Disclaimer: Sadly I don't own a thing of Harper's Island. But Miss Mance is my property.

Again, a big thank you to everyone that took time to review this fic. A special thanks to Courtney, Kristen and Rebecca.

Chapter the Tenth – Fear

Abby was seated in my bed, watching me intently, a big frown on her face.

She came to my room a little earlier than I would've liked, wanting to share the strange news about my brother and her dad, but I wasn't really in the mood. I went for a shower, and while I was under the hot spray I made a decision.

When I came out, she was on my bed, reading a magazine. When I started to pack my bags, she caught my drift and tried to dissuade me. But today was different, I wasn't angry or crying, I was just…tired, of trying to forget, of trying to avoid him, of everything.

"I'm not changing my mind, Abbs. I'm sorry but… I just… can't be here anymore."

"If if he did something… I swear I'll kill him!" I could hear the anger in her voice. That was why I loved her like a sister; she would die to defend a friend…or in this case kill Sully for me.

I laughed, even though I didn't really want to. "He didn't do anything. This is all me."

"Then I just… Arghh… Jamie what brought this on?"

I fell on my bed, feeling we had been discussing this over and over again… "I told you yesterday I was thinking about this… I just need to be away right now, to sort my feelings; you know how I deal with things... I… isolate myself. This is what I want, just be away from it all."

She sighed, apparently defeated. I smiled and she just came and hugged me. "Promise me you'll wait until I return," I was about to start fighting again, when she added. "I need to go pick up some things at my dad's and I want to say goodbye to you properly. I'll take you to the docks myself! Just promise you'll stay put for a few more hours."

I promised and she left. I was alone to my devices and since my stomach was better now, I left to grab a bite.

When I reached the ground floor I could see Maggie dragging Henry back and forth and chuckled. Henry really was a good guy, I loved Maggie, but I knew you needed the patience of a saint to handle her when she was excited about something, and this wedding was definitely something to be excited about.

I went to the kitchens and served myself, receiving several looks from the employees and even a couple of offers of assistance. I politely refused them, just wanting to eat a meal in peace. Besides, I had spent my summers working here to earn a couple of bucks back in high school, this felt much more familiar than being served by anyone.

After satiating my hunger I decided to return to my room immediately. I wasn't in the mood to socialize right now and I certainly didn't want to deal with a certain blonde boy.

As always, though, my wishes weren't granted. I was getting to the staircase when Malcolm, Danny and Sully's tense faces got my attention. Then Danny noticed me and waved me over.

Malcolm looked uncomfortable, Danny and Sully looked worried, but as I approached them, Sully turned a little smug, staring at me openly.

"What's up boys?" I said, doing my best to ignore Sully's eyes.

"Have you seen Booth today?" Danny asked.

Their question surprised me. I racked my brain trying to remember the last time I had seen Booth. The last image of him I had was from the bonfire. "No, sorry. I haven't see Booth since the party on the beach. Why? What's wrong?"

"See, what did I told you? He skipped. And took…" Two pairs of eyes bored into Sully and he just stopped abruptly mid sentence. "It with him."

I didn't understand what they were saying, but now I was worried. "Maybe you should tell the Sheriff…" I suggested. I was just trying to help, but by the looks I received, help from the Sheriff was the last thing they wanted. I shook my head then, and returned to my original plan to hide in my room until Abby arrived.

My bags were packed. My room was clear of any signs of my presence and the boat ticket was already reserved, courtesy of my brother. I was just waiting for Abby now. She and Jimmy would be picking me up in a couple of minutes. I had to smile knowing they were coming together. Maybe my brother knew what he was doing after all…

I went to look outside the window. People were milling around, some doing their jobs or otherwise important things, other's just enjoying the sun and the laziness. I sighed, why couldn't I be like them? Why did I have to complicate things so much? The wedding was tomorrow. I could stay for another day, couldn't I? No. I wasn't going to give in. I sat on the bed, grabbed my Ipod from my handbag and put Linkin Park blasting through my phones.

I was just finishing my favorite song when I felt a tap on my leg. I opened my eyes abruptly, pulling the phones from my ears and instinctively getting away from whoever was in the room with me.

When I saw Abby's smiling face I put a hand on my chest, as if trying to quiet my furiously beating heart. "Jeez, Abby, wanna give me a heart attack?"

She just smiled and answered, "Hey, I knocked, it's not my fault that you were so into you own little world that you didn't listen."

I blushed a little at her words and looked behind her to see my brother picking up my bags. As I was leaving the room, I remembered something.

"Hey Jimmy, we need to go visit Shane, I want to say goodbye!"

"Sure thing. Do you have everything?"

