Un-Sweet Dreams (BookStrand Publishing Romance)

by Shawn Wall

  "I know, at least we have each other though. It's like you were sent to me. Even with the visions you are my resting place, my sense of peace.”

  Seth took her in his arms, gently rocking, trying to soothe her.

  "You can't go back to your room. I don't want you to be away from me until this monster is caught."

  "I can't be in your room every night. I mean I can't exactly shower in the guys’ bathroom.”

  "Oh trust me. There is not one boy in that dorm who would mind, but I get your point. You can shower the night before, or I'll walk you to your dorm early the next morning to get ready."

  "Don't you think this is getting a little ridiculous? You are being just a little overprotective." She raised her voice and clinched her fist at her sides. "I mean you already walk me to all my classes, and I never leave my dorm without you.”

  "Suzanne, we are not going to argue about this. Look how easy it is for me to sneak in your dorm. I have seen what he is doing to these girls. I will protect you, if no one else." His jaw hardened.

  She convinced him to stay with her for the next two nights. Seth really didn't mind as long as they were together. When there were no dreams that first night, he thought the stalker must have already killed the poor girl. The second night, a nightmare came again.

  * * * *

  Dear Diary,

  Another dream came, and it’s her again. The redhead was lying on a cot in the same room. The cabin had the same rustic walls. She was much calmer than the blonde, looking everywhere, searching for something to help herself. The room had no windows with the same bright light above. She tugged at her wrist, but they were bound also. The door was open to the room, and she could hear a television. The local news was on, and she could just barely see a figure sitting in front of it watching. There were fishing poles and net leaning in a corner. A phone rang. She could hear the man’s voice but, he spoke too low for her hear the conversation. She screamed “help” thinking maybe the caller could hear her.

  Then, she listened intently and heard the man abruptly end his call. He quickly turned off the television and walked toward the room, grabbing a small bottle and wetting a white cloth with the liquid inside. The poor girl cried out, “No not again. Please not again.”

  At that moment, she knew she would never leave this room. He was still wearing the mask, but she could see his bare chest. He had an olive tone, and the hair on his arms was almost black. He had a husky build and smelled of alcohol. The same as before, he covered her mouth and nose with the cloth. Again, she tried to fight, but it only made her breath deeper. Her nose burned from the solution on the cloth. Before she lost consciousness, she could feel his weight crushing her body.

  * * * *

  When Suzanne woke, it was morning, and thank goodness today was Saturday. She didn't feel she had slept a wink. At least Seth was still out with his arms around her. She closed her eyes, thinking only of how hot his chest felt against her bare back. She melted into his arms, so content and safe even after her horrible dream. However, she slipped out of bed long enough to write her dream.

  "Seth," she said softly.

  "Yes." He replied in a yawn.

  "I need you to get up, so we can talk.”

  "There's only one reason for me to get up.” His voice was sleepy, but he flashed his sexy smile.

  He pulled her back into bed, sliding his right hand across her abdomen and down her right hip. Kissing her right shoulder, he moved his lips up her neck.

  "Seth, I dreamed of her again."

  "Okay, you’re right. Was there anything different?" He spoke in a disappointed tone.

  She lay on her back as he stayed on his side, brushing her hair away from her face, listening intently.

  "She was bound like the other girl. It was the same place.” She spouted as fast as she could.

  "Suzanne, hurry, we have to get dressed. You may have something this time.”

  They were ready and out the door within fifteen minutes.

  "What are we going to do?"

  "Where going to call your details to the hotline," he said, "then we’re going to drive around that lake and see if anything looks familiar to you."

  She made the call this time, muffling her voice in the receiver. She only hoped it could help.

  "What if she isn't even reported missing yet?"

  "I don't know. Surely she has been. It's the most we can do, and neither of us knew who she was."

