Omega Web: Riddle of the Flesh by JayVitolo
Disclaimer: I don't own the rights, just borrowing the characters.
Notes: Sorry for the dramatic cliffhanger of the last chapter, I really didn't mean that chapter to end that way. I was going to write more, but after reading the ending, I decided it would ruin the picture. It was a tough decision, but I decided to end with the depressing note instead of a cheerful ending, since the last paragraphs dealt with Jarod being tortured. Anyway, have fun with this chapter.
Additional: I want to thank the creators of Profiler. The character of Daniel St. Brolier is VERY loosely based on the Profiler character "Jack of all Trades." Without this "psycho-stalker", I would have never had a basis for Daniel. Once again, thank you. Even thought he chances are extremely small the creators are reading this . . .
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The haunting image of Jarod's lifeless face refuses to leave Miss Parker's mind. The calm expression showed he was at peace, but for some reason, Parker wanted to believe differently. Maybe it was the hope that Jarod was thinking of her when it happened, but that would be a selfish wish. The gunshot keeps echoing in her thoughts. How could she have missed it? Her voice has now taken the place of the gun. "Don't leave me Jarod. Please, come back." The words haunt her. They sound so selfish now. As if Jarod had a choice over what happened.
She jerks awake as the gunshot replays, only louder this time; sounding as if somebody slammed a book in a quiet library, she didn't expect it. Parker looks to her left, expecting to see Jarod sleeping there; she shudders out of fear when she realizes it wasn't a dream. He really was shot and he really is in the hospital. She sits against the headboard of her bed and draws her knees close, quietly sobbing at the realization. He may not live to see her again, and his last words to her were 'Answer him Marie.' The smile haunts her as the words stab at her heart.
Her ringing phone brings Marie back to reality. Maybe Jarod woke up and decided to call her. She quickly answers it. "Jarod!"
"Guess again." The voice is haunting, but not for a good reason.
"Daniel." The words barely escape her mouth, barely getting through the clenched teeth.
"Did poor Jarod fall down and go boom?" He chuckles at the comment, enjoying his moment with his prey; known as Marie Parker.
"Listen you twisted son of a bitch, I will track you down. And I will make you pay for what you did." She's pointing at the phone as if Daniel can see her threatening gestures, not realizes it is just a phone and not a camera.
"Well then, I better not leave any clues." He exhales deeply into the phone receiver. "Like Jarod used to."
"Leave him alone. You've already caused enough harm."
"Don't worry. According to my calculations, he won't be on this plane much longer."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"You'll realizes the answers soon enough."
"You're worse than Jarod ever was." Parker sighs out of frustration. This man's games are getting a little annoying.
A chuckle is heard on the other line. "But there is one major difference between me and Jarod."
"Oh yeah? What's that?" She already regrets the question, wishing she could take it back.
"I'm still moving, and he's lying in a hospital bed."
"I'm going to kill you. Next time I see you, you're a dead man." Her response is so cold it scares her; Parker never thought she was capable of such hatred.
"I'll see you soon, sweet cheeks." Daniel whispers into the phone before he hangs up.
Marie just looks at the phone receiver in her hand with intense hatred. She hurls it across the room and watches it shatter against the far wall. "I swear, you're a dead man Daniel." She sighs as the words echo in her head. "One way or another."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Sydney, get Broots. Meet me at the Holy Mercy Hospital." Miss Parker's voice is booming on the other end of the short phone conversation.
Sydney's home phone didn't even ring twice. Once and done. Sydney stares out his kitchen window at the rain sliding down the outside of the windows. There is no wind, no thunder, just lightning and the rain. He can feel the same emotions in Parker's voice. No attitude, no anger, just insight and sadness. The same way she was when he mother died all those years ago. Parker needs his help now more than ever.
"Alright Parker, just don't do anything stupid."
A slight chuckle is heard on the other line. "You know me too well, doc."
The phone shuts off and greets Sydney's ear with the melody of the dial tone. Sydney slowly puts his phone back on the hook as the lightning begins to stop, but the rain continues as strong as ever. With a silent sigh, the older man grabs his coat and car keys, heading out his door to the technician's house. Sydney hopes that Marie will not do anything too drastic and that Daniel will not be there, or Jarod may not be the only one laying in a hospital bed. He quickens his pace to the car as that thought lingers in the back of his mind.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Marie Parker is the first of the three to arrive at the Holy Mercy Hospital, and decides to not wait outside, but rather sit in the waiting room. She looks to her left to see a man smoking what looks to be a cigar, other men have gathered around him. She sees they seem to be encouraging him, but for some unknown reason. A nurse, she looks to be no older that 21, walks over to the group of men and whispers something into the smoker's ear, causing his face to brighten. He jumps to his feet with a look of pure joy.
"I'm going to be a father!" His eyes start to well with tears as he repeats the phrase to himself.
A smile breaks onto Parker's lips as she realizes that such small things have a tremendous impact. Then she remembers why she is here, the man she loves is lying in a bed somewhere in this place. The man she compared all the others to, the one she used as the mold. Compared to him, the others were nothing, all of them except Thomas. He only met Jarod for a limited time, but some of Jarod must have rubbed off. Both Jarod and Tommy knew how to make her feel special, like she was the only thing that mattered in the world. She always felt like nothing bad could ever happen, but something always did. Why is fate such a cruel bitch?
