Haven Book Three

"Jeez, Bart!  You got to give us some warning when you're going to do that." Neal said, holding his ears.

Bart had covered his head with his good arm and had his eyes squeezed shut.  He was trembling with fear. 

"Wow, Neal, he's more freaked out by boobs than you are."

"Jeez, Patty."

Slowly, Bart peaked to see what was going on.  There was a girl there, but it wasn't her.  He relaxed some, but kept his arm up for protection.  The girl came over and sat on the edge of his bed.

"Hi, I'm Pat, or some people call me Patty, so they don't confuse me and my little brother, Pat.  I came to see if you needed anything.  Sometimes Neal forgets to ask and just assumes you got everything, or that he knows everything that is going on.  There are times that he misses the obvious."  Patty giggled at the blush Neal displayed.

"I got all I need," Bart quickly replied.

Patty cocked her head.  "Chill, dude.  I'm not a bad guy, okay?  I can tell you've been through it bad, but most of us here have, too, in one way or another.  None of us got shot, but Dad got shot at.  You want to talk; any of us will listen and help you, if you want."  She reached out to pat him, and he flinched.  She pulled back her hand, "Sorry, dude.  I'll be around, but I'll knock from the hall, so you know it's me and don't break everybody's ear drums."  She waved and left.

"Jeez, Bart, who did you think that was?"

Bart relaxed, and tears began, "I thought she had found me and was coming to kill me again.  I couldn't do it anymore.  Some of those men really hurt me.  If I didn't let them do stuff, they would beat me and do it anyway.  She took the money, and would call another one.  Sometime she made me do five or six a night, and sometimes weekends were a constant flow.  I just couldn't do it anymore.  At least, she made them use rubbers, or I'd have been leaking cum all the time."

"That's all over now.  I got gang raped at Juvy, and they damn near killed me.  I promise that, as long as you are here, you are safe.  Remember the computer at the hospital?  Well, he lives here and is everywhere, and he can call for help, if anything happens."

'Harrumph, call for help, indeed.  Master Bart, I can actually do much more than call for help.  I have a defend mode that can protect anyone within this house and the area immediately surrounding it.  I can guarantee your safety, one hundred percent.'

Bart looked around the room and noticed that the flat screen on the table had the ten-year-old on it that he saw at the hospital, only this time, he was in full battle gear, with camo-paint on his face.  He rather looked like Juan, from The Unit.  "Thanks, 'Philip', that's good to know, I think."

'You are most welcome.  I am sure Sheriff Henry will be coming by this afternoon, and I will be here to help you, if you need it.  Just tell me, and I will make him take a break.  I think you will like him; he is very good with children.'

"Sheriff?  Am I going to go to jail?"

"No way.  We won't let that happen," Neal said with full conviction.

"But I done bad things..."

Neal waved the others out of the room, "I've been reading these cool stories on the Internet, and there are boys like us that all work together to help each other.  And they always tell their stories, so here goes.  About a year ago, I was in a place called Juvy.  When I turned eleven, I got moved from the 'little boys' section to the 'big boys' section.  I was excited about that.  Then there were about six or seven of the older guys that came into my room and forced me to suck them, and then they did the other.  They didn't care that I hadn't done anything like that before, and just forced themselves into me.  I bled a lot, and, when I could move, I crawled back to a secret hiding place I had found.  My friend found me, and stole food for me, and kept me alive for a couple of days.  When I was able to stand up and walk without much pain, I went and stole all the money from those assholes, and Brian helped me get away.  I was so scared that when I got to the bus station, I spent all that money on a ticket and left.  When I finally had to get off the bus, I had no more money and I was all alone.  This scary guy was trying to get me to go with him, when this dude, that I had been daydreaming was my dad, came and scared him away, and offered me a place to spend the night and some food.  I figured he wanted the same thing the older boys did, but for food I would do it.  He took me home, fed me and let me shower.  I was real scared but he didn't try anything."  Neal smiled at the memories of those first couple of days.

Bart was staring at Neal. "So what happened then?"

