Piece of Mind
Chapter 3
Teary eyes glance into the rear-view mirror, they watch the flashing red and blue lights disappear around the bend; her foot pushes down on the accelerator. The men and women of the police department who pledge to protect and serve the people that live here in, Refuge, would find no clues when they arrive on the scene.
The truth was that no one could testify as to who fired the weapon only that they heard a single shot being fired somewhere in the vicinity of the cemetery.
Lightning zigzags across the dark gloomy skies where no moon and stars dare not tread. Steel-blue eyes return to the street before her.
Like the outgoing tide of the ocean her mind rolls back in time-- to where it all began to when she set alone playing in her, Mother's office, she summon to a different sub-level of 'The Centre' where she met a special child, a boy name "Jarod".
You're a girl.
Eyes overflowing with tears, they watch another patrol car zoom pass, her hands grip tightly around the top of the steering wheel. She cuts her eyes from one side-mirror to the opposite one, now she the hunted instead of the hunter, she holds her breath watching one lone black sedan pull out of an alleyway, it now tail-gates her, headlights on high-beam.
Parker leaned forward, her smith and Wesson slithered out of its holster, her thumb eased the safety over, the bullet injected in the chamber, its barrel rested just below the windowpane beneath her left forearm, and she waited like a tigress lucking in the shadows ready to pounce on its prey.
Eyes watch the black sedan pull alongside of her, it slows, and she holds her breath, waiting, and observing the two men.
To kill or be killed, it wasn't a choice. It was called survival. By bus, car, helicopter, train, plane, or afoot it didn't matter to her. Freedom was what she had desired and freedom is what she now has.
Come hell or high water she would do whatever necessary in order to remain free. Suddenly the black sedan immediately turns to the left.
Parker released the air that was held hostage in her lungs, while her mind picked up where it left off. They became friends, they grew up together, and they came to trust one another. Two met in secrecy, they came to share their first kiss, they became teenagers, she went away, he had to stay, and the years passed by.
And then one day the "Pretender" ran away.
Her assignment was to bring back a man who could literally become anyone that he wanted to be. She waited for a tip of his whereabouts, whether it was through the Internet or a newspaper article, another trip, they played the cat and mouse game. Another lair she entered, another red notebook she found, nothing more, as for the 'wayward Pretender, as usual he was gone. Her sighs could be heard around the world, another excuse she would have to give to 'the Chairman', not what he wanted to hear.
What do you want from me, Jarod?
Eyes watch the cars to her left, and then she too follows the same path that the cars before her have chosen to partake of. Always on the guard for sweepers sent to bring her back to a life she wants no part of anymore. She cusses under her breath while her hand shields her eyes from the bright lights of the oncoming car.
She once trapped in a world where deceit, domination, control, power, secrets, lies, exploitation, manipulation, and conspiracies were an everyday occurrence and still are. She referred to her 'once upon a time' office as hell with fluorescent lighting. Days turned into weeks, waiting in her office for her 'computer whiz' to locate him and somewhere along the way she came to hide her emotions behind a mask of ice…she was deemed the "Ice-queen".
I want to know who I am. Of where I came from?
Even if I did know the truth, you know that I couldn't tell you.
He had escaped from a place where evil reigns. He stayed one step ahead of his predators. Always two steps behind in finding out the truth about himself. Secrets he searched for, secrets he found pertaining to her past. They arrived by mail, and with them came a shit-load of questions, never any answers.
Letters written in her 'mother's' handwriting he gave to her, they spoke of her plan to rescue the children from the Centre, as well as her and Jarod, a dream that would never come true for Catherine Parker.
Calls he made to her office, late night calls to her home, at first she truly believed his reason was to taunt her, but she came to realize that his reason was because he trusted her, because he still remembered the little girl who gave him his first kiss. One night a different conversation they embarked on.
What will become of us?
That is the question.
More secrets reveal, a clone name, Gemini, product of Raines, Kyle brother to Jarod, Ethan, her half-brother, Tommy, and her mother, they all victims of an evilness like she and Jarod. Fate brought them together, fate kept them apart.
To have a weak moment was to show a sign of weakness nonetheless tonight she does not care if she is having another damn weak moment she is entitled, the good, the bad, and the ugly all the memories collided together. Her mind, body, and soul would forever be haunted. She knew that he was always watching her from afar, she never did see him, but she could sense his presence. She never admitted to anyone that she would set up night after night and wait by the phone for him to call her.
Will we never know the truth?
We'll figure it out.
A photo of their mothers fax to them while they were talking to each other, doesn't know to this day who was the messenger, who ever discovers the secret first, wins! Clues he finds, she gets a tip, again she is too late, he calls, blows the horn and waves up to her, they both are off the Scotland, to the isle of Cathris.
His mother leaves on the last boat, she pulls her weapon on him, he always knows what to say, she lowers it, time for a truce, they go on scavenger hunt, she discovers the truth about her ancestors in the Parker cemetery, they all murdered because of the Scrolls, they return to Ocee's, both set in front of the fire to warm themselves by. He hands her a cup of tea, then he sat down by her, they talk of times gone by, and they smile at one another. She tucks herself deeper into the cotton robe for warmth. He places a blanket around her shoulders, their hands touch, she sighs, and slowly her hand moves away. He knows that she doesn't want to hear it, but he tells her that she too is a victim of the Centre just like him. They conversation continues.
