Dark Light -- 17

Subj: Dark Light -- 17
Date: 5/8/99
From: Flashman

Chapter 17-The Phoenix

Laura Murdoch sat in the living room of the Lewis house watching an old movie on AMC. Better than one of those sleazy day-time talk shows, she felt. Her employers, Josh and Reva Lewis, had returned home unexpectedly. They were now upstairs in their bedroom making love. Those filthy degenerates. They spent more time in the bedroom screwing themselves silly than they did taking care of their own children. Which was why they had hired her in the first place, she figured.

Laura spent much more time with the Lewis children than their parents did. And what wonderful children Marah and Shayne were. She loved them dearly. She was almost sorry that soon she would have to take them away with her to the great beyond. At least their souls would rest in peace. Hers would be reborn. Reborn to do the same thing again in another generation.

Laura Murdoch was a phoenix. A creature that every generation consumed its children in flames so that it could be born again. Unlike her previous incarnations, Laura had no natural children of her own. But that didn't matter, as long as she was consumed in the flames with children whom she loved and who loved her in return.

When that event happened, and it would happen soon, it would destroy Josh and Reva. Destroy them not because the they would lose their children but because they would lose possessions. Possessions. That's all those two thought of Marah and Shayne as. They didn't truly love them as Laura did. Josh and Reva only cared for each other and their own little world together. Perhaps, thought Laura, it would indeed be a blessing if those two children died when they did. They would never have to discover for themselves what truly awful people their parents were.

Laura thought back to the time around six weeks ago when she had first arrived in Springfield. She had met Alan Spaulding that very night in the country club lounge. Laura had engaged Alan Spaulding in conversation. The conversation soon turned to money, as she felt if often did with a man such as Alan Spaulding. Laura mentioned that she was a recent widow and that her husband, whom she had believed to be wealthy, had died leaving her virtually penniless. She needed some kind of position fast. She needed money very badly.

Alan Spaulding took the bait and set her up in her present postiton with the Lewises. She became a paid spy for him. She was to keep her ears and eyes open for anything that might be of use to him against the Lewises. It was evident from the very first that Alan Spaulding despised the Lewises. After staying with the Lewises for a short time she had learned to despise them too.

The Lewises. Although everyone in Springfield seemed to love and adore them she knew the truth. The truth about the entire awful family. That drunken brother of Josh's, Billy. Billy Lewis had first come onto her and then tried to get her to sleep with his gay son. He was now at Betty Ford. Laura hoped he stayed there for a long time.

Then there was Josh. Josh Lewis was handsome and charming. Adored and respected by everyone in the community, including the few who despised Reva. Laura knew this image to be false, an illusion. Josh Lewis was a zero, a nothing. He had absolutely no will or personality of his own. He was a mere puppet on a string being pulled and manipulated by his wife, Reva. Without Reva, Josh probably wouldn't be able to use the bathroom on his own.

However, as disgusting as Josh and Billy were to her eyes, the absolute worst member of the family was Reva. Reva, whom she heard had once been referred to as the Slut of Springfield. More like the slut of the entire world. Reva had married six different men. She had been married at one time or another to Josh's brother Billy, his cousin, Kyle Sampson, his father, H. B. Lewis, Alan Spaulding, and Buzz Cooper, who owned a diner on Fifth Street. Reva had married Josh Lewis twice, the second time after winning him back from Annie Dutton.

Reva always acted so nice and generous towards her but Laura knew it was all an act. Reva Shayne Lewis was a loud-mouthed, ruthless, over-bearing phony who wouldn't hesitate to cut the heart out of anyone who threatened her interests. The only real interest Reva had, Laura felt, was herself. Herself and whatever she wanted. Whatever Reva Shayne Lewis wanted, she took, and God help anyone who stood in her way.

Some disturbing news had come to Laura yesterday. The news about Barnabas Collins. Laura knew the man well. She knew he was one of the Undead. She had first encountered Barnabas when he was a living man. This was in 1785 when she was known as Laura Stockbridge. She next encountered him in 1897 when he had traveled back in time from the year 1969. Laura knew his powers and he knew hers. As long as Barnabas Collins stayed out of her way she would stay out of his. Fire, which she possessed a great mastery over, could destroy a vampire as well as a normal man.

Tomorrow was Saturday. The Lewises would probably be going into the office then because of the trouble Barnabas Collins had brought into their lives. Laura didn't know precisely what Alan Spaulding's role with Barnabas Collins was. He had called her thirty minutes before Josh and Reva had returned home to begin their mid-morning tryst. He directed her to keep on with what she had been doing. Report to him anything that sounded important. Laura would do that.

Tomorrow, she supposed she would take the children to visit the museum. It would be nice to expose them to at least some culture. They certainly never got any from their parents. Next week, that was when Laura would make it happen. She would have to destroy those children in order to save them.

She thought about going to see Barnabas Collins sometime over the weekend. Pay him a call and tell him to keep his distance. Barnabas was living with Cassie Layne, Reva's half-sister. Laura liked Cassie better than the other members of the Lewis family. She was a bit slutty but she did have a decent heart. Laura decided against calling on Barnabas. He lived across the street from Blake Marler. Even Blake's friend Reva conceded that she was the biggest snoop in town. Laura certainly didn't want to be found out at this stage of the game.

Laura heard Josh and Reva descending from the stairs. Their little tryst was finally over. She rose to meet them.

"Laura, we're going back to the office. Anything you feel we should know about?" asked Josh.

"Yes, Mr. Lewis. I was wondering if you and Mrs. Lewis were going into the office tomorrow. If you are, I would like your permission to take Marah and Shayne for a visit to the museum," replied Laura.

"It looks like we will be going in tomorrow. You've got our permission to take the kids to the museum. Why don't you go to the zoo afterwards?" suggested Reva.

"Very well, Mrs. Lewis. We'll make a day of it."

Josh and Reva departed to return to the office. They decided to stop at Buzz's Diner for lunch. What a wonderful person that Laura Murdoch was, thought Reva to herself.