John paced back and forth across the penthouse floor. Chelsea just left with the children, and he wanted to get with Abe and put together a plan. Not that any of there previous brainstorming sessions have yielded any results. But he wouldn't give up.

He felt so guilty everytime little Belle would wake up crying for her mommy, and when Brady would ask when was mommy coming home. It tore his heart out, and all he wanted was to bring Marlena home to them and himself.

Belle and Brady were spending more time with grandma and grandpa Brady these days as John was working practically around the clock trying to find Marlena, he was so frustrated at the lack of progress that he could barely eat, let alone sleep. In anger John cleared the desk with on arm sending papers and such across the floor, unknowingly spilling his water over the documents in the process. Looking down he saw the ink on the paper start to run, and he grabbed them up and headed to the kitchen to dry them off.

As John was blotting the papers with a towel the phone rang, he picked it up and continued his work.

“Yeah Abe I’m here, where else would I be? Any news at all, any new leads? No, that’s alright partner, I didn’t think so... just hoping.” he heard a knock on the door, “hold up Abe.

Just a minute”, he yelled toward the door, “I’ll be right there.” he turned back to the phone and, “Abe there’s someone at the door, I’ll see you in a few.”

 

****

 

She passed her days on the big sofa in the sitting area, sometimes she would go and sit out on the terrace, looking at the horizon, the sky and clouds. The view helped to soothe her mind some, but only for a concise period of time. This was the first time. The first time Kit took her while she was fully aware of it all. When she watched herself on the Fiji tape, or thought about what happened in the dungeon it made her feel like she was losing her mind...how could she not remember it? How could she only remember bits and pieces of it?

Sleeping on the sofa or the floor wasn't her idea of fun, she was sore and nauseated most of the time, but she couldn’t lay on that bed, she couldn't bear staying in this room, but she had no other choice. If it weren't for her pregnancy, she would have ended her miserable life. If one can call this ‘a life.’

Sleep evaded her, she couldn’t close her eyes without seeing his face, without feeling his hands, remembering his twisted words in her ear. Sometimes she’d fall asleep, but the nightmares hunted her, it was Stefano and Kallem Chandler all over again. What was that about her? why was this happening to her?

She sat on the floor, her eyes hollow, her head pounding, long fingers were tapping on her closed lips, trying to concentrate on something else, anything else but her situation. After the dreadful feeling has passed, anger kicked in, she was angry at herself for not knowing better, for not seeing this coming. Angry at him. She wasn't a violent woman, but all she wanted to do was to kill that SOB, to make him bleed to death on that same bed her soul was taken, again and again.

 

The door opened, it was Todd. Apparently, Kit needed someone else to carry some of his evil deeds, or he was feeling alone, that sick prick. She hasn't seen him in three days, and the thought of seeing him again made her weak at the knees.

“The Boss wants to see you, let's go” grabbing her by her forearm, he pushed her out the door.

 

“Evening, boss.” Kit smiled easily and came to a stop, pausing in front of the doorway. “Good evening, Todd. How’s it going?”

“It’s going,” he said, handing him Marlena’s arm which he grabbed and pulled her to his body and released her behind his back into the room. Kit chuckled and gave him a slap on the shoulder. “Alright. I’ll be in my office. Don’t let anyone disturb me unless it’s an emergency.” Todd nodded, and Kit turned to look at her. She was so anxious to get away from the scene she just glimpsed, almost running ahead of him. Pushing the door at the end of the room open, Kit pushed her inside. Stumbling ahead, she nearly fell on her face as he slammed the door behind her. The loud click of the lock registered in her brain. She would take in the room, but it was so dark she couldn't see. “Kit?” she asked, her voice trembling. He wasn’t locking her in here, was he? “Don’t worry, I’m right here, Kitten,” he said from behind her. There was a pause, and then the light flickered on. Kit was standing in front of the door, his eyes bright as he stared at her. Marlena took a step back and looked at her surroundings. There was no window, no other doors or means of escape. Just a large mahogany desk, a few chairs, and a filing cabinet. Shedding his coat and hanging it up on the rack beside him, he told her to, “Remove your dress.”

