“How many more will it take to make you stop?” I scream.
A voice rises from the depths, shakes the ground like an earthquake, and vibrates my eardrums. “You had your chance, Alice. Their blood is on your hands, and there will never be an end to the killings.”
“No!”
I leap into the flames and descend like a heat-seeking missile. Far below I see nothing but darkness, yet flames surround me. Priscilla is a hundred yards below me, her arms and legs flailing. Her clothes are aflame, and her screams flow from her charred lips without pause.
I tuck my arms to my sides and descend faster, closing the distance between her and I in just a few seconds. At the last moment, I open my arms and spread my legs and then wrap them around Priscilla when we collide.
She squirms in my arms and beats my chest with her forearms. “I thought you would save me.”
I look into her dead eyes. “I have saved you. I’m right here. I won’t ever let him hurt you.”
“How can you be so blind, Alice? As always, you’re too late. I’m already dead.”
Her body turns to ash in my arms and I’m left clutching the air when I fall right through her. “Priscilla!”
The pit’s bottom materializes below me—an endless matrix of razor-sharp stalagmites. I close my eyes and pray to a god I’ve never believed in.
* * * * *
My mattress sinks as I crash down on it. I gasp for air. Sweat soaks my sheets and I’m burning up. My pulse races faster than I thought possible. Priscilla… The only way I’ll be able to save her is to catch him.
Sunlight fills my room, but I can’t make out anything. I rub my eyes and pluck the sleep from their corners, but everything is still a blurred mess.
I roll over in bed, snatch my glasses off the nightstand, and shove them on my face. The room becomes less blurry, but not enough to make me happy. I wonder how much longer I have before I’m completely blind.
My phone vibrates on the nightstand and saves me from a pity party. I reach over and pick it up. It’s Seth, so I answer it.
“Hello?” My voice croaks like a bullfrog.
“You still sound like hell, Alice.” Seth’s voice soothes my ears.
I lay back and stare at the ceiling. “You think I sound bad? You should see what I look like right now. You’d never lay eyes on me again if you did.”
“Yolanda Johnson’s awake.”
My throat tightens with excitement. I sit up and kick the covers to the foot of the bed. “Sounds like you’re driving. You on your way here?”
“Yeah. You up for a trip to the hospital?”
“I will be in fifteen. To be honest, you might have to drop me off in the psych ward when you go though.”
“You are a bit crazy, but that’s what I love about you. No chance I’m leaving you there. We’re like Adam and Eve. Unseparable.”
“Inseparable, genius.”
“Whatever. I’ll be there in five.”
“Well you just might catch me in the shower.”
“I look forward to it.” I can tell by the sound of his voice that he’s smiling.
“You’d better hurry then.”
“Pedal’s to the metal, babe.”
“Bye.” I press End and the line goes silent.
I return my phone to the nightstand, crawl out of bed, and strip off my t-shirt, socks, and panties on the way to the bathroom. I reach around the front of the shower curtain and turn the water on, and then I sit down on the toilet.
My head aches like I’ve been out drinking all night, and my brain is on a carousel from hell, spinning back to Priscilla and my crazy dream over and again. Am I too late to save her? Fifty-seven victims… Will I ever find this bastard? I shouldn’t think like that, but my mind is… well a mind of its own.
I finish peeing, grab a couple ibuprofens from the medicine cabinet, swallow them down, and then hop in the shower. The cool water feels good on my hot skin. I lather up and scrub down until my skin is red and raw, but no amount of scrubbing will ever cleanse my hands of Sarah’s blood. They’ll be stained crimson for eternity.
I turn off the water, exit the shower, and grab my towel. I dry off as best I can, wrap the towel around my torso, and tuck the end in underneath my arm so it doesn’t fall off. I move over to the sink, see the words “You’re too late, Alice” written on the fogged-over mirror, and gasp.
I stagger backward, ram the door, and stab my shoulder with the corner of the towel rack. I squeeze my eyes shut and hold back a slew of profanities teetering on the tip of my tongue. Three successive raps on the door startle me further.
