Rescue Me

This is the last part of this story.

Part 14

Keeping his eyes directed straight ahead he clarified “my girlfriend. In a car accident.”

Kayla gripped his forearm. Pulling to stop him moving, she stared up at him. He didn’t look at her. He couldn’t. He knew what he’d see in her eyes. He kept his eyes fixed on a point in the distance.

But Kayla surprised him. She didn’t speak. Instead she slid the hand that still lay on his forearm, down his sleeve and grasped his hand, her fingers wrapping tightly around his.

Still Jesse didn’t look at her and while he didn’t disengage his hand, he didn’t return the pressure of her fingers either. 

Kayla looked away. 

Sensing her gaze leave him, Jesse finally looked down. Her hand was warm in his and the simple touch gave him some solace, something he hadn’t allowed himself to feel since his world fell apart almost a year ago. He closed his fingers around hers.

Kayla let her breath out on a soft sigh, but she didn’t look up.  

And after a minute she moved to restart the journey home.

Without a word, Jesse followed.  

Rescue me

Part 13

It was two weeks before Jesse saw Kayla again. He had tried to push her out of his mind, but he couldn’t. He didn’t know why but he needed to see her and each day it became more urgent. Until finally he couldn’t take it anymore and near closing time one night, he strolled into the pharmacy.

Watching him enter, Kayla studied him for a minute, “hi.”

“Hey” he replied his expression neutral.

“Did you need something?”

Pushing his hands into his pockets he said “I’ll walk you home?”

A smile lit up Kayla’s face. She said “that would be lovely Jesse. I’m just about to pack up.”

“Take your time” he said without change of expression and wandered off to inspect some stock on the shelves while he waited. He had come to talk to her, but he couldn’t do it here in the brightly lit shop. 

He could feel her eyes on him often as she packed up for the night and it was making him nervous.

Locking the shutters, Kayla threw her keys in her bag and turning to him said “ready.”

Like the time before, they were silent as they walked along, but this time Kayla didn’t question him.

They had been walking for a couple of minutes when Jesse finally managed to speak. Without preamble he said “she was killed.”

Kayla’s head snapped around, “what?”

Rescue Me

Part 12

There were only two further customers as Jesse waited. Watching Kayla as she moved around, closing up, he was impressed. In a marked change from last night she moved with energy and confidence. She looked to be in complete control. Helping her close the shutters again a few minutes later he asked “do you work late every night?”

Kayla kept her eyes down as she secured the lock “no I close at six on the week end.”

Jesse nodded but didn’t say anything else.

Kayla sighed as she dropped her keys into her bag and Jesse looked at her, puzzled. She lifted her head, but he noticed she didn’t look at him and her voice was flat as she said “let’s go.”

They walked along in silence for a while, before Kayla asked “do you work the same shift every day?”

Surprised, Jesse looked down at her for a second, wondering what had prompted the question. Then he turned his head to face forward again “no not always.”  

A few seconds later she asked “what’s your rank in the police force?” 

 “I’m a sergeant.”

“So you wear a uniform?”

“Yes”

“Do you like being a cop?”

“Do you always ask so many questions?” he countered with a hint of a smile.

She grinned “no, normally I get answers that contain more than the bare minimum so I don’t need to.”

Smiling properly now, he said “fair call. I guess I’m just not used to people asking.”

“So you don’t have friends, a girlfriend, family who want to know about you?” 

Looking straight ahead again, his expression was grim “no.”

He could feel Kayla’s eye’s on him. She said in a quiet voice “sorry.”

Jesse looked over at her “why?”

She shrugged “I have more family than I can do with sometimes, but I wouldn’t know what to do without them, I forget not everyone is so lucky.”

“So what about you” he asked, trying to steer the conversation away from himself “any boyfriend?”

Stopping as they reached her house she turned to face him “no, no boyfriend.”

“How come?”

Kayla laughed “I don’t know, why don’t you have a girlfriend?” 

But Jesse didn’t laugh nor did he answer. He couldn’t talk about it. Stepping back he gestured towards her house “you’re right now.” Then pushing his hands into his pockets he turned away

“Would you like to come in for a drink?” she asked.

Turning briefly, without meeting her eyes he said “nah, I’ve got to go.”

He heard her call out “thanks” and he held up a hand to indicate he’d heard but kept walking.

Rescue Me

Part 11

Looking around the shop, Jesse was curious, “how long have you owned this place?”

“Not quite a year.” She looked around too as if trying to see it through his eyes, “my parents thought I was mad.”

His eyes coming back to rest on her he asked “how come?”

