Come on baby Light My Fire

The valleys soon turned to regular looking roads again and the magic of the forest was left behind.  The sun had given up trying to break through the dark clouds and ended its day beneath the horizon.  The couple drove on after a long day with thoughts of the coast awaiting them.  There was something about hearing the hum of the engine and the low vibration of the car moving that acted almost as a hypnotic trance that lulled you to a peaceful sleep.  Meg was laying with the seat back on the passenger side barely awake just watching the stars go by through the side mirror.  They were taught what a few of the constellations were in school but she was lousy at remembering them when she was fully awake let alone barely conscious now.  Edward pushed on even though tired feelings were invading him as well.  He had cracked his window open a little to let in a small breeze to help keep him awake but in the end resulted to just having the radio on.  At first it was all talk and people with odd voices discussing the state of the country and what was going to happen if certain people didn't sign this or that.  In an odd way it actually helped her slip into more of a sleepful state as it just became background noise.  The lights of the car illuminated the road ahead of them just enough to know that the trees were thinning out and there was a lot of open land around them.  Amazingly it wasn't raining but she knew more wasn't far behind.  He shifted in his seat and she could tell he was looking at her.  The brown strands of hair whisping here and there from the wind and her stomach moving up and down at a restful state.  He reached over and stroked her hair and ran his fingers down her arm.  His skin on hers sent electricity up inside her and like a warm blanket on a cold night, her sleep induced body was ready to meet the sandman.  As if he knew she needed one last push, he changed the station and a song came on that try as she might, she could not stay awake to hear it all.

Watch the sky for me,
Watch the night.
I'll be there for you,
In starlight.

As your feet touch the ground,
I'll be floating along
Watch the sky for me...
tonight

Her mind and body gave in and drifted away.  With each restful breath she fell deeper and deeper into sleep.  She was afforded a dream this time, one that she wasn't used to having as of late.  Looking around, she was home.  Pictures of her parents were on the walls and the sun shined through the windows.  She could smell food cooking in the kitchen and from the closest window she could see children playing in the front lawn.  Was this still possible for her?  Could she make it through all of this mess and end up here where she really wanted to be?
"Megan, dinner is almost ready!"
A voice had called out from the kitchen.  Her mother.  It had been some time since she had heart that and it brought about all sorts of warm feelings.   She wanted to introduce them to Edward, tell them all about her adventures with a real detective who saved her life from the mob and proposed to her right afterwards.  A knock at the door diverted her attention and she glided over to answer it.  It was him, he had his hands full with roses and he was smiling.  "Hey dew drop I missed you."
She leapt into his arms kissing him and laughing.

The dark road bore on and Edward needed to see a sign of any kind that they were still on the right track, it was getting darker than he had anticipated it to get.  His angel slept soundly beside him and he wanted so badly to pull over and join her.  His eyes were getting heavy but he had to keep going.  Thankfully the road was smooth and she was able to sleep without interruption.  He blinked his eyes hard a few times to readjust and noticed something dark tailing behind him.  "No, not now."
He continued his speed and showed no sign of him noticing the large shape behind him.  There had to be a way to lose them around here.  If only they were back at the forest.  He looked around as he drove for anywhere he could take care of his tailers.  "Just one day where I'm not looking out for you people, just one."
Two beams of light lit up from the object and began coming closer.
Okay, they really don't want us reaching that station.  Well, too bad, I'm not going down without a fight.  He saw one chance of an opening in the road and he took it, swinging the wheel harshly to the right, the car careened off the road and into an open field near a farmhouse.  The other car followed and Edward picked up the speed.  The rougher terrain caused more uneven ground and after a few big bumps, Meg was awakened from her slumber.  "I'm so sorry darlin but we've got company."
"What?  Who?"
"If I had to guess, mr. big man is sending in tougher guns now."
"Sigh damn it, I was actually having a nice dream too."
The car bounced its way across the field as the other closed in.  A shadowy figure leaned out of the passenger side window behind them and a flash lit up the man.  Not soon after the flash a loud ping sound ricocheted off the car.  "They're shooting at us!"
"They really don't like us I'm guessing."
More shots rang out hitting all around the car and Edward tried to maneuver closer to the farmhouse and barns to try and use them as cover and try and trick the other car.  He pulled the car around the larger of the barns and turned the lights off, he backed the car into the barn a bit so that the other car had no choice but to cut around and end up in front of them.  They weren't stupid though and stopped immediately and began shooting again.  Bullets hit around the windshield with two or three cracking the glass.  "We aren't going to get anywhere tonight alive if we don't dispose of these psychos."
"Please be careful Edward."
The men positioned their car in a way so that Edward couldn't drive out at all.  "Hmm, plan B sweetness.  On three, dive out of the car while keeping the door open and then get behind, I'll meet you back behind the car, ready?"
"We're going to make it through aren't we dew drop?"
"Always for you.  One, two....three!"
They opened their respective doors and got out onto the ground using the doors to shield themselves.  Bullets continued to bounce off the metal around them as they crawled as fast as they could towards the back of the car.  Meg scampered as best she could, occasionally looking back to see where the men were.  As the back of the car was within reach she felt a searing hot pain on her left arm.  She quickly fell over and grabbed for the spot while pain pulsed under her hand.  Don't stop now, just get behind the car.  She pushed herself with all her might and joined Edward behind the car.
"Babe, babe something happened, something's wrong."
"What what what is it?"
She turned to make her arm visible and her hand was covered in blood from the spot underneath on her arm.  "I think I've been shot!"
"No no no, can you move your hand, your fingers?"
She tried her best through the pain and happily was able to move her digits.  "It hurts!"
"If you can move your fingers then you might have gotten lucky and just been grazed.  We have to get you somewhere where we can take a look at it though.  Damn these people."
The barn didn't offer much in the way of escaping or weapons but there was a ladder to an upper level that seemed to lead out to another silo.  There weren't really any other options.  "Look I love you and there's not way in hell I'm going to lose you over some asswads who don't want us finding some stupid damn briefcase."
"I love you, what do we do?"
He scanned the area and found near them was a can of gasoline, a pitchfork, and lots of straw.  "I have an idea but I need you to stick by me closer than you ever have."
"Darlin, you never have to ask for that."
He held her close, taking part of his coat off to wrap around her wound.  They could hear the men coming closer.  "We know you're back there, just come on out so we can stop this now and not have to chase your damn selves all over the country side.  Again."
The ground cracked under their boots.
"The boss has about had it with you, not surprising.  You come out now and I won't be as harsh.  Pretty sure I already wounded one of you anyways."
Edward managed to reach the items and was fumbling in his pockets for any matches or lighters he could find.  He found a half used book of matched and tipped over the gas canister so that all the contents started running forwards to where the men were walking.  The liquid filled the ground beneath the car and continued running towards the approaching boots.
"Megels, we have to run immediately and dive for that straw pile.  This is deadly serious, you going to be able to get back there?"
"You act like I've been shot or something.  Yeah, I can manage."
He handed her a match from the match box.  "Well then babe, come on and light my fire."
She flicked the match on her shoe and the tip glowed with the halo of flame, a smile appearing on her face.


