One Year Later..............

"So where’s this new home ya’ bought." Taker asked his brother.

"In the country. Very nice. Beautiful house, plenty of land. The town is a little small. Ya’ know!" He shrugged, as he talked proudly of his new home.

"Yea I know! Small town, small minds." He grumbled, turning to his side with his head resting on his arm.

"Look Taker! We’re taking this little vacation to relieve some of the stress ya’ been experiencing. So please here comes the town now. Be nice! I’m hungry, we can stop at a little restaurant I ate at when I was here clearing the deal." Kane pleaded with his brother.

Taker just grunted turning to look out the window as the came into the town. Kane gave his brother a glance and shook his head. They came up to the little restaurant Kane had talked about.

Taker reluctantly stepped out of the truck, stretched as he looked around the town. He gave a devilish grin as he could see the two of them were the focus of the towns people as the walked by staring. Some sat in front of small market gawking and talking. While a group of men noticeably came out of the barber shop to get a glance at their new neighbor.

Taker felt he would have some fun with the time he was to stay here. He hated small minded people, these folks fitted that description exactly. Kane just smiled knowingly. And hoped whatever his brother was planning wouldn’t cost him his getaway home.

The two men entered the small restaurant, with turned heads and whispering. They stood and waited to be seated. A young waitress came and beckon for them to follow her. She sat them in a nice corner, for some privacy. She was greatly aware of how unfriendly these people could be.

Kane thought she seemed like a very pleasant person, who gave him a very friendly smile. Kane returned the gesture. He had the great ability to let things go over his head. He didn’t give ignorance much attention. Not Taker!

He was looking over his menu, when he noticed some old women, staring at him with such disdain. He gave them a glance, made a movement when Kane reached out and grabbed his arm.

"Taker no! I don’t want my first day in my new home to start out on the wrong foot. So puleeaasseee!! Refrain ya’self." Kane asked of his brother. Seeing for the first time that Kane was truly excited about the new house. He just looked away and thought. ‘Another day."

"If you don’t think I’m being a little pushy here! Your brother is right! They ain’t worth the energy." The young waitress said as she came to take their orders, seeing what happened and hearing Kane.

"Oh really! But aren’t ya’ one of ‘em?" Taker asked as he eyed her.

"Yes and no! I left a few years ago. And when my parents died a came back to settle some things. I live just on the outskirts of town. I didn’t want to sell the place, so I stayed. They do and don’t accept me." She explained to the men giving more of her looks to Kane.

"Ya’ decided to stay where ya’ not wanted? That don’t make no sense to me." Taker said and began giving her his order.

"So ya’ livin’on the outskirts of town, huh?" Kane asked trying to start up and conversation.

"Yes! I hear you bought The Johnson’s place." She said as she wrote down Taker’s order.

"I don’t know anything about the previous owners. But I know it’s a beaut!! So, what’s ya’ name?" Kane asked leaning on the table towards the young woman. Taker just glared.

"Paula! And yours?" He was delighted that she didn’t know who he was, maybe a fresh start.

"Kane! And this is my brother Taker! We’re kinda on vacation here!" He said grinning from ear to ear. Taker sat back in his chair glaring more at his brother as he crossed his chest.

"Oh! Vacation, huh? That’s nice! I hope you enjoy it." She said, blushing from Kane’s smile.

"Well I will if you will kinda show me around!" He said, resting his head in his hand, leaning more on the table, gazing into her eyes.

"Ohhhh brother!" Taker said as he snapped them out of their gaze.

"Ohh my!! I’ll go get your orders!" She said as she tried to regain her composure.

"Man! Ya’ need to take a chill pill!" Kane said as he watched as Paula walked away.

"I can’t believe ya’! In town a few minutes and already picking up a country bunkin’" Taker said as he shook his head at his brother and wishing he was anywhere but here.

"So Paula! Who’s those gorgeous giants out there?" Samy the cook asked as she eyed the huge men from the time they walked in.

"There Kane and his brother Taker! They bought the Johnson’s place." She said as she handed her the orders.

"What! That is impossible! Don‘t they know about the house?" She asked.

"What about the house?" Paula inquired.

"Well about a year ago..........." She was interrupted.

"Okay you two! Get back to work and stop the gossiping. I pay you to work not talk." The man from the cash register hollered.

