Life After Dark: Book Two of the Dark Series

Chapter 125

~ Timoria: A Single Answer Breeds More Questions ~

The young girl was quiet as she stepped into the room. Francesca Matthew's' sandals only offered a faint whisper as she tiptoed from the door to the bed. She swallowed hard as she looked down at the unconscious occupant. The girl who lay there couldn't have been more than a couple years older. The dark lavender dress was the most beautiful Francesca had ever seen. She longed to run her fingers along the rich velvet trim, but she didn't make a move to do so. Unseen eyes watched her and she knew it would be in her best interest to complete her task. And, quickly!

She checked the young woman's vital signs and breathed a sigh of relief when the pulse rate registered as normal. As Francesca placed the slender wrist back down onto the white coverlet, the woman stirred. Frightened, Francesca took a step back. Her breath caught in her throat as she waited. In her mind, she went over the words she had been forced to memorize before she began her assignment.

You're in hospital. You were in an accident, but you will be fine.

The young woman's movements ceased as she placed a perfectly manicured hand over her distended abdomen. Francesca's dark eyes grew huge as she saw the amethyst, topaz, and diamond gem ring that adorned the woman's middle finger of her right hand.

"What a fine ring that be," she mumbled to herself. With a calculated glance over her shoulder, Francesca moved closer to the bed. Tentatively, she extended her hand towards the ring. She quickly pulled it back before her fingertips could make contact. She could only guess what the consequences would be if she allowed her actions to mirror her thoughts, but the ring... It was so beautiful, and the girl... What use would she have for it?

From what Francesca had gathered from the whispers in the island breeze, the girl would have no use for her fine things when all was said and done. And, having convinced herself with that one thought, Francesca reached for the ring and in one swift movement removed it and tucked it into her stark white apron pocket. Her heart raced wildly in her chest as the reality of her misdeed struck her, but she didn't return the precious ring. Nor did she consider the sentimental value the ring had to its owner. No, instead, Francesca took a step back. She was almost at the door when the girl stirred again.

"Nikky," the girl murmured.

Francesca turned to face the girl. Finding her on the verge of consciousness, Francesca bolted from the room.

She had just barely remembered to lock the door before she quickly ran down the long narrow hallway. She went straight to her Aunt Ginnie, who took one look at the girl's stricken face and asked, "She be wake?"

With guilt heavy on her heart, Francesca could only nod. Subconsciously, her hand went to her newly acquired ring. She fingered it for a second and becoming fearful that her aunt would become suspicious, she promptly removed her hand from her pocket.

Ginnie grunted in reply. "You stay outta there, you hear? Things be happenin' now. You best be away from there when they start. You hear me?"

Francesca nodded. "Yes, Auntie."

"Now, run along. I got my business to take care of now." Ginnie's hard eyes narrowed as she waited for her niece to obey her. As soon as she was alone, Ginnie reached for the telephone. She dialed the numbers quickly. The call was answered on the first ring. She relayed the message that the finely dressed girl was awake. She noted the orders that she was given and hung up the phone. She then made her way back down the long narrow hallway to do as she had been told.

~*~

"No..."

The dark fog enveloped her and took him away. Blindly, Dawn reached for her love, but he was gone. The hand that had so lovingly and firmly held hers was gone and now, there was only air.