The tower : A New start

No!  He's here!  Julie ran and ran, searching for a place to hide. Fear raced through her blood, a living breathing thing that built panic as it moved through her body. The butcher lumbered behind slowly searching as he went. "Girl-lee."  he half growled half rasped as he searched. She trembled barely suppressing a whimper as she pressed further into the shadows of the cupboard where she hid. Suddenly, he was there staring into her eyes, his eyes wild with excitement. He breathed heavily as he wrapped his large hairy fingers around her upper arm. "Don't ya wanna play?"  he rasped the question spittle flying as he chuckled at the question as if it were a joke. She shook her head no violently as she struggled for freedom.  " We'll have so much fun."  he giggled maniacally and drug her to the dining room. He picked up a knife from the batch of tools he'd laid out earlier. "Now, Get yourself upon that table, Girl-lee." He ordered. Julie shook her head again and backed away as terror took hold.  "I said get on the table!" He bellowed as he lunged toward her with the knife. She cried out as she scrambled onto the table away from him and the knife he now held. Tears streamed down Julie's face as she backed across the table. "You're mad! Absolutely mad, you freak!" she screamed back at him, The Butcher. He only laughed again and lumbered to the table. He reached over and grabbed her ankle with one hand and a rope he'd attached to the table leg with the other. Julie screamed and kicked violently to get away. She managed to free her ankle and bloody his nose with one kick. He grabbed the knife and stabbed downward into her calf before she could move away again. Julie screamed with pain and he again grabbed her ankle and tied it to the table. Julie sobbing, slapped her hand over the wound trying to stop the blood. While she focused on her injury, he grabbed her other leg and tied it to the table. He proceeded to grab her left hand and tie it to the table to but Julie began fighting again.  She screamed and slapped at him in vain. She even jerked her hand to free it, but he was stronger and she was unable to stop him. He hummed as he worked finishing tying her to the table. "Now, I'll season you some. Gotta smell good you know. Then we'll pick the choicest cuts." he rasped as he began to mix the seasoning in a bowl.  By this time, Julie was becoming weak from blood loss.  The Butcher suddenly stabbed her in the chest with the knife and withdrew to stab her again as flames seemed to lick the table cloth. Julie whimpered faintly as she awaited death...... "Aah!" Sapphire screamed as she shot upright in bed trembling.  Tears trickled down her cheeks as sobs wracked her small frame. A feeling of arms holding again enveloped her as she sobbed and whispered word of comfort filled her mind. She had never fully been able to escape The Butcher even though she'd survived the attack. In order to be safe, it had to appear as though she'd died as a result of her injuries. So her family buried Julie Marlene and she became Sapphire Rose, a writer for an online news outlet. Now she was moving to the town of Luna Bay on the Mississippi River 600 miles away, out of The Butcher's range, police assured her.  The only thing is, She can never see or hear from her family again. She had to leave all her treasured items and memories behind. She only had a suitcase of clothes provided by the government and her new credentials.     Sapphire glanced at the clock on the night stand next to the bed. 3 am. “Great.” she muttered, “ Now I'll never get back to sleep.” She switched the bedside lamp on and looked around the dingy little hotel room. The faded maroon curtains, scuffed up furniture, and lumpy bed with it's worn and threadbare bedspread gave the appearance of neglect and overuse. The bathroom wasn't any better. With a sigh, Sapphire pulled her laptop onto her lap. Within a few minutes, she was working on her first article for her new job. It was too early to call around and make sure everything was ready in her new home. That would have to wait. So, she worked on her article and checked her list of things get done that day. Dishes and food were to be delivered along with sheets, blankets, pillow cases, towels, and whatever else she might need. The place was furnished, so she didn't have to worry about that. Sapphire, however, was installing additional locks on the doors and windows including the rear gate to the garden which would have a special lock that would only be opened from the house so only those she chose to let through could enter. She didn't want to take the chance that The Butcher would decide to finish what he'd started a year ago. She had even taken some self defense classes as part of her recovery and she practiced every day. She was having training equipment delivered so she could continue to train and the section of the hall That once connected to the tower will be her home gym. Every thing was set up so she never had to set foot out side of her home if she didn't want to. She was designing her home so she could feel safe, something sapphire hadn't felt since that day. Besides the physical injuries, Sapphire now had a fear of any place larger than a small house, not to mention she was terrified of people. Just the thought of a complete stranger near her or her home had her freaking out in a full blown panic. Even though she was seeing a Psychiatrist and taking medication to help her, she couldn't get past the fear. Her psychiatrist had assured her that with time the fear would lessen and she would heal. Sapphire, however, doubted it would happen anytime soon. Shaking her head at the direction her thoughts had taken, Sapphire got back to work. She wrote until 5:15 