The Dark Places

by R. S. Whitfield

  Parker sat quietly for a moment. “Living in the woods?” he repeated.

  “Yes, sir, that’s what she said. We didn’t even write that down at the time because, well, Doris was a bit of a

  whiner,” he added, quietly embarrassed.

  “Deputy, did she ever mention where about in the woods?” he asked quickly, starting the car.

  “Yeah, she did actually,” he replied. “Doris walked those woods every single day of her eighty-six years,” he said with a smile. “If you go off the walking trail just after the large fallen tree that crosses the path and continue down to the river, there’s a clearing. You can’t miss it,” he said.

  Parker pulled away from the side of the road and swung his car in the direction of North East High.

  “Detective,” the deputy continued, “we encourage people, especially people who aren’t locals, to stay out of those woods.”

  Parker smiled. “I bet he’s counting on that.” He thanked the man and threw the phone in the back seat. I should wait and call for backup, he thought, as the school came into view. Shaking his head, he put his foot down hard, Surin might not have any time left.

  ***

  The light was slowly fading as Parker quietly and carefully tracked the well-worn path from the back of the high school into the depths of the woods. It was truly beautiful, the way the day’s remaining sun lingered, casting dancing shadows over the trees and the flitter of tiny birds hopping daintily from branch to branch. His head snapped suddenly towards the sound of crackling twigs in the distance, a sober reminder that he was not alone. Parker had always appreciated the solitude and still beauty that the woods could provide. He did not fear the approaching darkness, and he embraced its cover to help him become invisible. As he walked on, his thoughts strayed to Surin. He smiled, imagining how angry she would be that he was out here alone. He had never met anyone as stubborn but wickedly smart, witty and, of course, inconceivably beautiful. His mind replayed their first encounter like a well-watched movie reel. The energy radiating off her that day had been intoxicating. Shaking his head, he swallowed and tried to push out the thoughts of what might be happening to her right now. Up ahead, he spotted the old fallen tree. It covered the entire path exactly as the deputy had described. As he neared the rotting trunk, that was slowly being reclaimed to the earth by soft green moss, he spied two alternative trails splitting away. The first was a new but well-worn track diverting around the tree and re-joining the original path, the other was barely visible but vaguely appeared to veer off and delve deeper into the woods. This is it, he thought to himself and looked over his shoulder. No one knew where he was. He had no backup and no real idea of whether Surin was even out here. “Fuck,” he muttered, pulled his gun and flashlight, and with a last glance back, pushed aside a rogue branch and wandered off into the wilderness.

  The last of the light had well and truly gone when Parker heard the first rushing sounds of the river. He stopped, flicked off the flashlight and closed his eyes. It had been a good forty minutes since he had left the original trail and he was yet to find any sign that would make him think Surin, or anyone in fact, had been out here. The sound of running water appeared to come from all directions. He sighed in frustration and opened his eyes, tipping his head back to look at the veil of stars above. The woods certainly came alive at night. He listened to a number of different sounds, some not as reassuring as the hoot of a barred owl. Deciding the water’s echo was in front of him, he continued to forge on. After another fifteen minutes, the thick brush gave way to a startling open space. He immediately stopped and did a full three-hundred-and-sixty-degree turn. The clearing was large, sparse and seemed to be completely out of place amongst the towering pines. The sky was clear, and with the assistance of the twinkling stars and his meagre flashlight, he was able to see the bank and edge of the river. This is the place, he said to himself. According to the local woods’ expert, eighty-six-year-old Doris, this is where she thought the boy had lived. Parker began to feel a tingle creep up his spine and immediately switched off the light feeling overly exposed. He slowly walked the outer perimeter of the clearing, nearing the waterline, when a twig snapped directly behind him. He froze — his breath heavy, heart pounding.

  “I knew you would come for her,” a voice said quietly.

