Previously on The Haunt...
Eddie shook his head. "There's nothing we can do. All we can do is wait." A hint of a smile appeared on my face. "What are you thinking, Patricia Williamson?" He gave me that stupid smile I fell in love with a long time ago.
"Maybe we should catch him in the act."
"I can already tell this is a bad idea."
"I talked to Eddie earlier, and I was right, he did know something." I stared at my hands. "Fabian told him who he was going after next." I looked back up at Lindsey. "You."
"The house and its residents will be under the supervision of our best officers twenty-four seven. Especially you know who." He sighed.
"I don't trust Eddie, Patricia, and I never will."
"Okay..." I gave him a confused look.
"But we need to know what's going on in his head, you're the only person that can get that from him." He took a step back.
"Are you saying what I think you are?" My breath caught in my throat.
"I want you to get close to him again." Jerome didn't look me in the eye.
"Jerome, no..." Tears started to come to my eyes.
"You need to be with him again. I need to let you go."
"I'm still in love with you, Patricia, and I need you in my life." Eddie pulled me closer. "Can I..?"
I nodded. He leaned in and kissed me, and, this time, I kissed back. I felt the spark that I'd felt before we broke up again, the connection between us, as I pulled him closer, so that our bodies were touching.
Eddie came in behind me and grabbed my hand. I gave him a grateful smile. I saw Jerome from across the room, looking at us, and let go of Eddie's hand. He didn't seem to notice, as he was looking in the opposite direction of Jerome at someone else.
"Alfie?" I furrowed my brow. Why would she talk to him about her problems?
"Yes, Alfie." Lindsey snapped. she sighed and brought her voice back down. "He told me that if I ever needed to talk, he would be there for me."
Now that made sense. Alfie obviously liked Lindsey. After all, she looked very similar to Amber. Why wouldn't he like her?
I laughed. "Everyone knows you just like Lindsey because she looks pretty similar to Amber."
"That's not true." Alfie replied quickly. "Lindsey is the coolest girl I've ever met. She's nice, and funny, and she's so easy to talk to, and she's beautiful, and just perfect in every way." He took a deep breath and glanced at me.
"I know." I sighed. "I just didn't realize you did." I trailed off for a second. "But I still don't think you should just..."
Alfie cut me off. "You're wrong."
"I..." She took a breath, still sobbing. "I broke up with James."
"What? Why?" My eyes widened.
"I didn't want him to get any more involved." Lindsey wiped some tears away. "And I didn't want him to be upset when I die."
My breath got caught in my throat as Jerome closed the door behind him. He stared at me for a second.
"We need to talk."
Chapter 53: Or Maybe We Just Make Mistakes
Jerome made his way toward me, looking conflicted.
"What do we need to talk about?" I questioned nervously.
He sighed, as if it were obvious. "I know I told you to get back with Eddie, but..." Jerome bit his lip, running a hand through his hair. "I just don't trust him, and if he hasn't given you anything yet, I highly doubt he will. You don't have to pretend to like him anymore."
I laughed. "Wait..." I put a hand up to stop him. "First of all, this was your plan, if I remember correctly. I was the one that was hesitant to go through with it." He opened his mouth to say something, but I didn't let him. "But it wasn't because I didn't like him. It was because of what happened the other day." I scoffed at Jerome. "Also, I actually did get information from Eddie. You were just too busy being cooped up and depressed for me to actually tell you anything, which, might I add, is ridiculous since, again, it was your plan. He knows that Fabian is the killer, and he, unlike you, came up with a plan to help us catch him." I took a deep breath, which Jerome apparently took as a hint that I was done, when I wasn't, because he got ready to talk again. "Oh, and, by the way, I'm not pretending to like Eddie. I really like him. A lot. And he likes me. And at least I know that he won't just throw me out like trash whenever things get rough." By that point, I was gasping between sentences and red in the face. I looked over at him expectantly.
Jerome waited until he was certain I was done talking that time. "I'm sorry you feel that way." He cleared his throat. "But Eddie still can't be trusted. If he knew about Fabian and didn't tell anyone, he's obviously up to no good. For all we knew, he's working with Fabian and tricking you and Lindsey into thinking he's on your side."
"Oh my God." I laughed, hysterical, with a look of disbelief on my face. "You're actually jealous. Jerome Clarke is upset about something that was his idea." I couldn't even believe how ridiculous it was. "I can't believe you. You know, I didn't even originally want to go back out with Eddie. You made me. And now that I'm actually happy, you're angry about it!"
