Andrew ran. He ran as fast as he could. If he was caught at the crash site he would be put straight back into jail. He shrouded himself in the dark forest. He was in the middle of nowhere. The forest was made up of pine trees, which towered over him. Andrew looked up at the trees, which peered menacingly down at him. He wondered which way he should go. There was no way he could return home. That would be the first place the police would look for him. Andrew was lost. He was lost in the darkness. The wind howled through the trees. Apart from that there was total silence. Andrew kept on walking. He suddenly started running in the pouring rain and the absolute black. Whether he was running out of the darkness or further into it, he could not say.
****
It had finally stopped raining. Andrew was soaked to the bone. His prison uniform was sticking to his skin. Andrew decided to keep walking. If he stayed still, he would most likely catch hypothermia. If he kept moving, he would keep his body heat up. Andrew sneezed. He hoped this was just a cold. The wind rustled the unruly undergrowth. SNAP! SNAP! Andrew's head snapped around to find the source of this noise. He could not see anything. He ignored it. CRACK! Andrew swiftly swerved, avoiding the falling branch. It seemed like the whole forest was against him. Andrew looked up at the sky. Any stars were covered up by storm clouds. He had no idea what the time was; his watch had been confiscated from him, when he has been imprisoned. There was more rustling in the undergrowth. Andrew tried to see what was making the noise, but whatever it was, it was shielded by the darkness. "I'm just being paranoid." He told himself. He wished he could believe that. The rustling got louder. Andrew noticed that the rustling was also getting closer. "Get away from me. I've killed people; I'll kill you too whatever you are." Andrew shouted triumphantly. He was certain that whatever this was, it did not want to die. Andrew's threat had the opposite reaction. The rustling seemed to anger and get closer. Before he knew it, he was running. He ran as fast as his pathetic little legs could carry him. Looking back he saw a dark shape. approaching from the bushes. He carried on running. He was panic stricken and afraid. He almost lost the dark figure, then he tripped on a tree root and fell flat on his face. Something shot past him. Andrew prayed silently, that it would leave him alone he looked up an breathed a sigh of relief. It was just a deer. The deer must have been causing all the rustling in the undergrowth, maybe it had been running from something. Perhaps a late night hunter; the deer had brought the Hunter directly to Andrew. Andrew buried his face back in the mud, when he heard a gunshot. The deer fell dead. The murderer sincerely hoped that whoever was holding the gun was indeed aiming for the deer and not for him. Andrew lay in the mud transfixed with fear. Every single emotion was screaming through him. He was terrified. He now knew how every single one of his victims must have felt. The killer started to hear footsteps. Before the Hunter reached him, Andrew got to his feet and ran. What Andrew did not know was that the Hunter was not aiming for the deer at all. The Hunter was aiming for Andrew., The Hunter had just heard of Andrew's recent escape and he feared that Andrew might try to kill him or his family. So the Hunter left his house, with his favourite rifle which he used to actually hunt deer This time he was hunting Andrew. He saw a shape in the darkness and fires. He was dismayed to find out that he shot a deer, but just in case he swiftly and quietly reloaded his gun. The Hunter then saw something running in the darkness. He brought the heavy gun up to his shoulder and fired. The bullet whistled past Andrew's head, just missing his ear. This gunshot only spurred Andrew on. He had been running so fast, that he was now out of range. Whether Andrew was running out of the dark forest or further into it, he still could not say. The Hunter knew that the game was up. His quarry had escaped him. he hoped that somebody else will be able to complete the job he had started. he knew that Andrew had to be stopped, by any means possible.
****
Andrew was absolutely exhausted He guessed it must have been late. He had taken some more rage suppressants, before he left Heidelberg. Regardless of how drenched his clothes were, Andrew knew he to get some sleep. There was very little light and the murderer could barely see ten feet in front of him. His leg suddenly banged against something. Using his hands, Andrew explored the object. He guessed it was made of metal and it might have been a cow feeder or similar. It felt as it it had a solid roof and enough room underneath it from him to take shelter. Andrew blindly crawled underneath it and prepared himself for the cold night ahead.
