Chapter One:

So Cold

Three years ago…

His voice was calling.

"Jessica…"

Hollow, cold, and unforgiving.

"You know who you are and who you're meant to be. Remember that…"

Then there was silence. The darkness went on for miles inside my mind. I tried to speak but I couldn't; I barely got out a whimper. I sat down onto a hard, unforeseen surface and pulled my knees up to my chest. My dark olive pajamas clung to my arms and legs thanks to my profuse sweating. I began to cry and wail to the best of my ability. This was what I experienced in my sleep. Like clockwork, I could never escape it. Dr. Quest referred me to a psychiatrist who did nothing more than give me a supplemental cure to deal with the cause. The sedatives did nothing more than take me out of this world and into this one. Before, I had been an insomniac. Hadji couldn't explain it no better than my therapist.

I tried to trace it to something I had seen or did, but came up with nothing. Strangely, deep inside I felt I knew who was speaking to me. It wasn't Jonny – God no, it wasn't Jonny – it was… someone older. It wasn't Daddy, his voice didn't sound so cold. The price I paid for a good night's rest was getting insane. Sometimes I could block it out and scream at him, whoever "he" was, to leave me alone. He would. Only to return the next night.

And then I was back in reality.

My room was beginning to fill with light from the rising morning sun. Orange brightness poured in from my window, tearing through my laced curtains and striking my face. I rolled over to my alarm clock. Six-thirteen in the morning. Another six hours of torture had gone to pass and now another sixteen hours of punishment waited eagerly outside of my door.

I pushed the covers off and turned off my alarm clock. I don't know why I kept setting the alarm as it was completely useless. I would always wake up before seven, regardless of whether I was ready to get up or not. I stumbled across the room and into the hallway. The hollowed halls of the Quest compound were silent except for Dr. Quest and Daddy in the kitchen downstairs. Jonny and Hadji would probably not stir for another forty-five minutes. Lucky them.

I walked into the bathroom and flipped on the fluorescent light. In the mirror, an estranged eighteen year-old girl greeted me. This wasn't the Jessie Bannon that people knew; however, it was the Jessie Bannon I had become accustomed to. Torn, stressed, and beat down to the ground. I brushed my untamed red hair down to something manageable before washing my face with all of my feminine hygiene products. Daddy always called me the "pit bull in a skirt" for that reason.

"For such a hardass," he would say, "You sure do spend a lot of time getting ready."

That began to change slowly after my sleep disorder began. I walked downstairs and into the kitchen. Daddy was sitting at the island drinking coffee while Dr. Quest rearranged the refrigerator. I don't know what it is about that man and how his food is kept, but that's another story. As usual, both were already dressed and wide awake.

"Morning Jessie-girl," Daddy said. "God Dear, you look like hell… again."

Dr. Quest turned around, "I agree completely."

I frowned, "You don't have to remind me."

Daddy pulled out the stool next to him, "Well sit down and have some coffee."

I took a seat on the plush bar stool. Dr. Quest's kitchen was always as impressive as the rest of the house was. Walking in to it, one would think they were in a world class restaurant. While my cooking skills are above-average, it's nothing world class. I folded my arms on the marble counter of the island and rested my head on them. I groaned softly.

"I'm worried about you, Sweetie," Daddy said.

Not lifting my head from my makeshift cushion, I said, "You don't say?"

"No need to be a smartass. I think you need to take a vacation."

"Shit," I mumbled. "I don't think it would make much difference."

"Well I think it would," Daddy reasserted. "Dr. Quest has been requested to visit a new underwater project underway in South Carolina. The lab is near Nags Head, so have Jonny take you to the beach and try to relax."

"That's a good idea," Dr. Quest said. "A little fun in the sun never hurt anyone."

I sighed, "I guess."

Like clockwork, Jonny stumbled in with nothing more than his black boxers donned with pairs of red luscious lips all over them and "SEXY BEAST" written across the waistline; Hadji wasn't not far behind. Out of the two, Hadji looked freshly prepared to face the day. Jonny, on the other hand, looked like he locked himself in the dryer for a little too long.

"Morning all," Jonny yawned as he made his way to the refrigerator.

"Good morning everyone," Hadji followed.

"Good morning boys," Dr. Quest said. "Is everyone's bags ready for our trip?"

Hadji nodded his head. Jonny took a swig of milk from the jug before saying, "Huh?"

"Your bags, sleeping beauty," Daddy said. "Are you ready to go?"

Jonny started blankly for a minute before remembering that his brain actually functioned.

"Yeah," he said. "I'm ready. How 'bout you, Jess?"

I shook my head, "Of course not."

Jonny ventured out on a limb, saying, "Of course not, huh? I know what you mean: those suitcases can be confusing."

