All Monsters are Human

Andy sighed and wrenched open the door to his flat. He had needed an excuse to let Flick go and going home couldn't have come at a better time. He probably would have let her go even if he wasn't going home.

He slammed the door and threw his jacket on the hallway floor. He walked into the lounge and sat down on the sofa. He leaned his head back on the head rest and sighed.

He missed her so much. He had grown used to having Flick around. For the past month he had been pretending they were a normal couple. The dream had broken and reality set in.

Lifting his head, he looked round the flat and realised, with shock, that he was not the same person he had been a month ago.

Four weeks ago he abducted her and had been quiet cruel to her. His temper would flare at the slightest thing and now he felt eerily calm. The strange sensation of regret was beginning to seep into him. He leaned forward, clasping his head in his hands.

Regret hurt a lot. This regret hurt the most because he loved Flick and after leaving her at the bus depot, he realised she cared about him too. She would go back to a loving family and a normal life. A life that he wouldn't be a part of.

The doorbell made him lift his head and he stood. Had she followed him back? Maybe she'd waited for a bit and walked back. He would be even more annoyed if she had. This was her chance to escape and go back to her family.

He stalked to the phone and answered it, readying himself for her voice, but it wasn't Flick on the other end of the phone.

"Andy, it's Aaron. Can you let me in?" The detective asked.

Andy pressed the button down and waited for Aaron to come in. Minutes later the door was knocked and Aaron walked in. He looked tired and there were dark circles under his eyes. His beard was slightly unkempt.

"What do you want?" Andy snapped. He sat back down on the sofa.

"Where's Felicity?" Aaron ignored his sulky demeanour.

"I let her go." Andy retorted, hating that he was reliving the moment.

He looked up to find Aaron looking shocked. His face was pale now and there was a look of worry in the detective's eyes. Andy frowned.

"You let her leave? Where is she?" Aaron demanded.

"I left her at the bus depot so she could get the bus to the train station." Andy stood, glaring at the detective.

"You total idiot! Samuel escaped my custody two days ago. I have reason to believe he was after her." Aaron seethed.

Andy's eyes widened and he looked frantic, rushing out of the lounge and grabbing his jacket off the floor. Aaron followed close behind. The two of them raced down the street to the bus depot.

Buses were still running and they made their way inside. The help desk was still open and a blonde woman was sat at the booth. Andy rushed over.

"Good Evening, How may I help you?" She asked, politely.

"Hi, did you sell bus tickets to a young girl about twenty minutes ago?" Andy tried to sound polite, but he sounded nervous. She looked suspicious.

"Sorry, sir, but I cannot share that information." She sounded angry now.

Aaron groaned and decided to intervene. He pushed Andy aside and held up his police badge for her to see. The woman raised her eyebrow and nodded for Aaron to continue.

"It is vital you tell me whether you sold tickets to a young girl or if you saw her. We belive she is in grave danger." Aaron fumbled in his pocket, certain he had one of the posters of Felicity.

He did and he held it out to the woman. She accepted it and slid her glasses up her nose. She lowered the poster and handed it back.

"I didn't serve this young lady any tickets," She replied, sadly. Aaron felt sick all of a sudden. "But I saw a young girl waiting across the street earlier when I started my shift."

Andy rushed forward, "Did anyone approach her? Did you see a guy approach her?"

"She was alone at first. I saw a guy walking towards her and then when I looked again, they were gone." She spoke gently now.

Aaron thanked her and they rushed away.

"So any idea where he'd take her?" Andy snapped.

"I have one idea, but we need to get there very quickly." Aaron replied, rushing to his car.

They both got in and Aaron clicked the sirens on and they raced off down the street, avoiding on coming traffic.

**************

Everything was blurry. My head felt heavy and I struggled to sit up. My eyes began to adjust to the light and I realised I was on my back. I tilted my head and noticed my duffel bag across the way.

There were stained glass windows all around me. I was in a church. There was a lot of damage to the pews and graffiti across the walls. I angled my head slightly and saw the door was shut and police tape was strewn around it.

A door at the far end opened and Samuel wallked in. He grinned when he saw I was awake. I whimpered, but couldn't even move. He stalked over, enjoying my pain.

"Good evening, sleepy head." He grinned.

I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing would come out. It felt like my tongue was swollen and my limbs were made of lead.

