AUTHOR'S POV 

The alleyway is mostly darkness. The lampposts alongside the long trail casts shadows like black over deepest charcoal, particularly that of the unknown woman who just left a nearby bar where she gathered with a few friends for an end of the week time of laughter and fun to unwind from the long week of work that preceded them. From the surrounding apartments come noises, not so much as in the daytime, but all the louder for the absence of light and the quieter traffic. The buildings are tight together and loom over her, like a forest of stone. When she looks up, the roofs are so close together that she can only make out a sliver of the dark sky that's mirrored by the tiny stream of light that trickles along the stone ground. The sounds of the roads on either sides ricochet from one side to the other and light from the unguarded apartment windows reflects from the dark brick walls. She feels the cold-hard concrete slab against her back and it's such a blur as to how she got here...but she does recall that as she walked along this alleyway mere moments ago she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being followed and as such she would stop...prompting the click of her heels to come to a halt. She would turn back but being unable to see anyone in sight she turned back around and kept walking. At one point she shakily called out, "hello? Is someone out here"? That moment, much like the other times she turned to observe, it was as if she hadn't heard anything. As if all noises stopped so she continued her walk...albeit confusingly so. As the feeling grew stronger and begin to feel as though this person was even closer to her she refrained from turning around, rather, quickened her pace with the click clack of her heels growing louder. From a distance she could see her shiny, black car and in just a few short seconds she would have reached it if it were not for a blunt force she felt to her head. The strike was so strong that it knocked her to the ground as she belted out a yelp. From that moment to the next it was a slap here, punch there and one was so strong it nearly rendered her unconscious. To her disbelief she began to feel a pressure in her most sensitive area. In her mind, she knew what was happening...but going in and out of consciousness due to the repeated blows to her body she lost the ability to cry for help and had even lost the energy to fight back. She did manage to get a look at her assailant. It wasn't as vivid as she would have liked...but if she survives this horrid ordeal she will be able to tell the cops all she can about this monster. She then hears a loud voice in the background then another voice. Only this one is the voice above her...a dark voice saying something and she's able to make out the exact words. Now the pressure in her vaginal area has been relieved and she no longer feels this person hovered over her. She can only guess that he's done what he set out to do and he's taken off. Unable to stand up due to the magnitude of her injuries all she can do is lie helplessly on the hard, stone ground as her weakened, shaky voice attempts to call out," Somebody please help me". The sounds all around are increasingly becoming a strain to hear and minutes later she doesn't hear anything at all. Even the lampposts appear to have all blown out. Unbeknownst to the defenseless woman she's slowly losing consciousness again...then everything fades to black...

*****

Across town a cell phone rings from the nightstand and quickly awakens detective Marteau. It's often that he receives late night calls given his line of work but he does take a quick look at the clock. It reads 1:15 am. He's holding onto his love who hasn't heard anything so he remains sleeping. Marteau reaches over to pick up his phone and answers, "Detective Marteau" in a raspy whisper. He listens to the voice on the other end and his initial groggy state slowly morphs into being fully alert accompanied by a look of seriousness at what he's hearing. Eventually he replies, "Yes I'll get dressed and come right down. Thank you". After he releases the call then tosses it back on the nightstand he attempts to slide from underneath Bryce so he can quickly get dressed only the ruffling sounds awaken him so he sits up as he calls out...

Bryce: "What's wrong"?

Marteau: "I'm sorry to wake you but I just received a call about a woman who was attacked in an alley. I have to go down and take her statement. I'll be back as soon as I can". 

Bryce: "Take your time baby and be safe". 

Marteau: "I will. Get some more sleep. I love you". 

Bryce: "I love you too". 

Bryce crashes against the pillow and goes back to sleep. The detective quickly finishes then grabs his phone and badge before hurriedly leaving to get to the hospital...

