Ch4
Jack was amazed at how young her face was. She had dark brown and red hair that sat in wet waves at her shoulders. Her eyes were the darkest green he had ever seen. "Can I help you?" she said with a small smile. "You ran out before I could talk to you and the bartender gave me your name… You saved my life." He added leaning against the doorframe. Jack had never trusted the looks of woman but something about her made his breath hitch in his throat for a moment. She hadn't spoken yet and Jack was starting to feel awkward. She opened the door wider and closed it when he stepped inside. Her apartment was actually a small loft. The living room sat beside the open kitchen area and dining room. Down the hallway, he assumed was the bedroom and bathroom.
"How did you find out where I lived?" she asked turning off the movie. "The letter," He said with a smile. She watched him like she didn't trust him. "I wanted to ask you a few questions." Jack added leaning against the doorway that led to the kitchen. A familiar scent lingered in the air. He remmebered it from the hospital. "Did you visit me?" he asked pulling out a cigarette. She shrugged. "Do I make you uncomfortable?" he said after a long drag of his cigarette. She shook her head. He watched he look around the room awkwardly. Her hair was drying and it looked touchable. He moved closer and pulled her into a hug. He didnt know why but the closeness clamed him. Her heart beat wildly against him and that calmed him even more.
"Do you know why I did it, why I really did it?" Keriah whispered as she started to relax. "You dont have to tell me." Jack said releasing Keriah. "No I want to tell you. Its because of Taylor." she stated in a matter of fact way. Jack nodded. "She was my best friend and my twin sister. She moved to Detroit after the divorce. I was supposed to move with her but had to finish defending my disertation. When I got here she was dead." She exclaimed fighting back the tears. "Killed by Victor Sweet?" Jack asked with a sollem look. She nodded and sighed. Here was another victim of Victor's greed, he thought bitterly. "I came back here to protect my family from him and he beat me to the punch. And then I heard about you and your brothers. You saved us all without even knowing it. I just wanted to repay the favor. Tell your brothers I said thank you." Keriah said walking to the door. SHe held it open and waited til Jack was halfway down the hall before she closed the door. Without the door to hold her up, she sank to the floor and cried bitter tears. Her sobs could be heard from one end of the hall to the other. Her phone rang but she let the machine pick it up. It was her uncle. She couldnt deal with him right now. The Mercer Brothers took up too much of her brain, too much of her heart, too much of her life.
As the last of the tears fell, Keriah stood up, locked the doors and windows, and lumbered to her room. As she closed her eyes, Jack's voice lulled her to sleep but it was the understanding and sad look in his eyes that kept the nightmares away.