People began lighting their lighters and holding them up in the darkness as the stage lights went out, first in ones and twos, then in hundreds, till ...he arena was a sea of ten thousand tiny flames.The crowd went insane again when the stage lights came on and the band started playing 'Take My Romance', his first major hit from his first album. The screaming continued and peaked when Corey came out and sat on the edge of the drum riser, his shirt open and his jacket over his shoulder, striking. My rifle pointing towards the hole under and behind the desk, the only logical place for a person to be. I hoped it was just a dog, or perhaps another type of animal that had crawled into that small hole. Yet I saw it! A shape! A huddled, dirty woman lay in the fetal position, her face hidden from me. What the hell was I to do? I bent down my face coming closer to the desk opening. She was shivering, perhaps in the damp morning air, or from fear. The woman only wore a thin summer dress and. She bounced out of bed, still naked. I followed her. Uncharacteristically long shower for the boat, something we allowed ourselves since we expected to be in the home marina tomorrow.By the dim light of a single tiny lamp we brewed a couple of mugs of herbal tea, sitting there loosely dressed after the shower, Pickles sitting on the little sofa between me and Gee.“We can still do this, Josh,” she said. “Our day trip range...”“I know.” I’d considered what our choice to ditch the big trip meant.. ”I chuckled and shook my head. “Ah, Shelly’s whiskers. That would explain her reaction. I’m glad to have you back, although I’ll be happier once you’re properly dressed again. It has been a busy and eventful couple of days.”“Kayla told me about what happened today, Master,” Scarlett replied. “I’m glad you’re alright. If you need to talk about it though, you know I’m available anytime.”I smiled at the offer. “I really am okay mother. I’ve been expecting this for a few years, but was surprised.