Visions Of The Past

by Elizabeth Mahood

  They pulled into a parking lot and got out. Cade took her hand and immediately other people in town started staring.

  “Hasn’t anyone ever seen the sheriff out in town?” Ellie asked with a scowl. Cade chuckled at her.

  “No one has ever seen me out in town with a woman before. I stay pretty much to myself.” Cade stated, waving at a few people and tipping his hat to a few others. He was so hot. It was chilly and he was wearing a brown leather coat, dark jeans, and a winter sweater. He wore his Wisconsin Badger hat proudly on his head and he pulled her into a long kiss as they waited for the light to turn green so they could cross the street.

  “Are you putting on a show?” She asked pulling back breathlessly? He grinned at her.

  “No, I like kissing you and just felt the need to do it.” Cade stated winking at her. Would she always feel this high she felt when she was with him? They stopped in a local fudge shop and tried samples of the different chocolates, a few local stores with pictures of trees, deer, fish and other locally made trinkets. A popcorn shop sat at the end of the street and they stopped to pick some up for Cade’s father who enjoyed the treat from time to time. They made their way back down the street and Ellie needed to use the bathroom. She excused herself and headed to the back of the small cafe. Cade had waited outside and after leaving the bathroom, Ellie found herself blocked from exiting by two men. They looked slightly familiar but she didn’t know why.

  “Excuse me.” She said, trying to move around them. They stepped in her way.

  “Aren’t you Elinore Ridley?” One of the men asked. One was large, wearing a John Deere hat and the other was skinny and greasy looking with a scar above one eye.

  “Yes, someone is waiting for me, if you will excuse me.” She stated, a small amount of fear snaking through her.

  “Yeah, we saw you tonguing the sheriff. You got any more of that to go around for us commoners?” The larger man asked moving closer. She backed up against the wall and couldn’t see outside.

  “I would please like for you to move out of my way.” Ellie said on a shaky breath. The skinny one grabbed her arm.

  “No, I think I’d like a sample of the goods. I hear you are living in Seattle now. Miss high and mighty. I bet they fuck different out there huh?” He said, leering at her and moving his hips towards her. She tried to back up but couldn’t because of the wall behind her. The big man grabbed her other arm.

  “Ever had two at once? After we are done with you, the Sheriff won’t want what’s left.” He said moving in towards her. Ellie brought her knee up and connected with the larger man’s crotch. His face turned red as he bent over and screamed. The skinny one’s face turned cold.

  “Fucking bitch.” He said with a snarl, raising his hand to hit her. An arm snaked around the skinny one’s neck and suddenly the guy was on the ground with Cade’s knee in his back.

  “What the fuck do you think you are doing JD? Harassing my woman and attempted assault. That will get you a couple of weeks.” Cade growled. He must have put pressure on the man’s back because the skinny man howled.

  “Fuck Sheriff, that’s assault.” He cried.

  “Shut the fuck up, I have a unit on the way so don’t make me have to use force to keep you quiet.” Cade said as he looked up at her but she felt herself drifting. The visions were coming and she couldn’t stop it. She heard Cade in the distance say “Are you ok baby?” She couldn’t answer him. She was in the forest, laying on the ground. Men were standing over her and she could hear them talking.

  “I don’t know, she was fine when I grabbed her, a little feisty but fine. Maybe she is having a fit or something. Her sister didn’t fight me at all, but then she was knocked out.” Ellie felt her heart slamming into her chest. She was back in the forest at 16 years old and she was in the middle of having her vision, but she was having a vision of her vision.

  “Wake her the fuck up, or kill her. We weren’t even supposed to take the older sister but since she’s not causing a problem and this one seems lame, better to dispose of her. I don’t think the pastor will care that much anyway. We got a two for one deal and if he argues about it, our boss will remind him of the deal he made.” Ellie couldn’t breathe, she opened her eyes and the two men standing over her, looked exactly like the men she had just seen, but they were older. Where had she seen them? She was in the coffee shop, with Cade. She felt herself coming out of her fog, she had controlled the vision. She was starting to breath normal. She opened her eyes and Cade still had his knee in the back of one of the men and the other man was still laying on the floor with his hands between his legs, nursing his probably bruised balls.

