Heavy Snow

Prolog: The Seven days that Charter had

Part One: December 10th the First Day

December 17th

"You son of a bitch! Where is she?" Carter screamed. "Where's my niece!"

He threw a man at a wall and beat him senseless. Carter tossed the body to the ice watching the man slide a ways before grabbing his coat, lifting the man up, and punching him repeatedly in the face.

"Answer me!" Carter screamed.

December 3rd

Carter woke up a little restless. He was supposed to be on vacation, but a series of events started to darken his mood and destroy his time off from work. There had been three killings so far, and the bureau was trying to keep it out of the papers. No dice, as they were too close to the origami killings. The South Italian lieutenant walked outside, down the apartment halls to the front desk.

"Paper." Carter held out his hand.

The man behind the desk rolled his chair grabbed another paper and handed it to him.

"You going back to work sir?" he asked.

Carter walked back to his room to read the headlines. As he walked inside a girl hugged around his leg. She was short, dark curly hair; her eyes were almost black making the whites of her eyes bright.

Carter locked the door and picked her up.

"You hungry Lizzy?"

She was six years old. She shook her head and clutched onto Carter's white tank top. The two were still in their pajamas even though it was almost noon. He walked over to the sofa and held the child on his lap. She hadn't spoken since he had custody of her, which was about a month now.

"It's all right now kiddo," Carter rubbed her back. "I'm putting you down now, I'm gonna make some pancakes, kay?" his usual attitude had done a one-eighty with this little girl.

This time she nodded and hugged him. Lizzy then slid off to the side of his lap and hugged a pillow. Carter ruffled her hair and got up make food. It didn't take him to long, in fact it took him longer to find a piled up dirty dish to wash and use then cook.

"Stellina breakfast." he called out, getting what was left of the milk.

Carter checked it to make sure it wasn't spoiled before pouring it into her glass. The word stellina was Italian meaning 'little star'. Lizzy had slipped off the sofa still holding the pillow and went into the kitchen which also doubled as a dinning room.

"Up ya go," Carter lifted her up into the chair. "Here you go, Minnie Mouse pancake."

On the pancake was a strawberry cut up in the shape of a bow.

December 1st

Lighting flashed through the sky as a roar of thunder resounded the in the busy air of Philadelphia, and the snow fell heavily.

"Are you ready to see Uncle Carty?" a very stunning woman asked Lizzy.

"He's not busy?" she sounded excited.

"Nope, he took the month off just to see you Elizabeth," the mother was happy.

"Yey!" the child giggled.

"Wow, look at this car pile up. Now I know why I live in rural area."

It thundered out and snowed like mad when all the sudden another car smashed into them. The child screamed as the car slid against a fire hydrant. The windows had smashed into the car, and Lizzy was disoriented as she looked at her mother's blooded face. Thunder cracked, and drowned out a scared child's screams.

December 10th

Carter had been exhausted, dealing with child services, and being questioned about his sister. He picked up the dishes but left them sit in an empty sink. He filled the glasses half way with water so a milk ring wouldn't form at the bottom.

"Sorry little stellina, Uncle is tired." he sighed closing his eyes, wishing it was all over.

The little girl looked up at the face down picture frames. Children were incredibly smart, but most people never pay it any mind. She knew her 'Uncy Carty' was hurting, but she figured it was her fault. There was a scrapping noise and Carter looked over seeing her pull the chair. He kept a watchful eye on her as she climbed up on the chair and onto the counter that was connected to the sink. She was doing the dishes for him. Guilt ran through him, and it was a feeling he wasn't use to having, so the olive skinned Italian man stood up and walked over to help.

"Thank you." he sounded worn and tired, which made his words genuine and heartfelt.

Carter had to admit, the fight was worth while. He wasn't too keen on having his niece live with him at first, but she had grown on him. His connection with his sister was strong, and he remembered holding the babe in his arms when she was born. After everything his sister went through, she deserved to have her wishes fulfilled. He knew in his heart that he was the one who should take care of this little girl, but it was difficult on his character to do so, and even harder when she wouldn't speak.

"Hey, Uncle Carter, has to catch some bad guys okay. You can stay with the doggy."