TO BE CONTINUED........
xoxoxoxmissandloveyouxoxooxoxox



:::whistles nonchalantly leaving these links here for her:::

http://comicbook.com/tv-shows/2018/03/09/supernatural-scooby-doo-scoobynatural-preview/

https://www.cbr.com/supernatural-scooby-doo-scoobynatural-crossover/

;)
<3 p="">

The Ray of Light at Hepburn Valley

The wind was so free, able to drift and fly wherever it pleased.  Nothing could hold it back whether it be the limbs of tall trees or the reaches of skyscrapers.  A delicate hand rode the waves of the wind and felt the gentle touch through her fingers.  The sun still refused to shine as the trees waved to the calmed passenger.  She took solace where she could get it, admiring the environment and allowing the push of the breeze to carry her hand up and down with every gust.  The city contained her, not giving her the satisfaction of being able to experience what laid beyond its walls.  now that she had escaped there wasn't anything to stop her from seeing what the world offered.  Her head laid back against the seat relaxing her muscles, her eyes darting from one spectacular sight to the next.  No bump or curve could rip her from her hypnotic trance, just her thoughts of what her new future might hold.  Her other hand was exploring the canvas of the driver's.  It felt tough from years of tracking fugitives and the random fist fight but it held within it a tenderness that only a lucky few had the chance to experience.  Her fingers contrasted greatly over his and walked she walked them up and down each digit with a swirl around the palm.  It was the first time since this all started that she felt actually at peace without a trace thought that she was on the run and in danger.
It felt....nice.
Her eyes were unfocused as she stared out at the passing hills and valleys.  "Edward, let's just keep driving.  Screw this whole situation."
"I only.  You know we'd never be able to stop and live free."
"I can't remember the last time I felt this....happy."
He squeezed her hand, momentarily breaking her concentration of the sights in front of her.
"I could say the same thing myself darlin.  Honestly, I thought this was just a one way street for me.  That I'd be doing this business until the end.  I guess I just accepted it in a way.  You do this job long enough, you grow cold.  Feelings die out, smothered by what you have to do.  Seeing you though.  It was like my world was a sterile black and white that's now been blanketed by color.  I almost feel as if I had just been born and am experiencing the world for the first time."
"You've never seen the color?"
"Once, a very long time ago.  But, it was taken from me."
"What happened?"  The words had slipped out before she was able to stop herself, afraid it was an emotional subject.
"Murdered."
Her hand jumped up to cover her mouth.  "I'm so sorry, I didn't...."
"It's perfectly fine, like I said, a very long time ago."
She held his hand tightly.  Could that be why he's going so far to help me?  I'm his blanket of color.
"It was a few months after I first started.  I guess I was a little too confident and sort of liked to flaunt my ego a little bit.  After a few cases I felt a little untouchable and that kind of stuff goes to your head.  In doing so I got a little sloppy and a bit careless.  A rather slimy customer who managed to slip out of my grasp had managed to tail me around and found out where I lived.  My private life.  Who I was with.  I wasn't careful enough.  One day I came home and....well...after that all I saw and felt was black and white."
"I'm so sorry...I can't even imagine."
"Nothing for you to worry about sweetheart, I'm ready to see the brightest color I've ever seen now."
He smiled  at her and she blushed.
Please let this car ride go on forever.
The road continued on and suddenly the trees opened to a large field with a stream cutting around the back of it.
"Beautiful."  Her gorgeous brown eyes took in more than they could handle.
He thought to himself for a long moment before something clicked in his head that he didn't normally do.  "You know, I think we're ahead of schedule fortunately.  Would you like to see it?"
It was like he read her mind.  "I couldn't think of anything I'd want more."
He turned the car off the road and down into the field.  A few moments later they were out walking across the field hand in hand deep in conversation.  She had begun a story about her previous job experience and while it was fun there was a scary element to it.
"That part of the building wasn't used so it was always dark and quiet and I had to pass through there to get to the main station where I worked.  Needless to say I ran through every time.  I swear I started seeing a ghost right after that."
"A ghost?"
"yeah, a woman in a black dress.  Wasn't harmful, almost like she just wanted to watch what I did."
"I've never seen any ghosts, just made people into ghosts."
Their feet eventually reached the bank of the stream and a small waterfall splashed ahead at the other end.  The scene was beautiful and a huge contrast to what they had experienced so far.  The water moved around in a calm rhythm and provided a soundtrack to drown out the world around them.
"Care for a swim?"
"Sure darlin."
He took her hand and they slowly waded into the water, the warmth collecting around their bodies as they continued on until the level reached their elbows.
"My family never really did anything with pools or oceans.  I always wanted a pool in our backyard."
"I've only really been around the ocean for work purposes, I don't know why deadbeats always seem to hang out near the water."
The liquid was soothing and almost metaphorically washed away all the fear and anxiety that had been following all week.  He took her in his arms and they kissed.  His wet hands went through her hair and the way he pressed her body against his felt like they were designed to fit together.  They lost themselves with one another, splashing and kissing and for a rare moment in their desperate chase they had some much deserved fun.  He led her to the waterfall and playfully pulled her underneath, the water cascaded down and soaked the both of them.  Between the splashes they kisses more and she felt him pull her pants down under the water.  It wasn't long before she felt him inside of her and leaned back so that all the water hit her while he pleasured her from under.  If this was love then she had never been happier to be mixed up with a briefcase and a crazy friend.

On top of one of the nearby hills behind a particularly thick set of trees was a man in a black suit watching from afar.  He chewed a piece of bubble gum and held a radio to his mouth.  "About thirty miles from the diner, small stream.  Their there, look to be celebrating too.  The road matches up with the train's going right on schedule to the station."
The radio buzzed back "Good, I'll inform the boss.  Keep eyes on them and report back if they deviate at all."
He turned and continued watching as the couple below continued to make love unbeknownst of his appearance.

