Nightmares

Sara opened the door to their apartment and stepped inside. Catherine followed her in and shut the door.

“Greg?” Sara called as she walked through the living room.

She paced down the hall toward the bedroom. She called his name again as she stepped inside. She stood as the silence closed in around her. Her heart pounded in her chest as she stared at the empty bed.

“He’s not here,” she whispered as Catherine came up behind her.

On a hunch, Sara went to the closet and opened the doors. She stared in disbelief as she saw some of his clothes were missing. She looked up on the top shelf and saw one of the suitcases was gone.

“He left,” she said as she turned away from the closet. “Greg left me.”

Catherine stared at her, closing the gap between them.

“Why would he do that? He loves you.”

Sara shrugged and looked intently at the floor. Tears burned in her eyes and she blinked them away. She couldn’t cry, not now. She had to find Greg.

“Where would he go?” Sara asked, her voice thick with tears.

“I’ll make some calls,” Catherine said as she brought out her cell. “We’ll find him, Sara. Don’t worry.”

Sara sat on the bed and placed her head in her hands. Icy fear twisted around her heart as images of Greg lying dead appeared before her. She began to shake as a cold knot formed in her stomach.

“Sara?” Catherine’s voice brought her out of her thoughts several minutes later.

“Greg checked into the Hilton an hour ago,” the older woman said. “I’ll drive.”

Sara nodded and hurried out the door. The knot in her stomach wound tighter as she feared they were too late.


~*~


Greg stared at the floor, the loneliness and desolation finally taking over. He ran a hand through his hair as he realized he would never have Sara. The pain the knowledge brought seared through him. He winced in agony, his heart breaking.

There was a knock at the door and Greg slowly got to his feet. He opened the door and saw a waiter on the other side. He smiled slightly as he took the tray of food.

“Thanks,” he said as he set the tray on the dresser.

Greg handed the man a couple of dollars then shut the door. He closed his eyes for a few moments as he leaned against the door. He was so tired and wanted the despair to end.

He pushed himself from the door and went to the tray on the dresser. He stared at the cover, his reflection staring back at him. He lifted the lid, placing it beside the tray.

He had ordered steak and mashed potatoes from the restaurant downstairs. He wasn’t interested in eating, though as his gaze moved to the utensils. The steak knife caught his attention and he picked it up.

Greg gazed at the knife as he turned it over in his hand. He sat on the edge of the bed as thoughts of Sara raced through his mind.


~*~


Catherine parked the car at the hotel and Sara leaped out of the car. She raced inside the building, pushing her way through the crowd. She went to the first available clerk.

“What room is Greg Sanders staying in?” She asked, breathless.

“I have to ask why?” The clerk said, looking Sara over.

“It’s an emergency,” Sara answered, wondering why she was wasting time with this person.

“Catherine Willow of the Las Vegas Crime Lab. This is Sara Sidle,” Catherine said, showing her badge. “We need to know where Greg Sanders is.”

The woman stared at them for a moment. Sara wanted to jump over the desk and look for him herself. Her heart pounded as the clerk typed on the keyboard. Her foot tapped impatiently as fear and dread swept through her.

“He’s in room 318,” the clerk said. “Here’s the key.”

Sara grabbed the car and raced toward the stairs.


~*~


Greg lied on the bed as he stared up at the ceiling. He pressed the point of the knife against his chest. He closed his eyes as images of Sara flashed before him.

The pain was unbearable as tears stung his eyes. He couldn’t go on without Sara’s love. He didn’t want to live without her.

“Good-bye,” he whispered.

Sara raced down the hall of the third floor. She glanced at the numbers until she spotted 318. She slid to a stop and banged on the door.

“Greg!” She shouted, not caring if she disturbed others.

There was no answer and fear rose to choke her. She saw Catherine running toward her as she inserted the car into the slot and pushed the door open.

“Greg!” Sara called as she stepped into the room.

She stopped in her tracks as she saw Greg lying on the bed, a knife in his chest. Blood darkened his shirt and she stared in horror, a scream lodged in her throat. Her feet were rooted to the floor as she tried to breathe.

“Greg,” Catherine whispered beside Sara.

Sara forced her feet forward, her heart pounded in her chest. Her vision blurred with tears as she checked for a pulse. She barely heard Catherine calling for an ambulance.

“Why?” Sara whispered, relieved he was still alive. “Why did you do this?”

She closed her eyes as the tears flowed from them.

“The ambulance is on the way,” the other woman said softly.

“I hope they arrive in time,” Sara whispered as she ran a hand through Greg’s hair. She felt so helpless and scared.

She wanted him to open his eyes and say it was all a joke. She took his hand in hers and kissed it. A sob escaped her and she closed her eyes, pressing his hand against her face.

Sara leaned over and kissed his forehead. It was then the door opened and paramedics filed in. They pushed her away from the bed and went to work on Greg.

She watched as they lifted him from the bed and placed him on a stretcher. They quickly rolled him out and memories of him being rolled away three months before flashed in her mind.

“Greg,” she whispered as she ran out of the room. She wanted to go with them. She wanted to be with him.

“Sara,” Catherine said, stopping her.

She turned, walking backwards, not wanting to waste time.

“I’ll take you,” the older woman said, closing the gap between them.

“Let’s go then.”

Sara raced down the hall, knowing time was against them.