Always Look Forward

Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Red Eye!

Chapter Twelve

She had made a promise to herself to never let him hurt her again and to never let him hurt her children. And Lisa had failed miserably…

The ultimate betrayal had occurred. She had trusted him, believed in him, and loved him! What did Jackson do in return? He stabbed her with his knife, in front of his young children, before daring to move towards his own children!

She wished that she had killed the bastard when she shot him.

Lisa no longer felt any love towards her husband. All she felt was hatred and fear. She was afraid that he would come after her again…afraid of what he might do to Henrietta and JR. Jackson had proven to her that he was capable of anything that he set his mind to. He was capable of murdering her and the children without a second thought.

Or was he? Why did he seem to change so many times in those short minutes?

Had Jack stabbed her or had it really been Jackson?

Did it even matter anymore? Wasn't Jack still Jackson? Or a figment that Jackson created; another being to hide all of his guilt and anger behind? No, she had seen Jack before and there were clear-cut differences between the two of them. But it did not change what had happened. It did not change her feelings towards him.

Henrietta and JR were sleeping peacefully upon the empty hospital bed beside her. Joe had left the room to grab coffee and some dinner. He knew that Lisa needed some time alone to deal with the effects of the attack. She had been under so much stress and pressure. The man that she thought she loved and had married had shown himself to be a complete and total stranger—a monster bent on killing her and the two innocent children that were her babies.

What had happened to them over the years? Why had Jackson changed so terribly, so suddenly? Where had this anger been hiding over those five peaceful years?

"Mrs. Rippner?" called an unfamiliar voice and Lisa heard a fist knocking quietly on her door. "Can I speak with you?"

Lisa slipped her right hand carefully around the small gun that Joe had handed over to her earlier. He had brought in some clothes for the twins and for her and slipped her the gun that she had requested. He never questioned why she would want a gun in a hospital.

"Yes. Who are you?"

The man entered her room and she saw a pair of striking blue eyes staring at her. Jackson's eyes.

She gave an involuntary gasp and tightened her grasp on the gun.

"My name is Doctor Jonathan Crane. I'm treating your husband," announced Crane, stepping towards Lisa.

Lisa started to relax when she realized that this was not Jackson coming to kill her. This Dr. Crane resembled him but she could tell the difference between the two men.

"What is wrong with Jackson?" she questioned, curiosity getting the better of her.

"I believe that you already know the answer to that question. You see, Jack has told me all about you, Lisa…"

"Jack?" Lisa trembled. "You spoke to Jack? What happened to Jackson!"

"Mrs. Rippner, would you like to see my mask?" Crane asked with a smile, unsnapping his metal briefcase.

Something was wrong. Something was very wrong.

A fine white powder flew into Lisa's face, coming from Crane's briefcase. He had pulled a burlap sack over his head, covering his Jackson-like features. Now, he removed the mask and his face was inches away from hers.

She was seized with terror. Jackson was going to kill her. This was Jackson and he had a bloody knife—it was her blood—and he was turning towards her children.

"No! Jackson, don't do it!" screamed Lisa, whipping the gun out, despite her clouded mind, fighting the powder.

"What is it you fear?"

"You, Jackson. I'm afraid of you. But not anymore," hissed Lisa, her grip steadying on the gun as she leveled it towards Crane, who she believed due to her fears, was Jackson.

"You're not afraid?"

"No."

"Are you sure?" he questioned, reaching a hand towards Henrietta's dark hair.

"Get away from my daughter, or I swear, I'll shoot you! I've shot you before and I'll do it again!" Lisa warned, clicking off the safety.

Blue eyes rounded on her, daring her to take the shot.

"You're immobilized by your fear," sneered Crane.

Lisa was weakening. She could see Jackson, his charming façade at the airport, asking about her favorite drink—befriending her—and then him chasing her. His face melded with the face of her rapist. She could see him hurting her again, choking her, stabbing her; it mattered not. She could see him killing her and her children.

Bang.

The recoil from the unfamiliar gun messed with her aim, sending the bullet passing his dark colored hair. She cursed; she had missed.

Nurses came rushing into the room, grabbing the gun from a sobbing and screaming Lisa. Henrietta and JR woke up and crawled under the bed in the chaos; frightened by the loud noises and the strangers. The only person who remained calm was Crane. He was pleased with his little experiment and surprised at her ability to fight back and repel the affects of the toxin.

A shot was given to Lisa, which instantly calmed her.

"Excuse me," Dr. Crane said to the nurse who gave Lisa the shot. "I'm Mrs. Rippner's new doctor. Can you help me move her to a secure room? And bring some restraints. She's a little crazy."

"Sure thing," nodded the nurse.

Crane smiled. Things were falling into place and soon, the Rippners would be no more than a memory and he would have all the research that he required.

Author's Notes:

Happy New Year! Everyone's got an agenda—including Crane. He's working with the company. More to come soon and everything will become clearer soon. Enjoy!