Carter went to his room and changed into his work clothes, and heavy jacket throwing his scarf around his neck. While he unlocked the entrance door the little girl hugged herself around his leg. He really didn't want to leave her alone. Carter wasn't always watching his mouth and what if she got even more scared? The lieutenant sighed and picked up his stellina. There were no options. He had to take the little girl with him. He went back to the bedroom and let her pick out an outfit leaving her alone in the room. When she came out he bundled her up so she wouldn't get sick, or freeze. Looking at her scarf Carter removed his own scarf and placed it over the one she was already wore.

"Komm Scott." he called his German shepherd dog.

The dog followed and got into the back, with Liz, and sat in the middle of the car. Carter buckled her up and closed the door as he got into the drivers seat. As he started the car Liz cried loudly. Naturally Scott looked around for the cause, then sniffed her, licked her face, and placed a paw on her leg. Scott looked over at Carter and barked at him a few times. Carter turned the car off but she continued to cry. He looked at the seat belt, placed it on himself, and she stopped crying. Scott's tail wagged as he jumped on the seat and placed his head on the little girl's lap.

"Sorry," Carter felt hurt inside as he turned back to see Lizzy petting his partner. "Here kiddo." he handed her a tissue.

There was silence in the car as Carter drove to work on the black iced roads of Philadelphia. The Lieutenant already knew he'd face apologetic faces at the office. The last thing he wanted was their pity for something they knew nothing about. He pulled into the station and got out of the car, he opened the door, and Scott jumped out. Carter carried his niece because snow was heavy, and he had to stomp on the ground to just get to the door. The receptionist looked at them with that apologetic look Carter hated. He scowled and before she could say anything his old ways kicked in.

"Why hasn't anyone shoveled the sidewalk out there?" He yelled.

Carter felt a tug and he looked down at the little girl whom he was held, and scared. His face puffed up as he sighed. He placed her down as Ash walked over.

"Hiya." he smiled squatting down.

Instantly Liz hid behind Carter's leg and held onto his pant leg.

"That's a friend of mine, Detective Jonathon Ash. Ash, this is Lizzy," Carter introduced her.

"Well it's nice to meet ya," Ash smiled at her. "If you need anything you can come talk with me okay."

Lizzy moved forward and let go of her uncle. She then hugged Ash's leg. Carter nodded to Ash, then the man picked up the little girl and held her in his arms. Lizzy was normally an outgoing child, however after recent events she was more wary of her surroundings, but she trusted everything Carter told her. Carter went straight to work on his computer as Ash, Scott, and Lizzy played some sort of ball game. A few other officers watched and tried to join in but that caused Lizzy to run to Carter and hid under his rolling office chair.

"Don't pinch your fingers." Carted motioned for her to stand up.

Lizzy got out from under the chair and looked at her Uncle as he picked her up and walked back over to the other officers. He introduced Lizzy to them all. Lizzy nodded and allowed them to come near her without getting to upset over it. Carter then went back to work.

Hours went by and Ash went out and returned with McDonald happy meals for everyone in the office. Naturally expecting officers to give toys to Lizzy, or take them home to their own children. As hours flew by again Lizzy went over to Carter pulling on his pant leg. He almost jumped as he was absorbed in his work that the sudden disturbance took him off guard. Lizzy was rubbing her eyes and Ash walked over.

"Hey, why don't you go home and I'll finish up your paper work," Ash offered.

"Sure, don't stay so late that you're dead tired, cause I don't want the blame."

The small girl gave Detective Ash a hug around the leg, and he gave her a light pat on the head. Carter meanwhile got up and got ready to go. Lizzy pointed to her things and held Ash's hand allowing the detective to help bundle her up for the frigid climate outside. Ash then picked Lizzy up and handed her to Carter who left holding her, the dog following close behind. The three returned home, and Carter was about to take his coat off when Scott went on a barking rampage.

The stocky man looked over and realized he could still see his breath. His eyes darted to look at the windows in the apartment. He unlocked the door.

"Come on Lizzy, we have to get out of here before-"

Someone in all black ran at them. Scott instantly went to attack and was bludgeoned with what seemed to be a metal pipe. Carter didn't have enough time to get to his gun that was inside his shirt as another figure had pinned him up against the door with a rag that had chloroform on it, and pressed against his nose and mouth. He could hear his niece crying, Carter forced his hand into a fist and pounded on his door hoping to get someone's attention. He heard snarls and barks, then yelps from his partner who was being beaten. These people came prepared, and must have been wearing some sort of guard to protect them from most if not all of Scott's biting attempts. Carter was disoriented everything was a blur as he heard the door lock, and the men rush out of the house with a crying child. A crying child wasn't too unusual in this sort of building. It was quiet but there was always a baby somewhere in the building, a child with a booboo, or one of the two trying to get the attention of an adult for some various reasons.

