The Creator

by Aj Estelliam

  ‘You’re saying all this after the man abducted you?’ she exclaimed.

  ‘Jess, he’s had a very troubled life. Trust me when I say we have good reason to help him. He’s not a bad man. This is not Fraser Williamburg.’

  ‘Okay, okay…I was just so worried. Your parents were too.’

  ‘Oh God, my parents!’ I said, remembering. ‘I had totally forgotten they were even coming.’

  ‘Well, it was when you didn’t turn up to collect them that the alarm bells were raised. Your Dad called me fortunately and I rushed home to find that the door was open, the place was in a state and the phone lines had been cut.’

  I nodded to myself. ‘He got inside to capture me.’

  She sighed. ‘And you still don’t see anything wrong with that?’

  ‘Of course! There’s a lot wrong with that!’ I told her. ‘The thing is, I don’t believe he should be punished any more than necessary. Pick us up, talk to him…you’ll make up your mind yourself anyway.’

  ‘I will,’ she agreed. ‘So, where are you?’

  ‘At Wilson’s home. Forty-Eight Chestnut Avenue. We’re upstairs in the bedroom. Ava’s on the bed and Ben’s sat on the corner chair. We’ll wait for you here.’

  ‘I’m on my way. Sit tight,’ she ordered.

  ‘See you soon.’

  I hung up and looked at Ben.

  ‘I’m scared,’ he said timidly.

  I shook my head. ‘Don’t be, Ben. They will arrest you but it won’t be long before you’re free again.’

  ‘You know that?’

  ‘I do, yes. I can see you working the job at the raptor centre and you’re wearing similar clothes and look the same so it can’t be long away.’

  ‘No…tell me more about it?’ he requested. ‘I think it’ll calm me to think about my feathers.’

  I smiled at him. In some ways he seemed like a young boy; so innocent and basic. ‘Okay. What would you like to know?’

  ‘Everything you saw,’ he murmured, looking at me intently.

  ‘Okay,’ I nodded, ‘well, initially it starts with an interview…’ I explained. ‘When you start talking about your feather collection, they realise your wealth of knowledge connected to birds is extensive. They ask to see pictures and examples and as you have both to share, they’re impressed. They ask you about your experience and you’re truthful that you have none. What you do offer is your devotion to all birds and animals. They see a passion in you which is rare and decide to take you on. You’re very happy there, Ben.’

  ‘I never thought about turning my hobby into a career.’

  ‘I don’t think the chance ever really presented itself until now, did it?’

  He shook his head. ‘And to be honest, I was always caring for Mum…’

  ‘Yeah,’ I sighed, glancing over at her once again. ‘You know, she doesn’t blame you…’

  His eyes widened.

  ‘I sometimes hear the dead too. She’s telling me that she loved you just as much as she loved Simon. She just found life so difficult once Simon was gone. She has many regrets where you’re concerned but the main one was not telling you how much she loved you, Ben.’

  Tears filled his eyes. ‘I loved her, Alex. I really did. I just…sometimes I felt like she didn’t care.’

  ‘Of course, she cared,’ I told him. ‘She cared more than you’ll ever know. She was just a changed woman after Simon’s disappearance. She admits it changed her forever and she couldn’t recapture the woman she was before.’

  He looked down at his hands. ‘Can you tell her I love her too?’ he asked quietly.

  I reached out to lay my hand gently on his. He looked up at me, surprised and held my eyes. ‘She already knows, Ben.’

  Tears filled his gaze.

  A loud knock signalled the arrival of the police. I squeezed Ben’s hand tightly. ‘You ready?’ I asked him.

  ‘I think so…’

  ‘Remember-your time behind bars is only temporary. I won’t lie and say it’ll be easy but it’s worth doing to get past all this and move on to a happier time. Hold on to the scene I’ve described to you at the birds of prey and raptor centre. Your time is coming if you’re patient.’

  He nodded and swiped at his tears. ‘I’m ready.’