She shrugged and went back to sorting prescriptions “they thought I should just work for someone else. They didn’t think the stress of owning my own shop was worth it.”

“What do you think?”

She looked over at him again and he could see the surprise in her eyes, like she wasn’t used to people asking what she wanted.

“Last night I was beginning to think they might be right” she said.

“And now?” 

“Now I know, despite the problems, this is right for me.”

Jesse nodded “fair enough.”

She smiled, “thanks.”

“For what?”

“For everything.” She looked away, “I meant to say that last night.”

“I’m thinking you weren’t feeling too thankful then” he teased, giving her half a smile as she looked back at him, a surprised expression on her face. 

Kayla smiled before looking away again as someone entered the shop. Watching as a middle aged woman rushed into the shop towards Kayla. Jesse noticed that this time she didn’t jump.

Rescue Me

Part 10

Kayla started as Jesse entered. She looked at him without speaking.

“Still jumpy?” he asked with a frown, not missing her involuntary movement.

“Just a little” she replied, sounding casual as she looked back at what she was doing “I’m sure it will pass.”

He had a feeling she wasn’t a cool as she was trying to make out “it’ll take time.” Then after a pause he added “I didn’t mean to upset you last night. It was just that you’re an easy target in this strip with no one else open at night.”

She looked up at him and Jesse could see the contrition in her eyes “no I’m sorry” she said “you didn’t deserve that. You just hit a sore spot.”

He nodded and let the matter drop. But he couldn’t leave her here alone. He asked “what time do you finish?”

Looking at her watch she said “fifteen minutes, why?”

“I’ll walk you home.”

“You don’t have to.”

“Yeah I know” he shrugged “but I’ll sleep better knowing you locked up and got there okay.”

She smiled, “thanks.”

“No worries.” He took a seat on a stool at one end of the counter.

Rescue Me

Part 9

Taken aback by her sudden flare of anger, Jesse watched her walk away, flinching, as even from his position on the footpath, he heard her front door slam shut. Seeing a light come on inside, he turned back the way they had come, heading for home.

 As he walked along Jesse’s thoughts surrounded the woman he’s just left. He knew her anger was probably reaction to what had happened as much as anything and he didn’t hold it against her. He liked her. She seemed independent and ambitious, not to mention that she was gorgeous. It was a combination that has attracted him before. But he hadn’t been looking to like someone for a long time. In fact he had been consciously avoided meeting anyone who may fit that category. Frowning, angry as he realised that Kayla had got under his guard before he could stop her, he forced his mind to focus elsewhere, and continued his journey home.

But Kayla’s image continued to linger throughout the next day and late that night as Jesse walked along the line of shops on his way home, he couldn’t help but wonder what he would feel if he saw her again. Like the night before, there was no one about and yet he could see the lights were still on in the pharmacy. Shaking his head, he smiled wryly, deciding Kayla either had guts or she was just plain stubborn. He walked into the shop.

Rescue Me

Part 8

After a minute Kayla said “can I ask you a question?”

“Okay.”

Looking over at him she asked “why did you tell that guy I was your girlfriend?”

Jesse smiled. He’d wondered if she was going to question that. At the time he wasn’t even sure she’d heard it. “I didn’t want him to just tell me to just get what I wanted and leave which he might have done if I’d pretended to just be a customer. I needed an excuse to hang around, sorry if it made you uncomfortable.”

Kayla shook her head and looked away “I just wondered that’s all.” After a minute she said “it didn’t make me uncomfortable.”

Looking at her averted face for a minute Jesse said in a serious tone “my turn to ask a question. How come you work alone so late at night? Surely you can make your boss understand it’s not safe?”

She stopped and squared her shoulders as she turned to face him. Her voice sharp she said, “believe it or not, I’m the boss and while I was aware of the risks before, you can rest assured they have now been well and truly brought home to me now. However as I can’t afford to have anyone else rostered on that late, and I need to stay open to keep my business going, I don’t have a bloody choice about it.” Then spinning around, she strode up her drive way.

Rescue Me

Part 7

Fifteen minutes later, after Kayla had given her statement, Jesse saw the officers out. As he walked back in the door, he noticed she didn’t look up. She looked like she was concentrating hard, but her movements were laboured, like she was forcing herself to move. Eventually she moved into a room at the back of the shop and after a few minutes the shop was plunged into darkness. She reappeared with her bag and Jesse followed her out. She locked the doors and he helped her secure the shutters.

 She muttered “thanks” as she turned the key in the lock. 

Watching her slow movements Jesse could see she was tired. He knew how much the sort of stress she was under could wear a person out. Worried, he asked “you sure you’re right to walk home?”

