Pieces of Me

by Rachel Ryan

  I pay the driver and grab my bag before closing the door and making my way up to Abbi’s apartment, feeling really tired all of a sudden. The flight from Perth was only four and a half hours long, but the fact that I couldn’t wait to see Abbi made it drag. It was nice seeing my family, but the whole time I was there I was hanging to get back to her. I don’t think I will ever be able to leave her again. I knock lightly and a few seconds later the door swings open to reveal Cameron, who looks disappointed when she sees me. She leans around and glances behind me before frowning.

  “I’m sorry, were you expecting someone else?”

  “Sorry, Jake. I thought Abbi might have been with you.”

  “Why? Where is she?”

  Cameron glances down at the floor and then looks over at me with a worried look.

  “She didn’t come home last night, Jake.”

  My body tenses and my heart starts racing.

  “What the hell do you mean she didn’t come home last night?”

  Cameron looks away again.

  “She didn’t come home after work yesterday. I thought maybe she had gone out with friends. But then, when I woke up this morning, I checked her room and she wasn’t in there. Her bed was still made and hadn’t been slept in. I thought maybe you had come home early and she was with you at your place, but I just have a really bad feeling about this.”

  I feel my hands clenching into fists and I grit my teeth as I ask. “Have you called the Police?”

  Cameron nods. “They said there was nothing they could do and that she was just probably out drunk somewhere and would be home later. I told them she doesn’t do things like that. She always lets me know if she’s staying somewhere else.”

  I run a hand through my hair and nervously start pacing the room.

  “I’ve been sending her messages and she hasn’t replied to any of them.” I quickly pull my phone out of my pocket and check my inbox. Still nothing. I quickly type in a quick text asking her where she is. I wait for a reply but it doesn’t come, I didn’t really expect it to.

  I glance up at Cameron to see her nervously chewing on her lip. She looks like she wants to say something.

  “What’s wrong?” She shakes her head. “Cameron, if you know something you need to tell me.”

  “I told her to tell you, Jake.”

  “Tell me what, dammit?” What the hell is she hiding from me?

  “Daniel’s wife came to see Abbi. She told her that…she told her that she thought Daniel was obsessed with Abbi because he had photos of her all over the walls of his studio. She also said that she thought Abbi might be in danger.”

  “What the fuck?” I realise I’m yelling at her but I can’t hold in my anger any longer. “Why the fuck wouldn’t she tell me this? That bastard has got her. I just know it.” I storm out the door and Cameron runs behind me, pulling the door closed behind her.

  “Jake, where are you going?”

  “I’m going to get my fucking girlfriend back.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  “This is bullshit?” Cameron holds my arm and gently pulls me back as I lean over the counter in the Police Station. Apparently there is nothing they can do as there isn’t enough evidence to suggest that Abbi is in any danger.

  Cameron looks pleadingly up at the Officer behind the counter. “Please, isn’t there anything you can do? She already called you guys about the messages and the gift he sent her.”

  My ears perk up and my heart stops.

  “What messages and gift?”

  Cameron’s hand rises to cover her eyes.

  “Oh man, she didn’t tell you about those either? He’s been sending her messages and he sent her lingerie with a note saying he couldn’t wait to see her in it.”

  My fists are clenching by my sides and I could just punch someone or something.

  “Cameron, I can understand that she didn’t tell me because she didn’t want me to worry, but you should have called me and told me this as soon as you realised she was missing.” I’m trying so hard to hold back my anger and not take it out on Cameron, but I am really fucking pissed off. When I get my fucking hands on him…If he hurts her…I don’t even want to think about what I will do to him if he hurts her.

  ***

  Twenty four hours later I am standing outside the Hanson and Beck law firm in downtown Sydney. It has taken me this long to get Daniel’s wife to agree to see me, after the fifth call she reluctantly agreed to meet with me at her office. I guess she’s worried about her reputation around town if her husband really has taken Abbi. But this is the only way I can think of to find out where Daniel could possibly be keeping her. The Police are refusing to do anything until they have evidence that Abbi may have been kidnapped. Cameron has spent the morning calling all of Abbi’s friends and work colleagues to see if anyone knows where she could be, but so far no luck.

  I enter the building and let the receptionist know that I am here to see Mrs Hanson. She directs me to her office on the third floor. I ride the elevator up to her floor and find her office and her secretary tells me to take a seat in the waiting area. I take a seat and wait, my leg shaking nervously. Leaning back in my chair I take a deep breath, close my eyes and let my mind wander over the events of the last couple of months. When I came to Sydney and got a job at Abbi’s school, I had no idea if she would even want anything to do with me. I knew that I had messed up bad when I let her slip out of my life and I knew I had to fix it. Four years ago, I tried to let her go, for her sake, but I never got over her. She was on my mind constantly.

  The night we made love for the first time, I decided then and there that I am going to spend the rest of my life with her. She’s my everything. And now, I don’t even know where she is. I blame myself for leaving her again. I should have been honest with her and taken her back to Perth with me, kept her away from him. I should have been there for her.

