CHAPTER NINE
Twenty-four
hours have passed since Helena had come and took Lucky away and as soon as
Elizabeth was able she went in search of a phone to call Sonny. Who would tell
Luke. Finally she found one in the office and shakedly dialed, trying not to
fall into hysterics just yet. If they were ever going to get Lucky and Nikolas
back she had to remain calm.
"Corinthoes
here," Sonny answered sounding preoccupied.
"Sonny?"
Elizabeth sobbed.
"Elizabeth?
You aren’t supposed to be calling me on my cellphone. It’s a very unsecure
line! Where’s Lucky?"
"Helena…Helena
she came and she took them…she took both Lucky and Nikolas. I couldn’t move…I
couldn’t do anything…Lucky…please help Lucky," Elizabeth sobbed
uncontrollably now.
"Elizabeth…just
stay where you are. I’ll be right there. Wait a minute, what happened to my
men?"
"She killed them. Sonny please, hurry," Elizabeth was freely crying
now. It was all her fault. If she hadn’t been so depressed about Gram…if she
hadn’t made that telephone call Helena would never have found them. "I’m
sorry Lucky….I’m sorry," She sobbed.
It
took two hours for Sonny and Luke to get to the estate. They found Elizabeth
curled up on the couch, just staring off into space. She had no more tears to
cry so all she could now do was stare. Luke knelt before her and touched her
pale cheek. Her eyes were dazed and unfocusing. Her hands squeezed her
shoulders and she rocked back and forth.
"She’s
in shock," Sonny sighed. "We better get her back to Port Charles. We
can question her there."
"They
were supposed to be safe here Sonny," Luke looked at the mobster, his own
grief clear in his eyes.
"Don’t
start this again Luke. Lucky was safe here. I told you, there was a telephone
call to Audrey Hardy and it was traced. Now don’t go blaming Liz either. It’s
not her fault."
"I
wasn’t going to blame Liz. I blame that damn Prince Cassadine! I’m sure it was
his phone that the call was made from."
"NO!"
The word was firm and resilient. They turned to see Elizabeth glaring up at
Luke. "Do not blame Nikolas. I was the one crying about not talking to
Gram. Nikolas thought he was helping. He had no idea that she had a trace. If
anyone’s to blame, it’s me. It’s all my fault that Helena has Lucky now."
But
Luke didn’t want to blame Elizabeth. The girl had already been through enough.
Blaming Elizabeth was like…blaming Laura for having Nikolas. The truth was he
was to blame. He should have found a safer way for Elizabeth to talk to Audrey.
Or better yet, he should have left the Cassadines alone all those years ago.
Maybe then his son would still be with him. Luke sighed, feeling totally
defeated and helpless. Looking at the love of his son’s life, he wrapped a arm
around her shoulders and held her tightly. "It’s not your fault Elizabeth.
And you’re right, it’s not Nikolas’s fault either. It’s Helena’s."
"Luke…what
are we going to do?" Elizabeth looked up at the older man, all her hopes
of seeing Lucky again laid with him.
"First
we’re going to take you back to Port Charles. There’s no need for you to remain
here now. Helena has what she wants," Luke sighed. "And then I’m
going in search of my son."
"Luke…what
are you going to tell Laura?" Sonny asked.
Luke
swallowed. Laura. There was the problem. For her it was even worse. It wasn’t
just one son missing. It was both of her sons and it was likely she would never
forgive him for letting this to happen. He had promised Laura that both of her
sons were safe and now, he had broken that promise. "Let me handle Laura.
You just get every man you got and find Helena. I’ll get Lucky and Nikolas
back…even if it kills me."
Looking
into his friend’s face, Sonny knew Luke was dead serious. He would die before
allowing Helena to keep his son captive a moment longer then necessary.