She took a step back. “Why?” Loosening the tie at his neck, he grinned wickedly. “Because I told you to.” He took a step forward, and she took another step back. She knew there was no possible way for her to escape but the way he was looking at her, the pure hunger that was openly displayed on his face, has frightened her. She couldn't tell if he wanted to kill her or fuck her. Or both.

“Because I just finished watching a wonderful movie which I’ll let you watch soon and it left me wanting you…” Marlena shook her head and backed herself up against his desk. “Because I can't take your sexy body out of my head.” He yanked his tie out of his collar and gripped it in his fist as he strode forward, eating up the distance she created. “Because I can only spend so much time in your presence without fucking you before I start going mad with lust.” Walking into her, he loomed over her as she bent back.

“Because I fucking told you to, Kitten. Obey or face the fucking consequences.” Tears stung her eyes as she struggled to reach behind herself and pull down the zipper that ran the length of her back. “Why are you doing this?” she asked. “Haven't you hurt me enough already?”

 

Grabbing her, impatient, he spun her around and then shoved her forward until she was bent over, her hands hitting his desk. “Because you need it too.” Yanking her zipper down, she felt the fabric of her dress spread and the cool air chilled her skin. “Are you done with the fucking questions?” He pulled her sleeves down her shoulders. “Well?” he snapped when she didn’t answer him. Lifting each of her hands, he kept her bent over as he slid her dress down her chest then over her hips and finally down her legs.

 

“No,” she answered, stiffening as he bent over her again. Willing her bottom lip not to tremble, she spoke softly, carefully, “I want to go home.”

“We won’t be leaving here princess. We’ve got a lot more to do here.” she shook her head and then took a deep, steadying breath. “I want to go to my home. I can’t do this anymore. Please.” “Homesick, huh baby?” he asked more forcefully, his grip tightening. Her eyes blur with tears, but she blinked them away. She will not cry, dammit. “... I just want to go.” He shook his head, but his grip loosened. “We’ve already had this discussion, Marlena.”

“Why?” she asked, almost choking on her desperation. “Why, what?” he repeated, reaching around her to pick up his glass. She hated this, and she hated him. Couldn't he see that? Being kept in his house, disconnected from everything in that little bubble he created, she was sick of it.

“Why do you want to keep me? You can get any woman you want.." He took a deep drink from his glass, his eyes assessing her above the rim before he asked, “Don’t you want me, Kitten?”

“No,” was her knee-jerk response. He tipped his head back and laughed. “Liar.” Setting her jaw, she turned her face away to look at the desk. Needing a break from this madness. “Kitten,” he purred, and his fingers were gentle this time as they turn her head back to him. “I want you. I don’t want other women.”

“Why?” she asked, feeling a rogue tear slip down her cheek. “Because you’re beautiful.” she snorted softly at that, and his grip tightened. “Because you’re fucking sexy.”

“There are a lot of other women that are sexier than me,” she argued weakly. He leaned close to her, his lips a hair away from kissing her. “Because you’re mine. You were made for me.” Marlena opened her mouth to argue with him, and he pressed his advantage. His lips crushed against her lips as his hand gripped her, keeping her from escaping the kiss. By the time he pulled away, she was struggling to catch her breath. His grip around her jaw loosened, and his thumb stroked along her bottom lip. “You drive me fucking crazy,” he growled. “Can’t you feel what you’re doing to me?” her brain was so fuzzy from the kiss it took her a moment to remember what she wanted to say. Against her, she could feel him growing hard and poking her uncomfortably.

