RULE OF 3 ... THE FINALE ... "WE MEET AGAIN SONNY BOY." HAUNTING ENOUGH FOR ROMANTIC FRIDAY WRITERS ... PLUS A CASTING CALL ENTRY.

Happy Friday everyone.

Once more I must apologize for posting my entry later than I should have. I wanted it to be something special, so I took my time and even added a hundred or so extra words. Since I am no longer in the competition and took creative license. Don't forget to read the other bloggers entries. There are some amazing stories in this blogfest. Drop by J. C. Martin's blog.

Also my dear friend, Denise (L'Aussie), had asked to write an entry for this week's Romantic Writers Friday Challenge. Theme ... HAUNTING. So drop by her blog for the more exciting entries to read.

If you would like to read the first three segments here are the links...

Part One: The Escape ... here.

Part Two: Renaissance ... here.

Part Three: Resurrected ... here.

And now for the conclusion. I hope you all enjoy it. "We meet again sonny boy."

Aidan joined Tanya in the early morning hours. He flashed a smile before taking a seat at the kitchen table. His eyes lingered a second longer than usual on her curves as she maneuvered between the stove and sink.

Tanya’s face flushed and matched the freckles that sprinkled across her nose and cheeks.

Aidan grinned. He tore his eyes away from Tanya’s tight butt, craned his neck around the room like a submarine periscope, and then cleared his throat. “Ah, where’s your dad?”

Still flushed, Tanya faced him. “He went into town to pick up supplies.” She moistened her lips, “He should be gone most of the morning.”

Aidan raised a brow and his eyes brightened.

A moment later, the lights flickered before blowing out. Only a faint stream illuminated through the window from the street lamp.

“What the hell just happened Tanya?” Aidan tensed and twitched like a nervous cat.

“Relax. A circuit must’ve blown.” She shook her head. “Do you always get this freaked when the lights go out?” She stepped around the table and over to the counter, opened a drawer, and pulled out a flashlight.

A few drops of sweat trickled down Aidan’s back, sending icy shivers up his spine. the memory of his dad locking him in a dark, mildewed cellar penetrated his mind. “For two days the sadistic bastard left me there,” he grumbled.

“What was that, you said?”

“Er, nothing.”

“i’ll be right back.” She stepped toward the cellar door, opened it, and disappeared. 

Aidan’s eyes stared at the beam of light glowing softer with each of Tanya’s steps. 

I really should go with her. Willing his foot to move, it remained glued to the same spot. Several more drops of sweat mingled with the first ones and saturated his t-shirt.

A muffled scream raised the hairs on the back of his neck. “Tanya!” he called out.

She didn’t answer.

Lead-like legs managed to reach the cellar door. “Tanya!” His voice cracked. 

A trace of a snicker echoed up the stairs and into the kitchen. 

“Cut the crap Tanya ... this isn’t funny.”

Once again, silence louder than gun fire assaulted his ears.

Aidan’s breath caught in his throat. His mouth dried to sawdust. Only one drop coated his throat as he tried to swallow.

He inched closer to the opening, straining his neck. Widened eyes searched the gaping dark hole.  

A lit flame from a candle caught his eye. “Tanya?” His raspy voice whispered into the chasm. 

Moving ever so slowly onto the landing, a deep voice vibrated the rickety wooden steps. “Join us, sonny boy.”

Aidan froze. Sweat poured down his face. “No? I-It can’t be? Y-you’re dead. I killed you.”

“Guess again.” His voice cut like a razor into a vein. “I’ve got a friend of yours. She’s quite a babe. Ah, to think what I can do with her? Care to watch?”

Aidan’s stomach churned. He sucked in a deep breath through gritted teeth. “Let her go, you bastard. It’s me you want.”  Racing down the stairs, he came to a halt on the last step. 

The captain’s right hand covered Tanya’s mouth, the other cupped her right breast. Tears streamed from terrified eyes and collected on the captain’s broad fingers.

Adrenaline pumped through Aidan’s veins. Think fast. 

His eyes set on the flickering candle just behind them. 

Tanya cried out. Aidan’s eyes darted, locking onto to his father’s.

“Let her go, Dad.”

“I don’t think so.” He ripped her blouse, exposing her breasts. “Nice. Very nice.” 

Tanya kicked and screamed. As his father tried to control her, Aidan grabbed a can of W-D 40 sitting on the side shelf. He ripped off the top and aimed the aerosol at the candle flame.

It ignited with a sizzle. The flame shot, setting his father’s jacket on fire. Cursing, he released Tanya, who ran behind Aidan. 

Aidan continued to douse his father. Within seconds the cursing turned to screams of torment. The captain desperately tried to put himself out, but the flames engulfed him. 

“Let’s get out of her before the place blows.” Aidan dropped the can, grasped Tanya’s hand, and sprinted up the stairs. 

He pulled off his shirt and handed it to her as they ran out the front door.  

Seconds later, the house exploded into flames.  

Tanya jumped into Aidan’s arms, trembling. 

“It’s over now. He’ll never hurt either one of us again.”

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *  

 And now for the Casting Call blogfest. This was is truly fun. Chose characters from your novel and show a picture of them either through photograph or illustration. Drop by our host's site Carrie Butler.

For this blogfest I chose my first novel: Amber and the Whispering Willows. This middle grade fantasy was a pleasure to illustrate. As I wrote about each character, I had a visual, so all I had to do was create them visually. Most of you know I illustrate as well as write, but for those who don't here is an introduction I hope you enjoy the visuals.

These images are from the cover that I created. And please remember this is an original work of art, so please don't reproduce it without my permission.

The full cover.

Click to enlarge.... Center is Amber. To the right, Nina, her best friend, Jasper the rabbit, Uncle Paul, and Justin.

To the left of the tree: Dak, Commander-in-chief of the fairies. The blue fairy is Liah, princess of the fairies.

For more fun illustrations check out the top of my blog. In the banner click onto My Illustrations.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone! What fun plans do you have?  I plan on catching up with my blog friends and reading lots of Rule of 3 segments and checking out some other fun characters.