A/N: If you have a weak stomach, I suggest not reading this while eating. One paragraph might be disturbing.
All relationships serves a purpose. It may be a joy to be in that relationship or it may be a pain in your life. In either way, they were here for a reason. Miss Parker wanted a normal life, Jarod just wanted a life.
They weren't like any other two people in this world, but, they did fit together. Their passion was moving ahead very rapidly, excitedly fearlessly. A feeling of heavy adrenaline rushed through them all ready for a grand adventure. Sometimes it frightened them how happy they were together, for nothing lasts forever.
At The Centre, Lyle sat back with his feet atop Parker's desk, his hands behind his head, he snickered to himself of his plans to destroy his twin sister. Jarod was no longer top priority on his list, but she was. Of course, if the pretender stood in his way he would definitely shoot him first, although he felt plugging a bullet into him would be a waste of his ammunition, for Lyle would rather use it on Parker in remembrance of the way she ridiculed him that day she chose Jarod over him.
Miss Parker should know by now that no one should ever cross Lyle. Remember his asian delicacies? Ah, he thought back, sweet and tender. It's not why he killed them, that sent shivers up and down your back, but, the way he made use of their lifeless bodies, served them on a porcelain platter, so to speak, with wooden chopsticks instead of those smooth surface ones, for they do not hold as well to savor ever piece of his entree. Parker would definitely be different, tough and tasteless, but, nonetheless, he laughed as he smacked and licked his lips, he told himself, he's not a picky eater.
"Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy road."
It's been several weeks since their escapade with Lyle. Jarod and Miss Parker were two people in love. The one you love the most are the ones you hurt the most. Is this what life would be for them? Is this how they'd be spending their life together? In seclusion, hiding from The Centre. They've been on pins and needles around each other for the past couple days, having their shares of arguments, disagreements. What couple doesn't? But, this was not the scenario she'd envisioned with Jarod. Love was blind, she definitely agreed to that. Happily ever after? Picture perfect? She missed her freedom.
Jarod cautioned her, reminded her to always watch out for the surroundings around and to always, be one step ahead. It wasn't that he was hovering over her, he was concerned for her safety. In the beginning, she accepted this, welcomed it, for it was truly a sign of how he felt for her. But, enough was enough, that she finally snapped.
"I hate this! I hate everything about this set up! And right now, I just don't feel like loving you today! I hate it that I can't just go out on my own without having the fear that psycho Lyle would be out there waiting for us!"
"You think I like this? You think I don't worry what will happen to you if he caught up with us?" He snapped back.
"Look, I never expected having a relationship with you would be like this! At least with Thomas, we were free to do anything! I loved him and he was taken away! Now, I'm stuck here with you in this god-foresaken prison! I never expected this!" She rambled on, then suddenly caught herself. Miss Parker saw the pain in Jarod's eyes. Quickly, she grabbed his arm.
"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean any of those things. I honestly love you," she told him, tears flowed slowly down her face.
He spoke barely in a whisper. "Let go of my arm, Parker." She did. "Never settle on anything, especially me."
Jarod walked out of the house sorrowfully, got into his car and drove away. Parker paced the floors of the living room, waited for him, it was nearly midnight. He'd been gone for hours.
Raindrops hit rapidly on the windshield. He was headed back home, not a soul was in sight, doesn't remember where he'd been, just drove around in circles, stopped now and then. He saw the lights on as he pulled in front of his house, she stood by the window, with the telephone in her hand.
Quietly, Jarod opened the front door and saw her as she moved her way into the middle of the room. Parker turned, ran up and embraced him tightly, thankful he came home safe and sound.
"I've been worried about you and I'm sorry," she told him as she kissed him passionately.
He doesn't kiss her back or return her hug, but, pulled gently away from her. "Hey, it's late. I'd better jump in the shower."
"Want me to join you," she asked knowing what his answer would be. He just shook his head, walked down the hallway and into the bathroom.
Miss Parker laid in bed, curled up in a fetal position and waited for Jarod patiently to cuddle her as he had always done each night. She heard his footsteps as he grew closer and scooted over slightly to make room for him. Dressed in shorts, his body slightly wet, he grabbed his pillow and the extra blanket that hung over a chair.
Speechless she sat up as he turned to her. "I'll be on the sofa tonight...hereafter...," his voice trailed off, "until we can figure out this living arrangements. Goodnight, Parker."
She cried. "Jarod! I don't know what else to say, but to beg for your forgiveness. I didn't mean any of it!"
"You didn't love Thomas?" He queried.
"I shouldn't have said those hurtful things to you. I am so sorry."
"I know, Parker, I know you're sorry, but, it doesn't make my pain go away. I won't compete with a ghost. Good night." He walked out the door and quietly closed it.
How could Jarod compete with someone who was no longer in this world? How do you compete with someone who is only but a memory to Parker? How does he compete for her love when Thomas has no more love to give to her?
How could Parker go to Jarod when he won't let her in? How does she show that she loves him, when he'd forgotten how to feel? How does she comfort him when she herself needs comforting?
"Oh, Jarod," she cries silently. "How do I say you are my heart and soul when I'm afraid to say those words. How do I keep you forever when forever never last? How do I apologize for the pain I've put you through?" She asked herself as the tears rolled down.
They cried themselves to sleep that night, alone in bed for the first time in weeks. Life has a strange way of surprising you. It creeps up suddenly and approaches you when you least expect it.
TBC - Chapter 5
