by Aj Estelliam
‘Wow! How amazing!’
I just smiled.
‘What a skill! How can hear people’s thoughts? It’s just mental!’
‘Well, I don’t understand it or know why it happened to me but I’m just kind of going with it,’ I told her. ‘I don’t seem to have much choice.’
‘Well, I’m eternally grateful. If it hadn’t been for you, I’m pretty sure I would have died in those woods. You saved me.’
‘I was glad to help.’
‘Which brings us to why we’re here,’ Captain Withers interjected.
‘Why’s that?’ she wondered.
‘We need information…’ he told her.
‘I told you everything I can remember. I don’t think there’s anything else to tell.’
Jess interrupted. ‘We know, Janey-the thing is, Alex is quite insightful. Maybe if she spends a little time with you, she’ll see something useful. We want to try anything possible-another woman has been taken you see…’
Janey gasped. ‘Not another woman!’
‘Yes…so you can see why we’re so eager to try and resolve this.’
She nodded. ‘I’ll do anything I can to help.’
‘Thank you,’ Jess said quietly.
‘Okay…well, how do we do this?’ she asked.
I went to sit beside the bed. ‘I haven’t got a clue…but we’ll try and figure it out,’ I promised her.
She looked at me with shining eyes and I concentrated on her thoughts.
Almost an hour later, I hadn’t gotten anything useful from Janey so we moved on to Tina’s room. The same routine occurred there and still, nothing more than what she had already told the police. When we left, we were all a little disheartened.
‘I’m heading back to the station,’ Captain Withers told us, ‘Officer Neil here will give you a lift back to the house.’
‘Thank you,’ I said to him and followed Jess as she ushered me towards the other police vehicle.
We got into the car and began heading back to the safe house. When we arrived, the Officer dropped us off but Jess lingered in the doorway.
‘Are you alright?’ I asked.
‘Yes, fine…I was just considering a quick trip out.’
‘Out? Where?’ I asked, surprised.
‘I just want to get a change of clothes and a wash bag…I was going to pop home.’
My eyebrows lifted. ‘We’re going to your house?’
‘Well, we probably shouldn’t…but yeah…if you don’t mind.’
‘I’d like to see where you live, actually. I didn’t realise it was next to the sea!’ I commented, seeing the image flash through her head.
‘Alex!’
‘Sorry…unavoidable image there,’ I laughed.
‘Well, it is pretty beautiful…I guess I do think about it a lot.’
I smiled. ‘You love your house.’
‘I do.’
‘It’s pretty new then?’ I wondered, hearing her ideas in her head.
‘It is. I’m loving it but am yet to have put my stamp on it. I don’t have much free time but when I do, I’m going to start updating the place.’
‘That sounds nice. Starting over from scratch sounds exciting.’
She smiled at me. ‘It is, actually. And the location is idyllic.’
‘I can see that!’ I said, picturing the view clearly.
‘Come on then. We’ll pop to mine-I don’t think the Captain would mind…’
‘Are you sure?’ I asked, as I heard the doubt in her mind.
‘Yeah, it’ll be okay…’
We discussed it no more and then left the house without another word.
I fell quiet in the drive over to Jess’ house. As we got further away from the town, the more I liked my surroundings. It was quiet, peaceful and rural-just as I dreamed of.
Everything was quiet-even Jess. She drove with concentration but I could see her tension had eased as she neared her home. I could feel the sensations of happiness that accompanied being in her own surroundings and it made me feel good.
‘Just down here,’ she told me, taking a side road.
I looked out to the snowy road, taking it all in with appreciation. ‘It’s beautiful,’ I breathed.
‘I know…quiet and perfect,’ she said, smiling widely.
I glanced at her. I had never seen her so at ease and so happy. It was lovely and reassuring to see that even though she had no personal life, she had happiness in her home environment.
