The Guide

 

In the business district in one of the larger sky scrapers, we close in on one of the top floors. The glass if reflective like mirrors and as we draw nearer we can eventually see inside. A large office with dozens of workers are busily working within their cubicles. In the front are three desks not surrounded by cubicles but two are set to one side and one desk is obviously the desk of the manager of this floor. On the desk of the two set aside are the name plates of Paige Walker and Kiara West. On the mangers desk is the name plate of Zoey Black. The three woman walk down the corridor from the elevator.

Paige: "So we're suppose to come up with a new proposal in two days?"

Zoey: "That's what the boss says."

Kiara: "So does that mean late night at my house or yours?"

Paige: "I thought you had a date tonight?"

Kiara<sigh>: "That's right."

Zoey: "Don't sound so glum. You're allowed a life you know. Paige and I will meet at my house and we'll catch you up to speed as soon as you break away."

Kiara: "I hate blind dates! Why did I agree to this? Remind me again."

Paige: "Because he's the son of the Executive V. P. of the corporation we're spear heading at the moment. That's why."

Kiara: "And it's me because????"

Zoey: "Because they asked for you specifically. I have NO idea why, but just grin and bear it girl friend. You haven't been out in months!"

Kiara: "I know, I know. I'll meet you at your house as soon as I can."

Paige smiles as Kiara walks to her desk and sits down. Zoey and Paige look at each other and almost laugh.

Kiara looks from one to another: "Am I the only one that's going to go back to work here?"

The two women smile and walk to their desks.

Later that evening at Kiara's apartment, she's listening to the news:

Broadcast: "Yet another woman falls victim to this serial rapist. This is number three that the police are certain he....

The door bell rings and then a knock at the door. Kiara's brow furrows at this annoyance.

Kiara whispers under her breath: "Oh this it going to be a really great evening, I can already tell!"

On the other side of the door a man is leaning on the door and he rings the door bell again.

She reaches for the door knob but touches the door first and she suddenly falls to the floor as she has a vision of what this man has done in his past.

Vision:

A woman screaming as he grabs her by the throat, picks her up and throws her to the bed. He quickly walks to the woman about to get up and slaps her and holds her down as he gets on top of her....

The knocking at the door seems louder and more persistent. But she doesn't answer the door. She looks at the door then squeezes her eyes shut hoping to make the vision stop. She quietly cries hoping the man on the other side doesn't hear her. She cradles her head as she rests her head on her knees....Suddenly she's sickened and crawls quickly to the bathroom.

She huddles next to the bath tub and holds her ears until the man finally gives up ringing the door bell and knocking. Sobbing she crawls to her bed and calls the police.

 

 

The Guide

Part 2

An hour later....

Several officers show up at Kiara's apartment when she said she believed the serial rapist was at her door. Unfortunately he was already gone when they arrived. Albreict comes in looking around for this is his case, along with the majority of the unit.

Lieutenant.: "Nice of you to show up detective."

Albreict: "I figured since half the precinct would be here, I wasn't needed. Besides I was following some of my own leads Lieutenant."

The Lieutenant. shakes his head: "I really don't want to hear your excuses. But I think it would be helpful if you show up and stay up to speed on this investigation. Got it?"

Albreict: "Yeah, I got it. So what's the story here?"

Lieutenant." That detective is for you to find out. You should have been on scene."

Albreict rolls his eyes a little and nods his head.

The Lieutenant. leaves out the front door leaving Albreict there without a clue of direction to take. Albreict starts walking around the apartment stepping around people that really had nothing to do. Albreict finally found the woman standing there listening to the detective that had been questioning her.

Detective Stevens: "Now let me get this straight. You never really saw this man with your own eyes, but you're able to give me a description? Come on lady!"

Kiara: "I Know this is hard to believe Detective, but I swear to you, he was outside my door. He was planning on killing me, just like he did Haley Johnson."

Albreict was beginning to look away thinking this was possibly another crank, wanting attention case. Except for one thing...Ms. Johnsons' name has been held back from press to find the next of kin. He quickly walks up to join the questioning.

Albreict: "Excuse me. Did you say Haley Johnson?"

Kiara blinks then looks at the new detective.

Kiara: "Yes I did."

Albreict: "How do you know her name?

Kiara: "I don't know. Possibly because the man knew her name."

Albreict: "I see."

Detective Stevens: "Al right. I don't have any more questions for you.<he looks at Albreict> You?"

Albreict puts his fingers to his lips and thinks a moment.

Albreict: "Not right now.< He reaches in his pocket and pulls out a card> If you can think of anything else. Call me."

Kiara finally feels that someone half believes her story: "Thank you...<she looks on the card for his name> Detective Albreict."

Albreict: "Don't mention it< He turns and walks out of the apartment shaking his head at the confusion.>What a mess. She's going to regret calling us before the night's over."

Albreict walks out to his car and pulls out his cell phone. He starts dialing as he gets in and closes the door.

Eric's Place

Eric is hanging upside down from the wooden rafters of the apartment, doing pull ups, when he hears the cell phone that Albreict gave him~ ring.

Eric does a back flip lands and picks up the phone.

Eric: "Yeah."

Albreict's voice: "Eric, I have a favor to ask."

Eric: "What else is knew. Go ahead, but I don't make any promises."

Albreict: "You've heard about the serial rapist, right?"

Eric: "I'm dead, but informed. What about it?"

Albreict: "We've got a woman here that says she saw him, but she never laid eyes on him. She claims that he was at her door."

Eric: "So you want me to go see if I can pick up anything right?"

Albreict: "Yeah. If this guy was really there...and her description is right...well it's the first break we've had on the case since it's started."

Eric: "Give me the address. I'll see what I can do. You know it doesn't always work."

Albreict: "Yeah, I know...but it's worth the shot."

Eric listens and nods his head: "Got it. I'll go tomorrow after she's gone to work."

The next day......

Eric walks up to Kiara's door and touches it. He's suddenly hit with visions of last night. Of the man and his past and of Kiara's terror of also "seeing" what he had done. Eric clinches his jaw in anger. His memory of Shelly's torment comes back to him. He hits the door and walks down the hall pulling out the phone we see blackened fingers.

He punches the cell phone number for Albreict.

Albreict: "Yeah, Albreict."

Crow: "She's for real. He was here, and she did see him, AND what he'd done to the past victims."

Albreict: "Eric, you al right man? You sound a little strange."

Crow: "I saw him. I'm going to go see if I can find our friend, and make sure he doesn't hurt anyone else...Any other.......favors?"

Albreict: "Yeah, make sure he makes it here in one piece if you find him."

Crow: "I have no choice, remember?"

Albreict: "Just thought I'd give you a fair reminder."

The Crow cocks his head: "Fair? Is that what he was to the women he raped and murdered? No, but he'll face justice anyway. Redemption is my ticket out of here."

Albreict: "Okay, just be careful."

The Crow turns the phone off and walks out to his motorcycle. He looks back and forth then up and he sees his crow. Without even a caw, the bird knows their destination. With a quick circle over The Crow's head....he flies. The Crow starts the bike and follows after his bird.

 

The Guide Part 3

Later that evening.......

A fairly decent part of town is where The Crow's bird leads him. He looks around as the bird lands on the ledge of an apartment building. The bird gives a loud "CAW" then flies away. The Crow pulls around back to the alley way and parks his bike. He looks up and sees the bird sitting on the fire escape. The Crow walks under the fire escape ladder, jumps up and grabs it. It comes down and he quickly climbs it as the bird leads him up to the floor he needs to find the man he's looking for.

Inside the apartment the man is getting ready to go somewhere...he's going from bedroom to bathroom in a rush, as though he's going to be late. The man walks from the bedroom into the living room to find The Crow standing there waiting for him.

The Crow: "Aww, you didn't have to get all dressed up just for me!"

The man looks around and sees the doors and windows closed.

Man: "Who are you and how did you get in here?"

The Crow: "A big black birdie sent me. He said you've been a bad boy. Tch..tch tch.."

The Mans' eyes narrow as he looks at The Crow. He reaches in his coat pocket and pulls out a large folding knife. He opens it and points it towards The Crow.

Man: "I don't know who you are, or how you found me. But you're a dead man."

The Crow grins: "To late! You want a piece of me, come and get it bad boy."

The man closes the distance between himself and The Crow slowly.

The Crow holds out his arms as if giving him a free chance. The man snarls as he lunges at him. He easily avoids the knife and delivers his first blow sending the man staggering backward. The man looks at The Crow tasting the blood on his lip.

The Man: "Look, I can see that this can get ugly. Why don't we talk about this? I've got money...."

The Crow just shakes his head slowly: "Money wont buy what I want."

At that he jump kicks the man and he flies across the room. The Man lands close to the bedroom door. He scrambles in and slams the door shut and locks it.

Behind him he hears The Crow.

The Crow: "Now THAT was rude."

The man's eyes grow huge as he turns around and sees The Crow standing there.

The Man: "How did you???"

The Crow: "Trick of the trade."

The Crow give the man a spin kick sending the man to the floor beside a dresser. The Crow notices several necklaces and rings sitting on top that obviously belong to woman. He picks them up and gets the violence of which each woman was tortured and killed by this man. It makes The Crow stagger under it all. The Man sees his chance and stabs The Crow in the stomach. The Crow goes to his knees beside the man.

The Man: "Not as tough as you thought you were huh?!"

The Crow looks him right in the eyes then grabs the mans head between his hands: "All their pain....... all at once....all for you!"

The man screams and falls to the floor and gibbers incoherently. The Crow takes the mans head in his hands one more time.

The Crow: "You will confess to the police."

The man nods his head and cries. The Crow picks up the phone and dials 911. The operator comes on.

Operator: "911, what is your emergency?"

The Crow looks at the man raises his eyebrows and holds out the phone. The man crawls over to the phone and answers it.

The Man: "I did it....I'm the one."

Operator: "I'm sorry sir, you did what?"

The man: "I'm the one that's been killing all the woman."

Operator: "Sir, please stay on the line, I'll have an officer there shortly."

The Man: HURRY....please...I can't stand the pain!"

The Man looks up and finds The Crow gone..........

 

The Guide Part 3

Later that evening.......

A fairly decent part of town is where The Crow's bird leads him. He looks around as the bird lands on the ledge of an apartment building. The bird gives a loud "CAW" then flies away. The Crow pulls around back to the alley way and parks his bike. He looks up and sees the bird sitting on the fire escape. The Crow walks under the fire escape ladder, jumps up and grabs it. It comes down and he quickly climbs it as the bird leads him up to the floor he needs to find the man he's looking for.

Inside the apartment the man is getting ready to go somewhere...he's going from bedroom to bathroom in a rush, as though he's going to be late. The man walks from the bedroom into the living room to find The Crow standing there waiting for him.

The Crow: "Aww, you didn't have to get all dressed up just for me!"

The man looks around and sees the doors and windows closed.

Man: "Who are you and how did you get in here?"

The Crow: "A big black birdie sent me. He said you've been a bad boy. Tch..tch tch.."

The Mans' eyes narrow as he looks at The Crow. He reaches in his coat pocket and pulls out a large folding knife. He opens it and points it towards The Crow.

Man: "I don't know who you are, or how you found me. But you're a dead man."

The Crow grins: "To late! You want a piece of me, come and get it bad boy."

The man closes the distance between himself and The Crow slowly.

The Crow holds out his arms as if giving him a free chance. The man snarls as he lunges at him. He easily avoids the knife and delivers his first blow sending the man staggering backward. The man looks at The Crow tasting the blood on his lip.

The Man: "Look, I can see that this can get ugly. Why don't we talk about this? I've got money...."

The Crow just shakes his head slowly: "Money wont buy what I want."

At that he jump kicks the man and he flies across the room. The Man lands close to the bedroom door. He scrambles in and slams the door shut and locks it.

Behind him he hears The Crow.

The Crow: "Now THAT was rude."

The man's eyes grow huge as he turns around and sees The Crow standing there.

The Man: "How did you???"

The Crow: "Trick of the trade."

The Crow give the man a spin kick sending the man to the floor beside a dresser. The Crow notices several necklaces and rings sitting on top that obviously belong to woman. He picks them up and gets the violence of which each woman was tortured and killed by this man. It makes The Crow stagger under it all. The Man sees his chance and stabs The Crow in the stomach. The Crow goes to his knees beside the man.

The Man: "Not as tough as you thought you were huh?!"

The Crow looks him right in the eyes then grabs the mans head between his hands: "All their pain....... all at once....all for you!"

The man screams and falls to the floor and gibbers incoherently. The Crow takes the mans head in his hands one more time.

The Crow: "You will confess to the police."

The man nods his head and cries. The Crow picks up the phone and dials 911. The operator comes on.

Operator: "911, what is your emergency?"

The Crow looks at the man raises his eyebrows and holds out the phone. The man crawls over to the phone and answers it.

The Man: "I did it....I'm the one."

Operator: "I'm sorry sir, you did what?"

The man: "I'm the one that's been killing all the woman."

Operator: "Sir, please stay on the line, I'll have an officer there shortly."

The Man: HURRY....please...I can't stand the pain!"

The Man looks up and finds The Crow gone..........

 

The Guide

Part 4

Later that night at the Blackout......

Shay's on the phone and it's obvious she's upset over something. Eric walks up just as she hangs up the phone. She rubs her temples and heaves a heavy sigh.

Eric: "What's up?"

Shay: "You'll never believe this. I've had this band booked for three weeks, and they call and cancel the night they're suppose to play!?! I can't believe it!"

Eric: "That's harsh. Got any back up plans?"

Shay: "No, not this time of year. Everybody's booked solid."

Then she looks at Eric with a strange look on her face then smiles at him.

Eric: "What?"

Shay: "Eric, you've got to play tonight. You'll save my life!"

Eric: "Shay, I don't play anymore. Not like that...besides, I'm not a band. I'm just one guy."

Shay: "But you're "Eric Draven." Oh come on....just for this weekend? Please!"

Eric looks at her shakes his head in disbelief: "If it were anyone else, I'd refuse. But you've helped me out of a few jams in the past. How can I say no?"

Shay jumps up and down and hugs Eric. Then steps back self conscious of what she had just done. Eric just give her a small smile.

Eric: "I guess I need to go get my guitar. You're sure about this? You really can't get anyone else?"

Shay: "I know I'm asking a lot Eric. But there really is no one else."

Eric nods his head then walks to the door. Shay smiles after him.

10:00 PM at the Blackout

Eric is on stage...there's no dancing, but a crowd is gathered around the stage...listening to the sad wail of his guitar...everyone is in awe of the sound he's bringing out of his instrument.....

Paige walks in and looks around and goes to the bar. She orders a drink. The bar tender brings her drink then she can give her full attention to the music being played. She sips her drink watching Eric over the rim of her glass. She smiles then leaves...

The next day at the office:

Paige: "Hey guys, I have a suggestion. Since we finished the proposal on time. We treat ourselves to a night on the town? Especially you Kiara. I don't know how you kept working after the other night. What a nightmare!"

Kiara winced at the reminder.

Zoey leans over Kiara's desk and lifts her chin: "That's an order from the manager on this floor. Where and when Paige. This is your idea!"

Paige: "Well, you guys are never going to believe this. But I went to the bar "The Blackout" last night. They had this guy playing guitar on stage. He was all alone, but he was incredible!"

Kiara and Zoey's eyes grow wide: "The Blackout!" isn't that a little seedy?"

Paige laughed: "Not at all. Come on....it'll be different, and you can let your hair down."

Kiara and Zoey look at each other and then nod:

Zoey: "Okay, you've convinced us of the where, now when?"

Paige: "How about 9ish?"

Kiara: "Sounds good to me. I'll be there."

Zoey: "Good for me too. Now, let's get these lose ends tied up around here and go home."

Kiara looks as one of the workers brings her a pile of folders.

Kiara: "Looks like I may be a little late guys, but I'll be there."

Zoey gives the worker a look: "A little late with those aren't you?"

Worker: "Sorry Ms. Black. I had a family emergency earlier..."

Kiara: "It's okay Zoe. She cleared it with me...it really was something that she couldn't avoid."

Zoey nods at the woman and the woman turns and leaves.

Zoey comes over to Kiara's desk.

Zoey: "What was the emergency?"

Kiara: "Her husband was in an accident. He's okay, they're keeping him over night for observation. But when she got the call, she had no idea how serious it was."

Zoey: "That is definitely an emergency."

Kiara smiles: "Yeah, that's what I thought."

Zoey rolls her eyes: "Don't get snotty with the boss, it's not healthy!"

Paige and Kiara laugh.

Kiara: "I best get on these. You guys go ahead and go. I'll finish up here."

Paige: No backing out now....you ARE coming right?"

Kiara: "Not if you don't get out of here and let me finish!"

Zoey: "Let's go Paige. You know how she is."

Paige: "Oh yeah, I know."

Shortly after 9:00 PM./ The Blackout

Kiara walks into The Blackout. She looks around and sees Paige and Zoey waving to her from the bar. She smiles and waves back and walks up to them and starts taking a good look around.

Kiara: "Not bad Paige. Where's this hot musician you were talking about?"

Paige: "He just took a break."

Zoey: "He is good! Not bad looking either for a musician with long hair. Clean him up, he'd be totally yummy.."

Kiara look at Zoey and shakes her head.

Kiara: "Zoey, your a man eating shark, you know that?"

Zoey gives an evil grin: "You better believe it sister!"