“Alice are you okay in there?” It’s Seth.
I look back at the mirror, but the words are gone. “Yeah, my foot just slipped on the floor when I stepped out of the shower.” I lean forward and inspect the mirror, but there’s no sign of any words ever being there. I can’t help but wonder if they ever were.
“I’m okay.” Physically anyway.
“You sure? I can come in there and check out all your parts to make sure everything is still in working order.”
I wipe the fog from the mirror with a dry washcloth and inspect my speared shoulder. There are a few broken blood vessels but nothing more. It’ll make for a nice bruise in a day or so. “You do, and we may not make it to the hospital.”
He sighs loudly. “Okay then. It’s all work and no play with you. I’ll be in the living room.”
Eight minutes later, I find him sitting at the kitchen table chatting it up with Mother while she dries dishes with a towel. Sometimes I wonder if she loves him more than I do. “Let’s go, Charming.”
He winks at Mother. “Sleeping beauty has risen. Guess it’s time to make our rounds.”
Mother sets the glass and towel down, grabs Seth’s hand, and pats the top of it. “May God bless your day, Seth. Keep that crazy girl of mine safe for me.”
“Yes, ma’am. God willing.”
I roll my eyes and walk into the living room. “I’ll be outside.”
When I open the front door the sweltering heat rushes in and I’m falling into the pit of Hell again. “God I can’t wait for winter.”
I step outside and onto the concrete sidewalk and I swear my shoes melt right onto it. The sunlight is nearly insufferable with my mild migraine, and the tint on my glasses is far less than what my eyes require. Beads of sweat begin forming on my brow and under my arms.
I shake my head. “What was the point of the shower?”
Seth smacks my butt and steps around me. “At least you don’t stink… yet.”
I swat at him, but he’s far too quick. I start to smile, but the idea of having a bit of fun is crushed by thoughts of Sarah and Yolanda and the pain and suffering they endured. I shuffle over to the car, my mind wrapped around the dreams, letters, and that mirror from storage unit 109.
Seth fires up the engine before I’ve settled in the seat, and we’ve cruised halfway down the block by the time I get my seatbelt latched.
Seth’s hand moves to my thigh. “Talk to me, Alice. You’ve been distant ever since we got the call about Sarah Johnson Tuesday morning.” The concern in his voice fills me with shame. “What’s going through that head of yours? Where’ve you been the last day-and-a-half?”
Most of the time I’m begging him to talk to me, but right now I wish he’d just shut up and drive. If I tell him any of it, he’ll have me committed. I put my hand over his and squeeze it.
“Please don’t ask me about that, Seth. You wouldn’t understand. I’m not even sure I do. When I get it all figured out, I’ll tell you everything. I swear. Just be patient with me and promise you’ll be here for me when I need you.”
Seth rips his hand out from under mine, brakes for a car that pulls out in front of us and lays on the horn for a good five seconds. The driver in the other car sticks his arm out the window and flips us the bird. Seth reaches for the switch to turn on his lights and siren, but I grab his
hand and pull it away.
“It’s not worth it, Seth. Be angry with me if you need to, but don’t waste your time on that loser. We’ve got much bigger things to deal with right now.”
The tension in his hand dissipates. “Fine, but I’ll remember his plates. When I see him again, I’ll let him have it.”
“I’m sure you will.”
We turn into the St. Thomas Medical Center parking lot and Seth slips into the last of the police parking spaces at the front of the building. He kills the engine and swings his door open. It bumps the car next to us and the car’s alarm blares. I grab his forearm.
He looks at me and groans. “What?”
“Did you bring an extra notepad and pen?”
He’s one of the few people I know that has dimples when he frowns. “For what?”
“Yolanda’s tongue was removed, remember? She’s gonna need something to write on.”
“Damn. I’ve got the extra pen.” He scratches his head. “I’ll see if there’s a notepad at the nurse’s station. If not, I’ll grab one from the gift shop.”
