CHAPTER SIX

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Next day, Miss Parker tried to ignore the growing fear she felt inside and went to the Centre just like any other day. Jarod had been trying to talk her out of it, but she couldn't stay away from the Centre forever. She almost wanted to cry when she thought of the way she'd acted. She knew Jarod only acted out of concern, and she'd told him she didn't need him anymore. How could she have been so cold? The fact is that she did need him, now more than ever.

Miss Parker stopped her car outside the building, thanking god she didn't pass out while she was driving.

On the way towards her office she ran into Lyle.

"Hey Sis!" he said, watching her as she was massaging her head. "Have a headache?"

"Lyle what the hell do you want," Miss Parker asked tiredly. The last thing she wanted right now was totalk to him.

"Nothing… I was just wondering… are you… are you alright?" Lyle asked, not really knowing how to say. He felt extremely dumb, but he just had to know if Raines' plan had affected her in a bad way. And her headache didn't seem nice. Lyle frowned, was he worried?

"I'm fine," Miss Parker lied. "Why does everyone suddenly pretend to be so damn concerned, just because my house was blown up and I happen to have a headache, doesn't mean I'm dying. Gee! But I suppose you would want that wouldn't you?"

"Oh my god." Lyle mumbled, causing Miss Parker to stare at him in confusion.

"What?" she snapped.

But Lyle just turned and hurried away. He couldn't believe Raines actually followed through with that, blowing up her house? I told him not do… that wheezing bastard!

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After another hard day at work, Miss Parker sneaked away from the Centre. She was beyond tired and her head hurt as usual these days. The last thing she wanted was to talk to someone right now. When she got to her car, she sighed relieved.

It was almost dark outside and the air was cold and it was raining lightly. Without thinking of what she was doing, Miss Parker turned off to the road which led to her house. It wasn't until she laid eyes on the destroyed building she had to face reality. She didn't have a house anymore…

With tears brimming in her eyes she stopped the car and just sat there for a long time. The tears slowly found their way down her cheeks and this time she couldn't control her feelings. Miss Parker cried, she realized this time was the first time since that day she allowed herself to feel anything.

It had started to rain more, but Miss Parker didn't even notice when she got out and walked up to what was left of the house. Suddenly she spotted something almost buried in ashes. She bent down and carefully picked it up. She had to smile a little as she looked at the picture that she loved so much, the picture of herself and her mother.

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Miss Parker didn't know how long she had been staying there, but suddenly she realized it was completely dark by now, and her clothes were soaking wet. She shivered with cold. Maybe it was time to go back to the hotel…

Meanwhile, Jarod had let himself into Miss Parker's hotel room earlier that day. Now he was getting really worried, why wasn't she coming home soon? What if something had happened to her?

About twenty minutes later, he suddenly heard footsteps from the corridor, he looked up and waited. Nothing could be heard, and Jarod felt extremely disappointed. But to his surprise the door slowly opened and Miss Parker walked inside. She didn't see Jarod and walked straight up to the window and stared at the rainy weather outside.

Parker, what happened to you?

Jarod quickly got up from the couch and walked up to her.

"Parker," he whispered, careful to not frighten her.

Miss Parker jumped, quickly spinning around. "Jarod!" she gasped. "You scared the hell out of me."

Jarod looked at her sadly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. Where have you been?" he regretted asking the question as soon as it left his mouth. He knew where she had been. Oh baby

Miss Parker looked down at her feet, remembering the cruel words she said to him earlier that day. But as she saw him standing there, as she heard the concern in his voice, she knew he wasn't mad.

"I was…" she started but her voice trailed off.

"You went to see your house… I'm sorry, I should have been with you," Jarod said softly. When Miss Parker still didn't look up, Jarod walked closer, placing his hand under her chin forcing her to look at him. His other hand gently brushed her wet hair out of her face.

"Hey, you've been crying," he whispered, putting his arms around Miss Parker, pulling her close.

I'm here for you, I hope you know that

Miss Parker was so taken aback by his sudden actions she didn't move. She let him hold her for a while. Oh Jarod, I wish I could stay in your arms forever… Suddenly she wriggled out of his embrace. "I'm sorry, I can't do this," she whispered.

Jarod didn't say anything. He just nodded slowly, letting her know he wouldn't force her to do anything she didn't feel ready to do.

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Miss Parker had just changed into dry clothes when a loud knock on the door made both her and Jarod jump slightly. They gave each other a look, than Miss Parker went to open.

"Who is it?" she asked through the closed door.

There was a silence.

"My name is Adia, I ehm… I have a message for you."

Miss Parker opened the door and gave the young Asian woman standing there a suspicious look. "Who sent you?"

"He told me I couldn't say that. But… he wanted me to tell you, that you are in great danger…"

"Yeah I know that," Miss Parker interrupted.

"No, he said it's not what you think…" Adia said, she reached out to touch the gun shot wound in Miss Parker's shoulder.

Miss Parker flinched.

"Hold on to what you believe, not what people tell you," Adia continued.

"Who the hell are you?" Miss Parker asked tiredly. "Did the Centre send you?"

Adia looked troubled for a while. "What Centre?" she finally said, nodding her head as she spoke. She hoped Miss Parker would understand.

Miss Parker did understand and looked at the girl even more suspicious.

"I have to go. He just wanted you to hear this, and one more thing. Your headaches, you shouldn't ignore them, it can be much more dangerous than you can ever imagine."

Miss Parker stared at the girl as if she was crazy. What did she mean? She was just about to open her mouth to speak, when Adia turned and hurried away.

Miss Parker sighed, closed the door and turned to Jarod.

"What did she mean with that?" he asked confused, feeling extremely sorry for Miss Parker as he saw the look of fear in her eyes. In that moment he promised himself that whatever she said, he would stay with her, she should never have to be alone again.

There was a silence before Miss Parker spoke, her voice trembled slightly.

"That's what I would like to know too."

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TBC