Disclaimer: I dont own Secret Window, I'm just another Johnny fan. I can take credit for all the non- Secret Window characters and the plot.
A/N: Hey this is my first time posting a fanfiction. I wrote this forever ago. And still working on it. I'm a few chapters ahead so if anyone wants i'll post them. I hope you enjoy it and dont be afraid to give me constructive criticism . . . I would appreciate it.
Chapter 1
Another Friday morning had begun along with the usual coffee run to the local Starbucks. About a few miles away from his small cabin in the woods in New London, which he started going after his wife's disappearance a year ago.
He walked down the street trembling from the cold. Summer must be over, he thought as he walked faster with the wind brushing against his face. He reached the end of the sidewalk then turned left looking both ways before he crossed the street.
He stepped onto the other sidewalk on the corner. The door to the small coffee shop was held opened by a man in a brown suit. Under it he wore a red shirt and a black tie that said father of the year. He looked about fifty; Mort could see the aging lines around his eyes. He was holding a cup of coffee in his hands from Starbucks and a bag under his arm.
Mort watched as a women walked out thanking the man for his hospitality. She came towards Mort taking a sip of her coffee, almost running into him. The women looked up then passed him giving him a quick glimpse of a smile. Mort came to the door to notice the man was still holding the door open. He nodded a thank you to him then entered.
It wasn't too busy inside. There were about two people in line and four sitting down at the tables. One person was typing on their laptop set up on the table. Someone else was reading the Washington Post while sipping his coffee. There was a woman sitting in the middle tables tutoring a young girl and another woman in the corner chatting on her cell phone. Mort turned his attention towards the counter.
There was a tall man in front who stood about three inches taller then Mort. He had a backwards cap with jeans on that hung below his butt with only his leather jacket to cover his underwear. His hair was short and messy with an oily texture. Mort glanced over at the petite woman who was behind the counter with her brunet hair tied up in a pony tail serving the tall man. The tall man was holding up his coffee cup waving it in the air.
"This is not non-fat--I asked for non-fat!" he shouted
"I'm sorry sir, I'll get you another one." she replied calmly. But he wasn't calm. He set the cup down on the counter furiously making the lid pop open letting some of the coffee spill out all over the counter. The women behind the counter took the cup and tossed it into the wastebasket then turned her back towards the espresso machine.
This time she made sure she had gotten him non-fat. When she turned around she held out the cup in front of her. He grabbed it out of her hand putting it up to his lips taking a sip. The look of satisfaction filled his face.
"Have a nice day." she said kindly as he quickly turned around. He came towards Mort with great speed he didn't have time to move out of the way. Luckily none of his coffee fell from his grip, but he hit Mort with is elbow in his side pretty good.
The tall man groaned walking around Mort as he said "watch it", and walked out forcing the door to slam. Mort made his way to the counter holding his side. The women looked up at him with sorrow in her eyes. Her big brown eyes met with his.
"I'm so sorry Mort, that guy was such an asshole." she said comforting him with her British accent. As she always did. She was a very caring and sincere person, but a bit nosy. Nina was in her early twenties with a flirty look to her. She always had a smile on her face that lite up the room. Mort knew she was the reason most people wanted to come to Starbucks besides the coffee. She always wore a skirt to work to show off her tanning salon legs.
"Its okay, Nina." Mort replied taking his hand off his side feeling less in pain as time healed it.
"The people that come into this place." she sighed removing the cup from under the machine back over to the counter.
"The worst." Mort agreed.
"So how was your weekend?" she asked.
"Oh it was good." he said as he ran his fingers though his hair. "Christine and I we're considering moving in together."
"Really, congratulations." she said with a smile, showing her glimmering white teeth.
"Thanks. It's not definite yet." Mort sighed.
"It's the thought that counts." Nina said wiping the counter down with a rag. Yes it was the thought that counted because he needed all the support he could get. But he was excited about moving in with Christine. Having comfort from another human being could bring likeness to a home, waking up to someone with a bright loving smile every morning, someone to spend the rest of your life with. Just some of the things Mort missed in the past year and a half.
"You want to meet for lunch?" Mort asked.
"Cant, working overtime today. I have to put in some more hours to pay the rent."
"Jess not paying his rent again?"
"Moved out." she sighed.
