Jail's Bait: Parole's Victim (Book 4)

The beats were already flowing like cool waters by DJ Slyyce as he started the party off with a frenzy of sexy sounds, while the caterers were setting up for the mini-event that would start tonight's jump-off; Jamara's birthday moment. This was decided by tonight's event coordinator Cuffy Holmes, who started his spectacular career planning parties. DJ Slyyce had agreed to mix the music for nothing; Marquis was his 2nd cousin Rah-Rah's son, making the boy his 3rdcousin, after all.

Meanwhile, inside the small receiving room of HT that bordered the game room by the Ground-Level pool area, Malik, Lamar, Joe, Joan, Marquis, Kap, Carmen and Angelina were all standing stock-still, staring at Ray, who silently stared back at them with a mixture of confused defiance on his face, his head held high, his shoulders thrust back.

To one side, Sophie the nanny, baby Jamara (who was currently in Sophie's arms), Marquette and Claire simply looked silently confused, uncertain as to what was the matter.

Then as one Malik, Lamar, Joe, Joan, Marquis, Kap, Carmen and Angelina all turned to look- at Danny, who looked startled, yet remained resolute.

"WHAT???" Danny replied defensively.

Joe took some time in clearing his throat. "I don't believe you- I really don't believe you," he finally said then with a threat of a growl in his voice.

"How did'ya DO it, Danny...?" Joan asked, staring spellbound at Ray.

"He looks just like those pictures of your grandfather you showed us," Carmen said in awe to Marquis.

Marquis, however, could hardly swallow, the lump in his throat was too large. "I... know," he finally managed. "Like a ghost..."

"Pop," Lamar said then, giving his father a penetrating look- "what are you playing at..?"

"What do you mean," Danny replied, his voice rising. "I'm not playing at anything."

"This is something that I'd expect Mom to cook up… not you," Lamar said again, staring at Ray.

"Heyy!!!" Claire retorted angrily. "I don't even know what you're talking about!!!"

Ray held up one hand in surrender. "Maybe I could try ta explain," he said then. "I know dat I look a lot like Danny's... well, his old friend Trey," he said; "an I aint gonna lie, he looked like he seen a ghost when he first saw me. We... been on da emails back an fro, an he aint never seen me in person since I'm from ...da LA branch. I have seen a picture of Trey though, and whoo! I can tell ya dat yall are right about me lookin like his ghost...!" Ray smiled then, awkwardly.

Danny groaned inwardly, knowing full well that the most intelligent of the group standing before him would never buy that a man who used language like that actually worked for prestigious WolfRam & Hart, no matter what branch of the country they claimed to be from.

"Sure enough," Malik and Lamar looked once again at Danny, two set of eyes narrowed in suspicion-

But before anyone else could say anything, Cuffy Holmes poked his head in the door. "We're ready to begin," he announced to the silent crowd; "...that is, if YOU'RE ready," he added, obviously knowing he'd intruded on a family moment.

"We're ready," Malik said, frowning at Ray and Danny- then looked over at Sophie. "We'll be ringing for Jamara in a little while, so listen for the buzz. Bring her down to the pool then, we'll have her cake and everything set up."

"Yes, sir," Sophie smiled, adjusting the baby and heading out the door.

"Well, we'll deal with this later- and don't sleep, we WILL, Dan," Malik said in a low voice. "But right now, our party guests are waiting."

And with that they all filed out of the room, Danny and Ray the last ones to follow. Danny turned to Ray then, a somber look on his face. "I'm sorry my family acted like this," Danny said, risking much to reach up and stroke Ray's handsome face. "I just wanted you to meet them..."

"...And now they have," Ray said with a grim smile. "I'll handle it, it's gonna take em some time gettin used ta me bein around you." And Ray risked leaning over, and kissing Danny lightly on the lips, which made Danny feel emboldened- the stiff lump he got in his pants also lifted his spirits.

"Fine, then, we'll take on my family-together," Danny said then; "let's go." And, with both men smiling, they left the room.

**********

The whole graduating class and their respective dates (if they brought any) were already on the dance floor, giving a large whoop and a standing ovation when Marquis, Kap, their girlfriends and the Hill family appeared. Marquis looked around at all the smiling faces of his classmates, saw his girl look up at him with adoration, and his best friend, the love of his life, look over at him with a secret, DL grin- and he knew he was about to have the time of his life- he would NEVER forget this day as long as he lived...

