Scattered Thoughts, Random Musings

Amber stared back at the midnight dark eyes that bore into her as she reached for the phone. She should have been used to the detective’s piercing gaze by now but tonight it was different. More predatory. She tore her eyes away and flipped open the cellphone. “Hello, Austin?” A grunt followed by heavy breathing vibrated through the phone. “Austin?” A chill ran through Amber’s veins when a low husky voice spoke through the phone. “No, honey, Austin's a little... preoccupied right now.” The woman on the other end spoke with slight amusement and all thought fled Amber’s mind. She gripped the phone and willed her voice to sound calm yet firm. “Where’s Austin?” The woman laughed. "Don’t worry, honey. He's alive... for now.” Amber's arm went slack and she stared at the phone as if she didn’t recognize its purpose. Marc immediately grabbed the phone from her hand and pushed a button. The woman’s cool, throaty voice filled the room. “...depends on you.” Marc shoved the pho...

Amber’s heart thudded against her chest as she walked out of the busy precinct into the cool California night. She couldn’t shake the image of the detective’s harsh, angry face so she tried to focus on getting as far as she can from the police station. She vaguely noted the rapid descent of the California sun and realized there had been no sense of time for her in that tiny interview room. It was getting increasing late and she began to have second thoughts about going back to her house. After what happened today, her stomach knotted at the thought of going back to her dark house, even for a second. But she had no change of clothes and more than anything, she wanted to get out of California as soon as possible. Luckily, she managed to find a cab just a short distance from the police station and gave the driver directions to her home. She promised him a nice tip if he waited for her. She even gave him half the fare upfront in case he thought she would cheat him out of his fare. H...

As soon as the doors closed behind Marc, Amber waited a few seconds then got up from her seat. Though she appreciated what the detective tried to do for her, she couldn't go with him. She had to get to Austen. She went to the door and held her breathe. She slowly turned the knob. It cracked open enough for her to peek through. The halls appeared disserted but she couldn't see beyond the row of file cabinets to confirm. She opened the door wider and stepped out of the room. Two uniform police officers walked toward her and she froze. One of the officers looked curiously at her and willed herself to relax. They couldn’t know why she was there so she plastered a smile on her face, trying not to look suspicious. She nodded to them when they came nearer and, to her great relief, they nodded back and continued pass her. She vaguely remembered the way to the elevators but couldn’t imagine herself simply strolling out of there, unnoticed. And she didn’t. This time a ...

“Oh my God, this is not happening,” Amber shrieked. She began tugging at her bound hands but his grip held fast. “You don’t understand, I can’t stay here.” Marc grabbed her cuffed hands and pulled her toward him. “Then enlighten me,” he said, irritation all over his hard face. “I don’t like to be made a fool of and you’ve done nothing but that since we’ve met.” Amber looked at him in confusion. She’d been nothing but polite to the insensitive jerk, knowing full well he didn’t like her much. Maybe if she told him what had just happened he would help her. The unconscious man in her kitchen should be proof enough that she wasn’t playing anyone for a fool. “He’s in the kitchen.” Her voice was so calm she might as well told him there were cookies in the kitchen. “What?” “The guy who attacked me,” she explained patiently. He gave her a strange look and without another word pulled her towards the kitchen. But instead of the validation she’d expected, Amber was dumbfound...

Amber felt light-headed from the anticipation. The pan began to weigh heavily in her hands. She needed to call for help. She immediately thought of Detective Sharpe. No . Austen said no police. Amber sighed in resignation. The detective would as likely arrest her for this foray then the short, blonde man who roamed her house. He already thought her capable of murder. There would be no escaping this if she didn’t do something quick. She would have to make a run for it. She glanced at the narrow kitchen window and wondered at the possibility of fitting through it. But the soft padding of footsteps grew louder and Amber held her breathe. She raised the heavy grill pan above her head just as a dark figure appeared alongside the pantry closet. With heavy force, she brought down the pan. Her strike was wild and uncoordinated yet in her frenzy she heard the man grunt and fall to the ground. Blood mingled in his blonde curls and his glasses lay smashed beside his face. ...

Where was it? Amber pulled another drawer open, frantically scanning its contents. No luck. She slammed the drawer shut and opened another. Where was it? Panic started to set in. She had to find. Austen was counting on her. Amber continued her search, shoving contents around, unaware that she was looking in some of the same places. Maybe Shawn had moved it? Then a thought formed. Kneeling down, she pulled the bottom drawer out of its hinges and set it aside. Looking through the darken space, she found it. Nestled in the floorboard of the tall dresser, lay the padded envelope. She snatched it out of its hiding place and opened it. Nothing appeared to be missing and she breathed a sigh of relief. Stuffing the envelope into her purse, she went back downstairs. She quickly gathered her bags and wrote a brief note for Shawn. Sadness threatened to overwhelm her when she realized she may never see her friend again. But it was for everyone’s safety. Based on Austen’s ...