Writing Prompts:
Sometimes, there is no place to hide.
"You didn't believe I was dead?" "Never."
If you would like for me to continue this story please let me know.
Sometimes, there is no place to hide. Some have settled with going to a happy place inside their minds to escape the dark reality they faced but in Alice's mind there was no safe place. It was full of monsters. The local doctor came to look her over. They did a routine check with a rape kit. A woman gone for 7 years then returned some would assume she had been kidnapped, held against her will then used for her kidnapper's sadistic pleasure. Alice heard the doctor and Murdoch talking in the hall way. She was still very sensitive to her surroundings so she could make out what they were saying:
"No sign of abuse except for the brand," Dr. Bran deduced. "No sign of sexual abuse."
"You sure?" Murdoch asked.
"I may be from the village but I have some amount of skill, Inspector," Dr. Bran sounded insulted.
"He brands her like cattle, dresses her up and doesn't... use her in any way? You think it's Stockholm Syndrome?"
"She's well nourished, her clothes were clean," Dr. Bran continued. "Perhaps one day he snapped and tried to hurt her so she ran away."
Murdoch wasn't so sure. Alice lay down on the cot in his office staring into nothing. The sedative they had given her made her quiet at least since before she wouldn't stop screaming.
"You would have to ask her for the whole story," Bran shrugged.
"Is it okay if I talk to her?"
"I think so but don't be too long," Bran cautioned.
Murdoch entered the room quietly as if walking into a bomb wired room.
"Miss Whitethorn," Murdoch coaxed. "I managed to find one of your friends, Rick Jameson. He's still in the UK."
"Rick...," the name was familiar then pictures of Rick's sparkling hazel eyes and happy face oozed into Alice's mind making her feel warm again.
"He never stopped searching for you it seems," Murdoch mused.
"Sounds like him," Alice smiled for the first time since her ordeal.
"I gave him a call he should be picking you up shortly."
* * * *
Rick arrived at the station sooner than Murdoch thought. Rick burst into the station like a gust of wind asking for Alice Whitethorn. Murdoch thought he was going to rip the station apart looking for her. Murdoch finally brought Alice out to see him and Rick just stopped.
"Rick...," Alice was afraid this was another illusion until she was swept up into Rick's arms. Tears formed in her eyes once she breathed in his familiar musk of leather mixed with Axe Body Spray and motor oil.
"I got you," Rick whispered. They reluctantly broke their embrace but never stopped holding onto each other afraid that the other would dissolve like a mist the minute they let go. Rick had stayed in Cornwall after Alice disappeared. Hayley went home. Rick worked for an auto shop and every weekend he would look for her in the forest.
They were always close friends ever since high school. People thought they would end up together but Rick met Hayley and Alice started seeing other guys. But there was always that spark between them. He looked so different now though. Aged a bit and kind of pale and thin as if he hadn’t eaten or slept right for those long years that to Alice felt like days.
"Hayley was ready to give up," Alice pointed out.
"She stayed as long as she could," Rick explained. "Hayley stayed for 3 months helping me look but she said it was time to go home... to heal."
"Then what happened?"
"The engagement was off...," Rick rung his hands his hazel brown eyes dimmed. "Hayley broke it off I mean."
"I'm sorry, Rick," Alice touched Rick's hand. Rick touched Alice's hand and squeezed it. Before Alice flinched at every person. The sound of their voice, their touch was like barbed wire being scraped against her skin but seeing Rick and being with him made that go away. Touching him was more of a balm than a wound.
"It's ok," Rick smiled. He meant it. They left the station together arm in arm. Then as Alice was getting into Rick's car she noticed a man staring at her with burning intensity. He had platinum blond hair and ghostly blue eyes. He wore black and leather with iridescent raven feathers poking out of his sleeves and around his jacket collar. He had the look of a British rock star with his slack shoulders and thin frame. Some ravens had gathered outside the police station their eyes fixed on Alice. Alice felt chills running up her spine. Her adrenaline quickened. The hairs on her arm and the back of her neck stood on end. It felt that way sporadically through out their drive as she could sense the birds following her.