*****

Upon announcing himself the minute he arrived at the ER, the detective is immediately escorted to the room where the shaken woman is waiting for him. He instantly stops at the opening of the door when he sees her sitting on the examination table in tears as the nurse stands in front of her seemingly speaking words of comfort to her. The detective then raises his hand to apply a few knocks on the door with his knuckles and they both turn in his direction...

"I'm detective Marteau. May I come in"?

The nurse looks delicately at the victim and when she softly nods the nurse looks back at him and signals that it's ok. He walks in and cautiously approaches her. Now standing closer to her he speaks in a delicate voice...

Marteau: "Is it ok if I have your name"?

*brief pause*

"Rebecca". *sniff* "Rebecca Beaumont".  

Marteau: "I'm very sorry this happened to you Ms. Beaumont". 

Rebecca: "Thank you", she breathes out. 

Marteau: "You're welcome". *pause* "I know this will be hard to talk about so I'm going to make this as quick as I can". 

Rebecca: *sniff* "It's ok". 

Marteau: "Do you think you can tell me what happened"?

Rebecca: *nods* "Sure". *sigh* "I um, I had just left the bar and I was walking to my car. I go to that bar often and always park in the same spot so I didn't think anything of it. It started to feel like someone was following me so I looked back but...I didn't see anyone. The second time I turned around I asked if someone was there. I don't know why". *sniff* "Um, as the footsteps got closer I started walking faster and I remember feeling something heavy on my head before falling to the ground. I'm pretty sure I screamed but I guess that made him mad because he started beating me and I felt so much pain I was starting to blackout. Then I felt some pressure down there and my mind told me I was being raped but...my body was too weak to fight him off of me. Then I heard a voice from a distance and that's when everything stopped so I'm guessing that's when someone came to help but I just don't remember". 

After giving her statement, her soft but frequent sniffs echo around as detective Martineau looks at her with the most tender expression of empathy. He looks around the room to see if there's a box of Kleenex and when he spots one he walks over to retrieve a few...

Martineau: "Here you go ma'am", he whispers. 

Rebecca gently takes the Kleenex from his hand as she breathes out, "thank you" then begins dabbing her eyes...

Martineau: "Are you able to give me a description of the suspect"?

Rebecca: "I...I couldn't see much of him but not because of sliding in and out of consciousness. He had on a mask, like a ski mask, that covered everything but his eyes and lips". 

Naturally the detective's eyes go wide as this mask sounds eerily familiar. He's anticipating her describing a very distinguishing feature and without further hesitation...

Martineau: "Could you tell what color his eyes were"?

*brief pause*

Rebecca: "Blue". 

Martineau: "Are you absolutely certain"?

Rebeeca: *nods* "Yes". 

The inside of him is beginning to rumble and it's a cross between being livid and being excited. Livid because he's certain Samuel committed this crime and that makes him all the more angrier at him getting off for what he did to Larry. Also the fact that he didn't leave any evidence at the last crime...but that's also a part of what has him somewhat excited. He has no doubt this was Samuel. Then it comes to him that he has yet to learn the results of her pelvic exam. Those are important because it would be the forensic evidence from the exam that will determine if it was in fact him. He'll speak with the doctor afterward but he has another very important question... 

Martineau: "Ms. Beaumont, I need to ask one more thing". *pause* "Did the suspect say anything to you at anytime"?

Rebecca's eyes can be seen darting from side to side as she tries to recall...and it doesn't take long at all...

Rebecca: "Yes". *gulp* "After I heard the voice in the distance he told me that I got lucky this time". 

The inside of the detective is practically doing gymnastics because he recalls Larry telling him that Samuel said the exact thing to him...

Martineau: "Anything about his voice that stood out when he said it"?

Rebecca: "Dark. Raspy". *pause* "I don't think I've ever heard such a sinister voice. It was like one of those voices out of a scary movie". *sigh* "I'm sorry but I don't remember much of anything else". 

Martineau: "That's ok. This is good. This is really good. Thank you for the information and again, I'm very sorry this happened to you". 