The grin returns at that thought. Here she is, the one person known as the 'Ice Queen' calling fate a bitch. Only a few would get that, and the one that mattered may not ever see her again. Marie buries her face in her hands as tears start to reform. "Oh, Jarod. I need you."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
After a half hour of waiting, Parker realizes that Sydney and Broots are not going to show up. She begins to wonder why, but the thought is quickly banished from her mind as she looks at the receptionist. Slowly ad carefully, Marie leaves the seat she was in and walks to the small glass window encasing the receptionist. Carefully tapping the glass, Parker gets the other woman's attention.
"May I help you Miss?"
Parker tries to smile, but it's no use. "Yes. I have a friend in here, and I would like to see him."
"Okay, just one moment." The woman looks to the computer screen on her left but then back at Parker. "What's his name, please?"
"Uh, he would most likely be admitted under 'John Doe', he never liked to carry identification."
"I see." The clicking of keys can be heard as well as a sigh. "I'm sorry, there is nobody here under that name."
A look of confusion passes over Marie's face as the nurse turns the screen to face her. "Are you sure?"
"Yes I am. We did have a John Doe, but he was identified by his brother."
"His brother?" Jarod's only brothers are either dead or missing. Kyle was killed years ago and they both lost track of Ethan. Who is this 'brother'?
"Yes. A man named Daniel something."
"Brolier."
"Yes, that's his name." The nurse looks at Parker with a stare of mistrust. "How did you know?"
A smile creeps across Parker's lips as she speaks again. "Daniel is an old family friend. What room is his brother in?"
The nurse keeps her eyes locked on Miss Parker as the next question passes through. "What's his name?"
"Jarod St. Brolier."
"He's in room 265. Intensive Care wing, right behind this office."
"Thank you." A forced smile passes through Parker's face as he nods to the receptionist.
Miss Parker turns her back and walks away from the other woman and down the hallways of the Intensive Care wing. She makes mental notes of how similar this wing is to the hallways of the sublevels in the Centre, cold and very minimal lighting. Must be for the safety of the patients, the bright lights might scare them.
"Room 265. I'm here Jarod." She whispers to herself as the door opens.
The image of Jarod hooked up to every machine known to the medical world is enough to send a chill down her spine. Wires and tubes come out of every hole in Jarod's body and torso, even some places where Parker didn't know Jarod had holes. Beeps and whispered ventilations noises accompany the soft symphony music, forming their own twisted mantra. Parker barely makes it to Jarod's side before she collapses to her knees. The twisted music is too much as her sobbing joins the already morbid mantra in the room.
She looks at the man lying above her as tears flow down her cheek. "Look at you, Jarod. Some genius, pretend your way out of this." She tries to smile, but nothing happens. Not even a faint attempt. The tears don't even stop.
"Don't leave me alone Jarod." The beeping seems to follow the rhythm of her tears; a slight smile tugs at the corner of Jarod's cheeks.
"Please don't die." The beeping slows as Parker grabs Jarod's arm.
A long drawn out beep echoes though the room as the symphony ends their piece. A lone violin draws the final note as a crew of nurses and doctors poor into the small room, pulling Parker to the side as they work on Jarod. A nurse forces Parker into the hallway as the doors slam shut, but Parker can still hear the drawn out note of the heart meter.
She slowly slides down the wall of the hallway as the tears continue to fall. The door slowly opens as a doctor walks out with a solemn expression. He steps in front of Parker and quietly kneels next to her.
"We did all that could be done."
All the doctor had to say was 'done.' No other words before it mattered, just that solemn phrase.
"I'm sorry. If it is any consolation, I believe he died a happy man."
The one doctor returns to his feet as the rest of his crew wheel the hospital bed into the hallway. Parker looks up at it to see a body covered with a white sheet, the last time she'll get to see Jarod. Why does fate always treat her like this? The one moment she becomes happy, returns to her childhood, fate steps in. Why? What did she do wrong?
"Jarod." The emotions come flooding back. She sits in the hallway alone, once again, and silently cries herself back to reality. She was alone, and this was her fate. To stay alone.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
She quietly walks to her car as another vehicle pulls up beside her. The window slowly rolls down as the man on the other side looks up.
"Parker." Sydney's voice beckons her.
"Not now Syd." Miss Parker pulls her coat tightly around her. She just wants to be alone.
"Miss P? What happened?" Broots looks at her from the passenger side of the small car.
"Jarod. Jarod's what happened."
"What do you mean?" Sydney's voice has an inquisitive tone.
"HE DIED." Parker finally snaps; she can't take this anymore. Why can't they just leave her alone? She doesn't want to talk.
Silence fills the air as Parker runs her hands though her hair. She silently looks to the ground as Broots stares out the car window towards the hospital. Sydney's gaze doesn't leave Parker; she must be taking it hard.
"I never really thanked him." Broots is the first to break the silence.
Broots' words bring a small smile to Parker's face as she quietly breathes. "There's a lot of things we didn't get to say to him."
"And now it's too late." Sydney's eyes fall to the ground as he begins to roll the window up.
"No Sydney, you're wrong."
The window stops at the halfway point as Sydney looks back at Miss Parker. "What are you getting at?"
