Subj: FF: Caught In The Web Part 1/? Date: 96-08-10 15:02:46 EDT From: ndandy@direct.ca (Alien) Sender: owner-ag-fanfic@stargame.org To: ag-fanfic@stargame.org Caught In The Web by Alien (ndandy@direct.ca) Introduction Gloriea was nervous and on edge ever since she had crossed over the town line. She wasn't certain what had attracted her to this part of the South but she knew that she had to come. It was a dream that had brought her here, well...actually more like a nightmare. She hadn't slept in days because she didn't want the dream to come back again. But lack of sleep would no longer keep the dream at bay. The closer she got to her destination, the more vividly she remembered the dream. She saw it when she closed her eyes. The dream was always the same. Gloriea's eyes would closes and the face of a man would take over her thoughts. The man was older and almost sinister looking, but it wasn't the man that frightened her, it was the water. The water would engulf her and she could see her own arms flaying before her in the water as some unforeseen force pulled her under. As she breaks the water one last time she can see the man at the distant shore looking out at her with a scared look on his face. Gloriea hears her voice screaming. "Lucas!" Then black. The dream ends with a flash of someone running through the forest and onto the road beside a sign. The sign read, "Welcome to Trinity, SC". Now that Gloriea was in Trinity and knew that the sign in her dream did exist, it didn't settle her fears. If anything, the fact that part of her dream was true only made her fear that the rest of the dream was true too. Was Gloriea finally going to find out what had happened to her or was this another trick of her powers? Trinity was the only significant thing Gloriea had been able to remember since she woke up in a New York hospital...three years ago. The doctors had all said that she would probably gradually regain her memory. But nothing happened until only a few months ago a story of a young boy without a family briefly flickered across her television screen. The boy, Caleb Temple, seemed familiar to Gloriea. And Gloriea, being the reporter that she was, had to investigate this boy and his story further. She wanted to know what his connection to her was, and she knew there was some kind of connection. Gloriea wasn't able to find much beyond the usual vital statistics and a few pictures. One picture in particular. It was this photo, of Caleb with an older rather handsome man, that had triggered her dreams. In the story that accompanied the photo the man was stated as the sheriff of Trinity. This was the same man from the dream. ...TO BE CONTINUED... Subj: FF: Caught In The Web Part 2/? Date: 96-08-10 18:09:54 EDT From: ndandy@direct.ca (Alien) Sender: owner-ag-fanfic@stargame.org To: ag-fanfic@stargame.org Caught In The Web Part 2/? by Alien By the time Gloriea arrived in downtown Trinity she was exhausted and a mess. But exhaustion aside, she still needed to get the ball rolling on her investigation. First stop, a visit with the local sheriff. After their talk maybe he could help her find a room. As mush as Gloriea didn't want to sleep she knew she couldn't hold out much longer. As Glories walked through town she tried asking for some directions. One old woman's reaction to her was the most telling. Gloriea had found the woman maticulously sweeping her front steps and thought she was someone who could help her. The old lady was not much help in giving directions but what she did say gave Gloriea some insight on what might have happened three years ago. "Excuse me, excuse me," siad Gloriea as she drew closer to the woman. "Yes, are you speaking to me, dear?" said the woman as she turned away from her tak to face Gloriea. All the while still sweeping. "Yes, I was wondering if you could help me with directions to the Sheriff's office." "No! It can't be, you've been dead for years," screamed the lady as she stumbled backwards up the stairs and had finally stopped sweeping the steps. "You're not real, you're not real!" yelled the lady as she ran into her home. Gloriea stood out front, stunned, for a few moments and noticed that the old woman yelling had attracted the attention of several neighbours. They all stared and pointed at Gloriea, one lady seemed to even faint. 'Well, that's odd. I guess I'll be finding the sheriff on my own," thought Gloriea as she hurried off down the road. A short while later. "Excuse me, . . . deputy?" called Gloriea as she entered the office and spotted the back end of someone sticking out from under a desk. "Stupid, stupid klutz. How's ya expect to take over after Lucas, if you can't even eat a sandwich without dropping it?" said a voice from under the desk. "Ahmmm . . . excuse me," said Gloriea, but much londer this time. "Arkkk!" came a noise as the man under the desk jolted up as he back out from under the desk and hit his head on the edge of it. "Are you okay?" "Fine, can I help you?" said the man as he straightened up, but didn't look at her as he held the back of his head. "I'm looking for the Sheriff." "He's out on a call, right now. Would ya like to leave a message?" "No, that's okay, I'll just come back later," said Gloriea as she turned and walked out the door. As she moved, Floyd raised his head and looked in her direction. "It can't be . . . ." Just then the radio at the back wall came to life. "Floyd?" said Lucas disembodied voice. "Yes, boss," said Floyd after he ran and picked up the reciever. "Call the psychoitrist and tell him to come over to Mrs. Eddison's house. She'd been seeing things, again." "Sure, Lucas." "Oh, and Floyd . . . I won't be coming back in this afternoon, so Ben's in charge." "Sure . . . ," said Floyd as he replaced the radio's reciever. Just then Ben walked in, "was that Lucas?" "Hmmmm . . . yes." "Damn, I was hoping to talk to him about what Eddison and her neighbours thought they saw." "What was it? . . . That they saw." "Gloriea MacMasterson. Just when I thought Lucas was gonna finally close that case, someone has to drag it back out again." Floyd's colour began to slowly drain. Ben continued, "Lucas was just started to face the fact that she wasn't coming back and then this . . . . Are you okay, Floyd? You don't look well." "I saw her too, . . . only a moment ago." "Ah damn, not you too!" ...TO BE CONTINUED... Subj: FF: Caught In The Web 3/? Date: 96-08-12 21:40:09 EDT From: ndandy@direct.ca (Alien) Sender: owner-ag-fanfic@stargame.org To: ag-fanfic@stargame.org Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the characters in this story. CBS, MCA and maybe some other people do. They are from the TV show American Gothic. Caught In The Web 3/? by Alien "No, I mean it, Ben. She was here, I really saw her," said Floyd as he followed Ben around the office like a puppy. "And what was this woman doing here," said Ben as he turned to look at Floyd. "She wanted to see the Sheriff." "Well, there ya go Floyd," said Ben as he touched Floyd's shoulder and began to lead him to the front of the office, "you were probably thinking of when she use to come and see Lucas when she was still alive." "No, this was different. She was different, but I still know it was her." "How was she different? Maybe it was just someone that looked a bit like her?" "She looked a bit older, and tired. She was very tired. She was also a mess, nothing like the tidy well-kept young lady I remember. But the voice, the eyes, the purfume...I could never forget that about her." "Well, I'm sure it's probably just mistaken identity. Maybe a long-lost relative of something. Now, you go out on patrol and forget about it," said Ben as he pushed Floyd out the front door. "But...." "No but's Floyd. Who's in charge here?" "You are, Ben." "So...." "I'm going." Floyd walked over to one of the patrol cars, got in and drove off. "Lucas...what's going on?" asked Ben as he stood in the doorway. "Haven't seen you here in awhile?" said an elderly black man who was pruning some roses when Lucas walked into the garden. "Something reminded me today that I haven't visited in a while, Mandy," said Lucas as he picked one of the roses and brought it to his face. "Reminds you of her, doesn't it?" said Mandy. "Yes." "Shame about it all.... You were really the only friend she had those last few years after her step-father brought her back here." "Mandy...remember that dream you told me you had the day of the funeral?" "It was a dream, Lucas, nothing more. Just the wishes of an old man. None of it was true, it's time you got over it too." "What if I told you she might be alive and here in Trinity, right now." "I'd tell you to stop wishing and go visit her grave, it's been along time I'm sure she misses you." Mandy walked off leaving Lucas by the roses. Gloriea wandered for a while after leaving the Sheriff's office and, as chance would have it, Gloriea wandered right into her room for the night. "I'm so glad you had an empty room," said Gloriea after taking a sip of the iced tea Ms. Holt had kindly offered her. "Always glad to help. The truth is the room only recently became available." "Ya, the guy who was here before tried to kill the Sheriff and now lives up on the Hill," siad a little girl who was rummaging through the fridge. "Rose! I don't think our guest wants to hear about that." "Actually I would, it might make some good material for my writing, but not right now I'd actually like to get some sleep. I've been travelling almost non-stop for some time." "I'm sorry...of course, I'll show you up to your room. Where's your luggage?" "I have everything I need, right here," said Gloriea as she picked up the duffle bag that was at her feet." "I guess you travel very lightly," said Loris as she and Gloriea headed up the stairs. "I didn't see the need on this trip." "Here we are, it's not much," said Loris as she open the door and Gloriea walked in. "It's got a bed, that's all I need to make me happy." "Well, I'll let you get some sleep. If you need anything I'll be downstairs?" said Loris as she closed the door behind her. "Thanks." It wasn't all that much longer before Gloriea was sound asleep. The dreams, at least for now, not causing her any lack of sleep. "Ben? Where's Floyd?" said Lucas as he entered the outer office. "I sent him out on patrol." "Patrol? We never send Floyd out on patrol, at least not since that incident with Mr. Flanders fence and that mutt the Simpsons owned." "I thought he needed some fresh air, plus he was driving me crazy with all his talk about seeing Gloriea, just like the Eddison woman." "What are you talking about, Ben?" "Floyd said that while we were at the Eddison's Gloriea came into the office looking for you. Only a few minutes ago, he radioed in and said he saw her going into the Broading House." Without another word Lucas was out the front door and gone. "Lucas!" yelled Ben as he ran out after Lucas. "What was that all about, Ben?" said a familiar voice from behind Ben. "Oh, hi, Merlyn. It's just Lucas chasing after ghosts." "Well, he can't be out after me, I haven't done anything lately for him to worry about." "He's out looking for Gloriea, again." "Gloriea's not a ghost." "Not you too," said Ben as he turned around to face Merlyn. Merlyn wasn't there, instead Ben found himself staring at Caleb. "Me too what, Ben?" said Caleb. "Nothing, son...nevermind," said Ben as he looked around. "Ms. Holt, I need to speak with one of your guests," said Lucas as in barged into the boarding house. "And which guest would you be referring to?" "Her name's...Gloriea." "She's here, but she never said anything about knowing you." I knew that girl was trouble, thought Loris. "You can't speak to her