by Aj Estelliam
The Creator
AJ Estelliam
Chapter 1
A wave of contentment settled over me like a warm blanket. I sighed in happiness and made my way down the sand. I admired the craggy cliffs and the contrasting softness of the sand; I watched the sea rise and fall and smiled at its beauty.
I loved my new home, I realised. Scotland was beautiful and this little patch of heaven was so secluded and peaceful that I felt refreshed.
The past few months had been hard. My poor head had been through too much and this respite was just what I needed. The troubles had begun after being involved in a head-on car crash. I had received a blow to the head and been put into a coma. When I woke up, my world had altered. Suddenly able to hear people’s thoughts, I had since become involved in police investigations. As a psychic who had visions, I found I was incredibly useful in locating the missing and lost. Alongside my girlfriend, Officer Jess Love, I had helped to unveil a narcissistic sociopath who was stalking my boss - Captain Daniel Withers. It wasn’t until I saw the truth of the crime that I had been able to prevent his death. As it was, it was over. Now, I could rest.
I wandered down the beach leisurely. I was in no rush and for once didn’t have a care in the world. The sea was my companion and it soothed me.
As I walked, I refused to let those thoughts creep in. They lingered at the back of my mind yet I dismissed them. I didn’t want any negative thinking to cloud my happy disposition.
In the distance I could see a figure, and I smiled as I walked towards her. The closer I got, the more wonderful I felt. It was Jess…the woman who made me feel complete.
We walked towards each other on the sand and I grinned to myself happily. I felt as if I was in a movie where the lovers strode towards each other for their happy ending. I knew I had already found mine, although it still felt fresh and new.
As she approached she smiled. ‘Hey you.’
‘Hey,’ I replied, smiling happily. I stepped into her arms and kissed her softly on the lips. She released me and smiled down at me.
‘You look happy,’ she commented.
‘Yeah…I feel quite relaxed for once!’ I laughed.
‘That makes a change!’ she said, tilting her head to look down at me.
‘I know, right! No voices; no visions…it’s peaceful.’
She scanned my face and I could hear her then. She was worried that it would all change when we returned to work. It was clear what a difference having this break had made and she was unsure whether I should even walk back through the door of the police station.
‘Don’t even go there…’ I warned her, frowning.
‘What? I didn’t say anything!’ she exclaimed.
‘I know you didn’t. I could hear it all though. I’ll be fine, Jess!’
‘But you don’t have to come back. If you’re happier just being home or finding a different path, that’s okay, Alex.’
I shook my head, ‘Jess, I know it’s been a hard few months but look at all the good I’ve done. Think about all the lives which would have been lost if I hadn’t been part of the case!’
She nodded, understanding. ‘I know…I just worry about you, Alex.’
I swallowed hard. ‘I won’t deny it’s been hard. I won’t deny that I have found myself questioning it constantly but the thing is I feel like I’m doing something good with my gift. What’s the point of having it, if I don’t use it for good?’
‘There’s using it for good and then using it to assist the police in murder investigations…’
‘True. But surely I’m doing the most I can do by taking on this job?’
‘You are-so long as it isn’t at your expense…’
‘That is something I’ll find out as we go along, I guess.’
‘So…we are going back tomorrow? To work?’
I nodded.
‘You’re sure?’
I nodded again. ‘I’m sure. What about you? Are you feeling alright about the return? I mean, taking on Captain Wither’s role is a little intimidating, isn’t it?’ I said, considering her mind and seeing her fears.
‘Get out of my head,’ she muttered. ‘It’ll be fine, I reckon…he won’t be gone long anyway.’
‘Did you speak to him this morning?’ I wondered.
‘Yeah,’ she sighed. ‘They’re being released from hospital tomorrow. The trouble is, with their house in pieces he’ll have to rebuild everything from scratch. I think Fee is just as devastated at the loss.’
‘At least they’re alive though,’ I commented, frowning at the idea of my boss, the Captain, being at a loss in life. He had always seemed so strong and fearless to me. To see him as he was right now disturbed me.
