The Cement Wall - Chapter Twenty Seven

Eddie was not entirely sure where to begin his quest for Connor. The police were not thrilled to hear from him again, but they allowed him to speak with Officer Charles. “I’m sorry I keep leaving before the police arrive, but I need some valuable information. I need to know where Connor is staying or where he might be right now.” Eddie tried to sound polite and apologetic but he felt as if something was chasing him. And that something was coming closer and closer. 1

“Something in my gut tells me you’re on the right track, so I’m going to help you. But on one condition, got it?” Without waiting for an answer, he continued, “I have the information right here on my desk actually. But you need to let me help you, I am after all an officer sworn to uphold the law. Got it? Good. Now from what I can tell he has two residents. One is an old house; he inherited it from his grandmother. The other from what I can tell is an old hotel room, he has been paying them a nice sum to sleep there.”2

“Alright, I have the strangest feeling we are not going to find him at the hotel. But what do you say we meet there and find out?” Eddie was annoyed that he had to bring the law with him, but if it saved Roxanne then he was all for it. They set up all the details, and each set out on the road with one thing in mind.3

Oddly enough, both men pulled up to the hotel at the same time. The hotel was a palace, covered with shimmering windows that glowed even as the sun was setting. “He must have been paying a fortune to sleep here at night..” Eddie was murmuring to himself, but Officer Charles heard him and replied. “Yeah, to damn much for just a place to put your head at night.”4

Walking into the hotel was like stepping into another world. The floors were waxed until the obsidian colored title reflected each beam of light from the ceiling. Behind a huge desk, a man was talking politely to a customer. As the Officer approached, the man put on his fakest smile. “Hello Officer, what can I do for you today?” 5

“I need to know when Connor Evans was last in, and where he might be right now.” The Officer smiled politely, and hoped the man would not make this more difficult. “Hold on a moment so I can bring the information up.” 6

As the worker typed in numerous passwords and names, Eddie continued to look around. Something did not feel right about all of this, and that feeling was beginning to suffocate him. Officer Charles broke his train of thought a few minutes later, holding in his hand a valuable piece of information.7

“Eddie, he is not here. According to that doorman, Connor has not come or gone since he first came to get a room. I’m going to go back and talk to a few more workers here. Stay in this spot, got it?” He waited for Eddie to nod, proving cooperation.8

He waited until Officer Charles was out of sight, then he ran. He jumped into the car, and sped away as fast as he could. He knew where to go: Connor’s old inherited house.9

He didn’t dare park near the old forgotten house; if Connor was the killer then he needed the element of surprise. If he ends up wrong the worst he would be is humiliated, he found some small ironic comfort in the notion. He sat there, staring into the cold hard glass of the dusty windows from his small airtight car. The house seemed to mock him, taunting him, laughing as it danced around in circles. Eddie sucked down the stale air, and held it in. 10

Connor’s car was nowhere to be seen, the house appeared lonely, and abandoned. ‘What is the worst that will happen? I could just slip in, confirmed or deny my suspicion. Besides Connor isn’t even here.’ The door creaked, a bad omen for the future of young lovers. Eddie of course, heard it not.11

Sweat trickled down his spine, pooling in the small of his back, as he walked those few steps to the front door. His hand hesitated on the doorknob, and he realized: The front door would be a mistake. Making any mistakes at this moment would send repercussions throughout time. With his heart racing, and his mind speeding down the high way of adrenaline, he turned his attention on finding the back door. 12

A gentle breeze played with his hair, adding a soft element to a world gone calloused. He passed two windows, which sparkled in the sun’s radiance. And a lonely vine of ivy clung to the home above the rest, separating itself from the norm. The back door, once discovered, was partially opened displaying the dulled hardwood floor. ‘Maybe it was him.’ A surge of bravery went through him, a surge only brought on by one thing: love. 13

‘She is here, I can feel her.’ Like a moth to a flame, he followed his heart. 14

The hard floor protested as he stepped down into the kitchen. Dust collected on the countertops, sleeping away the boredom from being neglected. Eddie weaved his way through the beautiful, decaying rooms. A sound, faint but definitely real projected down to him from the attic. He closed his eyes, and listened. Thump, thump, thump. In the rhythm of footsteps, the sounds seemed to move closer. Quickly he stored himself away in a nearby bedroom, someone was coming.15

