Weeping Willows: A Thrilling Mystery Novella (Dark Desires Book 1) (6 page)

“Shut up! I hate you! You took everything away from
me. Melly…My parents. How could you?!” Blood rushed to her face as
the words escaped her lips with absolute anger. Fear faded into
hatred. It engulfed her and ripped her fear to pieces. In this
moment she cared less of what would happen to her. The only thing
she saw was the demon that stood before her.

“I took away the muck under your footing, Suzanne.
They did nothing but hold you back. I met your parents on many
occasions. I tried my best to see a glimmer of hope in them but
they disappointed me. They had to go. I did it for you!” Jeremy
paced the room, his eyes searched the cabin floors like a mad man.
His breathing rose with each step and the growl in his voice grew
as each second ticked away. “Don’t get me started on that Bitch!
Oh, I had so much fun torturing that useless excuse for a human
being. Melissa didn’t deserve to live. I did you a favor and here
you are treating me like I’m dirt! And for what? That whore? How
ironic, she tried to ‘seduce’ me for a passing grade. I gave that
bitch what she wanted and then approved her passing…to the next
world!”

It suddenly dawned on her that she was dealing with
a lunatic. He showed no remorse, no humanity. The only thing
emanating from him was madness. She knew her best shot of making it
through this was to play along but the hatred and anger she was
feeling guided her to a dangerous space. When surrounded by
darkness even Suzie couldn’t resist it’s tempting embrace.

“I will never be yours! I would rather die, you
bastard.” She shouted. Her stare gradually disintegrated into a
cold and disgusted one. She let free her legs, placed her hands
onto the ground and spat at his feet. Jeremy was boiling with rage.
He halted, clenched his fist and bit so hard on his bottom lip that
it began to bleed. “So be it.” His words echoed with a strange tone
of pernicious acceptance.

“You’re the worst of them all. To have tricked me
with your fake pureness. I feel like a complete fool. I am going to
gut you, Suzie! I give you my word.”

“I don’t care.” But she really
did. Had she made a mistake? Was he really going to kill her? He
turned around, walked out the room slamming the door shut. For the
next few days, he said not a word to Suzie. She received no food
and no rose until late one night. He slipped in a tray, this time
with a red rose and note that read,
“I
forgive you”
.

Jeremy stood outside in the dark, looking up at the
stars he thought about what was his next best move. Never had he
loved someone as much as he did Suzanne. He wasn’t one for
questioning himself but she frazzled him. Drowning in his own
thoughts for the future he dug his hands into the tight jeans and
decided that this place was just too toxic. This place reminded her
too much of the unnecessary drama that plagued her life. It was the
only explanation for her outburst. She just needed a fresh start,
with him, somewhere without any familiar faces.

He was going to leave town for good, with Suzanne.
She had to be the one, the soul mate he dreamt off. Tomorrow at
dawn, he’d withdraw all the cash in his savings, pick up some
clothes and supplies along with his secret stash of souvenirs from
the filth he disposed the world off and Rosewood Creek would see
the last of Jeremy and the soon to be Suzanne Cole.

The next morning Suzie awoke to the sound of
bustling from the next room. She heard a door slam shut, the pickup
truck starting up a minute later before speeding away. Suzie
assumed that he’d probably be going back to the university to
resume his duties.

She gazed out the grimy sticky windows. It had been
nailed shut from outside. Suzie knew that her fate had been sealed.
Every night before their vile encounter, with that tray of food and
that single rose he’d sit and watch her eat, telling her about his
day, the plans he had for their future and ludicrous dreams. Suzie
remained stubbornly silent, her mind racing she’d escape the first
chance she hot. This thought stilling her heart, giving her the
briefest hope but on the eleventh day of being taken Suzie felt the
optimism drain away.

Her futile situation was slowly
sinking in. No one would miss her. She was all alone. The only
other person that knew was probably sentenced to life. The police,
Uncle Frank and Aunt Liz, the people of Rosewood Creek all believed
that the monster was locked away.
Oh how
wrong they were.
She thought
sadly.

They may never learn the truth. Even if they
searched for her, how long would they keep at it? Almost 2 weeks
has passed and no one has even stumbled upon this place. Her
chances of escaping were slowly dying with every passing moment and
so was her hope.

Not too far away from the cabin
Jeremy was driving in his truck when spotted the vehicles
patrolling the surrounding area with watchdogs sniffing up a trail.
He veered off the track, he switched off the vehicle and
observed.
Was I wrong?
He clenched his fist as fury engulfed him. He underestimated
the old man, Frank Andrews. He had to be the one. He was initially
confident that no one would come looking. Jeremy heard Suzanne tell
the old couple that she would be leaving for New Zealand soon. He
must have missed something. He banged his fists hard on the
dashboard.
Damn that man!
His brain kicked into a high gear. If he were to
swing back now, there was a 90% chance that they would catch him at
the cabin with Suzanne. There was always that 10% chance of him
getting her out in time and it would be a few good days before they
discover his identity. But the cabin belonged to him, an alias that
would trace back to Jeremy Cole and worse, his true identity. It
was the hardest decision for him to make but he knew that getting
captured or killed was not an option. Suzanne was going nowhere, as
long as he was free, he’d find his way back to her. He put the
truck in reverse and backed out turning the vehicle to head
straight back to Rosewood Creek. Time was no longer on his
side.

