Detective Saltini and Dr. Manning didn't talk to me the entire ride home. But I could feel the tension and anger waiting to unfold.

When we got into Dr. Manning's house, I saw Sophia sitting at the kitchen table, anxious and tired. It was about 3:00 am. by this point. I was beyond tired myself. My defenses were on overload.

"Dear, you're still up?" Dr. Manning said, throwing his keys onto the kitchen counter.

"I couldn't sleep," she said. She glanced at me but just as quickly looked away.

I wondered if she was mad at him. Then I wondered why I cared. She was the least of my problems.

"You remember Mr. Santini, don't you?"

"Yes, I do. Hello," Sophia said, but she didn't look at him.

Detective Santini said, "Sophia, so good to see you again. I wish it was under better circumstances."

He gave her a warm hug. But her back was stiff, and she pulled away quickly.

"Were you able to get everything done I asked you to?" Dr. Manning asked.

"Yes. It's all done," she asked, looking at the floor.

"Thank you. Please excuse us while I show Corrine her sleeping quarters," Dr. Manning said. He grabbed me by the arm and squeezed much more than needed. "Let's go, Corrine."

He led me to the end of the kitchen to a door that opened to the basement. I didn't even know they had a basement. It looked dark and cold, even after Dr. Manning flipped on the single light that illuminated the downstairs. The stairs were too narrow for us to walk down side-by-side, so he gestured for me to go first.

When we got to the bottom, I looked around. There was a cot, an end table, the washer and dryer, and what looked like a bathroom. It was a small area, but everything I might need.

"I trust you'll be comfortable here for the evening," Dr. Manning said. "I'll be back for you in the morning. Try to get some sleep. You'll need it."

With that, he walked back upstairs, shut the door, and locked it. An all-too-familiar sound.

I sat on the bed and rubbed my eyes, too exhausted to think. I walked over to the bathroom and got ready for bed. I only had the clothes I was wearing, but there was a new toothbrush, toothpaste, washcloth and soap for me.

Sleep. I wanted it to come so badly. But all that came was restless fits and freakish nightmares. James turning into Detective Santini, smiling while cutting me into pieces. Me tied to a stick while men in KKK robes chanted before they killed me.

I was almost thankful when I heard the door unlock and Dr. Manning walked downstairs. I had no idea what time it was.

"Good morning," Dr. Manning said in a chipper tone.

I didn't trust it for a minute. I sat up in bed and rubbed my face, trying to awaken my defenses.

"Go wash up so we can eat breakfast. I'll wait for you."

I did as I was told and tried to hurry in the bathroom. Hurry to what or for what, I didn't know. And didn't want to know.

When I was done, Dr. Manning motioned for me to walk upstairs first. Everything felt calculated, rehearsed. He even stayed far enough back that I couldn't reach him, in case I had plans of pushing him down the stairs. Or maybe I was just being paranoid.

"Go sit at the kitchen table," Dr. Manning instructed when we got to the top of the stairs.

"Good morning, Corrine," Detective Santini said.

Suddenly I wasn't hungry anymore. He must've spent the night. Everything about him made me shake inside.

"Good morning," I replied quietly as I sat down and placed my napkin on my lap.

In typical Sophia style, she had cut up fruit and cooked Belgian waffles, scrambled eggs, and fried bacon. But I didn't think I could eat a bite. I looked at the microwave, and it was 9:34. We all must've been tired. But Sophia and I were the only ones who looked it.

Sophia sat across from me, but she refused to make eye contact. In fact, she didn't seem to look at anybody, just her plate. She looked as bad as I felt.

"So, Corrine, how'd you sleep?" Dr. Manning asked as he served himself some eggs and passed the plate to me. As if he cared.

"Okay," I lied.

"You certainly had an exciting night."

I pretended to eat, shuffling food back and forth on my plate with my fork.

"Have you been able to think any more about your decision to betray James?" he asked, as if asking a casual, every day question.

"Um, yes, sir," I replied.

"And what's going on in that head of yours?" asked the snake.

"Well, I—I hardly slept last night thinking about it. I feel like I threw everything away," I said, tears welling in my eyes.

I only had to partly beckon the tears to flow. I did feel guilty, but only because I got caught. I knew what Dr. Manning wanted to hear. But I didn't think it'd make any difference.

"You did, Corrine. You did," he replied simply.

"I'd say I'm sorry, Dr. Manning, but I know that doesn't even begin to make up for what I did."

I wiped my face with the napkin.

"Of course you're sorry," Detective Santini said. "You got caught. Let's put it this way. I wouldn't be here if this wasn't serious." He put another bite in his mouth, sat back comfortably in his chair, and chewed. Then he said, "Do you even know who I am, Corrine?"

Sophia suddenly got up and walked into the kitchen.

"Detective Santini?"

"Yes, I do work for the F. B. I. But do you know who I am in the B. F. O.?"

"No, sir."

And maybe I didn't want to know.

"Let's just say I'm Dr. Manning's boss. I'm in charge of this region of the U.S. I know anything and everything that goes on in the B. F. O."

The waffle piece stuck in my throat. I drank some water to wash it down, but it stayed there. I coughed.

"That's how I knew within minutes that you ratted out James in the bar last night. News travels fast, you know."

I stared at my fork as I twirled it around and around with my fingers.

"We've had to do a lot of scrambling because of your little stunt," he continued. "But I think we've worked out a plan depending, of course, on what James wants to do. He will be posting bail tomorrow morning."

