Page 155 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

Alex sat hard on the window seat and leaned his head back against the window. A moment later, a tear ran down his cheek and he winced again. “He gave me a drug. It... turns you into a puppet. All he had to do was tell me...” He shook his head. “He recorded it. He made me watch it and threatened to show Anna.”

No words came to Aaron’s mind as he stared at his friend. He’d gotten an inkling of what Devin was like from their conversation at the party. But this was worse than anything he could have imagined. “Why would he do that?”

“He was furious that I told Anna the truth about who and what she was. He didn’t want her to know.”

“Why does he care if she knows?”

Alex pressed his lips together. “Because if she knew the truth, it would empower her and he’d be in danger of losing his control over her.” He glanced at Anna. “She could be very powerful, if she were brave enough to stand up to him.” He shook his head. “I deserve how I’m feeling. She doesn’t.” He waved his hand at Anna. “Mein Gott, I can’t do anything right with her.” He stood with a groan. “And she won’t want me here when she wakes up.” He pulled out his phone and left the room.

Poor Alex. Aaron had never seen him so despondent. It was very un-Alex like. He wished there was something he could do for him.

Aaron watched Anna sleep while he listened to Alex call one of his friends in the living room. She still had goosebumps all over her skin. He wondered if he could put the blanket on her now. He kissed her hand and sighed in relief when she didn’t wince.

Alex returned a few minutes later. “Tony’s on his way. I’ll wait downstairs for him.”

“Okay. Can you put the blanket on Anna? She’s cold.”

Alex nodded and picked up the blanket from the floor. He carefully lay it on top of Anna. She whimpered softly, but relaxed again once the blanket was in place.

“Thanks,” Aaron said. “You gonna be okay?”

Alex shrugged. “I need to figure some things out.” He gave Aaron a wry smile. “Want to do something tonight? She has to go to the Manor.”

Aaron frowned. He’d forgotten about the Friday night obligation. “Yeah. Anything’s better than sitting at home worrying about her.”

Alex grunted. “I’ll call you.” He left the room and the apartment door opened and closed a few moments later.

He turned back to watch Anna sleep. Peacefully at last.

Chapter 64

Pain.

Excruciating pain.

Pain that has no source and no reason. It comes from within her own body but didn’t originate there.

The pain comes from another. The pain is directed toward another. But why? Why does she feel his pain?

Yes, it is a him. She doesn’t know why she knows, she only knows.

He loves her deeply, his thoughts consumed by her. He is in pain because of her. More than physical pain. His heart is in pain as well.

She knows him. He saved her. He rescued her. But she can’t see him. She can only feel him. Feel his pain. Feel his torment. Feel his doubt.

A strong man brought to his knees by failure. His anguish is too much to bear. He torments himself. Grief, sorrow, agony. They all fill his heart.

A man at in the edge of her mind. She reaches toward him. It is the man in pain. He kneels on the floor by a bed. Too many times I have failed, he cries to himself.

No, you have not failed. You cannot have failed. I am still here. Do not give up. I need you...

The man fades back into the darkness, and she awakens.

Anna sat up in her bed, drenched in sweat and trembling. Her body felt empty; the emptiness pain always left behind.

“Anna.”

Strong, warm arms pulled her back down and held her close. The sun, high in the sky, lit the room. She turned her head and saw Aaron watching her, concern in his blue eyes. She sighed and gave a soft smile. Oh, she was happy to see him!

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