Chapter 1
"Mom, Dad? I'm going out with some friends! I should be back by 10!" I called from the entryway.
My dad rounded the corner and smiled, "Friends huh?" I rolled my eyes, "Jake wouldn't happen to be going?"
"Yes as a matter of fact he will be! But it is not a date! Like I told you Dad, he's dating Marissa!" I sighed.
My dad gave me a sad smile and walked towards me, "Here take the corvette." He handed me the keys.
"What?" My eyes opened wide in shock.
"I trust you. Now go! Your mother said to fill the tank before you come home. Love you, sweetheart." He gave me a kiss on the forehead and I bounced out the door.
It was mid-summer in Hawaii and school was out. I will be a senior next year and then it's off to college. I slipped into the cherry red convertible corvette and buckled up. As I pulled out of the driveway, I had an eerie feeling, but I overlooked it and kept going. I pulled into the gang's favorite burger joint and slid out, my eyes met a familiar pair of blue ones.
"Hey! Jessa! Your dad let you drive this baby?" Jake grinned.
"Yup! Pretty hot right?" I grinned just as Marissa sided up with Jake. She slid her fingers through his and gave me the most fake smile.
"Trying to pick up guys Jessa?" She sneered.
I rolled my eyes and laughed, "I'm sorry Marissa, but that's your area of expertise. Little miss flirt."
She huffed and stomped into the restaurant, Jake turned to me and gave me the look.
"What?" I shrugged my shoulders, "She started it."
"Jessa for once I just wish you both would try to get along!" He sighed.
"We used to, that was until... Never mind. Ancient history."
"We all used to be best friends! What happened?" Jake laid a strong hand on my shoulder.
"Jake, look you and I we'll always be best friends, her and I: yeah, never going to happen again!" I walked into the place and spotted the familiar sight of my best friend, Lacey. "Hey, girl!" I smiled to her.
She scooted over in the booth and I sat down, "Marissa alert. She came in here guns a blazin!"
"Oh I know we ran into each other outside." I grinned.
Lacey shook her head and gave me a smile. We order our food and talked. It was nearing 9:30 and I still had to go to the gas station. I said my goodbyes and walked out. It took me over thirty minutes to get home and once I did, I just wanted to drop into bed.
I said goodnight to my parents and went to my room. A strange sound woke me up at three am. I sat up in bed and rubbed my eyes. I tiptoed down the hall and looked over the railing. My parents were up and there were three other people with them. They had guns. I gasped and covered my mouth. I quietly ran to my parents' room and unlocked the safe. I pulled out a handgun and ran back to my room.
I sat down next to my bed and loaded the gun. I heard gunshots and I prayed it wasn't my parents. A pair of footsteps clomped towards my door and I held my breath. The door was kicked in and I could hear his breathing.
"Come out girl." He sneered. I had to be brave.
I stood up and he looked surprised. He pointed the gun at me and I raised mine.
"You won't shoot. You're just a little girl." He went to pull the trigger but I beat him to it.
I shot him four times straight through the heart. He collapsed to the ground and I heard my front door shatter and the voices of the other two drift away. I fell back behind my bed and dared not get up.
It wasn't until I heard many voices did I grab the gun again. There were many male voices and a woman's. They were looking through my house. I knew that much. "Steve, they have a daughter. From the looks of it she's about 16." A man said.
Steve, I assumed, answered, "You guys keep looking and I'll check the bedrooms."
I wanted to run for it but there was no escape. His heavy boots were pounding up the stairs. I heard him searching the other few rooms and then finally he came to mine. I heard a long sigh before he spoke, "It's going to be alright. Why don't you come on out?"
I clutched the gun harder and stood up. I pointed it at him and he raised his hands in surrender, "Don't move! I will shoot!"
"It's ok, I'm Five-O. You're going to be alright." He turned so I could get a glimpse of his badge and I refused to put down the gun. "It's ok, you can let go now."
"No! They're going to come for me! I can't!" I felt the tears streaming down my face.
He moved closer and I stepped away, "Listen to me. I won't let them hurt you. I promise." His voice was sincere and I dropped the gun. He picked it up and slid it into his belt, "Why don't you sit down and we can talk." I nodded my head, to numb to even think. "I'm commander Steve McGarrett. What's your name?"
"Jessa." I whispered.
"Jessa, how old are you?" He gave me sad smile.
"I'm 16. I'll be 17 in a month." I looked out my window.
"You're a senior then?" The commander asked. I nodded my head.
"Are my parents? Are they dead?" I asked.
He nodded his head slowly and the tears came harder and faster. I wanted to scream. "It's all my fault!"
Commander McGarrett pulled me into a tight hug and he let me cry. He didn't tell me it was going to be ok, he just let me cry. When I finished, I pulled back, "Jessa, do you know of anyone who would want to hurt your parents?" I shook my head quickly, but didn't make eye contact. "Jessa, do you know of anyone who would want to kill your parents?"
I began to shake my head, but changed; I slightly nodded and whispered, "I can't tell you though. If I do, then they'll kill me."
"Who? Who will kill you?" The commander gently demanded.
"Not here. I can't tell you here." I looked at my hands.