“Any woman probably be thrilled to be yours,” she argued and tried to pull away. “Why keep me? Why force me? Just go have your way with someone else...unless..unless this is what you’ve learned from your mother, you take what you want, when you want, you’re abusive, you’re controlling” she couldn’t believe she was saying it, but she couldn't take it anymore. Her fingers clenched on his chin, holding it tight as she turned his face to look at her, she hissed, “YOU.ARE. JUST. LIKE. HER.” Kit scowled at her, his eyes widen with shock.

 

 

****

 

Striding to the front door, John swang it open, no one was there, but he saw the numbers on the elevator going down. “Dang, I guess I missed them.” Looking down he saw a Manila envelope on the floor at his feet. Slowly he kneeled down and picked it up by the corner as not to disturb any fingerprints that may be there.

Examining it he saw no return address or post-mark, bringing the envelope to the coffee table, he pulled some disposable plastic gloves from a box. Turning the envelope over and over he could feel what seemed like a VHS tape inside. He got a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. Grabbing the letter opener, he sliced the top open and dumped the contents onto the table.

A tape and a folded note fell out. John picked them up, the tape had nothing written on it, he unfolds the letter,

“Mr. Black

 I hope you’ll enjoy the movie as much as I enjoyed making it.”

Rage ran through her veins, and he could feel his blood boiling, his first instinct was to close his fist tightly around the note but he knew what these were evidence and he needed to control himself.  “I don’t know what the hell this asshole is up to, I need to watch this with Abe.” he took the note and tape, grabbed his keys and headed out the door to the police station.

 

Twenty minutes later John barged into Abe’s office envelope in hand. “Partner, I received another message from the fuck who has Doc in the form of a tape. I need you to watch it with me.” he was agitated and couldn’t stand still.

“Ok, let me send for the TV and VCR.” Abe made a call and turned to John, “So John what do you think we might find on this tape?”

“I’m not sure Abe, the email he sent was very disturbing. Marlena was not herself. It was like she was in a trance or something. She was mechanical with her movements, and she didn’t utter a word. It was almost like someone or something was controlling her mind and body.”

 

Roman who had been standing in the doorway walked in. “Did you say that Marlena was not acting herself?” He asked, getting closer to both men.

“Hey Roman,” Abe responded, “yes, we were talking about Marlena’s abduction,” Abe looked at John for the go-ahead to continue, John nodded his approval. “John just received a tape at the penthouse, and we think it’s from Kit Harington, we were about to watch it.” his voice was low, not wanting anyone else to know about this, there was no telling if Kit had spies nearby.

Roman continues, “John, you said something about a prior message that this Harington person sent, would you mind if I watch it?”

“Why Roman, do you think you may know something about this person?” John replied, somewhat hopeful. “No, it’s just that I heard you say that Marlena was acting differently, not herself. I had an odd conversation with her myself. “ Roman closed the door behind him, “It was while you were out of town and I came by to settle a few things about the divorce,” Roman looked down as the pain was still very present, “she was very hostile toward me. Very unlike herself. She accused me of coming over because you were out of town and eluding to the fact that I just wanted to have sex with her. I’m telling you, John, it was so not like Marlena. She yelled and cursed at me and threw me out. I left of course, but it was very unsettling.” he leaned against the closed door, hating the fact that he was there but didn’t do anything to help her.

“You’re right Roman, that is not like her at all. She respects you and would never treat you that way.” John ran his hand through his dark locks and shook his head. “Maybe we all should watch both messages and see if we can spot something. I must warn you, I’ve only seen the first message, and it’s pretty disturbing.”

 

Abe set up the computer and pulled up the message as his officer set up the TV VCR and left the room, shutting the door behind him. John closed the shades, and they sat around the computer to begin.

 

****

 

“What did you say?” Kit shook his face away from her grip when he felt her fingernails digging at his flesh “You’ve heard me.” She sputtered at him as he leaned back, “You will never be anything more than a murderer and a rapist, and you have your beloved mother to thank too, you belong in a madhouse, just like her,” she spat. Something inside of her just snapped, what did she have to lose? There was nothing left, he already took everything away from her, her man, her family, her job, her life. He didn't speak and lifted his glass to his lips.

