by Kris Norris
Fallon listened to the connection go dead, her hand still clamped around the phone. It took a few moments before she was able to place it back on the table, forcing her fingers to open one by one. She stared at it, half expecting it to ring again, when she felt the familiar shuffle. The bedroom faded, blurring to black before materialising again. She turned and tried to focus on Gil, but his silhouette vanished, melding into a grey wall. She could hear a voice ringing through the empty room, but it wasn’t Gil’s that called to her.
“Are you there, Angel? I can feel your presence. You must be near.”
She scrambled to her feet, and hid behind a bundle of boxes stacked along the wall. The Priest was somewhere off to her right, beyond the light. She inched forward, peeking around the edge. Dark shadows pocketed the space, giving the room a mottled appearance. She drew back, not quite sure what to do. Even if he could see her, it wasn’t as if she was really there. He’d only see a ghost of her reflection. But the thought of facing him sent cold shivers up her spine. She’d never had to deal with this kind of connection before.
Minutes ticked by. She looked around the room again, a strange feeling prickling the hairs on her neck. It looked familiar, but the layout was wrong. Where she expected to see a row of windows, there was nothing but metal walls. And all the windows on the opposite side of the room had been boarded over. An image of Charlie’s pale face wavered in her mind, but it faded into the sound of footsteps.
“What’s it going to be, Angel? Are you going to hide from me forever?”
He was circling the room, waiting for her to make the first move. She took a deep breath and stepped out, walking to the centre. She stopped in a bright patch of light, and waited.
“Such a pretty face. Does it serve you well?”
His voice was behind her now and she spun in the hopes of catching a glimpse of him. He was moving through the shadows, keeping his body cloaked. “I’m here, just like you wanted. Now show yourself.”
“Not yet. We both know you disappear whenever we look directly at each other, so our formal introduction will have to wait until later.” He’d moved off to the left now. “Tell me. Do I appear transparent too?”
She looked down at her hands, but everything here was solid to her. “It depends on how strongly I’m summoned.”
“So it’s only you that shimmers in the light.” He laughed, his voice stronger, closer. “You really do look like an angel.”
“Are you going to tell me why you wanted me here?”
Fallon could almost hear his shoulders shrug as a soft sigh whispered across the air. “I thought we agreed you were going to tell your lover where to find me?”
“You could’ve done that over the phone. There’s another reason you wanted to see me.”
The Priest laughed. “Not only beautiful, but smart as well.” He took a step forward and Fallon saw his boots emerge from the darkness. “Tell me, Angel. Do you use your gifts for good…or evil?”
“Please. Just let me help you. I can come to the meeting…we can talk.”
“Don’t worry, Angel. We’ll meet soon. And then I’ll tell you everything.” He shuffled closer, revealing his waist and thighs. “Tell your man to meet me back at the chapel. And tell him not to bother searching for me. I’ll find him.”
Fallon took a step back, just as The Priest stepped forward, baring himself to the grey light. Her body jolted backwards, the images around her beginning to fade. He smiled at her, the tilt of his lips so like another’s she felt the air purge from her chest, the faint echo of her name following her into the light.
“Fallon! Damn it, Fallon, talk to me!”
Gil’s voice was urgent, and she could feel the firm grip of his hands on her shoulders. He was shaking her, his breath hot against her neck. She forced her eyes open, groaning as the room continued to shift. “Chapel.”
Gil stilled at the sound of her voice, cupping her shoulders rather than squeezing them. “What about the chapel?”
She looked up at him, needing to tell him her hunch, but unable to voice her concerns. She was fading again, falling back into the darkness.
“Darling, please.”
She licked her lips, forcing the words through clenched teeth. “He’s back at the chapel.” She shook her head, wrapping her fingers around his arm. “Something…not right. Gil…don’t.” The rest of what she wanted to say got lost in the haze dragging her under. Too many visions in such a short time had exhausted her body, and she just couldn’t seem to keep her eyes open. She focused on one last thought, putting all her energy into a single word. “Charlie.”