After what seemed to be an eternity, the sound of the back door slamming shut echoed through the empty hall. ‘It is safe to get her now.’ He assured himself, everything would be all right. He knows where he put her, the attic, and such an original place at that. Bittersweet emotions fell upon him as he made his way up the stairs into the attic. 16

Each step drove him deeper into restlessness he needed to see her. ‘Roxy, be alive.’ The musty smell reached his nostrils even before his eyes registered the area. It was dark, and the air was thick. Walking seemed to be harder and harder. But he heard breathing, holding in his breath he listened. Yes, someone else was breathing! 17

“Roxy, hunny. If that’s you, please give me a sign.” He realized the ignorance of his statement. If it was not Roxy then it was Connor, waiting to kill him. The sign would then turn into a flash of death.18

He heard her foot stomp again the floor coming from his right. Reaching out, he felt around for her. Eddie’s fingertips brushed against her calf, and joy sparked in his soul. Making his way down to her ankles he felt the coarse rope again his skin. Slowly he worked his way up to her face, and removed her gag. “Eddie, it’s Connor.” She struggled to release the words, her throat felt so dry and raw. “I know, we need to get you out of here.”19

She turned herself over, wincing in pain as her front hit the ground. “Hurry, please. Undo the rope at my hands.” Gladly he began to search for the knot; thankfully Connor was an idiot when it came to holding a hostage. After some coaxing the knot let go of its hold and her reddened skin was exposed. 20

Roxanne turned herself over again and worked on her ankle ropes. They fell to the ground, allowing her to stretch her worn down body out. “Eddie, I think there is a light switch near the door.” Light flooded the room as the switch clicked on. She turned her eyes up to glance at Eddie near the door. Shock was sent in waves through her system, turning her stomach over at what she saw before her. Connor had Eddie in a hold, a knife dangerously close to his throat. “Eddie…”21

“Yes, precious little Eddie. You stupid whore, I wanted you, and I deserve you. But this, this pathetic excuse for a man won your heart.” He pressed the knife to Eddie’s exposed flesh, “I want you to see him die, and I want you to see his blood spread out onto the floor. Then I want to have you for myself, I want you to scream my name in ecstasy.” Venom spit from his vile mouth, spilling into the heavy air. 22

“Connor, don’t-“ Her throat boycotted words, as it tightened in fear. “Don’t, kill him. I will do anything, if you don’t kill him.” Tears welled up in her eyes; she never even got to truly tell him how much she loves him. 23

“You honestly think I will let this vermin live? He will poison our perfect life together, he will ruin EVERYTHING.” He twisted Eddie around a few inches; he wanted Roxanne to truly see the knife against his lifeline. “I can give you everything Roxanne, everything you would want or need. We would fuck like rabbits, and produce offspring that would change the world.” 24

“Connor- You’re not the one for me.” Fury broke through the wall of fear that accumulated during the past few minutes. “You never will be, killing him won’t change that. I would never fucking love you. You are not the ONE FOR ME.” Her eyes burned from the anger, and from the tears. “YOU ARE NOT THE ONE FOR ME…” Her voice softened in realization, “Eddie is…the one for me. He always has been.”25

Eddie looked her right in the eyes, and he understood. He understood the game life played, and he understood destiny all because of a situation that led him through hell. ‘If I die, I will meet you again Roxanne. We are meant to be.’ Eddie was surprised to see how his mind had adapted, how it – he changed. 26

Connor stared at her, his eyes went to ice and his hand trembled sending spasms into the knife. Eddie winced as the knife made superficial cuts on his throat. “Eddie…” The repetition of calling his name smacked her in the face. 27

Eddie buckled under Connor’s weight against his back, sending them both to sprawl on the floor. A knife protruded from Connor’s back, as crimson spread slowly across the cloth. “What the…” Eddie shook his head, and Roxanne smiled as Officer Charles stepped through the threshold. 28

“We have medics downstairs for both of you.” He stated in an official manner as men swarmed into the room from behind him. He took them both by the arms and escorted them downstairs, sending them on their way to the medics and other officers. Officer Charles turned, and looked deeply into their eyes before smiling. “It will be alright, I promise.” He turned and faced the job once more.29