The last of three back-to-back chapters. The final two chapters will be posted in the next few days.
Okay guys, let the suspense begin! Let me know what you think!
Over at the Murphy beach house Dylan was in his room watching movies. He had just finished The Bourne Identity and was ready to watch the next one in the series when he remembered that he had lent it to Kieren the other night. Getting up from his bed he went towards his cousin's room.
"Kieren, I want my Bourne Identity movie back! Kieren!" Dylan knocked a couple of times before he took the liberty to walk in. Finding the room empty he decided to look around for the movie himself rather than wait until his cousin returned. He looked by the TV and Blu-ray and didn't see it. He moved towards Kieren's desk and saw the Blu-ray disc thrown haphazardly next to the mouse of his computer on top.
"I'm going to kill him." Dylan muttered. He grabbed the disc annoyed and accidentally knocked down some of Kieren's stuff from the desk. Picking it up he noticed a few photos of Haley.
"What the hell?" It seemed odd that Kieren had pictures of Haley but it struck Dylan very strange that the pictures seemed to be taken from a far distance when Haley was unaware. There was a picture of her in front of her house. Another of her walking out of Karen's Café with Brooke and then another one of her getting out of her car in Nathan's driveway. Putting them back on his desk he noticed a couple of flower shop receipts with Haley's name and address on the recipient's line. "Kieren sent Haley the flowers?" Dylan said in realization.
A sense of dread overcame Dylan as he started to realize that Kieren was creepily enamored with Haley. He glanced at Kieren's computer which had lit up when he accidently moved the mouse and saw what appeared to be a filled of various photos opened up. He caught a glimpse of one that looked like a close up of Haley's face. He took the risk and started going through the pictures. Sure enough it was various photos of Haley just like the ones Dylan picked up from the floor. One picture even had him in it when he and Haley shared a hug in front of her house.
Dylan was completely freaked out. It was all starting to make Dylan. Kieren using him and his supposed feelings for Haley to form a wedge between Nathan and Haley, using him as the fall guy, the flowers from the secret admirer, the fact that Kieren never tried to fix things and get things straightened out about the feelings issue, his insistence to come out to Tree Hill for most of the summer and convincing his Aunt and Uncle to rent the house for the whole summer. He couldn't believe that Kieren could do this. He didn't want to believe it.
He closed out the picture file and was left with what seemed to be a short journal entry with the current night's date on the screen. Dylan was hesitant to read it but after what he found his curiosity and concern got the best of him. He took a seat in front of the computer and read on:
Okay, so tonight is the night. I can't put this off any longer. I have to do something. Nothing I've done up to this point has worked. I was watching her on the beach yesterday and I couldn't help but picture myself sitting next to her and placing little kisses on her face and chest. She just looked so beautiful and sexy. She's just so enticing. Then that ass of a boyfriend of hers had to ruin it. I don't get why she's with him. He seems like such a possessive jerk. Every time I've been around them he makes it a point to hold onto her like if she was some prize to only he had claim to. I see those dirty looks he gives me. I'm not ignorant. Have to admit it was fun messing with him. I enjoyed all those chances of getting a little too close to her and having him see.
Aargh! I'm so sick of just sitting on the sidelines and not being able to go after what I want. I tried to be subtle. I tried flirting with her sister Brooke, who is hot but not as hot as her sister. There's Rachel. She's a good distraction but she's no Haley. I even tried to just be her friend like Dylan but it's not working. I don't know how he does it. If I was in his shoes I'd do anything to get back with her. Well, at least he knows what it's like to kiss her and hold her in his arms. I'd do anything for a chance to do that. And that's just what I'm going to do tonight. I can't resist anymore. I have to have her by any means necessary. I know they're having a party tonight at their beach house. I'll just walk over and crash it, maybe use Rachel as a distraction, get her alone, offer her my special drink, and then I'll make my move. She won't be able to resist me. It's the only way to get what I want. In the end she'll see that I'm good for her. It's bound to work out in my favor.
Tonight, Haley will be mine.
Dylan was disturbed. He could not believe what he was reading. Tonight Haley will be mine. Any means necessary. Those two lines kept running through Dylan's head and filled him with dread. He had to warn her. He went back to his room and hurriedly grabbed his cell phone. He was about to hit the call button when he stopped himself. Haley cut off all contact there would be no reason for her to pick up his call. Thinking better of it he pulled up Brooke's contact and hit call. He waited as patiently as he could as the phone rang. Once Brooke's voicemail popped up he knew that he had to come up with a different tactic.
Thinking back to what he read in Kieren's entry he remembered him mentioning a party tonight. Apparently Haley would be there. Considering Kieren mentioned walking there that would mean it was nearby. Dylan made his way out of the house. Once on the sidewalk he looked to each direction trying to determine where the most activity seemed to be. Looking to his right he noticed a group of rowdy guys who looked to be around college aged who were walking up the block.