right now, she was in need of a good sleep and I don't want to be the one to wake her." "Call me as soon as she wakes up." "Will do, Sheriff." And he was gone. ...TO BE CONTINUED... Subj: FF: Caught In The Web 4/? Date: 96-08-14 01:00:32 EDT From: ndandy@direct.ca (Alien) Sender: owner-ag-fanfic@stargame.org To: ag-fanfic@stargame.org Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the characters in this story. CBS, MCA and maybe some other people do. They are from the TV show American Gothic. Caught In The Web 4/? by Alien Gloriea had only slept a few hours when she woke up, but it was the best sleep she had had in weeks. Food was what she wanted now and she could smell some being cooked downstairs. "Mmmmmm...smells good," said Gloriea as she entered the kitchen. "Ah...I didn't expect you until morning," said Loris while she was busy with the food on the stove. "How could I sleep with such a wonderful smell lingering through my room." "Oh...did I wake you?" "No, no. If I'd stayed in bed I'd probably would've been wide awake at two in the morning." "Well, you look much better now. That few hours of sleep was definitely what you needed." "A nice hot shower didn't hurt either." "Supper should be ready in a few minutes. If you want to we can eat in the diningroom or out here since they'll only be three of us tonight." "Here's fine. You said three?" "Yes, only one of my boarders is eating here tonight. He's a young boy in my care, he's name's Caleb." "Caleb Temple?" "Yes, do you know him?" "No, I saw his story on the news back home." "I hope you're not here to do a story on him for that paper you work for in New York." "No, I'm not actually that high up in the paper yet, I'm more like an assistant. Caleb's story just reminded me of some things I had to figure out about myself." "Good. He's been through so much and if you were to put him through more heartache I'd have to ask you to leave." "I don't think you'll have to worry about me." "I don't know about that, especially when Sheriff Buck shows so much interest in you." "The Sheriff was here looking for me?" "Yes, and he was acting strangely, even for me." "I didn't leave a message when I went to his office earlier?" "You went to see the Sheriff?" "Yes,...but I'd rather not talk about it." "Fine, but I must warn you, Sheriff Buch can be a dangerous man." "I figured that much, but don't worry I can take care of myself." "I actually believe you can. Well,...supper's ready." "Looks good," said Gloriea as Loris dished out a plate for her. "Caleb! Supper's ready!" "Coming Ms. Holt!" Gloriea watched Caleb as he entered the kitchen, it appeared that he hadn't seen her right away. Loris handed Caleb a plate and directed him to the table. "Hi Caleb," said Gloriea as Caleb walked up to the table, "my name's Gloriea." Caleb stared wide-eyed at Gloriea and dropped his plate which shattered into pieces on the floor. "Caleb! Look what you did," said Loris as she instinctedly headed for the broom. "Are you a ghost like Merly?" said Caleb. "No, Caleb, I'm alive just like you. What makes you think I'm a ghost?" "You look just like Glory..," said Caleb, his attention entirely focused on Gloriea. 'Glory! The necklace," thought Gloriea as she stared dumbfounded at Caleb. "You're not her are you?" said Caleb, his faced mixed with both sadness and anticipation. "I...don't know, I can't remember.... I'm sorry Caleb," said Gloriea as she got up and back out of the kitchen. "Don't leave me...again," Caleb's voiced echoed after her as she ran from the house. As much as Gloriea had come to Trinity to find out who she was, Caleb's words, his face, scared her. She knew she was close to uncovering the truth, but what price would she pay for digging up her past. An uneasy feeling made her think that there was very little happiness in her previous life and Gloriea had learned to trust her feelings over the last few years. Gloriea wandered out onto the street outside the boarding house and headed off down the street. Caleb was watching her from the window. "Do you think she'll come back, Ms. Holt?" "I sure hope so," said Loris as she looked out the window to see a familiar blue sedan pull out from across the street and follow Gloriea. ...TO BE CONTINUED... Subj: FF: Caught In The Web 5/? Date: 96-08-14 19:44:24 EDT From: ndandy@direct.ca (Alien) Sender: owner-ag-fanfic@stargame.org To: ag-fanfic@stargame.org Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the characters in this story. CBS, MCA and maybe some other people do. They are from the TV show American Gothic. Caught In The Web 5/? by Alien Gloriea walked through the streets of Trinity for what amounted to several hours before she even took note of where she was. It was dark and Gloriea was uncertain about how far she had walked from the boarding house, she could have easily walked in circled as she could have walked straight. What intrigued Gloriea about the neighbourhood that she found herself in was a stone mansion with an iron fence around its entire parameter and a beautiful garden at the back which was visible from the street. Gloriea reached out to touch the iron fence of the garden. Everything went black. An image began to come into focus. The hand pushed the gate open and began to move forward into the garden. The season was different, Fall or Winter but not Summer. The flowers no longer bloomed and the air had a slight chill. She saw him sitting on the bench, hidden almost entirely by the shadows of the night. "I knew you would come tonight," he said as he stood up and came towards her. "You've always known me so well, Lucas," said Gloriea's voice. "I could say the same about you, Glory." Lucas had on his usual wicked sexy smug look. "So what have you found out for me?" "He's meeting with someone on Jackson's Bridge. Tomorrow night. That's all I could get. He's purposely trying to hide from me, I can tell by the blocks he keeps putting up. I think he might be on to us." "Don't worry he can't hurt you, as long as we both keep are guard up. "Even you can't protect me always." "You can protect yourself, you have it in you. Your stepfather may think he can trick us, but he's only fooling himself." "He knows our weaknesses, he knows about Caleb...." "Don't worry, he'll be gone before he can hurt any of us. Now, maybe you should get back before anyone misses you." "I'm going." Gloriea turns and begins to walk away but then turns back to face Lucas. "Are you going to be at the picnic tomorrow? I promised Caleb I'd take him out in one of the row boats." "It's a town event, of course the sheriff will be there. Now you take care of my son tomorrow." "I'd give my life for that boy." "I know you would, let's hope you won't have to." Gloriea awoke crumpled at the foot of the garden gate with a dark figure standing over her. "I think we'd better get you inside," said the voice from her vision as he leaned down over her and came into the light. It was the Sheriff, Lucas, the man in her vision. Lucas scooped her up from the ground and carried her through the gate and into the house. "Lucas...," said Gloriea as Lucas eased her onto a couch. "Shhhh...you're beginning to remember. You should remember everything ...now that you're home." "I don't understand...?" "...how you could be alive when everyone thinks you're dead." "Yes." "Because, like me, you've always been full of surprises." "Who tried to kill me?" "You're stepfather, he wasn't going directly for you...you just kind of got in the way. He was really after Caleb. He thought that he'd have control over me and you, it he had Caleb." "...your son?" "Yes, my son. Don't worry, everything will be clear in a few days, until then you should rest." Lucas leaned over and kissed Gloriea's forehead and she fell asleep. Hours later, Gloriea awoke in a bed, her clothes cleaned and laying at the foot of the bed. "Lucas!" called a woman's voice from downstairs. Gloriea looked around the room in a panick, 'where to hide?" The woman's voice came closer, "Lucas! Where are you, honey?" "God, listen to her," said Gloriea before she had time to stop herself. "Lucas, is that you?" said the woman from outside the door. 'Damn, she heard me,' thought Gloriea as the door began to open. "Lucas...? You're not Lucas," said the woman who was now standing beside the bed glaring down at Gloriea. 'No shit, Sherlock.' "Where's Lucas? And what are you doing in his bed?" "I don't know where Lucas is, and as for being in his bed the last thing I remember is falling asleep on the couch last night. Now if you don't mind I'd like to get dressed," said Gloriea as she gave the pathetic woman before her as look that said, 'get out'. Shortly afterwards, Gloriea came downstairs and saw the woman talking to Lucas at the front door. The woman looked over and saw Gloriea, she quickly left in a huff. "What was her problem?" asked Gloriea when Lucas came back in. "Jealous, I think she senses that you'd make a better reporter than her," said Lucas. "Reporter? I would've never pictured it." "She's nothing, just a means to an end." "She one, isn't she? Isn't Caleb good enough?" "You've remembered more? Good." "I think I've remembered almost everything. Except for what happened between my visit with you the night before the picnic and when I was found in New York?" "That'll come soon enough, maybe going to the picnic again will help you remember." ...TO BE CONTINUED... Subj: FF: Caught In The Web 6/? Date: 96-08-15 04:00:06 EDT From: ndandy@direct.ca (Alien) Sender: owner-ag-fanfic@stargame.org To: ag-fanfic@stargame.org Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the characters in this story. CBS, MCA and maybe some other people do. They are from the TV show American Gothic. Caught In The Web 6/? by Alien "If I remember right, the annual Trinity picnic was always held right after school was let out for the summer. It's almost time for school to go back?" said Gloriea. "No one could enjoy it after...your accident, so the date was changed to the end of summer. It's this Sunday." "That's only two days away. I'll never be ready to face everyone in that short a period. Oh my God..., could you imagine everyone's faces when they realize that I'm not dead." "I can." "I have to talk to Caleb first, I probably scared the living daylights out of him." "Don't worry, I went to see him this morning. If anything he's more worried about you." "Me?" "He's seen a lot this last while, I doubt much scares him." "Sounds like your boy, all right." "He could go either way." "What? Lucas Buck not confident in his own charms?" "I've had...obstacles." "You mean without me you still had opposition, and to think I thought I was the only one who could ruffle those stone feathers of yours." "You're the only one that's ever been a true challenge. Merly had me worried for a little while there but she turned out to be easier to get rid of than I'd first thought." "Merly? So that's what Caleb meant by seeing ghosts." "She was trouble, she even tried to turn Ben against. Almost succeeded too." "Ben? Is Ben still your deputy? I gotta go see him." "He should be at the office today." Gloriea headed for the door. "I can drive you...." Gloriea waved Lucas off and headed out down the street. Gloriea walked into the Sheriff's office like she always use to, like she owned the place. Floyd was in his usual place at his desk waiting to answer the phone or radio if a call came in. Gloriea walked behind the counter and stood behind Floyd. "Hiya Floyd." Floyd turned around and stumbled out of his chair. "Gloriea...," he said as he fell to his butt on the hard linoleum floor. "Good ol' Floyd, always good for a laugh," said Gloriea as she came over and ruffled Floyd's hair. "Is