Paula went about her work forgetting what had been said to her. It would have been good for her to have remembered. It would have explain the happenings over the next few days.

Kane and Taker and made it to the beautiful country home that made Kane so proud. It was a nice piece of land, with a small wooded area nearby. In the midst of it, was a stream, leading into a pond.

Kane stepped out of the truck and turned to see how his brother was taking it in. Taker gave a nod of his head in approval. Kane smiled and ran to the door to show his older brother what the inside looked like.

Taker was very appreciative of his brother’s taste. It was indeed a lovely home. And he had got it at a deal. Which made Taker wonder. Why so cheap for such a gem??

"Not trying to rain on ya’ parade! But why so cheap?" He was walking around looking in closets and every room. As he could see his brother got this at a steal.

"Taker why do ya’ always have to find something in everything. This is a small time and who wants to live here anyway. It’s a good vacation spot. That’s why they sold it so cheap. Now let’s do what we plan to do. RELAX!!" Kane showed Taker the room he would be occupying and went to his to make a phone call to Paula. He was able to get her number before he left the restaurant.

Kane inform Taker he would be picking Paula up from work and they were going to be doing some dating. Taker just looked and shook his head. He said he was going to take a nice shower and then take a nap. He wish his brother a good evening and went in for his shower and nap.

Taker slept for a few hours when he heard the front door open and close. He turned over to see what time it was. Ten o’clock! Hmmmm!! He thought. Kane must have struck out. He turned over and found himself drifting off to sleep. Country air has a way of doing that to you.

Taker was walking in to the road leading out from the house. He noticed about a mile away was something going on. He walked up to see. There was skid marks leading into the trees. A woman was frantically trying to get up and she seemed to be searching for something. As he went to her aid she began calling a name. Jasmine!! She called and called.

Taker woke as he heard the front door open again. He looked at the clock. one o’clock in the morning. He rolled out of the bed, walking into the hallway to Kane’s room. The bed was made. It was hadn’t been slept in. Jumped at a voice he heard in the distance.

"Jasmine! Jasmine!" He went to the door and stood on the porch to see if he could hear where the call was coming from. It continued, until it faded away.

Taker scratched the top of his head confused. Turned around and walked back into the house. He went into the kitchen to get a glass of water. He heard the truck drive up and waited for his brother to come into the house. The front door opened and closed. He walked out of the kitchen to see his brother heading for his room.

"So what happened?" Taker asked curious to why Kane had come back earlier and then leave.

"Well a gentleman never discuss these things." He said smiling as he passed his brother going to the kitchen.

"What are ya’ talkin’ about? I want to know why ya’ came back at ten o’clock and then leave agin?!!" Taker said as he leaned against the wall. Kane turned and looked very confused at his brother.

"I didn’t come back here tonight. We were at a movie in the next town. Man you should see this place. It is so much better than this little town. More to do!" Kane looked at his brother all hyped up by his evening. Taker just smiled and told him he would listen for details in the morning.

Taker went to his room concerned about who had come into the house and left. And who was the woman calling the girl, Jasmine. Well they can deal with that in the morning. Right now he wanted to get a nice night of sleep.

He jumped back in bed getting comfortable. As he snuggled in in the distance he could hear the call as he drifted off to sleep.

Taker woke early in the morning just lying in bed. It had been a long time since he has had this opportunity. He smell the aroma of breakfast being cooked in the kitchen. Hmmmm! he thought. This country life must be agreeing with Kane if he’s up this early cooking breakfast. Oh well. He wasn’t the type to turn down any food no matter who’s cooking.

Taker swung his legs over the side of the bed sat for a moment as he though of last nights happenings. Maybe he could gingerly ease it in to conversation this morning at breakfast. Now that was really weird he thought.

First he dreams of this lovely woman crying out for someone named Jasmine! It appears they were in an accident. Hmmmmmm!! He thought, just before dozing off, he remembered hearing her in the distance calling. And if Kane didn’t come back here who was it that came into the house?

Taker hopped onto the carpeted floor, toes digging in and padded over to the bathroom. He turned on the water to get it nice and hot. As he looked in the mirror, began trimming down his goatee.

He stepped in the shower and began to wash himself as his mind began concentrating on the woman at the wreckage. She was a very beautiful young woman. Full head of raven colored, long, silky hair. The clearest gray eyes. Tanned nice and even. Her lips were small but full, just right for kissing. She was medium height, swanlike neck, full round breasts, a small waist, attached to wide curved hips, long shapely legs.