"Now it's time to make Daniel pay." Parker's voice is full of emotion; anger, torment, and sadness. This is a vow she intends to keep, until her death.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
That was a week ago, and now Miss Parker is nursing a glass of scotch in front of her fireplace. The red and orange flames dance across the bricks and cast eerie shadows throughout the room. All Marie is focused on is the flame, not the shadows hovering around her, just the only light in the room and it, somehow, reminds her of Jarod. Throughout the darkness in her life, he always had shown through. He was her beacon of light, her signal from the lighthouse. Always warned her of danger and always served as the direction she must go.
Now that light has been extinguished. She throws her scotch glass into the leaping flames, giving them one final leap before their precious air is smothered out. The crackling of the flames is replaced by a more human emotion, the sound of tears and heavy sobs. She doesn't hear the phone ring.
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Sydney slowly places his office phone back onto the receiver as he turns to look out his office window. Such a view, so peaceful outside. His mind slowly drifts back to thoughts of Miss Parker. She seems to be taking Jarod's death hard, harder than he is. If he was only able to open her open, get her to talk about the pain. He should take his own advice. Life doesn't seem the same without the phone calls of his "child."
The ringing phone brings him back to reality. He picks it up expecting Jarod, but the voice is one he is not familiar with.
"Jarod?" The psychiatrist hopes and prays.
"Isn't he dead?" The voice almost enjoys saying that.
"Who are you?"
Papers can be heard rustling. A laugh can be heard as the other person finds what he was looking for. "I knew it. He IS dead."
"Who the hell are you?" Sydney is starting to get annoyed with this person.
"Patience Sydney. I thought psychiatrists would be more relaxed." A faint chuckle can be heard as the other man prepares to speak again. "My name is Daniel. Daniel St. Brolier."
"You're the one that shot Jarod."
"Please Sydney. I prefer to think of it as the one who KILLED Jarod."
Sydney falls silent. He has nothing to say, nothing that could be said anyway.
"What's the matter Sydney, cat got your tongue?" Daniel waits for a few seconds and then continues. "Good to hear. Tell Marie Parker her father is next on my list. Her phone doesn't seem to be working."
Sydney is finally able to speak again, but Daniel has already hung up his phone. The dial tone taunts the older man before he hangs up the phone. He runs his hands through his white hair before picking the phone up again and dialing Parker's cell phone. "Pick up Parker. Pick up."
"What?" Parker's voice is almost a whisper. She's either drunk, or just stopped crying. Sydney can't tell.
"Parker, listen carefully. Daniel just called me. You're father's life may be in danger, get to Maine as soon as possible." Sydney didn't take the time to breath and towards the end, it could be noticed.
That brought Miss Parker back to reality. "What? That sick asshole is going to kill Ben Miller?"
"Not if you get there first."
"I'm not going to Maine, Sydney."
"But your father may be killed if you don't."
"Not if I get to Daniel before he leaves. Your phone is still hooked up to the Centre's mainframe. Have Broots check the phone logs for the number and address."
The idea hits him. "Of course, the tracking program Broots installed years ago. Consider it done, I'll contact you with the address."
"Thank you Syd." She goes to hang up the phone, but Sydney manages to get the last word in.
"Be careful Parker." A sigh can be heard from Miss Parker, but the conversation ends.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Daniel slowly waltzes around his room as an orchestra plays in the background. He stops in front of a picture of a smiling Marie Parker and pulls it off the wall. He turns to the mirror beside him holding the picture next to his head. He smiles before turning to kiss it and then looks back into the mirror.
"We make such a perfect couple Marie." He breathes a heavy sigh. "It is destiny that we come together."
As the orchestra hits the climax of the piece, he continues to waltz, this time as if he is holding somebody. The picture slowly flutters to the floor as the piece winds to a close. Daniel acts as if he just dipped his partner, pulling her back up and places a tender, passionate kiss onto her invisible lips. As he pulls the figure close, the music screeches to a halt drawing his attention to the record player and the dark shadow standing there.
"Who the hell are you? That record is a masterpiece. How dare you ruin that song."
The shadow starts to walk towards him, but Daniel stands his ground. The figure steps into a partial light, revealing a face Daniel thought he'd never see again. "You don't remember me? You only shot me in the back, Daniel."
"Ja, Jarod?" Daniel's voice shows how confused he is. He shot Jarod, watched him fall.
"I don't know who I am, but I do know you failed to kill me." Jarod's voice seethes with anger, contradicting his calm expression.
"You don't understand. I didn't kill you." Daniels slowly looks around at the pictures on his walls. He looks to the floor and sees the picture of Marie laying face up, smiling at him. He scoops it up and quickly thinks of a lie.
"She did it. This woman is the one that tried to kill you." With his hands shaking, Daniel gives the picture to Jarod.
"Who is this?" Jarod's face slowly twists into a look of confusion.
"Her name is Marie Parker. She was employee by a place called the Centre to kill you." He sighs as the lie becomes more crafted in his mind. "She shot you and left you for dead by an old glass plant. I found you and took you to a hospital, they said you died."
"Why would this 'Centre' want me dead?"
"You found out about the research they do and planned to turn in the evidence."
"What kind of research does this place do?"
Daniel smiles as he realizes Jarod has no memory of the past. "They steal children from families and force them to solve problems. These solutions are then sold to terrorists for money."
