Police Woman

[Maid of Marvels]

Rita

http://www.Bibracte.dreamwater.org/ATWAS/PhoebeRita.jpgMy turn... I took a deep breath and stood in front of Miranda.

I could see a pleading look in her eyes. Kind of like 'come on Smitty, you like everybody... Please don't do this.'

"Dammit! I HATE doing this, Miranda. But I hate what you've become even more. You're mean, Miranda. Cruel and vindictive. You're condescending and rude. Rick is right. You ARE a bitch."

It was as if someone had opened Pandora's box and all of the things I had thought of my friend had come flying out at once. I was almost afraid to peek inside to see if a tiny glimmer of hope still remained. I turned my back on her and walked away.

 

[BLACK BART]

"You're getting the picture now" I growl at the bound beauty, her breasts heaving from the emotional confrontations, her cheeks wet with tears.

"Now you have to listen to someone you abused the most, the one you used to call lover...." I warned her, as Greg walked within view...

Miranda's eyes opened wide, her head shaking side to side as Greg began to speak coldly....


"Miranda, I once loved you, but now....." He began

 

[Kimcankom]

"But now I don't even recognize who you are. You've become a demon that serves only your own purposes. You used to care about your friends, watch out for them, be there when they needed you. NOW you use them, push them around, treat them like dirt. And if they don't live up to your incredible expectations you berate them and threaten to toss them aside."

Taking a deep breath, I meet her blazing eyes with my own and sorrowfully confess.

"When we used to make love there was no sweeter thing on this earth. Now I shudder at the thought of being with you, It's not that your body is less desirable, it's what is under that skin that turns my stomach. Rick is right you are a BITCH, and one I no longer care what happens to, because I no longer know who she is."

Her eyes blink, a confused expression flittering across them as I turn away from her and hold my hand out to Terri.

"Come on Terri, Let's get the hell outa here, I need to find a place where the air doesn't stink"

"Rick if you need me, Let Rita know, She'll be able to find me"

 

[Messalina]

Miranda

http://www.Bibracte.dreamwater.org/ATWAS/demi3a.jpgThere was a heavy feeling in my chest that I couldn't shake. That and a combination of anger swirling amid panic as I tried to tug myself free from the cord that I was bound to the chair with.

I wanted to jump up and chase after Greg and Terri. Then again, I didn't need them. Either of them. Did I?

I struggled again... trying to rock the chair. If I could get Rick close enough to reach him with my foot... Rita will surely let me loose. She is a real softie at heart.

 

[Sienna]

Terri

I held on to Greg outside Teddies. "I suppose what we are doing is really for her own good?"

"Yeah." Greg looked at his watch. "Your shift starts soon. What will you say about the patrol car if a report comes in while you're there?"

"Act as if I know nothing. But the curious thing is.. why was she using a patrol car in plain clothes?" That fact remained playing through my mind. Was she undercover? Surely not in a patrol car and the one she uses regularly. I cast the thoughts aside and looked into Gregs eyes. "Later, remember we have made plans for your place tonight?"

"That's right." he smiled and pulled me closer, kissing me softly on my forehead. "I'm going to cook you the best dinner you ever tasted. Then....."

I put two fingers to his lips to silence him. "Let me dwell on that thought." I replied.

 

[BLACK BART]

Seeing the indecision in Miranda's eyes I make a risky decision. Stepping behind the nude and bound figure I release the gag and then the bindings on her wrists, quickly walking around her and standing to the side...

"You've just heard the truth from ALL the friends you have." I said softly "What do you think of what they had to say?"

Watching her rub her wrists and stand slowly I wondered "Was it to be this easy? Would she get the lesson and turn her life around? Or was she as tough as she put on, and need a harder learned lesson...?"

The answer came in an unexpected form....

 

[Messalina]

Miranda

http://www.Bibracte.dreamwater.org/ATWAS/demi3a.jpgI sat very still as Rick untied my bonds and removed the gag from my mouth. Standing slowly, I rubbed my wrists. Think. Think, Miranda.

Terri and Greg hadn't closed the door to the back room. I had the squad car outside. I could do this. I took one step. Two. And bolted.

I swung open the front door of Teddies and headed for the... FUCK! Where the hell is the c...

Someone grabbed my hair and pulled me back onto the ground. All the air went out of me when I landed on the gravelled driveway. I looked up in time to see Rick plant his boot firmly on my belly.

