I trudged into the house slowly, hugging myself and trying to reel all my emotions in. Too much had transpired in one night, more than I was prepared to deal with. I instinctively locked all the doors and windows, though Justin was no longer a problem. I ignored my ringing landline, thoroughly done with everyone and everything for the day, and made a beeline for my bed. I stripped out of my dress and crawled into the bed, pulling the covers over my head and curling up into the fetal position. I closed my eyes and willed the darkness to take me over and quiet my mind.

I wasn't sure how long I had been asleep, but I awoke to the sound of my landline ringing once more. Groaning I rolled over and ignored it again.

I didn't wake up again until the next morning, feeling no better than I had the night before. It was early, barely past 6 a.m. and I considered trying to go back to sleep, but after laying there for while I knew it was a lost cause. I slid out of bed and went into the living room with the intent to try and eat something. I couldn't remember the last time that I had, figuring that something to eat might make me feel better. I noticed two messages on the answering machine and pressed play before heading into the kitchen. There was a beep followed by a familiar voice.

"Chase, it's mom. I am just reminding you to pick me up from the airport in the morning." I groaned out loud and cursed. I'd completely forgotten that she was coming. "I want to go straight to Isaac after you get me and I hope that you have taken the day off because your brother is probably in a really delicate state and could use both of our support. Remember, my flight arrives at 8. So please be there at 7:30. Thanks sweetheart. Love you."

I rolled my eyes at the end of my mother's message. My mother was coming to stay with us to take care of Isaac, and I was actually glad that she had called because she would have been stuck at the airport while I slept the morning away. The machine clicked and announced the next message that had been left after midnight, as I pulled some orange juice out of the fridge and drank straight from the carton. It was just heavy breathing at first until a dark voice that I didn't recognize spoke quietly.

"I know what you are you. You are a filthy fang banging slut. I got your friend and now I am coming for you."

I choked on the juice, leaving it to sputter all over myself, turning wide eyed to the machine. What the hell? I stalked to the machine and replayed the message, listening intently to the threat. My blood ran cold as I heard it the second time, realizing just who it was. All this time I'd never considered the possibility that the person who killed Cassandra, and the other women, would come after me. He did have a type, girls that have had sex with vampires, but how could he have known that about me?

I briefly thought about calling the police, but what good would that do me? That could be anyone's voice and when checking the caller ID it had of course been a private number. I thought about calling Eric next, but it was the morning and he would be asleep by now I was sure. He probably didn't want to talk to me either and I wasn't sure that I was ready to face him. I couldn't help, but feel that the way I gave myself to him was all wrong. I knew that I felt for him, hell I probably loved him, but everything around me was just too complicated. Between losing my virginity, the fight with Jason, gaining new abilities and now the threat of another person wanting to kill me, I felt very overwhelmed.

I made the decision to tell the police about the phone call after thinking it over. They would know what to do and probably offer some protection. I would just have to go down to the station and let Andy listen to the tape. I dressed quickly in sweats and a t-shirt and left my hair down to hide Eric's fang marks, rushing to the airport to get my mother. I met her at the baggage claim and went into her arms once she was close enough to me. She held me tight before she pulled back to look me in the eye.

She frowned. "Chase, are you alright?"

"Ye-."

"Don't say yes, because I know it's a lie. You look terrible."

I pulled away from her embrace. "Wow, thank you mother," I mumbled.

"You look very pale, are you feeling alright?" She questioned further.

I picked up her bags and started for the door. I was sure my paleness stemmed from Eric's drinking of my blood, but I really did feel fine. I dodged her further questioning and took her straight to the hospital. She was less than pleased that I had to work that day, but Isaac distracted her with fake complaints of pain which allowed me to slip out. My shift wasn't till noon, but I wanted to go home and properly shower and eat breakfast.

I was enjoying eggs and much needed coffee when I heard a knock on the door that made me freeze. I briefly thought of grabbing a knife, just in case it was a killer, but shook my head at my own negative thoughts. To my surprise it was Sookie at the door, looking upset with desperation bright in her eyes. I frowned worriedly at her.