A man in a blue button down shirt put down his own radio and placed a few coins in a pay phone.  It rang twice before picking up.  "Spotted them thirty miles off Hepburn Valley.  Got eyes on them, they won't make it to the station without us knowing.  You got nothing to worry about."
"Good, see that there aren't any more screw ups.  Getting tired of chasing these idiots around and even bigger idiots unable to catch them."
"We don't lose, I'll call back with updates."
He hung up the pay phone and joined two other sharply dressed men in a sedan.  "Eagle has spotted them.  Shouldn't be too long until we catch up.  Buckle in."
The sedan pulled off leaving a large dust trail behind it.

Edward and Meg once they had dried a bit got back into the car feeling better than they ever did.  "I needed that like crazy."
"Plenty more where that came from."
"I'm glad.  I love you dew drop."
"I love you too."  They embraced once more before heading off back down the road.  A few moments later another car followed.
"What is that place called so I remember it as one of ours."
He knew the exact name but it was theirs now.  "Megels Falls"
"That's a weird and oddly coincidental name."
"Strange how they would name it that isn't it?"
She hit him lightly and they laughed as the car sped up down the road, the sun peeking out behind some clouds as it set for the day.

TO BE CONTINUED
xoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Her hair blew in the wind as her heart sang in the air

The door to the small cafe hits a small bell hung overhead that rings out over the business to notify their entrance.  It doesn't place too much focus on them as they enter but it is still a little jarring considering how much in the past week they've tried to keep a low profile.  The waitress at the bar nods a small hello to the couple and they walk slowly to the back to a booth away from most of the patrons.  The atmosphere is nice and calm and for a moment it reminds Meg of when she was back on the train and she was able to sit and look out the window at the rainy world instead of running around through it.  The diner seemed to be far out away from anywhere where they may have been noticed which allowed her to take a much needed deep breath that she realized she hadn't taken for quite some time.  A radio played an NPR station and some no name rambled on about the state of the country while another interrupted when he could to explain an opposing view. Edward took off his coat and placed it in the space of the seat next to him and handed her a menu. 
"May as well fill up as nice as we can here, not sure when we will be able to do this again.  This out in the open."
"I hate the feeling that anyone anywhere may be one of them spying and watching me."
"They don't have feelers in every corner of the country but you are right to be careful.  I have a good feeling about here, it isn't on the path of where we were going and I think we are due for a break."
She smiled and scanned through the menu.  A lot of breakfast items with a few bigger entrees that seemed a bit too big for her liking at the moment.  A blonde waitress stepped over to the table with a small notepad in her hand.  "Can I get y'all anything to drink before you order?"
"Water please."
"Um, yeah I'll just have a water as well."
She wrote in her pad and sauntered away.
"Even though we rest frequently where we can I still feel run down.  I really hope the coast provides what we need.  You're sure your contact knows the whereabouts of the case?"
"Positive.  I don't want to hand it right over though.  Once we have the case we will have a little bit of leverage over them, we can try to use that to our advantage."
"I don't know dew drop, they didn't seem to care if we had the case or not on the train.  He looked ready to wipe you out."
"It's all threats and part of the intimidation game.  They figure they can scare anyone into doing anything and revealing anything if they apply some pressure.  Who wouldn't give up information in exchange for their lives?"
"True.  I mean, I basically did that so..."
"Yeah but you truly weren't lieing.  You may have had the case at some point but it wasn't because they were looking for it."
She watched the various cars drive by out the window and looked around the diner at the fellow patrons.  The lonely man at the bar who had a chat all day with the waitress, she took care of him and knew him by name and when he would come in regularly.  The elderly couple in the corner who had been coming there for years and it became their spot, the man still looked into her eyes lovingly.  The businessman who stopped here to and from work to have his coffee and meal while he read the paper for any news and stock tips.  The others in the room would probably see them as a random couple who looked like they were hiding something or up to no good.  She saw a girl who was caught up in something she never asked for but was sitting in the company of someone she had fallen in love with.  Without his detective hat on she could see his blue eyes unobscured, something she could stare at for hours.  She didn't hate her auburn eyes but if she had the choice she would trade him eyes in a heartbeat.  Those blue eyes were scanning the menu in front of him and she couldn't help but drift off into a fantasy while she sat in her seat.  The housewife who took care of the home and did her own personal projects that she enjoyed while he was out doing his detective work.  She would worry that something would happen to him but knew she was in safe hands as he was good at his job.  He would return at night, flowers in hand and never let her lips go without a kiss for long.  His job allowed for many trips and she was able to see the world, eventually Paris where out of character he would get down on one knee and ask the ultimate question.  Being married to him would be a much grander adventure full of life and wonder than it would be now running from the mob for her life, although it was bringing her closer than she ever thought from that day when she saw the lone gunman on the roof across the way.
"Do you know what you want?"
"Huh?"  She had drifted for so long she forgot where she was.  "Oh, um, yeah I think just the omelette."
"Sounds good, I may go breakfast as well."
With their orders made they sat together trading the occasion story about one another and what was a hiding spot to eat turning into almost a faux date that she enjoyed immensly.  A part of her wished that was where it was going and when they were done he would drive her home and they would share a kiss before she went into the house skipping.  The food was alright and did the job of filling her up, she could already feel her energy coming back to her.
"Do you think I'll still be pretty when I'm old?"
"Better.  I'll make sure I remind you then."
He was planning to be there in the long haul, her stomach jumped up and down.
The small bell dinged by the door and the two gang members walked in.  A large burly man and a thinner one at his side.  They took up residence at the bar and seemed to be chatting to themselves but not getting along super well.
Edward looked up and noticed them immediately.  "Shit."
"What?"
"Don't turn around, just sit and act normal."
"What's wrong?  What happened?"
"Two more goons just walked in. Of all the damn places, how the hell did they make it here?"
"What do we do?"
He thought for a moment.  They had to figure a way to get out without them noticing.  Being in the booth that they were it was an impossibility to get out.

"Look just order what you need to and eat so we don't miss the train. I swear it's like taking a child around with me.  Let me know if I gotta wipe your ass later too."
"Shut up man, I'm hungry so sue me.  I won't be long."
They ordered and sat in silence, aggravated with one another.