"I'm sorry." Of course he wasn't. Jess was Nina's boyfriend or now ex-boyfriend. They lived together for a while. He wasn't the nicest guy in world or the wisest. Mort met him on several occasions. Each time, Jess always ended up leaving the room in a jealous rage. He smoked, drank, and didn't put the toilet seat down. Jess and Mort weren't buddy-buddy, but Mort knew he loved Nina. Who wouldn't, Mort thought to himself.
"So what will it be today?" she asked after a moment passed.
"Oh just the usual." he replied.
"Tall Café Latte double strong, with vanilla cream" she announced.
"It's amazing you can remember all that." Mort said reaching for his wallet from his back pocket. Nina turned her back to Mort as she poured the freshly hot coffee into the cup from the espresso machine into a 12 fluid ounce cup. Mort noticed she put in extra vanilla cream then turned back to the counter.
"There you go." she said handing Mort his drink. Mort exchanged his five dollar bill for the cup.
"Keep the change." Mort said taking a sip of the espresso.
"You're too kind." Nina said leaning over the counter to give Mort a quickly peck on the cheek.
"Thanks for the kiss. How about on this side." he said tapping his finger on the opposite cheek. "I think it's lonely." Nina bit her lip lightly then leaned over the counter again to kiss Mort's cheek.
"I hope that helped." Nina said.
"Never better." Mort said with a smile.
"I'll see you later, Mort."
"Goodbye." Mort waved goodbye then walked out into the cold. It was only seventy degrees out but the wind made it seem colder. He walked around the corner to CVS to pick up a few things. Toilet paper, milk, and some more Doritos. He bought his groceries that added up to eighteen ninety-nine. He paid with a twenty then walked the several blocks back to his car waving again to Nina as he passed Starbucks.
When he arrived back to his cabin he pulled into his driveway to hear a loud banging noise coming from the inside of his house. Mort paused. Mort quickly jumped out of his car and onto his feet shutting the car door behind him. Then he started his way to the porch. As he got closer he realized the noise was coming from the second floor.
He took another step. The noise began to sound more like a hammer on a nail. Its a burglar, he thought, in my room--someone has broken in. His heart began to beat faster. He found himself running to his door. It was unlocked. He set his hand on the door knob swiftly. After setting his groceries down the floor he turned the knob slowly. He peeked open the door carefully so not to make a sound.
From inside he only saw the small part of the wall at which his mirror over the mantelpiece reflected upon. He tried to see which room it was coming from. Just to be sure Mort used to mirror to looking into the kitchen. Yet nothing was there. The raucous seemed to be gone. Mort creped in towards the stairs. Across the hall the bathroom door was open showing no one in sight.
He took a step up the stairs. Then another and another. Soon he was almost to the top. He lay his foot in the middle step as it made a breaking sound as if he stepped on a piece of glass. Mort cringed then took the last step on the stairs. Finally he had made it. But his terrier wasn't over yet.
The banged became too overwhelming to hear what was causing it. Yet he could see the shadow of a man peering out from the next room. The bedroom. Mort stood there with great fear of his belongings. It seemed like forever he was standing there but only must have been two minutes. Mort didn't move. Maybe it was shock, either way it was the last thing on his mind. Until he noticed the man in his bedroom was singing. He seemed less of a threat. But still, what if he were armed?
With the need to protect himself Mort glanced around for something to grab. Then suddenly he spotted a yellow toolbox on the floor near his desk. A screw driving seemed like a good idea to have in his possession under the circumstances.
He couldn't get the door opened without it squeaking. But the man started hammering again which took Mort's focus off the door and onto the toolbox. Mort rushed in behind the desk. The toolbox now seat by his side. He held the screwdriver in his hand after opening the toolbox.
The banging of the hammer never stopped. Mort felt more confidence in his legs as he began to stand up. He walked slowly toward the bedroom door, his heart pounding in his head. He clenched the screwdriver tightly as his palm began to sweat. The bedroom door stood opened and Mort came face to face with the shadow. Then he leaned over to see the man in the bedroom hammering away on what looked like Mort's closet.
This was his chance. Mort had to make a move. He wiped his moist palm on the side of his pants. After a moment of building up confidence he counted the three in his head. Like a flash of light Mort jumped into the room. He landed behind the man hammer away at his closet.
