It was strange how the past could easily catch up with a person. No matter how far they ran, or hard they tried, it always seemed to come back. Just when life couldn't be any better, the past returns and throws everything off balance. That was how Jess felt. One moment they were sitting on the sofa, watching an old telly special, and the next she was haunted with a flood of horrific memories.
Her heart stopped in her chest as she looked at his cold eyes. Her skin blood turned to ice as every bit of warmth was sucked from her within seconds. She sat up from the sofa and watched the man was escorted into public. Her breathing grew short and shallow. Her hands began trembling against the couch. She grabbed the remote and turned up the volume, listening intently.
"Jameson Woodrow was granted an appeal court today, after serving eight of his twenty-five year sentence. Mr. Woodrow was convicted of the raping of two women and a teenage girl in a weeks' time span back in two thousand and three. Mr. Woodrow's appeal was made by his defending prosecutor, on the ground of degraded evidence and a wrongful identification. The appeal court will take place at the end of the month."
Jess turned off the telly, shaking uncontrollably. Her hands covered her mouth. She couldn't believe what she had just seen. It wasn't supposed to happen like this.
"Jess?"
Jess jumped, moving to the far end of the sofa. Becker sat across from her. His arms up in the air, defensively. He looked at her in confusion and caution.
"I have to go." Jess said. She rose from the sofa quickly and headed toward the door.
Becker rose from the sofa and followed her. "Jess what's going on? One minute you were alright and the next-"
"Look it's late and I need to get home." Jess explained. She grabbed her coat from the chair and pulled her arms through the sleeve. She reached out for the door and pulled it opened.
Becker pushed the door closed quickly. Jess reeled back from the door, from him. He looked down at her. Her posture, her demeanor. She was shrunk against the wall, looking up at him, on the verge of tears. She was shaking uncontrollably. He'd seen this look on her, but only twice. She was terrified. Terrified of him. Becker lowered his hand from the door. He slowly reached toward Jess, only to have her move from his reach. Becker took a step from her, giving her enough space.
"Jess, what's going on?" Becker asked. "This isn't you."
Jess swallowed. "Did you know he was a professor?"
Becker frowned.
"Jameson Woodrow." Jess said. "A Chemistry professor."
Becker suddenly felt his blood turned cold. "What happened?"
"He told me there was something wrong with my final." Jess explained. Tear filled her eyes, blurring her vision. She laughed bitterly. "Brainy thirteen year old, first year at Uni. It never crossed my mind that…"
Becker lowered his head.
"This isn't supposed to happen! He wasn't supposed to get an appeal!" Jess shouted. Her tears rolled down her cheeks. She took a ragged breath. "I need to go."
"Jess this isn't something you should deal with alone." Becker said.
"I know." Jess said. "But if I don't leave now, one of us is going to say something or do something that we're both going to regret."
"Jess-"
"He took everything from me, Becker." Jess interrupted. "You have no idea how hard I worked just to get here today. You're the best thing that's happened to me since that day and I won't let him take you from me."
Becker looked down at Jess. He wanted to wipe her tears from her cheek, but he knew she would step from his reach. He wanted to be the comfort she needed, but he knew she was right. He nodded slowly and opened the door for her. He stepped from the door, allowing Jess to pass. He kept his eyes on the floor as Jess passed without so much as a word good bye.
"Jess. "Becker called, finally looking up.
Jess stood several meters down the hall. She turned around at his call.
"When this is over, I'll be here." He said.
Jess smiled. "I know you will."
i guess i should warn you all now in case oyu haven't realized this yet. i can be a very VERY cruel writer. if you don't beleive me, would you liek me to prove it? trust me, paralyzing Jess is only the start of cruelty that i cna have befall her.
oh and if you have any promts for me...please tell me. i wrote a list myself but i don't know how long it will last :)