Gil watched Fallon fade into unconsciousness, her head lolling off to one side. She’d lost all the colour in her face and she looked like she’d gone a week without sleep. He felt his chest tighten and his eyes sting. But even like this she was beautiful. And so strong. He wanted to gather her up in his arms and hold her until the nightmare was over. But if he didn’t stop The Priest now, he knew Fallon would never be free. And he loved her too much to watch her suffer.
Gil scoped her off the floor and placed her gently in the bed, brushing the hair back from her face as he skimmed her forehead with his lips. Her skin was cool and clammy, and he reached for the blankets as he flipped open his phone and dialled the number.
“Wade Davis.”
His partner’s voice was deep and heavy, and Gil realised he’d probably woken the man. “Wade, Gil.”
“Geez, Gil. Don’t I get a chance to sleep? Not that I imagine you got much sleep last night.” His friend chuckled. “Hope you two remembered to keep your voices down with a cruiser parked outside.”
“We did our best. But it looks like the honeymoon’s over. The bastard just called. He wants to meet us back at the chapel. I’m not sure what his intentions are, but it’s worth the risk.”
“Did he ask for us specifically?”
“By name. I was listening on the phone when he told Fallon the message. He seems to have discovered our relationship.”
“I don’t like the sound of that.”
“Me neither. That’s why I’m going to have Trevor send another unit over. I need to know she’s safe before I leave.”
“I’m on my way. I’ll pick you up in say…ten.”
“I’ll be waiting, buddy. Let’s make sure we nail him this time.”
Gil hung up the phone and sat down on the edge of the bed, turning to watch Fallon sleep. She looked so fragile tucked beneath the white sheets, he had to force himself to stand up and fetch his clothes. He thought about what she’d tried to tell him and wondered why she always came back to Charlie? And how his dead partner could be the missing connection between her and The Priest.
He shook his head, stuffing his hands through his shirt, as he glanced back at her one last time. Soon the horror would be over, and he could only pray her visions would end with it.
* * * *
Fallon rolled to her side, keeping her eyes shut against the pain. Her head felt like someone was running a jackhammer inside it. Even her teeth hurt from the continual pounding. She pressed her palm against the bridge of her noise and released a shuddering breath. Maybe if she moved slowly…
Sparks pierced the darkness, but she forced herself up, feeling the room dip and sway as she swung her feet over the edge of the bed. Cool air caressed her skin, spreading goose bumps along her legs and arms. She cracked her eyes open and reached for Gil’s T-shirt still folded on the chair, slipping it over her head. The movement sent a wave of nausea churning through her stomach, but she ignored it, grabbing some socks off the floor. It took her three tries to stand up, but after the room stopped spinning, she found her balance and headed for the closet, emerging with a pair of sweats.
Images flip-flopped in her head as she opened the bedroom door and padded her way to the kitchen. She’d just flipped the kettle on when a hand tapped her on the shoulder.
Fallon screamed, grabbed the hand and turned, twisting the man’s arm. Adrenaline pounded through
her veins, giving her strength. She slammed the guy against her fridge, locking his arm behind his back. He cursed and tried to turn, but she had him pinned by the arm.
“Are you quite done now, Fallon? Or do I have to get Ken in here to pull you off me.”
Her eyes bulged wide. She knew that voice. “Jeff?”
“The one and only. Now, if you don’t mind…” He grunted, tugging against her hold.
She gasped and released his arm, stepping back as he whirled to face her. “What are you doing here?”
Jeff shook out his arm, wiggling his fingers as if to ensure himself they still worked. “Protecting you, though I think your boyfriend underestimates your prowess with a fridge at your disposal. That was some move.”
She shrugged moving over to the chair. Now that her initial panic was gone, the pain in her head surged forward. She collapsed on one of the chairs, palming her head again. Boyfriend. Had Gil put it that way or had Jeff jumped to his own conclusions? Either way, she liked the sound of it. “Gil sent for you?”
