Hi everybody... Sorry for the late updates, November has been a crazy month. Busy, busy, busy! But life is getting back to normal now so it should be smooth sailing between now and the end of the year. Lots of time then to post, post, post.

I want to reiterate this is a horror story, sorry some of you were shocked over Rachel's death. There will be more before the story is over.

Thanks!

Krystal

Chapter 4:

Owen awoke before the sun came up, he stared at the pair of ladies feet sticking out of the end of the sheet in the corner of the hotel room. He searched Rachel's purse for the keys to her car and checked the window to make sure no one was outside. When he was sure it was clear he picked up Rachel's lifeless body and headed quickly to her car. He popped the trunk using the key-less entry button and he placed Rachel's body in the trunk, being sure to look around for any onlookers. He got in the drivers seat and sped away, thirty miles later Owen passed the state-line, 'Now Entering Beautiful Colorado.' "It won't be long now before we're reunited Janey," Owen said aloud.

Brooke rolled over and felt Lucas next to her. She smiled when he pulled her into his arms, "Good morning broody."

Lucas yawned, "Good morning pretty wife. How did you sleep?"

"Like a rock," Brooke nestled into his chest, "I'm surprised." She kissed his cheek, the stubble tickled her nose, "I thought for sure I wasn't going to be able to because of Owen, but I am tired of being afraid. Even if he makes it to Tree Hill I'm not worried."

"You shouldn't be," Lucas flexed, "Have you seen these guns?"

Brooke giggled, "Speaking of guns, I have to go to my storage unit today. Andy thinks it would be a good idea to be armed until Owen is apprehended."

"You have guns in your storage unit?" Lucas laughed, "Who are you and what have you done with my wife?"

"Very funny," Brooke kinked her eyebrow, "How did the property walk go yesterday I forgot to ask."

"Fine, they didn't laugh at any of my jokes." Lucas frowned.

Brooke kissed his lips then climbed out of bed, "Well broody that's because you aren't very funny."

"Hey, that's not right." Lucas threw a pillow at her, "I am hilarious. You laugh every time."

"Only when I'm drunk darling," Brooke paused, "Are you hungry?"

"Famished," Lucas stood up and tightened the strings on his pajama pants, "But if we want the food to be edible I should cook."

"That was mean," Brooke frowned, "Take it back."

"No," Lucas grinned before running towards the kitchen.

-One Week Later-

Owen released the brake and put the car into neutral. He slowly guided the car over the ravine into the water below. "See ya later Rachel, we could have had something special." Owen laughed at himself, he checked his pockets and pulled out the picture of his sister that he had taken from Dr. Taggaro's office. He rubbed the dimpled smile looking back at him, "Happy Birthday Janey." He tucked his hair into his baseball cap and put the hood over his head and started walking at a brisk pace, "You better be happy to see me."

"The search continues for Owen Morello," Brooke frowned as a picture of her brother flashed on the screen, "Owen was serving a life sentence at Shady Springs Mental Facility after he brutally murdered his father and younger sisters. He is considered armed and extremely dangerous." The second picture to come up was one of Brooke and Phoebe.

"You two looked a lot alike." Lucas said from behind the couch, "Did the looks come from your mother or your father?"

Brooke turned off the television and said, "My mom mostly, only difference is she was blond. We all were blessed with my father's deep chocolate locks." Brooke gazed out the window, "Do you think he's close? It's been a week and they still haven't caught him."

Lucas bent down and kissed her forehead, "I don't want you to think about that tonight, Nathan and Haley will be here soon. They are picking up dinner and we are going to do our best to celebrate your birthday."

Brooke stood up, "Who's on guard tonight?"

"I think it's the sheriff and one of his deputies," Lucas took a drink of his water bottle, "Plus Ben and Anton will be here in about an hour. Andy said that if Owen is already in Tree Hill tonight will be the night he makes himself known."

"Oh happy day," Brooke said, rolling her eyes. "I should just stand outside with a sign."

"That's a bit dramatic don't you think?" Lucas laughed, "I have told you at least a dozen times, I am not going to let anything happen to you."

"I hope you're right Lucas," Brooke wrapped her arms around herself, "Owen is like a dog with a bone he isn't going to stop until I'm dead, I can feel it deep in my bones."

Owen jogged across the abandoned bridge and smiled at the sight in front of him, Tree Hill Welcomes You the sign read, "Thank you Tree Hill," he said with a chuckle, 'Jane certainly had a type,' he told himself, 'this place looks just like home.' He put his sunglasses on and walked into the main part of town. He knew the best place to start would be the local bakery, 'Janey always had such a sweet tooth.' He purchased a coffee and took a seat at a small bistro table outside, his ears peaked when he saw a couple leaving with a carton of cupcakes and a small cake round.

"Do you think Brooke is going to be mad that we bought her a cake?" Owen heard the woman with light brown hair say to the man walking next to her.

"No," the raven haired man replied, "Brooke Scott is a sucker for one of Millie's marvels. Besides it's her birthday, she should know a cake is a given."

