Broken Strings

Too late

Peter’s POV

The morning sun rose about an hour ago but I haven’t taken much notice to anything else. My brain has been frazzled with the thought of ‘Lee being tortured by Nicole and Simon. They’re a whole other breed of evil. Yesterday I spent the entire day searching the streets I’m so unfamiliar with. I’ve contemplated filing her as a missing person but don’t want things to get that far. Amelia and I cannot afford a court case if things go pear shaped. My legs ache like you wouldn’t believe but that is minor to the ache in my heart. She’s not by my side and that places an unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach.  I can only hope she’s safe. I didn’t sleep last night, instead I found an elderly couple at the local restaurant and questioned them about the town. She’s been out of my sight for two days no and I am desperate to find her. I’ll do anything.

“Mate can I help you?”

“Uh, sure. There is a women, Nicole, staying here. I need her room key.”

“I’m sorry sir, but you must be out of your mind. I cannot give you that key.”

“Please you have to! It’s an emergency!”

“I’m sorry Sir but you’ll have to calm down. I cannot give you that key, just the room number.”

“Okay,” his face fell.

“Hold on a minute,” the reception was fancy and classical, something Amelia loved, “Room 52.”

“Thanks,” I spin on my heels and race up the stairs. People I cross paths with gasp in horror before continuing on their way, completely unaware. Finally, I reach the specified room and bash on the door. Of course there is no answer. “Nicole!” nothing. On the floor by my feet lies a small piece of crumpled paper.

Peter,

I knew you would find this,

You must know that Amelia is still safe, for now.

She has been crying out for you,

You have to be the bigger person,

You belong with me, not her,

See the bigger picture would you?

You and I are soul mates,

I don’t want to kill you,

But if you come for her that’s exactly what I’ll have to do.

Don’t underestimate me, Peter.

I have the equipment, don’t you worry about that.

Come for her and she is as good as dead,

I promise.

-Nicole.

I drop the note. She’s as good as dead? I rifle through all the possibilities. Where could she be? Nicole wrote: I have the equipment, don’t worry about that. A building site? A restaurant? A warehouse? There are so many possible answers. I try to think where they could have got to quick enough to ensure that nobody would expect a thing. I sprint from room 52 and out the door from reception. The pool is packed with laughing children and sunbaking women. Racing down the street I stop a few times to inspect a few stores. A party hire store, a discount store and a butcher.

Amelia’s POV

I’m drowsy. Simon forced a cup of water down my swollen throat not too long ago. It was a teaser, only making me thirstier. My stomach has stopped churning as my sinuses become accustomed to the stench. “Amelia?” Nicole’s icy voice echoes once more. “Did you know I’ve been stalking you from the carnival?”

Silence.

“You are beautiful,” Simon’s hand caresses my face and I flinch at his touch. “Scared are we?” he ponders on the question as if it was his own, “Good.”

“Peter should be here any minute,” Nicole said excitement in her voice.

“He’s coming?” Simon asked his excitement growing.

“Of course, he wouldn’t leave his girlfriend to die would he?” she laughed before turning away and moving a knife from the wall to the steel bench. “Simon? Do you know how to fillet a human?” she asked as though it were nothing out of the ordinary.

“A human? No.”

“Oh dear. Looks like we’ll have to improvise.”

“Please, don’t do this!” I mumble, my voice barely a whisper.

“You have your voice back!” Simon jumped joy in his tone.

“Damn, I was liking the peace,” Nicole stuttered.

“Don’t let Peter come,” I choked.

“I can’t stop him,” Nicole smiled. “It’s his choice, not mine.” My hands have turned numb and my toes feel non-existent. My ears prick at the sound of footsteps.

“Here’s Peter,” mumbled Nicole. “Now you be quiet,” she hissed. The room was pitch black so I had no idea when he was due to arrive. How I dreaded the moment he stepped foot into my hell.

“Amelia?” he yelled. Tears welled in my eyes at the sound of his voice. I didn’t initially realise how over whelming his presence would be for me. “Amelia are you in here?” I felt a hand clasp over my mouth and knew it was either Nicole or Simon hoping to keep me quiet. Before I knew it dull lights switched on and Peter stood stunned in the oversized door frame. I looked from Peter to Simon who stood at the light control switch just meters from him. I watched tears fall from his eyes when we caught eye contact. “Amelia…” he mumbled.

“You aren’t going anywhere!” Simon yelled as Peter made a run for me. Nicole sent a swiping hand across my face to ensure I stay silent and Peter went tumbling to the ground from the force of Simon’s fist.

“Peter!” I cried but I was too late. Peter was out like a light. Completely and utterly unconscious and under Simon’s command.