Ravi the Succubus: Maddox

Chapter 1: Investigation

April, 2006

Ravi was the most fascinating subject that Charles Maddox had ever investigated. She was like a butterfly: hovering through various buildings, fluttering over country's borders and flying from town to town. While it was exhilarating to watch and record her behavior, without her knowledge, it was also a nightmare. Ravi was always on the move, hardly frequenting the same places. His travel expenses were astronomical as he strove to pace her.

Even her modes of transportation varied to a point of madness. Maddox had observed Ravi stealing cars, boarding trains, chartering private helicopters, boarding ocean liners, taking commercial flights, river boats, private jets and even hitchhiking.

To make matters worse, Ravi gave him very little warning when she was going to embark. He kept his clothing and toiletries packed and ready to go at all times. Without warning, she could suddenly vanish right out from under his nose and, despite his best efforts, Maddox had lost Ravi's trail more times than he could count. After a few days, he would manage to track her down and immediately resume his investigation of her.

Luckily for Maddox, the locals could usually be bribed into revealing where she had gone or the transportation logs could be hacked into. He had been left behind, stuck in unfamiliar and foreign towns, looking for her more often than he cared to admit.

Maddox wasn't aware of her real name for months. He had nicknamed her Esmeralda from the Disney version of the Hunchback of Notre Dame. His nickname for her was very appropriate. The cartoon character was surprisingly similar to Ravi, with raven black hair, the flawless olive complexion, the emerald green eyes and the shapely yet lithe body.

It was easy to track her. Ravi wasn't a woman that was easily forgotten and as soon as he described her as breathtakingly gorgeous, everyone knew exactly who he was talking about, alias or not.

He had recently overheard her introducing herself of Ravisha then she said everyone just usually called her Ravi. Despite this new knowledge, he quickly determined she hardly used her real name, usually employing a different alias. Her favorite was Rebecca.

Ravi was a piece of art. She was truly the most beautiful and most sexually attractive woman he had ever seen. Even though he observed her from a distance, he couldn't help noticing her smooth cleavage, her perfectly shaped legs and her round buttocks through his binoculars. Just watching her was enough to get him excited. She was absolute perfection.

Maddox had encountered several women that he was immediately attracted to before, but never like this. He had been warned about her seductive charms and now he knew that she would be very difficult to resist. He needed to keep his distance, gather information and keep detailed notes on her secretly. Interaction of any kind would risk exposure him to her charms.

The reasoning for tailing and investigating Ravi's every move wasn't an obsession. Maddox wasn't a stalker. He wasn't looking to publish an exposé or to get her arrested for criminal activity. He was interested in proof of something he had theorized. If he could log, film and photograph evidence of his suspicions, it could change the world. Science and Religion alike would be shaken at their very foundations.

Maddox believed Ravi was a Demon. A Succubus.

He became aware of Ravi through a very powerful business man who had fallen prey to her seductive wiles. This victim, who wished to remain anonymous, came forward and confided in Maddox a year before. Apparently, Ravi had given the victim a false name, Rebecca Ravinov and had flitted in and out of his life, robbing him of wealth and his dignity. The victim claimed that Ravi used powers of seduction far beyond those of a normal woman, coaxing him into giving her gifts, showering her with jewelry and designer clothing. The victim had set up security cameras in his summer home prior to meeting Ravi. She stayed there while he was at work and the camera footage had exposed her. Skimming through the long hours of film, the victim claimed Ravi never slept, ate any food and never drank. The victim, at that point, abandoned his home, cut all ties with Ravi and went into hiding out of fear. Ravi could not be human.

Of course, these allegations sounded incredible and Maddox almost dismissed them if it weren't for the victim being so educated, professional and of sound mind.

After Maddox started digging into the so-called Rebecca Ravinov's background he was stunned at how little information there was on her. Through his own investigative channels, he managed inquiries from every branch of the Government, including the FBI and he found zip, zero, nada. As far as he could tell, she had no birth certificate, no driver license, no social security number, no credit history, no residency, no citizenship of any kind, no dental or medical records.

Maddox became interested in her at that point and decided to begin the investigation.

Her lifestyle of seducing men and women was well documented by Maddox. Ravi seemed to have a near insatiable appetite for sex and she rarely slept with the same partner more than once. Her reluctance to familiarize herself with a lover had nothing to do with feelings or attachments on her part. Ravi was careful not to bewitch anyone within her web of control. Perhaps she wanted less "victims" becoming aware of her.