  “Ellie, are you ok honey.” Cade asked with concern. She blinked, then realized she hadn’t landed on the floor this time. She was standing perfectly still up against the wall. Her eyes focused on Cade and she nodded.

  “It’s them.” She said shakily. Cade looked at her curiously and then to the men on the ground.

  “What do you mean?” He asked. She pushed herself off the wall and the larger man turned his head to look at her.

  “You are the one who took me that night when I was 16.” Ellie said on a whisper. The man turned red and then turned his face away. The skinny one gasped.

  “You fucking bitch, I should have killed your ass out in the fucking woods. You have not been worth all the trouble. Your sister, she was amazing and did exactly as she was told.” He said with a sneer. Ellie caught his meaning, moved forward and kicked him in the balls causing him to howl.

  “ELLIE!!” Cade yelled, even though as he was saying it, a small smirk was on his face. “Baby let me handle it. You don’t want an assault charge.” Cade stated, mostly for the few customers who had seen the assault. He understood what she was saying and a few minutes later two deputies walked through the door of the small café.

  “What do we have Sheriff?” They asked, both nodding at Ellie. Handcuffs were placed on both men as Cade stood and moved to Ellie’s side.

  “My girl here came in to use the restroom and get a coffee and these two assholes decided to harass her. I want them both charged with assault and battery and attempted sexual assault.” Cade said watching the men pale. Ellie wondered why Cade hadn’t mentioned that she recognized them as the men who had abducted her all those years ago. Once the deputies had read them their rights, they carted them off to the county jail where they would await arraignment and sentencing and possibly bond conditions. Cade pulled her into his arms.

  “Are you ok?” He asked kissing her temple and then her lips. He pulled back to look down at her.

  “Why didn’t you charge them with my kidnapping.” Ellie asked, not accusing just out of curiosity. Cade watched her.

  “I can’t charge them with something unless I have evidence and all the facts. No way Judge Anderson is going to hold them over a vision. I don’t even know what you saw to place them at the crime scene. If we can get a confession, then we have something but until then, battery and sexual assault will at least get them time with a high bond.” Cade stated. She liked that Cade followed the law and she understood how complicated it could be. He could have compromised the entire case if he had acted out of emotion instead of common sense.

  “Let’s go Cade. Your parents are waiting.” She said. He grabbed her hand and led her out of the coffee shop. Once in the car he turned to her.

  “Ok, tell me what you saw.” He said with concern. She loved that she could tell him about her visions and he didn’t think she was a nut case.

  “I, I was back I the forest just like when I was 16 and I was in the middle of having my vision but this time, I could see myself having it but hear what was going on. They were talking about how my sister wasn’t the one who was supposed to be taken but they got two for one. It seems like my father purposely had me taken and someone didn’t follow the rules and took us both, I fought back, my sister didn’t.” Ellie said feeling sick her to her stomach. “What do you think it means?” Ellie said. Cade looked at her
with a grim face.

  “Sounds like trafficking to me.” Cade said. Ellie felt her stomach roll.

  “You think my father was going to sell me to traffickers and they got greedy and took us both?” Ellie questioned, feeling nauseous. She knew her father hated her but enough to sell her to sex traffickers? And what about her sister? Cade took her hand.

  “Tell me the rest.” Cade said. He knew her well enough to know that there was more.

  “I think my father sold me because of something he did in the past.” Ellie said, anger boiling up inside. Cade looked at her like she had lost her mind.

  “I know you two didn’t have the best relationship but I mean, you are his daughter. Do you think he would really sell you?” Cade asked. Ellie looked out the passenger window.

  “He would if he thought I knew something about him that would hurt the family, like having sex with someone who wasn’t my mom and then killing her.” Ellie stated matter-of-factly. Cade shook his head.