"Going somewhere, BITCH?"

 

[BLACK BART]

She ran...naked as the day she came to this world, but a lot more endowed...she ran!

Taking a couple of long steps I caught up to her, and yanked her by the hair back into the bar.

With a grunt she fell to the floor, anger all over her face and something else also. In the back of her eyes, creeping out to her cheeks, I saw it...Fear.....

Fear!...As I stepped on her stomach, knocking the air from her, I saw it again...Fear, the beginning of doubting herself!

Letting her rise to her feet, her hands formed into hooks, I drew my fist driving it forward in a slow rising uppercut...

And caught her slumping form as it fell for the second time. Gathering her in my arms, her naked breasts pressed against my chest I called out to Rita.

"I need that van and willl be taking her to the cabin you arranged" I called out to her as I followed her directions to the rear door.

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Smitty

http://www.Bibracte.dreamwater.org/ATWAS/PhoebeRita.jpgAs Rick carried Miranda out back to the white van I had rented per his instructions, I phoned Teddie to let him know that I was leaving the bar for the rest of the day and that he would need to come down and open up.

"Everything okay, gal?" He asked. I could hear the concern in his voice, but I did my best to assure him that I was just a little under the weather.

Locking the front door, I let myself out the back. Rick had Miranda in the van already and I jumped in starting the ignition.

As I pull out onto the highway and head for the mountains, I glance at Rick in the rearview to find him staring at me. I can't help wondering what he sees or thinks when he looks at me that way. To hide my discomfort, I ask "She okay back there, Rick?"

"Yes," he says as he climbs up front to sit in the passenger seat. "You sure this cabin is isolated?"

I nod in response. "No one ever goes up there this time of year."

"How long til we get there?"

"Not long... Just another mile or two," I say in a half whisper. I can't help wondering what Miranda has in store for her there.

 

[Sienna]

Terri

The kid stood watching me. His eyes full of hatred. Hatred for my uniform as I turned him around, pushed him against the wall and cuffed him. "Now!...don't move one muscle" I told him. He gave me some verbal abuse. I kind of expected it. I searched his jeans pockets.....keys, knife, small change....oh...lookies!...I smiled finding a condom all intact.....

My mobile phone bleeped its tune to me and I held him against the wall with my stick as I answered it......a message, telling me of the latest progress with Miranda. The cabin. Good, atleast she was now out of Teddies and more secure. I wondered now about the evening and would me and Greg be needed?

"Ay...fucker!...you done with me you bitch!?" my arrest kindly reminded me. I was taking too much time in his opinion. I screwed the stick further into the small of his back.

"Ay!....shut...the...fuck...up!" With each word I pushed the stick further into him. Then I read him his rites, looking at the condom, and thinking about Greg.

 

[BLACK BART]

Walking thru the cabin I nodded in approval, the large interior gave me the room I would need to isolate her....The boarded windows, customary for closing the cabin for the season would guarntee the privacy and security I wanted as well.

"Rita, this is going to get a lot worse before it gets better" I told her soberly as I gently lowered Miranda to an overstuffed couch. "For every bit of resistance she gives me I have to respond in double, you won't like what you see and maybe not understand what I do, but from this point on there is no turning back"

Pulling a set of police issue cuffs from my pocket I twisted Miranda's arms behind her and snapped them tightly into place, then roughly pulled a gag into place between her full lips.

"Any one opposing my actions at this point will get the same treatment" I gently warned Rita in a steely voice "We are all involved in this wether we like it or not, and one wrong move will get someone hurt or jailed"

My eyes on her face, I suddenly find myself looking at a much younger and vulnerable girl, the sobiety of the situation removing the facade of years from her shaken face.....

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Rita

http://www.Bibracte.dreamwater.org/ATWAS/PhoebeRita.jpgI watched Rick as he cuffed and gagged Miranda. Deep down, I knew that this was the only way but I hoped against hope that Miranda would "behave". For once in her life just "behave".

He turned to me when he finished and looked deeply into my eyes. I nodded. "I can do this. I can." I wasn't sure which of us I was trying to convince. Maybe Rick. Maybe myself most of all.

Well, girl I said to myself. You know the old saying. In for a penny in for a pound. I raised my eyes and looked back at Rick. "Meet me in the kitchen? I have to bring in the groceries I've got stashed in the back of the van."

