Lies that Destroy
Disclaimer: I do not own Good Luck Charlie
A/N: From this point on Teddy will go by her given birth name, April. To avoid confusion, it will change to that within both the narrative and dialogue.
Chapter 28 (Led Astray by the Devil)
The next morning, clutching Charlie tight in her arms, Amy slowly followed Bob into a nearby diner. There was one girl in the diner, young, could not be much older than twenty. She was behind the bar, wiping it down with a rag. She was average sized, had her hair falling into a neat brown curl, and her gorgeous green eyes drifted from the small television on the bar and towards the couple. She smiled cheerfully and stretched up.
"Hi! Welcome to The Jazz Diner!" She spoke with such perky enthusiasm that it relaxed Amy's shot nerves. "I'm Beth, can I help you?" It seemed she didn't recognize them, though the look in her eyes seemed to speak question, as if she thought she recognized them.
Bob went ahead and ordered while Amy carried Charlie to a seat close to the back corner. She gazed over to the television screen, then past it where the diner's freezer was located. The door was open a bit, though not all the way. She wanted to speak up about it, but couldn't find the strength to care.
Her mind was too focused on Jasmine lately, she didn't know why, but her mind couldn't let go about her. She should never have taken PJ and Teddy from her, nor did she want to. It was her fault Jasmine was dead, her fault that the woman committed suicide. Bob never wanted to talk about it, she didn't understand that. Whatever she was doing wrong, she wanted to know. Though, she was beginning to become afraid of him, he'd been changing so much. Since he killed Mr. and Mrs. Wentz, she had become terrified.
She could forgive him for that, though. She could forgive him for everything, but something in her gut told her there was just one thing that he couldn't be forgiven for. What that was, she didn't know. All she knew was the three older kids were safe now. Maybe with their real families, maybe with the police, but either way, they were where they ought to be. Charlie was with her, so she was safe.
So why was there something she felt she couldn't stomach?
When they saw the news of Dr. Singh, the memories of Jasmine came back. Her death had been during the time Singh was working the mental ward. That night, Amy wished she'd been there to at least talk to Jasmine, but she'd been home arguing with Bob. She had such a terrible headache that she couldn't go into work. She slept pretty much through the rest of the next few days that passed.
When she heard of Jasmine's suicide, she'd been so traumatized that she could hardly move. She didn't know where to find Henry, nor did she know what she would say to him.
Hi, remember me, Jasmine's friend? I took your children and made your wife so depressed that she killed herself…
She felt her stomach churn as Bob came walking towards her. She looked at him with a sad smile, then tore her gaze away to Charlie, who was now sitting patiently beside her. "She'll have our breakfast out soon," Bob said with a smile. He knew what she liked, so there was no use in bothering about the orders. "She's the only one working this morning, so that's a plus for us. Less risk of getting caught."
"Yeah I guess…" Did she doubt her feelings for him? No, she still loved him, despite how brash he seemed. Most would think she was crazy for loving him, and maybe she was, but she didn't know a life without him. "Bob I don't know about you, but I'm glad PJ, Teddy, and Gabe will be able to be happy." Bob waved a hand through the air and glanced off to the side.
"Whatever, they're not important to us anymore Amy. They left…why would you be so surprised."
"I'm not…" It was only a matter of time before someone figured it out. Of course, Mrs. Dabney didn't help matters by going in herself. "I just…I'm glad PJ and Teddy might find their father. I'm sad because I know I won't be their mother anymore, but I'm happy for them. Is that so wrong?"
"I don't know Ames. I just know I'm getting tired of seeing that Deputy's face. I know you said no more killing, no more doing things that are bad, but Ames, we can't afford to get caught. We'll lose Charlie." She rolled her eyes and leaned her head back, groaning loudly.
"Oh Bob, we're going to lose her either way!" Eventually they'd get caught, whether they were alive or dead, and Charlie would be taken from them. Even if they weren't, she might leave them on her own one day. "I don't know how much I can keep this up…" He took her hands in his and smiled into her eyes.
