Thanks as always to ms24 for your lovely reviews :)
His heart beating wildly, Jack lurched up from his sleep. The quilt fell away as he swung his legs around and rubbed at his gritty eyes with the heels of his hands, trying to erase the images.
Chase smiling as the rat lashed at his wrist with it's thick tail, the high pitched squealing coming to an abrupt halt when Chase bit off its head and began to chew, the blood running down his chin to drip onto his bare chest. Liz leaned forward to lap at the flowing blood, the silk robe slipping off her shoulders, showing the festering bites which covered her body.
Standing on tip toe, Liz sucked hungrily at the blood at Chase's mouth and then they kissed, the blood smearing across their chins. Turning, they both looked at Jack and grinned, their teeth and gums appearing black from the blood. Liz wore a dildo strapped at her hips and she began stroking it while rocking her hips, then she ordered Chase to get on all fours. Kneeling behind him, Liz began running her hand down Chase's back. He flinched at her touch then turned his head to look at Jack, his eyes changing colour from sky blue to wolf yellow, before they squeezed tight and his tears began to fall.
With a shaking hand Jack scrubbed at his face again and he looked across at the other couch but Chase was gone, his quilt neatly folded.
Peering over at the kitchen, Jack couldn't see much in the dim light but he could smell coffee and hot oatmeal. Would you make a person breakfast just before attacking them? He wondered again if it wouldn't be best to just knock Chase out and put him back in the cellar while he went to get back-up... but then Liz was still out there somewhere. Jack had slipped a sleeping pill into Chase's soup last night but as he hadn't eaten more than three spoonfuls, the medication wouldn't have been potent enough to be effective.
But now Jack was worried that perhaps Chase had somehow drugged him. Always a light sleeper, Jack would normally have woken at the first stirring from Chase. Yet Chase had managed to brew coffee and cook oatmeal while Jack's nightmare raged. Christ his nerves were shot. Looking at his hands, Jack couldn't stop the trembling and he had noticed the same trembling in Chase's hands.
And why hadn't Chase mentioned anything about Jack suddenly being alive? Was it part of Liz's programming, an attempt to keep Jack focused on the sad, traumatised Chase and away from an angry, vindictive Chase? Well he had to admit it was working, he couldn't help but feel protective when he saw how hurt and confused Chase was. Damnit, he hoped he wouldn't have to go up against Chase, he didn't want to have to hurt him.
Yawning, he glanced out over the lake. It was still dark outside with just a glimmer of light to the east. He was impressed that Chase could work so well in the dark, but he had had several weeks of conditioning in the dark of the cellar.
Checking under his pillow and in his pack, Jack found his guns still in order. Picking up his pack he took it into the bathroom with him. It was steamed up, Chase must have showered already. After his own experience with Liz he had found himself taking two or three showers daily, attempting to remove her taint.
Washed and dressed quickly, Jack stowed his gun in his jacket pocket before opening the unbarred door and stepping out onto the porch. Wrapped in a down jacket, Chase was sitting on the top step, leaning back onto the rail. He looked up and Jack saw he had shaved, his hollowed cheeks now more pronounced.
"Chase, I'm getting some coffee, you want some... or oatmeal?"
"No thanks," he shook his head and Jack watched as he slipped the photo back into his pocket.
Getting the coffee, he also grabbed a bowl of oatmeal. There was no milk but he sprinkled some brown sugar on top then added a swirl of maple syrup for good measure. Taking his bowl and mug back outside, he paused at the doorway, "Do you mind if I join you?"
"No," and Chase moved over slightly to make room. "I took a look at the Polaris and fueled it up. The only problem I see is the snow getting too soft in this warmer weather."
Nodding, Jack said, "Hopefully we'll be out before the thaw's too advanced." But he could hear the rapid drip drip as the snow all around them melted. Even with the skids on, the weight of the machine with two men was considerable and the soft snow was a drawback.
"Thanks for making this Chase," Jack said finishing the bowl. "I'll just get my pack and we can leave if you're ready. I'm sure you must be anxious to get home."
Looking at the snow at his feet, Chase said "No, I don't want to go home, not at first. Last night I dreamt that I hurt them, just like in the recording. I... perhaps it will be easier if I go straight to the clinic... to have those tests you mentioned." Glancing up at Jack he added, "I'm scared Jack... I don't want to hurt them."
"That's a good idea Chase. Just to make sure... Listen, is there any ESP in your family? You said you could hear Angie's voice and I think I did too, before coming here."
"My Great Grandmother was said to be able to foresee the future, she was a medicine woman in her village." Seeing Jack's nonplussed look, he said, "She was a Northern Cheyenne, living in Canada... I can sometimes sense Angie, but only when she's stressed." Realisation washed over him and he stood suddenly, "Fuck Jack, please tell me Angie doesn't know any of this!"
He didn't have time to form an answer before Chase turned abruptly and went down the steps into the lean-to, but Jack could see the look of devastation in his eyes.