Adventures in the Land Down Under (Read 10,860 times)

[fluffysmom]

I was surprised to see Nicholas. Is Taylor alive or a nightmare? Hmmm....

[André DiMera]

Chapter 22

DESERT GARDENS HOTEL
Quinn took a step back.
QUINN: What the hell?!
Taylor waved.
TAYLOR: Hi.
QUINN: How is this possible? Is it even possible?
TAYLOR: What do you think?
QUINN: You can't be here!
TAYLOR: And yet, I am.
QUINN: Taylor, I don't understand. What is going on here?
TAYLOR: Well, you're in Australia in a hotel talking to me.
QUINN: Yeah, I get that. But, how can you be here? You died.
TAYLOR: Did I? Oh, yeah. I guess I did. When you shot me.
QUINN: I did not purposely shoot you!
TAYLOR: Of course not.
QUINN: Look, hearing you on the phone was one thing. But you cannot be here.
TAYLOR: They still think it was your boss, don't they?
QUINN; Eh?
TAYLOR: All those times you picked up your phone claiming that you had a call from a client or your boss. They actually believe that, don't they?
QUINN: Of course they do. I keep my phone on silent most of the time, so it was easy.
TAYLOR: They can't ever know the truth.
QUINN; I know.
TAYLOR: You know what you have to do.
QUINN: Of course.
There was a knock on the door.
QUINN: I'll be right back.
Quinn opened the door. Nicole walked in.
QUINN: Nik, what are you doing here this time of night?
NICOLE: Couldn't sleep. Heard you talking. Thought I'd come by for a minute. Who were you talking to?
Quinn looked to the bed. It was empty.
QUINN: No one. I must have been dreaming. Sleep talking, you know.
NICOLE: You never used to sleep talk.
QUINN: Things change, Nikki. Everything changes.
NICOLE: Hm. So, what's the plan for tomorrow?
Nicole looked at a clock on the wall.
NICOLE: Actually, make that today.
QUINN: Dunno, really. Kinda thought it would just be a relaxing day. Maybe go for a walk. Go swimming. Stuff like that. I've procured a seven-passenger airplane for tomorrow morning.
NICOLE: Cool.
There was an awkward silence.
NICOLE: Well, I'm gonna try to get some more sleep.
QUINN: Right. See you later.
Nicole walked out. Quinn shut the door. He turned back to the bed, where Taylor once again sat. He jumped.
QUINN: Holy...!
TAYLOR: Hi again.
QUINN: Taylor, you can't just do that. You can't just appear like that.
TAYLOR: I'm a figment of your deteriorating mental condition. I can do whatever the heck I want.
QUINN: Okay, I'm gonna ask again and I want a real answer this time. Why are you here?
TAYLOR: How long do you think this can go on for?
QUINN: What are you talking about?
TAYLOR: You. Playing house with Nicole and my niece. How much longer do you think you can keep this up?

[heroicmuse]

Oh this is awesome André DiMera. Reminds me of the show Perception. I like Taylor haunting Quinn--wonder how long that will go on for.

[gapeach]

Love it!!!

[fluffysmom]

Quinn is really losing it. I'm worried about Nicole and Mia.

[Kpatch]

I love how Quinn's idea of doing nothing is chartering a plane. LOL. I am worried about him flying in his state of mind though.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 23

DESERT GARDENS HOTEL
TAYLOR: So, go on. How much longer can you keep this up?
QUINN: As long as I can.
TAYLOR: You know they're gonna find you. The sharks. They always do.
QUINN: I know.
TAYLOR: And when that happens, then what?
QUINN: I dunno. I just want to spend time with my daughter and Nicole.
TAYLOR: Time is something you don't have much of, Quinny.
QUINN: You think I don't know that?! You think I don't know that with every second we stay here that they're getting closer to finding me again and taking me back into the business?! You think I don't know that at any moment the call will come through and I'll have to go back out or be killed?!
TAYLOR: Then do what you have to do. What you should have done with me and our baby.
QUINN: What choice do I have?
TAYLOR: Only the hard ones. You either kill your boss and spend your life on the run, always looking over your shoulder; or you cut ties with Nicole and Mia for their safety, and go back.
QUINN: You can't ask me to do either one.
TAYLOR: I'm not. I'm telling you what you have to do.
QUINN: All right, then. Tell me something else: when will you be leaving? When does this stop? When do I get to a point where I don't have to see you anymore?
Taylor chuckled.
TAYLOR: Never. I'll always be here. And you will always see me. I'm your first thought when you wake up, and the last thought to cross your mind when you go to sleep at night.
Taylor stood up and crossed the room to stand eye to eye with Quinn.
TAYLOR: You'll see me everywhere. Even in your nightmares. And there's not a thing you can do to stop it.
Taylor kissed Quinn on the cheek. Quinn closed his eyes and put his hand to his cheek. When he opened his eyes, Taylor was gone. Quinn sat down in a chair.
QUINN: I've gotta do it.
A few hours later, Quinn sat in the buffet restaurant attached to the hotel. He was drinking a cup of coffee. Mia walked in and sat down at the table.
MIA: Morning.
QUINN: Hey, love. How'd you sleep?
MIA: Pretty good. I still can't get over how beautiful that sunset off of Ayer's was last night.
QUINN: Yeah, it was pretty awesome. But, just wait until tomorrow morning. We're gonna see something equally as good.
MIA: What?
QUINN: I said, “Just wait until tomorrow morning. We're gonna see something equally as good.”
MIA: No, I got that part. What I meant is, what are we going to see?
QUINN: Can't tell ya. It's a surprise.
MIA: Cool. So, how did you sleep?
QUINN: Okay. Yeah, it was all right.
MIA: That's good. So, what are we doing today?
QUINN: Just gonna have a kind of relaxing day. Thought we'd go swimming. Maybe take a nature walk. Stuff like that. Just gonna chill. Tomorrow's gonna be a long day.
MIA: Why's that?
QUINN: Because of the surprise.
MIA: Cool. Well, I'm gonna get some food. I'll be right back.
QUINN: Yeah, go on.
Mia went up to get some food. Quinn took a deep breath as he thought about the choice he was about to make.