He sighed, "Jessa do you have anyone who you could stay with? Any relatives?"
"No, both mom and dad lost their families in a car crash. I'm the only one left." He sighed, "I know, you have to take me to the state. I'll then be put into the system and I'll be there until I'm 18."
"That's not going to happen." He shook his head.
"Commander all do respect, but it will. I don't have any family."
"You are going to come stay with me, until we can find out who did this. I told you I was going to protect you. I will keep that promise. Call me Steve." He smiled.
"You don't have to do that. No one wants some 16 year old girl to live with them." I laughed sadly.
"Jessa, there's nothing you can do about it. You're coming with me." Steve stated.
He let me pack up my belongings and then he took me down the stairs. He shielded the living room from me and I stopped. "I want to see them."
"I'm not so sure that's a good idea." Steve frowned.
"I need to, I have to say goodbye." There was an instance when pain and understanding flashed through his eyes, but it soon passed. He sighed and nodded his head.
I walked over to the bright yellow material and an EMT lifted it. When I saw their faces I dropped down to my knees next to them and cried, "I'm so sorry Mom and Dad. I'm so sorry. I love you." I felt Steve kneel down and soon a strong arm was around me.
"Jessa, we have to go." He whispered.
I nodded my head and stood up, I would be strong for my parents. I had to be. Steve led me to a lifted black Chevy Silverado. He took my bags and set them in the back seat. I climbed in and prayed that I could hold myself together. We drove for a few miles until we came to a subdivision. It was right on the ocean and beautiful Palm trees surrounded the lots of houses.
We pulled into a beautiful beach house and stopped. "It's not extravagant, but it's safe."
I nodded my head and plastered on a fake smile. I got out and clutched my photo album to my chest. The only evidence of my parents being was inside. Steve led the way into his house and he set my stuff down in the living room. I noticed two other men and a young woman sitting at the kitchen table.
"We brought food!" One of the men said. I moved out from behind Steve and they all paused.
"Guys, this is Jessa." Steve introduced, "Jessa this is Chin," he pointed to the Hawaiian man, "Kono," Steve pointed to the Hawaiian woman, "and Danny." Last, he gestured to the blonde haired man.
"Hi." I smiled.
"It's nice to meet you Jessa." Kono gave me a sad smile.
"Do you want some food?" Chin asked.
I shook my head and turned to Steve, "If it's alright with you could I put my stuff where I'll be staying and maybe get cleaned up." I glanced down at my bloodstained clothing and back up to Steve.
"Yeah follow me." He grabbed my luggage and led the way upstairs, "Your room is next to mine." It was an unnecessary statement to anyone else, but I knew it meant that he'd be able to protect me. He opened the door to a decent sized room. It was decorated in Coral, mint green, and a sandy brown. Definitely a girl's room. "It was my sister's. The room I mean." I nodded my head and looked down at my feet. "Well, if you need anything just let me know."
Steve closed the door and I opened up my first suitcase. I pulled out a pair of spandex shorts and one of Jake's football sweatshirts. The scent of it helped calm my nerves. After a quick shower I put on my clothes and felt my stomach growl. I ventured down the wooden staircase and found everyone sitting at the table, case files sprawled out. They heard my footsteps and tried to hide everything.
"No, don't do that. I want to help." I said.
Steve gave me a questioning look, "I don't know."
"Please, I promise I can handle it." He sighed but gave no other protest. "Is there anymore food?"
Kono jumped up, "I saved you some!" She went over to the microwave and pulled out a plate piled with food, "I know it's probably not what you're used to, but it's still pretty good."
"I'm not some spoiled rich kid!" I laughed a sincere laugh, "I eat at this burger place almost every night!"
"The one on the corner of Third Street and Main?" Steve asked.
"Yeah! They have the best burgers!" I exclaimed as I sat next to Steve.
He nodded his approval, "When I was in high school we used to go there after every football game."
I looked at him, "Yeah, we do that too! My boy- best friend Jake is the quarterback for Kauai High School." I almost slipped and called him my boyfriend.
"I was the quarterback for them too!" Steve and Chin said in unison. We all laughed at that.
They kept talking about their high school days, but I couldn't hear them. I had focused on the files and pictures that lay in front of me. I examined one closely and gasped. Apparently it was loud enough for everyone to stop talking and look at me. I held the picture tightly.
"Jessa, what? Do you see something?" Steve asked.
I shook my head and pushed back from the table, "Excuse me." I clutched the picture in my hand and ran up the stairs. I dumped out my suitcases and searched for something. Anything. A clue. I heard a pair of footsteps and I knew it was Steve.
"Jessa? Is everything alright?" He asked.
I ignored the question and kept searching. I opened up my last suitcase and froze. I picked it up and slid down the wall examining it. My breath caught in my throat. "Oh my gosh."
Steve came to my side, "What is it? Jessa, you can tell me."
"It's a reminder. No matter where I am or how far I run, they'll find me." I whispered.
"That makes no sense. Who will find you?"
I lifted up the picture frame to reveal a sad family of three. A woman, a man, and a ten-year-old girl. She had long brown hair and sad brown eyes. "My parents."