"Meg, when I say, I need you to go the bathroom."
"Right here?"
"What?  No, go into the bathroom.  There should be a window, climb out of it and then I'll meet you back there."
"What if there isn't one?"
"There is, I noticed from outside."
"That's good for privacy."
"I'll do what I can in here, worst comes to worst I'll have to lure them into the bathroom and knock them out in there."
"Be careful."
He watched the two men intently and the thinner one began scarfing down his meal.
"Now."
She carefully gathered herself and walked to the bathroom nearby, taking care not to look in their direction and hide herself as best as possible.  She pushed the door open into a restroom that hadn't been cleaned in who knows how long and she had to take a moment to stop herself from gagging.  Her relief came when she spotted the window and noticed it was open enough that she could fit her short self out easily.  It took a small climb but she managed to squeeze out and hid next to the wall of the building watching around her and waiting.
Inside, Edward slipped his coat and hat on and one of the knives from the table up his sleeve.  Now he had to play the waiting game.  Hopefully his thin friend at the bar had a weak bladder.

"Are you finished?  We have to go."
"yeah yeah, I'm good, just let me drain the lizard and we'll be on our way."
"Well hurry up."
Notes got up and whistled his way to the bathroom.  Edward ducked over his seat pretending to be reaching from something under the table to obscure his face from Notes as he walked by.  He entered the restroom knowing none the wiser.  This was his chance, Edward stood up and followed making sure the burly man didn't catch notice of him entered behind his friend.  When he was safely inside the restroom he saw two feet under the nearest stall.  Great, going to have to take him out while he's emptying his bowels.  Oh well, a necessary evil.  Making his way to the stall, he stopped in front and knocked on the door.
"Occupado buddy."
He knocked again.
"Yo unless you want a pretty view of my dick, get the hell away from the door asswad."
Edward knocked once more.
"What the hell is your issue man, I told you I was...."
Edward kicked the door open and lunged at Notes.  He yelled in surprise with his arms reaching up to stop him.  The knife from the table slipped into Edward's hand and he stabbed with force into Note's neck.  After some lashing about, his body went limp and was left, pants down, on the toilet.  Dead.  The room was quiet and the sound of keys hit the ground.  Edward picked up a set of car keys.  "Well thank you, this will do nicely."
He fixed himself up in the mirror and left the room.  It wasn't hard getting to the front door as the burly one was sitting at the bar, head in hands, trying to wait for Notes without getting pissed off.  The bell dinged as Edward left and he looked around the area for the beautiful girl he had been away from for too long.  Out of the corner of his eye he saw her notice him from around the corner and come running over.  "You did it!"
"Yeah and it gets better."
He dangled the keys in front of her.
"Are those?"
"Our ticket to the coast.  No more walks in the rain through forest."
She leapt up and kissed him passionately.  "I love you."
"I love you more darlin."
He scooped her up and they matched the keys to the car and got in.  He started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot.  They resumed their trek on the open road.
As they pulled away, the burly man came running out of the diner with the waitress and owner in tow.  "Hey you asshole!  That's my car and you killed my friend!!!"
They disappeared into the distance as the couple accelerated away.  She let herself get comfy in the passenger seat and held his hand.  "You continue to impress me and make me fall harder for you."
He smiled.  "You are worth every impressing situation my love.  Get comfy over there sweetheart, we are on the road to our happiness now."
She squeezed his hand and did her nose crinkling smile and laid her head back.  The two lovers sped down the road to their destination.  The coast wasn't long and now the wind blew around them that almost made them feel like they were flying.  They survived another encounter hand in hand with smiles on their faces and love in their hearts.

The burly man practically destroyed the pay phone he found inside the diner.  "No, he killed him and took the car.  I'm stuck here."
"You incompetent shits.  I'll have someone come find you.  I guess I'll have to make the call to the Reds."
"Boss, look, we don't have to get them involved, we have this."
"Shut the hell up, you've caused enough shit.  I'm calling them in.  Wouldn't have to if you two weren't useless little pricks."
The line went dead.  The burly man slammed the receiver down and cursed to himself.  They were going to pay.  They may have the jump now but it would only be a matter of time before their luck ran out.

TO BE CONTINUED........
xoooxoxoxoxoxxo

The Loving Couple on the Run

The leaves crunched under their feet as they walked through the wet forest.  Having the rain slow down a tad was helping the day not seem so grim.  It wasn't the comforts of a speeding train with warm beds and clean water but with how things ended up there it could be a lot worse right now.  Meg couldn't shake the dream she had had earlier, just the thought of that situation actually playing out was a horrifying thought for her.  Her dreams, when she was able to sleep, were getting scarier and she had her fingers crossed every moment she could in hopes that they both made it out of this alive.  Edward maintained a brisk pace along the forest floor always keeping his eyes on her as well as surveying the area around them just in case.  They had been walking for over an hour now and all they had come across was a few insects and a deer that was more scared of them.  The clouds rumbled above threatening more storms and she found herself actually praying to the clouds to just let up with the rain for just an afternoon.  They walked up a small hill that led to a cliffside to overlook the terrain ahead of them.  There was a large valley and what seemed like an infinite number of trees ahead.  Above them was a bridge and she caught the last remnants of the train chugging away as it disappeared through the forest.  "We could've stayed on the train.  It's not like they were going to kill us or anything.  We could've broken out once we hit the station."
"Possibly but I'm not taking any risks, not with you.  If there is even a chance that we could get caught or I lose you, I'm not taking it."
"That's very sweet but this walk is going to exhaust us and something else may kill us out here like a fat spider or a moose."
"There isn't much out here, especially in this weather.  I don't think we'll have any issues with fat spiders."
Her stomach gargled at her in response to having not eaten since the night before.  With energy dwindling she became concerned that she wouldn't have it in her for any sudden action in her weakened state.  "What are we going to do for food around here?"
"You're hungry?"
"I could eat."
He stopped and looked around.  "We won't be seeing any prepared food for a long time but I can try and catch something for you."
"Kill a poor animal?"
"You're hungry right?"
"Yeah but..."
"Let's keep walking and see what we find, you can decide then."
At least the option is there I guess.  To pass the time she began to imagine what her ideal wedding would be like with Edward.  Not the most ideal of situations to start thinking of such things but she was positive about this one and it was something she knew would kill a lot of time as she wandered this wasteland.  Beach wedding?  If she ever sees a beach, it's an idea that managed a quick smile on her face.