Rick took Alice from the station and brought her to his place. It was a nice apartment on the hill down by the bay. Cornwall was surrounded by forests but was also a fishing village. It felt like something out of a Grimm Fairytale. A quaint little town surrounded by magic. She could practically smell the enchantment as if it were a summer breeze.
They made it to Rick's apartment. It was a plain apartment above a bakery. Rick never had much of a talent for decor. Simple sky blue paint. A dusky couch, TV set and a small kitchen.
"I know it's not much but it's been home the past 7 years," Rick apologized.
"No it's great," Alice quickly said. "Just needs some flowers to brighten it up that's all."
"I'm not a flower guy," Rick shrugged. Alice looked outside seeing the sparkling blue bay. She could feel every fiber and every molecule around her it was deafening. Even the sun seemed harsh on her retinas. Her eyes were still adjusting
"You okay?" Rick asked.
Alice's hairs stood on end when she saw the ravens outside the window. The adrenaline kicked in once more as her heart hammered in her chest. She sensed someone behind her and instinct took over. Alice spun around and smacked the hand away. Fear in her eyes like a frightened doe in a hunter's sights. Then she realized it was Rick behind her.
"Sorry," Rick backed away to give Alice space.
"No I'm sorry I...," Alice wanted to tell Rick everything about the man following her and the creature in the stag mask but something stopped her.
"Hey it's alright," Rick assured her. "I have no idea what you've been through these past 7 years. You remember my uncle. He had PTSD. He was jumpy and would stare off into nothing like he was back in the jungle again running from Charlie and the crazy shit he had to do to survive in that POW camp."
Alice nodded. She took in a deep breath to try and relax her nerves. "I think I just need a shower," she reasoned.
"Shower's through there," Rick pointed. "I didn't shower today so there should be some hot water left."
"So that's why you wreak of motor oil and Axe Body Spray," Alice smirked.
"The ladies over here go crazy for it," Rick joked. "American guy with that Yankee smell makes them feel rebellious."
Alice laughed for the first time in she didn't know how long. Rick gave her some fresh towels and she made her way to the bathroom. Alice shut the door getting a good look at herself in the mirror. They cleaned her up a bit at the station but she remembered refusing to get out of her dress. Alice was down right insistent. For some reason she knew it was important to keep it. Not for the fabric but what it contained. The dress had a pocket that she fished in and pulled out something cold and heavy. Alice opened her hand to reveal a glittering silver ring. It's band was like weaving vines with small thorns poking out and in the center was a triskelion symbol; the same symbol that was on her arm. She knew that it was important. It was important for her safety. She just didn't know how or why yet. She fit it on her finger. It fit so nicely. Then her brand began to burn. The triskelion on the ring and her arm glowed red hot. The whispers in her head sang again.
* * * *
Alice showered and ate and slept but her dreams were plagued with shadows. Her dreams were filled with monsters. The creature in the mask held her in chains at the foot of his throne with his black feline beast beside him growling at her. The stag horns were like gnarled branches that mached his wooden throne at the foot of an oak tree. Alice saw the ring on the stag mask's thin sharp finger. Then she saw the man in black leather and raven feathers. He was in a cage staring at her with those piercing blue eyes.
"You owe me," he said. "If you don't close on your end of the bargain then we'll both pay the price." Alice's brand burned so hot it surged through out her entire body making her believe she was on fire.
Alice woke up screaming causing Rick to rush into the room to see if she was alright. She looked around wildly as if she were back in whatever hell she had escaped.
"Nightmares...," Alice excused.
"I figured...," Rick stood still waiting patiently for Alice to tell him what to do. "Do you remember anything?" Alice shook her head.
"Sorry for waking you," she apologized.
"Nah I was awake anyway," Rick shrugged. Alice's muscles slowly relaxed. She motioned that it was okay for Rick to sit on the bed with her.
"To be honest I was awake anyway," Rick confessed. "Searching for 7 years I would dream about seeing you here then wake up and realize you were gone."
"You never believed I was dead?"