A few minutes later, I had just put the last of everything away and started a pot of coffee to calm my nerves. Right, Rita... Coffee will really do that for you, I chuckled. What you really need is chocolate. Uh huh. A giant sugar rush along with the caffeine.

"Aherm... "

I looked over my shoulder to see Rick standing in the doorway. I busied myself as he came closer. "I didn't hear you. Sorry. Coffee?"

 

[Sienna]

Terri.....

I booked my arrest in at the station and Gayle, a fellow officer approached me....

"Ay, you heard about Miranda?" she asked. I tried to stay calm and sort of innocent. "She went missing this afternoon."

"She did....where?" I replied.

"They are not sure where exactly, but she was out on a special for Leutenant Andrews and they lost all contact. The car was found just a few minutes ago in a back alley. What do you think?"

"Dunno.....maybe she's in trouble somewhere. Are they looking for her?" I asked.

"Well....I heard that she was kidnapped by this gang she was following....I thought I'd ask you what you knew....you work with her don't you?"

"Yeah, but I didn't get involved with any special duties."

"Thought I might ask.......you don't look disturbed by what I told you. Were you and Miranda OK with each other?"

"Sure....." I smiled calmly..."Really no problems. I hope she's OK and they find her. Its all in the line of duty, isn't it?"

I walked away, back to the yard and my temporary partner waiting. I began to sweat really bad.....my nerves were on edge...it had to happen sometime. But now it was going to be more difficult to hide than I thought.......damn!....

 

[BLACK BART]

Miranda's wrists bound and her mouth securely gagged I followed Rita into the kitchen, walking quietly on my feet as I moved into the room.

Her face was white, her hands shaking as she busied herself, going thru the reassuring motions of stashing the groceries.

Clearing my throat my assesment of her shaken nerves was confirmned as she turned and stammered out if I wanted coffee.

"That would be good, it will be a long night once she wakes up" I said slowly, my eyes gauging her "I need to keep after her until I break her, then stay with her until the entire group can come together"

A shudder went through her frame, the coffee can falling from her hands, spilling some of it's contents on the floor...

Stepping forward I knelt next to her as she swept the spilled grounds onto the side of a box and stood it up. "Neat trick, Rita" I said gently as I helped her up.

Her face averted, she turned away from me in an unneeded motion and I spoke my thoughts out loud.

"This is something you've never done, and will probably never do again if you're lucky. But to me this is an old routine, the jitters are part of the apprehension as you try to over-ride your normal instincts."

My words snapped her head around, her eyes blazing as she turned her body to follow, her mouth opening with an angry retort. Cutting her off I continued.

"Get mad, it'll help you stomach what I have to do next, but remember the reason I'm doing this, keep repeating it aloud if you have to"

The anger faded quickly, her rigid shoulders collapsing as it fled her and I stepped forward.

"Under any other terms we could be close friends, and I would enjoy getting to know you" I said to her gently, lifting her chin with my fingers "But we have a serious job to do here and that's what we must concentrate on"

Holding her next to me, I silently cursed the situation...My words were said to both of us....I had badly just wanted to get to know her...before this came up!

A thud and a loud mumbling came from the main room, bringing me back to reality as I reluctantly broke away, announcing...

"The job begins....."

 

[Messalina]

Miranda

http://www.Bibracte.dreamwater.org/ATWAS/demi3a.jpgComing up out of a fog, I lay still, listening for voices and the sounds that would tell me where I was. I knew it wasn't Teddie's. The smells were different. And I was laying on a sofa. A SOFA???

My eyes popped open and I looked around, struggling to sit up. Can't move my arms. Handcuffs?? What the hell is going on here... My mouth. I try to swallow... It's so dry. A gag? FUCK! I try to holler, scream... something. Anything!

I have to get out of here. Where IS here? I look around the room as I struggle to sit up. There are sheets thrown over furniture as though it were someplace closed up for the season. A cabin? But where?

I can do this. I have to get away from this madman. It has to be that guy I pulled over who showed up at Teddie's. Who the hell is he? And the others... I couldn't call them friends anymore. Not even Greg. Some lover.

As I struggled to stand, I tipped over and landed on the floor with a thud.

"Well, well, well... So you're awake."

I look up slowly. Into those steel blue eyes and feel the bile rising from my stomach.

