By Ash
Part 1
Mmmmm, I can’t believe it’s morning already. I feel like I’ve only slept for five minutes. No matter though, all of my good energy is going in to planning my wedding for the man that I love.
I feel the distant difference though. Maybe we’ve just been busy.
Rolling over, I reach over to his side of the bed. “Morning Baby.” I whisper but thats when I see that he isn’t there.
“I’m going to the station!” He shouts from the front room.
“Goodbye.” I whisper. I don’t know what to do. He isn’t the man that I love anymore.
I don’t understand
You look just like the man
In the picture by our bed
The suspense is pounding and clouding up my head
I’m checking your clothes and you wear the same size shoes
You sleep in his spot and you’re driving his car
But I don’t know just who you are.
I slip out my bed and into my silk robe. Walking over to the closet, I pick up one of his shirts and smell the scent. I check all of his clothes and shoes.
“Who are you anymore Luis? You’re not the man that proposed to me.” I can’t help but say out loud.
“What Sheridan??” I freeze at the sound of his angry voice.
“Luis....” I breathe.
He walks closer to me and traps me in the corner.
“What are you doing?” He says grabbing me by the elbow.
“Nothing....I mean....nothing at all Luis.”
“Nothing! You were snooping Sheridan! Why?!?!”He screams in my face.
“I wasn’t snooping Luis! I was just getting ready for work! You’re scaring me. Let go of me!!” I sob. Not being able to control my sobs.
He just lets go of my elbow and walks away.
“We’ll talk about this later.” He says quickly and walks out of our cottage.
My chest heaving pulls me to the floor and I lay there holding my stomach not being able to calm myself.
What happened to the man I love?
He’s a stranger to me now.
Something isn’t right.
There’s a stranger in my house
Took a while to figure out
There’s no way you can be who you say you are
You’ve got to be someone else
Cause he wouldn’t touch me like that
And he wouldn’t treat me like you do
He would ignore
He wouldn’t ignore me
So I’m convinced there’s stranger in my house
I spent the whole day at the Youth Center trying to justify Luis’s actions.
This isn’t Luis.
Something is wrong.
Maybe he thinks that I’m isolating myself from him. I have been spending more time on the wedding than time with him.
We haven’t made love in weeks.
No that is no excuse. He shouldn’t have grabbed me like that.
Maybe I need to show him what are love is like.
Yes, that is what I will do.
Now show who you are
Don’t see your shadow around when you walk
Leaving no kisses
Goodbye with no words
If these walls could talk they would have nothing to tell
So what could it be
Is someone imitating me
Could she be taking my place
Look me in the face
And tell me that I’m wrong when I say
There’s a stranger in my house
Lighting the last candle, I hear his cruiser pulling up. I quickly fix my hair in hope that this will work.
He opens the door and I smile at him as he looks around the candle lit room.
“Good evening Darling.”
He doesn’t say a word he just brushes past me and walks into the bedroom.
The pain in my chest starts.
He literally ripped my heart out.
I can take this anymore. I stare down at his Grandmother’s ring that adorned my ringer finger.
It was supposed to be a symbol of love.
What happened to our love Luis?
I need to know!
There’s a stranger in my house
Took a while to figure out
There’s no way you can be who you say you are
You’ve got to be someone else
Cause he wouldn’t touch me like that
And he wouldn’t treat me like you do
He would ignore
He wouldn’t ignore me
So I’m convinced there’s stranger in my house
I storm into my bedroom.
“Luis! What happened to us?!?! What changed? I want an answer now!” I scream. There was no turning back now.
He jumps up abruptly and comes towards me again. My heart is beating hard in my chest.
My God, he’s going to hit me.
He grabs me by the wrist and twists it back. “Don’t you ever talk to me like that!” He says.
“Luis, what are you doing? This isn’t you! You aren’t violent! You’re very kind and gentle. Where is the Luis I know? Don’t you remember everything we’ve gone through to be together? I love you.”
The pain is sharp and quick across my face as he slaps me hard.