"Hey asshole!" Mort said fiercely holding his weapon out in front of him. The man also jumped from the sudden surprise. He turned around holding his hands up to the side of his head, letting the hammer fell to the floor. As Mort thought the man was no threat after all.
"Jason?" Mort said surprised.
"Hey Mort." Jason replied gulping his throat. Mort let down the screwdriver to his side.
"You scared the shit out of me." Mort said laughing hysterically. But Jason didn't seem to find the situation as amusing. "What were you doing in my closet?" Mort asked. "If you wanted to see my drag queen outfits, all you had to do was ask."
Jason paused. He waited for Mort to stop laughing before he spoke. "Well that's very kind of you Mort, but I was thinking that maybe you could use a bigger closet now that there is about to be two people living here."
"Wow that's very thoughtful of you to break into my house to hammer into my wall." Mort said as he walked into the hall.
"You know your gonna thank me one day!" Jason called from the bedroom. Mort didn't respond. He placed the screwdriver back into the yellow toolbox. He walked back to the front door to get his groceries from where he had left them on the floor. Mort put the Charmin Ultra under the sink in the bathroom, the milk in the refrigerator, and the Doritos in his drawer of the desk where his laptop sat. Then the raucous sound started up again.
"Jason!" Mort called. Jason quickly came running out of the bedroom. His eyebrows were raised high up on his forehead as if he were waiting for something to knock him on the head. Mort could see his tongue inside his mouth from how wide Jason's mouth was open.
"Can you maybe do that at a reasonable hour? I haven't even finished my coffee yet."
"Oh, sure thing. Do you mind if I keep my tools here?"
Mort sighed. "Okay." Then started his way down the stairs to the couch in the living room.
"Thanks." Jason placed his hammer in the yellow toolbox.
Later that day Mort leaned his head against the pillow and closed his eyes. He took another sip of his coffee then set it down on the table beside him. Then Mort heard a something coming from the kitchen. It was the sound of a loud squirting noise of water hitting a metal object. He opened his eyes lifting his head up to see Jason walking out of the kitchen with none other then a tin can. As he walked close Mort noticed it was a can of beer. Mort's eyes widened. He never bought any beer.
"You know Jason, Christine was the one I was expecting to move in with me." Mort said sitting up on the couch.
"Oh come on Morty, you now how I like my beer cold and in the middle of the afternoon." Jason said taking a seat on the chair across from Mort.
"Whatever, I'm going to go change." he said getting up and heading upstairs. "Use a coaster!" he shouted from the top of the stairs. Mort entered his bedroom and walked over to the dresser. He opened his drawer to see there was only one shirt that lay in it. "Where the heck have all my shirts been going?"
Shirts don't just get up and walk away do they? Mort sighed and took out the first shirt he saw which was just a navy blue long sleeve sweater. He took off the old shirt and tossed it onto the bed then pulled the navy blue shirt over his naked back. Mort walked back downstairs to see that Jason had a coaster under his beer.
They sat in silence for a few minutes then Jason said, "Don't you have somewhere to be . . . out with that British hottie or something?" Jason said referring to the afternoon lunches they have daily.
"Her name is Nina and no she has to work."
"Yea. Well she's hot." Jason said. Mort rolled his eyes. Jason was that sort of guy. The kind you think want to just talk, but really have other intentions. Mort had known Jason since college who recently moved to Tashmore Lake after coming out of his own divorce. In that time . . . he never changed. "Well I guess I'll get started on that closet and then I thought maybe your shower could use some replastering."
"In that case I think I'll go out . . . maybe give Christine a call."
"Is she single?" Jason asked.
"Who?" Mort replied.
"Nina, she available?"
"Not for you." Mort got up heading toward the phone.
"Come on Morty, hook me up." Jason said. Mort dialed Christine's number. The phone began to ring as Mort held the phone up to his ears. Jason mouthed the words hook me up again. "No." Mort whispered. Then someone picked up.
"Hello?" a voice said.
"Christine, its Mort." Mort said.
"Oh hey what's up?" Christine said.
"Oh, nothing just thought maybe you'd want to go to a early dinner maybe catch a movie, whatcha say?"
