"Once we stopped crying, the naval officer took us back to the ship. After hearing there had been two murders and one of us had gone missing, we were questioned. All of us were allowed to return home, except poor Roger. I heard he was admitted into Long Grove Asylum for trying to kill an officer. Now, listen, I know you may think I'm insane or savage from the stories you've heard, but I'm not. I promise you I'm fine. But please, don't tell a soul... I've never told told anyone this much of the story before, so could you keep this between you and me?"

Ralph looked into Theresa's blue eyes. Although he knew her since hey were little, this was their second date and Ralph felt he needed to tell her the full story of things, despite the twisted versions she'd already heard form everyone else.

"I'll keep it a secret," Theresa, known as Tessa, said, "I promise." With that, she hugged him, and Ralph tangled his fingers in her curly blonde hair, shutting his eyes. When he opened them again, he saw a blonde haired boy walking across one of the many bridges in Bourton, the village on water Ralph now lived.

"Jack?" he gasped, pulling away from Tessa.

"Where?" Tessa asked, looking in the direction Ralph was looking, "I don't see anyone!"

"That blonde boy on the bridge!" Ralph replied, pointing, "He's gone now, but I could've sworn it was Jack..."

"It wasn't Jack," Tessa soothed, "It couldn't have been. You just got done talking about a traumatic experience and he's on your mind. Don't worry It's over now. He can't find you here. Now come on, the sun's starting to go down. My parents will be worried sick if I'm not home soon."

"Alright," Ralph stood up and linked arms with Tessa and began to walk her home.

The warm summer breeze blew back Tessa's hair. Beautiful flowers from trees littered their path. Golden sunset rays glistened on the river, giving it a certain sparkle that made you want to sit at its edge and stare over the water forever as it flowed lazily to the west. It was one of those perfect warm summer evenings you wished would last forever.

As Ralph and Tessa walked, a stray ball passed by them, rolling down the street. A blonde haired boy turned the corner out of nowhere just then and bumped into Tessa, knocking her to the ground.

"Tessa!" Ralph shouted as jack was about to make his move in hurting her. He pulled Jack off and turned him around, cocking his fist, about ready to punch-

"Ralph, no!" Tessa screamed, trying to pull Ralph back, "It's just Tommy from down the street!"

Ralph looked at the boy. It was Tommy from down the street... oops. Ralph released him and Tommy went running after the ball, his original objective.

"Sorry," Ralph apologized, "I was for sure this time it really was Jack and he was trying to hurt others around me..."

"Just walk me home," Tessa said quietly. Ralph was pretty sure then he blew it. They continued to walk again in silence.

Once they were at Tessa's front door, they exchanged goodnights and a hug. As Ralph walked back down the path, he saw something strange in the hedges.

Blonde hair. And a face.

Then, as quick as it appeared, it was gone.

Ralph sucked in a breath. He bolted, wanting desparetly to get back home. To be safe.

"It can't have been Jack," he told himself, "Jack has dark hair and doesn't know where I am. He has no reason for revenge."

Or does he? The thought made Ralph stop dead. Jack couldn't want revenge. If he had intentions to hurt Ralph, wouldn't he have done it already? Wouldn't he have attempted it on the ship so it would be quicker, maybe even easier?

The sound of footsteps made Ralph take off running again. He knew going into an alley wasn't the best idea, but it would take him home sooner.

The sooner, the better.

The footsteps were coming closer. Ralph started to turn but only caught a glimspe of blonde hair before he felt a sharp pain on the side of his head. His ears started ringing. Then all went silent.

Everything turned black