[Kpatch]

I feel Quinn's pain. It's like when Taylor was on air, we thought she'd never leave. And now Quinn can't get rid of her. You have made Quinn likeable and very rootable in this story. And Mia is adorable.

[fluffysmom]

I'm feeling bad for Quinn. I really like this story André DiMera.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 24

DESERT GARDENS HOTEL
Later in the day, Nicole, Quinn and Mia had gone to a nearby store to buy some swimming suits. They then went in the pool at their motel. They had gotten a ball and were playing volleyball, even though there was no net. Mia spiked the ball, which went from Nicole to Quinn.
QUINN: Excellent!
NICOLE: Nice one, kid!
MIA: Thanks!
The three were having so much fun. Then, just after spiking the ball, Quinn suddenly froze. There, across the pool, was Taylor. She waved and blew him a kiss. As quickly as she had appeared, she disappeared.
MIA: Hey. You okay?
Quinn snapped out of it.
QUINN: What? Yeah, I'm good. Just thought I saw something.
Mia and Nicole looked where Quinn was looking.
NICOLE: Nothing there. Just water.
QUINN: Yeah, I know. That's why I said “I thought I saw something”. Emphasis on the word “thought”.
MIA: So, can we get back to our game.
QUINN: Uh, I'm actually gonna head in for a bit. You and your mum can, though.
MIA: You sure you're okay?
QUINN: Yes, love. I'm fine.
MIA: Okay. Just checking. See you later.
QUINN: Yeah.
Quinn got out of the pool, grabbed his towel and went inside.
MIA: Your turn to serve.
NICOLE: Sounds good.
Nicole picked up the ball and served. The game between the two continued on for quite a while.
MIA: You know, I am so glad we came here! This is the best trip I've ever had!
NICOLE: Same here!
MIA: I mean it, though. Thank you so much for everything, mom.
Nicole and Mia hugged.
NICOLE: No problem, sweetie. I'm gonna go in and check on Quinn.
MIA: Okay. I'm gonna stay out here and swim for a little bit longer.
NICOLE: Have fun.
MIA: Oh, I will.
Nicole went inside the hotel. As she got close to the room, she could hear Quinn's voice.
QUINN (VO): You don't understand! I need more time!
Nicole found that the door was open. Quinn was talking to the bed, apparently.
QUINN: No. You have no idea what this is doing to me!
Nicole cleared her throat. Quinn looked up.
NICOLE: Hi.
QUINN: Nik, what are you doing here?
NICOLE: Well, this is the hotel we're staying at. I came to check on you.
QUINN: I'm fine.
Of course, Quinn had been talking to the ghost of Taylor. She sat on the bed, though only he could see her.
TAYLOR: He's not fine.
QUINN: Yes, I am!
NICOLE: Who are you talking to?
QUINN: You mean you don't see her?
NICOLE: See who?
TAYLOR: Of course she doesn't. I'm in your mind.
QUINN: You don't see her? She's sitting right here on the bed and you don't see her?
NICOLE: Quinn, you're kinda starting to worry me a little.
TAYLOR: I'm a ghost, Quinn. I'm just a figment of your imagination. Of course she can't see me.
NICOLE: What is going on here?
QUINN: I need to leave. Tomorrow afternoon, after the airplane ride. I need to leave.

[Kpatch]

Quinn is losing his mind! I was hoping he'd say Taylor's name to Nicole, so Nicole could question him and unravel the mystery. Loved the water volleyball game. That was fun.

[heroicmuse]

This really reminds me of Perception. Iove it! I hope Nicole gets to the bottom of it.

[fluffysmom]

Quinn is losing it. I hope Nicole can help him before it's too late.

Can we have previews for next week André DiMera?

[André DiMera]

You certainly can, fluffysmom. Here they are:

---

Next Week...

Nicole gets to the bottom of things.
NICOLE: Tell me what you did to my sister!

Quinn prepares himself.
QUINN: I hate to have to do this.

And Mia gets some interesting news.
MIA: Wait, wait, wait. I have a sister who's also a cousin?

All this and more next week on ADVENTURES IN THE LAND DOWN UNDER

[heroicmuse]

GO NICOLE!!!! I can't wait! This sounds fantastic. Thanks for the previews André DiMera