Owen quickly wrote down the name Brooke Scott and after the couple got into their car he headed into the bakery. "Let me know when you're ready to order," Owen looked up at the pimple faced teenager too busy with his phone to even look up when Owen came inside.

"I'm new to the area and I heard Millie's cakes are the best, it's my little sister's birthday." Owen crossed to the counter, "What do you suggest?"

"Chocolate," the kid said, again not even looking up from whatever was distracting him on his phone.

Owen tapped the counter right beside the kid, "I need some information kid and unfortunately for you I think you're the only one that can give it to me."

The kid put his phone down and looked into Owen's eyes, "If you're here to rob the place we don't have much. Most people use a card, and I just did a cash drop."

"I don't want any money, I told you I want information." A sinister grin spreads across Owen's face, "I need you to tell me everything you know about Brooke Scott."

Brooke smiled at the cake now placed in front of her, "I told you I didn't want a cake."

"Well we don't listen," Haley laughed, "Nathan is a terrible listener, he takes what you say into consideration but if it doesn't fit in with his plans he does what he wants to anyways."

Lucas came to the table with some sparkler style candles, "You were in on this weren't you?" Brooke said, kinking her eyebrow.

"No, never." Lucas said with a telling smile, "I just told Nathan what type of cake you liked. He did the rest on his own."

"Yep," Nathan laughed, "You couldn't have some crazy party because of your psycho brother wanting to kill you and all so we decided that, if anything, you needed a cake."

"On my count everyone," Lucas smiled, "Happy Birthday to you... Happy Birthday dear Brooke, Happy Birthday to you."

Brooke blew out the candles and was startled by the clapping sound coming from the hallway. She felt an uneasiness wash over her. A large man emerged from the shadows, "Happy Birthday Janey. Don't you just look beautiful."

"Owen" Brooke gasped, "How did you find me?"

"That was easier than I thought it would be," Owen pulled at his shirt and wiped the fresh blood from his face, "I saw those two outside a bakery in town, I went inside and tortured the boy behind the counter until he gave me your address." He put his bag down on the sofa and continued walking slowly towards them, "So I'm guessing the blond is your beau? If it's the other one I think you should know he's sleeping with her." Owen laughed when he saw the dark haired boy put his arm protectively around the girl he saw him with before. Owen pointed, "You two have the same eyes... Brothers?"

"Owen please don't hurt them," Brooke choked, "It's me you're after. Don't hurt them."

Owen laughed and narrowed his eyes at Brooke, "You see Janey that's where you're wrong. My life was fine until Dr. Anna let it slip you were still alive, then I sort of snapped. I'm glad you survived though Janey, really I am. I always preferred you to Phoebe, she was always looking for trouble." Owen looked around the large living room, "This is a nice house, is that why you like him?"

Lucas spoke, "Owen we can get you some help, maybe talk to the courts about transferring you to the east coast." He put his arm around Brooke, "But before any of that can happen we have to contact the authorities, let them know you're safe."

"Oh I see the appeal now, you're a fixer." Owen nodded his head, "That's nice. Poor Janey could never think for herself, she was always letting Phoebe tell her what to do. He's attractive, Phoebe would be proud of you."

"Stop saying Phoebe's name dammit!" Brooke yelled. "You don't get to say her name ever!"

Owen pulled a hunting knife out from behind his back, "I'll talk about whoever I want to. Who died and made you the boss of this place." Owen laughed, "Did you see what I did there Janey? Or should I say Brooke." Owen scratched his head with the knife, "Who came up with that name it sounds so pretentious, we were pretty redneck before." Owen continued to look around the house and whistled, "You certainly did trade up from that last guy you fucked." His eyes drifted to the mantle, "Shit, you actually married this guy? He must not know about your past." Owen frowned.

"That's enough," Lucas said sternly. His eyes fixed on the man creeping up behind Owen, he recognized him as Agent Taylor. "So Owen what do you say, how about we contact the authorities and get you moved closer to Tree Hill. After all we are family now, I would love to get to know you brother."

Owen chuckled and pointed at Nathan, "Are you hearing this shit, your brother wants to bring me into the fold? He seems a bit crazy to me." They watched as Agent Taylor drew his gun and aimed at Owen's calf.

"Luke can be a bit too trusting, it's something we'll have to work on," Nathan pulled Haley further behind him.

Agent Taylor cocked his weapon and fired, "Owen Russell Morello put your hands in the air, you are under arrest."

Lucas hugged Brooke and kissed her forehead, "You and Haley run to the pool house Nathan and I are going to help Agent Taylor. I love you."

"No, I'm not leaving you here with him. He's dangerous." Brooke cried.

"We will be fine, now go." Lucas said. Brooke and Haley ran to the back door and across the back yard. They had only just reached the pool house when they heard three gun shots.

Thanks everyone! I know cliffhanger, but the final chapter will be posted in about an hour.. Might already be up by the time most of you read it... :)

Krystal