They all laugh and don't notice that a figure all dressed in black walks back on stage and picks up his guitar.

Kiara orders her drink and soon receives it. The three are busy chatting about getting the proposal out on time and scarcely hear the chords being played from the stage. Then a masculine voice is heard and the three immediately hush. Kiara turns to see and listen to the musician on stage....

Eric:

Chorus

She is my Angel

She's my Light

Though all around me darkness creeps

From all evil she keeps me safe

 

Lyrics:

Through pain and sadness I must endure

Redemptions key will unlock the door

To the Portal of my Heart

And see My Angel Forever more

Chorus

She is my Angel

She's my Light

Though all around me darkness creeps

From all evil she keeps me safe...

<Kiara is drawn to the stage like a moth to a flame. She can't stop herself. Her two friends call her name, but she doesn't hear them...all she hears is the song.>

Lyrics:

Though darkness around me closes in.

Evils hands to bring me down

Remembering yester year

Her love surrounds me and makes me sure.

Chorus

She is my Angel

She's my Light

Though all around me darkness creeps

From all evil she keeps me safe..

Lyrics:

When these Blackened tears run down my face

There is hope in this dead heart holds

To kiss the lips of an Angel

And be forever lovers once again.

Chorus

She is my Angel

She's my Light

Though all around me darkness creeps

From all Evil she keeps me safe...

Eric plays the last chords on his guitar and everyone is silent for a few hushed moments then the crowd applauds his ballad for his long lost lover. He looks up and nods his thanks and looks through the crowd and makes eye contact with Kiara. Their eyes lock and he know instantly that it's a mistake. Kiara's eyes grow huge and begins to shake suddenly her glass shatters in her hand. Eric starts to say something to her but it's to late. Kiara head lashes backwards and she goes down. Eric jumps from the stage to try to help her. Everyone gathers around her while her friends fight the crowd to get to their friend.

Eric: "Step back, give her some air!"

Shay comes racing down the stairs and pushes her way through the crowd quickly as everyone recognizes who she is as the owner of The Blackout.

Shay: "What happened?"

Bystander: "Looks to me like she fainted when he look at her."

Another bystander: "Yeah, it was weird. Like she saw a ghost or something."

Shay looks at Eric and he shrugs not sure what to say in front of all these people.

Zoey: "Please, let me through!"

Shay hears the woman and signals for everyone to let them through.

Zoey and Paige bend down over Kiara.

Shay: " You know her?"

Zoey: "Yes, we're friends."

Shay: "Good. Eric, do you think you can carry her to my office?"

Eric: "Yeah, no problem."

Shay: "Okay, let's go...<louder>Okay people, shows over...Harry, start the break music please!"

Bartender nods his head and walks around the bar quickly and goes up on stage.

Eric follows Shay up the stairs to the office with Paige and Zoey on his heals. He lays Kiara on the couch.

Paige: "What exactly happened?"

Eric: "I think~ she thought she saw something."

Zoey: "What?"

Paige: "Zoe, Kiara has been through a lot these last couple of days."

Zoey: "Your right of course."

Zoey: " Do you have a First Aid kit? Her hand is bleeding pretty badly."

Shay looks at her hand for the first time.

Shay: "Eric, go ask Harry for the kit under the bar."

Eric gets up and quickly exits out the door...

Zoey sits down beside her and begins picking the pieces of glass from her hand.

Shay: She must have thought she saw something pretty horrid to do that to herself."

Paige: "Who knows. We only know that the serial rapist paid her a visit at her apartment. Thank goodness that he turned himself in or he could still be after her."

Shay: "Oh dear Lord! The poor woman!"

Eric walks in just then: "Why? What's happened?"

Shay: "The woman was the visited by that serial rapist....can you imagine!"

Shay puts her hand to her mouth realizing what she had just said.

Eric: "I think I have a pretty good idea."

Eric kneels down beside Kiara and opens the kit and pulls out the ointment and applies it to Kiara's hand gently.

Zoe: "You're a man, you have no clue."

Shay: "Oh Eric...I'm so sorry..."

She sits down on the arm of the couch at Kiara's feet.

Zoey looks from Shay to Eric.

Eric: "Don't sweat it Shay."

Paige: "Oh my God! The song?"

Eric looks at her, doesn't say a word. But the words are all in his eyes."

Zoe: "Please except my apologies."

Eric nods as he bandages Kiara's hand. He finishes just as she wakes up. She sees everyone looking at her.

Kiara: "What happened?"

Shay looks concerned: "You don't remember?"

Kiara looks at Eric and quickly closes her eyes then opens them again.

Kiara: "Yes. I remember now. Could we be alone? I think we need to talk."

Zoey: "Kiara, are you sure?"

Kiara: "Yes, you two go on home. I'll be fine."

Paige looks from Kiara to Eric.

Paige: "Okay, but if you need us, you know how to reach us."

Kiara: "Yeah, I'll send up the bat signal."

Zoey and Paige both smile at their friend.

Zoey: "She's fine... We'll be talking to you later. Eric, it was a pleasure. You're an excellent musician."

Eric: "Thanks. Good night ladies."

Paige and Zoey in unison: "Good night."

Shay: "I guess you want to borrow my office for a few minutes?"

Kiara: "If you don't mind?"

Shay: "No, I need to go down stairs and take care of business anyway."

Kiara: "Thank you."

Shay nods and walks out and shutting the door behind her.

Eric: "Are you okay?"

Kiara: "Yes, considering what I saw down there."

Eric: "Which was???"

Kiara reaches out but doesn't touch his face: "You have two faces....and I saw...her."

Eric gets excited: "You saw Shelly?"

He grabs Kiara by the shoulders sending visions crashing in on her. She shakes and moans as she sees Shelly's rape and Eric's murder...but more....she joins his descent down to his death. She screams and he let's go just before he/they hit...... she faints...

Eric: "No doubt about it. You're the real thing al right."

 

The Guide

Part 5

Eric's Apartment:

Kiara slowly wakes up and finds herself in a fairly empty apartment. She sits up and takes a better look at her surroundings. She gets up and touches what is obviously an unused iron rod bed. Vision: A flash of Eric carrying a woman to bed flashes through her mind. Their happiness fills her and she gives a small smile.

She touches a beam. Vision: She sees Eric doing pull ups and several different exercises from this beam...but he's obviously unhappy, frustrated to say the least. She lets go of the beam and shakes the vision and his feelings from her head.

She sees Eric's guitar in the corner and is drawn to it. She feels it's magnetism just like she did when Eric was singing at "The Blackout." She touches it.Vision: She sees him on the floor singing a ballad that he had wrote just for Shelly. She sits besides him and listens to the song "(I Love You)Seven Circles". When he's done she recites a Poem that she wrote for him..not unlike the song that Eric sang in the "Blackout." They say their vows and place the rings on each others fingers then they are suddenly interrupted by four men. Eric tries to stop them, but there are to many of them and over power him. They beat him and he's forced to watch as his beloved is raped. <Kiara eyes fill with tears as she feels his pain and anger.>

Eric walks into the apartment: "Hey, you're up."

But Kiara doesn't hear a word he says, all she can see and hear are the words that are being spoken to Eric. Suddenly her eyes grow large as she realizes that Eric is about to be thrown out the window.

Kiara screams: "NO!!!!!!!"

Eric doesn't have to guess what's she's witnessing as she's now facing the window and is quick stepping towards it. He runs and grabs her just as she gets to the ledge.

Kiara feels him grab her, but she's now on the way down with Eric to their death in the vision.

Eric grabs her head between his hands and takes her to where he was after his death. Kiara then takes Eric's head in her hands and bends her head forward and touches his forehead with hers and closes her eyes. She is taken to the land of the dead. The crow takes him to Shelly where they are reunited only to be ripped apart until he "Set's things right." He takes her on the journey back to earth. Her body jolts as they land and wake at the call of the crow.

Kiara: "No more...Please, not now."

Eric nods and releases her head. She then puts her arms around him needing to be grounded. He feels this and slowly puts his arms around her. For now, of anyone on this planet could understand him, and how he "feels" it is now her. She had just been through the exact hell that he had been put through, both emotionally and physically.

Kiara: "I need to go home."

Eric: "I brought you here in your car, it's down stairs. Do you need to me to drive you home?"

Kiara: "I hate to admit it, but I'm afraid I do."

Eric: "No problem. Come on."

Eric leads Kiara down to where her car is parked. Eric opens the door for her and she wearily crawls in the passenger side. He shuts the door and gets in behind the wheel.

Eric: "Where we headed?"

Kiara tells him the address and Eric starts the car and they're off. They ride in silence but he looks at her from time to time. He's worried about her. This was different than most of his contacts with people. It was as if she was actually there and experiencing everything with him.

Kiara: "We're connected Eric."

Eric pulls into the entrance of her apartment building. He parks in the spot for her apartment then turns in his seat and looks at her.

Eric: "What do you mean by connected?"

Kiara: "I've always been sensitive to people....some more than others. But you<she shakes her head as if trying to clear her head> I've some how become linked with you. I not only see what has happened, but I feel everything you feel."

Eric: "Kiara, this could be very dangerous for you. Maybe you better avoid me...I have another side to me that can be.....well, dangerous to you."

Kiara: "The Crow."

Eric clinches his jaw then nods.

Kiara: "I need to go in Eric. I'm exhausted."

Eric gets out and Kiara opens her door and slowly gets out. She winces as she straightens up.

Eric: "Come on."

Eric sweeps her up in his arms and carries her up the steps to her apartment. He puts her down and uses the key to let her in.

Eric: "I know I shouldn't see you....but you said you saw Shelly.....can I talk to you again sometime?"

Kiara: "Of course. <She reaches into her purse and hands him a card>This is where I work. Just show the guard my card and he'll let you up to see me."

Eric looks at the card then nods then hands her the keys.

Kiara: "Eric."

Eric stops and looks back: "I'm sorry about what happened to you and Shelly."

Eric: "Yeah, me too. Thanks."

She doesn't watch him go, but closes the door and goes straight to her room and collapses on the bed.

Eric walks into his apartment and there stands the Skull Cowboy.

 

 

The Guide

Part 6

Eric freezes in his tracks when he sees the Skull Cowboy. He then slowly comes inside closing the door behind him. This "Being" did not bring back fond memories. He was stuck here until he was deemed worthy of crossing over again...and after killing Top Dollar; there was no definite answer to that.

Eric: "If you're not here to take me across to Shelly, get out."

Skull Cowboy shakes his head: "Already the attitude. You ARE a hard one to teach."

Eric: "Look, I know that Shelly has gone on without me...so cut the crap."

Skull Cowboy: "You're going to have to stop obsessing over Shelly for now my friend. There's more pressing things at hand."

Eric: "No games, no riddles. What is it you want from me?"

Skull Cowboy: "No games, no riddles. Not this time. You have just been brought into a major battle of good and evil."

Eric looks at the Skull Cowboy very confused: "I don't understand."

Skull Cowboy: "Tonights events are just the tip of the iceberg my man."

Eric: "You mean Kiara?"

Skull Cowboy nods his head: "Don't get me wrong. She's not the evil, but evil is seeking to......let's say, distract her."

Eric: "You're saying that I have to stick with Kiara and help find out what's going on?"

Skull Cowboy: "Afraid so. Eric......you take good care of her. She can also be the one to help you cross over."

Eric looks surprised: "Kiara?"

Eric blinks a few times an then walks to the window. He looks back to ask the Skull Cowboy another question, but he's gone.

Eric: "I said no more games!"

Eric squats down on his heals and stares out the window.

Two days later

Eric drives up to the building in which Kiara works. He walks in and hands the security guard sitting at the front desk the card Kiara gave him. He looks at the card then looks Eric over. He eyes the other security people and they all are looking at Eric with skepticism.

Eric: "Ms. West told me that you would let me through if I gave you her card."

Guard: "One moment while I call Ms. West."

Eric nods and shrugs: "Do what you have to do."

Guard: "Your name?"

Eric: "Eric Draven."

Guard picks up the phone and punches in the number for Kiara's phone that's listed on the card..

Kiara's voice: "Kiara West speaking. How may I help you?"

Guard: "Ms West. There's a<hesitation while the guard looks Eric over once again>"gentleman" here by the name of Eric Draven. He says he's here to see you?"

Kiara: "Yes, of course. He's a friend. Let him come up."

The guard gets a surprised look on his face: "She says to come up. Go to the 19th floor."

Eric: "Thanks."

Guard: "Your welcome."

Eric walks to the elevator. The guards just stare after him. He looks back and sees them watching him. He just nods and waves as he gets into the elevator. He knows he looks out of place here. But he wants and needs to talk to Kiara.

The elevator stops and opens. Eric walks out to the hall way and sees three smiling faces at the end of the hall waiting for him. It's a warm day out, so he's just wearing his black tee shirt and black jeans. Zoey looks him up and down appreciatively. Kiara catches the look and elbows her friend.

<quick conversation as Eric walks up the hall>

Kiara: "Zoey, the man's in mourning for his girl friend. Knock it off!"

Zoey: "Oh come on. It doesn't hurt to look. Besides, he can't mourn forever can he?"

Paige: "He does look good, I have to admit that!"

Kiara: "Zoey, Paige.... Believe me, it's different. Just leave him alone okay? For me?"

Zoey cocks her head and sees that she's very sincere in her request.

Zoey: "Don't worry about a thing. I'll leave our musician friend to you."

Paige gives out a sigh: "Yeah, me too."

Kiara: "Thank you."

Eric walks up: "Hello ladies. I hope you don't mind me coming?"

Zoey: "No, Of course not. I'm Kiara's boss as well as her friend. I think in all the years we've worked together, this is the first time she's had a man call on her for lunch."

Kiara looks aghast at Zoey.

Eric: "Well then, I'm honored."

Suddenly the elevator bell rings, the doors open. Then two well dressed men come up the hall smiling.

Man 1: "Zoey, you look absolutely wonderful. So, where do we go for lunch today?"

Man 2: "Ready?"

The women look at their lunch dates then at Eric then back.

Zoey: "Thank you. How about Roberto's?"

Paige. "Yes, I'm ready. That's sounds wonderful Zoey!"

Zoey whispers in Kiara's ear: "Can we trade?"

Kiara rolls her eyes: "Enjoy your lunch."

The two men look at Eric then at Kiara.

Man 1: "Would you like to join us?"

Kiara: "No thank you. I have plans. You four, go on."

They again look at Eric.

Man 2: "I see. Well, enjoy."

Kiara: "Don' worry. We will. Thank you."

The men escort the women to the elevator while Eric and Kiara watch. Several of the women are looking over their partitions to get a glimpse of the man that Kiara deemed worthy of allowing him to come to her place of work. Kiara turns and sees them and gives them a look that they all understood. Kiara was very well liked. She was good to the workers, and they all had respect for her. Zoey and Paige were good too. But the relationship she had with them was mutual respect. They crossed the line and they knew it. They all nodded~ some cringed their apologies and sat back down. Eric gave a very rare smirk.

Kiara: "Oh dear me! Was that the beginning of a smile?"

Eric cracks a brief smile.

Eric mimics a bow: "My lady. If you're ready?"

Kiara: "Why.....thank you sir!"

Eric and Kiara walk down the hall, some of the women brave one last look.

Kiara says in a loud enough voice for them to hear: "Are you all going to gawk or are you going to lunch?"

Several people suddenly jump up and start grabbing personal items to take with them. Eric and Kiara make it to the elevator before they do and Kiara pushes the button smiling at some very chagrined faces.

Eric: "That was just a little rude don't you think?"

Kiara: "Not the way they were staring."

Eric nods his acceptance to that statement.

The two get off the elevator and walk to the lobby. Kiara walks to the desk.

Kiara: "I want it noted in the computer, when ever Eric Draven comes to see me, he is to be allowed up. Do I make myself clear?"

Guard: "Yes Ms. West. I'll do it immediately."

Kiara: "Thank you."

Kiara looks at Eric: "Shall we?"

She walks to the front doors with Eric at her side. He opens the door for her and they leave the building.

Eric: "Do you want to take your car? I'm on my bike."

Kiara grins: "A bike! Let me see!"

Eric: "Sure, come on."

They walk down the street to where the bike is parked.

Kiara: "Oh Eric. I'd love to go on the bike!"

Eric: "You surprise me more and more Kiara."

Kiara: "Why? Because I work and co~ manage a corporate office, I don't like motorcycles?"

Eric: "Something like that I guess."

Kiara starts to laugh. Come on, I'm hungry."

Eric: "You pick the place. It doesn't matter to me, I don't eat."

Kiara: "Really? That's a shame, but understandable. There's a nice little place not to far from here. It's called Lillian's. It's two blocks that way<she points up the street> on the right."

Eric gets on the bike and Kiara climbs on behind him. He starts the bike.

Kiara: "Thanks Eric."

Eric: "For what?"

Kiara: "For giving me a chance to get away."

Eric: "Don't thank me yet. We've got to talk."

Kiara gives a sigh as they pull away into traffic. He finds the little cafe' with no problem. It's a small place with outdoor seating. Flowers and shrubs surround the little cafe' so once your inside, the city seems to disappear for just a short amount of time. They've beaten the crowd and there's ample seating. Eric pulls the chair out for Kiara and she smiles.

Kiara: "You're quite the gentleman today Eric. Thank you."

Eric shakes his head: "It's been a long time."

