I I

Sitting in the passenger side of the Jeep was rather unnerving, after several years of driving the vehicle from the other side Dayton felt now that the Jeep was going to hit something. But Carson – Dayton’s younger, squatter, more ruggedly handsome brother – was a competent driver; He commanded the Jeep.

They were as different as two brothers could be, at least their bodies were. Dayton was tall, lean, with blonde hair and a clean shaven face. Carson was short, squat, wide, and well muscled. Carson’s face sported a rugged five o’clock shadow and his messy brown hair was at odds with Dayton’s short, clean bottle blonde hair.

Rounding a corner onto a side street Carson gave the Jeep a little extra gas. The front end picked up and the Jeep rocketed smoothly down the side street. Carson smiled at the Jeep, and Dayton smiled at him.

“I told you the engine was still good,” Dayton remarked; feeling a swell of pride at both the vehicle and his younger brother.

The Jeep had been Dayton’s first vehicle and after some repair work he’d decided to sell it at a reasonable price to Carson. Now it was Carson’s first vehicle.

Rounding a forced left hand corner brought Dayton’s destination into view. The small bungalow sat up on a hill, two large ever-greens flanked the front door. People milled about on the front lawn, and in fact all the way down to the sidewalk. Even inside the jeep, the music’s long bass beat was becoming evident as they pulled up to the tobacco yellow house.

“Geez, just drop me off here? How do you know this is the place?” Dayton mocked his brother. They both knew that it was Del’s house. They’d been coming here ever since the man had bought the damned thing.

“Because there are pretty women out front and loud music coming from inside, and I’d guess that there isn’t another party of this size going on anywhere in the city.” Carson smiled.

How ever different they were in body was how alike they were in the mind.

Dayton shook his head, and gave his brother the peace sign and closed the door. The Jeep wasted no time before rocketing away from the curb and down the street. Dayton watched the red TJ take a corner smoothly and roar out of sight. It was a bittersweet swell that came up in him this time. But he didn’t have long to consider it. As always Del was on the ball and came out to greet Dayton, announcing his presence with a loud, “D!”

Dayton turned and replied with, “Del, how’s it hanging,” just loud enough to be heard, and quiet enough to seem personal.

“Low and a little left of center,” Del smiled, “but I like it that way.” Tonight Del’s jet black hair was spiked up, and his bright red Hawaiian shirt was at odds with his beige cargo shorts; nothing seemed out of place on the man.

Even though he looked like a beach bum reject from the eighties Del was worth well over ten million US dollars; or rather his stocks that he traded were worth well over ten million US dollars. He used very little of the money himself, claiming he was saving for retirement, or some such. The truth of the matter was that he was simply smart about his spending and just weasel enough to get the starting capital he had needed all those years ago to start investing into the stock market.

Today had marked the first official day of summer – down in Nevada, summer was year round – so Del was throwing his annual summer bash – well really he just wanted an excuse to get every half naked woman he could find under his roof and see if he could get them drunk enough to play striptease with him – which anyone who knew Del never missed.

Already the party was well underway and the sun wasn’t quite down.

“Come in, Come in,” Del said, putting an arm around Dayton’s dainty shoulders, “I think I’ve got some Heineken down stairs if you want it.”

“Ah Del always thinking of me,” Dayton said laughing. In truth Del kept such a well stocked bar that most lounges would be jealous.

When the two men entered the house, the crowd erupted, praising Del, cheering his name. Some of the women whistled, others just yelled and cheered. Del cried back, “ah, my adoring public!” Quietly to Dayton he said, “You know how these things go D, I’ll see you around here, go get yourself a beer and a woman,” Dayton went to walk away before Del was done and was stopped by a firm hand on his shoulder, “tell your bro good luck with the truck for me too,” then he let go. That was it, a hello and good bye from Del in the span of the front walk.

But then again his parties were always so jumping that if you were a man and got in free it was a blessing. Dayton picked his way through the throng of barely clad women to the back stairs. They curved down into the basement.

The space under the house didn’t resemble any other basement Dayton had ever been in. 10 foot ceilings and hard wood floors reflected the lights in the dance room. A live DJ was spinning in the corner; the trance was so loud that any yelling or hollering Dayton could have mustered would have been drowned out the moment it left his mouth. Hugging the wall and moving quick Dayton made his way to the basement kitchen.