Jarod looks at the picture in his hands. "And this woman is trying to kill me?"
"Yes."
Jarod looks up to Daniel as his face reverts to a look of anger as he rips the picture in half. "Then I will have to kill her first." The two halves of the picture fall to the ground as Daniel smiles.
"Excellent." Daniel quickly grabs Jarod in a brotherly hug before turning the music back on. He turns back to Jarod as the grin widens. "I have a feeling she knows where this place is. When she comes here, you kill her. Use any means necessary. And remember, it's for the children."
Jarod slowly nods as Daniel leaves the room with the music still playing. Jarod walks around the room looking at all of the pictures, noting the amount that is of the woman. She looks so happy. Why would she kill him? He then sees a picture of that sends a chill down his spine. This Parker woman is sitting with him in a restaurant. The one next to it has a scratched out face next to the same woman, but the one next to it is even worse. The two of them slept together. Why can't he remember any of this?
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Parker's cellphone rings just as she finishes her glass of scotch. Without a second's hesitation, she scoops it up and presses the answer button. "Speak to me Sydney."
"Um, uh. This is Broots." The technician is a little worried, she never answers like that. It's usually 'What,' or once in a great while, 'Yes'. She never completes a sentence.
"Okay, then speak Broots."
"I traced Daniel's phone line." Keys can be heard clicking as Broots brings up the address.
"And?"
"You won't believe where his residence is." Broots' voice is becoming shaky.
"Stop the games Broots. Give me the address."
"8891 Industrial Drive."
"What's so hard to believe about that?"
"Look out your kitchen window."
Parker obeys and looks out her kitchen window. "This better not be a game Broots."
"No game. You see that building sitting on the hill."
"Yeah, I used to watch the neighborhood boys play up there." She looks away from the window and grabs his phone tightly. "Does this have a point? Aside from memory lane."
"Um, yeah. It does."
"Well spit it out already." The Ice Queen has returned; only this time the 'bitch-factor' has increased.
Broots clears his throat before trying to speak again. "Well, that's 8891 Industrial Drive."
"You're kidding me."
"Nope. Believe me, I wish I was."
Marie shuts her phone off as she heads out the back door of her house, heading towards the building.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Parker is standing outside one of the big metal doors as she makes sure her gun is loaded. After a couple of deep breathes, she kicks the door in and sweeps the room. After she is sure there are no other people, she proceeds in and heads down a dark hallway. Marie can hear a soft classical piece playing behind the door at the far end of the hall and she heads towards it, deciding that is where Daniel is. She looks in the small window in the door and notices nobody is there, but bursts into the room anyway. What she sees next makes her stop cold.
"Oh, my god." She slowly turns around the room and notices all of the pictures covering every piece of every wall.
Parker walks up to one of the walls and pulls a picture off, but she drops it to the floor upon noticing the eyes are burned out. She takes a second picture off the wall and notices her head is repeatedly circled while Jarod's is scratched out. Just seeing his figure brings the pain back. It doesn't last long as she notices a revolting picture, one of her and Jarod sleeping together. Only Jarod's head is replaced by a picture of Daniel's. She rips the picture in half and throws it to the ground. Then she hears a click.
Marie spins on her heels with the gun drawn, pointing in the direction of the noise. "Come on out Daniel. It's time we finish this twisted game."
She notices the figure is not stepping out of the shadows and pulls the hammer back on her gun. "What, are you deaf? Get your ass out here now."
"So you've finally come to finish the job." The man steps out of the shadows, but it isn't Daniel. Jarod's face is etched with anger as he points a gun at her.
"Jarod?" Parker can't believe her eyes. "But, I, I, saw you die."
"No. You LEFT me for dead." Pain reflects in Jarod's eyes as his emotions take over. "You shot me. Then you left me for dead. Why?"
Marie can't believe what she is hearing. The love of her life is alive, but he blames her for the gunshot.
"Tell me why." Jarod walks closer to Miss Parker, but keeps the gun pointed at her head. "Tell me why you're trying to kill me. What does the 'Centre' want with me?"
Parker shakes her head in disbelief. Jarod is now living in the past, he's completely forgotten about what they did to the Centre. "Jarod, the Centre is dead."
"LIES!" Jarod yells at the top of his lungs, causing Parker to jump backwards. Jarod places both hands on the gun as if he is preparing to shoot her. "Tell me the truth. Or I will kill you."
"Jarod, put the gun down." Marie is genuinely scared for her life right now. She realizes Jarod knows nothing of his past, which means he may be more violent now than ever before.
"First you tell me the truth."
She raises her own gun and points it at Jarod. "Either you put the gun down, or I'll make you put it down."
A harsh chuckle leaves Jarod. "You shot me, you die too."
"It's a small price to pay. Just put it down."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Daniel is watching the two former lovers face off, from the safety of a room with a one-way mirror. He can't believe his luck, killing two birds has never been easier. All he has to do now is make sure the survivor dies, which is why he has a shotgun sitting next to him. He carefully picks the loaded gun up and rubs the cold metal, smiling as he looks over it. His attention goes back to Marie and Jarod as he inhales deeply.
"This is too good to be true." He chuckles as both Parker and Jarod are pointing guns at each other. "Who's going to flinch first?"
Daniel sighs as he leans back in his chair, sipping a can of beer.