He looked around, mentally reviewing his pre-event meeting with Cuffy. The whole pool area and adjoining badminton court were transformed into a party paradise, complete with bunting strung up with invisible wire to make it look as if the colored lighting floated in the newly darkened skies, the protruding cloud cover adding to the aerial backdrop for enhanced effect. Two of the guest artists would perform first while the birthday cake, Marquis's and the baby's gifts were set up by the pool's edge, using the side nearest the waterfall which fell into the Rainier Lake over a half-mile below them. The whole crowd would then go towards the pool while the nanny was bringing the baby out, marquis would open up his gifts- then all would wish Jamara Happy Birthday and welcome to the Hill family, her gifts would be opened- and then the third artist would perform as the caterers took the cake over to the side table with the hors D' oeuvres and the large decanter fountains that spouted red and white wine. The final artist would perform a full set as the crowd would dance to the hottest songs, and then DJ Slyyce would take over until the coming storm ended the night. After this Marquis planned the after party inside at the Ground-Level Ballroom, where more seriously sexy music would be put on, the lights dimmed and (whatever happens in the Ballroom before dawn, STAYS in the Ballroom-)… Marquis grinned to himself at the possibilities, wondering what it would be like to make love to Kap and Carmen at the same time... his dick began to stiffen.

Just then he felt a poke on the back of his shoulder and a voice say, "Happy Graduation, Kie-Kie..!"

Marquis felt his stomach drop with surprise. He knew that voice, and only one person called him that-EVER. Turning around, he came face to face with North-Dakota Manning, his ex-girlfriend and the reason he started drinking at age 15 to begin with... "Hi, North-Dakota," he stammered in greeting- "how'd you get an invitation..?"

"Now, I don't believe you really think the guards would keep me out of HT, now do you," she smiled at him. "I was here when some of them got hired."

Marquis had to admit she did look amazing, the glitter-white sheer dress with a daring slip up to her crotch, the 4-inch staccato heels and her platinum hair in Shirley-Temple curls accentuated her pale complexion, almost making her look ethereal- he remembered why he had fallen in love with her so easily…

"Now do I get to kiss the graduate," she asked licentiously, reaching up and putting her slim arms around his blushing neck.

"Sure you can kiss my man, if you want the press thinking you botox-ed your lips before you left the party," Carmen interjected then; "cause I'd be smackin the SHIT outta you so fast-"

Marquis whirled around, almost forgetting that his girlfriend was standing right next to him. Carmen's hands were gripped into fists and her eyes flashed.

"Ummm Marquis, who is this..?" North-Dakota asked with an arch look, pulling her arms down.

"Who the fuck are YOU, bitch," Carmen said, starting towards her-

Marquis grabbed her back then. "Carmen!!" he thundered.

"Everyone knows who I am," the platinum starlet smirked condescendingly to Marquis's irate girlfriend. "I'm North-Dakota Manning..!"

"Like I said, WHO DA FUCK ARE YOU," Carmen repeated in a louder voice, wrestling to get free of Marquis's grip as some of those nearest the scene stopped dancing to watch.

Marquis suddenly turned Carmen around to face him. "Carmen, what are you doing..?" he pleaded.

"Marquis, can I talk to you..? NOW?!?" Carmen thundered, grabbing his wrist and pulling him away from his shocked ex.

Angelina came over then to the stunned girl. "If I were you, I'd get the hell outta here while you can," she whispered conspiratorially to North-Dakota. "That bitch is crayyzy!! She might-" and then she whispered into the girl's ear.

North-Dakota's eyes got wider and wider each second. "You know, she said after Angelina had finished her warning- I really have places to be- tell Kie-Kie that I'll catch him around!!" And with that the starlet shimmied off towards the black gates, flashbulbs popping all around her.

Kap came up to Angelina, putting his arm around her waist. "What did you tell her," he wondered as he kissed the back of his girl's neck.

"I just said that Carmen knows some really wicked things to do with a curling iron- and I didn't mean with the hair on the top of the head," Angelina said wryly, staring after the retreating Oscar-Winner. "She didn't like to think what Carmen would do to her coochie, I guess."

"What would YOU do with her coochie," Kap smirked, holding Angelina close.

"Lick it so good I'd make her forget her own mama," she replied coolly.

"I hear that," Kap said, impressed.