Maddox had also never observed her consuming food or drink although she pretended to expertly. Ravi was also able to flutter effortlessly under the radar of law enforcement and was a master of maintaining a low public profile despite her impossible beauty. She could seemingly drift into any place at any time even inside exclusive establishments where Maddox could not follow her.

While under his close surveillance, Maddox had witnessed Ravi vanishing from sight. She was standing in an empty parking lot one moment and then suddenly, she was gone. Maddox had to blink several times and he even checked his binoculars to make sure they were clean. He tried to explain her sudden disappearance to himself logically, but failed. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would never have believed it.

After several more months of investigation, he witnessed Ravi vanishing again and this time, caught it on video. Although to his own eyes, she had vanished, the digital recorder still showed her present. Through the camera lens, Ravi never winked out of sight as he had perceived. Apparently, her power of vanishing was only effective against human vision. He realized that there was no way to prove that she could vanish without witnessing it firsthand.

Maddox needed more proof and was determined to find it. Sooner or later she would slip up and he would have a breakthrough. He continued to doggedly pursue her for well over a year. Frustration was building. Ravi was very careful, very secretive and elusive. His confidence that she would make a mistake to expose herself was waning.

Over the past few weeks, he had considered giving up the investigation and returning home. The prospect of once again reentering a normal existence was not a good one. Maddox had nothing to return home to except a few friends and his job, neither of which was enough to instill a longing for homecoming yet.

Charles Maddox's personal life was in shambles. After he had left his good paying job to pursue Ravi, he realized he had been looking for an excuse to leave. He was in a rut, bogged down by the same procedural behavior, day in and day out. His marriage to the woman he had planned to spend the rest of his life with, had ended abruptly at the death of their son. Overnight, the dream of a family had been shattered. His son's death was an accident but Maddox was still unable to forgive his wife. She suffered an emotional breakdown and had to be hospitalized. Shortly after her departure, he filed for divorce.

The heavy loss of his son had wounded Maddox deeply and the need to get away was probably spurred on by it. Everything in his home town reminded him of his dead son and his ex-wife. The parks they frequented, the restaurants they ate at, the elementary school, the shopping centers, the movie theater which had all, at one time, held such fond memories for him, had become a burden.

Maddox hadn't realized that a fresh start was exactly what he needed. Initially, the constant travel, although exhausting, was exciting. The various countries Ravi traveled brought on new sights, new people and different foods. He was amazed at how different Europe was from America.

Now, most of the exhilaration was gone. The fresh changes of moving from town to town had become wearying. Maddox hadn't had a good night sleep in weeks. Although some of the sights and towns were quaint and beautiful, he had no time to enjoy them. He was completely engrossed in his investigation.

Charles Maddox woke up on a lumpy mattress in a cheap motel. Groaning, he rolled over to the side of the bed and put his feet down on the ugly green carpet. He slept like shit. He yawned and stretched, not looking forward to the long day of chasing a phantom. Although Ravi didn't require sleep, Maddox was fettered by the human drawback of needing to revitalize himself nightly.

Ravi was proving to be the most difficult story he had ever pursued. At the end of all of it, he hoped his devotion to proving the truth was worth it.

Her recent travels had taken Maddox to a small town called Corad in Argentina. In such a sparsely populated area, it was becoming increasingly difficult to observe her secretly. Ravi seemed to prefer small sleepy towns rather than the bigger cities.

Nude, he stood up and walked into the bathroom in order to relieve himself. He had showered the night before and packed his bags, ready to move on a moment's notice to follow Ravi when she left town again. He hoped she hadn't left during the night while he slept.

The yellow porcelain toilet was ancient.

Maddox looked at himself in the cheap full length mirror. Since he hadn't kept up with his workout regime, he was slowly losing his carved muscle tone and gaining a little weight. At forty-six, he was beginning to feel all of the aches and pains that he hadn't when he was younger. He steadfastly watched his diet since it was the only way he could keep himself trim. Ravi took up too much of his time for him to properly exercise.

His short trimmed dark hair was slightly graying around his ears. Maddox normally kept clean shaven but was scruffy at the moment. His dark blue eyes looked tired.

Were those bags under his peepers?

Maddox flushed the toilet and went back into the bedroom.

Ravi was seated on the bed.

What the fuck?

She eyed him down the entire length of his naked body and purred, "Looks like I caught you at a perfect time."

Maddox could only remember a handful of incidents during the course of his life when he was truly caught with his pants down. This situation trumped them all.