Miles away, two men drove down the road at speeds far above any posted limit.  The windows were open and the passenger had his feet up on the dash.  The driver, a burly man who took up most of the area around the wheel drove on.  "Hey Notes, boss usually doesn't track down people with this much intensity.  What do they have that's so damn important."
"That's not for us to know. We just handle it and then we get rewarded."
"Yeah.  You ever think you'll get out of this business?"
"You thinkin of jumpin ship?"
"Not yet, but the thought is always with me.  Maybe one day I want to become a family man."
"You a family man?  You're the size of a house, you gonna find someone that will look the other way if you gotta rough someone up?"
"Nah, once i'm out i'm out.  No roughing anyone up."
"Yeah right, You're too short of a fuse with matters regarding jerks."
"If they threaten my family then yeah."
"Hey, whatever makes you happy man.  Me, I'm good just the way I am.  Besides, haven't had much luck in that department anyways."
"You're always with some pretty little thing, what are you talking about?"
"I may be with a bunch but it's never the one.  Ya know?  Plus I gotta start bein careful, these broads aren't so hygenically worth it lately if you know what i mean."
"Gross."
"Whatever, I don't wanna talk about it.  Where we stopping to find these people anyways?"
"The train passes a junction near Frank Wizowski Lane, figure we park there we can hop on the last car no sweat.  If Slats hasn't gotten to them yet then we will.  They can't run far on a train."
"I'm hungry, we got time for a bite?"
"Hitting the floor with the gas pedal has us pretty far ahead of schedule so I don't see why not."
"You see a cafe you stop.  Gotta piss too."
"You're just full of too much information."
"Just drive."
They sped up the road keeping their time far ahead of schedule.

"Hey Edward, can I ask you something?"
"What's that darlin?"
"If it came to it, would you keep going if I died?"
He stopped dead in his tracks.  "What kind of a question is that?"
"I just...I've been having some really bad dreams lately and I guess...I guess I'm just scared."
"I cannot imagine my life without you in it.  I have no idea how I managed to live it before you but all I can do is imagine it with you after seeing your eyes for the first time."
"You'd  move on."
"Not a chance."
"If I died that'd be it for you?"
"I don't think I would last very long with that big a piece of me missing."
"I really want us to make it through this."
"Me too.  More than anything."
"Can we stop for a little rest?  My feet are starting to cramp and I kinda have to....tinkle."
"Tinkle?"
"Would you rather I said piss?"
He smiled and nodded his head to match her sass.  "There's a little clearing up ahead, we can see if there is anything in the area and then find a secluded spot near there."
The rain stopped for a moment but the dark clouds hung overhead with more seeming to be following into the area.  The clearing showed no signs of any human contact and just to be extra safe, he found a darkened spot near the opening that was covered with large rocks and underbrush.  Making sure it was all safe, they finally allowed themselves a sit to rest.   "This good for you Megels?"
"What did you call me?"
Embarrassed, he wasn't quite sure how to respond.  Making up a nickname in his head to refer to her himself accidentally slipped out and he wasn't sure how to explain.  "Um, just a nickname."
"You made a nickname for me?"
"Uh, yeah.  Hope it isn't bad."
"It's adorable.  I don't have one for you though."
"Oh, it's not needed."  He was still red in the face for having slipped such a nickname to her.  But she took it well and the creation of a small special bond was created.
"I think it may be time to eat, Edward."
"Let's follow this little path back here and see if there's any woodland creatures taking up residence."
"Just don't let me see."
The path was narrow but seemed to lead to areas of the forest that they hadn't seen so far which could provide a place for animals to feel safe.  He took careful steps to look between and under everything he thought might hide some food.  A few minutes passed with nothing to show for it and he wondered if he would be able to feed her.  Before the fear truly set in he heard her call from a yard away.
"Uh Edward?"
"You alright?  What is it?"
"Maybe this is something that we could find some food at."
He followed her voice and rejoined her next to what looked like a road.  Across the road was a small diner with a few cars lined up outside.  It was a risk but you couldn't find anything better than that living in the forest.
"Be very careful, but I agree, I'd much rather have what they are offering."
They held hands and crossed over to the diner.

The burly man was glad Notes had shut up for a while and he was able to clear some of his own thoughts.  He wasn't a bad guy but he could get exremely annoying fast.  The car sped on following the forest when he spotted a small diner.  "Hey Notes, found your food, now you can quit complaining."
"Fiiiinally.  Thank you."
He slowed the car down and parked in the lot.  "Don't take forever, we have a train to catch."
"Oh don't worry, i won't forget about our loving couple on the run."


