Title: Into The Woods
Chapter 2 – Deeper into Despair
A/N: Thank you so much to everyone who liked chapter 1 and reviewed! I hope you like this installment just as much!
'You don't want to see the body.'
'I've seen other dead bodies before.'
'Not like this one. Please Eliza, just…for me?'
'William, I assure you that I can handle…'
'I'll make you a deal…'
'You? A deal? I'm afraid to ask the terms.'
'If you stop badgering me about this particular case, I'll give you all the gory details of the case if you just…forget this one body viewing.'
'You swear?'
'I…swear,' he stated in exasperation as he watched her turn and leave. He made sure that she was gone from his view, before he took a deep breath and then headed back into the small hospital morgue. He knew she could handle seeing the body, he just didn't want her to see him display the slightest hint of failure.
However, she hadn't gone too far, she had concealed herself around the corner in a dark alcove, ready to spring herself on him for details of the newest body when he emerged from the room. But as soon as William had stepped out, something about him was different and she held herself in place. His shoulders were slightly slumped, fists curled and…it looked as if his eyes tightly closed. She knew he had seen his fair share of dead bodies but…but something about this case, haunted him into darkness, even during the brightest of days.
'William?' She dared to ask in a soft tone as she slowly revealed herself and took a few steps in his direction. Much to her surprise, and probably to his as well, he remained in place with a fixed expression that bordered on resentment and abject hatred, until she came into view. 'What is it? You look as if you've seen something unnatural.'
He lifted his tormented gaze and held her expression captive for what seemed like an eternity before he dared to pull away from his spot and move toward her. As he neared, his fists unfurled, and his expression softened. The heat emanating from them as he stood a few inches from her, was almost too intense for her to bear, but she held her ground and his gaze. She could sense he needed it; why she wasn't sure entirely, but he dare not leave him in that moment.
'I'm sensing you saw something…'
'Horrific. No man…should ever have to…endure what he did,' William's voice died out into a strained whisper as he grasped her hand and held it for a few heated moments.
'Who would do such a thing?'
'A monster. I need to tell his wife.'
His parting words, hung in the air with a chilling echo as he pushed past and disappeared from view. She recalled hearing the medical doctor, exclaim to another that he never had seen the Inspector so shaken and that was something, since nothing seemed to phase the William Wellington.
SDSDSDSD
Her mind raced with a million different horrible thoughts about what fate awaited her dear William and she knew if something wasn't done he would die? What could she do? She felt the world around her starting to slow and her heart rate to rise to an uncomfortable level as time ticked slowly past. She stared at Donald with a blank expression as the box seemed to tighten in her grasp. She looked back down at the bloody digit and instantly felt her stomach lurch once more.
He needs you…now more than ever. You're strong enough for this task Lizzie…you have to find William before it's too late.
This time it was her father's voice inside her head prodding her to finally snap free from her morbid stupor and spring into action to find William and save his life.
"Okay we need…we need to find the file. The case file."
"The case file. Right…what would the Inspector have filed it under?"
She had only met Donald on a few occasions since his starting with the seasoned Detective, sometimes his stare lingering a bit longer than both of them had anticipated, but in this moment, the calmness in his voice, seemed to reel her in and force her to focus on the one person she cared for more than anything. William Wellington.
"I forget the name. Uh…Phineas something. It was a year ago and the last victim was…um…Percy…Percy Miller."
"Percy Miller."
"Then we can cross reference anyone named Stuart and hopefully get a lead…a lead to where Will…Inspector Wellington is."
The younger man was no fool. He would be remiss to admit that when he first laid eyes on the feisty female detective, his heart was instantly set aflutter. But the times he had seen her and the Duke in company together, something growing between them was undeniable. Her use of his first name so casually and then quickly correcting herself to something more professional for those around them, also gave away a personal fondness that wasn't allowed to foster in the public eye. He had no chance, and he knew it. But this was his mentor, new friend and fellow officer in trouble. He was new to this area of policing, but this is what he had longed for. Now was his chance to prove himself.
