Alone

Harry sat on the sofa staring at the dark carpet. She felt sick. It was happening again. Swaby was haunting her, destroying her slowly. She knew he would. He had told her he wouldn't let her rest. She ran a hand through her blonde hair as she tried not to think about the man who had got inside her head- that had haunted her nightmares for the last four years. He was dead. Her rational mind knew the man was dead. There was no way he could hurt her or anyone else. But his younger brother? That was something she hadn't seen coming. Now three women were dead and an attempt had been made on Dempsey's life. Tears filled her eyes as she thought of the brash, over confident American she had fallen for. She wiped angrily at her eyes; knowing tears were not going to help. A serial killer had tried to kill her; had hurt her and now his brother was determined to destroy her too. She shook with anger as she realised she had never told the men in her life the full story of her time with the Thriller Killer and now she never could.

Xxxxxx

Dempsey glared at the ceiling, frustrated by the plaster cast on his leg and the bandage around his head. He hated being in the hospital, knowing Harry was home alone. That she was planning on putting herself on the line. He knew as cops it was what they did - but this was different. This was Harry going back into her nightmares. He ran a hand through his dark hair; knowing that she wasn't used to opening up. Even now they were together; that everyone including their colleagues knew they were engaged she would still put up the facade. There was no way she would admit she was scared, just as she would never admit that Swabey had got in her head. But he'd been there; he'd seen the fear and shock in her eyes when he had got to the van that night. He had been the one to hold her when she had woken up shaking and bathed in a cold sweat from her latest nightmare. She had never mentioned it and he had never pushed her to. In that moment as his analgesic wore off he cursed himself. He wished he had.

"Nurse?" He called as a man about his age approached him.

"Need more painkillers?"

"No thanks." Dempsey sat up; pulling his crutches towards him. "I need my pants, a discharge against medical advice form and a cab."

"I don't think that's the best idea." The nurse frowned.

"Sorry, but I either sign myself out or I leave. Either way I ain't staying ." He got to his feet gingerly as he balanced on the crutches. The nurse sighed; knowing it was useless to argue with him.

Xxxxx

Harry woke with a start. The room now shrouded in darkness as she tried to adjust herself to the dim light. Before she could fight, before she could scream a hand pressed itself to her mouth; stifling her scream as well as her breathing. The smell of cheep aftershave and smoke accosted her. She felt sick as the man pinned her to the sofa.

"DS Makepeace." The man kissed her cheek. "Now it's my turn to play." The slap to the side of her face knocked her to the floor just before the kick knocked her unconscious.

Xxxxx

Dempsey hobbled out of the cab before heading up the steps to Harry's apartment. He felt sick; knowing something was wrong. Fishing the key Harry had given him for emergency use out of his pocket before letting himself in. He narrowed his eyes; clicking the hall light on. Blood splattered carpet and broken glass met him. His heart lurched as he realised this time he was too late. Harry was gone.