Disclaimer: I own nothing related to Red Eye.

A/N: This is my first Red Eye fanfiction, so please read, review and I hope you enjoy!

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When Kaylie turned on to her street, the first thing she noticed was a strange car parked in her driveway. Dad didn't tell me he was expecting company, she thought, adjusting her backpack on her shoulders. Then again, she wasn't supposed to be home this early. And I wouldn't be, if Erin hadn't gotten sick. Kaylie climbed the steps to the front door and pushed it open, the sound of voices meeting her curious ears. The sound died away as the door clicked shut behind her.

"Kaylie?" Her father's voice drifted in from the kitchen. "Is that you, honey?"

"Yeah," she called back, dropping her backpack by the stairs.

"I thought you were going to Erin's for the afternoon."

Kaylie entered the kitchen as she replied: "She got sick… flu's going around or something."

"I see." Her father glanced between the two other men in the room before gesturing to Kaylie. "This is my daughter."

The middle-aged man seated next to her father nodded politely; the younger man smiled amicably from where he stood leaning against the counter. His piercing blue eyes met hers and for a moment she stared, before returning the smile and turning back towards her father.

"Kaylie," her father began, his eyes flickering towards the man at the counter as he slowly got to his feet. "We were just in the middle of finishing up some business." He stepped around the table and crossed the room to rest a hand on his daughter's shoulder.

"Would you mind…" He cleared his throat. "Why don't you go upstairs for a bit until we're through?"

To Kaylie's bewilderment, her father seemed uneasy, but something in his eyes told her to do as he asked. "No problem, dad. Sorry to interrupt."

"Thanks, hon." Her father kissed her on the forehead and then she retreated from the kitchen to head upstairs, grabbing her bag along the way. She heard the conversation continue behind her as she disappeared into her room. What kind of business was her father conducting at this time in the afternoon and why would it put him so on edge? It was surely not something for work. Neither of those men looked like anyone Kaylie had ever seen at her father's office. Well, whoever they were, their business was clearly important. They had all looked slightly… what was the word?,,, agitated… at her interruption. Well, she'd let them keep at it.

Ten minutes later, Kaylie was reading on her bed when she heard a knock at the door.

"Come in," she called, expecting her dad. The door swung open to reveal the younger of the two men she had seen downstairs. He looked to be around 30, reasonably tall and quite thin, with brown hair that fell into those incredibly blue eyes. Eyes that captured her attention and refused to relinquish it, until she realized with a jolt that she had, yet again, been staring.

"Hi." His tone was light and friendly, putting Kaylie somewhat at ease.

"Hi," she replied, uncertain as to what she was supposed to do or say next.

"I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" When she shook her head, he went on. "My partner's just finishing up some business with your dad downstairs, so I thought I'd come up and see how you were doing."

"I'm fine," she replied, still not sure what was going on.

He glanced around the room. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to intrude… we just felt bad about kicking you out downstairs, your dad said you wouldn't be home for awhile yet… anyway, I just thought I'd come and be social while they were finishing up." He smiled faintly and Kaylie smiled back. Why does he seem nervous?

"Well, thanks," she replied. "My friend got sick, so I came home earlier than I expected. I didn't mean to interrupt anything."

"Oh, don't worry about it. Just some insurance paperwork is all. Pretty dull."

"Oh." So that's what they're doing down there, Kaylie thought. Insurance stuff. Figures.

"I'm Jackson." He crossed to the side of her bed and extended a hand, which she shook.

"Kaylie."

"It's a pleasure, Kaylie."

"Likewise."

Jackson smiled. "So you're in school?"

"Yeah. 10th grade."

"Ooh, sophomore year, that can be rough. You like it?"

"Pretty well." She shrugged. "Except for science."

"Not a fan?" He grinned at her pained expression. "I sympathize, I wasn't much of a fan myself."

He shifted slightly and Kaylie caught a glimpse of silver under his suit jacket. Is he carrying a knife? The thought seemed ludicrous and yet Kaylie couldn't shake off the suddenly growing desire to put more distance between herself and the seemingly friendly businessman. She slid off the bed on the opposing side; their eyes met and, despite his smile, she thought he looked almost troubled. Maybe I'll just go back downstairs…

"Um, I really have to go to the bathroom," she said lamely and then turned and dashed out the door. She heard quick footsteps behind her as she reached the top of the stairs and scrambled down as quickly as she could manage. She had barely reached the bottom when Jackson collided with her from behind, slamming her into the opposing wall. Dizzy from the impact, she struggled against him, but stopped suddenly as she took in the scene before her.

"Dad…" she choked out, stretching out a hand. Then something heavy connected with the side of her head and everything went black.