"Shouldn't we stay in town? Mister Cooper's car sounds terrible."
"Be silent, Veronica Redmane." Irene Amador, strangely referring to herself as Zera now, drove along South Carolina's coastal highway, then veering toward the inland, "I am taking steps toward my future."
"By stranding us way out in the country? It's a long walk back and I don't think the Rez Rider makes a return trip until this afternoon. Please don't make me call Will to come get us, he might yell at me. Even worse, my dad."
"William is the alpha. You will accept it should he raise his voice."
"Did you do that toward, Esteban?" The notion made Irene take pause in expression. Almost as if she had seen a ghost cross their path. "I'm sorry! I shouldn't have asked that."
"No! You are correct, Veronica. For far too long I cowered to my husband and look where it got me. No longer will I be weak. As I told the woman at the diner, I need to evolve."
"I thought it was just that makeover you asked me to help you with."
"Did I ask? Again, weakness. No Veronica, you WILL assist me."
"I don't mind that. You're just, well, scaring me."
"Fear of the unknown should be intoxicating." Second gear at 65 miles per hour the engine was running hot. Nearing the offshoot dirt road leading back to her now burnt to the ground home Irene lost power in the sand. Too low to the ground the sports car was not meant for sand roads. Front end uncontrollable she slid off to the edge and immediately got stuck. "That was unfortunate. We walk!" Climbing out of the car Irene left the door open and began walking toward her property.
"Wait for me!" V jumped out and joined her in a tedious walk amid thick hot sand. Traveled daily it was firm in spots until you deviated the trail left by Detroit Steel. A strange breeze sweeping over them Irene stopped dead in her trapse and looked to the field at her right. As if sensing something she tilted her head.
"What's wrong?"
"The worthless offspring was raped here."
"Raped? Offspring? Who are you talking about? Oh! Do you mean Midnight? That was here?" Veronica Redmane felt queasy suddenly, not knowing if Irene even knew of Midnight's rape. Midnight herself had told V of that night without many details in confidence. Yet, if Irene was bringing it up, she must have known.
Irene marched right out into the tall weeds as if searching for some sort of beacon. "What are you looking for?" It was as if Irene was in a trance, darting around in circles. "Irene, stop! What is wrong with you?"
"BE SILENT!"
"Nick better pay me darn good for this."
Halting and looking at the ground Irene waved Veronica closer. "Here! This is where it happened."
"Who, Irene?"
"My predecessor's offspring. Yet... I sense more than she."
"You knew about that? Did you become psychic?"
"Psycho!" Zera grumbled and forcibly threw V off balance to land on her hands and knees. Savagely toppling over Veronica, Irene appeared to lose her mind and grabbed V by her hair then her throat. Humping her as a man might V started screaming out of fear. "Yes! Just like that. I can hear echoes. Terror!" Just as V nearly lost consciousness Irene released her grip. "Dig!"
"W-what?"
"DIG CHILD!" Eyes white as she snapped Irene further encouraged V to get her hands dirty. Clawing at the rich earth beneath her while bawling her eyes out Veronica actually unearthed something of value. Stunned at a lengthy broken silver chain necklace V abruptly stopped crying to process this discovery.
"Irene?"
"Zera!"
"Zera?" Irene calmed herself and pulled V upright by her hair and curled her arms around her as if a comfort. "I found a heart necklace."
"Of course, you did Child. We were called here. This is where Midnight Amador was raped."
"WHAT? Midnight was raped?" Better to play dumb just in case.
"She has not told you. Yes, of course, she did. Do not play me a fool Veronica Redmane."
"You're right, it is true. At least that's what she told me in confidence. I was sworn to secrecy."
"I sense this very spot. Yet, I sense more. She was not the first to reside on her knees pleading for life. Perhaps, a renewed life. Midnight Amador was spared that night. Others not so."
"How could you possibly know this?"
"Zera knows! The mirror does not lie."
"We should call Sheriff Roster. Let him know we found... Irene, look, there's an engraving on the back. Burke loves Eliza."
"Come! We have much to do first." Zera rose to her feet and helped Veronica up. "Do not lose the necklace."
"I won't! This is insane."
"Perhaps I am. Yet, I sense greatness within." Turning away Irene Amador left the weeds and returned to the road. Veronica hurrying to catch up but leery of any side-by-side. Following ten feet behind her Zera smiled. As it should be!
********
In the distance on the actual property belonging to Esteban and Irene Amador sat the once beautiful boat the Siren, a painted E at the end out of honor to his wife Irene. This was Esteban's new home now that he had torched his house and nearly killed his wife in the process. At work, it was left to the scavengers but luckily Este had sense enough to hide what few provisions and possessions he had within the shell. Visitors unknown to Este were luckily not scavenging this day.
"You're a good soul, Jasmine."
