Broken Brakes 19

'Ara!...I've been looking for you ! I came back to tell you...' Sil Vester turns to Theo.

'And you are ?...'

'James'

'He was showing me the way back... I got lost! Ha ha ! Ara tries to sound casual.

'I see!...Well, you can come back with me now ! C'mon!'

'Wait a moment, sir !' Theo doesn't know why, but he wants Ara to stay there. He's still hot and the impending desire of lust and death remains in him, stronger than ever, and won't let go.

'Yes?' Sil doesn't like this guy. Something about him, makes him uneasy.

'The lady was talking to me. We haven't finished our conversation yet! And...'

' I'm sure the lady has said all there was to be said. Ha ha !... She asked for the way. You told her. Finito ! Ha!' Sil grabs Ara's arm and walks away with her.

'I don't think so !'

Sil Vester turns around, still holding Ara by the arm.

'Excuse me ?!'

'You heard me. I think she's staying here !'

'Well John, or whatever your name is....I don't know what you're about, but the lady returns with me !'

'Are you sure ? If I say she stays, she stays !'

Sil's anger shows on his face. He narrows his eyes and frowns. What the hell is going on ? He shouts back.

'Try to stop me, you scumbag !'

At that moment Theo has a terrible need to kill. He can't control it. He takes a short sharp pointed knife from his jean's pocket, and swiftly leaps on Sil Vester. At that same moment, Sil, in an unconscious movement to seek protection, shoves Ara in front of him, like a shield. Theo's knife dives into her heart without resistance.

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Laila feels much better. The cool breeze, the smell of pines and wild flowers, the sun almost setting, give her the calm and tranquility she was seeking for.All the problems flown away. She sees life with more sympathetic eyes. Gone is her anguish!...
Angry voices and shouts, mingle with Laila's thoughts like an off key background. Intrigued, she follows the cries. Before she could reach the spot where these sounds came from, a man comes running like mad, with a knife in his hand.
Both stop short. Both are surprised. Theo on alert, Laila frightened. Laila looks at Theo and recognizes him as her last implant case. What's he doing here ? On a mission maybe ?

'Theo !...What?... What the f....'
Theo can't understand why this woman knows his real name. He's in danger ! So he act accordingly. In an instant he jumps to Laila and stabs her underneath her left ribs. Without looking back he continues his race to freedom.
Laila is left in shock. She can feel the pain. The wound must be deep. She doesn't want to see how deep. Something sticky and hot is coming out from her insides. Blood !
With what is left of her strength, she runs back to the mansion, crying for help.

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Ray, who was reading a book in the library, heard the shouts, and promptly goes out to the park to see what's happening. He discerns Laila's figure. She's running fast and crossing the lawn while saying something intelligible for him. He runs towards her and stops her. Firmly he grabs her shoulders and gently pushes her into his arms.

'What's wrong ,dear ? What happened ?!'

'I've been stabbed !...Please !.. Quick!... Call a doctor !'

'Where Laila ? Where are the wounds ? Show me !'

With her eyes closed, tears running down her cheek, in shock and turmoil at the same time, she points with a shaky finger to her left side.
Ray looks at the wound and frowns.

'Laila!... Open your eyes!... Look at me !.. Everything will be OK !'

Laila looks at him in despair. Why is he so calm ? Is she going to die?

'Call a doctor , Ray !'

'No need ,darling !... You're not bleeding.