‘What was he doing?’ she wondered. Bethany was soon serving breakfast to Eliza and then the children came sleepily in. James grabbed up the littl... girl and put her on his lap. ‘Good morning, sweetheart. Are you hungry? Let’s ask Aunt Bethany for some food.’ ‘Anty Betny, can I have some cakes, please?’ Bethany looked in the refrigerator for the batter and lit the stove. The smell of pancakes frying on the griddle filled the room again and the little girl carefully watched her aunt get more. I drove aimlessly around the neighborhood for ten minutes before parking and trotting up to their apartment. Damned if I still wasn't two minutes early!When the big hand on my watch touched twelve I opened the door and let myself in. As I shut the door I thought I heard someone scrabbling around down the hall to the bedrooms.As promised Connie had scotch taped an envelope on the closet door with a note inside. It said I was to strip down in the living room, then walk down the hall to the guest. * Zoa glanced at the young man kneeling next to her on the high branch. He was sweating, his eyes were wide, and he was breathing way too fast. She reached out and took his hand. ‘You’ll be fine,’ she whispered, and he turned his fear-filled eyes to her. ‘Just stay next to me,’ continued Zoa, squeezing his hand harder. ‘I’ll guard you with my life. I promise. I’ll get you through this alive, Vumanesco.’ Around them other couriers were gathering on high branches, preparing for the final swift. One minute I could see thehead in front of me, and the next my chin was nestled into her pubichair.Instantly I could feel my new throat muscles gently massaging it fromwithin. The sensation was deep in my throat and I could feel the wallsof my neck contracting as I slowly tightened and then released my grip.Automatically my head proceeded to bob up and down the full 12 inchesas I wanted to get the full effect of the friction in my throat. Istopped lovingly when I got to the head, looked.