2. A Stroll Down Memory Lane

The bell on the door of the Sheriff's Office rang a cheerful tune of welcome that Ty viewed definitely less than true.

Simone popped her head around the corner of the main office to give Ty a smile. "Hey, boss."

"Morning, Simone." Ty cleared his throat. "I know your shift is over at six, but I've got a favor to ask."

Simone came the rest of the way around the door. She was tall, just like big brother Ty, and had the same dark hair and complexion. The only difference being she had hazel eyes rather than brown. "Sure thing, boss. What d'ya need?"

"I have to go on over to Baxter Road to check up on some things. Can you and Dan hold down the fort until I get back? Dede or Perry might need to get a hold of me pretty quick, so I need you to man Dispatch."

Simone gave Ty an understanding look. "Sure, Ty. No sweat."

Daniel Ward, Ty's other deputy and a friend from high-school, came out from the back. Dan was shorter than Ty and Simone, but what he lacked in height he made up for in personality. Dan had a big heart and loved his job. He had a quick mind, too, and loved the minor mystery of some of their light case load. His blonde hair and blue eyes made him look more a surfer than a deputy, especially in conjunction with his personality, but Ty wouldn't have traded Dan for anyone.

"Hey, Ty. How's the wanderer?" he asked.

Ty cleared his throat as he looked down at the 'Smokey Bear' he twirled between his work-roughened hands. "She's scared and tired and confused, but other than that..." Ty sighed as he raised his gaze to meet theirs. "She's been beaten up pretty bad, guys. Scars, a history of broken bones... Rape."

Simone frowned while pressing her lips together. Dan mumbled a few choice phrases under his breath as he crossed his arms.

"I agree," Ty said. He cleared his throat. "Anyway, I'm heading over to Baxter Road... I guess I already said that." Ty took in a deep breath. "Dan, Perry's going to get her fingerprints. I need you to send them up to Portland for a look through their database."

"You got it, Ty. You want me to run them through ours, too? Just in case?"

Ty nodded. "Yes. Let me know if you get something." He looked back over to Simone. "If they call, Si, patch them through."

Simone gave a curt nod. "Sure thing, boss."

Ty returned her nod, replaced his cover, and then turned to leave the station and head on out to Baxter Road. When he arrived at the turn-off from the main road, he pulled off to the side of the gravel road into the thick grass and just sat in the Cherokee. He didn't come out to Baxter Road much. He patrolled it upon occasion, but he hadn't been to the cabins for at least 10 years.

Ty cleared his throat and steered the Cherokee back onto the road, his hands gripping the wheel. Ghouls and ghosts be damned. There was a scared young woman who needed some answers, some resolve, and some justice. He would definitely do his best to give her that, which meant moving past his own problems to a solving of hers. Just give me a hand, Lord, if You don't mind. I could use the help.

Ty pulled up to the first cabin and put the Cherokee in Park with a deliberate and slow motion. He took in a slow breath, released it just as slowly, and then opened the door and stepped out. A curtain pulled back to reveal the face of a young man and what was likely his newlywed wife. Or, as was popular nowadays, his girlfriend. They opened the door before Ty had completely stepped up onto the porch.

"Sheriff," the young man greeted with an uncertain expression. He looked to be in his early twenties - if that - with blonde hair, green eyes, and a nervous smile.

Ty gave them each a reassuring lift of lip - the young man's girlfriend/wife stood just behind him, looking just as young and just as nervous - and then gestured down the road. "We found a young woman wandering farther down. Did you happen to notice anything unusual the past couple days?"

"I'm sorry, Sheriff. Nothing at all."

Ty pulled a business card out of the breast pocket of his beige uniform shirt and gave it to the young man. "If you think of anything, or notice anything, please give me a call."

"Sure."

Ty touched the rim of his cover. "Thank you."

"No problem, Sheriff."

