The job wasn't over. Jackson still needed to get to Keefe. If anything, it would be easier now. Keefe was forever 'indebted' to her. All he needed to do was trick Lisa again. She was so naïve. It would be harder this time, but he knew he could pull it off. He was the cat and she was the mouse, forever curious.
Bzzzzttt! The doorbell rang. Joe opened the door and Lisa stumbled in. She was sopping wet. The storm was no doubt very bad. There was no power in the house, a tree down the street knocked it out. Lisa groped around for the coat rack, found it, and took her coat off.
"Dad?"
"Yes?"
"Why haven't you taken out the flashlights?"
"Because we like the rain. Or used to. I still do."
"I do too."
Lisa remembered the storm in Dallas during that flight. When she got to the kitchen, she quickly found the cupboard under the sink. She withdrew a small basin that held various first-aid/emergency items. She took out two large flashlights and gave one to Joe.
"Now we won't be kept in the dark."
Jackson went to the local bar to unwind. This was his way of preparing himself before a gig. He knew the bartenders fairly well, and they knew him a little more than he'd like them to. But that was the thing with Jackson. Everything had to be exact. He had to have complete control over everything. If he couldn't control everything that people said and did, he'd try to manipulate them into doing what he wanted. His ability; his practice in this subject was what got him his job.
"Hey Jack!"
It's Jackson, he thought. A tall, slender woman was waiting behind the bar. She was about 27 with brownish-red hair that ended halfway down her back, styled in loose ringlets that hung from her face casually. She had deep brown eyes, full red lips, and a fair complexion.
"Hello Irene."
"A McKenzie?"
"Yup"
How did they know all of this stuff and why did they care so much about it? It almost disgusted him. But when he compared his job to hers, they seemed so similar. Had his profession always been this futile?
Lisa was lying down in her bed. She was so tired and she didn't know why. It was only 2:45. She'd just come off of work. She pondered this unexplained tiredness for a while. When she finally decided that it was probably the warmth of the blankets, she saw it. It went by very fast,; only a blur in the corner of her eye. And then there was a loud snap. It sounded like branches breaking. Thick branches. Okay, she thought, trying to calm herself. It could be a number of things. An animal, the wind, or a person. She glanced at the clock. It was 3:05. She was hungry. She grabbed the flashlight off of the bedside table and carefully headed down the stairs. She headed to the kitchen, glad to be out of her room. Why was she being so indecisive today? First, it was being tired and not being able to sleep. Now, it was being wide awake and wanting to sleep. That shadow in the tree made her think of him. She told herself that that's what woke her up. That somewhere in her subconscious, she envisioned herself sleeping and he would be hovering over her. That's what it was. What was she doing? The power's out. Nothing works. What was her problem? Her subconscious was taking over. She just needed to breathe.
"Breathe."
She could hear it in her head as if it was yesterday. The voice that haunted her every breath. The voice that made her want to die. The voice that had humiliated her. The man that she fell for. That's what had been eating at her the most. How did he manipulate her so easily? Why was she so naïve? She was quickly jolted out of her thoughts with the loud snapping noise. What the hell was that? She looked though the window and saw a pair of large ice blue eyes peering back into hers. This made her scream aloud and jump backwards. This sudden movement made the cat in the window run away. She saw the yellow, soaking wet mop of fur make it's retreat across the road. She needed to get out. She loved the rain and being in it. She needed a drink. So she grabbed her coat, grabbed her keys, and left the house, leaving behind a note for Joe.
Jackson was still trying to get drunk, but his need control was hindering that. He soon realized that he was the only one left in the bar. He stood up and felt the affect of the alcohol. Irene promised to take him home when her shift ended, which was in fifteen minutes. So he waited. Why is she just waiting here? No one's gonna come in. It's too early. How much had he had to drink? Even his thoughts were slurred. Just then the little bell on the door rang. A woman walked in. She was short with gray-green eyes and short auburn hair which she seemed to wear in ringlets, but the rain had drenched it. She looked tired, as did he, and appeared to have forgotten her umbrella. She asked Irene for a, No, Jackson thought. He must have heard wrong. This woman who resembled Lisa wanted a Seabreeze. It couldn't be, could it? Jackson decided to continue looking a haggard as possible, and stay in the corner of the bar. Then he felt this weird feeling in his stomach. Oh shit, he was going to be sick. In his attempt to run to the men's room, he succeeded in knocking over a table and four chairs. The two women just stared in awe as this rather professionally dressed man stumbled all over the bar.
"He's been here since 2."
"Oh."
"I think his girlfriend just dumped him."
"Ah."
"Sad really. I've promised to take him home. He can't drive like that."
"That's good."
"Eh, who knows? He's kind of cute I think"
"Yeah."
Throughout this entire conversation, Lisa had been thinking about this haggard man. He was tallish, with brown hair, and very chiseled facial features. He sort of resembled Jackson. She wondered.
He was washing his face in the sink. What time was it? He looked at his watch. 3:47 am. Exactly 3:47 am. Not 3:45 am, not 3:50 am. 3:47 am. "Irene's shift will be over in 13, no, now it's 12 minutes. Thank god."
In his mild, at least that's what it was in his mind, state of drunkenness, he did not fully comprehend his pending situation with Irene. I'll just go out there try to act normal, and everything will be hunky-dory. Good? Jackson dried his face, popped a few tic-tacs into his mouth, and walked out of the door.
"Oh, he's back"
Lisa stared at this man for a long time. He stared back at her. He looked just like him. She was sure it was him. And then she let out a loud shriek. It made Jackson's head hurt more than it did already, and scared Irene so much that she dropped a glass and it shattered on the tile floor.
"It's you!" she cried, tears streaming down her face.
"What?"
"Jackson! On the Plane! In my house!"
"Honey, you need to calm down."
"No! It's you! You've haunted me for soon long! I knew you'd come back and you did!"
"Miss, I really have no idea who you are!"
"You're lying! You did before and you're doing it now!"
"Miss, please calm down! My name is Jack . I'm a computer programmer. My girlfriend and I were supposed to meet at a fancy restaurant. She never showed up. She doesn't pick up my phone calls. She kicked me out. I don't know what plane you are talking about. I've never seen you before in my life. I swear!"
"It's about closing time. Jack, I need to get you home. Lisa, it's nice meeting you. Come back sometime." Irene smiled at Lisa, then turned to Jackson.
"I'll get my keys."
"Lisa, you seem very strong. I'm sure you will soon get over this Jack fellow. Here's my number if you need me."
There was something about this man. He seemed so secure. She felt so safe around him.
"I have to go now. Are you sure you can drive?"
He seemed so concerned.
"Um, yeah. I'll be fine. Thank you."
"You are very pretty."
"Jack? Come on, lets go."
Irene pulled Jackson into the car.
"Where to, Jack?"
"Um, my motel room is a couple miles up."
"Okay, let's head there."
So she was really that traumatized by him. This mission is going to be harder than he first thought. At least he'd have some comfort to fall with.
There will most likely be another scene that is inspired by Crossing the Line. I really like that story. Once again, I'd like to thank A Pisces Alone for the inspiration, and Fanfics for hosting the many ideas in my head.