“Hit a nerve there, Harington?” she continued. Tipping his head back, he drained the rest of his drink. “Shut up,” she went on. “You had a chance there, you could have been better than her, but you didn’t, all you’re capable of is hurting and abusing. You will never know true love, you will never be happy. Never. I just want you to let me go...” Glass empty, Kit lowered it, and his eyes flashed with aggravation as he stared at her, his hand closing tightly against the empty glass when his fist closed hard around it, breaking the glass into million pieces. She jumped back, hating his look, taking a deep breath she yelp and slapped his face roughly.

“You little bitch,” he snarled and backhanded her across the face.

Face going cold, Kit grabbed her hands, easily fighting her off as she tried to slap him again and pulled them up, pinning them above her head. “That’s where you’re wrong Kitten, I do know what love is, Doc, because you are mine, and I take care of what’s mine. It’s time to accept it now, you belong to me. No more fucking games.”

“No one can own a person Kit, that’s slavery and has nothing to do with love.”

She jerked away from him, covering her bra with her hands. “I could never love you, my heart belongs to John, and it has since I first met him. Even if you weren’t a ratchet, despicable man I still could never give you my heart, it belongs to someone else. Someone who loves me and cherishes me. He doesn’t try to own me and would never hurt me.”

“Shut the fuck up!" he yelled as his fist came down on the desk. “Don’t you ever mention his name again, do you hear me?”

“Or want Kit? There’s not a lot more you can do to me. You have already taken me from my family, you’ve raped me repeatedly, and you have tried to make me lose all hope and bend to your will. Well, it won’t happen Kit! You can rape me and beat me, but I will never be yours, and that what bothers you the most, huh? That I won’t roll over and give up. You might as well kill me because that’s never going to happen. I will always and only love John. John, JOHN!!!”

KIt bumped forward grabbing both her arms and pushing her back down on the desk.

“Be careful what you wish for Kitten, I may just kill you yet!”

“You’re horrible, you’re despicable,” she spat back. He nodded his head. “I am a not a good man. I will never deny it. Some of us are just destined to be bad men, and this bad man’s going to fuck you again.” Marlena opened her mouth and his finger pressed against her lips to stop her.

“No” she kicked, screamed and punched at him, trying to fight him off. She got in a couple of blows to his chest and face before he captured her hands.

His voice was as sharp as a bite as he asked, “Who’s going to stop me?” she struggled to answer at first. The law? No, Her family? No one knew where she’s at. John? Oh, John... “Who’s going to stop me, Marlena? John?” he repeated, demanding an answer. For as long as she could remember she was alone. She has no one but herself. Lifting her chin, she said, “I will.” Of course, he found her answer amusing. Hands hovering over his belt, he tipped his head back and laughed. She stiffened against the desk. “I will,” she repeated angrily. Anger was good. Anger drowned out the fear. She loved the fire. She embraced it. “You can’t keep John and me apart.”

“I can,” he countered and quickly unbuckled his pants. She leaned her head back and squeezed her eyes shut as his pants start sliding towards the floor. He was going to touch her, and she just knew she couldn’t have it again, she had to keep him away.

“Why do you want someone who doesn’t want you?” she lashed out at him, hoping to push him away. “Can’t you get a woman without kidnapping her?” she didn’t have to open her eyes to be chilled by his reaction. She could feel it. She could sense it. She could fucking taste it. But she has come too far now to go back. She couldn’t let him touch her.

“Do you always have to use force or—” her ankles were grabbed, and she yanked down the desk before she got to finish. His mouth smashed against her mouth, devouring the scream that escaped her lips. Marlena pushed at him. Her hands shoving into his shoulders then pounding at his chest. He didn’t budge an inch. If anything, her struggle only seemed to spur him on, increasing the fervor of his kiss. His tongue lashed at her tongue, attempting to whip her into submission. Marlena tried to bring her knees up, aiming for that dick of his. Sensing the danger, he suddenly shifted. His massive legs move on top of her legs, weighing her down. Pinning her to the desk. She felt tears of frustration stinging her eyes as the seconds tick by and her arms began to tire from hitting him.

