Love and Obsession

Chapter 7

Karla sat in her car, parked across the street from Frasier Street Elementary, patiently waiting for her chance to strike. She took a quick glance at the photograph that Ted had given her, then she continued to watch as the child came into her line of site. She got out of the car as he walked out to the school yard, then she adjusted her clothing and make-up before approaching him.

"Hi. I'm a friend of your mom's." She lied. "Do you need a ride home?" The boy backed away from her, knowing that he shouldn't go anywhere with anyone unless his mother told him to, especially a stranger.

"My mom says I'm not allowed to get in a car with strangers."

"I'm not a stranger. I told you, I am your mom's friend. She called me and told me she would be late today and she wants me to pick you up."

"No! You liar!" The boy ran back inside the school and kept running until he found his mother.

"Fuck!" Karla swore loudly. This kid was way too smart for her. Her and Ted's plan had been ruined, and along with not having Josh all to herself, this was the thing that angered her the most. To say she didn't tolerate failure very well was an understatement. She hated it and refused to accept it, but having no choice at the moment, she retreated for the time being and drove away. 'Shit,' she thought. 'I need to come up with another plan.'

Danny and Vicky were driving home from the TV station. Vicky had just finished speaking with Mr. Strowbridge about a job, anchoring the Channel 8 News in San Francisco instead of in New York. The previous anchor had recently quit, and Mr. Strowbridge was more than happy to give her the position.

"Congratulations on the job, Vicky." Danny told her. He was proud that she chose to live and work in San Francisco again and their relationship was gradually getting better again. She had even accompanied him to the Smash club a couple times to see Jesse's band perform and gone out to dinner with him.

"Thank you, Danny." She replied. Danny pulled up along the curb outside Vicky's apartment half an hour later and walked her up to the door.

"Hey, I was wondering if you'd like to come with me to a 49ers game tomorrow night, that is, if you aren't busy."

"Sure, I'd like that."

"Great. The game's at seven, so I'll pick you up at six."

"Okay. See you then. Goodnight!" She wrapped her arms around him and gave him a warm hug.

"Goodnight, Vicky." He replied as he returned the hug. Then he got back in his car and drove away, feeling happier than he has in a long time.

Michelle and Teddy were at Teddy's house, studying for a test on Ancient Egypt. However, Michelle found herself unable to concentrate.

At school, several students in the eighth grade had been pestering her and her new boyfriend, asking them about their love life. They were just thirteen for goodness sake! It disgusted them that their classmates would ask them something like that. The young couple were way too young to have sex and they agreed it would be best to wait until they were at least in college.

"What are you thinking about, Michelle? You seem distracted." Teddy glanced up at her with a look of concern in his eyes. He noticed that she has been acting a little weird around him ever since he asked her to be his girlfriend.

"Oh, I was thinking about earlier at school. Being a teenager is so confusing, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it is." They talked for over an hour about the subject of love and studied the best they could until Joey called to tell Michelle that her father wanted her to come home. Michelle hanged up the phone and put her books back in her backpack.

"I have to go, Teddy. Dad wants me home for dinner."

"Okay, Michelle. I'll walk you home. Is that alright with you?"

"Yeah, sure." Teddy and Michelle walked hand in hand as they walked next door to the Tanner house. When they got there, he gave her an innocent, but still romantic kiss on the cheek, causing her to blush profusely.

"I'll see you on Monday." She said as he pulled away and started to go back home.

"See ya, Michelle." They waved until they could no longer see each other and Michelle entered the house and made her way up to her room to put her school stuff on her bed, then she went to the kitchen and took her seat at the table.

Stephanie was at work and wouldn't be home until ten o' clock and Sadie was spending time at Josh's house, but everyone else was there, talking about work, school, sports, or in Leah's case, dancing.

"How was school today, Honey?" Danny asked as he served her a slice of meatloaf and a scoop of mashed potatoes.

"Fine." She replied, not wanting to tell him about her classmates or being confused about her relationship with Teddy. He would go ballistic if she told him, especially about the former. This was something she preferred to keep to herself.

"Good." He didn't believe her, but he decided it was best to leave it be and the family ate their meal in peace.

After dinner, Michelle was exhausted, so she chose to finish her homework, then get a quick shower and turn in early.

A few miles away, Elise was getting Matthew ready for bed, but something he told her when they came home from school was deeply upsetting to her. She was frightened and her nerves were a mess. She needed someone to talk to right now, someone whom she could confide in. She picked up the phone and thought for a moment before she dialed Joey's number.

"Hello? This is Joey. How may I help you?" Came the voice on the other line.

"Joey, it's Elise. Can you please come over? I need to talk to you about something. It's urgent." Joey could hear the terror in her voice as she said this.

"Sure. I'll be there in ten minutes."

Ten minutes later, Joey arrived and Elise unlocked the door to let him in.

"Hey, would you like some tea?" She offered.

"No, thanks. What is it you called me over for?" They sat down on the couch and Elise explained everything that Matthew had told her.

"Matthew said that a woman claiming to be a friend of mine came over to him and asked if he wanted a ride home. He told her that he couldn't get in a stranger's car and she tried to convince him again to go with her, but he ran back inside and came to my classroom until I was finished grading assignments."

"Do you have any idea who this woman was?"

"He told me that she has light blond hair and brown eyes and he wasn't sure about her age but he thinks she is a high school student."

"Have you ever seen her before?"

"No, but sometimes I hear rustling in the bushes at night, like someone is stalking us or something."

"Elise, get some clothes and stuff for yourself and Matt and you two come with me. I don't think it's a good idea for you to stay here. I'll report this in the morning." Elise nodded and packed a few bags each for her son and herself and Joey gave her a hand as the three of them got into Joey's car and sped away.

There ya go! Second chapter in two days. Hope you like it.