It was only a kitchen because that’s what it was when Del bought the house. Now a chest high polished granite bar stood along the longest wall, a woman was behind it and a cash register on it. The wall behind the bar – like any professional establishment – had a mirror with shelves in front of it. The space held any liquor one could imagine; right down to imported Czech Absinth, the kind that was the color of a wine bottle and had chunks of wormwood floating in it.

There was a smallish dance floor here, created by mirror tiles. The music was a little quieter here; just enough that yelling might do some good. The ten or so women in the room packed the floor. All were decent looking, even if their skirts were too high, and their tops too low. Dayton looked at the floor as he passed by; but not because he was abashed – quite the opposite – but because he was sure that if he passed them at just the right angle he’d know which ones were wearing underwear.

The woman behind the bar was wearing an oddly cut shit that had one full sleeve and the other arm completely bare right down to the top of the breast.

“What can I get you Hun,” she smiled; her voice was curt and polite but her smile was faked.

“Heineken, cold as you got them,” Dayton replied, trying to raise his voice high enough to be heard. The woman nodded, turned and retrieved a stout green bottle from the fridge behind her.

She held out her left hand while the right one kept a firm grasp on the bottle, “that’s five dollars.”

Cringing Dayton reached for his wallet. Del had never charged for his booze, but Dayton knew the days of that were going to come to an end eventually. I’ll chafe him for the money tomorrow or the next day when there isn’t a hundred people around, Dayton thought to quietly.

Handing over the green bill Dayton cringed again and took the beer. To him it was all the sweeter being worth five measly dollars. Passing on the other side of the crowd Dayton allowed one other look through the mirror floor at which of the lovely things out there weren’t wearing underwear.

In the process of peering at a particularly good looking red headed in a short jean skirt he bumped into someone. Beer spilled on his chest and immediately he could feel the cold alcohol soaking him. He looked down and found startlingly green eyes glaring at him from under a mass of disordered blond curls.

A spray of something foamy and clear covered her elegantly designed halter top. Miraculously none of it had found its way onto her well cut jeans.

“I’m sorry,” Dayton said, extending his hand, “I’ll get you another, what were you drinking?”

Taking his hand firmly the woman stood up practically unassisted, “Vodka Seven,” her voice was silky and rich.

“One vodka Seven coming up,” Dayton said aloud, half his mind was berating him for being foreword, the other half was trying to tell him it was ok, and that buying the woman another drink was just being polite.

The straight haired, strangely dressed bartender was no less curt when she took Dayton’s second order; strangely though the drinks were cheaper. Thanking her, Dayton let the woman keep the change.

Drinks ready in hand – another beer for him and the vodka seven for the emerald eyed beauty – Dayton scanned the small crowd. He furrowed his brow when she was no where to be seen. He walked around casually; glancing into the crowd of dancing women just as he was leaving Dayton caught a glimpse of the woman leaving the smallish basement bathroom. Shaking his head at the thought of Bloody women and their bloody pruning, he headed towards the blonde.

Trying to be causal he handed her the drink. She snatched it from him and laughed. “I’m a little nervous at these kinds of parties. I need a smoke, can we talk outside?” the woman yelled, yet Dayton had to strain his ears to pick out the words. He nodded back, knowing that yelling was useless in this type of noise.

Picking their way through the crowd Dayton downed almost half his beer and succeeded in keeping in the bottle, despite several seemingly desperate attempts by unwary dancers to change that.

Outside was surprisingly quite. Standing less than twenty feet from the back door Dayton could hear traffic on the roads. He hadn’t even noticed the smell of sweat inside till the cool, dry night desert air hit him. He breathed a sigh of relief. The desert was a pleasant place at night.

“Thank you,” the woman said outside.

“It was no problem, your drink costs much less than mine.” Dayton said with a smile.

“No I meant for apologizing and noticing I was even there. Most people just pass me by like I’m not even there.” She said as she lit the smoked with her free hand, not bothering to shield the flame.

“How could someone not notice someone as striking as you?” Dayton said, in his mind he was berating himself, his voice was practically screaming at him, way to go, just pick the only self conscious beauty in the whole party to run into. Why don’t you?

“My boyfriend doesn’t ever notice me unless I’ve got a firm hold on his cock,” She said flopping into the grass, her drink barely sloshed.

“Well he’s a jerk,” Dayton said sitting down next to her despite the protests from his brain.

“My name is Melanie, most my friends call me Mel, or Mini.” She smiled, placing her cigarette in her mouth and extending her hand.

“I’m Dayton, no nick name though.” Dayton said extending his hand to meet her narrow but powerful grasp. “I’m not cool enough for that,” He added, smiling.

