The tower : A New start

The Mysterious Mr. Drewe

She struggled to sit up only to realize she was tied to a table again. “No! No!” She screamed tears streaming down her cheeks. She struggled against the ropes, searing pain in her calf as she tried to get free. She could feel the blood soaking her pant leg and hear the fabric rip as The Butcher began cutting her clothing off.

“Yes! Yes!” He panted heavily as though the thought of what he intended brought him immense pleasure. He removed the last of her garments and then started rubbing in various spices and smacking his lips. “Grilling your tender meat, or roasting it, hmm soo tasty” He rasped taunting her.

Weakening from loss of blood she shook her head panic welling up at the words. She continued to struggle. Giddy with delight at her suffering he began to cut her randomly and rub the spices into the cuts. She screamed with pain each time. Up her legs, across her stomach, and up her chest he moved as he worked. Then he reach her throat and began to slice it just under her jaw. Suddenly, he stopped, dropped the knife and ran. She could hear his words as he fled, “I'll be back my dear and we will finish what we've started.”

She struggled to stay conscious, but she was so weak and eventually her world went black. She heard voices from a distance. “Come on, stay with us! Don't do this!”

“Clear!” Then nothing, she was floating in a peaceful dark place, no pain, no fear. So peaceful she felt like staying. He couldn't hurt her if she stayed right here.

Then she heard him, her confidant, “Don't go. Please come back. There's a safe place where he can't hurt you. Stay with me.”

The pain returned streaking through her and she felt a jolt. “Clear!” Another jolt hit her and then, “We got a pulse!” The sound of sirens blaring in the distance brought another thought to mind. Someone must be badly hurt, but who. Then she watched as lights flashed over head.

“We're losing her!” Another voice called, “Julie, stay with us, honey. We got you.” Panic flared as she realized what was happening. She was the one they were trying to save.

“Oh god, He finally succeeded!” she gasped as her world went black again.

“Ahh!” Sapphire bolted upright in bed breathing hard as tears streamed down her cheeks while she trembled. Again his presence was near and he surrounded her with his warmth sending comfort in waves. “You're safe.” he whispered. She allowed herself to cling to his strength for a little while.

“Thank you for being there for me through everything.” she whispered back allowing the rubbing sensation to help her calm down.

“You're welcome.” he responded and remained connected to her until she was ready to handle the fear on her own. This had been a nightly thing for the past year and two weeks. She'd have a nightmare and he'd comfort her. While she was now used to the nightly occurrences, he had to be getting tired of them by now. “Like you, I'm used to them and I know that eventually they will fade. However, probably not so much until that mad man is caught.” He said obviously reading her mind and making her gasp.

“I forgot you could read my thoughts.” she said chagrined at the idea.

“It's OK, but did you know if you try you can read mine as well?” he inquired. He found her reaction priceless. She gasped and pulled away slightly shocked.

“I wouldn't feel right doing so without your permission. It'd feel too much like invading your privacy. Everyone is entitled to his or her own thoughts. Aren't they?” she responded.

“Of course, but you'll find that sometimes it is necessary to read anther's thoughts for various reasons. Such as, knowing their intentions before it is too late to stop them from doing something bad, like harming themselves and others. Also, you may unwittingly read someones mind without trying. Those times though unintentional can be necessary.” he explained.”

“I see.” She said thoughtfully and then she smelled a foul odor permeating the house. What is that? She thought. and got up from the bed to investigate. Sapphire discovered the stench was coming from the kitchen sink. “Oh!” she gasped and held her nose, “What happened here? It's not draining.” She ran back to the bathroom and grabbed her new plunger and then hurried to the kitchen sink. Lord, the smell was enough to kill the dead.

She plunged the sink for over an hour and a half to no avail. Both sinks were plugged so tight that they weren't draining anytime soon. With a sigh of frustration, she glanced at the time. 5:30 am. Well, he's not going to like being woke up at this time of the morning but this is an emergency, she thought.

Sapphire picked up her phone and dialed her landlord's number. It rang once, twice and then... “Hello, Drewe speaking.” he answered.

“Hello, Mr. Drewe, It's your tenant, Sapphire. Sorry to have disturbed you, but I've got a bit of a situation. My kitchen sink is plugged, both sides. I can't seem to unplug them myself.” She started.

“I'll be down shortly to take a look at them.” He interrupted and then hung up.

Well, that could have gone better. She thought, and headed to the front door to await her landlord. She reached the door when she heard the knock. Looking at the camera monitor, she hesitated briefly.

He sighed in frustration, “You do want your kitchen sink fixed right?” She studied him again. He was about 5'8” and solid muscle from head to toe. His dark brown almost black hair appeared tousled from sleep and his blue gray eyes reminded her of the sea. He had a firm jaw that was scarred much like her jaw but other than that he was absolutely handsome. However having never seen her landlord before she had to make certain that this was her landlord.

