Mesmerized

able to live with himself. 
    Just then, they heard a loud creak as the door opened. Sandra blew in like a tornado. She always had to make an entrance. Her eyes were lit with excitement, and her cheeks were flushed. She looked even more beautiful than usual. Henry and Camille lingered behind. "I brought you something, dear." 
    Gregory walked past his wife and towards Henry.  John was ever present to the right of him. Lily watched with interest, unsure of what her father would do next. 
    Gregory glanced at John. "Bring him to the back room."
    John nodded and grabbed Henry from behind twisting his arm in an odd angle. He winced. "I'll go willingly."
    John pushed him forward without saying a word. 
    Lily and Jake went to follow, but her father turned. "You two are to stay out here," he said firmly. "John, keep an eye on them."
    "What? That's not fair," Lily complained.
    Sandra gave her a look. "Listen to your father. We'll be back shortly." 
    Lily folded her arms across her chest and pouted. 
    Jake threw his head back. "This sucks."
     
    Camille walked around the chair Henry was strapped to and drank him in with her intense dark eyes. 
    "This one is evil," she spat. "He enjoys torturing people and has a fondness for girls much too young for him. Why are you after Jake? Don't bother lying. I can find out the truth."  
    "I have no idea what you are talking about." Henry looked amused. 
    "Really?" She narrowed her eyes and started chanting what sounded like gibberish to everyone else. 
    Henry sat up straighter in the chair and his face was contorted in pain, but no sound escaped. Suddenly his body slumped forward relaxed. 
    "Want to try that again? What do you want with Jake?"
    Henry twisted his head side to side to see Sandra or Gregory. "What the hell is she?"
    "Answer her. I assure you that she will win," Sandra said flatly.
    "You people are crazy. Is it money you want? I have plenty."
    "We don't have time for this nonsense."
    Sweat started to drip off Henry's brow and moisture soaked through his shirt. He squirmed in the chair. "Why is it so hot?"
    "Your body temperature is rising. 102, 103,104, 105. Gregory when does the brain damage set in?" Camille asked casually. 
    Gregory stood up and walked in front of Henry. "I believe it's 107, but that could be brain dead. I'm not quite sure."
    "Okay, Okay. I'll tell you what you want to know, just turn down the damn heat." 
    As Sandra walked forward, her heels echoed in the small room. She held a glass of water in her hand. Henry licked his lips and his eyes glistened. 
    "Would you like a sip?" Sandra parted her lips slightly and stared at him. She took a long, slow drink. She leaned forward and placed the cup at his lips. He greedily swallowed. "Tell us everything or Camille will finish what she started. She is not known for her patience." 
    "The boy is immortal and I need to find out his secret. My family has been searching for generations to find the key to immortality." He paused. "Jake is closest we have come."
    "He's cursed. It's not a big mystery."
    "Damn it! I know he's cursed. We need to find the witch that placed the curse on him. He claims he doesn't know, that the secret died with his father. I don’t believe him. It's the only hope I have and I'm not getting any younger." Desperation crept into his voice. 
    "How many people are in on the search?" Gregory asked. 
    "I'm the last in the line. It has been passed on throughout the generations in my family. I'm an only child and I wasn't able to father children. Believe me I've tried."
    "Others must be involved. Uncles, cousins, private investigators?"
    "All dead. Do you think we would want people to know what we are searching for? If more people know, we would never have a chance."
    "You keep saying we." Gregory tapped his finger to his lip.
    "We as in my family legacy. I'm doing this for all of us. You have no idea what they went through trying to find the key. Just let me go and I will share the secret once we get it out of the boy."
    "Tempting offer, but I think we'll have to pass." Sandra stood next to her husband. "You see our daughter is in love with the boy. To bring him harm is to bring her harm. I don't suppose you know anything about love." 
    "I've told you all I know. I promise." 
    "Are there journals? Any kind of information that has been passed on throughout the generations?"
    "Of course. We have kept detailed documentations on the hunt for immortality."
    "Where are they? Camille, I