Wrestling the Kraken

Mrs. Rossini

Mrs. Rossini

Case No. : 00101098979

Date : March 23, 1971

Location: City of Fox Hollow

Status : Homicide

Taking off my reading glasses, I had to rub my eyes. In attempting to distract my mind, I picked up this book I've been meaning to read. I started it long ago, but just can't seem to finish it. It's not for a lack of suspense or good story either, I just simply... can't.

It was getting late and I should have gone to bed hours ago, but laying down made me think of Dante today. More so, how he seemed particularly burdened today and how I couldn't do a thing about it. He needed a mother, someone he could talk things out with, someone who would understand and say all the right things. He did feel comfortable enough to share his concerns with me, but I didn't have all the right things to say. Today, I felt less like a mother and more like one of the staff.

I made him breakfast this morning, but he didn't touch any of it. He moved his food around with his fork like he did when he was a child, when him and Armand wouldn't see eye to eye. The finality that always came with Armand's view and Dante's desire to explore, collisions were habitual.

It was time to try again for bed. Setting my glasses on the side table, I turned off the lamp and rose from the couch. Closing the curtains, I switched off the lights on my way to the bedroom.

The urge called to me. Pausing at the bedroom doorway, I knew there was a bottle of red wine on the kitchen counter. "I'm not supposed to have it. Charlotte had made me quit drinking after a bad incident on her birthday a few years back. I won't say I've been an angel, because quite honestly, a bottle or two still found its way to me from time to time.

Looking back at the kitchen, I could see it there. I could already taste the bold, richness. Walking into the kitchen, I held the bottle in my hands. One glass before bed. Charlotte is still in Paris and it would help me get some sleep at last.

I grabbed a glass and started to pour. A single drop slid down the inside of the glass. Pausing for a brief moment, I set the bottle back down. Even though Charlotte was away, I had made a promise to her. As hard as this was, I intended to try my best to keep that promise.

Rubbing my forehead, I felt my body start to shake. It still called out to me. Sensing the withdrawal's ugly head rear up once more, I left the bottle on the counter and stormed into the bathroom.

Throwing open the medicine cabinet, I reached for my bottle of Valium. The cabinet door swung back closed. My hand was shaking, making it difficult to undo the cap. Why couldn't they make these things easier to open?

Finally the cap popped free. I tilted the bottle into my palm... nothing came out. Looking into my reflection, I froze. How could it be empty? It should be full? I checked the bottle one last time. My mind must be playing tricks on me. Nothing!

Feeling a surge of panic course through me, it angered, reaching the bottle in my hand. In a fit, I threw it, bouncing off the wall and rattling on the ground. I looked around the room. What am I going to do? Then the idea struck me like a flip of a switch.

I ran to my purse and searched for my spare bottle. Thank goodness! I smiled with a sigh of relief, finding the bottle right where it should be.

I couldn't handle the shakes or the twisting in my gut without it. Shortly after quitting the wine, my doctor placed me on Valium to help support me as I went through the withdrawal phase and it has been a life saver. I always carried a spare with me, just in case, and right now, I'm thankful for that. Opening the bottle, I looked inside. Empty? What is going on here?

In a fit, I threw this bottle across the room, threw my purse, the contents falling out. I held my head between my hands and screamed, letting the rage rise and fall. Dropping to my knees, I desperately searched the items that fell from my purse. Just one, please let there be just one.

Pushing items aside delicately at first, I was getting impatient. I tossed them aside now, pausing to let another scream out, this time with less rage and more grief. Setting my hands down on the thick, green carpet, I felt my cheeks burn.

My eyes drifted slowly up, until I found my prescription the doctor had given to me when I first arrived state side. I grabbed the paper and clutched it close to my chest. "Oh thank goodness!" I said aloud.

I was sure glad I made that visit. Having a different doctor from back home, I wasn't sure if I could get one here, but the doctor here in Fox Hollow was happy to help. He even told me where I could find a 24 hour pharmacy around here, and that was exactly where I was going to now... after a glass of wine.

One glass turned into three and I was finally ready to go. Replacing the contents back into my purse that had fallen, I headed out the door. Luckily, the hotel where I am staying is not too far away from the pharmacy. Stepping out the front door, I slipped on something on the floor.

"Are you okay Ma'am?" The Bellman asked me, catching me before I hit the ground. I turned around to see what I had slipped on, but it was gone.

"Thank you." I told him, straightening myself up. "You should really clean your floors more often."

He held the door open for me. I turned back around to thank him, but he started sliding... and he didn't seem to mind. It was a bit odd.

"Ma'am, maybe you should take a taxi?" The Bellman suggested. I nodded. That was a fine idea, since I didn't much care for walking just now. The faster I could get to the pharmacy, the better.

The Bellman was so kind as to help me into the backseat of a waiting taxi cab. I wanted to leave him a tip, so I dug into my purse. The first bill I found was ten dollars. Handing it to him, he looked at me as if he had never received a tip before.

"The pharmacy please. You know the place." I told the driver

"Yeah, I know the place." The driver answered. He had a nice, deep voice.

A bit of a rough driver though. I was jostling around all over the backseat, sliding over on the seat. I had to pick myself back up. "Where did you learn to drive? Do you speed with all your customers?" I know I was in a hurry, but I preferred to get there in one piece.

"I'm only going thirty-five Ma'am." The driver answered.

Great, he's a liar too.

Finally he stopped. It was a bit dark and I couldn't see any store lights or signs. "You sure we're at the right place?"

"Just making a quick stop." He replied.

"I don't need you making stops. I want you to take me to the place."

The door beside opened, startling me. Another passenger got in. "Excuse me, bu -" I couldn't breathe! I tried taking a deep breath, but my heart only pounded more. I shook my head, but whatever was on my face followed suit. Something sturdy, a hand? It rested on the back of my head, pushing me forward, into whatever was on my face. My head went heavy and my vision blurred.

The lights grew dimmer and dimmer. I focused on the closing light, when I heard the driver say, "Now we can go to the place." The taxi took off and everything went black.