‘I said that they could stay with us if they wanted,’ she revealed.
I raised my eyebrows in surprise. I hadn’t expected that. ‘Oh really?’
‘Would you mind?’ she asked.
‘I…no! I mean, I think it’s a good idea! They need somewhere to start rebuilding their lives.’
She nodded. ‘I don’t think he’ll say yes, but I’ve put the offer out there. They’re literally starting from nothing. It’s going to be a nightmare,’ she frowned.
I sighed. ‘They’ll be okay…I can see it.’
She nodded, eyeing me closely. ‘You can?’
‘Yes. The baby comes safely…I can them being happy and content…I’m sure it’s all going to be fine.’
‘That’s reassuring. So, you coming?’ she asked.
‘Where?’
‘Back to the house? It’s getting late! I, for one, am hungry,’ she said laughing.
‘Yeah…do you mind if I head up in a short while? I’m enjoying the peace down here…’
‘Worried it will be shattered come tomorrow?’
‘I know it will be. Just all those people…all those voices,’ I told her. ‘I just want a little more quiet and serenity.’
‘I understand that. I’ll go and start some dinner. See you in a short while?’
‘Yeah…definitely,’ I nodded.
She kissed me gently and then turned to head back up the beach. I wandered down to the edge of the water and gazed out at the sea. The waves were gently lilting against the sand and it calmed me. I breathed in the salty air and felt myself relaxing even more. I sighed in contentment, drawing in deep, restorative breaths. I lost track of time as I stood there, calming and preparing myself. I didn’t know what I was preparing myself for, but I felt that there was something coming. Something significant. As I turned to wander back up the beach, I felt a tremble inside. What was coming? And why did fear lace my stomach as I anticipated it?
I reached our house which overlooked the cliffs to the beach. I now thought of it as ‘our’ house rather than Jess’s house. It had become my home and I felt settled. I was glad I had moved to Scotland to live with Jess. The scenery was beautiful and the area quiet and peaceful. If it wasn’t for crimes and murderers, the place would be perfect.
‘There you are!’ Jess exclaimed as I arrived home.
‘Sorry. I got lost in thought.’
‘I’ll say! Your dinner is on the side getting cold.’
‘Thanks,’ I said, heading to collect it. I warmed it in the microwave and then sat down to eat. As I did, I looked over at Jess.
‘You alright?’ I asked her.
She nodded, her face set in a grim line.
‘You don’t need to be nervous,’ I told her.
‘I’m not!’ she exclaimed.
‘Not much,’ I murmured.
‘Well…it wasn’t something I chose! If it hadn’t been for Captain Withers requesting that I take over, I never would have done it.’
‘No,’ I mused. ‘But I think it will be good for you.’
‘Why
?’
‘Because you’ll have to make decisions. You won’t be able to sit on the fence. It’ll force you to be more decisive.’
‘Are you saying I’m not?’
‘Well, not always, no,’ I told her.
‘Charming!’ she scoffed. ‘Thanks for the vote of confidence.’
‘I didn’t mean it offensively, Jess. I just meant being the one in charge means that you have to make the right choices and I think that will be a good learning curve for you. Also, it doesn’t last long so you needn’t panic.’
‘How long do you foresee then?’
‘Not long,’ I said, shaking my head. ‘I can see Dan sitting at his desk, staring at the stump where his finger was. The scar is still fresh and unhealed so he’s back soon.’
She nodded, looking satisfied. ‘Good. I don’t want to do this for any length of time.’
‘I know you don’t, so don’t panic because you don’t.’
She sighed. ‘I’m going to go and take a bath before bed time. See you in a bit?’ she said standing up.
‘Yes. I’ll be up in a short while,’ I promised. I watched her go with a strange feeling in my stomach.
I dismissed it and finished my dinner. When I was done, I took my plate to the kitchen and washed up before turning off everything and heading upstairs. I changed and climbed into bed, switching on the television.
