No Memory

9

The sunshine warms my face as I lay on Charlie's bed. Well my head is on his shoulder and my arm is wrapped around his torso, so half of me is on his bed.

For a second I don't remember what happened. I actually thought we made love.

But judging by the fact were both fully clothed, I doubted that.

I fell asleep last night. With Charlie holding me. I look over at him. He is still sleeping, snoring softly. I wonder what he's dreaming about.

I sit up in bed and look around. The whole room is bathed with bright light. I crawl out of bed and walk to my room.

I'm still wearing the clothes from yesterday. I look awful and smell even worse. I open my bedroom door and nearly scream.

Blood spatters the walls, random scribbles and handprints like the bed and walls. A dead animal lays on the ground. I walk towards it with caution. I crouch down beside it. It's a large cat. I notice something around its next. I reach around and grab the blanket from the bed. I wrap it around my hand to make myself feel better. With that hand I push the cat over. A small board in tied to its neck. In crude handwritting is a name....

CHARLIE

I jump up to my feet. He's going to kill Charlie next if I don't do something. I run into Charlie's room. I open the door... His bed is empty. My heart stops beating. He must have him. He must have been in he house still. I walk to the bed. What have I done?

Suddenly a click comes from behind me. I turn around and watch the bathroom door open. I brace myself for the worst.

Charlie comes out of the bathroom with a yawn. His hair is a mess due to sleep. He sees me standing by the bed my mouth probably open wide.

"Good Morning!" He smiles at me pleassantly. I stare at him in disbelief. He walks to the closet.

"Charlie he broke into the house!" I sputter out. Charlie stops dead in his tracks. He whirls around and looks at me.

"Where?" He asks. I can feel the fear in both of our bodies.

"My room," I whisper. Charlie rushes out of his room and into mine. Silence becomes the new norm. I don't hear Charlie, I don't even hear my own thoughts.

Charlie comes back into my room. A look of concern across his face.

"I called the station, some policemen are on their way," He tries to smile. I look down at the ground. Why is this happening? Can't I just leave a normal life? Can I just live a life?

"Charlie..." My voice distant. I look up at him.

"It's going to be alright," he reaches out his hand. I don't take it.

"He's coming after you," I show no emotion. I don't feel any emotion. Charlie drops his hand and looks at me.

"I'll get a police detail around the house," he looks at me solemnly. I shake my head.

"I should find some where else, you know that," I whisper. A sad silence comes between us.

A knock at the door breaks it. Charlie turns away and goes down the stairs.

I hear the police come through the door with the FBI. I feel my body move out of Charlie's room at to the stairs.

'LEAVE' Is the only thing I hear in my head. I walk down the stairs. I see the policemen coming to the stairs. I keep my head down as they talk to Charlie.

Charlie looks at me only once. He must think I need to be away from my room. I wait in the middle room until the group disappears. I walk to the front door and step across the threshold. I walk past the cars and away from the house. No one stops me.

I'm not coming back. I know what I have to do now... In order to save Charlie.

I have to die. I have to let this sick bastard kill me.

I walk past the large houses. I frown. I could have lived with Charlie in his house on the hill....

I could have lived a good life. But in order for him to live I have to die.

And I wouldn't have it any other way.

I smile as I feel a cold breeze. I look up. Dark clouds fill the crystal sky. A little rain will be good. I walk out of the rich neighborhood and into a decent side of town.

It's time to remember...

***

I sit on the bank of the river. Little pieces of police tape litter the ground. I sigh and feel the rain drops wet down my hair and body.

HE will find me here. I'm very sure of that. I look up at the gray sky.

"End it where it began," I whisper. I hear a car pull up. I turn around and for a split second I hope it's Charlie.

It's a worn blue station wagon. It's old but doesn't look raunchy. I get up off the ground as the driver gets out. A baseball cap covers his face. He's tall and lanky. He walks slowly towards me.

I feel my heart beat faster. I can't breathe. The monster is walking towards me.

"Good place," I hear him mumble.

"Shut up, I want to negotiate," I snap. The man looks up at me.

His face is handsome but an evil twisted grin is on his lips. Light blue eyes pierce through mine.

"You in exchange for me killing Charlie? Did you like the nice touch with the cat?" He sneers.

"Will you take the exchange or not?" I ask. The man looks up for a moment pondering.

"I think so," he smiles and takes out a gun. I hold up my hands and he comes closer. I'm ready to die.

I think of Charlie. He was the greatest person I knew. I'm proud to die for him.

"Do it," I say as bravely as possible. And for a second I think 'I'm a hero'. I smile and close my eyes.

I'm ready.

I hear him cock the gun.

"Move bitch," he grabs my arm violently. I open my eyes confused for a minute.

"What are you doing?" I ask.

"Doing it the right way," he smiles and pulls me to the car. It takes me a minute to realize what he means.

I'm about to protest but he hits me with the gun. I fall into the backseat. My vision is blurry. He pushes me in all the way before slamming the door shut.

"Alright, where to next miss?" He cackles as he gets in the front seat. The car smells horrible, like cigarettes and body odor. He starts the car and pulls away from the bridge.

I look at him one last time.

"By the way, my name is Fred Sherman, just so you know before you die," he looks at me. I feel my eyes droop. He slaps me across the face. I bite my cheek and feel blood in my mouth.

He grabs something from the front and stuffs it in my mouth. I smell the chloroform.

I'm not going to die like a hero...

I'll die a victim...