‘I would like to start by saying………..Jenny was a lovely, lovely girl who never hurt anybody…..ever’ the husband’s voice was stern.
‘My girl was smart, intelligent and caring. She made us smile and made us feel love’ his wife began crying into his shoulder, a tear forming in his eye.
‘For someone to take our baby, to take our life….well…..it makes me sick. I want everybody’s support given to the police and I want this sick bastard caught’ the rage building in his voice. Jack got to his feet and moved next to the father, he placed a hand on his shoulder. The father looked into his eyes, understanding that the slight touch was a message to calm. He nodded.
‘I want this beast caught and I want justice. Our lives have come to a stop……a complete halt now she has gone………..we just want him found’.
Jack had decided to end the speech, he sensed the mother was close to breaking down and that the father may begin lashing out towards the news crews. He directed them back to the seats and as they sat he leaned into the father.
‘I am going to tell the public what we know. This may be hard to hear, I’m thinking more from your wife’s behalf. I would recommend moving you to another room, but that is up to you!’
‘Ok’. The father agreed to the idea and began to stand, his wife none the wiser as to what was happening. Jack watched as the couple were helped out of the door.
‘The tragedy has touched a nerve in all our hearts. We aim to catch the person who has caused this family so much pain. What we know so far is that the person is male. He will own a large vehicle, possibly a van. He is an intelligent person who has a very distinct and professional method. He goes by the name the Wolf, we do believe this person may live in and around the area of abduction and are, as we speak, undergoing a thorough investigation. I have assembled a team to aid in the capture of this person. He is deemed highly dangerous and should not be approached if suspicion occurs. We do ask that any information you may have be brought to our attention………the quicker this happens the quicker we catch him.’
‘Why the Wolf?’ a reporter bellowed from the back.
‘He has communicated with us, a package was delivered to us with that name upon the front, the information and images sent to us displays himself in a Wolf mask, we believe he may be suffering or have suffered mental issues.’
‘Will he do this again……is it only women he goes for?’
‘We believe he has the intent to do this again, yes. Judging by the first victim we have bracketed our group of targets to girls between the age of eight and twelve.’
‘So you’re saying that people with children…..girls, should what…..keep them at home?’
‘What I’m saying is that it is wise to be with your children at all times if possible. We have sent warning orders to all educational facilities in and around London. We advise any parents to call in any suspicious activity around their homes, we believe the Wolf may observe before he attempts to take. This is a weak point for him if he does so. It means that if a van is spotted then we could be close to catching him’.
‘There are rumours flying around that outside help has been brought into the case……is this true, if so who is it?’
‘I’m not sure where you got that information’.
‘I believe it was an inside source!’ the reporter testing his patience.
‘That is highly unlikely’
‘That is all for the moment, I do promise to keep you all up to date with the investigation……if there are any questions needing answered please ask the staff on your way out.’ He turned and headed for the door, his head throbbing from the repetition of flashes.
***
The bell had sounded and the children darted up like a Jack in a box. The doors were open and they shuffled outside to burn off some ever growing energy. The laughter filled the playground. Balls of snow hurtled from one to another, several children lay upon the floor making angel shapes in the white powder. The van door opened, sliding back on its hinges. The Wolf stepped out cautiously, looking around for any passers-by. It was clear. He leaned into the van and removed a small white rabbit from a crate. The animal kicked its back legs to free itself from his clutches. He squeezed it harder, the ribcage compressed under the strain. Leaving the door open he made his way to the perimeter fence of the school yard, the bunny hidden behind his back.
‘Abby where are youuuuuuuu?’ he sang to himself.
He spotted her hopping with a group of friends near the door. Contemplating his next move he scanned once again. His eyes followed her as she hopped back and forth on each leg. To his joy they began running around the fence-line, making their way towards him. He smiled, stepping forward cautiously to intercept. He noticed her approaching him and he rested his waist belt against the top of the fence, the children began passing him.
‘Hey Abby……Abby’ he called.
Abby hadn’t heard the first time but as he repeated her name she looked over to his direction.
‘Oh, hello again’ she skipped over to him as he kneeled down.
‘Guess what I have’ he whispered
‘Is it another story?’
‘No…….much more exciting!’ the rabbit was placed in view of her eyes. She seemed to light up with joy.
‘She’s lovely…..can I stroke her?’
‘Well actually……I have a lot more in my van, just over there. I need help sorting them into cages and one has a very sore leg…..do you think you could help me? I would give you one as a present!’ the blackmail had worked last time. Abby looked over to the van again.
‘I’m not allowed out of the gate Sir’
‘It’s fine…..I’ll lift you over secretly and we can run to the van…..so no one see’s us…..like a game!’
‘Like hide and seek?’ she smiled
‘Just like that’ he nodded.
Abby agreed and the Wolf placed the rabbit into her hands, he tucked his hands under her arm pits and quickly lifted her out. He ran quickly with the girl in his hands, the rabbit bounced wildly and Abby clamped down on its back with her hand. He made a large stride, his foot landing on the van’s stepping plate and ducked into the van. The door was slammed shut. The damp rag smothered her face. The rabbit ran free as the girl lost consciousness.
Nobody noticed the missing child. The other kids were far to occupied with their games of army men and hop-scotch. The van pulled away and left the scene adhering to the speed limit. He had his girl……..he had his Abby.
***
The stairway creaked as he climbed cautiously. The flashlight flickered to life for a second to guide the way, the abnormal shadows cast upon the steps, his eyes saving a faded image of what was illuminated. He approached the landing and checked both ways, securing his blind spots, tactics he was taught when working alongside the Armed Response Unit. He made sure that each of the corners were cleared, that the darkness looming within them was not a patient demon awaiting the pounce. The music bellowed through the empty house, the howl startling him as he neared to door.
The bright light appeared from underneath the door. Slowly, it began creeping up the sides and to the top. The blackened wood was surrounded by a brilliant white……Nathan crept closer, the wheel brace poised in his right hand. He reached for the handle and turned it anti-clockwise. The clunk shook the weak frame as the lock was pulled free, the light intensified as the door opened itself slowly. Too bright to see, he sheltered his eyes from the room, stopping to focus his vision, a free hand guarding his brow. The whimpering from the far side of the room caused him to peek through open fingers. The large figure stood over the metal table, the tune he whistled rang in Nathan’s ears,
The scene around the figure began to focus slowly. The walls to his left and right came into view. The bright lights above bounced off the smooth white interior. The floor, a black tile effect, gained in detail. He could see the cracks and chips in the stone slabs and he followed the pattern to the feet of the unknown guest. Nathan began to
