Only a few minutes after Brady left her standing alone on the pier, Chloe
heard the sound of footsteps - heavy footsteps, like those of a man. She
quickly turned as the person arrived directly behind her. However,
disappointment filled her as she found herself staring at Jason Masters.
"You don't look too happy to see me," commented Jason indifferently.
"Yeah, well, when have I ever really been happy to see you?"
"Good point," Jason responded as he turned his attention to the fog-covered water. In an uncharacteristically soft tone, Jason stated, "I saw Brady driving away when I pulled into the parking area."
Seemingly ignoring Jason's comment about Brady, Chloe sank into the pit of her soul and found herself swimming in the one regret greater than losing Brady Black. Chloe attempted once again to fight a round of uncontrollable tears. She hated for anyone to see her cry - especially someone like Jason who had tried so hard in her youth to bring tortured tears to her blue eyes.
Silence filled the pier as both Jason and Chloe wrestled with their own personal demons. Tears now streaming down her face, Chloe found herself with the need to unburden her soul. After years of hiding her secrets and pain, she needed to rid herself of some of the darkness.
Almost to herself, Chloe stated, "I never really wanted Jan to die. I swear that I never could have killed her - no matter how much I hated her at times."
Taking notice of the flood of tears that were falling down Chloe's face, Jason struggled to find an appropriate action. Despite the often vindictive nature of his relationship with Chloe, Jason hated to see her in pain. Because, when Chloe Lane was heartbroken enough to actually reveal her distress, then Jason knew things had to be in a state of true turmoil.
Hoping to comfort Chloe with reassuring words, Jason said, "I know that, Chloe. You're not a murderer. Look, we both had reasons to hate Jan, but I understand that you never could have actually shot her in cold blood."
Once again appearing to ignore part of what Jason was saying, Chloe despondently asked, "Does it hurt you as much as it hurts me?"
"Does what hurt?"
"Holding the truth inside. Because, it's killing me."
Jason decided that it just might be time to finally bear his soul to a fellow human being. Opting to look at the murky water instead of Chloe, Jason said, "The photos Jan had were bad - real bad." After a brief pause, Jason continued, "I made a mistake - a huge mistake. Back when I was drinking, I had an accident. I was completely wasted and insisted on driving home anyway. Between the bar and there, I somehow swerved onto the sidewalk . . ."
Chloe turned her tear-stained face to look at Jason as he shared his darkest secret. In an almost twisted way, his agony gave Chloe the strength she needed to accept her own pains.
Chocking back his own tears, Jason confessed, "I swear to God that I didn't see that homeless man . . . It was like he jumped in front of my car before I could swerve back onto the street. He, um . . . he died instantly. I was so scared that I just called the first person I could think of . . . Jan. When I wasn't looking, that twisted tramp must have snapped a few photos of the scene, because she threatened to use them against me on more than one occasion. She practically taunted me with them."
Jason turned to face Chloe and was relieved to see support and mild understanding rather disgust. He continued, "I never meant to kill that man, Chloe. And, after that day, I've hardly even had a drink. Even though I somehow ended up tending bar, I have to be pretty upset to start hitting the bottle myself. It seems like the mere mention of alcohol reminds me of the accident Jan helped me cover up." Rubbing his face with his hands, Jason softly said, "I never wanted to hurt anyone, but I did."
Silence blanketed the pier as Jason and Chloe each returned their bleak gaze to the water. While Jason contemplated what he had finally confessed, Chloe realized that she could no longer hide her own hidden truth.
"Her father was the one who was with Nancy." The words left Chloe's mouth so softly that Jason wasn't certain that he had accurately heard Chloe's sudden confession. Turning to look into Jason's equally tortured eyes, Chloe confessed, "That's why I hated Jan so much. She was my sister. She was the one that Daddy loved. I was just some bastard child that he wanted to forget. Jan got it all, and I got nothing." Her body becoming racked by sobs, Chloe asked, "Why couldn't he love me, too? Why?"
Moving away from Jason, Chloe loudly asked, "I've always wondered what it would have been like if he'd only wanted to love me, too! Maybe, Jan and I we could have . . . could have been real sisters. Maybe, it all would have been okay. What if our father had raised me and Jan together?"
Thinking back to all his own misdeeds, Jason said, "Don't do that to yourself, Chloe. Don't make things worse by wondering what if. Only fools play that game - and they always end up losing."