"Excuse me?" Dylan called to one of the guys. The guys stopped and looked at Dylan suspiciously as he ran up to them. "Hey, do you guys happen to know where exactly the party is at?" He asked hoping they were heading to same party Haley and Kieren might be.
"Yeah man, the Scott's beach house. It's like 5 houses up." One of the guys answered.
Dylan sighed in relief happy it worked. "Thanks man."
Dylan followed the guys towards the house. He hoped that he would find Haley or Kieren first. He couldn't believe that he was even in this position. He never imagined that his cousin would be capable of something like this. He didn't even want to picture how far Kieren was willing to go when he says things like 'by any means necessary.' Walking up to the house Dylan was overwhelmed with how packed the house seemed to be. He could only hope that he would find someone quick.
Had Dylan waited a couple minutes before walking up to the stairs to the house he would have been sure to see his cousin Kieren walking out of the side of the house from the garage carrying an unconscious Haley. Kieren walked as quickly as he could to his house. He was very mindful of the people around and made sure they got the sense he was being a concerned friend. Anytime someone got close and walked by Kieren would talk loud enough for them to hear him say things such as: 'Can't believe you drank so much.' 'You'll feel better once you sleep this off.' 'I should have watched over you better.' Anything that would project him as the good friend he would say.
Once they finally reached his house Kieren brought Haley up the stairs and settled her down next to the front door.
"Okay, I'm just going to make sure no one is around and then we can get this night really started." Kieren caressed her cheek and then moved into the house.
"Hello!" Kieren yelled into the house, "Anyone home? Mom? Dad? Dylan?"
Kieren moved towards the stairs and yelled again. When he got no answer he figured it was good to get Haley inside the house and in his room. He went back to the porch and picked Haley up, then carried up to his room. Once inside his room he laid Haley down on his bed. He hoisted her up so she was perched against his pillows. He made sure to lock his door.
"Finally we're alone. I have to tell you Haley it's nice to finally be with you when there's no one else around." He spoke to Haley as if she wasn't currently unconscious in his bed, "I really wish this would have been done differently though. I didn't want to have to force things this way. I promise you though once you see everything I can offer you, you won't be able to resist me."
Kieren walked over to his stereo and rifled through his stack of CDs until he found the one he wanted. He placed it onto the tray and once loaded pressed play. The sounds of soft jazz began to play through the speakers.
"My mother always told me that no girl could resist the sound of good jazz. That it always got a girl in a romantic mood. I hope you like it. I want to make sure everything is perfect for us. This night will be unforgettable."
He opened one of his drawers and pulled out a box full of white candles. He began placing them around the room in various places and began lighting them. As he lit the last one he heard a small groan coming from Haley. He turned to her and saw her move her head slightly.
"Not yet, Hales." He walked towards her, "I don't have everything ready yet. Just give me a few more minutes." Kieren placed a small kiss on her forehead and then went back to his tasks.
Back at the Scott house Nathan was looking around the house for Haley. He checked the bathrooms and then the bedrooms. If she wasn't feeling well like Theresa had mentioned he would be mostly to find her there, but he had no such luck. Maybe Haley wasn't feeling sick and Theresa misinterpreted. He went back down and looked in the den, the kitchen, and then the living room. He was getting a bit frustrated. He caught a glimpse of Peyton and walked towards her. Maybe she knew where Haley might be.
"Hey Peyt." Nathan called out.
"Hey, Nate. What's up?"
"Have you seen Haley?"
"Not since she went to get a drink. Did she not return?"
"Tim pulled me away to look at this stupid think and the guys were doing and when I got back Theresa said she went to the bathroom and that she didn't look well. I checked all of the bathrooms, our rooms and she's nowhere around."
"That's weird. She's gotta be around here somewhere. It's just crowded." Peyton noticed Lucas walking in their direction, "Maybe Lucas saw her. Luke!"
"Hey guys."
"Have you seen Haley?" Peyton asked.
"No, not for a while now." Luke answered.
"Maybe she's out by the bonfire. Have you checked out there?"
"No. I'll go out there now. If you see her, tell her I'm looking for her."
"Sure thing." Peyton smiled at him.
"Everything okay?" Luke asked concerned.
"I'm sure everything's fine. Nate just lost track of Haley. So how are you? Having fun?"
"Yeah. This weekend is turning out to be pretty awesome."
"That's great. I noticed you and Brooke are pretty cozy."
"Yeah, well, guess you could say we're getting a hang of the whole friends thing."
"Come on Luke. You can be honest with me." Peyton nudged him playfully.
"Okay, you're right. I guess we've been a little flirtier lately. Especially Brooke. It's almost like when we first started circling around each other just before we first started dating. Brooke was really forward. She never held back with showing me how much she liked me. The last couple days have sort of been like déjà vu."
"How do you feel about that?"
