It was a warm summer day when you were working in your small garden. The birds were chirping and the sun tickled your skin. You've always loved the roses that were growing on the wall of your house - except when you had to cut them. It was rare that you made it out without any injuries. The radio was playing your favourite song inside the house when you hurt your index finger on the thorns. "God damn it!" You yelled. "Are you okay?" You heard a soft male voice over the fence.
When you looked over, you saw your neighbour leaning with his arms on the wood. He was barely home and until two seconds ago you didn't even know what he looked like. "Yeah, thanks. The roses are just giving me a hard time." "I was already quite surprised that someone would have them voluntarily growing in their garden," he smiled, which made you giggle. "I know... But they were already here when I moved in. And normally, I do like them. Just not right now." "Let me take a look at your finger." You nodded and walked over to him. His greenish eyes were scanning your finger, his touch was firm but still gentle. "I am Ben, by the way. Ben Jones," his eyes were still not leaving your wound. "It's nice to meet you, Ben." "I don't think it's anything serious, as long as you have a tetanus vaccination. I'll get a plaster for you." You must admit, he was cute, even though it was weird that you had never seen him before.
"So how about a cup of tea as a thank you?" You dared to ask after he had wrapped the plaster around your finger. "That would be nice." "Okay, then come over. My door is open." He nodded and went back inside to get over to your house, while you prepared the tea inside. "This is a cozy interior," you heard his voice from the hall. "Thanks. It was a lot of work to turn it into a home. The previous owner didn't take much care of it." With the tea, two cups, and some biscuits, you walked outside, Ben following you.
"So, I have never seen you around, even though you're living here longer than I do. What do you do for a living? Must be something interesting if you're always away." Your cup of tea was warming your hands and hiding the fact that they were shaking due to excitement. "I am a Detective Sergeant at the police." "Wow, I've expected a lot but not that. Now I feel much safer," you smiled. "Oh, what did you expect?" "I don't know. Something boring. Not that you look boring or stuff, but... Whatever, maybe also something not totally legal." "Oh, really? And you would let someone in your house who does illegal work?" "No, as soon as I saw you... I knew that you must be a good guy." He laughed. It was a nice noise. Something that felt grounding. "What do you do for a living?" "Well, I work at the library. But only part-time. It is not exactly easy to work when you have a child." "You are a mother?" "Yes." "Wouldn't have guessed that. I never heard any noises that would've hinted that." "Yeah, Tommy is a quiet one. He is with his father right now. I get him back tomorrow." "Oh, so you are..." "Yes, we don't live together anymore. It's better for all of us like that." You've spent the next hours talking until he suddenly got a call and had to head out to another crime scene.
The next evening, your ex brought Tommy home. "Harry, I am still waiting for the maintenance payment. I really need the money," you said as soon as the six-year-old was in his room, so he wouldn't hear any of it. "Oh, c'mon, do you really think I have the money myself? Every month you're expecting me to pay. You're also working. So, stop begging for money." "Are you kidding me? That is not just an option for you. It was decided by the court. You have to pay. Otherwise, I will call my lawyer. You are working full-time in a big company but I can only work part-time in a small library. You're making way more than enough money." Suddenly, Harry made a step forward and grabbed you by your collar. You were too shocked to scream. "Now, listen to me, bitch, I," he was stopped by another voice. "Let go of her, Sir." Harry turned around and met Ben's straight face. "Oh, and who are you now? Her new lover?" Harry laughed but still didn't let go of you. "Get lost," he said to Ben, before he turned his head back to you. "Back to you, bitch. Turns out you're not only robbing my money but are also a whore," he stated. "Already after the next man." "Harry, I-" "Shut up!" "I said, let go of her," Ben then said again, this time louder, and grabbed Harry's shoulder. "Listen, man, I really don't know who you are and I also don't care. This is a family matter." "Okay, you didn't want it any different. Causton CID. I am arresting you because of common assault, insulting behaviour, and disturbing the peace. Anything you say may be used against you in court. I will call my colleagues to bring you to the police station."
"Did anything like that happen before?" Ben asked later that night when you two were sitting in your living room. Tommy was already asleep. "What do you think about why I broke up?" "And he is still allowed to see your son?" "He treats Tommy well. He is different when it comes to me." "It's still dangerous." "I know. Believe me. As a mother, you would do anything to protect your child. But I can't do anything against the court's decisions. And if I'd act against it, they could take him away from me and then there would be no way for me to protect him anymore. What were you doing there anyway?" "I just came home from work when I saw the two of you. You seemed tense. That's why I stayed around." "Thank you. Only knowing you for two days and already a lifesaver." Ben smiled tiredly. "I do whatever I can." "You should get to bed, Ben. I don't want you to put yourself in danger at work tomorrow." "You sure, you are okay?" "I survived ten years with this idiot. I won't stop now." "Okay. But they'll need your testimony at the station tomorrow." "I will be there. Don't worry." "Good. Sleep well." "You too, Ben, you too. I'll pray for you tonight." That let his eyes shine. Right when he was about to walk over to your doorstep, he turned around to you one last time. "How about lunch tomorrow?" "That would be great, Ben." "Great, we'll go right after you make your testimony. Have a good night."
And with that, he walked into the darkness of the night.
Should I continue writing a old story I was working on where Bill Skarsgärd is the inspo (physically) behind one of my characters who is a serial killer, and he becomes infatuated with the woman detective who is trying to hunt him down? He stalks her and inserts himself into her life- revelling in the anguish he is causing her as she drives herself insane trying to solve the case?