"Can't speak? How tragic." He chuckled. "Looks like you're my whore now. I have a lot more planned for you than that freak."

I wanted to tell him to shut up, but no words were coming out and if I did insult him then he may decide to cut my life short.

He sat down next to me, grinning triumphantly, "Do you know why I became a police officer?"

I tried to shake my head and he giggled again. I tried to narrow my eyes and glare at him, but couldn't summon the strength.

"Because I get cool weapons," He brandished a large knife at me and panic set in.

My eyes darted around and I saw a load of weapons across the way. He must have stolen them from the evidence locker at the station. He leaned down, pressing the knife to my cheek.

He pressed down harder, causing a thin cut to appear on my cheek and making me wince in pain. A few tears leaked out and he grinned wider.

My voice was starting to come back and I sobbed. This seemed to infuriate him because he slapped me across the same cheek. It hurt even more than last time.

"Shut the fuck up." He slapped my other cheek. "Only I get to speak."

My head span again and a few more broken sobs escaped. He stood and lifted his foot, kicking me hard in the stomach, knocking the wind out of me.

"Open the door. We have you surrounded." A voice.

Samuel turned then, looking at the church door. His eyes went to me again. He seemed to be thinking.

"My good friend, Aaron must have found us. Oh, what fun." He laughed, hauling me to my feet.

He practically dragged me to the door before kicking it open. There were armed police and their guns were aimed at us. Samuel didn't seem phased by this new development.

"Samuel, let the girl go." Detective Crane was speaking into a megaphone. His eyes were narrowed in silent fury.

"I don't think I shall," Samuel yelled back. "Any wrong moves and her brain will end up all over the floor."

Something cold touched my cheek and I realised he was pressing a gun to my face. My mind went blank and I closed my eyes. Fear lanced through me in waves.

Samuel seemed satisfied and started backing us up, walking round the back of the church to the courtyard. He chuckled, knowing he had escaped with me.

Something shoved him though and his body flew forward, hitting the floor. My own body landed on the ground a few feet away.

I lifted my head and relief washed over me when I saw Andy. I screamed when Samuel stood up. He was clutching the gun, pointing it at Andy then at me. Before either of us could react there was a gunshot.

I waited for the pain of the bullet. When nothing happened I looked at Andy. He was fine. Detective Crane was standing a few feet away. He was holding a gun and had pointed it at Samuel's arm.

The younger man was crouched on the floor, screaming in agony. Several more police officers appeared and cuffed Samuel. Detective Crane walked towwards me, assisting me to sit up.

The ropes binding me were cut and I struggled to my feet, rushing over to Andy and hugging him tightly. He clung to me and I cried into his chest. Detective Crane stood a few feet away and seemed to be letting us have a moment together. He walked over after a while.

"Like we discussed in the car?" He asked.

Andy pulled back, but still held me to his side. He nodded and leaned down, kissing my lips again before pulling away.

"What did you discuss?" I gasped out.

"Andy will leave you with me and I will take you to your parents." Detective Crane stepped closer, putting a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

"Andy, please. I want to go with you. I love you." I sobbed.

"I love you too." He murmured, hugging me again. "Which is why you need to go home."

It was true. There was no denying it and we pulled apart. Detective Crane smiled sadly at us.
"Will I see you again?" I mumbled.

"Maybe someday, kitten." Andy grinned.

With that I was led away from the scene. I was led past officers pushing Samuel into a police car and towards a dark blue Audi.

Detective Crane opened the door for me and I slid in. I took one last look out the window and saw Andy across the road. I lifted my hand and waved to him. He did the same. Detective Crane started the car and we drove away. The nightmare was over.

***********

We didn't speak on the way home and I was so relieved when we drove down my street. The car stopped and Detective Crane pulled out his phone. He pressed the screen and held it to his ear.

"Hello, Mrs Smith," He smiled. "Yes, this is Detective Crane. I've found Felicity and I've bought her home."

I couldn't hear the response, but he hung up a second later and got out the car. The door opened and I trailed after him. There were posters on lamp posts with my face on them and it made the moment very surreal.

The front door to my house opened and my parents rushed out, pulling me into their arms and sobbing hysterically. I cried too, for so many reasons.

I cried because I had missed them and was so happy to see them. I also cried because I missed Andy.

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