Title: Cuts Like A Knife
Author: Stress
First written: May 12, 2002
Edited and replaced: January 21, 2005
Summary: Part I of the Soul Mates Series; She thought that life couldn't get any better. She had friends and a family that loved her – she was taken care of and had no complaints. But that was before he came into her life. And, no matter how hard she tries to escape his grasp, he'll never let her go.
The Boys' Lodging House
"Why is she ignoring me? She knows that I ain't letting her go, I ain't done with her yet!" Rip cried out loud to no one as he stormed his way up the lodging house stairs. He was so angry. Angry at Spindle for trying to hurt his "li'l Miss", angry at Jess for running away from him and refusing to answer the door to speak to him, angry at himself for letting Jess get hurt from Spindle's twisted illusion of their non-existent relationship.
Pounding his fist into his hand as he stalked into the bunkroom, he entered unaware of the eyes on him. He reached his bunk and flung himself on it, content on the idea of sleeping the evening's events off. "And tomorrow I will teach Miss Jess a lesson she'll never forget. I guess she just never learned that she can't run away from me," he sneered to himself as he covered his head with his pillow.
"Uh, Rip? I'm sorry to bother you and all, but I got something for you," Danger said hesitantly as he slowly approached Rip's bunk, narrowly avoiding the pillow that Rip threw at him.
"Don't it look like I don't want to be bothered right now, Danger?" he said fiercely as he sat up to face the taller boy.
Danger, whose name was unfitting at the moment, cowered before Rip as he flung a folded note at him. "I know, but she said it was real important and I had to give it to you."
Rip jumped out of his bunk eagerly upon hearing Danger say the word "she". "Maybe Jess stopped by the lodging house and gave Danger a note for me," he said as he snatched up the piece of paper.
And threw it back at Danger in anger once he read and processed what it said.
"Danger, leave me alone," Rip said as he turned to face the other side of the bunkroom. "NOW" he added once he noticed that Danger had leaned over slightly so that he could read the note that had fallen so carelessly to the floor.
Danger jumped up at Rip's menacing tone and quickly retreated to his own bunk. But not before he saw what was written on the note that he had delivered to Rip:
Rip,
I don't know what came over you, but I forgive you. We will be happy together, forever and always. Whether you want to be or not!
Forever yours,
Spindle
Danger felt sick when he noticed something about the note. No wonder it upset Rip. Not only was the note filled with a threatening vibe, it was clearly written in blood.