Chapter 4

Helena was a beautiful woman, with her long dark hair, light blue eyes, the grace of any of the well bred ladies
around, but her appearance was just part of the double edged sword of her personality. Upon first meeting her
you'd think she was a sweet lady, a bit eccentric, but sweet. Ooh, but you'd be quick to learn that she could cut
you up in small pieces by just a glance into her eyes. Her eyes could turn into such a cold ice blue that they would
freeze you into place; so you were at her mercy until she deemed you to be gone with. Which could mean
anything from just 'get out of my sight' to 'watch your back, your days are numbered.'

That ice-cold blue stare was what had Alexis trembling in fear. It had just been one glance as Helena rushed past
her and Stefan into the coral to aid the fallen Stavros; her precious angel. As if angel, Stavros, and Helena should
ever belong in the same sentence together. The thought was sickening, but that wasn't what Alexis was thinking as
she watched Helena cradle Stavros lovingly in her arms. She stood frozen with her eyes wide and hands clasped
over mouth. Her thoughts were running wild on how Helena would punish her this time…she'd be lucky to get out
of this alive; especially if Stavros didn't, and things didn't look good.

Stavros hadn't moved since the fall and the doctor that a nearby stable hand had ran off to get hovered over the
boy and his mother. The doctor simply shook his head as he did some routine checks on Stavros…pulse,
breathing, reflex…but nothing. The boy was gone. ''I'm sorry Madam Helena, there's nothing to be gone.''

Helena for once in her life looked desperate as she looked from doctor to her son, to the doctor, to her son again.
Her high pitched anguished cry of ''Noooo!'' Sounded throughout the stables as she cradled Stavros even closer
to her and broke down into pitiful sobs. The only answer to her call was a frightened whinny from Daisy as a
stable hand tried to gently move her back into the stables.

The fright of reality and the tragic scene of death were too much for Alexis. Her young mind barely comprehended
the whole situation as she felt her world sway around her, her knees buckle, and then nothing. Blackness swirling
with more blackness. The feeling and smell of death were on her mind, it must be her time to go. ''No!'' she
pleaded with her inner self…death…not yet…she was too young…but so was…Stavros…Stavros…Stavros…

''Lexis…Lexis…Lexis.'' The gentle calling of her name and soothing way Stefan smoothed her hair away from her
face brought Alexis around slowly.

''What…Where am I?'' Alexis asked as she tried to sit up, but Stefan kept her lying down. She focused her eyes
and took in the surroundings around her. She was in the wine cellar on some old blankets in the corner that she
always hid in when she was scared or upset. At first she was confused on how she got there, until she saw the
frightened worried look in Stefan's eyes. Something was terribly wrong. Stavros was dead and she was sure to be
blamed just like she was in everything else. She might as well start saying her prayers now…she didn't have a
chance of making it off the island alive.

''St..Stavros is dead?''

Stefan nodded yes.

''Helena?''

''She hasn't left his side yet.''

''So I'm safe for now?''

''Yes.''

Alexis turned on her side and curled up into a ball facing away from Stefan. Stefan leaned against the corner wall
and watched Alexis as she began to sob. The tears cut through his heart, but this time he didn't have any answers
to stop them. Especially when his own were falling down the sides of his cheeks.

Not another word was said on the issue, both knew it was only a matter of time before Helena hunted them down
and started placing blame on them no matter how faultless they were in the accident.

As Stefan's and Alexis' world lay before them seemingly coming to an end or at least to a dismal living, another
man's dreams were just unfolding. Secrets revealed at a time like this would be instrumental to the fall of the
mighty Cassadines.