The Woman in Blue

Misha’s eyes slowly fluttered open. She licked her parched lips and realized she was thirsty. Slowly, the images trickled through her brain. Images of Doctor Kinkade. Her heartbeat sped up. It was for real. She really did come to the house and drug her with whatever it was she had held to her face. It wasn’t a nightmare or a nasty thought; it had really happened! Misha realized that she was lying on a large bed, though the room was dark. Restraints prevented her from moving much. She was bound at the ankles as well as at the wrists. The ropes that bound her wrists extended to the headboard of the bed. Misha stilled and listened to her surroundings. She heard the drone of a TV in another room. “Hey!” Misha cried out. “Where am I?” Footsteps sounded somewhere in the house and grew louder as the person approached the room in which Misha lay bound. Light flooded the room. Misha could see she was in a large bedroom. It was twice the size of hers and Dale’s, and that one was big enough. This room had a tall and a long dresser as well as nightstands flanking the bed, but it also had a round table with two chairs in one corner. A thirty-one-inch TV stood perched atop the taller dresser. The blue and pink abstract-designed curtains on the room’s three windows were drawn shut. Closest to where she lay was a doorway to a bathroom, which was next to double doors that she assumed were to a closet. Misha swung her head toward the door on the other side. She saw exactly who she expected to see. “Gail! What the hell’s going on? Why are you doing this?” “Now, now, my little princess, calm down,” said Gail, slowly approaching the bed. “The hell I will! Tell me what the fuck’s going on!” Misha demanded. Gail’s hand snaked out and slapped Misha across the face. “Don’t you ever, ever,” she screamed, “talk to me like that again! Do you understand?” Misha nodded, her face red hot and stinging. No wonder this woman had given her such horrible vibes. She was obviously crazy. Mean and crazy. “You’re going to learn real fast who’s boss in this house, and it’s not you. Got it?” Again, Misha nodded. “Good, because you have a lot of changing to do. You need a serious attitude adjustment, little lady, but you’ve got potential,” Gail said, her voice softening. “You can be a wonderful little housewife for me. Better than Susie ever was, not to mention the fact that you’re so much prettier.” “But I already am someone’s housewife, Gail. A cop’s housewife. A cop who’s going to find me in no time and arrest you so fast your head will spin, and you’ll do so much time and you’ll—” Gail slapped Misha a second time. This time, Misha cried out in pain. “Sacrifices, Misha, sacrifices. That’s what life’s all about. I sacrificed and risked a lot for you, and I’m not going to let you throw it all away with talk about a silly cop like Dale Richardson. And no, she won’t find you in no time! She’ll never find you. It’s just you and me for the rest of our lives, so get used to it!” Gail screamed. “But why—” “‘Why, why, why,’” Gail mimicked, cutting Misha off. “That’s all Susie ever asked, and I suppose you won’t be much different, will you?” “Who’s Susie?” asked Misha. “Never mind,” demanded Gail as she roughly began to fumble with the knots that bound Misha’s wrists. “Let’s just get you up and taken care of.” Misha cringed at the thought of what “taken care of” could possibly mean. “I’m warning you, girl. One false move and I’ll beat your ass and tie you back up ten times tighter. Understand?” “Y-yes,” Misha stammered, trying hopelessly to keep the fear out of her voice. ‘Show a dog your fear,’ her mother had once said, ‘and it’ll prey on that fear. It’s the same with people, Misha. Remember that.’ Once untied, Misha was yanked so hard up off the bed that she thought her shoulder had been dislocated. “Hit the shower!” Gail ordered like a drill sergeant. “What?” asked Misha with confusion. “The shower. What don’t you understand about that? I want every trace of that woman off of you.” Gail shoved Misha into the adjoining bathroom, then flicked on the light, exposing a large full bath. “Strip your clothes off and get in there and scrub yourself down good. Really good,” Gail ordered, motioning to the shower. On shaky legs, Misha peeled off her T-shirt and shorts. She dared take a glance at Gail to find her gazing at her with approval. Turning away, she peeled off her panties and bra, then reached to turn on the shower. “Hurry up!” “It’s too cold still,” said Misha. As soon as it was warm enough, Misha stepped under the spray of water and pulled the shower door shut. She could still see Gail’s shadowy form. She looked around for a razor, but nothing was present other than liquid soap and shampoo. A razor might not have done much good anyway, but being armed with something might also be better than nothing. Think!Misha demanded of herself. Think! How could she get out of this crazy situation? She had to sooner or later. As soon as this psycho went to work, she’d break out and get help. She wouldn’t be with this nut for long. For now, all she could do was follow the so-called good doctor’s orders. “Hurry up,” Gail barked. “I don’t have all night. We need to get a good night’s sleep.” At least she said something that made sense, for if Misha was to make a getaway, she needed to be well-rested. Yes, she’d need her strength for what lay ahead, only she couldn’t know at the time just how much this would be the case. She washed her hair and scrubbed her body. Gone down the drain was the kiss Dale had planted on her cheek this morning before leaving for work. Gone was her touch, her scent… Oh, Dale! Help me! Please come and rescue me! Dale, my sweet love. My one and only true love. Tears spilled from Misha’s eyes, mingling with the water running down her body.