****
<em>The scars were finally healing. </em><em>. </em><em>All of the metaphorical knife and bullet wounds were </em><em>c</em><em>losing up. I </em><em>was now twenty two and living away from home. Sam often aked, what had prompted Holly to lash out but I had always avoided the question. I knew I had to leave home, after my ordeal. I knew I had to start applying for jobs. I got lucky when I was offered the position of a hospital receptionist. It would be terrible pay, but it was a start. Sam was perfectly aware of my situation. He knew that I could not stay at home. I remember Sam was determined to help. He wanted to repay the protection I had given him over the years. I always had very little money in my account, as Holly put the majority of her spare income into Sam's account. She wanted to give her special little guy the best start in life and Sam was going to take complete advantage of this. He had more than enough money to provide the rent and utilities' cost for me. I was initially hesitant about this, but I had to escape from my prison and I knew that Holly wold soon replenish Sam's bank account Holly was also uncomfortable about this decision. but she could not say no to her favourite son. As soon as possible I moved out of home and into my own apartment, where Sam was always welcome.</em>
****
<em>When I turned eighteen, Teresa died. I could not say I was distraught about the loss. In fact I was almost joyful. My whole life Teresa had looked down at me, but now, finally, I could stare down at her. As she burned in hell.</em>
<em>****</em>
<em>Another raindrop blasted down to Earth. Two years ago I was hit with another bullet shell. I hadn't seen </em><em>my father in five years and I never would again. I would never see my father's brown wavy hair with tinges of grey in it. John Stone had died. A car crash. The police had put his death down to low visibility. In one simple act, life had been throttled away from his father. With the death of Teresa, Holly had started crumbling to pieces. The death of my dad had sent her sanity plunging off a cliff. She had started to become schizophrenic and had to be submitted to a nursing home. Me and Sam might as well have been orphans.</em>
<em>*****</em>
Andrew jolted awake. He felt as if he only gotten a couple of hours sleep, but he knew he should keep walking. He climbed out of the cow feeder and tried to exit the forest. Claire fell into line next to him. "That's interesting. Your dad and grandma died and your mum was a schizophrenic. That does explain how you are now."
"What are you talking about?" Andrew asked, through gritted teeth.
"I mean, you're a crazy, hostile, malicious brute, just like your mummy."
Andrew suddenly stopped and turned to Claire. "I was nothing like her and I never will be."
"I beg to differ."
Without Andrew realising, night had turned into day and he had arrived at a town. He knew that the rage suppressants he had been given would completely wear off by the time he reached London.
****
Andrew went into a newsagent to check something. His hair was soaking wet and his boots were leaving watery footprints. His suspicions were confirmed. The newspapers were full of him and his murder spree. He quickly ran out of the shop and hid down n alleyway. He was still in his prison uniform. He had to buy some clothes to disguise himself. He checked in the stolen wallet. There were forty pounds in cash and some credit cards. He threw the cards away, as he knew they could be tracked. Luckily it was still morning, so Andrew managed to enter an early opening clothes shop, without being spotted. He went over to the coat section and was eyeing a beige overcoat, which was very similar to the one he used to have.
"Can I help sir?"
Andrew froze. he really hoped he sales assistant had not read the papers or seen the news. He turned around and kept his head down.
"No I'm fine."
"Are you sure?"
Andrew nodded and tried to keep his temper in control. He knew how persistent these types of people could be. The sales assistant turned to walk away, at exactly the same time Andrew lifted his head up.
"You look familiar. Do I know you?" THe assirant asked.
Andrew's eyes widened. He forced himself to remain calm.
"I get that a lot; I guess I've just got one of those faces. I think I'll buy this coat and this hat." He pointed a hat with a low brim, which could easily cover his face. The assistant still had his doubts about the man's identity, but he decided to put them to one side. he had only just started here and he was working on commission. He needed all the sales he could get.
"Ok, if you'll follow me to the tills." Andrew nervously followed him, certain he would be discovered. The assistant scanned the items and put the clothes into the bag. Andrew handed over the money and walked out of the shop. He then put on his coat and hat and placed the bag in his pocket, just in case he might need it.
****
He walked along the high steet and saw a man in a suit that looked like he was on his way to work.
"Excuse me. This is going to sound pretty stupid, but could you please tell me where I am?" Andrew asked this, without making direct eye contact.
"You're in Bristol."
"Thanks. Would you mind if I quickly use your phone?"
"How will I know that you won't just run off with it?" The stranger's eyes flashed with suspicion.
"I swear I won't run off. Please just one little phone call."
"Do you have anything you could give me as a deposit?" Andrew started to pat himself down, and thenhe started rubbing his hands togeher, as he knew he had nothing of value. That was when he realised. He was still wearing his wedding ring. When he was first imprisoned, it had been confiscated, but when he left Heidelberg, it had been returned to him.
