CHAPTER EIGHT

Well, this is familiar, Jonathan thought. He'd nearly died once before. He remembered it all too well. At least I kept my promise to Alice... I found her again... I love you, Josie...

     Clear as day, as though he were standing beside him, Jonathan suddenly heard, Don't you dare give up, Soldier! There'll be none of that.

     He knew the voice. He didn't want to hear it. Go back to Hell, he thought.

     I am not about to let you give up, Son. You have a mission and it ain't complete yet.

     You lost your say over what I do and do not do when you murdered my sister, you bastard!

     He paused. The voice did not respond. Strangely, he felt more aware. The anger had given him a rush of adrenaline. He opened his eyes slightly and saw someone hovering over him.

     Panya, he registered.

     "Please do not die," she whispered. She hugged him before standing up and searching the room for something. It only took her a moment to find whatever it was. She came back toward him and he realized she was holding a very sharp stone.

     He tried to protest, but he couldn't form words. She cut her arm open just enough to get a decent flow of blood going before putting it to his lips. He didn't want to do this. God, he was going to go to hell for sure if he drank that girl's blood! But he couldn't deny the need anymore. He was dying and Panya's blood could save him. Then maybe he could save her and Alyxx.

     Slowly, he began feeling better. Soon he was able to gain control of himself. He gently pushed her arm aside. "Thank you," he managed.

     "It is what I do," she replied simply. She looked too pale. He was suddenly very concerned. He reached for her arm to inspect the wound and Panya practically leapt away from him.

     "What did he do?" He asked her. He tried to keep the fury out of his voice because he knew Panya cowered around angry people. He didn't want to scare her; he wanted to help her.

     She shook her head. She was not a good liar and she knew it but she obviously wasn't willing to say the words aloud. Jonathan was filled with hatred for the man who had hurt her and nearly done the same to Alyxx. He pushed it aside to take Panya into his arms slowly. He knew he had to be slow or she would panic.

     "Never you mind, Miss Panya," he said softly. "Never you mind. You're safe now. I will not let him touch you ever again."

     Panya turned away from him and he knew she was crying. He held her closer. She relaxed slightly in his arms. "I am sorry," she said. "I tried... I thought you would be safe if I did what he wanted."

     There was the quality that made Panya so different from Alyxx and him. She trusted blindly. She believed in the good in people. Alyxx was realistic and he was occasionally downright cynical.

     "You saved me right now," he said. "It's okay, Panya. You're safe. He probably thinks I'm dying or dead and he doesn't know you're in here. If we stick together carefully, we might be able to catch him by surprise. Alyxx can- Wait. Where is she?"

     Panya pointed toward Alyxx. Jonathan looked at Alyxx and then back at Panya.

     "I will be well," she said. "You should check her. I could not reach her. She is deep in her mind."

     Jonathan released Panya and walked toward Alyxx. He knelt beside her. "Alyxx... Come on, Alyxx... We need you aware if we're going to get out of here."

     Alyxx remained unresponsive. He tried another approach. He wrapped her in his arms and had Panya take her hands. "We're here," he said. "We're here waiting for you, Alyxx. Come back to us. Please."

     This stirred something inside of her. It was Neith, however, who looked back at him. "She cannot return," Neith said. "She couldn't handle the thought of being unable to protect the two of you. She snapped."

     "Well then I have good news for her. We're both here and we're both alive."

     "You nearly weren't."

     "You noticed that?"

     "I notice many things." She looked to Panya. "You are braver than you think. What you did today proved it and Alyxx is grateful."

     Panya nodded in acknowledgement. "We have to formulate a plan," Neith said. "Strategically, we are at a crossroad. Either we win or they win at this point. The scales will tip. Let's make sure to tip them our-"

     Her words were cut off as Djer threw the door open. At least twenty armed men were behind him.

     "You dare to betray me, Daughter?" He demanded. "You used to be smarter."

     Panya was trembling but she stood in place and stared back at him. "You will be punished for this. You know what happens when you anger me," he continued.

     Jonathan desperately searched for a new plan. None came to mind so he went with the old standard; when the enemy has you trapped, fight your way out.

     Djer was ready for the attack, but he hadn't expected Jonathan's strength to be back up. He also hadn't expected Neith to be in the room. Their assault on his people was strong. Everything was going well until Jonathan heard a small squeak.

     "Do as I say," Djer said. He was holding a very sharp knife to Panya's throat. She was pinned against him in a position she could not escape from. "Otherwise, I will kill her right now in front of you both."