"Let's hope your boy makes my girl ‘hear' what he's got to say about all this," Angelina sighed. "Jealousy aint something Carmen can handle- now not you and Key, she's cool with that- but another woman..? She'd scratch your boy's and Little Miss Oscar-Winner's eyes out. Then she'd go get that curling iron anyway…" she looked over to the game room by the pool area, where Carmen had dragged Marquis…

**********

"You were just gonna let that lil pale pasty ho kiss you, weren't you?" Carmen spit at Marquis.

"Where'd you get an idea like that," Marquis said, defending himself.

"I saw that look on your face; I know how weak yall niggas are when a bitch done broke your heart," Carmen shouted then.

"Carmen, be easy," Marquis tried to come near her- but she backed away.

"Look, Marquis, lets get something straight," she said then, eyes flashing. "I'm part Latina but I have a whole Latina temper, and I'll be really out there raising hell on yo ass if you cheat on me with another woman."

Marquis was stunned. "But- but you're cheating on ME with another woman," he said, flustered.

"That's different," Carmen said; "she's no competition with you. Just like Kap is no competition for me… you two love each other, and I love Angelina. You can love him forever and I'll never be threatened."

Marquis frowned. "But if I even look at another girl who just might be interested in me-"

"I'll snatch dat bitch bald-headed," she fired back. "And you too, I aint scared of you ‘cause you got a athlete body."

Marquis looked at Carmen's flashing eyes- and he started to laugh.

Carmen looked at him incredulously. "Why are you laughing at me," she asked then, frowning.

"You basically just said I better be faithful as long as I can be unfaithful."

Carmen started- and then she hit Marquis playfully on the shoulder. "I did not say that," she said then with a grin, her temper gone.

"I got you to shut up though, didn't I," Marquis said then, pulling Carmen close and kissing her. "And by the way: I didn't give North-Dakota an invitation- she got in using her star power," he said, leaning in to kiss her again.

She pulled back. "As long as you know that I'm the ONLY woman, then we're all good."

"All good, baby," Marquis said then, kissing Carmen again.

**********

Back outside a few minutes later, the crowd was having the time of its life; on stage Kelly Ozzburn started the main part of the party with a block of her hottest songs, keeping the crowd on its sway, then rapper lil' Man's performance brought them to the next level of wild-dom. After his set was done DJ Slyyce returned to the ones and two's. "Lemme hear what yall want," he shouted his trademark question into the crowd.

"ANOTHER SLYYCCEE!!!!" The crowd roared the trademark response into the dark skies.

"YEAAAH YEEEAAHHH," DJ Slyyce replied as the crowd went wild. "But first, this IS a party, right, and wit every party there's gotta be GIFTS. I bring to your attention the lovely ladies dressed in silver gowns standing to the left and the right," he indicated towards the four ladies placed strategically throughout the party guests, each holding a large tray filled with little blue velvet jewelry boxes. Two of the beautifully dressed women were wearing a pink ribbon on their right shoulders; two were wearing a blue ribbon. An excited murmur ran through the crowd.

"Yes, sirrah, aint they all phyne," DJ Slyyce continued. "Now I'm betting each member of the graduating class of da '015 has their RC High Class ring on, am I correct?"

The answering show of ring-filled hands was followed by "RRRRR-CCCCC-WHHOOOPPPP!!!"- the school battle cry.

"Well, these lovely ladies are here to make a deal with you," the DJ went on. "For each class ring you have on you right now, they are prepared to replace them, for THIS!"- and with that he held up one of the boxes, opening it up to reveal the exact replica of the 2015 RC High class ring- only instead of gold, the rings were made from solid platinum- and replacing the school stone in the middle of the ring was a 4-karat flawless diamond, ringed about by 18 diamond baguettes. The crowd gave a large ‘OOOOOHHHHH.'

DJ Slyyce smiled. "Yes, people, four karats in the new ring- to represent each year of your life at RC High...! Brought to you by your hosts, the Hill Family!!!"

The eagles nesting on the top of Mt. Rainier took flight from the sudden storm of delight that erupted from below.

DJ Slyyce went on. "The women's cut rings are on the trays held by the ladies wearing the pink ribbons, for the fellas, check the ladies with the blue ribbons." The crowd immediately descended on the four women. "As you give in your gold ring, you get a new platinum ring, swap for swap... and once you get your new platinum memory of your high school experience, please make your way over to the pool area, where we will be opening up the Hill Family's graduation gifts to their own, Marquis- so don't get all mad cause yall see what he's gettin, cause yall got platinum rings on now," he threatened playfully, putting on low background music to fill the mood.