“May I see your ID please?” She asked and heard him cussing in frustration as he wrestled his wallet from his pocket while juggling a box of plumbing parts and his toolbox. After a couple minutes he freed the wallet flipped it open and held it up to the camera for her to see.

Sapphire studied it briefly and debated asking him a few questions about the information on the ID, but changed her mind as the horrid smell got the better of her. She unlocked the door, disarmed the security system and opened the door for him. She the took the toolbox for him and stepped aside. He just gave her an irritated glance and walked in.

Alex turned to speak to his annoying little tenant, but whatever he planned to say was forgotten as he stared at the door in shock. She had at least ten locks on the front door and the security system. A glance around the hall told him the windows also had extra locks and the number of locks on the back door rivaled the front. It was then he realized there was more to her nightmares and fear than he originally thought. He also found it explained the reason she arrived with two men to guard her. She was really in trouble. With this knowledge, he just couldn't bring himself to gripe at her for asking to see his ID. Instead, he quietly followed her down to the kitchen where the noxious smell was coming from.

When they had first connected mind to mind about a year ago, he thought she was simply having a nightmare at first. But, he realized something more was happening when it suddenly seemed she was fading away. It took all his strength to hold her to him. He had felt the cuts and injuries she was receiving, heard that terrible voice, and felt her fear. At the time it didn't occur to him that what she was experiencing was actually happening. He began to suspect something was wrong when he reached out to her and sensed she was to weak to respond. So he had held her mind to mind comforting her until she regained her strength.

She refused to speak to anyone about what happened to her and at first she didn't acknowledge him either. Her fear was just so great she couldn't function. She was treated at a hospital for quite some time. Finally, she began to cope with what happened and one day she acknowledged that someone was trying to communicate through a mental connection, but she didn't understand enough to try to talk back. But, she learned by reading everything she could find on telepathy and one day she surprised him by responding back. She still didn't know who she was talking to nor did she ask instead she accepted him as a kind soul aiding when she had need.

They entered the kitchen and Alex choked on the smell. “It's horrendous.” she said voicing his thoughts exactly. He sat the box down and she followed suit with the tool box. Then he opened the cupboard under the sink and turned off the water. Out of the box he pulled a gallon pail that could collapse to be stored and pulled up on it so it was a bucket again. He put the bucket under the pipe and took a pipe wrench out of his tool box. Using the pipe wrench he loosened both ends of the section of pipe that curved around to drain into the sewer. All the water drained into the bucket as he removed the pipe section. Sitting up, Alex examined the piece of pipe in his hand. He pushed the blockage out with a screwdriver and found two tiny stuffed dogs and a collection of twisty ties.

He glanced up at Sapphire who looked at him. “Don't look at me!” she exclaimed, “I don't own any stuffed animals.”

Alex chuckled, “ No, I believe this is a parting gift from the family I rented to before you. They had a three year old who had a habit of stuffing his stuffed animals in the worst places. Down the toilet, in the sinks, and even his parents VCR. He once started a fire in the oven with a stuffed animal his mother didn't know was in there when she turned it on. They moved after that and I hope they finally got him to stop with the stuffed animal revenge.” He bagged the mess and dropped it into the trash. Then emptied the water into the toilet and flushed it.

Upon further examination of the piece of pipe he discovered a rather large c***k. Now he couldn't put that back on. He quickly washed his hands and called the hardware store to order more parts and even order a piece of wood to replace the cupboard bottom.

While he was making his phone calls, Sapphire realized she'd inadvertently left her telepathic friend hanging and hastily sent an apology. “Don't worry about it, I don't mind fixing the sink for you.” he responded. Sapphire simply stared at her landlord in shock.

“M-Mr. Drewe,” she stammered, “ y-you are telepathic.” He hung up the phone and walked over to her.

“Indeed I am.” He said aloud, “ and please call me Alex, Julie.”

“You can't call me that. It's to dangerous. They'd move me if they knew you knew.” She gasped in surprise, “How did you know?”

Concerned filled Alex's blue-gray eyes and he asked, “Who would move you and why?”

Sapphire looked about to cry instead she took a breath, “The two US Marshals who brought me here. No one is supposed to know, not my past, the reason I'm here, not even my real name.” She glanced around as if some one else could hear her, “You can't ever call me Julie. If he ever finds me he'll kill me; he'll finish what he started.”

Alex guided her to the table in the breakfast nook and sat her down. She was terrified, absolutely terrified. He found bottled water in the fridge, filled her tea kettle, and turned it on. Then he set cups, spoons, creamer and sugar on the table. She sat and shivered so hard he thought she would shake apart.

When the kettle whistled, Alex poured them both a cup of tea. He sat across from her and studied her. He had to tell her how he know, she deserved that much. With a sigh he started, “I connected with you about a year ago. I don't know how it happened or why exactly. When it first happened, I thought it was a nightmare I was having. It terrified me. I haven't had nightmares in a long time, but this was so real. Then I heard that awful grating raspy voice and felt each cut, each stab as though it was happening to me. The pain was unreal. I could...could smell the seasonings feel the burn as they were rubbed in to each and every cut. I thought I was going to die, until he called me Julie.” Alex swallowed and glanced away. He'd never told anyone about that night, about somehow connecting with someone in trouble.