"Chase, I need your help," she said urgently before I could ask what she was doing.

"With what?"

"With finding whoever is killing people here in Bon Temps," she said, stepping into the house after I waved her inside. "Jason turned himself in last night saying that he did it, but I know my brother and he ain't a killer."

My face fell. "Jason turned himself in?"

"Yes, I mean even in the short amount of time you've been in Bon Temps and spent with Jason, I know you know that he is not a killer," she insisted. "He is as dumb as nails most of the time, but not a killer."

I felt my stomach sink. He had turned himself in because of me. I had upset him and stupidly allowed him to leave last night thinking that he'd really hurt me. This was my fault. I looked at Sookie guiltily.

"I am the reason Jason turned himself in," I admitted.

Sookie blinked, taken aback. "What are you talking about?" she asked. "That doesn't make sense."

I sank down on my couch, Sookie stood over me with crossed arms, impatiently waiting for me to explain. "Jason and I had plans last night. I was supposed to meet him after work, but I went to Shreveport. I wanted to end things with Eric properly before starting anything else and…" I felt more guilt wash over me and found it hard to look Sookie in the eye.

"And? What happened?" She raised her eyebrows.

I pushed my hair away from my face and neck revealing Eric's bite. She let out a small gasp of surprise and covered her mouth. I felt my cheeks flame with embarrassment, readjusting my hair back over my shoulders.

"You slept with Eric?"

"It just happened. It wasn't what I went there for. I didn't mean for it to happen. And it's not important really, but I felt terrible because Jason was waiting for me here when I got back."

Sookie sighed. "I'm guessin' he wasn't too happy."

"No, he was not. I read his thoughts and he was so angry that he was comparing me to the other girls that he's been with that were killed. And when he tried to leave, I grabbed his arm and he accidentally elbowed me. And his thoughts just went nuts. He thought that if he could hurt me, that he could have hurt all the others and not known because of the V and…" I let out a slow breath. "I feel terrible that he's done this. This is my fault."

"Well don't and it's not," Sookie said sounding determined. "We are going to go get Jason out of jail and I know who the real killer is."

I raised an eyebrow. "You do?"

She nodded. "Remember when I told you, Sam and I were going out of town to find out some information?"

"Yeah…"

"Well when I got attacked the other night at Merlotte's I saw the killer thinking about someone he murdered a while back. I saw her name and the place she worked at, so me and Sam went to Bunki to find out more about her. Her name was Cindy Marshall and she was associating with vampires and they think her brother, Drew Marshall killed her," she explained. "I think that Drew Marshall is here in Bon Temps, killing people he thinks are fang-bangers."

"That explains why he is after me now," I sighed.

"After you? How do you know that?" Sookie questioned.

I pushed off the couch, going to the answering machine to play the message for her. Her face fell as she heard the voice, eyes widening. "Jesus," she breathed looking to me.

"Yeah, but it sounds nothing like Jason. We can use this to prove that."

"The police from Bunki were supposed to fax over a photo of Drew Marshall. The photo and the tape should be more than enough to get Jasons name cleared and they can finally catch this guy."

"Well I'd love to help, but my shift is at twelve. Sam is going to fire me if I miss another shift."

"No he won't. This is way more important than waitin' tables and if clearing my brothers name makes us both safe from this killer then Sam will understand," she reasoned. "I am scheduled to work the afternoon shift too. If we go in at the same time I can drive us both after we stop at the police station."

I rode with Sookie to the police station, calling Sam on the way to let him know the situation. As expected he was more than understanding, stating he would cover for us both until we arrived. Sookie and I sticking together was our best bet, with the killer after us both now and his attacks against Sookie getting more aggressive, being alone wasn't safe for either of us.

When we arrived at the police station, we had to fight with Kevin, Sheriff Bud's deputy, to allow us to see Jason. He was being kept in the holding cells, and after a brief argument we were allowed back. Renee was there, talking to Jason through the cell bars. I hung back while Sookie approached feeling unsure of how Jason might react to my presence.

