A/N: Well It is longer than my first chapter I believe and I hope that I'm still doing okay with the storyline. There is a little profanity in this chapter as well as a small kiss between Mort and Alana at the end but I haven't gotten into detail...yet! :P Please enjoy the second chapter!
Chapter two: The Truth About Mort Rainey
I awoke the next morning to the bright sunlight that shone through the window. I sat up slowly and rubbed my eyes, trying to remember where exactly I was at. I stood up and opened the door as I was hit with the strong smell of coffee and pancakes. I began to walk down the stairs just as Mort was walking up. "Oh." he smiled. "Good Morning. I hope you slept well." In his hand was a coffee mug, and he seemed to be in the same clothing that he was in the day before. I nodded and smiled.
"Yes I slept fine." I continued walking down the stairs. "I was expecting to wake up alone though. I didn't think you'd still be here." He shrugged slightly and began to explain.
"Well I was supposed to meet the Sheriff down at the drug store in town but he called this morning and cancelled." he looked away, a look of confusion crossed his face. "I'm not exactly sure why. He didn't say, just that he couldn't meet me." he shrugged again. "It doesn't matter though." he climbed up the stairs past me. "It only gives me more time to work on my latest book." He finally reached the top and began his writing again. I looked around me at all the mess and wondered if, since he was always so busy, he could use some help. I decided to ask.
"Mort, maybe I could help you with this." I said to him, looking up the stairs. "Your house isn't exactly the cleanest place I've seen and you seem to be so busy...you think I should stay a few more hours and help?" He looked over the balcony at me, smiling and shook his head.
"No, I'll be alright. You know, you should head toward town and think about buying a house down there. I mean, you've got the money and everything." he continued smiling and I felt myself blush slightly. "And besides, I think I'll enjoy your company if you do decide to stay. Since I live alone out here its nice to see a pretty woman come around every once in a while." he leaned back into his chair and began to type again. I nodded a little and said, "Thank you anyway Mort, for being kind enough to let me at least stay the night. It helped a lot." I then turned toward the door.
"Its no problem, anytime you need me...I'm here." I heard him call to me before I left. In the daylight, the woods and the lake didn't seem all that bad. I sighed, wondering if I should take Mort's advice and at least think about buying a home in town. Or at least renting an apartment. And plus, I knew someone here that could show me around the place and he told me he'd always be there. I smiled, glad I had met someone that made me happy even after everything I had gone through the day before. I began to walk towards town, figuring it was only a few miles and it shouldn't take me too long to get there. And I soon found out that I was right. Up ahead I saw the town in the makings of a busy morning. A few people were out, either going to work or to some other unimportant place, only important to them. I figured that the first person I should talk to was the Sheriff, even though Mort had told me that he may be busy. I decided it was for the best and began to make my way to the Police Department.
I walked inside and every person in the front office turned to see who had just walked in. You would assume that usually people would just turn back around but some continued to watch me for a moment, realizing I wasn't originally from this town. I smiled contently and asked a man if the Sheriff was available. He nodded and pointed toward the back. I walked in the direction he was pointing and came to another office. I knocked on the door and entered. The Sheriff looked up at me and smiled a little. "Can I help you ma'am?" he said as I came in and sat down. I nodded and began to tell him about Mort and how he had been courteous enough to let me stay the night for free. The minute I mentioned Mort's name the Sheriff's facial expression changed. At first, when I began my story, his face was calm and seemed to want to listen. But when Mort's name came out of my mouth, his face became a mixture of both confusion and disappointment.
"Well ma'am...I'm surprised you're even alive after staying in Mr. Rainey's home. I suppose you don't know everything about him." he said, fidgeting somewhat. I watched him for a moment, a look of disapproval on my face. I shook my head a little, not clearly understanding what the Sheriff meant.
"Sir I'm sorry. I'm not fully getting all of this. Mort Rainey was kind enough to let me stay in his home. He's an author that lives alone in the middle of the woods. How can a man with a personality like his be dangerous?" I said, hoping that the Sheriff would begin to explain everything to me.
"He's been accused of murdering four people, he hid each body in different places. Unfortunately, the fact is he could have killed more. We've been searching everywhere for the past two months and have only come up with the four bodies." he shrugged a little. "Folks in this town are scared...I've been up there to tell him to stay by himself, to never come back into town. He seemed to take it alright and he's kept his word. No one's reported seeing Mort anywhere." he paused again. "Its pretty sad really, he used to be known as a real friendly guy. Then, he found his wife sleeping with another man...I think that's what finally made him snap. He left their house, filed a divorce and moved in that cabin. Miss, I suggest you stay away from Mort Rainey its only for--" I stood up, cutting him off by slamming my fist on his table.
