Days of Darkness

Chapter 32

The sandwich was heaven on bread. The flavors mixed so well and tickled the side of my tongue is such a lovely way. Even the texture of the panini that housed it was inviting. As if on cue, Abigal returned to collect my plate just as I finished. Another man entered with a high chair for Teegan, complete with a bowl of what looked like fresh baby food.

"I took a guess that you would like to feed her," Abigal said. She added a baby bottle of what looked like milk to the high chair tray. Teegan started to pump her arms and hoot like a chimpanzee. I had to smile at the excitement in her eyes. She knew exactly who the new food was for.

"Yes," I said, sharing my smile with Abigal as well, "and whoever made that sandwich is a genius."

"Anthony is as talented as they come," Abigal said, "I'll pass on the compliment. He's making stuffed chicken Florentine tonight unless you would prefer something else."

"I think I'll trust Anthony after that sandwich," I responded, "does everyone eat this well?"

"It comes with the job," Abigal replied, nodding her head, "is there anything you want to test him with. Anthony has never failed yet, and we're dying to stump him." It took only a moment for me to flashback to my trip to France six years ago.

"The best soup I ever had was French onion served in the Eiffel Tower restaurant in Paris," I said gleefully, "see if he can top that." Abigal smiled and patted my forearm like a friend. It struck me that I was being pampered. I was being manipulated to join some strange family bought and paid for by Corbett. Abigal saw the change in my expression.

"You'll get used to it," Abigal said quietly, then her smile returned, "give Anthony 24 hours and you'll forget all about the Eiffel Tower's soup." She cleared the room so that I could feed Teegan in relative privacy, as long as I ignored the cameras.

The cold bean mixture in Teegan's bowl looked appetizing enough. I tasted one and found it slightly bland, no additional seasoning but a very light oil. Teegan didn't wait for the spoon. The beans were perfect for little hands, so I let her go for it. I had to pull the bowl away for short periods so she could finish what was in her mouth before she attempted to stuff more in. My little human vacuum cleaner had no complaints for the chef.

I decided to find out what was allowed later that afternoon. Teegan and I had played with her numerous toys after lunch and changed one very stinky diaper. It was time to stretch our legs and find our limits. I picked up my girl and exited the room and headed downstairs, toward the great room. We found a man, well groomed, probably in his fifties by the look of his graying sideburns.

"Can I help you Miss Williams?" the man asked politely. He wasn't blocking my way or trying to steer me from my path.

"Call me Natalie, please," I replied, "we just want to take a walk. Get some fresh air."

"With our without a stroller?"

"Is there a paved walkway?" I asked.

"Yes," the man smiled, "and lots of grass for the little one to run on. I'm Victor by the way. Essentially your concierge for the evenings. Abigal is on break right now."

"Nice to meet you, Victor," I said, making sure my smile set him at ease, "a stroller would be wonderful. Does the walkway go around the whole property?"

"Yes it does," Victor replied, his hand guiding me toward the glass doors that opened to the back porch, "I think it is a little less than two miles all the way around. It circles the pond, and there are usually some ducks swimming around."

As we exited, a stroller was being brought from around the corner by one of the black-shirted guys I had seen earlier. I noted that there must be audio as well as video in the house. Victor hadn't called for it. My request was being handled without his intervention.

"You are all very efficient," I commented as I put Teegan in the stroller. She smiled and patted the padded bar in front of her. She liked the sunshine and desired a scenery change as much as I did.

"Teegan's welfare, and, therefore, yours, is our highest priority," Victor replied, "The walkway circles the edge of the property. There are three paths leading out to it, the one here," he pointed to the asphalt path leading away from the stone porch, "another on the other side of the house, and the driveway makes the third. It is well lit," he pointed to one of the decorative street lights that followed the path and housed cameras, "so you can stay out as long as you like. There's a blanket under the stroller in case Teegan gets cold."

"Isn't someone going to follow?" I asked.

"There will always be someone near," Victor admitted, "though they will attempt to allow you your privacy."

"Well then," I sighed, "would you like to walk with us, Victor?" His eyes lit up at the request. He had a charming smile, one I would expect from a father.

"I would be delighted," Victor replied, his palm once again pointing the way. I pushed the stroller forward, and he slid next to me, walking at my pace.

"Is there anything you aren't allowed to talk about?" I asked. Teegan was shifting her butt back and forth in the seat. I think she wanted me to go faster. All baby.

