Does it need more detail? Or is it okay as it is? This is going to be a E/F storey, but Hitomi is briefly mentioned at points. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Eries… Eries… Eries wake up… Eries…" Called a gentle voice.
"Dad… Dad where are you?" Eries whimpered. She missed him, had he come back for her?
"Eries… Eries…"
but surely, that would mean…
Opening a blearily eye, the sun was too bright and she turned over to hide from it.
"Ahhhh."
A pain shot through her shoulder. Was it broken? Whoever she was with, lifted her off the ground and carried her somewhere. They gently laid her down on something soft and dry. They walked around, doing something, their feet making the floorboards creak. Must be made of wood. So where are they? The last thing she heard was the kettle boiling.
I have to find him, I have to find Richie. He needs me. Where? Where?! Is it this corridor? In this room? No. wait – there's another door. This place looks so old and dusty. Here goes – hey? This is my room! And everything is where it used to be. And my bed is made too. Something's on my pillow. It's a note.
"Morning Pumpkin! Don't freak out, everything's gonna be alright, you'll see. Just have faith in him. Love Dad."
Dad? But he's dead… I go to leave, and when I walk through the doorway, I find myself in the attic. Moving the boxes out of the way so I can get past, things topple over and spill from them. a framed photo of us all on holiday in Mauritous. That was great. I move a little and trip on something; another framed photo. It's of me and Richie, on our first Valentine's together.
But it's cracked.
The broken glass almost covers the picture comepletely so I could hardly make out what it is. I'm sure I didn't break it.i turn it over to remove the picture and save it when it bursts into flame! something soft fell out the back. I pick it up.
It's a piece of red moss…
Suddenly she sat bolt upright and smacked them in the head. Eries was about to fall when they got her. Again, there was that connection when they touched. The kind where you don't realise you're actually alive until that very moment. Their skin sizzled to the touch, setting her senses alight like fire.
"Ow…What?..."
Her head was spinning faster than a Catherine wheel. It felt so heavy, like it was detached from the rest of her body or something. Amist all the pain, there was this tingly sensation which was so soothing she rested her head against something. Somebody was brushing hair from her face. The soft caress burned the skin in a way which nearly scared her.
"It's alright, you're safe with me." They said, sensing her fear.
"Folken?" Eries exclaimed.
Struggling to open her eyes, she managed to do so eventually. Everything was a blur, but slowly came into focus. Folken looked the same as usual; the good-looking but bad ass gangster. He seemed to be staring at Eries intently, those dark brown eyes not giving anything away. Then he smirked.
"Yeah, it's me darlin'. Just make sure you get enough rest okay? And try not to play where danger lives." He said softly.
"Wha- Where am I?"
Then he did the weirdest thing – he kissed her lightly on the forehead, before walking out of the door. When he kissed her, her skin felt like it was electrified. So what was she supposed to do? A little voice told her she should seize the chance to arrest him, but as she stood up the room started spinning so she sat back down. Cursing, Eries wondered what drugs he had pumped into her system.
That dream, it was so weird.
Glancing around, the room she was in was shabby to say the least; broken windows, dust, the curtains had holes in them, and there goes a cockroach…
C-RUNCH!!
Not one for being a wuss, Eries stamped on it. Not very ladylike, but who cares? Folken was watching from outside and a smile played on his thin lips. He spoke to an old man, who nodded, then drove away in his 4x4.
An R'n'B tune rang on his Nokia.
"Yeah man,"
"Hey Folken I'v sorted that Richard Evan's out! Y'know, that forensics freak? And what the hell were you thinking?! You should've finished her while you could!!"
"Fuck off Van, don't play where men work."
It was harsh, but his little brother can be such a prick sometimes. There was a long pause before someone else spoke on the line.
"Sweetie where are you? Do you want me to save you some lunch?" It was his mom. She must be mad at him too, though it did not show.
"Alright yeah, I'll be there in half an hour. I'm dropping something off at my place first."
Folken took a brief case from the boot of his sports car up to his penthouse apartment. Setting it on the glass table, he poured himself a glass of vintage wine and sat down. Pressing the code, it unlocked. It was filled to the brim with files, papers, and reports. Taking one of them, it was labelled Confidential.
In his possession, was the entire profile on Eries Aston. From the day she began her career in the force, to the present day. Everything that was recorded, statements made in courts, tapes of interviewing suspects and even her own personal history.
This should be interesting. Folken thought, his signature smile playing on his thin lips.
-
-
When he arrived, there was another fight breaking out in Vanville.
"Oh piss off!" Millerna shouted.