"As long as we need to, to be safe." She averted her gaze, disgusted. She'd had more than enough of this crime spree. When they stayed with her sister, she'd never seen Diane so terrified. Then Diane's husband tried to protect his family, Bob attacked him. He almost attacked Diane, but Amy had to put a stop to that, since she didn't want anything happening to her sister.
She glanced off to Beth, who was frying a couple eggs and bacon on the stove. The girl was glancing back at them on occasion, still she seemed intrigued by the two. "Hey Beth, how are the eggs coming?" Amy tried to put in the best friendly tone that she could, but it was difficult. Beth glanced back with a smile and lifted her shoulders.
"They'll be done soon. I'm sorry I keep staring, I just feel like I've seen you somewhere…"
"You watch the news much?"
"No, I've never been a news person. Sometimes if I'm bored I will…" Amy took a deep breath and bowed her head, thankful that Beth didn't appear to recognize them. She was a little afraid of what Bob might do to the poor girl if she did. She reminded her a little bit Jasmine, but wasn't too sure why. "My parents say there's a lot on the news, and my boss tells me to keep it on the news lately."
"Really?" She looked at the television, some sitcom was playing. "That's not the news…" She noticed Bob starting to rub his neck, then his head, something he would do when he started to grow nervous. Was there something on the news he didn't want her to see, besides their usual crime spree that was all over the news?
"Oh I know. My boss owns this diner, but she's out of town. You'd like her if you knew her, Casey Sloan, her son's kind of cute…" Beth blushed for a moment and quickly removed the eggs and bacon from the plate.
Immediately, Amy was broken. She began trembling and Bob gave her a look of concern. It all made sense to her now. The name of the diner, the memories that were affecting her, why it felt like Jasmine was near her when she wasn't. In high school, they were seniors when Jasmine's sister came in as a Freshman, and it was that year that Casey Sunice met her future husband, John Sloan. Casey was always wanting to tag along with the big girls when they were younger. If Amy and Jasmine went shopping, Casey wanted to go. No matter what, she wanted to be a part of the team.
Amy threw her hand to her mouth and started to whimper as tears stung her eyes. Her heart started pounding in her chest and she immediately began scanning the walls for the first time. There were many pictures up of the family, just a simple country diner that Jasmine would have loved. On the wall adjacent to her, directly in front of her, was the portrait of the diner's inspiration, Jasmine herself. "Y-You said the owner's…out of town?"
"Yes ma'am, the Sloan's went off to New York a couple days ago. They said they had to meet with some old family. I wanted to go, but Miss Sloan said I was the only one she trusted to man the diner."
"I see…" Her heart was breaking even more, and the terror was that Bob was sitting right there. He hadn't appeared to even realize where they were. What would he do if he knew? She didn't want anything to happen to this diner, she didn't want anything to happen to Beth. It was better to leave this diner, but some force was holding her down. "We shouldn't be here," she whispered. Bob raised an eyebrow and scoffed, his back was towards the pictures of Jasmine. That must have been what happened. "So they went to New York? Family?"
"Yes." So PJ and Teddy had made it. She was relieved, but at the same time, terrified. Henry likely hated her, the whole family hated her, but was it all her fault? Maybe. Beth started to bring the food over to the table, still smiling cheerfully. "Miss Sloan always says 'serve with a smile, no matter what', so here's your food! Let me know if you need anything else."
Bob thanked the girl and excused himself to go to the restroom. Amy stared at her breakfast and tilted her head, she had a craving for French toast, and quite literally, many things. "No matter what? Is something on your mind?"
"A little. I kind of miss James. I know he's only nineteen and I'm actually twenty, most people tell me to date older men…but he's also my boss's son, so I don't really think that'd be a good idea." Amy's eyes lit up and she started to chuckle.
"Oh please, if you feel it in your heart, go for it. Just make sure he's the right guy."
"Like your husband? He was the right guy, right?" Amy tilted her head back and glanced towards the restroom with a frown. She wasn't too sure that she could say he was the right guy, she felt like he was back in the day, but now he was just someone that scared her. Sure she loved him, she probably wouldn't want to help the police catch him or anything, but again she was fearful of what he could do.
"Maybe…So tell me a little more about the Sloan's, how are they?"