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TBC Read and Rate . . . please?
Disclaimer: I don't own the rights, just borrowing the characters.
Notes: Sorry for the dramatic cliffhanger of the last chapter, I really didn't mean that chapter to end that way. I was going to write more, but after reading the ending, I decided it would ruin the picture. It was a tough decision, but I decided to end with the depressing note instead of a cheerful ending, since the last paragraphs dealt with Jarod being tortured. Anyway, have fun with this chapter.
Additional: I want to thank the creators of Profiler. The character of Daniel St. Brolier is VERY loosely based on the Profiler character "Jack of all Trades." Without this "psycho-stalker", I would have never had a basis for Daniel. Once again, thank you. Even thought he chances are extremely small the creators are reading this . . .
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The haunting image of Jarod's lifeless face refuses to leave Miss Parker's mind. The calm expression showed he was at peace, but for some reason, Parker wanted to believe differently. Maybe it was the hope that Jarod was thinking of her when it happened, but that would be a selfish wish. The gunshot keeps echoing in her thoughts. How could she have missed it? Her voice has now taken the place of the gun. "Don't leave me Jarod. Please, come back." The words haunt her. They sound so selfish now. As if Jarod had a choice over what happened.
She jerks awake as the gunshot replays, only louder this time; sounding as if somebody slammed a book in a quiet library, she didn't expect it. Parker looks to her left, expecting to see Jarod sleeping there; she shudders out of fear when she realizes it wasn't a dream. He really was shot and he really is in the hospital. She sits against the headboard of her bed and draws her knees close, quietly sobbing at the realization. He may not live to see her again, and his last words to her were 'Answer him Marie.' The smile haunts her as the words stab at her heart.
Her ringing phone brings Marie back to reality. Maybe Jarod woke up and decided to call her. She quickly answers it. "Jarod!"
"Guess again." The voice is haunting, but not for a good reason.
"Daniel." The words barely escape her mouth, barely getting through the clenched teeth.
"Did poor Jarod fall down and go boom?" He chuckles at the comment, enjoying his moment with his prey; known as Marie Parker.
"Listen you twisted son of a bitch, I will track you down. And I will make you pay for what you did." She's pointing at the phone as if Daniel can see her threatening gestures, not realizes it is just a phone and not a camera.
"Well then, I better not leave any clues." He exhales deeply into the phone receiver. "Like Jarod used to."
"Leave him alone. You've already caused enough harm."
"Don't worry. According to my calculations, he won't be on this plane much longer."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"You'll realizes the answers soon enough."
"You're worse than Jarod ever was." Parker sighs out of frustration. This man's games are getting a little annoying.
A chuckle is heard on the other line. "But there is one major difference between me and Jarod."
"Oh yeah? What's that?" She already regrets the question, wishing she could take it back.
"I'm still moving, and he's lying in a hospital bed."
"I'm going to kill you. Next time I see you, you're a dead man." Her response is so cold it scares her; Parker never thought she was capable of such hatred.
"I'll see you soon, sweet cheeks." Daniel whispers into the phone before he hangs up.
Marie just looks at the phone receiver in her hand with intense hatred. She hurls it across the room and watches it shatter against the far wall. "I swear, you're a dead man Daniel." She sighs as the words echo in her head. "One way or another."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Sydney, get Broots. Meet me at the Holy Mercy Hospital." Miss Parker's voice is booming on the other end of the short phone conversation.
Sydney's home phone didn't even ring twice. Once and done. Sydney stares out his kitchen window at the rain sliding down the outside of the windows. There is no wind, no thunder, just lightning and the rain. He can feel the same emotions in Parker's voice. No attitude, no anger, just insight and sadness. The same way she was when he mother died all those years ago. Parker needs his help now more than ever.
"Alright Parker, just don't do anything stupid."
A slight chuckle is heard on the other line. "You know me too well, doc."
The phone shuts off and greets Sydney's ear with the melody of the dial tone. Sydney slowly puts his phone back on the hook as the lightning begins to stop, but the rain continues as strong as ever. With a silent sigh, the older man grabs his coat and car keys, heading out his door to the technician's house. Sydney hopes that Marie will not do anything too drastic and that Daniel will not be there, or Jarod may not be the only one laying in a hospital bed. He quickens his pace to the car as that thought lingers in the back of his mind.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Marie Parker is the first of the three to arrive at the Holy Mercy Hospital, and decides to not wait outside, but rather sit in the waiting room. She looks to her left to see a man smoking what looks to be a cigar, other men have gathered around him. She sees they seem to be encouraging him, but for some unknown reason. A nurse, she looks to be no older that 21, walks over to the group of men and whispers something into the smoker's ear, causing his face to brighten. He jumps to his feet with a look of pure joy.
"I'm going to be a father!" His eyes start to well with tears as he repeats the phrase to himself.
A smile breaks onto Parker's lips as she realizes that such small things have a tremendous impact. Then she remembers why she is here, the man she loves is lying in a bed somewhere in this place. The man she compared all the others to, the one she used as the mold. Compared to him, the others were nothing, all of them except Thomas. He only met Jarod for a limited time, but some of Jarod must have rubbed off. Both Jarod and Tommy knew how to make her feel special, like she was the only thing that mattered in the world. She always felt like nothing bad could ever happen, but something always did. Why is fate such a cruel bitch?