“Well Dayton, you’re the first person to really flirt with me in a while. You’re quite charming. Did you know that?” Mel smiled back at him.

“Well I haven’t heard that in a while, but then again, you’re pretty forward aren’t you?” Dayton kept smiling, while his brain told him to play it cool.

“Yeah she is pretty forward,” a gruff voice sounded from behind Dayton. He spun surprised; but just in time to catch a man leaving the shadows of the bushes at the side of the house.

He could have been a defensive for an NFL team, given his height and his weight. But he was built like steroid junkie. A washboard stomach showed through a tight t-shirt, and bulging arms the size of Dayton’s legs threatened to rip the t-shirt in two. His shoulders met squarely under his jaw line and his neck was hidden under thick cords of muscle. Positively one of the largest men Dayton had ever seen; definitely the largest angry person he’d seen in person. “Sluts usually are pretty forward. With everyone, even when they know better.”

“Jesus Ray, what are you stalking me now? I told you I was leaving!” Mel screamed, letting her drink spill as she rose shaking.

“And I told you that you can leave when I’m done.” The man took a threatening and ground covering step closer. But in an instant Dayton was on his feet.

“I don’t know who you are, but if the lady says she’s leaving, I think she’s going to be leaving.” Dayton said, trying to keep his voice from shaking.

“Who are you cowboy?” Ray boomed at Dayton. But before Dayton could even speak a word the man growled at Mel, “You left me for him?”

“We can go home together if you just leave him alone,” Mel sweetly said, though her voice was still a little shaky.

“We can go home after I teach this kid what happens when you mess with a man’s girl.” Ray smiled; two of his front teeth were missing.

He’s big, but you’re faster, Dayton psyched himself up, He’s tall, but you’re taller, just be quick, and stay out of reach. Keep your hands up!

Raising both his hands in a relaxed position Dayton took a stance and screamed, “I don’t want any trouble!” Really he was just hoping that a good show might shake the giant’s confidence. No one inside could hear him above that noise.

“Aww, aren’t you cute. Did you watch a kung-fu movie you little shit?” Ray smirked. The man’s hands came up; he flexed his massive fists as his tree trunk leg went back, and his head ducked down, almost shrinking into his massive shoulders.

Great he’s huge and he’s boxed a few times, Dayton’s brain groaned, you really know how to pick them!

The man moved left, stepping slowly and smoothly. Dayton countered, trying to measure the man’s reach and speed. Looking for an opening of any kind, Lord he’s big, his brain groaned again, Dayton forced himself to focus and narrowly avoided a jab that was aimed at his head. Brining his hand down Dayton struck the man’s arm in the elbow and came back around with a back knuckle that connected with the man’s jaw before backing off again. Returning to his stance a little further away Dayton examined the effect of his quick counter.

Ray shook his head, felt his jaw and then bellowed laughter. “You hit pretty hard for a kid.” His fist came back up, “but I don’t think you can hit hard enough to finish this.” He came shrugging back into the fight. Moving smoothly, and guarded.

Dayton backed up, keeping mind to the house behind him. He needed to keep his back to the house – to keep the light behind him – and he needed to stay out of a corner and more importantly off the deck. The furniture would impede his defense and more importantly the only way off the deck was into the yard or into the house. Once he was up there he wouldn’t be able to get into the house without letting his guard down and Ray was too fast.

One more step and he’s in range, Dayton cautioned himself.

Ray shrugged the step he needed, and immediately came in hard, throwing his shoulder into a punch. Dayton moved, side stepping he directed a blow the Ray’s arm. Ray came back with a quick jab and Dayton ducked under it. BAD! His brain screamed. He was almost under the giant. Driving his fist straight out Dayton connected with Ray’s crotch and the stood up with his hand extended up to catch the man in the underside of his jaw. But nothing connected.

Dayton came up facing the man, nose to nose. The shock set in and then there was crushing pain as the man thrust a knee into Dayton’s crotch. Bending over caused a ton of stone to come crashing down as the man slammed both hands into Dayton’s back. Hitting the ground hurt almost as much.

Curling up was now the only option. Protecting his head Dayton curled into as tight a ball as he could as Ray laid blow after blow into his back.

As suddenly as they started the blows stopped. Dayton waiting an agonizing second, there was nothing. Then the familiar solid voice of Del sounded. Boomingly loud to Dayton, “Get off my property!”

