What would "The Centre" think if I suddenly left with him? Look at him..does he actually think I would choose him over...wished he'd quit looking at me like that...God, Jarod...don't do this to me.

"Well, Melissa, I'm waiting for your answer. Disappear with me? Or not."

"Melissa," she repeated her name. "Didn't know you still knew it."

"Yes, I've always remembered your name from the very moment you whispered it into my ears. I remember everything about you and I know what you're feeling and thinking at this very moment." Like afraid of your feelings for me.

"Mind reader, are you?" Miss Parker moved swiftly and grabbed her gun. Jarod pulled at her shirt and held on to her tightly.

"Uh-uh, Mel," he shook his head. "I wouldn't do that."

"Let go of me, you bastard," she screamed. Mel! Do I look like a guy to him?

"Drop the gun! Now!" He yelled.

She fought hard, but he tackled her to the floor. "Get off of me, you idiot!"

Jarod laid atop of her. Her skin smelt of milk and honey, her hair of strawberries and creme which caused a distraction for him that enabled her to have flipped him over. Miss Parker sat on him. He raised both hands above his head, then roughly slid the gun across the other end of the room. Immediately, she got off of him, but he pulled her down to the floor. This time, he held her arms above her, he nuzzled her ears and whispered. "Gotcha, my little Ice Queen".

She felt the stubbiness of his five o'clock shadow as he brushed against her cheek. For just a moment, she felt his warm body against her as she tingled. His closeness caused her an instance of temporary unawareness of her whereabouts. Jarod released her, strutted over to pick up the 9mm as she made a dash out of the bedroom, into the living room and out of the front door. He shadowed right behind her when she stopped suddenly, her eyes roamed around the premises.

"Where the hell is my bloody car?" She yelled at the open space.

"I took the liberty of moving it several miles away, just in case you had the bright idea of fleeing. How does it feel to be on the other side? You're the one running, I'm the one chasing. It's not so funny afterall, is it?"

"No!" She yelled.

"You don't belong there, back at "The Centre."

"What? You think I belong here with you?" Miss Parker leaned her weight on one leg and shook her finger at him.

"It never crossed my mind to say that, but, I do prefer your idea. Get in the cabin, Parker. You're not leaving. Chances are, you're going to rat me out to "daddy".

She stared into the barrel of her gun as he held it tightly in his hand. "I can't believe it. You're actually kidnapping me? Holding me by force, against my will?"

"Yes, it looks like it, doesn't it?" He grinned, still he aimed the pistol at her.

"Jarod! It's against the law! Do you know how many years you'd get in prison for kidnapping?"

"And I supposed, what you did to me earlier, handcuffed and shackles justified your actions? How does it differ from mines? Kidnapping is kidnapping. Tell me about laws! "The Centre" has broken every rule there is in the book! What amazes me is how the hell they've covered up for all their wrongdoings? Murder! They murdered your mother! Thomas! How can you not know anything? You're a very intelligent woman, Parker. Don't dismiss negative feelings towards them, when you know deep down in that heart of yours that.."

She interrupted him. "I've never seen "daddy" do anything wrong. He said he..."

"Come off it, Parker. "Daddy" lies to his little girl. Don't you know that by now? Are you so blinded by his lies? You don't belong there. Come with me."

"You have no right talking about "daddy" like that. You don't know anything about him. He loves me. He wouldn't hurt me intentionally."

"I apologize, Miss Parker. I know he won't hurt you physically. He'll just hurt or kill your love ones. A thousand pardons, ma'am." He spoke in a sarcastic tone.

"Then it's a good thing I don't love you! I hate you, Jarod!" She blurted out.

"Hate is a strong word, Miss Parker."

She hadn't realized what she had done until she heard the slap. "This is for not knowing when to shut up!"

Jarod felt the hard slap against his face. Quietly, he walked back into the cabin and left his "ice queen" alone. With his right hand, he pressed down onto the back of his neck, gently massaged it as if to rid the built up tension, his left gently rubbed his reddened face.

After several minutes, Miss Parker burst back into the cabin. "Jarod?" She found him in the kitchen. He poured himself a cup of coffee.

"I-I'm sorry. I never meant to slap you. I'm sorry." She had been very apologetic.

"You meant it or you wouldn't have done it."

"You never give up on me. Why?" Her voice softened to a point of a whisper.

"I just did. So, you know what, Miss Parker, you're free to go, back to "The Centre". I won't stop you. Oh and by the way, it's over there."

"What?"

"Your precious gun. Take it, don't want you to be lonely without it in bed. Since, it's the only thing which keeps you warm at nights. I've often thought that saying goodbye wouldn't be easy. But, you just proved that wrong. So, goodbye, Miss Parker."

"Jarod." She moved in closely to him and gently caressed his cheek. The same cheek which left an impression of her slap.

"Just go!" He pushed her hand aside.

Miss Parker stomped into the bedroom and out again. Jarod watched her as she flipped the lid of her cell phone up.

That's just great, calling "daddy" at this very minute. I'm a dead man.

"Daddy!" She yelled into her phone and panicked. "Help me! I don't know where I am! It's Jarod! He's kidnapped me!" Immediately after, she slammed the lid shut and turned to him. "Coffee? You want some more coffee?"

Jarod rubbed his temples. "What was that about? You were free to go! What the hell possessed you to do such a thing?"

"I'll make your life a living hell, Jarod!"

"Like you haven't already." He stared at her coldly.

Miss Parker held her hands out to him. "Cuff me, my kidnapper."

TBC - Chapter 3