"Well, he fixed me a bed in the living room, and he went to bed in his room.  There was a bad thunderstorm that night, and I was scared, 'cause it was just like the storm that my real mom and dad had died in, and I was so scared, I ran into this guy's bedroom.  He didn't mind, and let me climb into bed with him.  He just went to sleep, and I snuggled up to him.  Then, in the morning, I realized he was naked, and he still didn't do nothing to me.  Well, he turned out to be really rich and was just about to move here.  Now I have a bunch of brothers, and a whole bunch more stuff has happened, but we are safe now, and nobody can mess with you here."

"All you guys here had been...?"

"Yeah, in one way or another.  Adam was bullied, because he is an Albino and can't see good.  Monty got pushed around by CPS, because this old foster father thought he was gay; he ain't, but there you go.  We all can relate to your problem, so don't worry.  If you want me to, I'll hang around and be here when anybody needs to talk to you, like Uncle Eric."

"Uncle Eric?  Who's that?"

Giggle.  "That's Sheriff Henry.  He's cool.  He got us all into Scouts, because Todd's dad shot up the place and my Dad shot him."

"Neal?  I think I better rest.  Right now, none of this stuff is making any sense."

"Okay, kewl.  I'll stay here."

Bart didn't hear Neal's remark; he'd already drifted back into a wonderful, dreamless, healing sleep. 

*  *  Two hours later  *  *

When Bart woke up, there were several people sitting in the room.  Neal was there, doing something on his laptop.  Then there was the doctor, who was checking his IV.  The one that worried him, though, was the cop who was just sitting and watching.  When the cop saw that his eyes were open, he smiled, and Bart almost trusted that smile.

"Welcome back, Bart," the cop said, as he stood and approached the side of the bed.

"Uncle Eric!  Back off!  Can't you see he's scared shitless?  Jeez!"

The cop stopped.  "I'm sorry if I scared you, Bart.  I'm here to protect you, not hurt you."

Bart fought his fear. "You going to take me to jail?"

"No, son, you don't understand yet, but you are home and safe.  It would take an army to try and get you out of here, and if I know 'Philip', they wouldn't succeed."

'Finally, I get some respect,' Neal's computer said.

"Jeez, 'Philip', don't start."

'Harrumph!'

"They made me do bad things.  I done really bad things.  I said I wouldn't do it no more.  Wouldn't feed me if I wouldn't... Beat me, too...  Then shot me, again, and again, and again..." Bart cried. 

Neal climbed on the bed and cuddled the small boy.  "It's over now.  We got lots of food and all you got to do is eat it.  And nobody hits here.  Dad didn't even spank me when I put Ben Gay on his toilet seat."

The cop looked at Neal.  "You got him, too?  Jeez, Neal, I'm surprised he didn't call me and have you arrested.  Assault with a deadly toilet seat."

Neal giggled.  "He said it would be cruel and unusual punishment for the murderers to have me in the jail."

There was that smile on the cop's face again. "Yeah, there is that."

Being hugged sure felt good.  Even with the bandages and wires and tubes, it felt real good.  Bart realized he was feeling something he hardly remembered, home, safe, and maybe love?  Since his Mom died two years ago, it had been hard, and just got worse and worse.  Now this.  He tried to move his good arm to hug Neal back.

'Sheriff, I have noted your office searching records for a certain license plate.  I have six current tags that meet the search criteria.  Three are garaged more than 100 miles away; there are also an additional seven that have not been renewed in the past two years.'

"Excellent work, Deputy.  Send that to the office for me, would you, so the others can start checking them out?" the Sheriff directed.  He then slowly approached the bed again.  "Bart, we are doing what we can to find the person who did this to you.  Do you have any family for us to contact?"

Neal was barely able to keep Bart in bed as he struggled to run.

Eric gently put a hand on the terrified boy, "I'm sorry, I take it that it was your family that did this?"

Bart's expression said it all.