"Honestly. I probably should put a stop to it and try to be more of a friend but I kinda like it."
"Does this mean that you may get back together sooner than you think?"
"I don't know. I need a little more time, but maybe building up to it isn't so bad."
"I'm glad. For the both of you. I really hope everything works out. You guys deserve to be happy."
"Thanks, Peyt."
Nathan looked all around the beach and still had no luck finding Haley. He bumped into Jake as he walked back up the deck.
"Jake, have you seen Haley?"
"Not since we were with you guys in the living room."
"I don't know whether to get mad or worried. I've looked everywhere for her and can't find her anywhere."
"Have you asked Peyton or Brooke?"
"Peyton hasn't hasn't seen her either and I haven't seen Brooke yet."
"Okay well maybe she's with Brooke."
"Yeah." Nathan let out a breath.
"Come on I'll help you look for her." Jake patted Nathan on the back and led him back into the house.
Dylan glanced around the party trying to spot anyone familiar. After a couple minutes he spotted Brooke in the corner of the den laughing with a couple of girls. He hurriedly rushed over to her.
"Brooke!" Dylan hollered out to get her attention.
Brooke turned towards the voice shouting her named and was surprised to see Dylan.
"Dylan, hey! What are you doing here?"
"I need to find Haley."
"I don't think that's a good idea."
"Brooke, please it's important."
"Dylan, I don't want to cause more problems between her and Nathan."
"Listen if she's with Nathan even better. I need to warn her. It's about Kieren." Dylan spoke frantically.
"Warn her? About Kieren? What are you talking about?"
"I'll explain everything once you take me to Haley."
Brooke stared at Dylan and noticed how desperate and serious his demeanor was. It was enough to convince her that she should take him to Haley and Nathan.
"Okay, follow me." She led him through the den and into the living room where she last saw her sister. Looking around she spotted Nathan walking in from outside with Jake following closely behind. She led Dylan towards him. Once they reached him she found they were joined with Peyton and Lucas.
"Nathan, where's Haley?" Brooke asked as she approached him.
"That's what I was going to ask you." Nathan responded. He looked up and noticed Dylan beside her, "What the hell is he doing here?"
"Calm down. We need Haley here. Does anyone know where she went?" Brooke tried to calm Nathan down.
"No. I've been looking everywhere for her. Theresa was the last one who saw her and she was headed towards the bathroom. I've checked all the rooms and she's not in any of them."
"We have to find her." Dylan stated extremely concerned.
"No shit Sherlock!" Nathan spoke angrily, "Why are you here anyway? If I recall correctly you and Haley aren't friends. She asked you to stay away."
"Nathan, I know that. Look, Haley's in trouble."
"What are you talking about?" Jake cut in trying to keep Nathan away from Dylan.
"I found some disturbing things in Kieren's room tonight."
"What kind of disturbing things?" Peyton shakily asked her voice laced with concern.
"I found a lot of pictures of Haley. Pictures of her taken from far distances. Like he's been following her. There were receipts from flower shops with her as the recipient."
"He was the one sending her the flowers?" Brooke spoke up.
"That's not the worst of it."
"Out with it!" Nathan yelled.
"I came across a journal entry from tonight. He talked about not sitting by anymore. That tonight was the night. Look all that crap about me still having feelings for Haley was bull shit created by Kieren to cause problems between you two, Nathan. He was using me as the fall guy. I only care about Haley as my friend. And right now I'm really concerned about what my cousin might do. He said he's going to have her by any means necessary. He mentioned crashing the party."
"Oh my god." Broke swallowed hard and turned to Nathan, "We have to find her."
"Brooke, Peyton look around the first floor and the bedrooms upstairs. Ask everyone you pass by if they've seen Haley." Lucas took charge, "Jake check the game room downstairs and see if anyone has seen her." The three of them nodded and went to search full of urgency.
"Dylan is there anything else that Kieren mentioned in his journal that might help?" Lucas asked. Nathan stood stoically unable to say anything.
"Dylan thought back to what he had read. "He mentioned getting her alone and giving her a special drink."
"I'll kill him." Nathan finally spoke. His voice was laced with anger. "He lays one finger on her and I'll fucking kill him."
"Nate, man you need to keep a clear head." Lucas tried to keep his brother calm, "We have to focus on looking for Haley."
"He also mentioned using Rachel as a distraction. Is this the same Rachel Haley had issues with last year?"
"I haven't seen Rachel tonight."
"I did. I ran into her just a few minutes ago. We need to get to her now!" Nathan walked away from Dylan and Lucas full of determination. His only thought was Haley and getting her safe.
I posted a link on my profile to my blog where I show visuals for the story such as outfits, characters, and more. So if you want to see how I see Dylan, and Kieren in my stories check it out. I did use two actors as inspirations. Also of course how I've visualized our six favorite Tree Hill residents.