CHAPTER 13: Afraid
"Did I just hear a scream?" Adam asked, from outside.
"I thought I did too." Chris added. "You don't think it was..."
Jeff's eyes widened and he quickly turned and ran into the hotel. Everyone quickly followed behind. Jeff ran to Adam, Jay, and Chris's room and gasped at what he saw. "Nic." Was all he managed. He walked to the bed and looked at her.
She squinted. "Jeff?" She questioned, holding her eye. Jeff nodded and pulled her hand from her face. He could see the red mark on her face already turning into a bruise.
"What the hell happened?" Shane asked from behind Jeff.
Nicole sat up slowly. "He was here." She said quietly.
"The guy... the one..." Amy tried to finish her sentence but couldn't. Nicole just nodded.
"The same one who... who raped you?" Matt asked. Nicole slowly nodded, tears coming to her eyes again. She looked up at Jeff, who was looking at the floor.
"Jeff, I'm so sorry!" Nicole blurted out. Jeff looked up, shocked.
"You're what?"
"I'm sorry. This is all my fault and you probably hate me!" She exclaimed, holding her head in her hands.
"Babygirl, I could never blame you." Jeff replied, hugging her. "Why would you even think that?"
Nicole thought back to what the stalker had said. "Do you ever wonder why he 'loves you'? He feels bad for you, he was there when your parents and Gabby were killed. He only felt bad. He doesn't love you. I love you. I always have." She shuddered.
"What's wrong?" Jeff cautiously asked. Nicole looked at him and smiled.
"Nothing, I'm fine." She lied. "I just want to go home and rest." She said, standing up. As she stood, she again felt dizzy. Jeff quickly caught her.
"Nic, why does that keep happening?" Nicole looked at Jeff.
"I...I don't know. Whenever I go to stand, I always get dizzy. It's weird." She answered truthfully.
"We should get you to a doctor to be checked out, for you know everything." Shannon spoke up.
Nicole shook her head. "No, I'm not going. I can't."
"Why Nic, you need to go make sure you're okay." Jay explained.
"I can't." Nicole repeated.
"Please babygirl, I'll stay with you if you want." Jeff offered. Nicole looked at him and sighed.
"Fine, I'll go. But, not today. Please I want to go home and go to sleep." Nicole pleaded.
"Okay girl, let's go." Amy said, walking with her. They all got in their cars and drove to the house.
Nicole walked upstairs and went to her and Jeff's room. She froze when she saw the axe marks again. Jeff walked up and saw her standing in front of the door, not moving at all. "Come on babygirl, come with me." He said, leading her into the guestroom.
"Thanks." She whispered, lying on the bed. Jeff sat down next to her. He kissed her on the cheek, and felt her tighten up as he did so. He pulled back and saw how bad she felt for being afraid.
"It's okay, Nickie." He soothed, stroking her hair. She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. Jeff sat, watching her for awhile. He too, was tired, so he climbed into the bed next to her. He wrapped an arm around Nicole's waist and fell asleep.
Within minutes, Nicole woke up, screaming. Jeff jumped, unaware of what was wrong. Nicole squirmed out of his grasp and got off the bed.
"What's the matter, babygirl?" He asked, rubbing his eyes. Nicole stood, trying to catch her breath. She leaned on the nightstand, taking deep breaths.
"I...I... you scared me." She finally gasped out. Jeff quickly got up and went to her. He'd scared her again. That was twice.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to, I was just tired." He apologized, hugging her. She let him hug her, but didn't hug back. Jeff noticed and he pulled away. "Are you okay now?" He wearily asked.
"Yeah, I just when I woke up and you had your around me, I just got scared. I'm so sorry Jeff." Nicole looked at the floor.
Jeff lifted her chin and wiped the tears that were falling from her eyes. "No need to apologize. I understand and I'm sorry I scared you. I'll just go downstairs."
"No Jeff, please don't leave me alone. I'm... scared." Nicole admitted. Jeff nodded and led her to the bed. He laid her down and covered her up. He sat on the bed next to her. He held her hand until she fell asleep.
When she was sleeping, Jeff got up. He went to leave the room when he saw something on the floor next to the bed. He cautiously picked it up and looked at it. This one was different then the others. This one was addressed to him.
Jeff,
Man, do you not get it? She will be mine. You think you can really help her deal with this rape. She's afraid of you touching her. Soon she wont be able to handle being so scared of the man she loves and she'll leave. And when she leaves, she'll come to me. I'll get what I've always wanted: to get Nicole and finally beat you. It's just a matter of time, just a matter of time. Til' then, take care of her for me.... Me
Jeff ripped the note up and looked over at Nicole, sleeping so peacefully. He couldn't help but wonder... Is he right?
A/N: ??? You like? I hope you do, cuz I try my hardest on these chapz. I know I haven't updated in a while, this should make some people very happy! LOL, you know who you are. As alwayz R&R pleeze! :)Nicole***