“Yes, I’ll be fine as long as we keep moving” she said and as they began the journey she added with a hint of a smile “I promise to wait until after you leave to fall in a heap.”

He smiled at the first hint of humour she had displayed, “just make sure you land some place soft.”

Kayla smiled properly this time “don’t worry I intend too.”

“Is there going to be anyone home when you get there?” He hoped she’d have someone to talk to so she could process what happened.

“No, there is never anyone home, unless I’m there” she said, her voice flat, her little glimmer of levity gone.

“Is there someone you can call?”  

“No” she replied again with a sigh “the minute I tell anyone what happened, I’ll get an ‘I told you so’ lecture. I can do without that tonight.”

“Fair enough” he muttered, thoughtful. He wondered who she was worried would give her a lecture. Boyfriend? Family? Either or both were possible.

“I’ll be fine Jesse really, but thanks.”

He nodded. He couldn’t push it any further. It was up to her after all.

Rescue Me

Part 6

Kayla continuing to examine his face for a minute then releasing her breath on a sigh she turned away.  Watching her, Jesse asked “you ready to go back in? It shouldn’t take too long and then one of them will give you a lift home.”

Surprising him, she shook her head “no it’s fine, I only live a couple of minutes away, I’ll walk.”

Jesse didn’t like that “I don’t think that’s a good idea. After what happened, I’d be happier if someone made sure you got home alright.”

“But I have to lock up. I can’t keep these officers here all that time, they need to get back to work.”

Frowning and thinking for a minute, Jesse made a suggestion “I don’t live far from here either and I’m finished for the day, I can wait while you lock up and then walk you home.”

“I can’t ask you to do that. I’m sure you want to get home.”

Thinking about his empty apartment waiting for him he gave a shrug “it’s no problem and you didn’t ask, I offered.”

Silent for a minute, she shivered and relented “okay, if you’re sure, that would be good.”

“No worries” Jesse assured her with another shrug then standing he asked “ready?”

Nodding Kayla got to her feet “thanks Jesse.”

“Sure thing” he replied and stepped back to let her lead the way back into the shop.

Rescue Me

Part 5

Within a few seconds Jesse could hear voices outside and looking up, watched as two police officers walked into the shop.

“You Mansfield?” one asked.

“Yep, my Id’s in my back pocket. Can you take this guy?”

As the officers cuffed the offender Jesse pulled out his wallet. Satisfied, one of the officers walked the man out to the car while the other asked for an account of what happened. Telling them what he knew Jesse then said “you’ll need to speak to the woman who works here for the rest.”

“Yes, we’ll get her statement as well.”

“She was pretty shaken up. Let me have a word with her first.”

Nodding, the officer continued to enter details into his note book.

Stepping out onto the pavement Jesse looked around for Kayla and spotted her sitting on a bench a few meters away. Her elbows on her thighs, she had her head in her hands. Before tonight he’d never got a close up look at her, but he had noticed that she always seemed to wear her brown hair tied back and looped up off her neck and he could see that tonight was no exception. What he hadn’t fully realised though, was just how attractive she was, with big blue eyes and fair skin.

Approaching her he said “hey.”

She jumped on hearing his voice and Jesse saw the fear leap into her eyes as she spun around to look at him. He held his hands up in front of him, “it’s okay, just me, Jesse.” He watched as the trepidation ebbed away again.

She looked away and apologised “sorry.”

“Forget it” he replied unconcerned “it’s a natural reaction” and taking a seat beside her he added “the officers want to talk to you.”

She nodded “okay,” but she made no attempt to move, then turning to look at him again she stated “you’re a policeman.”

Glad to see she had obviously recovered enough to pick up on that, he smiled “yes I’m a cop.”

Rescue Me

Part 4

The woman just looked at him. Then her voice not much louder than a whisper she said “yes.” She cleared her throat, “yes I’m fine.”

Jesse nodded, “the cops should be here any second. Can you go out the front and tell them they are okay to enter?”

She nodded but didn’t move.

Realising shock was setting in, Jesse tried to reassure her, “my name’s Jesse, what’s yours?”

“Kayla” she answered almost automatically, her eyes drifting off to stare vacantly across the room.

“Kayla, look at me” he ordered and when he saw her eyes focus on his again he said “you’re safe now, it’s all over, okay?”

A shudder passed through her. She nodded “okay.”

“Good, now you go outside and wait for the police, yeah?”

He watched her nod again then rub her hands over her face as she slowly stepped around the counter and walked outside.