  Parker spun on the spot, quickly pointing his gun towards the sound, but was instead staring at nothing. “Where the fuck are you?” he whispered as his heart rate accelerated, and then all of a sudden, his body was on fire. The Taser was shot from a distance and hit him in the side, below his ribs. Parker dropped to the ground convulsing as stars danced before his eyes. After what felt like an eternity, when the pain finally ebbed, he opened his eyes and slowly focused on the person standing over him.

  “Alexander Dellion, I presume?” he stuttered, taking deep breaths in an attempt to offset the pain still vibrating through his body.

  “Very good,” the man replied with a deep chuckle, then bent down and whispered into his ear. “I can take you to her, Parker,” he said seriously. “But if you try anything,” he added, “understand that you will never, ever find her.”

  Parker sat up onto his elbows, trying to focus his blurring vision. “You better not have touched a single hair on her head,” he growled, feeling uncontrollable anger bubble up from within.

  Alexander only laughed, pushed a gun into Parker’s side and helped him onto his unsteady feet. “Don’t worry,” he replied with a grin. “We’ve been waiting for you.” He started walking them both back towards the woods. “You, my friend, have front row tickets to what is going to be the very best show in town.”

  As they neared the edge of the clearing, Alex veered them off towards the riverbank and closed in on another large fallen tree. “Keep moving,” he said, nudging Parker’s back with the gun.

  Parker’s mind was racing. He was at a distinct disadvantage, but the instinct to fight back was so strong. Think of her, he told himself over and over again, she needs you to be smart here and not act like a half-cocked idiot, talk to him. “You’ve known her a long time?” he started, not entirely sure of the man’s state of mind.

  Alex laughed. “Oh yes, since she was a child, actually,” he replied and then added, “so, you want to have a man to man here?”

  Parker shrugged his shoulders. “I just want to understand.”

  Alex stopped as they reached the fallen tree and walked around to stand in front of him. “Understand?” he asked. “You’ve seen her,” he stated simply.

  Parker waited for more.

  “She’s like some kind of mystical being,” he continued.

  Great, Parker thought, he’s fucking nuts.

  “Like a unicorn,” he added, a smile stretching across his masculine face. “Wild, beautiful, not bound by anything.” Parker shifted his weight onto his left leg, and the slight change in movement immediately put Alex on edge. “Don’t fucking try anything!” he screamed, holding the gun cocked into his face.

  Parker threw his arms up in surrender. “I’m not! I’m not!” he said quickly. “My legs are cramping from the Taser, that’s all,” he added calmly.

  After a few minutes of silence, he could hear the man’s breathing return to a normal rate after the peak of adrenalin.

  “You’re right,” Parker said carefully. “Surin is amazing.”

  Alex snorted and replied, “I’ve seen you with her.”

  Parker tilted his head. “You watched us?” he asked.

  Alex nodded, a sight Parker only barely saw as the moon shifted behind a dark cloud. “I have always watched her,” he whispered, showing Parker just how deep his obsession ran. “You tried so hard to have her,” he continued with a gruff laugh, “but she was only ever mine.”

  “Yours?” Parker asked, his fury building. “What about Eamon?” he added, suddenly wanting to enrage him more.

  “Eamon?” he laughed, throwing his head back. “That fool had her and then thought that fucking her on the ground, a
gainst her will, was going to keep her.”

  Parker’s throat went dry, and he felt the blood literally leave his face. “What did you just say?” he whispered.

  “Oh, yes, little Surin loved him, but oh, she was such a tease.” He tsked and shook his head. “Poor Eamon, couldn’t take it, it’s like having a wild horse you see,” he added casually. Parker listened as the rage boiled deeper. “He loved her so much he just had to have her and boy did he cry like a baby when he realised, he had lost her.” He shook his head again. “I saw it all you know,” he said, leaning in closely, and smiling like they were two friends talking about sport. “She was so beautiful,” he whispered.

  Parker instantly felt nauseous.

  “I can’t wait to break her down.” His voice was so menacing that an involuntary shiver ran down Parker’s spine. He leaned in again slowly. “I’m going to let you watch, Rhodes,” he said with a grin and pointed the gun at Parker’s face. “Now, walk.”

