Page 16 of Ghosts From Christmas Past

“This is the last one.” There was something in Dylan’s voice that warned her it would be the worst.

Her fingers shook as she took the photo from him. Didn’t want to see it. Couldn’t not.

Her attention was drawn to it. Something was off about the huge Christmas tree in the corner. Many of the decorations were lying on the floor along with something else.

I don’t want to go there. . .

You belong to me. . .

Charlie clutched the photo tight, her attention drawn to the festive balls of color resting in a pool of blood. Her blood. This was her blood.

Her trembling hand covered her mouth. Tears filled her eyes. Her body imprint was drawn in blood.

A dark and terrifying memory shot from the past. She could feel the knife slash across her throat. She grabbed hold of it. “No!” She wasn’t aware of saying anything. The photo dropped from her fingers, and she held her hand in front of her to defend against the next blow. And the next.

Someone screamed. Then again and again, and she realized it was her screams. All she could think about was the knife slashing through the air. Her body. Destroying flesh and tendons and lives.

???

Dylan jumped to his feet and ran to the door. “Get Dr. Montgomery. Now.”

Jesse scrambled to get help while Dylan raced back into the room and grabbed Charlie by the upper arms.

“Charlie, it’s okay. You’re safe here. He can’t hurt you.” He gathered her close and tried to soothe her, but she fought him with a strength that was surprising.

“No. Please no.” She clawed at his hands to free herself.

“Charlie, it’s me.” He held her hands against his chest, but she stared at him without seeing him.

Dr. Montgomery ran into the room with Jesse at his heels and a slew of medical personnel. “What happened?” the doctor asked while ordering a sedative.

“We were looking at crime scene photos, and when she got to one, she started screaming.”

The doctor sat down beside Charlie and administered the shot. Dylan stepped back out of the way, shaken by the experience.

“You’re okay, Charlie. Everything is okay. Try and relax.” Dr. Montgomery soothed, but she shook her head and stared into his eyes with a frantic look on her face.

???

The sedative took effect at last, and the doctor lowered her back against the bed. With a shuddering sigh, she closed her eyes.

Dr. Montgomery checked Charlie’s vitals and rose. “She needs rest.” He indicated they should step outside.

Dylan followed him outside the room with Jesse while the rest of the medical personnel returned to their tasks.

“What happened?” Dr. Montgomery asked with a frown on his face.

Dylan told him about the crime scene photos. He shouldn’t have let her look at them. “I know I screwed up, but Charlie did have some breakthroughs. She said her attacker wore gloves, which confirmed the lack of prints at the crime scene.” When I showed her the photo of where she was attacked, she started screaming.” Dylan shuddered at the image of her panicked expression. “That’s when I came and got you.”

Paul’s grave expression troubled him.

“I hope I didn’t cause her more harm. This the last thing I wanted.”

“What happened isn’t your fault. There’s bound to be some dark days ahead for Charlie when she remembers what happened to her. And it sounds like she had a glimpse of something important.” The doctor turned toward her room. “But we must be careful not to rush her. The memories must come in their own time.”

Dylan felt like a heel. “You’re right, and I’m sorry.”

Paul patted his shoulder. “She’s okay. Charlie is strong. She’ll be able to handle the truth no matter how difficult it is at some point. I’ll go check on her once more and then leave you both to your jobs.”

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