20
Alexis found
Elizabeth curled up on the couch in the fetal position, hot tears coursing from
her eyes. The hopelessness in her daughter’s eyes broke her heart again and
again. She knew there was nothing she could really do to bring back Zander and
Lucky, but at least she could be here for her daughter. Give her a shoulder to
cry on.
"Elizabeth?"
Her voice was gentle and held just the right amount of motherly concern.
"You’ve been on this couch for the past forty-eight hours. Why don’t you
get up and go out to get some fresh air. It’d do you good."
"Fresh
air? How can I get some fresh air when Lucky and Zander are locked up
somewhere? Who knows what Helena is doing to them or has already done,"
Elizabeth sniffed, not bothering to look at her mother. "Why is she doing
this to me mother? What have I ever done to her to make her take the man I love
and my brother away?"
"It’s
not you sweetie. It’s us. Luke, Laura, and I. It’s us she’s striking out at.
You three were born under a very unlucky star it seems," Alexis wrapped
her arms around her daughter’s shaking frame as Elizabeth sat up and sobbed
into her hands. "Helena hates Luke and Laura because of Stavros and she
hates me because of Mikkos’ affair with my mother. Even killing the woman
didn’t satisfy her. She had to take away my babies and then make their lives
miserable. I’m sorry honey. I’m so sorry that you’re suffering because of
something you had no part of."
Elizabeth
sighed, pulling away from the hug. "Do you think she’ll hurt them?"
"I don’t know. There’s no telling about Helena," Alexis involuntarily
shivered when she remembered how the elderly woman had looked at Lucky one
time. Like he was a slab of fresh meat at the market place. She only reserves
those looks for her boy toys. She didn’t want to think of what Helena might be
doing to Lucky or how emotionally stable he’ll be when they do find him.
"She
wouldn’t hurt Lucky. I’ve seen how she looks at him. She wants him for herself,
I know she does and she’s probably brainwashing him right now. But what about
Zander," Elizabeth got up and paced the floor. "He’s worse off than
Lucky. He’s your son. Her late husband’s bastard grandson. A constant reminder
of his infidelity…."
"Shhh
Elizabeth. Don’t think about any of that. Just rest. Get some sleep and don’t
think about it anymore. Let me and Luke worry about that."
"I
can’t! Tom Baker is on the loose somewhere and Lucky was supposed to protect me
from him! But now Lucky’s not here and neither is Zander! Do you know how
scared and lost I feel right now? Do you?"
"You’re
terrified. And I don’t blame you a bit. But sweetie, you can’t let her see how
terrified you are. This is why Helena does what she does. This is what she
feeds off of. You have to be strong. For both Lucky and Zander. Believe me, she
probably has camera’s and spies around here somewhere and using your fear to
keep them in line. If they see you being strong, that’ll help them fight harder
to get back to us."
"You
really think she’s doing that?"
Alexis
nodded. "I know Helena and that’s right up her alley."
Elizabeth
looked around as if there was a camera or spy hidden somewhere in the room and
spoke loudly. "Listen up Helena! You may think you have won now! But think
again! We will get Lucky and Zander back and you will pay once and for all for
what you have done! This is the last time you put our lives through the ringer!
Do you hear me Helena!"
Alexis
smiled at the angry, determined spark in Elizabeth’s eyes. She had remembered
that same look in her mother’s eyes just moments before Helena had slit her
throat. Elizabeth certainly had her grandmother’s spirit. "That a girl.
That’s telling her," Alexis embraced her daughter who had a triumphant
grin on her face that barely reached her eyes.
"Do you
think that’ll get back to her?"
"Well…if
it did, it’ll show her that’s she’s not dealing with a shrinking violet.
Instead she’s dealing with a lioness."
"Thank
you Alex…I mean mom. Thank you for being here for me," Elizabeth buried
her face in her mother’s shoulder.
Alexis wiped
away a tear, touched beyond belief. That was the first time Elizabeth had
called her mom. It showed her that already she was a important and permanent
fixture in her daughter’s life.
Lucky
Spencer laid on the bed that Helena has him share with her and stare up at the
ceiling, strange thoughts running through his head. Thoughts of that picture
that Zander had showed him. Why was Zander insisting that he remember the girl
in the picture. The girl so familiar. The girl that had arisen feelings that he
knew he did not have for Madam. Feelings that were best kept repressed, such as
the memories that just looking at the picture invoked. Pictures of his old
life. A life it was best to forget if he wanted all of the people, the girl
included to remain safe. Lucky frowned as he remembered her name. The name that
Zander had repeated over and over. Elizabeth. His wife. The love of his…no! No
he can’t think of her as such a thing! Not anymore! Madam would find out and
she’ll make sure that Elizabeth paid for his feelings.
He closed
his eyes, pushing back another image of him and Elizabeth dancing in a restaurant
and the feelings that invoked. He pushed that one back just to be assaulted
with another memory of him and Elizabeth making love in what looked to be a
studio.
No! No more
memories! It was too dangerous to remember, not to mention to painful! Madam!
What he needed was Madam to make him forget again! He got to his feet and
stumbled out into the hall, calling for the one person that could help him!
Zander stood
just inside his door watching his brother in law in search of the madwoman that
held them. He shook his head, thinking of what a number Helena had done on poor
Lucky. He was glad the old bitch was gone for what he heard Sarah refer to as a
couple of days. That gave him time to come up with an escape plan and to put
into action. But looking at his brother in law, he knew the best thing to do
was do something now. After all, it was only Sarah here. He could over take
her. Walking out of his room, he laid a warm hand on Lucky’s shoulder.
"I can
take you to Madam Lucky," Zander’s voice was full of concern and desire to
help.
Lucky looked
at him suspiciously. This was the guy who had brought these onslaught of
memories on in the first place. Why would he help him find Madam to get rid of
the memories.
"Where
is she?"
"Not here, but I know where she is. The only problem is Sarah. She doesn’t
want to you to see Madam so we have to be very careful and make sure she
doesn’t hear nor see us leave."
"Why
would Sarah want to keep from me from Madam? She works for her?" Lucky
frowned, not sure to trust Zander.
"She’s
jealous Lucky. She didn’t want me after all. It’s you she wanted and she thinks
that if she keeps you away from Helena long enough, she could get you for
herself."
"Madam
should be warned."
"That’s right. I’ll take you to warn Madam about Sarah’s true intentions.
Come on," He grabbed Lucky’s arms and quickly yet quietly they slip past
the guards and out into the cold afternoon air. Spotting a laundry truck
pulling into the driveway, Zander quickly pulled Zander in that direction.
"Come on, we’ll jump a ride."
"That truck is going to Madam?" Lucky frowned. Something wasn’t right
here.
"Of
course. It’s her personal laundry truck," Zander swallowed, thinking on
his feet. He had to get Lucky into that truck somehow. "It goes wherever
she goes. We’ll hop in the back and hide from Sarah. We’ll soon be in the
presence of Helena. I promise you."
Lucky just
nodded and followed Zander to the truck. Both men dived into the truck and
covered themselves with sheets and other articles of clothing. Zander sighed in
relief as he felt the truck moving away just as the alarms singling their
escape began to wail. They were on their way to safety and there was nothing
that Sarah nor Helena could do about it.
"Don’t
worry Liz. We’re on our way back home," Zander thought to himself, a
satisfied grin on his face.
Preview:
Helena berates Sarah. Zander calls on Sonny for help. Lucky dreams of
Elizabeth.