Ty turned and made his way back to the Cherokee. He stepped up, gave the couple another 'salute', and then pulled onto Baxter Road again. At cabin number two and three the answer was pretty much the same, but the memories had begun to press in on him. At cabin four, Ty couldn't get himself out of the Cherokee. He could only stare at the steering wheel with a somewhat pained expression.

He cleared his throat and rubbed at the leather wrap of the steering wheel...

'Brazon Creek mourns the loss of Rebecca Martin today. Search parties have been recalled after a month of having no trace of the seventeen-year-old honor student. Rebecca and her boyfriend, Tyler Bryant, were camping with some friends. Rebecca apparently wandered from the cabin while Tyler and his friends were at a nearby swimming hole...'

Ty took a deep breath and cleared his throat again, blinking the memories out of his sight as he looked over at the cabin. All he could see were the police officers and his and Becca's parents... Ty shook his head and moved his gaze back to the steering wheel. I'm going to need a lot of help here, God. I don't have the luxury of amnesia that our lovely lady wanderer does. And Ty knew he still lived with the guilt of Becca's loss. To this day he couldn't look Becca's parents in the eye.

Ty lightly pounded a balled fist onto the steering wheel several times. Then he gripped it a moment before forcing a hand to unbuckle his seatbelt and then open the door. He stepped out, adjusting the belt of his 'olive drab' slacks before making his way to the cabin. He ascended the stairs of the porch, hearing the same footsteps of nearly 15 years previous. The hesitation before the knock... The door creaked open without resistance, revealing the darkness inside.

Ty's instincts flared as he reached to unfasten the snap of the holster of the gun at his side. "Hello? Sheriff Bryant here. Anyone home?" No answer. Ty pulled his gun free, still holding it low at his side as he stepped past the threshold and into the cabin. "I just need to ask a couple questions."

Ty glanced around the modestly sized living room while noting the tipped over lamp, the mussed cushions on the couch, and a poker from the fireplace halfway between the hearth and the front door. He looked behind the opened front door... nothing. When he stepped further into the room, he noticed several small dark spots from the wood flooring near the hearth, across the rug, and then across the threshold of the cabin.

Ty holstered his gun and squatted down. Blood. He raised his gaze to the poker laying two feet in front of him. Blood and hair. He scrutinized the rest of the room as he slowly stood. Then he pulled the two-way radio from his belt and called it in. Thank You for the break, God. I appreciate it.

Perry hadn't given the fingerprints to Dan yet, so he high-tailed it up to cabin four with the necessary equipment needed to secure the scene. It took most of the morning to take the appropriate photographs, the blood samples from the floor and the poker, and the prints on the lamp. Simone would come out later and dust the entire cabin.

One bed had been recently slept in, so Ty had Dan bag the sheets for processing. Then Perry called and said he had the prints from their lady of Baxter Road ready to pick up. Ty sent Dan along and then locked up the cabin, securing the front door with the usual CRIME SCENE - DO NOT CROSS tape. Afterwards, he just stared at the tape. It seemed as if he stared at the scene as when Becca had disappeared...

Ty pushed it aside and turned away-- the two-way radio at his belt chirped with a scratchy, "Ty? You there?"

"Yeah, Si. What's up?"

"I'm patching Dede through. Hold the line."

Ty clenched his jaw as he stepped toward the Cherokee.

"Tyler?"

"Yeah, Dede. What do you need?"

"Hon, you need to hurry back."

Ty stepped up into the Cherokee and closed the door, starting the vehicle as he spoke. "What happened?"

"I believe she's trapped in a delusion; a daymare of sorts. She's calling for you, dear, and she's calling you 'T.J.'."

"What? No one calls me T.J. anymore." Ty squealed the Cherokee onto the road and headed back to Brazon Creek and Perry's home-based clinic.

"I know, hon, but that's what she's calling you."

Ty pressed his lips together, confusion darkening his eyes. "Is she okay?"

