Chapter 23:
Rogue
Susan paces by the phone in the dimly lit hotel room, gnawing
at her thumb nail. Nora sits on the bed, chomping on pizza, watching
television, giving the screen a faint chuckle or sideways grin when it
entertains her.
Finally, without her eyes being removed from the old black
box she holds up a slice of the cheese, “Eat a piece. Pacing by the phone won’t
make him call any faster.”
“Thank you but I’m not hungry. It’s been five hours at
least… what happens if he doesn’t come back?” she asks rhetorically.
“You have the card with plane guy’s number on it? We leave
to Florida with him.” She suddenly turns, “What is the beach really like? As much
of serenity as in the movies and on television?”
“It can be.” Susan finds herself on the bed beside her. “Do
you want to talk about what you’ve been through there?”
With no hesitation Nora blurts, “Nope, I’m good.”
“Did you get to watch a lot of TV there?” Susan tries to
open the doors for prying.
“All the time.” Nora chomps on the pizza taking another bite
and filling her mouth.
“They educated you; you are well spoken for not having
social contact…” Susan guesses.
Nora pauses her chewing for a moment, her eyes shift toward Susan,
annoyed, then turning back to the TV, continues chewing her food.
“Okay, I get it; I’m asking a lot of questions… There is
just a part of me that is so scared I’m going to fail at protecting my
daughter, Janet is her name, and if I do…” Susan shutters at the thought
standing from the bed and heading back to the phone, picking it up and making
sure it works; then quickly slamming it back on the receiver, as it might have
rang in that second. She stares at it for a moment.
Nora rolls her eyes and drops the slice on the box. “Look,
lady, you just have to come up with a plan to stay one step ahead of them. You
look like you’re accomplishing that. You sent her somewhere safe, for now. Just
stay a step ahead and you’ll keep her safe.” Nora returns back to the bed,
grabbing her unfinished slice and takes another bite, as if her words were
never spoken.
The phone rings, Susan, now taken off guard, fumble the
receiver, allowing it to finally rest against her ear, “Hello?” Pauses “yes
send him up.”
“Hope you're sending the right person.” Nora's head turns.
Susan pauses, “But our code…”
“You're not staying one step ahead like this.” She warns
her.
A knock pounds on the hotel door.
Susan pauses looking at Nora, watching her jump from the bed
and hurrying to the door. She glares at Susan before pushing her eye against
the peep hole. On the other side Steve stands, bags in hand nervously glancing
around.
“It's him.” She nods to Susan falling back on the bed,
pulling the entire box of food upon her lap.
Susan sighs shaking her head, “You could have let him in.”
She goes to the door flinging it open, overcome with relief to see him standing
before her. “Thank God, I've been worried sick.”
He pushes his way in with the bags and closes the door
behind him. Throwing the bags down on the bed he begins pulling things out,
“New clothes. Hair dye, you’re going to be blonde,” he tosses it to an
unimpressed Nora, “and you a red head.” He smiles toward Susan. “I have your ids and birth certificates. Susan,
you'll need yours for the Bahamas, and Nora, well, I'm assuming you'll need
yours indefinitely.”
“Blonde.” She looks at him. “Bleach Blonde.” She reads the
box.
“You have to bleach it, you are too dark, so the woman says
at the store. I need you two to hurry, we don't have much time.”
“Of course,” Susan suddenly says after processing everything
Steve has just done. “Thank you.” She gives him a quick hug and pulls Nora by
the arm toward the bathroom.
******
Dominious’ soft leather boots find a pounding echo to them
as she storms down the long hall toward Sultana’s office. Roland follows close
on her heals, nervous of his fate. Dominious narrows her eyes toward him,
giving a reassuring nod before swinging open the door. “Queen!” She calls to her
friend, referring only with the title when she is angry.
Sultana turns away from her conversation with Lucius, giving
Dominious her attention, “My dear friend, something is troubling you.”
Dominious takes a deep breath, annoyed, “Don’t pretend to be
sympathetic, Queen, you sent this… this… Born, to steal one of my children?”