Alexa’s arm was around Dale’s shoulders as they sat on the couch. Dale sobbed with her face in her hands. Alexa had never seen her friend this miserable. It tore her heart up to see her this way. She wished there was something she could do, something she could say to ease the pain and torment her friend was feeling. In most cases, a missing person report wasn’t filed until twenty-four hours after they’d vanished if the person was an adult, but given the evidence, the witnesses, and Dale’s credibility as a detective, a full-scale investigation had been launched. The way the rug inside the front door was bunched up and off to the side suggested there had been a bit of a struggle, not to mention the fact that Misha would never just up and disappear on her own, leaving the door open. Tom and Brianne, the nearest neighbors, had caught a glimpse of a woman carrying a smaller person out of the house when they’d driven by and happened to glance up the long driveway. They told the detectives who were questioning people in the area that the woman had appeared to be tall and thin with medium-length dark hair. While the house was being combed for finger and shoe prints, along with any odd fibers that didn’t seem to belong, a detective informed Dale of her neighbors’ description of the tall woman. Dale looked up, eyes bloodshot and teary. “My God, Doctor Kinkade. That sounds like Doctor Kinkade!” “Who’s that?” asked the young detective. “She’s a psychiatrist. She came to see Misha after Misha fell and got a concussion that caused her to become rather confused. Only no one knew at the time that she had a concussion. It was a while before she even remembered the fall that caused it, and she was examined. Anyway,” said Dale, wiping her eyes, “I always thought the doctor seemed rather fond of Misha. Maybe a little too fond. What’s more is that Misha told me she’d had a bad feeling about her.” “I know who she is,” the detective suddenly realized, scribbling notes. “I’ve seen the department shrink around the station many times. Any idea where she lives?” Dale shook her head. “We’ll get on with it right away,” assured the detective as Dale slowly rose to her feet. “What do you need?” asked Alexa. “Just tell me and I’ll get it for you.” “No, nothing. Thanks, Alexa,” said Dale as she hobbled unsteadily for her car keys, “but I can’t just sit here helpless and do nothing.” “The detectives are doing all they can, honey. I know it’s hard, but you really do need to sit and rest. She could be brought home any minute, so you’ll want to be here. You know someone’s going to head out to the doctor’s place just as soon as they find out where she lives.” Dale fell against the wall that separated the kitchen and living room. Reluctantly, she nodded and allowed herself to be led back to the couch where she cried some more. How would she ever go to sleep that night without her Misha, whom she’d come to love so much more than she ever dreamed possible?