Glancing past Chloe and into the obscure night, Jason took in a deep breath of the unusually cool summer air. Nodding his head toward a figure approaching through the thickening fog, Jason said, "I think I'm gonna get out of here and leave you and Shawn alone for a while. Besides, there's something I need to take care of - something I should have taken care of a long time ago. Take care of yourself, Chloe."
Just as Jason was brushing past her, Chloe reached out and grabbed his muscular arm. When he turned to look at her with only faint surprise, she asked, "This is goodbye, isn't it?"
Jason allowed his eyes to briefly drift away from Chloe and saw that Shawn had halted his approach and was merely standing a respectable distance away with his eyes locked on nothing - or perhaps everything - that could be seen in the foggy sky above the water.
Returning his attention to Chloe, Jason said, "Goodbye? Nah, not goodbye. This is just one of those 'until we meet again' things. And, I have a feeling that we will meet again, Chloe. Someday, somewhere, our paths will cross. But, until that day comes, I want you to swear to me that you'll live life, really live it. And, never look back. Make your own choices and don't you ever let this damned city or anyone here make you sorry. Promise me, Chloe. Promise me that you'll never look back."
Tears began mist Chloe's eyes once more as she stared intently at Jason. She had never heard him speak in such a passionate and oddly sincere manner. Yet, she found herself almost frightened by all the things he wasn't saying. Deciding that for the first time since she had met him that she would actually take Jason's advice, Chloe choked back the threatening tears and vowed, "I promise."
A weak smile appeared on Jason's face as he began to walk away. Just as he was fading into the fog, he turned back and said, "Till we meet again, my darlin' Ghoul Girl."
The seconds ticked away as Chloe stood and silently stared at where her former nemesis had been standing and Shawn simply stood watching Chloe with an inner sense of fascination. He knew that he would never genuinely understand the odd relationship between Jason and Chloe - and, that was probably for the best. However, Shawn was truly awed by Chloe's innate sense of endurance and perseverance. She had endured more pain than most people could even imagine. Yet, she never failed to pick herself up off the ground.
It was because of Chloe's inherent strength that Shawn so greatly admired her. Quite often, he had found himself almost envious of her deep rooted survival instincts.
Chloe Lane was strong, intelligent, witty, and above all else, she was alone in a world that had abandoned her without a second thought. And, that was something with which Shawn could identify. Yet, there was one other aspect of Chloe that Shawn would never fail to note . . . she was his friend no matter what he did or where he went.
Approaching the broken hearted beauty, Shawn softly said, "I used to think that I was going to grab life by horns and live like there was no tomorrow. I remember after graduation, I would have sworn that within five years I'd have conquered the world - or at least seen a good part of it and made some great memories."
Chloe offered Shawn her best attempt at a smile and replied, "Yeah, I think we were all thinking something like that. Me, you, Philip, Belle, Mimi, Jason, and even Jan. We all thought that our lives were only beginning once we left Salem High and met the real world. I don't think any of us imagined what would really be meeting us or how easily we would just lose track of who we were."
"Maybe," Shawn slowly replied as his warm brown eyes became clouded with both regret and possible hope. "But, we're acting like this is the end of the world, Chloe. It's not. Fine, we got off track, so why don't we just get as far away from this town as we can."
"And, finally live life . . . never looking back," Chloe stated as Jason's words echoed throughout the recesses of her mind.
Looking not at Chloe but almost into her, Shawn quietly responded, "Exactly. There's nothing holding us here, Chloe. At least, not any more."
Her pain subsiding and the smallest flame of hope igniting, Chloe hesitantly questioned, "What are you saying, Shawn?"
"I'm saying that I want to leave Salem tonight - and I want you to come with me. Let's just get on my motorcycle and drive until we're so lost no one here can find us. Then, we'll spend as long as we need finding ourselves and deciding where our dreams are going to lead us. What do you say, Chloe?"
Shawn would have sworn that time truly froze as a light rain began to fall and Chloe lowered her head as though in prayer. Then, she looked back up at him with misty eyes and something that he had not seen in quite some time - a genuine smile. "I say let's get a move on."
There was no need nor want for words as Shawn silently led Chloe up the stairs that led to the parking area. Reaching his motorcycle, Shawn took a deep breath as he and then Chloe got on. He knew that the only thing waiting for him now was his future.
Leaving behind their regrets and saddened memories, the couple sped out of the parking lot and seemingly disappeared into the rain and fog. Left behind was the misery and sorrow and ahead was a beautiful uncertainty that hinted at opportunity.