"Miss Sloan's been going nuts the last week or two, but I can understand why. They said the police found her sister's missing kids…but they went up to New York because of some new stuff the police informed her about." Amy raised an eyebrow and leaned forward as Beth took a seat. "I really shouldn't talk about it, and I wish I could help them cope…it seems like Miss Sloan's sister didn't commit suicide after all."
Amy did a double take and her eyes started to grow large as her heart slammed against her ribs. Her stomach twisted with a sharp pain that sent bile shooting up her throat. She coughed the feeling down and quickly shook her head. "She-what? What do you mean she didn't commit suicide? I thought…I mean…it was all over the news when it happened…"
"Well apparently the police think that doctor that died recently had something to do with it." Amy put her hand to her forehead and glanced back at the restroom. It couldn't be. She wanted this feeling in her gut to be morning sickness, but that had passed long ago. "They think she was assaulted and murdered…" Beth wiped an eye and quickly moved away. "I'm sorry! I really shouldn't be telling you all this…"
"No…" Amy's voice was soft, quiet, her eyes were fixated on the plate of food in front of her. Suddenly, she wasn't hungry any longer. She didn't want to believe it, it had to be a lie, but why would the girl make something up about a family she cared so much about? Surely a sob story for extra tips wasn't necessary.
Before she could say anything longer, the television changed over to urgent, breaking news. Amy and Beth looked at the screen and frowned as the reporter's masculine voice filled the diner. "Breaking news, the police have just released the most recent details they believe is in relation to the child abduction case. Jasmine Booth's death, mother of David and April Booth, thought to have committed suicide on January 5th, 2000, has just been ruled a homicide. David and April Booth were taken from the hospital by Bob and Amy Duncan. If you see these two, do not hesitate to call the police." Amy's heart clenched with fear as Beth's eyes started to enlarge, the press had just thrown pictures of the couple on the screen, along with Charlie. "They are thought to have their own daughter with them. The police believe Dr. Rupert Singh was involved in Jasmine Booth's murder, as witnesses from the hospital claim she was seeking her missing children that night…"
Amy watched the young waitress stagger towards the bar, not once looking back. Charlie glanced up at her and she slowly looked to the restroom. Bob was staring in shock at her. Without thinking, she rose up and ran for him, shoving him against the wall. "You asshole!" He winced as his back shot into the wall. "I told you no."
"What makes you think I had anything to do with it, Ames? I didn't!"
"Are you lying to me, Bob? Are you?" She wanted to believe him, she wanted so badly to believe that Dr. Singh acted alone. The news didn't say anything about Bob being involved, but if he was, she was done. Tears were flying from her face as she screamed at him, filled with rage and great sorrow. She could have saved Jasmine. She could have gone to work that day and made sure nothing happened. "Why…why wasn't I there?" She pushed her hand into her hair and pressed herself against the wall, sliding down to her knees and sobbing.
"Amy…" When he touched her shoulder, she yelped and smacked his hand away.
"Leave me alone, Bob! I better find out you had nothing to do with that…" He smiled at her and knelt down in front, placing his hands once more on her shoulders. She whimpered into his gaze and started shivering, something about his eyes were deadly and cold. How could she trust him? He could be lying about everything. They were close to Dr. Singh, or at least he was. That man would do anything for him, even dying for him, which apparently happened a few days ago. "J-Jasmine was my best friend, Bob. I loved her like a sister…if you hurt her…oh god if you hurt her…" She threw her hand to her mouth and started whimpering again, remembering Beth's words. "Let go of me Bob…I-I don't think…"
"It's okay sweetheart. I love you." He started to hug her, but she pushed him back with a loud scream. Adrenaline rushed through her as she started crawling away from him. Tears soaked her face and her hair and she slowly began to curl up against the wall. Bob frowned and put his hand over his face, sliding it down an inch. "Okay…okay you just need some time. I'm going to go for a drive and I'll be back, just please be calm when I get back…"
"Don't touch Charlie, Bob. If you're going for a drive, go by yourself…"
"Fine…" Her aching body trembled with greater intensity as he left the diner. She couldn't trust him, something was telling her she could not trust him. She lifted her eyes to the picture of Jasmine and the tears started to come again with the nightmares.