When Jess joined me, we settled down to sleep. As I fell into unconsciousness, I drifted…
He saw himself as an artist; a sculpture of the flesh. His macabre design was coming together now…he was pleased. He sat back and admired his handiwork, felt the rush of pleasure which came from his achievement. Mine, he thought to himself. All mine.
Chapter 2
I sat up in bed with a start and was violently sick. The duvet cover in front of me was instantly stained with the putrid smell of vomit and I gagged again and again.
‘What the…?’ Jess woke, startled at the scene.
I retched again, holding my stomach in pain.
‘Alex! Let’s get you to the bathroom!’
I stumbled and was half carried to the bathroom where Jess helped to strip me down and clean me up. I shivered as she dried me in a towel and then stood in a huddled mess while she found new clothes for me.
The whole duvet including the cover was bundled up and put in a black sack before Jess re-made the bed with new sheets and covers. I watched from the corner, sat on a seat whilst shaking. Ten minutes later, she came over to sit before me.
‘So, come on…what was all that about?’
‘I got sick,’ I murmured, frowning and not being able to contain the shivers which shot through my body.
‘Why?’ she asked. ‘It can’t have been the food because I ate it and I’m fine. Tell me what you saw.’
‘You instantly think it’s a vision?’ I said, lifting my gaze to hers.
‘I know it is. I know you, Alex. I can see the physical shift in your body when it happens. You’re a mess.’
‘Gee, thanks honey,’ I said sarcastically.
‘You know what I mean…mentally. You go from being happy go lucky to frowning and looking perturbed. Tell me what you saw.’
I swallowed hard. ‘It’s hard to describe…it began as more of a thought process to be honest…’
‘Go on,’ she encouraged.
‘I saw him watching something. It was like he was admiring his work.’
‘What kind of work?’
I swallowed. ‘Parts,’ I told her grimly.
‘Parts?’
‘Of bodies,’ I revealed.
Her eyebrows lifted and she said nothing more.
‘I saw a whole load of body parts but in the wrong places, Jess. It was disgusting. Absolutely disgusting. I was sick because of the image he saw in front of him as his ‘art.’
‘So…you think there’s a man out there making ‘art’ out of body pieces?’ she questioned.
I looked down at my hands which were clasped so hard they were white and pinched. ‘I don’t know, Jess…I’m just telling you what I saw. I really don’t want to see that again though. I really don’t want to ever close my eyes again and see that sick image.’
‘Okay, okay…come on, let’s put the television on and at least rest. It’s only three in the morning and we have to work tomorrow. Let’s try and just chill out a bit.’
I nodded bravely but wasn’t feeling very confident. I knew what she was saying but I was the one who had to see the depravity of the man’s actions. ‘Okay. Let’s go back to bed,’ I agreed. I would go but would not sleep. I wasn’t going to risk it.
Hours later, I still sat wide awake in bed. Jess slept beside me soundly but I was troubled. The images were flashing every now and then but if I didn’t close my eyes, they didn’t remain. I fought them every time they tried to come into my consciousness, batting them back mentally. Flashes…just flashes here and there of a limb, a saw, an axe and the blood. I couldn’t handle it so I didn’t allow it to enter my mind.
When the alarm finally sounded at six in the morning, Jess turned over with a groan.
‘Is it morning already?’ she complained.
‘Yeah,’ I said brightly. I was glad I could get up. The darkness held too much evil for me right now.
‘Have you stayed awake all this time?’ she questioned.
‘Yeah,’ I replied. ‘I didn’t want to sleep.’
‘No?’
‘No,’ I said shaking my head.
‘Do you still feel sick?’
‘No. Just nauseous about the chaos that some perverted individuals can create.’
‘Yeah,’ she sighed. ‘Isn’t that the truth! So, you think this is the beginning of a new case.’
‘Oh, I hope not, Jess. I don’t think I can deal with multiple body parts everywhere.’
