Jadie
Disclaimer: Nope, not mine—they're just my pawns in whatever plot I chose to subject them too—(Evil Grin Here).
Author's Note: Ok (THUMP) that's the sound of me running into a brick wall on this story. The Chapters from here on out might be a little—teeny bit—slow in coming. I hadn't really planned much past that last chapter so now the story is in limbo—it's got a life of its own. More than ever R&R—constructive criticism and opinions would be really really great! Oh and sorry this chapt. is kind of short…
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CHAPTER 12: Realization—"…it hit him like a bag of wet cement…"
As abruptly as Jadie's ear piercing shriek had disrupted the Eppes' family, it ended just as abruptly.
Jadie clapped her hands over her mouth, her eyes wide in utter terror and Don was reminded of the conversation in the conference room. …She's…evil…
Don moved over quickly to Jadie, feeling his momentary emotional breakdown dissipate in the face of something possibly worse.
"What's wrong Jadie? Are you ok?" Don asked her, in soothing tones. Jadie's eye were as wide a saucers—suddenly she glanced out the window; ever so briefly—but Don instinctively followed her line of sight—just in time to catch a glimpse of a figure of someone outside. Someone who didn't want to be seen. Don's heart started to pound in his chest, he felt adrenaline surge in his veins—but Don knew he had to stay calm—he needed to figure out more before he acted…
"Donnie, what's the matter with her?" Alan exclaimed from behind Don. Don looked back at his father. Hold it together Don; don't say anything until you know for sure…Don told himself. Charlie and Alan had concern written across their faces, not only for the small girl whose presence they had neglected, but also concern for Don, who had now seemingly recovered from his near mental collapse.
"I'm not sure what's going on…" Don began and then stopped. They hadn't seen what he had; that much he could tell—realization suddenly cracked into Don's head—it hit him like a bag of wet cement—the drawing, Don thought, it showed a shadowy figure, presumably Jadie's mother, following one of the vics and a timeline…my god she's trying to tell me we're being followed…
"What should we do Don?" Charlie asked, not noticing Don's suspiciously blank expression.
"I'm…" Don frowned, what was he going to say? "I'm not entirely sure." Don half-lied as he came to a conclusion in his mind. He turned his back on his family and faced Jadie. There was one piece of vital information that he needed to know before he acted.
He looked Jadie in the eyes, and prayed that she understood what he was asking. He mouthed silently to her 'Just you and me?' Jadie's eyes cleared; she knew and she nodded hesitantly.
"Jadie," Don continued, giving Jadie a look to let her know that what he was about to do was for his family's benefit, "what's the matter, are you ok?" Don didn't risk looking at Charlie or Alan, lest he give himself away. The "Sadist" was after him and more importantly, Jadie. She was after them and only them. By the two of them being at Charlie's house, they put both Alan and Charlie in danger; and Don knew that they were indeed in danger.
Jadie looked at him and she slowly curled up into a little ball and began to cry, rocking herself back and forth. Don felt oddly…proud of her. It was a show, Don knew. He'd seen her really freak out enough times now that although the differences were slight, this was an act.
"Don…"Alan spoke worriedly.
"I know I know..." Don muttered with mock frustration, "I'm going to get her to the office; maybe call Megan and have her meet me there—see if we can't calm her down…"
"Maybe we should wait a few minutes and see if she calms down on her own." Charlie chipped in. Alan and Don just looked at him.
"What?" Charlie exclaimed, shrugging, "It was just an idea."
"No, Charlie, I'm going to take her to the office—Megan is the psychologist." Don leaned forward and picked up Jadie, who didn't react at all and just allowed Don to pick up her limp body in his strong grasp. Don began to walk towards the door.
"Look," Don paused, just for a moment, "I'm sorry I fell apart like that…" He shrugged, embarrassed.
"Don…"Charlie began painfully.
"…But I need to get going now..."Don rambled on, opening the door and heading out onto the porch, the now fervent mantra of 'we need to get out of here—I need to get them out of danger...' repeating constantly in Don's head. Alan and Charlie both looked as if they would have said more, but Don wasn't going to give them the chance. I'm definitely going to have to apologize later…Don thought with regret.
"We'll talk later ok?" Don called out to them as he quickly walked out onto the lawn. He moved with surety and speed; putting Jadie in the SUV, getting in the driver's side, turning the key in the ignition…
He took off and felt somewhat guilty as he saw a stunned Charlie and Alan standing on the porch, looking confused and probably wondering what exactly had just occurred. It's for their own good…Don trailed off in his mind as he noticed a black Buick pull out and begin to drive behind him. He had a sneaking suspicion that he'd seen that car before. He recited the license number to himself as Jadie uncurled from the small ball she had rolled herself into beside him.
"Good Job," Don praised the girl, keeping an inconspicuous watchful eye on the rear view mirror and the Buick behind them. "It was an Oscar worthy performance." Don smiled reassuringly at Jadie.
"She's not going to go away." Jadie stated softly.
"I know…" Don murmured as he reached into his pocket for his cell phone. This was turning out to be far more serious, and far more dangerous, than anyone had guessed it would be.
Don grimly turned on his cell phone. He had some calls to make.
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NOTE: Ok this chapter was brutal to write. The next one I'll try to write and post tomorrow, but no guarantees. R&R!