She rounded the corner and then I could see the sea open up beyond me. There were craggy cliffs looking down upon a misty sea. It was atmospheric and stunning. I gasped in amazement. ‘Wow!’
‘Yeah…that was my first reaction,’ she smiled.
‘This is…breath taking!’
‘I know, right?’
She slowed the car and then we pulled up outside a house. I gazed out of the window feeling a strange sensation pass through me. Even though it wasn’t even close to being my home, I felt like I was somehow there…I was home. I cleared my throat and looked over at Jess, ashamed of my thoughts. This wasn’t mine; this was Jess’.
‘You ready?’ she asked.
I nodded, eagerly.
‘Come on then…I’ll give you a quick tour.’
‘Brilliant!’
We climbed out of the car and I gazed up at the old-fashioned brick home as we approached it. It was absolutely perfect. I could see so much potential for the future of the house when Jess updated it.
‘Come on in,’ she welcomed.
‘Thanks,’ I said, stepping over the threshold as she opened the door.
Jess walked in before me and a wide, open hallway stood before us. I took it all in immediately, looking around eagerly and enjoying my surroundings. There was a sense of space, and possibility as the walls were unadorned.
‘Obviously it’s a work in progress,’ she told me, ‘but I like it…’
‘Jess, it’s gorgeous!’
‘You think?’ she asked, genuinely sounding pleased.
‘Yes, I think it’s absolutely wonderful! The location, the house…I love it all.
She smiled. ‘I think so-but then I’m biased.’
‘I can see why!’
‘So, you want a tour?’
‘I’d love one!’ I exclaimed.
‘Okay…follow me,’ she said, smiling.
I walked behind Jess as she led me to the kitchen. ‘This is the kitchen…open plan. I loved the island as soon as I saw it,’ she smiled.
‘It’s lovely! You have so much space here!’
‘I know. That’s one of the things which attracted me to it.’
‘I can see why.’
‘Come on…I have loads more to show you.’
Jess led me from room to room, showing me everything in a whistle stop tour. I took it all in with appreciation, loving everything. She had chosen the house well and it was very her. I began to see more hints to the woman who was lurking beneath the façade of the hardened police officer…her love of books and reading, the perfumed bubble baths which told me she liked a soak and the paintings of seascapes which let me know she liked to live by the sea. I took it all in with pleasure, and felt happy with the new knowledge.
‘I’ll just pack a bag while we’re here,’ she told me, reaching to open her wardrobe.
I sat down on her bed while she rifled through clothes and belongings, shoving them into the bag unceremoniously. ‘I like it here,’ I told her warmly.
‘I’m glad…I hoped you would…’
‘Why?’ I asked, surprised by her comment.
She glanced at me then, her eyes confused. ‘I don’t actually know…’
I met her eyes and a moment passed between us. She then looked away, and continued packing.
We stayed for only ten minutes. I could see Jess was uneasy about the trip, even though she had clearly wanted me to see her home. It was also clear by her thoughts that she didn’t want to analyse why she wanted me to visit her home.
&nb
sp; She drove us back to the safe house in silence. She was thoughtful, but I kept dismissing the thoughts, and tried to give her some privacy. When we arrived back, we went in, locked up and sat down on the sofas.
‘Are you alright?’ I asked Jess as she continued to stay quiet.
‘Yeah.’
‘You’re very quiet.’
She looked over at me then.
‘Why are you so quiet?’
‘Don’t you know?’ she asked. ‘Can’t you figure it out by reading me?’
‘I’ve been trying to stay out of your head-like you requested.’
She nodded slowly. ‘The trouble is, I can’t get you out of mine…’
My eyes flew to hers and made contact.
‘You asked me today why I took you to my house.’
‘I did,’ I nodded.
‘I’ve been thinking about it ever since.’
‘Why?’ I asked softly.
‘Because I shouldn’t have…do you know I broke the rules today by taking you somewhere unsafe? I could have gotten in a lot of trouble and I knew that…I made the decision though, Alex. I wanted you to see my house so I took you there.’