 

[Kimcankom]

Greg

Sitting at the bar in Teddies I sipped at the Coke and waited. We had agreed to meet after her shift to talk and have dinner. My thoughts were mixed, some of Miranda and the rest on Terri.

What a difference there was between the two and how content I suddenly was getting to know Terri. With a pang of guilt I wondered if I was "cheating" on Miranda as all this was going on and then laughed at myself. I was worried about cheating on her when we had helped kidnap her and turn her over to a "brainwasher"

"Maybe I should have something stronger?" I questioned myself then shook my head "I'll need a clear head to talk to Terri and to deal with this"

Settling back against the bar I went back to my private thoughts while I waited.

 

[Sienna]

Terri

I crept up behind Greg slowly......he was leaning on the bar, in deep thoughts no doubt and oblivious of what was going on around him...I touched the back of his neck playfully and made him shudder.

"Oh..hi..I've been waiting for you!" he said turning round and grabbing around my waist......we kissed softly..."What you having?...you OK?"

I was worried....but at the same time so pleased to see Greg and be in his company once again. "Heard anything more from the cabin?" I asked. I sat down beside him on a vacant stool and waited for him to tell me something.

I was so worried now about the way things were developing back at the station. They were planning to do a massive search for Miranda and I hoped the cabin was as secluded as it was. It was hard keeping things under cover from my perspective. Already the suspicious Gayle was detecting something I may be hiding.

 

[Kimcankom]

Greg

Having Terri back in my arms took away some of the doubt that was festering in me, but as she spoke all my thoughts came rushing out.

"Heard anything more from the cabin?"

"No, not a damn thing...And Rita is no where to be found!" I said in a sober voice as I reached for her hands "Terri, I've been sitting here and trying to convince myself what we did is right. That this will all turn out for the best, and when Miranda returns she'll be the woman I knew and fell in love with."

Seeing the distressed look on her face I continued, thinking what I had just blurted out was the cause for her pained face. "But if and when she comes back, I'm no longer sure I want her or that I'm in love with her"

The pained look became worse, jarring me to the conclusion it wasn't "us" she was concerned about as much as other problems.

"What's wrong?" I questioned softly as she pulled her hands away from mine "Tell me what's bothering you, please...God I can be so selfish sometimes" I stammered, hating myself for being both so wishy washy and so conceited at the same time...


"It's the station, they're on full alert and are out looking for Miranda" Came her ragged words as her hands fluttered in her lap."And I think I'm being watched as a suspect"

 

[BLACK BART]

"Well, well, well... So you're awake." I chuckled at her glaring eyes "I'll take the gag out if you promise to keep a clean mouth"

On her knees she nodded at me as I bent to untie the towel I had placed in her mouth. As the cloth came free from behind her dark hair she suddenly rose to her feet, butting me in the mouth with her head.


"FUCK YOU, YOU PERVERT!" She barked as I fell backwards and she stepped over me, her bare foot raised to stomp me in the face.

Rolling on my side I swept my arm out, taking her leg with me as I did and knocking her to the wooden floor beside me.

"You'll need to do better than that" I told her as I rolled on top of her, straddling her bare torso with my legs. "Maybe you need a lesson in obediance, huh?"

Grabbing her by her hair I stood and pulled her to her own feet as she screamed at me. Pullin her to the back of a heavy couch I bent her over and using my free hand began to pummel her bare ass with my open hand, each blow striking with a loud crack, followed by her even louder screams of protest.

"I can keep this up all night, if you want!" I warned her, the blood boiling to my face as she kicked and screamed "And when I'm done you won't be able to sit on that tight ass of yours at all!"

At the creak of the wood floor I looked over my shoulder and saw Rita standing in the kitchen doorway, her hands holding the door open as her wide eyed stare took in the scene.

"Either come in here and give me a hand, or go back in the kitchen" I growled at her, needing to keep Miranda off guard. "Bring the rope from the bag if you can stomach what comes next"

 

[Sienna]

Terri

I explained my fears of being a suspect to Greg. No one at the moment had taken it upon themselves to question me, only Gayle.

Then his words about his doubts in loving Miranda. I knew they had split apart because of her attitude, but I was also feeling very attracted to him. Maybe I should hold off a while.....play it more easy towards him. Afterall, they once was so much in love with each other and I did not want to be the one to finally break them apart completely.

