Puzzle Pieces

Chapter 20

“Annabel!” My mother called, rushing towards me. She sounded far off in a tunnel somewhere.

Terry grabbed me just before I was going to hit the ground. I guess this explained the dream where my mom came up to me with a smile. She did know him. Why didn’t I connect the dots when she talked about getting a new coworker? I mean, I guess I just thought Terry was a female. The majority of real estate agents I’ve met over the years have been female. Maybe that has something to do with it? I don't know, but man was I wrong.

“Easy does it,” Terry said, setting me down softly. I pushed out of his arms with all the strength I could.

“No, don’t touch me!” I shouted, scooting away from him, instantly pulling out of the dizziness.

“Annabel James! Why are you behaving like that?” my mother shouted, putting her hands on her hips.

“No, it’s okay. I’m a stranger and I shouldn’t have-“

“Have what? Helped her? Thank you, Terry, for catching her before she fell to the floor. I’m sorry about my daughter. She really hasn’t been behaving the past few days. I have no idea what’s gotten into her,” my mom explained, lifting me up from the ground. “Annabel, we need to get you back to the doctor.”

“Lori, I don’t think you should stand her up just yet. She should at least lay on the couch for a bit. Don’t want her falling over on you again,” Terry said, putting his hands in his pockets.

“I don’t need to lay down. I’m fine,” I said, pulling my mom with me out of the kitchen.

“Annabel, you passing out two times in two days isn’t normal. You’re clearly not fine. I’m taking you to the hospital.”

“No, mom. I’m not going. I said I’m fine. I just…”

“What? Shock again? Either way, there has to be something going on.”

“Mom, I’m fine. It’s just…Terry, he’s the bad man,” I whispered, making her jerk away from me.

“What? What bad man?”

“The one who has Katrina,” I answered. She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.

“Not this again. Annabel, Terry doesn’t have Katrina. He is not a bad man. If you’re having dreams about him, it’s probably because you’ve seen him around town and not knowing who he is, created this illusion in your head.”

“But mom-“

“No, but nothing. Stop! Just stop. I don’t want to keep talking about this. You might be trying to distract me, but I’m taking you to the hospital,” she interrupted me.

“I’m not going! I’m not trying to distract you. I’m fine. I didn’t even truly pass out.”

“Well, I’m at least going to call the doctor. Go check on the food and let Terry know I’ll be just a minute,” she said, pushing me towards the kitchen before she went into her room.

I took a deep breath and slowly walked into the kitchen. Damnit woman, listen to me! What could I do? Terry watched me as I walked into the kitchen.

“Are you feeling okay?” Terry asked while I walked to the stove.

His voice made my skin crawl. I didn’t bother answering. I looked at the boiling pasta water and fought every urge to throw it at him. Thinking about what he did to Katrina and hearing her small screams in my mind, I gripped the pot handles with both hands, all while fighting the urge to hear him scream as the water and noodles soaked his clothes, burning him in the process.

“Here, let me get this for you,” he said, getting closer to me. My stomach dropped as he put his hands on mine. I flinched away from him and a small giggle escaped his lips. “I keep spooking you, don’t I? Sorry about that. I’m Terry, by the way. Nice to officially meet you. I've actually seen you around town a few times. Must be a busy girl," he said with a very creepy smile spreading across his lips.

I couldn't say anything. My lips couldn’t comprehend or even try to form words. I wanted to run out of there, but I couldn't move. Though my mind was already half way out the door, my body stood standing still in the kitchen. He walked closer to me, his arm stretched out like he wanted a handshake. I mentally backed into a wall as I stood frozen in place in the kitchen. He took my hand in his and covered it with his other hand. The creepy smile deepened.

“I’m actually glad your mother stepped out,” he said, lowering his voice. “I wanted to speak with you. The moment you walked into the kitchen, I recognized you.”

“Y-you did?”

“Yeah. Like I said, I’ve seen you around town. You've been watching me. Following me,” he answered with a light chuckle. I was practically a statue by the way I stood frozen. “I don't know why you’d follow me, nor do I care, but I can assure you, you don't want to follow me."