"Okay..." Jerome nodded. "Maybe I am jealous." He came closer, putting his hands on my hips. "But can you really blame me for still being in love with the girl I let get away?"
"Yes." I snarled, as his hands started to move lower. "Don't you dare." I yanked him off of me.
"Patricia..." Jerome looked at me desperately. "I made a mistake." He tried to smile. "I'm still in love with you."
"Maybe that's your mistake." I made my way to the door. "I'm with Eddie now. I'm sorry."
I reached for the doorknob, but Jerome turned me around, bringing me close enough that our faces nearly touched. "Patricia, please." He whispered as he held me close. "I need you."
And then our lips met. We kissed as Jerome's hands ran down my body.
I pulled away. "Wait, Jerome. Stop." I sighed. He frowned. "The door's unlocked."
Grinning, Jerome locked the door and came back over to me. "Where were we?" He questioned as he leaned in again.
I stepped back so that he would miss, laughing. I tapped a finger to my lips in mock thought. "Hmm..." I muttered. "I was actually thinking that you could help me with something."
"And what is that?" Jerome had this goofy smile on his face that I couldn't help but notice.
"It's really hot in here." I fanned myself with my hand dramatically. "Can you cool it down a little?"
"Do you mean literally, or are you suggesting..?" Jerome trailed off. I gave him a look. "Are you sure?"
"Of course I am." My fingers clutched his shirt. "I wouldn't suggest it if I wasn't."
He let out a laugh of relief, as if he couldn't believe that it was really happening. "Okay."
Jerome took off his shirt, then helped me out of my own. I kicked off the heels I was going to wear when I would go out with Lindsey later to help her get over what had happened with James. As I reached down to unbutton my jeans, I noticed that his shoes were off as well, but the height difference was still undeniable. In seconds, we were in only our underwear.
What the hell are you doing?, a voice in my head asked. You're with Eddie.
But I don't love him, I replied. Not like this.
It's still wrong.
Jerome kissed me passionately as we made our way to his bed and he unhooked my bra. Before I knew it, we didn't have any clothes on at all.
But nothing has ever felt this right.
I gasped for air as he kissed my neck, then my jawline and my ear. "Jerome?" I whispered.
"Hmm?" Jerome muttered, his lips grazing my cheek.
"Do you have..?"
"Yeah."
"Jerome?" He pulled away to look me in the eye. "You know I can't break up with him yet, right? He's on our side for now, and, until we catch-"
"I know." Jerome sighed. wrapping his arms around me. "I don't care. I'm in love with you, Patricia Williamson."
I grinned at him. "I love you, too." I stared at him, and I was sure. I knew. "I just wish that we could-"
He cut me off with a strong kiss to shut me up, and I sank into it easily, running my fingers through his hair. Our bodies pressed together, breaths in sync, minds on the same thing: us.
And in that moment, our love was eternal.
Alfie made his way to Patricia's room, where she said Lindsey was. Part of him wanted to do what he came to. Another said he had to prove Patricia wrong, even though he didn't.
He was about to knock, but heard someone crying from the other side and stopped his hand midair. Alfie debated on whether he should just leave her be or see what was wrong. In his mind, the answer was obvious.
"Lindsey?" Alfie questioned as he opened the door a crack, knocking lightly. He could see her lying face-down on Patricia's bed, sobbing into a pillow.
When she heard him, Lindsey stopped any more tears from running down her face, wiping away any that were already shed. Looking in the mirror, Lindsey took a few deep breaths. "Come in." When Alfie walked into the room, Lindsey gave him a smile that was way too forced. "Hey!" She exclaimed, trying to seem happy. "What's up?"
"You don't have to pretend like you weren't crying." He gave her a sympathetic look. "Don't worry, I won't be superficial about it."
Lindsey sighed, the grin melting away from her face. "Am I really that obvious?"
"No." Alfie shrugged. "Well, yes, but I heard you from the hall." He sat down on one of the beds, gesturing for Lindsey to sit next to him. When she did, Alfie glanced over at her. "What's wrong?"
"What isn't?" She stared at him from the corner of her eye. "That would be an easier question to ask."
"Okay..." Alfie started, nodding his head. "Lets start with... The other day, when you came to talk to me, but I was trying to help Jerome, which I'm really, really sorry about, by the way... What was wrong, then?"
