PRESENT DAY
Kpodo stepped out of the station and looked around for the car in the text, but it was nowhere to be found. He checked the text again to be sure of the description and then decided to check outside the gate. He went outside and saw the car parked in a corner so obscure that it almost blended in with the rest of the world.
As he approached it, he noticed that there was no driver. In fact, the car was empty. He turned to walk away, thinking he’d gotten the wrong one, but then the car’s alarm went off for a few seconds and stopped. Then it started again and then stopped. Kpodo figured it was a sign, so he went back to it and saw a piece of paper tucked beneath the windshield wiper. He opened it and it was a note for him. “Sit in the driver’s side and wait.”
He took a picture of the note and sent it to Mary, then he opened the driver’s door and sat in the car. A few minutes later, a woman entered the passenger’s side and handed him a note. He looked at it and then looked up at her with his eyebrows all the way up.
“This is not a lie, Inspector. Its happening right now.”
“If you are correct, then I’m going to need a lot of backup and aerial support.”
He took out his walkie-talkie to relay a message and had it snatched from him by the woman.
“Why would you do that?”
“I’m not familiar with police procedure, Inspector, but I do know that the only one in your department that my employer trusts is you. You can request all the backup you need, but not until we’ve reached our destination. There’s no too late in this situation, only too early. I know you don’t know me, but I need you to trust me when I say that this is meant to help you. There’s a reason I chose the passenger seat and not the driver’s seat; I really need you to trust me on this. Now, please drive.”
*****
Jenny looked like a shell of a human being. Caris was still hanging right beside her, watching her as she hung on for dear life. It had been three days of consistent torture to her, and it had driven both him and Carol to the brink of madness. Thankfully, his jewels had been spared, but there was no guarantee that it would remain that way.
Carol was still sure that something was different about Kane, although she’d gotten less and less clear as the torture to Jenny kept going. He hadn’t been back since that day, so she hadn’t gotten another chance to really hone in on what it was was that had raised her antennas. Not that she’d wanted him back; she still wanted to be able to ‘relate’ with Caris if they both managed to get out of this alive. Three days of being chained may have affected her body in a lot of ways, but her yearning for her husband was not one of them.
“Caris. Caris.”
“Hmm?”
“If we never make it out of here, I need you to know that the years I’ve had with you have been the greatest times of my life. Even if this is payback for what we did all those years ago, at least I got a great decade with you. I love you, Caris Benton.”
The door opened just as she uttered those words, and dread returned to the room with full force. Kane was first through the door, and Dora and Daria followed, with Kana and the other guard bringing up the rear. Dora and Daria were dressed in tight jumpsuits which matched their hair colors. Both of their jumpsuits had zippers that went from their necks to their waists.
“Ah, my favorite people. I hear you have all been uncooperative. So disappointing. I believe the lady has gone through enough, and I now have the unfortunate task of frying your favorite part of your boy toy, Swanson. But no fear, I will do my best to enjoy it.”
He turned to the green-haired woman. “Daria, I know you the warden had you singing the heavenly chorus. This one right here, this man can take you even further.”
Kane pulled up a chair to watch while Daria jumped up and down as she clapped giddily like an excited teenager. She looked at Dora, who was just as excited. With everyone watching, Dora pointed to the car battery while Daria pointed to the leather whips. For a while, both of them frowned and stared at each other, looking like they were about to explode. Then, slowly, they each began to nod and smile, with it building up to a maniacal laugh.
Dora went to grab a leather whip while Daria took the car battery leads. When Daria went to hook them up to Caris, she stopped. She walked around until she stood in his face, then she turned around and looked at Carol, and then turned back to look at Caris. Then she turned to Carol and smiled. Dora knew what her partner was up to, so she walked over to her.
“He’s a cutie, but you can’t do what you want to do without getting shocked.”
Daria pouted. “Ugh! I don’t want him screaming into my chest either.”
Dora examined Caris’ face like it was prey to be devoured. Without looking away, she took Daria’s hand.
“Do you remember the two-for-one special we did a few years ago? The one with the sandwich?”
Daria nodded, wondering where this was going. “Uh-huh.”
Dora continued. “Remember how we got the guys all the way up before we gave it to them?”
Daria finally caught on and smiled. “Of course! A freak like me should’ve thought of that! Let me get the Spanish fly. You can start with the whip. I know how much it turns you on when they scream at your command.”
Daria quickly ran out while Dora kissed Caris on the cheek and then walked over to his stomach. She smiled at Carol.
“I really hope you’re a nasty sadist, cos otherwise this is going to suck for you.”
She cracked the whip as hard as she could, and Carol yelled just as loud as Caris. Without giving him any room to breathe, Dora cracked the whip three more times, licking her lips as she watched Caris suffer in his chains. Then she turned to Jenny and then asked Kane, “Ooh! Can she be next, please?”
Kane shook his head. “She will be the pleasure for tomorrow, my darling.”
Dora looked slightly disappointed, but the idea of saving her for later cheered her right back up. She turned her attention back to Caris.
Carol was certain that this was the day she would lose the love of her life. Nothing mattered anymore to her. Through her tears, she yelled, “I LOVE YOU, CARIS BENTON! I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU!”
She went on crying loudly, expecting another crack of the whip when suddenly…
“STOP!”
Carol looked up and saw a very confused Kane jumping out of his seat. Dora was about to crack the whip again-
“I SAID STOP, DAMMIT!”
Dora jumped back in shock, dropping the whip in the process. She looked at Kane with a mix of anger and confusion, which was beginning to morph into tears. Kane gestured to Selah to hold her while he headed straight for Carol.
“What did you just say?”
Carol could barely look at him and was too nervous to respond. Kane bent down to her level.
“What did you just say? What did you just call him?”
Carol was still freaking out and wouldn’t respond. Kane grabbed her face and looked her dead in the eye.
“WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL HIM, SWANSON?”
Carol finally summoned the courage and spat the words into Kane’s face.
“I called him Mr. Benton.”
Kane stood up, going from confused to concerned.
“Benton? His last name is Benton?”
Carol nodded.
Kane went over to Caris.
“Your last name is Benton?”
Caris nodded once. Kane grew even more worried.
“What was the name of your father?”
The question had Caris perplexed as he stared at Kane.
“Boy, I will not ask again. What was the name of your father?”
“Archbishop Cassius Benton. The Oracle of God.”
The words hit Kane like a bullet train, and all the blood drained from his face. He walked angrily towards Kana and grabbed him by the neck on the way to slamming him into the wall.
“Did you know this?”
Kana shook his head.
“DID YOU KNOW THAT HE WAS THE SON OF THE ONE MAN I SWORE NEVER TO TOUCH?”
“No, sir. I did not know. He had no history.”
Kane took every ounce of rage within him and clocked Kana, knocking him out cold. Then he turned to Dora.
“Leave them alone. Do with him whatever you want.”
He signaled to Selah and they left.
Hmmm, no wonder Carol said there’s something off about Kane. That was a real close shave for Caris; those psycho girls would’ve destroyed him. Seems like he might not be the Kane we know he is…
