On Your Mind

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

Chapter Three

"Jackson Rippner?" Philippe looked confused for a moment. "The Lux Atlantic Terrorist?"

"Yeah," Lisa said, shaking her head in agreement. "That's when I met him. He's haunted me ever since."

"But he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. He died that day. He's not alive."

"Yes he is. He attacked me in my home months later. Not George King. I don't know any George Kings. I only know Jackson Rippner and he was here. He stole my baby!"

You have to believe me. You're the only one who can help me!

She was desperate. Time was running out. Jackson would kill her baby in a short amount of time if she did not stop him. He had already ruined her life and would stop at nothing. She knew him too well. He had no morals.

"Miss Reisert, Jackson Rippner no longer exists."

"You have to believe me!" she pleaded with him, her green eyes wide. "He's alive and he stole my baby! He's still after me!"

The door to her bland hospital room swung open without a knock. In stepped a plainclothes police officer with his badge in his hand. He was followed by two more uniformed officers. Lisa eyed them warily. Bad news is coming, I just know it is. Why, Jackson, why?

"Lisa Reisert?" asked the lead officer. It was more of a statement than a question. "Detective Simmons, Miami-Dade PD. I need to ask you a few questions."

She swallowed hard and nodded. Jackson…it's about Jackson. I can tell it is.

"You have a right to know that George King has escaped this hospital. I'm sorry. He was eventually going to be released, once we figured out what to do with him, but he outsmarted us."

"You mean Jackson Rippner has escaped," Lisa corrected almost automatically.

"No, his name is George King. There is no Jackson Rippner. He perished well over a year ago. The man who attacked you in your house is George King."

Lisa shook her head. This can't be happening. He can't be allowed to get away with this! "You're wrong. His name is Jackson Rippner."

"Officers, this isn't a good time," said Philippe, intervening as he cautiously glanced at Lisa. She was clearly distraught and rapidly paling. "Miss Reisert just experienced a great loss—"

"My condolences," snapped Detective Simmons. "Did Mr. King ever say anything to you, like where he might be headed, what he might do? Did he ever make any threats towards you or anyone else?"

"Other than he was going to kill me?" snapped Lisa bitterly. "No, I don't think so."

"Miss Reisert, we're only trying to help you."

"Then why didn't you stop him!" she challenged. "You let him go free and now he stole my baby! And here you are questioning me when you should be searching for him!"

"George King did not steal your baby. She died," Philippe reminded her gently, reaching out to touch her shoulder in a comforting gesture.

"Don't touch me!"

Philippe took a step back. Lisa was breathing harshly and shaking. Upset did not even begin to describe her current state.

Why did you this, Jackson? Why make them believe that I'm lying? Why do this to me? Haven't I suffered enough? When does it end?

"Miss Reisert, I need you to cooperate," Detective Simmons urged; not caring about her, only the case that he was working on. "What did George King tell you when he was torturing you?"

"He was punishing me. I was a bad girl," she whispered softly, his sickly sweet voice ringing in her ear as if he were whispering to her at that very moment. "I made him upset. He said that I would never leave him. That I was his. He promised to kill me."

"Are you sure that's what he said?"

Lisa nodded numbly. She was slowly locking herself way from all emotion and pain to escape Jackson again. She had successfully placed herself in a catatonic state to escape further torture from him before. He had been unable to harm her in that state and she had later used it to end his reign of terror.

A pair of concerned and sympathetic eyes was focusing on her. She could feel them studying her and it reminded her of Jackson. The only difference was that this pair did not turn her blood to ice. Who then? Who is watching me?

"Officers, if you would excuse us, I must attend to Miss Reisert," Philippe said nicely, but with a firm tone. "If you have any more questions, feel free to return at a later date."

Detective Simmons frowned, but he exited the room. Philippe waited for the door to click shut before he refocused on his patient. Lisa seemed somewhat more relaxed, but she was still edgy.

"Lisa," his compassionate voice called her back from the brink of the beckoning darkness. How easy it would be to slip into it and forgot everything… "How are you feeling?"

"Nervous," she admitted. "I know he's still out there. He's still watching me."

"What makes you so sure about this?"

"What makes you doubt it?" she countered with a sly smile.

"Touché, Lisa."

"It may sound crazy, but I know him. He always gets what he wants no matter what. He wants me and he'll stop at nothing to ensure that I fall into his hands. I know it."

He pondered for a brief moment. "What can be done to stop him?"

If only it were that simple…if only he would just die!

"I don't know. I won't risk her life. He'll kill her if I deliberately disobey him."

"Kill who?"

"My daughter. She's alive. I don't care what they say. She's alive and he has her. And, the worst part is—no one can stop him…" Tears were brimming in her glistening green eyes.

Dare I trust him?

"Why not?" Philippe's voice was soft and reassuring – everything that Jackson's was not. There was smoothness to it; a sleek surety in his words. But he was a different type of man than the assassination manager.

"He's legally allowed to."

"Says who? Did he force you to sign a paper?"

Lisa shook her head. "No, it's worse than that."

"What is it then?"

Why am I telling him this? Why am I trusting him? Trust got me into this mess in the first place.

"He's her father."

Author's Notes:

So sorry that it took so long for this chapter to get out! It was a pain to write and I just finished a psych exam a few hours ago. I'm wiped. Once again, I'm sorry.

The American Nightmare- Thanks! Jackson's definitely in some twisted sort of 'love' with her, but she can't stand him. You are absolutely right about Abby's last name being King, except that he's too smart to use his real name right now because the cops are hurting for George King. It's safer to use Jackson, especially since that's the only name that Lisa knows. Thanks again:)

Argil- Thanks! I'm trying my best to update quickly. :)