“My, Queen, Sire Lucius…” Roland quickly tries to intervene.
“Silence.” Sultana’s head then slants, “Hmmm…” She circles
around the new vampire studying him, “Is this his story?”
He nervously shifts his pleading eyes toward Dominious. “He almost
succeeded, caught up with him in the woods. He had one of our girls. Iona is
her name. An innocent young girl.”
“You, over anyone should understand you cannot get attached
during war.” Sultana suggest, “And, you… What’s
your name, born?”
“Roland, Queen.” He stutters.
“Lucius,” she turns, “Please, take care of Roland? I’m sure he
is starving after such a journey…”
Dominious shifts her body guarding Roland, “Let him live,
Sultana, it is not his fault.”
“Is that a demand or a request, Dom?” Sultana rests her
hands into one another pausing.
“So, what he says is true. Why? Why would you do that? You
gave me a duty and…” Dominious begins.
Sultana sighs, “Dominious, sometimes plans change. We
merely, needed the girl as a pawn against her people; only a small casualty for
the cause.”
“Iona is more than a pawn. They are my people now; I say who
goes and who stays. I should be addressed as so.” Dominious tries to stand her
ground.
“Lucius, please take Roland to find a decent meal and assign
him to the mission we have discussed, I’d like a moment alone with my dear
Dominious.” She slinks toward Lucius adding, “And please assure Roland’s
safety, to honor Dominious’ word.” She secretly, winks at Lucius before giving a
reassuring nod.
“Of, course majesty.” He returns the nod walking past
Dominious and addressing Roland, “Let us depart, shall we?”
“Yes, Sir,” Roland agrees with a lingering pause before
following him out the door.
The door shuts with a strong thud as it presses against the
frame.
Sultana takes a deep breath and finds a seat in the office
chair, propping her ankles above the desk. “Not bad in here, is it? Almost the
comforts of home, just a few tweaks needed.”
“Sultana…” Dominious sighs with exasperation, “What is your
intention?”
“Dare question me, Dominious?” Sultana’s brow slightly rises.
Dominious’ head shakes in disbelief, “I grow tire of your games.
I am happy. For once, I am truly happy. I have everything I want here,
together… I am only asking you respect this.”
“Remind me of the day I saved your life.” Sultana probes.
Dominious inhales sharply, tapering eyes she begins toward
the door, about to leave she pauses, refusing to connect with Sultana. “I was
dying when you came. We grew close and you could not bear to lose me.”
“Turn to me Dominious.” Commands the queen.
Dominious tilts her head to peer over her shoulder.
“I rescued you. I gave you a life to live.” Sultana reminds
her.
“That’s debatable.” Dominious softly whisper turning the
knob, pulling on the door.
Sultana rises suddenly, banging her fist against the wooden
desk, “How dare you turn your back to me and snub all that we are, for some
measly idea of being some kind of
mother. I know this is what this is really about.”
Dominious pivots her body toward her, remaining silent.
“We are upset, misunderstandings do happen with us. We do
not always share a mind but we will always share our hearts.” Sultana softens
her voice.
Dominious’ fang finds her lip, pressing against it. “I
should go, before I say regretting words.”
Sultana silences for a subtle second, then responds, “Of
course, my friend.”
Dominious nods before yanking the door open and leaving.
******
Susan exits the bathroom, “Red head. More of a dark, red.
Didn’t take too well with my color.”
“It works.” Steve shrugs, collecting their things.
“I feel as though I have had some kind of makeover. New
clothes, hair, makeup… if my husband and daughter saw me now, they'd have a good
laugh,” Susan attempts humor.
“Soon, enough,” Steve tries to encourage with a smile. “Where’s
our stowaway?”
“Here.” Nora lingers in the bathroom door, head still
wrapped in the hotel towel. “This is completely unnatural. No one is buying
your idea.”
“At least we are all feeling optimistic,” Steve light
heartedly grins, “To the car, shall we? Daisy is waiting.”