Pretty soon the crowd had gathered to see the gift ceremony for Marquis, and to admire the gigantic white and pink sheet cake with Jamara's face painted on with colored icing- 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMARA' written underneath the icing portrait; the smell of butter-cream frosting filled the area. Marquis stood with Carmen, Kap on his other side, next to the table littered with presents. Marquis felt as nervous as every Christmas morning he'd seen since he was 9. Kap looked at him and laughed.

"What are you laughing at," Marquis said, glaring at his best friend.

"You always get that look on your face when you know you're about to get a gift," Kap said, doubled over with laughter. "You always gettin nervous, ever since we was 9 years old!!"

"You could relax, baby," Carmen said, holding Marquis's hand and giving it a squeeze. "They're just presents; they don't bite- well actually, Leo does bite, doesn't he..? And he WAS a present," she reminded herself.

"After getting Leo, I don't know why I'm nervous about any gift I would ever get again in life," Marquis said to them, swallowing nervously. "It's just- I don't know, my stomach is in knots. It's not the gifts, it's something. something else…"

"Where is Leo, by the way," Kap said brightly, obviously trying to change the subject to calm Marquis down.

"Well, Pop thought that I should leave him tied up way up near the white baboon's tree," Marquis said, still eyeing the table. "I wanted Leo over here with me, but I guess he's got a point; not everyone would feel comfortable with a lion walking about the grounds free- even if it is just a cub."

Just then DJ Slyyce stopped the music. "I just got the word- it's time to start. I'll turn the mic over to the next Governor of Washington, Congressman Joe Hill!!"

A spotlight suddenly fused onto Joe's face as he picked up a remote mic and turned it on as the crowd fell into an expectant hush. "Okay, here we are- as the head of the Hill family I'd like to say congratulations to all the graduating class of 2015, and especially to my great-nephew Marquis; we're so proud of you, son. You had to endure a lot in your lifetime, and yet tackled high school with as much passion, as much determination, and with as much respect as we could ever have expected from a Hill-man, and you surpassed our expectations. These are just a few tokens of our love, honor and, most important, our RESPECT for the man you've turned out to be."

Marquis looked at Joe, tears in his eyes. "Thank you, Uncle Joe," he said humbly.

Joe put the mic down and came over to Marquis, putting his arms around him- then Marquette, Malik, Lamar, Joan, Danny and Claire all joined in, making it a Hill family group hug while Ray stood nearby, nodding his approval. All of them were crying, happy tears for their graduating son while the crowd gave a thunderous applause. Carmen and Angelina's eyes were also tear-filled, along with most of the girls in the senior class- and some of the guys, as well. "They do love him, don't they," Carmen said to Kap as the family hugged.

"I've never had so many people love me like that unconditionally," Kap agreed, looking at the scene wistfully. "It's always been just me and my moms."

"Is she coming," Angelina asked Kap, her hands clasped in both his and Carmen's hands.

"She's on her way," Kap said, "she sent a text message a few minutes ago."

After the family pulled themselves apart and wiped their eyes, Joe picked up the mic again. "Now, enough with the mushiness," he declaimed; "let's get to 'openin them presents'!!"

And the crowd gave an answering whoop as Marquis went over to the table and picked up the first one- from godparents Claire and Danny. Unwrapping it, he pulled from the packaging an arm-length glass cylinder with brass handles, which contained what looked like a very old scroll; pulling it out Marquis saw that the scroll was filled with Egyptian Hieroglyphics.

"It's one of the first records in Egyptian history, straight from the Library at Alexandria," Claire said in a rehearsed-like tone. "Dan and I felt that since you were going to Berkeley to study archeology, once you were trained up you could read it to us; tell us what it says."

"My first archeological mystery," Marquis said, going to his godparents and hugging them both. "Thanks guys." He gave Danny a side-glance look that suggested he already knew that the Egyptian scroll was his godfather's idea alone. Danny gave him a knowing smile and wink.

Then another package off the table, from Joe and Joan- and with the wrapping off, it was revealed to be a circular, slim medallion the circumference of a tennis ball, cut from a single ruby; the sides of the circle trimmed in solid gold. A solid gold letter H was cut into the center of the glittering red stone, and engraved on the gold trim read MARQUIS ATREYU HOWARD HILL- BORN 08/07/1996. This fabulous jewel was suspended from a solid gold length-rope chain, which when Marquis put on the gem, extended it to lay down right under his heart as he looked up at his great-uncle and great-aunt, smiling. The crowd oooohhed and ahhhhed again.