~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~
Philip watched the falling rain with a childlike fascination. Though it emerged from the intimidating dark night, the rain fell with such grace upon the city and silently promised to wash away all the wrong. Or, at least, that is what Philip wished the rain shower could do.
By late evening, radio reports had finally dimmed the spotlight that had been cast upon the murder of Jan Spears. It seemed that the police were ruling the unfortunate incident a break-in gone bad - but Philip knew better. In fact, he knew exactly who had freed the world of Jan, but he'd rather die than ever reveal his own wife to be the murderer.
Philip failed to understand why exactly Belle had ended Jan's life, and he realized that he would probably never know. After all, he couldn't exactly approach his wife, inform her that he knew she killed Jan, and then demand an explanation . . . especially since Philip had been the one to sneak into the house, cut off the power, and arrange for it to appear like a common thief had attempted to rob the house but been interrupted.
Releasing a sigh that sounded like that of a man much further along in years, Philip rubbed his sleep-deprived eyes and recalled returning to Jan's house to make the vixen pay. However, when Philip arrived, Belle was hysterically fleeing the home. In her agitated state, she failed to notice her husband lurking in the nearby bushes.
After sneaking into the home, Philip had discovered Jan's lifeless body - and the emerald necklace he had given Belle for their anniversary. Immediately, Philip Kiriakis did as his father would do, he took action and cleaned up the mess.
Turning away from the night and all that it held, Philip said to himself, "I love you, Belle. Maybe not enough to let you go, but I do love you. And, I'll always protect you and make you as happy as I can - no matter what."
~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~
The light rain slowly transformed itself into a mere drizzle, but the fog refused to fade away so easily. Like the grip of death, it held onto the city with a vengeance.
On the deserted street corner just outside the very same apartment building Philip resided in, stood a forlorn street lamp that shed its dim yellow glow on an equally forlorn man.
Fourteen stories below Brady and Mimi's penthouse balcony, Jason Masters stood under the street light and glared up at the window he knew belonged to his Mimi and the man who so insistently kept them apart.
Staring upwards through the drizzle with eyes void of any logical emotion, Jason allowed Brady's words to echo through his mind. "What? Going to have some happy life together? . . . . Over my dead body."
Jason discreetly pulled the cold revolver from his pocket and simply stated, "So be it."
THE END
"You don't look too happy to see me," commented Jason indifferently.
"Yeah, well, when have I ever really been happy to see you?"
"Good point," Jason responded as he turned his attention to the fog-covered water. In an uncharacteristically soft tone, Jason stated, "I saw Brady driving away when I pulled into the parking area."
Seemingly ignoring Jason's comment about Brady, Chloe sank into the pit of her soul and found herself swimming in the one regret greater than losing Brady Black. Chloe attempted once again to fight a round of uncontrollable tears. She hated for anyone to see her cry - especially someone like Jason who had tried so hard in her youth to bring tortured tears to her blue eyes.
Silence filled the pier as both Jason and Chloe wrestled with their own personal demons. Tears now streaming down her face, Chloe found herself with the need to unburden her soul. After years of hiding her secrets and pain, she needed to rid herself of some of the darkness.
Almost to herself, Chloe stated, "I never really wanted Jan to die. I swear that I never could have killed her - no matter how much I hated her at times."
Taking notice of the flood of tears that were falling down Chloe's face, Jason struggled to find an appropriate action. Despite the often vindictive nature of his relationship with Chloe, Jason hated to see her in pain. Because, when Chloe Lane was heartbroken enough to actually reveal her distress, then Jason knew things had to be in a state of true turmoil.
Hoping to comfort Chloe with reassuring words, Jason said, "I know that, Chloe. You're not a murderer. Look, we both had reasons to hate Jan, but I understand that you never could have actually shot her in cold blood."
Once again appearing to ignore part of what Jason was saying, Chloe despondently asked, "Does it hurt you as much as it hurts me?"
"Does what hurt?"
"Holding the truth inside. Because, it's killing me."
Jason decided that it just might be time to finally bear his soul to a fellow human being. Opting to look at the murky water instead of Chloe, Jason said, "The photos Jan had were bad - real bad." After a brief pause, Jason continued, "I made a mistake - a huge mistake. Back when I was drinking, I had an accident. I was completely wasted and insisted on driving home anyway. Between the bar and there, I somehow swerved onto the sidewalk . . ."