"Jason!" Sookie called running over, reaching through to give him a hug.

"Sookie, I'm sorry," Jason sighed, shaking his head and gripping the cell bars tightly.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, you didn't kill anyone. I just wish you would have talked to me before confessing to all this mess."

Jason huffed at her with watery eyes. "I don't even remember doing any of it. I had no idea."

Sookie's brow set and her voice lowered. "You need to shut up. Chase and I are real close to finding out who the real killer is," she nodded towards me.

Jason noticed my presence then, his face falling when our eyes met, my stomach twisted. I stepped forward and Sookie moved back so that I could come closer. I reached through the bars and touched his shoulder, feeling him tense at my touch.

"You didn't do anything Jason. I know it."

"But I did," he sighed exasperatedly. "I don't remember how or when, but I did ." He reached through the bars and touched my cheek. "I knew it the minute that I hurt you."

"That was an accident! You have to see that this makes no sense-."

"Well if I didn't, then who did? Who else knew all the girls? Who else slept with them and had reason to be upset?"

"Being a man whore doesn't make you a murderer," Sookie cut in. "We know who the killer is. It's Drew Marshall. He killed his sister Cindy first. He strangled her just like Maudette, Dawn, and Cassandra had been."

Sookie must have read something in Renee's mind because her head whipped around abruptly, staring him down. "Because I have already tried that and so far the cops have done diddly squat to protect me and my family and friends," she said crossly to him. "Besides that I don't have any evidence, yet. I don't know what Drew Marshall looks like unfortunately."

Renee shrugged indifferently. "Then you cant be sure that he is the killer."

"I've seen what's inside his head," Sookie replied as if that was justification enough.

"Sookie, Chase, I know you guys want to help me, but that's cause you guys can't accept the truth," Jason said. He looked so sincere and serious as he spoke softly. "I am a murderer and I am going to hell, plain and simple-."

"Jason!" I said angrily making him look at me. "You aren't listening to us. Sookie and I are going to find Drew Marshall and get you out of here."

"Andy!" Jason yelled. Sookie and I frowned.

"Listen to me," Sookie said gripping the cell bars. "Don't be stupid."

He ignored us both. "Andy! Andy!"

"Jason," I tried trying to reach through the bars and touch him. He dodged my grasp.

Andy came around the corner, his face set in a deep scowl, irritation written all over him. "What's your problem, Stackhouse?"

"Make Sookie and Chase go away," Jason demanded looking away from us both.

"Do I look like your fucking butler?" Andy remarked to Jason's statement, putting his hands on his hips.

"Just get them outta here," Jason pleaded. "Please."

Andy sighed. Sookie and I continued to look at Jason in disbelief. "Fine…come on girls. Zoo time is over," Andy said coming forward to take us by the elbow and walk us out of the holding cells. I looked back over my shoulder and saw Renee watching us go with a blank face.

"Wait!" I said making Andy stop just as we reached the exit to the holding cells. "The tape."

"Yes! Chase has a tape with the killer's voice on, threatening her," Sookie said pulling her arm out of Andy's grip as he huffed.

"And just where the hell is this 'supposed' tape?" he asked looking at me with a raised eyebrow.

I pulled it out of my pocket and handed it to him. "There isn't anything 'supposed' about it. I received a voicemail last night from this guy and it sounds nothing like Jason."

Andy didn't look convinced as he pocketed it. "We'll see how it sounds later, for now you and Sookie here need to leave," he ordered taking my arm once again.

"Wait, did you get the fax from the Bunki police department about Drew Marshall, who probably is the real killer?" she countered crossing her arms.

"Look, I never heard of no fax from Bunki PD or about Drew whoever, but I will tell you one thing," Andy replied holding up one finger. "The real killer is right there where he belongs."