‘But…why? Why did you want me to see your house?’
‘I’ve been trying to figure that one out. The only thing I can tell you is that for some inane reason, I wanted you to see my home and like it…just as I do.’
‘Well, I loved it,’ I told her truthfully.
She nodded. ‘The trouble is; that is a big deal for me…’
‘What is?’
‘Taking someone to my home.’
‘It is? Why?’ I questioned, frowning in confusion.
‘Well, because since I’ve lived there, I’ve never invited a single person back there. Not a friend, not a co-worker, not a lover…it’s been mine, and mine alone.’
I stared at her, wondering what point she was headed towards.
‘You’re the first person to come to my home.’
‘I’m flattered, Jess,’ I told her, ‘but I must admit-I still don’t know why.’
She shook her head, releasing a pent-up breath. ‘I don’t either…all I know is that I’m drawn to you like I’ve never experienced. It couldn’t be more wrong-situation wise, but it also feels so right.’
I held her eyes and felt an invisible force pulling me towards her. ‘I thought you didn’t want any of this.’
‘I know…I know what I said.’
‘So, what? You’ve changed your mind?’ I asked softly.
‘A woman’s prerogative?’ she smiled.
‘It certainly is,’ I replied, returning her smile.
‘So, what do you think?’
‘I think I don’t know what you’re considering exactly.’
She frowned, looking down at her hands on her lap. ‘I just…maybe we should explore this.’
‘This being us?’ I clarified.
She nodded. ‘Yeah…’
‘And what happens when it’s time for me to go back down South.’
She shrugged. ‘That I’m unsure of.’
‘Okay…well, I don’t know,’ I said, not certain I wanted to start something which was destined to end. What was the point in starting a relationship with someone I wouldn’t see again?
‘I thought you were keen?’
‘I am…I was…but I’m on holiday, Jess. I go home soon-well, if I am allowed to! I don’t want to start this if I’m going away so soon.’
‘Why not though? We can simply enjoy the time we have together and not think about the future.’
‘I don’t think it’s quite that easy…’
‘Why?’ she questioned.
‘Because what I feel for you already goes beyond simple attraction,’ I revealed. ‘If we get any closer, I’m sure that I would fall for you and I’m not going to see you after this ends.’
She gazed at me looking stunned.
‘What did I say?’ I murmured.
‘You said you’d ‘fall for me.’
I nodded. ‘It’s true.’
Her eyes met mine and held. ‘No-one has ever said that to me before.’
Before I could react, she closed the distance between us and touched her lips to mine.
Chapter 18
At the first touch of her lips, my eyes fluttered closed and I felt myself lose all control. Her mouth was soft and pliant and as it encouraged mine to open, I moaned softly and gave myself up to her kiss.
Jess’ lips trailed over mine, sending shockwaves of electricity darting through me. I leaned in closer and opened my mouth to hers. The moment her tongue touched mine sent me reeling into the heavens. My heart beat rapidly in my chest and my tension went through the roof. In those few lost seconds, I lost myself and had never felt so incredibly passionate.
Heat exploded between us and the chemistry arcing in the air was intense. I held on to her tightly as she kissed me, loving the way she felt against me. When she lifted her head to gaze down at me, I stared at her drowsily, completely thrown. I didn’t know what to make of my reaction to her. I had never experienced anything like it.
I was about to open my mouth and say something complimentary when a flash rapidly rushed past my eyes. I sat back in shock and stared as the scene unfolded.
I was in a chair; and I was cold. My arms were tied behind my back and the bindings were too tight, making my wrists ache. My eyes were covered with my own scarf and my clothes were torn. I felt cold, pained and emotional. Tears slipped down my face as footsteps sounded nearby. I shivered in terror and braced myself for what was coming…
‘Alex?’
I blinked, seeing nothing but black.
‘Alex?’ the familiar voice called again.