am, when she took a break for a quick shower and coffee. “I just have proofreading and editing to do and I want to double check my facts before I submit the article.” She noted as she moved to stand in front of mirror. As she looked in the mirror while pulling her hair up, Sapphire stuck out her tongue at her reflection. She didn't like her petite china doll appearance and she was petite at five foot tall and a skinny one hundred pounds; Add to that shoulder length auburn hair around a pale face with large sad blue eyes that always looked haunted. It was not the appearance of a healthy person in her opinion. She preferred her clothes baggy to hide the scars. The only scar she couldn't hide was along her jaw where The Butcher sliced her open to torture her. He wanted her to know what he was going to do, every detail. He even went so far as to season her with meat seasoning and taunted her by discussing what cuts from her body would be best to eat.. Since then she has avoided eating meat, preferring vegetables and fruit. Now every time she looked at herself she saw what he did and hated it. She glanced at the clock again. Six am. She packed up her few belongings, so she was ready when her escorts were ready to leave. She sighed, “ I'll be glad to get away from prying eyes and into my new home.” Sapphire glanced once more around the room, a shiver of awareness running up her spine. She could have sworn someone was watching her, yet she knew the room was empty except her. She'd been having this feeling since the attack and it has grown stronger in the last few days. She'd also experienced the sensation more frequently, too. At first, she shrugged it off as fear and trauma caused by the attack. But, as time passed she felt what she'd describe as emotions that weren't hers, sadness and concern. They held messages like understanding, kindness, and security. Eventually, she even began to pick up images. A house with a tower, a city by the river, and a bluff atop which the house set. That was part of the reason she chose the house in Luna Bay. Sapphire never told anyone about these experiences because she was afraid they'd think she was crazy. When she realized the feelings and other sensations weren't going away, Sapphire began looking for information to help her understand what was happening. Now, she wonders if she is telepathic or something because that most fits what she experiences. The most amazing experience occurred after one of her nightmares when she woke up terrified, screaming, and sobbing. She felt someone holding her and heard him whispering softly, “It's OK, you're safe now.” Startled she had glanced around the room she was in, but it was empty. This has occurred nightly after her nightmares. Now she's been reading and learning about the phenomenon; Anything and everything, from what it is to how to use it. “ Maybe I can communicate back one day.” She thought. After a few minutes, the feeling is gone. Sapphire shook her head, picked up her purse and her duffel bag, and headed out to meet her escorts. “Ready?” Us marshal Amos Deacon asked her when she entered the lobby. Not being much for small talk, Sapphire nodded. “Right then. Lets go. We still have approximately another 2 hours to go.” His partner Marshal Jonathan Mace responds as they ambled to the car. Sapphire handed her duffel to Deacon so he can load it into the trunk and climbed into the car. Neither one touches her, not even to help her in or out of the car. Not since Deacon tried to take her hand to help her out of the car when they'd stopped to eat and she'd started panicking. She shrieked and fled to the other side of the seat and curled into a ball on the floor. It had taken the better of fifteen minutes to calm her down. In the end, Marshal Mace had to get their meals to go since they couldn't get her out of the car. Sapphire took her anxiety pills, ate and then slept for awhile worn out. When they stopped to eat supper and rest for the night, she apologized though both men told her it was alright. They didn't blame her for her reaction, after what she'd been through it was understandable. Sapphire stared out the window watching the scenery go by. Mentally, ticking off her checklist as they drove. She wondered if the town would look like the pictures she'd seen or be different. She even wondered about her new home, if she'd like it. There was one thing that worried her about her mysterious land lord, Alexander Drewe. No one knew what he looked like or anything at all about him, except he was rich and owned the little house she was renting. He didn't care what she did to the house as long as she didn't destroy it, all he asked is that she stay out of the tower. She was good with that. Sapphire sat up as they pulled in to Luna Bay. It was a quaint little town on the Mississippi. The main street had a five and dime, a barber shop, a town hall, a grocery store, a police department, a fire department, a hardware store, a bar and grill, and a post office. Two blocks down from there was the town park and a small beach. They turned down Fifth Street and drove past the school which held grades k-12 and then turned on to Bluff Road. Bluff Road wound up the bluff until it came to a stop at the top in front of a single level house with a tower attached which gave the appearance of a light house. On either side of the house, you could see the 6 foot tall brick wall topped with foot long metal spikes. Marshals Deacon and Mace glanced at each other and then at Sapphire who was staring at the house. “Well...” Deacon started, “ I wouldn't want to be the one to climb over r that wall.” “You sure about this house?” Mace asked Sapphire glancing in the rear view mirror. She was feeling the presence again. “You're here. Good. Don't