“Oh, yes, Daisy…” Susan pries.
Steve widely smiles, “After you ladies, the blue minivan
down there. I borrowed from a friend of
mine, by the way.”
“A minivan?” Susan chuckles, “What a getaway car.”
“You are leaving the towel on your head?” Steve questions
Nora.
Her eyes narrow as she walks past him, leaving the towel
attached.
“Had to sell my car. Too obvious, my plate and all.” He
explains, now following the women down the steps and toward the van.
“I would ask about a rental but I guess that would track
back to you to…” Susan figures.
Steve nods, “Now you’re thinking like a…”
“Criminal.” Nora intercepts with unexpected wit.
Caught off guard Steve and Susan find themselves snickering
toward one another, Nora hiding her sly smirk. Steve unlocks the vehicle, “You
take front,” Nora mumbles toward Susan, allowing her to open the door.
Nora slides open the back of the van, and a yellow Labrador
retriever quickly sits up, her tail patting against the seat, tongue flapping
over her jaw with excitement.
“Ladies, this is Daisy.” Steve announces.
“A dog!” Nora exclaims backing away from the car, Daisy
jumping from the seat to the entrance, her butt dancing side to side.
“She is adorable!” Susan’s voice finds an extra octave,
sliding her body between Nora and the canine; her arms wrap the dog’s body
giving it love. “She is beautiful.” Susan says to Steve not taking her eyes off
the dog, “Aren’t you girl? You are so pretty and sweet,” baby talking Daisy,
the dog nuzzles her head into Susan before jumping on the seat to lick Steve as
he enters the vehicle.
“I’m not sitting in the back with a dog.” Nora announces.
“For some reason, I find it hard to believe a dog is the
worse creature you’ve ever encountered,” Steve grunts, as if he is offended.
“I’ll sit in the back with her. Nora, please, sit in the
front.” Susan suggest, already climbing in the back.
Nora jumps in the front, closing the door and pushing
Daisy’s curious nose to the back. Steve starts the van and pulls out to the
road.
“No wonder, you said she’d love the beach.” Susan warmly
smiles rubbing Daisy’s back. “How old is she?”
“Five,” Steve frowns, “Feels like yesterday I found her. She
was almost a year when I adopted her; her previous owners gave her up because
of her chewing.”
“Yea, labs do that.” Susan shakes her head, “Their loss and
your gain.”
“You know a lot about the breed, then?” he wonders.
“My husband had a chocolate lab when I met him and we
married; He passed away about a year ago, the dog not my husband. Was fourteen.
Good dog. Dodge he had named him. Great with our daughter.” She finds a faint
smile pulling on her cheeks as she remembers him.
“Get another one some day?” he continues conversing,
noticing Nora is resting her head against the seat with her eyes shut.
“Probably. Don’t have much time for a puppy now. Janet
really wants to adopt a puppy.” She then decides, “Of course if we can get
through this, I might just let her get whatever she wants.. as long as she is
safe.”
“Nora’s sleeping,” he finds Susan for a second, turning back
to the windshield.
“I’m not sleeping.” Nora moans, “Who can? All this mindless
chatter.”
Susan and Steve quickly share another glance giving a
passing grin. Susan watches out the window, also finding her eyes heavy.
“Would you mind if I dosed for a bit?” she politely seeks
Steve’s approval.
“Not at all.” He assures.
“It’s just, you’ve been running around too, so busy… If you
need company and help to stay awake….” She dances around her words with a sly
bit of guilt.
“Really, it’s okay. I have my friend, coffee, and some great
music to keep me company.” He lifts his mug to her eye view.
Susan’s cheeks purse as she lays her head back, fingers stroking
Daisy’s fur as she drifts.
*****
“Wake up!” Steve yells.
Susan quickly pops up, fully alert along with Nora.
Steve pulls the van to the side of the road before entering
the car congestion, feet in front of them.
“Susan jump in driver’s seat.” He shifts the van to park,
already climbing to the back before she has a chance to process.
“What’s going on?” she struggles to understands climbing to
the front.