I smiled at him. He was sad and I could tell now that both problems had made things worst in his mind.

"Well, shall we have that dinner you promised?" I asked. "Know what?......I'm really really hungry now."

I could see a smile building up on his face. Was he still going ahead with our plans? I hope so. If this was going to be our last time to be intimate, then I wanted it to be something we can both remember.

 

[Messalina]

I kicked and screamed...

http://www.Bibracte.dreamwater.org/ATWAS/demi3a.jpgmostly out of anger and frustration and finally from the burning sting of Rick's hand as he pummelled my ass as though I were some helpless child.

I can take it. I can! I steel myself against the next blow, knowing it will not be far behind.

SLAP!!

"Fuck you!"

SLAP!! SLAP!!

"Pussy! Gotta spank a helpless woman to get your rocks off, you fucking asshole!" I struggle to right myself from where he has me bent over the couch, but he pushes me back.

SLAP!!

The coppery taste of blood in my my mouth makes me realize that somewhere along the way I have bitten through my lip. I grit my teeth, struggling not to cry out or admit that he is hurting me. I can take whatever he dishes out... and more. Who am I trying to convince here? Jesus this guy is a madman!

Through the blazing red haze of my anger, I hear Rick talking to Smitty. Smitty! Maybe she's still my way out of whatever this fucking nightmare this is. She can't really...

"Bring the rope from the bag if you can stomach what comes next," I hear Rick say to her.

What comes NEXT??

"Let me up you jerk off! You won't get away with this! Smitty!! Don't let him do this, Smitty. He will only take you down with him. You aren't going to like prison. SMITTEEEEEEE! Listen to me for crissakes!"

 

[BLACK BART]

Miranda's words of fury and spite drove home a point to me. As long as she was bound she would think of herself as a victim, and cling to that belief until she was free...

Pulling the key from my pocket I released her imprisoned wrists and let her raise and turn to face me.

"Maybe in the bar you think I was lucky?" I questioned her softly, my voice low and hard "Maybe I took a couple of cheap shots and you'll do better the next time, given a fair chance?"

Her face took on a hardened look, suddenly intent on what I had just said and her chances with me. To egg her on and guarntee the confrontation I jabbed her with an insult.

"We both know what happened when you tried your feminine charms, don't we? Maybe you'd do better using the tactics of a man?"

Rather than lose her temper a second time, Miranda dropped into an unarmed stance and began to move sideways around me, her eyes hard and sober as she looked for an opening.

"I'VE GOT THE ROPE" came Rita's voice from behind me and I gave Miranda the lead she had looked for by glancing in Rita's direction.

"Look Out!" Came Rita's unneeded warning as Miranda launched a flying kick designed to seperate my head from my shoulders.

"Not in your best day, sister" I sneered as I leaned backwards, Miranda's kick missing me, resulting in her landing off balance. "Do you stand a chance against me" I finished as I took the rope from Rita's hands and fashioned a loop.

Kicking Miranda squarely in her bare posterior, I knocked her completely down and bent over her cursing form as I twisted her wrists together and slid the loop over both, pulling it tight.

"Now you'll find out how crazy I am!" I chuckled in mock insanity as I threw the rope over a stout overhead beam and caught the end. "And you think of how much of a failure you are as you find out!"

Pulling the rope I stopped only when she was fully upright, her toes barely grazing the floor as I tied the heavy manila cord off and then fashioned a second loop. Grabbing her left ankle I pulled it at a lewd angle,exposing her private cleft and tied off the loop to it.

"I was hoping you would see the light" I quipped as I flexed my fingers, then straightened them into a rigid projectile. "But know you'll have to hang around until you get the point!"

Driving my hand forward, I jabbed her in the unprotected fullness of her breast and then pulled back.

"Funny thing, pressure points can give you great pleasure....or intense pain" I told her as I jabbed her twisting form a second time, hitting the soft tissue above her groin and geeting a wail of pain in reward.

"And there are literally hundreds of pressure points on a womans body" I commented as I began to demonstrate to her. For the next 25 minutes I rammed my fingers repeatedly into her unprotected flesh, each tiny blow drawing a cry of anger and pain. As my pattern began to repeat itself the blow created more pain to the already abused flesh and Miranda's voice began to change in tone. No longer could I detect anger, only pure anguish as each punishing punch hit the mark.

