"Cases,cases,cases..." my mind trailed off as I started reading about a seven year old boy who had been beaten and locked in a closet for hours on end. The mother was in custody, a warrant out for the father's arrest.
"What a great start to this little boy's life."
Looking over the file I noticed that the small boy had already developed extreme anti-social tendencies and truly primal behavioral instincts. Wouldn't go so far as to say "'animalistic" but it is a good description of what abuse can do to a child. "Backed into a corner...an animal will strike out..." I thought again as I read on, adding notes as they were needed for the social worker in charge of the child's welfare. I was essentially the second to last person in the chain of activity in child abuse cases. Starts really with neighbors noticing signs of abuse, then a social worker or cop is called, then I am pulled into the case, acting as the legal representation to get something final done about the welfare of the child, which in turn hands the case over to CPS to make sure the child is cared for as I plan.
I am constantly asking myself why I went into this line of work. Of course I was truly an expert on the subject matter, but it was depressing to see children in the same boat, or sometimes (if you can imagine such things) worse than what I had experienced. But over and over, after seeing every child (mostly) go on to a better family, and a better life I knew that this line of work although horrible and difficult, payed off for me in relief of safety for children who were like me.
Hours seemed to fly by and the end of the work day approached. I had no meetings in court today thankfully. The papers were easy, the face-to-face with a scared and vulnerable child was hard for me. I knew those scared faces...those haunted eyes.
I called Walter into my office to escort me to the parking garage. Only a few minutes later I was driving out of the court building and onto the remarkably empty New York City streets.
"It's only 9:00...where is everyone?"
Usually, New York is packed, the nightlife is especially tantalizing for tourists who seem to have all the time in the world to sit around until the wee hours of the morning. I however did not and sped home to my apartment where I could drink a glass of wine (or three) and read. I know sounds like a party doesn't it...but when you're single, it really is a relationship with the couch and a wine bottle.
Pulling up, I saw a dark colored SUV that wasn't usually there, parked in front of one of my neighbors houses. "Must be having a guest." I mumbled without much thought and unlocked my apartment.
Turning the lights on, I was relieved to be home. Working so late really took a toll on me. I set my phone down on my granite counter and headed towards my wine rack. I was practically desperate for a glass. As I reached for my favorite bottle I heard my phone buzz across the counter. I absolutely hated getting phone calls but I figured it was someone from work with question. Heading over to my phone I saw that the number was restricted.
"Who is this? Do I pick it up?"
Debating with myself I finally picked up against my better judgement. Knowing I only had maybe a few friends and work numbers in my phone I never got calls from restricted or unknown numbers.
"Hello?" I answered.
There was dead silence on the other end.
"Um hello?" I said louder.
Still no answer.
I hung up frustrated. "What the fuck who calls and doesn't say anything must be a prank or something..." I said to myself tossing my phone on the counter, planning to ignore it for the rest of the night. I needed to relax.
I plopped onto the couch and turned on the TV. ID was playing some forensic show and I was ready to solve the cases before the TV detectives did, until I heard my phone buzz again.
"Are you fucking kidding me..."
I got up, again I should have just ignored it, and went to my phone. Another restricted number. although this one was different.
I picked up ready to bitch out whoever was doing this, but was surprised when I heard a voice on the other end.
"Help me. Please, please help me." the voice was raspy and desperate, practically a scream.
"Who is this?!" I said panicking.
"PLEASE! HE IS COMING BACK PLEASE!"
"Lady I don't know what to do, who is he? What is wrong?!" My heart raced, she was so loud I could hear her like she was in front of me.
"Oh no...he's back...help please... he-"'
The line went dead.
YOU ARE READING
Catch Me
Mystery / Thriller**under heavy editing, will continue adding every day as much as possible! Enjoy!!*** I eventually learned that no matter how many times you say the past is the past, your demons will catch up with you. And they bring a vengeance that is worse than...