Taker was so deep in his thoughts of the description of the woman he never noticed how aroused he had become when he held himself in in his hand. Whoa!! he thought. Glad no one saw this woody. He laughed and soon relieved himself.

He came out of the shower and dried himself off and preceded to brushed his teeth, gargled, bent down to discard the wash. He looked up in the mirror once again, satisfied with his handiwork, froze as he caught a glimpse of someone passing by the bathroom door.

He ran out of the bathroom into the bedroom to see who was it. He just caught the bedroom door closing. He ran to the door and swung it opened to see Kane going into the kitchen. Oh! he thought. Maybe he was just in to borrow something and seeing him in the shower didn’t want to disturb him. He took one whiff of the smell of food emanating from the kitchen, hurriedly put his clothes on. His stomach was ready for some gorging.

"Hey lil’ bro’? How was last night? Ya’ can tell me. I won’t tell a soul, promise." He said slyly. Kane let out a chuckle seeing how his brother didn’t know many souls to tell with his sweet disposition.

"Okay! I’ll tell ya’ one thing. She is someone I don’t want to leave behind. Taker Man! She is a wonderful lady!" Kane said as he sat down at the table with this moonstruck look.

"She made that big of an impression on ya’, hey?" Taker said as he could see his brother was already hooked on this girl.

He finished filling his plate and sat down to talk seriously with his brother. After all he was the oldest and wisest, it was his duty to instruct him on how to go about with this relationship.

"Look lil’ bro’! Ya’ got to be careful with these country bunkins! They are very wily! They know every trick in the book to snare a man." He said nodding to his brother as he threw a large spoon full of food in his mouth chewing hard and quick.

"And ya’ knowledge of these things come from where? Dear older and wiser brother." Kane said, smiling at another attempt of his older brother, trying to wise him up about the ways of the world. Little did he know he could tell him a few things. But he let him think he was giving him advice. It was easier that way.

"Well, ya’ know. I’ve been around the block a few times." He said gulping down another helping.

"Okay big bro’! We’ll leave it at that! So what are ya’ planning on doing today?" He said as he finished his food and headed to get some more.

"Boy Kane! I didn’t know ya’ could cook this good." He said as he jumped up to get him some more. Kane looked at his brother with an puzzled expression.

"What do ya’ mean? I didn’t cook this. I thought ya’ did!" He said as Taker dropped his plate.

"TAKER! What’s wrong?" Kane looked at his brother who was cleaning up his mess.

"Kane! The food! That’s what’s wrong!" He said throwing the broken plate in the trash.

"What about it?" He was confused.

"Ya’ just said ya’ didn’t make it, right?" He said to his brother pointing to the food prepared for them.

"Yeah! I thought ya’ did!" He looked to his brother more confused then ever. The Taker gave his brother a duh look. Kane suddenly realized what his brother was trying to say.

"Ya’ didn’t fix this did ya’ Taker?" He said very slowly looking over at the food.

"NO!" He replied. The two brothers stared at the food, then to each other.

"AH Kane! I think it would be a good time to bring up what happened last night." Taker said as the continued to watched the food as if waiting for more to appear.

"What happened? With Paula and me?" He asked not moving his eyes from the food.

"NO! About when ya’ came home about ten o’clock and left out again!" Taker informed his brother.

"Sorry Bro’! It wasn’t me! I was with Paula until almost 1 am!" He slowly turned to Taker.

Ya’ didn’t come back last night. Ya’ didn’t fix this food. Did ya’ come into my room this morning while I was in the shower?" Taker turned to his brother hoping he would say yes. Kane eyes told him what he wanted to know. They had grew the size of saucers.

"OOKKAAYY!!! Let’s not get panicky around here. There’s a logica’ reason for everything." Take backing away from the food and pacing the floor rubbing his beard.

"Like what? I wasn’t here last night. I didn’t fix this food and neither did ya‘. And no I wasn’t in ya’ room. So someone is here who shouldn’t be!" Kane was getting emotional now.

"Then they must still be........" He never finished as they both turned at the sound of the door opening.

In walked the beautiful woman Taker had dreamed about. She was humming a tone and carrying flowers she had just picked. She was going about the house as if it was the normal thing to do.