I turned and saw her this time. ‘Jess?’ I questioned, feeling disorientated.
‘What’s wrong? Clearly I need to work on my kissing skills if that’s the reaction?’
I ignored her self-deprecating comment and explained. ‘I saw something, Jess. The woman…she’s tied to a chair and he’s there. She’s so scared, Jess…so, so scared.’
‘Okay…let’s try and find her then.’
I shook my head. ‘She’s blindfolded though. She doesn’t know where she is so can’t even think about it.’
‘Oh…’
‘Exactly.’
‘So, you don’t know where she is?’ Jess asked.
I shook my head sadly.
‘That wasn’t what I was hoping for after kissing you,’ she murmured, glancing up at me under heavy-lidded eyes.
‘I’m sorry, Jess. I didn’t mean to spoil the moment.’
‘Did it?’
‘It kind of shattered what was beginning to happen between us,’ I commented.
She met my eyes once again.
‘I’m sorry…’
She smiled softly. ‘It’s okay…but it was a shame.’
I swallowed hard, feeling the tension in the room return. ‘I, uh…I don’t know quite what to say to you after what happened.’
‘A bit of a shock to the system, huh?’
‘I’ll say,’ I murmured.
‘Do you regret it happened?’ she asked.
I shook my head slowly. ‘Not at all…why-do you?’
‘No! Considering this wasn’t something I was looking for or wanted, I find myself unable to walk away.’
‘So deep down you still don’t want this?’ I questioned.
‘No, deep down I want this more than anything,’ she said romantically.
I gazed up at her, feeling myself falling for her more every second that passed. ‘So, what do we do about it?’
‘I know what I want to do…the trouble is, I don’t know whether now is the right time.’
‘Why? Because of the situation?’
‘Yes-and because I’m here to be protecting you. I shouldn’t be unprofessional and lose my handle on control of this. I should stay alert and focused. I don’t want to be doing my job badly.’
‘And you’re not. I don’t
mean to make you lose focus-this thing between us seems to be a law unto itself,’ I commented.
‘Well, it boils down to chemistry, doesn’t it?’ she murmured.
I nodded and then flinched as a scream pierced my consciousness.
‘What was that?’ she asked.
‘That scream.’
‘What scream? I heard nothing.’
‘No, there was…most definitely. There was a loud, scared scream.
‘From our missing woman?’ she asked.
‘I don’t know…maybe…I think you better call Captain Withers-our moment is clearly over!’
‘Okay,’ she said, frowning as she spoke.
I watched as she picked up her phone and searched.
‘I’m sorry, Jess…I seem to be picking my moments pretty badly.’
She shook her head as she put her phone to her ear. ‘Don’t be silly…the case comes first,’ she said and turned away.
I felt a strange disappointment at her words flood through me. I told myself to behave-she was right-I should be focused on the case like she was. The trouble was, she was proving to me a huge distraction.
‘Hey…yeah,’ she said into the phone.
I watched as she listened to the Captain.
‘Okay…yes…just now. A scream, yeah…’
I watched her as she spoke, wondering what the plan was. When she hung up, she looked at me with a grim expression.
‘What did he say?’
‘He said we look into it.’
‘How?’ I frowned.
‘He says to head out to the cabin where it all started and they’ll meet us there. We’ll follow your lead.’
‘Oh…’
‘Is that alright?’ she asked, looking concerned.
‘I just…I don’t know if I can keep doing this.’
‘Yes, you can.’
‘No, Jess! I’ve only heard a scream! How am I meant to find her?’
‘You’ve done it three times already!’ she exclaimed.
‘Yeah I know...but maybe that was just dumb luck! What if I can’t find her…what if she dies before I get to her.’
Jess moved towards me and took my hands in hers. ‘That’s a lot of ‘what if’s’ Alex. Have faith…you’re good at this. Believe in your abilities a little more.’
I smiled at her, thankfully. ‘Okay…I think I need to take a deep breath.’