'What can you tell me about this case, William?'
'I can tell you that you never want to come into the sights of this monster. He kills without regret or remorse. He has no respect for the sanctity of life or death for that matter. He needs to be stopped no matter the cost.'
'Yes well…let's hope the cost isn't any more innocent lives.'
"Found it!" Donald declared as he hurried the file to the desk and the two of them quickly dissected it. "The man he's after is Phineas McArthur."
"That's it. That's the name Phineas. Let me see what you've found."
William hadn't let her see all the details of the case; nor any of the photos or sketches taken so as soon as her eyes started to gaze upon a few of them, she felt instant panic.
"This man…is a monster," Donald whispered as Eliza's eyes briefly squeezed back tears. "Look at all the threats the Inspector received."
"He never spoke of any of this," Eliza stated in a deft tone; her pulse about to explode. "These weren't just threats. These…were warnings."
'Think he'll come after you Duke?' She recalled listening to Frank's question from behind a set of cabinets while pretending to be looking for something else. 'He does…you better be ready. Wouldn't him to get the upper hand on ya.'
'No…I wouldn't.'
'If he did…you'd be finished. For good.'
'Thank you for stating the obvious Frank.'
"Okay keep looking. Stuart…Stuart…Stuart who…" Eliza muttered as she flipped another page of William's carefully documented notes. She tried to push past the taunting threats as she raced to piece together the one clue they had. A man named Stuart and where he could be that William would just race after him without an army behind him. "Found something! Stuart Glary. This was the man William kept referring to. I now recall him talking about a Stuart. Said he reminded him of my father. This is the only person there are more notes about."
"So then…this was personal?" Donald dared to ask as Eliza dared to nod in compliance. "You know where he is then?" Donald asked eagerly as Eliza's brow furrowed and she went back to scanning the notes.
"No, but…the notes say…he's the caretaker of the old growth forest."
"That's out of town."
"Then we have to hurry. Are there more horses available?"
"But…don't you want…a carriage?" Donald asked weakly as Eliza's lips pursed.
"You want the Inspector to die because it's not ladylike for me to ride in a dress?" She asked in exasperation as she hurried toward William's small weapon cabinet.
Donald wasn't going to argue as he knew she knew the Inspector better than him and after perusing the notes he knew Inspector Wellington was in grave danger. "We need backup."
"You gather them, I'm going after William."
She didn't give him time to ponder the statement; instead shoved the loaded pistol in her handbag and hurried past him. Her mind was racing as fast as her heart, but if her beloved William was indeed in the clutches of this murderous madman, or worse dead, her life would never be the same. Beloved?
"I'm coming William," she stated firmly as she hopped up onto one of the horses and pushed past a group of startled male officers; Donald not too far behind, as he hurried to press into service a couple of other officers.
Would she make it in time?
SDSDSDSD
Phineas neared.
"You're empty Duke."
William took a deep breath and prepared to embrace his fate. The last face on his mind, however, wasn't that of his current nemesis, it was the one person that held a special place in his heart; the one he feared he'd never see again. Eliza.
The twig snapped just as he dared to pull the pin; which allowed the metal jaws to spring open. However, that caused the pain in his leg to course with fresh, throbbing pangs and that gave Phineas another upper hand. William's body folded in pain as he raced to tighten the fabric around his wound and grasp for the gun that had fallen out of his shaky hand. The dampness in the air started to get thicker and colder and with his body drenched in sweat and no jacket to keep any kind of heat in, his energy was fading fast. His enemy had far less setbacks.
Phineas was of sound body, minus a bullet wound somewhere on his person, but it wasn't enough to render him useless in a physical fight. Still on his knees, William pulled back and turned around, only to be met in the face with the butt end of a loaded pistol. His head snapped back as his body started to falter toward the ground; Phineas not about to let up. His bloody fingers unable to grasp the gun with any real strength, despite the urgent pleadings of his mind.