The two men stood in the doorway of the kitchen watching her putting the flowers into the vase. She never noticed she was being watched until she turned , carrying the vase with her coming towards them. She jumped with an start dropping the vase full of flowers as she stood face to face with the two men towering over her.

"Hello! May I ask why are ya’ in my house?" He was trying to be calm.

"Yeah! Why are ya’ in my brother’s house?" Taker felt he had to support his brother. A united front for the situation at hand.

"You men are trespassing. Now I don’t know how you got in here! But I will call the local Sheriff if you don’t leave my home Now!" She said as she walked towards the phone.

Taker cut her off with one of his long strides. Holding her hand down on the phone as his covered hers. She looked up at him with terror in her eyes. His heart softened as he gazed into the beautiful big gray eyes, staring back at him with fear in them. Taker took her hand into his and gave them a gentle squeeze as a reassuring measure. It worked as he felt her had relax in his.

"Okay, everybody. Let’s sit down and figure out what just happened here. We both can’t own the same house." Kane interjected. Taker smiled at her and held the other hand out motioning for her to have a seat.

"I have lived in this house most of my life. I left for a while. Then my mother passed. I came back here to live with my daughter. I never put my home up for sale." She looked at them with disbelief.

"Wait! I can show ya’ the papers." Kane left going to his room. Taker smiled at her as he took in her beauty.

"I know my brother. He wouldn’t lie about something like this." Taker said calmly. She had calmed down more, seeing the two men were no threat to her. This was just a huge misunderstanding.

"HERE THEY ARE!!" Kane came in the room excited. He handed the papers to her.

"Yes I know this person. But where did she get the idea I wanted to sell my home. I never spoke to her about this." She stood up holding the paper with tears forming in her eyes.

"Okay! I have an idea. Why don’t we wait until Monday when the office opens and we all go and have a talk with the realtor. In the meantime, if it’s alright with ya’. We all just stay here. It’s a big enough house." Taker looked from one to the other.

She looked at the men and then shrugged her shoulders. She it wouldn’t hurt to wait tow days. And besides she couldn’t throw them out if he has been scanned then he felt this was as much his home as hers.

"Okay! On Monday we confront her. Well I have to go find my daughter. She seems to get herself lost from time to time. She turned and left the men. Went out the door, heading down towards the road. In the distance she could be heard.

"Jasmine! Jasmine!" Taker felt a chill go up and down his spine. Something wasn’t holding right here. He couldn’t put his finger on it. But everything seemed eerie.

Kane studied the look on his brothers face. He knew Taker was able to sense things. And even he felt some dread about this situation. But he let it go telling Taker he was going to explore the wooded area out back. Taker wished him on as he went to lounge on the porch.

Kane walked a distance into the woods, admiring the scenery. It was magnificent. He was watching some of the wildlife at play, when he heard the laughter of a child. Curious, he went towards the sound. In the clearing was the most beautiful child he had ever seen. She seemed almost angelic. She was playing by the stream with a little Raggedy Ann doll. He approached her very quietly and slow. She must have sense him near because she stopped her play and turned up to him lazily. He smiled to reassure her she was in no danger.

"Hi! My name is Jasmine! What‘s yours?" She asked.

"Well now! Ain’t ya abou’ the cutest thing! Jasmine huh! Pretty! They call me Kane!" He said as he came to sit near her. She smiled at him and let out the sweetest giggle.

"So Jasmine! Where’s ya’mom?" He looked around to see if he could see any adult.

"My mommy is lost! I can’t find her." She said sadly, looking up to him with the saddest crystal blue eyes, to match her blond curly hair.

"Oh! Well maybe ya’ could come with me and I can help ya’ find her?" He suggested. She looked over towards the road.

"No! I should wait for her here. We use to come here often. She should be coming down from the road soon. If I’m gone she won’t find me. But thanks for your help anyway!" She said as she continued to play with her doll.

"But Jasmine! I can’t leave ya’ here alone! It’ll be getting dark soon." Kane said to her, as she continued playing with her doll as if she didn’t hear a word he said.

"Jasmine! Jasmine!" The woman’s voice came from the road!

Kane looked to see if he could see anyone but no one was in sight. Oh! Maybe his imagination. He turned to say something to Jasmine. But the child was gone. He looked up and down the stream. She was nowhere.