Ben around?" "Uh...he's in the back office with Lucas." Gloriea headed to Lucas' inner sanctum and left Floyd sitting on the floor where he belonged. "So boys, ya been talking about me?" said Gloriea as she opened the door and struck a dominate pose between the doorjams. "If I didn't see it with my own eyes I wouldn't believe it," said Ben who was standing beside Lucas' desk in disbelief. "Lucas! I wanted to surprise him." "Sorry darling, but I had to give him some warning. That kind of surprise could kill a person, which isn't always bad but I'd like to keep this deputy," said Lucas as he leaned back in his chair. "Well, you may have lost your other deputy. He's probably still outside sitting on the floor babbling like a baby." "Probably no difference in the way he usually works around here," said Lucas. "I'm sure, but you're stuck with him today because I'm borrowing Ben," said Gloriea as she hooked her arm with Ben's. "And what do you think you're gonna do with my deputy?" "He's coming shopping with me." "Uh...," was all Ben could muster. "Since I've remembered most of what happened in my life I now know that I should have a pretty hefty bank account. Assuming it's still mine?" Gloriea's last remark was focused directly at Lucas. "I'll call the bank, they'll be waiting for you by the time you get there." "Okay, let's go," said Gloriea as she dragged Ben out of the office. Lucas was on the phone almost immediately after they had left the office. "This is Sheriff Buck. Someone's on their way over with one of my deputies. I'd like you to hand over all the Lioncount accounts to her and I expect you to give her your full cooperation, no matter what she wants. Yes, that includes the accounts I set up under that name. Now, I want you to do something else for me...." ...TO BE CONTINUED... Subj: FF: Caught In The Web 7/? Date: 96-08-16 03:08:52 EDT From: ndandy@direct.ca (Alien) Sender: owner-ag-fanfic@stargame.org To: ag-fanfic@stargame.org Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the characters in this story. CBS, MCA and maybe some other people do. They are from the TV show AmericanGothic. Caught In The Web 7/? by Alien "Do you think this is really a good idea?" said Ben as he got into the his patrol car and glanced over to Gloriea in the passenger seat. "What? Shopping?" "You know what I mean. You want to see who you can freak out like you did with Floyd." "What's wrong with giving a few of the old goats at the hospital auxilary a little...jolt to the heart? It would be quite fun actually." "It scares me sometimes how you can be so much like Lucas." "I can be his exact opposite too. Now let's get going, my life's been on hold for three years it's time I made up for that lost time." "We could walk to the bank, I don't see why we need the car." "We're going to the boarding house first." Ben started the car and the two of them headed off. As they pulled away Lucas emerged from the office and headed off in the opposite direction. As Ben and Gloriea pulled up to the front of the boarding house Gloriea noticed a familiar red Mustang parked near by. "Ben, who's owns that car?" said Gloriea as they got out of the patrol car. "The red Mustang?" Gloriea nodded an affirmative. "Gail Emory. Why do you ask?" "I saw a woman at Lucas' this morning with a car like that." "It was probably Gail. Her and Lucas have been spending a lot of time together lately. I really can't see what he see in her though." "Nothing's ever what it seems when Lucas is involved." Gloriea left Ben standing at the car and walked into the boarding house. She found everyone in the kitchen. "Caleb, I'm sure that this girl you saw is not your friend that died," said Gail who had her back to Gloriea and was kneeling before Caleb. "But it was her. Lucas came by and explained.... Glory!" Caleb nearly ran over Gail as he made his way over to Gloriea. "I knew you'd come back," said Caleb as he wrapped his arms tightly atound her. "I'm sorry I ever left, buddy." "I know, Lucas explained to me how you had lost your memory and everything." "I remember now, that's all that matters." Gloriea watched Gail, who was now facing her, as Caleb talked about how much he missed her. Gail had this bizarre look on her face like she was smelling something really bad. No matter what the woman's face portrayed Gloriea knew Gail was not happy to see her and that the two would not get along well. "Caleb? How'd you like to go shopping with me today? We can pick up some back-to-school things for you," said Gloriea. "Me and Caleb had plans for today," said Gail. "Aw, cousin Gail! We could do that anytime. I want to go with Glory." "You could come too...if you want to?" The last statement was emphasized with a look that told Gail to say 'no'. "Maybe some other time," said Gail as she left the kitchen. She passed Ben, who was now standing in the kitchen doorway, on her way out. "Well...if we head to the bank now and leave for the mall in Ascension right afterwards we should be there in time for lunch," said Gloriea as Caleb and her left the kitchen. "Bye, Ms. Holt!" called Caleb as he left. Ms. Holt stared after Gloriea, her eyes full of a new mistrust. "We're never going to beat Lucas and his kind now." ...TO BE CONTINUED... Subj: FF: Caught In The Web 8/? Date: 96-08-17 01:10:02 EDT From: ndandy@direct.ca (Alien) Sender: owner-ag-fanfic@stargame.org To: ag-fanfic@stargame.org Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the characters in this story. CBS, MCA and maybe some other people do. They are from the TV show American Gothic. Except for Gloriea, who came out of my own sick and twisted mind. This is all in good fun, so please don't sue. Caught In The Web 8/? by Alien "We were expecting you," said the bank manager as he ushered Gloriea and Ben into his office. "Caleb, wait out here for us," said Gloriea as she walked into the office. When they were behind closed doors the meeting began. "So, Lucas informed you about what happened and what he wants you to do?" "Yes, he only left here a few minutes ago," said the manager as he sat behind his desk. "I thought he was going to handle it over the phone?" asked Gloriea. "I needed his signature on a few things and now all we need are yours," said the manager as he handed a pen to Gloriea and pushed some papers towards her. "You seem to have put this all together pretty quick," said Gloriea as she looked over the papers and began signing them. "Lucas had the bank draw these up over two years ago." "Lucas always said you'd be back, no one else believed him but he never gave up," said Ben. "If I didn't know better, I'd almost say he had a heart," said Gloriea as she finished off the last of the paperwork. The bank manager pushed forward some more papers as Gloriea was about to get up. "We're not quite finished, yet." "What are these?" Gloriea looked at the papers before her, they were covered with sticky notes. Gloriea began to remove one of them to read what it said underneath. "No! Lucas would like to keep these a surprise," said the manager as he slapped his hand down on the sticky notes. "A surprise from Lucas? I don't like the sound of that," said Gloriea. "Lucas said he told his deputy all about it," said the manager as he looked over to Ben. "Gloriea, believe me...this is a good surprise," said Ben. "I won't be owing him anything, will I?" "Nope, you're the only person I know of that Lucas gives that honour to." "Okay, I'll take your word for it," said Gloriea as she signed the last papers. "Done!" Gloriea got up and started to leave the office. "You can pick up your checkbooks, credit cards, bankbooks and safety deposit box keys at the front desk," called the manager after Gloriea's retreating figure. "Deputy?" said the manager when Gloriea was out of earshot. "Lucas wants you to take her to the house now. He's there waiting for you." Ben left the office and met Gloriea and Caleb out front by the patrol car. "You're headed in wrong direction, Ben," said Gloriea when she noticed that Ben was headed away from Ascension and further into Trinity. "I'm taking you to your surprise, right Caleb?" "Yep, Lucas told me all about it this morning." "Now you've got me curious," said Gloriea. "The house...," said Gloriea as she jumped out of the patrol car and ran to the side gate. Gloriea found herself in a familiar garden and went straight for the prized roses where she proceeded to bury her face in the fragrant blossoms. "Mmmmmm.... I'm so glad that whoever owns this place now is still taking care of the garden." "I thought it was worth the effort to keep it up," said Lucas' voice from behind. Gloriea turned around to face Lucas who was leaning smugly against the side of the house. "Who'd you get to do all the work?" "You don't think I could take care of a couple roses?" "You can take care of a lot of things, but I know you'd never get your hands dirty...in anything you do. You always find a way for someone else to do it for you." "Is that the way to talk to the man who saved your family home and garden?" "So you're the new owner." "No, you are," said Lucas as he tosses a set of keys to Gloriea. "Why?" "Let's just say, I'm trying to get things back to as close to normal as possible." Gloriea began walking down the garden path to the backyard. Lucas was following closely behind her. "You know what getting back to normal means? I'm gonna have to see to it that everything that went out of whack while I was away is balanced out again." "Maybe I don't need your help." "Did I say anything about helping you? I was thinking more along the lines of having to work against you this time." "I'll finally have some real competition then." "I'm sure you've run roughshot over this town while I've been gone. It's a good thing I got back before you ruined everything." "Would that be all that bad? It might put an end to this whole game for good." "End? There'll never be an end to this game because He won't allow it." "You can be such a straight arrow, always doing what's expected of you." "Breaking the rules was what got us in this mess to begin with." "We've been over this a million times, I think I've got better things to occupy your attention with," said Lucas as he grabbed Gloriea and dragged her to the middle of the yard where a large oak was growing. "So? It's a tree," said Gloriea when Lucas made her stand under it. "Look above." Gloriea looked up over her head and saw a large black bow hangingfrom one of the branches. "Pull it down," said Lucas when Gloriea gave him a questioning look. Gloriea tore the ribbon from the tree and found another set of keys attached to the end. "What are these for?" asked Gloriea as she held the keys out in front of her. "It's the keys to the old Trinity Gazette building, your building." Meanwhile: "Caleb, Ben, what are you doing here? I thought you were going shopping?" said Gail as she pulled up in her car. "Lucas is giving Glory a surprise," said Caleb. "Surprise?" "Yah, Lucas gave Glory this house and your parents old newspaper building." "He what?!" ...TO BE CONTINUED... Subj: FF: Caught In The Web 9/? Date: 96-08-18 17:17:16 EDT From: ndandy@direct.ca (Alien) Sender: owner-ag-fanfic@stargame.org To: ag-fanfic@stargame.org Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the characters in this story. CBS, MCA and maybe some other people do. They are from the TV show American Gothic. Except for Gloriea, who came out of my own sick and twisted mind. This is all in good fun, so please don't sue. Caught In The Web 9/? by Alien Gail left after hearing the news about Lucas gifts to Gloriea and headed directly for her apartment which was nearby. "I can't he did that! He knew I wanted to rent the building