 

Her knuckles were bruising, and all this effort, all this violence, hasn’t made a lick of difference. His kiss began to soften as if he was trying to soothe her. She fought him, hit him until her arms were exhausted. Then she just stopped, giving up. Why keep fighting? He was bigger. Stronger. Meaner. It was all a waste of energy. Utterly useless. His kiss deepened. His hands caressed her. She felt drained. Empty. Physically spent. He shifted above her, removing some of the weight on top of her legs. His hands roam down then he pulled back just enough to look into her eyes, breaking the kiss. She stared up at him. He looked down at her, and those dark, gleaming eyes of his wouldn’t leave her alone. His hand came back down, cupping her face. “Why?” she asked again, her voice sounding so small.

“Don’t you feel it?” he asked. Slowly, She shook her head.

“It’s destiny,” he said huskily, his thumb dragging across her bottom lip.

“Destiny?” she repeated with a snort of derision. “Fate,” he clarified. Marlena rolled her eyes up at him. He just grinned. “You can keep fighting it, Marlena, but I always win in the end.”

“You’re crazy,” she said as his hands slid down, slipping behind her, unsnapping her bra. “I’m not the one fighting battles I can’t win.” Tensing up, she tried to cross her arms to keep him from removing her bra, but he just pried them apart. He slid the straps down her hands, tossing the bra to the side, then stared hungrily at her breasts. Once more she attempted to cover herself, but he just pried her arms open again. “See,” he said with some amusement. “Still fighting.”

“I can’t help it,” she groaned as his hands let go of her arms so he could fondle and caress her breasts.

“I know,” he said, his fingers wrapping around her, deliciously squeezing her. “But you’re only fighting yourself…” she opened her mouth to explain she was not fighting herself, she was fighting him, but then his mouth covered hers. Sucking her nipple into his wet, hot mouth.

"Stop you sick bastard! Get off me and let me go!"

“Never Princess, remember I own you, and now I’m going to fuck you until you can’t walk straight."

 

****

 

 

 

All men looked at the screen as the video began to play, and soon Marlena appeared in the leather corset and began to dance. They continue to watch in silence eyes glued to the computer screen.

“That’s the look” Roman spoke “her eyes, they look hollow and distant. That’s the way she looked that day at the penthouse.”

“Yes, yes I see it. Marlena looks like she’s not really there at all. I believe you may be right John, maybe he used some sort of drug on her.” Abe jumped in.

“That would explain her behavior here, she would never dance like that in those skimpy clothes if he wasn’t controlling her somehow.” John slammed his fist oh the desk as the anger filled him once again. Roman was about to say something but bit his tongue, now was not the time to bring up what Marlena was willing to do to save John’s butt.

Abe reached over and stopped the video right when Marlena descended ono Kit’s lap. “Well, I guess we are in agreement that this animal has drugged Marlena. So, what do you think we’ll find on the tape?” Abe looked at both men, John exhales, “I hate to even think about it, Abe... I just want to get my hands on that monster and squeeze the life right out of him. If he has hurt her Abe... so help me God. I will kill that son of a bitch!”

“Don’t worry partner, we will find Marlena. Try to keep calm.” he placed his soothing hand on John’s shoulder, “You’re right as usual Abe, I’ll try to reel it in. Let’s move on.”

“John would you like for Abe and me to watch this fir….” Roman started when John jumped with his reply, “No! No way man. I’m gonna watch this now. I have to see what’s going on with Doc. I’ll be fine, let’s just do this.” John’s jaw clenched at the thought.

 

Abe leaned forward and pressed ‘play’ on the machine. It was night time, they saw Marlena lying on the bed writhing in her sleep, they noticed a figure came into the frame. He was taking off his shirt,  looking over his shoulder and winked at the camera.