"Please......stop....." She wailed, her face contorted as I connected with her full breast again. "Pleeeeease...."

And still I continued....Clinically I kept track of each point hit, keeping her vocal protests from my mind as I timed each jab and struck her. Finally I stopped, as Miranda's head hung backwards, her eyes rolling in her sockets as unconciousness claimed her.

"Shouldn't we let her down?" Came Rita's shaken voice from behind me, and I replied to her not turning so my face would be hidden from her

"NO....This is the first of many times she'll get this treatment...." Until her body is so filled with pain it over rides her mind and she accepts what is told her, to escape that pain...."

Walking from the room, still refusing to let Rita see my face I went to an outer door, in search of a small amount of sanity before I had to return to the madness........

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Smitty

http://www.Bibracte.dreamwater.org/ATWAS/PhoebeRita.jpgI brought Rick the rope just as Miranda leaped toward his head.

"Look out!" My warning was superfluous as Rick was already dodging her foot and dealing a retaliatory blow. My God when will that girl just give in? I shook my head sadly, wondering what was to come next.

Taking a deep breath, I stood still watching Rick tie and suspend Miranda from the ceiling. Her left leg was tied off at an impossible angle that I know was pulling every muscle in her groin. I gasped aloud when Rick began to stab Miranda with his fingers.

For the first time, Miranda begged Rick to stop. My heart caught in my throat when I heard her plaintive wailing. I wanted to stop him, but I just stood there like a wimp. Good old dependable Smitty. Your friend through thick and thin, Miranda. What the hell have I done?

When Miranda finally lost consciousness, I asked if we could take her down. Rick didn't turn, his voice was cold as ice when he said that there would be more to come. Without another word, he turned and left the room, walking outside.

This is for her own good. This IS for her own good. A tear rolled down my cheek as I watched Miranda dangling limply from the ropes like a bruised pendulum, her free foot barely grazing the floor.

 

[Messalina]

Miranda

http://www.Bibracte.dreamwater.org/ATWAS/demi3a.jpgI can hear moaning. Low mewling sounds coming from somewhere. Getting louder. Closer.

"Ohhhhhhh... "

It's me!

Burning pain. My shoulders. My leg. I slowly raise my head from its awkward angle to look around.

My body begins to sway slightly as I move, the toes of my right foot barely touching the floor. I try to stretch so that I can stop myself from swinging. Support myself. Take the weight off my arms.

I hurt so badly. Everywhere. Don't scream out, Miranda. He'll hear you!

"Mmmrph... "

Gagging. My mouth is so dry. Need a drink. Something. I try to make myself salivate, trying desperately to keep myself from gagging. Jesus, don't let me throw up!

It's so quiet. Where is the psycho? Please let him be gone.

"Smitty... " I mouth quietly, listening.

There's a sound.

Water.

Bouncing off something.

Wet? What the hell... Oh, sweet Lord I've peed myself. I begin to scream.

 

[BLACK BART]

An end to the pain

"My time is near...I can feel it. This is not right, the roots are too strong...too deep to change."

Those thoughts are strong in my head as I return, an evil, well-used cat o' nine held loosely in my hand.

Pulling the gag from Miranda's mouth I see the terror in her eyes as she begins to cough and sputter, then I tell her...

"This will be your last lesson, and then you will find peace...."

Raising the deadly, pain inflicting whip I begin to swing it with horrifying efficiency...The first blow strikes her tender breasts, the metal tips leaving red cuts where the blood begins to flow...the second across her abdomen and unprotected groin with the same ruthless effects....

A third cuts across her leg that supports her, knocking it out from under her as her voice rises in a wail of terror....

Number four finds her back, cutting the flesh with small savage wounds, the blood joining her sweat as she jerks helplessly and cries for mercy....

6 more punishing blows I swing, each designed to inflict pain, but not as much damage...."The wounds to the skin will heal quickly....” I tell myself "But the memories of this will stay with her forever...."

Dropping the foul, blood stained tool I turn away from what I have done.... My face twisted in mental agony, perhaps as much as what Miranda is in....My chest is heaving, fighting for breath as Miranda's crying comes to my ears...Her agony still burning thru the open wounds I have just given her...

"I'm done...finished, this is over" I say quietly, and turn to see Rita's pale face standing between Miranda and me.


"Rick....This is wrong....The intentions are good. But this...this is not right. IT has to END"