"I, uh, don't know what you're talking about," I managed to whisper.

"I think you do. Want to know how I can tell? You're afraid of me. Why would you be afraid of me unless you had something to hide? I find it...interesting that you have a little crush on me, but it's rather inappropriate. I mean I am so much older than you and I’m your mother's co-worker.”

“Wait, what?”

“Don’t worry, I'll keep this between us, but please stop following me or I'll have to let her know," he said, rubbing my cheek with his thumb as he cupped my chin. His breath on my face as he held me in place sent chills down my spine. My stomach turned and nausea rose in my throat. My body started dry heaving. He jerked his hand back and I ran out of the kitchen to the nearest bathroom.

After washing out my mouth and washing my face, there was a knock on the door. "Anna? Are you okay?" my mom's voice called to me from the other side of the door. I peaked open the door and pulled her inside. Her eyes grew wide. "What is it, Anna?"

"Mom, I know you don’t believe me, but I’m telling you,” I started, but my mom shook her head.

“You’re not going to drop it, are you?”

“That's him mom. I know that it’s him. With every fiber of my being, I know he’s the one who has Katrina. And he wants Mikayla," I whispered to make sure he wouldn't hear.

“Mikayla? He hasn’t even met…look. What is it going to take for you to stop? To get it through your head that your dreams are just dreams? Terry does not have Katrina. He does not want Mikayla. He’s just a man who moved to Sierra Hills to get a new start.”

“Mom, what is it going to take for you to believe me?” I asked, crossing my arms in front of me. “When he’s caught, maybe I’ll stop having the dreams and that will be the end of it. But he has Katrina and I want the Sheriff to find her before its too late.”

“I don’t like this, Annabel. But if you need to call the Sheriff and have him look into it for this to stop, do it. More than that, whatever answers you get from the sheriff, whether its news you like or not, I want you to stop. Stop everything that you’re doing. And in the future, remember that dreams are just dreams,,” she said firmly before walking out of the bathroom.

I ran upstairs to my room to get my cell and call the sheriff’s department.

"Sheriff Department," the woman's voice said in greeting.

"I need to speak to Sheriff Silverman. It's an emergency," I said, pacing around my room. I twirled my hair in my fingertips, waiting for her to transfer the call.

"What's your emergency?"

"I have the man who kidn*pped Katrina Peterson in my house."

"Please hold while I connect you," she said in a rushed voice. After what seemed like an eternity, the Sheriff’s voice came through the phone.

"Sheriff Silverman,” he said gruffly into the phone.

"Sheriff, it's Annabel James,” I said, making him sigh. “Sheriff, he’s here. I have the kidnapper in my house!"

"Annabel, I told you-"

"I know, but he's here! You have to hurry and get here."

"Okay, Annabel, let's say I do believe you and I do go over there. On what grounds can I arrest him or even question him? Especially in regards to Katrina’s case? There aren't any. Hearsay is insubstantial and can easily be inadmissible in court. By you calling here, even if I did go over to take a chance on what you’re saying, that's cause for entrapment. Like I said before, don't call here anymore. If you do, and whatever you have to say pertains to this case, you'll be punished. Do I make myself clear?" He asked sternly. Again, I feel like I’m five years old, but I can’t take no for an answer.

"Sheriff Silverman, I'm telling you the-"

"I SAID do I make myself clear, Annabel?" he repeated louder and more stern, making me flinch.

"Yes," I said before he hung up on me. Tears stung my eyes and my breathing was rough. Now what will I do? He doesn’t believe me. I have the guy right in the middle of my house and there’s nothing I can do about it. My mom doesn’t believe me and the sheriff doesn’t believe me. There’s only one person who does, and he has Mikayla with him. I pulled out my phone and dialed Noah's cell.

"What's up?" he answered after the second ring.

"There's a problem."

"What do you mean?"

"You know the person who we're supposed to be protecting Mikayla from?" I said quietly into the phone.

"Yeah?" he asked and I knew he was raising his eyebrows. I took a deep breath before answering.

"He's here.”