"She's locked herself in a closet. Any time Perry or I try to talk to her, she screams for us to leave her alone. She has calmed quite a bit, but the poor dear is already so exhausted..."

"I'm heading in, Dede. I'll be there as quick as I can." Ty tapped the steering wheel. "Dede, can you try and get her to take the phone? Maybe I can calm her down a bit."

"I'll try, hon."

Dede covered the phone with her hand before talking in her calmest and gentlest voice to the frightened young woman in Perry's closet. Ty heard some frantic screams choked by sobs, and then there was silence.

"I'm passing you to her, hon," she whispered.

Ty cleared his throat with a quick prayer of Jesus before he heard several tell-tale sniffs. "What happened?" he asked gently.

"I'm sorry," she whispered in a terrified voice. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

Ty thought back to the scene in the cabin as he spoke. "You don't have to be sorry for anything. You just got a little scared is all. Probably had a bad dream."

"A dream? Was it a bad dream?" Her voice almost sounded frantic. "It's over, though. Right, T.J.? You're not going to leave me alone again, right? I didn't want to do it, T.J. I didn't. I swear."

Confusion and bewilderment drew a frown across Ty's face. How in the world does she know that name? "Shh," he said into the phone. "Shh. You're safe now. Why don't you let Aunt Meredith--"

"No! You've gotta come, T.J.! Don't let them catch me!"

The panic in her voice began to spread to him. "Shh. No one's going to catch you. No one's going to hurt you either. I'm on my way. Alright?"

She softly sobbed into the phone. "Please hurry. I want it to be over," she whispered in a cracked voice. "Over. Over... I wanna go home."

Ty noticed his speed on the gravel road had climbed to a dangerous level and deliberately eased off the gas. "I'm coming. Just try and calm down. Breathe deep and let it out slowly. There you go. Again. Good girl."

Ty heard several sniffs and hiccups as well as a rustle of something as she adjusted her position within the closet.

"Please hurry," she whispered. "I don't want him to find me. Not again, T.J. Please. Not again."

Ty clenched his jaw. "I'm coming, girl." he said quietly. "He won't find you. I promise."

Ty found himself unable to get her off the phone. No matter the consoling and assuring he did that he was on his way, she refused to disconnect. Again, it seemed she viewed her contact with him as a type of lifeline to her survival. An assurance of her security. Ty began to believe that security came from something other than the uniform he wore.

Ty arrived at Perry's house several minutes later, still assuring her she was safe as he climbed out of the Cherokee and strode for the front steps. Dede stood on the threshold talking with Perry in quiet tones as he ascended the porch steps. He gave them a curt nod and passed into the hall. Then he climbed the stairs to the second story, letting her know he was doing just that, and made his way to the hall closet.

When he tried it, it was locked. Ty crouched and lightly tapped on the door with a knuckle. "You've got the door locked, girl," he told her gently. Ty disconnected the call and lightly tapped on the door again. "It's me. See? I'm not on the phone anymore. I'm outside the door."

There was a quiet click as she turned the lock, and then Ty very slowly opened the door. She had huddled in the corner with her face hidden behind legs held tightly against her. Ty leaned back to give Perry and Dede an 'I'm going in' look as they crested the stairs. Then he slowly stepped inside, still crouched, and closed the door after him. The minute the closet went dark, Ty heard a shuffle and a sob moments before she wrapped her arms tightly around him, pressing her cheek against his chest and her trembling body against him.

Ty sat back against the side wall of the closet and just held her, closing his eyes as he rested his head against the wall. "Sh, sh, sh. It's okay. It's okay." Dear Jesus... What in the world am I supposed to do? Ty knew he was quickly becoming personally involved. Emotionally attached. Stepping over the line from duty to something... more. Yet he knew his job stopped there; with her. He had become sheriff so he could protect individuals in a more personal way. More one-on-one than anything else. He wanted to be involved in the community while protecting it, and 'sheriff' had been the best way to do that.

