Whisper My Name

Chapter 9

Marlena and Roman Brady Residence

Darkness on the edge

Shadows where I stand

I search for the time

On a watch with no hands...

~These Dreams ~ Heart ~

Marlena screamed in a panic, "He's coming after the children! John!"

His mind went immediately into protection mode. He thought about everything he'd built, and all the plans he'd put in place over the years, hoping, praying that it never came to this point. Raffi Torres was coming after Marlena and the kids. Roman's plan to protect them had failed miserably. He'd instead left them open to being targeted by an organized crime boss intent on getting his drug shipment through Salem.

As he silently cursed Roman Brady, John gripped Marlena's shoulders tightly, looking directly into her eyes, and said, "Pack bags for the children. Now." He stood up, pulling Marlena to her feet, and very firmly, making sure what he said registered with her, he said, "Do you hear me, Doc? Bags for the children, and you. A week at least. Go!"

Marlena stared at John for barely a split second. She trusted him with her life. That's all she could think about as she turned, and ran up the stairs taking them two at a time. John had a plan. He would take care of them. In a blind panic she pulled a bag out of Sami's closet, and began packing for the little girl, remembering at the last minute to throw in two Barbies, and a stuffed rabbit. She did the same in Eric's room, with very little thought, except that she needed to move as quickly as possible, because Torres wanted her family dead. In Carrie's room, she shoved clothing into a duffle bag, along with several novels. By the time she reached her own room, she was breathing heavily, and she glanced around sadly for the briefest moments. Roman had destroyed their lives without even consulting her. Marlena started throwing clothing into a bag, along with toiletries.

Downstairs, John picked up the phone, dialing Victor Kiriakis. He had no other choice at the moment. He certainly didn't have time to wait for the banks to open the following morning. When Victor answered John said quickly, "Victor, I need to borrow some money. A lot of money, and I need you not to ask me any questions. Can you do that?"

Victor was confused about the odd request, but willing to comply, "Well, sure John, but—"

"—the less you know the better. I need it soon. Tonight," John said quickly.

"Does this have to do with Torres? Did Roman leave town?" Victor asked him.

John wasn't sure how Victor had already heard about Roman leaving town, but he knew Victor had eyes and ears all over Salem. He sighed, "Yeah...look, Torres is coming after Doc, and the kids. I don't have much time. Can you help me?"

"What about Isabella?" Victor asked, concerned about how this would affect his daughter.

"I need you to watch out for her," John told him. Isabella couldn't be pulled into this. His focus had to be on Marlena and the children. If Isabella got tangled in it, his focus would be split.

Victor had a sinking feeling that Isabella's whole relationship with John Black was about to go sideways, but he also had this deep rooted sense of guilt over his past dealings with John. His part in John's life started when he'd won him in a game against Stefano DiMera as The Pawn. Victor never imagined they'd be where they were now. But, Victor had also changed a lot over the years. He'd mellowed, coming to terms with many of his choices, and the way those choices had negatively impacted others. John was one of those regrets. This was his chance to make it right, "Give me an hour, and then meet me on Pier 14."