Little Red

The house swallowed him, his body engulfed by the nightmarish shadows. They swirled around him like taunting demons. He moved up the stairs, the feeling of fear escaped him, leaking from his pores. He neared the top, the music began but fell silent………………………….

The door hid a light, it crept underneath the wooden obstruction. The walls offered a blood red colour as he edged closer. The handle turned its self as his hand moved into grip it. The young boy stood, his golden hair blew across his face, he smiled. Nathan entered the snow covered ground, the woods sat either side of him. He scanned his surroundings, unaware of his location. The howl filled the sky, the blackness slowly creeping in from the horizon. He ran toward the sound, the snow crunching beneath him. He dodged the trees as they looked down upon him, the thick trunks partially blocking his view. He stalked to the edge of the wood line. The figures stood in the snowy field.

He moved closer, his movements slowed down. His breath escaped in plumes of mist. His body floated closer, he couldn’t control it, he wanted to stop…..to awaken before another brutal attack.

He watched as one of the blurred figures came to life. Russell starred into the eyes of his opposition and he fell to his knees, the ground sunk below him. The second blur slowly appeared, Nathan close to his side. Richard turned his head to face him, the smile greeted Nathan as they stood side by side.

He watched as Richard gripped the throat of the beast, the whole time its eyes focused on something in the wood line, he called to it, pleading for help. Richard pushed down upon the killer, his body sinking into the brilliant white ground. The water splashed up, soaking his torso. His arm outstretched to the thing he looked at, his words unanswered by the invisible guest.

The head was under, the snow covered the hole. Richard stood and they gazed at the space where the Wolf had knelt.

He was gone. Removed from their minds, the anger withdrawn from their hearts. It was over. The boy with golden hair waved to them, Nathan acknowledged and his hand slowly moved, offering the reply as the figure disappeared in to the woods. He said his goodbye to the haunting image, but wandered, was he saying goodbye, or saying hello?

Nathan awoke, his eyes peered open and his pulse remained calm. The moon shone through the large glass doors that led out onto the small balcony. He starred at the view, the moons light danced upon the calm waves as it slept, the relaxing sound emitted with every strike upon the beach. He felt tired, his body still recovering from hunting the Wolf. His finger traced the scar down the right side of his body, the reminder of a previous case, the golden boy within his mind triggering a haunting past. His eye lids fell and he drifted to sleep with the tranquil sounds surrounding him, his wife’s warm body tucked up next to him.

Several Weeks Later

Megan ran through the waves as they curled up against her small feet. Her appearance had mended itself well, the faint scar upon her cheek, a reminder of the beast. Nathan sat with Elle, they listened to the giggles offered by the young girl playing. Her father kicked the shallow water, the splashes landing upon his daughter. The couple sat upon their chairs, the sun warming their skin. Their hands came together and they interlocked the fingers, they welcomed the noise, it brought life to their tranquil surroundings.

The van stopped upon the gravel, the grinding of stones alerted them.

‘The postman?’ he thought.

Nathan stood and walked to greet the guest, the blue outfit standing out in the morning sun. The parcel was handed to him and he drew his squiggle upon the sheet, accepting the package by signing for it. It was light, he squashed it together with his hands. He carried it back to the table and sat down again, his bones creaking under the strain.

‘What is it?’ quizzed his wife. The shrug of his shoulders offered the answer.

He pulled open the top corner, revealing the newspaper. He gripped it and pulled it free, the note fell by his feet.

The front page of the Sun newspaper showed the heading.

What time is it Doctor Wolf????

His eyes darted through the information, the page gave an insight to the search of the beast’s house and discovery of his body. Elle could see by his silence that he needed some space, she stood and placed a gentle hand upon his shoulder. Her feet offered a low patting sound as she ran onto the sand.

The police had reported a body found within the house of the Wolf. The remains were located within a large freezer that sat in the kitchen. Upon further test the victim was identified as Adrian Crane, owner of the house. The small black and white picture showed a constable holding a bag that he had removed from the inside of the large box, the steam escaping behind him. Difficult to make out, the contents of the bag held the severed head of Mr Crane, the rest of his body lay in pieces in other bags. The paper delved into the likely hood of the Wolf feasting upon the victim as the entire body was not recovered.

He read on as the information of the Wolf’s finding was revealed. It stated that his body was located at his chosen sight of execution, the body of his victim had not been found and that a search was still in progress. The Wolf was located in the rear of his own van, his throat cut wide open and the blood covering his chest. They revealed the identity of the killer as Doctor William Lime, Psychologist and case profiler aiding the police. Reports stated that the reason the killer wasn’t caught quicker was due to him having a place on the task team, he had obviously sent them in circles as they attempted to hunt him down.

Nathan sat back, he couldn’t believe that Jack would fall for such a last minute and simple plot, he didn’t understand why the identity of the killer was offered as William Lime. He retrieved the note that came with the paper and began to read it.

Nathan,

Whilst you read this letter there are some changes occurring. Let me start by applauding your success. It took a while to dawn on me, but whilst at the crime scene I realised something, you had conveniently disappeared the day the Wolf was found, along with Mr Crowe and his daughter. I am pleased for him and his girl, but not so with the outcome. It surprised me to find Mr Lime in the back of that van. I must admit I chuckled to myself. But the truth hit me hard at that point, you screwed me over! I had such admiration and respect for you, my friend. You, unbelievably, do not. I find this hard to write and even harder to imagine, but the truth is what it is. Your loyalty to me no longer exists, it was burned when you decided to inform Mr Crowe of the address before me. But, your friendship I will always treasure, for the outcome of the case has relieved me of my duty, my boat has long awaited its captain. I am sure that we will meet again, someday, but for now, I believe it is goodbye.

Take care old friend and stay safe. Look after Elle and your guests!

You don’t think I’m that stupid…..do you?

Retired-Chief Inspector Jack Dawson.

The words had hit him hard. They were true, very true. He had broken the loyalty bond between them. It had been burned from the second he chose Richard to be the first receiver of the address. He watched as the girl played