"Okay, now try to calm down and listen to me.  I'm going to go talk to Mrs. Harris; she's the head of Child Protective Services, and I'm going to get her to go to court and make Dr. Turnman your real Dad, not just a temporary foster Dad.  That will mean that Neal here will really be your brother, and he can stay with you and protect you.  Whoever did this to you will never be able to get anywhere close to you again."

Bart heard the words; he just didn't believe them.  He just stared at the cop and held onto Neal as best as he could.

"Okay, you two.  Stop terrorizing my patient!" Leo said from where he was watching.

Neal giggled, "Not for much longer, Daddy Doc.  Uncle Eric is gonna get Aunt Linda to make you Bart's real Daddy and my brother.  Ain't that KEWL?"

Leo looked at Eric, who gave him a nod and a big grin.

Leo sat on the side of the bed.  "So, how are you feeling?"

"I'm fine," Neal giggled.

"JEEEEZZZZZ!" Leo replied.  "Not you, silly, my patient."

Bart was relaxing a little.  Leo checked him over quickly.  "Okay, I have some medicine to give you and then you need to rest for a while."  Leo got up and put a shot in the IV.  "Neal, you can stay.  Bart will be asleep in a few minutes.  You will have several hours, if you want to stretch.  Come on, Eric, we need to talk."

Bart slipped off into a gentle, restful sleep with no dreams, still holding Neal.  Down the hall, Leo said, "Look, Eric, that boy is very sick.  He probably hasn't had a decent meal in months, maybe years, his blood work was a mess, and we aren't even starting on his mental state.  I know you need information that only he can give you, but please try to be extra careful. He is very frightened. He was threatened by someone who told him that, if he didn't do what they wanted, he would be taken to jail."

"Don't worry, Leo.  That kid has won the hearts of everybody who has met him.  I bet those truckers would move the earth to help him.  We are narrowing in on the culprit, and, with any luck at all, they won't get away with this."  Eric thought he might need some target practice; no, on second thought, that was way too easy.  "I'll let Linda know what is happening, and see if she can get this done, ASAP."

Leo grinned. "A son of my own.  This is definitely strange.  Usually Tom is the one getting the boys."

"Well Doc, it's about time you got to have some of the fun; just not fair for him to have it all."  Eric prepared to leave.  "Take good care of our boy."

Leo grinned, as he watched the Sheriff walk down the hall.

The next time Bart returned to consciousness, he smelled something delicious.  He opened his eyes, and he was facing the wall.  He became aware that he was not alone.  Then he heard someone enter the room.  Neal's voice, "Here, Aunt Linda.  It isn't as good as Aunt Martha's, but I put extra little marshmallows on top."  Bart moaned, as his memories rushed back, and he tried to roll back onto his back to see what was going on.  A lady was sitting in the chair.  Neal had a tray with what looked suspiciously like hot chocolate, and there was a plate heaped high with chocolate chip cookies.

When Bart started to move, Neal set down the tray and was there to help.  Once the pillows were fluffed, and Bart was as comfortable as he was going to get, Neal handed him a cookie.  Bart took a bite and thought he had maybe gone to heaven; it was the best chocolate chip cookie he had ever tasted.  It didn't even compare to the hard as rock things from the grocery store.  Then Neal gave him a hot chocolate, and it had a solid covering of mini marshmallows.

Once he was settled, the lady said, "Bart, I'm Linda Harris.  Most of the kids around here call me Aunt Linda.  My job is to be sure that you have what you need.  I'm sorry, but I have to ask you some questions in private.  So, Neal is going to leave us for a few minutes, and then come right back.  Okay?"

Bart obviously didn't like the idea much, but nodded.  Neal patted him on his good shoulder and left.  "That's very brave of you.  Patty told me how you reacted to her.  So, anyway, would you like to be able to stay here?"

"Uh huh."

Linda smiled.  "You would like Dr. Turnman to be your new dad?"

Bart got a little braver, "Yes, please.  My Mommy and Daddy got kilt in a car accident 'bout two years ago.  I want Neal, too."

Linda stopped herself from saying what popped into her mind ('You poor thing.'  Jeez, not what you guys were think'n, jeez).  "I'll do all I can to make that happen.  I'll need a little more information.  What is you name?"