"It's the family jewel, Marquis. They decided on using ruby as the base of the medallion to signify Crimson Crest, the family ancestral property," Joan said then, "and technically every Hill should have one of those, according to Joe." And then she looked to Kap. "Speaking of which, there's one there with your name on it too, Michael," Joan added with an arch grin.

The crowd applauded in surprise as Kap, surprise of his own etched on his face, froze- and then was pushed towards the table by Angelina and Carmen, who giggled at his own stage-fright. "Talk about Marquis bein all nerves," Carmen laughed aloud.

Kap, trembling, went to the table and picked up the matching wrapping that had his name on. Pulling the package open, he saw with disbelief that he had a medallion as well, the same as everyone else's- solid ruby trimmed in gold, with the family initial H in its red center. His engraving read MICHAEL (HILL) DONATELLO, BORN 11/01/1996. He looked up towards Joe, speechless.

"It was Joan's idea, and I agreed," he explained. "We've known you as long as we've known Marquis; Marquette definitely considers you a surrogate brother for him, and if he was ever to have had a brother, you would have been it. As it is, you've lived around us for so long that we consider you family, and the medallion legally makes you an honorary Hill. I won't say ‘welcome to the family', because you already are one of us- I'll say, we're proud of you too, son. You've had your own struggles to achieve what you have already achieved, and we will stand by you all the way, no matter what- just like real family."

Kap silently stared at Joe and the rest of the Hill family, all of them smiling and nodding encouragingly at him- and he suddenly ducked his head down into his hands, clearly trying hard not to cry. The whole Hill family came over and hugged him, Marquis getting to him first as Kap buried his face in his best friend's shoulder, the rest of them surrounding them both. The crowd was moved to tears once again as they enthusiastically applauded their approval of the scene before them.

"Wow, to be a part of this family," Carmen said in awe, the tears flowing freely down her face, Angelina holding her hand again.

"We will be," Angelina said through tears of her own. "Those are our future husbands they're honoring right now."

After a time they broke apart once again, Kap putting on his medallion and putting his arm around Angelina, holding her close as he wiped his eyes. She leaned over and kissed him. "You gonna lose that like you lost the chain I bought you last year?" Angelina teased him.

"Lose it..?" Kap said, his voice gruff. "I'm never taking this off. I knew they liked me, but I never knew that… that they loved me. I guess I know what its like to be loved by a whole bunch of people now," he laughed, but Angelina squeezed his hand, knowing full well how much her boyfriend loved each and every one of them like they were his own family- even the new baby…

"I've been slacking on giving out the heirlooms, I admit," Joe said then apologetically. "This is a family tradition; for each confirmed Hill-man a jewel is commissioned, with your name and date of birth, given to him when he reaches manhood. Congratulations, Marquis and Michael."

"Hey-HEY, where's mine then," Malik yelled out, making the crowd laugh.

"I SAID I was slacking," Joe said to his son, laughing along with the crowd. "I had yours made too, but I can't give it to you right now, it's Marquis's day. When your birthday comes, we'll talk."

"I got mines though," Joan said, pulling out a smaller sized medallion from underneath her dress, and Joe pulled his medallion out from under his suit, his being the same size as Marquis's.

"AWWW, Ma, you got one TOO?" Malik said then, his mouth hanging open.

"Sorry, son, but I'm Joe's wife," Joan said teasingly; "community property, baby."

Malik frowned playfully as the crowd laughed again.

"One more gift for you, Marquis, and the rest are for Jamara," Joe said into the mic. "If you all would turn your attention to the other end of the pool area, where the big red ribbon is-"

"AWWWWW-WWOOOWWW!!!!!" Marquis gave a loud holler and raced around the pool to the other side, where unseen by everyone the present from Malik and Lamar sat waiting.

Marquis skidded to a stop, then jumped up and down with delight. "YO Kap, it's a mountain bike!!!"

The guys in the crowd rushed over. Joe laughed, holding the mic up again. "According to my son, it's a state of the art, 2016 Duchati Multistrike X-Class Cliff-Climber, fully equipped with power steering, wet' clutch, comfort-enhancing vibration-isolated handlebars, bucket-leather seating, a built-in GPS tracking system and a TV on the console that picks up satellite cable no matter where you are in the country, complete with a hand-held remote control; there are only 12 prototypes in existence at the moment. Its best, most coveted feature- the traction on the radial tires are so strong that you actually can scale a mountain cliff and keep your grip- hence the name, 'Cliff-Climber'. But don't attempt that trick, Marquis," Joe cautioned his great-nephew; "not until you've trained with a professional."