Rebecca: "Thank you". *pause* "Please catch him detective". 

Martineau: "I promise you I will do everything in my power to do so". 

At that moment the emergency room doctor walks up to them and stands beside him...

Doctor: "How are you feeling ma'am"?

Rebecca: "Numb and I'm ready to go home now. Can I"?

Doctor: "Yes ma'am. The detective and I will step outside so you can get dressed". 

Rebecca: "Thank you". 

Martineau: "Ms. Beaumont, here's my card. Our investigation will begin immediately and if you need anything or have any questions please give me a call". 

Rebecca nods as she takes the card from his hand. Then he turns around while the doctor pulls the curtain forward to give her privacy then follows the detective outside. He's nervous to speak with him because what he could be told regarding the examination is the main determinant on who he arrests...

Martineau: "Doctor, can you tell me if there was any DNA found in the examination"?

Doctor: "I'm afraid not detective and in cases where we're unable to find DNA it means that the assailant wore a condom". 

The detective's face twists right into confusion because this just does not sound right...

Detective: "I trust what you're saying doctor but...the crime happened in an alley so it seems odd that he would take the time to put one on right in that moment". 

Doctor: "He could've had it on prior to the attack. My guess is he already had plans to attack a woman. That's who he was seeking and preparations were made ".

Detective: "Yeah I understand that but...." *sigh* "Never mind. Thank you doctor". 

Doctor: "You're welcome. Thanks for coming down so fast". 

Detective: "Sure thing". 

Confused, and also feeling heavily defeated, the detective makes his way towards the emergency room exit. He was so hopeful that he would receive different news because that would make his conviction this time around guaranteed. The fact that he didn't was a huge blow and for the first time in all of his years as a detective he may never catch the bad guy...

~11 am~

Larry and Laurent have been up for a few hours now. Saturday mornings is what they love the most as a married couple. Bup is always greeted by his love with a sweet smile and a good morning along with a piping hot cup of cocoa during the colder months or a refreshing fruit salad or morning smoothie during the warmer months. They generally stay in bed and listen to the elements from the outdoors or there may be a morning of amazing and heavily romantic lovemaking to start their weekend however this morning started off slightly different because since hearing about another of Samuel's felonies, Larry has been fearful and clinging to Laurent probably more than he ever has in the past few days so he was relieved when the end of the week finally came. For two days it will be just them so he won't feel as anxious. Of course when they woke up Laurent greeted him as he always does to which Larry greeted back with Laurent immediately asking him if he needed anything. Larry sweetly requested his favorite breakfast but also offered to help prepare it. Laurent, always ready to spoil the love of his life, insisted on making it for him and suggested that he go to the couch and kickback with a little TV while he cooks. Instead of eating at the table Laurent brought his food on a tray and ate alongside of him while they watched whatever Larry wanted. Now they're in the midst of Saturday morning cleaning. Laurent took care of the kitchen along with other parts of the home while Larry cleaned the bathroom and washed a few loads of laundry. He's in the middle of folding them when a news story comes on bringing him to a stop...

"Authorities are searching for a suspect in connection with a brutal beating and rape outside of a bar around 1 am. The victim couldn't completely identify him as it was very dark and he was wearing all black but while the perpetrator was wearing a mask, she was able to see that he has blue eyes. We will keep you updated as more details become available".  

As she goes on to the next story Larry feels Laurent's presence behind him so he turns his head and sees him gazing at the television screen...but while Larry's eyes basically popped out of his sockets, specifically when he heard blue eyes, Laurent's look is that of anger. His lips are scrunched a little and his eyes are squinted. When he notices Larry looking at him he attempts to change that face...but it's nearly impossible. Then he hears...

Larry: "He hurt someone again". *pause* "The person who hurt me hurt a woman. He raped and beat her". 

