Issue 11.2 Spring 2016

11.2 cover image

 

 

My Anna

 

Corynne Nuckels

 

 

I watch as she wakes with a startled cry and tries to hit the female officer leaning over her. The officer is wet, dripping on her. "Relax Anna!" She says as she holds Anna down, holds her still.

 

"Anna" I whisper.

 

So that's my beauty's name. It fits her well.

 

Someone else, another female, is touching her ribs, waist. Putting bandages on? Whatever they're doing, it must hurt. I smile slightly as small whimpers drift thru the partially open window and the voices around me.

 

They're working on her. Calming her down before they transport her so she won’t fight and hurt herself. They'll do that sometimes, if they think the patient needs that time.

 

I’m not as happy as I should be. I didn’t have enough time for all that I wanted.

 

I focus, trying to hear the officer speaking again."You're safe now. You're lucky the patrol was nearby when you were heard screaming. We got here fast enough to catch this guy."

 

The officer is trying to appear sympathetic as she lets go of Anna but I don't believe the act. She’s drying her hair while watching Anna lie there shaking.

 

I just watch as the officer talks to her. I hear other officers speaking around me, asking questions, but I ignore them. I won’t be around long enough for them to worry about the answers anyway.

I continue to focus on My Anna.

 

The woman says her name is Officer Wagner but tells Anna to call her Janet. Like they're best friends now. Would you believe that woman is giving her back her purse? Acting like she's done something amazing?

 

I hear My Anna‘s soft voice as she tries to answer Janet’s rapid fire questions. Her voice sends thrills down my spine. I don’t care what her answers are, I just want to hear her voice.

 

She was made for me. I waited. I practiced. She's mine!

 

I watch through the window as the female EMT talks to Janet. Her hair is the color of blood. It excites me, but I must focus on My Anna. I watch as the woman injects medications.

 

My beautiful, black haired Anna. She looks so confused. She wanted me to finish. I know she did.

 

I made a mistake. I disappointed her. She stood there on that bridge, waiting.

 

Flaunting her youth, innocence. Her beauty. Inviting me. Knowing I had chosen her.

 

How much time has passed? How long since she fell off that low bridge as she ran? The clock says it’s only been minutes since they pulled her from the water.

 

What does she remember? Does she know what I did while she was unconscious? What I took before the police stopped me? Have they told her how she’s mine now?

 

She’s looking at me. She's embarrassed I didn't finish.

 

Everything else was practice before her.

 

I need to start again, to finish. She’s perfect. She's mine!

 

I watch avidly as they put her in the ambulance and take her away.

 

I admit I underestimated her. She's strong. Strong enough for me.

 

I’ll find her again. I always can. I lean back in the back of the patrol car and smile as the lone officer gets into the driver's seat and pulls away.

 

I shake my head in amusement as he tries to get me talking.

It’s a shame that he’s so young.

 

Inexperienced.

 

He won't last the day.

 

He didn’t search me very well.

 

I only need to leave the sight of other officers.

 

I’m ready, biding my time. Soon.

 

I’m coming to you My Anna!

 

Soon!

 

 

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