But none of the senior boys were currently paying Joe any further attention; the excited murmuring over by the souped-up mountain bike with the big red ribbon tied around the handlebars was their only concern at the moment. Marquis had jumped onto the bike and gunned the motor- a sweet motorized purring filled the area as the boys all said ‘ahhhhhhh'. Marquis, being the athletic type, suddenly pulled the bike into a wheelie, racing around the pool and stopping with a screech right next to the grinning Malik and Lamar; he jumped off the bike and grabbed them both, jumping up and down in his excitement, shouting 'thankyou thankyou thankyou thankyou thankyou' over and over again, in a frenzy of happiness.

It took the crowd a while to settle down after the shock of this last, amazing gift; then once the excitement had died away, Joe looked over to Malik, who nodded to him silently. Joe reached down then to the big red button on a nearby table, and pressed it. "We've just called for Jamara to come down," Joe announced to the excited crowd; "when she gets down here, we'll set up the cake and sing 'Happy Birthday' to her, then we'll get out of your way and let you finish your grad party. Is that okay with you all?" he grinned towards everyone.

The crowd yelled their approval once again; this was turning out to be the best party any of the graduating class of 2015 had ever been to…!

**********

Upstairs in the nursery, Sophie waited for the telltale buzz to bring Jamara back downstairs. She stood by the crib, watching the strangely reticent baby sit in her crib, chubby hands at her sides, staring at the wall.

"What's the matter, Baby-Jane," the nanny sighed, looking down at the too-quiet child in concern. Jamara, however, took no notice that she was being spoken to in the slightest.

Sophie frowned. Ever since she'd first met this child when she was brought into the D.L. Adoption Agency, back when she was known as Baby Jane Smith- she was the eternal fuss-budget, a never-ceasing willfulness about her, all activity, all the time- that is, until Jamara met her future fathers. Most of the fidget within had been loved away by Malik and Lamar, but whenever they were away for longer than a little bit the baby girl still liked to move about, the incessant ants-in-your-pants type. Yet now she sat so uncharacteristically still, so silent, as if she was. ".Are you waiting for something to happen...?" Sophie exclaimed then, bending down to peer closer at Jamara, who had just cocked her tiny head to one side.

The moment the words were out of her mouth, Sophie knew them to be the truth- Jamara was quiet because she was sensing something, and was waiting for it.! But hackles rose from the back of Sophie's neck- the blank look on her face wasn't from anticipation of the surprise cake and presents; she was waiting for something to happen... something bad.

"But what could it be that's got you so... on alert," Sophie wondered aloud, reaching over and stroking Jamara's dark curls.

"Couldn't be ME, could it," said a voice from behind her, a pair strong hands suddenly grabbing her by the waist. Sophie jumped with fright, turning around to see-

"ROBERT..!!! What are you DOING here," she said, hitting him on the arm. "You scared me!"

"Sorry- and call me ‘Rah-Rah'," Rah-Rah said, pulling the shaken girl close to his lips.

After kissing her, Sophie seemed to calm down. "‘Rah-Rah' doesn't fit you," she said, scrutinizing his stubbled face. "At least not to me; I like 'Robert' better." She pulled from his embrace. "How did you know I was working tonight," Sophie said in a whisper, going to the doorway and peering out to see if anyone was there.

"I… figured," Rah-Rah said then, his face inscrutable.

"Well, that's all very nice that you snuck out to see me, but you'll have to wait until later on, I have to attend to Jamara here, Sophie said, turning to regard the baby- and then stopped, surprise etched on her face.

Jamara had pulled herself up to her feet, holding onto the bars of the crib. She was staring at Rah-Rah, not with her usual half-grin/half regarding look she would give to a new person, but with a frown. Cold anger seemed to radiate from her, and it so startled both adults they were almost intimidated. But then Rah-Rah stepped towards her. "How old is she," he asked, staring with interest at Jamara.

"A little over a year, from what we could determine," Sophie answered, also looking at the girl. That's why I have to watch her special tonight; since they don't know her actual birthday, Dr. Hill's giving her a cake and some gifts, right before the graduation party starts; he's trying to be a really good father."