"Up yours, Quest," I responded.

He simply smiled. That fucking cunning grin that always tears through me.

Damn… it hurts thinking about it. Are you there, God…?

"I don't think it wise to be aggravating her that much, my friend," Hadji enthused.

Jonny, ever the smartass, poked the badger again, "That time of the month again, huh Jess?"

I gave him "that" look.

"I'll help you pack Jessie," Jonny said.

"Thanks," I grumbled.

God's a practical joker. I'm sure of it…

Breakfast for me that morning consisted of a pimento cheese sandwich. With luck, I figured I'd be able to last the rest of the day without sustenance. My suitcase was opened on top of my bed spread as Jonny chucked random under garments, jeans, miscellaneous outfits, and anything else he could get his hands on into it. Then he stopped suddenly.

"What?" I asked.

Jonny held up a small, red leather bound book, and said, "Say Jess, I didn't know you had a Bible."

"Oh yeah," I began to think back to when I acquired it. Instead, I was drawing blanks. "I can't remember where it came from."

Jonny opened it up to where it was bookmarked, asking, "Has a passage highlighted. Want me to read it?"

I nodded.

"As surely as I live forever, when I sharpen my flashing sword and my hand grasps it in judgment, I will take vengeance on my adversaries and repay those who hate me. I will make my arrows drunk with blood, while my sword devours flesh: the blood of the slain and the captives, the heads of the enemy leaders. Deuteronomy chapter thirty-two, verses forty to forty-two."

I stared blankly at him for a moment.

"I don't understand," I stammered.

Eventually I would, though.

"Ah well, here, you want it?" Jonny asked, holding out the book.

I shrugged, "I guess."

He tossed it into the case.

"Jessie, I know I've probably pestered the living crap out of you with this, but, what keeps you up at night?"

I got annoyed, "My answer hasn't changed from the last fifty times you asked me, Jonny: I don't know."

"Okay, okay, just checking."

Jonny and I finally finished packing. He zipped up the suitcase and placed it next to my guitar case. Over the past few months I decided to become musically inclined. Piano was a bit of a challenge until a friend suggested that I try guitar. It seemed to work, even though I enjoyed guitar better. My sweet little black Epiphone Les Paul Special II would be getting a bulk of attention on this trip. Playing was one of the only ways that I could take my mind off of the hell around me. That and being with Jonny.

"Say Jess," Jonny said.

I looked up.

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

I thought for a minute.

Not thinking he would take me serious, I said, "Well, you could sleep with me tonight."

"I will."

I stood there for a minute, unsure of what to say or think. Jonny walked over and we embraced for a minute. "I love you," he whispered in m year. I was awestruck.

"I… I love you too," I managed to say when my brain reactivated.

He smiled and carried my bags off.

I sat down on the bed and rubbed my eyes. Had we taken it one step further? Was I ready to take this attraction another step further? Even now, I'm not sure. I'm sure of one thing, though: it didn't make much difference in the long run.

Love sucks. Period.

I slept most of the way on the trip. Strangely, I wasn't harassed by my mind. Jonny and Hadji played game after game on their PS2 when they weren't reading, playing on the computer, or napping like I was. It was evening when we arrived at the Ramada where we were staying. Nags Head looked like your typical beach city: lots of hotels, club spots, and lots and lots of sand. The night brings out all sorts of people that are too afraid to come out in the day; or maybe, because they don't have much of a choice. I put on a pair of black gym shorts and a tank top and walked out of the RV. Daddy, Jonny, and Hadji were toting the bags up to the rooms as Dr. Quest obtained the keys. Jonny was yelling about having to pee so bad that he was about to make a puddle. Daddy laughed and told him to tie his pecker in a knot.

The crowds walking up and down the city streets made for a lot commotion. The town was lit up so bright I wondered why people even bothered turning their headlights on after dusk. I followed Dr. Quest into the extravagant lobby. A crystal chandelier added to the effect of luxury in this hotel. A giant Persian rug the size of an indoor swimming pool occupied the floor; marble columns, polished countertops, and lots of leather. I was staring up at the chandelier and gazing at the floors above when I bumped into him.

I looked up into the eyes of the one who invaded my dreams, my life.

I shrieked and jumped backwards, tripping over my own feet and landing on the floor.

Dr. Quest stepped up, saying, "Stone? Is that you?"

The salt-and-pepper haired man turned and greeted Dr. Quest.

"It's been a long time, Doctor," Stone said. "I anticipated your arrival."

Stone was about six foot one with a medium build. He didn't seem to have legs sticking out of his torso, but he wasn't a slouch, either. Those dark turquoise eyes of his sent shivers down my spine. His face was hardened and cold, just like the silk black shirt and charcoal slacks. Stone had business written all over him. I picked myself up off the floor.

