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The streets of Lake Hamilton were devoid of life tonight. The recent disappearances were wearing on the townspeople’s nerves. No one knew what had happened to some of their prominent members, but they were disappearing into thin air and never heard from again. There had been no bank or cell phone activity. Most of their cars had vanished along with them. To date, no bodies had been found. It was as if they fell off the face of the earth. Where the hell could these people be? Everyone seemed to be more aware of what was happening around them. Patrols had been stepped up. A strange person or vehicle in town created anxious calls into the sheriff’s office, keeping the officers busier than normal.
Sheriff Ourso reached for a cigarette, as a chill went through his body. He couldn’t shake the feeling that the town was being watched by an unforeseen force. Something sinister was closing in on this small town. Evil lurked in the shadows.
***
HANNAH EASLEY FELL in love with her latest jewelry design. The pink sapphire dome ring was breathtaking. What had started out as a hobby to keep her from losing her mind from boredom, has turned into a lucrative business. Hannah started out as a bored housewife and ended up a middle aged divorcee, whose life had been completely turned upside down. It all worked out in the end, though, and she even managed to land on her own feet; that was if she could feel those feet.
At the age of 30, Hannah started noticing a few mysterious ailments, and two years later she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Her husband, Doug Fisher, decided that he couldn’t handle being married to a handicapped woman and left her for someone that was much younger. As luck would have it, he was the one that ended up with egg on his face. The younger woman ended up leaving Doug for a man more her age.
At first, Hannah had a hard time dealing with her disability and divorce at the same time, but she had learned how to cope with the ups and downs of multiple sclerosis - and single life couldn’t be better. She had even met a wonderful man that didn’t mind the fact that she had an incurable disease, with symptoms that were as mysterious as the disease itself. Hannah never knew what problems she would encounter from one day to the next, but she refused to let the illness define her. She would fight it with every molecule she had in her body.
Frank Ourso was the best thing that had ever happened to her. He helped her keep her sanity. As she looked out her jewelry shop window, she smiled. Speaking of the devil, he was coming her way.
“Hey handsome, I was just thinking about you.”
Frank still couldn’t believe how lucky he was to have Hannah in his life. She kept him grounded. “How’s it going over here?”
“It’s been pretty steady. The internet sales are up by ten percent, which is always a good thing. I just completed the pink sapphire ring and absolutely love it. I can’t wait to get it photographed and on the website. I have a feeling it will sell like hot cakes.”
“That’s good, but you aren’t overdoing it, are you?”
“No, Dr. Ourso, I’m not.” Hannah jokingly stated. She did, however, like that he took the time to concern himself with how she was feeling. It was kind of nice to have someone baby her.
“I can’t help but worry about you.”
“I’m fine. I’ve learned how to pace myself and trust me, I don’t want to deliberately bring on an exacerbation of my symptoms. I’m looking forward to spending some time alone with you.”
Frank gave her a devilish smile, “I can’t wait to get you alone tonight and give you a preview of what’s to come.” That statement alone brought a twinkle to Hannah’s eyes.
Frank and Hannah had been planning a getaway trip for a couple of months now. They were going to spend a weekend over in Virginia Beach, Virginia. They needed some time away from the prying eyes of the town. Plus, there was a jewelry expo this weekend that Hannah wanted to go to.
“Frank, have you noticed the stranger in town? I’ve seen him a few times over the last several weeks. I’m not sure where he is staying, but I swear he looks familiar. I just can’t put a name to the face. My memory is so bad lately.”
“No, I’m sorry, I haven’t.”
Hannah knew his face looked familiar, but she just couldn’t place it. That was one of the worst side effects from this blasted disease - the memory problems. She had been so bad with names lately.
“I’ll be on the lookout for him. If you see him, you can always give me a call. Where have you noticed him? I can swing by and see if they know anything.”
“I think he has been at the hardware store, but I honestly haven’t paid that much attention. I want to say he drives a big old motor home.”
“Well, there you go. That is most probably where he is staying. More than likely he is someone camping at one of the local parks.”
“I guess you’re right.”
“You guess? I am always right.”
“I’m ready to close up for the night. You want to take me home? I can get my car tomorrow.”
On the ride over to Hannah’s house, she could tell he was thinking about the disappearances. She could see the worry etched on his face.
As they walked into the house, he expressed his frustration. “What the hell is going on in this town, Hannah? Where are all these people? I don’t see Dylan walking away from the car dealership.”
Hannah slowly walked up to Frank. Frank framed Hannah’s face with his hands and kissed her deeply, passionately. Hannah slid her hands up and down Frank’s chest. She was impatient to feel his bare skin against hers. The raw desire overpowered all her senses. Frank’s kisses turned hotter, hungrier. He pushed her dress off her shoulders in one sweep. Next went her bra.
He gently cupped her breasts in his hands, rubbing the rosy nipples, watching them harden with his touch. Desire coursed through Hannah. Laying her down on the bed, he took one rosebud in his mouth and suckled, teasing her. The sensation was instantly electrifying. A moan escaped Hannah. Hannah pulled Frank closer. Her need for Frank burned hot inside her. Hannah gasped in delight, as Frank trailed kisses lower and lower down her body. She began to lose complete control. She reached out and touched him, savoring the hardness of him. He was so hot and hard, she could feel him pulsating with her touch.
“You are killing me. I can’t take anymore.” In one swift moment, he was inside her, filling her completely. She rode him, taking each thrust deeper and deeper into her being. Hannah screamed out as a wave of climaxes engulfed her. All those years of her ex-husband telling her how she was ice cold in bed, and had no passion, was so wrong. He just didn’t know how to please her. Frank made her feel like a woman should. Hannah felt him shudder deep inside of her and she knew she had satisfied him as well. Curling up beside him, she fell asleep, happier than she had been in a very long time. She was amazed that her life felt so perfect. He made her feel whole again. After her divorce, she had sworn off men, never thinking someone or something was missing in her life.
Hannah listened to Frank sleep. She didn’t want to wake him up and carefully eased herself out of bed. The pain was just too bad to lie in bed. Being quiet, she went into the kitchen to fix her a cup of tea and a piece of toast. If she had something in her stomach, she could at least take a pain pill. Maybe then she would get some much needed rest.
She brewed herself a cup of chamomile tea and took it into the living room. She’d bought a new book last week and hadn’t found the time to read it yet. Maybe between the tea, pain pill, and book she could relax enough to sleep. Hannah didn’t understand why the pain had to be so bad at night time. At least during the day it was bearable, but come bedtime, she couldn’t seem to get comfortable anymore.