"Take this."
The stranger's good nature got the better of him and he reluctantly took his phone out and took the man's ring. To be honest, Andrew did not care if the man stole his ring; the marriage meant nothing to him any more. Andrew walked a few feet away to get some privacy and dialled Amy's number.
"Hi Amy, it's Andrew."
"Andrew? Shouldn't you be locked up?"
"The police van crashed I managed to escape."
"Why are you calling me?"
"I'm in Bristol. Do you think when I come back to London; you can hide me from the police?"
"How do you expect to get to London without being seen? You're a dangerous murderer. I want you to give me one good reason why I should hide you."
"Because, I love you?"
"Andrew, do you know how much trouble I could get in for something like this?"
"What's life like without a little adventure? Please Amy, for old time's sake. I won't be a problem."
"Fine. my boyfriend is still Iin America. I've been staying in a flat after I had to leave the hotel. Come to London. I'll meet you at Paddington station. I'm sure you'll be able to find a train there."
"Thanks Amy, you're a life saver. I'll see you soon." Andrew turned back to the man in the suit. He handed back the phone, took his ring and walked away. The man in the suit frowned, he recognised the stranger from somewhere. He then looked at his watch and saw that he was going to be late for work; he shook his previous notion off and started to run.
****
Andrew started walking down the street and stopped as he saw Jessica. He groaned.
"I thought I had gotten rid of you."
"No you haven't. You might have blocked me from your mind temporarilty, but I'll always be with you."
Andrew shook his head and kept walking.
"You haven't told anybody, that you've killed me. Are you going to?" Andrew casually looked around, it was still early and there were few people about.
"No, I'm not going to. I ahve to get o London."
"How are you going to do that? Kill someone and steal their ticket?"
Andrew walked to the station. He did not have enough money to buy a ticket; he wondered what he was going to do when he fortunately noticed a ticket inspector. Andrew reluctantly knocked the unlucky inspector unconscious and then dressed in his uniform. Now he had to wait for a target. About ten minutes later a commuter came along.
"Excuse me sir? What' your name?" Andrew asked.
"It's Ben. Why?"
"Are you travelling to central London?"
"Yes." Ben replied.
"What station are you travelling to?"
"Paddington."
"It's good I found you then. The ticket office sent me to tell you that the ticket that was sold to you is faulty. If you give the ticket to me I'll take it back to the office and replace it for a new one, no extra charge."
Ben agreed,
"Thank you, Ben I will only be fifteen minutes." Andrew walked down the corridor and quickly turned the corner, which led to the ticket office. Ben was no longer in sight. Andrew hurried his pace and went to the train platform. It would be easier to pass a ticker inspector, if he kept the uniform on. He had his coat and hat in a bag next to him. Andrew got onto the train and sped away.
****
After twenty minutes Ben realised that he might miss his train. He went to the ticket office to ask about Andrew, but he was told that nobody of that description worked there. He had just been conned.
****
Andrew was so bored; he could barely keep his eyes open.
It looks like Andrew's going to fall asleep soon." Steven observed.
"Good. We can finally find out what happened to his brother. The tension is killing me." Claire smiled in anticipation.
****
Andrew was falling through empty space, whilst his three ghosts were floating next to him. The killer opened his eyes, but instead of being back on the train, he was in an apartment.
Claire frowned. "What is this? Are we in Andrew's flashback?"
Steven shrugged. "I suppose so. He's still dreaming."
"Perhaps, we can ask the infamous Killer in the Rain." Jessica suggested.
"I imagine we are in a flashback of mine, although it looks like we're here observing it, whereas before I was reliving it. That's certainly unusual."
"Where are? What is this place in black and white?" Claire asked.
"I think we're in the apartment I lived in, when I was twenty three."
The front door of the flat suddenly opened and a young man and woman walked through.
Steven frowned. "Is that you, Andrew?"
The older Andrew Stone nodded.
"Who's the girl?"
"Tha'ts Amy. She was my girlfriend at the time, before I married her."
The younger Andrew and Amy sat down together on the sofa. The girlfriend sighed.
"Sam is staying out late again tonight."
"Calm down, Amy. He's eighteen. I'm sure he'll be home by dawn. Aww, your maternal instincts are kicking in already." Andrew teased.
"Shut up. I'm only a couple of months gone."