TO BE CONTINUED.......
xoxoxoxolovexoxooxo

The Path Through Darkness is Always Made Easier Once you See the Light

The two of them were huddled near the back of the cave watching the entrance as the cascade of rain water fell.  They stayed a little longer than he said they would so he could spend more time with her.  She didn't fight him on that one.  "You're the one thing that gets me up every morning, a reason to live."
"You're too flattering, I'm just a regular woman."
"No no no, don't sell yourself short, you're way more than that."
"Who are you calling short?"
They laughed in each other's company stealing kisses every minute they could.
"You did good back there."
"I didn't really have much of a choice with you grabbing my hand the whole time."
"Still, you impressed me."
She blushed and sat in his lap."You think we'll make it out of this?"
"I'm going to get you out of this and then we're going to get ma--"  He stopped embarrassed having said too much of what he was thinking.  Her curiosity peaked.
"And then we're going to get what?"
For a moment he thought about reconsidering but then just went with his gut.  "Get married."
She wasn't shocked and felt a sense of relief and excitement run through her.  "You better get me out of this then."
They kissed before hearing a rustling outside of the cave.  Had someone or something found them?  He put a finger up to his lips for her to be silent and they crept along the side of the cave walls to investigate the commotion.  Once outside they didn't see a thing in the area.  Ducking behind a large rock they continued scanning and listening for any noise that may lead them to what was outside.
"Maybe it was just a deer?"
Likely, but not in this weather.  He got up a little on his knees to get a better view of the area.  That's when the gunshot rang out.  Something wet other than the rain hit Meg in the face.  The world seemed to go on mute and everything around her slowed to a crawl.  A million and one thoughts went through her head at once but the loudest of all was the shrill call of sheer panic.
Edward's body fell to the ground beside her and a splotch of red spread around his chest growing larger.  His eyes were vacant.  They got him.  Her body and mind went into full shock and began to convulse.  Her first instinct was to scream and hold him but she knew the longer she stayed there the more danger she was in.  He was gone, all of her future and love gone in one instant.  Her mind was reeling and was in such a whirlwind she had no idea what to do or where to go.  So she ran.  Running blindly into the forest, hopping over any obstacle, until her lungs burned.  It was all too much at once and it clouded her view causing her to trip and fall.  The ground came rising up quickly and once she hit the ground it was as if the dam had broken.  She cried harder than she ever cried before, it was all over.  She finally found someone she wanted to spend the rest of her life with and now he was gone.  All because of a god damn briefcase!! 
"Stay where you are love."
A tall man had a gun pointed right at her face.  "You try and run anymore and you'll end up like your little friend over there."
She didn't move but continued to cry, fear could not overtake her sense of overwhelming loss.
"You have caused us some immense trouble and quite frankly we are sick and tired of it all.  I'm ending it now and let me tell you, boss is going to be ecstatic."
Anger boiled inside of her but she didn't have the strength to attack, her heart ached.  "He's gone."  She cried.
"Fast too, probably didn't feel a thing.   Which, speaking of...stand up."
She continued to shake and cry oblivious to his demand.
"I said stand up, this thing is loaded remember."
She stood up slowly and faced her attacker.
"Pretty looking girl, shame you had to run away like that.  All you did was cause yourself a ton more trouble."
Her fists clenched as the tears continued to roll down her cheeks.  He was going to pay for what he did.
"You're going to do as I say or I canvas your insides all over these trees."
Her eyes met his and all she could think was how Edward's arms felt around her.
"Undress."
"What?"
"You heard me, undress."
"Screw you."
"Look girl, undress or I'll make sure you suffer for as long as possible before I end you."
"May as well just end me now then, I have nothing left to live for."
"So dramatic.  Undress or I'll do it for you."
This is what it came down to, the pigs.  Although, this may help provide some sort of distraction and give her an opening to get to him.  Maybe she could do it, just this once.
She slowly took off her shirt and pants and stood before him in her underwear.
"You got a nice body on you, continue."
Her nerves were rising.  Just keep calm, your opportunity is just about here.
She undid her bra letting her breasts loose, her nipples were hard from the rain making her cold.  The man wore a large grin on his face and the gun wavered just a little bit.  Sliding her panties down her legs she revealed her vagina to him.  She had never felt so vulnerable and disgusting in her life.  If it wasn't to somehow wrangle the gun from him then this was something she would never ever do.
"Now turn around."
"Excuse me?"
"Turn your sweet ass around, I want to get a rear view."
She faced the other way and hear the ground crunching as he walked closer.  Closing her eyes she envisioned what she was going to do.
"You were hiding something down right sexy under those clothes.  This is going to be one I'm going to remember."
He unzipped his pants and she heard them hit the ground and the sound of skin being rubbed.  She shuddered at the thought.  Just one more moment. 
His disgusting hands felt around her backside and one hand pushed her over to be bent over in front of him.  She felt the cold air and rain water breeze around her vagina, the anger and intensity in her brain coming to a head that you'd swear you saw steam coming out of her ears.
"This may hurt for a minute sweet thing but you'll enjoy it."
She knew what was coming next and braced her feet for what she was about to do.  Feeling the tip of his penis touch her ass, she grabbed his hands and stood up faster than anything she had ever done before and cracked her head backwards against his jaw.  She heard a loud crack and he fell over backwards screaming and holding his jaw.  His little johnson bouncing around under him almost made her laugh.  Taking advantage of the situation she grabbed his gun off the ground and kicked him in his balls, he screamed and doubled over.  "Now you are going to listen to me shit head."
She pointed the gun at his dick.  There was something oddly sexy about the situation she thought.  Her standing naked, soaking wet from the rain, holding a gun to a man's now flaccid penis.
"You took something from me just now that was the most important thing I've ever had in my life.  You took my love.  I doubt anyone has ever felt that way about you but that was something I just can't replace.  I can't show you any mercy for that, you fucking monster."
She clicked back the gun but he started smiling.
"You know what sweet cheeks, you think you have the upper hand, but you don't"
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah.  You see, I didn't come alone."
Realization struck her and suddenly she knew she had made a grave mistake.  She turned around and saw a bulky man holding a gun as well right between her eyes.  And he pulled the trigger.

She woke up in the cave screaming.  Edward leapt awake and held her as tightly as he could.  "Meg, Meg what's wrong?  You're alright, it's me, we're safe it's okay."
Her screaming died down and she realized it was all a nightmare.  But it felt so real.  That was the second nightmare she's had that had a sexual element to it, just like back at her apartment.  What the hell was the deal with that?
"You're alright, come here.  Everything is alright, I love you."
"I love you too.  We're going to make it through this right?"
"Of course.  My life is yours and I will do whatever it takes to spend the rest of it with you."
She was able to calm down after a few minutes and was back to feeling like she was in heaven being in his arms.
"I don't know what I would do without you Edward."
"You're going to be alright, you've got my heart and I will protect that any way I see fit."
"You are my knight in shining armor."
He smiled and they kissed.  "Should get out of this cave, don't want to stay around in one spot too long in case they send more looking for us."
"Yeah I have a feeling I know what they'd do."
"Alright, get your things and let's start on our way."
"Edward?"
"Yeah?"
"The path through darkness is always made easier once you see the light."
"What's that?"
"A passage that has been on my mind lately."
"It's beautiful."
"It's the most fitting thing I've ever read."
They gathered their things and made for the mouth of the cave back out into the rainy forest on their way to the coast.