  Sunday morning, more flyers were posted outside the cafeteria. The missing redheaded girl’s name was Kerstin. Kerstin’s face and name haunted Suzanne. She knew the poor girl was gone. If the tip on Saturday morning had not helped the police find her, there was no hope by now. They sat in the cafeteria reading the latest newspaper headline “The Campus That Dreads Sundown.” The article discussed details released concerning the first victim’s autopsy report. The state crime lab report revealed she was killed over twenty-four hours after being kidnapped.

  Seth and Suzanne began arguing, and it was a fight she knew she wouldn’t win. He was terrified something would happen to her, and his greatest fear was that the monster might take her next. So, she was locked in jail. They never went anywhere at night, and he refused to participate in any study groups in the library. It didn't help that they were alone in his room all the time, and unable to keep their hands off one another. The attraction between them was unbelievable, which meant she didn't get much studying done either. Thank goodness he didn't object to her grandmother accompanying her shopping. Grandmother had wanted to buy her a new winter jacket and some sweaters.

  Her grandmother had remarried a very nice man, a widowed himself. The new husband only lived about twenty minutes from campus, so every time her grandmother asked them to come over for supper she jumped at the chance. Students were beginning to get scared and now, there were rumors of girls leaving the dorms and living off campus.

  Then, a week after the flyers were posted, Seth and his friend Henry were looking at the local paper. Seth began, reading aloud. “‘The Bell Tower Rapist Strikes Again.’” The body had been dumped and the victim found in the same lake at a different landing. There was also more information released concerning the first victim, and Seth had withheld that tidbit from her.

  "I didn't want to scare you.”

  "Like I'm not already scared. What are you keeping from me?"

  "The first body was mutilated. There were cuts probably made postmortem.” Seth swallowed hard. "His behavior is illogical, and I'm sure the cops suspect what I do. From the location and precision of those cuts, this person has at least limited knowledge of anatomy."

  "Oh." She gasped.

  "He must be stopped. This is only going to get worse and worse.”

  "Why did it take so long for them to find the second girl?"

  "He weighed down the body this time." Seth's friend Henry answered.

  "His aggression and brutality are definitely increasing," Seth said.

  "Who would have access to chloroform anyway?" Henry asked.

  "What?" Suzanne asked, although Henry was clearly speaking to Seth.

  “The last news report says they were probably abducted using chloroform,” Henry said.

  "I thought it must be ether or chloroform." Seth spoke so low she thought he was talking to himself.

  “How would he even obtain those chemicals? You can’t just pick those up at the local drug store.”

  “Suzanne, they are easy enough to obtain. You just have to know where to look,” Seth said

  “What do you think? From the hospital or the chemistry lab?” she said."My dad knows someone at the hospital. It would be easy enough to see if any stores have gone missing," Henry said.

  "I think Dr. Johnson from Chemistry would have noticed if anything suspicious was missing from his lab. This guy could be a Chem major and be making it himself. It is possible. But the most logical place would be the Internet. That’s my guess.” Seth stared across the room seeming in deep thought.
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br />   By now, Seth had begun his own investigation. Henry didn't know about Seth's visions, but he was eager to help with the information leaked from the police. Seth focused almost every waking hour on it. They both tried to investigate almost every Pre-med and Chemistry student on campus. Finally, they had come up with only one potential suspect, Cal Evans. He was a junior and known to be a womanizer, but a rumor here and there wasn’t enough evidence. They needed to gain access to his room, and Henry had concocted a plan in which Suzanne would play the leading role.

  “I don’t like this. Surely there’s another way,” Seth said.

  “I have practically stalked this guy for the last week. Suzanne is the only diversion we’ve got. Ten minutes is all we’ll need,” Henry said.

  “No, I’ve changed my mind. She is not going through with it.” Seth scowled.

  “You know I have a say in this, too. Henry would you give Seth and me a minute please?” She stared at Seth.

  “It’s too dangerous. If he were to touch you…”

  “If he tries to hurt me, I’ll just scream, and no doubt you would be there in seconds to my rescue. Besides, he may not be the rapist. You have to get in that room.”

