Day-to-Day

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

Chapter Twenty-one

Playing dead had its benefits.

Jackson gripped his knife tightly and waited for the assassin's back to turn. He had worn the lightweight, bulletproof vest just in case. It also contained red dye packets that burst when a bullet entered the vest, creating the effect of being shot. It was no secret that he had many enemies who wanted him dead. He had hoped that disappearing would have saved Kyra from becoming bait to catch him. Sadly, she had risked her life when she did not even know much about him.

The blonde-haired woman turned her back to him to speak on her earpiece; it was a reflex. He silently sprang to his feet and slipped the blade against her slender throat. He felt her struggle against him, but he knocked the gun from her grasp and kicked it away.

"Who are you working for?" Jackson demanded as he nicked her throat slightly with the sharp blade. Ironically, it was the same blade that he had once chased Lisa with.

"Just people…"

"Don't lie to me." He hated liars. Except Lisa…but he hated and loved her at the same time.

"Cut the crap, Rippner," she snapped. Whoever this annoying bitch was certainly had courage.

Her voice sounded familiar. He spun her around, still keeping the knife to her throat. She was not fighting him any longer. He met her green-eyed glare and his eyes flicked over her body smoothly. Something was off.

"What?"

No, it couldn't be…could it?

"Leese?" Jackson questioned, his voice hoarse.

"I'm not your whore—she's dead."

He was not satisfied. She was about Lisa's height, the same build, the same eyes, and the voice…her scar… His fingertips searched for her old knife scar above her breast. She froze as he touched it and then trembled. The knife in his hand was the reason she was complying. Her body remembered that not moving kept her from being cut.

There was no doubt in his mind that this was his Lisa. She was changed for sure, but she was still his. He still knew her better than she knew herself.

Except she had cold-bloodedly murdered her own daughter and tried to kill him.

"Why, Lisa? Why kill Jack?" he inquired, his blue eyes displaying an uncontrolled madness that had not seen the light of day for many years.

"I'm not Lisa!"

"Then who are you, besides a murdering little, lying bitch?"

"My name is Lara…Lara Richardson," she stated simply and calmly. Almost too calm.

A squawk over her earpiece filled the small quiet void between them. "Mom? Are you there?" a girl's voice said.

Jackson smirked at her and then ripped the earpiece away. He wanted to believe that this was Lisa, but something inside cautioned him. It could be a ploy. After all, how hard was it to fake the scar and find a body double? The green eyes could be the result of colored contacts.

"She's a little busy right now, aren't you, Lara," he sneered. Each passing moment convinced him that this was not Lisa. Not his Lisa—he was seeing things. He wanted her to be Lisa, yet Lisa was dead.

"Who the hell is this?"

"Does it really matter?"

"You're Jackson Rippner, aren't you? Mom's target. Did you kill her?" The voice quivered slightly. Just what I need, female-driven emotions.

"No, um…"

"Myra." Lara tried to speak, but Jackson quickly covered her mouth.

"Myra, what an unique name. It's not unlike my daughter's name. Kyra…except for she's dead now. Thanks to Lara."

"Did you kill my mom?"

"Nope, not yet. But mommy dearest won't live long unless you get me information about her. I want files, records—everything. Or else she dies. The Reisert home—in one hour. Come alone."

Jackson dropped the earpiece onto the pavement and then smashed it with his heel and ground the pieces into nothing.

"She won't give you want you want," Lara said after Jackson removed his hand.

"I don't really give a damn. You're lucky I didn't kill you on the spot."

He dragged a protesting Lara to his car and shoved her into the front seat and handcuffed her to the interior. She tried to kick him when he went to close the door and he grabbed her foot. With an evil grin plastered upon his face, he twisted her ankle, causing her to cry out.

Jackson returned to Kyra's side, amazed to see her still clinging desperately to life.

"Daddy," she gasped, her breathing ragged and irregular.

"Hang on baby, daddy's here. Daddy'll save you," he soothed, brushing her dark hair from her eyes. She was his little baby again—his daughter. Daddy's little girl.

He popped the trunk of the BMW and dug into his medical supplies franticly. Kyra watched him as best she could from her position on the ground. They both knew better than to move her.

The bullet had entered her side less had a centimeter from her stab wound. Jackson would be able to retrieve the slug with relative ease. It would be painful, but it was their only hope.

Kyra moaned as he dug the bullet out with a small pair of surgical tongs. Once it was clear of the wound, he abandoned the shell and went to work cleaning and stitching the wound. He whispered to her the entire time, telling her nonsensical stories and making promises. He intended to keep his promises, but neither of them knew what they were.

"Jack…it's okay now. You'll be fine," he smiled, covering her with his jacket for warmth.

"Dad…don't leave me."

"I won't," he swore and he slowly helped his wounded daughter into the backseat of the car. She took no notice of the woman in the front passenger seat. Lara remained silent and kept a stoic mask upon her face covering her emotions.

This was not how anything was supposed to be.

Author's Notes:

And the twists keep coming! I'm evil, I know. I couldn't kill Jackson, but he had to appear dead for a moment. He's a good actor, isn't he? Kyra certainly thought he was dead and vice versa. Thanks for the reviews! Enjoy! The next chapter will be up soon. The site's finally working again, yay!