worry you'll be safe.” The voice assured her. Sapphire smiled for the first time since she started on this journey. She looked at the two US Marshals, “Yes I am.” She answered and then she opened the door and got out. It was beautiful and peaceful, and she felt for the first time since she left the hospital that things would be OK. The three of them walked up to the house. As they approached, they door opened to reveal a middle aged man. He stepped closer offering his hand, “Tom Middleson, realtor.” He introduced himself, “So glad you made it, Ms. Rose.” Sapphire stepped away eying him warily. “She doesn't like to be touched, Mr...” Deacon addressed him. “It's Middleson. Sorry I didn't think. It was mentioned in my notes. I thought I'd meet you here, get things squared away, give you the keys and a grand tour of the place.” He said holding out the keys. Sapphire plucked the keys from his hand, “I think I can find my way around, thanks. Did the locks and security system get installed?” Mr. Middleson hesitated, “Um, I thought it would be better to consult Mr. Drewe before doing so.” Sapphire nearly bent double for a minute as panic reigned, then she latched onto a calm she didn't have and took a breath. “I have to have those locks and that security system. I can't live here without them.” She nearly shouted at the man. She pulled out her medication, turned around and took one. This can't be happening, she thought and she continued to take slow deep breaths to calm her self. She heard Deacon snap, “Call him now! I don't care if he gets upset at being disturbed.” Mace leaned toward her, “You OK, sweetie. We'll stay until security is installed. OK? And remember we'll be staying at the bed and breakfast at the bottom of the hill once you are settled in case you need us.” Ignoring the realtor on the phone, Sapphire gave Mace a watery smile and nodded, “Thanks.” He only used sweetie on her when she was on the verge of panic. It worked better than anything else because it let her know he understood and he wasn't judging her. Also he was telling her they'd keep her safe no matter what. The realtor finally got through to Mr. Drewe, “Yes sir, she's here. She wants extra locks and a security system installed. I thought...” Mr. Middleson started, “No sir, they aren't installed... Yes they'll be installed first thing tomorrow, Sorry sir, It won't happen again.” He finished the call and looked at them sheepishly, “Mr. Drewe said to go ahead and put the locks and security system in. He also said to fix the house up the however you want.” They entered the house together now that the security issue was resolved. The living room was to the left of the hall which stretched to the right past the door to the tower and then straight back to the kitchen. The hall was painted a cornflower blue and so was the living room. The living room had a blue leather couch with carved wood detail, a matching love seat, a glass topped coffee table, blue leather topped end tables, and a state of the art entertainment center.. They then proceeded down the hall. The first door on the right was the library. It had three walls filled with books, a window in the middle of one book shelf with a blue covered window seat with blue pillows, a beautiful antique secretary desk with a blue wheeled office chair, and a blue chaise lounge for reading. The next door on the left was the one and only bedroom. It had teal walls, a four poster bed with a beautiful teal quilted bed spread , two leather topped bedside tables, and a beautiful antique dresser with a mirror. Sapphire left her duffel on the bed in the bedroom. The next room on the right was the bathroom. It had sky blue walls, a blue claw foot tub, a glass shower, twin sinks and a counter, and a storage cabinet. Finally the kitchen with a pantry almost as big as a small bedroom, plenty of cupboards, state of the art stove, oven, microwave, and fridge, and a little breakfast nook with a little antique ding table and chairs. The kitchen was painted a sky blue like the bathroom. As they walked back to the door to let the realtor out, Sapphire ordered a couple of pizzas. She was starving and figured the Marshals would be hungry too. Mr. Middleson handed her a piece of paper which contained Mr. Drewe's phone number. “ If you need anything fixed, Mr. Drewe wants you to give him a call.” He explained. Before the realtor left, Deacon walked over to the tower door and tried it. It was locked and the only place they hadn't seen yet. “Where does this door go?” He asked. “That leads to the tower. Mr. Drewe lives there and prefers to be left alone. Hence the reason he requested the new tenant not enter the tower.” Mr. Middleson explained, then he turned to leave, “Goodnight. I'll have some one over first thing in the morning to install the locks and security system.” When the realtor left, they went into the living room to eat the pizza that had just arrived and talk. “ I have to admit that from outside this place is rather intimidating even to us and we're US Marshals, but inside it is beautiful.” Deacon said. “:Yeah,” Mace agreed, “ and it's got hard wood floors through out the house too. That's why I was surprised it rented for so little. I mean $600 a month. Places like this usually rent for $1,000 a month or more. You really got a great deal.” “I know. I've loved this house since I saw it on the realtors site.” she said. They helped her clean up after they ate and then they settled into bed. The two Marshals in the living room. One on the couch and the other on the love seat. Sapphire slept in her new bedroom. Before she went to bed she doubled checked all the locks and decided she'd check out the courtyard in the morning. She fell asleep filled with hope for the future.