  ‘Okay, let’s go.’

  ‘Alex?’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘I’m sorry for what I did…and thank you for being such a…well, like a friend to me,’ he said emotionally.

  ‘You’re more than welcome,’ I replied quietly. His words had moved me as they were so heartfelt.

  We walked down the stairs hand in hand. When we opened the door, I was there every step of the way to support him.

  ‘Alex!’ Jess exclaimed, exhaling with relief.

  ‘I’m fine,’ I said, lifting a hand in warning. ‘This doesn’t need to be done with any force, Jess.’

  She frowned at me. ‘He has to be cuffed, Alex.’

  ‘I know…just be kind…I want Ben to receive help from this point on.’ I looked up at him and he gave me a look of gratitude.

  ‘Ready?’ Jess asked.

  ‘They’re going to cuff you now, Ben, and take you into the station. I’ll see you there-I’ll come and see you while you’re questioned.’

  ‘Thank you, Alex. I really appreciate what you’ve done for me,’ he said softly.

  I smiled at him. ‘Remember this is not going to be forever, Ben. Just deal with it temporarily and then you get to move on, okay?’

  He nodded. I then watched as he was led away. I didn’t like seeing him go off with other police officers but I knew it was temporarily necessary. I sighed and turned to Jess. She looked at me for a long moment before stepping forward to pull me close. She held me against her body for a long moment, oblivious to the curious and watchful eyes all around us. She was just relieved I was safe and I was happy to be back where I belonged; in her arms.

  We spent some time at the Wilson home collecting evidence and removing Ava from her resting place before heading back to the station.

  ‘Are Mum and Dad okay?’ I asked as we started driving.

  ‘Yes, they’re good. I took them to the house before I got your phone call. Once I knew you were safe, I phoned them immediately so that they wouldn’t worry. They’re anxious to see you but I explained it could be a few hours yet.’

  ‘I should phone them,’ I murmured.

  ‘Yeah…here,’ she said, passing me her phone.

  ‘Thanks,’ I said, dialling my Dad’s mobile by heart.

  It rang for a while before I heard his familiar voice.

  ‘Hello?’

  ‘Hi, Dad. It’s Alex.’

  ‘Alex! Are you alright? Thank goodness you’re safe!’

  ‘I’m fine, thanks Dad. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine…it was just…well, it was just a case of this case wrapping itself up in many ways.’

  ‘He didn’t hurt you?’ he questioned.

  ‘Not even slightly,’ I told him, calmly. ‘I actually feel like he was a victim in all of this. I’m going back to the station to make sure he gets the help he needs and then I’m come home. I’m sorry for this, Dad. I was so looking forward to seeing you and Mum.’

  ‘It can’t be helped, sweetheart, and don’t worry. We’ve been settling in to Jess’s gorgeous house.’

  ‘It’s beautiful, isn’t it?’ I smiled.

  ‘It sure is! And the view! Have you wandered down to the beach yet?’ I asked.

  ‘Uh, no honey…we’ve been waiting around to make sure our daughter hadn’t been killed by another psycho murderer.’

  ‘Oh yeah,’ I said, chuckling softly. ‘Well, now I’m fine, why don’t you take in the local beach while you wait for us?’

  ‘That sounds lovely. Any idea when you’ll be home?’ he asked, sounding very fatherly.

  ‘I guess a couple of hours,’ I told him.

  ‘Okay…well, see you soon.’

  ‘Yes, see you soon Dad,’ I said and hung up. With
that done, I smiled over at Jess.

  ‘What are you looking so happy about?’ she asked me, glancing at me in confusion.

  ‘It’s over, Jess,’ I murmured happily.

  ‘Yeah?’

  I nodded, feeling no sickness, no headaches and a clear head. ‘I can feel it.’

  She smiled at me. ‘A couple more hours wrapping up loose ends and then we can go home and relax.’