Pop Quiz
Tell me where we first kissed?
Tell me where my spot is?
Tell me if I like it
Or could it be
That the stranger is me
Have I changed so drastically?
Is it that I want more for me
And you remain the same
I’ve got to get out of here. With my first instinct, I kneed him in the groin. He falls down long enough for me to make a break for the mansion.
I can feel his footsteps pounding behind me as he chases me screaming my name.
“Sheridan, come back here!”
I ran into the mansion hoping someone would be there. I remembered quickly that there was a dinner tonight and no one would be there.
I run around the dark mansion reaching for the first door I can find.
Slamming it behind me I try my best to lock it.
I’m in the wine cellar.
“Ow!” I scream as I hit my against one of the wood shelves.
“Sheridan! I know you’re in there!” Luis screams pounding on the door.
I slowly walk backwards into a corner.
Make it stop. Make it stop. I wish he would just go away.
I slump onto my knees burring my head in my hands.
I’m going to go mad.
“Uhhhh.....” I hear faintly.
Oh my god. I’m not alone.
Sitting next to me was a crumpled man with a sack over his head and his hands tied together.
What’s going on?
I slowly pull the sack off of his head.
“Luis?!?!?!”
There’s a stranger in my house
Took a while to figure out
There’s no way you can be who you say you are
You’ve got to be someone else
Cause he wouldn’t touch me like that
And he wouldn’t treat me like you do
He would ignore
He wouldn’t ignore me
So I’m convinced there’s stranger in my house
Part 2
“Shh...shh.....Sheridan?”
This doesn’t make sense. Luis is outside of the hollow door banging on it like a mad man.
Who is this man sitting in front of me?
“No, who are you?”
“It’s me Sheridan. I swear. That man that has been living with you is an impostor. He was hired to tear us apart and I have been trapped in this cellar for a few weeks I think. Please you have to believe me.”
I don’t know what to think. This fragile and loving young man sitting in front of me looks like my lover but I have to be sure.
“Kiss me.” It’s the only way I can know because the other Luis hasn’t kissed me in so long.
Lifting his hands, that were still tied together, he cupped my chin and softly brushed his lips with mine.
I felt that same feeling that I always feel when he kisses me.
Warmth and love. This is my Luis.
The tears begin to fall out of both of our eyes. No words need to be said because we know.
“Oh Luis. I have to get you out of here.” I start tearing at the ropes on his wrists.
“No Sheridan don’t.” He said tearing his hands away.
“Why?!? I have to get you out of here.”
“No they’ll kill you!”
I freeze and I don’t know what to do. “Kill?”
“Yes, Alistar and Julian will kill you. That is how bad they want us apart.”
“What are we supposed to do?”
“I have a plan. You just have to listen to me ok?”
All I can do is nod my head. This is all too much for me.
“You have to let the impostor in here and I want you to loosen the ropes to where I can break free easily. I can tie him up and they will never know the difference, for now anyways, because they thought that no one would find me down here.”
“But I did.” I whispered.
He smiled and he kissed me again, “Thats because you’re my angel.”
Fresh tears began to fall down my cheeks, “God, I have missed you so much.”
He lifted his wrists so I could fall into his arms. “The only thing that I have thought of is you. I love you so much and I’m going to take you away from the horrible place. I want us to be somewhere where no one can find us.”
“I love you too.”
I could feel his heart beating in his chest. “Let me loosen the ropes.” I untie them as loose as I could.
“Are you ready to do this?” He said sincerely.
“I’m ready.” I whispered standing up and walking towards the door.
“Sheridan?”
“Yea?” I said turning back around to face my love.
“You never made love to him, did you?” He whispered.
“No. I didn’t know it but a part of me knew that there was a stranger in my house.”
Sighing with relief, he positioned himself against the wall. “I would do anything for you Luis. Always know that.” I said.
Luis just smiled. He always knew that.