“That’s Kit,” John hissed,” don’t you dare touch her you son of a bitch!”

Kit lowered himself to the bed and started to caress and fondle Marlena, she moaned as her head sways back and forth. John watched in horror as this creep spread her legs and lowered himself to her center, started licking her with no remorse. Abe looked away, she was his friend, and he felt very uncomfortable watching her being abused that way. Roman was quiet, he hated seeing this psycho with Marlena, but at the same time, his eyes couldn’t leave the sight of her on that bed.  After a few minutes of his Manipulation, Marlena whispered: “John mmmmmm Baby…. don’t stop.”

 

John's heart lurched as he heard those words. He leaned forward with his palms on the desk, “she was dreaming of me,” he thought.

Kit grabbed her hips digging his nails into her soft flesh. “ There’s no John Kitten, only me.” they heard his voice as he talked to Marlena.

John watched as her eyes flew open and filled with fear. Marlena screamed for him to get off her. He clamped a hand over her mouth. John noticed a metal object shimmering in the moonlight, she was cuffed. He descends on her body, licking and sucking his way down, her cuffed hands were above her head, and she was fighting and kicking.

Kit lowered down between her legs licking and sucking. Abe and Roman made an audible groan at the horrible display. They knew what he was doing, and it made them sick with anger.

 

John’s fists were clenched as he watched the screen, the veins in his neck popped out, Abe looked over at his friend and noticed that his face was beet red. Placing a hand on his shoulder, Abe said, “Are you ok my friend? should I stop the tape?”

“No way Abe. I have to see what he is doing to her....she suffered...I gotta know what happened”

Abe looked over at Roman and shook his head, Roman gave a knowing glance his way.

Both men agreed to wait in the hallway, letting John have some privacy. John just nodded in response. John re-started the tape and watched as that evil bastard tortured and defiles his precious Marlena. All the while she was crying and begging for him to stop. When Kit moved his body under the bar restraint to finally her, John couldn't take it any longer. He shut the video off. Placing his head in his hands John bent forward and sobbed uncontrollably, “Oh, god, doc, baby, why is this happening to you? Why can’t I find you? Oh, baby, I am soooo sorry. I will find you, and I’ll kill that piece of shit that did this to you”.

 

He stood and cleared the desk in one swipe of his arm, letting out a guttural scream. Collapsing on the desk, he was beating his fist on the hard surface.

Abe walked into the office and stood by his side, placing his hand on John’s shoulder he asked,”did you finish watching the tape? Was there anything familiar there?”

“No, abe I had to turn it off, what he did to her….. He RAPED her Abe. She couldn’t stop him. He had her bound by the wrists and ankles. What kind of animal does that?” John paced the room, his hands in his hair, his frustration level was rising through the roof.

“John, maybe we need to take a few minutes then finish watching, I can watch it on my own if you can’t.”

“No, your right my friend. I need to get myself together and watch this thing all the way through. If there is a clue there, then we need to find it and find her. We have to find her Abe, she’s losing it, man. She can’t be strong forever, not with what that psycho is doing to her.”

 

Letting John cool down for a few, Abe started the video again. They both watched in silence as the horror unfolded before their eyes. When it comes to an end, and Marlena was laying on the bed in a ball weeping, John put his head down and wiped the tears from his eyes,

slowly raising his head as a strange feeling came over him. “Abe, roll the tape back a minute or two will ya?”

“What is it John, did you see something?”

“I’m not sure, there is just something familiar about this room, I can’t put my finger on it.”

Abe rolled the tape back and started again.

“Stop there, right there. That painting and the bed frame. It reminds me of something from my past. I don’t quite know what. Oh god, it’s right there, but I can’t see it clearly.” John closed his eyes and took a deep breath, wanting to remember but couldn’t.

