”The blush flashed across her cheeks and down her body. “Thank you, sir.”“Beth I am simply Samuel now. John is your Hero to care for.”“But...you are still a General, sir.”“I am retired now, Beth. If you care for John like Samantha cared for me, he is in good hands indeed.” The blush again arose from within her.“I will do my best Si— Samuel.”“That is all you need to do. The rest is up to him.”“Hero John, you have your mission. Is there anything else you need from me?”“Beth, what I would like from. ”“Good. Because I need you to be functional for what’s going to happen next.”“You mean the drive back? I really only need one arm for that.”They passed under a street light long enough for Dana to see the maniacal grin on Lily’s face.“Oh, we’re not going home. Not yet. Remember that guy I fought with at the hotel?”“The one you knocked out?”“Same. When I was going through his head, I spotted something interesting. You see, we aren’t too far away from one of their storehouses. Well ... not far is. "What's wrong mom?" Jessie asked. His mom and grandma both looked likethey had seen a ghost. "Oh, nothing sweetie. Wow, so Ashley took you shopping I see," Amandareplied."Yeah, we had so much fun mom!" I can see... Oh honey, you got your ears pierced?" Yeah, Ashley talked me into it. I thought it was going to hurt a lotmore than it did. It didn't hurt at all actually but I cried like a babyhaha."The women looked in awe at how their teenager had changed sodramatically."Oh you poor thing. You. If you'd got here just a little bit earlier, there would have been one, but somebody just beat you to it. You've just bought a slot in, let me see... five hours' time. Don't be late. And no refunds! First Rule of..." Five hours?!" Well, yes, you see, they're..." Actually, on second thoughts, I don't want to know. But if it's not ready in five hours, I will wring your neck, understood? I'm sure there must be a Rule of Acquisition about it being hard to make profits when you've just been.