He scratched his head and started back towards the house. Giving a backwards glance with each step, just case he would get a glimpse of her running in the woods. He walked on the porch to see his brother fast to sleep. He decided to let him get some rest. After all, he was the reason they were on vacation. To help relieve his stress. He went in the house to go see Paula.

Taker woke as he felt the afternoon began to turn into evening. He looked and saw the truck was gone. He assumed Kane had gone to see his new gal!!! He stood up stretching his arms high above his head, as his muscles loosen. He looked around the area taken in the beauty. Yes he felt his brother had made a good choice. Now if they could get this all cleared up.

He wasn’t sure how and why the woman’s property was sold. But some answers were going to be given if he had anything to do with it. He was startled for a moment when he thought he saw a child run through the woods. But on second glance, there were nothing.

He turned to the house and walked in the door to some good cooking going on in the kitchen. It was no doubt in his mind who was cooking this time. He went to the kitchen seeing the woman busy preparing dinner. She looked up when she saw him enter and gave a smile.

"Hi!" He said as he came and took a seat at the table watching her every move.

"Hello! I see you’re finish with your nap!" She continued with her task.

"Yeah! A much need one. So! I hate to be calling ya’ ma’am or miss! What is your name?" He asked as she turned to him with another smile.

"My name is Kelly! Kelly Johnson." She answered.

"They call me Taker." He replied.

"Well nice meeting you Taker. I wish it was on more pleasant circumstances." She said standing as if she was going into a daze.

"Yeah! But come Monday morning! We will have this taken care of." He sat back in the chair thinking about how nice it would be to feel her next to him in his bed.

Kane had picked Paula up from work. Her friend Samy had come alone to meet Taker. They made a quick stop at Paula’s house, it was on the way. Kane and Samy sat in the living room waiting for Paula.

"So I hear you bought the Johnson place." She asked just starting some small talk.

"Yeah I did! What can ya’ tell me about the previous owner?" He asked, thinking maybe she could help him with how the mix up on the house occurred.

"Well, I knew Kelly! We grew up together. But she later left, only to come back, after the death of her mother to live in the house, with a child. A little girl. The town was very evil to her, because had the child out of wedlock. I was the only one she would dealt with, she was my friend." She said this part sadly.

Kane thought. So far the woman was telling the truth about growing up in the house and leaving then coming back. Paula had come back into the room to join them. Kane seemed so engrossed in the information Samy was given him, she didn’t disturb them. She came and sat next to him to listen to Samy. Taker was still thinking about the things he would love to do to Kelly’s body. She continued about preparing their meal. She began humming a song. Moving about the kitchen. She moved with such expertise. He felt she had been taught well from her mother about house chores. He felt maybe Kane had the right idea, a nice country girl just may do.

Taker sat comfortably back in the chair with his legs outstretched arms folded across his chest watching Kelly. She didn’t seem to mind, she didn’t seem to notice the way he looked at her. He found that strange. It was as if he wasn’t even there.

"Ya. know the owner? Kelly is her name. Yeah she said she had a daughter. Hmmmmm!" He said as he went into deep thought.

"Wait a minute! She talked to you?" She said with confusion on her face.

"Yeah! We need to see the realtor on Monday about the mix up on the selling of her house.

"You spoke to Kelly? You actually saw her? But she’s been gone for a year this day exact. She’s not suppose to be here, after what happened!" She became very nervous.

"I don’t get it! Why shouldn’t she be here and what happened?" Kane was now very interested in the story.

If she is pulling some kind of scam on him he knew this woman would be the one to help him. He leaned further into hear what she had to say.

"Okay! About a year ago, Kelly and I went shopping. We were forecast to have a very bad storm. I told Kelly let’s do this some other day. She wouldn’t listen. She was head strong like that. I said she hardly get a chance to come to town because how the towns people treated her when she did come in." She paused as she seemed to drift back to that day.

"She loved her daughter so much! She was the prettiest thing you could ever lay your eyes on. And how could they mistreat her for having such an angel! The most beautiful crystal clear blue eyes. Blond curly hair. The cutest giggle!" She seemed to be daydreaming as she described the little girl.

"What did ya’ just say? Curly blond hair? Blue eyes??" Kane was looking at her very intense!

"Yes! Jasmine!" She was very confused with his question and his action.

"I saw her in the wooded area out back by the stream playing with her doll. She wouldn’t come with me, saying her mother was lost and if she moved her mother wouldn’t find her." He sat staring at Samy who seemed more nervous than before.