and start up and start up the Gazette again, he knew and yet he still gave it to her. Why? Who is she? Why does Lucas treat her so much differently than everyone else?" Gail stopped, as if a lightbulb had gone off in her head, and ran out of her apartment. "The Trinity Gazette building? Why would you give me this?" said Gloriea as she walked around Lucas, shaking the key ring as she did. "You use to always talk about starting your own paper. What were your words? Something like...this lifetime is a chance to try something different." "Life can be boring for us, if we don't shake things up a bit," said Gloriea as she walked up onto the back porch of the house. "I just like to shake things up, a lot." "So, you like my gift?" "Yes, but what will I end up owing you?" said Gloriea as she leaned down over the porch railing and looked down at Lucas. "Promise to be gentle." "Gentle? You were never gentle with me and gentle isn't something you like...in anything you do. Think of it of our own good, a balanced existance will make this life and others easier to live. Not too much pain." "But I like pain." Back at the boarding house Loris is talking to an unseen figure in the backyard. "She's back. You know what that means, we'll never be able to defeat Lucas and take control of Caleb now." "Never say never, Sister Loris. Some players in this game can be used for our gain," said a familiar voice from the shadows. "Do you really think it's possible to get rid of both Lucas and Gloriea forever and still gain control of Caleb?" "Yes." The figure in the shadows moved towards Loris. "You..., but how?" "I'm going to find Glory," said Caleb as he ran from the living room where he and Ben had been talking to Mandy. "They should be in the backyard, just go through the kitchen," called Mandy after him. "Maybe we should go back there too. I'm sure Gloriea would love to see you," said Ben. "I'm just glad I'm getting a chance to see her again," said Mandy. "You'll watch over her when I'm gone, won't you?" "I'm sure Lucas will be able to do that," said Ben. "I'd rather you did, I sometimes worry about the weird relationship those two have." "I know.... I sometimes wonder what they have in common, besides a lack of caring for rules and laws." "They're ancient souls, the two of them. That's what they share." Ben helped Mandy off of the couch and they went out the same wayCaleb did. "Hmmmmmm...," said Caleb as he ate some of the cookies and cakes sitting on the table before him. "These taste just like Mandy's recipe," said Gloriea as she stole another piece from the cake in Caleb's hand. "That's because Mandy made them," said Caleb. "Mandy's still here?" "Yes, you couldn't get rid of me that easily," said Mandy as he walked out the back door. "Mandy!" Gloriea got up and hugged the old man then helped him sit down. Lucas stood off to the side watching the three of them. He noticed the bright smile on Caleb's face, a smile no one had seen on his face in a long time. While watching them something in the kitchen window caught Lucas' eye. Ben was on the phone and was trying to get Lucas' attention. Lucas slipped into the kitchen without being noticed by Mandy or Caleb. Gloriea noticed, but didn't pay it a whole lot of attention. "What is it, Ben?" "It's about Matt Crower." "What about Harvard?" "He's missing." "Missing?" "They went to check on him this morning and he wasn't in his room. They don't know how he got out, the room he was in was locked and there was no evidence of a forced escape." "Aw, hell," said Lucas when he looked out the kitchen window. He caught Gloriea's eyes, she smiled back and shrugged her shoulders. ...TO BE CONTINUED... Next Time: A surprise about who Matt is and why he's out, Gloriea heads out for some payback, but Lucas may have already handled it for her. Subj: FF: Caught In The Web 10/? Date: 96-08-19 21:00:34 EDT From: ndandy@direct.ca (Alien) Sender: owner-ag-fanfic@stargame.org To: ag-fanfic@stargame.org Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the characters in this story. CBS, MCA and maybe some other people do. They are from the TV show American Gothic. Except for Gloriea, who came out of my own sick and twisted mind. This is all in good fun, so please don't sue. Caught In The Web 10/? by Alien "Do you want to be a patient here instead of a doctor?" said Lucas to the doctor cowering in a chair before him. "Of course not." "Well, then find out how Crower escape while I fix your mistake by finding him." Lucas left the doctor babbling in his office. "But I can't see how. It's impossible. He was there, then gone." "You've picked an interesting host this time around, Lucas won't be expecting you," said Loris as she walked around the familiar yet strangely different figure standing in the middle of her yard. "I thought someone Lucas thought little of a threat would be ideal, plus the boy's already bonded with this being," said Matt Crower's voice but not his personality. "This Matt Crower didn't have the heart he needed behind his convictions, but me as Matt will be a whole other story for Lucas. He won't see what's coming until it's too late to save himself or Gloriea. With Lucas defeated Gloriea will not be far behind and Caleb will be ours. Divide and conquer. But we must be careful, I must lay low while we prepare." "I know a perfect place," said another voice to the mix. "Lucas! Why did you and Ben leave so quick? What's wrong?" said Gloriea when Lucas walked in the front door. "Always with the questions." "Spit it out, I know something's wrong." "Going with those emotions of yours again?" "Just say it," said Gloriea who was stung by Lucas' last remark. "A man who tried to kill me, I'm sure he's just the person you'd like, has escaped from Juniper Hill." "So, why would I care?" "I want Caleb to stay with you so both you and Ben can keep an eye on him." "Why would this person be a threat to Caleb?" "He was a friend of Caleb's, I just want someone with him just in case he tries to contact Caleb." "Matt Crower?" "How'd you know about him...already?" "Caleb told me about him, plus Loris brought it up the first night I arrived in Trinity." "Can you see why I'm worried now?" "Actually, no, but having Caleb over is already something I was going to ask him." "You had something to do with Crower escaping, didn't you? That's why you're not worried about Caleb's safety, it's all apart of your plan." "What plan? I haven't even had the time to think about what to have for dinner, let allow hatch some devious plan to get you jumpy." "Oh come on, you got the Yankee Blue Blood out. It's got your signature all over it. He's my enemy. He's escaped from somewhere I put him,as it by magic. And you don't think that sounds like you. It's your modis operandi. I'd think you'd try something a little different this time." "I swear Lucas, it wasn't me." "Right," said Lucas as he left the house. Gloriea looked over at Ben, who was now standing in the doorway that led to the kitchen. "How could he ever think that I'd do anything to hurt Caleb?" "I doubt he thinks that." "Just because he doesn't have a heart doesn't mean I don't!" "Calm down, you know how you get when you're emotional like this," said Ben as he came over and put his hand on Gloriea's shoulder. "And he uses it against me every time." "Don't worry," said Ben as he hugged Gloriea, "you don't need to about Doc Crower, he'd never hurt Caleb." "Maybe he'll kill Lucas this time." While Ben and Gloriea talked Caleb had walked into the hallway between the kitchen and living room and over heard most of the conversations in the living room. "Dr. Matt...?" whispered Caleb. "Ben, could you watch Caleb? I need to see him," said Gloriea. "Sure...." Gloriea headed out the front door before Ben could say another word. "Ben?" said Caleb as he walked into the living room. "Caleb?!" "What's going on?" "How much did you hear?" "Almost all of it." "So, you know about Matt Crower?" "Yes, but where's Gloriea going?" "She said something about seeing her stepfather." "But he's...." "I know." Gloriea pulled up to an ivy covered brick wall with a large iron gate. "Let's hope my secret enterance is still where I left it," said Gloriea as she pulled away. ...TO BE CONTINUED... Next Time: Gloriea finds out what happened to her family while she was gone, Caleb meets up with Dr. Matt, and Ms. Constantine (MtB) shows up in the darnest places. Subj: FF: Caught In The Web 11/? Date: 96-08-20 22:32:35 EDT From: ndandy@direct.ca (Alien) Sender: owner-ag-fanfic@stargame.org To: ag-fanfic@stargame.org Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the characters in this story. CBS, MCA and maybe some other people do. They are from the TV show American Gothic. Except for Gloriea, who came out of my own sick and twisted mind. This is all in good fun, so please don't sue. Caught In The Web 11/? by Alien Gloriea drove about half a mile to a dirt road not far from the edge of the property and turned down it. After parking Lucas' car, which she had borrowed without asking, Gloriea hinked the rest of the was through the bushes. The path had become overgrown since the last time she had used it but Gloriea was still able to find the section of brick wall she was looking for. The ribbon was still tied to the ivy, but was barely visible in the growth of the past three years. It was rather easy to find the old wooden door in the wall once she had found that ribbon. Gloriea looked at the small door and almost wished she had gone through the gate. But that would have given her stepfather some warning that she was coming. After crawling through the ancient doggy door Gloriea made her way to the house. "Grrrrrrrrrr...Akrrrrrrrrrr...Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr!" Gloriea knew that sound well and turned around without one more thought to face it. "You'd better get back to the boarding house before you're missed," said Constantine. "I'll make sure he's safe he's safe until we're ready to strike." Loris left the dark confines of the building without another word. "She mustn't come back here, we can't risk anyone making a connection between the three of us and this place." "Nothing will go wrong this time, we've laid in wait a long time and the players are positioned just right," said Ms. Constantine into the shadows. "Lucas is distracted with the recent revelations." "And Gloriea is still very weak from being away from Trinity for such a long time." "By the time we strike they won't know what hit them. Have you put the first part of our plan into motion?" "Not yet, but we may not have too. Lucas' nature already has him suspecting that Gloriea freed Matt Crower which will slowly divide them, leaving Gloriea vulnerable. When divided we'll conquer." "So, Lucas has started to abandon Gloriea before she's her old self again. Good." "I was ablt to find out that he's suspicious of her, that's it. But it's something we can work with. We may not even have to attack Lucas until the final blow." "Use Gloriea's personality and abilities against Lucas?" "Yes. If we get her angry enough she'll lash out. We have to make her focus that emotion on Lucas. She'll weaken him enough that we'll be able to step up and finish things." "Well, let's get the ball rolling. Get me Buck's son." Gloriea was just about to break through the bushes at the edge of the circular driveway when she stopped herself. Someone has just walked out of the house and was driving off. Gloriea saw the woman in the driver's seat, it was Loris Holt. "What the hell is she doing here?" Gloriea sat back in the bushes, contemplating what she had just seen and what to make of it. 'Loris never came here before, that I remember,' thought Gloriea. 