Hostage

Epilogue

Epilogue:

One Week Later:

There was a slight knock on the door, throwing the beeping of the heart monitor off by a few fractions of a second.

She was still jumpy.

"Come in," she choked out, fingering the admittance band around her wrist.

"Hey, how're you feeling?" Daniel asked, standing in his partner's doorway with a bouquet of wildflowers in his hand.

His right shoulder was bound and his arm hung in a sling. His dirty blonde hair was tousled from a sleepless night, and his eyes were flecked with worry.

A small smile spread over Samantha's face; "Hello, Danny."

"Het, Sammy," he smiled, crossing over to her side. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm alright," she answered. "Still pretty jumpy and anxious..." she fingered the neck of her hospital gown. "But the doctors are keeping me going."

"Ah," nodded Daniel, twirling the flowers in his hand before handing them to his partner. "Here you go."

"Oh, Daniel!" she gasped. "These flowers are beautiful!"

"They're from everyone," he smiled. "I am everyone down at the office. Everyone misses you." he looked down. "I missed you."

"Oh, Danny," she opened her arms wide. "Give me a hug?"

"You don't have to ask," Johnson chuckled, pulling his partner close.

She smelled like lilacs and a warm summer breeze.

"So how are you feeling?" He asked again. "Honestly?"

"Did you see my leg?" she gestured down to the hard cast that hugged her leg. "The bone is partially shattered and I have a severe fracture," she winced. "But my morphine drip prevents me from feeling the pain in my leg. Other than that I'm fine," she smirked.

"I always told you not to break it..." he smiled, taking a trip down memory lane.

"This time it wasn't on purpose..." Samantha protested. "Remember back in college when I tried to break in the beginning of June, so I wouldn't have to go home for the summer?"

He chuckled, shaking his head. "You were sure something back in the day."

"Back in the day? What, are we in our eighties now?"

"Do you remember how crazy in love I was with you?" he asked to himself.

"Pardon?" she asked, surprise evident in her arched eyebrows.

Daniel blushed, not realizing he had spoken out loud. He remembered when he had first met Samantha in their Sophomore year. They had taken several criminal pathology courses together and were often selected as partners by their Professor.

That had been the year where he had been assigned as Woods' partner his first year at the local Police Station. It was hard to believe that had been 3 years ago.

He had seemingly known instantly that she was the one he would end up with. She was never into the dating scene- especially after her long-term boyfriend broke up with her the night of the ROTC dance. She had been pretty hurt after that; she'd stay in her dorm at night and do homework instead of going out with her friends.

While everyone would be out partying on Friday, she'd attend a Bible study at the local Campus Crusade for Christ. That was what attracted him to her, she was different.

Samantha never seemed to worry about her appearance or try to keep up with the latest style. She didn't go an blow a hundred dollars at the mall just because she could: she was frugal. But she was attractive and classy all the same.

Then, there was her religion. She was always joyful... She was always optimistic; and she could make you feel welcome no matter what the Circumstances. He even attended church with her on several occasions. "She's good for you," his mother had said. "The kind of young woman I've always wanted for you."

It was all because of Samantha that Daniel finally got right with God. It was because of Sam's example and stature that he started going to church.

"I'm sorry," he remembered her saying, when he first asked her out for dinner. "I'm not looking for a relationship right now. I don't have very good judgement," she winced. "Besides, what I really need right now are friends," she poked him in the chest. "And that means you, Daniel."

"Samantha?" he whispered, the words getting stuck in his throat.

"Yes, Danny?" She smiled sweetly.

"I love you too."

---------------------------------------------

Richmond, Virginia

2 Days Later:

"Jason," called Brynn. "What is it?"

The dark haired agent looked over at his partner, hesitating. "It looks like an occult ritual."

"My God," Brynn covered her nose. The smell of decomposition was rank and made her stomach churn.

Blood was splattered across the grass and the bare body of the young woman. It was a gruesome sight for sure. "Is that a pentagram carved into her chest?" The woman asked, gesturing to the star engraved on the lady's upper body.

"Yes," the police officer nodded. "And a name."

"What's the name?"

Jason hesitated. "Charóth."

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Thanks for reading! :)

This was more of a prequel to the actual novel I've been working on. I just wanted you guys to see Charóth's past and introduce you to several characters that you'll meet officially later on.

Thank you for the support! :)

-Alexis-