The man on the floor burst into tears, ugly crying until there was snot running down his face. His back heaved with each harsh intake of air as he tried to breathe through the tears. Peter has his legs pinned, and Justine was sitting on his lower back, forcing his shoulders to the ground. The man made no move to get up, he just lay on the ground and continued to cry, breathing raggedly, and I got the distinct impression he’s as clueless about what just happened as the rest of us. “Are you gonna be okay?” Peter asked, leaning around the man’s shoulders to get a glimpse of his tear-streaked, pitiful face. “Can we let you up or are you gonna freak out on us again?” The man didn’t say anything. He just sniffed and nodded his head, looking like a child in the process. Justine and Peter both shared a quick look, and Justine nodded his head. He counted silently to three, mouthing the words to

 "Justine, she's shackled to the table," I softly observed.He bowed his head and hushed his voice. "And you don't suppose Ricky may feel sorry for her and remove the straps? Especially after a couple of hours of talking and watching over her?”Unfortunately, I believe that would be a little issue. Ricky grew more patient and warm-hearted following the catastrophe with Gigi and Diana, and if he senses Mikaella seems to be in emotional turmoil, I can imagine him loosening the restraints and releasing her free.He may not take a comprehensive approach to little details, such as anxious fidgeting or a difference in Mikaella's demeanor, and by the moment he does, it may be too late."He'll be alright," Peter cut in. "He's not a moron. Remember how fantastic of a leader he is?" he softly said. "He noticed how Antonio was feeling. He knows better than to endanger his life, no matter how devastated Mikaella is."

 It would be almost odd traveling without Peter and Ricky since any time we've had to split up for anything, we've typically worked together as a team together and seldom split up until under extreme circumstances and if it was really necessary. I've worked with Justine the majority of the time since he was my partner, however, I also sometimes work with Peter or Diana.  The mere mention of Diana's name almost brought me emotions. I bit my lower lip and stared longingly at my hands, which were perfectly tucked in my lap, trying not to fidget. But I couldn't help myself. Her fateful minutes came flooding back to me in excruciating detail.  As she fought to keep going, I could hear her heavy breathing. Her blood was soaking through her clothing, and I could smell it. When she recognized we were abandoning her behind, I could see the dread and hopelessness in her eyes. Not Mikaella, but she should still re

 Justine stopped for a moment. "I'm not confident whether we'll remain for the evening," he said. "It's still early in the morning, and we may get a few more hours of driving in." We have to go to New York."  Lesley cocked her brow. "What about New York? You're going to need all of your stamina and energy if you want to get there. Why don't you all spend the evening and help me out around the cattle ranch a little bit, and we'll get you some delicious food, an excellent night's sleep, and a wonderful breakfast to start you leaving tomorrow?"  Stull, Justine pulled back. Ricky and Mikaella both looked at him with startled eyes.  "Please, just let us remain for one overnight, dude! New York is not going away. Besides, I know you want a delicious sirloin just like the remaining of us."  Justine cracked a beaming smile. "Yeah sure, we'

I rolled my eyes and entered the family room, where the others had congregated. Justine indicated the place next to him on the sofa, and I gladly sat down, allowing him to throw his arm around me and bring me in deeper. I kept an eye on the threshold, waiting for Peter and Ricky to emerge. It was already getting late outside, and I would not want them to be out there unaccompanied for too long, even when they were still on the premises. I squeezed my hands together, attempting to restore some heat to them. My nose was runny and burning now that I was no longer chilly, and I prayed there was a heater or any hearth nearby. Ugh! So much for this particular day. I beamed gratefully at Justine as he took a comforter from the back of the sofa and put it over me. To create a fire, it would have to do without a chimney or any furnace. My skin was tingling from being outdoors for so long. I'm simply grateful we've been doing a couple of complex hard work and manual effort to keep ourselves wa