The next few days Thorn kept her eyes on the paper as Sam prepared the house for a possible guest.  She would not tell him who was coming, nor would he ask…not that he could ask, at least not in words.  But soon someone who could speak might be with them…someone for her to have a conversation with while sipping coffee on the deck…someone to share her home with.<br/><br/>She had contact with Elizabeth a few times before but had never said more than a few business words while handing her an envelope of money.  The supply of medication she had bought from her was slowly dwindling but that was something that didn’t matter anymore.  No longer would Thorn do as she did for Sam.  No longer will the victims get to watch themselves be hurt while in a medicated lull.  They will feel the pain and they will die…she did not need anymore…pets.<br/><br/>There were times when Thorn wondered why she continued killing when the one she was doing it for in the first place was no longer here.  Many a night she contemplated the question and always came back with the same answer…because there was no one who could stop her.  No one to say that it was enough.  No one to tell her that her own sins of ignorance about her brother have been made up for.  No one to love her.<br/><br/>After receiving a confirmation email from the airport that Elizabeth Cassada had indeed figured out what to do with Thorn’s letter and was on her way, Thorn’s focus turned back to Sam.  She had checked every room for it’s cleanliness before telling him to get dressed.  Before they left the house, Thorn turned to Sam and placed a hand lightly on his cheek.  “Change,” she said in a low, excited voice before placing a light kiss on his lips.<br/><hr/><br/>The restaurant was not busy because of the early hour and their waitress was going out of her way to earn one of her first good tips of the night before the crowds gathered and took away her energy.  Thorn ate in silence, not bothering to look up from her plate.  If Elizabeth did indeed come, she would never know the excitement within Thorn.  This was to be a business partnership first.