As she pulled her knees to her chest, she swore she could hear thunder clapping in the clear day. In her mind, she imagined Jasmine standing up on the roof with rain pouring down all around her. The woman's hair soaked, like the girl from the ring, her eyes glared out at her and her lips moved slowly, as if to say she could never forgive her.
She threw her hands to her head and screamed as the vision changed. Jasmine was now screaming, crying out. Someone was hurting her, someone unseen. Amy had never seen her friend in so much pain. Always Jasmine had been the strong one, always she'd been the one who would want to fight to right some kind of wrong. Never one to give up, Jasmine would keep pushing, but now the woman's fight was gone. Amy could feel her hopelessness.
Bob wouldn't hurt her would he? He knew Jasmine was off limits. There was no hurting her allowed! "Momma?" She opened her eyes and saw Charlie standing several feet from her. She started to stretch her arm out, but froze when Beth stepped behind Charlie and quickly picked her up.
"C-Charlie!" Now the fear of losing her baby set in, but she deserved it, did she not? She took Jasmine's babies from her, and now Charlie was going to be taken from her. Ironically, in the very diner devoted to Jasmine. Tears escaped her eyes as she watched Charlie clutching protectively to Beth. When she reached out, Charlie spat at her.
"Mommy bad. Daddy bad. Make brothers and sister go away…"
"No baby…" Beth quickly looked to the bar and ran over to it, reaching out for the cell phone lying there. Amy let out a loud yell and ran for her. "Please! My baby!" The girl's head quickly shot up and she held out the phone, facing it towards her. She froze in spot and stared at the phone, unsure of what the young girl was trying to prove.
"Stay back!" Amy whimpered as Beth started backing up slowly towards the freezer. She carefully followed her, reaching out with her arms and sobbing quietly. Her chest ached as she started to realize her own daughter wanted nothing to do with her. "You…I served your breakfast!"
"You don't understand Beth…I never wanted…I never wanted anything to happen. Jasmine was my best friend, I loved her…"
"Then why are you hanging around her murderer!" The words rattled her, causing her to drop her arms and watch in shock as Beth backed up into the freezer.
"I…never knew he did anything to her…I always thought it was a suicide. I wanted to give her children back. I promise. It was Bob, he wanted to steal her children, he wanted to…" Her life was ruined because of Bob, and she never knew why. Why did he hate Jasmine so much? What was the point of it all? "Just please…"
"No! You took away her kids, and I'm not letting you have yours! I'm calling the police!" Amy gasped and put her hand to her chest. The Police, but what could they do? She wasn't going to work with them, not until she knew for sure what Bob had done.
"Please let me just hold my baby…" She started moving into the freezer, but Beth quickly circled around her and pushed her down with her shoulder. Amy let out a fierce scream as she fell towards the floor. When she looked up, she saw the freezer door slamming shut. "N-No! No you can't leave me in here! Please!" She ran for the door and started pounding on it, screaming out as panic flooded her veins. "No!"
A soft voice drifted into her ears, soothing her terrified soul. "Relax Amy…it'll be okay…" She kept her forearms against the door and put her forehead upon them, sobbing gently as the frigid air bit her skin.
"Not now Jazzy, please…I can't be optim-" Her eyes widened and she quickly spun around. Jasmine was standing before her, or more, her apparition. "J-Jasmine? It can't be…it can't be true…" The woman standing before her was revealing the truth of what had happened to her. Currently, the wounded parts of her were red, as if shown by blood. There was a violet redness around her thighs and waist, legs and upper torso. Along with this, there was a light red tint all along her crumpled looking body. Her cheek had a bright red glow, appearing to mean she'd been struck there as well. "Is…is that what happened to you?"
"Yes…" Slowly the red spots went away, the crumpled areas of skin where she hit the ground vanished, and all was replaced by a bright white aura. Amy fell to her knees and started to sob. She still wanted to deny that Bob did all this too her, she still wanted to believe Dr. Singh did it and Bob was honest in who he was to her. "Amy…I forgive you…"
She wrapped her arms around her chest and started sniveling, ignoring the coldness of the room. Jasmine knelt beside her and rested a soft and against her shoulder. Amy couldn't look at her, the guilt was too overwhelming to allow it. "How? How can you possibly forgive me? Jasmine, I…I don't deserve…" She put her hands to her face and started weeping.
