Altered States part 5

Nora sat silently in The passenger seat. Her hands clenched in fists of rage and fear. Next to her, Sam rambled on as he sped his car westward.
Sam: I knew I'd find you Stinger. I'm just glad he didn't hurt you. He didn't did he?
Nora's mind raced through what had taken place barely an hour ago. She and Bo had just found out from Andrew that her marriage to Sam was invalid. They were in The rectory parking lot when a shot rang out. It all happened so fast. Her eyes welled with tears and she bit her lip. Bo. Her darling Bo. Was he alright? Was he hurt badly, she shuddered to think, was he dead. He wasn't moving. Sam had dragged her away before she could stoop down to check. Was that blood she saw? Her heart beat faster with The terror of her last image of him, lying there, motionless in The parking lot, The snow slowly turning darker around him.
Sam: You OK Stinger? He didn't hurt you did he? If he's not dead, he'll wish he was...boy, I'll tell ya, its a desperate man who kidnaps another man's wife...
Nora: Shut up! Shut up! SHUT UP! You're insane! You shot him!...You shot Bo in cold blood! "If he's dead"? Do you hear yourself? You're going to go to jail!
Sam: No, Stinger. It was self defense, pure and simple.
Nora: What??!!
Sam: Sure. First that low life Buchanan scum kidnaps my wife, on my wedding night, no less. Then I find him physically assaulting you...
Nora: We were hugging. We just found out I was not married to you. I was celebrating. This is nuts!...Sam, I demand you turn around and turn yourself in!
He grabs her wrist
Sam: You! You do not demand me to do anything! You are my wife, You do what I say.
Nora: Let go of me! Ouch!
She pulls herself free and rubs her wrist
Nora: Where are we going?
Sam: A surprise. Let's just say, somewhere we can finish our wedding night in peace, no interruptions...
Nora: I need to call Rachel.
Sam: I will call her. I'll let her know her Mom is just fine and we're on our honeymoon.
Nora: So I can't talk to my daughter? What about my family?
Sam: I'll let them all know you're safe and sound with your husband.
Nora could not believe what she was hearing. Sam had flipped out. She had no idea what he was capable of. So much for stability she thought. And what was going on with Bo? She was terrified to think all she would have was that one night of happiness with him.
Nora: You know we're not legally married...
Sam: Mere technicality. Soon as we hit our destination, I will find a justice of The peace and...
Nora: And you force me to marry you? I DON'T love you...
Sam: What's not to love? I saved you from The paws of that filthy Buchanan scum didn't I? You owe me for that...
Nora: I love him.
Sam: I should slap you for that...
Nora: Touch me and you'll wish you were dead
Sam: Like Bo
Nora: You bastard.
She turned and faced The window, after staring out it for and hour or so and replaying those final fateful moments with Bo, she dozed off.
*************************************************
At Llanview General, Asa, Clint, Vicki and Hank sat in The waiting area.
Vicki: Thank God Andrew found him.
Clint: I am grateful to him.
Asa: When The hell are they going to tell us something?
Right as Asa speaks, Dr. Wolek comes out to talk to them
Dr W: Hello folks.
Clint: Well, doc, how's my brother.
Dr W: He'll be fine. That bullet did some damage to The rotator cuff and some minor bone fragmenting, but he'll be fine. He'll be able to go home in The afternoon. Any ideas who may have done this?
Asa: I'll tell ya who...
Clint: If he knew he'd tell you...no, we don't know yet. The police are investigating.
Dr W: You can go in and see him. We gave him a sedative, he may be out of it for a bit.
Clint: Thanks.
Larry walks away
Clint: Pa, you know Hank doesn't want us to say anything. The media gets hold of it and you don't know what that nut could do to Nora.
Clint and Hank go into Bo's room
Clint: Bo? Bo.
Bo's eyes flutter open
Bo: Clint. Ugh. Hank, where's Nora?
Clint: Settle down partner.
Bo: No, damn it! Hank she's safe, right?
Hank looks at The ground
Bo: Damn it anyway! I saw him, come around The corner of The lot wall. I didn't want Nora to get hurt...(pause) I saw The gun...Hank, you gotta find her.
Hank: Every cop in The area is on alert, their house is staked out, phones tapped. I got APB's from here to Chicago. We'll find her Bo.
He leaves
Bo: We better. I swear, if he hurts her, there won't be a place in this world for him to hide.
He shifts in The bed and makes a grimacing face
Bo: I'm stuck in this damn bed while some lunatic has my wife, I mean...
Clint: I know what you mean Bo...
Bo: Clint, If he so much as looks at her wrong, I'll kill him, with my bare hands.
Clint: Calm down
*************************************************
Nora is standing in front of a roaring fire, she looks deep into Bo's eyes. They look empty and scared.
Nora: I love you Bo, do you understand me? Please just hold me. Don't let me go.
Bo: Nora, no matter what happens, you can't give up. OK? Don't give up...
Bo clutches his chest and falls to The ground. A thick black fog engulfs them and Nora feels herself being pulled back. She screams
Nora: Bo! Bo! Don't let me go...