"What??" She stood and began to pace raking her fingers through her hair.

"Yeah! Then I thought I heard her mother calling her from the road. But when I looked no one was there. I turned back to the child and she was gone.

"OMIGOSH!" Samy yelled as she began to wring her hands becoming very hysterical.

"WHAT?" Kane alarmed now, jumped up and grabbed her by her arms. Gave her one good shake to calm her down. If there is something he should know, he needed her to tell him, now.

"Jasmine is DEAD!!" She began to cry. Kane pulled her close to him and wrapped his arms around her tightly holding her for comfort. Or because he didn’t know what else to do, considering he was now in shock himself.

Paula stood amazed with all she heard. She knew Kelly. She too had grown up with her. Kelly, Samy and her were like the three musketeers. But unlike Samy, Kelly and her moved away from the boorish town. And like Kelly she had returned due to the death of parents or in Kelly’s case, parent. And she too had decided to not sale the home she was raised in, chosing to live in the home.

She didn’t come back until a few months ago. So she never knew that Kelly had returned, nor that she had a young daughter. She hadn’t seen Kelly since she came back. No one talked about her so she just assumed she was still gone.

Until tonight as Samy explain she had come home. And more than that, her little daughter was dead. Now she wanted more than ever to go to Kane’s. She needed to see Kelly and let her know how sorry she was that she had to endure so much pain.

"WAIT! Samy! Kelly is back and she has a daughter who you now say is dead! Why didn’t you ever tell me about this? Kelly was just as much my friend as yours." Paula was very upset.

"Okay! Let’s calm down now! We won’t get anywhere getting hysterical. Come sit down and calm ya’self! Paula can you go get her something to drink? Water!" He said as he led her to her seat.

"Paula! Could you make that a bourbon straight up! And I think you two better get something too. You will need it!" She said as she sat down trying to regain her composure.

Paula asked Kane what he would like and he declined. He was to interested in knowing what Samy had to say about the death of Jasmine and if so, how did he see the same girl?

"Well, it couldn’t possibly be the same child as she was very much alive." Kane said as Paula returned with the drink handing it to Samy.

Samy took it down with one gulp and requested more. She sat for a moment trying to think how to tell them what happened a year ago. She looked at Kane and wonder if he was trying to figure out a logical answer to what she had told him and what he know he saw.

She reached into her purse and pulled out her wallet. Opening it up she came to the spot which held her pictures. She handed the wallet to Kane as Paula came back with her drink and gave it to her.

"Now tell me Kane! Is that Kelly and Jasmine. The two people you say you saw!" Samy took the drink from Paula and downed it with another gulp handing the glass back as an request fro more.

Kane shook his head at Paula as an observation he felt Samy’s had enough. Then seeing Paula nodding her agreement, looked down at the pictures he had just received from Samy. Kane froze, stiff as an board. He looked up at Samy dumbfounded.

"Yes! This is Kelly! And this is the same Jasmine I saw in the woods waiting for her mother." He paused as he began to remember something. Jumping to his feet and shaking his finger at Samy.

"Wait! Kelly said she was looking for her daughter. She said she was always getting lost. She doesn’t realize her daughter is dead! She was institutionalize! Kelly ran away from an institution. Didn’t she? And that’s why she shouldn’t be here! That’s why her house was up for sale. She doesn’t own it anymore." Kane stared into Samy’s eyes as if he figured it all out. Samy shook her head as an negative.

"You are partly right and partly wrong, Kane! I will finish telling you what actually happened, that night a year ago!" Samy beckoned for Kane to have a seat. He sat down next to Paula who pulled close to him, as an eriee feeling shot through her body. Samy begin to tell them the story.

Taker was deep in an exotic thought about Kelly and him, when without any warning she froze up, liken unto a statue. She moved her hands to her heart clutching it as if she was in great pain. Suddenly, her body went into jerking movements, as if she was having an epileptic seizure. Taker freaked as he saw her do one of his Lord of Darkness moves. Eyes rolling back exposing only the whites.

As quickly as she started the jerking she stopped. She turned and looked at Taker as if seeing him for the first time. Taker had jumped to his feet wondering what was going on with her. He started towards her, to see if he could aid her.

Before he could reach her, she darted pass him, out of the kitchen, running through the living room and out onto the porch. By the time Taker had gather himself and followed her, making his way to the door. She had left the porch heading towards the road.