His takes the seat across from her and a waiter shows up with two waters and two menus. Eric shakes his head no when the waiter tries to hand him a menu. Kiara smiles at the waiter.

Kiara: "I'll take my usual Lenny."

Lenny smiles back at her: "Yes Ms. West. I'll have it here for you shortly."

The waiter turns and goes quickly to the kitchen with her order.

Eric: "You come her a lot I take it?"

Eric looks around and can see why. It's beautiful in the way it hides the city from view.

Kiara: "Yep, this is my little get away."

The waiter brings Kiara her salad.

Lenny: 'Is there anything else I can get you today?"

Kiara: "No thank you Lenny. Just the check, so I can pay when I'm done."

Lenny lays the check on the table in the middle. Kiara takes the check as Eric starts to go for it.

Eric: "I should get that you know."

Kiara: "Why? You didn't eat. <she smiles> Look Eric. No offence, but I have a feeling you couldn't afford this bill. So don't worry about it. Okay?"

Eric smiles and nods. He knows she's right. He becomes serious.

Eric: "Kiara, this wasn't a social visit. I had a visitor the night that we met. He's from the other side."

Kiara looks at him puzzled then her eyes show that she understand.

Kiara: "And?"

Eric: "He said I don't have time to be thinking of Shelly right now. But I have to ask first. You said you saw Shelly that night while I was playing. What did you mean?"

Kiara looks at him sadly: "I only saw her in a vision like I saw your "other" face. She wasn't really there Eric. I'm sorry."

Eric nods his head. He did hope he was wrong about her going on without him, but he wanted to make sure that she wasn't still waiting for him. We see the crow fly in and land on roof of the building of the kitchen area.

Eric: "I figured as much. But there's more. He said that I needed to stay close to you. That there's something going on, and you're right in the middle of it all."

Kiara starts to take a bite of her salad then puts it down and looks at Eric.

Kiara: "I've had a feeling that something wasn't "right" but I've been so engulfed with things happening to me, I don't know what it is."

Eric: "That's exactly what he said."

Suddenly Eric gets a vision:

The crow sees two men coming up the outside of the shrubbery with guns out.

Eric grabs Kiara's arm: "Come on!"

Eric grabs Kiara's arm and pulls her out of her chair. He pushes her in front of him.

Eric: "Run!"

Kiara doesn't need an explanation. She knows if he says to run, there's a reason. She runs as quickly as her high heals will let her. They weave i through the tables and chairs. Lenny sees them running to the back.

Lenny: "Ms. West. Is every....."

Suddenly the two men come to the entrance and see the two running and begin firing their guns. Lenny scrambles to the kitchen while the two men advance through the little court yard. Eric and Kiara make it to the rear exit.

Eric: "You go on. I'll find you."

Kiara: "But.."

Eric: "They can't kill me! GO!"

Kiara takes off her heals and starts sprinting down the sidewalk. Eric turns as a bullet narrowly misses his head.

The Crow: "That wasn't nice."

The men stop short puzzled how this man could change his looks so quickly. The Crow takes advantage of their hesitation and jumps up doing the splits double kicking them down.

The Crow: "Now you've done it. You've ruined my afternoon with the lady."

The two men get up not happy about being knocked down.

Bad Guy 1: "You freak."

He shoots The Crow. The Crow it thrown back and bends over in pain. The two men laugh until they see him straighten up and the wound heals in a matter of seconds.

The Crow: "Now you pay, and I'm not talking about the bill."

He rushes them spin kicking one and punching the other. They both go down quickly. Lenny peeks out of the kitchen.

The Crow: "Kiara will make good on the bill later."

Lenny waves him on and ducks back into the kitchen as one of the men tries to get back up and The Crow walks over to him and looks into the mans eyes.

The Crow: "You don't want to chase the lady anymore. If you do you'll find me there waiting for you. Now, you get your buddy here an leave."

Kiara is only a block from her work when a car comes screeching to a halt in front of her. The crow flies down directing her to follow....crossing street filled with stopped cars. She looks up then and the men scrambling out of the car. She grits her teeth as she sees them pulling out guns. She hops up on the hood of the car closes to her. The man in the car yells as she runs across the hood and jumps to the next car. Suddenly horns are blaring and people are shouting as she jumps from car to car till she finally reaches the other side and starts to her run across the park. Another car pulls around the car that parked and goes full speed come to a screeching halt at the park. The men that had gotten out to of the first car run across the street weaving between the cars trying to catch up to her. They all run into the park. Slowing down looking at all the people and children. They spread out looking carefully at everyone that resembles the woman they're looking for. Kiara follows the crow around some hedges and around some trees then he lands on a tree beside another crow with a single white feather on it's chest. Kiara stops short looking up at the two crows.

Kiara: "Oh....no. It can't...."

Hannah: "It can't what?"

Kiara whirls around in surprise and looks at her. She takes a step back as she sees Hannah's second face.

Kiara: "You're a Crow too."

Hannah ah's cocks her head and her eyes narrow: "What do you mean by too? And how do you know...."

Suddenly a shot rings out and Kiara screams out and falls to the ground.

Kiara: "ERIC!"

Eric's crow give out a loud "CAW."

Eric had gone back around the front to get his bike. He was on the way to Kiara's office thinking that was the way she would be headed He "hears Kiara" then he gets a vision of Kiara in the park with Hannah. He slows his bike then looks back and makes a sharp turn to head back to the park that he knows where Hannah resides most of the time. He pulls his bike as close to the area he knows Hannah hangs out as possible. He kicks the stand down and jumps off the bike and begins his run to where he knows they are. He "sees" Hannah fighting off several men in a vision from his crow. He arrives just in time to catch a bullet in his hand intended for Kiara.

Kiara looks up and for the first time sees the Crow face to face.

The Crow cocks his head to one side: "You called?"

Talon: "You know, I'm getting real tired of you low life that prey on helpless woman."

Kiara looks from the Crow to Talon then slowly gets to her feet.

Kiara: " I may not be a Crow, but I'm far from helpless thank you."

Two men rush in and the Crow does a jump kick to one and Talon double kicks the other.

They both look at her then at each other then shake their heads. Talon whips around and knocks her out.

Crow: "Thanks, I don't think I could've done that to her."

Talon: "I know, that's why I did."

What's left of the men come in only to be met with two angry Crows. It's over shortly. Talon starts to go over and touch Kiara to see if she injured her when she knocked her unconscious. Eric stops her by grabbing her by the wrist.

Eric: "NO! You can't touch her."

Hannah: "Excuse me, but I WAS studying to be a doctor remember."

Eric: "It's not that. She's psychic. A very sensitive one. The link between us nearly killed her."

Hannah looks down at the woman on the ground: "Is that what this is all about?"

Eric: "I'm not sure. All I know is something really bad is going down, and I'm suppose to stay close."

Hannah: "If you need me, you know how to reach me."

Hannah looks up at the crows.

Eric: "Thanks."

 

The Guide

Part 7

Kiara is in a hospital room. Zoey and Paige come rushing in looking from Kiara to Eric who's standing at the window looking out.

Zoey: "Oh God. What happened?"

Eric: "We were attacked at the restaurant. I took care of those guys while she ran out the back. When I caught up to her at the park, several men had followed her and they had shot her."

Paige: "Who would do such a thing?"

Zoey: "Not just that. But why?"

Eric: "Kiara mentioned that she was set up to date a man, that turned out not to be who he was suppose to be. That he was in fact a serial rapist. Do you have any idea, who would be trying to hurt her?"

Paige: "No. We were all very concerned and upset. Let alone confused why they're targeting Kiara."

Zoey: "She's not a logical target in our company."

Kiara slowly opens her eyes to see her friends at her bedside.

Paige: "Hey you."

Zoey: "You had us scared there girl!"

Kiara manages a weak smile, still a little groggy from the surgery getting the bullet out of her shoulder. Eric walks up to the other side of the bed and she turns and smiles.

Kiara: "Thank you. You saved my life back there."

Eric: "You just get better. We've got work to do in finding out what this is all about. I've got a call in to a friend at the police department. He should be here soon."

Paige: "Police?"

Zoey: 'Is that really necessary? After all we don't know what these guys are after yet."

Eric: " I believe that Kiara's life is reason enough to bring him in."

Zoey suddenly looks shame faced.

Zoey: " Oh I didn't mean.....Of course Kiara's life is important!"

Eric: "Good. Then if you don't mind. I'm going to give him another call and see where he is."

Eric walks into the hall and pulls the cell phone out of his jacket pocket. He dials Albrect.

Cut to Albrect: "Yeah, Albrect."

Voice of Eric: "Yeah, it's me. Where are you?"

Albrect: "Man, I'm in the middle of a mess. I can't be there right now. I'll get back to you when I have a chance."

Eric: "Man, there's guys trying to kill this woman."

Albrect: "Look, I'm in the middle of a case here. An entire family is missing, including a seven year old girl."

Eric looks grim: "Sorry, sounds bad."

Albrect looks around the trashed house and picks up a broken doll.

Albrect: "It's not good. I need your help on this one."

Eric: "I can't leave her alone. It's the same woman who's apartment you sent me to. Someone is after her."

Albrect: "Damn! Al right. I'll send someone over to protect her room. If you can give me something to go on here...."

Eric: "As soon as everyone leaves give me a call. Just make sure it's someone reliable to guard her. They're not playing games here."

Albrect takes one more look around: "Well the guys that did this aren't either."

Later that night....

Eric drives up to the house Albrect gave him the address to when he called him back. He looks around and Albrect steps out of the front door way, the door is broken off it's hinges. Eric ducks under the police barrier tape and walks up to Albrect.

Eric: "Okay, let's do this."

Eric walks into the house and an onslaught of images come into his head.

<At the hospital Kiara moans and writhes in bed as she sees Eric's vision>

He closes his eyes to see it better. The couple are sitting on the couch watching TV with their daughter at their feet playing when suddenly the front door is broken in. The woman screams and so does the daughter. The man tries to stop them only to be shot. The woman grabs her little girl and tries to run out the back, but is met with more men. They snatch the little girl from the woman and knocks the woman unconscious leaving the girl screaming for her mommy.....

<Kiara begins to cry>

Eric staggers then stand up. The look in his eyes are enough to let Albrect know that what happened wasn't good.

Eric: "The man is dead. The woman and child were alive when they left here. But that's all I can tell you."

Albrect shakes his head sadly: "This isn't good."

Eric: "Got that right. I'm heading back to the hospital. You want to come with? I think this is something we're both going to work together on."

Albrect: "I have to tie this one up before I can do anything else. This one is ugly."

Eric looks around: " How many cases aren't?

Albrect sighs and rubs a hand over his face: " Yeah, you're right there."

Eric: "I'm headed back. I'll talk to you later."

Albrect walks out the front door with Eric.

Albrect: "Eric, keep me posted on the case your on. I'll help if I can."

Eric: "It goes both ways. Later."

At the hospital

Kiara stops crying and wipes the tears from her eyes. She closes her eyes to try to get more rest, but faintly she hears a child crying....then it gets louder and then she hears a ear shattering scream. Kiara puts her hands over her ears.

Kiara: "ERIC!"

<Eric almost dumps his bike hearing her scream his name>

The officer runs in looking around, seeing no one there he comes to the bed and sees the woman is in obvious pain. He runs out to the hall and calls for a nurse. She runs in seeing the woman holding her ears and crying in pain, whispering someone's name. She goes out and calls the doctor on duty. He comes in and starts to give her a sedative.

Eric runs into the room: "Wait!"

The doctor looks at him like he's crazy: "She's in obvious pain."

Eric: "She doesn't need it. Please, let me talk to her alone."

Doctor: "I don't know."

Eric: "Look, what will it hurt? It's only for a minute. If what I do doesn't work, then you can give her the shot."

Nurse: "Doctor, I've seen a lot of things in my years here. Let him try, it wont hurt."

The Doctor relents and they all walk out of the room. Eric walks over to Kiara who's looking at him in desperation, tears coursing down her cheeks.

Eric: "What is it?"

Kiara: "It's her. It's the little girl. She's screaming ~I can hear her screams!"

Eric: "What girl?"

Kiara: "The one from your vision. From the house you were just at Eric. It's her, I know it's her!"

Eric puts his hands to her head and almost falls to the floor. He plants his feet firmly on the floor and helps her to block out the screams. She puts her hands on his and nods.

Kiara: "Thanks."

Eric: "How???"

Kiara: "I told you, we're connected. I saw what you saw."

Eric: "I heard you scream my name...but I didn't hear the girl's screams."

Kiara: "I'm glad you didn't. I don't know what we would have done if both of us were knocked out by her."

Eric wipes the tears from her face: "Up to going and finding her?"

 

The Guide

Part 8

Eric pulls his bike to a stop. Kiara rests her head on Eric's shoulder wearily.

Eric: " You okay? I can take you home if you need me to. I'll do this alone."

Kiara: "No. I'm sorry. I'm just a little tired. I'll be fine."

Eric suddenly cocks his head and Kiara sits up right. Eric sees a vision and Kiara hears the girl crying.

<vision> The girl is sitting in the dark with the bodies of her dead parents.

They look across the street where a demolition crew is about to blow up a building.

Kiara: "Oh My God! Eric~ Stop them!"

Eric starts the bike up and speeds towards the men about to blow up the building.

Kiara: "STOP! WAIT!"

The men turn around while a security guard tries to stop them. Eric speeds past the guard and slides the bike to a stop just in front of the men.

Eric: "You have to wait. There's a little girl in there!"

Forman: "You're crazy! There isn't a soul in there. We checked."

Kiara: "Really, there's a little girl in there. Just give us a chance to go find her then you can blow up the building."

Foreman: "We're on a schedule here lady. Forget it!"

Kiara gets off the back of the bike while Eric dials up Albrect.

Albrect's voice: "Albrect."

Eric: 'It's me. We've found the girl, but we've run into a problem. She's in a building about to be blown up. The men don't want to wait."

Albrect: "Put one of them on."

Eric: "Here, this is a cop that's working on this case. Talk to him."

The foreman takes the cell from Eric: " Yeah. What the hell is going on here?"

Albrect: "Look. Listen to me. We've got a little girl and her parents missing. I need for you to wait until I get there and we'll work this out. Okay?"

Foreman: "Fine, but make it fast. I've got a schedule to keep."

Albrect: "Fine. Just wait for me, I'm leaving right now."

Foreman hands Eric his cell phone back.

Kiara: "Eric, go look for her. I'll stay here and make sure someone doesn't jump the gun."

Eric begins to walk to the building when two of the men step in his way.

Eric: "You really don't want to get in my way. I'll either go around or through you. It's your call."

Kiara steps up to the Foremen: "Look, it'll only save time if he goes ahead and looks for the girl."

Foreman: "Let him go. But I wont be responsible for you, if you get hurt in there!"

Eric: "Yeah, thanks."

Eric sets off and starts running to the building. He opens the door and runs inside. He listens and touches a wall. He gets an image of darkness and whimpering...

He begins trotting down the hall until he gets to the stairwell. He touches the railing and he sees men dragging the body of the man down the stairs. He begins taking the stairs down as fast as he can. He gets to the bottom and he again stops as it separates into three different directions. He doesn't hear anything so he goes to one of the sections and touches the wall. He doesn't get anything there. So he then goes to the middle section and he sees the woman begin to struggle with her captures. One of the men hits her hard with his gun. She falls to the floor and the girl screams...

Kiara is sharing Eric's vision so see doesn't see one of the men come up behind her and grab her.

Eric runs quickly down the hall: " Hello! Hey, I know you're down here. I'm here to help you! Say something so I can hear you!"

The little girl hears Eric and begins to cry out: "Please help me! Please....I'm in here!"

Eric finds the door she's behind. It's locked.

Eric: "Hey, I have to kick the door. I want you to get back as far as you can so you don't get hurt."

Girl: "Okay."

Eric hears the girls scramble, he then kicks the door and it flips open with a bang.

Eric holds out his hand: "Come on! We've got to get out of here."

The girl looks at her mom and dad on the floor.

Eric: "I'm sorry. I can't help them. But I can help you. We have to go now."

Kiara is held from behind. She winces in pain from her shoulder. She then grits her teeth and kicks the man, then gives him an elbow to the face as he loosens his grip. The Foreman goes to grab her and she spin kicks him.

Kiara: "So you're in on this!?!"

Foreman: "Blow it! Blow it now. Kill her too!"

Kiara goes after the man that has the fuse box, but three men get in her way. She smiles.

Kiara: "It's about time I'm met on equal ground."

Kiara goes after these men with a vengeance, tired of being shot at and out numbered. These were odds she could handle on her own. She jumped up doing the splits knocking two of the men down. The third man comes in after her and does a spin kick when she lands. She ducks his kick, comes up inside and double hits the man in the neck and face. He falls back enough for her to get in a kick. He falls...she then turns her attention to the man with the fuse box. The foreman and the man with the fuse box were watching her in surprise, but when he sees her turn to him he turns the switch....

Kiara: "NO! ERIC!!!!!"

Inside, Eric sees on the wall that they are near the delivery doors and starts to trot with the girl in that direction, they're right at the entrance, when he suddenly grabs the girl and covers her......

The building explodes and collapse.

Albrect pulls up in his police car followed by several marked police vehicles. The men start running away and the officers instinctively follow them. Albrect walks up to Kiara who's staring in horror at the building still settling.

Kiara: "Oh God. No, please..."

Albrect: "Was Draven in there?"