Laurent could punch a wall right now as he listens to his love and the anger is only building. Samuel believes he's untouchable now and as long as he can cover his tracks he will continue wreaking havoc on peoples' lives...

Laurent: "Yes he did bup but I'm sure the police will arrest him". 

Larry: "I hope so", he replies softly. 

Laurent has the urge to call detective Marteau regarding this new information and being that he hasn't taken the trash out yet it's the perfect reason to excuse himself...

Laurent: "Bup I'm going to take the trash out and move the trash bins to the curb. I won't be long". 

Larry: *nods* "Oki baby".

Larry goes back to folding clothes and Laurent manages to swipe his cell phone off the table and into his pocket without Larry noticing. He gathers all the trash and heads out and to the side of the home where the trash bins are located. He takes a peek inside through a couple of windows to make sure Larry isn't watching him then immediately places a call to the detective. Thankfully he answers rather quickly and knows who's calling him...

Marteau: "Hi Mr. Bourgeois".

Laurent: "Hi. We just heard the news about the lady attacked and raped". *pause* "Samuel did this. Didn't he"? 

Marteau: *sigh* "I'm positive he did it and what the news report didn't mention is what he said to her which was she got lucky this time". 

Laurent: "Oh my God. That's the same thing he said to Larry". 

Marteau: "I know".

Laurent: "So you can get him. There's evidence this time right"?

*silence*

Laurent: "Detective I know you really shouldn't talk for other cases but Larry saw this too and it scared him. I really need to know". 

Marteau: "No it's ok. It's just hard to tell you that there isn't any evidence, again".

Laurent: "But I don't understand". 

Marteau: "I don't either but sadly I'm telling you the truth". *sigh* "Our hands are tied".

Laurent: "What does that mean"?!

Marteau: "Mr. Bourgeois, I understand your frustration. I really do because I feel the same way but I need you to remain calm". 

*brief pause*

Laurent: *sigh* "Yes of course. I know it's not your fault and I'm sorry".  

Marteau: "It's alright and I really do understand how you feel".  

Laurent: "So he's just going to keep going until he slips up one day and you will have enough evidence to lock him up". 

Marteau: "Unfortunately, yes". 

Laurent has yet to move the trash bins to the curb for trash collection and he also didn't think about the possibility that Larry could have heard him yelling. When he realizes it he quickly stretches his neck to look inside to see if Larry has spotted him and is looking confusingly at him as to why he yelled. He's relieved that he hasn't noticed and he decides to wrap up the call so he can do what he came out to do then go back inside...

Laurent: "Thank you detective. I need to go now". 

Marteau: "Ok. Take care". 

Laurent: "You too". 

Extremely disappointed Laurent releases the call and finally takes the bins to the curb. He goes inside and doesn't see Larry but he does hear him in the bedroom and figures he'll be coming back out in a minute so he checks to see what's left to be cleaned. He pulls out the broom to do some sweeping when he hears his love behind him so he turns around...

Larry: "Are you oki baby"?

Laurent: "Not really but I will be". 

Larry: "No what I mean is I'm pretty sure you yelled something outside". 

Exactly what Laurent thought happened and although this isn't what he wants to tell him because it will just make Larry more upset he won't lie about it...

Laurent: "Yeah I did. I called the detective to ask if Samuel was arrested because I know he hurt that woman".

Larry: "What did he say", he asks nervously.

Laurent: "He said that he's sure it was Samuel but just like the last crime there was no evidence".  

Larry: "Oh". *pause* "Then I understand why you got so mad".

Laurent: "There's more bup". 

Larry's eyes widen a little as he asks again in a nervous anticipation...

Larry: "What"?

Laurent: "He told her the same thing he told you. That she got lucky this time".

Larry suddenly becomes very emotional and belts out...

Larry: *sigh* "Why is this happening?! We know it was him"! 

Laurent: "I know bup. It was".

Larry: "This is not right"!

Laurent: "No it's not", he replies softly.  