Ty released a slow breath, giving a shake of his head as he did. Then he noticed that her arms had slackened around him just as her breathing had deepened and steadied. Ty carefully moved his right arm to reach up and open the closet door a little way.

Perry immediately poked his head around it. "Is the dear alright?" he whispered.

Ty nodded. "Sleeping."

Perry crouched. "I've got the R.V. all ready for you, Ty, but I can't help thinking you should take my room instead." He motioned to her sleeping form. "It's better for her peace of mind."

"Perry, I can't," Ty whispered as intensely as he could without waking her. "You know that."

Perry shook his head. "This girl needs your help, Ty," he said in a low tone, "and she trusts you."

She tensed and whimpered, tightening her arms around Ty with a slight cry.

Ty looked down at the crown of her head. "Perry..."

"I understand, Ty, but the only way you'll have a case against whoever did this to her is if she can remember what happened. Then she has to want to talk about it. I really don't think either Dede or myself will get her to do that. You will."

Ty looked up to meet Perry's silver blue gaze. "I'm out of my league with this one," he whispered. "I'm already too involved to keep the emotional distance I need to handle the case. How would that do her any good?"

"Ty, you're emotionally involved with every case. How is this one any different?"

Ty clenched his jaw and moved his gaze away. "Because of Becca, Doc. Cabin four? Where we found the poker and the blood? That was the cabin we rented the day she disappeared. We walked Baxter Road to the swimming hole, and I know Becca walked it when she disappeared." Ty shook his head and looked again to the doctor. "I can't handle this case, Perry. I can't."

Perry held his gaze. "Ty, you have to handle this case for expressly that reason. You're still beating yourself up about Becca's disappearance. Everyone knows that." He motioned to their lady of Baxter Road. "This girl here is a 'what if' to you, isn't she?"

Ty looked away, his jaw muscle clenching.

"That's what I thought." Perry rested a hand on Ty's shoulder. "You're right, Ty. If Becca were still alive, this could be exactly what she went through. Who knows? Maybe this is Becca."

Ty looked sharply over at Perry with a frown. "That isn't funny."

"I know it isn't," he said with a nod, "but it's still a possibility. The Feds never found her body, so anything is possible. Even this." Perry presented a ring held in his right hand. "Look familiar?"

Ty lowered his gaze to the ring and felt his stomach slither somewhere far, far away... "Oh God." He reached out and took it from Perry's hand. A simple band of pale gold with one phrase etched on the inside. 'I promise.' Ty felt as green as he looked. "Oh God," he whispered again.

Perry gave a slight nod. "That's what I thought." He gripped Ty's shoulder. "We won't know anything for sure until the blood work and fingerprints come back, and I know you know that, but we definitely shouldn't discount it. Stranger things have happened, believe me."

Ty lowered his gaze from the ring to the crown of dark hair and just barely kept himself from shaking her awake. To demand an accounting of the lost years. To prove the ring was hers. To prove she was Becca. To finally release him from the guilt and misery.

Ty's throat tightened as he looked over to Perry. "I-I... Perry..." But he couldn't finish.

Perry nodded again. "I know. You don't think you should handle the case because you loved her so much. Because you still do. But even if she sees the fact you know her, who's to say that won't help? This is going to be a rough ride for her Ty, and Dede and I really think your feelings will help through the darkest of it. Your caring will give the strength she needs to plow ahead. Maybe it'll help her in ways we don't even know."

Ty closed his eyes and let his head fall back against the wall with a thud. Oh God...

Running. Darkness. Must get away. Crashes and shouts behind. Cold fear. Hot panic. Pain. Trip and fall... feel the hot breath on the neck.

Scramble forward...

Running. Always running. Shouts closer now. Tired, so tired. Stumble, but press on. Get away! Must get away! Scratches, stings, bites. Roll down a cliff... Hurts so much.

Terror.

'T.J., don't let them catch me again!'

Ty bolted upright, listening. Then he heard it again. A shrill scream.