Kiara looks at him in surprise: "You know Eric?"

Albrect: "Yeah. I'm the one he called."

Kiara walks towards the building trying to see if she can feel Eric and the girl. She touches the rubble and slides her hand along trying to pick up where they might be. Suddenly she stops. The rubble moves and she starts to dig. Albrect knowing what Eric had told her begins to help. Albrect suddenly gets hit from behind and slumps to the ground. The Crow's hand emerges pushing the rubble from him and the girl. He pushes the girl out then follows her. The Crow stands up and sees that Kiara is being held at bay with a gun. Albrect wakes up slowly and looks up seeing the Crow standing there. He senses something is wrong and looks back and sees the man holding a gun on Kiara.

Albrect: "Hey man, you don't want to do this. I'm a cop."

Man: "The man I work for has a lot more say than you'll ever have!"

Crow: "Why don't you put that gun down and we'll talk about you're boss."

Man: "Fraid not. You all have to die, here and now."

The girl screams and the man points the gun at the girl. The Crow jumps in the way of the bullet giving Kiara enough time to jump kick the man with the gun. Albrect sees her do the Martial Arts and shakes his head.

Albrect: "Oh no. Don't tell me you're one of "THEM."

Kiara looks at him puzzled: "One of them? Then she gets a look of understanding as Albrect looks at Eric who's starting to wake up. OH! One of "them." No, I'm alive."

Albrect: "Oh, I saw the "you know" and I thought..."

Kiara smiles: "I've been doing Martial Arts since I was seven."

The little girls comes up to Eric and looks at him.

Kiara: "Will my mommy and daddy come back too?"

Eric looks at the little girl: "No. I'm sorry."

Kiara takes the little girls hand: "Eric is a very special man. Now, we're going to make sure that you get to family."

Eric: "Come on."

Albrect stands up and Kiara hands the child over to him.

Kiara: "He's a police officer and he'll make sure you get where you need to go. We have to go now."

Girl takes Eric's hand: "Thank you."

Eric strokes her little face: "You're welcome."

He and Kiara walk to where he left the bike and they get on. Kiara takes a look back and grabs Eric's sleeve.

Eric: "What?"

Kiara points to the sign in front of the building: "Look."

Eric looks confused: "I don't understand."

Kiara: "I'm sorry....but this building was a sister corporate office."

Eric gets a suspicious look in his eyes, starts the bike and they leave.....

 

I wish to thank Jayme for her guidance as a nurse as to what Eric needed to help Kiara. Thank you my dear friend.

The Guide

Part 9

Eric pulls in front of Kiara's apartment building. She gets off slowly heaving a big sigh.

Eric: "Are you going to be okay? I think I better come up and make sure everything is clear don't you?"

Kiara smiles because she knows he doesn't know about her Martial Art skills yet.

Kiara: "No, I'll be fine. I'm just exhausted. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

Eric: "Okay. If you're sure."

Kiara gives him a weak smile and turns around and starts walking to her room. Eric watches her walk away and starts his bike he looks up as she slows then crumples to the ground. Eric cuts the bike and jumps off and runs to her.

Eric: "Kiara?"

He lifts her up by the shoulders and feels something wet. He lifts his hand to find blood."

Eric: Kiara!"

He puts her down and takes her keys out of the jacket pocket. He picks her up and carries her to the door, unlocks it and carries her in. He looks around and quickly decides to set her on the couch. He carefully removes her jacket then sees her blouse is soaked in blood.

Eric mumbles to himself : "Oh shit."

He quickly finds the bathroom and grabs the towels off the racks that are there and throws them in the sink and starts the water running. He opens the medicine chest and finds gauze, tape. peroxide, and Neosporin. He wrings out the towels and takes everything back to the living room. He quickly removes her blouse and turns her over and cleans her wound with the towels first. He then cleans it with peroxide, grabs a gauze and puts it on quickly putting pressure on it. He holds it there for a while then removes it, then gently applies Neosporin on the wound then puts a fresh gauze bandage then tapes it in place.

He turns her over into his arms and carries her back into her bedroom. He gently lays her upon the bed and takes off her shoes. Carefully, he pulls the covers out from under her, covers her then walks to the other room to clean up the mess.

After Eric cleans up the mess he takes the time to take a better look around at Kiara's apartment. He knows she makes good money, but her apartment doesn't show it. It's simple and clean. He looks at the blood stain on the couch.

Eric: "I'm glad I'm already dead."

The then goes to the window and looks out. There's quite a view. Not as good as his apartment, but nice. He sits in front of the window and watches...

 

Later that evening....

Paige walks into her apartment to find a man sitting there waiting for her. He stands up and she walks up to him angrily.

Paige: "Are you crazy? What are you doing here?!"

The man back hands her across the face: "Don't ever speak to me like that again. You're not that vital to our plans."

Paige: "Don't be so sure! I've kept her busy just like you told me to!"

The man grabs her and tosses her down to the floor and kicks her: "By involving Draven? He's the last person on this planet that the boss wanted involved!"

Paige: "Eric? What could possibly be wrong with that. He wiped her out the night they met. And she's been preoccupied since. She even slipped out of the hospital with him."

Man: "The two of them have only been one step behind us. And now she knows about the demolition of the sister corporation. She'll be asking questions now."

Paige picks herself up off the floor: "Then you'll have to move up the time table."

Man grabs her by the throat: "You don't tell us what we must or mustn't do. There is a time table that must be kept. You make anymore mistakes. You're dead...plain and simple."

The man lets her go and walks to the door: "We'll be in touch."

He leaves and Paige stands there in fear clutching her throat.

Later that night

Eric is in the living room of Kiara's house. He decided to stay in case she needed him for anything. He hears her moan and he goes into her room. She begins to thrash about on the bed and he goes to her bed side and touches her head. She's feverish, but when he touches her, her eyes fly open and she screams a silent scream....

Eric grabs her head: "Kiara, it's me."

Kiara whispers: "Help me."

Tears stream down her face and she let's him "see."

Eric is suddenly slammed with visions of people across the city being brutalized, murdered, and raped. His body shakes as he tries to bring both of their minds under control. A black tear rolls down his face as he feels Kiara's torment. The Crow looks Kiara in the eyes and touches his forehead to hers and closes his eyes. She relaxes as the visions disappear. The Crow lets her go and she begins to shake and curls up on the bed holding her head.

Kiara: "Eric, I know I mean nothing to you, but please hold me. I need a rock to hold onto to keep my sanity."

Eric: "Come here."

Kiara crawls into his arms and cries into his chest. He cradles her gently and lets her cry herself out until she falls asleep. He continues to hold her so he can keep the visions from entering her dreams. He looks down at the woman in his arms with a sorrowful expression on his face.

The Next Morning.....

An older gentleman walks into Kiara's bedroom. Eric braces himself for action.

Man: "Who the hell are you? And what are you doing in my daughter's bedroom?"

Eric looks shocked.

Kiara wakes with a start and winces from the quick movement.

Kiara: "Dad? What are you doing here?"

Martin: "I'll explain that AFTER you get dressed!"

Kiara sits up pulling the covers over herself and looks at Eric.

Martin turns heel and goes into the living room to wait for them.

Eric: "Sorry. You were bleeding pretty badly and I had to stop the bleeding."

Kiara: "Don't worry about it."

She slowly gets up and wobbles a little. Eric jumps up and helps her as she walks around the bed to the bathroom. She looks in the mirror and her eyes get huge.

Kiara: "Oh yuck! I look like death warmed over!."

She runs the water in the sink and comes up looking in the mirror.

The Crow: "Oh I don't know about that. You're circles aren't as dark as mine..."

Kiara burst out laughing and winces but continues to laugh.

Kiara: "Oh Eric! You're a hero through and through."

Eric: "Thanks. Now you better get dressed before your dad decides to come in and try to shoot me or something."

Kiara smiles then gets serious: "Thanks for last night. I know it had to be hard for you."

Eric hands her the robe he saw on the back of the door earlier. He doesn't answer, in the fashion he always does, when a topic has been broached that he doesn't want to talk about.

Eric: "Here put this on."

Kiara puts on the robe and looks away in shame for hurting the man that has gone out of his way to help her.

Eric places his index finger on her cheek and turns her to look at him.

Eric: "You were wrong last night."

Kiara looks puzzled: "About what?"

Eric:"You do mean something to me. You're the only one that actually knows the personal hell I went and am going through. You relived it all with me. Last night, I went through it with you. Like you said, we're connected."

Kiara: Thank you."

Eric nods and goes into the bedroom to give her privacy. She comes out a little stronger on her feet. But he can tell she's still weak. She walks to the door to the living room and Eric follows her. He close enough that if she starts to fall, he can catch her.

Kiara walks to the couch and seeing the blood stain looks quickly at Eric. Then sits down. Eric perches himself on the arm of the couch.

Martin: "Where the hell have you been? I heard you were shot and I rushed to the hospital, and you had slipped out with some man...I take it, this is him."

Kiara: "Dad. This is Eric Draven. He's the one that saved my life."

Martin stops short of his comment then looks over Eric again.

Martin: "I thank you for that Mr. Draven."

Eric nods: "She's a great lady. You're a lucky father."

Martin looks from him to Kiara: "It's bad enough that your Uncle George's son Jerry and his family are kidnapped. But when you disappeared, It worried me sick. Seems a man and a woman were able to save poor little Mary."

Kiara looks at her father in horror: "That was Jerry? I haven't seen him since I was 7-8 years old! Oh God, I didn't know..."

Eric gets off the arm of the couch and sits beside her: "There's no way you could have known. Even if you did, there was nothing you could do. The man was already dead, and when you heard her scream, it's when they killed her mother. We saved the girl, it was at least something."

Martin: "It was you two?"

Kiara: "Yes. Why didn't you tell me about this?"

Martin: "Because it happened so suddenly. It actually happened in a matter of days. Jerry came to see if he could help his dad, but it was too late....George is devastated to say the least."

Kiara: "Why would they be forcing our partner corporations into closing down? What would it accomplish?"

Martin: "I think someone wants those government contracts we were offered."

Kiara: "You told me you turned them down."

Martin:" Without our supporters, we're going to need those contracts."

Eric: "Sounds to me like you're doing exactly what they want you to do."

Martin: "Look Mr. Draven. I appreciate your saving my daughters life, but stay out of things that are none of your concern."

Eric: "But they are my concern. I've been pulled in the middle of all this for a reason. I'm here to help, whether you like it or not."

Martin: "Who do you think you are?"

Eric: "I'm just someone here to set things right and to help those who need it."

Martin gets to his feet angrily: "We don't want or need your help. I suggest you get out and stay away from my daughter."

Kiara: "Dad, he's psychic too. We're connected somehow, "I" need him!"

Martin: "You keep him away from me. You understand. When are you going to quit this foolishness girl! It's time to wake up to reality!"

Martin grabs his coat off the back of the chair and starts for the door.

Kiara: "Father, you're wrong about this. You need Eric as much as I do."

Martin turns pointing a finger at her: "Now, I'm not going to tell you this again."

Martin walks out the door and slams it shut.

Kiara didn't realize it, but she had been sitting up straight and stiff as a board. She finally relaxes and sits back.

Eric: "You can't blame him you know."

Kiara: "What?"

Eric: "Think of how this all started. He walking in and finding me in your bed....not exactly the way to start off on the right foot now was it? Think of it from his point of view as a father."

Kiara: "I guess you're right."

Eric: "But there's something that I think you need to explain to me."

Kiara knew this was coming: "If I'm the daughter of the corporation owner, what am I doing as co manager on the business floor?"

Eric: "Yeah, something like that. I have a feeling I need to know this. As it might be one of the keys we need to finding out why you're one of the targets. And how many people know that you're his daughter?"

Kiara: "I'm down there because my dad wants to make sure everyone is treated accordingly. AND he wants to know if anything suspicious is going on. He wants head notice before something like what happened at my uncle's corporation happens to us. As for who knows I'm his daughter, I don't think anyone does. I don't carry the same last name as my father. My mother and he were never married and she gave me her last name. She died when I was small, so my father basically raised me."

Eric: "I have a feeling someone knows who you are. Otherwise why are you the target."

Kiara: "That makes sense....but who?"

 

 

 

The Guide

Part 10

Eric's Loft a couple of weeks later....

It's night and Eric has been working out. He's shirtless hanging from the rafters in the apartment. There's a knock on the door and he does a back flip and lands solidly on the wooden floor.

Eric: "Yeah, it's open."

Carrie opens the door and looks in warily. She take a deep breath and takes a step into the apartment. Eric watches her as she walks into the apartment step by step.

Eric: " Are you sure you want to do this?"

Carrie nods her head yes: "I'll be okay. I just have to keep my guard up. I wasn't prepared last time I was here."

Eric nods and does a spin kick followed by a series of punches to the air. Kiara watches with curiosity. Then gets an evil grin on her face. She puts her purse down on the floor. Then takes off her shoes and walks a bit more confidently into the loft.

Kiara: Come on, let's see what you got."

Eric stops short: "What?"

Kiara laughs: "Come on. You look like you could use a sparring partner. Let's do it."

Eric shakes his head no: "I don't think so....I don't think this is such a good idea."

Kiara takes a stance: "Come on Draven. Give me a work out. It's been a long week, I'm frustrated and I want to beat the crap out of somebody. Now can you think of a better person, than someone I can't really hurt?"

Eric: "Come on Kiara. You can hurt me plenty, you just can't kill me. Soooo, let's not do this. Okay?"

Kiara cocks an eye brow at him then attacks. She goes in with a kick which Eric narrowly dodges. He steps back a few steps.

Eric: "So did you get that from being connected with me?"

Kiara: "Don't flatter yourself. I've been taking Martial Arts since I was 7 years old. It's the only way I've survived the visions all these years."

Eric: "I see.(He gives her a thoughtful look) So, you want a sparring partner to work out with eh?"

He shrugs. It's the first time he's had someone that he could spar with.

Kiara: "Come on. Give it to me."

Eric smiles a rare smile: "Oh, you better be careful what you wish for."

Kiara: "Come on Crow man....Let's dance."

Eric goes in and Kiara meets him half way. Eric goes easy on her at first, but he quickly learns that she's no amateur. Soon they are in the heat of it when the door crashes in.

Eric and Kiara both stop simultaneously to see who the intruders are.

Kiara shivers as she gets the vibes that three are giving off.

Crow: "Even as a rock'n roller I even know when to crash a party and when not to. And boys~ believe me this isn't the party to crash..."

Snake one: "Back off Crow man. Let us have the girl, and you wont be dead....for good that is."

Kiara whispers: "Eric, who are they?"

Crow cocks his head towards her: "Ever hear of "Snakes in the grass?" Well, these are them~ in the flesh. Aren't ya boys?"

Snake Two: "And we snakes just love to eat Crow."

Both Snakes grin.

Suddenly the crow flies to the window and gives out a loud "CAW" and flies away.

Snake One: "Let us have the girl, and we'll walk out, no problems."

Crow: "Let's let the lady decide shall we? How bout it? Wanna go with the gruesome twosomes?"

Kiara looks at the Crow: "No thank you."

Crow: "Sorry boys, looks like the party's over!"

At that the Crow jumps up catching the beam and swings himself to where he's able to knock them both down....

At the Park...

Hannah is swinging in the swing that her daughter was taken from. Suddenly a strangely dressed black man walks up to her and shakes his head.

Hannah: "What do you want?"

Skull Cowboy: "You're about to get a visitor."

Hannah: "Who are you?"

Skull Cowboy: "That doesn't matter. What does matter is that you're needed at Eric's place. He's got a couple of nasty visitors and he's gonna need help from you. But there's something you gotta do first before you help him."

Hannah's eyes narrow: "What's that?"

Skull Cowboy: "Get Kiara away from the window. We usually don't get involved in matters of fate...but they're stretching the rules, so the man upstairs...well he's letting me stretch a few as well..."

He looks up and Hannah's eyes follow, Eric's crow lands in the tree beside hers. She looks back to where the Skull Cowboy was standing and he's gone.

Hannah: "I have a feeling I don't have time to think about this."

She runs around the bushes and the crows take flight. Shortly there after a motorcycle is heard roaring off down the street....

The loft...

Eric and the two Snakes are in a vicious battle. Kiara joins in but finds she just can't keep up with the pace these men have set. The two Snakes stop and grin at Eric then pull out their snake knives and wave them back and forth in front of themselves expecting the Crow to become intimidated by their weapons. Slowly the Crow grins and reaches under his shirt and pulls out a snake knife with a "Look what I got" look on his face.

Snake one scowls: "Where did you get that!?!"

Crow: "Off a ugly face creep, just like you...had to kill him for it though."

Snake Two: "You wont be so lucky this time Bird Man."

Kiara takes another step back and finds herself up against the steps she walks up them to give them more space to fight without her getting in the way. She's facing away from the window watching them. She doesn't notice that the window changes to a dark swirling mass of purples and blacks. She suddenly is frozen....The Crow's back is to the window and doesn't know what's transpiring behind him.

Talon: "Is this a private party or can anyone join?"

Talon's eyes grow huge as she sees a hand and an arm come from the mass and is reaching for Kiara. Without another word she kicks one of the Snakes out of the way and uses the beam to launch herself across the room to get to Kiara who seems to be in a trance of some sort. Talon grabs Kiara's arm pulling her out of reach then kicks the hand that sought to reach Kiara. But the hand takes hold of Talon's leg and drags her into the swirling mass. She drops her Snake knife struggling to get free. Kiara starts to run and help her.

