Malnourished

Chapter 10 Greg's Discovery

The day was dark and gloomy which seemed to match everyones mood. Greg said very little while they were making coffee and all Devon could do was stare at her cup.  Both had assumed that the other had just simply not slept very well. "Ahhhh, will you be home after you see your Grandmother tonight?" groaked Greg but all Devon could do was nod her head yes.  "Uhhh okay then, I'll uhhh talk to you then, okay?" but he didn't wait for an answer.  Both best friends left the house with nothing more to say.

Greg was the last to leave and as he closed the door he yelled out a command to the dogs to protect! This was something he has rarely done but felt compelled to do so this morning.  He stood on the front porch and perused the whole street looking for a darkened air car.  As far as he could tell there was noone there even though he was sure they were being watched.  He had decided not to bring any of the papers home with him tonight even though it may be too late.  He stepped down and walked briskly toward the bus stop.

The new agent sat in his car and watched carefully.  He read the report which said last night's agent believed he had been spotted so he thought he would outsmart these people and use his car from home.  There was a nasty smirk on his face because he knew he was far smarter then the fools he was sent to watch.  He started up his car and drove to the local university to wait for his subject to arrive."

Devon choose a seat that would allow her to sit alone.  She needed to think but the more she tried the bigger her headache became.  She closed her eyes and groaned "I don't think I can continue on with this anymore." tears started to trickle down her face.  "Its all my fault if anything happens to the others" she moaned.  The bus came to a stop as Devon got up and headed to the front door.  That was when she noticed a tall man leaning against an old air car.  He was talking to the driver, there was something familiar about him but she couldn't think what it was.  She stepped down out of the door cautiously and just as she got to the bottom step the tall man turned around.  He looked straight at her and her blood ran cold. It was Darrell, Sharron's boyfriend!  What was he doing here and who is the stranger in the car. 

Devon stood for what seemed like hours, frozen in place until someone pushed her from behind. "Excuse ME" she said "You can't just stand in the door way, people have to get off!"  "OH I am terribly sorry!"  Devon was embarrassed for not paying attention and quickly jumped out of the way.  She looked back up only to find that the car and two men had magically disappeared.  Class was going to start in a couple of minutes and she had to hurry.  "No sense getting upset about this now, I have an exam to write" she tried to block her worries out or she will never pass this class.

Elise was angry.  She pushed her call button again and as before there was no response, the problem was she knew what was happening.  The proverbial They have found her and were now doing their best to make life intolerable for her.  This was just the first step, next would come the withdrawal of food and water, then no visitors and the final step will be closing and locking the door.  They will wait a few days then come back and get rid of her body.  She didn't really care actually except what effect this will have on Devon.  She knows that child far too well and was afraid for her.  Devon will never stop trying to get to me which is what they are hoping for.  When she causes enough trouble she will be arrested, interrogated and disappear just like her poor parents. Tears started to run slowly down her cheeks as she remembered her son and his wife.  "He was such a gentle soul like his Dad" she thought "they didn't deserve what happened to them and now it is my turn".  Elise felt defeated and tired "perhaps it is time for me to just lie down and let go.  Perhaps this will make it easier for Devon if I am simply gone."  Her heart was breaking.

Devon wrote her exam then and without reason she left the school.  "I just can't sit there when there so much is happening and it is all my fault" she was feeling sorry for herself and everyone else who she dragged into this awful mess.  Perhaps the best thing for everyone is for her to hand herself in to the authorities and tell them that no one else knows what she did.  Then Elise and Greg would be safe.  "Oh no!" she cried "Sharron!  I had forgotten all about her and the danger she is in as well!  I must get to her now!"  The frightened young woman got up from her seat on the bus and demanded to be let out.  Once her feet hit the ground she was running.

By the time she arrived at the old library she was out of breath and taking big gulps of air.  "Please, please don't let me be too late" she begged the air.  There was a light shinning through the front office window which meant someone was there, she took the stairs two at a time and threw open the doors.  Sharron was sitting at her desk as usual and she was talking to herself?  The hairs on Devon's arms were standing on end again with the sensation of danger.  She crouched down low and made her way to the small room on the left then listened.

"Well I don't believe you!  Devon would never do something wrong and I can swear to that!" Sharron was clearly upset but who was she talking to. "I think you had better go.... now!" she.  Devon could hear someone mumble in response and Sharron looked up and stared at who ever it was.  "You do? Why, when all you wanted was information about my best friend, how am I suppose to believe you?"  tears were running down her swollen face and her nose was red.  Suddenly a shadow moved closer to her friend, the man bent down and grabbed Sharron.  He was dressed in a black suit but all Devon could see was his back.  She was scared for her friend and started to stand up when she realized that her friend was not in trouble what so ever.  He was kissing her sloppy face with a great deal of tenderness.  They pulled apart hen she heard,"I care about you far more than trying to trap Devon"  his voice was heavy with emotion.  "Oh my goodness!  How can you say that to such a mess like me?"  she was crying again and wiping her face. "You know I love you don't you?" then he kissed her again, deep and hard.  Devon wondered if they were going to come up for air any time soon but she had a huge smile on her face.  "Sharron, we can talk more tonight but for now I have to go.  They will be wondering where I am." the stranger turned to walk out the door.  Devon got a look at his face and it was Darrell!  Why would she be so surprised, it makes perfect sense.  Sharron is so in love with him how could he reject her?  Darell gave his lover a final hug then left.

Devon came out of hiding and scared the daylights out of Sharron "What the hell!" she screamed.  "I don't know if you are surprised to see me or embarrassed that I saw you snuggling up to your sweety?" laughed her best friend.  "How long were you in hiding?" "Long enough to hear him give you his love" then the two young women laughed and hugged each other.