"Sheriff I will not!" I yelled, again turning the heads of each person in the department. "You can say all the shit you'd like but you will not keep me from seeing him. Thank you sir, and good day." I said before leaving the building, shutting the door hard behind me. It wasn't until I was halfway down the street when I realized I had forgotten to ask the Sheriff about a place to live. But I no longer cared. Before I knew it I was standing in front of Mort's cabin. I felt my eyes fill with tears at the slight chance that the Sheriff could be right. I shook my head and wiped my eyes. "No...he's a liar." I said to myself. "Mort isn't like that..." I ran to his front porch and knocked on the door. I only knocked a little, knowing he could be working.
"Yeah I'll be right there." I heard him yell. I felt the tears coming on again and I rolled my eyes. I could just imagine him opening the door and seeing me crying. I heard his footsteps as he reached the door and slowly opened it. He smiled at me...and that's when I could no longer take it. I walked the few steps to stand in front of him, then practically threw myself into his arms. That's when I began crying...before long I felt his arms slowly wrap around me in an awkward way, like he was afraid he would hurt me. He held me like I was the first woman he had held in a long time. After a few minutes he began to loosen up and invited me inside. I nodded and followed him to his couch. "Alana..." he looked at me carefully. "What's the matter?" I wiped my eyes again and looked at him.
"I went into town today to see if I could find a place to stay, like you suggested. Well, I talked to the Sheriff and he told me a lot of horrible stuff..." I stopped, wondering if telling Mort what the Sheriff had said would be the right thing to do. He seemed to already have too much on his shoulders as it was, so I just shook my head, deciding to wait. He watched me for a moment then looked away, running a hand through his messy hair.
"You wanna tell me exactly what he said?" he looked at me again, but it wasn't the same look I was used to. Something in his eyes...I couldn't exactly point it out but something had to be different. I shook my head again, hoping that the look would soon fade, and I got my wish. He smiled a little and the Mort I was used to seemed to have come back. "Its alright. It doesn't matter anyway." he stood up and stretched. "It was probably some stupid rumor about me right? I can understand why you won't tell me." I looked down to my hands then back up at him.
"Are you sure? I don't want you to think that I don't trust you or anything because I do...seriously." I said to him as he turned to face me. He laughed a little and shook his head. Feeling myself blush again I said, "What?" He continued grinning.
"You know its kinda funny, you've only known me for...what is it...just over twelve hours? And you're saying you trust me? Hell, I've never heard a woman tell me that before...that is if you don't count my ex-wife. She told me before but I don't think she meant it." he laughed again, shaking his head. "Nah, its a long story." I smiled and lightly touched his hand.
"Its okay...I've got time." I said simply and he looked into my eyes. I continued to smile and he looked away, hoping I wouldn't see the hint of red crossing his face.
"Its simple really, the bitch couldn't keep to herself. She slept with another guy in a hotel, hoping that I would think she was away on business. Boy was she fucking wrong, anyway...worst comes to worst I found out...and to make a long story short, here I am...alone." he looked back to me. "Well I was alone. No one ever comes up here so I have to fend for myself. Its a miracle you found me in the first place. Only people in town know about me, and you're not from here." I shook my head, keeping my hand lightly over his.
"It doesn't matter what people say. I enjoy being around you...and like you said before, I may have only known you for half a day but it feels like I really know you." I blushed and bit my lower lip. "I probably sound strange right about now don't I?" I asked him, still looking away. I then felt his hand underneath my chin, turning my head to face him. His eyes met mine and he smiled.
"You don't sound strange at all...take it from a man who knows what he's talking about." he edged closer to me and I felt myself blush even more. Knowing that I was about to kiss a guy whom I know nothing about...but feel incredibly close to all the same. I could no longer take the waiting and pressed my lips against his. I don't think he was absolutely ready for it as I felt him pull back a little from shock. After a few seconds he seemed to have gotten used to it and began to kiss me harder, making our first kiss together a very passionate one. After a few minutes I pulled away.
"You know what? I should cook you dinner. I'm a great chef, ask anyone who's tasted my food before!" I stood up. "Give me twenty-five minutes tops alright? If I'm not back come and look for me." I headed toward the door.
"Take my car, the keys are right there next to the door. Be careful alright?" Mort said to me before I left.
"I will I promise." I blew him a kiss and winked at him before shutting his door.
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Mort's POV
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I jumped up off the couch, half hoping my car wouldn't start up. I stood up as I heard Alana turn the ignition and, unfortunatly, the car started perfectly fine. Then I ran to the door and swung it open just in time to see her drive off, fading into the woods. "I hate seeing someone leave me." I said, sighing. I knew she'd be back, but it would seem like forever until she would. I was about to turn into the house when I noticed something in front of me, lying on the porch. I bent down and saw the perfect-circle rimmed black hat that I quickly recognized. He...was back.
