Chapter Five "Why do you think I kept baking you all of those berry cobblers?" "Because I liked them?" "Exactly.Women don't do things like that on a regular basis,for men they're not attracted to.Duh!" "Okay.I get the message.So,what do you have planned for dinner,next weekend?" "I don't know.Between the two of us,we should be able to come up with something." "The two of us?I do all right in the kitchen,but I'm no Bill or Shirley." "You don't have to make anything complicated.I'll do that.Just something you're good at.Besides,you know what they like better than I do,so I'll need your advice." "Yes,ma'am!Anything else?" "Well,I did rent a couple of movies that I haven't seen,yet.Care to watch 'em with me?" "It is getting late." "You can crash thru a skylight,but you can't watch a movie?Or do I make you nervous?" "I'm not nervous.I was thinking about you.I didn't want you staying up late and then have to get up early,next morning." "Awww.My hero!I'm off tomorrow,so that's not a problem." "Okay,then.You're on!" **************************************************** "Hey,Sparky!I didn't hear you come in.I didn't think you were coming home,tonight.You found yourself a girlfriend?Huh,boy?" "Woof!",replies the husky."Not in this lifetime.As long as I can remember who I am,I'm not messing with any dogs.And if I found a woman who was willing to get with a dog,I wouldn't want her,either.We all have our burdens to bear,I suppose. It's good that Walter is getting interested in girls,now.Shape changing into his imaginary friend `Solar Fist`,was getting old.We did have our moments,though.Lord knows,he needed someone with his parents working full time.And those babysitters...!They care more about talking on the phone,than they do their job.I'm just glad I can be there for him.Someday,I'll have enough courage to check in on my own family.Karen should be Walter's age,by now.I'm too scared to know if Susan's remarried or not.Maybe when all of this `Dorphixius` business is settled,I'll finally do it.I know I can't stay away forever and I don't want to.I just have to be strong." "Ready for your check-up,tomorrow?After we come from the vet's,we'll stop by the park.'Kay?" "The park I can deal with.It's that quack at the vet's,that I'm worried about.He'd be easier to deal with if he was a demon,instead of stupid.Maybe I'll go online,after Walter goes to sleep.I hope Tom's all right",thinks Sparky,as he lays at the foot of the bed,while Walter finishes the last of his homework. **************************************************** "Ravesat!Mike is sleeping.Carry his dinner upstairs.I want him well nourished for tomorrow." "And the whore?" "She will be quite fine on her own.She is not to be disturbed",Razuel looks at the food laid out before him."What's this?" "Dinner." "It's not enough.You may send that up to Mike.I'll require three times as much.And make sure you don't add any `extra` ingredients.Understood?" "Yes." "I'll be heading out,again.When I return,I expect my meal to be ready and hot." "When do I get to have fun?" "When I say so.It's still too early in the game,for that.Don't let impatience be your downfall." "You're having fun." "I know what I'm doing.You don't." "I've lived just as long as you!" "And yet,here we are:I'm in charge and you're not.I'll see you when I return.Make sure you take Mike's dinner up to him and then,leave him be." "Yes...,Dorphixius." Razuel leaves the house,while Neviel takes the tray upstairs to Mike's room.He opens the door and lays it on the dresser,next to Mike's sleeping form. "$%#@% human!Enjoy this while you can.It won't last long.I'll see to that",he walks out and stops at the master bedroom.He cautiously opens the door and sees Rhonda's half covered body,still writhing in pain,tied to the bed.Oblivious to her surroundings.He slowly walks over to the bed. "So,he's turning you into his familiar,is he?His eyes and ears.Well,I'm tired of being treated like some mortal slave,while he plots and plans.Time for a self-promotion,I think ",He holds his hand out over Rhonda's mouth and a hole forms in the center of his palm.He let's the blood pour down her throat.Her body convulses more and the blood encrusted cocoon which covers her lower half,starts to form three-pointed half circles,scattered across it.Her eyes flash a dull grey,while red fissures race across her hair,like blood-filled veins and all of the color drains from her lips.The sight momentarily shocks Ravesat,as he takes several steps back.The hole in his palm,seals itself shut. "That was unexpected.Perhaps,I used too much blood?No matter.If she dies,she dies.If not,then I'll have my own little spy.Either way,what's one less human,give or take?The faster Treviel and Mercel arrive,the better ",Ravesat walks out and closes the door behind him and heads back downstairs.So pleased is he with himself,he fails to see a female figure,watching him from the shadows. ***************************************************** "I didn't know you were into action movies." "I love action movies!I'm a sucker for a good romance movie,too.But,action movies are the greatest.That and a really good book." "Book?I almost forgot!There's a book I need to go over." "Now?" "It's essential to a case I'm involved in." "I thought you were on sick leave?" "I am,but I've remained on the case in an advisory capacity.I should go." "Okay.I hope you solve your case." "Me too.I had a lot of fun,tonight." "Me too,brat ",she gives him a big hug and he gives back in kind.As they pull away from each other,their eyes meet and they stare at one another for a full half of a minute,until Jason says,"I..better go now.I really have a lot of catching up to do." "Yeah.I have a few things to do tommorrow,too.So..,I guess we'll call it a night." "Yeah.Goodnight,Gwen.See you,later ",he walks out to his sports utility vehice and drives off. Gwen closes the door and leans back against it.Slumping,slighty."Damn ",she whispers.