  A million thoughts ran through Parker’s mind as he stumbled around the dark forest floor. Surin, poor Surin. So much made sense now. Eamon, North East, the defiance, the bravado; his heart ached for her, and he knew in that moment, that he would make sure no one else would ever need to know.

  A twig snapped in the distance. “Stop,” Alex barked from behind him and looked around suspiciously. “We’re here.” Parker could hear the excitement in his voice, and it repulsed him. “You are going to kneel,” he stated, and Parker obeyed him immediately, all that mattered now was Surin.

  He watched as the man walked over to what seemed like a cluster of rocks and bent down, the gun never faltering, he lifted a handle, and a trapdoor opened.

  “My little getaway,” he said with a grin. “Sure beats being home with that woman,” he added, gesturing over his shoulder. “You met her, right?”

  Parker nodded silently, assuming he was referring to his mother.

  “You’re going in first, try any hero shit and I kill you and then her.”

  Parker nodded again, stood and moved towards the gaping hole.

  ***

  Surin had come to realise that escape would be physically impossible. Her hands and feet were slick with blood and layers of skin from the effort of hours of trying to tear herself free. Licking her lips for moisture, she paused, sensing a shift in the air. He’s back, she thought, as panic began to spread through her body like wildfire. Fresh tears pricked the corners of her eyes, which amazed her — how many tears can one person have, she thought surreally. The door opened, bringing with it a gust of frigid air. She shivered involuntarily, cringing at her nakedness.

  “Surin?” the man’s voice asked. “I brought you a friend,”

  Her mind began to swim. “Is this some kind of joke?” she croaked, but before he could answer, a flicker of flame lit up the dank room and, in its shadow, stood Parker with a gun held at his temple. “Oh God, no,” she screamed, turning her head away from them and attempted to hide her tethered body, shame snaking through her like ivy.

  “Surin,” Parker whispered.

  “Parker, I’m so sorry, please don’t,” she stuttered. “Don’t you dare look at me like I’m a victim here,” she spat through gritted teeth.

  Alex laughed delightfully. “See,” he said, nudging Parker forward towards the bed, “what a firecracker,” he added and continued, “Surin I don’t want you to be embarrassed, I have filled in the good detective here on your tawdry past.”

  Surin finally turned her head to look at Parker, whose face was a mask of fear and another emotion that touched her heart. “Good for you,” she replied defiantly, trying to gain control over herself. “Rhodes,” she continued staring straight at him, “tell me you are not stupid enough to come all the way out here without backup?”

  Parker smiled and looked down at his feet for a moment, then back up to meet her eyes. “You know me,” he replied, and she laughed quietly, tears running down her face.

  “Idiot,” she added.

  Parker quickly spied her wrists and ankles. They were torn to shreds. Her body was dirty and pale but looked otherwise unharmed. She was silently shivering. He looked back up at her to meet her gaze. “Has he touched you?” he said quietly through gritted teeth. She smiled sadly, her lips trembling slightly.

  “No,” she replied, and he nodded.

  “Well,” Alex interrupted with a throat-clearing cough, “now you two have caught up, let me tell you what’s going to happen.”

  He pushed Parker down hard into the chair beside the bed, he was seated close enough so he could still see her, but she wasn’t within his reach.

  “I’m going to have to tie you up, Parker,” he added with a smile, “because once I start doing what I’m going to do to her,” he held his hands out apologetically, “you’re going to try to stop me, and I can’t have that.” Surin let out a whimper and Parker instinctively moved to get up and protect her. As quick as a flash, Alex brought the butt of the gun down hard across the back of Parker’s head, and he dropped to the ground.

  “Parker!” Surin yelled and pulled on her restraints. “Parker, please don’t,” she begged.

  He moaned in response from the floor.

  “Yes, Parker, don’t,” Alex mimicked and pulled him back up into the chair.

