Since Davey left I had taken to wandering the streets at
night. I couldn’t sleep and I imagined all the terrible things that could have
happened to him if I sat in the house, so I had started walking. The advantage
of city living was that the streets are always busy even at three in the
morning. I tried not to be about when the nightclubs kicked out but even then
if you kept your head down no one noticed you. I had been walking like this for
the last four weeks, at first trying to find Davey and then now for something
to do.
I had woken up one sunny Sunday morning to find Davey not
there. I hadn’t worried. He sometimes needed to get away and I often woke to
find him gone. Sometimes when he turned up again he would say it was work, but
he never told me what he did or why he had to rush off, silently, in the dead
of night. This time had been different. I had risen late and noticing him gone
I had made myself some breakfast and sat watching some cooking programme.
Eventually I decided to get dressed and after a long leisurely bubble bath I
had gone to the wardrobe to pick out some comfy clothes. I didn’t have any easy
clothes but there was an old sweat top of Davey’s in the bottom cupboard and I
knew he wouldn’t mind if I borrowed it. I opened the cupboard. It was empty.
Not just the sweatshirt but Davey’s shoes, trainers and walking boots had all gone.
I checked his draw and that was empty too. I closed my eyes and visualised the
bathroom. I couldn’t remember seeing Davey’s toothbrush. I rushed back into the
bathroom and saw my toothbrush standing upright, alone, in the mug. I threw
open the cabinet and the half shelf that we have squeezed Davey’s razor and
deodorant onto was empty too.
Where had he gone? What had happened? I turned the bedroom
upside down looking for a note. Surely he would have the courtesy to leave me a
note. I heard the telephone in the lounge ringing. I rushed from the bedroom
and stumbled down the stairs. Nearly losing my footing I grabbed the hand rail
and slowed myself down until I reached ground level.
I grabbed the ‘phone. ‘Davey, is that you?’
‘Is that Miss Jones?’ A sober voice asked.
‘Yes. Who’s this?’ I gasped. It wasn’t Davey.
‘Are you at 15 Somerset Close?’
‘Who is this? I’m not giving out my address to people who
randomly call me.’
‘I’m sorry Miss but this is Huxtable police station and we
have just found a bag that we think belongs to you. Can you come and collect it
please?’
‘I haven’t lost a bag and I’m a bit busy at the moment.’
‘Well it had a note inside with your name and this ‘phone
number on but it is full of men’s clothes.’
‘Davey.’
‘Sorry Miss what was that?’
‘Don’t worry I’m on my way.’
When I got to the police station there was a large holdall
full of Davey’s clothes waiting for me. The note inside said he had had to go
home and was sorry he couldn’t take me with him. The police weren’t interested
when I explained things to them and after two hours of ranting and crying they
told me I had to go home and stop wasting their time.
That had been four weeks ago. That first night I couldn’t
sleep so I got up and gone for a walk. I had never been to Davey’s flat me he
didn’t have a car so it couldn’t be too far from my house. I even hoped that I
might see him at work, whatever that had been. But there had never been any
sign of him. Now it was more of a habit and at least I slept for a few hours
once I got home, knowing I had at least tried.
Now I looked up and saw the full moon, exactly the same as
the night Davey went. I would have to stop this eventually but tonight would be
special. I could feel it. I wandered around for a few hours and as I was
starting to think about turning home I walked passed an alleyway up the side of
an old nightclub. I had never noticed it before. I turned and entered. I
thought I could see a light at the other end. Not a dead end then. I would give
it a go.
I was half way down the alley when he stepped out of
nowhere. A tall man, over six and a half feet tall, and he was wearing a cloak
with a cowl hood. It covered him from head to foot. All I could see were his
eyes. They sparkled blue in the moonlight and I felt a calmness descend over
me. He wasn’t Davey, too tall, but I knew he could offer me hope.
‘We have been testing you human.’ He whispered. I didn’t see
his lips move but his words washed over me.
‘Have I passed?’
‘Yes. You have kept the faith and shown great fortitude.’
‘What now?’
‘He cannot come back. You must go to him.’
‘Davey?’
‘Yes. The way is hard and you cannot come back.’
‘I must go. Let me go to him.’
The man put his hands to my neck and my vision clouded. My
head became light and the darkness lifted as I saw the beam of light above. I
was floating, floating away. Davey. I was going to see Davey again.
************************
The Huxtable Gazette
Police issued the name
of the woman found murdered last night in the city centre. She was Imelda
Jones. The Huxtable Gazette believe this is the third time the full moon killer
has struck but the police have refused to comment on the chances that there is
a serial killer loose in our city.
If you enjoyed this why
not check out Jo’s other short stories on her blog http://jojenner.blogspot.co.uk/
Or treat yourself to ‘So
the Feeling Shows’ short story anthology now available on Kindle
No comments:
Post a Comment