“That was when I realized it wasn't me being tortured, It wasn't my nightmare I'd been privy to. Somehow, someway I'd connected to another. That hadn't happened in years. I'd hidden away to avoid just that. But, it happened. I saw everything, heard everything, and suddenly he stopped and fled. But I heard him say as he left he'd find you and finish what he started. It didn't occur to me until I felt you slipping away that something more had happened. I didn't want you to go so I held you to me begging you to stay. You stayed, but you were so weak. And when you got better, stronger, I just didn't have the courage to tell you. I didn't think you'd believe me. I'm sorry. My mistake a few minutes ago could have gotten you killed had anyone heard me.” Alex finished but he couldn't look into her eyes.

Sapphire was so quiet for so long, Alex half expected her to throw him out, but she didn't. Finally she spoke, “That was you?” she asked and when he nodded tears glinted in her eyes. “You saved me. I was lost somewhere between life and death and you pulled be back. You gave me a reason to hold on, a reminder someone needed me.” She reached out to take his hand, Alex didn't move allowing her to hold his hand. They sat there for the longest time in awe at the connection they shared. They didn't realize that they shared so much more, more than they'd ever realized, but they'd learn that soon enough.

Sapphire moved finally breaking the spell. “You hungry?” she asked, “I can make some bacon, eggs, hash browns, and toast.”

“Sounds great.” Alex accepted and moved to help, “By the way, I have some parts being delivered in about an hour. Need a new elbow pipe that one had hole in it and the bottom of the cupboard is starting to rot from the water that leaked out even around the stuffed animals which saved you from a flooded kitchen every time you used the sink.”

Sapphire grinned back, “Guess I should thank your last tenants.” She didn't really feel like smiling though, she was still thinking about how she and Alex had been connected when The Butcher attacked her. She couldn't fathom being connected to someone that way, feeling everything, yet not being able to help that person in anyway. How much he suffered knowing she was probably dying and all he could do was watch. That'd kill her.

She felt Alex's arms around her even though he was across the room buttering the toast. “Yes, it just about killed me that I couldn't do anything to stop him, but you are here. Alive and as well as you can be. You're the first person I've been close to in years. I don't intend to let that go anytime soon. I want to get to know you, be a friend and confidant. There's more about that night you don't know and I want to share it with you, but right now I'm starved and that delicious food you're cooking sounds just about ready. So, lets eat and we can talk about that later. You're making me depressed.” He said.

Alex set the toast on the table and found the plates and silverware. He made himself useful by setting the table while Sapphire set the hot food on the table. Luckily, the horrendous smell had diminished so they could eat without gagging.

“Mmm,” Alex moaned around a fork full of eggs, “This is heaven, I usually eat cold cereal. I should raid you for breakfast more often.”

“Thanks, I was raised that a good home cooked meal was the best remedy for a depressed soul.” Sapphire said, “and you're more than welcome to join me.”

That was the moment Alex decided he was unblocking the door that lead into the house, it'd be safer for her if something happened. He could be there right away then she wouldn't have to wait for the Marshals. He used to be a cop, once a cop always a cop the training never left even if you quit being a cop.

Suddenly curious Alex c****d his head, “I never see you leave the house, not even to work, why?”

“I work for an online news outlet. I'm a columnist so I don't need to leave to work. I work at home. Besides it's best I don't go out. Less chance for others to ask questions and less chance for me make a mistake and give myself away. By the way, for future reference I go by Sapphire now. Sapphire Rose” She answered honestly, “ I don't see you leave either? I figure maybe day trading?”

Alex chuckled, “You got me, actually I was a police officer at one point until I came across a case that changed my life. We had a serial killer in our town and I was assigned to the case to catch him. Unfortunately, he caught up with me, I stumbled in on him while he was chasing one girl. We got into it as I tried to protect her, he sliced me up pretty good and fled when my back up arrived. She wasn't hurt thank god, but he nearly killed me and left me with a scar to remember him by. He got away and I left the force traumatized by the case. Not to mention, how do you explain that you heard the girl screaming in your head before you even got there? Now I day trade, I've a knack for it and I'm also an artist of sorts. I find the paints therapeutic.”

Sapphire nodded and studied him, “You've got the muscle for it. By the way, it was you wasn't it who guided me to this house, this town, wasn't it?” She asked. When Alex nodded She sighed, “I thought so. Where do we go from here?”

Alex took her hand across the table, “I guess we go where ever fate takes us. Somehow, Someway, we are bound together.” Sapphire nodded the only question she had was would knowing her put Alex in danger because of the mad man after her? She didn't have an answer, but she knew she didn't want that. There had to be a way.