  A door opens down the corridor, the movement catching my attention and snapping me out of my daze. I glance over to see Jessica walking toward me. She looks nervous as she approaches; a small smile that does not reach her eyes is pasted onto her face.

  Holding out her hand, she welcomes me, “Hello, Jake, I assume?”

  Standing, I place my hand in hers and nod.

  She turns and gestures for me to follow her into her office. She sits down in the plush black leather seat behind her desk and I sit in the small chair opposite.

  “So, Jake.” Her voice is soft but confident, exactly what you would expect from someone in her profession. “What can I do for you?”

  “For a start you can tell me where you think your husband is keeping my girl.”

  She shakes her head and looks away. “I’m sorry, but like I told you on the phone, I don’t know where Daniel is. I haven’t spoken to him in at least four days. You mentioned on the phone that you think Daniel kidnapped Abbi, but I don’t think he would go that far. He may be a little obsessed with her but kidnapping? Come on. They probably just went away together somewhere.”

  “You told her she was in danger. You went to her place and warned her. Don’t you sit here and tell me now that you don’t think he would kidnap her. He has her…you know it and I know it. She wouldn’t just leave without telling anyone where she is. Your husband has her and I need to know where he would take her, God dammit.” I stare at her, my eyes pleading. “Please, Jessica. The Police refuse to believe that she has been taken. You are my only hope.”

  She watches me with a sad look on her face, but I can see the worry behind her eyes. She knows that I am right. She quickly writes something down on a piece of paper and then reaches into her desk drawer and pulls out a set of keys. Holding them out to me she says.

  “Here. The address and keys to our house and the back shed which Daniel uses as his studio. Have a look; you may be able to find something.”

  As I take the keys from her outstretched hand, she looks down at her desk, trying to hide the tears that are slowly running down her cheeks.


  I hold onto her hand and try to offer some comfort. She must be going through a hard time at the moment, facing the sad truth that her husband, the man she loves, may be a kidnapper and possible psychopath.

  As I close the door gently behind me, I glance back to see her leaning over the desk, her hands covering her face as her body shakes with gut wrenching sobs. I sympathise with her and I really hope she can move past this mess.

  As I leave her office, I place a quick call to Levi and Brady, arranging for them to pick me up and head over to Daniel’s place to see what we can find.

  ***

  The house is huge. As we climb out of Levi’s car I look up at the double story brick house overlooking Bondi Beach. I’ll never understand why this guy is unhappy with the life he has, a nice wife, and a mansion overlooking the beach. If only Abbi hadn’t met the guy. We could be curled up on her sofa right now planning our future, instead, she’s missing and I am really struggling to hold it together.

  We walk through the front gate and I don’t even bother with the front door. I take the path leading up to another small gate at the side of the house and Levi and Brady follow closely behind me. We tread lightly to avoid making a noise and alerting him of our presence. I don’t know what I am expecting to find, but I know it’s pointless going into the house. If we are going to find anything it will be in the back shed that doubles as his studio.

  Turning to make sure the guys are still following me, I notice Levi is gripping a tire iron in his hand. Nodding my head at my two friends I lead them to the side door leading into the shed, avoiding the window at the front. If he is in there, we want to keep the element of surprise. I try to turn the doorknob and I am met with no resistance as the knob turns and the door slowly swings open. The room is dark and as I step inside, it takes my eyes a few seconds to adjust to the darkness; the only light source is the small ray of sunlight shining through the tiny square window. Levi and Brady follow closely behind me as I push the door open further, letting more light in. There is a small bed in one corner and a desk on the opposite wall. Behind the bed, the wall is covered with photos. As my eyes scan each one I can feel the anger bubbling inside of me. There are so many. Photos of Abbi on her own, walking, sitting in her car, laughing, smiling. My beautiful Abbi. I sink down to my knees as the painful truth hits me. Tears well in my eyes as I succumb to the overwhelming sense of grief I feel. I have loved this girl since I was fifteen years old and now she is being held by this fucking psycho, possibly even in danger and I feel completely helpless. My shoulders shake slightly with my silent sobs and I feel a hand on my shoulder.

  “Don’t worry, man. We’ll find her.” Levi tries to reassure me, but I just can’t be optimistic any longer. For the last twenty four hours I have been drumming it into my head that we were going to find her safe and well; but now, I just don’t know if we are going to find her at all.

  Levi takes the keys from my hand and they leave to check inside the house for any sign of Abbi, but I know in my heart they won’t find anything. Rising from my knees, I scan the room one more time, resisting the urge to tear each photo down off the wall; I will leave them there for evidence when the Police finally want to intervene. It’s then I notice the overturned chair in the far corner of the room not far from the bed. I step closer and something white on the dark floor catches my eye. Squatting down, I pick up two long pieces of plastic that look like zip lock ties that have been cut. She’s been here; I know it. I can feel it. He had her tied to the bed at some stage. I throw the plastic ties back on the floor and walk over to the desk. It’s fairly tidy apart from a few stacks of paper and a couple of books. Beside the small laptop and printer there is a photo frame. I pick it up and walk toward the door to see what photo is being held in the frame. It is an older photo of a man standing beside a small boy, both holding fishing rods and standing in front of a small cabin. I pull out my phone and call Jessica’s office and her secretary answers. After telling her that I need to speak to Jessica urgently, the secretary puts me through.