The cottage felt cold, dark and eerie. Jeremy was
late. Suzie shivered, pulling the blanket up to her chin as she lay
on the cot in the room. The minutes turned into hours, she could
hear the gusty wind shake at the seams of the cabin. Her lips felt
ice. He hadn’t returned, she wondered if he was trying to use
another tactic to starve and maybe freeze her into submitting to
his will. Her mind felt confused, being locked up made a person
feel crazed, ugly thoughts surfaced, one could lose perspective
easily. She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. A while later
Suzie awoke to the sound of dogs barking. She asked herself if she
was hallucinating. Days had passed with no sign of life from the
outside world. She sat up, the sound getting closer and closer.
Suzie began shouting, screaming for help as soon as she realized
what could possibly be waiting beyond the walls of the cabin.
Salvation.

She wasn’t sure anyone could hear. The cabin
appeared to be very soundproof. Just as her throat became hoarse
from screaming Suzie could hear footsteps and the dogs barking
emanating loudly from outside. A loud crash and the cabin door was
knocked down. She heard a voice, it was him, Uncle Frank!

The bold was forcefully pulled back as the door
opened. A sea of faces greeted her, she clammed up both afraid and
relieved. At the sight of Uncle Frank, her heart swelled with
relief and she let out a wail of cries as he reached for her. The
police scouted the room and enquired from Suzie of who her captor
was. She told them it was Jeremy Cole, the lecturer from
university. A message was relayed over the radio to the
headquarters as the police rushed to issue an arrest warrant to
find and arrest him. Suzie was handed to Uncle Frank as the
man-hunt ensued. The police assured them that he would be
apprehended by morning at the latest. No person can commit such an
atrocious crime and escape the law. The police were confident that
justice would be rendered.

- Chapter 19 -

Sitting on the couch the next morning at Uncle
Frank’s tea, Suzie recalled her ordeal with them, tearful and
pleased that her uncle’s perseverance had saved her life. She told
them that Jeremy Cole had not revealed anything much about himself.
She discussed how he’d bragged about killing Melly and her parents.
The telephone rang as Uncle Frank rushed to answer. They all felt
anxious awaiting the news that he’d been caught. Uncle Frank
returned informing them that the police had called to warn them
that Jeremy Cole was still at large.

The search for him had hit a dead end. The apartment
he’d occupied at Rosewood Creek had been cleaned out, his office at
the university as well. They’d checked thoroughly, the identity he
was using was false, the real Jeremy Cole was killed 5 years
ago.

This man, whoever he was, had covered his tracks
very well. Suzie and family felt incredibly alarmed, they prayed
that somebody would come forward as pictures of the man had been
put up from Rosewood Creek all the way up to the city of London.
Every T.V station was covering the man hunt too.

- Chapter 20 -

London, bright and bustling with its beautiful
buildings. The Big Ben Westminster Abbey, the bridge hummed with
its unique beat and vibe. The sidewalks packed to capacity as
people headed about their business. This city was alive. The man in
the black leather jacket pulled up his sleeve as he glared at his
wrist watch, his dark brown hair brushed back neatly, clean shaven
face and dark sunglasses, standing at the bridge casually surveying
the scene. He felt relaxed, London had always been one of his
favorite cities. It was a shame, he would be leaving. He picked up
his bag as he headed towards the airport, he’d be at Heathrow
really soon.

The sky looked blue, a bright
vibrant blue as the airplane left the runway. The flight to New
York wound land in about 8 hours. The man removed his sunglasses,
smiling at the air hostess with twinkly green eyes as he accepted
the champagne on 1
^st
class. Putting on his headphones he sat back
closing his eyes and he settled down for the flight. A while later,
he awoke to the airhostess leaning over him, “Sir, could you please
fasten your seatbelt? We will be landing soon.” She said. He smiled
and proceeded to do so.

He was free.

He’d done it again.

- 12 Months Later -

The Big Ben chimed in the distance. The girl looked
out through the huge windows of her apartment building and stared
at London, the strange sense of bliss resonated within her as she
watched the stream of people make their way over the old bridge. It
made her feel safe. Being in the big city with people all around
her, it was comforting. She changed a lot since she left Rosewood
Creek. She’d slowly began to come to terms with all that had
happened, drowning herself in a large city was what she really
needed. People in every apartment gave her the feeling of
security.

The only way to keep her sanity and break free from
her personal prison was to venture out into the beautiful city of
London. She’d built a little life here now. She was finally picking
up the pieces. Surprisingly Uncle Frank and Aunt Lizzie were
graceful enough to make the move with her. They too rented the
apartment right next door to her.

Suzie knew they did it for her and a part of her
felt guilty. They were family now. She took a deep breath inhaling
the scents from the open window when her doorbell buzzed. Suzie
looked out the peephole. The young man at the door was Miles, their
building manage, “Special delivery, ma’am” he said politely. Suzie
unlocked the door, taking the long white box in. This was probably
a gift from Uncle Jonathan from New Zealand. He’d taken to sending
her presets almost ever alternate month. He sent her beautiful
things, scarves for winter, hardcover books, clothing and even
perfume. Suzie smiled thinking about it. Closing the door, she
opened up the box, inside lay a red rose on a sheet of white
paper.

She opened it.

It read,

Until we meet again.

Her hand shook as the box fell with a thud to the
floor, she took an unconscious step back as she fell to her knees
in horror.

The End…For Now.

Hey there! Please leave an honest
review

Thank
you for reading Weeping Willows and I look forward to our next
journey with Jeremy Cole.