whimpered with every step, his weak body bouncing upon the strong shoulder.
The wind chilled his bare skin, nipping at him with razor teeth. Richard lowered him carefully upon the wall, the gathered powder crumbled as the beast’s rear made contact. The strong hand gripped his neck, their faces in line with one and other. Richard fired a look into the monsters eyes, the fear reappearing again. He now knew where he had seen the look, the same fear that engulfed the trembling man. The girls, strapped to the fixed chair within his den. The bloodied appearance, the fear stricken eyes……..that’s what he recognised, the fear that entered the victims had now crept inside the killer.
The trees whistled as the wind passed through, the falling snow collected upon the heads.
‘You’re supposed to be the monster!........Now I’m the fucking Beast!’
The knife sunk into the numb skin, the Wolf’s face acknowledged the strike, his eyes widened as his life trickled upon the ground. Richard held his head steady. Their eyes connected the whole time. He pushed it deeper, the body jerking as the metal sliced through his insides. The cold air attacked the wound as the knife was withdrawn, the sharp blade scrapped the lower rib-cage and the grinding sound echoed through the weak body. Richards grip lessened, his fingers opened slightly. The rocks within the rucksack pulled the dying body over the edge, the thick layer of ice cracked as the Wolf crashed into the river and the water pulled any remaining heat from his body. Richard watched as the beast fell through the web of cracks, the dark water sent in many directions, bubbling to the surface as the Wolf was pulled to the depths. The last pockets of air had escaped his lungs and rose to the surface, the low popping sound satisfied Richard’s ears. The knife fell to the bottom as it was dropped, it rested upon the still body as it slept, the pink mist swirled from the gaping hole……..the last of its life climbing for freedom.
Richard warmed his hands upon the heaters, his fingers were numb, his adrenalin extinguished and his heart relaxed. He had achieved what was planned and his fleeing friend had chosen the path on which Richard had suggested. The envelope was removed from the dashboard, the internal light illuminated so that the contents could be seen. Megan lay asleep, her breathing calm now, she was back in the safety of her father, the beast was removed from their lives.
The key fell upon his knee and slid between his legs, he retrieved it. The plastic tag dangled from the key ring,
He folded the letter and placed it back into the envelope along with the key. The rear wheels spun as he floored the accelerator, the snow spat in multiple directions as the vehicle headed over the bridge and into darkness, the wipers pushing the collected powder to the ground.
***
The hidden location in the belly of the wood was awoken early, the search lights placed in four corners, illuminating the scene. The Forensics team were dusting the van for prints, they had recovered smudges upon the handles of the doors, the prints were difficult to scan and store, the machines scanned each individual find, revealing no matches in the system. Jack moved in circles, unable to keep his feet still. Blood spatter readings were taken at the base of the van and further through the woods, where the Wolf readied himself for the final strike. The body in the van had been removed, the face badly disfigured. The coroner had taken the unknown victim away in a black bag, the vehicle headed back to the Morgue. Sally met Jack as she noticed his uneasiness.
‘Hey Jack, how are you holding up?’
‘I feel great Sal, but it would be better to know who that body is and where the girl is!’
‘Agreed, it’s strange isn’t it?’
‘What is?’
‘Well, it’s like we have all the answers right here. We have his van, the blood at the rear entrance and a body inside, which was wearing the Wolf mask. There’s the blood located a couple of hundred metres through the woods and into the fields. But we don’t have the girl!’
‘Sal, break it down for my old brain to understand’
‘Right, if that body in the back is the Wolf……where is the girl and who killed him? If it isn’t the Wolf…..where is the girl and where is the Wolf?’
‘It’s like someone beat us to it…..that’s what you mean!’
‘Exactly Jack, but who?’
Jack’s brain conjured up possible suspects, one of which was currently on a plane back to Spain….the other…..
‘Get the car, were going!’ he ordered to a static constable
He offered a little wave good bye to Sally and headed for the passenger side.
‘Take me to the Crowe’s house, the third girl to be abducted….now!’
The car sped off from the scene, eyes from within the woods observed the sound.
***
The vehicle was parked in an empty space. The car park of the airport was still busy as flights came and went. Richard removed the key given to him in secrecy by Nathan. He turned to Megan, her eyes fluttered between being awake and asleep.
‘Megan?’
The mumble escaped her swollen face.
‘I just need to run into that building there and get something, okay, I won’t be long!’ he assured. Unaware if his wounded daughter understood what he told her, he opened the door and climbed out of the car. He didn’t want to leave her, but couldn’t carry her into the airport. He ran, shielding his face from the snow, the cold flakes turned to drips of freezing water as they rested upon his skin. The electric doors slid open as he approached them, the heaters from above his head blasted the cold away. He stood, his eyes searching for the lockers. He moved slowly as he scanned, they sat in the corner, sectioned off from the busy arrival’s lounge. He walked quickly towards them, his pace increasing slightly as he neared his destination. He patrolled passed the array of metal storage boxes, stacked upon each other three high.
***
The car screeched to a halt outside Richard’s house. Jack ran from the vehicle and banged a fist against the door. He banged harder, no one answered.
‘Fuck’ he shouted as he ran from the front of the house, passing the homes next door and finding the back