  Jessica sounds hopeful when she answers. “Hello. Jake? Did you find anything?”

  I don’t even bother replying. “Where is the cabin? The photo of Daniel with his father. They’re holding fishing rods and standing in front of a cabin. Where is it?”

  “I…I don’t know. He never told me where it is. He just said he used to go there with his father every school holidays.”

  “You need to find out where that cabin is.”

  “Umm, Daniel’s parents died in a car accident a few years ago, but I could call Daniel’s Uncle. He doesn’t really have much to do with him these days, but if anyone knows where that cabin is it will be him.”

  “Great, call him and then call me back.” I don’t give her time to respond; I disconnect the call and walk out of the shed, taking the photo frame with me.

  ***

  Forty minutes later we are back in Levi’s car heading in the direction of Daniel’s father’s cabin. Jessica had called me back with the location of the cabin, and we worked out it is about three and a half hours drive from here. Levi had made the mistake of calling Cameron to let her know that we had a lead and she insisted that we take her with us. So, after arguing with her for ten minutes about the possible danger of taking her, I finally gave in and let her tag along.

  As we leave Sydney and head north, my mind wanders and images of Abbi’s beautiful smile fill my head. What the hell am I going to do if I can’t get her back? How will I survive without her? There is no one else for me and there never has been. I spent six years in Perth torn between Abbi and my family. My heart broke the day I drove off and left her crying on my doorstep, but my Mum and my little brother needed me. My plan was to fly back and see her as often as I could, but once I heard from Corey that Abbi wasn’t coping too well, I decided that I was going to set her free. I hated the thought of her sitting around waiting for me when I had no idea how long it would be before I could return to her.

  In the beginning my Mum wasn’t coping too well with the loss of my Dad and she had kind of spiralled down into a deep and dark depression for a while. I had to get a job while still at University and I just never had the time or the funds to fly back to see Abbi. It was so hard to stop all contact with her, but I thought at the time it was for the best. She needed to live her life and find happiness, and she obviously wasn’t finding it while waiting around for me. After being in Perth for a few years, my Mum had finally started clawing her way out of her depression. She was enjoying her job and was making friends. She also fell in love. I knew then that I could finally leave her to come back to Abbi, but by that stage I had severed all contact with her and thought for sure that she would have moved on. It took me another three years to work up the courage to come and see for myself. I realised that there was no way I could get on with my life until I saw that she was happy. I guess deep down I had also been hoping that she was still single and that I could make her fall in love with me again.

  When I first found out about Abbi being in a relationship with Daniel, I had been crushed. I knew from the age of fifteen that this girl belonged to me. It took her a little longer to catch on, but at least in the end she had. The tragedy of my Father’s death and what happened after had torn us apart and as soon as I got her back, I made a vow to myself that I was never going to let anything tear us apart again. But, all it took was one phone call, and I had left her behind. I should have known better than to leave her alone. From what Cameron had told me about the messages Daniel had been sending Abbi, he knew that I had returned to Perth and obviously saw that as his opportunity to swoop in and reclaim her.

  Chapter Fifteen

  It seems like forever before we eventually pull up at a driveway on the side of a quiet road in the middle of nowhere. We haven’t seen a house or a car for at least half an hour. Pulling my phone out, I am surprised to see that there is actually service out here. We all climb out of the car and have a look around us. Once again, Levi has the tire iron i
n his hand and Brady is looking a little nervous. Cameron watches me as I take in our surroundings.

  “So, what’s the plan?”

  “The plan is for you to get back in the car and wait here.”

  She folds her arms and scowls at me.

  “I am not sitting here while you three storm in there like superheroes. My sister is in there and I am going to make sure she’s okay.”

  Shaking my head, I rub my palms over my tired eyes.

  “Cameron, it may be too dangerous. You need to wait here.”

  “He’s right, Babe. There’s no point in putting you in harm’s way as well.” Levi wraps an arm around Cameron’s waist and places a kiss on her cheek. She glares at him for a second before finally agreeing that she will wait in the car and states that if we aren’t back in fifteen minutes she’s going to get help.

  She climbs into the driver’s seat and locks the door behind her as the three of us head off down the dusty, dirt driveway. There is dense bushland surrounding us in every direction and no sound at all apart from a distant chirping of birds. My heart is racing with the fear that we are too late. He’s had Abbi for almost forty eight hours now and I don’t even want to imagine the things he could have done to her.

  After ten minutes of walking in silence, we come to a small clearing. I scan the area and to the left, behind a large tree, I spot Abbi’s car. The fear inside of me turns to rage and it is taking all of my energy not to storm in there, but I need to think smart. One careless move and this could end badly.

  We huddle behind a tree and work out how we’re going to approach the situation. Levi glances around the tree.

  “I think I can see the cabin just past Abbi’s car. If we sneak around the back way, we might be able to get a look through the windows.”