Phineas' foot came down hard on William's wounded ankle which caused the already hurting Detective to yell out in agony and crumple toward the ground. He tried to twist himself around to hit Phineas in the area he thought he had wounded him. And he came close but that would be of no use.
Within seconds, Phineas was on him, once again wrestling him to the ground; his chest pumping up and down, his lungs taking in more cold air than his frame could handle. But he couldn't give up. He sent an angry elbow backward, clipping Phineas in the lower jaw. That only angered the vengeful killer. And when he felt William Wellington's battered frame falter underneath him; he sprang into action to secure his captive – his next victim.
It wasn't until he felt the harsh rope quickly wrap around one wrist and then the other and then both wrists forced together in front that, William knew he was in grave danger. The rope was wrapped so tightly around his captive wrists he thought that the circulation would be cut off and he cursed himself for being overtaken. He fought to free himself but it was no use; his energy was gone; his body literally heaving with each labored breath.
After he was effectively bound, Phineas jumped back, grabbed his gun and glared at William with a Cheshire like grin. He started to slowly circle his captive prey; his mind racing with a million ways for the stubborn Detective to meet his end.
"Go on then…finish it!" William growled as he remained on his knees, hands bound, wounded and with no hope escape; the dark forest looking down with a sinister gaze, silently laughing at his ominous fate. Despite the fact that he was caught, his head pounding and leg throbbing, the only thought was…what would be Eliza's first reaction when she learned of his death? He had failed her father. Failed them all.
"Make it quick, will ya," William taunted again as Phineas slowly circled his captive prey with the gun pointed at William's head.
"Why the hurry to meet your fate?"
Because I don't want you go after someone I care about! His mind inwardly yelled but he remained silent. Only cast an angry glare at his merciless captor.
"I wonder Duke…who back at home will miss you? Anyone? Anyone I can send a digit to? No Missus or anything? Pity eh."
William's teeth gritted as he tried to find some kind of give in the tight ropes that held him captive. The rope was thick and harsh and chafed his skin, but there was no give. He needed something sharp, a knife, a piece of glass, the edge of a stone. Something…anything to get himself free; give him another fighting chance. And with his leg, partially hobbled, he knew his fists were the only chance he had.
"Still haven't answered me! Anyone going to miss you Duke?" Phineas taunted in a low tone as he offered a small sneer.
William urged himself to remain resolute in his stance. Do not dare to flinch or breathe. Do not give this madman what he wants! His mind growled in anger. Eyes forward! Resolute my boy! This time he heard Henry's voice. She'll come for you. Eliza cares a great deal. You just need to hold on a bit longer my dear boy. Hold on!
"No one? After these years, you mean to tell me there isn't one special person who holds a place in that closed off heart of yours?" Phineas continued to circle as William's body as William started to slightly falter in the cool evening breeze. "No one waiting at home for you? Maybe wondering where you are at this late hour? Maybe…come lookin' for you?"
In that moment, fate was against him. His jaw flinched momentarily, and he knew he had betrayed himself. He knew Eliza would come looking for him. He knew she would find a way. Somehow…he knew it would be her and that thought would be the final one would seal his doom.
"So…there is someone," Phineas stated in a tone so vile that William's frame offered a shudder of fear. "Ah…so William Wellington has a weakness after all."
William's eyes narrowed as he gave his head a slight shake; something that his captor didn't care about. Now his mind raced with fresh horrible thoughts. Him forced to watch Eliza suffer for his silent betrayal. Forgive me Henry.
"Well then…let's not disappoint them," Phineas whispered from behind William.
And that was the last thought on William Wellington's troubled mind before he was sent spiraling into merciless darkness.
SDSDSDSD
'I wouldn't dare venture in there Miss Scarlet.'
'Why not Frank? I think I've seen the Inspector in foul moods before.'
'Not like this one.'
She recalled nearing the door and hearing what sounded like a soft sniff coming from William's office, but as soon as she pushed the door open and peered inside, his brave façade was intact and he looked at her with a wondering expression.