"You were blinded by your feelings for him, I know that. Back in high school, after high school. I know it was all Bob. He was insane…They say the truth sets you free, at least that's what they say up here in Heaven. They also say if you know Jesus and you repent, you'll come up here…I feel like I need to say that, kind of an angel's order." Jasmine smiled gently as her words caused a chuckle to leave Amy's lips. She'd always been the one to try to bring some sort of humor into the situation, no matter what.
"You were always the better of us, Jazzy. You know I already had crazy and competitive tendencies…Bob just…when I met him…I don't know…"
"He made those tendencies come out even more. Don't blame yourself because you were with him, don't blame yourself for what happened to me…I know you would never willingly do anything to seriously hurt me. I know right now you're probably very confused, very scared, but you don't need to be afraid anymore."
"I'm going to go away for life. I'm going to lose Charlie and my new baby. I know I deserve it, but…it hurts so much…" She felt Jasmine's arms around her, comforting her. "I'm so sorry Jazzy…I'm so, so sorry. You must hate me, you must have hated me."
"Truth? I never hated you." Amy gasped lightly and looked up into her friend's eyes. Jasmine lifted a hand and brushed Amy's hair to the side. "Even prom, I didn't hate you. Why do you think I had always been your best friend growing up?"
"Someone had to put up with me…"
"You were a little ball of crazy, and you needed someone that could help you keep that contained." Amy bowed her head and slowly wiped her eyes. She understood now. Jasmine was the angel, Bob was the devil, the devil that tempted her away. She'd sinned because of the devil, and prison, yes prison would be the place of repentance. "It's not too late, Amy…"
"Bob blinded me, didn't he? He's the reason…everything we did to you…why did he hate you?"
"Truth. He wanted you for himself. He and Bob Diddlebock wanted to find that crazy, gullible girl, and it wasn't me…he tried things with me, and when it wouldn't work, he hated me. That's about it." Amy's heart splintered across her chest, piercing her body as she imagined Bob chasing after Jasmine. Had everything been because Jasmine wouldn't associate with him? "I never told you how I started to date Henry, did I?"
"No…I was always curious, but you wouldn't tell me."
"I was trying to protect you. You've always had a fragile heart, but maybe I should have told you…" Amy closed her hand above her chest and whined as Jasmine slowly rose up and closed her eyes. She didn't know if she wanted to know now. "You wouldn't have believe me then, but I think you would listen now…"
"Bob?"
"Yes. He and Diddlebock jumped me outside of the school…I think you'd already started dating Bob at that time. I knew he meant the world to you…" Amy's eyes started to grow and terror shocked her organs to the point she was worried they would fail on her. She could hardly breathe as she imagined the two Bobs hurting her friend. "While I was trying to get away, Diddlebock had me pinned down and Bob was coming at me…that's when Henry showed up from behind. He struck them with a wrench or something…scared them off."
"R-Really?" She knew Jasmine wouldn't lie to her, not in life, and surely not in death. "Henry saved you…"
"He'd been asking me out a couple times, so I decided to give him a shot and see where it led. Best decision of my life. I know this is a lot for you to take in…"
"Jazzy, I'm sorry!" She reached for Jasmine, grabbing her dress and sobbing frantically. Her friend smiled down at her. She could never understand why Jasmine was always so caring towards her, so forgiving and loving. "I wanted to give them back. I tried to love them and care for them because they were yours, but it never felt right…"
"I know Amy." She reached down and hugged her once more. "Just take a few deep breaths. I know this is hard, I know you're scared, but you'll be okay."
"I should have known you'd never kill yourself. I should have thought more about it…Bob and I had been arguing just before it…I should have known!"
"Amy. Everything will be okay. It's time for me to go. We'll see each other again someday. I promise…until then, I'll always be with you."