“You gonna shoot me?” Ray chuckled. No doubt still ready for a fight.

“If I have to,” Del said plain as day, plain like he was ordering a sandwich. Calm as ice, but colder.

“You got a better hand Cowboy.” Ray laughed. “But I got the girl,”

“No you don’t.” Mel’s voice sounded near to Del’s. But Dayton hadn’t dared look up yet.

“I’ll get another one, she’s dried up anyways.” Ray said, thundering footsteps receding away from Dayton.

Dayton peeked out from in between his fingers. Del and Mel were silhouetted in the light of the porch lamp. “Did I ever tell you that you’re an idiot D?” Del said, letting the hammer down carefully on the gun and offering his hand.

“Did I ever tell you that you’re a saint Del?” Dayton answered. He started to laugh, but it hurt. No doubt the big gulag had broken a rib or two of Dayton’s.

“Do you need a hospital?” Mel said cautiously.

“No, just need another drink,” Dayton smiled even though that hurt a little too. The adrenaline had him shaking and he struggled to stand with the crushing pains still in his crotch. Del laughed, again, then looking at Mel, he said, “Your friend hits hard. I’ve never seen D so fucked up.”

“Should I take him home at the least?” Mel asked; concern touched her voice.

“If you two need to be alone, I’ve got a room that’s free, just be sure to lock the door.” Del smiled.

“Why is that?” Mel asked her voice full of innocent question.

“It’s next to the bathroom. I needn’t remind you this is a house party; I’d hate to see someone puke on that lovely outfit you’re wearing.”

Laughing Mel replied, “Well it is the most expensive thing I own,”

Del laughed harder, “I was talking about gimpy behind us.” Even Dayton chuckled a little at that.

The room could hardly be called that, the single bed and nightstand filled the room to bursting. Dayton breathed a laugh out and stretched out on the bed. Everything hurt a little less when he finally stretched out on his back.

Mel closed the door quietly with a decline of drinks and many thanks to Del. Once the door was closed she leaned against it a moment. Laughing she locked it. “What’s so funny?” Dayton asked.

“Oh,” Mel seemed surprised he said anything; she locked the door before replying with, “I’m just so happy you stood up for me.” The reply sounded a little faked.

She’s just happy you fought for her, his brain chided. “You should know I can’t perform in this condition.” Dayton joked. His stomach was trying to fly right out of him. She was acting a little strange and he couldn’t tell if was because she wanted sex, or something else.

“That’s ok,” Mel smiled. There was a soft jingle of soft metal; Dayton struggled to see anything in the pitch black. All he could make out was her soft inky velvet shadow moving towards him. There was no sultry swaying; it was more of a midnight Black Panther stalking its prey. Dayton swallowed hard; as he went to make another joke she pressed a hand to his chest. Cold pulsed through him from her hand, and as suddenly as it came it went. Dayton felt shivers pass through him, and when the shivers, Dayton felt as though he was being sucked off the bed. Not lifted, but sucked, pulled up.

The pitch black spun, a wash of dizziness came over Dayton, like the worst case of drunken spins he’d ever felt. Dayton tried to breath and found that it was like breathing water, he tried speaking; but nothing came out.

Flat gray rushed at Dayton as he fell to the floor, and inhaled as if he’d never breathed. Pain caused him to thrash and he blacked out momentarily.

A splitting headache drowned out Dayton’s other pain as the world came back, spinning into some resolution. Black carpet met a dark gray bed skirt. Another wash of dizziness pulsed through him as he closed his eyes. “What the fuck,” Dayton tried to croak. His throat was dry and it just barely squeaked out of him. His brain reeled trying to comprehend what just happened, his breaths were getting shorter. A fog swam into Dayton’s brain, his thoughts slid like oil on water as he tried to grasp at them.

The fog swam into his vision; flecks sparkling like static on a TV, Dayton’s breathing was getting more labored, and shallow. Dayton could feel a great weight on his back. His stomach muscles tensed and liquid bubbled up and came out; vomiting didn’t hurt compared to the pain surging through Dayton’s head and down his neck. The fog closed in and the world was darker than pitch black.

-

Opening the drawer where he kept his gun Del replaced the lock box, and the shells next to it. Wish I could keep the damned thing loaded, I would have been out there before that shit ever went down. Del berated himself. He knew that he couldn’t have done any better, but Dayton was one of his best friends and he might still need a hospital. He stood for a moment, just spacing, trying to gather himself. The bushes rustled with a dry wind, the full moon peeked out from behind the clouds. It was a calm, dry, cool night. In front of the open window Del breathed, trying to breath in the stillness of the desert tonight.

