When they were about level with about half way up her back, her shoulders started to ache. But Stephen wasn't stopping. When her arms were level with ...er shoulder blades, she started to cry out as her arms were pulled horizontally behind her. Her shoulders were throbbing in pain. They were not meant to be bent back this far.Rachel was so overcome with pain that she didn't realise he had stopped adjusting the position. For what he had done was place her wrists on the horizontal bar at the top of. “I’d love to talk with you. May I sit with you?”“Of course. Thank you so much for the drink.”Stanley sat down and smiled at the girl.“My name is Stanley Abraham. What is your name?”“I’m Iris Alby. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”Stanley took Iris’s hand and kissed it. She smiled at Stanley. Stanley looked at her which made Iris feel tingly all over. There was something different about Stanley. She wasn’t sure what it was. She felt different than she normally felt. Most men never gave. The gold we bought was safely stored and would come in handy if a time of hyperinflation overwhelmed the world economies.Our compound in Branson was tricked out as a safe house, should the wheels come off and we enter a time of anarchy. The food supply would last between forty and fifty years, as would our underground fresh water supplies that were fed by the deep aquifers. There was little doubt that the world would enter a new great depression, but no one could accurately predict when, so. Voices filled his mind, each offering advice or demand. He closed his eyes and considered their words carefully.Around him, his pack, those he considered children under his guidance, waited in silence. He could smell the sweat on the human’s flesh. Feel the energy wafting off of him like a miasma of ill intent. Spirits from wherever he came from had followed and were looking for mischief.A voice whispered in Vatea’s ear, making it flick with interest. With one last inhale from the pipe, Vatea.