He didn't know what to say. His mind was jumbled and full of questions. What was she doing here? How had she found him? How long did she know he was tailing and spying on her? His mind raced with a myriad of possibilities. Unfortunately, his pondering left him standing before her naked and gaping like a buffoon.

Ravi didn't appear to be the least bit afraid. In fact, she seemed amused. She continued eyeing his nudity in such an obvious manner that Maddox became self-conscious of his nudity. He quickly covered his groin with both hands.

She stood up from the bed and for the first time, he realized she was wearing his thin blue bathrobe. Ravi slipped it off, letting it fall to the floor, exposing her magnificent naked body. He had never seen her nude before. She was sheer perfection. Maddox drank in all of her unbelievable beauty.

His manhood stirred and he could feel the beginnings of an erection.

Oh no.

"How long has it been since you've had sex?" Ravi asked. Her voice was heavy and sultry with desire, "You seem to be bursting at the seams with pent up sexual energy."

Again, his mind raced for a solution.

Come on Maddox! You can beat this!

He reminded himself that Ravi was a Demon, a powerful seductress that could easily entrance him and make him into her slave. It wasn't enough. His body was still reacting to her.

Ravi slowly ran her tongue over her full lips. Every movement was well rehearsed to exact a sexual response. As she began to approach, each slow swaying step showed him different angles of her flawless skin, pronounced musculature and voluptuous physique.

Maddox's body was involuntarily reacting to her allure. He felt his heart rate increasing, he was lightheaded and his manhood was fully erect.

Shit!

Maddox did the only thing he felt would help him resist her seduction, he closed his eyes. He felt a soft hand on his chest and the contact was like a bolt of lustful energy racing through his body. He felt a magnetic pull toward her, one that he could barely resist. Images of having sex with Ravi a various wild positions flashed through his mind.

Ravi's voice was close to his ear. Maddox's skin tightened into tickling goosebumps at the sensation of her breath. She whispered, "Why are you following me around?"

Maddox kept his eyes closed and his lips tightly clenched. He had no idea how she found out but he refused to admit he was following her. All of his data on her was stored on his laptop and it was protected by a password. If Ravi searched his gear, she would find no evidence that he had been investigating her.

"How adorable," Ravi breathed, "You're trying to resist me."

Her hand glided across Maddox's chest, up along his throat to the side of his face. His entire body shook with ecstasy at her touch. The light trail of her caress along his skin was burning with excitement. His lust was boiling.

"Why won't you answer such a simple question?" Ravi hissed. Maddox felt her breath on his lips. He broke out in a sweat trying to resist the urge to kiss her. Her hair lightly brushed against his chest. She was so close. She purred, "What are you hiding?" Her breath and the scent of her skin were sweet and alluring.

Maddox grunted, "I'm not hiding anything."

"I don't believe you," Ravi whispered. Her hand drifted from his throat to his navel. Her touch was light and sensual.

Oh no.

"Tell me the truth and I'll stop," She whispered playfully, "Continue to resist, and I'll take you. I will make you mine."

Maddox was losing control. He had never felt so turned on. He was practically bursting with lust. "Okay," He relented, "I'll tell you the truth."

"Good." Ravi stepped back and he felt her coils of seduction release him.

Maddox didn't move or open his eyes. He heard her slip the robe back on.

Thank God!

"Get dressed," She said.

Maddox opened his eyes and quickly dressed. He felt foolish at being caught. He had no idea that she had been aware of him. While waiting so patiently for her to make a mistake, it was he who had faltered.

Ravi was seated on the bed with her arms folded and legs crossed. Her posture was perfect. Although clothed, she was still breathtaking. He had never seen her so up close before. With her regal grace and beauty, Ravi could have been an empress over countless subjects that prostrated themselves at her feet in worship.

Cleopatra.

Maddox tried to compose himself. He was still painfully aroused.

"Who are you?" Ravi asked him.

"Charles Maddox."

"Good. Why are you following me?"

Maddox sighed, "I'm a freelance investigative journalist."

"Really?" Ravi seemed amused.

She was so confident and relaxed that it irritated him. Normally, a petite woman alone in a motel room with a strange man would have an average woman on edge but he wasn't a threat to her at all. Maddox had to remind himself that Ravi wasn't human. Beneath her soft supple skin and lustrous hair was a powerful Demon. Behind her beautiful smile was a huge mouth of sharp deadly fangs.

Maddox felt his sheepish embarrassment vanish to be replaced by an edge of fear. Although he was harmless to her, Ravi was definitely a threat to him. She could kill him or do much worse.