Breathing out he let his consciousness filter out into the night, imagined exhaling all of what just happened.

In the middle of breathing in the stillness of outside hollow rapid thuds filled Del’s ears. “Shit!” he exclaimed. He fuckin’ passed out, again his chiding voice was back, berating him; I should have taken a closer look at him.

Rounding the corner into the hallway Del placed his hand on the door, just as he turned the knob the door jerked inward. “Jesus,” Del burst out as he came face to face with Dayton.

His face was remarkably unblemished. But his hands were red and he was looking a little paler than usual. Not too much the worse for wear, not near as much as Del had remembered. Dayton’s eyes were wild, he seemed rushed, or extremely nervous. The blonde woman lay on her stomach; arms sprawled out in front of her. The acrid smell of puke wafted out of the room.

“She passed out man,” Dayton’s voice was rushed, he was speaking entirely too fast, something was more wrong than her just passing out, “just dropped; I think I hurt myself trying to slow her fall.” Dayton said his tone was nonchalant, but eager.

“She ok,” Del asked, skeptically.

“She’s more ok than I am,” Dayton coughed and tried to smile. “Give her my number in the morning when she wakes up. I got to get out of here, thanks though.” Del tried to stop him, but the Dayton was pushing his way through the crowd. That was weird, Del thought, normally Dayton would stay, wait for a ride. What the hell is up with him, Del thought to himself. Maybe he’s really hurt.

Del looked at the woman on the ground. She looked decidedly different, yet she was unchanged. Without thinking Del turned on the light, he paused with his hand on the switch. It was off, he didn’t look at her, he just couldn’t have; it was pitch black in here. Looking back towards the door he paused again, D man, what’s going on here. Del knew Dayton wasn’t the type of guy to leave like that unless something was terribly the woman over him examined her for injury. She was beautiful, but there was decidedly something different, now.

As Del was brushing hair from the woman’s face she sat up. Gasping for air, and coughing.

--

Now Aiden had the man named Dayton’s body, and with it, a piece of the man, all of his memories, some of his personality left in the brain, some imprint of the soul left behind when Aiden made the switch.

“And they thought that a little item like that could tame us; the Marionette eh?” Aiden laughed; tossing the small silver bracelet in the air. His new voice was rich and full. The tall blonde man had proved resourceful beyond all expectations. Resourceful could prove dangerous given time, Aiden thought to himself. The voice in his head was still raspy, and quiet; the voice of a predator in a human shell. Aiden had chosen Dayton primarily on his looks. Dayton’s body was tall, lean – which reminded Aiden of his own body, which the soul of the woman now possessed – and Dayton’s short cut blonde hair was clean and his face was attractive enough to seduce most woman, but plain enough to forget easily. All and all the man was fairly average looking, which was an advantage when you wanted to blend in.

Aiden laughed as he strode down the street away from the small yellow bungalow; the music was still blaringly loud, even half a block away he could feel the base in his chest. By transferring out of that woman’s body he’d avoided those that chased him for a while longer.

If that shell was dead then they would have to wait until this new one started to turn to chase him again. Aiden went over the plan again in his head. If it was alive they might just kill it before they realize what’s going on, and if that all manages to go wrong, it’s still going to be a few days before they can get their Barings to come after me. Truth be told they had surprised him only taking four days to figure out what happened and mobilize after him.

From the bitches memories Aiden learned that they had invented the Marionette to control his kind at short distances after making contact; a little rudimentary, but a bold and possibly threatening idea. But the magic that had created his kind had caused the thing to awry. Instead of ensnaring the soul, it released it, and the two souls exchanged bodies. It was an unexpected result; but an opportune time.

“Ironic, isn’t it?”Aiden asked aloud; in truth he liked the sound of Dayton’s voice coming out his mouth.“They capture me for once, and their own weapon sets me free.” Again laughter bubbled up from inside him.

He tossed the small bracelet up in the air again. It was thin, only a few millimeters wide; it weighed almost nothing and appeared to be made of Silver.

In truth it was made of a material not even diamonds could scratch. It was odd to think that something so unassuming as what appeared to be a plain band of silver could rip ones soul from their body and stuff it into another, even the name of it was unthreatening; The Marionette.