I looked around one last time and nodded and the three of us went to my brother's truck. It was then Abby suddenly remembered.

"The rehearsal is today." Jimmy and I both stared at her. She looked at her watch and said, "Like now." When she turned to me, her puppy eyes firmly in place. I knew what she was doing.

"No, no and no! There's no way I'm going to that thing. I'm not coming Abby, absolutely not!"

I stared at the back of my brother's truck, as he drove away from the church. Abby was smiling, whilst I glared in her direction. She was so infuriating.

"C'mon, loose that face. This is the rehearsal of a wedding; at least pretend you're happy."

"I just want you to know that you and Jimmy are out of my Christmas list this year." I pouted. I so didn't want to be there. But Jimmy had remembered, out of the blue, that he had a terribly important meeting that afternoon and that he couldn't drive me to the pier, even if I didn't go to the rehearsal. As if… My best friend, of course, took advantage of that.

So I, begrudgingly, walked in the church, in time of seeing Henry and Sully talking. I couldn't see his face, but I did hear his words.

"I never had sex with Trish."

My mouth dropped open at his statement. What the hell was he saying?

"I know," Henry responded.

"I just want to make sure. 'Cause back in the day, when you guys were broken up… I tried. A couple times. And… She rejected me, flat out."

His words stung. Henry looked past him, right into my eyes, and for the very first time in my life, I saw a glimmer in his brown eyes that somehow didn't belong, because, for a split second, it seemed as if he enjoyed what was happening.

I walked faster into the church, finding Danny and Malcolm talking and joining them. When I looked back, I could see Sully looking my way, but I ignored him the best I could.

I shouldn't feel so surprised, should I? I knew Sully had had a thing for Trish. But to actually pursue her, knowing his best friends feelings for her… I shook my head. Danny looked at me, strangely but I just put a forced smile on my face.

Maggie came in, at full speed, smiling. I looked behind her to see Abby and Henry talking. Maggie started calling the people necessary for the rehearsal. I was surprised about Booth and the boy's words. I mean, didn't they asked me where he was, just a while ago? Somehow that story seemed fishy, but I didn't care. After this I would be leaving.

The rehearsal begun as Julia started playing the organ. Then the maid of honor with the best men, which were Shea and Sully, walked down the aisle; then the rest of the bridesmaids and the groomsmen; finally the bride and the father.

After a few minutes, it was Abby's turn to read. She got up from her seat and joined the lovebirds at the altar. Maggie kept giving instructions. Then she called the father of the bride, Thomas Wellington, to light the unity candle.

As Mr. Wellington approached the altar, Abby's phone went off. She quickly turned it off. Maggie asked for someone the turn the lights off, and Abby, being the closest, volunteered. The moment she shut the lights out a noise could be heard over everyone's head. We all looked up, just in time to see a blade coming down, full speed, hitting Mr. Wellington in the head.

Then it seemed like I was in a movie, everything seemed to be in slow motion, the sound just a low humming. I could see the horrified expressions all around me. I could faintly hear Trish's anguished screams and see her tear streaked face looking at her father, trying desperately to get to him, while Henry did his best to restrain her. I could hear Madison screaming.

I was rooted in place. I couldn't move and I couldn't tear my gaze away from the body. I felt someone's hand on my arm. I looked up and found Sully's eyes on me, the concern shining in them. I tried to speak, to say something, but I couldn't.

Then, like a spell being broken, the doors opened and Sheriff Mills walked in. That's when I saw Abby's shocked form, and all but ran to her.

The Sheriff was already there. "Abby? You're okay? Hurt?" But she didn't say anything, she just kept staring ahead.

Her dad made her look at him and asked what happened. When she still couldn't speak, he turned to me, seeming to notice me only then. "Jamie, what happened?"

My eyes went to the covered body on the floor, Abby's traveled upwards, towards the chandelier and then to the body. He seemed to understand, then he grabbed both our hands, saying as soothingly as he could, "It's gonna be okay. Jamie, Abby, wait for me outside."

I didn't need to be told twice, and by the speed in Abby's steps, I guess she couldn't either.

We stood there, looking, as the rest of them slowly came out. Malcolm was the first, followed closely by Danny and Sully. His blue eyes focused on me, the concern still there. The Sheriff came out then, bringing Katherine with him. Warning us to go back to the hotel and stay together, asking for Henry and Maggie's help.

Abby sighed beside me. As I looked towards her I saw my bags near the church's doors and sighed as well. "Guess I'll have to postpone my travel plans."

My best friend smiled weakly and nodded, "I guess you will."

I picked up my bags as she picked up her cell, which was ringing.

"Hello?"