  “Why do you have to be right?” He pulled her into his arms and rested his head against her hair, inhaling.

  Within a minute, Henry ducked back into Seth’s dorm room.

  “He’s on his way up. Remember, Suzanne, catch him when he unlocks his door.” Henry spoke so fast she could hardly distinguish his words.

  She made her way down the corridor. When she saw Cal exiting the stairwell, she slowed her pace, letting her hand brush across his arm when he passed her. She could see him turn to watch, and she gave him the full show, twisting her hips. Against Seth’s wishes, this morning, she had changed into the tightest sweater and jeans she owned. What would Seth think of this display? She listened for the pop of Cal’s deadbolt, and then made her move.

  “You mind helping me out with something?” She circled around.

  “That depends.” His smile said yes.

  “I have to go so bad I don’t think I can make it to the lobby bathroom. If you would stand watch for me I could use the one on this floor.” She tilted her head and smiled. Then, she interlaced her fingers, praying he wouldn’t notice her trembling.

  “You don’t have a boyfriend who can do that for you?” His forehead creased.

  “Yes, but he’s too interested in writing his paper to pay me any mind.”

  “Where do I know you from? Ah, yes, you go out with…what is his name? Seth?”

  “Yes.”

  He left his key hanging on the deadbolt and approached her. She took his hand and led him right around the corner to the bathroom by the stairwell.

  “I won’t be but a few minutes, I promise.” She slipped into the bathroom, and finally took a deep breath. It didn’t stop the nauseating lump she’d felt from the moment she started down that hall. Nor could it relieve the fear she felt deep in her bones, but at least she’d made it to the bathroom. Thank goodness he didn’t follow her inside. She hoped it gave Seth and Henry the time they needed.

  * * * *

  “They’re around the corner. Let’s go,” Henry whispered.

  “She turned his head. The idiot even forgot his keys,” Seth said as he took a quick survey of the room. What a little tease she was, simply brilliant. Too brilliant. Cal would think she wanted him for sure.

  “Of course she turned his head. No offense, but your girlfriend looks like sex on a stick.” Henry sighed.

  “None taken, but you didn’t have to remind me. I need to concentrate. Just keep watch while I search.”

  Cal roomed alone, which is what first caught their attention. The room was neat and clean, at least for a guy, much more that his own room would be if not for Suzanne constantly tiding up. He started with the shelves filled with books, mostly textbooks. Even for a Pre-med, there was nothing out of the ordinary. Not even one medical journal. All the drawers were full of neatly folded clothes, but no unmentionables.

  Surprisingly, there was not even one beer in the fridge. Maybe they were wrong about this guy. There seemed to be nothing. He made a last quick sweep and remembered he hadn’t checked under the bed. To his surprise, there were four long, slender plastic tubs each filled with DVDs. These were homemade movies, each case labeled in permanent marker by date and names, all female. Toward the foot of the bed was a small case holding a camcorder and another small tub full of pornographic magazines.

  “Henry, you’ve got to see this.”

  Henry’s eyes widened, and his mouth dropped open. “The question of has he had many women is answered. How many DVDs are there?”

  “Do you recognize any of the names?” Seth asked.

  “Two from the first case, and I know them. They wouldn’t have posed for the guy.”

  “The guy is sick, but neither victim’s name is on any of these cases. Let’s get out of here. He’s not the murderer, but I still don’t want him near Suzanne.”

  * * * *

  She’d taken longer than she should, and he was going to suspect something. She flushed the toilet and began washing her hands.

  “Are you all right? Just making sure you didn’t fall in.” He peered around the door and entered.

  “I’m all done. Thanks so much. I owe you one.”

  “Well, in that case, I know how you can pay me back.” He moved toward her, his eyes scanning her body and hovering at her mouth.