The grin returns at that thought. Here she is, the one person known as the 'Ice Queen' calling fate a bitch. Only a few would get that, and the one that mattered may not ever see her again. Marie buries her face in her hands as tears start to reform. "Oh, Jarod. I need you."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
After a half hour of waiting, Parker realizes that Sydney and Broots are not going to show up. She begins to wonder why, but the thought is quickly banished from her mind as she looks at the receptionist. Slowly ad carefully, Marie leaves the seat she was in and walks to the small glass window encasing the receptionist. Carefully tapping the glass, Parker gets the other woman's attention.
"May I help you Miss?"
Parker tries to smile, but it's no use. "Yes. I have a friend in here, and I would like to see him."
"Okay, just one moment." The woman looks to the computer screen on her left but then back at Parker. "What's his name, please?"
"Uh, he would most likely be admitted under 'John Doe', he never liked to carry identification."
"I see." The clicking of keys can be heard as well as a sigh. "I'm sorry, there is nobody here under that name."
A look of confusion passes over Marie's face as the nurse turns the screen to face her. "Are you sure?"
"Yes I am. We did have a John Doe, but he was identified by his brother."
"His brother?" Jarod's only brothers are either dead or missing. Kyle was killed years ago and they both lost track of Ethan. Who is this 'brother'?
"Yes. A man named Daniel something."
"Brolier."
"Yes, that's his name." The nurse looks at Parker with a stare of mistrust. "How did you know?"
A smile creeps across Parker's lips as she speaks again. "Daniel is an old family friend. What room is his brother in?"
The nurse keeps her eyes locked on Miss Parker as the next question passes through. "What's his name?"
"Jarod St. Brolier."
"He's in room 265. Intensive Care wing, right behind this office."
"Thank you." A forced smile passes through Parker's face as he nods to the receptionist.
Miss Parker turns her back and walks away from the other woman and down the hallways of the Intensive Care wing. She makes mental notes of how similar this wing is to the hallways of the sublevels in the Centre, cold and very minimal lighting. Must be for the safety of the patients, the bright lights might scare them.
"Room 265. I'm here Jarod." She whispers to herself as the door opens.
The image of Jarod hooked up to every machine known to the medical world is enough to send a chill down her spine. Wires and tubes come out of every hole in Jarod's body and torso, even some places where Parker didn't know Jarod had holes. Beeps and whispered ventilations noises accompany the soft symphony music, forming their own twisted mantra. Parker barely makes it to Jarod's side before she collapses to her knees. The twisted music is too much as her sobbing joins the already morbid mantra in the room.
She looks at the man lying above her as tears flow down her cheek. "Look at you, Jarod. Some genius, pretend your way out of this." She tries to smile, but nothing happens. Not even a faint attempt. The tears don't even stop.
"Don't leave me alone Jarod." The beeping seems to follow the rhythm of her tears; a slight smile tugs at the corner of Jarod's cheeks.
"Please don't die." The beeping slows as Parker grabs Jarod's arm.
A long drawn out beep echoes though the room as the symphony ends their piece. A lone violin draws the final note as a crew of nurses and doctors poor into the small room, pulling Parker to the side as they work on Jarod. A nurse forces Parker into the hallway as the doors slam shut, but Parker can still hear the drawn out note of the heart meter.
She slowly slides down the wall of the hallway as the tears continue to fall. The door slowly opens as a doctor walks out with a solemn expression. He steps in front of Parker and quietly kneels next to her.
"We did all that could be done."
All the doctor had to say was 'done.' No other words before it mattered, just that solemn phrase.
"I'm sorry. If it is any consolation, I believe he died a happy man."
The one doctor returns to his feet as the rest of his crew wheel the hospital bed into the hallway. Parker looks up at it to see a body covered with a white sheet, the last time she'll get to see Jarod. Why does fate always treat her like this? The one moment she becomes happy, returns to her childhood, fate steps in. Why? What did she do wrong?
"Jarod." The emotions come flooding back. She sits in the hallway alone, once again, and silently cries herself back to reality. She was alone, and this was her fate. To stay alone.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
She quietly walks to her car as another vehicle pulls up beside her. The window slowly rolls down as the man on the other side looks up.
"Parker." Sydney's voice beckons her.
"Not now Syd." Miss Parker pulls her coat tightly around her. She just wants to be alone.
"Miss P? What happened?" Broots looks at her from the passenger side of the small car.
"Jarod. Jarod's what happened."
"What do you mean?" Sydney's voice has an inquisitive tone.
"HE DIED." Parker finally snaps; she can't take this anymore. Why can't they just leave her alone? She doesn't want to talk.
Silence fills the air as Parker runs her hands though her hair. She silently looks to the ground as Broots stares out the car window towards the hospital. Sydney's gaze doesn't leave Parker; she must be taking it hard.
"I never really thanked him." Broots is the first to break the silence.
Broots' words bring a small smile to Parker's face as she quietly breathes. "There's a lot of things we didn't get to say to him."
"And now it's too late." Sydney's eyes fall to the ground as he begins to roll the window up.
"No Sydney, you're wrong."
The window stops at the halfway point as Sydney looks back at Miss Parker. "What are you getting at?"