As I got closer I could hear music coming out of the cell, it sounded like a rendition of Ave Maria. I felt a chill at the music and soon after Abby disconnected the call.

"Who was it? Was that music?"

"I don't know. Here, let me help you."

She picked up one of my bags and we made the journey to the Candlewick in silence, both immersed in our thoughts.

The bedroom was silent. Abby was in the bathroom and I was in the main room, since I had already left my key on the main desk and I didn't want to be alone.

My head was spinning furiously. Who could've done this? Why? I did know one thing though, actually, I knew two things. This wasn't an accident and whoever did this was really cruel. I mean to kill a bride's father, during the rehearsal, only someone truly heartless would do such a thing.

Then another thought hit me. The thing that killed Wellington was a head spade. The killer used Wakefield's favorite weapon. The islanders will freak out.

Abby got out of the bathroom then, looking more serene, though I could still see the remnants of shock in her features. She tried to smile, but I shook my head, "You don't have to put up a strong front for me, Abby. I can imagine what you must be feeling."

"No you can't!" Okay, that was a little harsh. She shook her head then dropped on top of the bed and whispered, "Sorry. It's just, this… this brings so many memories. It hurts," she confessed in a small voice.

"It's okay, lashing out because it hurts it's something I know all too well."

That got me a small smile from her. I smiled in response and we sat there in silence for a couple of minutes. Her eyes keep straying to the door, and I could almost hear the gears of her mind working. She wanted to be with Henry, to show her support to Trish, to somehow try and ease the pain of the Wellington family.

"Go; don't hold back at my account."

"How… Oh well… okay, I'll go. Are sure you'll be good here, alone?"

I just nodded and allowed my head to hit a pillow. I heard the door slam shut and tried to downplay the sound effect on my now hurting head. The minutes tickled by, the pain receding, being replaced with a suffocating feeling, like a presence had take residency in my chest, compressing it. Fear…

I got up before the feeling could fully sink in and run out the door. Out in the large empty corridor the feeling seemed to be easing, but I know it wouldn't take long for it to return so I went in search of something to do or someone to talk to. I had to keep my mind occupied somehow.

As I reached the ground level I heard voices. I recognize them and all but ran to the guys. At that particular moment I didn't really care whose company I was getting.

Beth and Danny's faces were the first I've seen. Then I heard Sully and Malcolm's voices. I took a deep breath and entered the room, catching Danny's words, "What the hell was that thing?"

"I don't know, a sword maybe?" Sully said, sounding tired.

"I mean is there any chance it could've been a part of the chandelier?" Questioned Malcolm.

I knew the answer to their questions. "A head spade, Danny. And no, Malcolm, that definitely wasn't part of the chandelier," four pairs of eyes turned to me.

"A head spade? How do you know that?" Sully asked.

I went to sit next to Danny, right in front of him. "It was Wakefield's weapon of choice," I said, restraining me to add something else.

They grew quiet for a bit, but quiet was not exactly what I was aiming for. "Someone rigged that chandelier, someone murdered Wellington."

"Dude, it could've been any one of us under that," he looked at me then, the concern shinning on his blue orbs again. I felt warmed up by that and couldn't stop a small smile.

"I've never seen a dead body before," said Beth sounding so dejected I wanted to hug her, but I was distracted from her words and state of mind by Sully's next sentence.

"I have."

"What?" I said shocked.

"Dude," Malcolm said, harshly. And I swear I felt Danny tense up beside me. They were hiding something. I wanted to ask what it was, but Malcolm continued," It's gonna be okay."

Beth pretty much flipped after that, but my eyes were trained on Sully. When exactly had seen he a dead body before and how did that relate to Danny and Malcolm? The possibilities were running wild in my mind. Their talking only added to the buzz in my head, but it was soothing at the same time.

I got up, I was starting to shake and if I remained seated, Danny would notice it. I went to the window, like every other time I needed to think. Watching the outside world always had a calming effect on me. I didn't know exactly why, but it did… usually at least, but not today.

"You okay?" Danny said from behind me.

"Yeah…" He didn't buy it and said, "Did you know you're a terrible liar?"

"Yup, I've been told. I'm learning, though. You see, you just wait and one day I'm gonna lie so well to you, you won't see it coming."

He smiled. "I doubt it. But you know you can drop the act, don't you. Were all friends here," I chuckled at his words, seeing almost the same words I said to Abby earlier come to bite me in the behind.

"I know."

We were silent for a moment, before he spoke again, softly,"You don't have to be afraid, we will be in a boat back home in no time," he said, trying to comfort me. And I was about to agree and even add that I could be heading home right now when I remembered something very important. Jimmy.

Damn! How could I have forgotten my own brother?