Bart paused then quietly said, "Bartlas Horatio Tarksinkoweitz."

Linda flinched.  "Oh you poor thing.  I think we can change that.  You think about what you would like your name to be when Dr. Turnman adopts you.  Now, where have you been living, the last two years?"

"Well, Sissy, she tried at first, then she started doing bad things, then made me do 'em too.  Then, when she got knocked up, she made me do more, and I just couldn't do it anymore and..."

The boy broke down again.  Linda pointed at the camera in the corner which was the signal for 'Philip' to send Neal back in.  Neal rushed in, climbed on the bed and held the crying boy.

"He did very well, Neal.  I will see the judge, as soon as I leave here, and get this all made legal.  He is all safe now.  You take care of him, and I'll go get all the paperwork signed."  Linda smiled, as she stood up and left the room.  Outside, Lee was waiting with the engine running ready to carry his crusading wife to the court house.

"Judge Kelper, I need your signature on some custody and adoption papers."

The Judge leaned back in his chair. "So, Sis, Tom found another one?"

"I don't know why you would jump to such a conclusion.  It's Leo, this time."

"Leo?  Is the Doctor daft?  He should leave this kind of thing to the expert.  Where do I sign?"

The siblings were laughing, as Linda's brother made Bart legally Bartlas Turnman.  Linda filled him in on the details that she knew.  "The Sheriff is closing in, and I suspect we will be having another big case soon."

"I do hate it that the little guy will have to testify, and some lawyer will drag the poor kid through a truckload of crap, and try to convince some jury the that kid deserved to be treated like that."

"Well, not if Fred and I can help it.  If Eric can get enough evidence, then maybe they will plead, and save the kid some hell.  Dr. Lisa is coming to check him out.  Neal is like a watchdog for the kid, too.  Between Neal and 'Philip', he couldn't be safer."

The judge leaned forward. "Now that is a combination I wouldn't want to mess with!  They are on our side, right?"

Linda was still laughing, when she rejoined Lee.

*  *  *

Sheriff Henry was pacing in his office.  All his deputies were out checking the license plates that 'Philip' had tracked down.  So far, nothing.  One of the expired addresses seemed abandoned and there was no truck there. But everything else was negative.  When the deputies all returned, they discussed their findings.  Most of the expired trucks were sold for junk or were up on blocks, and had been for some time.  The currently registered trucks were all accounted for, and it seemed that the owners had  pretty good alibis for the night in question.

Eric dismissed everyone; it seemed as if that had been a big dead end.  Maybe Bart would be willing to talk to him a bit more tomorrow.  It was getting late, and he was tired and getting pretty hungry.

*  *  While the deputies were checking out one of the trucks....  *  *

The most sought after person in the county drove right by the house.  There were cops looking around.  Why they would be there was no mystery.  Well, it was time to make tracks; the truck kept going.

*  *  *

Neal woke Bart up the next morning; he had a plate heaping with scrambled eggs, sausage links, a couple of slices of toast, and a big glass of orange juice.  He helped Bart to the bathroom, so he didn't have to pee in the jug thing, then got him settled to eat.  It was obvious to Neal that Bart was still in pain, so when his plate was cleaned, Neal picked it up and set his laptop on the bed table.  "You can play with 'Philip' 'til I can come back.  You will hear a whole bunch of kids, because the school is meeting here until the new building is done.  As soon as I get done with my classes, I'll come back.  If you need anything, just ask 'Philip', and he'll see that you get it."

Neal left, dropped the empty dishes off in the kitchen, and searched out Leo, who was in the clinic.  "Daddy Doc, you need to go see Bart.  He ate good, and I helped him to the bathroom, but he is hurting."

Leo hugged Neal. "Thanks for caring so much, Neal.  I'm sure he is uncomfortable, and I was looking for more of the pain meds for him.  I have enough for this morning, but will need to pick up more at the hospital today."

"Thanks, Daddy Doc.  I told him I'd be back after school, and left him my laptop.  I figured maybe 'Philip' could keep him company, and maybe even see if he is ready for school."