  “We need evidence.” Cade said and then looked at her oddly.

  “What?” She asked. Cade took a breath.

  “What if you saw something, years ago but you father blocked it from you. Maybe he is not over all responsible for those bodies out there, but he may be responsible for one. Maybe that’s why he tried to have you taken, to keep you quiet and they accidentally took both of you. They had no one else to blame so he put the focus on Beartree to save his ass and then had Leslie Cooper’s body buried with the rest of the women so she would never be found.” Cade said. He looked like he had just won first prize at the fair and she thought he looked hot doing his cop thing. She was smiling at him.

  “What?” He said, grimacing at her. He looked hurt because he thought she was making fun.

  “You, you are so hot when you do that.” She said, reaching over and running her hand through his thick brown hair. “We might have to sneak off to the deer blind before dinner.” Ellie said winking. She watched his face change to desire.

  “I won’t make it through dinner. I will only be thinking about taking you hard up there and your screams echoing into the forest.” He said in a deep sultry voice. She shivered and swallowed.

  “Ok.” She said. She watched him grip the steering wheel then turn back to the road. She smiled and looked down as his manhood was straining against his pants. “Or I could just take care of that right now.” She said pointing at him and winking.

  “Good lord woman you are going to get us killed.” He said adjusting himself. She giggled and rode the rest of the way in comfortable silence with her hand in his. They had no opportunity to run off to the deer blind because as soon as they pulled up, Cades mom and dad were already standing in the door way. She winked at him as she watched him glower at his parents.

  “They totally blocked me. Just don’t be surprised if I get what I want later.” He said softly in her ear making her shiver. He walked forward and pulled his mom into a hug.

  “Hi mom.” He said. Ellie tried to recover and smiled at the sweet scene between parents and son. She never had known what it was like to have supportive loving parents. Her mom wanted to be but her father wouldn’t allow it. Ellie only remembered one time in her life when her father had even acted like a father and that was when Ellie had been ordered to become dedicated in the church. He had put his hand on her shoulder and proudly told the congregation that his daughter would be dedicated into the church. She had been 12 and something had come over her that made her pull away. He had gripped her shoulder and pulled her back to him in a seemingly sweet hug, but when they got home, she had spent hours in the shed, bent over the table getting her ass beat for showing disrespect towards her father.

  “Elinore Ridley. You have turned into a beautiful young lady. Cade tells us you are a doctor now.” His mother Ellen said sweetly, pulling her into the house behind Cade and his father.

  “Yes ma’am and I go by Nora now. I’m a doctor in Abnormal Psychology and I work for the FBI profiling criminals.” Ellie stated proudly. His mother gasped and put her hand to her chest.

  “Oh, that must be frightening. I don’t know how you can handle dealing with all those terrible people.” Ellen stated. Ellie had never been in Cade’s parents’ house but it looked exactly as she would have imagined. The entry way had a bench to take off boots and coats and was lined with paneling that had probably been there since the house had been built. To the right was a modest living room with two green recliner chairs facing a flat screen tv that sat on the wall between two windows with flowery curtains. A couch matching the recliners sat sideways and several pictures lined the walls. Family photos, fishing trips, the family at Packer games and pictures of Cade from all times of his life, from birth until he was appointed Sheriff. Cade was their only son and they were damn proud of him, As was she.

  “It’s not much but we don’t need a lot considering it’s just the two of us. We thought about moving after Cade left but, we just love it here. It’s quiet and no one really bothers us out here.” Ellen said. Ellie followed her into the dining room across the hall where a long wooden table sat with 6 wooden chairs.

  “The table was made by an Amish man that Cade’s father helped out several years ago. The poor man was broken down in his buggy along the road, and Charles stopped to help him. He was so grateful he gave us this table and chair set.” She said proudly.