The car door slams. Nora is jolted awake. She is breathing heavily. Her eyes dart around trying to regain her bearings. She realizes it was a nightmare, but her nightmare continues.
Sam: You want some coffee Stinger?
As she reaches for The cup, she sees her left hand is hand cuffed to The gear shift.
Nora: I'm a prisoner? Take this off me right now! What The hell is going on?!
Sam: Can't take any chances, wouldn't want any of Paw's Posse coming to get you.
Nora: Sam, get this off me right now! I have to go to The bathroom.
He rolls his eyes and unlocks The cuffs, and pulls her out The drivers' door.They walk back to The convenience store.
Nora: You're going with me?
Sam: Have to protect my property.
Nora: I am not property.
Nora stays in The bathroom trying to devise a plan. A woman comes into The bathroom talking on a cell phone. Nora motions to her.
Woman: (on The phone) Hold on...(to Nora) what's up?
Nora: Hi...yes, um...I need to use your phone.
Woman: There's a pay one out there.
Nora: I know, but you see there is this man out there
Woman: The one with The chapped lips and bad hair?
Nora: Yea, well he is holding me captive
Woman: Oh my God...here, use The phone...
Nora takes The phone and dials
Nora: (to The woman) Where are we?
Woman: Ohio, Cincinnati.
Nora: Thanks...Hank! Hank its Nora! (to woman) It's his machine...Hank if you get this, I am in Ohio, Cincinnati. Hank, tell Asa and Clint I am sorry. I loved Bo so much...Please help me Hank.
Sam bangs on The door
Sam: NORA!! Hon-ee, come on!
Nora: (to woman) Thank you so much. Please call The local police. Thank you
The woman call The police, but Sam takes off before she can get a plate number. By The time The locals get there, they are long gone
Nora: So, where are we going? Home? To Chicago?
Sam: Nope. To easy. Pa would sniff us down like The dog he is. You'll know when we get there.
*************************************************
Bo stops by The station after he is released from The hospital. He is sitting at his desk looking at a picture of Nora. His arm is sore and in a sling.
Bo: (looking at The picture) Where are you baby? This is all my fault. I should have gone to you sooner. Got you away from Sam...
Hank walks in
Hank: We got a lead!
Bo: Let's have it!
Hank: OK, a report outta Cincinnati
Bo: Ohio?
Hank: Yeah. They were at a convenience store. They left before The locals arrived, but we got a witness and this...
Hank plays The message off The recorder
Bo: Oh God, she thinks I'm dead. I gotta find her.
Hank: Hold on. If she thinks your dead, so does Sam. He's less likely to hurt her. Agreed?
Bo: (sighs) You're right...
*************************************************
Two more days have passed. Sam has stopped periodically for food and gas.
Sam: How you doing Stinger?
Nora: Lousy
Sam: Aw, honey, come on! We're in The land of Oz!
Nora: Good. Maybe a house will fall on you.
Sam: You know, you could be a bit more appreciative. I did rescue you, and you are my wife.
Nora: You are treating me like a prisoner. (under her breath) I am not your wife.
Sam: You're right. We're far enough away, and now that The Buchanan Clan is outta my hair...You wanna know where we're going? Aspen. Colorado. Surprise! So I was thinking, we should stop and get you some new clothes and stuff. You'd like that right?
Nora: I guess.
Sam: Hey, you wanna call Rachel?
Nora: YES!
Sam: OK If you promise to keep our honeymoon a secret...I'll step out for a minute and you call her.
He pulls over and hands her The cell phone, then he steps out and goes to The trunk. Nora dials.
Nora: Please be there. Please. Rachel! Honey! Its Mom!...Yes, I'm OK....So to speak
Rachel:Mom!..Oh my God! Grandma and Granddad are so worried! Daddy is here...where are you?
Nora: Oz
Rachel: Kansas? Where are you heading?
Nora: Tell me they didn't have a funeral. Tell me you didn't have to say goodbye to him. I loved him. We were going to spend The holiday there. I loved him...
Nora starts crying, Sam opens The car door and takes The phone from her, shutting it off.
Sam: Emotional overload. I knew it. Let's go get you some clothes.
*************************************************
Rachel: Daddy, Mom sounds bad.
Hank: Did she say where she was?
Rachel: Kansas, but I don't know where.
Hank: Alright, I'll make a few calls.
Rachel: Call Bo. She thinks he's dead. She was hysterical. She said they were supposed to spend The holidays there. Where's "there"?
Hank: Not sure. You didn't let on that Bo was OK?
Rachel: Didn't have a chance.
Hank: Good.
Rachel: What?
Hank: She can't know. If she does, he'll know too, he might harm her if he knows.
Rachel: I understand, but it sounds cruel. She loves him so much. Her heart is breaking.
Hank: Once we find her, and they are together, she won't even care. I'm going by Bo.
*************************************************
Bo is a wreck, he hasn't been to The station in two days, he hasn't shaved since The cabin. His arm is killing him, but not as much as not knowing where Nora was, or if she was alright.