“Apparently he and Trevor are worried you might be the next victim. So he asked Ken and I to kept an eye on you while another unit stays parked outside.” He pulled out a chair and sat down beside her. “Hey, are you okay. You don’t look so good.”
“Headache,” she mumbled. “I’ll be okay.” She glanced at the clock. “How long have you been here?”
“About an hour.”
“Gil’s been gone an hour?” she repeated, forcing her way over to the counter. She picked up the phone. “Has he called?”
“Nothing yet.” He stood up and walked over to her. “I’m sure everything’s fine. He could be quite a while if they managed to catch the creep.”
Fallon nodded as Jeff sauntered back into the living room, but it didn’t stop the uneasy feeling crawling up her spine. She was still having trouble organising her thoughts from the last vision, but she trusted her instincts enough to know something was wrong. She dialled his cell, praying he’d pick up.
“Fallon? What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
Gil’s voice was a mixture of fear and anger, and she could only hope the latter wasn’t directed at her. “I’m okay. Where are you?”
“I’m in Wade’s truck. We’re still at the chapel. Why?”
She shook her head, trying to clear it. “The Priest. Did you get him?”
“No. He never showed. At least we never saw him. There’s a chance he’s watching. Waiting to see if we came alone. But I think it’s a waste of time. How’s your head?”
“Feels like someone’s playing the bongos inside. I don’t think he was ever planning on meeting you there. That’s where he told me to send you, but it’s not where he summoned me from. He wasn’t at the chapel in my vision.”
“Do you know where he was?”
She moaned as another wave of pain rolled through her head. If it kept up, she’d pass out again. She tried to talk into the phone, but only managed a whimper.
“Fallon? Darling are you okay? Talk to me.”
“My head. Damn. It’s hard to think.” She forced in a deep breath and tried to concentrate on the image of the room she’d been inside. “I went to a large room. I felt like I’d been there before, but not really been there. More like in a dream. Everything was the same, only in the wrong place. There was a long row of boarded up windows and…”
Her voice cut into a keening cry as the kitchen shifted and dissolved into a dark room. She could see the faint gleam of light under a door at the far end, and there was the scent of oranges in the air.
“Fallon! Fallon! Damn it, what’s going on? Fallon!”
Gil yelled into the phone, his voice echoing in her ear as she sank to the floor, the phone still clutched in her hand. “Gil.” More images filled her head, but she tried to stay connected long enough to tell Gil what she was seeing. “Room. It’s dark. He’s opening a door.” Pain flared through her head and it was all she could do not to scream. The Priest was moving down a hall, his attention focused on a man sitting on a couch. “He’s coming up behind a man. There’s a couch and…”
Her mouth opened into a soundless scream as she watched The Priest knock the other man over the head with a bat, tossing it aside as he turned towards another doorway. She recognised the colour of the walls and the feel of the floor. She closed her eyes, her consciousness slipping away as she spoke one last time into the phone.
“He’s here.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Gil heard the phone clatter to the floor. He screamed her name, knowing she couldn’t hear him, but needing to try. A cold sweat erupted across his skin, stinging his eyes as it dripped down his forehead.
“Damn it, Gil. What’s happening?”
“Punch it. Now!”
Wade didn’t stop to question, but hit the accelerator, making the tires squeal as he jumped a kerb and screeched down the road. Horns blared in the background, drowned out by the wail of the siren.
Gil grabbed the mike and keyed up the radio. “Dispatch, I need you to connect me with the police unit stationed outside Fallon Kinkade’s house.” He thumbed the button, cursing with every breath. The truck shuddered as Wade threw the vehicle around a corner, nearly tipping it over.
“Delta three, go ahead.”
“This is Special Agent Grant. I just received a distress call from inside the house. What the hell’s going on?”