I groaned in frustration and could see Sookie seething with anger. "You are one sorry excuse for a cop and a human being, Andy Bellefleur and it's just a matter of time before everyone knows it," she replied through clenched teeth.

She turned on her heels and grabbed my arm pulling me along after her as she stormed out of the building.

After a quick stop at Sookie's to get her work clothes, we arrived at Merlotte's. It was slow, something that I was thankful for as I was in no mood to be courteous and hospitable to customers. I got the feeling that Sookie wasn't either. I kept my block down as I worked, wanting to listen in on people's thoughts. I was paranoid once again, but this time my killer wasn't a vampire who was confined to only night time outings, he was a human man that could walk around and be anyone, which made it all the more frightening.

With some polite touches and a friendly smile I got into every mind that I could, but found none of them were Drew Marshall in hiding or knew anything about him. It only added to my growing frustrations and fear. I had to figure out who the killer was and fast, before Jason was taken to some maximum security prison or Sookie and I ended up dead.

Andy had sauntered into Merlotte's an hour after he had rudely kicked us out of the police station. He walked with a proud and smug air around him. He was soon joined by others, eager to hear him recount how he had caught the 'Bon Temps Strangler' and Jason's confession, to their gullible ears. I grew angrier and more frustrated as each moment passed, listening to Andy's lie and slander Jason's name. My blood was starting to boil when I felt a hand on my shoulder, stopping me from filling my pitchers with Dixie for Andy and his group.

"You okay, Chase?" Sam asked, no doubt sensing my tense mood.

"Yeah, I just have a lot on my mind and I didn't get much sleep. I'm fine," I lied.

"A lot on your mind like Drew Marshall?" Sam probed with a knowing look. "I didn't realize that you and Sookie had so much in common." I felt my face fall. Had Sookie told him about my ability? "I meant with you both dating vampires and all," he added making me huff a small sigh of relief disguised as a laugh.

"Well, I didn't really date one," I admitted. "I was just involved with one." It was the best term that I could come up with. "Apparently that's enough for this killers criteria."

Sam gave my shoulder a squeeze. "You don't have to worry. I know we barely just met and we haven't known each other long, but I am going to make sure that you and Sookie are safe. Us here in Bon Temps like to stick together and keep our people safe," he assured with a smile. "If you need to talk or anything, you just let me know."

I smiled at him, feeling a friendly warmth in my belly. I opened my arms to hug him and he embraced me tightly. "Thanks, Sam. You are a pretty cool boss."

He chuckled, releasing me, opening his mouth to say something when he looked past me and saw something that made him fall silent. I turned, my gaze following Sam's until I found Sookie. She was standing in the middle of the dining area, her eyes watery and her face scrunched, she was clearly upset. I knew what it was the moment I saw her, could only imagine that terrible thoughts about her brother that she was hearing from the patrons of Merlotte's. I'd heard quite a few myself in my search to see who knew Drew Marshall. I moved to go to her, but Sam stopped me. He moved around the bar, walking to her he wrapped an arm around her. He ushered her to the back, talking to her in a low whisper.

I let Sam handle it and finished filling my drink orders before taking them to my tables and noticing that Renee had come in and taken one of the empty tables in my area. I pulled out my order pad and walked to him as he pulled his orange working vest off and set it aside. I forced my lips into a smile. I hadn't talked to Renee much and all I knew about him was that he worked with Jason and was Arlene's fiancé, but he had always been polite and kind to me when we did speak.

"Hi, Chase."

"Hey, how was Jason when you left him?" I asked pulling out my pen.

"He was fine...as fine as a man can be when in jail for murder ya know?" he replied with a shrug.

"It's real terrible that he was locked up for something that he didn't do," I sighed.

"Maybe he did do it," Renee said looking up at me curiously. "How can ya' know he didn't? When the people you care about hurt you it can drive you to do crazy things."

I suddenly felt uneasy, wondering if that comment was directed at me. I knew Renee was a close friend of Jasons. Had he told him what I'd done? I didn't get the chance to question why Renee didn't think he was innocent or the meaning of his comment, someone called my name from behind.