'New case?'
'Old ghosts,' he replied with a thinly drawn smile. 'To what do I owe the pleasure today?'
He tried to paste on as tough an appearance as possible; but she could always see through it. Perhaps the only one. He had fooled Frank in the past, by his own admittance. But this case was different. It haunted him, and until this day, she could only guess the reason. Her guesses would have been wrong each time, as she never knew about the threats, the deadly images or the targets that haunted him with each victim and their untimely deaths. He had failed them, failed to bring them justice and she knew inside that weighed heavily upon him. He viewed each unsolved case as a personal failure.
"William has to be okay," she choked back a slight growl as she pushed her horse further toward the dark outskirts of town. Time was against her, the light almost spent and her mind wondering what she might do, if she did happen upon William and his captor without any kind of backup other than one of his pistols. She had fired a gun before, but this man was…she just had to believe that she would find William alive and that somehow he had managed to gain the upper hand on Phineas and he was just maybe hurt and slow to get back.
She had made a brief detour to a small boy who stood outside the precinct when she went looking for the horses. A small boy she hoped would deliver her urgent message to a friend; a friend she hoped and prayed would find them in time. One very handy in a crisis situation.
Eliza neared the entrance to the old forest and felt her entire being offer a shudder. But it wasn't from the cold; it was from the heavy feeling of fear that greeted her and wrapped around her like a stifling blanket. She spied William's horse in the distance and brought hers to a slow trot and then a complete stop. She hopped off and then stood still to listen to whatever might await her in the distance.
Only eerie silence greeted her. The gnarled trees ready to greet the next patron with a lifeless embrace.
Her heart started to beat rapidly once more, as she carefully made her way deeper into the forest; heading first toward the cabin that Stuart had once occupied. Eliza stopped at the base of the stairs and stared at the broken step and then quickly looked around.
"Oh no…" she breathed as she hurried toward an object on the ground. She carefully picked up the empty pistol and started to look around; the earth around her starting to swirl. A few meters ahead, she spied William's hat and then…his torn jacket and silver pocket watch that her father had given him a few feet away. She gathered up the jacket in her arms and brought it to her face; the watch into her dress pocket for safe keeping.
"William," she whispered as her brain instantly recognized his scent and brought her world to a shuddering halt. Not only was it torn, but she knew the unmistakable look and odor of blood; a faint stain of red coming away on her fingertips. She quickly swallowed back a few tears but kept her gaze firm. She had to be strong for his sake. He was in danger…in trouble and needed her. But she was alone and in unfamiliar surroundings and darkness was falling faster than wanted.
"What am I doing?"
He needs you, Eliza. You must find him; her father's voice was once again heard inside her mind. Find him before it's too late. You can do this. You won't be alone for long. Hurry.
But who was coming? The monster…or backup?
She took a few steps and then stopped once more, this time her heart nearing a critical rate. There in the mess of leaves and broken branches, was an open bear trap, one that had the tips of its steel jaws dotted with fresh crimson. Her fists clenched in terror at the thought that William was caught in that trap and then…dragged off, shot and buried? NO! He's not dead! He can't be!
The world around her started to spin; her mind so preoccupied with pondering William's predicament that she failed to realize she could be the next victim. Something neared her. Something evil.
And somewhere deep in the thick of the forest, now held captive in a dark, unfamiliar and almost unrecognizable structure, William struggled against his bonds; his mind racing with that fact that he had not only fallen victim to an evil man's dastardly plan, but he had done the same for his beloved Eliza.
He let out a desperate cry…a cry that would not be heard.
"ELIZAAAAAAAA!"
A/N: Well dear readers…I had intended to wrap this up in this chapter and make it a mini adventure but it looks like my muse Alice has decided to add a few more details and deepen the danger for our couple and give you another part. I hope you all liked this angsty little chapter and please do review before you go, especially if you want to read a bit more. Thanks so much in advance!