"I can't go now…" I said loudly before I could catch myself. When I looked at Danny he was looking at me like I was crazy. To make matters worse, Sully seemed to have listened to my words as well and his concern was slowly turning into anger.

Hey, why did I care about what he thought?

The truth was I did, and I hated myself for that. But when he spoke, he did it in such a tone that it completely squelched my inner musings.

"What did you just say? You can't come now? What the hell does that mean?"

"You don't have anything to do with that," I responded harshly to Sully.

"Seriously, Jamie, what's wrong?" Danny, asked, trying to defuse the situation. I turned to him.

"Home Danny. You said it right. We would be home. But my brother's home is this island. I won't go… I can't go, knowing he would be here when there's a murder on the loose somewhere out there. I can't just abandon him… Not again," there was desperation in my voice. This day was really screwing me. I felt like I was in that TV series, 24, because the last 24 hours had been problem after problem.

Sully butted in then, "Don't be ridiculous Jamie. Your brother is a big guy he doesn't need your protection. And what exactly do you want to do? Arm yourself with a shotgun and go to the woods looking for whoever did this? And let's not forget your brother wasn't even in the church today. There's no danger for him to stay!"

"Is that so? If there's no danger than it isn't a problem that I choose to stay behind with Jimmy, now is it?" I said defiantly.

He got closer to me, so close I had to look up to be able to see his face.

"You are going in that boat, even if I have to drag you there myself, Jamie," his tone was low and almost dangerous. For a second, I could really see him go all cavemen on me, but that only fueled my anger even more.

"Sully, let's get something straight, shall we? You're not my father, you're not my boyfriend, hell right now you're not even my friend. So I suggest you butt out of my life and if you dare, just dare to lay a finger on me, I'll make sure both Jimmy and Shane know exactly what you did, are we understood? Good."

I saw several emotions flash on his face. Anger, jealousy, pain… I felt bad and was close to apologize when he opened his mouth again.

"So were not even friends, huh? Well, that's not what you said last night," his ever present smirk making his grand appearance, just as his words sank. I shot him an indignant look and turn my back on him.

The door seemed to be beckoning and I was already half way out when Danny's voice reached me. But I didn't turn; I didn't respond I just ran. How dare he? I was shaking in anger. He was still just an idiotic boy, immature, stupid, and a jackass. And I would've continued if I hadn't see Jimmy's door just ahead of me.

That's when it hit what I had just done. I had run, all the way from the Candlewick, alone, through the woods while there was a killer on the loose. I was crazy; and this was the proof of my frazzled state of mind.

I knocked on the door, fervently hoping my brother was home, or I would have to go back, through the woods, in the dangerously darkening skies that announced a storm. And I was still shaking; only I knew it had nothing to do with anger anymore.

The door opened and I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Hey, Jamie, what are you doing here?" Jimmy said with a smile. But he must have noticed my appearance and questioned, "Jamie, what's wrong?"

"Wellington was murdered."

"What!" Jimmy just stood there for a good solid minute before he notice me, then he stepped away and I entered.

I sat on the sofa and just breathed. The compressing fear on my chest abated a bit as I took in the familiar living room. Everything looked the same, and at the same time it looked different. Jimmy sat beside me, rubbing a comforting hand on my back.

"What happened?"

I started talking, walking him through the events after his departure, and not even managing to omit the bits and pieces about Sully. I was way too wired up to edit myself at that state. Halfway through it I got up, I couldn't handle being seated anymore. When he reached for my hand I all but flew into his arms. He hugged me so tightly. But I didn't care. That was what I had been craving all afternoon, without even knowing it.

"It was awful, Jimmy. All the blood… And…the body... God, I've seen bodies before, but they're usually long dead, not... recently deceased. And their screams…"

"Calm down, you're shaking," said Jimmy.

"I can't stop. I'm cold. And, god Jimmy, I'm scared!"

He held me even tighter and I felt warm for the very first time since I left that church. He truly was my protector. "I'm here now, so you don't need to be afraid, okay?" I nodded. He had uttered those exact same words after our mom died.

I couldn't understand anything of what was happening back then. Dad wasn't the most forthcoming person, a trait he passed to me, so he would never answer when I asked were mom was. Then there was this one night, I just couldn't sleep. Mom was in the hospital; dad was out somewhere, so I went to Jimmy's room. He was dead asleep and I panicked. My sobs awakened him and, instead of being mad or something, he just held me and said those words. I had a good sleep after that.

Every time I was afraid, he would say those words. I don't know if it was intentional or not, but I always found them soothing, and more importantly, I felt safe.

I hope you guys liked it. And now, you could, i don't know, review maybe? :)