"Chase!"

It was Sam, beckoning me over with a wave and pointed look to where he stood with Sookie at the pick up window.

"Excuse me for a moment, Renee."

He nodded at me and I made my way over to Sookie and Sam. "What's up?" I asked.

"Sookie needs to go and given the current circumstances she shouldn't be alone," Sam explained. " Neither of you should be. So you should both take off and keep an eye on each other."

I hesitated catching on to what he meant and nodded. "Yeah...okay."

"I'll take your tables," Sam finished. "Just be careful and stay together."

We both nodded and I handed him my order pad as Sookie and I headed into his office to get our belongings. "You okay?" I asked her as I followed her out of Merlotte's.

She nodded, wiping at her eyes. "Yeah...everyone just has such negative thoughts," she said with a frown. "They are thinking such horrible things about Jason."

I nodded in understanding and climbed into the passenger seat of her yellow car. She put the keys in the ignition hurriedly and turned it. We both frowned when the engine turned over and nothing happened. She turned the key back with a deepening frown and tried it again. She repeated this three more times without a change.

"Shit," she muttered. "Please, Jesus, don't do this to me."

"Try it again," I offered with a shrug.

She nodded and turned the key back and tried it again, growling when she got the same result. "God dammit! Motherf-!"

"Hey."

We both jumped turning to the driver side window, seeing Renee's smiling face leaning down to peer in at us. "What's wrong guys?"

"Just uh...some car trouble that's all," Sookie replied with a small smile. "Me and Chase were just trying to get out of here."

"Want me to take a look?" he asked raising an eyebrow, looking between the two of us.

Sookie nodded, exiting the car to raise the hood for him. I leaned into the passenger seat, rubbing my tired eyes. My caffeine high was starting to wear off and I could feel the exhaustion of the overwhelming past few days setting in. I tried to blink past the tiredness, forcing myself to alertness. I slipped out of the passenger seat to see Renee staring at the engine.

"Maybe we should just stay here," I offered. I didn't have much faith in him fixing the problem.

Sookie shook her head. "I cannot keep listening to those people think bad thoughts about my brother. I'll go crazy."

I nodded in understanding. "Well maybe I can call a cab and we can go to my place."

Renee cleared his throat making us both look at him. "Well don't tell nobody, but I don't know that much about cars," he admitted with a smirk. "Sorry."

"Thanks for trying," Sookie sighed. "I guess we should call a tow."

"Well...why don't you let me give you each a ride home?" Renee replied with a nonchalant shrug. "I'll get my buddy, Hank, down at Auto Haven to look at your car on my way back, Sookie."

Sookie and I shared another glance as we hesitated. "We can't be alone," I said as Sookie looked down. "So we have to stay together at one of our houses."

Renee nodded slowly. "Right...of course you guys can't...well how about I take you to your house and I will stay with the both of you until Sam gets off," he countered.

"Oh Renee we can't take up your time like that-," Sookie started shaking her head.

Renee huffed and waved her statement away. "Oh stop...your brother has been real good to me Sookie...and Chase...well you have been real nice to me ever since you started working here and I would like to return the kindness ya' offered to me."

Sookie looked to me for confirmation and I shrugged. There was safety in numbers and Renee was harmless far as I knew. Sookie nodded at Renee.

"Well, thank you, Renee," she said with a nod. "That's real nice of you."

The rumbling sound of an engine approaching called our attention, all of us seeing Terry's truck come to a stop near us. I hadn't interacted much with Terry outside of work, but I liked him, he was certainly odd, but in a funny way.

"Hey Sookie, Renee, Chase," he said nodding to each of us.

"Hi Terry," I said waving.

"Sookie...I just wanted to say that I told Andy that I know killers and Jason ain't no killer," Terry said shaking his head.

"Thank you, Terry," Sookie said with a nodded.

"Nobody ever listens to me," Terry sighed. "But they should."

Terry drove off and Renee turned to us. "Ready to go?"