Life’s Binding Ties

By Amy Shannon

Love and life come to surface as Dr. Raina Markum faces her new life with her new family. Raina and her family discover that things really aren't as they seem. As tragedy hits too close to home, will Raina lose her brother for good? When loves feelings are revealed as being so far into the past, will the present be perceived different? What if you were being watched every minute of everyday? What if you had to watch your life's worst moments? As
the depths of souls start to take over her body, slowly it starts to break down. Will Raina really lose the only thing that keeps her body and soul together? How will she react when she loses it all?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amy Shannon
• Release date: Jun 3, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463182345

Amy Shannon

Amy Shannon is an author, professional book reviewer and literary consultant. Amy is republishing and publishing some for the first time, her MOD Life Epic Saga, which has over 67 volumes, and 9 bonus books.

Book preview

Life’s Binding Ties

Amy Shannon

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Essence Publishing

Ballston Spa, NY 12020

https://essenceenterpriseus.com/essence-publishing

2023 Edition

Copyright © 2023 by Amy C Shannon

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permissions of the author, except by a review who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a newspaper, magazine, or journal.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

Credits:

Cover Illustration Copyright © 2023

Cover design by Amy Shannon

The Entire MOD Life Epic Saga

1 Unwritten Life

2 Rewritten Life (Best Read after Unwritten Life)

3 Unwritten Life's Paths to Destiny (Best Read after Rewritten Life)

4 Written Life's Past Meets Present (Best Read after Rewritten Life)

5 Life's Written Past

6 Life's Unwritten Future

7 Another Written Life

8 Life Rewritten

9 Unwritten Life & Death

10 Life's Healer

11 Life's Hindering Hope

12 Life's Binding Ties

13 Life's Resurrection

14 Life's Infiltration

15 Life's Revival

16 Life's Depths of Souls

17 Life's Explosion in Time

18 Life's Connections

19 Life's Collision

20 Life's Intersection

21 Life's Final Destination

22 Life's Generations

23 Return to Life

24 Life's Resolution

25 A New Unwritten Life

26 Life's Dissolution

27 Life's Linear Souls

28 Life's Choices

29 Life's Passions

30 Life's Awakening

31 Life's Vengeance

32 Life's Heartful Depths

33 Life's Quaking Souls

34 Fractured Life

35 Life's Drowning

36 Life's Exploration

37 Life's Curative

38 Thicker than Life's Blood

39 Life's Salvation

40 Capturing Life's Midnight

41 Life's ReEvolution

42 Life's Soulful Intentions

43 Life's Jagged Flames

44 Life's Rising Depths

45 Life's Doomed Immortality

46 Life's Raw Enforcement

47 Life's Deemed Corruption

48 Life's Inherent Immorality

49 Life's Retrospective Legacy

50 Life's Torturous Souls

51 Life's Passages

52 Life's Tribulations

53 Life's Spirituality

54 Life's Revitalizations

55 Life's Rapture

56 Life's Sacred Retaliation

57 Life's Fiery Resuscitation

58 Life's Experimentation

59 Life's Redemption

60 Life's Humanity

61 The District Life: Districtive

62 The District Life: Disarray

63 The District Life: Disassembled

64 The District Life: Disapparent

65 Life's Return: Home Sweet Sars Springs

66 Life's Return: The Practice

67 Sars Springs: The finale

Bonus Series:

B1 Life's Perspective: Matthew Garris (Best Read after Life's Binding Ties)

B2 Life's Perspective: Bill Wheeler (Best Read after Life's Binding Ties)

B3 Life's Perspective: Perspective: Mike Dix (Best Read after Life's Connections)

B4 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Rewritten (Alternate Path Parallel to Unwritten Life & Death to Life's Binding Ties)

B5 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Crossroads (Alternate Path Parallel to Life's Resurrection to Life's Depths of Souls)

B6 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Intertwined (Alternate Path Parallel to Life's Explosion in Time to Life's Connections)

B7 Sars Springs Handbook (Best Read after Life's Torturous Souls)

B8 The Interview: Life's Revelations (Best Read after Life's Fiery Resuscitation)

B9 M.O.D Life Epic Saga Character Guide

Introduction

Love and life come to the surface as Dr. Raina Markum faces her new life with her new family. Raina and her family discover that things really aren't as they seem. As tragedy hits too close to home, will Raina lose her brother for good? When loves feelings are revealed as being so far into the past, will the present be perceived differently?