Talon: "NO! Don't come near the window! It's you they want!"

The Crow was struggling to keep the Snakes at bay turns to see what's happening and one of the Snakes stabs him in the back. The Crow screams his pain and a red light is seen coming from the wound that's been inflicted. The Crow falls to his knees and Snake Two rushes in for the kill. Kiara grabs the knife that Talon dropped and throws it. It lands directly in the Snakes heart region. The Crow grabs the knife and rips a large hole in Snake Two and it explodes in a flash of green light. The Snake One grabs the knife that is still lodged in the Crow's back and starts to do the same to him. But Kiara does a jump kick knocking the Snake off balance. Kiara whirls around and pulls the knife from the Crow's back. The Snake runs for the door and he gets the knife in the back and he falls to his knees. Kiara runs after him and punches him down. The Crow drags himself to the Snake and finishes what Kiara started. The Snake explodes in a flash if green light just as his companion did. The Crow then collapses unconscious....

She turns the body over and it's Eric. She cradles and rocks him.

Kiara: "What's happening? WHAT'S GOING ON? WHY??? WHY??????"

In through the door walks a strangely dressed black man.....

Skull Cowboy: "I truly wish it was within my power to tell you what you want to know. But I thought I would come and let you know that he'll be okay."

Kiara: "Who are you?"

She looks around and the window is now normal.

Kiara: "Where's Hannah?"

Skull Cowboy: "Right now. She's engaged in the biggest battle of her after dead life she's ever had to deal with. It'll be up to her willingness to admit that there is more after death."

Kiara: "Why are they after me?"

The Skull Cowboy kneels in front of her: "I can't tell you that one. But I can tell you this. You're going to be a major part of getting this man right here home. And believe me when I say it has nothing to do with this place(he looks around the loft)."

Kiara: "What do I have to do?"

Skull Cowboy shakes his head: "Now if I told you, it wouldn't happen the way it's suppose to. Can't change fate, just trust me. You'll do fine, just do yourself a favor and stay away from that window."

She looks away from the Cowboy and looks at the window. She turns back and the Skull Cowboy is gone.

The Guide

Part 11

Eric slowly wakes up in Kiara's arms. She's crying and he looks up into her eyes and he gently wipes the tears from her face.

Kiara: "Oh Eric...."

Eric: "I know. I'm sorry this is happening to you."

He sits up and brings her into his arms to hold her. She hugs him tight. They sit in silence, no words are needed. They know each others pain. Suddenly Eric looks towards the window. This time he's not preoccupied and can feel the portal opening. He jumps up Kiara stands up beside him. Eric pushes Kiara behind him. They both look on as the swirling mass of purple and blacks fill the window. Echoes of moans and screams are heard then a female Crow hand appears....

Eric: "Hannah!"

He starts to run to help her and he realizes that Kiara is following after him.

Eric: "NO! Stay back!"

Kiara stops short and backs away as he continues to run towards the portal. Eric can tell Talon is struggling to come through the portal, but something is holding her back. Eric grabs her hand and flips onto his back using the momentum to bring her through. When Talon comes through the portal, it vanishes in a flash of purple. Talon is thrown and slides across the wooden floor and lays there shivering and moaning. Her clothes tattered from the obvious battle she had to wage to win her freedom back to this side. Eric and Kiara race to her side. Eric picks her up by the shoulders and the look of horror is seen in her eyes. She gets up wobbling. Eric and Kiara step forward to try and steady her. She holds up her hands and side steps them.

Hannah looks away from Eric: "I have to go...I'm sorry. I can't help you. Don't look for me Eric, I'm leaving from here for awhile. <Hannah takes a brief look at Kiara.> Keep her safe Eric, you don't want her to go there."

At that she wraps her arms around herself and walks out the broken doorway. Eric and Kiara watch her leave. They know she's only doing what she has to. Only she knows what she saw and went through on the other side...

Eric puts a hand on Kiara's shoulder: "Let's get you home. It seems it's the only place left they haven't tried to get you besides your office."

Kiara nods and hands him the keys to her car: "You mind driving? I'm doing everything I can just to block all the "stuff" out right now."

Eric takes the keys from her and follows her out.

They drive up to Kiara's apartment and looking up they see the lights go out. Kiara closes her eyes wearily.

Kiara: "Now what? I'm not up for another battle Eric."

Eric looks thoughtful then makes a call.

Albrects voice: "Yeah, Albrect."

Eric: "Yeah it's me. They were after Kiara again tonight. But somehow Snakes got involved."

Albrect: "You meant he ones with two legs?"

Eric: "Those very kind. There's someone in her apartment as we speak, she's not up to another confrontation. Could you call Darla?"

Albrect: "Darla? I don't know Draven. Do you think they'll track her there? I don't want to put Darla and Sarah in harms way."

Eric: 'If I thought that, I wouldn't ask. She needs a place to go. She's been through enough for one night and she needs a place to chill."

Albrect: "Okay man. I'll make the phone call. Drop her. Where will you be?"

Eric: "Like I said, there's someone in her apartment..."

Albrect: "Fine. I'll meet you there in about 30 minutes?"

Eric: "Meet me? You're actually going to get involved this time?"

Albrect: "Yeah, sounds like we need to find out who's behind all this. Besides, I didn't know at the time she was related to the victims."

Eric: "Then I'll meet you in 30."

Eric disconnects the cell phone and looks at Kiara.

Eric: "I have a place for you to go. You should be safe there."

Kiara closes her eyes and leans her head against the glass of the car.

Kiara: "Okay. You know I trust you."

Eric looks at her: "You okay?"

Kiara: "Just tired."

Eric pulls her to him and lets her lay her head on his shoulder.

Eric: "I'll help you block it all out until I drop you off."

Kiara: "Thanks."

Kiara sighs in relief and Eric gives a small smile. He puts a protective arm around her and drives away....

Darla and Sarah's apartment

Darla and Sarah are quickly picking up before the unexpected guest arrives. There's a soft knock on the door and Darla looks at Sarah and signals the girl to throw what's in her hand in the bedroom. Sarah tosses the shirt in the bedroom and shuts the door.

Darla opens the door and sees a very weary Kiara standing there.

Kiara: "Hello. I hope I'm not intruding..."

Darla takes the woman's hand and gently guides her in.

Darla: "No not at all. Glad we could help. My name is Darla, and this is my daughter Sarah."

Kiara: "Hello. My name is Kiara."

Sarah: "Hi. So you've got somebody after you?"

Kiara: "Afraid so."

Sarah: "Well, I hope you don't leave like the last one did."

Darla: "SARAH!"

Sarah: "What? What'd I say?"

Darla: "Don't mind her. The woman was worried that we'd be hurt if she didn't leave with the man...Sarah doesn't understand that."

Kiara: "Oh, I see. Well, I'm afraid I don't even know who it is that's after me."

Kiara gives an involuntary sigh and holds her head then runs her hand through her long bedraggled hair.

Darla: "Please, come sit down. You look exhausted."

Kiara: "Thank you, I am tired."

Darla: "If you want, you can lay down and rest in one of the bedrooms."

Kiara shakes her head no: "No, I can't. Not now."

Darla: "Would you like some coffee?"

Kiara: "Yes, Please. If it's not to much trouble.."

Darla leads Kiara to the kitchen and she sits down at the table. Sarah walks over to Kiara and leans on the table.

Sarah: "So, how long have you know Darrell?"

Kiara looks at the girl puzzled: "Who?"

Sarah: "You know, Detective Albrect...the one who sent you here."

Kiara: "OH! Oh, I"m sorry. I've known him for about a month now I think."

Sarah walks behind Kiara and rolls her eyes and shakes her head.

Darla gives Sarah a "look" and hands Kiara a cup of coffee. Kiara smiles her thanks and sips the coffee. Darla pulls a chair out and joins her.

Kiara: "So, how long have you Known Detective Albrect?"

Darla squirms uncomfortably in her chair. Sarah comes back and looks at Kiara.

Sarah: "A couple friends of mine were murdered a couple of years ago. Since then, Darrell has well..."

Darla: "Detective Albrect helped look after Sarah, I was going through a rough time back then."

Kiara looks from mother to daughter: "I'm sorry."

She squeezes Sarah's hand. Kiara stops and stares at Sarah, for she sees the events that this girl saw, mostly involving Eric and Shelly. She let's go and slides her hand back to the coffee. She lowers her head concentrating on blocking the "stuff" that was trying to make its way in while she had let her guard down for that moment. She shakes slightly.

Sarah: "Hey, you okay?"

Darla: "Kiara?"

Kiara looks up her eyes squinting: "I'll be fine. Really..."

Sarah: "Yeah, sure. If you say so."

Darla: "No, your not al right. Can I get you an asprin or anything...you look like you're in pain."

Kiara smiles: "Yeah, I do have a headache. But I'm afraid that asprin wont cure this. Thanks anyway."

Sarah walks to the bathroom and returns with a cold wash cloth.

Sarah: "Here, maybe this will help."

Darla smiles at her daughter.

Kiara takes the wash cloth and nods her thanks and puts it over her eyes for a moment. She gives a sigh as it does help a little.

She removes the cloth and sees the two looking at her with concern.

Kiara: "Would you mind if I used your shower? I feel a bit dirty from the nights events. I hate to ask, but it might also help.."

Darla gets up: "No problem. Of course you can use my shower. Come with me."

Kiara follows her....

Kiara's Apartment

Eric is waiting outside on the street leaning against Kiara's car when Albrect drives up. Albrect gets out and walks up and looks up towards her apartment.

Albrect: "Think someone's still there?"

Eric: "Don't know. Haven't seen any movement."

Albrect: "Alright, guess there's only one way to find out isn't there?"

Eric: "Yep, let's do it."

Eric get up and they walk up the steps to her apartment. They get to the door and Albrect nods his head as Eric shows him the keys. Eric unlocks the door quietly then turns the door knob. No sound is heard in the apartment as Eric peaks in. He suddenly sees a flashing and a beep. Eric grabs Albrect and throws him away from the door and turns to run after him when the bomb explodes sending him flying down the stairs. Albrect shakes off the debris and runs down the stairs to Eric.

Albrect: "Hey Draven! You okay? Draven...Eric?"

He bends down and knows that Eric is what is considered dead to him, so he just waits to see what happens....

Neighbors come out screaming in panic. Albrect pulls his badge and starts making order out of chaos. He orders some of the residents back to their apartment across from Kiara's to call 911. The rest he sends across the street to safety in case the fire spreads to other apartments.

Eric slowly turns over to reveal he has a piece of the door frame stuck in his side. He pulls it out and falls back and breathes hard. Albrect kneels down and watches the wound heal.

Albrect: "Man, I don't think I'll ever get use to that."

Eric: "Me either, but it does come in handy. Albrect gets up then helps Eric to his feet. They both look at Kiara's apartment ablaze. Sirens are heard...

Albrect: "I think it's time for you to leave."

Eric nods: "Just check on Kiara when you can."

Albrect nods and waves as Eric walks hastily away.

 

The Guide

Part 12

Kiara stands there shaking holding onto the sink. She looks in the mirror and shakes her head.

Kiara: "Eric."

Darla: "Kiara, is everthing alright?"

Kiara looks at the door: "Yes, I'm fine."

Kiara puts on the robe that Darla provided and comes out. She smiles her thanks to Darla.

Darla gives an involutary yawn.

Kiara: " Why don't you two go on to bed. I'll be fine. I dont' expect you to wait up with me. Besides, I have no idea how long I'm going to be here."

Darla: "Well, if you don't mind...I do have to go to work in the morning."

Kiara: "Go. I'll be fine."

Darla: "Come on Sarah, time for bed."

Sarah: "But we have company. We can't just leave her alone."

Darla comes up and gives her a light push: "Go. No arguements, you have school tomorrow, and you've been in enough trouble there."

Sarah looks angrily at her mom: "Like me going to sleep, is gonna to help."

Kiara tries hard not to laugh, but ends up choking for her effort. Darla and Sarah look at her and she tries to look innocent.

Kiara: "Look, Sarah. Can I talk to you for just a minute?"

Sarah shrugs as Kiara walks to the couch and sits down. She pats the space beside her.

Sarah grimaces then sits beside her. Darla walks over and listens to what Kiara has to say to her daughter.

Kiara: "You know what? I'm not going to preach to you, because I remember being as hard headed as you when I was your age. But there's something you have to consider."

Sarah: "Yeah, yeah, what's that?"

Kiara: "It's your future, not anybody elses."

Sarah gives her a weird look: "What?"

Kiara: "If you don't get an education, you're not going to get a job worth getting. Just think about it."

Sarah rolls her eyes: "Like someone like me could get a job anywhere worth having anyway."

Kiara: "Why is that?"

Sarah opens her arms: "Oh yeah, just look at me and where I'm from."

Darla gets a shocked look on her face: "What? Sarah!"

Kiara: "Sarah, I'm a manager for a big corporation. I tell you right now, it doesn't matter where you're from. It matters what you know and that you're willing to fight for your position.<she gives Sarah a smile>. As tough as you are. You could make it big. But you can't be a ditcher. Once in that habit, it follows you forever."

Sarah rolls her eyes: "OH come on. I'm just a kid."

Kiara: "Yep, and now is the beginning of tomorrow. Just sleep on it. I know you're not going to jump out of bed tomorrow and everything will look different. But just think of your future and where you want it to go."

Sarah: "Yeah, al right...But, I still think it's rude to leave company alone."

Kiara: "In most cases, you'd be right. But you have school, and your mom has to work. You're doing me the favor of letting me being here."

Darla: "Sarah, she's right. We need to get to bed, or we'll pay for it tomorrow."

Sarah gets up from the couch and walks slowly towards her bedroom. Darla mouths the words "Thank you." then turns and follows her daughter to her own bedroom.

Darla: "Good night Kiara."

Sarah: "Yeah, nite!"

Kiara calls after them: "Good night. Thanks for everything."

Darla: "No problem. Glad we could help."

The apartment goes quiet Kiara sighs and relaxes down into the couch and closes her eyes....

Early that morning....

Leutenant. Vincence is standing in the middle of the rubble that use to be Kiara's apartment. The team is there gathering evidence when Albrect walks in...

Albrect: "Leutinent."

Leutenant.: You want to tell me just what you were doing here last night?"

Albrect: "It's in my report. Ms. West is part of my on going investigation of the family that was kidnapped. Seems she's related, and has been victim of threats against her life as well. She is also the woman who said she saw the rapist if you remember."

Leutenant.: "Yeah, I remember. So you're saying there's some sort of big conspiracy going on?"

Albrect: "That's what it looks like. Right now I'm running down all the corporations that are associated with Mercury Records and how many have been taken down."

Luetenant.: "Good work. Sounds like you've got a handle on this one. Just thought I'd point out something interesting on one of the walls in the back."

Albrect: "Show me."

Leutenant. Vincence walks over rubble towards the bedroom. He walks through the bedroom to the bathroom...on the wall, in red, is the shape of a bird.

Leutentant.: "Seems like we've seen this somewhere before haven't we?"

Albrect nods: "Yeah, in Fun Boy's cell."

Leutenant.: "Doubt there could be a connection, but I thought you should see it."

Albrect looks at it in deep thought: "Oh..... yeah. Thanks."

Leutentant: ." The team has already been back here and taken pictures. It's all yours Detective."

Vincence walks out of the bathroom leaving Albrect to his thoughts. As soon as Albrect is sure nobody is within hearing distance he grabs his cell and dials Eric.

Eric voice: "Yeah?"

Albrect: "It's me, Albrect. I'm at Kiara's apartment. There's something I think you need to see."

Eric: "Let me know when it's clear for me to come over."

Albrect: "You got it."

They hang up.

Albrect: "Damn, this is getting weird."

Later that morning...

Kiara wakes with a start. She sits up clutching the robe Darla let her borrow. She gets up knowing that she slept through Darla and Sarah getting off to school and work.

She gets her purse and walks to the bathroom and gets dressed. She goes to the kitchen and finds a note from Darla:

Kiara:

You make yourself at home. There's coffee in the maker and what's in the refridge you're welcome to. Sarah get's out of school around 3:00 and I get out of work around 5:00. We'll try to make you more comfortable.

Darla

Hey Kiara:

See ya when I get home!

Sarah

Kiara smiles at the note. Eric knows good people. She gets herself a cup of coffee and sits at the table and sips her coffee. Looking around. It's an old apartment. But she can tell that Darla's doing her best to keep it clean. She takes another sip then drops the cup. She feels as though she's been hit in the head. She holds her head as she sees in a vision men walking in to her father's Corporate building with guns. They shoot all the guards in a matter of seconds and make their way to the elevators....

Kiara's apartment:

Albrect watches the team leave and calls Eric.

Erics voice: "It's me."

Albrect: "Yeah man. Get over here."

Eric: "Be right there."

Darla's apartment

Kiara slowly gets up holding her head. She blocks the rest of the vision. She looks for the phone and picks it up and dials the cell number for Eric. The line is busy. She hangs up and calls a cab.