"No," Victor replied, "nothing is prohibitive. I am sure you can find something I won't talk about, but I could expect the same from you." He was smiling when he answered. That fatherly smile again.

"Do you agree with Teegan being kidn*pped?" I asked flat out. He chuckled. I looked away at the evergreens we were approaching, so I didn't have to react to his laughter.

"I think of her as being returned," Victor replied, "She is safer here than anywhere else in the world." He paused and waited for me to look at him. I did. "There are people who would see her as an abomination. Knowledge of her creation would send shockwaves through the religious communities. Do you think you could guarantee her safety if the world knew?"

I looked away. Sam and I had never thought of the rest of the world. It was baby first, then knowledge of how she came about. We already loved her. Victor was probably right, the crazies would be all over her. Some thinking she was the second coming, others the Armageddon. I reached down and stroked the side of Teegan's head. She smiled and pumped her hips faster, pointing at some of the bigger trees we were nearing.

"I hadn't thought of that," I admitted, "though I suspect Mr. Corbett has an interest beyond her safety. I was lead to believe he wished to breed her." This time, I had to wait for Victor to look at me. He was looking down on the ground as we walked. I suspect constructing his response.

"Yes, there is that," Victor said. I was surprised that he admitted it, "can I ask where you heard that from?"

"I think you found a question I won't answer," I said, adding a smile to soften the response. He smiled back to let me know it didn't offend him.

"Just so you know," Victor continued, "the intent is for in vitro with a surrogate. Mr. Corbett doesn't intend something completely sinister."

You don't find that sinister enough?"

"Uncomfortable, yes. Sinister, no," Victor replied.

"So you guys do have a conscience," I pointed out. Teegan was getting excited as we neared a particularly large tree. I rolled the stroller close and pulled her out to let her explore it. Victor stepped back. "You aren't allowed to touch her," I pointed out.

"Nope," Victor replied quickly, "bonding is the reason she was taken away in the first place. It has been decided that it should be kept to a minimum."

Teegan walked up to the tree and touched the bark. It was hardly different than the trees in Bismark. Maybe the manicured lawn made it look more important. I followed her as she walked around the trunk, lightly petting the tree as she went.

"That will make finding a surrogate difficult," I said as my hands stood ready to catch Teegan if she tripped over one the roots. I looked over at Victor when he didn't respond. Again he was looking at the ground, his face was flushed. It took a moment to realize where his embarrassment was coming from.

"What makes you think I would agree?" I said, standing tall with my hands on my hips. She was my daughter for all practical purposes. I certainly wasn't planning on pumping out her kids for an egomaniac like Corbett.

Teegan tripped while I was going all righteous. Victor gasped, and I dropped to my knees. I was waiting for the delayed scream that follows a kid going head first into the ground. I had heard the dull thump when her face met one of the roots. I lifted her into my arms and found her emotionally unphased. Her cheek was red and lower lip was bleeding, but not a sound, just her sweet smile.

"Why isn't she crying?" Victor asked. I stood as one of the black-shirted guys came running with what looked like a first aid kit.

"She doesn't hurt like other people," I said. Concern filled me. It overwhelmed my concern, flooding me with apprehension. I tried not to smile as I felt Sam's love enter me. As best as I could, I thought of our sweet daughter as healthy and well. Nothing but a scrape. Teegan was projecting to Sam with no regard to distance anymore.

"What are you doing?" Victor asked, moving around to get a better look at my face. I had remained motionless, concentrating on loving Sam. It must have looked strange.

"Nothing," I replied, letting Sam go, "I'm just making sure she's not hurt." The man with the first aid kit passed it to Victor. He opened it and pulled out a gauze pad, handing it to me.

"Do you think she needs medical attention?" Victor asked. I dabbed Teegan's lip. She was struggling to get out of my arms and back to circling the tree.

"No," I laughed, "it's just a scrape. You can't panic with every trip and fall. It's a toddler's main occupation after all." It felt so good to feel Sam again. I had trouble hiding my smile. Teegan wasn't the d**g, Sam was.

"There, my sweet," I said as I set Teegan on her feet again. Victor and the security guard both stepped back. I wondered how much security knew about Teegan. She continued around the tree, testing the bark. This time, her eyes traveled to her feet with every step. She had sent the pain to Sam, but her empathy did not want to repeat it. I covered my smile with my hand. Daddy was still taking care of her. I wondered if he got a b****y lip as well.

"Why didn't she cry?" Victor asked again. I could see him trying to work through it. I preferred they remained ignorant of the growth of her bond.