Why is it that the one person that I have been trained to distrust, to hate, to kill is always with me during my darkness moments?
Maybe it's supposed to be that way.
Blue eyes met chocolate eyes, they traveled over one another's faces, his eyes spoke volumes to her, they leaned into one another, hearts raced, a moment of weakness, each other's breath hot, lips almost together, but atlas the kiss wasn't meant to be, for Ocee had entered the room.
Scrolls are discovered, however they would never see what had been written, daddy showed up, the Pretender, handcuffed, the trip to the airport, the scrolls exchanged hands, they remained in the Lincoln Town car.
He talks to her with puppy dog eyes, she doesn't look at him, he hands cups around hers, and she jerks it out of his grasp.
I know that there is more to our lives than I run, you chase.
Turning points only come when you have something to turn to.
We both deserve something more.
I'm sorry this isn't the ending that you were looking for. It's just how the damn story goes, Jarod.
They escorted from the car, she walked over to where, 'daddy' was standing, and she looked into his eyes, searching for an answer. She can hear the chains of the shackles clamped around his ankles, jingling. Closer, closer, he makes his way over to her, and then he stopped.
Funny thing about life Ms. Parker, if you rewrite the story, the ending is up to you.
Another secret was revealed to her, Raines was her father, -- shit! She knew of where she came from. The plane ride home, daddy jumps from the plan with scrolls in hand, people died, airplane takes a nose-dive, Jarod to the rescue, they land, again "The Pretender" had escaped. She returned to the Centre…he called …then he asked.
What about us?
You run, I chase that decision was made for us a long time ago.
Maybe that is the Parker curse.
No way she could change the past; no way she could take it back.
Parker consumed with anguish, sorrow and pain for having pushed him away every time he asked her for something more, each time the imaginary knife would slashed another piece of her heart away.
She wanting him, needing him, trusting in only him, and most of all loving him with every fiber of her being. All the same she could never left her true feelings be seen by those who were her colleagues, especially Raines and Lyle.
She sighs, it had to be that way, she didn't have a choice, death was a means of controlling one, her thoughts continue.
Three weeks went by, nothing would, Jarod, say to her, oh he spoke to everyone else just not her, that is until it was their turn to shop for groceries, a few words were spoken between them as they pushed to grocery cart down the aisles, nothing to brag about, but at least it was a start for 'predator and prey'.
One week later, another close call, they sail into the station wagon, eyes on their predators, weapons drawn like they were a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde. Then came the knock-down, dragged-out fight between them, over her continuing to wear those damn stilettos heels of hers, dressed in short miniskirts, they were going to get them kill or worse captured, it was Wal-Mart's or she would be walking around barefoot in her birth date suit.
You and what army!
Me, a pair of handcuffs, Smith, and Wesson!
You won't dare!
I would dare without hesitation!
Both of them hardheaded, both wanted to have it their way, and the fights continued for what seemed like an eternity for everyone involved. Everyone staying out of their way as they continued to argue like a married couple, she snorts turning onto the last leg of her journey for tonight.
How long are you going to make me pay for my crime, Jarod?
How about until the twelfth of never!
And what is your verdict on the issue of our friendship status to be?
I don't know, Parker! Why don't you email me?
I wouldn't give you the satisfaction, boy wonder!
Thank god for small favors!
Both stormed out of the room. Sydney and Debbie to the rescue, Jarod and Parker both reprimanded for their childish actions. The storm still rages on the inside as well as on the outside for the both of them. Friends? Depends on one's definition of "friend", as for Parker she looks at their friendship as it be the same as it was when she was the 'Predator' and he was the 'prey" some things never seem to change, old habits are hard to break, in view of the fact of how and where they grew up, inside the prison walls while evil reigns on a daily basis, it was a necessity, not a privilege.
Parker rolls to a stop, she breathes in deeply and kills the engine, she fatigue, with a migraine to boot, the fingertips of her left hand massage her aching forehead, as a final point she pinches the bridge of her nose, it doesn't help any.
This was the place where the legendary game of "You ran, I chase" ended between 'predator and prey'… but not for them, their adventures to date have taken them far and wide, always having to look over their shoulders, always on the run, they each searched for peace of mind. This place too represented the place where 'The Bet' between siblings ended in tragedy for two people. For Parker, as far as she was concerned, Lyle wasn't a tragedy for he was the devils right hand man, but on the other hand, Parker will forever blame herself for the death of, Shelby, as she does herself for the death of Thomas.
She shakes her head, to rid herself of the memories for the time being, later tonight when she closes her eyes to rest the nightmares will come and come they will with a vengeance. How, when, and where her life would end, she chooses not to think about tonight. Tomorrow was another day for her to live like she was dying.
Out of habit, Parker scans the area for the obvious reasons, before she opens the door, 'all clear', she thought, and exits the car, and then quietly closes the door, walks around the front of the car, opens the passenger door of the car, bends over and leans into the car.
One hand unbuckles the seat belt while her free hand comes to rest on the dazed entity that the seatbelt had protected from harm. Not one damn nick to be found on his face, but he did fire the damn gun, she heard it, and there is only one explanation as to why he wasn't dead.
"Jarod"
TBC