Kiara arrives at the building. Everything looks normal, but she asks the driver to take her around back. The driver nods and drives her around. She gets out and pays the taxi driver with a healthy tip. The driver smiles his thanks and drives away. Kiara goes to the rear entrance and takes her spare keys out of her purse. She slips the key in and quietly opens the door a crack. There stands a man with his back to the door. She opens the door quietly grabs the man from behind and snaps his neck. She closes the door then pulls his body back further into the hall, opens one of the supply closets and shoves the body in. Closing the door, she looks around and sees nobody in direct line of sight. She moves to the main entrance and sees men dressed in the guard's uniforms, but she knows these aren't the regular guards. She moves back into the hall and walks to the very back. She uses her key and unlocks the very last door on the right then flips on the light. She then uses her key to open the sliding doors to the elevator.

Kiara to herself: "Dad, I have to admit. You were right about installing this back elevator."

Kiara pushes the button to go to the floor she works on. She wants to talk to Zoey and Paige and find out just what is going on. She braces her self when the doors open. As before the man is faced away from her. Not expecting anyone from the outside coming in, but to keep anyone from leaving. This man is taller so she jumps up knocking him down from behind then snaps his neck. She grabs the mans body and pushes him to the side of the hall, as not to be noticed quickly. She then slides up the wall towards the office. She peaks around the corner, and much to her dismay there are six men there with guns. Zoey is trying to keep everyone calm when one man grabs her from behind and throws her upon her desk. Zoey screams. One of the men workers runs from his cubicle to try and help her. One of the other gunmen shoots him for his trouble. The women begin screaming and Kiara runs from the hall and jump kicks the man off Zoey. She grabs the man as his men begin shooting several shots hit him knocking Kiara back with the force. She pulls the gun from his hand and starts to fire when she feels a gun to her back.

The man from Paige's apartment: "Drop it."

Kiara lets the man and gun drop, but spins knocking the gun from his hand. She engages the man when he suddenly turns Snake giving her an evil smile.

Snake: "Glad you could join us. How did you manage to get up here?"

Kiara: "None of your business."

She knows that his men have their guns aimed at her.

Kiara: "Go ahead, kill me. It's been what you've been trying to do for almost a month now."

Snake: "Yessss. But it seems you've had some help. And we don't want him getting in our way, now do we?"

Kiara: "He'll kill you just like he did the other Snakes that came after me."

Snake: "Maybe, but I doubt it. We left a little surprise for him at your apartement. Which I'm sure he's found by now, thanks to his friend the Detective . So....now you can stop thinking that your Crow will come to the rescue. We need this building and your father and we want it now! Be a good little daddy's girl and use your key and get us up there."

Kiara: "Good little daddy's girl? Go slither back under the rock you came from."

The snake gets angry and hits her full strength sending her flying to the wall. She smashes into the wall and lands in a heap. She gets up to defend herself but the Snake picks her up by the throat. Paige walks up beside him, looks her up and down and smiles.

Kiara's apartment

Albrect takes Eric into the bathroom where the picture of the bird is. Eric stops short when he sees it. He looks at Albrect then at the picture.

Albrect: "Yeah, that was my reaction."

Eric walks closer to the picture.

Albrect: "They've decided it's some sort of blood, but it's wierd..."

Eric looks back at Albrect then reachs out and touches it. A flash of purple then a vision appears in his head: Hannah is fighting for her life with several Snakes when some being appears from behind her. He grabs her by the hair and she tries to get free. But nothing she does harms or stops it. He grabs her by the wrist and slits it with what looks like a "Crow" hand with a Snake knife. Hannah lets out a scream and she fights in earnest to get away as the blood flows from her wrist. The Snake from Paige's apartment comes up smiling at her and thanks her for her "help" as he takes her blood into a bowl. Finally Hannah manages to gouge the beings eyes and he let's go...she sees his face and runs in horror towards the portal. She's weak from the blood loss but manages to get to the portal she gets a hand through, when the Snake from Paige's apartment comes up behind her and grabs her and fights to keep her there...But suddenly she's pulled through from the other side.

Suddenly a purple flash omits from the picture, Eric is thrown across the room. Eric holds his head in pain and moans.

Albrect: "What happened?"

Eric: "It's Hannah's blood on the wall. They got it while she was on the other side...there's an evil power at work here. Hannah couldn't even stop it when it took her blood."

Eric shakes his head trying to clear his vision.

Albrect: "What's up with you? What just happened?"

Eric: "I don't know. I think this was meant for me...to weaken me...."

Suddenly Eric grabs his ribs and shutters.

Albrect: "What is it?"

Eric: "It's Kiara. Something's happening to her."

Eric slowly gets up and with Albrects help and they go outside. He finds the crow there waiting in a tree. The crow gives a "CAW" and flies away.

Albrect: "Are you sure you're up to this?"

Eric: "Does it matter? Kiara needs me. What ever the plan has been, it's going down right now."

Albrect: "Alright, I'm with you partner."

Eric blinks a moment then nods and walks to the Bike. Getting on he senses which way the crow went starts it up and takes off after his bird.

Albrect doesn't have to be told but runs to his car. Abrect turns does a U turn and follows Eric.

Mutual Records Corporate Building

Paige:" I have a key, go ahead and kill her."

Zoey: "Paige!"

Kiara closes her eyes and whispers through the choke hold: "It was you."

Paige gives a smile: "Yeah, it was me all along. The rapist at your apartment, Draven to distract you from seeing me as the person on the inside."

The Snake lets Kiara drop and Paige looks angrily at him: "I thought you were going to kill her!"

Snake: "We might need her now as leverage against the old man up stairs. He throws Kiara into the arms of one of his men.

Kiara looking up at the person she thought of as a friend: "Paige, you don't want to do this!"

Paige: "Oh yes I do. I'm tired of being second, and now I know I'm not even that. The bosses daughter. I never would have guessed."

Paige starts to walk past Zoey and Zoey punches Paige in the face. One of the Snake's men quickly comes up behind her and knocks her in the head with his gun. Zoey drops to the floor and Kiara shakes herself loose of the gunman and goes to her side. She looks up and Paige's eyes narrow as she curls her lip.

Paige: "He should have killed you. But it'll happen in time. Then I'll be happy."

Kiara: "Why?"

Paige: " Because I don't like my shoulder being looked over, AND I have always suspected you of being more than just a office manager. When they told me about you, I hated you...."

Kiara: Oh Paige<shakes her head sadly>I thought the three of us were friends."

Paige: "You two were just my step ladder to the top. But I found a different ladder."

At that she turns and walks toward the elevator the Snake starts to follow but hesitates in front of Kiara.

Snake: "If she tries anything, shoot her then everyone else here."

Kiara's mouth opens slightly, it was one thing risking her life, but to put everyone else in danger...

Snake: "Now we understand each other."

Snake proceeds down the hall( barely noticing the dead man on the floor) with four of his men. Paige is waiting in front of the elevator for them. When he is close enough Paige places her key inside the lock and opens the elevator doors to the top floor......

Mercury Records Building outside:

The crow flies to the front of the building then starts to climb in flight and lets out a "CAW." Eric pulls up to the front of the building with Albrect right behind him. Eric squints to follow the bird up.

Eric: "Well, I guess we know which way to go."

Albrect: "Yeah, but question is how. Last time we dealt with the Crow blood thing, well, you remember what happened."

Eric pulls out his knife and cuts his hand. It heals immediately.

Eric: "He's still with me. So I guess I go first."

Albrect: "Yeah, I guess you do, but I don't like it...something happened to you back there."

Eric: "Yeah, something did. But we don't have the time to wait and find out what did, do we. I suppose you called for back up when you figured out our distination?"

Albrect: Yeah. So we gotta get you in fast, and out somehow without a lot of witnesses..."

Eric: "One thing at a time. I got to get up there to Kiara."

Albrect: "It's your show....go for it."

Eric gets off the bike takes a step and gets a vision of purples and blacks swirling and laughter in his head.

Albrect: "Hey, maybe we better wait for the guys with the big guns to get here."

Eric: "No, they're trying to keep me out of the way. I have to go."

Eric clinches his jaw shakes his head and walks in the front door.

Guard at front desk: "Sorry, nobody's allowed up today."

Crow runs up and sits on the desk: "Ah, come on...you can make ONE acception."

Guard pulls out his gun: "What the?"

The Crow disarms the guard with one hand and with the other hand knocks the guard out cold. Two guards try to rush him but he jumps from the desk and they get spin kicked for their trouble. Three walk up with their guns drawn. The Crow throws up his arms in feined worry.

Crow: "Oh dear me...three of you and only one little me.(he opens his jacket to show he's unarmed)While they all look he kicks the gun out of one guard's hand and knocks the gun out of another's with is hand. The third who stayed at a further distance away tries to shoot but the Crow moves out of the bullets' way and it hits the wall behind him. The Crow gives a smile.

Crow: "One for the money!"

Guard shoots again and the Crow moves out of it's way again taking a step closer. The two other guards watch and take a step back totally afraid of whatever this "thing".

Guard: "Stay away!" He shoots again.

Crow steps closer: "Two for the show!"

Guard: "No!"

The Guard shoots again...missing the Crow but hitting one of the guards that made the mistake of getting behind the Crow. The turns looking at the man screaming holding his shoulder. The Crow turns around and shrugs with an innocent look.

Crow: "Three to get ready..."

The Guard screams and shoots firing the rest of his bullets at the Crow. The Crow dodges all but the last one. He takes that one in the stomach. He's bends over but stands and lets the man see it heal. The guards mouth drops in shock. The Crow wiggels his eyebrows.

Crow: "And Four to Go!"

At that the Crow jump kicks the man sending him sliding across the marbled floor....

Albrect comes in with his gun drawn and points it at the two remaining men. One man is wounded and the other was obviously scared at what he's just witnessed.

Albrect: "I'll handle it down here, you go take care of business."

The Crow turns to walk to the elevator. He gets slammed with a vision of purples and blacks and a loud moaning in his head. He staggers a moment then stands. He gets an angry determined look on his face walks to the elevator and pushes the button to the elevator. It opens and he walks in and pushes the button for the floor that Kiara works. The elevator starts up he gets hit with another vision of blacks an purples...but this time he hears an ear splitting scream...The Crow almost goes to his knees holding his ears and closing his eyes...

Kiara's Floor office:

The elevator opens and the Crow staggers out falling to his knees. He looks up to see two men running down the hall. He shakes his head clear and gets up as the two men reach him.

Man: "What are you suppose to be?"

Second man laughs looking at his partner: "Yeah, It's a little late for Halloween."

Crow: "You're worse nightmare?"

First man: "Nah, we work for him. You, you're just a man in bad make up."

The second man hits the Crow with his gun across the face knocking him face down to the floor. Both men laugh and grab his arms dragging him to the office with the other prisoners. As soon as they let him go the Crow flips over kicking both men to the groin. The both stoop over in agony to get it in the jaw knocking them to their backs. The Crow knocks them both unconcious then starts to kill them.

Kiara whispers: "Eric, what's happening to you?"

The Crow cocks his head: "Eric's not in at the moment. May I take a message?"

Kiara: "That's not true. You're one in the same and you know that."

The Crow crawls over to her: "Eric's weak, without me.... he wouldn't exist."

Kiara: "Without Eric, YOU wouldn't exist. You came with him to set things right. You have his drive and what his desires. You are a machine programed with Eric's personality. Without him you are an empty, angry shell of hatred run rampant. He is your heart and soul."

The Crow starts to hit her but can't bring himself to do it. He cocks his head and looks at her closely.

Crow: "Where's the Snake?"

Kiara: "Upstairs. We need to hurry."

Crow: "WE?"

Kiara: "Don't get smart ass with me. We don't have the time. Help me up!"

The crow gets to his feet and helps Kiara up. She walks down the hall and he follows her. She uses her key and they enter in the elevator. The Crow comes up close to her.

Crow: "You're right about the desire thing. What if I told you I want you?"

Kiara looks the Crow straight in the eyes: "Then I'd say you're misinterpreting Eric's and my connection. Eric loves Shelly, we're friends. Nothing more..."

The Crow shakes his head as the elevator doors start to open: "I"d show you, but unfortunately, we're out of time."

The Crow jumps up holding himself up on the ceiling in the corner and Kiara is left standing there. She watches as the men turn their guns on her. The Snake walks up to chastize her for coming up, but gets greeted by a kick in the face as the Crow drops to the floor.

Crow: "Oh, no wonder you're the head Snake. You're about the ugliest one I've seen yet.."

Snake: "You're stronger than we thought Bird man. We thought you'd be down and out by now."

Crow: Ah, you know me. I hate missing all the fun."

Crow throws a punch at the Snake. The Snake dodges the punch and pulls Kiara's father in front of him.

Snake: "Now, now...we've got our priorities here. You're not my worry Bird Man...take a flight and take your little canary with you. if you want. All we want his the old man and his company. Nothing more."

Crow: "What could you possibly want with a record company? OH let me guess, you want to cut an album and nobody can stand the hiss."

Kiara walks up behind the Crow and looks at the Snake holding her father in a choke hold.

Martin: "The government contracts have to do with controling what music is produced and listen too across the country. They were even thinking of doing subliminal messages in the music."

Crow: "tch tch tch......mess with music? <Shakes head no> You should have stuck with trying to cut albums."

Kiara: "Let him go scale face."

The Crow looks at her: "I'm starting to rub off huh?"

Paige comes around and tries to hit Kiara but she dodges her easily and delivers a punch to Paiges' face. One of the gun men takes aim at her and the Crow does a spin kick and knocks the man to the floor unconscious. Another takes a shot at the Crow shooting him in the shoulder. The Crow is spun in a circle and the Snake throws the father across the conference table and gives the Crow back handed punch sending the Crow to the floor. While Kiara jump kicks the man that shoots the Crow. Suddenly Kiara's dad is over the table and on one of the gunmen leaving only one left. The Crow heals and the Snake comes after him to stomp him, but instead, he gets kicked with both feet in the chest....sending him flying across the room. Kiara watches as the gunman points his gun at her and she sees Paige running at her from the other side. She does a flip just as he pulls the trigger and the bullet hits Paige in the arm making her scream and drop. The Crow jumps up on the table running and jump kicks the last gunman down. Kiara's dad knocks the gunman out that he has a choke hold on then they all turn to Paige and the Snake. Suddenly the Crow grabs his head as a loud scream enters his head then a bright flash of purple and all the Crow can see is black. Kiara shakes her head trying to keep herself seperate from his visions. Paige seems to be having the same problem as the Crow for she goes to her knees grabbing her head as well. The Snake just looks at her and sneers.

Snake: "You've worn out your usefulness. Time for you to die..."

He then looks at the Crow and he holds out his hand palm out and in a spin of green light a Snake knife appears.

Snake: "You too Crow man. It's been interesting....but you never had a chance. To bad you'll never know just WHO you've been up against all this time."

The Crow stands wobbling to his feet and closes his eyes. Listening, but all he can hear is the echo if the Snake's voice amoungest the screams and moans in his head. He shakes his head and holds his head consentrating on getting his awareness back, but all that seems to happen is a brighter flash of purple making his head hurt all the more. The Snake comes in and slashes the Crow across the chest.

Kiara: "Eric! Use me! Crow, do you hear me? Use my eyes, see through me!"

The Crow cocks his head sideways and suddenly in a haze he sees the Snake about to strike. He grabs the Snake's wrist he then pulls the Snake knife he keeps tucked behind him out and stabs the Snake in the chest. The Snake falls to the floor grabbing at the gapping wound in his chest. The Crow using Kiara's vision crawls over to the Snake. But before he can strike the final blow, the Snake grabs his ears and screams, then explodes in a bright purple light.

Paige is writhing in pain and Kiara and her father walk over to her when she suddenly lets out one final scream then lays quiet looking into oblivion....

The elevator opens and Zoey walks in with Albrect.

Albrect holding his badge for all to see: "Detective Albrect. Everyone okay?"

Martin: "We're okay, thank you. But I'm afraid that Ms. Walker has paid the ultament price for her part."

Albrect grabs the Crow's coat and pulls him aside: "Eric, time for your disappearing act. This place is crawling and I don't to have to explain you."

The Crow just shakes his head: "Eric's not in, I wish you people would get this straight."

Kiara who was right behind him grabs him and leads him to the elevator.

Kiara: "Dad, I'll talk to you later. I have to get him out of here."

Her dad nods his agreement: "Go. I doubt anyone here could, or would know how to explain him."

In the Elevator going down the Crow again gets close up to Kiara.

Crow: "Alone at last."

He starts to kiss her when she gently puts her fingers to his lips.

Kiara: We'll settle this at the loft, but not here. Agreed? We have to get you out of here."

Crow: "Agreed. At the loft."

Kiara gently pushes him at arms length away....

Kiara: "At the loft."

Crow gives an evil grin and arches his eyebrows: I already agreed..."

 

 

The Guide

Part 13

 

The loft door opens and Kiara walks in followed by the Crow. He gives a wicked smile at her back and closes the door. She involuntarily jumps when she hears the door slam shut.

Crow: "What's the matter? Afraid?"

Kiara turns and looks at him.

Kiara: "No. I know you wont hurt me."

The Crow lets his jacket slide from his shoulders and down his arms and tosses it aside. He slowly walks foward like a tiger stalking his prey. Kiara stands her ground, locking eyes with the Crow.

Crow: "You are sooo different."

He circles her looking her up and down. He touches her back with his fingers and gently caresses her faces as he comes back around to face her.

Kiara: "So are you. Now, when are you going to get it that you and Eric are one?"