“Partner, maybe you need to take a step back for a few minutes. John, go home and relax for a bit and maybe it will come to you. I know one thing for sure buddy, you don’t need to watch this again right now.” Abe watched as John started pacing the room again, trying to remember, he continued,  “John, I’m going to send this tape to the lab and see if they can lift prints or anything from it.”

“Abe, I don’t want anyone else watching this crap! Do you hear me?!”

“Yes, John I understand, they will only check out the casing, nothing else.”

John shook his head in agreement and left the office, feeling defeated and enraged. He desperately needed to find Doc before anything else can happen to her. “Hold on Baby, I WILL find you.”

 

 

****

 

 

Kit strode towards her, and she reacted instinctively, taking a little kick at him. He grabbed her ankle, his grip tight, bruising. “Marlena,” he said ominously. “That was a very bad idea.” She was already fucked, so she thought what the hell and kicked her other foot at him. She knew it was pointless. She was completely naked save from her panties and at his mercy, but she wanted to hurt him. Even is it was just a little bit. Her little kick got him in the hips, and he growled viciously, causing all the little hairs on the back of her neck to stand on end.

 

Grabbing the foot that just kicked him, he roughly shoved her legs apart, spreading her wide open for him. Desperately, she tried to close her legs, but she was no match for his strength. Marlena started to sit up, and he yanked on her legs, sending her back down to the desk. “Stop, please,” she begged, sounding weak and desperate. He slid up and glared down at her from between her open thighs, slowly shaking his head. “I tried. God knows I tried to take it slow with you, but that’s not what you want. That’s not what you need, is it? Yeah, you need it fast and hard” He stared down at her, and her fear began to morph into anger again. She wrapped the emotion around her like a warm, comforting blanket. What was the worse he could do to her? Her angry mind rationalizes. Hurt her some more? Or fuck her with that dick of his? “You know what I need?” she said, glaring defiantly up at him. “What I need is my freedom! I need my choices back!”

 

His fingers begin to loosen around her left leg, and she seized upon the opportunity, kicking out at him. He took the kick to his thigh and grunted. She tried to ignore the painful tingling in her toes. She didn’t want to regret the kick but kicking his thigh felt like kicking a column of bricks. He grabbed her knee, shoving her legs wide open again. “You had freedom,” he sneered down at her. “And look what you did with it… You fucking squandered it.” she reeled back, feeling like he just slapped her. “You had choices,” he went on, his weight coming down on top of her. “And the choices you made brought you here. Your choices put you in my bed.” she took a swing at him. Wanting to slap that knowing sneer off of his face. Wanting to hurt him because his words hurt her. This wasn’t her fault, it wasn’t, she told herself. But a part of her felt like it was. Her hand connected with his cheek and she didn’t know who was more shocked, him or her. She stared at him, her eyes widening with horror. He stared down at her, his eyes blackening with anger. He released his grip on her legs, and she immediately flinched, expecting him to hit her back. Instead, he grabbed her hands and yanked her arms painfully up, pinning them above her head. “I’m sorry,” she groaned, tears blurring her eyes as she arched her back off the desk, even now trying to yank her wrists from his grip. “Oh, you’re going to be,” he snickered, and her heart lurched with fear. What was he going to do to her now? How was he going to repay her for that slap? “Please, don’t hurt me,” she pleaded as he settled his weight on top of her. Glancing at her side, she spotted a small reading lamp. Marlena grabbed the small object from the desk, crashing it over his head.

 

“Fuck! You Bitch!” Kit yelled Shaking the glass from his hair as he grabbed her shoulders and slammed Marlena hard against the desk.

“You’re going to regret that Kitten."

Just then there was a knock at the door, and Todd peaked in. “Sorry Boss, I heard a crash and raised voices, I thought you might be hurt.”

Kit grabbed Marlena’s forearm and pushed her toward Todd. “Take her upstairs and lock her in her room before I kill her!”

Todd diverted his eyes when he saw that Marlena was half-naked. Marlena reached down and picked up her dress wrapping it around her to cover herself.

The thug took Marlena by the arm and led her out of the study, closing the door behind him.