“Check point up ahead.” He quickly tries to point pass the
cars.
“A check point? For what?” she begins to panic.
Nora gives an annoying sigh pulling the towel off her head,
“For us.”
“More specifically, for you,” Steve reminds Nora.
Nora scoffs, “Theoretically, but they could still be coming
for her as much as for me.”
“So, why am I the driver?” Susan nervously ask.
“They’re looking for me with two women. Not a red head and
blonde with a dog in a minivan. Just remember that. They have little clue,
except fuzzy photos. Pull out to the line before we’re noticed as pulling
over.” Steve tries to hurry her along.
Susan pulls out to the main road while Steve continues
coaching.
“Don’t forget, your driver’s license are in your purses.” He
begins pulling a blanket up around him as he lowers himself.
“They won’t check under a blanket?” Nora grunts.
“Stuff is packed in the back, you two are just road
tripping. Heading up to Lake Michigan.”
He plans.
“What city?” Nora challenges.
“Traverse.” He eyes her.
“Where are we staying in Traverse?” she spins her head
around meeting Daisy’s face before his.
“Pinewood Shores.” He doesn’t skip a beat.
The vehicle slowly inches closer up.
“Is that a real place?” Nora tries to confirm.
“It is. Don’t believe me, ask Daisy.” He smirks.
Nora’s eye’s meet the canine that now pounds her thick tail
against the seat.
“Humpf.” Nora faces forward staring at the break lights
ahead. “At least I asked, if not we might have been lost for information.” The
balls of her eyes shift toward Susan briefly.
“It was a great idea to do so, Nora. Thank you.” She tries
to be encouraging. “We are all nervous. Let’s just be calm and collect.”
Susan’s voice is slow and steady, struggling to calm herself more than the
other two.
Silence fills the van, other than the panting coming from
Daisy as she now sits up and stares out the window.
The vehicle edges closer to the police cars, policemen
standing outside, addressing each person before allowing them to travel on.
“You’ve got this,” Steve whispers from the back covering under the blanket.
“Daisy, back” he scolds the dog when she starts trying to lay on the blanket
next to him.
“Great.” Nora mumbles turning toward the back.
“Come here Daisy,” Susan tries as she now pulls up to the
policeman, sliding her finger over the button and allowing the window to lower.
Daisy quickly jumps up and pushes through the seat belt,
sticking her head out the driver’s side with a forte’ bark, throwing the police
man away from the car.
“Daisy.” Susan reprimands. “Sorry about that, sir.” she
pushes Daisy’s face away from the window, “She’s just trying to protect us.”
The policeman tries to get a deeper look in the van, but
Daisy pushes her body weight against Susan’s hand trying to get a sniff of the uniformed
man.
“Go on, mam,” he says stepping back.
“Ugh, okay,” she waves rolling up window and pulling
forward, patting Daisy, “Whoa! What the heck just happened! They didn’t
question us at all.”
Steve springs up, “That’s my girl,” he grabs Daisy behind
the ears kissing her forehead.
Nora gives a relieving chuckle, “four legged friend.” She
mumbles.
“What was that?” Susan snickers.
“You like Daisy, now!” Steve pops overs the seat antagonizing
Nora.
“Like is a strong word.” Nora grins.
******
Dominious storms out of the main doors, Lucius and Roland
walking in. “Where are you going?” Lucius yells to her.
She stops, marching back toward him, “Don’t act like you
care.”
“Roland, report to the queen, let her known things are taken
care of.” Lucius commands.
Roland’s eyes shift toward Dominious, giving a longing look,
his swallow is deep against the back of his throat, his head tilts toward the
ground, giving a subtle nod and heading in.
“What you do to him, he acts like a scolded puppy.” She
watches as he shuts the door behind him.
“You asked to keep him alive. I did.” Lucius reminds her.
“Don’t know what the hell you’ve been through but you both
look like shit.” She scoffs turning away.
“Where are you going?” Lucius ask as if he doesn’t know.
Dominious gives him a long look, “What’s your angle, Lucius?”