"Jasmine! Jasmine!" She was calling as she continued towards the road.

Taker left the porch and began to follow her. He was curious as to why as dark as it was, would she now be looking for her daughter. He had assumed the child was in one of the room napping. But evidently, she wasn’t.

"Kelly! Wait up! Let me help ya’!" He called after her. She kept onwards towards the road, as if oblivious to his presence and as if something was drawing her. Taker continued to following and calling to her.

"Jasmine! Jasmine!" She continued calling heading out onto the road. And Taker behind her.

"And so that’s what happened! So what you’re saying is so impossible!" She finished.

Kane didn’t say a word as he thought of Taker! He jumped to his feet and headed towards the front door. Paula sensing what was going through his head followed him. Samy came behind them. The trio jumped into the truck as Kane bored down on the pedal heading for his home.

Kelly made it to the road. She looked one way and then the other as she continued to call her daughter. Making a choice in which direction to go, she started down the road. Taker continued to follow, as he could sense she was not with him anymore. She had drifted in her own little world. So he followed as her watcher, in case anything would go wrong.

Kane drove on towards his home as he thought about what he had been told. Ws it possible. There had to been some truth to it. How else could he explain seeing the child and knowing her name. He had seen her as plain as day. She had told him her name.

Chills course through his body as he though about it. Samy wasn’t lying, it was apparent by the way she reacted to him telling her he had saw the child. It made him shiver to think he had actually spoken to a ghost.

"I can’t believe this SH@T!!! Kane spoke loudly as he hit the steering wheel." Paula and Samy looked at him out of the corner of their eyes and then at each other before turning their gaze back towards the road. Silence is golden it is said. If that is true the girls would have been rich.

"We were on a stress free vacation for Taker. He is going to freak when I tell him what ya’ told me. Who da’ think buyin’ a house in a quiet small town woulda’ been so much trouble." He snapped once again. The girls kept their eyes pinned to the road ahead.

Taker watched as Kelly continued on down the road in a dreamlike state, as if she was being pulled to a destination. He walked at a little ways behind her. Finally she came to a certain spot and stopped abruptly. Taker watched to see what she was going to do next. She never moved, as she stood poised on the spot.

In the distance the lightening sent out it’s warning, as the sky lit up with flash of light. The thunder sounded a low rumble. Taker looked in the direction of the storm. He wasn’t sure if one was forecasted or not. He hadn’t bother to turn on the TV or radio since her arrived. A gently breezed flowed around his body sending goosebumps racing up his arms. He wasn’t quite sure it was the chill from the wind or the situation standing before him.

Kane looked up to the sky as the lightening flashes came closer and closer. Thunder’s rumbling had become stronger, as the wind blew the storm in their direction.

"Was there s storm forecast today?" Paula turned to Samy.

"I don’t remember any rain predicted." Samy shook her head as she looked at the rain drops beginning to fall on the windshield.

Kane turned on the windshield wipers as the rain began pouring down. He could barely make out inches in front of them.

Kelly stood poised. oblivious of the rain falling on her. Taker went and put his arm around her to move her into shelter. She was unmovable. He hadn’t pulled her hard enough, attempted once again. She stood glued to the spot. Taker was amazed, at the strength of such an petite woman.

The wind was at a strong gust. Taker was just able to keep his balance. Suddenly there came a flash of light from out of the corner of his eye. He turned quickly thinking the lightening had flashed near them. He was staring in the headlights of a car heading in their direction. Taker grabbed Kelly, who still wasn’t responding to anything, held her close, bracing for the impact.

Kane wiped the inside of the windshield as it began to fog up. He had turned to say something to Samy about the story she told him to make sure she was going to change the story.

"KAAANNNEEE!! Look!" Paula hollered as Kane put on brakes causing the car to slid to the side.

Taker watched as the car slid from one side of the road to the other and finally being hit with a strong gust of wind slid towards the trees, topple over on it side and began to roll over and over until it went into the ditch hitting a tree.

Kane, Paula and Samy, gasp as the came to halt and jumped out of the truck to see the car rolling over and over into the trees and into the ditch. Kane looked up to see Taker and Kelly standing as if froze in time. The trio began to walk towards them when they heard a woman’s voice.

"Jasmine! Jasmine!" They turned to look down at Kelly as she struggled to look for her daughter.