I’ll give you life
The things you want
I would do anything for you
I would do anything for you
I would do anything Girl anything for you
Sitting at home another lonely night
Wish you were here so I could hold you tight
Holding my heart because I’m all alone
Why did you leave?
Why did your love have to go?
I would do anything for you
I would
Thinking of ways that I could win your heart
I’m so confused I don’t know where to start
Visions of love forever in my mind
I wait for the day I could say that first line
Cause I would do anything for you
Yes I would
I’ll give you love
The things you want
Baby theres nothing in this world I wouldn’t do
I would do anything for you
I would do anything for you
I would do anything Girl anything for you
So what can I do to prove I need your love
What will it take because I won’t give up
Open your heart and let your feelings show
Cause deep down inside my heart just won’t let you go
I would do anything for you
Yes I would
I’ll give you love
The things you want
Baby theres nothing in this world I wouldn’t do
I would do anything for you
I would do anything for you
I would do anything Girl anything for you
If there ever comes a time when
When it’s true love for you to find
Just call out my name
And Girl I swear I would do anything
I’ll give you life
I would do anything for you
I would do anything for you
I would do anything Girl anything for you
I smiled back. I hope this works.
Shakingly, I placed my hand on the cold door knob. The impostor Luis was still banging on the door.
“Open the damn door!”
“Fine, Luis I’m opening it up.”
Part 3
Not being able to control my shaky hands I fumbled with the knob for a while. Finally, I heard the click of the door unlocking.
Before I had a chance to pull the door open, the other Luis pushed the door open with full force. Shoving me back, into a shelve of wine bottles I can feel the blood start to seep down my forehead from the fall. Pain begins to pound in my forehead as I lay on the cold floor.
“Sheridan!” I can hear my love screaming from the shadow of the wall.
I can’t really see because my vision is beginning to blur away.
My love rips away the ropes on his wrists and he jumps on the impostor. Pulling at his face, I see a mask ripped from the man’s face revealing a very unfamiliar face.
They continue to roll around on the ground for a while and finally Luis gets the upper hand. He jumps on top of the impostor and starts cracking him in the jaw.
Finally, Luis ties up the impostor and picks him up by the back of his neck. “It’s time for us to take a trip down to the police station! For imitating an officer of the law and all the others things I’m going to charge you and your employers with!”
It’s finally over.
I’m so tired though and I feel so much pain. I just want to sleep now.
I can feel Luis put his arms around me and I can faintly hear him talking to me.
“Sheridan, honey you have to stay with me. You can’t leave me not after this again! Sheridan answer me.......Sheridan..........Sheridan.......Sheridan.......”
He sounds so far away.
Time for me to sleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
No. No no. She’s not gone! I won’t have it.
I’ve lost her more than I have had her in my lifetime. I can’t lose her now.
Come hell or high water I’m going to get her through this. Me and her are going to get married.
I love her.
Whats that? Someone is coming down the stairs. If it’s Alistar or Julian I will kill them with my bear hands.
I clutch her close to me. No one is going to hurt her.
“What the hell is going on down here?” A woman’s voice stated.
Ivy?
“Ivy.” I whisper.
“Oh my God! Luis. What happened? Oh my Sheridan!” She says kneeling down in front of her.
“She needs to get to the hospital. Did you know about the impostor?” I can barely choke out.
“Impostor? You mean the mask? Luis that was so long ago. Who told you?”
“Long ago! Ivy he has been living in my house with my fiancee for weeks now while I’ve sat in this cellar to rot! Now tell me you what know!” I said anger running through my veins.
“No! I swear! I only knew from when they fooled Sheridan on the wharf.”
“The wharf? I knew it! Those bastards.”
“Alistar and Julian? They are something!” She said disgustedly.
“Well, first we need to get Sheridan to the hospital and this guy to jail. Can you help me?”
“Of course.” She said helping Sheridan into my arms.
They are going to pay! Alistar and Julian Crane are going to go down.
But first I have to cherish my love. Until she’s safe nothing matters.