What if you were being watched every minute of every day? What if you had to watch your life's worst moments? As the depths of souls start to take over her body, slowly it starts to break down. Will Raina really lose the only thing that keeps her body and soul together? How will she react when she loses it all?

1 Mothers & Daughters

DR. RAINA MARKUM opened her eyes and slowly sat up. She looked down at her ankle that was still chained to the cot. Dammit. We’ll never get out of here, Raina looked over at the other cot in the cold, cement room. Momma? she whispered.

Alex O’Roark slowly opened her eyes and sat up. Another day in this dungeon, Alex rubbed her ankle, where it was chained to her cot.

Raina stood up and slowly limped over to her mother’s bed. How long do you think we’ve been here?

I don’t know. A few weeks at least, Alex combed her hands through her long, brown hair. At least he hasn’t hurt us, yet.

Do you have any ideas of who it is? Raina asked.

None. Anyone who’s ever hated me is dead, she laughed slightly. What about you? Any ideas?

Raina shook her head. Do you think Dad and Terry realize we’re missing yet?

I don’t know. We were supposed to be back from our trip by now, I would think. I don’t know. I’ve lost track of time in here. If he ever sends them that letter I wrote, they’ll know something is wrong, Alex said. Hopefully, this bastard will show himself and then we can figure out a way to get out of here.

Momma, I need to get back to my boys. They need me.

"I know, Raina. Don’t worry. We will get out of here. One thing I’ve learned from being kidnapped before is that we can’t sit around and wait to be rescued. We’ll have to do it ourselves."

Raina stood up and walked over to the metal table. She stared down at the empty trays. Next time he brings us food, save the utensils. Or at least one of them. Alex stood up and lay on the floor. Momma, what are you doing?

Trying to see if I can dislodge one of these springs, Alex tried to stretch under the cot. I can feel something.

Momma, hold on, someone is coming, Raina and Alex hurried to their cots and lay down as the door opened.

He strutted in the room with his back turned to them. He placed the metal trays of food on the table and walked out of the room without saying a word.

Alex and Raina quickly sat up. Raina looked over at her mother as she stood up. Next time, we confront him, Raina said. I’m tired of trying to guess here.

Me, too. What’d he bring us? Alex asked, as they walked over to the table. Alex stared lifted up the plate cover. That’s not possible, she whispered.

What?

Alex picked up the pile of white rose pedals that were spread over her eggs. Greg. It’s not possible. He’s dead.

Raina silently limped back to her cot. "No. It is possible."

Alex turned around quickly and looked at her daughter. "What do you mean it’s possible?"

"Greg Shapone isn’t dead, Raina said. But, the last I knew, he was still unconscious in my lab. Oh, god. I hope he didn’t hurt anyone there," Raina held her knees close to her chest.

Greg Shapone isn’t dead and you’re just telling me this NOW?

I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to know. I didn’t think he’d ever wake up. I’m sorry, Mom, Raina cried.

Damn you. Why the hell didn’t you tell me? How long has he been alive? How long have you had him?

I’ve had him since Anthony kidnapped me. They wanted me to revive him, but I couldn’t. But, I couldn’t kill him either. I figured I could just keep him in that state between life and death until he died on his own. I didn’t do anything for this bastard except monitor him.

Alex slapped her daughter. You put my torturer back on the street. How could you do that to me?

Raina stood up. Listen to me. I am NOT a killer. I don’t care who the person is. I won’t kill anyone.

You killed Randy when he raped me! Alex snapped.

"Yeah, he was in the middle of hurting you. I was protecting you. God, Mom. All I have done my entire life is protect you!"

What are you talking about?

All I ever did was try and keep our family together. Mom, I love you. I don’t want us fighting. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to keep it from you.

"Raina, stop. Just stop! Alex sat down on the cot. How long have you been holding this in?"

"What are you talking about?" Raina sat on her cot.

"You resent me or hate me or blame me for something, Alex said. It’s because I was a lousy mother, isn’t it?"

Momma, you weren’t a lousy mother. You were a very loving mother. You were just a little messed up but, with your life, who wouldn’t be?

"Oh, well, I’m so sorry that I’m not as perfect as you are!" Alex snapped.

"What do you mean perfect?"

"Miss doctor slash cop. You lived the perfect life! I wish I had the opportunities you did."

"It’s not my fault you just slept around when you felt so-called lonely, Raina crossed her arms and stood up. You always thought you had to have a man in your bed to make you happy!" Raina covered her mouth.

