeared in the sky. He held out his hand. He yelled holding out one hand, "Kaze no burasuta!" A powerful wind of energy blasted from his hand. Cain countered it flipping his sword sideways and yelled out, "Jishin wa hakai!" The sword glowed blue as powerful blast of energy erupted from the blue jewel on the hilt of the sword. It overpowered Derrick attack as Derrick quickly disappeared before the blast killed him. He crashed to the ground as the earth erupted around him and the ground split open. He stumbled to his feet. Cain watched as the teenaged prince refused to yield as he stabbed the sword in the ground and used it to stand up. He was unstable as the ground shook them.

He lifted up the sword and yelled, "Golden Crystal Annihilation!" A powerful ray of golden energy appeared from the golden crystal on the hilt of the sword shaking the entire planet. Cain stood unfazed. He held up his sword as a golden aura surrounded him and chanted, "Chikyu no shi no sutoraiki!" A narrow blue light shot out of the hilt of Cain's sword and went straight through the golden light of Derrick's annihilation attack and straight through the heart of the young prince. Derrick's eyes enlarged. His mouth gaped open. The sword dropped from his hand. He fell forward and collapsed to the ground as his body jerked around feeling the life seep out of him. His clothes returned to normal. Cain placed his sword back in his sheathe and detransformed into his normal clothes. He held out his hand and a dark aura surrounded Derrick's body causing the boy to disappear.

Sarah clutched her chest as she felt a sudden chill. She walked down the hallway of the hospital. Zach was at home with the kids and informed her that her mother had been rushed to the hospital. She was upset when she saw that Sarah was missing. Sarah walked over to the nurse stationed at the information desk and asked for her mother Lita Furuhata's room number. The nurse told her the room number as Sarah politely thanked her. She smiled expecting everyone to be happy now that the baby was born. She walked into the room that was filled with sadness as her mother lied in the hospital bed with a blank expression on her face. Her eyes were lifeless. Andrew leaned against the wall with his head tilted back touching the wall. His eyes were closed. He was wearing a light blue and white striped dress shirt, blue tie, and gray slacks. His jacket was tossed on the sofa. Josh was sitting down on the sofa next to their mother's bed with his head bowed and his face buried in his hands as he body shook and softly cried.

Sarah said softly looking at her mother, "Mother…"

At the sound of her voice, Andrew's eyes opened and he lifted his head. His eyes bloodshot and his face wet from tears. He stormed over to her and slapped Sarah harshly across the cheek. Sarah stumbled backwards as she touched her smarting cheek in shock.

Andrew yelled, "You ungrateful bitch. How could you do this to your mother? You knew how fragile this pregnancy was."

Sarah's eyes started with tears. She looked at her mother who stared blankly ahead.

Josh's head shot up equally upset with her. His face was red and puffy with tears. "She can't hear you, Sarah. Her mind is gone. She had a psychotic breakdown when the baby was stillborn. She hasn't spoken in hours."

Sarah rushed over to her mother and cried. She knelt beside and apologized, "Mom, I'm sorry." Lita did not respond.

Andrew turned to her angrily. He said, "Go!" Sarah faced her father shocked. "You're going to be eighteen in a few weeks anyway. Just leave. You're miserable and you're making everyone around you miserable."

He looked at Lita. He said walking towards Lita and holding her hand. "The doctors have tried everything they could to save her but nothing is working." He brushed his hand across her bangs. "Not even the healers could help her. They said if she does not recover in the next twenty-fours. She can't be saved. They want me to send her to the Grey Mountains or suggested that I have her euthanize as more humane." Andrew turned to Sarah and asked, "Who wants to live a thousand years like this?"

Sarah looked shaken up. She looked up at her brother to comfort her, but he was equally upset with her. Her mother lost her mind because she was worried about her. She lost the baby. Now, her three younger siblings did not have a mother to take care of them.

Sarah bit out apologetically, "I'm sorry dad."

Andrew lashed out angrily, "I'm not your father. I am Zayden, Max, and Lizzy's father but not yours." He yelled at her, "Because of you, they no longer have a mother. Get the hell out! When I return home, I want you gone. I can't stand to look at you anymore."

Sarah cried out staring at her brother, "Josh?"

Josh turned his head and said angrily, "Just go. Because of you, I lost another mother." Sarah slowly backed away. She walked into the hallway and cried covering her mouth. Hot tears ran down her cheeks. She returned home with a heavy heart and began to pack a few of her things. She was a bit of a princess and it was completely unrealistic for her to stuff eight years of her life in one bag. She never had to want for anything. She noticed a white envelope of her dresser with her name on it. She opened it. It was a check with a substantial amount from Andrew. She tossed it in her laptop bag. She stuffed her duffle bag and grabbed her tote bag. She left everything else there. She hugged her siblings who did not understand why she was not coming back. She hugged Zack and kissed him on the cheek telling him to look after them especially Josh. He nodded.

She smiled when she walked out onto the porch as saw Rein standing outside in his football letterman jacket leaning against his dad's old pickup truck. He hugged her wrapping her in strong, protective arms and kissed her hair. She sobbed in his arms and he simply held her.

Serenity was processed and dressed in orange scrubs. She was placed alone in a four wall white cell surrounded by white laser bars. Her cell was made out of a magical barrier preventing her from teleporting or using her powers.

She had been there for hours before she heard the door opened. She smiled happily thinking it was her brother. She was surprised when she saw it was her brother-in-law Cain. She stepped back as Cain walked through the white laser bars into her cell.

He was dressed in a black long-sleeved shirt and hip hugging jeans. He folded his arms. "Hello sister. I'm guessing from the surprised look on your face that I was not the brother that you were expecting to see." Serenity frowned anticipating the worst. Cain's eyes lit with wicked amusement.