 

 

****

 

 

John stopped by the gym on his way home to work out some of his frustration on the bag,  kicking and punching until his knuckles bleed through the wraps. Exhausted he showered and headed back. He was laying on the couch staring at the ceiling, his mind drifted back to the only place he lived anymore, to her. Sometimes he wondered if love was worth fighting for, but then he remembered her face and he was ready for war. The doorbell ringing interrupted his thoughts. “God, I don’t feel like company right now.” He got up and opened the door. Standing there was Abe and Laura.

“Hey, guys, what are you doing here?”

“Well partner, I thought that Laura here may just be able to help us. May we come in?” Abe smiled.

“Yes sure, I’m sorry, come on in. So what is it that you think Laura can help us with exactly?”

Laura looked at John with concern. There were dark circles under his eyes, and he seemed to have lost weight. His hands were bandage like he hit a wall or something and he has a couple of days growth on his face. She picked up one of his hands and gave it a squeeze, patting his arm she smiled softly.

“Well John,” Laura said, “Abe told me that when you were watching the tape Kit sent over, something looked familiar to you and you couldn’t quite grasp the memory,” she explained and waited for his reply.

“Yes, that’s right. So how do you plan on helping me with that? I really don’t think you should watch the tape, it’s just too horrible.”

“No, I don’t think that I should either. I think that if I hypnotize you, we might just be able to retrieve that memory that is teetering on the edge of your subconscious.” there was nothing she wanted more than to save her dear friend. “You know Laura, you may just be onto something. Doc had done that with me before and had great success. Let’s give it a try.”

They all sat on the sofa as Laura started talking, “Ok good. First I need for you to relax as much as you can. Lay down on the sofa John.” John lay on the sofa, closing his eyes as he did. “Abe, will you turn the lights down a bit?. Also, I would like for you to start this tape recorder once I have John under, don’t worry, I have no intention of watching it, this will might trigger your memory, that’s all.”

“You got it, Laura. John are you ready for this Buddy?’ Abe placed the tape into the VCR and pressed the ‘play’ button.

“Yes Abe, whatever may help us in finding Marlena and getting her away from that psycho, I’m all in.”

 

Laura started to speak in a low and soothing voice, helping to put John in a relaxed state of mind. After a few minutes, she has him under.

“John, go back to earlier today. You are in Abe’s office watching the tape. Are you there?.”

John didn’t answer, but his head was nodding back and forth.

“Oh Doc. Don’t you touch her you son of a bitch!” he yelled suddenly

“John, please try and focus on the room on the tape,” Laura continued, “what do you see? Look around, there was something here that you have seen before. What is it? A lamp or the rug. Maybe a photo? Look all around the room and go back there. You have been here before.” she spoke softly, waiting for his response, his brows frowned.

“Yes, the room...something is familiar. The bed, I’ve seen this bed before. The carvings on the bedpost.” he was trying really hard to remember, but the memories kept fading.

 

“John, what else do you see?”

“There’s a painting over the bed, it’s a meadow full of wildflowers and an old cottage in the distance. I’ve seen this painting before, I know I have....”

Laura continued. “Can you remember where you’ve seen this bed and this painting? Where you on vacation or maybe here in Salem somewhere?...”

“I can almost see it... I know I’ve been in this room at some time, where the hell is it? All I see is a closed oak door” he ground his teeth, frustrated.

“John tried to calm down, take a couple of deep breaths. Now walk to the door and open it. Are you doing that John?”

John nods but remained silent.

“What do you see?”

“I see a long hallway.”

“John, I want you to walk down that hallway are there other rooms?”

“There is another room down the hall and some stairs going down. Oh my god!”

“What John, what do you see? Do you see a person?”

“No, I know where I am. I know where I’ve seen that painting. Oh God Noooo!” panic kicked in.

“John, please stay with me, what do you see? Where are you?”

“Maison Blanche! That freak has her at fucking Maison Blanche!”