He tossed back the covers and bolted for the open door, crossing the hallway to Becca's room. Dede knelt beside Becca's trembling form in the corner of the room, desperately trying to calm her with soothing words and phrases accumulated from years of practice. Becca didn't respond to it. She only screamed and pushed herself farther away.

Ty knelt down, taking firm but gentle hold of Becca's wrists to protect his face and body from their attack. "Sh-sh-sh-sh-sh. It's alright," he soothed while dodging a foot. "It was just a dream, girl. Come on. Look at me. Look at me..."

Becca hunkered as far in the corner of the room as she could before she opened her eyes one at a time. Then she launched herself into Ty's arms with a choked sob, nearly sending him backwards. "It hurts... Make it stop... Please, T.J., make them stop...."

Ty enfolded her quivering and damp form into his arms while sending Dede a helpless look. She intercepted it with an understanding expression.

"I'm trying," he whispered.

The two had been up more than half a dozen times already by Becca's nightmares, and each time the response was pretty much the same: desperate attempts at defense. It ripped Ty's heart out, rebirthing the guilt he had always carried and expanding it to a thirst for revenge. That need nearly scared Ty to death. Jesus... And he could never think of anything else to pray. He needed help. Badly.

Now Ty only just kept himself from kissing her tenderly and whispering of his continued love and hope, as well as the promise to find those responsible and kill them with his bare hands. Instead, he clenched his jaw and desperately tried to give the rage over to God as he did his best to soothe that terror built for more than 10 years.

The sobs quieted to choked tears, and the vise-like grip she had on his T-shirt loosened. Ty pulled slightly back, forcing a smile. "See? Just a dream. You're safe here, girl. Just like I said."

Becca didn't meet his gaze. She only gave a brief nod as she wiped the tears from her pale cheeks.

Ty stood, helping her to her feet. "Come on," he said as he guided her toward the bed. "Try and get some more rest. Alright? I'm just across the hall, like before, and Dede's staying in here with you. You're not alone. Alright?"

Becca sat on the bed and leaned back, tucking her legs under the blankets as she watched his face with wide eyes. As Dede tucked the blankets up to her armpits, Becca reached out and grabbed for Ty's hand.

The forced smile softened to a genuine one as he sat on the edge of the bed. "I know. I won't go until you fall asleep. Just like before."

Becca nodded, gripping his hand so tight it hurt. Then she released a slow breath and closed her eyes. Ty's smile faded as he watched her; grief and relief battled within his spirit and only succeeded in making him feel sick. All he could do to comfort her was caress the back of her hand with his thumb. He couldn't touch her face, or kiss her forehead, or lie down beside her to hold her...

Ty lowered his head as he closed his eyes. Oh God...

Dede rested a hand on his back as she came to stand beside him.

Becca's breathing deepened, and her hold on his hand relaxed, so Ty opened his eyes to watch her face. The expression there looked frightened and tired even while she slept. God, it shouldn't be this way. She should be at peace. She should be smiling, like she did before... Ty cleared his throat and released her hand, forcing himself to stand and turn toward the door.

Dede followed. "Tyler," she whispered.

Ty halted near the door of Perry's room, temporarily his, and faced her. "Yeah?" And his voice sounded as exhausted and spent as he felt.

"Tyler, I think you should take her to work with you tomorrow."

Ty scrubbed at his scalp as he lowered his gaze to the floor, putting a fist on the hip of his gray jersey-knit pajamas. "I don't think that's a very good idea."

"But I do. You and she had a lot of fun here. Seeing Brazon Creek again might trigger those welcome memories." Dede rested her hand on his upper arm. "It might help you, too."

Ty released a deep breath as he turned for the room. "I'll think about it, Dede."

She sighed before padding back to Becca's room. A few moments later, Ty heard the creak of the spring as she lay down. Ty sat on the edge of his bed and scrubbed at his scalp. Then he laid back and stared at the ceiling, waiting for the next scream.

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