A/N: Well anyone who's seen Secret Window ought to know who I'm talking about here! And I hope I kind of left you at a cliffhanger. Its funny because I had to re-write my entire ending! So enjoy it...a lot! ^__^ Just kidding..well just R&R!
Chapter two: The Truth About Mort Rainey
I awoke the next morning to the bright sunlight that shone through the window. I sat up slowly and rubbed my eyes, trying to remember where exactly I was at. I stood up and opened the door as I was hit with the strong smell of coffee and pancakes. I began to walk down the stairs just as Mort was walking up. "Oh." he smiled. "Good Morning. I hope you slept well." In his hand was a coffee mug, and he seemed to be in the same clothing that he was in the day before. I nodded and smiled.
"Yes I slept fine." I continued walking down the stairs. "I was expecting to wake up alone though. I didn't think you'd still be here." He shrugged slightly and began to explain.
"Well I was supposed to meet the Sheriff down at the drug store in town but he called this morning and cancelled." he looked away, a look of confusion crossed his face. "I'm not exactly sure why. He didn't say, just that he couldn't meet me." he shrugged again. "It doesn't matter though." he climbed up the stairs past me. "It only gives me more time to work on my latest book." He finally reached the top and began his writing again. I looked around me at all the mess and wondered if, since he was always so busy, he could use some help. I decided to ask.
"Mort, maybe I could help you with this." I said to him, looking up the stairs. "Your house isn't exactly the cleanest place I've seen and you seem to be so busy...you think I should stay a few more hours and help?" He looked over the balcony at me, smiling and shook his head.
"No, I'll be alright. You know, you should head toward town and think about buying a house down there. I mean, you've got the money and everything." he continued smiling and I felt myself blush slightly. "And besides, I think I'll enjoy your company if you do decide to stay. Since I live alone out here its nice to see a pretty woman come around every once in a while." he leaned back into his chair and began to type again. I nodded a little and said, "Thank you anyway Mort, for being kind enough to let me at least stay the night. It helped a lot." I then turned toward the door.
"Its no problem, anytime you need me...I'm here." I heard him call to me before I left. In the daylight, the woods and the lake didn't seem all that bad. I sighed, wondering if I should take Mort's advice and at least think about buying a home in town. Or at least renting an apartment. And plus, I knew someone here that could show me around the place and he told me he'd always be there. I smiled, glad I had met someone that made me happy even after everything I had gone through the day before. I began to walk towards town, figuring it was only a few miles and it shouldn't take me too long to get there. And I soon found out that I was right. Up ahead I saw the town in the makings of a busy morning. A few people were out, either going to work or to some other unimportant place, only important to them. I figured that the first person I should talk to was the Sheriff, even though Mort had told me that he may be busy. I decided it was for the best and began to make my way to the Police Department.
I walked inside and every person in the front office turned to see who had just walked in. You would assume that usually people would just turn back around but some continued to watch me for a moment, realizing I wasn't originally from this town. I smiled contently and asked a man if the Sheriff was available. He nodded and pointed toward the back. I walked in the direction he was pointing and came to another office. I knocked on the door and entered. The Sheriff looked up at me and smiled a little. "Can I help you ma'am?" he said as I came in and sat down. I nodded and began to tell him about Mort and how he had been courteous enough to let me stay the night for free. The minute I mentioned Mort's name the Sheriff's facial expression changed. At first, when I began my story, his face was calm and seemed to want to listen. But when Mort's name came out of my mouth, his face became a mixture of both confusion and disappointment.
"Well ma'am...I'm surprised you're even alive after staying in Mr. Rainey's home. I suppose you don't know everything about him." he said, fidgeting somewhat. I watched him for a moment, a look of disapproval on my face. I shook my head a little, not clearly understanding what the Sheriff meant.
"Sir I'm sorry. I'm not fully getting all of this. Mort Rainey was kind enough to let me stay in his home. He's an author that lives alone in the middle of the woods. How can a man with a personality like his be dangerous?" I said, hoping that the Sheriff would begin to explain everything to me.
"He's been accused of murdering four people, he hid each body in different places. Unfortunately, the fact is he could have killed more. We've been searching everywhere for the past two months and have only come up with the four bodies." he shrugged a little. "Folks in this town are scared...I've been up there to tell him to stay by himself, to never come back into town. He seemed to take it alright and he's kept his word. No one's reported seeing Mort anywhere." he paused again. "Its pretty sad really, he used to be known as a real friendly guy. Then, he found his wife sleeping with another man...I think that's what finally made him snap. He left their house, filed a divorce and moved in that cabin. Miss, I suggest you stay away from Mort Rainey its only for--" I stood up, cutting him off by slamming my fist on his table.
