Disclaimer: see part one

Thanks to:

rev2004: Don't you always want more? #grins widely# Well yes, maybe it's Jarod... or isn't it? You're gonna see. Thanks for reviewing and now enjoy!

Mfkngst: Wow! Thanks a compliment. I'm glad that you like it that much... but honestly, having a beta as great as I have, it had to improve #grins#. Anyway, glad that you like it and thanks for reviewing... now enjoy!

Angelus Love: Ok, this chapter is a tiny bit longer than the last ones have been. Anyway, thanks for your review. I'm glad that you like the story. Now read on and have fun!

gemini006007: Guess I convinced you that the shadow is Jarod. Took some time #winks#. Thanks for your review, Mercy. Now enjoy chapter 4.

Eden: Hey, someone new... welcome. I'm very glad that you like the story and my style of writing. Well, I don't know how many chapters you are hoping for. It won't be as long as "To End The Evil" and it's sequel but let me tell you that the story will go on for some time. Thank you very much for reviewing and now enjoy the next chapter.

x x x x x x x

Shadows Part 4

Questions

After entering her house, she threw the keys away and shrugged out of her jacket.

Of course they hadn't found anything new from Jarod in the last three days. No lead they could follow, no message to interpret and no contact whatsoever.

Her mood hadn't improved over the days. On the contrary, it had worsened when Sydney had tried to press her into telling him what it was that made her so angry.

After blowing up in his face and throwing a tantrum he had finally gotten the message and left her alone.

She walked over to the liquor cabinet. Despite knowing that it would upset her ulcer, she made herself a drink and swallowed it nearly all at once, letting it burn down her throat.

She put the glass down rather harshly and turned around to walk upstairs.

That was when she stopped short. Her eyebrows rose and with them, her anger.

A package was lying on the couch; wrapped in blue gift-paper and with a red ribbon.

Miss Parker looked around. Her living room was just as she had left it in the morning... hadn't it been for the package. She was seething with anger.

He had been here, not only in front of her house like this morning but inside.

Part of her mind wondered why she was so mad about that fact. It wasn't the first time that Jarod had been in her house. And yet...

She stalked over to the couch and snatched up the packet.

Opening it and seeing the contents, she threw the box against the wall with a short yell of pure rage.

She started pacing the room.

Just who the hell did he think he was, sending her this?

A package of underwear; red lace bra and panties.

Her fingers balled into tight fists, she sat down in a chair, only to jump up again mere seconds later to start pacing once more.

She was trembling with fury. Trembling with fury because of – she looked at the contents of the box that lay scattered on the floor – because of that.

She had already known that their game had changed but she still didn't really see the directions it would take; especially not after what he had sent her right now.

Underwear... she scoffed angrily.

x x x x x x

He watched her through the window.

She was clearly upset, now pacing the room.

He frowned. He hadn't intended her to get angry at his package.

On the contrary, he had wanted to compliment her and to show her how much he liked her. Wasn't that how things worked out here in the real world?

x x x x x x

After a long bath, which had made her relax at least slightly, Miss Parker had gone to bed.

Sleep had eluded her for a long time but finally fatigue took over.

It wasn't a restful sleep; not at all. It was mostly disturbed by short nightmares and visions.

But what interrupted the night brutally was the ringing of her telephone.

Instantly awake and secretly glad that something interrupted another nightmare, she snatched up the receiver, already anticipating who it was that called her at this hour.

"What?" she snarled. The anger that she had felt the day before at his 'gift' and the irritation were back in place and clearly shining through her tone of voice.

"Missed me?" his cocky voice came over the line.

"Miss you??" she growled back. He clearly had some nerve! "How can I miss you when you call every two days and terminate the connection before even saying a thing and when you are stealing some of my clothes and start sending packages with photos and... other clothes?" she practically screamed.

Jarod blinked confusedly at the receiver that lay in his hand. "Miss Parker, what are you talking about?"

"Don't play fucking dumb with me! I'm gonna get your ass for this! Stealing things and sending other things for that," she yelled.

"Miss Parker, stop. Hold on a second. I didn't do anything like that," Jarod shook his head, even if she wouldn't be able to see that but he was trying to convince her as well as trying to get that information processed.

"Stop that. I know that it was you! If you want to live to see another day, you better stay out of my way or else I will shoot you on sight!" she growled and then terminated the connection.

Jarod looked at the receiver dumbfounded.

What the hell had she been talking about?

He redialled her number, intending to get some answers.

"What?" her voice beamed through the phone.

Jarod winced and held the receiver away from his ear. "Miss Parker, listen to me, please. I didn't do the things you accused me of."

"Tell someone else these lies," she snarled.

"No, it's true. I haven't been in contact with anyone in the Centre the last few weeks. I didn't call you and I certainly didn't hang up on you before even talking. I haven't sent you anything in the last... six weeks and I haven't stolen you anything," he tried to convince her.

She sat up straight in her bed and narrowed her eyes.

"Miss Parker? Are you still there?" Jarod asked after some silent minutes. "I decided to take a break from everything; kind of a vacation and so I just vanished for about six weeks. This is the first contact I'm making with anyone from the Centre in a month and a half."

Parker blinked, clearly confused now. "If it wasn't you, then who was it?"

"I don't know, Miss Parker. I don't know," Jarod shook his head.

Her eyes narrowed. "I'm gonna find out who it was and he's going to pay."

"If you want me to, I will try to find out something as well," Jarod proposed.

"I don't need your help," she grumbled.

"I know that you don't need it but you might find out things faster with my help," Jarod said evenly.

Rolling her eyes, Parker nodded. "Ok, suit yourself."

Jarod grinned. "Miss Parker," he said, before hanging up.

"Hmm?"

"Be careful. I have the distinct feeling that something is not right here," Jarod warned.

"Yeah, I will. Thanks," she said and then hung up.

Jarod smiled when the dial tone rang in his ear. She had said 'thanks'.

He nodded approvingly and then sobered. Getting up, he started packing his few belongings together.

Something was just not right. He didn't like what Miss Parker had told him; not at all. There was something to this that made him feel edgy; something that warned him to be on his guard and to go back to Blue Cove and stay there.

Something told him that he would be needed there sooner or later, that Miss Parker was in danger and she might need his help.

To be continued...

Well, ok. Nearly all of you believed in Jarod and just wouldn't want to turn away from him, accepting that he was the stalker... so I ended that try here. He isn't the bad guy... I hear a lot of relieved sighs... let me guess, you had your doubts nonetheless. I pushed very hard and tried to fuel them, I know. Just couldn't do anything else. It was too much fun to spread questions and a little bit of mistrust.

Oh, before I forget... please send a review!