CHAPTER 7

Joanna Walker hung up her phone and picked up a copy of the Bayport Gazette. Biting her lower lip, a habit she had when she was worried, for the third time that day, she read the headline:

Latest Victim of Bayport University Ripper!

Studying the picture of the young man, Joanna felt a sudden stab of fear at her heart.

"She said she's taking her medication. And Dr. Lewis told me she hasn't missed an appointment." Joanna mumbled softly to herself. Thinking about her conversation with Alice, Joanna thought it would be a good idea to go visit her baby sister.

*campusterror*campusterror*

Later that day Joe was finally reading the morning paper.

Earlier that morning, Joe could tell something was wrong when he came down to breakfast. Laura, although she had put on a cheery smile on her face, Joe could tell that she was worried and scared.

"Good morning, sweetie, glad to see you're awake and on time!"

"I promised Vanessa a ride to school. She had to take her car in for some minor repair work."

Laura was trying not to look at Joe, she was hoping that he wouldn't notice how nervous she was. She carefully whipped the eggs, putting on her best smile as she looked up at Joe.

"I'm making omelets this morning. Would you like a western or just ham and cheese?"

"Just ham and cheese will be fine."

Joe stared long and hard at his mother, scrutinizing her every move. His eyes roamed the room, Joe suddenly realized something was missing.

"Where's the morning paper?"

Laura gave a nervous laugh. "Thanks for reminding me, I need to call little Jordan. He didn't throw our paper today."

Before Joe could reply to that, Frank and Fenton walked into the kitchen. Frank also asked about the paper, dismissing its presence when his mother explained what had happened. Then the conversation turned to more mundane topics.

Joe left to pick up Vanessa. When he arrived at her house, Joe immediately asked to see the day's paper.

"I'm sorry Joe, once Mom was done reading it, she burned it with the rest of the trash. I didn't even get to read it."

"Something's up, Van. First my Mom tells me that our paperboy didn't deliver ours. Now your Mom burned yours. We're stopping at the first convenience store and buying this morning's paper."

Now Joe was staring at the grainy photograph of Charles Miller, the latest person to disappear from Bayport University campus.

"Well, now I know why my Mom was so frightened this morning." Joe told Vanessa.

"This is getting really creepy, Joe. It was bad enough with those missing girls almost fitting Callie's description, then those boys fitting your description. Now this! He could be Frank."

"Yeah, that's what I was thinking. If I didn't have that final in history I would skip the class and go see Frank."

"How 'bout we check on him tomorrow? We only have a half-day tomorrow. We could meet Frank for lunch or something."

With a heavy sigh, Joe agreed.

*campusterror*campusterror*

Joanna arrived in Bayport early the next morning. She drove straight to the University, parking in the visitor's section. It didn't take long for her to find Alice's dorm building. Joanna walked briskly down the hallway; she knew where Alice's room was. Knocking softly on the door, she waited for Alice to answer. Two minutes later, Joanna knocked again, a little louder and longer. Still Alice didn't answer.

Opening her purse, Joanne made sure no one was looking. She took out a key; it was a duplicate key to Alice's room. Joanna never told her sister that she had a copy made. Once she had the door open, Joanna quickly went inside. She let out a small gasp when she saw the room. Walking slowly over to the left side of the room. Joanna stared at row after row of different drawings and paintings that lined the wall and part of the floor.

Each framed picture was a portrait of a young man. He had brown wavy hair, dark brown eyes, a chiseled jaw, a strong almost Romanesque nose.

Finally tearing herself away from the portraits, Joanna walked over to Alice's desk. She knew Alice was supposed to keep a journal for Dr. Lewis, although the doctor had assured Joanna that there wasn't anything unusual in Alice's journal…..Joanna had to see for herself. Hurriedly going through the desk drawers, Joanna found what she was looking for. She wasn't surprised to find two different journals.

The first one contained the one Dr. Lewis had seen, the second was Alice's private one. On every single page was written: "Frank Hardy loves me!"

Her hands trembling with fear, Joanna put both journals back and she walked over to the window, staring out but not really seeing any of the scenery outside. Joanna closed her eyes for a brief moment; she had to find Alice. As she turned to leave, something caught her eye. Joanna let out a small plaintive moan when she saw the four full bottles of olanzapine.

*endofchapter*endofchapter*

Poster's Note: Well, things are getting darker aren't they? Thanks for continuing to read! I enjoy reading your comments when I have time :)