"Is she talking about your twins?" Jessica enquired.
"My two adorable little girls." Andrew smiled happily.
Steven rubbed his chin. "Does Sam live with you? Is that Amy is worried about him staying out late?"
The older Andrew nodded. "Holly lost her mind, when Sam was only fourteen. I had to take him in otherwise social services would have taken him. It was fine though. Him and Amy really got on well."
"Was? Got," Steven questioned, "why the past tense?"
****
Andrew's apartment suddenly exploded out of sight and was replaced by a wall of solid black.
Claire turned around in confusion. "Andrew? What's going on? Where are we now?"
"How would I know?" Andrew responded, defensively.
"It's your dream."
"Dreams are confusing."
"Is it raining?" Steven wondered aloud.
"Look everyone, we're at a funeral." Jessica exclaimed.
The group were standing at a cemetery at the side of a grave. There was a very small crow. At the headstone was a vicar garbling out a rushed sermon, before running off. A younger Andrew and Amy watched the pallbearers slowly lower a coffin out of sight.
"Oh no. Why...oh God...why?" The older Andrew mumbled, before he started pacing.
Jessica glanced from the gave to the older Andrew. "What is it? Whose funeral is this?"
Andrew sank to his knees and ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "It's Sam's," he spat out, "Sam die...I..."
"What happened?"
"He...they...they...why now?" The words were tripping over Andrew's teeth. Andrew's first two victims stared in confusion,as Claire walked over to her murderer and comfortingly put her arm around his shoulders.
"Come on, Andrew. It'll be better if you just tell us. Come on. Be brave." There was not a single hint of sarcasm or malice in Claire's voice.
"They killed him. The bast-they killed him." Andrew scrunched his face up like a disgruntled little child."
"It's alright. You can tell us. Who killed Sam?"
After the three lads who attacked me and Sam when we were kids were released from jail, they killed Sam in revenge. I swear, if they hadn't been caught and put straight back into jail, they would be the ones being buried now." Andrew broke down again and started shivering. Jessica watched with widened eyes, as Claire clutched Andrew in a tighter grasp.
"How did we not know about this?" She asked in amazement.
"I have worked so hard to repress this memory Why is it resurfacing now?"
Claire slowly left Andrew's side and joined Jessica, at the edge of the grave.
"What the hell was all that? Huggin' Andrew and comfortin' him and that other stuff you did?" Jessica exclaimed.
"How else were we going to find out what happened? Andrew, the coffin has almost been buried now."
"Good Hopefully, the memory will be buried with it."
The pallbearers carried on shelling earth onto the coffin, until it had been hidden from existence.
****
A sudden jolt ripped Andrew away from his nightmare.
"What are you going to do when you get to London? Avenge Sam's death?" Claire asked.
Andrew looked around, the other commuters were asleep or minding their own business.
In a hushed voice, he said "I have no idea where his killers are. No, I'm going to try and find my children with Amy's help."
"I thought you were going to kill her?" Steven quavered.
"I will, once we've tracked down our twins. After that she won't be of any use to me."
"Why do you want to see them? I thought you didn't care about anyone?" Steven asked.
"They're my kids. I love them. They were taken from me and I want to see them." Andrew replied.
Steven nodded. "Fair enough."
"Will your children even want to see you, now they know that you're a murderer?" Claire enquired.
"They love me; of course they'll want to see me."
"How old are they anyway; maybe they're too young to even know what murder is." Steven said.
"They're ten years old. They are old enough to know what murder is." Andrew sighed, when he said this; in his heart he knew that his children would hate him.
"May I see your ticket please?" Andrew saw up, at the sound of this new voice. He then sank back into his seat, as he realised it was the real ticket inspector. Andrew stood up and went into the toilet. There he put on his overcoat and hat. He casually sat back down.
"May I see your ticket please sir?" Andrew held his ticket up without looking at the inspector. The man clipped it and handed it back to Andrew and walked on. Andrew breathed a sigh of relief.
****
Two hours later the train came to a stop at Paddington station. Quickly with his head down, he walked through the exit and was relieved when he saw Amy waiting for him.
"I've got a cab waiting." Amy walked in the direction of the exit and Andrew followed.
****
Amy paid the driver and the couple entered the tower flat. The two of them climbed the many steps and finally stopped at Amy's flat. She opened the door and Andrew was treated to a sight of sparkling cleanliness. Amy liked things to be clean. Andrew remembered one time; he had come home after playing football with his friends. He had walked into the living room with dirty boots still on; he had ended up leaving muddy footprints everywhere. Amy had a massive go at him, because of that. For some reason the memory had always made him laugh.