  ‘I can’t wait,’ I told her. ‘I need a break from these crimes which plague my head. I hope that’s it for a while. I need a bit of time for relaxation and rejuvenation.’

  ‘And we’ll make sure you get it,’ she nodded.

  I lay my head back against the headrest and felt my whole body beginning to feel calm. I could feel it from deep down inside. This was over. It was well and truly finished.

  Two hours later, everyone involved had been questioned and reports had been taken and filed. I had passed on my evidence and been a voice to support Ben in the charges he faced. When he was led away, I gave him a nod of approval to remind him better times were ahead. We then packed everything up and headed home. It was time to take some time out.

  I felt excited as we drove into the driveway at home. I hadn’t seen my parents in some time and I couldn’t wait to reacquaint myself with them and show them the home I had come to love.

  I hurried inside and found both of my parents sat on the sofa comfortably.

  ‘Mum! Dad!’ I exclaimed.

  ‘Alex!’ they both called out in chorus, leaping to their feet and enveloping me in a warm hug.

  ‘Boy, I’ve missed you two,’ I told them, as we shared a moment together.

  ‘We’ve missed you too, Alex,’ my father said.

  Wrapped in their arms, I felt complete.

  Sometime later, we all sat together on the sofas. I had spent ages telling them all about the case, at their request. They had both been extremely interested in hearing about the ins and outs of how I had been helping to solve this gruesome mystery and impressed when I went through the details.

  ‘But at least it’s over now,’ I said, hoping to draw a line under discussing the horrendous past few weeks I had endured.

  ‘Yes. I can’t imagine what you go through, Alex,’ my mother commented.

  ‘But I can see that you feel that you must help,’ my father added.

  I looked from one of them to the other and didn’t know what else to say. That pretty much summed it up. It was awful, but I endured it because I had to help when I could. ‘Well, let’s just leave it at that. Tell me about what’s been going on at home?’ I requested. ‘I’ve missed hearing about everything so much!’

  My father grinned at my mother and I could hear the success emanating from his mind.

  ‘The woodworking is going well?’ I pre-empted him.

  ‘It sure is!’ he laughed. ‘Let me tell you about it though!’ he grinned.

  ‘Sorry…it’s becoming a habit to read someone before they speak,’ I smiled.

  ‘Well, I’ve been doing so well, Alex and I’m so happy. I wanted to tell you about it in person as you were the one who set the ball in motion initially.’

  I smiled at him. ‘I’m so glad it’s worked out for you, Dad.’

  ‘Me too.’

  ‘So, tell me everything…’ I said, settling back against the sofa in a more comfortable position. As he began to talk, I felt contentment settle over me like a warm rug. With my family and partner all around me, at last I felt at peace. Here, in this home, I knew that everything ended up happily. Despite the daily trials I now seemed destined to face, if I had the support of my family, friends and Jess; I knew everything would be fine.

  I smiled over at Jess and heard her thoughts. ‘I love you,’ she whispered mentally.

  ‘I love you too,’ I replied in my head, and in my eyes for her benefit. She smiled at me and I turned my attention back to my Dad who was still speaking.

  That evening, as I fell asleep, I drifted.

  The little boy ran into his mother’s arms and she embraced him tightly. The love that emanated from them both was overwhelming. They smiled at each other then, glad to be back together.

  ‘I love you, Simon,’ she told him.

  ‘I love you too, Mum.’

  The two watched on as the remaining brother on Earth collected more feathers. He walked into the education centre to add them to his wonderful display. They looked upon it with admiration. They looked upon him with admiration.

  Ben smiled to himself. He, at last, felt happy.

  As I slept on, my mind changed course once more.

  I stood on the sand gazing out to sea. My long, white dress fluttered in the wind and I felt lighter than air. My smile was wide and my heart, joyful. I turned to greet my father who nodded his approval and smiled. He then took my hand and led me down the sand. Jess was there waiting, and as my father passed me over to her, I felt complete.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  ​Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24