Chapter Twelve: Setting The Stage

~ 2 DAYS ON - The Anniversary Day ~
Nick bent down in front of the headstone, placing the red roses delicately on top.
"Melissa baby, I'm sorry" he sniffed, that was always the first thing he said when he stood alone in the cemetery.

Brian had offered to come with him, as had Zara, but he refused, he always did. He needed to be alone at this point in his life, he need to simply cry - cry freely.

"I miss you baby, and I never did keep my promise, I still don't know who did this to you" he paused wiping tears away "could you ever forgive me for not been there? I miss you and I miss you SO much, a part of me wants to hold you again, to hold you all night, another part knows that's not going to happen. I'm falling apart here Lissa, I need you, please, come back to me" he shook his head, knowing that was impossible

He sighed quietly, closing his eyes to blink away the tears.
"I miss you" he lay a hand down onto the ground "Happy anniversary"

The figure in the bushes watched, hidden under the cloth of branches and leaves. A soft tear cascaded down a fearful face. Lips pressed into a kiss, hoping the wind would carry it to him.

Nick looked up as a breeze ruffled through the bushes and trees behind him. He saw nothing, but felt something. He shuddered and continued to look around him - nothing.

~ THAT NIGHT ~
Nick sunk down into his bed and starred up at the ceiling, it wasn't late, but he felt his only comfort would be in sleep. As his eyes started to close, the phone beside him rung. He reached over and answered it quickly.

"Nick?" a quaking voice questioned in a hushed whisper
"Charisma? What's wrong?"
"He's here Nick, he's here" she cried
"Who? What? Where?"
"The person writing the letters, the power was shut off, oh god Nick, the officers down the road are gone, I'm scared"
"Have you rung the police?"
"NOOOOOOO!" she screamed followed by a banging background noise and a loud crash, then the phone was cut off

Nick jumped off the bed and ran hurriedly to the front door.

"I hope you didn't break that" Charisma pouted as she studied the mirror from the floor
The other figure ignored her and walked out of the bedroom.
"Will he come?"
Charisma laughed "What do you think? Of course he will"
"He better"
She shrugged him off.
"He will"


Nick sped through the darkened roads, only one destination in sight. He wasn't sure where the officers had gone, or why they had and he didn't know if the police had been called, so he tried to call them from his car phone, but he received no dial tone, and he had no time to stop at a pay phone, he had to get there - he wouldn't let history repeat itself.

~ 10 MINUTES LATER ~
Nick pulled on the handbrake, then practically leapt from the car. He looked up at her house, it was completely dark. He took deep breaths then ran up under the shadow of darkness.

Charisma studied her watch.
"He should be here soon"
"Stand up"
She did what she was told, as the room was arranged like a stage, or rather a cheese board, all the pieces in order.

Nick peeked in the window and his heart nearly stop, in the light of the moon he could see two people, one with long hair, a girl - Charisma, and another, tall, stocky, a man. He squinted, he was holding something, the man turned slightly and Nick gaped - he was holding a gun.

He couldn't hear the conversation, but it looked like Charisma was begging, pleading, shaking her head, Nick could imagine her heart running full speed, her eyes laden with tears, her voice scared. He felt his own pain rapping through his body as he edged closer, unsure of what to do.

"Sit" the man huffed, pushing her down onto the seat
"You don't have to push me around"
"Shut the fuck up" he cussed waving the gun
"For god sakes, he cant hear us, just see" Charisma smiled, she turned her head slightly, she could imagine where Nick was, it was so obvious, he played into their hands too easily, she could say exactly what he was going to do.
The man pulled rope from a bag and began tying Charisma to the chair. She struggled against the restraint.
"What are you doing?" she screamed, struggling hard
"Shut up" he cussed, slamming his fist against the side of her face
For the first time, fear filled her eyes.
"No, lemme go" she cried
He hit her again then shoved a gag in her mouth. She shook her head and kick her bonded feet. The man stepped back and ginned, then aimed the gun.

Nick didn't bother to think logically anymore and he ran up to the front stairs. He rammed all his power into the back door and smashed through it with fierce strength. It splintered and fell like a castle of cards, and both Charisma and the man looked up instantaneously.

Nick scrambled the man with the tackle, though every part of him was racked in pain. The gun went off loudly, then a crash against Nick's head - then nothing but thick blackness.


Chapter 13