"I say wow, but I can't." She heard Mort sigh on the other end. "It's just that I'm swamped with work, remember I'm working late tonight" There was a slight pause. Mort had forgotten Christine had just been promoted. With that promotion she has to put in more hours.
". . . well I have to go. Talk to you later."
"Bye." he said.
"Love you, Bye." she said then hung up. Mort put the phone back down in its holder on the counter. Jason wasn't in the room anymore. He had already brought his tools into the bedroom. Mort quickly got on his coat and walked out the door. He didn't like Jason alone in his house, but who was Mot to refuse a chance to get a professional decorator for free.
Mort decided to go see a movie even though the nearest theater wasn't in Tashmore. Mort came out of his house holding out his car keys to unlock his car. He climbed into his new Lexus IS and started the car. He put the car in reverse and backed out of the driveway. Then switched to drive and drove out of Tashmore passing all the people while they went on with their business.
People who he once greeted when he went into the town to buy simple everyday things in which he wasn't even allow to step foot near to get. Ever since the disappearance of his wife and her ex-boyfriend they didn't want him there anymore. He drove to New London and took a left at the stop sign the opposite way from Starbucks.
He arrived at the movie theater about a half hour later. It was five passed five. He stopped in front of the theater too look at the movies that were playing. There was only Annapolis at 4:05, Mort wasn't much into war movies plus the movie had already started. Underworld: Evolution, The Pink Panther, Hoodwinked, Final Destination 3, and Big Momma's House 2 had all already started which he had no interest in seeing. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Last Holiday, Curious George, and Firewall were all starting at six-thirty and later.
Mort sighed. For a moment he thought of forgetting about the movie. But there was one more movie, When a Stranger Calls. It was playing in five minutes so Mort didn't have to wait long to see it. It crossed his mind to go see it.
Mort drove around the parking lot to find a parking place. After parking he decided to go see the movie. The movie was only about an hour and a half long and he had nothing else to do. Plus he had a urge to go to the theater.
He walked up to the glass toll booth where a short bald man sat. He wore a sweater vest with a blue jean shirt underneath. He immediately greeted Mort with a smile. "One for When a Stranger Calls." Mort told the ticket man.
"One adult." the bald man replied.
"How much?" Mort asked.
"Its six dollars today."
"Wow. I got here at a good time."
"Right you are sir. Movies before seven are six dollars any later then that is eight."
"I guess you got to get here earlier to see it again then." Mort said as he handed him a ten dollar bill. The bald man took the money, placed it in the crash register under the counter, and handed Mort the movie ticket along with his change.
"Enjoy the show, sir." the bald man said though his microphone. Mort nodded to him then walked in. Inside Mort handed his ticket to the ticket taker. She tore off one side of the ticket then handed his ticket back.
"Enjoy the show." she said with a smile. Mort kindly returned the smile and walked on. He passed theaters one on the left and two on the right before you get to the food counters. The theater smelt of popcorn and chilly dogs.
People lined up to get the freshly buttered popcorn, large soda drinks, and candy. Bright lights shinned from the ceiling. The light bulbs were lined up in rows of a hundred or so beaming down into your eyes. There wasn't more then twenty people at the theater.
I came here on a good night its not busy at all, Mort thought. Mort glanced at his ticket to see that his show was playing in theater eight. He walked across the open lobby toward the snack machines where the hall way parted. The theaters three, four, and five were on the left. Mort turned to the right where theaters six, seven, and eight were. The hallway went on after that but Mort stopped at theater eight.
He put his ticket back into his pocket leaving himself to forget about it. Then he walked into the darkness of the theater. The previews had already started giving him some light to find a place to sit. He found the eight-five rows were all empty. Mort walked down the isle with the little red lights guiding his way down. Then he turned to sit in the middle row in front of the screen. He found a seat in the isle to sit in and took it.
Mort sighed then made himself comfy and crossed his legs. He continued to sit in that position though the beginning of the movie. He watched as Jill Johnson played by Camilla Belle arrive at the mansion for her job to baby-sit. The kids were already asleep so it started out with her excited for being in such a luxurious house. The house took place over looking a lake which surrounded half of the house that complemented the extravagant and beautiful setting.
The first phone call by the stranger was just that kind of heavy breathing without dialog. Of course its everyone's fear to have a stranger call repeatedly especially if you happen to be alone and a teenage girl. It wasn't boring, but pointless due to the fact that it's a remake of the 1979 version so you already know what's going to happen.