'If she knew my family why didn't she know me?' Gloriea decided she still needed to see her stepfather, but she needed to make sure the timing was just right so no one would see her or would figure that she had seen Holt. Gloriea did not know why but she had a feeling that piece of information would be put to better use if she kept it to herself. She backtracked to the iron gate and walked up the driveway like she had just walked in through the gate. Instead of knocking once she got to the house Gloriea just walked right in. "It is my family's home after all." Meanwhile in the cellar of the house: "Loris knows her job, she was heading to see Gail from here," said Ms. Constantine. "Let's hope this works," said Matt. "It will...." Footsteps from the floor abouve alerted them to a presence. "I thought you said this place was secure," said Matt. "I'm sure it's nothing, I'll be right back," said Ms. Constantine as she unbarred the door and began to leave. "Lock this behind me, we can't take the chance of anyone stumbling onto this room on you." When the door closed, the latch slammed to the locked position on its own. The house was so different compared to what she remembered. It was almost bare compared to the lavish decor that Gloriea had last seen it in. The warm antiques now replaced with more modern colder furniture. Furniture made of metal, stone and harsh leather compared to wood and soft fabrics. Blacks and greys compared to whites, roses and yellows. The place had a whole new appearance but the feeling remained the same, it was always a cold dark place. "Well, at least the furniture now suits the place," said Gloriea. "I'm glad to see you approve," said Ms. Constantine from behind Gloriea. "What are you doing here!?" "I live here, you on the other hand are trespassing." "This is my family's home." "It hasn't been since you left." 'Huhhhh! She's not surprised I'm alive. Something's not right.' "Now, if you don't mind I'd like you to leave." "Wait! Where's my mother?" "You can probably find her with your stepfather at the family plot in Trinity Cemetary." ...TO BE CONTINUED... Subj: FF: Caught In The Web 12/? Date: 96-08-22 02:17:17 EDT From: ndandy@direct.ca (Alien) Sender: owner-ag-fanfic@stargame.org To: ag-fanfic@stargame.org Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the characters in this story. CBS, MCA and maybe some other people do. They are from the TV show American Gothic. Except for Gloriea, who came out of my own sick and twisted mind. This is all in good fun, so please don't sue. Caught In The Web 12/? by Alien Caleb had been sitting in the house since Gloriea had left several hours earlier and it had taken a lot of effort for him to talk Ben into letting him go outside. "Aw, come on Ben. I'll be okay. Matt would never hurt me, we're friends." "Well..., okay. I'll come out with you, as long as you promise to stay in the backyard." Caleb was running ahead of Ben when the phone rang. "Caleb, stay right here while I get that," said Ben as he left Caleb at the top steps of the porch and went inside to answer the phone. Caleb stood there looking out over the backyard when something caught his eye at the corner of the yard that had access to a side street. Whe he looked over there he could not see anything at first until someone moved from behind a tree. "Dr. Matt...?" Matt motioned for Caleb to be guiet and then to come to him. Caleb looked hesitantly at Matt then looked over his shoulder to look through the kitchen window. Ben was still on the phone and when he turned his back to the window Caleb made a dash across the yard to Matt. "Dr. Matt, you shouldn't be here. Lucas is looking for you." "I've come to warn you." "Warn me of what?" "Your friend is not who she says she is." "Lucas!" yelled Gloriea when she entered the front office. Floyd looked up from his desk but other than that he did not say or do anything else. Lucas came out from his office and stood in the doorway between the front office and the hallway that led to his office. "What did you do!?" said Gloriea. "She...ark...she's gone because of you!" Tears poured from Gloriea's face. "We'd better talk about whatever's bothering you in my office," said Lucas as he came towards Gloriea and placed his hand on the side of her face. "Don't touch me!" said Gloriea as she recoiled from his touch and slipped past him into his office. "Make sure no one disturbs us," said Lucas to Floyd. Gloriea stood before Lucas' desk facing him. "You did it, didn't you!" The door slammed behind Lucas, without either one of them touching it. " Don't be getting dramatic on me now. Those kinds of tricks are more my style, than yours." "Well, since when did your style involve killing an innocent person who had nothing to do with any of this." "I'm sure whoever you're babbling about wasn't as innocent as you'd like to remember." Before Lucas had barely finished his sentence Gloriea has a lamp flying straight for his face. "Now I think that was uncalled for," said Lucas after barely ducking out of the way. "She wouldn't do anything to deserve your attention, yet coincidentally she died only a few days after I was suppose to have drowned." "Aw hell, darling, I didn't want you to find out this way," said Lucas as he touched Gloriea again. This time he wrapped his other arm around her waist and brought her tight to him so she could not squirm out of his reach again. "So you admit it," said Gloriea after she stopped struggling. "I don't admit anything, I just didn't want you finding out about their deaths on your own." "What? So you could tell me your truth, minus any blame you may deserve!" "If you'd turn those questions towards investigating you'd find that your parents' deaths are well documented." "I know you, Lucas, you can turn things around and always make yourself look like a saint." "Glory, it was witnessed by almost the entire town. Stop anyone on the street who lived here three years ago and they'll know about the day Ian MacMasterson blew his wife's head off during a memorial service for their daughter." Gloriea looked up into Lucas' eyes while he talked, trying to gadge if he was telling her the truth. As always, she didn't see anything in his dark empty eyes but her heart wanted to believe that the Lucas she remembered was still in there somewhere and would never be able to lie to her. "Then your stepfather killed himself. True, I'd have liked to have had that honor myself but I never got the chance. And if I could I would've saved your mother." "It still doesn't make much sense." Lucas seemed to be about to say more when a panicked Ben barged into the office with Floyd close behind. "What the hell? Floyd, I thought I told you that we weren't to be interupted." "Ben wouldn't listen." "It's...Caleb," said Ben who was out of breath. "What about Caleb and why are you out of breath?" asked Lucas. Ben glared at Gloriea, "he's missing." ...TO BE CONTINUED... Subj: FF: Caught In The Web 13/? Date: 96-08-30 23:23:31 EDT From: ndandy@direct.ca (Alien) Sender: owner-ag-fanfic@stargame.org To: ag-fanfic@stargame.org Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the characters in this story. CBS, MCA and maybe some other people do. They are from the TV show American Gothic. Except for Gloriea, who came out of my own sick and twisted mind. This is all in good fun, so please don't sue. Caught In The Web 13/? by Alien Lucas called Gloriea out of the office after Ben's abrupt intrusion. Ben's attitude towards Gloriea interested him and he hoped he could find out the reason without Gloriea listening in. She was still weak from being away so long that he figured she would be unable to use her gift for knowing what she should not. As Lucas and Ben began their conversation in the inner office, Gloriea sat down in the outer office and tried concentration solely on what was happening in the inner office. "So you think Gloriea may have had something to do with Caleb's disappearance," said Lucas. "I don't know, it's just that she took your car which meant I couldn't go after the car that took Caleb." "Is that all...?" "No, I also think I saw her in the back seat of the car with Caleb." Lucas stared out towards the fromt office and closed his eyes in concentration. Gloriea ran from the office and took off in Lucas' car again. 'He's going to be out for blood now...mine,' thought Gloriea as she headed for the outskirts of Trinity. When Gloriead had scanned the back office she caught very little. What she did get was an image burned into Ben's mind. That image was now seared to her brain. The image was of her and Caleb driving off in the back of a large black car. The car was one she had known from her childhood and she knew just where to find it. "Where the hell did she go?!" said Lucas as he rushed from his office to find that Gloriea was gone, just like he had expected. "She said something about not doind it, whatever it was, and then took off with your car," said Floyd. "That's the second time today she's taken my car without asking." "What should we do, Lucas?" asked Ben. "Go after her, of course." Ben took off on command, like the good little puppy he was. "And find out why she's crossed the line," said Lucas as he grabbed the keys to the other patrol car and left the office. "Ms. Constantine, was your part of the operation successful?" asked Matt who was pacing back and forth in front of a large stone fireplace. "Yes, my projection spells fooled everyone. Caleb thought he was with Matt and Ben thought he saw Gloriea kidnap Caleb," said Constantine who was standing in the doorway behind Matt. "Good, very good." "Their egos allowed us to work under their noses. Lucas and Gloriea believe that no one is as powerful or can do the things they themselves take for granted as their own." "Lucas Buck and his Glory brought down by their own egos. I like the sound of that, could be a headline for the Trinity Gazette," said Matt, then sat down in a chair facing the fireplace and leaned back laughing. "Now let's hope Loris is setting the next step into motion," said Constantine as a devilish grin grew across her face. Gail had spent most of the day rummaging through the archives at Trinity's local library trying to find out as much as she could about Gloriea. What little Gail did find is that Gloriea was from a very powerful but mysterious part of Trinity society and that Gloriea and Lucas were seen as very good friends for many years before her non-death. Other than the occassional picture and story that showed up there was very little else. Nothing of her birth or her schooling, but there was a large gap where she seemed to have disappeared of the face of the earth. That period began about nine months before Caleb's birth and lasted for several years. When Gloriea did show up again she showed a great interest in a young motherless child. That child was Caleb and their friendship seemed to have lasted until the day on the lake when she was presumed to have drowned. "Find out anything interesting?" said a voice from behind Gail. Gail turned around from the bookshelf she was at and jumped with a startle, "...what are you doing here?" "Looking for you," said Gloriea as she came closer to Gail. "Why...?" said Gail as she scooted along the bookshelf to get away from Gloriea who was getting uncomfortably close. "You're in my way and I thought I'd deal with you sooner instead of later." Gail began backing away from Gloriea even faster as Gloriea advantage towards her. "Where do you think you're going?" said Gloriea as she looked over Gail's shoulder. Gail turned her head slightly and saw that she was only a few feet away from the railing. The only thing after that was a not so nice