Relieved, Jesse focused back on the guy beneath him and frowned as he started up another tirade. Shoving his knee into the guys back he said “for god sake, shut the hell up.”

Rescue Me

Part 3

 Jesse stopped. He was within an arm’s reach of her now but so was the knife. He tried to placate the man “okay I’m not moving, what do you want?”

“Stuff all from you” and moving the knife closer to the woman he said “I want her to open the safe.”

“Okay, how about she goes to get what you want and I’ll stay here with you?” Jesse replied, putting his arm out and moving the woman back a little as he spoke, as if he was directing her to go.

“No way, she’ll call the cops.”

“Not if I’m here with you she won’t” Jesse assured him, hoping to god the cops that were on their way, approached without sirens.

“Nup I’m going with her to make sure she cleans it out” he said, his eyes fixed on the woman as he took a step to the side in order to move behind the counter. However the step took the woman out of his reach and with his focus now back on her, it was the opening Jesse needed. Lunging forward he put the guy in a headlock whilst bringing his arm down hard on the counter, dislodging the knife. As the man cried out in either protest or pain, the knife bounced on the shiny surface before falling to the ground on the other side.

Now he was unarmed Jesse wasted no time kicking his legs out from under him, propelling him to the floor so he was lying on his stomach. Kneeling on his back, he kept him pinned down with his own body weight.

As a stream of profanity spewed from the man’s mouth, Jesse pulled his arms high up behind his back, “yeah unless you want me to break your arm, shut up mate.”

Finally able to look over at the woman as the guy stopped yelling, Jesse saw she hadn’t moved. Studying her pale face as he withstood the man’s struggles to break free, he asked “you okay?”

Rescue Me

Part 2

“Bloody hell.” Jesse pulled out his phone and dialled triple zero. Giving his name and the address of the shop along with a brief description of what was occurring Jesse hung up. But even after making the call he didn’t feel any better about the situation. He knew help would be at least a couple of minutes arriving and given that whatever the guy was on was likely to make him unpredictable, that may be too long. He could hear the woman trying to reason with the guy now, her voice tremulous as the man just continued to get more and more agitated. “Bloody hell, why do people do that?” he asked himself angrily and not for the first time. “Just give him what he wants for Christ sake.” Listening for another second he decided he couldn’t wait any more. He couldn’t leave her in there by herself any longer, so hurriedly devising a plan of action, he stepped back into the middle of the footpath.

Jesse strode past the window, and without pause, entered the shop. Moving fast he managed to nearly reach the counter before the man span around to confront him. Jesse put his hands up in front of him and feigned surprise as the blade of the knife, now pointed at him, glinted in the bright overhead lights. “Whoa mate, I don’t want any trouble. I’m just here to pick up my girl friend.”

Jesse could hear the woman’s accelerated breathing. He knew she was frightened but he couldn’t take his eyes off the guy to reassure her.

“Yeah well your girlfriend isn’t going to be much to look at if she doesn’t do what I say” the man sneered.

“Okay, just relax.” Jesse slowly moved closer to the woman as he spoke. He’d like to put himself between her and the knife, but he didn’t want to agitate the guy further, so just moved when he could.

“Stop bloody moving” the man yelled.

Rescue Me

This is the first part of a medium length story.

It had been a long day for Jesse and his stop at the pub hadn’t made it any shorter, but he’d needed to relax and unwind before trying to sleep. Some days a run worked to clear his head but on other days no distraction had an impact and this was one of those days. Shrugging his shoulders as if shifting a weight he was carrying, he pushed his hands into the pockets of his jeans and glared out at the night.

The street was deserted and Jesse was two blocks from home when he passed by his local shopping strip.  At this hour most of the shops were locked up for the night. However he could see by the pool of light spilling out the open door onto the pavement, that the pharmacy was, as usual, still open. He had seen the woman who worked there, numerous times on his way home. Frowning he wondered yet again, how she could work so late on her own.  

Passing the bank situated next to the pharmacy Jesse was surprised to hear raised voices. The woman in the pharmacy was speaking to someone in the shop. Her voice was laced with fear, “okay, please just tell me what you want?”

“Open the safe.”

“Crap” Jesse breathed as he came to an abrupt stop. He moved closer to the glass shop front. Flattening himself against the wall of the bank he had a quick look through the adjoining window. The brief glimpse he got, told him everything he needed to know. He could see the woman, standing behind the counter and on the other side, a skinny guy holding a knife. The guy looked dirty and dishevelled and from his agitated movements, Jesse knew his choice of a pharmacy to hold up, probably wasn’t a random pick.