I release his forearm, open my door, and stand up. The entire structure of the hospital sways in my vision, but the darkness stays at bay. I close my door and stumble over to the curb.
Seth grabs my arm. “Dammit, Alice. You need to see a doctor.”
I glare at him. “Thank you, Captain Obvious.” I don’t know why I’m trying to sabotage our relationship, but I think it’s working. “Sorry.”
He helps me up onto the curb. “How about we go over to the ER and get you examined?”
I start to shake my head but think better of it given my current state. “Not a chance. They can’t help me.”
“Sometimes you can be so stubborn.” He holds my arm and leads us toward the entrance. “I’ve never seen you wear glasses before. Do you normally wear contacts or something?”
I lean my head on his shoulder. “Something like that. I’m sure I look like a total dork. They’re making me a bit dizzy. I think the prescription in them is old, and the sunlight makes it worse. I’ll get it taken care of this afternoon.”
An ambulance pulls up under the covered drive and a tall man climbs out of the passenger-side door. I see his scarred, pockmarked face and I freeze for a moment.
I reach for my gun, but Seth grabs my hand. “What are you doing?”
I look to Seth and then back to the paramedic, but his face is no longer scarred. The man nods at me and walks to the back of the ambulance.
What the hell is wrong with me? I take a deep breath. “I thought I saw something for a second. It must be these damned glasses.”
“Well I can’t have you drawing your gun at apparitions. Do I need to relieve you of your weapon?”
I roll my eyes. “You’re a genuine comedian today. Rare form.”
“It’s not a joke, Alice.”
“I’m good. I promise.” I pull on his arm and we start forward again.
The automatic doors slide open as we approach the entrance, and we continue inside without missing a beat. The lobby is enormous, and the ceilings are nearly impossible to find, looming eight stories above our heads. It’s dizzying even under normal circumstances.
Everything that can be is painted in some shade of brown, including the metal furniture. No splashes of color can be found anywhere unless you include the off-white couches near the coffee bar. Even those are a stretch though.
I let go of Seth’s arm. “I’ll be okay from here. What room is Yolanda in?”
“S1309 in the south wing. It’s on the third floor.”
I smile at him. “I’ll meet you up there. Go find that notepad.”
He salutes me, and we separate. My heart still races from the incident with the paramedic, and my anxiety continues to rise. By the time I reach the south wing I’m constantly looking over my shoulder. Everyone I encounter stares at me like I’m some sort of alien, and those that are congregated together speak my name with hushed voices and eye me as I walk by.
I pull on the collar of my shirt, but I still can’t breathe. The walls are closing in around me and I run toward the cluster of elevators. I smash down the up arrow, but the thought of being trapped inside the elevator terrifies me. I see the sign for the stairs, so I head for it.
I shove the door open and traverse three flights before I realize I’m being followed. Bang, bang, bang their footsteps echo. I turn and look back, but it’s too late. He’s upon me.
Big tan boots with rubber soles. He’s wearing scrubs and a blue cap, and a white mask covers his face, but I know it’s him. I grab the mask and rip it from his face.
The man gasps and so do I. His face is as smooth as a baby’s. I drop the mask and rush up the last flight of stairs before he has a chance to confront me. I yank open the door to the third floor and step inside.
My heart beats so hard that it aches, and there’s more tension in my muscles than strings wound too tight on a violin. I stumble down the hallway until I find a bench I can sit down on. I barely make it down before my legs give out.
I close my eyes, but there’s no escape from the demon in my mind. You’re too late, Alice. You’ll always be too late. Their blood is on your hands. On your hands. Your hands.
A hand rests on my shoulder. “Are you okay, miss?” A woman’s voice.
I open my eyes and look up at the nurse. Her dark-brown eyes exude love and kindness. “Not today, but I will be.” I can’t believe I just said that aloud.
She hands me a tissue and sits down next to me. “Did you lose someone close?”