His new body hurt a little, his little skit with his subordinate – his real name was Rick, but for the purposes of tonight they’d agreed that he would be Ray – had gotten a little out of hand; but already he could feel the injuries mending. He could feel his new body – He liked to refer to them as Shells, shells containing his pure essence – changing; adapting to him.

Who are you? A voice yelled in his head, it was Dayton’s voice; the voice of the person who had inhabited the body only moments ago. Laughing in his head Aiden answered, where you are? Aiden focused to make his voice booming inside his new skull. Slipping the bracelet on, he strolled casually down the side street.

Doubt seeped into Aiden’s brain; I hope I choked that body long enough. Aiden thought quietly. His plan had gone awry when Dayton almost refused to be in private. It’s a shame; I was hoping to kill it quietly, to take my time. The truth was that the fear of being caught by the organization that tracked him that had caused him to act with such haste.

I’m glad I could wreck some plans for you. Dayton’s voice calmly said in Aiden’s head.

When I have the time I’ll track you down in this tiny skull of yours and I’ll put you in your place, again Aiden focused to make his voice booming.

--

Dayton’s brain hurt, but the fog was clearing. Things started to come back, the falling, the fight, and the girl. Oh god the girl. He thought. Somewhere a woman laughed. His skull was still felt like it was being split open like a melon and that was still drowning out the rest of his pain. But it didn’t stop him from bolting upright. Suddenly he felt like he hadn’t drawn a breath in ages and he took one so deeply he thought his lungs would burst.

Confusion swam in his brain, but Del was there, crouching over him. Looking around they were the only ones in the room. People walked past the door, oblivious to what just happened.

Before Del could speak Dayton burst out, “Where did she go?” He couldn’t hear his own voice over the booming of the base down stairs.

“You mean Dayton? He left, asked me to watch over you. Are you ok?” Del said his voice sympathetic, caring.

“Are you ok?” Dayton asked, he could swear that his voice sounded higher than usual, but he chalked it up to the events of the still decently young night, “I mean Mel! She threw me down and stood on my back or something till I passed out. Where did she take off too?”

Del looked confused. He arched an eyebrow and looked around. His mouth twisted like he’d bit off something that had a fowl taste to it. “Stay right here. I’m going to get help.”

Help, Dayton thought in his head.

Yeah, help, a woman answered, it was Mel’s voice for sure, but it was in his head.

I guess I need it, I’m going crazy.

Not crazy, but you need to get going out of here. You can’t be taken away by any authorities yet, still the woman’s voice.

Ok, I’ll play crazy for a bit, Dayton answered, why can’t I, yet?

Because they will think you’re someone you’re not, someone who has done some terrible things.

Why would they think that? Dayton laughed in his head; the situation would have made him laugh aloud if he weren’t in so much pain.

Because you’re in my body, that reply was very grave, a somber voice instead of just a regular one.

Dayton’s mind came to a screeching halt, everything flashed through his mind as his brain went into overdrive looking for something to deny that. A strand of hair fell into his field of vision. Without thinking he whisked it away with a hand.

Before the strand was out of Dayton’s hand he paused, grabbing a handful of hair he felt his panic rise. Looking down he saw the pointed shoes leading into sculpted legs barely hidden by tight jeans. He ran his hands down his face, a thin face, down his thin neck over bony shoulders. Finally they led him to full breasts. You really do need to run; the woman’s voice was playful now, as if amused.

Dayton didn’t bother with a response. He was on his feet; he pushed his way through the crowd. People shouted at him, but he didn’t respond, he didn’t’ look back either. His mind in over drive Dayton thought about going out the back into the alley. I can disappear that way, Dayton thought to himself.

He was out the back door and into the night before he heard Del’s voice screaming for him to stop. Trying as hard as he could to run in High heels Dayton pushed for the back fence. Only four feet high he planned to vault it and sneak off into the alley.

Del’s voice yelled “Stop” again; it didn’t sound like an order, just a voice. He doesn’t want me to stop, because then he has to deal with this. Dayton thought as he swung over the fence. Landing broke one of the shoes and Dayton toppled over backwards. Landing on his back in the rocks was uncomfortable, but not very painful.

Suddenly a face loomed over him, the large broad face grinned; the grin threatened to split his face in two. “Hey does this rag smell like chloroform?” Rays deep voice boomed. The white rag was over Dayton’s mouth and nose before a murmur of protest could be uttered, let alone any movement made. The smell of foul bleach crept into Dayton as he inhaled.

The fog set back in, much quicker than the last time. Dayton’s panic rose to a wild peak before his brain swam into unconsciousness.