  Parker held his head and watched as blood began to seep through his fingers. Surin tried to get his attention. “Parker, look at me,” she said urgently. He gazed up, and she saw a hint of defeat in his eyes. “Don’t be a hero,” she said, forcing a smile. “I’m going to be OK.”

  Alex chuckled in the background and began to loop cable ties over Parker’s ankles. “She is going to love every minute of it,” he said, hooking Parker’s hands behind the wooden chair arms. “And you get to watch,” he added. “Trust me, it’s something to behold,” he continued as Surin turned her head away from them both. “Watching a woman like her come undone, pwhoar,” he said, letting out a loud breath between his lips. “Believe me, it will change you.”

  Surin defiantly turned her head back around and steeled herself for what was to come. She would not scream, she would not beg, and she would most definitely survive. She looked over at the man she was afraid to admit she was in love with and then stared up at the monster who held her captive, a fire beginning to burn behind her eyes. Parker noticed, and in that instant, he noticed something else.

  He started to laugh quietly. Alex turned and looked at him curiously. “What, pray tell, is so funny?” he asked, holding the gun menacingly towards Parker’s chest.

  “You haven’t realised yet,” Parker replied.

  Alex turned and looked at Surin, not quite understanding the situation. “Realised what, Detective?” he said, placing his hands behind his back and tilting his head to the side.

  Parker gestured towards Surin’s confused face. “She doesn’t even know who you are.”

  39

  The air inside the tiny dark room was thick with fear and anger. Surin looked at Parker and then back at her tormentor. He was right. She had no idea who he was, was she supposed to?

  Parker smiled. “She changed your life, right?”

  Alex didn’t move. He was staring at Surin with a toxic combination of hate and love clouding his features.

  “She changed everything for you and yet,” he nodded towards Surin who was looking at him pleadingly, “she has no idea who you are.”

  “You’re lying,” Alex finally said. “You die first,” he added, spinning around towards Parker and pushing the gun into his temple.

  Surin screamed. “No, please!”

  But Parker continued. “Ask her.”

  Alex glanced between the two of them.

  “Or are you afraid to?”

  Alex slowly lowered the weapon and sat down on the bed beside Surin. She cringed involuntarily as he ran his hands gently over her body once again.

  Parker bucked in his chair. “Ask her!” he yelled.

  Alex put the gun down on the ground near his foot and brought
the candle closer to his face. “Surin,” he said, almost lovingly, and cradled her chin in his free hand. “Say my name,” he pleaded. Surin’s eyes spilt over with tears once again, and her lips began to tremble. “Surin,” he repeated, increasing the pressure of his grip on her face. She looked over at Parker, who nodded slightly.

  “I have no fucking idea,” she spat.

  Alex stood up abruptly and sent a backhand flying across her face so hard that she almost lost consciousness. Her head snapped around to the left, and loud ringing began in her ears.

  “Surin!” Parker yelled. “Don’t you fucking touch her,” he barked, trying in vain to pull his hands free.

  “It’s Alexander!” he screamed hysterically, as he reached down and grabbed her face again, this time without any hint of tenderness. “Say it, you fucking bitch!” he screamed again, shaking her head violently.

  Surin could only lie there helplessly as he landed another blow across her left cheek and her right and then another into her stomach. Gagging loudly, she shut her eyes, fighting the wave of nausea that accompanied the mind-numbing pain. When she opened them, he had his face pressed up against hers. Tears of rage streamed down his cheeks.

  “You’re mine,” he hissed and forced his tongue into her mouth. Surin bit down on it hard, but it didn’t stop him. He pulled back, smiling, and his hands roughly grabbed at her breasts.

  “No!” she yelled, turning her head. She could vaguely hear Parker yelling in the background, but all her instincts suddenly went into survival mode when the man quickly climbed on top of her.

  “You will know my name!” he screamed wildly, pulling down his pants roughly. The next few seconds went past in an indescribable blur of sound and movement.

  First, the familiar pop of a close-range gunshot, next, the warm spray of arterial blood and the heavy slap of body hitting body. Quietness enveloped the room for what felt like an eternity, and then she heard his voice.