'I will endeavor to do so.  However, I believe he is afraid of me.'

Leo smiled, "Try playing with him.  Be a kid."

'Harrumph.'

*  *  *

Bart was finally bored enough to look at the computer; it was off, or so he thought.  "Great!  Neal leaves his super kewl computer here for me, and I can't even turn it on."

Then a kid appeared, peeking at him in the lower right corner of the screen.  'Peek-a-boo.'  the kid disappeared.

"Dr. Turnman must have put some drugs in the food," Bart said.

The kid reappeared.  'Hey, they said I should act like a kid and play.'

"Oh, so who are you?"

'Right now, I'm Karl.'

"So does that mean that sometimes you are someone else?"

In a whisper, 'Sometimes, I'm a curmudgeon, a grumpy old man, named 'Philip'.'

"I think I saw 'Philip' before, and I like you much better, Karl."

'Okay, I'll be Karl.  So what do you want to do?'

"I don't know.  There are a lot of things I don't want to do.  Like I don't want to have to be with my big sister, anymore.  She's the one that did this to me.  I hope she hasn't hurt the baby."

'Baby?'

"Yeah."

'Bart, listen to me carefully; the Sheriff is on his way to talk to you again, and you need to tell him about the baby, so he can go get it and protect it.  Will you talk to him?  Please?'

"I'll try.  He kind of scares me.  Do you think Neal could be here with me?"

'Of course.  I will see to that, personally.'

"Thanks."

At this point, Leo entered the room.  "So, how is my favourite patient?"

"Fine."

Leo sat on the edge of the bed.  "I bet you hurt."

"It's okay."

Leo slowly shook his head.  "No, it's definitely not okay.  I want to give you a painkiller, and it will make you sleepy."

'Dr. Turnman, please wait to sedate the child until Sheriff Henry has been able to interview him.'  'Philip' was back in full force.

Leo sat back and stared at the laptop, "Bart, did you hear that?  'Philip' said please!"

'Harrumph!'

"That's better,"  Leo said, as he put a small dose of painkiller in the IV.  "That should take the edge off the pain, but not knock you out.  Now, let me check you over."  Leo changed the bandages and applied antibiotic ointment to the incisions and the road rash.

By the time he was finished, there was a knock on the door.  Doc Turnman opened the door, to find Sheriff Henry and Neal.  "'Philip' told us to come in here," Eric Henry said. 

Leo stepped to the side and looked over at Bart.  "You want me to stay?"

'Philip' answered, 'Yes, Doctor.'

Leo rolled his eyes and looked back to Bart, who nodded his head.

Leo sat in the chair next to the bed, and Sheriff Henry sat in the chair at the foot of the bed.  Neal climbed up next to Bart.

"Ah... Well...  When I told 'Karl' about this, he said I needed to tell you."

"'Karl'?" the Sheriff asked.

Neal answered, "Yeah, Uncle Eric, that's 'Philip' as a kid.  He's nice."

'Harrumph.'

Neal giggled.

Leo asked gently, "What did he think we needed to know?"

"The baby.  I was worried that Sissy did something to the baby," Bart said.

Leo locked eyes with Bart and in his kindest voice, asked, "Can you tell us where to find the baby?"

"At home.  Sissy only pays attention to it when I'm not there.  Then she just shoves a bottle in its little mouth.  She don't even change the diapers.  Babies sure do make a mess, sometimes," Bart said.

Eric was standing now, "Son, can you give me an address, or at least some directions?"

"I don't know the road names.  We only been living in the shack about a month.  I could show you where it is though, if I went." Bart said.

Eric and Neal looked to Leo.  "Not in a cop car.  In the Van, where I can get to him, and help him, if needed."

Eric keyed the microphone on his shoulder.  "All units to the front gate of Haven Manor, ASAP.  We may need EMT support too.  I will meet you there."

Leo said, "'Philip', get Tom or Frank to bring the van up to the door by the kitchen, please."

'Being done as I speak.'