"Never."
Alice smiled weakly as she tucked her hair behind her ear. Rick smiled broadly.
"What now?" she asked as her cheeks burned.
"I missed the way you did that," Rick explained softly. "Tucking your hair back when you were embarrassed or nervous."
"Shut up don't be weird," Alice laughed then playfully punched Rick in the arm.
"Didn't miss the hitting though," Rick pretended that Alice's punch hurt making her laugh even more. Her fear was slowly melting away like snow in spring time.
"I'll uh... let you get back to sleep then," Rick ran his hand through his ebony hair then scratched his ear, a manner that Alice remembered was always a sign of Rick's awkwardness and uncertainty on how to proceed.
"Wait, Rick...," Alice caught Rick's arm her eyes pleading, "can you just sit with me until I fall back asleep?" Rick sighed relieved and nodded. He sat on the bed as Alice got more comfortable. Rick even tucked her in. He sat like a faithful sentry protecting her in the waking world.
* * * *
The next morning Alice asked Rick where the library was.
"What do you need to go to a library for?" Rick asked. "I have a laptop." Alice was in the bathroom putting on a dress that Rick had borrowed from the baker's daughter who was away at university. It was a bit too feminine for Alice's taste but she couldn't walk around in Rick's clothes smelling like a used car in an auto shop. The dress was a powder blue and white plaid. Alice felt like she was transported back to the 50s.
"I know I just need to get out and books have always been a sanctuary for me you know," Alice explained. "Nothing beats the smell of books." Rick was still on the fence.
"I'm not going to disappear again, Rick," Alice reassured him. Rick still wasn't sure. Alice managed to convince Rick to let her stay an hour at the library then meet him back at his apartment for lunch. Rick bought Alice a cell phone just so they could keep in touch. In truth Alice needed to do research and she didn't want Rick to know what she was researching.
Alice made it to the library. No creepy British rock star following her this time but the ravens returned or they maybe they never left. Every instinct told Alice that she was still being hunted. She wasn't much for tales of fairies. She was more of a UFO chaser but after her experience and that ring in her pocket she was beginning to question that theory. She took out every book she could find on fairies. Iron and St. John's Wort were by far the best defenses against them. Alice could easily find some iron. As she read she rotated the ring in her fingers. No matter how much time it spent in Alice's hand it remained cool to the touch.
"You're looking better, Miss Whitethorn."
Alice looked up to see Inspector Murdoch smiling at her. She smiled back, "Rick is helping me readjust but... it still feels so weird." She put the ring back in her pocket. Murdoch noticed but said nothing.
"After the ordeal you've had I'm not surprised," Murdoch reasoned. Alice allowed him to take a seat. "Still don't remember anything?"
"Some things but it's all still a blur," Alice shrugged. Murdoch looked at her book selection.
"New hobby? Researching local legends and fairytales?" said Murdoch. "I thought you were a UFO chaser?" Alice raised a quizzical eye brow as Murdoch explained, "I've read your blog from 7 years ago. It helps to do extensive research into the victim to see if there are any clues as to why they were abducted."
"I don't see how reading my silly blog would help," Alice figured. "But I'm not a detective so anything?"
"Nothing important," Murdoch confessed with a heavy sigh. "How are things with Rick if you don't mind me asking?"
"They're great," Alice shortly responded. "Rick's been patient."
"And where is he now?"
"At work."
"He let you go out on your own? I would think he'd take time off and spend time with you or even make arrangements to go back home to the States."
"I just felt... trapped," Alice explained but explained quickly, "Books have always been a sanctuary for me. I was the weird kid in class with glasses that made my eyes look like an owl. Luckily I got laser eye surgery and suddenly I was the hot girl." Murdoch looked at the book Alice was currently reading.
"Cernunnos? The Horned God," Murdoch casually noticed. "Lord of Beasts and Guardian of the Forests."
"I was looking up the symbol on my arm," Alice sputtered.
"Doing some of your own investigating?" Murdoch admired though his police senses were tingling. "Maybe we should work together then."