"Sheriff I will not!" I yelled, again turning the heads of each person in the department. "You can say all the shit you'd like but you will not keep me from seeing him. Thank you sir, and good day." I said before leaving the building, shutting the door hard behind me. It wasn't until I was halfway down the street when I realized I had forgotten to ask the Sheriff about a place to live. But I no longer cared. Before I knew it I was standing in front of Mort's cabin. I felt my eyes fill with tears at the slight chance that the Sheriff could be right. I shook my head and wiped my eyes. "No...he's a liar." I said to myself. "Mort isn't like that..." I ran to his front porch and knocked on the door. I only knocked a little, knowing he could be working.
"Yeah I'll be right there." I heard him yell. I felt the tears coming on again and I rolled my eyes. I could just imagine him opening the door and seeing me crying. I heard his footsteps as he reached the door and slowly opened it. He smiled at me...and that's when I could no longer take it. I walked the few steps to stand in front of him, then practically threw myself into his arms. That's when I began crying...before long I felt his arms slowly wrap around me in an awkward way, like he was afraid he would hurt me. He held me like I was the first woman he had held in a long time. After a few minutes he began to loosen up and invited me inside. I nodded and followed him to his couch. "Alana..." he looked at me carefully. "What's the matter?" I wiped my eyes again and looked at him.
"I went into town today to see if I could find a place to stay, like you suggested. Well, I talked to the Sheriff and he told me a lot of horrible stuff..." I stopped, wondering if telling Mort what the Sheriff had said would be the right thing to do. He seemed to already have too much on his shoulders as it was, so I just shook my head, deciding to wait. He watched me for a moment then looked away, running a hand through his messy hair.
"You wanna tell me exactly what he said?" he looked at me again, but it wasn't the same look I was used to. Something in his eyes...I couldn't exactly point it out but something had to be different. I shook my head again, hoping that the look would soon fade, and I got my wish. He smiled a little and the Mort I was used to seemed to have come back. "Its alright. It doesn't matter anyway." he stood up and stretched. "It was probably some stupid rumor about me right? I can understand why you won't tell me." I looked down to my hands then back up at him.
"Are you sure? I don't want you to think that I don't trust you or anything because I do...seriously." I said to him as he turned to face me. He laughed a little and shook his head. Feeling myself blush again I said, "What?" He continued grinning.
"You know its kinda funny, you've only known me for...what is it...just over twelve hours? And you're saying you trust me? Hell, I've never heard a woman tell me that before...that is if you don't count my ex-wife. She told me before but I don't think she meant it." he laughed again, shaking his head. "Nah, its a long story." I smiled and lightly touched his hand.
"Its okay...I've got time." I said simply and he looked into my eyes. I continued to smile and he looked away, hoping I wouldn't see the hint of red crossing his face.
"Its simple really, the bitch couldn't keep to herself. She slept with another guy in a hotel, hoping that I would think she was away on business. Boy was she fucking wrong, anyway...worst comes to worst I found out...and to make a long story short, here I am...alone." he looked back to me. "Well I was alone. No one ever comes up here so I have to fend for myself. Its a miracle you found me in the first place. Only people in town know about me, and you're not from here." I shook my head, keeping my hand lightly over his.
"It doesn't matter what people say. I enjoy being around you...and like you said before, I may have only known you for half a day but it feels like I really know you." I blushed and bit my lower lip. "I probably sound strange right about now don't I?" I asked him, still looking away. I then felt his hand underneath my chin, turning my head to face him. His eyes met mine and he smiled.
"You don't sound strange at all...take it from a man who knows what he's talking about." he edged closer to me and I felt myself blush even more. Knowing that I was about to kiss a guy whom I know nothing about...but feel incredibly close to all the same. I could no longer take the waiting and pressed my lips against his. I don't think he was absolutely ready for it as I felt him pull back a little from shock. After a few seconds he seemed to have gotten used to it and began to kiss me harder, making our first kiss together a very passionate one. After a few minutes I pulled away.
"You know what? I should cook you dinner. I'm a great chef, ask anyone who's tasted my food before!" I stood up. "Give me twenty-five minutes tops alright? If I'm not back come and look for me." I headed toward the door.
"Take my car, the keys are right there next to the door. Be careful alright?" Mort said to me before I left.
"I will I promise." I blew him a kiss and winked at him before shutting his door.
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Mort's POV
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I jumped up off the couch, half hoping my car wouldn't start up. I stood up as I heard Alana turn the ignition and, unfortunatly, the car started perfectly fine. Then I ran to the door and swung it open just in time to see her drive off, fading into the woods. "I hate seeing someone leave me." I said, sighing. I knew she'd be back, but it would seem like forever until she would. I was about to turn into the house when I noticed something in front of me, lying on the porch. I bent down and saw the perfect-circle rimmed black hat that I quickly recognized. He...was back.
A/N: Well anyone who's seen Secret Window ought to know who I'm talking about here! And I hope I kind of left you at a cliffhanger. Its funny because I had to re-write my entire ending! So enjoy it...a lot! ^__^ Just kidding..well just R&R!