"Don't be foolish. Of course you want to see me. You love me. We're getting married, remember? Now come along, we don't have time for this. We need to leave before your landlord arrives."
He really was insane. She needed to get him out of here. He stood between the door and the bedroom. That left the phone. “Charles, if you won't leave on your own, I'll call the police."
He took a step toward her and she backed away, stepping closer to the phone. He stopped and a puzzled expression crossed his face. “Mary Elizabeth, are you afraid of me? I love you. I would never hurt you.” He took another step forward.
Mary Elizabeth put her hand on the phone. “Just leave, Charles. Don't make me call the police."
He stood there, looking hurt and confused. “You obviously need a little time to yourself. I forgot you just returned from a trip. You're tired and not thinking straight. Let me grab my briefcase and I'll go. We can finish talking later."
He came closer to her and she tightened her grip on the phone, until she realized he was just getting the briefcase he'd laid on the coffee table near where she stood.
"I know you left because of your mother. She's never given you the love or appreciation you deserve. All of that will change once we're married.” He turned and started walking to the door, one hand holding the briefcase, the other playing with something in his pocket. Mary Elizabeth followed behind, careful not to get too close. She wanted to lock the door as soon as he was safely on the other side.
"I wish you could have seen her face when I told her we were marrying. She was so happy, especially when I promised to give her plenty of grandchildren to spoil."
Mary Elizabeth bit her tongue, trying to keep from commenting. He was almost to the door. Just a few steps more.
"Tears came to her eyes when I told her we'd name one of our daughters Anne, in Babs’ honor."
Just then, the phone rang. She automatically looked in its direction. Charles swung the briefcase at her head and it connected with the side of her face. The force of the blow spun her around in a semi-circle and she dropped like a rock. Pain exploded in her head, so intense, she almost threw up.
She lay there crumpled on the floor, struggling to get to her hands and knees. She shook her head, trying to clear her mind. As the buzzing in her ears stopped, she could hear Charles droning in the background.
"Look what you made me do. I knew you were going to be difficult about this. You can be so stubborn, Mary Elizabeth. No matter, I came prepared.” He set his briefcase on the table and opened it.
"Since you can't be reasonable about this, I'll just have to tie you up. I brought plenty of tape and insurance, for just in case.” He held the gun up where she could see it, then placed it on the table. Then he reached back inside of the briefcase and came out with a roll of duct tape.
Mary Elizabeth made it to her knees and drunkenly tried to crawl away, heading for the door.
Charles tisked at her. “And where do you think you're going? I would really hate to put a bullet in that lovely body of yours ... but ... if that's what it takes. I brought tranquilizers so you won't feel any pain on the long ride home if I have to shoot you. I realize you're angry, but once we're married all will be forgiven. I really am a superb catch. I intend to take good care of you. Leave all of this trash behind. I've already purchased you a wardrobe befitting your position as my wife and it's waiting at the house for you. And you can forget this silly little job of yours. As my wife, your only responsibility will be to take care of me, and our children, of course. Come along now. I've already spent more time here than I planned."
Each word he spoke caused the anger building inside her to grow stronger. Anger was good. It cleared her head and strengthened her resolve to get out of this alive, no matter what it took. Charles wouldn't get away with his attempt to kidnap her, for that's what this was.
"We'll have to drive all night to make it back in time for our wedding. Let me get you tied up. Then I'll carry you down to the van, which won't be easy. You are a little on the heavy side. That's something we'll have to work on once we're married."
Mary Elizabeth was so angry, she was literally seeing red. There was a strange tingling in her arms and legs which she ignored, her attention wholly centered on Charles.
"You ought to appreciate the trouble I'm going through for you.” The sound of ripping filled the air as Charles tore off several strips of tape and hung them on the briefcase for ease of use. “Now let's get you all bundled up. I really wish this wasn't necessary, but I can't have you flailing around distracting me while I drive."
He put the tape back in the briefcase and accidentally knocked the gun off of the table. Seeing her opportunity, with a mighty roar, she rose up in a rush and lunged at him.
Her roar made him jump and jerk in her direction. His eyes opened wide in shock and the color left his face. “What the hell?"
It was all he managed to get out before she struck. The hand groping for the gun never connected as with another roar of pure fury, she hit him with all the strength in her body. He flew across the room and slammed into the wall before dropping to the floor like a limp, rag doll; eyes rolled up into the back of his head.
The door burst open a seconds later and Hugh came rushing in. He took in the scene in a glance, his eyes widening when he saw her before he turned and saw Charles crumpled on the floor. Hugh checked Charles's pulse while she paced back and forth, cursing under her breath.
Mary Elizabeth wanted to hit him again. She didn't care if he was crazy. He'd hit her! She'd never been struck in her life. Who did he think he was? First, he calmly announced that he killed her sister. Then, despite how many times she told him she wouldn't marry him, the man goes and arranges their wedding, and was willing to kidnap her to make sure she fell in line. Then, he hit her, after calling her fat! The woman he supposedly loved. She wanted to kill him. It was all she could do to keep herself from going over there and kicking him until she broke a few ribs while he lay there unconscious. It was the least that he deserved.
Hugh walked over to the phone and made a call. “Rome, this is Hugh. I've got a situation over here. Attempted kidnapping. Perp's unconscious right now. I'll tie him up before he comes around.” He listened for a moment and then said, “Right. The apartment above the diner. Door's open.” He made short work of tying Charles up and then turned to his furious mate.
"Mary Elizabeth, I need for you to calm down."
She growled in reply.
"Honey, I know you're angry right now and you have every right to be, but I really need for you to get a hold of your temper and calm down."
She shook her head so hard she wobbled as she paced back and forth, citing all the things she'd been through. She wasn't calming down anytime in the foreseeable future.
Hugh took a deep breath, placed his hands on his hips and shook his head. “I want you to remember that I tried doing this the easy way. Mary Elizabeth, look at your hands."
Of all the stupidest things she'd ever heard in her life, this was the worst. Look at her hands! She knew what her hands looked like. The man hadn't seen her in days. He walked in on an attempted kidnapping and all he could say was calm down and look at your hands? She gave him a look that showed how stupid she thought his command was.
"I mean it, honey. Trust me. You need to look at your hands."
Giving a huff of aggravation, she did as he'd said and screamed in surprise. Her hands were gone. In their place were some big, hairy paws with lethal looking claws on the end. She followed the line of her paw up her arm as far as she could see.
Her arms were also covered in fur. Everything that she could see had thick, brown fur on it. Now that she was calmer, she realized she was still on all fours. She looked between her front legs at the rest of her body and saw that she had two in the back just like the front. She tried to get a good look at the rest of her body, only to give up when she spun around uselessly in circles.