drop to the first floor reading area. "That's where you're going. Up and over." "What!?" Gail watched in shock as her feet were raised from the floor and her body was pressed against the railing against its will by an unseen force. Gail screamed as the force pushed her over the railing and then nothing. The librarian ran over to Gail's broken body whick was splayed on the floor and looked up to see Gloriea looking down. "And so it begins...." ...TO BE CONTINUED... Subj: FF: Caught In The Web 14/? Date: 96-10-09 01:51:54 EDT From: ndandy@direct.ca (Alien) Sender: owner-ag-fanfic@stargame.org To: ag-fanfic@stargame.org Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the characters in this story. CBS, MCA and maybe some other people do. They are from the TV show American Gothic. Except for Gloriea, who came out of my own sick and twisted mind. This is all in good fun, so please don't sue. Caught In The Web 14/? by Alien Gloriea looked down at the scene below her and smiled. Gail's role in the game had begun. The librarian stared up in horror at Gloriea as she backed away from the railing. "Nancy! Call from an ambulance . . . and call the Sheriff," yelled the librarian to her assistant at the front desk. A short while later: "What the hell is going on here?" asked Lucas when he passed a crowd in front of the library and tried to get through the front enterance. "There's been an accident, Lucas," said Floyd who was trying to keep all the gaukers out. "I guessed that from the ambulance. My question is, why was I called away from a meaningless little accident?" "I think you should go inside and see for yourself," said Floyd as he opened the door for Lucas. Lucas walked in to see the librarian and her assistant talking to another deputy and the ambulance attendants in the background getting ready to wheel their patient out. Most of the stretcher was not visible from his vantage point, so he was unable to see who the occupant was. "So you saw who pushed the woman over the railing?" asked the deputy to the librarian. " I saw someone at the railing, but I never saw the accident. Plus, the person I saw couldn't have done this." "I can take over now, Marcus," said Lucas as he walked up to the three people. "So Marcy, what's this about the person you saw?" "She was standing right up there," said the librarian as she pointed up to a section of railing. As an after thought she added, "it was almost like she'd never left." "What did you see?" "I saw the dead MacMasterson girl, Gloriea. She was looking down at the reporter woman's body with this menacing smile on her face. Like nothing I've ever seen. Don't you see, it's impossible." Lucas was not listening to Marcy's last remark, his attention had been turned to the attendants who were now wheeling their patient passed. He stopped the stretcher, placed his hands on the sides of Gail's face and closed his eyes. Images flashed in front of Lucas' face until he saw the last image that Gail saw as she fell over the railing. "Glory." "Excuse me, Sheriff? We've got to get Miss Emory to the hospital," said the attendant before he started wheeling Gail away from Lucas. Meanwhile Gloriea was on a mission of her own, trying to find someone she knew who would help her. Her instintive search lead her to a familiar ranch level suburban cottage. 'I hope she still lives here,' thought Gloriea as she walked through the screened door and found herself in a country kitchen full of fresh bouquets of flowers. "You're early, darling, I'm no where here ready for our date," said a woman who walked into the kitchen from the bathroom, she was still trying to towel dry her freshly washed locks. "You'd better not be here to cancel our date. . .you know how much I hate being rejected." "Well, tonight you're the one doing the rejecting, besides I don't think Lucas will be free tonight," said Gloriea. "Uhh . . . Lucas?" said the woman as she bagan to hurriedly put her hair up in the towel then looked up at her very unexpected visitor. "Surprised to see me, Sis?" "Gloriea, is it really you?" "Yes, Selena, I'm back from the dead, or in my case the presumed dead." "Is this one of Lucas' tricks? Because if it is, this is a new low even for him," said Selena as she tenatively moved closer to Gloriea. "Not this time," said Gloriea as she let Selena touch her face. "How's it possible?" said Selena as she jumped slightly back. "I'll explain everything later, let's just say that the talk of my demise was a little premature, to say the least. Right now, I have more pressing things to deal with and I need your help." "Where's Dr. Matt?" said Caleb as he was led through a dark corridor to a large wood and metal door that looked very old. "He's taking care of a few things, he said for you to wait for him in here," said Ms. Constantine as she opened the door and gestured for Caleb to enter the darkness beyond. Caleb tried to look into the woman's eyes as he passed her, but it was like she was purposely trying to avoid direct eye contact. She was acting strangely just as Matt had been during the drive here. Caleb expected the woman to follow him in or at least turn on some lights. He turned back around to leave and saw that the woman was in the doorway which now seemed further away than he had expected. She began to laugh as the door began to close and Caleb began to run for it, but he did not make it before it was bolted shut. Every step he made seemed like a thousand and with each one he became weaker until he blacked out. . . . TO BE CONTINUED . . . Subj: FF: Caught In The Web 15/? Date: 96-10-16 00:42:58 EDT From: ndandy@direct.ca (Alien) Sender: owner-ag-fanfic@stargame.org To: ag-fanfic@stargame.org Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the characters in this story. CBS, MCA and maybe some other people do. They are from the TV show American Gothic. Except for Gloriea, who came out of my own sick and twisted mind. This is all in good fun, so please don't sue. Caught In The Web 15/? by Alien "Come on, get in the car," called Gloriea to Selena who was standing at the end of the driveway. "He'll be here soon and you never gave me a chance to leave a note." "This new man of yours is of no importance. As much as missing a date with you is a tragic thing, I'm sure you'll be able to make it up for him. Now let's go!" As Selena and Gloriea pulled away, Billy pulled up. He briefly saw Selena's face and was taken aback by the look of worry on her face. "What are you up to now, Buck," said Billy as he pulled away to follow Lucas' car. "...Merly? Glory? Matt? Gail?" weakly cried Caleb on the cold stone floor. "Don't fight it," said a soothing voice in the darkness. "Let me tell you the truth." Caleb felt a hand touch his forehead and heard voices chanting unfamiliar words and songs. He saw images and scenes before him, like he was there. Events he couldn't believe were true. Glory and Lucas kneeling before God and Lucifer. Lucas snapping Merly's neck. Glory pushing Gail over a railing. Lucas and Gloirea together laughing. Tears formed in Caleb's eyes, he believed they were laughing at him. "Caleb, we are your friends, not Lucas and Gloriea. They're here to control you, take you over into the darkness. They betray you." The voice calmed Caleb, hypnotising him into dropping his natural defenses so the ancient foreign chants could do their damage. Both were slowly taking control of Caleb, taking him to where none of his line had gone before. Caleb saw his beginning, he saw the Mother and Father of his soul. His parents had betrayed both God and Lucifer, each being the most trusted of each sides elite. His Mother was on the side of God, his Father was on the side of Lucifer. Both wanted more than was allowed by the rules, both wanted to be together . . . forever. They both tried in vain to unite the two, Heaven and Hell, through a marriage. A marriage of both their souls. God and Lucifer were outraged by their most trusted angels betrayal of the sacred rules and laws that governed over both domains. It was an unwritten rule they had broken, but a rule no less. Neither side was even to mix with the other, except for the occasional business meeting. They were both banished for their mistake, cursed to live a life seen fit by God and Lucifer. When a child was born into this union God had taken its soul away. The soul would always be born to another, Mother was never to bore another child of her own again. She would live to see her son and husband connected to one another in a cold evil bound never to be broken while she would always be on the outside. There, but never truly a real part of anything. Father became Lucifer's ideal, a conduit of evil, a cold unfeeling heart going about his duties with not a thought about them. Mother became something much more complicated, more human. Her emotions stronger and more dangerous, her feelings heightened to increase her pain. Her life would be her torture, her feelings and emotions ripping her heart in two directions at once. "Where are we going, anyways?" asked Selena as she and Gloriea sped through Trinity. "I have a feeling that Fenwick House might be where they took Caleb." "Someone's taken Caleb!?" "Yes, and for some reason and way they've made it look like I had a hand in it. Lucas thinks I've taken Caleb." "That's a good way of distracting Lucas . . . and you. Instead of looking for Caleb and the people responsible, they're hoping to turn the two of you against each other." "True. But why would they even try something like this?" "They must know about the connection between you, Caleb and Lucas. They might think they can gain something from that knowledge." "But what?" "The end of Lucas' reign over Trinity, . . . power. It could be a number of things." "Or both." "Why do you think the old family home is where they took him?" "Something I saw when I was there this morning. How long has Ms. Constantine lived there?" "Where?" "At Fenwick." "You've got to be mistaken, no one's lived there since's Mom's . . . ." "Don't worry, I already know what happened." "So you saw Ms. Constantine at the house?" "Yes, I even spoke to her." "What else happened?" "Well, I saw another visitor she'd had before I got there." "Who?" "Loris Holt." "Holt? I couldn't imagine those two as friends." "Either would I and I think that's just the way they wanted it." "Do you think anyone else is involved?" "There's one other, but I haven't seen him and I not sure if he's even a part of this or just another distraction or a pawn in this sick game." "Who?" "Dr. Matt Crower." Selena stared at Gloriea's profile, "Crower?! Even if he was out of Juniper Hill, he's too weak to try something like this. Plus, he doesn't know anything about you." "One, he is out and two, I have a feeling he's not himself." "Not himself?" "When I tried a scan early I picked up something that, frankly, scared the living daylights out of me." "You scared, I doubt it." "This one'll scare you too. I could of sworn I picked of a presense of someone who shouldn't be here." "Who?" "Ian. Step-daddy dearest." "But that's impossible. Actually it's not impossible, look where we live." "It was the same thing I felt those weeks before my drowning. The feeling that something, some force had invaded his body. He was different those last weeks." Billy watched as Lucas' car pulled dowm a dirt road. He was about to follow when a large bright light formed in his path. "YOU ARE NOT MEANT TO BE HERE," bellowed a voice from the light. "Who are you?" asked Billy, who was shielding his eyes from the light. "THAT IS NONE OF YOUR CONCERN, BUT YOU MUST NOT FOLLOW. YOU ARE NOT A PART OF THIS. LEAVE NOW!" "I don't know what you're up to, Buck, but I ain't falling