*
Lucky
awoke alone in a cold steel room. It was a long ride and before they had
exited, Helena had both himself and Nikolas knocked out. Obviously she wanted
to keep them separated. It was the old divide and conquer. He just wondered how
long before both himself and Nikolas held out. Getting up from the hard
mattress, Lucky went to the door and began pounding.
"Let
me out! Let me out of here Helena! You’re not going to get away with this! Do
you hear me! My dad will come for us! I know he will! Helena! Helena!"
Surprisingly,
the door slid open and before Lucky could make a move to escape, a man with
long gray hair entered. His eyes were hard, cold, and mocking. As soon as he
entered, the door slid close again.
"Such
anger and defiance," The man shook his head. "One would think that in
your position, you’d be more…submissive."
"I’m
a Spencer. Spencer’s are never submissive," Lucky glared at the older man,
trying to recapture the bravado of his younger days. The man just laughed.
"Oh
young Spencer, that is all about to change. Soon you and your brother will be
willing servents of Helena. I’m going to make sure of it," Faison laughed.
"Nikolas…where
is he? What did Helena do with him?"
"For now your brother is no longer your concern. He of course is the
prince and I’m going to have him remember that. And you…you’re a weapon…a
weapon that will bring Helena’s enemies to their knees. Including your precious
father. Especially him."
"I
will never give in to you and that witch. And neither will Nikolas!"
"Keep
telling yourself that young Spencer. Keep telling yourself that," the
older man laughed, heading back for the door. Before he exited he turned and
faced Lucky one more time. "By the way. My name is Cesar Faison. It is
finally nice to meet you. I must say it’s about time. I will see you
again." With that the man left, leaving Lucky glaring at the door and
wondering if he’ll ever see Elizabeth and his family again.
*
Helena
stood outside her grandson’s room, listening to his shouts to be released and
taken to his brother. His threats that she’ll pay for what she’s done and if a
hair on his brother’s head was harmed she would pay dearly. Sometimes Nikolas
reminded her so much of Stavros but most times it was his peasant mother he
took after. But soon all traces of Laura was going to be swept away and Nikolas
will be a full-blooded Cassadine. Faison was going to make sure of it. Dialing
the special code outside the door, she entered and closed the door immediately
to prevent escape.
"Well
I see you’ve slept well," Helena smiled, crossing her arms.
"Where’s
Lucky?" Nikolas demanded his eyes glowing with bright anger.
"Your
brother is quite comfortable on another floor. Do not worry. I will not harm
him. In fact I have great plans for Lucky. Just as I have great plans for you
my dear."
"What
plans are those?"
Helena
simply smiled. "He will be my ultimate weapon against our enemies. And you
my sweet…you will be the ultimate Cassadine Prince. I’m taking steps to assure
both."
Nikolas’s
eyes narrowed. "I will never be what you want me to be and neither will my
brother."
"Is
that so?" Helena smiled, a secret played in her smile. She was up to
something and Nikolas knew he wouldn’t like it. Just then, Cesar entered and
placed a intimate hand on his grandmother’s arm.
"Who
is this?" Nikolas glowered.
"This
my dear is Cesar Faison. Your…doctor shall I say? He will undo all the
brainwashing that your Uncle had put you through. He’s also going to help your
brother to see that we’re not the enemies after all."
"What?"
"Your
treatment will start tomorrow. Behave and I’ll let you visit with your dear
brother at the end of the week. Good night my sweet Prince," Helena
smiled, following the man known as Faison out of the room.
Once
they were out of the room, Faison turned Helena to face him. "Both boys
are strong-willed. It will not be easy to turn them."
"But
it can be done. They have their weakness and it’s up to you to find that
weakness and exploit it."
"Maybe
you should have brought the girl. Both boys seemed to be driven by the aspect
of protecting her."
"No.
Elizabeth would have been in the way. There’s no need for her to be here. Just
Lucky and Nikolas. With them on my side, I’ll be unstoppable," Helena
laughed
"You
seem so certain," Faison furrowed his brow.
"Wait
and seem my dear. Wait and see."