+ 1.4: Hazy Days are Over

Several months later

Jeeves had managed to restore the mansion to its former glory. He had added some technological necessities which Davrin, being a technophobe, thought were unnecessary. The bookshelves had been stocked with new books, the old ones were rebound and dusted and computers had been set up in some of the rooms.

The girl was still there. She didn’t seem to notice that several months of her life had passed her by. She went about each day in the same fashion. She ate whenever Jeeves placed food in her room, read a book or two (sometimes more than once if Jeeves had forgotten to replace the ones she read with new books) and played some silly game on the computer.

Some days Davrin would allow her to come downstairs and listen to him play the piano, or pose for his paintings. Other days he’d attempt a conversation with her or keep her company when she was allowed to eat in the dining room. She didn’t say much which suited him fine. It was also affirmation that she was still under his spell. She was, as yet, blissfully unaware of where she was and what she was doing there.

Today was one of those rare days when Azaria was downstairs in the living room. She sat by the fireplace, her nose buried deep in a book. Davrin watched her from behind his. He kept a watchful eye on her at all times. If she woke from the spell, things may take an ugly turn. Jeeves was there too. He had turned on the television in time for the evening news.

“Police announced earlier today that a fourth body was found near Smuggler’s Cove.” The newscaster’s words caught Davrin’s attention immediately. He listened quietly. “The young woman has been identified as Cameron Westgarth, a native of Sunset Valley and recent resident of Bridgeport. Police have yet to find any clues that may lead to the suspect’s identity; however the method of killing strongly indicates that the murder links to the last three killings that have rocked Bridgeport. It has been confirmed that Westgarth was a good friend of Azaria Hawthorne, whom policed had announced as a missing person several months ago.”

“We believe a syndicate has raised its ugly head in our peaceful city.” The police commissioner had been called on to comment. “The victims all seem to share the common characteristics of being young and attractive. We also believe that the Hawthorne case may be linked to these murders and that the missing woman’s body is yet to be found, if she is, as we suspect, also a murder victim. We are urging citizens to come forward if they have any information that could help us.”

“Sir what shall we do? They seem to be...” Jeeves’ voice trailed off as his eyes shifted back and forth from his master and the girl. Panic was slowly welling up inside him as he too was realizing what was happening.

Davrin stood up; the book he was reading had fallen to the floor.

The girl had also abandoned her book and was now standing in front of the television, her eyes still glazed over. She stared back at her picture on the television screen. The expression on her face indicated that she had recognised herself. All these months had passed without her hearing her own name or seeing her own reflection in the mirror: until today.

Davrin knew he had to act.

~Thud! ~

It was a sickening sound: the connecting of a heavy object with a skull, the collapsing of a limp body.