Static whined over the air before the officer’s voice spoke again. “Everything looks good from here, Agent Grant. And the other two officers are still inside as you requested. But if you’d like, we’ll head on in and check things out.”
“Yes, I’d like,” he sneered, checking his watch. “It’s been three minutes. Stay together and check every door and window in the place. And whatever you do, don’t kill anyone before you’re sure they’re on the other side.”
The officer rumbled a big ten-four and Gil listened to the line go dead. “Fuck!”
“We’re almost there, Gil. He couldn’t have gotten far, not with Fallon either fighting him or unconscious. We’ll get her back.”
“I’ll kill him.” Gil felt his partner nod in his direction, neither needing to say what was on both their minds.
* * * *
Ten more minutes had dragged by before Wade screeched to a halt in front of Fallon’s house. Gil didn’t even wait for the truck to stop rolling before jumping out and racing up to the door. An officer was standing on the porch, his hands stuffed in his pockets as Gil skidded to a halt. “Well?”
The man shook his head, pushing the door open. “We’ve checked the entire premise, sir. The two officers are still unconscious.” He pointed over towards the couch. “One in the living room, the other in the bathroom at the end of the hallway. Paramedics are on the way.”
“Where’s Fallon.”
The man’s face paled. “I’m sorry, Agent Grant. She’s gone.”
Gil felt the room sway as he ran into the kitchen and stared at the phone lying discarded on the floor. “Did you touch or move anything?”
“Nothing, sir. We only ensured both men were still alive before calling it in.”
He nodded, but the words barely registered. She’d been here, standing in the kitchen, when the bastard had taken her. And he’d done nothing to stop him.
“Gil?”
He looked up. Wade was standing in front of him, his cell cradled in his hand. “I’ve got an ABP out on Fallon, and Trevor’s sending more units this way. We’ll canvass the neighbourhood. Someone must have seen something. If we can get a licence plate or a better description of the vehicle, we might be able to track him. Trevor said he’ll send out the helicopter if it’ll help.”
“What fucking good will the chopper do when we don’t even know which way the bastard went!”
Wade cringed at the tone of his voice, but he didn’t care. Fallon was gone. And he didn’t have a clue where to start looking. He cursed and headed back outside, needing some air to clear his thoughts.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…” Wade’s voice trailed off into a sigh.
Gil turned to his friend, giving the man a pat on the back. “I know you’re just trying to help. I just hate feeling so damn helpless. I should’ve known the chapel was a set-up. He just wanted us out of the way so he could come after Fallon. She was his target all along.”
“Did Fallon say anything on the phone before it went dead that might suggest she knew where he was taking her.”
Gil ran a shaky hand through his hair, trying to remember Fallon’s last words. “She was confused. Something about the chapel. How she didn’t think he was planning on meeting us there. That she’d been somewhere else in her vision.”
Wade stepped closer. “Did she know where? A street? A building? Anything?”
Gil sifted through the words tumbling around in his head. But all he could think about was how they really might be her last words.
“Gil?”
He looked up at his partner, wondering why the man was still bothering him. “What?” he snapped.
“We’ll get her back. But right now you need to tell me what she said on the phone before The Priest arrived.”
Gil turned to look at his truck parked in her driveway. He remembered carrying her into the bedroom, holding her like he never wanted to let go. She’d felt so fragile in his arms, but she’d never stopped trying to help the women she saw. And now she was one of them.
“Gil.”
“She didn’t know,” he bit out, spinning to face Wade. “She just said it wasn’t the chapel and that she felt like she’d been there before, but not really. I didn’t understand what she meant. She was trying to describe it to me when she got drawn into another vision.” He lowered his face so Wade wouldn’t see the shame in his eyes. “She saw him stalking her, but couldn’t do anything to stop him.”
Anger punched through his chest and kicked at the railing on the side of Fallon’s porch. The wood cracked and heaved and it was all he could do not to rip the damn thing apart and toss it across the lawn.