Alice sat quietly for a moment. She fondled the ring in her pocket. Then she smiled rather weakly, "Yeah sure." Alice looked at the clock.
"I gotta go," Alice excused. "I promised Rick I'd meet him for lunch." Murdoch caught Alice's arm, the one that fondled the ring in her pocket. Alice froze like a deer caught in the head lights. Her heart pounded. They stared each other down. He was searching for some clue in her eyes then he picked up Alice's black moleskin note book, "Don't forget this."
Murdoch released Alice's arm and she took her note book back timidly mumbling "Thank you."
"If you need anything or find something let me know," Murdoch said. It was more of a demand than a request. Alice only nodded. She scurried out of the library. Just when she thought she was out of danger the hairs on the back of her neck rose and her adrenaline spiked. There was the blue eyed platinum blond haired man right beside her as if appearing out of nowhere. Before Alice could run the man grabbed her and swiftly took her to another place out of town as if traveling by wind.
* * * *
They landed on the shore outside of town away from curious eyes.
Her kidnapper threw her to the ground and snarled, "Nice to see you again, missy. Time we had a chat." Alice rubbed her now soar behind and looked up at her abductor. His cold blue eyes made Alice feel cold.
"Who are you and what do you want?" she demanded trying to sound unafraid. The strange man only chuckled.
"And here I thought you were special but the memory curse cleaned your clock as well as the others," the man sneered. "Allow me to re-introduce myself then," the man gave a very low bow his voice becoming as smooth as silver, "I'm Trinkett and you and I are partners in crime."
"You were in my dream...," Alice gaped.
"Had to get your attention somehow," Trinkett looked at his nails casually. "The thing with memory is that it can be triggered by simple things such as smell, taste or sound but I wanted to get to the point."
Alice stood up and brushed herself off.
"Nice dress by the way," Trinkett admired lewdly. "Better than the jeans I saw you in though they made your legs look shapely."
Alice's cheeks burned. She wrapped the skirt tightly around her legs also ready to fight if she needed.
"Oh relax you're not what I came for," Trinkett miffed.
"Really because the way you were looking at me in the dream and outside the station reminded me of the pervs in college who tried to pinch my ass," Alice scorned.
"I'm almost insulted, missy," Trinkett cried. "I'll have you know I'm a gentleman." Trinkett straightened himself up trying to appear classy. Alice saw right through him.
"A gentleman gives his real name," Alice said. Why did she say that? How would she know that Trinkett wasn't his real name? Trinkett raised his fine white eyebrow.
"Well maybe I was wrong... maybe you do remember something," Trinkett came closer while Alice stepped back. "Go on," he goaded. "Say my real name." Alice searched her mind but nothing came.
Trinkett shrugged disappointed then grabbed Alice's arm and reached into the pocket that contained the ring.
"I got what I came for," he whispered.
"Wait you said we were partners in crime," Alice said quickly.
"Seeing as you don't remember I see no reason to honor our deal," Trinkett rationalized.
"Give it back!" Alice cried. She may not have remembered much but she knew that ring was a clue to what happened and that she couldn't lose it. Then the name just came out, "Callum!"
Trinkett froze. Alice held out her hand and demanded, "Give the ring to me, Callum."
Callum had no choice but to obey. With begrudging eyes Callum handed the ring over to Alice.
"So I was right," Callum sighed with some satisfaction. "You're starting to remember things."
"Not everything unfortunately," Alice looked at the ring intently trying to unlock it's mysteries with just her eyes. "I remember your name which gives me power of you-- I read that part in a book."
"Well humans occasionally get some things right," Callum shrugged. "So I guess we're chained together again."
"What do you mean?"
"Cernunnos is coming for you and me," Callum became grim. "We were his prisoners and were going to be sacrificed for a Stag Hunt."
"Stag Hunt? I remember reading something about that..."
"Yeah well I'll save you the trouble and tell you that the stag isn't really a stag," Callum said. "It's us. We're on the Horned One's hit list and that ring is our way out."
"But how?" Alice wondered aloud.
No comments:
Post a Comment