Chapter 37: Erick Dawn's claim

Chapter 37: Erick Dawn's claim

“Where the hell is Grace?” Erick slapped Bette through the face. His fury knows no limit. “You had a simple task, know where she is at all times,” he slapped her again.

“I am sorry, Erick.” She kept her head down submissive.

“You are a stupid bitch,” he now grabbed hold of her hair, pulling her viciously forward before his fist bit her in the stomach. He controls her falling by holding onto the hair. She was trying her best to control her breathing and the wave of dizziness washing over her.

“What the hell are you doing?” William enters the living room. He heard the argument the moment he steps into the mansion. Lately he had made a point of avoiding Bette. Since they returned back to the mansion, only ugliness and vicious words were spoken between them.

“The fool of the mansion,” Erick let go of Bette pushing her hard until she falls onto the floor.

“Who the hell are you?” William demanded.

“I am who I choose to be. So, you are the fucking bastard married to my favorite whore,” Erick said with absolute nastiness. He approached William before he starts circling him.

“I am not asking you again. Who are you?” William said with bravado but he was in reality very nervous.

“My bloody name is Erick Dawn if you must know,” he moves like the snake he was, fast and vicious hitting William hard in the stomach. The moment he bends forward he grabbed a handful of his hair lifting his face upwards towards him, “I am the boss. You will do whatever I am telling you. I hope you understand me, William” His face right in line with Erick’s. The man’s reaction stays vicious as he used his head smashing into William’s face. Blood spill from his bruised nose. Satisfied with the current beating he let go. William stumbled away from him trying to stop the bleeding.

Madame Clarke stood on the second floor. Since she was still playing for time, she made a point of avoiding William and Bette. Their earlier fight was nasty, while Grace took flight to Jesper Strange. These two people pushed her hard onto the floor during their argument. She landed with enough force that they were convinced she might be dead. In a moment of shock and fright they carried her up to the bedroom then created the scene making it appear as though she was just sleeping. This reaction of them serves her best. She looks at her watch. A huge smile break suddenly across her face the moment she heard the sound of drums. Finally certain that her beloved grandmother and Jesper Strange are married and has consummate their union. A new destiny will arrive in nine months.

“You have my blessing children,” she softly voiced her happiness. She was well aware of the dual personality monster downstairs. He tried controlling his urges but while waiting he took his time to create and destroyed the most vulnerable of women.

The day the earth shook, she was aware of his arrival but he didn’t come alone. His intent was Grace’s mother but she has just given birth to her child when the monster came looking for his prize. In his fury while he discovering she was married and had given birth to her own daughter; he vowed, if not the mother, then the daughter will belong to him. One way or another but he will lay claim to her bloodline.

Madame Clarke was worried. She had managed to conceal Grace but now that she was married, the certain truth revealed in the beating of the drums, his fury could be disastrous. The man was dangerous and being played the fool twice, he will force his claim breaking their union. She quietly prays the baby born from their union will be strong and powerful. Erick Dawn needs to be destroyed.

“Bette,” Erick now stood in front of the window. His red eyes searching the now darkened sky. He senses a shift.

“Yes,” she answers hesitantly.

“Come here,” he orders. The sky outside tells a story, yet inside the house, it was like the atmosphere was controlled. The longer he looks outside the more he focused his attention. Instinct start to alert him he was missing something very important.

“I am not asking you again, Bette.” His voice now icy cold.

“I am sorry, forgive me,” Bette hastily gets back onto her feet. She quickly approached the man. “How can I help you?”

“Something is wrong here. You better find Grace for me.” His voice sinister low.

Bette quickly reached for her phone. She nervously dialed the number. Shock waves washed through her when she heard the cellphone ringing somewhere in the living room. She followed the sound finding it hidden behind a book. She grabbed hold of it.

“She left it here, Erick,” she said worried.

“Where would she go?” he asked sounding almost friendly.

“Grace isn’t very social. She was dutiful in college. The head of the Home for the Elderly never had any issues with her as person or her duties as a care-giver intern.”

Erick said nothing. Since he has step into the mansion, it would now look like something has clouded his mind. His eyes stayed focus outside. On impulse he suddenly moved to opened the nearest window.

The drums are beating low and even. The drums are telling a story. As understanding start to dawn, he now stood there simmering with fury as he realized what he has missed. His ears finely tuned as he listens but the true reality of truth still concealed from him.

“Who else is in the house?”

Bette was instantly nervous. Her eyes searched for William who now silently sits in a chair. It was clear that her husband wasn’t going to help her.

“My, my mother-in-law,” she said hesitantly.

“Where is she?” Erick finally turns to look at Bette. “Why are you shaking?’ he questions.

“Sorry, Erick,” she starts fiddling with her hands.

“I ask you a question, Bette?”

“My mother-in-law, she is sleeping.”

“Go wake her up. I want to talk with her,” he orders.

“She would be mad, Erick.” She stalls again.

“I don’t care. I want her here immediately,” his voice exploded with enough force to make the living room shake.

“No need to shout,” Madame Clarke stepped into sight. Her appearance alive and her attitude forceful. The very sight of her made Bette Clarke faint onto the floor.

Erick’s attention now fully focused on her. His memories suddenly active as he recalls the power she seemed to have on him. “I remember you,” his eyes narrowed.

“Why are you here?” she asked in a challenge.

“I am here to claim what’s mine.” His voice matter of fact.