14. Healing Hands (D1)

__ Douglas Testerbird sat quietly, regaining his strength slowly, listening to Ardelene's continued mental attack on Munson intently.
__ He kept his eyes closed and tried not to flinch at some of the dark depraved things she was reciting to the captive killer. Munson said nothing. He shook and whimpered. He screamed and cried. He shook his head violently sending tears and sweat spraying from his face.
__ When he could stand it no more, and it looked like Ardelene wasn't going to stop any time soon, he simply said, "That's enough."
__ Ardy stopped, stumbled back almost weak from the attack and pressed her palms to her temples. Turning to Douglas she said, "Douglas? You're okay?"
__ "Look at him," the store owner said standing. "Seriously. Don't you think you've beat him enough?"
__ Pressing a finger to the bridge of her nose and wincing at the sudden migraine, she said, "Not nearly. You should see --."
__ "No thanks." Douglas held up a hand. "I've heard enough, thank you. I don't need to see it too."
__ "I wish I could block it from my thoughts, but I can't."
__ Now it was Ardelene's turn to break down. Maybe it was the strain of what she saw in Munson's mind. Maybe it was the pressure of being in anyone's mind. Maybe it was the stress of rising from the dead.... Whatever it was, it had taken her toll. Ardelene staggered past Douglas and plopped down on the couch. Her chest and shoulders heaved as she was racked with sobs. She wailed.
__ "I'll get you some water," Douglas mumbled, and stalked off to the kitchen.
__ Munson sat limp where he was duct taped to the false throne. His sweaty head hung low, his body kept up only by the will of the tape. He appeared unconscious, like a captured Mob rat beaten to near death with a lead pipe. But the only blood was what had dried on his head from the earlier attack. His breathing was shallow and spotted with stutters of whimpering.
__ In the kitchen, Douglas caught sight of himself reflected in the clutter of silverware on the floor. Ardelene's blood had congealed into a deep reddish black slick, smeared in places with her hand and body prints as well as his. Douglas swallowed hard and breathed through his mouth to avoid smelling the harsh iron scent of the dying puddle. He stepped to the sink and filled a glass with water.
__ He was in a daze, almost sure this whole thing was some kind of nightmare or trance. Maybe he wasn't even here? Maybe his car slid off the wet road and he died before getting here. Maybe this was some kind of strange and bizarre purgatory. Ardelene Jacobi was a real psychic. She rose from the dead before his eyes. A cruel and sadistic killer was strapped to a chair in the other room, reduced to the facade of a blubbering child. None of this was real. It couldn't be.
__ He blinked. The cold water was overrunning the glass and pouring over his hand which was now shaking. He took a drink before shutting off the flow and returning to the main room.
__ Douglas gave Munson a wide berth as he stepped up to Ardelene on the couch. He held out the water. She took the glass and sipped. Her hands were shaking too.
__ Sitting beside her, Douglas volunteered, "I wasn't expecting this when I came out here."
__ Ardelene finished the water and set the glass on the floor near the end of the couch. She sat up, leaned into Douglas' shoulder and laughed through a sniffle. "You're tellin' me, Douglas."
__ "Doug," he offered.
__ "Doug. And, please, call me Ardy." She waved a weak shaking hand toward Munson. "If he can be familair, why not you?"
__ Not sure exactly how to read that, Doug simply asked, "How are you feeling? You look a bit pale."
__ "Good." Another short laugh. "I'd hate to feel this crappy and keep it all to myself."
__ "Care to talk about it?"
__ Ardy closed her eyes and crinkled up her face. She rested her head on his shoulder. "No."
__ A silence passed between them.
__ Ardy spoke finally, "He ain't going anywhere." She sighed. "Let's just talk like it never happened."
__ Doug cleared his throat. "How d'you mean?"
__ "Well," she said suddenly brightening a bit, "You were on your way over here to see me, right? To do what? Have your fortune told?"
__ Doug smiled but didn't laugh. "Not really."
__ "You wanted to ask me out, didn't you?"
__ Doug blushed visibly and leaned away. Her shoulder against his was suddenly hot and uncomfortable. Her thigh was hot against his pant leg. "N-No. Um, I don't --."
__ "It's okay." Ardy patted his knee but moved a few inches down the couch to give him some space. "You know I saw into your mind -- but I need you to know it was by accident. I didn't mean to."
__ Doug couldn't meet her eyes. He looked down at the bruised and cracked knuckles of his right hand. That must've happened in a scuffle with the killer, or when he feinted. The knuckle on his middle finger had bled and dribbled toward the fingernail. He absently scratched at the sore.
__ "Doug.... Look at me."
__ He couldn't. It was too difficult. But Ardy placed a gentle finger under his chin and raised his head toward her. "They were only thoughts."
__ "But--"
__ "And they were appreciated." She smiled.
__ Doug took a deep shuddering breath. He nodded as if to say, "I'll be okay. We'll be okay. It'll be okay."
__ Ardy said, "You'll be okay. We'll be okay...."
__ He smiled, "It'll be okay."
__ It wasn't quite like one of those Hollywood moments where the couple in a dire situation suddenly realizes their feelings for one another, leans in, and kisses passionately. On the contrary, Ardy patted his knee and said, "We have to think about what we're going to do -- with him." She nodded toward Munson who was now wide awake and staring at them.
__ "Ain't that a pertty pictie," the killer sneered. "You... whore."
__ Ardy rose and went to the table where the duct tape sat. She began pulling new lengths with a long, sharp Sheeeeeek't. She applied new layers to Munson's bonds. He didn't struggle.
__ Doug took a deep breath and wondered about what she had said. What are they going to do? It's far more complicated now than simply calling the police. He turned back to examining his hand.
__ And saw that his skin was smooth, scrape free, and clean.