Prologue

"JESS....JESS HELP. AAAAGGGHHH"

Jess was routed to the spot. Leslie was in trouble!

Before he knew it, he was running. He made it to the creek. The water was only a foot deep as is was May and the year so far had been unseasonably warm.

He jumped the creek, making his way up the side of the bank. Again he was off.

"LESLIE...LES!" He shouted. Nothing. Panic griped him. Where is she?

But then "JESS HE..." The rest of her sentence was cut off. Jess ran in the direction of her voice.

Finally he found her... but she wasn't alone. A man was behind her, restraining her.

He stopped and stared helpless. He could see the fear in her eyes. The fear for the three of them.

Then something connected with the back of Jesses head. The pain was like nothing he had ever experienced. He stumbled forward, landing on his hands and knees. He put his hand to his head. He could feel it was wet wit blood. He knew he would pass out any minute. He looked up and saw Leslie. She had her eyes on him and silent tears ran from them. Then he felt something else connect with his stomach. Again the pain was severe. He rolled over, gasping for breath. Then he finally saw his attacker.

From across the clearing Leslie had watched the whole thing. She could not hid her pain as she watched Jess fall, blood flowing from his head. The tears flowed and for a second their eyes met. Then he was struck again. Kicked in the stomach by the other man present.

Finally the other man spoke "So this is the knight in shining armour!" Kicking Jess again. Both men laughed as he tried to right himself. "Come on, get up" They laughed as Jess stumbled falling against a tree for support.

The pain in head was confusing him. He tried to walk forward but ended up back on his hands and knees. Again this was followed by more laughter.

"Why..." was all he could manage.

"Easy." Said the man who attacked Jess. He walked up to Leslie "Mr. Burke wouldn't want any harm" touching Leslies face " to come to his daughter...so were going to keep her safe...and when we get paid for our helpful services she can run along home!" He turned to his partner and laughed at him.

"Don't touch her!" Jess was again trying to get up. As the man touch Leslies face, anger rose in him. Leslie felt physically ill. She curled in protectively in on herself. The man came over and caught Jess' hair, pulling his head back.

"Or what?" Laughing he threw Jess to the ground. "Time to go. Get her to the car." He said speaking to his partner. He nodded. In a swift move he shouldered Leslie. "I'm gonna finish up here"

Leslie eyes locked onto Jess'. Panic, fear and pain were readable in his eyes. But what his attacker took out of his back pocket was what frightened her the most.

Jess looked up and was staring down a gun. This is it he thought One last thing

"Please, please don't hurt Leslie...Please!" he begged "Please. She's pregnant"

A short distance away Leslie heard it. The sound she was dreading. A single gunshot had gone off behind her. A tidal wave of emotions took over her body, darkness crept in. She couldn't take it. She allowed herself to be consumed by the darkness.