Hi everyone. This is something different for me so pretty please let me know what you think

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Prologue

“What. Exactly. Do. You. Mean. She’s. Not. Here?” Kieran asked his voice clipped and deadly. The quiet controlled tone one people had learnt to fear. Reese moved back slightly wishing he hadn’t been stuck with this particular job and cursing fate and the short straw still clutched in his hand.

Kieran leaned forward and Reese subtly stepped back. He’d have rather been screamed at but then he knew Kieran better than most, one of the reasons he’d been nominated for the job. Kieran rarely yelled and when he did it was a sign that he wasn’t that angry. Of course it wouldn’t stop you hurting but what he and everyone else who had been around Kieran for long periods had learnt to dread, was the cold icy tone that Kieran was currently using. Of course he’d never seen his eyes blazing quite so much. It was as if there were flames caught in there. Reese looked down not wanting to be trapped into that gaze.

He’d hoped that Kieran wouldn’t be that upset especially considering the last time he’d seen her the two of them had been involved in a loud and furious argument. Then again she was the only person who would argue with him. It was a pretty futile hope really. They’d all known that, which was why it was a week later and Kieran still didn’t know that she’d run away.

“Reese?” Kieran demanded. Reese paused for the first time wishing that he didn’t know Kieran quite so well.

“She’s left,” he remarked quietly Half hoping that Kieran wouldn’t hear. Dreading the response he knew was coming. He looked up to see Kieran staring at him unbelieving.

“What do you mean left?” Reese gulped, silently wondering how to answer that without saying the obvious, she packed a bag and disappeared. “How could she have left? I gave orders.” Kieran stated stunned. He paused turning away, his face cold. Turning back the tone was icy. “How exactly did she manage to leave?”

Reese moved back no longer bothered about looking cowered or scared. The cold face and voice was deadly. He paused before opening his mouth but there was no explanation to make. “Er, it wasn’t . . . Eric was in charge. She seemed fine. After the first couple of days.” Where she had refused to acknowledge anyone’s presence and thrown a lamp at his head the one time he’d attempted to talk to her. “No one expected . . .” Reese trailed off at the cold unforgiving look on Kieran’s face.

If they were living in the Middle Ages, heads Reese thought, would roll for this offence. He wondered how many people would be out of a job. He wondered what punishment Kieran would devise; he had never dealt well with failure.

“I left orders. She wasn’t to leave the house.” Kieran remarked conversationally taking a seat at the edge of the desk. Reese gulped and silently considered checking the newspaper for job vacancies. That was if by some miracle he actually managed to survive this.

“Yes. I …uh I’ve had people working on finding out how she escaped.” Reese said, desperately.

“Tell me.” Kieran demanded leaning forward slightly. Reese closed his eyes as he realised what a mistake that was.

“Well the results are inconclusive,” he stammered. Kieran just looked at him. “The place is very… It seems there is the possibility that she had help.

“Find her,” the edge to his voice had Reese walking to the door before he hesitated.

“Kieran uh what do you want to do about the other business?”

“Find her. That’s your only god damned fucking job!” the roar had the impact of a blow and Reese backed away, nodding. “Reese, do whatever it takes to find her.” He nodded slowly closing the door and Kieran dropped his head, walking to the drawer he slowly pulled out a jewellery box. Staring at the box for a few seconds, his fingers toyed with the opening. Sighing he shoved it back into the drawer. They’d find her. Now he had business to focus on.

“I have a problem,” Kieran said. There was a pause on the other side of the line.

“What sort of problem?” “Someone managed to leave my house without my permission. I think they had help. Find out who helped?” “And then what?” “You tell me.” he calmly put the phone down. A vase went flying into the other side of the wall as he dropped his head into his hands. When he found the person responsible, they would pay. She had to be found, there wasn’t another option. He thought of the business meetings he was already late for. Then stalked out of the office and up to her room.

The maid started as he entered. The bed was neatly maid with none of the usual clutter. It looked sterile, she was gone, completely and utterly. He thought of her reaction when he had finally convinced her to move in, she’d laughed at the idea of having a maid in the room.

“Get out,” he didn’t look as the maid hurried out. Just stalked to the cupboard, her clothes were still there. The shelves were full. He glanced through them, he’d brought most of them. He stalked to the drawers. Her jewellery was all there, he tipped out the jewellery box praying she’d taken something, anything. She couldn’t just have thrown it all away. Everything they had, everything they’d been. She had to have taken something.

He knew she’d been mad, that was why she’d moved out of their room. He hadn’t wanted yet another argument, he thought if he gave her time she’d calm down after all how long could she stay mad. If anyone should be mad, it was him. She’d gone to the police only luck and balls had saved them both. It had nothing to do with her, it was a business decision and now she was gone…

He stormed over to her desk, the books were neatly tidied to the back, he flipped through them hoping for some sign. Books of anatomy, of biology and blood. Symptoms of disease. Medication, benefits side effects. Nothing.

Cursing he pulled out the drawers littering the shreds of paper all over the floor, notes, test results. Old address books and cards. He scanned them all, piling them up. She had to be somewhere.

He froze as he caught sight of the envelope, his name sprawled over the front. Leaning against the bed, he traced her writing before slowly opening it. The single sheet flopped on to his lap, slowly he opened it.

Dear Kier

I figured you’d look in here. I thought it would be wiser to just go but I had to say goodbye. I know you’ll be furious but maybe its better this way. It probably wouldn’t have lasted anyway. Fairy tales don’t work too well in real life.

I’ll be okay. I know you’ll worry but I’ll manage. I’ve survived a lot. I wish I could have told you but I didn’t think you’d let me go. Besides you weren’t really in a mood to listen to me. I’m sorry for going to the police, but kier I had too. I couldn’t have done nothing and lived with myself. I tried talking to you…

Maybe you’re right. Your business has nothing to do with me. This world has nothing to do with me! I don’t understand it. You don’t have to worry though I won’t tell anyone what I saw, I won’t go to the police again. Would it even do any good? It’s over, you and your friends don’t have to wonder.

I’ve left you your stuff. I’m sorry it had to end this way.

Goodbye Kier

His fist clenched round the letter. That was it. She was finishing with him and all he got was a damn letter. Damn her. Damn it, if she hadn’t come that day none of this would have happened. They’d still be together. He closed his eyes. He had to find her and not just for his sake. When they found out about this, that she was gone…

“Reese!”