"Now it's time to make Daniel pay." Parker's voice is full of emotion; anger, torment, and sadness. This is a vow she intends to keep, until her death.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
That was a week ago, and now Miss Parker is nursing a glass of scotch in front of her fireplace. The red and orange flames dance across the bricks and cast eerie shadows throughout the room. All Marie is focused on is the flame, not the shadows hovering around her, just the only light in the room and it, somehow, reminds her of Jarod. Throughout the darkness in her life, he always had shown through. He was her beacon of light, her signal from the lighthouse. Always warned her of danger and always served as the direction she must go.
Now that light has been extinguished. She throws her scotch glass into the leaping flames, giving them one final leap before their precious air is smothered out. The crackling of the flames is replaced by a more human emotion, the sound of tears and heavy sobs. She doesn't hear the phone ring.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Sydney slowly places his office phone back onto the receiver as he turns to look out his office window. Such a view, so peaceful outside. His mind slowly drifts back to thoughts of Miss Parker. She seems to be taking Jarod's death hard, harder than he is. If he was only able to open her open, get her to talk about the pain. He should take his own advice. Life doesn't seem the same without the phone calls of his "child."
The ringing phone brings him back to reality. He picks it up expecting Jarod, but the voice is one he is not familiar with.
"Jarod?" The psychiatrist hopes and prays.
"Isn't he dead?" The voice almost enjoys saying that.
"Who are you?"
Papers can be heard rustling. A laugh can be heard as the other person finds what he was looking for. "I knew it. He IS dead."
"Who the hell are you?" Sydney is starting to get annoyed with this person.
"Patience Sydney. I thought psychiatrists would be more relaxed." A faint chuckle can be heard as the other man prepares to speak again. "My name is Daniel. Daniel St. Brolier."
"You're the one that shot Jarod."
"Please Sydney. I prefer to think of it as the one who KILLED Jarod."
Sydney falls silent. He has nothing to say, nothing that could be said anyway.
"What's the matter Sydney, cat got your tongue?" Daniel waits for a few seconds and then continues. "Good to hear. Tell Marie Parker her father is next on my list. Her phone doesn't seem to be working."
Sydney is finally able to speak again, but Daniel has already hung up his phone. The dial tone taunts the older man before he hangs up the phone. He runs his hands through his white hair before picking the phone up again and dialing Parker's cell phone. "Pick up Parker. Pick up."
"What?" Parker's voice is almost a whisper. She's either drunk, or just stopped crying. Sydney can't tell.
"Parker, listen carefully. Daniel just called me. You're father's life may be in danger, get to Maine as soon as possible." Sydney didn't take the time to breath and towards the end, it could be noticed.
That brought Miss Parker back to reality. "What? That sick asshole is going to kill Ben Miller?"
"Not if you get there first."
"I'm not going to Maine, Sydney."
"But your father may be killed if you don't."
"Not if I get to Daniel before he leaves. Your phone is still hooked up to the Centre's mainframe. Have Broots check the phone logs for the number and address."
The idea hits him. "Of course, the tracking program Broots installed years ago. Consider it done, I'll contact you with the address."
"Thank you Syd." She goes to hang up the phone, but Sydney manages to get the last word in.
"Be careful Parker." A sigh can be heard from Miss Parker, but the conversation ends.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Daniel slowly waltzes around his room as an orchestra plays in the background. He stops in front of a picture of a smiling Marie Parker and pulls it off the wall. He turns to the mirror beside him holding the picture next to his head. He smiles before turning to kiss it and then looks back into the mirror.
"We make such a perfect couple Marie." He breathes a heavy sigh. "It is destiny that we come together."
As the orchestra hits the climax of the piece, he continues to waltz, this time as if he is holding somebody. The picture slowly flutters to the floor as the piece winds to a close. Daniel acts as if he just dipped his partner, pulling her back up and places a tender, passionate kiss onto her invisible lips. As he pulls the figure close, the music screeches to a halt drawing his attention to the record player and the dark shadow standing there.
"Who the hell are you? That record is a masterpiece. How dare you ruin that song."
The shadow starts to walk towards him, but Daniel stands his ground. The figure steps into a partial light, revealing a face Daniel thought he'd never see again. "You don't remember me? You only shot me in the back, Daniel."
"Ja, Jarod?" Daniel's voice shows how confused he is. He shot Jarod, watched him fall.
"I don't know who I am, but I do know you failed to kill me." Jarod's voice seethes with anger, contradicting his calm expression.
"You don't understand. I didn't kill you." Daniels slowly looks around at the pictures on his walls. He looks to the floor and sees the picture of Marie laying face up, smiling at him. He scoops it up and quickly thinks of a lie.
"She did it. This woman is the one that tried to kill you." With his hands shaking, Daniel gives the picture to Jarod.
"Who is this?" Jarod's face slowly twists into a look of confusion.
"Her name is Marie Parker. She was employee by a place called the Centre to kill you." He sighs as the lie becomes more crafted in his mind. "She shot you and left you for dead by an old glass plant. I found you and took you to a hospital, they said you died."
"Why would this 'Centre' want me dead?"
"You found out about the research they do and planned to turn in the evidence."
"What kind of research does this place do?"
Daniel smiles as he realizes Jarod has no memory of the past. "They steal children from families and force them to solve problems. These solutions are then sold to terrorists for money."
