Life After Dark: Book Two of the Dark Series

Prologue and Chapter 1

Prologue

Inside the Catacombs...

"Marco, has the situation been taken care of?" Jason asked, speaking quietly into the mini-microphone. He, with an unconscious Simone in his arms, lagged behind Tommy, Keesha, and their prisoners. Jason spoke softly in hushed tones so as not to alert Keesha to his plans. At least, not yet.

"Yes, Mr. Morgan, it has. Should we dispose of the problem before you and the others come out?" Marco asked.

"No, that won't be necessary. Just keep an eye on it," Jason said, quietly. "Reynaldo?"

"I'm here."

"We're about twenty feet from the main passageway. Is everything ready?" Jason asked.

"Yes, it's all set. We're on our way," Reynaldo answered.

"And Reynaldo..."

"Yes, boss?"

"Bring reinforcements cause we've got extras," Jason replied.

"Extra what?" Keesha asked.

"Hey! I thought you were up there," Jason said, trying to mask his surprise. He hoped she hadn't heard too much of his conversation. He didn't want to raise her suspicions before he was in a better position to deal with them.

"I was, but I noticed you weren't with us. How are you doing? Is Simone too heavy?" she asked, reaching out a hand to gently wipe Simone's brow.

"I'm fine. She's light. How are you doing?" he asked.

"Better," she said, "now."

Jason smiled down at her. He wished he could take her in his arms and hold her close. He had so much he wanted to tell her. So many things they needed to discuss. Soon, he thought. Very soon.

They walked together in a companionable silence. Both of their thoughts were caught in a maze where the past and the present mingled in confusion. Being alone together again brought back so much for both of them. So many memories which had been forgotten were coming back in waves.

Jason thought of the past two years and how he had chosen to live his life. Waking up in the cold, unfamiliar world had scared him, and he had lashed out at everyone. He felt claustrophobic and every time someone came near the only thing he wanted to do was run away. He had hurt so many people during that time. What hurt him now was remembering how he hurt the incredible woman who was beside him. He would give anything to take back the things he said to her during the early days of his recovery.

Keesha thought about the silent man who walked beside her. Long ago, she loved him with the all-consuming intensity of a first love. He was her best friend. Her lover. He was the man she knew that she would spend the rest of her life with until... Until one horrible night he was taken away from her. The man she loved died and was replaced by someone who didn't give a damn about her and who had no problem telling her so. Quartermaine. Morgan. Which one was he now? She didn't know and the closer they came to civilization, the more afraid she became to find out.

"Hold it right there!"

Tommy's outcry tore them away from their thoughts. Jason saw who Tommy was speaking to and took a deep breath as the second part of his secret plan went into motion.

"Tommy, it's okay. They're with us," Jason said. He watched as Reynaldo and the others came closer. He knew that he could back out now and the only person who would know would be Reynaldo. He also knew that he would never be able to forgive himself if he did.

~*~

AJ moaned as he regained consciousness. The pain in his head was excruciating. It began at the base of his neck and shot up from there. He rubbed the back of his neck to ease the pain as much as he could.