Tears stream down my face and reappear as fast as I can wipe them away. “I did, and I’m about to lose another.”
She puts her arm around me and I lay my head on her shoulder. She reminds me of my grandma. “Loss can be devastating, but know that God always has a plan, even in the most tragic of losses. Look to Him and you will get through this. That, I can guarantee.”
Something about her takes away my inhibitions and frees my tongue. I can’t help myself. “I don’t believe in God. In any god.”
She pats my back. “It’s okay, sugar. You don’t have to believe in Him for His plan to work. He works through us despite our shortcomings. Seek Him, and you will find the light. The darkness never prevails. Think about it. A sliver of darkness does nothing to dissipate the light, but a sliver of light in the deepest darkness can be seen far and wide like a beacon. Give in to that light and you’ll find answers to questions you didn’t even know you had.”
“I don’t think I can. I wouldn’t know where to start.”
The woman laughs, and it sounds like beats of pure joy. “It must start from within. Recognize that you can’t go through it alone. Be open to a higher power and purpose in your life. It takes faith. Just because you can’t see something doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist. You must decide to believe. Change your mind and you can change the world.”
She removes her arm from around me and I daub my eyes dry with the tissue. When I look over there’s no one next to me. I stand and look around, but she’s nowhere to be found. I’d be worried about my mental stability, but I haven’t felt better in the last two days. Talking with her vanquished my anxiety and paranoia.
I stroll down the hallway toward the nurse’s station. I reach the station and lean over the counter. A young Asian woman sits at the desk and stares at her computer screen. Well, I’m guessing she’s young, but they always look young. Asians seem to age better than most.
The woman is so involved with whatever is on her screen that she doesn’t even notice me. It makes me think of Sarah and of myself in high school. Living ghosts.
I clear my throat, and her eyes look up in my direction.
“Can I help you?” Her attention returns to her screen.
I drum my fingers on the counter. “I hope so. I’m looking for one of the nurses on this floor.”
She sighs. “Name?”
I can’t help
but strive to annoy her further. “Detective Bergman.”
“Their name, not yours,” she says flatly.
I shrug. “That’s the thing. She didn’t mention her name.”
The woman leans back in her chair and crosses her arms. “Well then what can you tell me about her?”
I cock my head, purse my lips, and look to the ceiling for a moment. “She’s a bit chubby, but not excessively fat. She has a big smile and pretty, white teeth. Oh, and a laugh that’ll fill you with joy.”
She pushes her glasses up her nose with one finger—her middle one. “Don’t waste my time.”
I guffaw. “Oh, I’m sorry. Did you not ask me to tell you about her?”
She uncrosses her arms, and stares at her computer screen again. “Move on before I call security.”
I drum my fingers harder until she looks up at me again. “How about I give you a description? I’m looking for an older, black woman with silver hair and freckled cheeks. Does that help?”
She shakes her head. “There are only two older woman nurses on this floor. Neither of them is black. Have a nice day, Detective.”
Did I imagine her too? I pull a wadded tissue out of my pocket. Well, I didn’t imagine that part at least.
“And you’re certain about that?”
She sneers at me. “Do you think I’m uncertain of anything?”
I lean farther over the counter and read her nametag aloud. “Chen Liu. I’ve formed many opinions of you but I’m too much of a lady to voice them.”
She glares at me, but my attention’s drawn to the ding of the elevator down the hallway. Seth steps out of the elevator and heads my direction. He holds up a notepad and smiles.
I smile back. “Wasn’t sure you were gonna show.”
“I can’t lie. Thought I might leave you here. Touch and go for several minutes.” He halts in front of me. “By the way, I think you look sexy in your glasses. Kinda got that Diana Prince look.”
I chuckle. “Wonder Woman? Don’t I wish.”
He cocks his head. “We’ve been apart a whole ten minutes, but you seem to be more yourself again. What happened? Got lost, found the chapel, and found God?”
The Braille Killer (An Alice Bergman Novel Book 1) Page 11