  “I’d better get back. Seth will wonder what’s taking so long.” She hesitated and slowly backed toward the far wall. He had her pinned with no way out. He continued approaching until her back was against the cold tiles and he was only a few inches away. His musty smell nauseated her as he leaned in and whispered in her right ear.

  “I don’t think he’s going to miss you. If you come to my room with me, I promise to give you my full attention.”

  “We just met. I don’t like to hook up with someone until I know them.”

  “We can get to know one another. You’re not so innocent. I’ve seen you leave his room more than one morning. Why save it all for him?”

  The bathroom door swung open.

  “Evans, you get away from her, or you’ll deal with me.”

  Cal jumped two feet back at the sound of Seth’s entrance. Seth’s commanding voice more than intimidated Cal, and he had a true look of fear.

  “Just helping her out. I watched the door for her.” Cal was trembling in his boots.

  “Be sure that’s all you help her with.”

  Seth took her hand and quickly led her back to his room. The moment the door shut, his lips crushed hers as he cascaded them down onto his bed. Seth groaned with passion as he deepened their kiss as intimate as possible, leaving her trembling.

  “Did he hurt you, sweetheart? Did he scare you?” Seth spoke almost breathlessly.

  “No, I’m fine now.”

  She unconsciously licked her lips, which only invited him back for more. He plunged them in even deeper, from petting and cuddling to diving completely into the abyss once more.

  “You’re quite the little number, you know,” Seth said between quick, open-mouthed kisses.

  “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “I only mean that Cal Evans definitely took a cold shower after your interlude.” He chuckled.

  “I only did what you asked, a little flirting.”

  “You’re so-called little bit of flirting can set a man on fire, and I have what just transpired in my bed as evidence.” He kissed her again, and then cradled her close to his chest.

  “Sorry. I’m just irresistible. So tell me, did you find anything?”

  “I don’t think he is the campus rapist, but I did see something disturbing. I’d thought about not telling you.”

  “You promised no secrets.”

  “The guy has a collection of DVDs.”

  “What’s wrong with collecting movies?” she asked innocently.
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  “Well, there’s nothing wrong with it, but these were probably homemade movies, and I don’t think the lead actresses gave their consent to being filmed.”

  “Do you mean…?” Her hand quickly covered her mouth.

  “Yes, it’s what you think.”

  “Sex videos of girls!” she said, raising one eyebrow. “Did Henry or you take a peek any of these said movies?”

  “No, why would I watch a video when I have you in the flesh? I like the jealous bit though.” He laughed.

  “That guy is definitely a pervert.” She shivered at the thought of flirting with him.

  “The videos were marked with names and dates. I recognized one. It was the girl we saved, and the date was the same as the attempted suicide.”

  “That poor girl, I am so lucky to have you.” She nestled against his chest, realizing she was far more than lucky. She was truly blessed.

  As days passed, Seth became more anxious, on edge all the time, blaming himself for his visions not giving him more information. “If I could only see his face,” he would say. This only added fuel to the fire, and they began arguing more and more about the pettiest of things—how long it took her to get ready, to a grade on a test, blaming her for making them late for class. He was right. The stress was affecting her, only in different ways. Now, she could hardly sleep, and that made it harder to get up in the morning. He hated to be late for class, to not be prepared. As a result, they were agitated with one another all the time. She didn't know if their relationship could survive this. Was their love strong enough?

  Meanwhile, they began to rotate nights in each other's room. Sunday nights they stayed in his, it was much easier to sneak her into his room on the weekends. On this particular Sunday night, they both had papers due the next day, and Seth let her use his laptop first. When finished, she lay on his bed watching him type and began to doze off.

  She dreamed again, another nightmare, but she was on the sidelines again just watching the events take place. Another young student, brunette this time, left the Art building and was walking close to the bushes around the courtyard. It was dark this time with snow falling. The light of the bell tower was glowing off the snowflakes. The tall figure followed her from behind like all the other times, but he didn't take her. Someone else was walking past the tower and spooked him. Then, he ducked behind the bushes again, hiding quickly.