I sense Her welling from the pit of my stomach, the ethereal need unfurling like a pirate’s flag, poisoning me with inky desire. I fight back, despe...ate to retain power as the thirst threatens to devour me from the inside. Although I know the result will be electrifying, it’s the last thing I want when I’m this close to coming. Losing grip every second signifies failure on some level, my conscience tumbling away despite the mental gymnastics as She emerges. I want this to celebrate love, not. "Van Horn replied, "Of course we were, Chief. Then Ross butted in. "Did Hobbs leave your sight at any time between 8:00 and 9:15?" Other than nature calls to the men's room he was with me all evening."I thanked Van Horn and so did the Chief."Can anyone else back up what Agent Van Horn said?" the Chief asked."A couple dozen people at Dominic's. Our waitress, the bartender and the guys we shot pool with."Ross' face turned bright red, I think more from anger than embarrassment but I am sure there. Laura Whiting absolutely refused to budge on this manner."This will be a strict exchange of commodities for commodities," she said time and time again. "We give you a certain amount of agricultural goods and you give us a certain amount of addictive drugs. We will not convert to your currency or allow you to accept ours. That is non-negotiable."EastHem listened to her but didn't want to believe her. They tried as hard as they could. They offered ridiculously low prices on their end and offered. The memory of her lifeless body came to me unbidden and I felt tears brimming in my eyes. I dashed them away angrily."What's wrong?" You remind me of a girl I tried to help and failed. I just remembered the way she was when I found her." What happened?" I was so pleased with myself. I'd pulled her out of a truly rotten situation with an abusive boyfriend, made sure she was safe. Got her friends around her, all the physical things. I was sure that she was going to be all right. And then I found.