for it." "IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE THAT WAY, WE WILL STOP YOU ANOTHER WAY." The light began to grow and over take the car, the heat intensified until Billy blacked out. The next time Billy awoke, Ben was leaning over him. "Hey doc, are you okay?" "Uhhh . . . . Where am I?" "Jackson's Bridge. It looks like you and your car took a swan drive into the river." "Can't be . . . I was no where near here, when . . . ." "When, what?" piped up Lucas who was leaning against one of the patrol cars. "I was following Gail and Selena . . . ." "You're mistaken, boy. Gail's in the hospital." "She was driving your car." "Gloriea! Where did you see them last?" "They turned down a dirt road, not far from a place called Fenwick on the outskirts of town." "The MacMasterson estate . . . ?" Billy saw Lucas take off just before he passed out again. "How are you?" said Matt. "Fine." "I'm sorry I had to do that, but I thought you should know the truth." "I understand." "Do you really?" "Yes, . . . my parents are here." "Yes . . . ?" "The parents of my soul." "And . . . ?" "For me to survive and be happy I must help you and your friends defeat them." "What must you do for that to happen?" "Kill them." "Kill who?" "Lucas and Gloriea, my parents." . . . TO BE CONTINUED . . . Next Time: Now talk about revelations and complicated family trees. Gloriea comes to the rescue, only to find that it was all way too easy. Selena plays hide- and-go-seek, while waiting for Lucas' arrival. Lucas, on the other hand, has ran into detour on the way to Fenwick. (of course all of this could chance by the time I get part 16 out, but, hey, it's an idea) Subj: FF: Caught In The Web Part 16/16 Date: 96-11-27 22:59:42 EST From: ndandy@direct.ca (Alien) Sender: owner-ag-fanfic@columbia.phy.wfu.edu To: ag-fanfic@columbia.phy.wfu.edu "Caught In The Web" All Parts. By ndandy@direct.ca (Alien) Section below and all previous sections Copyright c 1996 by Neila Dandy Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the characters in this story. CBS, MCA and maybe some other people do. They are from the TV show American Gothic. Except for Gloriea, who came out of my own sick and twisted mind. This is all in good fun, so please don't sue. FF: Caught In The Web Part 16/16 By Alien ndandy@direct.ca "What did you mean earlier about Matt Crower not being himself?" asked Selena as she and Gloriea made their way through the woods that Gloriea had only just been in this morning. "I felt something when I was in Fenwich this morning, the same feeling I had a few weeks before the incident on the lake." "So, you feel a lot of things?" "It was something powerful, hidden and I felt then, as I do now, that it was ready to make itself known." "And why wouldn't Lucas know about this...presense?" skeptically asked Selena. "Because I feel things more intensely, with him it's all surface. This 'presense' is not what we'd normally tune into, it's more like a pool of emotions. Negative emotions. Lucas can be pretty oblivious when it comes to emotions." "I know...." "We're here," said Gloriea as she kneeled down in front of the door. "So, what's the plan?" "You'll stay here until I need you to get Lucas." "And when will I know to do that?" "You'll know...." "Is something wrong?" asked Selena when she noticed Gloriea freeze. "Uhhh!?" "You zoned out for a minute there." "Another flashback of the lake, that's all." "Maybe this isn't a good time for this?" "No! It has to be done now." "If you say so, Sis." "Before I go I have to warn you, DO NOT go onto the property. Go back to the car and wait." Gloriea opened the door and stepped through to the other side. "Promise me, no matter what happens you will not step one foot on Fenwick?" "I promise," said Selena as she closed the door behind Gloriea. "The game's afoot," said Matt as he turned around from a window to face Caleb. "She's here?" "Yes, she just stepped onto the property." "Is she alone?" asked Loris who was standing in the shadows by the door. "Not quite, someone else waits outside the walls," said Matt. "Should I use them for our insurance policy?" "Yes, go!" Loris rushed out of the room just as Constantine walked in. "The basement is ready for our guests, I believe we should get ready to welcome them," said Constantine. "What's going on, Buck?" said Billy as he was wheeled into a Fulton County Ambulance. "An age old battle...Billy-boy," said Lucas as he walked over to the patrol car. "Lucas want me to drive?" asked Ben. "Not this time. Go back to the hospital and check on Gail or something," said Lucas as he got into the car. Ben watched as Lucas sped away. "I hope you both know what you're doing." Gloriea made it slowly to the main house with barely a whisper. It wasn't until she had gotten to one of the side doors that she stopped. She slowed and turned to the woods where she'd just come from, but she could not see or sense anything. Without anymore thought, Gloriea entered through the door and found herself in a familar kitchen. The kitchen was as it was the last time she saw it, except fot the thick layer of dust and grime that coated everything. As Gloriea walked around the kitchen she looked into the different cupboards. All the applicances and utensils were still there, there was even some food left in the fridge. No one has used this room in years. "Why would you act like you lived here when you obviously don't, Ms Constantine," called Gloriea into the shadows. Gloriea left the kitchen and moved to the living room where she'd been earlier that day. "My God!" The living room looked like a tornado had hit it and the furniture was not the cold dark modern furniture that Gloriea had found this morning. It was the antiques and flowery furniture that Gloriea remember from when her parents were still lived here. They were broken and scattered throughout the room. Gloriea kneeled down to touch a broken porceline angel when she stopped a dark pool on the hardwood floor in the hallway. 'Please, God, NO!' thought Gloriea as she stumbled over the shattered furniture to the spot on the floor. She touched the puddle. It was what she feared...BLOOD! "Caleb!" yelled Gloriea. Selena was walking away from the wall when she heard a voice coming from the other side. "My beautiful Selena," said the woman's voice. "Momma!?" called Selena. "Yes, baby." "But how?" "I need your help, you have to come over here." "I promised Gloriea...." "Gloriea's in trouble, that's why I need you over here." "I...I don't know." "Selena, if you don't get over here you will lose Gloriea again, this time for real." Selena, against her better judgement went through the door. "Momma?" "Yes, darling," said the tall elegant auburn hair woman as she came towards Selena. "Momma...," said Selena as tears welled up in her eyes. "Oh, baby! I'm so sorry," said the woman as she wrapped her arms around Selena. "It can't be...." "Sorry," said the woman. The woman smiled. "Ark! You're not my mother!" said Selena when the woman increased the pressure of their embrace. "No dear, I'm not." Selena slowly lost consciousness until her body slumped onto the bare ground. "Caleb!" called Gloriea as she ran down a flight of stairs and into the basement. "Mhmpht...!" Gloriea ran in the direction of the muffled sound and found a dark room at the end of the hallway. "Caleb...?" "HMPHT!!" The sound was definitely in the room and Gloriea frantically felt along the wall for a light switch. On finding one the room was flooded with the bright light. "Caleb! My God," said Gloriea before running over to his side. Caleb was tied to a pipe in the middle of the room, his hands bound high above his head and his mouth gagged. "Let's get you out of here," said Gloriea as she hurried to untie him. "I'm so glad you got here," said Caleb as he wrapped his arms around Gloriea. Gloriea pushed him away and held him in front of her. "This is important Caleb.... Where are the people who took you?" "They went out about half an hour ago." "Okay, let's get you somewhere safe," said Gloriea as she rushed Caleb out of the room and towards the stairs. "I don't totally understand why all this...weirdness has happened but once I'm one hundred percent I'm sure I'll figure it out. Plus, weirdness is attracted to Trinity like fruit flies to rotten apples." Upstairs Gloriea notices the pool of blood again. "Caleb, if you're not hurt, whose blood is this?" "My friend's," said Caleb as Gloriea slowly turned around to face him. Gloriea saw a familar smile cross Caleb's face. 'Like father, like son. Wicked to the bone.' "So you're a part of this, why ain't that a total surprise. My question is, are you doing this on your own or are these people, these 'friends', controlling you somehow?" "They told me the truth, I know you and Lucas are the reason why everything bad's happened in my life. It it wasn't for what you two did my family wouldn't have died!" "Is that how they've rationalized everything for you? How about this, if it wasn't for me and Lucas you'd never been born." "Maybe that's what I want." "I doubt that." "You don't know what I want!" said Caleb. He mentally lashed out at Gloriea and threw her across the living room. Her body hit the wall hard and slumped onto the floor. Gloriea tried to pick herself up but was unable to move. Caleb had her pinned right where he wanted her. "You're gonna regret this when you're done," said Gloriea as Caleb slowly came closer. "I doubt that," said Caleb, throwing Gloriea's earlier remark back at her. "ARKKK!!!" screamed Gloriea. "Hurts doesn't it, hurts more if you fight it. This is what it feels like to have your heart squeezed while it's still in your chest. Like a hand's reaching into your chest and sqeezing every last drop of like out of you." Caleb watched as Gloriea relaxed and absorbed the pain. "Come on, fight it! It'll be more fun if you'd at least try to fight back! Give me your best shot!" "I don't want to hurt you." "Don't worry, I can take it. I've been hurt a lot." "I won't hurt you on purpose." "Are you saying all those other times you've hurt me throughout the centuries was...what? An accident?" "Caleb, we were selfish, Lucas and I, I admit but we never thought that this would be our punishment," said Gloriea while trying unsuccessfully to move her arm. "It's too late for salvation, mother," said Caleb as he lifted an ornate dagger over his head. "Where did you get that, Caleb!? It's not suppose to exist here," screamed Gloriea as Caleb moved even closer. "A friend gave it to me," said Caleb as he drove the dagger down towards Gloriea. "Stop!!!" Caleb swung around to face Lucas, who'd just ran into the room. "And father dearest comes to the rescue." "Don't...." Lucas stopped his warning when he noticed the dagger, it's twisted decorative blade awash with blood. "You'd didn't!? But how, why?" "Oh, this," said Caleb, indicating the dagger, "it's a gift from a friend. The instrument to my freedom." "You're not free, someone else is in contril here, they're making you do this. You have the power within you to stop it." "Do I look like I want to stop?" Caleb swung around to Gloriea again. "Merly will want to stop it!" Caleb stopped and slowly turned to Lucas. "My sister's daed and you killed her, what makes you think she'd want to save you!" "She'd want to save you." "I don't need saving." "I beg to differ, son." Caleb didn't answer, he just glared back at Lucas. "Your soul will be damned like Gloriea and I if you go through with this." "I'm already damned!" "Your body maybe, but not your soul. I could never take control of your soul, it was always set free when the power gained control of the body." Caleb continued to stare, his face slowly dissolving into a grimace of pain. 