Larry is now in Laurent's tender arms and as he gently rubs up and down Larry's back he whispers...

Laurent: "I'm sorry my love". 

Larry: *soft sigh* "You know I would never blame you baby. I'm just so frustrated. I don't understand why this happening. What did I do? The other people he attacked. What did they do? They're probably good people who didn't deserve this". *pause* "Why them baby? And why me"? *sniff* "I'm a good person right"?

Laurent is sure he felt his heart snap at that question and he quickly but sweetly answers in another whisper...

Laurent: "Bup you're the best person in the world". *kisses temple* "Sometimes, bad things happen to good people. Amazing people, sweet people. Like you". 

Holding onto his love tighter he feels helpless hearing the breakdown in Larry's voice which is in turn causing anger and he could go after Samuel right now...but his main priority of course is bup. He has to do any and everything he can to heal his heart and somehow turn his sadness into his beautiful smile...

Laurent: "I'm here for you bebe". 

Larry: "I know baby. You're always here for me". 

Laurent: "I always will be". 

Laurent feels his love hold on slightly tighter after his soothing, reassuring reply which brings a smile to his face although he's still burning on the inside at seeing and hearing bup so upset. He gently kisses him again then softly asks...

Laurent: ""Is there anything I can do for you? Anything you need? Maybe take you to lunch or dinner"?

Larry: "Thank you baby but I don't want to go anywhere this weekend. I just want to be with you and in your arms". 

Laurent: "Never worry for that. I will hold you in my arms for the rest of my life". 

Larry: "Oki", he whispers.

After a few more much needed moments in each other's embrace Laurent slowly let go to look in his eyes. He can tell that Larry is still upset...but it isn't as much as before which is a relief to see but he still has the remainder of the weekend to make sure he's completely better and he's determined to do so. His plan is to start by ordering Larry's favorite lunch and later, a soothing massage...

~evening~

Larry was very appreciative for Laurent taking care of him, especially the amazing massage he gave him that lasted for nearly an hour. What made it even more special was that unlike lunch which Laurent alerted him he was ordering the massage was a total surprise to him. After the food was delivered Laurent set it up at the kitchen table and as Larry ate he went to the bedroom to set it up. There were aromatherapy candles and he closed the curtains in the room to darken it and give it an overall relaxing feel. When Larry finished he casually went over to the TV sure that he and Laurent would spend the next several hours on the couch but when Laurent came out and called him back to the bedroom he was curious. Laurent also had a sneaky but sweet smile on his face which made Larry smile and when he followed him into the room he smiled wider upon seeing the setup. With that same warm smile on his face Laurent instructed him to get undressed then slide under the sheet and once Larry was comfortable he placed a few drops of the massage oil on his back then smoothed it all over before delicately plunging his fingers into his flesh. Larry moaned and that was the exact reaction Laurent was hoping for. He was doing such an amazing job that only ten minutes in Larry was sound asleep and slept for several hours. When he woke up he went to the bathroom to freshen up then came out to the living room where Laurent was who immediately saw a drastic difference in his eyes. Dinnertime was shortly after and to thank Laurent for all he did for him today Larry made one of his favorite meals. Savory filet mignon with a garlic butter sauce and side dishes of creamy Alfredo pasta with mushrooms along with sauteed asparagus. They didn't bring up what happened because it would only take away from the time they enjoyed with each other today...but now that they're in bed and Larry is asleep it's back on Laurent's mind and he's hoping that this madness will end. Perhaps a miracle will happen and they can tie Samuel to these crimes and send him away forever. Everyone he's hurt needs peace and as he lightly inhales the soft scent of Larry's fro he's hopeful that his love will get the peace he truly deserves...

----------------------------------- 

A/N: We're getting close to the end my loves so prepare yourselves for the next couple of chapters. Mysteries will be solved, questions will be answered and I'm so ready to read everyone's reaction as it all comes together! In the meantime, sound off in the comments! Love you guys. :)