rated * for violence, dark themes
When the Hand Reaches Seven
by Treanna
Part One
The old man shuffled along the street. He wore and old slightly tattered suit and on his feet he wore slippers. On his head he wore an old hat and his white hair fell straggly to just below his shoulders. His snowy white beard reminded a little girl who passed him of Santa Clause.
He stopped at the corner and peered above the glasses perched on his nose.
He watched as a young girl ran out of the police station into the arms of a tall lean man with red hair. He watched their embrace with a smile. He continued to watch them as they strolled to a car and got in. When they had gone he turned slowly around. To anyone who saw him at that moment they would have been shocked by the absolute hatred in his eyes.
He chuckled softly to himself as he slowly walked towards Hawthorn Street, his steps even though as slow, seemed more sure and steady.
Six Months Later
"I’m getting married in six mornings, ding dong the bells are gonna chime."
Helen Belden looked lovingly at her husband sat at the table. She smiled at the slight scowl on his face.
"It has come a little too quickly hasn’t it Peter?" She asked softly.
"It only seems like yesterday we were bringing her home from hospital and in less than a week she is going to be Mrs James Frayne."
Trixie had come down the stairs and into the kitchen. She heard her father's remark. She walked over to him and sat down on his knee. "I will still be your little girl daddy."
Peter Belden hugged his slim daughter and then pushed her off his lap. He coughed slightly and gave his eyes a quick wipe. "So what is on the agenda for today, honey?"
Trixie smiled. "I am planning to have a lazy day today. We are having the cookout tonight remember but apart from that I am free for the day."
"Starting tomorrow," said Moms, "we have to clean the house from top to bottom so you should rest today."
Peter and Trixie groaned. "Do we have to" Trixie asked. "The house is always perfect."
"All the family will be decending on us in a few days and I will not allow them to see this house messy."
Peter Belden looked at his daughter and winked."Such a shame Trixie and I are at work all week."
"You have the mornings and the evenings," Moms replied.
"What about mornings and evenings?" a voice called from the door.
Trixie smiled at her best friend and sister- in- law. "Hi, Honey. Moms was just letting us know what we had to do this week before the relatives descend on us."
"Well, knowing how much you "love" dusting I am here to offer my services as well."
Trixie smiled gratefully. "I still have nightmares about how much work we did before yours and Mart's weddings."
"Well, Di and Marts wedding was only three months ago. The house can’t be that bad."
Trixie rolled her eyes. "Wanna bet?" Just then the phone began to ring. "I'll get it," Trixie told everyone as she hurried to the phone."
Bobby walked into the kitchen. "If that is Jim I am staying in here. I am sick of all the lovey dovey talk."
Honey laughed. "And you don't give lovey dovey talk over the phone to a certain young lady?"
She smiled as Bobby blushed.
"I will never be as lovey dovey as Trixie is."
His father laughed. "We will wait and see."
Trixie walked back into the kitchen. "I have to go out for a while."
"Is there anything wrong, honey?"
Trixie shook her head. "One of the wedding presents was delivered to the wrong address so I told them that I would go and pick it up now."
"Where is it Trixie?" Her father asked.
Trixie was hurrying through the door. "Just the other side of town. I will be back within the hour."
As Trixie got into her car she sighed. She knew that if he family knew she was going to Hawthorn Street they would have insisted someone go with her.
It is only to pick up a parcel, she assured herself, even when her instinct seemed to warn her of danger.
Jim arrived at her house a little while later. He greeted everyone sat around the kitchen table.
"Where's Trix?" he asked.
"One of your wedding presents was delivered to the wrong address. She left here about a half an hour ago to get it. She should be back soon."
Jim smiled as Moms handed him a coffee. He sat down at the table.
"So what are we planning today?" he asked.
Meanwhile, Trixie came to the building and looked up. It was one of the nicest houses in the street so she did not feel as worried as she had done previously.
She walked up the steps and knocked on the door. A pretty blonde woman answered.
"Are you Anna?"
The woman nodded. "You must be Trixie."
Trixie nodded. "Thank you for ringing me about the parcel. I can't understand how it got all the way over here."
"Come in. It is in the living room."
Trixie followed her into the house. It was tastefully decorated and Trixie told the woman how much she liked it.
"I am just staying here for a few days," Anna told her. "I am looking after it for a friend of mine."
She opened a door and Trixie followed her into the room.
A large box was sat on a table and Trixie made for it.
She pulled out the card.
TO TRIXIE AND JAMES.
MAY EVERYTHING YOU WISH FOR YOURSELVES
NEVER COME TRUE
FROM FATHER JONES.
Trixie gasped and turned, but Anna was gone. But something was placed over her face and she fought for a moment before she felt herself slipping into oblivion.
* * *
Jim was becoming more and more restless. He didn't know what was causing it but he knew that it was regarding Trixie.
When the phone rang and Honey told him it was for him he grabbed it almost roughly from her grasp.
"Hello?"
"Hello, James."
Jim's heart stopped in his throat. And to the surprise of everyone in the room he screamed into the receiver. "What have you done with her?"
A chuckle he knew so well ripped his heart open.
"All in good time, my boy, all in good time."
Jim stared at the receiver in his hand that was now dead. He slowly turned to see the shocked faces behind him. "He's got my Trixie," was all he could get out before he let out an earpiercing scream. "NO!!!!!!!"
To Be Continued