Chloe turned her tear-stained face to look at Jason as he shared his darkest secret. In an almost twisted way, his agony gave Chloe the strength she needed to accept her own pains.
Chocking back his own tears, Jason confessed, "I swear to God that I didn't see that homeless man . . . It was like he jumped in front of my car before I could swerve back onto the street. He, um . . . he died instantly. I was so scared that I just called the first person I could think of . . . Jan. When I wasn't looking, that twisted tramp must have snapped a few photos of the scene, because she threatened to use them against me on more than one occasion. She practically taunted me with them."
Jason turned to face Chloe and was relieved to see support and mild understanding rather disgust. He continued, "I never meant to kill that man, Chloe. And, after that day, I've hardly even had a drink. Even though I somehow ended up tending bar, I have to be pretty upset to start hitting the bottle myself. It seems like the mere mention of alcohol reminds me of the accident Jan helped me cover up." Rubbing his face with his hands, Jason softly said, "I never wanted to hurt anyone, but I did."
Silence blanketed the pier as Jason and Chloe each returned their bleak gaze to the water. While Jason contemplated what he had finally confessed, Chloe realized that she could no longer hide her own hidden truth.
"Her father was the one who was with Nancy." The words left Chloe's mouth so softly that Jason wasn't certain that he had accurately heard Chloe's sudden confession. Turning to look into Jason's equally tortured eyes, Chloe confessed, "That's why I hated Jan so much. She was my sister. She was the one that Daddy loved. I was just some bastard child that he wanted to forget. Jan got it all, and I got nothing." Her body becoming racked by sobs, Chloe asked, "Why couldn't he love me, too? Why?"
Moving away from Jason, Chloe loudly asked, "I've always wondered what it would have been like if he'd only wanted to love me, too! Maybe, Jan and I we could have . . . could have been real sisters. Maybe, it all would have been okay. What if our father had raised me and Jan together?"
Thinking back to all his own misdeeds, Jason said, "Don't do that to yourself, Chloe. Don't make things worse by wondering what if. Only fools play that game - and they always end up losing."
Glancing past Chloe and into the obscure night, Jason took in a deep breath of the unusually cool summer air. Nodding his head toward a figure approaching through the thickening fog, Jason said, "I think I'm gonna get out of here and leave you and Shawn alone for a while. Besides, there's something I need to take care of - something I should have taken care of a long time ago. Take care of yourself, Chloe."
Just as Jason was brushing past her, Chloe reached out and grabbed his muscular arm. When he turned to look at her with only faint surprise, she asked, "This is goodbye, isn't it?"
Jason allowed his eyes to briefly drift away from Chloe and saw that Shawn had halted his approach and was merely standing a respectable distance away with his eyes locked on nothing - or perhaps everything - that could be seen in the foggy sky above the water.
Returning his attention to Chloe, Jason said, "Goodbye? Nah, not goodbye. This is just one of those 'until we meet again' things. And, I have a feeling that we will meet again, Chloe. Someday, somewhere, our paths will cross. But, until that day comes, I want you to swear to me that you'll live life, really live it. And, never look back. Make your own choices and don't you ever let this damned city or anyone here make you sorry. Promise me, Chloe. Promise me that you'll never look back."
Tears began mist Chloe's eyes once more as she stared intently at Jason. She had never heard him speak in such a passionate and oddly sincere manner. Yet, she found herself almost frightened by all the things he wasn't saying. Deciding that for the first time since she had met him that she would actually take Jason's advice, Chloe choked back the threatening tears and vowed, "I promise."
A weak smile appeared on Jason's face as he began to walk away. Just as he was fading into the fog, he turned back and said, "Till we meet again, my darlin' Ghoul Girl."
The seconds ticked away as Chloe stood and silently stared at where her former nemesis had been standing and Shawn simply stood watching Chloe with an inner sense of fascination. He knew that he would never genuinely understand the odd relationship between Jason and Chloe - and, that was probably for the best. However, Shawn was truly awed by Chloe's innate sense of endurance and perseverance. She had endured more pain than most people could even imagine. Yet, she never failed to pick herself up off the ground.
It was because of Chloe's inherent strength that Shawn so greatly admired her. Quite often, he had found himself almost envious of her deep rooted survival instincts.
Chloe Lane was strong, intelligent, witty, and above all else, she was alone in a world that had abandoned her without a second thought. And, that was something with which Shawn could identify. Yet, there was one other aspect of Chloe that Shawn would never fail to note . . . she was his friend no matter what he did or where he went.