Leo retrieved a folding wheelchair from the room's closet, and, with Neal's help, got Bart in the chair.  Neal carried the IV, and they were on the way down the hall toward the kitchen.  Tom came through the kitchen.  "Leo, what's going on?  'Philip' said you needed the van for an emergency!"

"Jeez ©," Neal said.

Leo shook his head.  "Well, that is a bit overstated, but Bart has a baby that may need rescuing."

Bart said quietly, "It's Sissy's baby."

Leo chuckled.  "Okay, then, Uncle Bart."

They got Bart moved into the Van.  Leo and Neal got in the back seat and Tom drove.  Eric got in his car and followed the van.  Three county police cars and an ambulance pulled in behind the Sheriff's car.  Bart gave directions, and they were soon at a dirt road. All the vehicles stopped, and the deputies got out.  One of them said to Eric, "We were here before.  The shack seemed abandoned, and there was only an old Toyota in the shed.  It didn't look like it would run."

Bart said, "That's Sissy's car.  There was an old truck and some keys inside when we first got here.  It still ran, so she used it."

Eric took charge and ordered the deputies to spread out and surround the building.  Neal was trying to get Bart to stay in the seat.  Eric came back to see what the boys were fussing about.  He told them both to stay put, and then he went to his car.  He came back and told the boys to raise their right hands.  He swore them in as deputies, and handed them each a real, genuine, honest to goodness deputy sheriff's badge.

"Now, Deputy Bart, you need to stay here, and watch for any approaching vehicles.  If you see one, especially your sister, you call me."  He handed Bart a Sheriff's department Handie-Talkie, already set to the right frequency.  "Doc, you stay here, too. I don't want either of you injured, if Bart's sister gets trigger happy again.  Deputy Neal, you need to come with me."

Tom walked beside Eric, and Neal was on Eric's other side.  One of the deputies came up to them, as they approached the shack.  "Sheriff, the car is here, and the truck is gone.  I don't think anyone has been here, since we were here yesterday."

"Let's go knock on the door, and see if anyone is home."

Eric went up to the door and knocked.  There was no answer.  He knocked louder and yelled, "Police!"  Still no answer.  He drew his weapon and tried the door; it opened, squeaking loudly on unoiled hinges.

Eric entered, and it was obvious that the place was empty.  When he relaxed and holstered his gun, Neal and Tom came into the one room shack.  As the adults looked around, Neal headed right for a box sitting in the corner.  In the box was the still, silent form of a baby.  "DAAADDDD!"

Tom and Eric rushed over, as Neal reached down and picked up the little infant.  "It's the baby."

Eric checked it quickly.  "It's alive, barely.  Come on, let's get it to Leo."  He took out his Handie-Talkie. "Deputy Bart, we have the baby, and it is alive.  Tell Dr. Turnman to be ready, at the ambulance.  We are on our way, now."

Neal wouldn't give up the baby, and carried it securely, but gently, in his arms.  "Dad, we got to keep the baby.  It's related to Bart, and he's my brother now, so the baby is mine, too.  Please, Dad."

Tom tried very hard to keep a straight face.  There was just something about Neal whining and begging that was totally irresistible, although Tom would never let the kid know that.  "I don't know, Neal; that one is pretty young—bottle  feedings, crying, dirty diapers, more crying..."

"Dad, we can do it.  Mitch and Travis got Lou and the triplets...  We can do this.  Daaaadddddd!"

"Well, this one is up to Daddy Doc.  He's taking Bart, so he gets to decide this one."

"Oh, okay."  Neal increased his pace to just under a run.  He approached the ambulance.  "Daddy Doc!  Daddy Doc!  Here's the baby!  You gotta save it, and keep it, too!  You got Bart, so you got to keep the baby!  It wouldn't be right to split them up!"

Tom caught up and said, "Ain't he cute when he begs?"