In every thriller when they suspect someone it's never going to be them. Mort calculated all the possibilities of who could be calling and found that it could just be a stranger. Not to mention in opening scene there a incident similar to Jill Johnsons, in another place. So it couldn't be the owners of the house happening to be really sick people.
Later in the movie Jill thought someone was in the house after calling the police she grabbed a fire poker. Somehow Mort found himself getting into the movie. Mort leaned forward in his seat. He figured there was no one there to witness him scream if he got scared so he could let loose a little. So he did.
He watched her walk slowly around the house to build up the suspense. She got to the kitchen and took a deep breathe. Then she jumped in front of the camera with the fire poker out in front of her. There was no one else there. Mort leaned back in his seat laughing. Jill then took a popsicle out of the freezer. She walked into the living room opening it and grabbing a napkin as she did.
Over Mort's laughing he thought he heard another voice. A laugh. Mort put his hand over his mouth to stop himself from laughing. From a distance he could hear a low girlish laugh. She didn't have an annoying laugh, but a low simple one. It turned into a sweet melody to Mort's ears like a song that couples play at their wedding for their first dance.
He glanced around the theater for the person that matched the voice. Then through a flash of light he could see her. She was sitting five rows behind him. For a moment it was silent. Her eyes were fixed on the screen. He could see the light from the screen shimmer off of her hair.
Suddenly she looked at Mort. He gulped his throat. As if in slow motion she lifted up her finger and made a come-hither gesture. In reaction Mort pointed to himself in the chest and mouthed the word me?
To his surprise she nodded. Mort's next move was to stand up, but he found he was already standing. He walked onto the isle as they kept eye contact. He walked slowly toward her. Mort's heart was racing as he stopped at her row. She sat in the middle seats with a small bag of popcorn in her hands. Before he knew it he was already standing over her. She smiled at him.
"Hello." Mort said.
"Hello." she said in a Hispanic accent. She was smiling. Mort smiled back at her trying to not look too nervous.
"Do I know you?" He asked.
"I don't think so, do I know you?" she replied.
Mort shook his head no. He didn't think he knew her. "Why are you smiling?" Mort asked.
"I don't know . . . why you smiling?" she replied. For a moment he looked down at his feet. He didn't know why he was smiling or that he was.
"I don't know." Mort said shaking his head no.
"Please . . . sit." she suggested. Mort took a seat in the seat beside her. Immediately he caught a smell of her aroma. Either she just bathed in some wine or that was her perfume. She ate a bit of popcorn chewing it with her mouth opened like a piece of gum, but no sound. "I've noticed that you were down there." she said.
"Yea, I didn't see you up here until I heard you laugh."
"I was getting some popcorn, even though the movie had already started when I came in. That's one thing about the movies; you always have to get popcorn."
"And the laughing part?" Mort asked.
"It was funny, you were laughing too." she said. Mort began to stand up. "I like that." she said. Mort sat back in the seat.
"What?" he asked.
"That I'm not only one who went alone to see a movie on a Friday night."
"So why did you come out alone on a Friday night, if you don't mind me asking?"
"I wanted to come to the movies. Haven't you ever had the urge just to get out of the house and go to the theaters?"
"Yes I have, in fact that is why I'm here too." Mort said.
"I'm Marta." she said holding her hand out.
"Mort." he replied taking her hand and shaking it firmly. Her hands were soft and warm.
"Oh, your hands are cold." she said removing her hand from his. She turned her attention back to the movie. They both continued to laugh at the movie at parts they both found to be funny. Then Jill was walking down another long hallway very slowly to build up the suspense Marta turned to Mort.
"I bet you five dollars the stranger is not going to be there."
"You're on." Mort replied. They both turned to screen to watch Jill go into the laundry room to answer a ringing cell phone. She opened the purse that sat on the ground. No one was on the other line when she picked up. She got up off the flour and there was a shadow behind her that appeared to be a person. Marta and Mort jumped in their seats. Marta hoping that wasn't him and Mort hoping it was. But it turned out just to be a black suit hanging on the wall.
"I didn't see that one coming." Mort said handing her five dollars.
"Keep it . . . we didn't shake on it." Marta said. Mort smiled at her then put his money away. They continued to watch the movie now while Jill was in panic.
