I’ll take it...”Whatever he might have added failed as his sword wielding hand was lopped off by the downward sweep of Miriam’s sword. Les grabb...ed the remaining hand and forced the attached arm up the ugly man’s back, and Miriam whipped out a cord to fashion a tourniquet above the stump. The two frog-marched their prisoner to the fireplace, and Miriam used a red-hot iron to cauterize the wound. The man screamed and fainted.Les took the opportunity to relieve the wannabe robber of his weapons. His arms were useless by his side, and he couldn't move his legs. He tried to wiggle side to side but he was restricted by metal pegs keeping his midriff in place."Shit. I can't help you Gemma, I'm stuck and I can't get out." he said, trying to calm his nerves and figure out what happened."What the fuck happened? Everything just went dark.”"It was in the cup," said Gemma. "On the bottom of the cup was written 'I drugged your lemonade.'"A little metallic squeal distracted them. The mail slot. .. died. He’s gone, Isaac. My father’s dead! I’m all alone now!” Ruth sobbed, but I insisted that wasn’t the case.“No, Ruthie, you’re not alone. You got us. You got me, okay? We’re not giving up on you and you’re not going to give up on life. Sell your place and move in with me, baby girl. You’re mine now, baby. I’m taking you in and keeping you for life, okay?” I insisted in a firm, “will brook no nonsense” tone of voice.“You mean it?” Ruth asked me skeptically.“With all of my heart. You don’t. Once we got south of Sedona, flying through the clear mountain sky underneath the full moon was breathtaking. The florescent lines on the road were almost like the runway lights of an airport. As we neared the face of the Pueblo dwelling we slowed, then both of us felt a pull toward one of the open doorways.We landed just inside it, then gave our eyes a chance to adjust.There was a small bench like area cut out of stone where we took a seat. We sat there silently enjoying the solitude of this.