Everything went dark until there were bursts of pain ran through Carter's body. Where was he? What was going on? How long had he been knocked out? The Italian opened his eyes slowly. He just saw people in black. He couldn't see their faces or details of any sort. Everything was blurred, and he was unaware this was because he had been hit in the head a few times. Carter turned his head throwing up his lunch. He was then pulled up and put into a kneeling position. His head dunked into ice cold water. This woke him up and he realized someone had been talking to him, but the ringing in his ears was so violent that he couldn't understand. Again he found himself dunked into the water. Everything slowly got clearer to him. He was in boat, and could clearly see signs for entering New Jersey, which meant he was on the Delaware River. The rocking of the rowboat was unnerving.

"Can you understand me Mr. Blake?"

The voice was muffled.

"Wait!"

Carter shouted as he felt himself about to be dunked again. He looked around trying to figure out who was talking. The men were in brown coats with fur on the hoods, and ski masks covering their faces. That type of outfit was normal during these climates.

"I hear you," the Lieutenant kept looking for the man speaking. "Where's my niece?" Carter did not see the girl in the boat as he came to his senses.

"Good, good, your concern is also my concern Mr. Blake. Do you like to fish Mr. Blake?"

"Jesus Christ you asshole, where's my niece!" Carter tried to move but the men in the boat pinned him down.

"She's alive, I assure you. You see, ice fishing on the Delaware is starting up again. Mostly for muskies, it's a very big fish, did you know that?" the voice was calm and lucid.

"What do you want?" Carter asked now shivering. "What are the demands?"

"No demands just a little game Mr. Blake. You see, if you manager to survive this trial I want you to go home and look under you bed. Keep the cops out of this little fiasco, make something up about the windows and your mutt. That is, if you make it there alive of course. After that you'll have more directions," the voice explained.

"What?" Carter was beyond confused.

The men in the boat lifted him up.

"Swim to shore, after two hours though you may die from freezing to death. Have a nice swim Mr. Blake; try not to get stuck under a patch of ice."

Those were the man's final words as Carter felt needles on his body from the sharp stinging cold waters. The shadow of the rowboat stopped him from surfacing normally. Swimming frantically to the side of the boat his hands felt numb already as he touched the ice. It felt like a wall, the cold sensation no different because of the freezing temperatures of the water. He swam pressing his body against the ice finding that he could suck on it inhaling a small pocket of air. He continued to swim unsure which direction he was even going. He kicked his legs frantically and dug in his coat. He could feel the gun holster clinging to his chest. As he opened up his coat and shirt the water was relentless attacking his exposed flesh. He pulled out his gun praying it was jammed already and shot at the ice, but the water was sweeping him away to fast for him to do anything. After what seemed hours but was about half a minute his back touched down. He was at a shallow break in the river. Carter realized his body was turned around and rolled his body and kicked at the ice above. It was a thinner layer thin enough to break with ease. He quickly stood up cutting the ice with his legs and arms walking in the marsh until he was clear of the water. He looked and could see the boat. It was to far to shoot, but Carter wasn't even sure if he had his gun anymore. It didn't matter; the Luminescent hugged himself and climbed up a steep hill trying to get to the road. He searched his pockets pulling out his wallet that held his badge. He went onto the road and got in front of a car. He was honked at until he showed his badge.

"Police, I need to use your car!"

This was a standard procedure. At any point in time a police officer was lawfully inclined to take a car, or get into someone's vehicle. Once inside the car he cranked up the man's heat, and started taking his clothes off to avoid freezing to death. The man pulled over.

"Hey! What are you doing?" Carter yelled.

"I have a spare suit in my trunk." the man replied half frightened.

Carter calmed down and nodded. He pushed the seat down and got to the back taking off all the clothes he could. The man left and returned with a suit and pants. They where big on Carter but it was better than wearing wet clothing.

"Your socks." Carter instructed.

The man undid his boots and seemed to double up on socks because of the cold weather. He gave a pair to Carter, and the Italian quickly put them on while he let the inside of his boots dry.

"I'm Carter Blake, police lieutenant,"

"Johnny Moore," the man had a gentle voice.