Crimson Merrick helped haul bags of groceries and beer from the stolen Jaguar that was now all hers thanks to Shadowbitch removing all possible ways of tracking it. Serial numbers, VIN, guidance GPS, the car was clean outside of a special code that Shadowbitch aka Dyson implemented to keep track of Jasmine Riviera, formerly the computer hacker known as Cybercock. Better safe than sorry. Atoned for stealing money from Nick Sanchez she was still a viable threat as much as an asset.
"I have my moments. That old coot didn't deserve my ripping him off like that. Look how he lives. He's lost everything."
"Esteban isn't a very good man. He nearly killed his wife Irene, thus the firepit back there." Crimson nodded at the charred skeletal remains of a once proud shelter. Jasmine climbed the back ladder and let Crimson hand up the goods they brought. Can goods, a small grill with charcoal and starter, an ice chest with meat for a short-term solution. After a few minutes to load the boat, the girls climbed down and hugged one another. "Although, I did hear he was trying to change. He did turn in Britney Saunders mom."
"That chunky lady whose house we picked Opal up at?"
"Yeah! I hear she won the lottery."
"Oh, reeeeeaaally!" Jasmine's eyes lit up.
"You are not swiping her money."
"Spoil sport!"
"Nick gave you a job. I'm sure he can pay you well enough to try living a normal life."
"With you?"
"Are you asking me to be your girl?"
"Should I ask your father for permission?"
"Uh! No! He'd throw you out. I need to make any future moves delicately Jasmine. Let's just enjoy our time together and plot our course as it comes. I like you, even if you led me on in the beginning. I do like dick."
"Hey! I'm fine if you get one of those now and then. I might join you even if I prefer your sweet ass. Compromise and keep each other clean?"
"That works. I'm up for that. I do like being with you, Ethyl Jean." She licked the girls nose using her birth name long deleted from the annals of time.
"None of that nerdy bitch. She's MIA! I like being Jasmine because you gave the name to me. I feel reborn."
"As do I!"
Both girls jumped at the unexpected voice behind them. Eyes bulging, they turned to see Irene Amador standing tall, arms folded over the borrowed unbuttoned shirt she wore. Veronica pulling up the rear waved without a smile. "Hey, Crimson."
"You know her?" Jasmine immediately grew jealous of the hot girl.
"Went to school together. Hey, Redmane! What are you and Mrs. Amador doing here?"
"This is my former self's land." Zera spoke! "Why do you trespass?"
"Long story!" Jasmine spoke up, palms before her in apology mode. "You're the old coot's wife? Crimy and I were just talking about you."
"Yeah! I filled Jasmine in, oh, this is Jasmine Riviera. Anyway, I explained the fire and all. At least what I know."
"If not for Nick she might not be here." V brought up.
"Cool dude!" Jasmine gnashed her teeth. "Look! I'm just going to be honest here, Irene, was it?"
"ZERA!"
"Um!" Confused, the girls shrugged! "Okay, Zera. I stole your husband's car recently, took his phone, left him out here I'm pretty sure wanting to kill me."
"Of that my former self can relate. He will never reach that goal should he try again."
"Wait! Are you saying he really did try and kill you?" Veronica grew curious. "Why didn't you tell the Sheriff that?"
"Esteban Amador is petty. No more will I let my former cringe at his whim." She eyed the boat and spotted the name on the side as SIRENe. For a brief moment Irene emerged seeing that added E to emphasize her identity. As if sweeping her under the rug Zera returned with a glare of hatred. "He no longer serves his purpose. Papers will be drawn up."
"You're divorcing Esteban?" V asked.
"Formal! Former! Much the same. Yes!" Looking around for something, anything that she could use to do harm Zera took a chunk of charred wood and used the black soot to erase that added E making it SIREN once more. "Let the embers of their abode darken the memory of a life of waste. There is only Zera now. I will legally be changing my name."
"I can help with that." Jasmine chuckled then ceased laughter at Crimson's stare. "Or not! Wouldn't be legal."
"I can't begin to understand this Mrs. Amad... Zera." Crimson altered her course seeing Zera sneer. "It's your life. Esteban did a few good deeds lately in helping Sheriff Roster and Miss Saunders. Jasmine here felt like paying him back for that and for her stealing from him."
"Do as you wish!"
"He should be getting his car back. Nick had it repaired and delivered to his job. When he gets home here at least he will have a few good meals on Jasmine and I."
"Bought him a new cell too. Gas generator still in the Jag's trunk so he has power. I tried to make things comfortable at least. Mister Sanchez wouldn't allow more. I kind of work for him now."
"I see! That is his business. I will discuss a business arrangement with him soon to secure my future."
"I heard Rayna Waterfall might hire you to work at a new dress shop here in Caretaker."
"Do not make me laugh. I am no seamstress. Nor will I ever seek such solace for peace."
"Irene used to love sewing. I still have a blanket you made."
"You would be wise to burn it. As Esteban burnt his home, my former's flesh. MY FLESH! By all right, I should use that gas can with the generator to burn this boat and leave him to his car once again."