Approaching the broken hearted beauty, Shawn softly said, "I used to think that I was going to grab life by horns and live like there was no tomorrow. I remember after graduation, I would have sworn that within five years I'd have conquered the world - or at least seen a good part of it and made some great memories."
Chloe offered Shawn her best attempt at a smile and replied, "Yeah, I think we were all thinking something like that. Me, you, Philip, Belle, Mimi, Jason, and even Jan. We all thought that our lives were only beginning once we left Salem High and met the real world. I don't think any of us imagined what would really be meeting us or how easily we would just lose track of who we were."
"Maybe," Shawn slowly replied as his warm brown eyes became clouded with both regret and possible hope. "But, we're acting like this is the end of the world, Chloe. It's not. Fine, we got off track, so why don't we just get as far away from this town as we can."
"And, finally live life . . . never looking back," Chloe stated as Jason's words echoed throughout the recesses of her mind.
Looking not at Chloe but almost into her, Shawn quietly responded, "Exactly. There's nothing holding us here, Chloe. At least, not any more."
Her pain subsiding and the smallest flame of hope igniting, Chloe hesitantly questioned, "What are you saying, Shawn?"
"I'm saying that I want to leave Salem tonight - and I want you to come with me. Let's just get on my motorcycle and drive until we're so lost no one here can find us. Then, we'll spend as long as we need finding ourselves and deciding where our dreams are going to lead us. What do you say, Chloe?"
Shawn would have sworn that time truly froze as a light rain began to fall and Chloe lowered her head as though in prayer. Then, she looked back up at him with misty eyes and something that he had not seen in quite some time - a genuine smile. "I say let's get a move on."
There was no need nor want for words as Shawn silently led Chloe up the stairs that led to the parking area. Reaching his motorcycle, Shawn took a deep breath as he and then Chloe got on. He knew that the only thing waiting for him now was his future.
Leaving behind their regrets and saddened memories, the couple sped out of the parking lot and seemingly disappeared into the rain and fog. Left behind was the misery and sorrow and ahead was a beautiful uncertainty that hinted at opportunity.
~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~
Philip watched the falling rain with a childlike fascination. Though it emerged from the intimidating dark night, the rain fell with such grace upon the city and silently promised to wash away all the wrong. Or, at least, that is what Philip wished the rain shower could do.
By late evening, radio reports had finally dimmed the spotlight that had been cast upon the murder of Jan Spears. It seemed that the police were ruling the unfortunate incident a break-in gone bad - but Philip knew better. In fact, he knew exactly who had freed the world of Jan, but he'd rather die than ever reveal his own wife to be the murderer.
Philip failed to understand why exactly Belle had ended Jan's life, and he realized that he would probably never know. After all, he couldn't exactly approach his wife, inform her that he knew she killed Jan, and then demand an explanation . . . especially since Philip had been the one to sneak into the house, cut off the power, and arrange for it to appear like a common thief had attempted to rob the house but been interrupted.
Releasing a sigh that sounded like that of a man much further along in years, Philip rubbed his sleep-deprived eyes and recalled returning to Jan's house to make the vixen pay. However, when Philip arrived, Belle was hysterically fleeing the home. In her agitated state, she failed to notice her husband lurking in the nearby bushes.
After sneaking into the home, Philip had discovered Jan's lifeless body - and the emerald necklace he had given Belle for their anniversary. Immediately, Philip Kiriakis did as his father would do, he took action and cleaned up the mess.
Turning away from the night and all that it held, Philip said to himself, "I love you, Belle. Maybe not enough to let you go, but I do love you. And, I'll always protect you and make you as happy as I can - no matter what."
~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~ * * ~
The light rain slowly transformed itself into a mere drizzle, but the fog refused to fade away so easily. Like the grip of death, it held onto the city with a vengeance.
On the deserted street corner just outside the very same apartment building Philip resided in, stood a forlorn street lamp that shed its dim yellow glow on an equally forlorn man.
Fourteen stories below Brady and Mimi's penthouse balcony, Jason Masters stood under the street light and glared up at the window he knew belonged to his Mimi and the man who so insistently kept them apart.
Staring upwards through the drizzle with eyes void of any logical emotion, Jason allowed Brady's words to echo through his mind. "What? Going to have some happy life together? . . . . Over my dead body."
Jason discreetly pulled the cold revolver from his pocket and simply stated, "So be it."
THE END
