A Rose in Bloom

Jaxon beat on his steering wheel as the light turned red before he could reach it. His brakes screeched to a halt at the deserted intersection.

“Come on, come on, come on…”

He craned his head to peer down the side streets and, spying no cars, stepped on the gas, refusing to wait for a green light. His tires bu

rned rubber as he tore down the avenue toward A Rose in Bloom. He could see the flower shop now, and with no sign of flashing lights, knew he’d arrived before the police. But at least they were on their way.

Elyssa hadn’t answered her cell when he’d called back repeatedly after contacting nine-one-one. The fear and dread in the pit of his stomach almost overwhelmed the adrenaline coursing through his veins. And what would he do when he arrived?

Skidding to a stop in front of the flower shop, he spun out of the car and raced to the shattered glass door. He took in the scene with growing trepidation. The opening was big enough for a man to squeeze through, but not without injury. Maybe the intruder had given up. Elyssa was probably hiding inside. Or she might have escaped out the back.

Then he saw something that chilled his blood… a piece of tattered fabric hanging from the glass opening. And on the floor… Was that blood? No doubt, the attacker had forced his way inside. He couldn’t wait for the police to arrive.

“Elyssa! Elyssa! The police are here! We’re coming for you!”

He kicked at the glass, attempting to enlarge the opening. His shoe took out a large chunk, but the sharp spikes ripped at his jeans. Ignoring the pain, he stepped through the entry, his foot crunching on glass shards.

“Elyssa! Where are you?”

He was answered by silence. Hoping she’d escaped out the back, he ran through the shop to the rear door, but found the slide bolt latched on the inside and the back room undisturbed. Swiftly returning to the outer shop, he stopped by the long worktable, snagging a pair of scissors on his way to the stairs.

He took the stair steps, two-at-a-time, as the blessed sound of sirens floated into his hearing.

Please, God. Don’t let me be too late. Don’t let him hurt her. Help me save her!

At the top of the landing he discovered two doors. One was standing open, and a cursory glance revealed an empty bathroom. Firming his grasp on the scissors, he kicked at the closed door, flinging it open to slam against the wall. He stepped inside, raising his hand, weapon at the ready. The room appeared to be empty.

“Elyssa? Are you in here?”

A weight slammed into his back. He fell forward, twisting to his side before hitting the floor. The scissors slipped from his fingers on impact, bouncing away. A bulk landed on top of him, pinning him to the floor. He struggled to move, but the man pulled his arm back with amazing strength.

A gravely voice screamed in his ear, and he choked on the putrid odor of the man’s breath. He butted his head backward, eliciting a cry of pain, and felt the restraining mass shift, freeing his arm. He swung his elbow back in a vicious blow, connecting with ribs. Groaning, the man rolled away.

Jaxon leapt to his feet, retrieving the scissors. The man lifted his grungy face, his lips pulled back in a livid snarl revealing multiple rotted teeth. Jaxon judged his size at over six feet, but he appeared thin, malnourished, despite his apparent strength. As he made to rise, Jaxon kicked his knees, knocking him back to the floor. He screeched in pain.

“Where is she? Where’s the girl?”

The man rolled onto his back and released a sickening cackle. “She was a sweet thing. Was she your girl? Too bad!”

Jaxon felt bile rising in his throat. “Where is she? What did you do to her?”

He laughed, his wild eyes dancing. “Too bad for you. Too bad for her. Such a sweet young thing.”

“Shut up! Shut up!” Jaxon kicked him again, but he chortled despite the blow. “Shut up!”

Jaxon reared back to kick him again, but strong arms pulled him away. He twisted against the policeman’s hold. “He got to Elyssa! I can’t find her!”

“Are you the one who called?”

“Yes. Yes, I’m Jaxon McCall. I have to find Elyssa. Elyssa Rose. This is her place. He got to her before I could save her.” He was horrified to find his face wet with tears.

“Okay, okay. We’ve got him. Calm down, and I’ll let you go.”

Jaxon stopped struggling, and the officer released him. Two other officers were handcuffing the intruder.

He spotted a door and threw it open. A closet, crammed full of clothes.

“Elyssa!”