Justin Cairns - Little Red

‘Malcolm, hey Malcolm’

‘What’s up?’

‘I need you to run this to Nathan’

‘What? I’ve just got in!’

‘It’s an emergency’ she pleaded

‘Does Jack know?’

‘Of course, otherwise I wouldn’t be asking you…..would I?’ she lied.

The folder was handed over and he exited in a mood. The door slammed behind him.

***

Russell opened his eyes slowly, the dream had been welcoming. It was more of a look to the past, a slideshow of fond memories, images of his transformation. He stood, his muscles tightening in the back of his legs. He arched rearwards and stretched his arms wide, groaning slightly under the strain. He was hungry, the excitement rushed through him. He hated the slow build up to his finale, he longed for the time to pass quickly. He created a plan within his mind as he moved to the bathroom. He needed to prep all of his tools for the mission, it had to be perfect, just like the last two. He washed his face and wiped the sleep from his eyes, he grinned, flashing a vicious smile to the beast in the mirror. His tongue danced over the points of each sharpened tooth, he admired his appearance. The clothes were slipped onto his body and he moved slowly down the stairs. The large freezer was opened and he moved the bags from one side to another, searching for his decided piece of meat. He found it, the large slab of frozen protein lay inside the plastic bag. He removed it and closed the lid, trapping the freezing air inside. He placed the contents upon a plate and allowed it to start the slow defrosting process. He decided to check on his girl before venturing into the garage for another feast and fill of fresh blood.

The room was quiet, he could hear her sharp breathing as she slept in the chair. He entered, the lights still off. He moved closer to the girl, being careful not to startle her. He lowered his face to hers and felt her breath upon his cheek, he shivered. He could smell the dried blood as it plastered her body, he could smell the slow release of fear, the fear that he had placed inside her mind and heart yesterday. He licked at the dried red stuff upon her cheek, the sweet taste filled his mouth, he wiped his lips with his tongue and crept out of the den, leaving her to sleep in preparation for the night’s events.

***

The task team gathered in the briefing room. Jack stood at the front of his team, his appearance had been adjusted slightly, his shirt tucked into his trousers and hair dampened. His face still offered the tired, worn out look. He removed his hands from his pockets as the onlookers fell silent.

‘Morning everyone, you may already have guessed why I brought you all together this morning’

‘Tonight’s the full moon Sir!’ the female PC answered.

‘Yes, it is, which means we need to catch the Wolf before he claims another life. What I want is for two teams, one and two, to stay put in the office and plough through the information we have so far. I realise that we have a heavy load to sift through, but that’s why there are two teams on the task. I want everything looked over and dissected. Note down anything that may appear different or something we may have overlooked. The remaining teams will be heading off to the schools and local areas, I want pedestrians quizzed about the man. We have his picture so someone may recognise him. I understand that this has been done on many occasions, but we can’t just lie down and let the monster crack on…….we have to stop him, today is the day we do it!’

The speech had lifted the low spirits of the room, moral had stooped as the case dragged on. They had watched as Nathan was removed, observed the Psychiatrist overtake the Press Conference gig and now had to face the fact that a ten year old girls life may be taken from her this very night. The room erupted with movement as the individuals got to their assigned tasking’s. Jack looked upon the case file plastered against the walls. He needed the beast, he yearned to be the person who dragged him into custody, the feeling off slapping a pair of cold handcuffs around his wrists, the power the beast held, slowly pulled from his core.

***

Nathan sprung from the bed as the knocking on his door excited him. He moved with speed to reveal his guest. Malcolm stood in the hall, an expression of anger and frustration plastered over his face. The folder was passed to Nathan, he gripped it with enthusiasm.

‘Thanks Malcolm, what have you got on today?’ he quizzed, hoping the results would be absolutely nothing.

‘I’m not sure Mr Cawley, why?’

‘I may need you this morning’

‘Right, well you need to speak with Mr Dawson first, I can’t just drive you around for the hell of it!’ Nathan picked up on his guests anger, the cheap attempt at sarcasm didn’t go down too well.

‘Jack said if I need you, I should call you….right?’ he pushed, ‘Those exact words came out of your mouth Malcolm’

‘Yeah, right, look I’m a bit down today, once I get some coffee I’ll be good’ he attempted to back step from his near argument.

‘You want coffee, come in, get comfortable’ Nathan ushered him in, the door closing as Malcolm sat upon the only chair.

‘Milk and two sugars please’ he added

Nathan looked at him with a, are you fucking kidding me or what , expression. He decided to do as the man asked, keeping him sweet was the key. He rushed with making the brew, the kettle boiled slowly and his temper began to join it, anxious to read the file. The click made him dive forward, grabbing the handle and tipping the vessels contents into the cup and around the table. He handed it to the guest, the brown liquid dripping from the sides as it overflowed.

‘What’s in it?’ asked Malcolm

‘What…..the brew?’

‘No, the file, what’s in the file?’

‘Just a theory that will hopefully be answered very soon’ he explained, the front page opened upon his knees.

He studied the pages carefully, absorbing the information as if his brain were a large sponge. The same details were offered from the previous file he looked in, just with a bit more detail. The two victims located in the bedroom of the grungy house. Mr Samuel Crane, the male victim, large in size and weight, stabbed multiple times, dying as a result of the attack. Yeah, I know that……

The second victim, ten year old Sarah Crane, found under her father, one strike to her chest, piercing her heart. The missing child, sixteen years old Russell Crane, located at Mr Adrian Cranes house, question but not help accountable to any involvement or knowing of the incident.

Nathan’s mind began flooding with the pieces of the puzzle that he had needed since day one.

Ten year old girl with a punctured heart, only one strike. Samuel Crane, multiple stab wounds. Why only one strike upon the girl? Why murder the male and hack at his body until dead, then stab the female once and leave.

He studied the personal information belonging to Mr Samuel Crane.

Drunk and Disorderly, six cases. ABH… two cases, GBH… two cases. Arrested on three occasions for possible Child Abuse and placed upon the sex offenders list.

The pattern slowly emerged, the vision he had of the man in his head turned into a beast, an animal that forced his aggression and self-loathing upon the weak minded and fragile. He read on.

Sarah Crane, ten years old, withdrawn from schooling upon father’s request. No reports of criminal offences to state.

Russell Crane, sixteen years old, expelled from two schools on accounts of violence to teachers and pupils. Missing from the crime scene, located at uncles, Mr Adrian Crane, remained at the relatives location.

The picture came to life, two children left at home for all hours of the day. Their father, a drunk and beater, comes home and decides to unleash his fury upon them. The boy attacks, striking his father repeatedly, the built up anger he stored inside him being released. The man falls from the blows, takes down the girl. The boy stabs and unknowingly strikes the girl.