TO BE CONTINUED..........
ooxxoxoxoxoxox

Crazy in Love with a Crazy Detective

Morning arrived but was masked by the same dark clouds that seemed to follow them everywhere they went.  The rain continued on unphazed by the passing of any time.  Edward woke slightly only to notice that the train was still moving, meaning that they hadn't arrived yet.  In his arms and on his chest he felt some weight and the feeling of being squeezed.  Peering down slightly out of partially cracked open eyelids he saw her, nestled close and gripping on to him like a spider monkey.  Fighting the urge to smile, he resumed resting his head back and dipping back into some sleep.  Nothing was going to stop him from solving this case.  She was the best prize he had ever sought after, never in a million years did he think he would be considering giving it all up for someone he fell for.  Going through it in the past had yielded him results that were the primary reasons he swore off of it.  Turns out it is possible to cross a detective and make him feel like a useless no hope waste of space.  But Meg, it still astonished him that upon seeing her made him actually speechless.  It had never happened to him before, one of the reasons he made it his mission to pursue her.  She stirred in her sleep and his mind slipped into rest and the rain lulled him to another small sleep.
She awoke not soon after, immediately hearing the rain slathering the speeding train once again.  It was so dark out she was almost convinced it was still the middle of the night.  She was still in his arms, another day another smile.  Being careful not to wake him, she slithered out of the bed, taking a quick peek out of the window.  The storm carried on even though the landscape had changed, they weren't in city territory anymore.  The trees and hills were beautiful, at least she was able to see them before a possible last day alive.  She needed to stop thinking like that, with her luck she was going to dwell on it so much that she'd will it to happen.  Good thoughts, good thoughts.  She caught herself in the bathroom mirror.  Some bed hair but otherwise.....she removed her clothes and examined her naked body.  The bruises were going away thankfully and everything else looked damn fine if she did say so herself.  She changed her clothes and suddenly remembered the man he had killed and left in the bar car.  Surely by now someone would have stumbled upon him, they'd start checking the rooms for any suspicious activity right?  A wave of anxiety flushed over her and she had to grab onto the sink to hold her balance.  There was nothing to pin it to them, nothing to worry about.  Edward took care of the weapon and neither one had any specks of blood on them.  Except....the barman.  He saw them both.  Shit.  This was beginning to cause all types of panic.  Better wake him up so at least you aren't panicking alone.  Shaking him awake, the first thing he saw when he opened his eyes was a beautiful brunette who looked like she just discovered a bomb.
"Hey beautiful....what's wrong?"
"The barman!  He saw it all!"
"Relax, I paid him, he'll keep quiet."
"How can you be sure?"
He thought for a moment, his years of detective work stepping up to reasonable thought.  "You're right."  He got up out of bed, still keeping his arms around her.  They shared a passionate kiss and just for a moment she forgot what it was she was concerned about.  But only for a moment.
"Edward, if anything happens he can identify us though.  I think I saw a constable walking the halls, you aren't higher than the police."
"For a price you are, how do you think that gang is where they are?"
After getting dressed he took a look out of the window to determine where it is they were.  "Hmm, still have about a couple hours until we reach the station at the coast.  If they haven't started checking rooms yet then we should be alright."
As if karma was listening right outside their door, they immediately start hearing muffled voices from farther down the hall and doors being knocked on.  The two looked at one another.  Edward put a finger up to his lips to mime being quiet and cracked the door open slightly to look at what the commotion was.  Down the hall, the constable and his officer along with the barman were knocking on doors asking about last night.  Just what they needed.  He shut the door and leaned against it pondering how to get out of the situation.
"It's them isn't it."
"We still have a little bit of time to figure out what to do."
"Why did you leave him there?"
"I was under the assumption that I was paying a bar man without a concience. "
They gathered up everything they had brought with them and searched the room for a place they could either hide or escape from.  The only thing they could settle on was the connecting door that went to the room beside them. 
"He came through there, does that mean nobody is occupying that one?  We could switch over into that one once they are done searching it and move to our room."
"That's not a bad idea.  Come on."
"I swear dew drop, it's like you carry bad situations along with you on a rope."
He smiled and they took position in the doorway of the connector.  They waited and before long there was some shuffling and knocking in the opposite room.  The noises died down and there was a loud knock on their door.  "This is the train constable, there has been an incident and we are checking rooms for suspicious persons.  We only ask a moment of your time while we search the room."  The two change rooms just as the police enter and begin searching theirs.  They don't think to check the small doorway to the side.
"Okay so now what, just stay in here?"
"They may keep checking until they find who they are looking for.  We have to keep moving or find somewhere totally away from where the searches will be conducted."
"They are going to search everywhere, especially if the barman knows exactly who he is looking for."
"Let's start in baggage and work from there, generally people can't get in through there but I can pick the lock.  It will at least buy us some time."
The two make their way carefully out of the room and down the hall, they switch cars a few times until they reach the end where the baggage is kept.  The car is darker and full of various types and sizes of luggage.  Oddly it's more comfortable and warmer than the other cars.  They sit in silence for a time before getting too comfortable and believing that the search may have been called off.
"They have to have given up searching by now."
'It has been a reasonable amount of time."
As they stand up, there is a collection of noises coming from the door handle.
"Or, they made their way back here."
Meg looks defeated and slightly panicked.  "There's nowhere to go, we can't kill them too."
"No, cop killer is way worse than random gang guy killer."
They huddled behind a large stack of luggage as one of the policemen wanders in with flashlight in tow.  He shines it here and there coming ever so closer to the couple.  They tense up watching the light dance about getting ever closer to their position.  The cop walks by them searching the walls and stops letting out a sigh.  Giving up his search he turns around to leave and his flashlight beam lands right on them.  "You!  Freeze!"
Edward jumps up and pushes a stack of luggage on the cop knocking him over and he grabs Meg's hand and they race out of the room.  Slamming the door behind them they are then seen by the other cops at the end of the hallway.  "Stop them!  They are here!"  They take off running towards the couple.
"Shit Edward what do we do?"  She clutches his hand as he surveys the area around them for a plan of escape.  His eyes finally landing on the emergency exit leading outside.  Better than in here.  He kicks the door open and they climb a ladder to the top of the train as rain pelts them all over from the speed of the train.  "Are you crazy!?" 
He holds her close as they go step by step on top of the train holding on to everything they can to keep steady.  "We're going to die up here Edward!"
"We'll be alright, they won't follow up here and we can get back in at a car farther up."
As he ended his sentence, two policemen climbed the ladder to follow pursuit behind them.
"Stop saying things like that Edward!  Your karma is poisonous!"
Admittadly she was right.  The rain slicked the roof of the train and his grip was getting slippery.  Something pinged the floor near him and rickocheted away.  They're shooting at us!
"They're shooting at us!"
"We may have to jump Meg."
"Say again?"
"It's our only option."
"I can think of a few others!"
"If we stay we die, we have to make a jump for it."
"Edward, if I didn't love you I swear."
"That's why we're doing it.  Because I love you too."
Before she could retort back he dove off.  Still holding her hand.  Screaming, her body followed his and the rain clouded her eyes as all she saw were trees and ground coming at her at a speed she was far from comfortable with.  He pulled her close and forced a roll with both of them when they hit the ground.  More bruises.  Eventually the noise of the train died away and they lay on the ground soaked by the rain, hurt but safe. 
"I swear to god Edward."
"Coast isn't too far from here, might be better this way anyways, they won't know we will be walking in."
"You are crazy.  But we are safe."
" I won't let anything happen to you."
He held her and picked themselves up.  The landscape was beautiful from what she could see and dragged him in the direction of a small cave where they could be out of the rain.  They took a few moments to dry what they could and embraced while watching mother nature take over.  It was a hairy situation they just came out of but he was glad to still have her by his side.  She looked even more amazing drenched in water.  Reassuring her of their mission, she was all smiles before long and the cave became a sort of romantic spot for them.  "We leave in an hour, I think we both need a rest."
"Not going to argue that."
The rain pelted on but she was happy, bruised yet again but happy.  It was nuts how far she would follow this man, but in her heart she knew it was what she wanted.  Crazy in love with a crazy detective.

