Chapter Two

"Lisa…" Jackson said, feeling relieved. He had thought that Bentley would have hurt her, but she was safe. For now.

Lisa was staring at him in shock. "Jackson…you…" was all she could get out. Jackson felt guilty. He hadn't seen or even tried to contact her for almost five years. He could imagine she would be a bit shocked.

"Please, Lisa," he said, trying to sound calm, "you have to listen to me. Something's happened. You have to get out of here."

"But-"

"Lisa," Jackson said impatiently. "I know this is unexpected, but you have to trust me. Your life is in danger." He paused, then added, "And your daughter's."

Lisa looked at him in shock. "I don't understand," she said finally.

Jackson sighed, then walked through the door, not bothering for Lisa's permission. This was too important. She would understand when he told her what was going on.

"It has to do with your husband," he said, standing in front of her.

"Michael?" Jackson was glad to see a look of hatred and anger on her face. "He's dead. He's been dead for almost five years."

"Yes," Jackson said, exasperated, "That's what I thought, too, until two months ago."

"What do you mean thought-?"

"Wait a minute, I'll explain." He pulled her into the living room, feeling dazed and relieved. How long will he stay away? he thought. He sat her down on the couch, then sat in the chair across from her.

"Two months ago," he began, wishing he didn't have to go through this, "I started getting phone calls. Strange phone calls." He added, "Threats." He looked around the room before continuing. "Finally, I got fed up and decided to track the caller down. I traced the calls to a building in downtown Miami. I decided to go there myself." He smiled bitterly. "Not the smartest choice to make.

"When I got there, the place seemed pretty much abandoned. Then I saw him." Jackson gave an involuntary shudder before continuing. "Bentley. Or Michael. Whatever you want to call him, it doesn't make much of a difference. He's alive."

Lisa stared at him. "Why didn't you tell me about this earlier?"

"Do you really think he was going to let me get out of there alive?" Jackson asked. "He told me he was going to hurt you. Or, at least, he implied it. Then he shot me." Jackson put a finger to his ribs, indicating where he had been shot. "They were convinced I wasn't going to live," he said. "They were certain I wouldn't walk again. The bullet lodged itself into my spinal chord." He sighed, as if exhausted. "I'm just glad I got out in time to find you."

Lisa looked at him for a moment. Then, quietly, she said, "I thought I'd never see you again."

Jackson tried to look apologetic. "I know," he said, "but I couldn't see you." He looked away. "It's complicated."

"It's fine," Lisa said. "It's…just weird, you being here, after all these years.

From the other side of the house, someone shouted, "Mom!" Jackson jumped.

"What the hell-?"

"Sorry," Lisa said, looking embarrassed. She went to the living room door. "Is something wrong?" she shouted upstairs.

"Toto peed on the carpet again!"

"Shit, shit!" Lisa said, quietly this time. "I'll be right there!" She looked at Jackson, smiling sheepishly. "Mattie," she said, and rushed up the stairs.

---

Lisa stared at the ugly, stinky dog piss stain now embedded into her carpet.

"Uh…" she said, looking unsure what to do.

"I'll get the soap," Mattie said, about to go downstairs.

"No!" Lisa shouted. Mattie turned around, confused. "I mean, uh…" what did she mean? "I'll get it, you stay here with Toto." She went downstairs and into the kitchen, dazed. Why now? Why was every single creature in this house bent on making her life miserable? Shaking her head in frustration, she grabbed the carpet spray from under the sink and started to head upstairs.

On her way, she passed the living room. Confused, she looked again.

Jackson was gone.

In his place was a note. Lisa went over to the coffee table and picked it up. It simply read:

We'll talk again.

---

Gah! Jackson's gone already! Kidding, kidding. He'll be back. Don't worry. Bentley/Michael will enter the story soon. A little too soon, as it turns out. Where did Jackson run off to, I wonder? Not somewhere he'll enjoy, I'll tell you that much. Alrighty, goody-bye! Will update soon!