Lisa sank to the floor, her tears coming in shallow torrents. The note lay crumpled on the floor as she surveyed the room. She then pulled herself to her feet and limply began cleaning up.
Lucas couldn't help her. Her father couldn't help her. She subconsciously shut the blinds of the house, feeling tense. She knew that there were probably cameras hidden all over the house, but at least she wouldn't give the outside viewer the pleasure of looking into the window.
Her chest sagged. She would save Katie. But she'd die herself. Either way she was screwed...but the only thing she could comprehend was that Katie could NOT die...she couldn't. And Jackson had better not hurt her.
Suddenly her cell phone rang, startling her. She quickly opened it and pressed it to her cheek.
"Hello?" she asked frantically.
"Lisa." That same cold, calm, calculating voice that had haunted her dreams even years after Kat was born.
"Jackson, you asshole, WHERE IS SHE?" Lisa yelled, her fists clenching.
"Why, Lisa, she's right here with me," he said placidly. "She's so amusing to have around, I must say..."
"Fuck you, Jack."
"Ah, thanks for the offer, Leese, but I planned that for a little later, for Kat," Jackson smirked. "She has your eyes. Very nice."
Lisa's stomach lurched horribly as she heard her daughter's muffled sobs.
"Jackson, please, don't hurt her..." Lisa begged. "You promised you wouldn't."
"Ah, now, don't go twisting my words," he responded maliciously. "I said I wouldn't kill her. And I'm not, and I won't."
"Just..." Lisa painfully closed her eyes and bit her lip. "What do you want from me? I'll do anything."
"Is that a promise?"
Something about his words made her blood run cold.
"Y-yes."
"Okay, then," he continued. "Provided that everything goes as planned and both of you behave...we'll meet you at your house in two nights. How does that sound?"
"Can't it be sooner?"
"Two nights. Take it or leave it," he threatened. Lisa winced as she heard Kat scream.
"No!" she yelled. "I'll...two nights."
"Good." Click. Lisa collapsed, numb, to the floor.
