Chapter 3- Surprise
While Elli lay sleeping in bed, Doctor was up, brooding. So Jay had come back. How interesting, he mused.
The off-white walls gleamed with the dim light of the reading lamp Doctor had dragged upstairs. He rubbed his eyes, the fatigue burning them.
What made Elli so attracted to Jay? What was so special about Jay anyway?
He was a lousy city boy, and would probably betray Elli within the week. He, on the other hand, was a well-bred countryman, and loved Elli, and would, forever.
Jay was ugly too. He looked like he hadn't changed his shirt since last week! Doc made sure he had laundered clothes every day. Jay had the most matted and tangled hair, if you could call it that, on the planet! Doc would spend hours making sure he was presentable.
He topped Jay in every way. Then why did Jay attract Elli? Even his whispered threat all those years ago hadn't helped.
The day before Jay had left, Doc had promised to hurt Jay if he ever came back. He had even shown off his Pa's fancy pocketknife. But Doc had been so sure Jay would hesitate before coming back. Guess that didn't work.
An interesting theory developed. What if Jay forgot, and thought that maybe Rick had threatened him, since Rick seemed protective enough. That made enough sense. Doc snorted, and smiled. He wouldn't have to worry much longer…
Jay yawned, and stretched. Outside, his dog was barking at something. Groggily, Jay sat up. He heard a voice.
"Ralphie, keep barking. Draw Jay out. I need him to go!" The voice mumbled.
Parting the dark red curtains, Jay peered out. The crescent moon light up the night, and the stars twinkled. But standing half hidden by the shadows was Jay's one enemy.
Doctor. Jay would never forget. A few hours before Jay had left to return home, Doc had come up, backing him into the corner. Doc had made it clear, that if he ever came back, Doc would hurt him with his Pa's fancy pocketknife. That's why Jay had hesitated before promising Elli to return.
"Stupid dog!" Doc swore, kicking at the mailbox. Ralph continued to bark at the intruder.
Jay wasn't sure what to do. If he went out to make Doc shove off, then he risked letting Doc carry out his threat. But if he didn't go out, then Doc might come in, and then he'd be trapped. He was in a lose-lose situation. And the price could be his life.
Doc threw down an item of a pointy sort. Jay swallowed; sweat prickling the back of his neck. He had to tell Doc to shove off. Now.
"Hey, Doc, get off my property." Jay stuttered, hoping he sounded more confident than he felt.
"Make me." Doc's eyes gleamed evilly, and he picked up that nightmare-inducing pocketknife.
"I'll call Harris. And Elli." Jay added. Maybe Elli could scare Doc off.
"Elli, huh? She'll be mine. Guaranteed." Doc left, smirking. "Try to stop me." He disappeared into the shadows.
Jay sat in the deep, dew-filled grass. Doc would back off, right? The first morning rays lit up the fields.
Meanwhile, Elli was up and walking to the Clinic. Doc had insisted she show up early.
At his desk, Doc was looking especially nice. His hair was combed, and he was wearing ironed clothes. "Why, hello, Elli." He remarked, smiling to show off his pearly white teeth.
"Hi." Elli didn't care how nice he looked. Her heart belonged to Jay.
Panting, Doc slammed his medicinal book down on the desk. He picked up his knife, raising it, hands shaking.
"You wouldn't!" Elli yelped, surprised. She found her herself shaking.
"Get over Jay or die." His eyes glinted with insanity. Elli felt her knees buckle. She pushed against the wall.
"No!" That was the last thing Elli remembered.