Foolishly he had placed himself in the corner of the motel room where there was no escape route. Ravi was still sitting in the same spot but somehow, she had him cornered. Had she placed herself in this strategic position purposely?

"What's wrong?" Ravi asked him innocently.

Maddox was fully dressed but he didn't feel any safer, "Nothing."

"You don't have to be afraid of me. If I wanted to harm you, I could have killed you while you slept."

He wasn't relieved at all by her admission, "How long have you known about my investigation of you?"

Ravi ignored his question. She giggled, "You slept like the dead. I went through every one of your bags and perused your laptop and you didn't even flinch."

She had gone through his notes. There was no point in lying to her. She already knew everything and was toying with him. Maddox was glad he had come clean. Ravi may have grown angry if he tried to deceive her.

"You looked so cute and relaxed while you slept," Her smile was riveting, "I almost climbed into bed with you."

Maddox was done playing games, "What do you want?"

"I want you to stop following me."

"Done. Anything else?"

Ravi frowned, "Oh, are you angry? Am I pissing you off?" Her playful tone was replaced by ice. She stood up from the bed, "Does my presence bother you? You're angry because I broke into your space, invaded your privacy and inserted myself into your life without your consent?"

Maddox didn't know what else to say, "Well, yeah."

"Its not a good feeling is it? Do you feel violated? Do you feel like I'm an inconvenience in your life? Have I offended you?" She took a few slow steps toward him.

Fear raced over Maddox's body like skittering spiders at her change in behavior. His stomach was in knots. If he hadn't just peed he would have pissed himself. "I'm sorry," he blurted, "I was only curious to know more about you. I'll leave you alone. You'll never see me again."

He was pleading with her. Maddox had never plead to anyone before in his life. He was fully awash with fear. He had backed away from her without realizing it, his back to the wall.

Ravi was still visibly angry at him, "Not good enough."

Maddox was terrified, "What do you want from me?"

"I want you to answer my fucking questions. I want you to appreciate the fact that I haven't torn your head from your body. I want you to be as patient with me as I have been with you. Understand?"

He nodded vigorously, "Yes. I completely understand. I'm sorry. I'll cooperate fully. Ask me anything but please have a seat. I feel a lot more comfortable when you're sitting down and you're calm."

Ravi grinned at him, "And I liked you a lot better naked. Strip."

Maddox didn't hesitate to disrobe. He resisted the urge to cover himself up in any way. If she wanted him naked, he would be as bare as he possibly could.

Ravi was still smiling at him. She admired his body then, much to his relief, she turned and sat down on the bed again, "Much better," She said.

So intoxicating was her beauty that Maddox struggled to distract himself from her. He knew that directly under the thin robe she was as naked as he and the thought was driving him mad with desire.

Maddox focused on her face and pictured a Lovecraft spawn of hell, with a long black tongue, ghastly sunken eye sockets, bristling horn-like appendages and pale gray warty skin.

Ravi said, "You claimed that you wanted to know more about me. Is that the only reason you're following me around?"

Maddox nervously scratched his scruffy chin, "No. I was shooting for the massive payout. For a story this big, I would have become famous and showered with riches."

Ravi shook her head, "You never would have succeeded. Trust me."

Maddox slowly nodded in agreement, "Now that I think about it, I was foolish to think I could stay hidden from you. I mean, you're immortal. You have much more experience at noticing a tail than I do of remaining undetected."

She giggled.

He felt goosebumps race over his skin at such a sweet and adorable sound.

Ravi said, "Yes, I do have a lot more experience than you but that's not what I meant. There are active forces working against you."

"What do you mean?"

Ravi sighed, "I can't really go into detail about it."

Maddox didn't let her off the hook so easily, "If something is working against me, at least tell me who or what I'm up against."

Ravi stared blankly at him for a few moments. He got lost in her large green eyes but snapped out of his fantasy when she said, "Have you ever wondered why any so-called footage of supernatural creatures is always grainy or at such a distance that you can't really tell what you're looking at?"

He nodded, "Yeah, because most of them are hoaxes."

She shook her head, "Wrong. Its because that's the only proof that's allowed to be released."

Maddox frowned, "Allowed? How can anyone stop the exposure of private videos, recordings and pictures?"

"There is an entire agency that keeps tabs on the supernaturals that are here in the Waking Realm. They ensure that the supernatural stays out of the public eye but they also confiscate any solid proof. They only allow the ambiguous grainy and out of focus photos that you've seen already."