Alex immediately stood up and slapped her daughter. "How dare you!"

Oh, Momma, I didn’t mean it, Raina cried.

"I’m sorry that I’m screwed up! I just thank god that you didn’t grow up like I did. That you didn’t make the same mistakes that I did. Oh, Raina. God, I don’t hate you. I guess, in some ways, I’m jealous of you."

Me? Momma, you’re so beautiful and smart, Raina embraced her mother. "Why are you jealous of me?"

Because you’ve always known what you wanted, your entire life. You also fell in love with two great men. You were so lucky to have a man like John in your life. He loved you so much.

Raina sat next to her mother. I know, Momma. Our little Xander isn’t so little anymore.

Alex said. Oh, Raina, I didn’t mean all those things. I just wish I was more like you.

Momma, you had Matthew and then you fell in love with Daddy, Raina placed her hand on her mother’s.

You’re lucky to have Terry’s heart, too. He is a great man. I know he makes you happy. Can I ask you something?

Sure. What is it?

Does it feel the same as it did with John? Alex asked.

No, it’s different. It’s just as wonderful and beautiful, but it’s different. John wasn’t supposed to die on me, but he did. Terry has always been in my life. I didn’t even realize that I loved him until I felt his heart. I think I was so filled with grief that I didn’t allow myself to feel anything else. But, now, together, we’re raising Xander and our little Logan. Momma, when you fell in love with Daddy was it different from Uncle Matthew?

Totally different, but I think, no, I know, I was a different person then. I think when I lost my parents when I was 16, I just didn’t know what direction to go in. I didn’t think with my head or my heart, but then Matthew walked through that door. When I thought I lost him and John, it was like the life he put in my soul was drained from my existence. Being in jail didn’t help either. When I fell in love with your father, I tried to analyze my feelings before I could admit to him, let alone myself, that I loved him. With Matthew, I just allowed myself to feel it.

Raina eyed the metal table. Jail. Momma, that’s it.

What?

Do you know how to make a shank or something sharp? All those utensils are plastic.

Shank? I was the only one in the cellblock. I didn’t really need a shank, Alex laughed. "Besides, Walter didn’t need to be stabbed."

I guess not. I have an idea. If we hide one of those on the floor, behind the table, let’s see if he knows it’s missing. If he doesn’t, we can use it as a weapon.

I wish we knew who it was, but there’s no way of knowing, is there?

If I touched him, somehow, I might be able to get an idea.

How?

If I knew what he was feeling, I may be able to figure it out who he is.

Well, if it doesn’t work, we can’t waste time trying to figure it out. We just need to figure a way out of here, Alex sighed, as she leaned back on the cot. I’ll never waste time trying to figure out the truth again. I just want to go home.

They stood up as the door opened. The man walked in; his face hidden behind a monster Halloween mask. Ladies, it’s time.

Raina and Alex stood up. Time for what? Alex asked.

Come with me, he said in his raspy voice as he grabbed Alex’s arm and then unlocked the chain around her leg. You first.

Alex struggled as he dragged her out the door. Raina stared out the door and noticed the hallway. She noted how there were other closed doors at the end of the dark, damp corridor. Momma? she cried.

Alex’s terrified eyes glanced back at her. No matter what, I love you, Raina. My beautiful daughter. Don’t forget that I love you, Alex cried, as he dragged her down the hall.

Raina buried her face in her hands as she cried. After she heard the door lock three times, she noticed a piece of paper on the floor.

She limped over to the paper and read the handwritten note. Mothers, daughters, brothers, fathers, sins of the family. Revenge for all. What would you do? she stared at the note. What the hell does that mean?

2 Missing Pieces

TERRY MARKUM LIFTED up Logan. How’s my little guy doing this morning? Terry placed him in his highchair.

Mommy? he cried.

Mommy will be home soon. Don’t worry. She’s with Grandma, Terry sat down and sighed, as Xander ran in the kitchen. Hey, where you are going so fast?

Xander smiled with his blue eyes. I’m hungry.

Well, sit down next to your brother. I’ll pour you some cereal, Terry stood up, walked over to the cabinet, and pulled out a box of cereal.

Where’s Momma? I want Momma, Xander cried.

She’ll be back soon. Here, eat, Terry said. So, what do you want to do today?

Play, Xander said.

Play, two-year-old Logan repeated.

I said that already. Stop copying me! Xander yelled at his brother.