She looked off for a moment, seemingly considering this. ‘We deal with what comes our way, right?’
‘I guess.’
‘Come on then. Let’s get this day under way.’
I followed her out of bed reluctantly. I had a feeling that this day wasn’t going to be a good one.
An hour later, we pulled into the police station. It was still early and the car park was relatively quiet.
We headed in and took the lift to our floor. Stepping out onto the landing, I fell into step beside Jess as we went in. she headed towards the desks in the centre of the room and stopped at the end one.
‘Hey Billy,’ she greeted a fellow officer.
‘Oh hey, JJ. Hello,’ he said to me politely.
‘Billy, this is Alex Hope. Alex-this is Billy Chapman, one of our officers.’
‘Yes, I remember you actually,’ I told him. ‘You were there at the cabin when I first came on holiday in Scotland.’
‘Oh yes!’ Jess said, recalling.
‘I was there,’ he nodded. ‘Strange crime that was,’ he said, rubbing his stubble.
‘Yeah, anyway-Alex is going to sit across from you. I’ve arranged for you to have this workstation, Alex. Billy, please update Alex on all the cases we’re currently working on and see if there’s any tasks you can set for her.’
He nodded. ‘Will do, Captain.’
‘Don’t call me that,’ she frowned.
‘I thought you were our temporary Captain?’ he questioned.
‘I am. But you can call me JJ.’
‘Don’t you want to enjoy your moment of power?’ he joked.
‘No,’ she frowned. ‘I’d rather not be doing it at all!’
‘I’ll do it!’ he said, wide-eyed.
‘Oh, for fucks sake, Billy-you’re only like twelve!’ she laughed, and turned to walk away.
With Jess gone, I turned to Billy for guidance. ‘So! What’s going on at the moment?’
He whirled his chair around and pointed to the screen in front of him. ‘Well, at the moment we’re looking at two missing persons cases. Two men, both white have gone missing in the space of the last twenty-four hours. We d
on’t have any leads and we’re baffled. I’m going through the CCTV tapes from the local train station because one of the men was on his way home from work. It seems he got off at a certain stop and was not seen again. I’m looking for the other man to check if there is any link.’
‘I see,’ I murmured, frowning at the blurry image in front of him. ‘Do you have pictures of the missing men?’ I asked.
‘Yes. Here,’ he said, reaching for the file.
I accepted the brown manila folder and took it to my new desk. I began to leaf through it and read the case details.
The first man who was missing was called ‘Gareth Turner’ and he was a twenty-one-year-old white male. He had been working on the day he went missing and after leaving the supermarket where he worked, had been seen getting onto the train to travel home. From that point on, his whereabouts were a mystery.
The second man was called James Smithers. He was twenty-four and again; a white male. He had last been seen, by his landlady, leaving the flat where he lived. After disappearing into the winter morning, he had never even made it to work. His whereabouts were completely unknown also.
I stared at the pictures of the two men and got absolutely nothing from looking at their faces. It seemed when I wanted the images to come they wouldn’t and when I didn’t want visions, they came like a steam train…slapping me in the face with their severity.
‘I don’t know what happened to these men,’ I commented.
‘No, of course not. Why would you?’ he murmured distractedly and then glanced up suddenly. ‘Oh yeah! I forgot! You’re psychic!’
I groaned, rubbing my face. ‘Would you like to say that any louder?’ I asked him, glancing around.
‘Oh, sorry. People don’t know?’
‘Some do, some don’t. I’d prefer it wasn’t advertised to all that are present though,’ I said, looking at him straight-on.
‘Yeah, sure…yeah…so, can you see inside my head?’ he asked, frowning in my direction.
I stared at him and listened. His thoughts were slightly worried and I held his big, brown eyes. He was so young, I thought to myself. Such a young lad to be in this position of authority. In his head he was young too…struggling with a few matters and finding it hard to accept the person he was destined to be. ‘Yes, I can hear you. You shouldn’t worry so much, Billy.’