His mouth was dry. She was revealing to him that there were more monsters like her out there. The idea of hideous evil creatures stalking the shadows on the edge of reality was enough to strike fear into him. Werewolves? Vampires? Zombies? The list of horrible creatures that willfully preyed on humans was endless. Maddox cleared his throat, "How many are there roaming around? Creatures, I mean."

Ravi gave him an impatient look, "Supernaturals. Do I look like a creature to you? There are a few thousand at a time but spread out over the entire world, you are at very little risk to run into one. Unless, of course, you are foolish enough to follow one of them around."

Maddox ignored the jab, "You make it sound as if they are only visiting."

"They are."

"Where do these supernaturals normally live if not here?"

Ravi ran her dainty fingers through her gorgeous hair, teasing it, "From different Realms of existence. Demons are usually from Hell but because of my species, I spend the vast majority of my time here among humans."

Maddox wanted to grab his laptop and take notes but he dared not make any sudden moves. Her intention with him had still not been resolved, "How many different species of supernatural are there?"

The robe had fallen slightly open. He could see delightful cleavage, a promise of her perfect breasts. Ravi flashed him a wonderful smile, "I've already told you too much. I'm afraid I have to kill you now."

Maddox was horrified, "What?"

Ravi stuck out her pouting bottom lip, "I'm sorry. You know too much about me and the supernatural world to be allowed to live."

He didn't know what to say, "I promise to leave you alone. I swear you will never see me again. I won't tell anyone about you or what I've learned."

Ravi shook her head, "You're a journalist, Charles. Do you really expect me to believe you'll stay quiet? Time's up. Are you ready?"

Maddox begged, "Please no."

Ravi stood up from the bed, within a split second, she had him by the throat with one hand, easily lifting him against the wall. His feet were off the floor. "I'm sorry." She said sincerely, "I told you before, not good enough."

Maddox was being strangled, he clutched at her hand trying to relieve the crushing pressure on his throat but her grip was like steel, "Please don't kill me," he croaked.

"Why shouldn't I?" She asked him impassively.

He could barely squeak out the words, "I'll do anything."

"Like what?"

"I'll be your servant. Your slave. Please."

Ravi released him.

Maddox fell onto the floor coughing and gagging. His throat was on fire. She nearly crushed his trachea.

Ravi knelt down beside him, "You'll do what I say, when I say it, no questions. I want complete obedience or I will kill you. Try to escape, try to turn against me and I will kill you. Do we have an agreement?"

Maddox couldn't speak, so he nodded emphatically.

She grinned at him, "This is going to be so much fun."

He wasn't so sure but at least he was alive.

Ravi stood up and removed her robe, "Come shower with me. I going to claim you afterward."

Claim? Shit.

For weeks, Ravi abused Maddox and he was utterly powerless to stop her. She forced him to wait on her hand and foot. He was never allowed to wear any clothing when they were alone and he was her love toy whenever she desired.

They left the seedy hotel he was staying in and moved to the best suite in town, at his expense of course.

Ravi was a superb lover, easily getting him excited regardless of how wore out he was. Sometimes their bouts of sex were so intense that they were almost painful. His muscles ached, his manhood was sore but still, she would get him aroused and would mount him until he was begging for mercy.

Ravi never slept and rarely allowed him to. Maddox was exhausted, a dead man walking. The days were long but the nights were even longer. She was easily distracted and was always changing her mind about how he should behave. Sometimes, Ravi would humiliate him, forcing him to crawl around behind her like a dog or making him model her clothing. Other times, he could relax as she would engage in serious topics, even letting slip some details about her past. Some nights Maddox was her sex slave and Ravi would grind out as many orgasms from him as she could. Then some nights, she just wanted companionship, even cuddling against him while he gratefully slept.

Although Ravi sometimes treated Maddox like dirt, her abuse was overshadowed by fascination. She had countless stories of her exploits. She had been there through the annuls of human existence. He wanted to ask her questions but that usually resulted in her becoming impatient. Abuse would ensue afterward. So, he became a good listener.

Ravi drilled him about his past and was saddened by revelation of his dead son or at least she pretended to be. She seemed amused at tales of his own life and career. The paper he worked for was a tabloid, so he had been involved in very colorful investigations. Ravi was delighted to hear about them.

The good times spent together were always followed by bad. As interested as she was in conversations of his past history, Ravi was also intrigued by his lack of sexual knowledge. Maddox only dated a few women before he had met and married his wife. Since the divorce, he had been celibate.