Logan started to cry as Terry picked him up. Xander, don’t yell at your brother. He just wants to be like you.

Sorry, Logy, Xander began to drink his milk out of the cereal bowl.

"Xander, don’t do that," Terry sat down with Logan on his lap.

"Momma does it. She lets me. Papa does it, too," he began to slurp.

Terry laughed slightly as he set Logan on the floor. He stood up when there was a knock on the door. Terry smiled at Jim O’Roark when he opened the door. Welcome to chaos, Terry laughed until he saw the look in Jim’s eyes. What is it, Bud?

Um, where are the boys?’

In the kitchen, finishing breakfast. What is it?

Have them go play. I’ve actually asked Emily to watch them for you, Jim said softly.

What is it?

Come on, Jim led Terry into the kitchen. How are my boys doing? He hugged Xander and Logan.

Papa, did you come to play? Xander asked.

Not today. Today, you’re going to spend some time with Aunt Emily and Uncle Mike. How does that sound?

Yeah, Uncle Mike is fun, Xander said.

Yay, Logan clapped his hands together.

Terry kneeled down beside his sons. Why don’t you go in the playroom until they get here, OK? I need to talk to Papa.

OK, ‘mon, Logy, Xander took Logan’s hand and led him into the other room.

Terry poured them both a cup of coffee. "Jim, now, will you tell me what’s going on? Why am I sending my kids to Mike’s house?"

It’s about Raina and Alex. Um, I don’t know how to tell you this…

"Just say it."

"They’re missing," Jim said.

What are you talking about? Terry asked.

Well, they were due home last Friday.

I know, but I figured they got delayed shopping or something.

No, I called the hotel in Austin. They never checked out but hadn’t been seen in the hotel for a few weeks now.

Terry stood up. "Jim, what else are you not telling me? Where is my wife?"

Jim opened his folder and handed Terry a plastic bag with a piece of paper in it. I already had it processed. I needed to know.

Terry read the note through the clear plastic. James, don’t worry about me. I needed an adventure. My trip will be longer than normal. Don’t worry. Not that you would. I needed to get away. Not sure where Raina is but I’m sure she needed a break from feelings, Alex, Terry looked at Jim. Where is my wife?

I don’t know. All I know is that they’re together. That’s Alex’s handwriting.

How do you know Raina is with her?

They both gave themselves a paper cut. DNA matches both, Jim smiled slightly. Plus, there’s also the handprint.

Handprint? Terry sat down and thought. Oh, like the clue Alex gave when she was kidnapped.

Yeah, but this time, there were two. One is my wife’s and the other one is yours. Terry, we will find our wives.

Do you think it has anything to do with Shapone’s body being missing?

I don’t know. Matt took over the case with Evan since Skye was brutally murdered. It’s a special victim’s homicide, Jim said. That was a few weeks ago.

Do you think that Shapone did this? I mean, kill Skye, and then take our wives? Terry said.

I don’t know. I wouldn’t put anything past that bastard. He’s done so much harm in his life to my wife. I don’t know.

Jim, we need to find them. We’ll have to retrace their steps. We need to find out who has them and where they are.

Jim touched Terry’s shoulder. We will find them, he stood up as he heard a knock on the door. It’s probably Mike and Em. I’ll get it, Jim headed into the entryway and opened the door. Derek? What are you doing here?

Sergeant Derek Peterson nervously combed his hands through his short black hair. Sorry, Chief, but we can’t seem to locate Captain O’Roark.

Matt? He’s missing? Did you call him? Page him? Check his house?

We checked the house, and it was ransacked.

Kayla and James?

"They’re safe. I guess James was at school and Kayla was at Solutions. Right now, they’re at the station in the family room. Kayla was kind of freaked out."

Sergeant, my son has security cameras all over his yard and there are some from my house that point in the direction. Get Mark or Evan on it right away. I want his house processed. I want to know where my son, wife, and daughter are. I wouldn’t doubt that these are related.

Yes, sir. I’ll keep you posted, Derek turned to leave.

Sergeant, I want every man on this. Call the Commissioner’s office. Bill Wheeler needs to come back to Sars Springs.

Will do, Derek said, as he left.

As Jim was about to close the door, Mike and Emily walked up on the porch. Matt’s gone, too? Mike asked.

Jim kissed his sister’s cheek. The boys are in the playroom. Are you sure you don’t mind?

You and Terry go to Austin. They’ll be safe with us,