The Crow stops short and growls angrily. Before she has time to react, he slams her to the floor and jumps on top of her straddling her. Kiara lets out a cry of pain and the Crow looks at her then starts to lift her shirt. She tries to stop him and looking into his eyes she can see he's only concerned.

Crow: "Nothing I haven't already seen remember."

He then lifts her shirt slightly to see the huge bruise that spreads from her stomach up her ribcage where the Snake had hit her earlier. The Crow sits back more onto her hips as not to put preasure on the area that's injured. Kiara clinches her teeth then looks him in the eye and pulls her shirt from his hands.

Kiara: "Thank you for your concern. So, how about we stop this nonsense. You know sooner or later Eric's going to emerge."

Crow shakes his head: "Eric is gone and<he hesitates> he's not coming back."

Kiara: "Eric is as much a part of you as you are of him."

Crow: "But he'd never do this would he?"

At that he leans down kissing her hard on the mouth. She struggles to make him stop, but he grabs her wrist and easily holds her at bay. After the kiss he looks down into her eyes and she can see the passion growing in his eyes.

Crow: "Now, I know you've been thinking about doing that. Don't try to deny it."

Kiara looks into his eyes: " I can't deny it. But I have respect for Eric and how he feels for Shelly."

Crow: " So, I'm only giving you what you've been thinking about."

He leans in to give her another kiss...

Kiara: "Stop! It's impossible. You know that."

Crow: But you're wrong. Eric's gone, so now it is possible."

Kiara shakes her head no: " You're confussed about our bond. I'm sorry, but it just can't be. Eric has to set things right, with your help. He has to get back to Shelly, his forever lover..."

Crow: "Then you be mine Kiara....be my forever lover. I want you......."

Kiara: "But don't you see? You're the Crow a being who's existance is only because of who you've accompanied to Earth. You're not Eric, you're the Crow, smoke without essence without the man."

Crow: "Tell me I'm not real after this!"

Crow looks at her angrily takes her head twisting her hair in his fingers and kisses her hard on the mouth. But this time she answers his kiss taking his head into her hands, hoping to get through to Eric. The Crow hesitates surprised, then kisses her again but gently and they share a vision: The Crow raising from Eric's grave separated from Eric. The murders he commited while seperated. The kidnapping of Shelly and the battle between him and Eric...then the rejoining of the two by Shelly. The Crow jolts upright looking at her shaking .

Crow: "NO!"

He jumps up and runs to the window and stops short gripping the broken frame looking out at the city. He lowers his head, shaking he runs his fingers through his long hair.

Kiara: "Eric?"

Eric turns only slightly then hangs his head then looks back looking through the window.

Eric: "I think you better go. I don't know if I've got this is under control or not."

Kiara: "Then I had best stay."

Kiara gets up and begins collecting candles and puts them in a large circle and lights them. She sits down inside and looks up at Eric who hasn't moved a muscle.

Kiara: "Eric, come and sit with me."

Eric turns and looks at her within the circle of candles. She holds out her hand in invitation.

Eric: "How can you still trust me?"

Kiara: "Because you'd never hurt me."

Eric: "But I already have.<He starts to look away.>You don't have to do this."

Kiara: "No, but I want to. You don't have to do this alone this time.... Come finish what we started, share with me."

Eric looks so sad and lost and comes to the circle and steps in. He hesitates a moment then sits down. Kiara holds out her hands and Eric looks at them then looks into her eyes.

Eric closes his eyes then opens them slowly and looks around the room. She can see he's fighting back the tears. He quickly places a kiss on her fore head then takes her hands in his. They both close their eyes and takes her on the journey from the time he came back to Earth till the time they sat here together. Every now and then Kiara would shed tears for him. Eric could sense this and stop only long enough to reach out and wipe the tears from her face. The journey done, he releases her and they both look up to find the Skull Cowboy waiting for them to finish. He crouches down on his heels outside the circle and hands a bag to Eric.

Skull Cowboy: "I thought you'd want this back."

Eric opens the bag and pulls out a white tee shirt. He looks up at the Skull Cowboy then at Kiara.

Skull Cowboy: "It'll be time soon. You have enough time to call your friends and say your good-bye's. But don't leave here. Understand? Use the phone this time."

Eric gives a smile and a nod: "Yeah......I'll do that. Thanks."

Skull Cowboy: "Don't thank me."

He looks at Kiara then nods his good bye and walks towards the window and disappears....

Eric smiles a smile that Kiara had never seen before. Eric pulls the black tee shirt off and pulls the white one one. Kiara blinks then smiles.

Kiara: "Wow. What a difference."

Eric looks down at the shirt then at her: "Think so?"

Kiara: "Uh, yeah....lots.."

He smiles at her then gets up and leaves the circle. He goes to his jacket and pulls out the cell phone and calls Albrect.

Albrect: "Yeah, Albrect here."

Eric: "Yeah, it's me."

Albrect: "You're sure? Last time I saw you, you weren't so sure about that."

Eric: "Look I don't have time to explain. But I need you to come to the loft now."

Albrect: "I can't leave now. I've got lots of paper work to fill out on this case we've just tied up."

Eric: "Daryl, It's time....I'm finally going to be with Shelly. I wanted to say good bye. But I was told not to leave here."

Albrect runs a hand over his hair then rubs his neck: "Okay, Hold on. I'll be right there..."

Eric: "Hey.."

Albrect: "What?"

Eric: "Pick up Sarah."

Albrect sighs" Yeah, she'll need to say good-bye."

Eric: "Thanks man."

Albrect: "Yeah. No problem."

Eric hangs up the phone and walks back to Kiara still sitting in circle. She smiles at him and he pulls her up and hugs her to him.

Eric: "It's finally over. I get to move on and be with Shelly."

Kiara touches his cheek gently: "I'm so happy for you."

Eric takes her hand and places a kiss in the palm of her hand.

Eric: "You've been though so much. We've been through so much..."

Kiara gently touches his lips with her fingers and shakes her head no. She just wraps her arms around him and he does in turn closing his eyes. For in this woman, he lost some of his loneliness. She shared his pain and anger at it's worse and he shared hers. He belonged to Shelly heart and soul. But with this woman, there was a bond that couldn't be ignored. No wonder the Crow side of him felt so strongly for her. Feeling Eric's tirade of emotions, Kiara pulls back and looks at him. Before she can say a word the door opens. Albrect and Sarah come in. Eric and Kiara step out of the candle circle to greet them. Sarah has obviously been crying and she runs to Eric and throws her arms around him.

Sarah: "Please, don't leave. Please.not again!"

Eric: "Sarah, I have to. Of anyone here, you above all know that."

Sarah wipes the tears from her face: "Yeah, I know......but I don't want to lose you again. You're my friend Eric. We've been through hell together. Who's gonna keep me out of trouble?"

Albrect places a hand on her shoulder: "I'm still here Sarah. I'm not going anywhere. I can give you my word on that."

Suddenly Albrect's cell phone rings: "Yeah, Albrect.(P) NOT NOW!(P) Damn, alright.....YEAH I said alright. I'll be right there."

Sarah rolls her eyes.

Albrect looks at Eric with regret written all over his face: "Man I gotta go. If I could stay, I would."

Eric holds out his hand and Albrect takes it.

Albrect: "I'm gonna miss cleaning up your messes."

Albrect then pulls Eric into an embrace then turns and starts to leave.

Eric: "Hey Albrect!"

Albrect turns around.

Eric: "Thanks for being a friend."

Albrect: "Like wise my friend. You'll be definately be missed."

At that he quickly turns around and leaves with everyone watching. Sarah turns around and looks at Eric.

Sarah: "So when is this suppose to happen anyway?"

Eric: "Don't have a certain time. I was told to stay here, that it'll be soon."

Sarah gets a frustrated look on her face:" Great, so we just sit here and wait?"

Eric nods: "Fraid so. Hey, if you want to go home, it's cool."

Sarah: "Home.......yeah right."

Sarah walks over to one of the few chairs in the place and plops herself down into it.

Eric looks at Kiara and shrugs: "You?"

Kiara: "And just WHERE am I suppose to go? I don't have a home remember."

Eric shakes his head for forgetting: "Then we all sit here and wait. Hey, I wont be needing this place anymore. You could have the landlord fix it up."

Kiara: "That's a thought, but until you're outta here, looks like you're stuck with us."

Eric smiles: "Can't think of better company."

Sarah just shakes her head at him and leans back in the chair and puts her feet up. Kiara smiles at her. Eric puts his arm unconsciouly around her shoulders and looks at the window. He looks at her and she has a strange look on her face.

Eric: "What?"

Kiara: "I was just.....never mind."

Eric: "What? Oh, come on!"

Kiara looks away. Embarressed for being caught: "I was memorizing your face."

Eric: gently turns her face towards him: "Hey, no worries. I'll tell Shelly all about you when we get together. I wish you two could have met."

Sarah: "Oh yeah, great friends."

Kiara and Eric look at Sarah who's looking at the two of them with her eyebrow cocked.

Kiara shakes her head no: "It's not like that Sarah. Really it's not. I respect Eric and Shelly's relationship and I wouldn't go there."

Sarah just nods her head exagerantly opening her eyes wide with her lips pursed:"Ummmm hmmmm. Okay, sure. I'm just the kid here right...."

Eric walk over to Sarah and sits in front of her making a tent with his fingers. He watches his fingers for a moment then he looks at Sarah.

Eric: "Sarah. Shelly's soul and mine are connected. I can't have feelings for anyone in that way. Kiara, is a very special lady in my life...but it could never be that way with her. She's aware of that and respects that. Okay?"

Sarah is looking at Eric seriously: "I know it's hard with all this after life stuff going on with you. But I always hoped that you could have somewhat of a normal life while you were here. know what I mean? Like eating, sleeping, and<she looks at Kiara>well you know. I even tried matching you up with Shay."

Eric gets an amused look on his face: "Sarah, you've been my conscience, reminding me how I should act and feel. You've been very special to me the entire time I've been here. Thank you."

Sarah: "Now don't start going all mushy on me, or you'll start me crying again or something."

Suddenly Eric looks towards the window and gets up. He slowly walks towards it as though drawn to it.

Eric: "It's almost time. I can feel it."

Sarah jumps up and starts to go to him, but Kiara grabs her and holds her in front of her.

Sarah: "Let me go."

Kiara: "Sarah, it's not safe. Believe me, it's not a good idea to be close to the window when a portal's open."

Eric sees the window start to shimmer of golden yellows and bright white lights. He smiles as he feels it pulling him home.

Eric: "Can you see it?"

Kiara and Sarah look at each other then at the window and see nothing.

Kiara closes her eyes and connects with Eric and she can see it through his eyes. She smiles.

Kiara: "It's beautiful Eric."

Eric looks at the two, runs to them and gives Sarah a quick hug good-bye then he looks at Kiara not knowing what to say.

Kiara: "Go, be with your forever lover. We'll be fine."

He nods and gives her face a stroke with his fingers: "I'll remember you. Thank you."

Kiara takes his fingers in hers and strokes her face with them: "Go Eric. Find Shelly and finally be happy."

Eric smiles turns and goes to the portal. He turns back and briefly looks back then steps through. Dissapearing into nothingness is what Kiara and Sarah see. Suddenly Kiara steps back...she "sees" the portal change into blacks and swirling flashing purple lights.

Then out steps a figure dressed in black. Sarah gets a smile on her face and starts to run but Kiara pulls her short. She "feels" something isn't right here. The hackles on the back of her neck raise and she pulls Sarah closer wrapping her arms around her protectively. Sarah looks up at her like she's crazy.

A figure steps forward that looks partly like Eric and partly like the Crow. He smiles and he looks at Sarah.

Figure: "Hey kiddo. Long time no see."

Sarah stops struggling against Kiara and her eyes grow big in fear.

 

Sarah: "Top Dollar..."

Top Dollar laughs: "Good, you remember me."

Kiara: "Sarah run!"

They both move as one and Sarah slightly opens the door when the door stops moving.

Top Dollar: "Leaving so soon? I don't think so."

Kiara manages to open the door open enough for Sarah to squeeze through.

Kiara: "Sarah, get out of here! Go call Albrect!"

Sarah squeezes out the door then watches as the door slams shut on Kiara she stands there only a minute then runs for her life.

In the loft Kiara turns and looks at Top Dollar: "What do you want?"

Top Dollar: "I want revenge on the one man that's managed single handly to screw up every single thing I have planned out. But, now he's gone. So I guess I'll just have to settle with having some fun instead."

At that he walks towards Kiara smiling through blacken lips.

Kiara: "What's with the look? Why the Eric/Crow thing?"

Top Dollar: "OH you mean, the white face and black lips. But no clown eyes?"

Kiara lifts an eyebrow: "Something like that."

Top Dollar: "I hate that clown look. So, I just did the basics."

Kiara shakes her head: "Why copy the man's face that you seem to hate so much?"

Top Dollar: "Because I plan on torturing everyone he's deemed friend, and have the satisfaction that the face they'll see is his."

Kiara's eyes widen in horror.

Top Dollar gives an evil grin: "Oh, I'm going to have lots of fun with you."

Kiara doesn't let Top Dollar have the first move. She runs and jump kicks Top Dollar. When she connects he takes a couple of steps backwards then stands up straight. She gives him a couple of punches to the abdomin then the face. Top Dollar lets her get in her shots then grabs her by the arms.

Top Dollar: "Do you think that Martial Art crap is going to work on me?"

He just grins and begins to laugh at her. He picks her up off her feet then tosses her easily across the room and she hits the wall. She's dazed from the impact and tries to get up but finds Top Dollar's foot on top her chest. He leans down putting preasure on her chest so it's hard for her to breathe.

Top Dollar: "Tch, Tch, Tch...."

Kiara wheezes out the words: "Get off me."

Top Dollar: "Oh baby. I haven't even begun. Wanna know how I know both you and Draven?"

 

Kiara wrinkles her brow: "How?"

At that Top Dollar not unlike the Crow pounces on top of Kiara then places his hand on her head. Vision: Top Dollar stands there beside Mr. Reyes of Reyes Enterprises as they watch Kiara and her father take the elevator.

Reyes: "I want his partnership. He's going to come into some government contracts that I'm very much interested in."

Top Dollar: "Want me to eliminate them now?"

Reyes: "No, not yet. Find out more about our friends here. There's more than meets the eye between them. It could be useful later."

Top Dollar: "You got it."

Time fades into the blacks and purples and Kiara's eyes roll up into her head.

Suddenly The Crow is fighting Top Dollar and he throws him and he's killed violently....but something happens. She feels the evil from the Top Dollar grow into something more....the being that is now holding her. She begins to shake as he lets the visions of the world he is from flood her mind and soul. He grins as she lets out a moan.

Top Dollar leans down and licks her face: "Let's party. I must say one thing for Draven. He's got great taste in women dead or alive.<he smells her hair>Oh yeah, you're hot just like the other one was. I didn't get to taste her, but I'll definately have fun with you.<he laughs an evil laugh>Then I think I'll find that hot little female Crow. So much to do, and all the time I want to do it in."

Kiara whimpers as he runs his hand up her leg.

The Land of the Dead

Eric walks through the portal and he steps into the forest. He smiles and takes a few steps forward when the Skull Cowboy steps in front of him.

Eric stops and looks at him.

Skull Cowboy: "I think there's something you need to know."

Eric: "Now what?"

Skull Cowboy: "She's not here man."

Eric looks at the Cowboy angrily: "She came to say she couldn't wait any longer for me. She was crossing over."

Skull Cowboy: "That's what was suppose to happen. Come on. I'll let you see what happened for yourself."

At that the Skull Cowboy leads Eric to the Bridge then takes Erics' hand and places it on the bridge. He sees Shelly run from the light and stand on the bridge hand railling and dive into the Earth Portal.

Eric spins in place confused and angry at what he just witnessed."SHELLY!"

Eric drops to his knees in sorrow and confusion. The Skull Cowboy places a consoling hand on his shoulder.

Skull Cowboy: "The man wants you both home. You have a choice to make. Stay here and wait for Shelly or return to Earth and set things right with Top Dollar, find and bring Shelly home."

Eric looks up grief striken.

Skull Cowboy: "Just one more thing you gotta know. Come with me..."

Eric gets up and follows the Skull Cowboy back to where he came through the Portal.

Skull Cowboy: "I hate to do this to you man. But listen...."

The Skull Cowboy waves his hand and the portal shimmers and Eric cocks his head. He hears Top Dollars talking. The anger in Eric's face shows as he hears him talk about Shelly then realizes at what he's about to do to and that it's Kiara he's with.

Eric: "If I go back, how do I stop Top Dollar without killing him? How do I find Shelly?"

Skull Cowboy: "You'll find those answers just like you did before. But.....if you don't go back now.>he nods to the portal>She's as good as dead."

Eric hears a scream and he doesn't hesitate but jumps through the portal. The Skull Cowboy tips his hat and walks away.

The Loft

Eric lands in the loft and he stops short seeing an image of himself on top of Kiara. Eric's in a rage.

Crow: "Get off her!"

Top Dollar looks up and snarls: "Don't you stay gone?"

Crow: "You know me. I'm just like a fly, I buzz around just to annoy you."

Top Dollar: "Prepare to be swatted."

Top Dollar gets up and Kiara curls into a ball.

Crow: "Kiara, get out of here!'

Top Dollar: "Oh no, she's not going anywhere. I'm not done with her yet."

She tries to crawl for the door but Top Dollar holds out his hand and makes a fist. She can't move.