"Popcorn?" Marta said leaning her popcorn over to Mort as she chew on a piece without taking her eyes off the screen.
"No thanks." he replied. Marta then glanced at him. Their eyes met again. For a moment they sat silent. Two seconds seemed like forever. Mort felt in the moment to put his arm around her. He didn't. Marta pulled back her popcorn and continued to eat it one bite at a time.
"I bet you it's the son in college who lives in the guest house." Mort said after a few minutes.
"You're on." Marta replied. Mort was wrong again. It wasn't the son from college after Jill ran though the rain to the guest house, he wasn't there. They found out that the stalker was calling from inside the house and it was someone that no one had expected, but apparently he had been harassing and killing sixteen-year-old girls. He came out trying to of course to kill Jill, but she would get away from him every time.
Throughout the move they both seemed to have an reaction. Each time the stalker would jump from the darkness they both turned to smile toward each other. Once and awhile Marta would jump from her seat while Mort was calmer. Mort mostly feared for the innocent kids who were asleep the whole movie until the end.
When he looked up at Marta he felt a warm feeling in his heart like that feeling that you get when you just made a new friend. He found he was watching her more then he watched the movie. The movie quickly came to a end. The lights flashed on leaving Mort in a daze.
"Its over." Marta sighed. Mort blinked a few times for his eyes to get used to the light again. The credits played as they both stood up. Mort regained his eye sight following Marta to the isle. "I liked it." Marta said as they walked side by side toward the exit.
"Yea . . . it was good." Mort agreed.
"I think it was the way they kept the suspense."
"Yea, definitely I never saw anything coming."
"In other words it was the most boring movie you've ever seen." Marta said dumping her half eaten popcorn bag into the trash.
"I wouldn't say the most boring . . . in the top ten." Mort joked.
The custodians said goodbye to Mort and Marta as they exited the theater. The four of them stood holding their mops and brooms. They wore a red vest and black pants and top for their uniforms. They all had friendly faces, but only the girl which only stood about five-four, smiled. Mort glanced down at her as she said "have a good evening."
But it wasn't until he glanced up at Marta he almost fell from the weakness in his knees. He found she was even more beautiful in the light. Her walk was graceful and the curves of her body were ever so perfect. Mort followed her down the hall like a puppy-dog. Marta turned the first half of her body around to face Mort showing him a kind smile. Mort couldn't help but smile back.
He liked her smile. It felt as if the more she did it the more he felt safe. Her hair flowed along with her as she walked, bouncing with every step. Her smoky brown eyes and luscious lips toped off her marvelous style. When they took the turn toward the snack machines Mort speeded up his walk.
"It was nice talking to you." she said slowing down her walk. Her walk got slower and slower until she stopped.
"It was nice talking to you too." Mort agreed
"Maybe I'll start coming to movie more often." Marta flirted. Mort let out a polite laugh. "Goodnight, Mort." she said. Marta turned around toward the bathrooms. He began his way to the entrance from where he first came in. But he found himself walking behind her again. Nothing was going through his mind, but at the same time something was.
He couldn't help but go after her, but he wanted to stop. Mort wasn't about to make a fool of himself. He felt as if something was burning inside him that only her eyes could let out. He legs began to move faster.
Before he knew it he tapped her on the shoulder. It was too late to keep his distance after all. She was now facing him. He felt his heart in pounding in his head. The world stopped when her smile lite up his heart. Mort stood there while she brushed a lock of hair out of her face. Her eyes widened. He glanced down to see his hand that hadn't left her shoulder.
Come on Morty, your looking like a stalker here don't ruin it, he thought. Mort took his own advice and let go of her shoulder. He sat it down at his side while he took a breath. When he looked up at Marta again she was giving him a confused look. Then Mort spoke in a clear voice.
"You wouldn't want to go get a bite to eat with me would you?" Mort asked.
"Actually . . ." There was a pause. "I would."
"Okay!" Mort said.
"Okay . . . I'll be right back, can you wait right here while I go use the restroom?"
"Of course." Mort said. Marta left to use the restroom as she said. Mort took a sigh of relief.
A/N: Congratulations! You made it through the first chapter. (I know it was long) I promise you it gets better. lol . Reviews please!