  “It’s beautiful.” Ellie said still looking around. The dining room wasn’t large but big enough for the table and chairs with an open window looking into the kitchen where she could smell something wonderful cooking inside.

  “Chicken and noodles, Cade’s favorite.” Ellen said watching her closely. Ellie smiled.

  “Good to know.” Ellie said, trying to sound like she was taking notes as to the things Cade liked and didn’t like. A few bedrooms and a bathroom were down the hallway and a large screened in sunroom sat at the back of the house looking out over a large lake. It took Ellies breath away.

  “We spend most of our time out here. Charles likes to go in the front room and watch his football but this is where I sew and read and just relax watching the wildlife. It’s my tv. I don’t need all the negative stuff, news and such.” Ellen stated with a sigh. She was happy and content. She didn’t need cell phones or tv or social media to live. Just the beauty of the land and creatures. Ellie felt like she could get used to living this way as well. Evenings with Cade at his house, relaxing by the fire and taking long baths in the soaking tub, sitting by the large picture windows watching the snow fall, sitting on Cade’s lap or making love on the floor with blanket by the fire. Her cheeks blushed thinking about it.

  “You love my son.” Ellen said sweetly. Ellie looked up at her realizing that Ellen had seen her blush. She nodded.

  “I do. I have for a long time.” Ellie stated. His mother smiled at her.

  “He has been waiting for you for a long time.” Ellen stated and that was all she said. “Well, dinner is just about ready so if you want to help me set the table, I would really appreciate it.” Ellie nodded and followed Ellen back into the kitchen. Cade had disappeared with his father outside but soon they could hear their voices coming from the back of the house. They walked through the door, snow covering Cade’s coat and brown hair.

  “It’s snowing, we will stay for dinner and dessert and coffee but we better hit the road. The ice on these roads can be terrible.” He stated moving forward and placing a kiss on Ellie’s lips. His were cold and he lingered for another one.

  “Stop fondling my help and take your shoes of Cade Charles Masterson.” His mother said, swatting him with a kitchen towel.

  “Sorry mom.” Cade said moving back to the rug that was near the back door and slipping his shoes off.

  They sat down for dinner and it was the best night of her life. It was odd to her for family to pray, eat and laugh together because none of that had ever happened her entire life growing up. It was warm and comfortable and she could get used to it. They sat out in the family room wi
th the wood stove crackling and popping, Cade snuggling her to his side and his parents telling her stories of how he grew up and some of his antics as a kid.

  “So, I said Cade, where are you?” His father recanted. Cade buried his face in his hands.

  “Pop really?” Cade said with a groan. Ellie nudged him.

  “I want to hear, go ahead sir.” Ellie said with a giggle. Cade’s father raised an eyebrow at her.

  “Would you stop calling me Sir girl. Charles please.” He said gruffly. She nodded.

  “Anyway, I says, Cade where are you? I hear, right here dad with chattering teeth. I look down, and there is Cade buck naked in the lake with his arms folded around his shoulders shivering. I say, son, what the hell are you doing in the lake naked? Cade says, I went to take a swim and the dumb dog took my clothes. Oscar comes up beside me holding Cade’s clothes in his mouth. It was the funniest thing I ever saw.” Charles said laughing. His mother was tittering and Cade was groaning. Ellie laughed and rubbed his back.

  “I see the two of them coming up from the back, Charles laughing, Cade naked as the day he was born and the dog proudly carrying Cade’s clothes in his mouth.” His mother said shaking her head.

  “He learned if he is going to go swimming naked, don’t take the dog.” They all laughed except Cade who leaned back and put an arm around Ellie and sat back pulling her to him.

  “Think that’s funny huh? Remember what I said earlier?” He whispered in her ear. She shivered and felt wetness pool between her legs. She nodded and suddenly she was ready to leave. They both jumped up and started saying good-bye.

  The car ride home was quiet but the sexual tension in the car was thick. Once they made it inside the house, Cade’s hands were all over her. They had left their make shift bed on the floor in the living room and he had her on her back instantly.