Ravi was determined to soil his relatively innocent love life. When she had discovered a sexual position or fetish he had not yet experienced, she forced him to partake as though training him. At times, these new acts were embarrassing, even humiliating but sometimes he found himself aroused by her perverse appetite. Thankfully, Ravi eventually began to respond to his tastes, limiting their sexual trysts to what he liked. She was exceedingly knowledgeable about sex and taught him a lot. He was soon able to keep pace with her, to please and satisfy her.

One day, Ravi grew bored and decided to paint. Maddox purchased supplies from a local vendor but served as her easel. He held the canvas in place while she worked the various brushes, producing a stunning town scene. After they admired the painting for a few minutes, she utterly destroyed it.

He asked, "Why?"

Ravi said simply, "I don't want anyone else to enjoy it."

A few days later, Maddox was busy rubbing her feet. Ravi was reading and listening to classical music. She put the book down and simply announced, "Okay. I feel we're finally even. You may go."

He wasn't sure what she meant, "You mean I'm free? You're letting me go?"

Ravi nodded.

Maddox didn't want to rejoice too much at the risk of pissing her off. He smiled at her and said, "Thank you."

"No problem. Remember what you said. Don't follow me around anymore. Don't tell anyone about any of this or what you learned."

"I won't," He promised, "I swear. Thank you for not killing me." He rushed to find his clothes and dressed quickly. He gathered all of his personal belongings and hastily stuffed them into his bags. He hurried to the front door of the hotel room, opened the door and left.

The sun was coming up over the mountain tops.

The small town was bathed in the soft warming glow of the sunlight.

It was going to be a beautiful clear day.

Maddox breathed in the clean air and stretched. It felt so good to be free. To his surprise, he suddenly broke down and wept briefly. He told himself these were tears of joy but he wasn't sure. He had never been so close to death before. He was lucky to be alive.

Maddox gathered his composure and walked to the parking lot were his rental car was parked. He was surprised to find the compact vehicle where he left it. He started up the engine and drove south towards the El Plumerillo International Airport near Mendoza, Argentina. He was ecstatic.

The traditional music of Argentina were the only stations he received on the car stereo but he didn't care. It was the best music he had heard in a long time. The daylight seemed brighter than he had ever seen it and the sky was a remarkable blue. He sighed with relief.

Maddox turned the rental in at the airport and used his passport to book a flight back to the United States. His home and job were located in Tucson, Arizona. He could hardly wait to get home.

Ravi had been a story that he set out on independently. Maddox had spent his own money following her, so the large amount of funds that had been in his savings account was mostly depleted. It would take him a few years to earn it back.

Hopefully, his job was still available and his position had not been filled. He worked for The Probe, a tabloid that specialized in supernatural sightings and stories. Maddox realized he was returning after an entire year of being away without anything to show for his departure. His Editor, Emery, was going to give him a rash of shit.

Maddox slept through the entire flight, only waking up long enough to change planes. He was exhausted. By the time his plane touched down in Tucson, he felt refreshed and eager to get a good meal in his belly.

He picked up his car from long term parking at the airport and drove home. There were several really good Mexican food restaurants in his neighborhood. Maddox stopped at one called Miguel's and ordered spicy enchiladas, beans, rice and a tall cold beer. He wolfed the food down greedily. As a captive, he had been half-starved. His captor seemed to think that he didn't need to eat like her. He constantly had to remind her that he was hungry and only then would she allow him to chow down.

The food tasted great. He washed the meal down with beer and ordered a second beer. Afterwards, he felt satisfied and left a good tip. Maddox drove home.

He lived in a Spanish Colonial, single story, three bedroom house with a covered swimming pool in the backyard, a gated, private front porch and a three car garage. Inside, his home was quiet and clean, exactly as he left it. Maddox showered and went straight to bed.

The mattress felt soft and welcoming, his pillows were comfortable. Maddox was asleep within a few minutes.

When he woke up early the next morning, Maddox realized he didn't know what day of the week it was. He checked his cell phone. It was Saturday.

Good. He had two full days to relax at home before going back to The Probe Monday morning to try and get his old job back. Maddox spent the day watching TV and grocery shopping. He ate good home cooked meals and lounged as much as he could.

He hadn't watched TV in so long his DVR was completely full with recorded shows. It was going to take him weeks to catch up. He mixed himself a Mimosa and sipped it leisurely.

His email was packed full from mostly junk mail. He spent a few hours cleaning it out. Then web surfed for a few more hours. His Saturday was nice and relaxing. He went to bed in good spirits.

Sunday morning was completely different.

Maddox woke up to find Ravi in his bedroom.