The doorbell rings. He goes to The door.
Hank: Bo? Uh uh, no, no, no, we are not going to have this. You look like hell.
Bo: I feel like hell.
Hank: You need a shave and a shower. You can't go save your damsel in distress looking and smelling like The troll under The bridge.
Bo: We have to find her to save her.
Hank: She's in Kansas. She says they are heading to where you were going to spend The holidays?
Does that mean anything to you? She was pretty hysterical, she might have been...
Bo: Aspen! They are heading to Aspen! I am there!
We'll take Asa's plane!
He starts toward The door
Hank: Hang on troll man, go clean up, I'm gonna alert The Colorado State police. We'll go to Nora's and get her a change of clothes. Go!
Bo sprints up The stairs, showers, shaves and changes. He talks to himself
Bo: I'll get you Rappascum, for this arm (gently touching his bandaged shoulder) and for what you've done to her. I'm coming baby, we'll be together soon.
Hank and Bo go to Nora and Sam's house, its still heavily guarded. Bo goes upstairs and grabs some of Nora's things. While going through a lingerie drawer, he finds a picture of himself from a ski weekend. A bit further back in The drawer he finds an envelope with his name on it. He opens it and begins to read it:
Dear Bo,
A lot has happened between us. But as I sit here on The eve of my wedding, I can't help but wonder, how did our lives spin so far out of control? Yes, I am marrying Sam. Sometimes I think I shouldn't, that just maybe you'll come save me from what could be The biggest regret of my life. I know its a fantasy.
Bo, I know I've said a lot of bad and hurtful things since our split. I tried to hate you, for all The horrible things you did to me, it simply comes down to this-I love you Bo. I always will. No matter where we end up or with who, I will love you. Part of me will always be your wife. I wish it were you I was marrying tomorrow.
All my love forever,
Nora
Bo took a step back and leaned against her dressing table. He felt as if The wind was knocked clean out of him. A single tear ran down his cheek.
Bo: If I only knew it sooner...I will spend The rest of my life making it up to you.
Hank walks in and sees Bo is visibly upset.
Hank: You ready to go?
Bo: Yeah, lets go get her.
*************************************************
Sam: Well, whaddya think Stinger? Cozy huh?
Nora: At least my cell has a window.
Sam: Come on. I am trying to make this a nice honeymoon...I asked The lodge keeper about The local justice of The peace...
Nora: I do not want to marry you.
Sam: Awe, c'mon...you know in your heart we are already married.
Nora: I really wish you'd stop this dillusion of yours. I do not love you. I love Bo.
Sam: Loved. Remember? He's dead.
She turns away from him, tears in her eyes. She hears The words, but something in her heart just won't accept it.
Nora: It doesn't matter. I will always love him.
Sam: Love what? A memory?
Nora walks in to The bathroom and slams The door
Nora: Yes! A memory.
Sam starts to bang on The door
Sam: I'll make you love me!!!
*************************************************
Hank and Bo arrive in Aspen. They head to The police department. They have a few minor leads they check into, but nothing. A couple hours go by and they get a call of a woman matching Nora's description exiting a car matching Sam's. A small lodge at The edge of town. A couple patrol cars take them there. They talk to The lodge keeper who doesn't recall Nora. They show him a picture of Sam and his eyes light up.
Keeper: Yeah. He's here. Strange fella. Shifty eyes. Wanted a room outta The way, Says he like The TV loud. He and The missus are hard of hearing I guess. I put them in room 11, other side of The lodge.
Bo: Thanks
As Bo, Hank and The cops approach The room, they hear The TV up really loud, but they also hear what is definitely Sam's voice yelling.
Sam: Come here! Get out here. You are pissing me off Nora!
The officers knock on The door.
Sam: Get The hell away from my room! It says do not disturb jerk!
They knock again
Sam: What The hell is your problem?
He opens The door. Once he sees its The police and Hank he tries to close The door, but The officers push their way in.
Hank: Nora! Nora! Are you in here?
She look out The bathroom door, and seeing its Hank she runs into his arms.
Nora: Oh, Hank! How did you...
Sam breaks free of The officer that was restraining him. He bolts for The door and heads towards his car in The parking lot. He runs right into Bo.
Sam: You're not...
Bo: DEAD? Sorry to disappoint you! But you're going to wish you were!
He grabs Sam by The shirt and punches him square in The face, bad arm and all! Sam hits The ground with a thud, as Bo stands holding his shoulder. The police come out of The room, with Hank and Nora behind them.
Nora: Bo?
She can't believe her eyes! She runs to him, tears in her eyes. She holds his face in her hands and kisses him.
Nora: Bo, you're alright! You're not dead! Oh honey...
She keeps kissing him...
Bo: I love you...Ooooh, watch The shoulder!
The police haul Sam off in a squad car. Later he is extricated to Llanview where he arraigned on charges of kidnapping, aggravated assault, attempted murder, aggressively chapped lips, really bad facial gestures and all around menace to society. He's held with out bail awaiting trial.

To be continued

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