"Look, I-I'm really sorry about the other night! My dad only did it so your sister would release Folken! You know that! Please Millie!!!"
"I know why he did what he did, and I also know why you're begging. You've had you're chances."
"Wait wait wait! Hey look! I've bought you something!" he opened a box, which revealed a De Beers necklace. It must have cost a fortune. Millerna did not even bat an eyelid.
"You can't buy me Van! Not anymore. It's over."
Van grabbed her suitcase from her and threw them down onto the gravel drive. Folken got out the 4x4 and watched the show. This was better than Jerry Springer!
"I love you."
Van said into her ear. Millerna did not move. Then she turned round to face him.
Beep beep. Beep beep. Eries awoke after a while. She must have passed out again. Her superiors must think she is a right weakling. Staggering out of the shack, she followed a beaten path, which lead onto a main road. Only it was deserted with no car in sight. Plus the great news is, it looked as though the road would carry on forever. It must be midday, because the heat from the sun became unbearably hot. So hot, that the heat rising from the ground made everything in the horizon look wavy. Eries was on the verge of collapsing when a jeep pulled up.
"Need a lift?"
"What?"
"Fucking hell you look dead!"
The man jumped out and hurried to her side, helping her into his jeep. Eries was like jelly, flopping against the passenger seat. He shut the windows and banged on the air conditioning in a bid to revive her.
"Why are you here at this time of day? You could frazzle like bacon!!"
She looked at him; he must be in his early seventies, yet he was not doing too bad for his age, still retaining some youthful image to his face. He seemed skinny but strong, one of those types of men. Robust and reliable. He wore casual clothes, a shirt with drain pipe jeans.
"I dunno." Eries mumbled.
He gave her an odd look. If her head would just stop spinning.
The old man drove to a nearby café and ordered two fruit cordials. Eries even had to struggle to get hold of the straw. She had it in her fingers, but every time she went to drink her hand wobbled badly.
"Here."
Eries drank half of it before stopping to breathe. God that felt good. Now she looked more alive, the sparkle in her peacock eyes returning.
"Thank you."
"No worries. So tell me; what brings a young lady like yourself to this part of the woods? Or should I say desert?"
"We're in the desert?"
"Yeah. Are you okay? Need to see a doctor?"
"No I'm fine, really. Just… had a wild night that's all." Well she had to say something.
The old man chuckled. He sipped his drink and gazed out the window.
"I remember those. The good old days."
Beep beep. Beep beep. This time Eries was more awake and knew what that sound meant. She unhooked her mobile form her belt. There were two messages.
'Eries where are you?! I tried to phone but you didn't answer. I've got all the guys helping me find you!! Please ring me."
Milla. She sounded urgent. The next one was more so.
"Eries are you okay?! Why do you keep cutting me off? Look, we've been searching for over 48 hours now so I'm gonna rope in the FBI to help us. Hopefully you're still okay. Love you."
Eries sniffed. It was nice to know that someone cared. Milla was always like that, making her laugh whenever she was feeling blue. Scrolling down, she saw the dates the messages were sent; the first was sent on Sunday, 10th October. The second was sent on Wednesday, 13th October. Closing the menu, she checked today's date; Thursday, 14th October. Four days; she had been missing for four days.
"You're quiet." The old man suddenly said.
"Got a lot on my mind."
She finished her drink. Now what? all she had on her was her mobile phone.
"You need to eat, look at you, you need energy girl."
"But-"
"It's on me. You can pay me back when you win the lottery."
"Thanks."
Somehow, Eries felt that she could trust this old man, whoever he is. Although she has seen many types in her time in the force, this one seems genuine. He asked her what she liked, and ordered two roast chicken breasts with mash and veg, followed by apple pie slices with ice cream.
"What's you're name? I can't go away without knowing that." She ventured.
"Pelazziofontini. John Pelazziofontini."
"Sounds Italian. Am I right?"
"Smart girl. Y'know, you remind me of someone I used to know."
"Who?" Eries asked, spooning a mouthful of ice cream into her mouth.
"My daughter. She's… passed away. Actually, you look a lot like her, only with lighter blond hair. She was tall and slim, with dark blond hair and deep green eyes."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"Don't be. It happened a long time ago. Anyway, what about you miss?"
"What about me?"
John nodded at the diamond ring on her engagement finger. It's sparkling radius could signal a plane for landing.
"Who's the lucky fella?"
"Oh…" Eries's eyes welled up at the thought of him, and all the recent events started to come back to her. But she forced herself to only concentrate on the positive things.
"His name's Richard. He's my rock, and my best friend, my everything."
I hope he's okay…He will be; won't he?