 "Ain't he, though!"  Leo winked at his partner, then carefully took the baby from Neal and got the vital signs.  He gently handed it to the EMT.  "Get an IV established.  The poor little thing is dehydrated.  Probably abandoned about the same time Bart was hurt.  You guys get it to the hospital, STAT; we will be along shortly." (I always wanted to be able to say 'STAT', in a story. It means either 'fast', or 'right now'. I'm not sure which is the exact definition, but you get the idea.) ["Stat" in medical parlance is actually not an acronym; it's short for statim, the Latin word for immediately. ]

"Okay, Neal, let's get back and let Bart know what's happening," Leo said.

As they walked over to the van, Neal started back in on his sales pitch.  "Daddy Doc, Dad says it's your decision, and we just got to keep the baby.  It needs love, and all us guys will help.  If Goody-Goody Mitch can do it, we can too.  He has three babies, and this is just one.  I am sure all of us will love it, and think how upset Bart will be, if we don't."  He stopped to take a breath, as they reached the van.

Bart was anxiously waiting for them.  "The baby?"

Leo climbed in the van and took Bart's hand.  "Alive.  Unconscious, but alive.  It doesn't look like it was beaten or anything.  I think it is just dehydrated, and some fluids, and formula, when it wakes up, will soon have it back to 100%.  What can you tell me about it?  Like, when was it born?"

"I think it was, like, about two weeks ago.  It was Monday, real early in the morning.  Sissy had been having pains, like, all day Sunday.  I was getting worried, but she said we couldn't go to a hospital, 'cause they would lock us up."  Bart looked worried, as he remembered.  "Am I going to get locked up now?"

Leo leaned forward and hugged Bart.  "No, Son, you are definitely not going to be locked up.  How about if we go to the hospital and see how the baby is doing?"

"Okay," Neal and Bart chorused.

*  *  *

The watcher had seen the van leave Haven, followed by all those cop cars.  Maybe it wasn't time yet, but soon, very soon.

 

Author's Notes:
I wonder if Leo will cave in to Neal's whining and begging.  Will Haven have a baby, now?  Uncle 'Philip'?  Lord, it's scary!  I'm glad Bart was able to get them there in time to rescue the baby.  I think that will help his recovery. (Unless of course, they don't bring it home.)
I was instantly accused of being a very un-nice person for the last two sentences of the chapter.  Yes, I will admit, that IS a cliff hanger. <Evil Laughter>
            Str8mayb

 

Editor's Notes:
 Well, I was one of the ones accusing him of being UN-nice. I don't even think that is a word.  I think that Bart is starting to trust the people at Haven, and maybe even Sheriff Henry.

Well, I sure hope that Str8mayb doesn't take too long to let us know what happens next. I am not going to say what I would like to say, because if I did, we might have another seven or eight chapters finished, before we see this cliffhanger resolved.  I certainly hope he does resolve it in the next chapter, but I won't tell him he has to. (1)   I strongly suggest that no one else gives him an ultimatum either.  We have to be careful, you know. 

I added a few words to the chapter, too.  I mean, I have a reputation to uphold, after all.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher.

(1)  That was tried once before with little to no success.  {It was VERY successful in getting a whole chapter without solving anything.  Kind of like Dark Star's chapter 38 of Out Of The Past.}

 

Associate Editor's Notes:
I was the other one who was unhappy about the ending of this chapter, but I don't remember "un-nice" being one of the things we called our Evil Author for the way the chapter ended.  {I had to edit.  There might be young ones reading and I wouldn't want them to hear the words you guys used.} But now, we can only hope that his better nature {Ha, ha, ha!} will triumph, and the answers to our questions will appear in the next chapter.

Poor little Bart!  He's been through such terrible experiences; it's no wonder that he's afraid of just about everyone!  At least he has a friend he can trust in Neal.  And he's gradually beginning to realize that things are going to be different—and a whole lot better!--now that he is safe at Haven.  I think he will blossom out into one great kid.  Now that they've found Sissie's baby, Doc Leo is on the way to developing a severe case of AAKD!  If he doesn't, Neal is going to nag him to death!

Aloysius Abercrombie, Associate Editor and Gopher

 

Fort Chief Editor's Notes:

Wisely says nothing © WITHIDM

TSL