Jarod looks at the picture in his hands. "And this woman is trying to kill me?"
"Yes."
Jarod looks up to Daniel as his face reverts to a look of anger as he rips the picture in half. "Then I will have to kill her first." The two halves of the picture fall to the ground as Daniel smiles.
"Excellent." Daniel quickly grabs Jarod in a brotherly hug before turning the music back on. He turns back to Jarod as the grin widens. "I have a feeling she knows where this place is. When she comes here, you kill her. Use any means necessary. And remember, it's for the children."
Jarod slowly nods as Daniel leaves the room with the music still playing. Jarod walks around the room looking at all of the pictures, noting the amount that is of the woman. She looks so happy. Why would she kill him? He then sees a picture of that sends a chill down his spine. This Parker woman is sitting with him in a restaurant. The one next to it has a scratched out face next to the same woman, but the one next to it is even worse. The two of them slept together. Why can't he remember any of this?
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Parker's cellphone rings just as she finishes her glass of scotch. Without a second's hesitation, she scoops it up and presses the answer button. "Speak to me Sydney."
"Um, uh. This is Broots." The technician is a little worried, she never answers like that. It's usually 'What,' or once in a great while, 'Yes'. She never completes a sentence.
"Okay, then speak Broots."
"I traced Daniel's phone line." Keys can be heard clicking as Broots brings up the address.
"And?"
"You won't believe where his residence is." Broots' voice is becoming shaky.
"Stop the games Broots. Give me the address."
"8891 Industrial Drive."
"What's so hard to believe about that?"
"Look out your kitchen window."
Parker obeys and looks out her kitchen window. "This better not be a game Broots."
"No game. You see that building sitting on the hill."
"Yeah, I used to watch the neighborhood boys play up there." She looks away from the window and grabs his phone tightly. "Does this have a point? Aside from memory lane."
"Um, yeah. It does."
"Well spit it out already." The Ice Queen has returned; only this time the 'bitch-factor' has increased.
Broots clears his throat before trying to speak again. "Well, that's 8891 Industrial Drive."
"You're kidding me."
"Nope. Believe me, I wish I was."
Marie shuts her phone off as she heads out the back door of her house, heading towards the building.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Parker is standing outside one of the big metal doors as she makes sure her gun is loaded. After a couple of deep breathes, she kicks the door in and sweeps the room. After she is sure there are no other people, she proceeds in and heads down a dark hallway. Marie can hear a soft classical piece playing behind the door at the far end of the hall and she heads towards it, deciding that is where Daniel is. She looks in the small window in the door and notices nobody is there, but bursts into the room anyway. What she sees next makes her stop cold.
"Oh, my god." She slowly turns around the room and notices all of the pictures covering every piece of every wall.
Parker walks up to one of the walls and pulls a picture off, but she drops it to the floor upon noticing the eyes are burned out. She takes a second picture off the wall and notices her head is repeatedly circled while Jarod's is scratched out. Just seeing his figure brings the pain back. It doesn't last long as she notices a revolting picture, one of her and Jarod sleeping together. Only Jarod's head is replaced by a picture of Daniel's. She rips the picture in half and throws it to the ground. Then she hears a click.
Marie spins on her heels with the gun drawn, pointing in the direction of the noise. "Come on out Daniel. It's time we finish this twisted game."
She notices the figure is not stepping out of the shadows and pulls the hammer back on her gun. "What, are you deaf? Get your ass out here now."
"So you've finally come to finish the job." The man steps out of the shadows, but it isn't Daniel. Jarod's face is etched with anger as he points a gun at her.
"Jarod?" Parker can't believe her eyes. "But, I, I, saw you die."
"No. You LEFT me for dead." Pain reflects in Jarod's eyes as his emotions take over. "You shot me. Then you left me for dead. Why?"
Marie can't believe what she is hearing. The love of her life is alive, but he blames her for the gunshot.
"Tell me why." Jarod walks closer to Miss Parker, but keeps the gun pointed at her head. "Tell me why you're trying to kill me. What does the 'Centre' want with me?"
Parker shakes her head in disbelief. Jarod is now living in the past, he's completely forgotten about what they did to the Centre. "Jarod, the Centre is dead."
"LIES!" Jarod yells at the top of his lungs, causing Parker to jump backwards. Jarod places both hands on the gun as if he is preparing to shoot her. "Tell me the truth. Or I will kill you."
"Jarod, put the gun down." Marie is genuinely scared for her life right now. She realizes Jarod knows nothing of his past, which means he may be more violent now than ever before.
"First you tell me the truth."
She raises her own gun and points it at Jarod. "Either you put the gun down, or I'll make you put it down."
A harsh chuckle leaves Jarod. "You shot me, you die too."
"It's a small price to pay. Just put it down."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Daniel is watching the two former lovers face off, from the safety of a room with a one-way mirror. He can't believe his luck, killing two birds has never been easier. All he has to do now is make sure the survivor dies, which is why he has a shotgun sitting next to him. He carefully picks the loaded gun up and rubs the cold metal, smiling as he looks over it. His attention goes back to Marie and Jarod as he inhales deeply.
"This is too good to be true." He chuckles as both Parker and Jarod are pointing guns at each other. "Who's going to flinch first?"
Daniel sighs as he leans back in his chair, sipping a can of beer.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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