"G-Goodbye Jazzy…" She choked up and watched as her friend slowly faded from sight. The devil won, the devil blinded her and took away her angel. She hadn't been strong enough, she'd been weak, as always. That was why she needed Jasmine in her life, the solid rock to stand on.
After several more minutes of weeping, the freezer door opened and light struck her. She looked out and shielded her eyes, whimpering as she met Deputy Dooley's stern gaze. Beside him was Beth, still clutching Charlie in her arms. Several police officers were surrounding them, all pointing their guns to her.
"You can come with us peacefully, or not," Deputy Dooley spoke with an irritated tone. She lowered her arm and quickly looked to Charlie, who averted her eyes. The Deputy raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. The officers still had their guns trained upon her, but she wasn't wanting to go out fighting. "Resist, and I have given my officers permission to fire. Either way, half of your Bonnie and Clyde team will be taken out here and now. What happens next…is in your hands…" He narrowed his eyes and she slowly put her hands behind her head.
"I-I'll go with you…I won't resist…I don't want to be with the devil anymore. Please…" She clenched her eyes shut and started to whimper. "God forgive me, please…I'm sorry…I strayed…" The Deputy lifted his eyebrows and cleared his throat, signaling to the officers. They put away their guns and rushed inside, grabbing her arms and helping her to her feet. She looked to Beth and the Deputy as the officers slapped the cuffs onto her wrists.
She bowed her head as Deputy Dooley moved behind her and checked the cuffs. He put a hand to her shoulder and started leading her out. She lifted her head up as she passed Beth and Charlie, both watched on with disheartened gazes. As they rounded the corner, she took a look at Jasmine's photo on the wall and took a deep breath. She thought she saw a shimmer beside the photo, as though Jasmine's spirit was standing there, watching her. She closed her eyes and turned her head to the door.
When she was led out of the diner, she turned her eyes to the sky. A tear fell down her stained cheeks as the clouds rolled away from the sun. She didn't know where Bob was right now, and she didn't care. She knew he'd probably not come anywhere near the place now that police were there.
She no longer had to fear. That timid girl she used to be, young and afraid, 'ball of crazy', was no more. How she longed to go back in time, to correct what had gone wrong, but she knew it would be impossible to change time. Perhaps now she could make things right.
She was pushed into the police car and gazed out at the diner one last time. Beth and Charlie were standing outside the door, and beside them stood Jasmine's spirit, smiling on her. Her heart no longer had to mourn, she had always believed Jasmine whenever she said things would be okay, and this time was no different. When Deputy Dooley entered the driver's side, she turned her head to him and closed her eyes, breathing in slowly. "Deputy Dooley…"
"What?" The man started up the car and began driving. The other three units that came with him followed behind. She closed her hand upon her chest and glanced back towards Charlie. She had to do this, it was important to her. She wanted to make things right, but didn't know if Henry would accept.
"Please consider…I know I'm going to lose my babies, and I know we took Jasmine's babies from her…Her husband, please consider him when considering where to put Charlie." She saw him glance at his rearview mirror, then lift his shoulders.
"I'll consider it. If Henry shows an interest, we'll go from there. Right now, all I'm worried about in this moment, is getting you to prison."
"I understand…" For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life. "Romans six, twenty three. I remember…Jazzy would quote that one in particular all the time. Romans six was one of her favorite passages…do you know the passage?"
"Yes. I know quite a few, my wife and I are prominent in our church." She smiled and closed her eyes.
"You know Acts 3:19? Another good one that Jazzy liked…I don't remember it that well…"
"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. That's the verse."
"Do you…do you think it's too late for me?" She folded her hands in her lap as the Deputy took a left turn. He sighed and slowly shook his head.
"It's never too late. Everyone falls short, God sent his one and only son to die for us, so that we'd be washed clean of our sins. No sin is too great for him to erase from you if you truly repent with conviction in your heart."
"I see…I think that's something she always said…" If so, maybe that meant Bob might never truly be put in prison. He would never repent, that man was too driven by his fear and his hatred for the world. Like the devil himself. "You'll catch Bob…won't you?"
"We'll get him."
Well, just wow. Your thoughts my friends?