Kiara: "Eric...."

Top Dollar:"No, I don't even want you to talking to him. You're mine now."

Kiara: "Help me...please."

Top Dollar: "Well, she's got quite a will doesn't she?"

He kicks her to the side of the room and the Crow runs forward to stop him from hurting her more.

Top Dollar: "Such gallantry. But haven't you heard, it's dead... just like you!"

Just as the Crow is a little more than arms length away, Top Dollar shoots up his arm and sends a blinding pulse of light and it hits the Crow full force in the chest knocking him back. But the Crow pops up and the surprise is written on Top Dollars face.

Crow: "Awww, what's the matter? You're fly swatter have a hole in it?"

Top Dollar: "That should have obliterated you."

The Crow shrugs holding his arms out: "I've never been one to do what I'm suppose to."

Top Dollar runs at the Crow and kicks at him. It's almost a repeat of the fight of Eric against the Crow. But this time the Crow is fighting a being of evil that looks like himself. The fight is almost a dance of whirling and kicking feet. Of spinning in air and connecting with the opponent and the come back. Both fight with rage, anger. One wants revenge, the other redemption for himself and his beloved Shelly. With the fight in full, Kiara manages to prop herself up against the wall and watch the two engage in immortal combat. She watches almost through a haze, her brain and vision unclear. The fight works it's way to the portal window. Both breathless they stop for a moment. The Crow looks at the Portal and the Portal opens, but the realm of Blacks and Purples.

The Crow: "I believe this is your exit."

Top Dollar: "I don't think so. But I think you'll find it interesting..."

The Crow" "Nope, no thank you. You already gave me a tour via Hannah. But I think you've worn out your welcome here. This is my pad, and I want you to leave it."

Top Dollar; "Now is that anyway to treat a guest?"

Crow: "No, but you weren't invited. Besides, you hurt the lady."

Top Dollar looks briefly at Kiara, that is all the time the Crow needed to execute his plan. The Crow grabs Top Dollar by both arms, and like he did Hannah he falls to his back sending Top Dollar through the portal..."

Eric gets up and runs to Kiara. He starts to take her head in his hands when she stops him.

Kiara: "No. It might hurt you again."

Eric: "No, I'm different somehow. Trust me."

He takes her head in his hands and she whimpers her pain. He closes his eyes and pulls her into his arms and a black tear falls down his face.

Eric: "Oh God Kiara. I'm sorry."

Kiara: "It's not you're fault. Don't blame yourself."

He craddles her in his arms and rocks her as she starts to sob into his chest. Suddenly the door crashes open and Albrect is standing there holding his gun on the two. Kiara screams in terror and Eric holds her tighter to him..

Albrect: "Alright hold it right there."

Eric: "Hey, tough guy, put it down. It's me."

Kiara: "He came back.<she hides her face> He came back to save me."

Albrect looks around the loft: "Top Dollar?"

Eric: "Gone for now."

Albrect looks at how she's acting: "He didn't."

Eric and Albrect connect eyes and not another word needs to be spoken. Albrect hangs his head and sits on the floor beside the two. He starts to place a hand on her shoulder but thinks better of it and just sits there to be with her. Eric can no longer hold it in but joins her in her tears. Albrect watches and can't help but shed a tear or two himself.

Albrect: "Eric. We need to get her to the hospital."

Eric looks at Albrect and nodding his agreement he stands up lifting Kiara in his arms. Eric follows Albrect out of the loft....

 

The Guide

Part 14

At the hospital Eric and Albrect are there in the room with Kiara. Albrect having reflections of a similar scene a few years before. He can't help but look up and see the haunted look in Eric's eyes as he looks at Kiara. He wonders just how much this one man has to go through to get a little bit of happiness in his life. He ponders his own life and Cordellia. He shakes his head and wonders if he's taken to much for granted. Kiara's father rushes into the room looking at his daughter he suddenly takes in a breath seeing the condition she's in. He looks around the room and sees Eric there. He rushes around the bed and pushes Eric back against the wall.

Martin: "You did this didn't you?!"

Eric's expression doesn't change placing a gentle hand on the father's shoulder and shakes his head no.

Eric: "No."

Martin: "Oh, the way you were acting before you left my office. I'm suppose to believe that?"

Albrect: "Sir, I assure you it wasn't Draven that hurt your daughter."

Kiara stirs in the bed looks around hearing the conversation she looks at her father who has Eric pinned against the wall.

Kiara whispers: "Dad...."

Martin: "And just how..."

Kiara a little louder: "Dad."

They all look at Kiara. Martin releases Eric and rushes to his daughters side and takes her hand.

Martin: "Oh lord child. What did he do to you."

Kiara: "It wasn't Eric. He left, but he came back.....he came to save me dad. He saved my life again."

A tear runs down the mans' face and looks at Eric then at Albrect.

Martin: "My apologies again. Seems I jump to conclusions when it comes to you my boy."

Eric just nods a weary nod. The ages of pain registered in his eyes and etched on his face as he looks at Kiara. He heaves a heavy sigh and turns to the window and looks out placing his head on the glass closing his eyes.

Martin looks at Eric in confusion then at his daughter. She tightens her grip on her father's hand and looks into his eyes. They never needed the mental contact that Kiara always seemed to pick up from others. He knew that this young man had seen more than his share just from the look in his daughter's eyes. She nods and he lets go and comes up from behind and places a hand on Eric's shoulder.

Martin: "Mr. Draven. I'm sorry...."

Eric briefly looks at Kiara's father nods and walks out of the room.

Martin: "I said I was sorry, what more does he want?"

Albrect: "He wants the love of his life back. Kiara, if you'll excuse me. I'm going to call in?"

Kiara smiles weakly:" Go ahead, I'll be here for a little while I guess. I don't have anywhere to go at the moment."

Martin: "You come home. Your room is still there, you're always welcome as long as I can draw a breath. You know that don't you?"

Kiara: "Yes, Thank you. I'll probably have to take you up on that until I find a place of my own."

Martin: "How long are they keeping you angel face?"

Kiara: "Just over night for observation. No serious damage. Just a couple of cracked bruised ribs. And a lot of bruises I'm afraid. "

Martin kisses his daughters fore head. Kiara smiles.

Kiara: "Go on dad. It's late. I'll be fine. I've got my very own detective watching after me."

Martin looks down at his daughter and strokes her face gently and nods.

Martin: "You know I've never been good at staying up late."

Kiara nods as he squeezes her hand. He gives her another kiss but on the cheek turns and goes back around the bed and leaves. He sees the detective and comes up behind him and waits for him to finish his phone call. Albrect sees him waiting and holds his hand up in signal that he'll be another minute. Martin nods his understanding and stands waiting patiently. Albrect closes the conversation and closes his cell phone and looks up to see what Martin needed. He saw the question written on the man's face before he said a word.

Martin: "Detective. My daughter...was she...I mean....did he?"

Albrect: "Sir. There's no easy way to say it,. So I just tell you straight out, that yes, Kiara was raped."

Martin closes his eyes and leans against the wall for support: "My poor girl. What do I do?"

Albrect: "I'm sorry. Counseling is always advised for this kind of trauma."

Martins nods his head and wearily gets up and walks down the corridor, suddenly looking very old. Albrect watches the man walk down the hall and shakes his head sadly thinking that this part of the job never gets easier...

Next Morning

Eric drives Kiara home from the hospital. They drive in silence but Eric has his arm around her as she has her head on his shoulder. She would try to close her eyes, but only to jerk opening her eyes. Eric knew what she was experiencing, and he was trying hard to figure out how to help her. Looking at her and she looked so haggard. He gently stroked her hair and held her a little closer to him. She looks into his eyes and he sees she's hurting. They drive into the driveway and she gets out and he escorts her to the door. She opens the door then stops and turns stopping Eric in the door way. She places her hand on his chest gently.

Kiara: "I'll be okay here. Go home..."

Eric: "I think I better stay and make sure you'll be okay. I mean if Top Dollar shows up. I have to protect you."

Kiara: "He's not here. Believe me. I'd know it if he was."

Eric: "You're connected to him now?"

Kiara: "Not by choice, believe me. Eric, I need to be alone. I have to gather myself and just be alone. It's not you Eric. Really.....it's me. I just need some space to help clear my mind a bit."

Eric: "Okay. I understand. If you need me just call me."

Kiara: "I'll send up the Crow Signal I promise." She manages a smile.

Eric gives a sideways grin: "I'll be here if you need me."

He pulls her hand from his chest and gives her hand a gentle kiss to her fingers. He turns and gets into her car and leaves waving to her as he goes by. She waves then shuts the door when the car is out of sight. She walks to the stairs that lead to the bedrooms she makes it up a few stairs then turns and sits down holding her head in pain. She covers her face and eyes trying to make the visions dissapear. She sobs her frustration and pain. Suddenly she feels a hand upon her shoulder and she nearly jumps from up from the shock and fear. She looks to see who it is and it's the Skull Cowboy. He sits beside her and places an arm around her shoulders shaking his head in sadness.

Cowboy: "It's a sad thing this had to happen. But the man upstairs isn't happy with the way things have been going with Top Dollar. He's sent me here to give you a choice. And I want you to seriously think about what I have to say. It's totally your choice and you'll have to make it yourself as it's a fate thing."

Two days later the Airport

Martin, Sarah, Albrect, and Eric are all standing in the waiting area. Kiara comes up and taps her father on the shoulder. He turns around and hugs her to him.

Martin: "Are you certain you have to do this? We'll double the security at the office..."

Kiara: "No dad, You saw what happened before. This man is 100 time more dangerous than the man that took over our building before. No, I have to leave."

She goes to Sarah and strokes the girls braids: "I want you to remember our talk. AND most important...watch after these guys. They need you."

Sarah nods: " You got that right. Wish THEY'D remember that!"

They all laugh. Kiara goes to Albrect and gives the man a hug.

Kiara: "You've done so much. I'm glad Eric can call you friend."

Albrect: "Hey, you can call me friend too."

Kiara smiles: "Thank you."

"Gate call for passengers boarding flight 102. Passengers for flight number 1-0-2 are now boarding."

Kiara looks at the gate then at Eric. She walks to him and smiles stroking his face: " Oh Eric...What do I say?"

Eric: "Don't say anything."

He pulls her closer hestating he looks into her eyes.

Kiara: "Eric, you don't have to."

"Passengers for flight 102 are now boarding. All passengers are now being asked to board."

Kiara starts to turn and leave but Eric tightens his grip on her arm and pulls her close.

Eric: " I know. I want to."

He gently runs his fingers into her hair and kisses her gently on the lips. Not a lovers kiss, but yet not a brotherly kiss either.

"Last call for boarding flight 102"

Kiara kisses Eric again, but hers is filled with more passion than his. Eric is surprised but responds and pulls her closer. They kiss one more time as Albrect, Sarah, and Martin look on in ackward silence. Albrect clears his throat as Sarah stands there grinning from ear to ear. Martin is the most flustered not knowing what to do watching them he looks away out the viewing window.

Kiara: "I love you Eric Draven. Remember, I'm only a thought away."

Kiara breaks away suddenly and runs for the gate. Eric looking surprised and a little lost with his arms still outstreched from her leaving in such a hurry. But when they kissed he also felt something....."

Eric calls after her: "Kiara?!"

She doesn't look back but hands the woman her ticket the woman urges her to hurry and Kiara runs down the corridor.Kiara boards the plane and takes her seat near the window. Surprising there in no one in the seat next to her. She looks out as the plane starts to taxi. Suddenly she's hit with the vision of swirling blacks and purples and she hears moaning not the engines in her ears.

She places her hand on the glass of the window: "Oh God Eric....he's here. I'm afraid. I'm so afraid!"

Eric runs to the window Albrect knowing that look on Eric's face he follows him and Sarah right beside him.

Martin walks up slowly beside Eric: "What is it?"

Eric: "She's afraid.....something's wrong."

He looks down and he sees the image of himself, but it's Top Dollar his eyes black as coal."

Albrect looks down at Sarah: "When you said he looked like Eric, I had no idea what I'd see. But man this is beyond weird."

Martin points down at the figure down below them: "He some kind of relative? I swear he looks exactly like you, but in a weird sort of way."

They all look on as Top Dollar points to the plane directing their attention to it. It's off the runway in the air when Top Dollar clinches his fist and one of the engines explodes sending the plane crashing and exploding it's full fuel tanks. Top Dollar laughes in triumph as the plane explodes killing everyone on it.

Eric hits the glass with his hands: "NOOOOO!"

The glass shatters everywhere showering Top Dollar with the glass but more. Top Dollar is hit with the same power that shattered the glass and he's thrown back several feet landing on his back.

Albrect: "Sarah! Hey, Sarah, you okay?"

Eric concerned with Sarah turns to see if she's okay. He sees that she's getting up. He looks around and sees everyone pulling themselves up off the floor. He looks back down to where Top Dollar was, but he's now gone. Sirens are heard coming from all sides of the airport. Eric goes to the shattered window steps up on the beam that once held the glass in place and springs off it like it was a board into water. He flips then lands on his feet. He looks for any sign of Top Dollar. Not seeing any he runs towards the burning wreckage.

 

Martin nearly collapes as he sees the plane engulfed in flames. Albrect and Sarah help him to a seat. Sarah quickly sweeps the glass from it as the man sits down. He begins to weep the loss of his daughter as we start to hear screams and crying coming from others in the waiting area that have come to the realization of what has happened. Eric tries to reach the wreckage but it explodes again sending him flying backwards and the heat is to intense for even the fire fighters to get close. Eric clenches his teeth and pounds the ground.

Eric looks up at the sky: "NOOOOO! Not her too......Please God, not her too."

A fire fighter spots him and goes over to him and grabs his arm: "Hey man, you can't be out here. Go on, there's nothing you can do here. Let us handle it."

Albrect and Sarah go to the window to see if they can spot Eric. They see him thrown from the blast and his reaction. Sarah grabs Abrect's sleeve seeing Eric in such grief again. She starts to cry...He puts his arm around her and looks down to see Eric watching them.

Eric pushes the mans hand from him looks at the plane then turns to see Albrect and Sarah standing in what use to be the window. Eric stares for a moment then starts to run.

Sarah: "Where's he going?"

Albrect: "Sarah, at this moment, I don't think he even knows the answer to that question."

Sarah watches as Eric runs off the field and heads down the road. Albrect watches too, then takes Sarah away from the window and focuses his attention on the grief stricken father.

The waiting room is flooded with people trying to see the burning plane and the airport crew trying to keep everyone back from the broken glass. Things start to get chaotic when Abrect takes Martin by the shoulders and escorts him away with Sarah behind them....

 

Late that night at the Loft

Eric is sitting in the window tears flowing down his face. He brings his knees up into his arms and sobs his broken heart. He slowly gets up and paces back and forth becoming more and more like a caged animal. wanting to vent his frustrations out on something. He sees his guitar. His heart feeling dead, he no longer want to play or hear another note. He grabs his guitar and hurls it out the window with a snarl. He goes back to the window to listen to the crash of it, but he never hears the impact. He hits the window frame in frustration then sits back down putting his face in his hands. He then feels a gentle touch on his knee. He looks up and there's Kiara...

He jumps up and grabs her and holds her close.

Eric: "I thought you were dead! Oh God.."

Kiara gently touches his face and strokes his hair: "I am dead. If Sarah were to come in this room right now, she'd see you hugging air."

Eric steps back and looks at her: "What?"

Kiara: "Sit down Eric. I have some explaining to do, and I hope you'll understand."

Eric sits on the step of the window and Kiara sits beside him.

Kiara: "When you dropped me off at my father's. I had a visitor. The one you call the Skull Cowboy."

Eric sits back a little, knowing that the Cowboy can mean strange stuff even for him.

Kiara: "I was given a choice Eric. A choice on how to die. You see, Top Dollar was going to kill me sooner or later. But I got to choose how he did it. The plane I was on, was fated to explode and crash, but at a later time. So Top Dollar didn't mess with the fates killing those people, just the timing. The same with me...If I had stayed and fought the brave fight by your side. Top Dollar would have had the final hand. He could use me against you and still kill me. It was a loose, loose situation. But he would have tortured me worse than before just out of revenge and hate for you."

Kiara takes Erics hand in hers: "I'm so sorry for being a coward and leaving you. But I couldn't let Top Dollar use me to get to you either. I couldn't see you die, not for good, and you not find your beloved Shelly."

Eric looks away briefly then back to Kiara: "That's one of the reasons I came back Kiara. Shelly's here somewhere. I've been sent to take her back."

Kiara: "I know. And I"ve been sent as your Guide to help find her."

Eric looks at Kiara: " You're going to help me?"

Kiara: "That was another choice I was given. To help you find her like this, so Top Dollar can't hurt me, or alive and not know if I have the time to help you find her or not...I chose this way..."

Eric: "You died so you could help me?"

Kiara: "Something like that. She goes to a corner and pulls Eric's guitar from the shadows.

Kiara: "Play for me..."

She tosses him his guitar. He looks at it then her.

She smiles as she walks to the window: "Eric."

Eric: "Yeah?"

Kiara: "The kiss at the airport..."

Eric doesn't say a word but looks at her questioning.

Kiara: "Thank you. <He starts to get up but she starts to fade> Remember, I'm only a thought away."

Eric looks at where she had walked away. But now knew she wasn't gone from him, for they were still connected even in death. He goes to the window and starts his guitar rift....

 

The End