She reached up to the door knob to pull herself up. Once standing went around the car to see if she could find her daughter. Unable to find her she began to walk away from the wreckage going in search for her child. Ignoring the injuries she had sustained.

The trio slowed down as they looked, lying on the roadside in the bushes, the small body of Jasmine. They went to her, as Kelly came out of her trancelike state, looked over to the trio standing and looking at a small figure, that Kelly couldn’t mistaken for her daughter. She ran to her daughter, picking her up into her arms, began to weep for her lost child, who was now found.

Paula and Samy were in total shock, to see the friend they loved for so many years, once again. They held each other close, trembling, from the impact of the situation at hand. Samy thought, Kane did see them as he said. Paula pinched herself to see if she was dreaming or if this truly was happening. The winds and rain and almost ceased.

"So this is why I couldn’t find you! You were thrown from the car! Landing on the roadside. I didn’t think to look here. I left you my darling baby! And you died! All alone and lost! Why didn’t I remember that?" She cried, holding her daughter close.

The two men stood dumbfounded. Taker walked over to Kane and the two girls. With his eyes fixed on Kelly and the body of her daughter.

"Tell me I didn’t see what I just saw!" He spoke to his brother looking at Kelly then to the wreckage.!

"Tell me I didn’t just see her come out of that wrecked car and walk away calling for her daughter, while I was STILL HOLDING her in my arms!" Taker yelled, looking at his brother.

His breathing had become deep and hard, as his heart pounded against the inside of his rib cage. Kane looked at his brother, not knowing how to explain it to him.

"Kane! What the HELL, is going on here??" He said, eyes narrowed, as he grabbed his brother in the collar and his dark green angry eyes met his brother’s sadden hazel eyes.

Paula seeing this situation getting out of hand, eased her way between the brothers slowly parting them. Samy came to her friends assistance, grabbed Taker’s large arm into hers, pulled him back, as Paula pushed Kane! Now parted, Kane looked to the ground. He felt he hadn’t done his job.

It had been him, who bought the house and convinced Taker to come out to it for some relaxation. This was not going to relax him at all! Taker wasn’t going to believe what they were going to tell him.

"Brother! I have to tell ya’ something ya’ wouldn’t believe if ya’ hadn’t seen it ya’self with own eyes." Kane explained.

"Get to the DAMN point Kane! Ya’ know I don’t like beating around the Damn bush!" Taker snapped at Kane, with hands on his hips.

"Kelly and her daughter, Jasmine or DEAD!! Samy blurted out!

Taker looked down at the red head standing next to him with her fiery green eyes. Then tuned facing her as he moved close to her, hands fixed on his hips. She made a step backwards not knowing what his reaction to the news would be.

Taker looked at her for moments, then turned to look at Kane and Paula who nodded their heads in unison. Taker then turned his gaze on Kelly sitting there holding her daughter weeping uncontrollably.

Then a thought hit him! And he let out a thunderous laugh as he could hardly contain himself. He laughed holding his side barely able to hold back the tears forming in his eyes.

The trio watched aghast. Kane knew his brother wouldn’t take it well, but he never expected him to go off the deep end. Kane approached his brother with his hands out to his side as if wondering what had gotten in to him.

"TAKER! Stop!" Kane grabbed his shoulder. Taker swirled to look in his brother eyes once again, as he stop laughing abruptly.

"WHAT Kane? Ya’ little joke didn’t work!" He said, trying not to laugh.

"Joke? What are ya’ talking about? This is no JOKE, MAN!" Kane said as he glared into his brother’s eyes now angry at him for thinking he would play a cruel joke as this and he was out there to rest.

Taker looked in his brother’s eyes and saw the truth. No, this wasn’t a joke. He turned to look in the eyes of the girls as they had tears in their eyes, they nodded in agreement. Chills ran up his spine as reality knocked.

"WHAT? Did I hear you right? I’m DEAD, too?" Kelly looked up from holding her daughter.

Suddenly, Jasmine slowly faded away from her mother’s arms. Kelly stood with opened arms looking around her for her daughter she was just holding in her arms.

Taker Kane Paula and Samy jumped into a heap when they heard Kelly asked them the question. They soon were huddled together when they saw the body of little Jasmine fade away. And Samy let out a yelp, pointing to the vacant area the wreckage once occupied.