TO BE CONTINUED.......
xoxoxoxoxo

The Perfect Savior to Let into My Heart

She awoke in the middle of the night and it was quiet.  As quiet as it could be on a train traveling through a storm.  It had been a while but she actually felt, calm and comfortable.  Edward wasn't making a noise and between him and the wall, she felt a safeness.  She wondered how long it would take until someone discovered that the man in the suit in the bar car wasn't actually sleeping with his head in his hands.  Taking advantage of this moment where she wasn't running or hiding she decided to stay awake for a little and enjoy the moment.
"Even if we don't make it, i'm glad it led me to you.  Probably can't hear me, being asleep and all, but I just wanted to say...you saved me.  Hearing the detective stories on the radio growing up always made my imagination run wild and actually being in the read deal now makes me realize just how much those stories were dramatized.  When I first saw you I thought you were just another one of them out on that roof, making sure that if things went bad in that room, I wouldn't make it out of there alive.  But you waved and I could see your face, it wasn't a face I feared.  I'd be lieing if I said that I trusted you fully at first.  I mean, I just got caught up in a situation where my friend of a few years turned out to be someone messed up with the mafia and carrying around a million dollars in dirty money to a party.  I wish she was still around so I could ask her how it all happened."
She adjusted her head on his chest and continued even though she knew he wasn't conscious to listen.
"My parents didn't want me moving here, kept telling me I should stay there and the city was no place for a pretty girl to be alone.  But I wanted to prove myself.  I thought schooling and a decent job would send me on my way to the top.  Three waitress jobs and a failed attempt at a degree later and  I'm living large in a small apartment and becoming a professional want ads reader.  Sigh.  If only my parents knew the truth. This past week has been a whirlwind of close calls and nervewracking events.  But I can honestly say it's also given me some of the best feelings I've ever had.  At the risk of sounding cliche, I've been through a lot.  As the years went on I felt like I was just getting more and more lost, following a path that I thought I was supposed to be on as an adult.  But as each year passed I found myself in the same position I was in the last one, maybe a step or two to either side but still the same.  I met her at my last job and we quickly became good friends.  Visited the city sights and talked about how we were going to show the other how successful we would be this year.  She wasn't stupid, finding out she had mafia ties was eye opening to say the least.  Maybe I should have talked to her more, I don't know.  They say life has a plan for you and everyone has a path that is set out before them.  It's just too unbelievable to me that her path involved this.  Hell, it's hard to believe mine did too.  But you, you are proof that maybe there is.  You encounter so much in life that there are times when you question if somewhere that path diverged into a dark wood and the exit is far beyond where you could fathom.  Those nights that I cried myself to sleep, I wished for someone like you to be there.  Behind me, arms squeezing tightly."
She felt his arms around her pull in and squeezing her tightly.  Was he listening?  It didn't matter.
He was warm and she laid in the darkness with him listening to the drops hitting the glass.  The train barely made a noise to her, she was savoring a moment that she never thought she would get.  There was still a ways to go and as the night wore on it became clearer that there was only one man who followed them onto the train.  She held his hand and snuggled as close as she could to him.
"Thank you darlin, I couldn't have asked for a more perfect savior to let into my heart."
She felt him squeeze her hand and he kissed her forehead.  She felt a little embarrassed that he may have been awake but he showed no other signs of movement.  For the first time in days, she laid her head down on his chest and closed her eyes knowing that she didn't have to watch the door or listen for movement.  A smile crept across her face as she drifted off.

Back at the departing station, a burly man placed a dime in a nearby payphone.  He dialed a series of numbers and waited.  "It's me.  They boarded the train going east to the coast.  Slats followed them on, won't know how it turned out until they arrive."
"That's not a chance I'm willing to take.  Do you know the path the train is going on?"
"Sure, follows the countryside until the mountains, then down to the coast."
"I want you to take Notes with you and catch up to it.  Hop aboard and rendevou with Slats.  If he ain't moving then make sure they don't make it to that station.  You read me?"
"Understood boss."
He hung up the phone and met up with a thinner partner nearby who was leering at some women in skirts.  "Boss says we catch up to the train, board it and make sure it all went to plan."
"No faith in Slats eh?"
"More of an insurance policy."
The thinner man winked at one of the women who promptly turned away from him.
"Boy what I'd give to have them skirts above their heads."
"Come on, we gotta get to the car and get movin, train's already been out for a few hours."
"Yeah yeah, we take the back valley we'll be there no sweat."  He put a toothpick in his mouth and took a few steps towards the women before being pulled back by the much larger brute.  "Now Notes.  Vagina ain't goin extinct, get in the car."
With a huff he followed and the two took off towards the valley, keeping an eye on the tracks.

The bartender wasn't comfortable leaving the bar with the man still at the table but he locked up the booze so it should be alright.  He just felt so uncomfortable about the whole situation.  He couldn't shake the feeling and while he wanted to stay in bed and get some good rest, he couldn't just assume the man in the suit was alright.  The one man seemed to be trying to pay his silence that evening and seeing him hide the girl was a bit odd.  It was against his nature but he got up and curled a robe around himself and left his cabin.  Thunder and lightning shook the cars and he slowly made his way to the bar cab.  Passing the many rooms on his way was like an abandoned hotel with quiet door after quiet door.  With the exception of one that was doing a poor job of keeping the moans of a woman inside.  When he reached the door to the bar cab he peeked through the window and saw the man still at the table, head in his hands.  Maybe he fell asleep.  Still, he felt responsible and went inside.  He walked up to the man and put his hand on his shoulder.  "Hey, mister, I think you'd better get back to your room, it's pretty la--"  Before he could finish his sentence, the man slumped over revealing his side stained completely with blood.  The barkeep gasped and backed up a few steps before panic set in and he rushed to the small receiver at the bar.  "Yes this is the barkeep, I have a situation back here that the constable on board might want to have a look at.  I think I may know what happened.......and who is responsible."

TO BE CONTINUED    <3 p="">