Johnny was an African American; he was tall and came off as meek. Carter could sense a great deal of humility from this man, possibly wisdom from unfortunate events.

"I'll remember that name,"

"In a good way I hope, is this the place?"

"Yeah, don't call the cops or anything, this never happened okay,"

"I won't even tell my wife,"

"Good."

Carter got out of the car grabbing his clothes.

"Your suit though,"

"You keep it, I'll get another one."

Johnny drove off to go home for a vacation for the holidays it seemed. The man at the front door looked up after Blake came in.

"Hey, you short on cash Mr. Blake? You don't have to turn your heat off I can let you side for a bit. I know you're good for it,"

"Oh...Yeah with, everything lately I'm a bit behind,"

"You're bleeding, Mr. Blake...Are you all right?"

Blake felt the right side of his head. Johnny wouldn't have seen that side while driving the car, sure enough he was bleeding.

"Oh, I slipped on the ice, I'll take care of it in my bathroom. Hey Mitch, about letting me slide,"

"No, no, not another word. You pay for your newspaper, and even if you yell about the neighbors you haven't said anything to me so they probably deserve it. Just go on and turn it back up."

"Actually I have a bit of a problem. Last night, one of my windows broke, I might head over to the hotel for awhile. I just came to get my things,"

"Oh, yeah, guy upstairs had the same trouble, damn cold and wind shattered the window. The whole hot inside cold outside science crap. I say the government should give me some money to build a wall around the damn lot so the wind isn't so bad,"

"Right, well I'm off."

Carter went to his room and got his keys from the pants he was carrying. He figured Mitch was too involved in his paper to really notice how odd Carter really looked. Opening the door he looked in and turned the lights on. He saw his dog locked in his own kennel. His paws bleeding from trying to scratch his way out, his jaw also bleeding from biting the metal bars and it seemed he had exhausted himself. Carter called Scott with a soft voice, but the dog jerked awake hitting his head on the top of the kennel yelping then barked.

"Hey it's okay, it's me."

Scott calmed down and Carter opened the cage door for his dog to get out. Scott limped out.

Carter instructed his dog to lay down by the door, and he obeyed. The Lieutenant got him water and food, giving him the okay to eat before packing in a hurry. He then checked under the bed and pulled out a small box. He opened it and tossed the box on the bed. Inside was the McDonald's happy meal toy Liz had got around noon. Carter would have thrown it in rage but there was also a note in the box. He pulled it out and read it.

Dear Mr. Blake,

I applaud your success and envy your luck.

Inside this box is prepaid cell phone I will call you tomorrow at noon for more information.

Your efforts today have allowed the small child to have warmth for the duration of the trials.

However it's only a matter of time before starvation sets in.

Sleep well Mr. Blake.

God will be with you on the seventh day in exchange for the lamb.

Carter stared at cursive neat penmanship. He growled and the noise soon turned into a scream of agony, frustration and hatred as he began to uncontrollably curse. Words began to repeat themselves as Carter tried everything in his power to hold onto his masculinity and stop himself from crying. Scott limped over looking around to see if there was something he could do. Carter closed his suitcase and went to the bathroom grabbing the bleach. He was cleaning all the blood in case someone ever did investigate. Scott limped back by the door watching his partner. It took about two hours before Carter went back to the door. He strutted out with his limping dog following close behind. Mitch was in his own little room reading the paper. He had a window to see people coming in and out, one of his jobs was to let people into the building after hours, and early morning.

"Have a good day Mr. Blake."

Carter grumbled and went to his car and allowed his partner into the vehicle as he drove to the nearest hotel. He planned to stay there for a few days. He didn't even bother changing as soon as he dropped his coat. He just fell on the bed. Scott jumped up on the bed and curled himself up resting his head on one of Carter's legs. Carter picked up the phone by the bed and called Ash. He'd have to lie to his friend about what had happened and he'd have to make something up about Lizzy if Ash happened to ask. Luckily Ash didn't stay to long just long enough to look at the dog. By this point Blake had changed into something he'd normally wear and was patched up. After Ash left Carter just closed his eyes letting sleep take over. Ash was kind enough to make sure Scott had food and water. Though the detective was curious, but knew better than to pry into Carter's affairs. Carter had been keeping to himself more so than usual since the death of his sister.

Author's Note:

I don't own Heavy Rain

Thank you my lovely bata readers 3