"He'll be able to get out of jail?" I said, shocked they'd let him out.

"With our connections, of course," he said as if I was stupid. "When that happens, the two of you will be relocating to another state with another identity and a new appearance. But there is a chance James won't want you anymore. Our lawyers can't talk to him about this in prison, so we'll have to wait until he's out to see exactly what he wants to do. But forgiveness is hard to come by, and I can only imagine James's anger right now. If he doesn't forgive you, you will be discarded."

Discarded. Like a bag of trash.

"Accommodations will also be made that will make it impossible for you to escape again," Santini added.

I covered my face with my napkin. This was all too much to absorb. How could I continue to live with James? Why would he want to still have me? Obviously I could never be trusted. And at what lengths would he go to make sure I don't escape?

"So, the question is what to do with you until tomorrow," Dr. Manning said. "Your father is supposed to arrive today. And the reunification people are coming as well."

"But there's no way in hell you're going to see your dad," Santini said. "Another minute with Officer Rodriguez, and you would've squealed on the B. F. O."

I gasped. "No, I wasn't going to. Honest," I lied. I looked back and forth between the two. "I would never, ever say anything, Dr. Manning. I just wanted to get home."

Dr. Manning replied, "Well, you say that now, and maybe you believe that. But, ultimately, it's easy over time that something would leak out. It's inevitable that you'll meet other families who have had family members who have been abducted. Many will contact you, wanting a bit of hope for their own families. And, understandably, you'd want to make them feel better. Maybe you'd let it slip out that there's a chance their loved ones are alive with another family."

"Or, worse yet," Santini interjected, "maybe you'd meet someone's family that you have met, such as Allie's family or Sophia's. How difficult that would be for you not to say anything when you know the truth is that they're still alive."

"Dr. Manning, you have to believe me. I would never reveal anyone's identity, no matter what the circumstances were. Just let me see my dad one last time. And I'll go off to wherever I'm supposed to."

Sophia finally came back and sat down. Dr. Manning held her hand and said, "We can't take that chance, Corrine. There's just too much at stake. Quite frankly, I can't believe you'd even ask. There is no one who has been abducted who has gotten out of the B.F.O. successfully. We have to keep it that way."

Sophia still wouldn't look at me.

"Your dad won't be arriving in Kansas today," Detective Santini said with a slight smirk on his face.

"Wh—What do you mean? But you just said."

"He has a new fate in store for him."

He let out a little chuckle, as if he told a naughty joke. I suddenly stood up and slammed my hands down on the table before I even knew what I was doing.

"Don't you dare do anything to my father!" I yelled.

Both of the men stood up just as quickly. Santini walked over to me and put his hands on my arms.

"Now, now," he said as his squeeze slowly increased. "Do you really think you're in a position to threaten me? Honestly, Corrine, I thought you were smarter than that." He caressed my cheek with his left hand. "You're so beautiful. But not that bright. Maybe I should knock some sense into you. Huh?"

Santini slowly moved his hand down my cheekbone, then suddenly clasped onto my neck with such force I felt like I was going to pass out.

"Ssssorry," I squeaked out in a whisper. "Please."

"You don't know how good you had it, Corrine. Pretty little thing like you. Just a spoiled bitch. You don't deserve such a great man as James. Instead you should be with someone like me who could teach you a thing or two. Isn't that right, Dr. Manning?"

My ears were ringing. And I was seeing black dots everywhere. I was going to pass out at any second.

"That's right," Dr. Manning agreed. But he didn't sound too confident. I looked at him with begging eyes. But he didn't look confident, either.

Just as suddenly as the torture began, it stopped. Santini released my neck, and I collapsed back into my chair, coughing and gasping. I thought death might be better than this hell.

Santini kneeled down to my level, grabbed my hair, and pulled my head back. "You're lucky that your fate wasn't only in my hands. The council has other plans for you. If it were up to me, you'd be road kill by now."

He slammed my head into the table and let go of my hair. I felt an instant pain in my forehead. And my hands flew up to my head. My ears rang, and I groaned.

"Let's go," someone said. I couldn't tell who or to whom, but then I felt an arm on my elbow, signaling me to stand up.

I stood up, still groaning and half crying, and didn't want to open my eyes. He pulled on my elbow, forcing me to open my eyes before I tripped. It was Dr. Manning leading me. To my surprise, he looked a bit worried and uncomfortable. Santini definitely was in charge, even in Dr. Manning's home.

He led me downstairs to my new basement room. I was shaking uncontrollably and wished this was over, one way or the other.

"Watch your step," Dr. Manning said tenderly.

Why did he suddenly care? I could fall and break my neck for all he cared.

When we got to the bottom of the stairs, he said, "Why don't you rest up? I'll come back around dinner time." He rubbed my arm up and down consolingly.

"Dr. Manning, what's going to happen to me? I mean, I don't think James will want me back. I don't see why he would after what I've done."

"I don't know, honey. That'll be up to him when the time comes."

"Have—Have you talked to him at all?"

I was afraid to pry and push the boundaries too much. But my curiosity won out.

"No, just our lawyers have." He began walking back upstairs. "Get some rest." He closed and locked the door behind him.



Will James decide to keep Corrine, and what does the B.F.O. have in store for her? There are TWO more chapters! Should I post them together or two days separately? LET ME KNOW! Please vote for the chapters if you're enjoying them, follow me, and continue reading. I will post the next installment tomorrow 7/19. Thank you! :)