When Misha stepped out of the shower, she found Gail holding a pearly pink nightgown and matching panties. “Get these on!” she demanded, informing Misha how fortunate she was that most of Susie’s clothes were still there and that they’d fit her perfectly. Though not without much clumsiness, Misha managed to dress herself in the garments handed to her. “It’s late,” said Gail. “We’re going to bed now.” Chills ran down Misha’s spine. To bed with this woman? The thought of sleeping with any woman other than Dale, sane or not, made her sick to her stomach. After Misha was tied up much in the way she had been earlier, Gail changed into a nightgown as well. Misha couldn’t help but watch as she did so. As much as she hated to admit it, the woman had a fine body, but she was no Dale. Her sweet, wonderful Dale. No one could ever replace Dale’s body or her personality. Gail slid into bed and reached for the lamp by her side. Once the room was plunged into darkness, Misha got up the nerve to speak. “Gail?” she said in a shaky voice. “Yes?” “Won’t the authorities be able to track you down at work or here at your house?” “No, they won’t, and this is our house, not my house. Besides, even though I’m only thirty-six, I’ve retired.” Misha’s heartbeat sped up. “What do you mean?” “My father took off when I was born, and my mother recently died and left me quite a fortune, in which I have no siblings or other family to share with, so I quit work and moved into this place, which isn’t even in my name, so don’t worry about anyone finding us. I wasn’t dumb enough to leave a paper trail.” “Tell me about Susie.” “Not now. Now I want you to shut up and let us get some sleep. There’ll be plenty of time for chatter in the days to come.” Afraid to say any more, Misha let the blissful waves of sleep and oblivion wash over her. Tomorrow, in the light of day, she was determined to make an escape somehow, some way. When daylight did come, and she did awaken, she was surprised to find that Gail had already risen. The smell of food cooking came to her. Had she really been that physically and emotionally exhausted that she’d slept this long? She checked the restraints and found them to be as secure as could be. Studying them in the bright, sunny room, she could see no way to undo the ropes that bound her. Footsteps sounded on what appeared to be a staircase, then she heard Gail humming happily as she approached the bedroom. “Howdy,” she sang out as she entered the bedroom and found Misha had awoken. “I was wondering when the little sleepyhead would wake up.” Gail, who wore a bright, cheery sundress with splashes of color, now seemed like a completely different person. She was like a bipolar person from hell. Where she had been mean, rough, and impatient, she was now patient, friendly, and gentle. Misha decided that for now, it might be best to play along. “How’s my girl?” asked Gail as she began to untie Misha. Misha feigned a smile. “I’m fine. Starving, for that matter.” “Oh, good, good, because I’ve whipped us up quite a country breakfast.” Misha grimaced as one of the ropes cut into her. “Oh!” cried Gail. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to be so rough.” “It’s ok,” Misha said, trying to sound as pleasant as she could. “So what town are we in? We’re still in California, aren’t we?” “That we are.” “What town?” “It doesn’t matter,” said Gail, untying the last knot. “Come on. Let’s eat.” Misha decided that for now, she wouldn’t press the issue of their location. She only hoped her eagerness to comply with Gail would be convincing enough. It may be her only hope of escape. Misha was led through what seemed like a very large house and down into the kitchen. “I’ll give you the grand tour of the whole place sometime soon,” said Gail. “Thank you. I’d like that,” Misha said with a tight smile, hoping her acting was as good as her desire and determination to get out of there and as far away from Gail as possible. Once seated at the table in the spacious, sunny kitchen, Gail began bringing plates of food to the table from the nearby counter. “Have as much as you want.” As hungry as she was, Misha didn’t think she could eat much of the scrambled eggs, bacon, and biscuits that sat before her, though she knew she needed to try. She needed to keep up her strength. Once the food was on the table, Gail sat down next to Misha and began to fill her own plate. “Gail?” “Yes, dear?” “What do you do all day now that you’re not working?” “I’m going to spend most of my time with you,” she said with a happy smile that put a lump in Misha’s throat. “Doesn’t that sound wonderful to you?” Misha tried to swallow the lump. “I guess so. I just need time. Things are moving fast.” “Ah, but things can’t move fast enough when you really love someone, my dear.” “But you don’t know me,” Misha protested. “I know enough,” Gail insisted. “Now eat up. Don’t let all this good home cooking go to waste.” Misha tried to eat as much as she could, but finally she had to push back from the table. “I’m stuffed, Gail. You’re a wonderful cook, but I’m stuffed. My stomach’s in knots.” “Oh, you poor baby,” Gail said, suddenly empathetic. “Let’s sit you down in the living room. No. I have a better idea. Let’s get you out on the front porch. You look pale, and like you could really use the fresh air.” Misha really could use the fresh air. She also could really use the opportunity to investigate her surroundings, so she let Gail guide her through a spacious den, then outdoors. “Wow!” she exclaimed when she saw the view. Her exclamation had been no act. It was a breathtakingly beautiful sight, wherever they were. Visible were miles and miles of endless layers of mountains that met the clear blue sky. With fall setting in, the foliage was alive with vibrant color. Only in front could vast distances be seen. The sides were heavily wooded close to the house. Unfortunately, and as she somehow feared would be the case, no other houses were visible. What was in the back? Misha wondered. Perhaps there were other houses closer than she realized, for the woods were so dense that there could be someone living just a hundred feet away or less for all she knew. “This is just beautiful,” said Misha. “I’m so glad you like it.” That’s it, Misha told herself. Kiss up to her as sick as it makes you feel…