Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 1

tell you earlier. The bastard always threatened he'd lay into me if he heard I'd reported his abuses. After what he did on Friday night, I reckon he would have killed me. He acted like a maniac. Absolutely mad, worst I'd ever seen him."
    "Let's not talk about him, please. I knew you lived a hard life, but always felt you hid something from me. Now it's all in the open, you've answered my concern and made me respect and appreciate you more. Your courage and strength are astonishing."
    He leaned his lips to touch mine, then again, and again. "I'm very, very, proud to know you."
    "Thanks, Drew," I whispered as tears formed and ran to my ears. "I suppose you now understand my hatred about being sucked or sucking."
    "Yes, I can, but I'm hopeful you'll get over it. I expect you will if you let me help. You'll be amazed how great sucking feels when done right, babe. Do you like chocolate by any chance?"
    ****
    A seed of apprehension took root in my head, disturbing my sleep. It propagated to a lurking fear, irritating the unconsciousness of my mind. Not long afterward, my dread bloomed into all out panic, waking me to a dull consciousness, trembling, sweat covered and moaning. I flung my head from side to side, determined to break my bindings and run to Drew to warn him. "Let me outta here," I screamed. "I've gotta get to him."
    The door opened and I saw the vague shape of a nurse approach. "Calm down, Alex," she demanded, "you've had a bad nightmare."
    "No, I haven't," I shouted, "I'm serious. We've gotta stop Drew."
    "Calm down and stop shouting and disturbing other patients!"
    "I'm sorry, Drew's in danger, please help me. What's the time?"
    "Ten past nine."
    "Hell, he's probably on his way! Please ring his dad and let me talk to him. You've got his number in your office."
    "I hope this isn't a game, Alex."
    "It's not, I promise, as you'll hear 'cuz you'll have to hold the phone to my ear."
    She returned within two minutes, plugged the phone and rang the number. The ringing finally stopped. "Hello, Jim Hend—"
    "Jim, is Drew there?"
    "Alex? What's th—"
    "This is urgent, Jim. Is Drew there?"
    "No, he's gone to collect your turtle."
    "Oh, hell! I wailed. "You've got to stop him. Ring him now and tell him."
    "Why? What's this about?"
    "I've worked out where the bastard must be hiding– in my hideout– and Drew's heading straight to him."
    "Christ, no! Are you sure?"
    "Yes. Where else would he be? I know I'm right."
    A few seconds later he cursed, "Dammit, he's left his phone here." I heard him ask Sunny to call Inspector McDonald. "I believe you. Give me the directions and I'll run after him."
    "Be careful," I said after telling him where to find the track and then wept. "Please save Drew," I babbled, hearing Sunny's soothing voice take over. "I don't want Drew hurt, Sunny," I blurted in double speed, feeling my typical ADHD symptoms firing up. "I'm sorry to have dragged you into this mess. Somehow, he must have found out about my hideaway. Oh God, please protect Drew, please."
    "It's not your fault, Alex. Please calm down."
    The nurse took the phone. "Nurse Nolan here, Doctor Henderson, We're about to wash and feed him. Hopefully, he'll quieten down. If not, I'll get a doctor to look at him."
    I kept weeping while she washed and dried my face, neck and hair, and pulled the covers back and opened my nightshirt to wash what she could between the bandages and attend to my plumbing needs. Her pampering eased my tensions. When finished she took my hand and asked what I wanted for breakfast. I answered my usual, "Just a cuppa tea and toast with Vegemite."
    "Don't you ever eat anything else for brekkie?"
    I smiled and rocked my head.
    "Angie will feed you as I'm about to knock off now. After you've eaten, try to rest, sweetie. I'm sure Drew will be safe because he knows you need him and he needs you. Believe me."
    I nodded, curling my fingers around hers, feeling more strength in them, realising also that my sight is improving.
    She unplugged the phone and dimmed the light. As soon as she left, my thoughts turned to Drew and Paddles…and that evil madman, feeling helpless by not being able to assist my two friends when they needed me.
    CHAPTER 4
    "I saw Paddles on his rock and waded into the pond to collect him. When I turned around to leave, he stood on the bank, facing me, holding a rifle in his hand. He looked a mess, unshaven, grungy, and barefooted. I realised he had to be him . He looked wild and