His sharp fangs peek passed his lip as they curl, “Oh,
Domnious, when will you be a little thicker skinned?”
“Don’t taunt me Lucius; I know you don’t like me. You never
have, you’ve always been jealous of mine and Sultana’s friendship.” Her brow
burrows in her head.
He gives a snide smirk, “She has done everything for you and
you give her nothing.”
“Loyalty is everything,” Domnious reminds him.
“I am her loyalty and you know it.” He spits.
“Yes, you probably are, for I grow so dreary of her games. She’s
so temperamental and irrational…most days.” She tries to turn away again but he
grabs her.
“She is your queen and you are still in existence because
she chose to have you be so. When you are at your lowest of lows, I want you to
remember, you have no one else but her.” He wickedly beams, causing Dominious
to yank her arm from his grasp.
“Never touch me again.” She warns and then speeds off into
the night, not giving him another chance to speak.
Her legs carry her fast, her feet feel easy over the dead
leaves and trees. Now she only wants Figaro’s arms wrapped around her,
reminding her of why she still chooses to go on. He always calms her, gives her
a pep talk; reminds her of why she loves Sultana and why they are friends…
Time and again Sultana will force her to relive the day her
blood was infected. The day Sultana chose for her live, forever. Her
miscarriage, her disease, she was so week and feeble… everyday Sultana came to
see her, she was like an angel brought to Dominious last days with peace and
light… but then the darkness came. The darkness she never asked for but Sultana
decided to give her… Sultana is her best friend, her only friend, until Figaro…
Sultana drives her by guilt, politely evoking the memories of the day she saved her.
She loved Sultana more than she resented her. She knew
Sultana tried to do what she felt was right, it was Lucius that mostly was the
devil sitting on her shoulder…
She pauses, sniffing the air, thick smoke slightly burning
her nostrils.
Fire.
The smell of war. Burning flesh. She has forgotten over the
years of such a wretched smell.
She searches above the trees… her chest rocked as she
realizes the direction it’s coming from.
Her jaw drops and she stands heavy for a moment, “No.” her
breath falls short against the air. “They wouldn’t…”
A lump in her throat lingers for a moment and then her legs
lunge forward carrying her faster than she has ever felt herself go. Panic
begins to pound and she finally stands before the village where flames scream
in the night.
“Figaro!” she screams entering the village past the roaring
flames. “Figaro!” She finds the home they have occupied and swings the door
open, fire rushing out for breathe. Dominious
falls backward onto the dusty ground, “Figaro!” she calls again. Picking
herself up, she goes to the window, peering in… Figaro is limp in the back of
the room…
She leaps through the window tugging on him… “Figaro!” his
body falls to the ground, a stake through his heart, revealing the two children
with broken necks behind him…
Dominious gasp, “Figaro,” she falls to his side trying to
grab the children into her arms too, but the fire begins to roar around her. She
struggles and lifts his body; scuffling to pile the two children… the fire
begins to rush at her. She stands up with Figaro’s body, peering down at the
two little bodies, giving a sigh and setting Figaro’s body back to the ground.
She kisses his lifeless lips and then his forehead, “I love you, my love,” a
maroon droplet forms at the corner of her eye and she scoops the children into
her arms rushing to the window, flames engulfing the frame as she jumps
through. Her breath is heavy against the roof of her mouth, the maroon liquid
rolling down her cheek, she holds the children, watching helplessly as the town
burns around her.
“Your safe, now…” she cradles the young girl and boy,
“You’re safe now. I’ve got you…” her head falls between the bodies, her body
rocking under the falling ashes. “I’m going to protect….” She tries to speak,
but it turns to sobs, the salty maroon liquid flowing to the end of her mouth
before streaming from her chin. “No.” her breath is short and deep, “No. No.
No…” her neck extends to the dark, the sky clouded in smoke. “Nooooooo,” a
bellowing cry echoes from her throat, then her body gives a final defeating
slump over Sabina and Marius, the fire continuing to burn around them.
******