Thinking back in time
Someone said that love was blind
But they were wrong
You just choose to not see
When is right before your eyes
You’d rather compromise
And give it all
Then it don’t turn out the way it’s suppose to be
Time and time again
You disappoint when she believes
Just do your best and give her what she needs
Cherish her love
Show her she right where she belongs
Take care of her heart
Before she’s gone
Cherish her love
It might hard to conceive
You gotta see the force despite the truth
Before it burns down
Not telling you nothing you don’t know
But she’ll let you have your fun
But when a woman’s done she’s done
And then she’ll go
Just when your needing her the most
Time and time again
You disappoint when she believes
Do all you can and give her what she needs
Cherish her love
Show us she’s right where she belongs
Take care of her heart
Before she’s gone
Cherish her love
And if you care about a way to keep us safe and warm
Let nothing in between stand in the way
They say it’s calm inside the eye of the storm
Take whatever comes our way
Cherish her love
Show us she’s right where she belongs
Take care of her heart
Before she’s gone
Cherish her love
Part 4
Where am I? All I can see is the surroundings in my bedroom at the cottage.
Was all of this a dream? My Luis being stuck in a wine cellar, the imposter Luis living in my home or me hitting my head on a wine racks.
Ow! Maybe it isn’t a dream. I place my hand on my forehead and I can feel a bandage where I cut my head early that evening.
Why am I alone? Where’s Luis?
Or did the imposter Luis kill him? “Luis? Luis!!!” Where is he?
I jump out of the bed but my body won’t work with me. I slowly crumble to the ground.
“Luis!” I continue to scream through my tears.
“Sheridan! What are you doing out of bed?” Luis came rushing into the bedroom.
“Is it really you?” I had to be sure.
Without words he slowly picked me up and placed me back into my bed. He leaned down and brushed a sweet kiss on my lips.
“Does that answer your question?” I just smile and nod my head.
“Wait a minute. Where’s the other Luis?”
“Don’t worry he’s tied up in the cellar.”
“In the cellar? I thought you were taking him to the prison!” What is he thinking?
“Well, I have a plan Sher and I need you back to your full health so we can execute it but for now we can definitely fool Julian and Alistar. We don’t have a lot of time so that is why I need you to stay in bed.” He smiled tucking the covers tightly around my body.
“So, what do we do now?”
“Well, you are going to stay in bed! I’m going to treat you to tender loving care!”
I could feel all of the love and sweetness as he tipped his face towards mine and kissed me with all of the fire and passion that we share.
“I’ll be right back.” He whispered. Standing up he heading for the door.
“Luis?”
“Yes, darling?”
“Will we ever be able to be together without interruptions or interferences? Will this plan work?”
He slowly walked back over to me and took my hands in his. “I will do anything to be happy with you. Even if I have to die trying but no matter what I’ll always be with you.” After that I had to kiss him again. “Thats all I wanted to hear.”
He smiled went to get up again. I pulled at his arm.
“No, don’t go. Just rest here with me.”
“No argument here!” He said sliding into the bed and letting me fall into his arms.
There was his heart.
Beating strongly and beautifully.
We only had one more obstacle to overcome.
Julian and Alistar you have no idea what the power of love is going to do to you.
Be prepared for war.
There’s no more waiting
Holding out for love
You are my God sent
That I have been forever deep in love
My angel from above
Heaven knows
I’m head over heels and it shows
I’ve played every field I suppose
But there’s something about you
When you’re around
Baby I have found
I get lost in you
What is this feeling?
I’ve never known before
That I should dare too
Swear too
Surrender ever more
That what I’ve been waiting for
Heaven knows
I’m head over heels and it shows
I’ve played every field I suppose
But there’s something about you
When you’re around
Baby I have found
I get lost in you
I get lost in your wonderful days
Lost in your wonderful way
Heaven knows
Oh, When you’re around
Baby I have found I get lost
Heaven knows
I’m head over heels and it shows
I’ve played every field I suppose
But there’s something about you
When you’re around
Baby I have found
I get lost in you
The End!