"Stone, this is Jessica Bannon," Dr. Quest said, introducing us.

Stone shook my hand firmly. I couldn't seem to escape his intense look. I hoped he wasn't trying to stare down my tank top.

"Nice to meet you, Jessica," Stone said.

I simply nodded and excused myself. I wanted to get away from that man as fast as possible. The vibes I got from him were not good. My mind was screaming at me to confront him and to get to the bottom of the haunting. Another part of me – the dumbass part of me – told me to keep running. I ran out of the lobby and up the stairs.

Everyone else was waiting in front of the rooms. They noticed my anxiousness to get near them.

"Jessie, what's wrong?" Daddy asked.

Through the huffs and wheezes I expelled, I managed to come up with a viable excuse, "I've got to pee, (huff), (wheeze), too."

Daddy bought it. Jonny and Hadji expressed concern but let it go, deciding it would be in everyone's best interest to not pursue it any further.

"Jessie, where's Dr. Quest?" Hadji finally asked.

I said, "He met someone he knew down in the lobby; he'll be up shortly."

"Oh really? Who?" Daddy pondered.

Taking a chance, I answered, "Some guy named Stone.'"

"Oh," Daddy said. I could tell by his body language that he knew this guy, too.

"I need to sit down," I announced as I flopped down in front of one of the doors. I leaned my back up against the brick wall and sighed deeply. Dr. Quest appeared shortly thereafter with cardkeys in hand to unlock the doors. I was handed my cardkey and Jonny and Hadji were handed theirs. I unlocked my door, picked up my cases and dragged them in. I caught wind of Daddy mentioning something to Dr. Quest about Stone before my door shut, barring everything from the outside. I put my cases on the bed closest to the door. I went over to the second, turned on the lamp on the nightstand, and flopped down on it facing the ceiling.

The rooms were well furnished. A twenty-seven inch RCA television sat in an armoire complete with DVD player. The bathroom counter was very neat and spaced; I figured the bathroom itself would be like walking into a closet. The walls were a pleasant pinstripe of blue and pink. The comforters on the bed complemented the entire design of the room. I wasn't sleepy but I wasn't ready to get up and face the world, either. I looked at my watch: four o'clock in the morning.

I yawned and rolled over onto my side. I pushed my sneakers off and threw them one corner of the room before curling up into a little ball. My mind began to wander like it often does: who the hell was this Stone guy? What the hell did he want with me? Furthermore, how did Dr. Quest and possibly Daddy know this guy?

"Why me…?" I sobbed. "Damn it all to hell…"

I wept silently for a few minutes.

Somewhere, Stone was waiting for me. I could feel it.

I lied there for about fifteen minutes before there was a pounding on my door. I rolled off the bed and walked over to it. I peeked into the peephole right above the fire escape statement: it was Jonny. I opened the door slowly, letting the cool sea breeze and immense smell of sand in.

"Hey Jess," Jonny said softly. "Mind if I come in?"

I shook my head, "No, come on in."

Jonny stepped across the threshold. He had changed to a pair of shorts and tank-top himself to adjust to the change in climate. I shut the door as he said, "How you feel?"

"Like I've been hit with a train," I sighed.

"This Stone guy I heard about: is he the one in your dreams?"

I nodded, "That's him."

Jonny set on the edge of the second bed, "How could you tell?"

"I just know… I can feel him. I heard his voice, too."

"Well, we'll all go and talk to him later today after we get some sleep."

I shook my head, saying, "No: I'll do it alone. I don't want you or Hadji getting near him. Something's up with him. He's a strange bastard..."

"Well at least let me go with you, Jessie. I don't feel comfortable with you facing this guy alone."

I walked over and sat beside Jonny, saying, "I don't know. I'm just so tired."

I began to cry as the better of my emotions got to me. Jonny put his arm around me and hugged me. After stroking my hair for a few minutes he placed me in his lap and began to rock gently. I curled up and rested on his shoulder, hoping, praying, that I wouldn't have to endure the torment of Stone's invasions much longer.

I looked up at Jonny's azure eyes. They were so clear and passionate. We were a little older then and had better control over our emotions… and desires. We kissed for a few minutes before he scooted us both back to the front of the bed. I slid under the covers as Jonny turned off the lamp. He slid his arm under my neck and the other over my chest; I was facing the bathroom. Silent tears crept down my face as I snuggled closer to Jonny. My mind was ready to take on the aspect of sleep like the rest of my body. Before I drifted off into the void of the subconscious, I felt Jonny's hand give my right breast a small squeeze.

Even a guy never misses a golden opportunity.

I wanted to smile badly.

Instead, I passed out.