"Can you close the door?" Lindsey whispered. Alfie nodded and did so. When he sat back down, she burst into tears.
"Whoa, it's okay. It's okay." He wasn't really sure what to do, so he brought Lindsey into a hug.
"It's not." She shook her head on his shoulder. "Nothing's okay."
"Calm down." Alfie stroked Lindsey's hair, trying to be comforting. "Tell me what happened."
"James and I got into a fight that day." She took a deep breath. "But what happened then doesn't matter anymore." Lindsey pulled back to look at Alfie, tears streaming down her face. "I broke up with him. I broke up with James."
"What?" Alfie's eyes widened in shock.
"And, since then, he's been saying all kinds of things." She inhaled again.
"Like what?" He wiped a tear from Lindsey's cheek.
"Just about how much of an inconsiderate bitch I am, and that I'm a horrible person. Things like that, but in paragraph form." Lindsey's lip wobbled uncontrollably.
"How could he even-?" Alfie narrowed his eyes in disgust. "Why I should just..." He got up, about to storm out of the room and find James himself.
"That's not even the worst part." Lindsey laughed, but it wasn't like her usual, upbeat laugh. It was a nervous, scared laugh. She brought up a hand to wipe away more tears. "I did it to save him some pain."
"What do you mean?" Alfie rose an eyebrow as he sat back down.
"I didn't want to tell you this, to get you involved." Lindsey stared at Alfie with wide eyes. She looked absolutely terrified. "But... Lately, me and a few others have made enough progress to determine that it has to be Fabian killing people." Lindsey bit her lip. Alfie stared at her in awe. "And someone found out what's going to happen next." The tears fell down her face faster and faster, until it was an unbelievable amount. "I'm his next target."
Her words his Alfie like a bullet. He lost all the air in his lungs and his heart sank to the bottom of his chest. Tears suddenly glistened in the back of his eyes as well. Alfie put his head in his hands, trying to control his breathing. Lindsey looked at Alfie, waiting for him to say something. "Then we'll do something." He brought his head up to look at her sad expression. "I'll do something."
"Patricia has a plan." Lindsey looked at her feet. "it isn't going to work. I know it's not." Her tone made Alfie's heart break. "Nothing will work."
Alfie sniffled as tears spilled from his eyes. He could barely stand to look away from her, though, because he didn't know when she would be gone. There was a possibility it would be the last time he looked at her beautiful blue eyes, long blonde hair, and perfect lips. "I'm sorry." Alfie used the back ofo his hand to wipe away the tears.
"It's okay." Lindsey gave him a wobbly smile, placing her hand on top of his.
"No, you were right." He held her hand tight, afraid to let go. "Nothing's okay." Alfie wiped away Lindsey's tears with his free hand. "but, about the James thing... If it's any consolation, he's a nutcase for saying those things about you." Lindsey scoffed. "I'm serious." Alfie gave her the most convincing look he could. "You are the smartest, funniest, nicest, prettiest, most amazingly perfect girl I have ever met."
Lindsey grinned a real grin. She almost looked hopeful. "Do you really think so?"
"I know so." He smiled at her beautiful face. "Any guy would be lucky to date you."
They stared at each other for a while, neither saying a word. Both had stopped crying. Then Alfie did what he'd wanted to do since the day he met Lindsey.
He kissed her.
Alfie felt sparks fly in every direction. When he opened an eye, both of Lindsey's were closed.
But then he pulled away. "I am so sorry." Alfie exclaimed, feeling like an idiot. "That was so unbelievably insensitive. You just went through a breakup and-"
Lindsey cut him off by kissing him again. At first, Alfie's eyes were wide in surprise, but, as he eased into it, they closed. It lasted for a few seconds before Lindsey pulled back. They looked at each other, both with stupid grins on their faces. But Lindsey's quickly dissipated.
"Oh my God..." She stood up, putting a finger to her lips. Alfie got up, too, but she put up her other hand, signaling for him to stop where he was. "I'm so sorry..." Lindsey made her way to the door. "I can't."
Author's note: Sorry for not updating sooner! I was on vacation and I will be leaving again at least twice, so that might interfere with this. Thanks for remaining loyal and understanding. Love you all.
Anyway I know a bunch of you probably hate me now and honestly writing that part actually was sort of disturbing, but, hey, I'm a very twisted person.
Keep guessing who the killer is, because I'm not guaranteeing that Fabian is or isn't the killer. ;) You never know...
Xoxo ~L
