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"Well, you’re welcome to stay," Ed finally said

"Yeah I know that But it’s ti in one place My nature don’t perh

"I understand I’ll see about getting the gates open for ya" Ed ed on his thick leather gloves The braid of white hair fell over one shoulder as he zipped up his leather jacket andready to head out, he sensed so up he sao black dress flowed to her shiny black boots and ornate jewelry decorated her neck and wrists

"Damn," he whispered

"We’ll let you knohen it is time to head back," she said in a clear, melodic voice

Rune slowly bobbed his head, mesmerized by the woman "Okay"

"You’ll be needed later," she continued

"I’ll keep that in mind"

"Stay alive You’re needed on this side"

"Okay" Rune noticed that the edges of her figure blurred slightly Still, he swore he could touch her if he tried

Ed stepped through the apparition and she vanished "Get ready We’ll open the first gate and once you’re inside, close it, then open the second

Area is clear of zo out"

"Gotcha And thanks, unned the motorcycle to life

"You’re alelcome to coot that feeling" He pulled on his goggles as Ed nodded his head and walked on

Once free of the gates, his bike roared down the abandoned streets of Ashley Oaks, away from the fort and into the deadlands

4 The Whore of Babylon For once, Jenni dreamed blissful dreams Secure in Juan’s arms, she slept deeply and did not awaken once

Juan left early in theher to sleep in Jenni briefly re out of bed She also reain before he left When the alarily cli hot shower, she pulled on her work clothes and fussed with her hair The night before had been wonderful and she felt aly at peace Juan was too wonderful for words and she couldn’t help but be happy

The knock on the door startled her and she walked over and flung it open expecting to see Katie Instead, it was Blanche

"Oh, hi, bitch" Jenni couldn’t iine what Blanche wanted

Blanche smiled at her "Hi, spic," she answered

Jenni never sahat hit her, but suddenly the world swirled into darkness and she felt herself falling

The two men with Blanche pulled Jenni up off the floor and half-carried, half-dragged her down the hall Blanche walked swiftly behind the the kid-sized baseball bat she had used to club Jenni Her husband was cowering near the service elevator down the hall, and she gave him a fierce look

"Are you sure-" he started

"Yes, Stephen" she said sharply

She was very sure After all her hard work the last few one one after the lesbian, but oh well Blanche had been paying Shane, Philip and three of their buddies in h) In return, the men stored food and supplies at her mansion in preparation for her return The fort never realized how much the men had diverted to her old abode Then Shane screwed up, leaving her to make do with his three lackeys They were sie runs when they weren’t working on new construction After Shane had called the wrath of the fort down on his head, Blanche had kept a tight reign on her three re minions She liked to think of theet Juan Meet us in the garage near my Hummer," she said to one of the ood in bed

"Gotcha," he said, and hurried off

"I don’t understand e need her," Stephen said in a voice that ood atpeople and she had done her best to keep herself and Stephen isolated from the rest of the fort It allowed her to plan her return to the mansion without much interference Stephen had been the easiest to manipulate God help the poor man, but he really did love her

"Because, her spic boyfriend controls the gate and if we have her with us, he will do e say"