"I'm going to hide you out for a while, but then you have to look after yourself because I'm leaving in five days."
"Five days? Where are you going?!" Andrew demanded.
Amy was taken aback by his sudden anger. "The airport strikes end in two days and I've decided I'll give it three more days to let things settle down. On the fifth day I'm flying back to Manhattan."
Andrew nodded. "What day is it now?"
"Friday."
"I was thinking, before you do do you want to track down our twins. Do you want to find Maddie and Bethany?"
"I don't think that's a good idea. They probably don't want to see you."
"I want to see them. It's been weeks since I've seen them. It's been killing me, not knowing where they are. Amy, I know you want to see them too."
"You're right. I'll phone social services now."
Amy picked up her mobile and dialled a number.
"How can I help?"
"Hello, my name is Amy Stone. A few weeks ago, social services took away my children, Bethany and Maddie Stone, and I wanted to know where they are. So I can visit them."
"Stone? I know that name. Is your husband the murderer Andrew Stone?"
"Thankfully, I'm no relation to him. Stone is a common surname."
"Very well. This is the address where your twins live. You can go see them at four thirty tomorrow. Is that alright?"
"That's fine. Thanks." Amy quickly wrote down the details.
"We can go see them at four thirty Andrew, at their foster home. Is that ok?"
"Yes that's fine. I wonder how much they've grown up."
****
Andrew looked at the clock. It was now three p.m. Amy was in the bedroom reading. He went to the door and put on his overcoat and hat.
"I'm just going to take a walk around, just to stretch my legs. I won't be long." He called out.
"Are you sure that's wise? You're a wanted man." Amy called back.
"I'll stick to the shadows. I'll be fine." Without another word he left the flat.
Amy wondered what his real motives were. <i> What is he thinking off? The minute he's spotted he'll be arrested. Maybe h'es going to...no I'm just being paranoid.</i> Amy thought. She shook her notions off and went back to her book.
****
It was now three thirty p.m. The time when children left school. Andrew was standing outside Goldvalley primary school, waiting for his two little girls. He carefully looked around and did not see any teachers. He had his overcoat wrapped tightly around him and he kept his gaze down. He waited for Maddie and Bethany to walk past him and then he called out. The two girls turned around simultaneously.
"Dad, is that you?" Maddie asked.
Andrew simply nodded. He was overwhelmed by seeing his children again. He walked forward and hugged both of them. Bethany quickly wriggled out of it. She was not too fond of hugs.
"Is it true, dad? Did you kill people?"
Andrew hesitated. He could not lie to his twins or could he? "Yes I did."
Maddie quickly escaped his grip and went to stand by her sister.
"Why'd you do it?" Bethany asked.
"That doesn't matter now. All you need to know is I'm your father and I love you.. I would die before I let any harm come to you.
"I highly doubt that. If it suited your own purpose you'll let your children die." Claire whispered.
Andrew ignored her; he could not have his twins think he was a crazy man.
"Why are you here?" Bethany enquired. She was a lot more inquisitive than her sister.
"Your foster parents asked me to pick you up. They're busy today and tomorrow, so me and your real mum will look after you until Sunday."
"If you can lie to your own flesh and blood, what can't you do." Steven said, looking impressed.
The two girls looked at each other. "They never said anything to us about being busy."
"I promised your parents I wouldn't tell you this, but you know how it's your birthday on Sunday? Well, your parents are planning a massive party for you that's full of cake and presents and ice cream." He hated having to lie to his children, but it was necessary for his plan.
"I know what your plan is. I never knew you could become that despicable." Jessica said.
He looked intently at his two girls. They were non identical. Maddie was ten minutes older. She had short brunette hair tied in pig tails. Her eyes were brown. Her face was much rounder than her sister's and a lot more innocent. She was always a lot quieter and never willing to interfere with things. Bethany's hair was a lot longer and plaited. She was brunette, with hazel eyes. Bethany was so inquisitive about the world, always asking questions. Her endless curiosity was never satisfied. The twins could not have been more different, but they could not have been closer together. Andrew looked at his two children. Could he really do it? He had to.
*author's notes*
I did something a little different with the flashbacks, as I didn't feel telling them from Andrew's perspective was really suitable. I hope it worked.
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