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A CONTINUOUS BEEP ECHOED through her head. She reached out to hit Mike and ask him to turn off the blasted alarm clock. Why wouldn’t it stop that incessant beeping? She couldn’t move her arms; they were heavy. When she went to roll over on her side, an excruciating pain shot through her midsection.
She tried to open her eyes, but they were too heavy. In the distance, she heard someone calling her name, “Grace... Grace... Come on honey. Open your eyes for me just once my love.”
Another voice, a female voice, was talking, “I gave her something for the pain. She should feel better soon.”
She attempted to open her eyes once more but found herself slipping back into the darkness. She tried to remember what happened, but her mind was fuzzy. She was just so very tired. She drifted back to sleep.
When she woke up again, she remembered the pain and didn’t move. She cleared her throat and tried to speak.
Mike was standing above her with worry etched on his face. He looked as if he hadn’t showered or shaved in days. She went to say something again, but he placed a finger over her mouth, “Don’t talk just yet. Let me give you some ice chips first.”
She welcomed the cold wetness from the ice. It felt good as it went down her irritated throat. She watched as a rush of emotions washed over Mike’s face. He gently stroked her hair. There was no need for words. Their feelings were so strong that no words could express as beautifully what their silence said.
She barely whispered, “What happened?”
Mike asked, “Do you remember anything?”
Hutch shook her head, “No.”
“You are in the hospital. You had surgery to repair the damage made by the knife wound. It was touch and go for a while.” He let out a deep sigh, “Oh, my love, I thought I lost you forever.”
Hutch closed her eyes as bits and pieces of images flooded her mind. “Did you catch him?” she croaked out.
“You don’t remember?”
She gently shook her head. The movement sent excruciating pain throughout her body, “Detective Ledet and Alex Hamilton figured out who the killer was. It came together as they recalled one of your visions. Ledet drove Bryant home one night after he’d put away a few drinks too many. The place was overgrown. Ledet made it to our apartment just as Bryant was getting ready to stab you again. Thankfully, I had already called for backup and an ambulance. They were already dispatched to our apartment when Ledet arrived.”
She asked, “He’s dead?”
“Yes. Ledet shot him right between the eyes.”
“Wait, why were you on the way to the apartment? You were working a case.”
“You can thank Rayne for that. She sensed you were in trouble and called out to me to help you. I don’t think Guy will ever allow me to drive again.”
The nightmare was over. No more girls would die at his hands. She heard a commotion at the door. Mike informed her, “You have several people here to see you.”
He waved his hand for them to come in. Tears filled her eyes as her parents entered; they both looked as if they had been crying for days. Her mom came over and squeezed her hand, “How are you honey?”
“I am so glad to see you Mom and Dad.” Hutch felt sleep pulling her under once more, but this time she could sleep without the visions haunting her every dream.
Ledet walked into the small hospital room and looked down at the sleeping patient, “I had hoped to catch her while she was awake, but I will let you tell her all in good time. Forensics just finished processing Bryant’s house. He had 15 sets of eyes and tongues in his special closet. They have been sent to the lab for analysis to confirm which ones belong to which bodies. I don’t think we will ever find all the bodies they belong to.”
***
THE WOMAN WATCHED FROM the corner of the room as Hutch fell asleep. She felt a peace wash over her. Could this be the one who would help her find the way back home? She had been trapped in these walls for far too long; they all had. After all of these years, no one was able to help them, but maybe, just maybe, they had found their savior. Someone must be warned because evil walked these halls once more. Their numbers were growing, and would continue until he was stopped.