'Caleb, Lucas is right. What you are doing is wrong. Your "friends" are trying to control something that is too powerful and dangerous to tamper with," called a voice from within Caleb's head. "Merly?" 'If you go ahead with this, Caleb, you'll be worse than what Lucas has become, because you will be using your power to hurt innocent people outside the circle. All of you are being controlled by one entity, an entity that's misguided actions will cause a destructive ripple effect that will keep branching out from Trinity.' Lucas watched as Caleb silently struggles with an invisible force until he passes out. "Merly?!" An intense light began to expand outward from Caleb's unconscious body until it formed the loose outline of a familiar female. "He's going to be fine when he awakes. Gloriea's who you should worry about now," said Merly before she disappeared back into Caleb's body. Lucas turned his attention back to Gloriea who was lying with her back against the wall and her arm held tightly to her body. "Are you okay?" said Lucas when he noticed the blood running down her arm from a wound on her shoulder. "I'm fine, he missed his mark," said Gloriea as she tried to get up and fell back against the wall. "Only because you distracted him." "And where was he aiming?" "For the heart," said Gloriea as Lucas helped her get up. "Where else are you hurt?" "Maybe a few broken bones and about a million bruises when I wake up tomorrow." "Let's get the two of you out of here," said Lucas as he picked up Caleb with one arm while trying to support Gloriea with the other. "I can walk on my own," said Gloriea as she brushed Lucas away. "Always reluctant to ask for my help, even when you resemble a broken china doll." "Hrmph! Where's...where's the dagger!?" "Right...there," said Lucas as he pointed to the spot where the dagger had fallen. It wasn't there. "They've still got it!" said Gloriea. "It's just a dagger." "You didn't recognize it?" "No, should I?" "Kinda, it was the Dagger of O'ka." "I thought that was a legend," said Lucas as he carried Caleb to the front door. "I've seen it...before." Lucas swung around to face Gloriea, "you've never mentioned this before." "It's not something I like to think about, but I know that was the dagger. I could never forget it." "So why is it here, of all places? There's no way to get passed its guardian." "Either something did of the Guardian's on the loose." Lucas tilted his looked doubtingly at Gloriea. "We did it, why not the Guardian?" said Gloriea as she passed Lucas and walked out the front door. The forest whirled passed in a blur. Selena knew she was over the shoulders of a human form, but the speed was not poosible for any mere mortal. This was the being that Gloriea feared. Selena now knew why. "Where are you taking me?" asked Selena. "She didn't fight back, she was suppose to fight back so Lucas would see her and misunderstand. He was suppose to believe in her betrayal." "She probably figured out your plan." "Shut Up! You're my insurance policy. You'll be part of my trap and when Gloriea sees her mistake it'll be too late. She'll never forgive herself." "I won't help you!" "Do you think you have a choice?" Selena tried to reply but could not find her voice. Our battered and weary trio were almost to the front gate of Fenwich Estates when Caleb awoke. "Shhhh...," said Gloriea when Caleb tried to talk, "don't to talk right now. Get some sleep and we'll talk later." Caleb was just about to doze off when he spotted two dark mounds on the road in front of the gate. "Glory?" said Caleb as he pointed to the gate. "What's that?" said Gloriea as she strained to see in the dark. "I'll see," said Lucas before he handed Caleb over to Gloriea. She winced from the pain the extra weight created but didn't make a sound. Lucas leaned over the two mounds and turned back to Gloriea who was slowly making her way to him. He stood up and met her half way. "It's Crower and Holt?" "I saw Loris here this morning." "And Crower?" "No, but he must've been here. He was probably used to lure Caleb away from the house." "What about Ms. Holt? As much as I dislike the woman, I can't see her doing anything that would put Caleb in danger." "Another pawn? They were all probably under the same control as Caleb." "How'd I miss it?" "You're not the only one, I only started piecing it together tonight. I believe they decided to make their move when you were distracted and I was slightly incompassitated. My guess is the Guardian, or whoever, wanted to get rid of us and was gonna use Caleb and ourselves against each other. They probably planned on killing Caleb too." "Could it work?" "Who knows? No one's ever tried it before." Gloriea handed a now sleeping Caleb back to Lucas and walked over to Matt and Loris, feeling for their pulses. "They're both still alive," said Gloriea as she looked around. "Whatever had control of them either didn't have the time or didn't find it necessary to kill them." "There's still one of them out there," said Gloriea. Lucas was about to say something when Matt began to stir. "He's trying to say something," said Gloriea as she slowly dropped to her knees beside him. "Selena...." "Lucas! Did you see Selena before you came here?" asked Gloriea. "No, I thought she was with you." "She took her to Jackson Lake," said Matt who was trying to sit up. "Constantine?" "Yes...." "Ms Constantine is the third one?" asked Lucas. "I think it may have started with her years ago. It all started before the accident at the lake. She was there." "You remembering more?" Gloriea ignored Lucas and walked through the gate. "Where do you think you're going?" "I've got to get Selena," said Gloriea as she got into the driver's seat of Lucas' patrol car and then drove off. "Aw hell, why'd I leave the keys in the car," said Lucas as he laid Caleb down on a bench by the wall. Lucas pulled a cellphone out of his jacket and called the office. "Ben, send some ambulances to Fenwich Estates and pick me up." The patrol car raced through the night along the backroad enterance to Jackson Lake leaving a heavy halo of dirt in its wake. At the lake, Gloriea spun out the car and stopped just at the edge of the woods. "Opps, Lucas ain't gonna like that," said Gloriea when she got out of the car and noticed that the back end of the car had slammed right into a car. Gloriea ripped the bottom of her shirt off and wrapped it around her injured shoulder, which was still bleeding. She leaned back against the car, her eyes closed and teeth clenched. The pain was starting to get to her but Gloriea trudged on. At the edge of the lake, Gloriea dropped to her knees and closed her eyes. Her eyes snapped open only seconds later, there was a new fierce intensity within them. "Ugh! Let go of me, I'm not helping you!" screamed Selena as she tried to fight her way away from Constantine. The ropes around her arms and legs proved to make the struggle pointless. "I disagree," said Constantine as she threw Selena against the railing at the end of the lookout they were standing on. "No, I disagree!" said Gloriea who suddenly appeared on the lookout behind Constantine. Constantine looked at Gloriea and seemed to make a decision. A broad smile crossed Constantine's face as she wrapped her hand tightly around Selena's throat. "You come anywhere near me and she goes over," said Constantine as she lifted Selena onto the railing. "If you didn't want a confrontation you could've just disappeared." "You think so...." Constantine inched Selena further over the edge. Gloriea scanned Constantine suspiciously and noticed that she didn't seem to have the dagger on her. "I do, you're not exactly stupid. Not a genius, mind you, but definitely not stupid." "Why thank-you." "If wasn't meant as a compliment." "Ah, that hurts. I think I'll hurt you back," said Constantine as she let Selena go. "Selena!" Gloriea ran forward as Selena went over the railing and hit the water. She bent over the railing and saw that Selena had not resurfaced. "You're dead, bitch!" said Gloriea when she turned around and looked at Constantine, who was trying to slip away. Gloriea closed her eyes in concentration and focused all her energy on Constantine. Constantine's body flew over the distance of the lookout, crashed through the railing and landing on the beach below. Lucas walked up just as Gloriea was about to run down the stairs and finish the job. "Lucas, watch her, I've got to save Selena," said Gloriea before she turned back and jumped into the lake. Lucas picked up Constantine's broken body by the neck. "Glory probably wants to deal with you herself, but I think I'd get more satisfaction if I handled you myself." Constantine's legs kicked frantically in the air as Lucas held her higher. Gloriea had dived to the bottom of the lake several times in the area where Selena had gone under but there was nothing there. She resurfaced and looked around for any sign of her, a movement on the opposite shore caught her attention. Constantine stood on the shore, facing Gloriea. She laughed and disappeared into the woods. The dagger was clearly visible hanging from her waist. "Lucas, stop!" yelled Gloriea as she swam furiously for the ladder on the side of the lookout. She raced up the ladder with her eyes closed. 'Lucas, that's not Constantine. It's a trick!" Lucas heard Gloriea's cries but, believing that they were the trick, he continued to choke the life out of his victim. When he closed his eyes the true illusion disappeared. Gloriea grabbed his arms and started shaking him, "Stop! You're gonna kill her!" Lucas' eyes snapped open and when he saw what he was actually doing he slowly lowered Selena to the ground. "Aw Hell!" Selena was breathing raggedly but was still able to make a crack about the whole thing. "I usually like it rough, Lucas, but this was pushing it." Later, at the hospital: "Miss Coombs, Dr. Crower and Ms Holt will be staying in the hospital for a few more days, but Caleb can go home anytime. Problem is there's no one there to watch over him," said the doctor. "He'll be coming home with me," said Lucas. "Good. There's also the matter of that young woman, Gloriea, she insists on signing herself out. I'd rather she stayed her, but she's insisting rather admantly. I feel much better if I knew someone was watching her too." "She'll be staying at my place for the next while. How's Miss Emory doing?" "That fall she took was pretty bad but she'll live." "Good." Caleb and Gloriea came through a door directly in front of Lucas. Gloriea was in a wheelchair while Caleb was behind pushing. "Ah, my houseguests! Are you ready to go?" said Lucas before taking over the control of the wheelchair. "Yep!" said Caleb. "So, Glory, what did you happen to do with my car?" "Lucas!" "What is it Ben?" said Lucas as he turned around to face his deputy. "We found Ms Constantine." "And...?" "She's dead." "Was there anything on or around her body?" asked Gloriea. "Like what?" "A dagger." "No...?" "That'll be all, Ben." Lucas wheeled Glory out of everyone's earshot. "So, what do you think?" "It's still out there, Lucas." THE END I plan on continuing with this character, consider this the "Book of Glory I". In further installments I'd like to continue with this timeline and also some of the history Gloriea and Lucas share (i.e. How they came to be, Past life experiences, more on the Dagger of O'ka [past and future], and anything else you people might want to hear about, maybe Selena and Gloriea's childhood). Anyway, I want feedback, lots and lots of feedback. I'm planning on editing this story to get rid of any ambiguities and inconsistancies in the flow, tighten up the plot, etc.