It was dusk, right before nightfall. She sat in a big leather chair facing an even bigger fanciful bed. The finest silk sheets, the most elaborate black and red comforter, too many ornate pillows; it was just too big for just one person. Yet, just one person slept upon the bed she watched. Though, it was more of a short death than actual sleep. All too still. She wondered as she watched him if that was what she looked like during her year long comatose stay in the iron maiden.

It wouldn't be long before Eric awoke from his death sleep. It was necessary for her to sneak up and wait on him like this. From the time he woke until it was the hour for his death sleep, he was at Fangsta. She was too worn out for the club anymore. It was too loud. It was no place for her now as a human. Plus, his maids all knew her face. It was all too easy to wait. She supposed she should have called ahead the night before, but well, that'd take all the fun out of a surprise now wouldn't it?

"I really dun know what yer talking about, Eric. Honest," she nibbled on her lower lip, looking up at him as she rubbed her burning cheek.

"You liar! You came here to lie now? What is the use of that, coming all this way after all this time - just to lie?! I heard your voice over the phone. I heard you beg, say my name in just the way you do. There is no one else that could have done that," he said, getting just a bit more ill as time progressed.

"Eric, calm down," She stood, moving to pat the end of the bed. "I know you've been calling and asking for me. They have told you nothing for a reason." Jade gave a soft sigh, "Sit down. There are some things I need to explain."

He balled a large hand into a fist at his side, though he did what he was told. He sat on the edge of the bed, "Then explain."

She remained standing, only now beside him, "That wasn't me. I've been... trapped for over a year... in an iron maiden, as some demon clone of me did whatever it wanted."

That was not the answer he had expected, by a long shot. "Where was Dakota through all that! Why hasn't he answered me? His phone has even been disconnected! Why didn't Dakota try to save you?"

Her gaze fell down down down until it couldn't fall anymore, "Because he's not there to save me anymore, Eric."

"Not there? Not there!" He huffed, a few blonde locks flew in the air. "Don't tell me he left you and the children! I knew he was trouble! He was never good for you, that drunk."

Now her small hands balled into fists, "Don't you ever talk about him like that! He'd never leave me!" Her voice was all but shrieking. At that outburst, his anger waned and he took to looking at her. In that moment, she looked so helpless. She was fighting with memories in her head. "He... he died ... four months after Shilah was born." Defeated, she finally spit out the words. "He lost control o' his little truck... an' a log truck took him out."