"Is that so..? Does she talk," he asked, moving closer to the crib.

Sophie frowned. "She hasn't said anything yet-"

"...rah-rah...!" Jamara said in a half-mumbling voice.

Both Rah-Rah and Sophie stared at her, then at each other- in surprise all over again. "Oh my god, her first bloody word." Sophie said, shock running through her.

Rah-Rah looked back at Jamara. "Hello, Jamara," Rah-Rah said, grimacing at the baby.

".Rah-rah bye-bye.!" Jamara said then, pointing to the door with a chubby hand, the other one trying to hold herself up.

"I like her," Rah-Rah said then, smiling slyly. "She's got fire, this one."

"I think she wants you to leave," Sophie said, going towards the baby.

"I will," Rah-Rah said then, "but not just yet-" and with a surprise lunge he grabbed Sophie by the waist and kissed her again.

Sophie helplessly responded, losing herself in the kiss- and then she felt a sharp blow to the side of her skull.

**********

Sophie woke up a few minutes later- and felt a raging headache on the left side of her face. "Wrgmph-" she started to say, and that's when she noticed the large wad of what felt like cloth in her mouth.

Slowly Sophie noticed that she was sitting in a wooden-like chair with her hands clasped behind her, bound by what felt like tough rope. She looked up, confused as to what was going on- and then her heart dropped in fear.

Rah-Rah was standing over her, holding the baby- who was struggling with all her might to free herself from his grip. Amazingly, Jamara was not crying- on the contrary, the stubborn look on her face suggested that she would never give Rah-Rah the satisfaction.

"MRRRGGARRGHH!!!" Sophie screamed though the gag, tears springing to her eyes, trying to get Rah-Rah to put Jamara down.

Rah-Rah looked down on her. "I'm sorry, Sophie," he said then, trying to keep the struggling girl in her arms, "but I played you, baby. I was gonna jus use you to break outta that asylum, but when you tol me that you were a nanny for the Hills on the mountain, I KNEW Christmas had come early for a nicca like me. You are gonna help me get my revenge on this whole got-damn family!!!"

Sophie's eyes grew wide with horror as what he had done to her finally sank in; he had deceived her all this time, this whole time he was only paying her attention to get the keys to the back door. A wild fury descended on her as she, like Jamara, struggled even harder- but neither girl could break free of their restraints.

Struggling with the irate baby, Rah-Rah turned towards the doorway and the dark hallway that lay beyond. "I'll let someone know you're up here, iight?" he tried to reassure, but Sophie didn't feel any better from hearing this. Looking at Jamara, he smiled. "Let's go see your ‘daddy'."

Jamara seemed to calm down once he said this; her struggles lessened. "I hated ta hit u, baby," he said behind his shoulder to Sophie, heading for the door; "but… it is what it is. Thanks for da keys." And with that he disappeared into the dark hallway, just when the bell in the nursery began to buzz- the signal to bring Jamara downstairs.

From what Rah-Rah said, apparently that was still going to happen on schedule, just not the way that anyone downstairs expected.

"God, please be with that child," Sophie prayed inwardly as she continued to struggle against her bonds.

**********

"Let's make some room for Jamara, make a space between the cake table and the door," Joe instructed. The crowd slowly filed into a walkway from the pool area game room towards the festive table, and waited for the baby to appear.

Marquis came over and took the mic away from Joe with a pat on the arm. "I just wanna tell you all that this is the BEST party I've ever been to," he said happily, "and I'm honored that everyone could make it, especially since this is the last time all of us will be together like this," he pointedly addressed his soon-to-be ex-classmates. "Even though this is a graduation party for our whole class, it feels good that everyone I love is here to celebrate with me tonight."

"Does that include me..?" a voice shouted across the pool area.

Everyone turned- and immediately became silent. DJ Slyyce screeched to a halt the background music he had been playing. "WHAT THE FUK- IS DAT YOU, RAH-RAH..???" he bellowed into his stage mic.

No one in R.C. High ever mentioned it, but everyone knew that Rah-Rah was Marquis's father, the father who was supposed to be locked up in an insane asylum- so the stunned silence from them was expected. The stunned silence that came from the Hill family, however, had to do with irrational fear- fear that materialized as soon as they saw that not only was Rah-Rah standing there, fully awake and not in a hospital patient gown, but he was holding a bloody butcher knife in one hand, and in the other hand he was holding baby Jamara...