Chapter 2
Back at the dorms, Jess had gone to the dinning hall to see what she could get out of the vending machines. She quickly pressed the buttons for the skittles and turned to go back to her dorm when she heard a clang. Clenching her fists Jess glanced around the hall. It's nothing, relax. Unclenching her fists, she started back towards her room.
The dinning hall was on the first floor, and as Jess climbed the staircase she swore someone was following her. Convinced it wasn't just another false alarm, she ran the remaining flight of steps, swung open the door, and rounded the corner still looking over her shoulder expecting to see someone chasing her.
Jess screamed as she collided with someone and hit the ground hard. Looking up she saw an amused Reid, and her face went hot. Did I scream aloud?
"Woah, didn't mean to scare you. What were you doing running up the stairs? I would have thought any girl that could handle Aaron and land a combination shot wouldn't be running anywhere."
"Ha. You know me, just trying to keep in shape. Why are you back already?"
"Well, after you left, Nicky threw us all out."
"Oops. Sorry about that."
He shrugged, "No big deal. We get thrown out of their at least three times a week. So where were you headed before you decided to fall down?" Reid smirked waiting for her answer.
"My dorm. I figured I'd try to stay out of trouble for the rest of the night."
"Uh huh, well I'll see you around. I definitely have to get to know a girl that thinks she could beat me at pool." Reid winked and sauntered around the corner, presumably to the staircase Jess had just run out of.
Entering her room, Jess forgot about the skittles and got into bed. Hopefully the creepy feeling would wear off with sleep.
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"For the last time I didn't use on Aaron. I swear! He tripped all on his own" Reid said into his cell.
"Ok well one of us must have used, and Pogue was right next to me, and we both know Tyler didn't do it. You were closest to Aaron. Just be careful. We don't want Jess getting suspicious."
"Yes mom." Reid hung up and felt like punching the wall. He really hadn't been using. Obviously it couldn't be Jess, so it must have just been bad luck on Abbott's part. Thank god. He was sure there was going to be another smack down, not that he minded, but he was getting enough crap from Caleb as it is these days. Ever since Chase's disappearance, Caleb's been worried about him returning. Reid found this highly unlikely. Plus, even if he had survived, they could take him. Reid relished the idea of kicking that guys ass.
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Caleb's mind raced. Someone had been using. For some reason though, it felt different from when they all used. Normally, he could sense the anger and know who had used and how, but tonight felt different. He still tasted the anger, but the power was more electric than what he and his friends possessed. When they used, the power came out in bursts, but the power used on Aaron had been more of a steady stream of electricity, like the user had used in slow motion.
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Sarah had watched Caleb anxiously the whole way back to the dorms. She knew something was up and was determined to get it out of him no matter what.
As they pulled up to Spencer, she turned to Caleb, "what's going on? You haven't said two words the whole way back. Did you sense something?"
"No, it's probably nothing. I just thought I sensed a new power tonight. It was probably Reid. We both know he can't resist using on Aaron."
"Did you talk to Pogue about it?"
"Yea. He didn't sense anything though. I don't know, maybe I'm being paranoid."
"Alright, well just try to get some sleep. I'll see you in the morning." With that Sarah kissed him and got out of the car as Caleb drove back to his house. She Hopped it was nothing, and life would continue as usual. The fact that Chase could still be out there still scared her. She couldn't handle it if he hurt everyone again.
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The rest of the week passed without much incident in Jessica's book. Apart from her daily nightmares, she hadn't felt an evil presence at Spencer yet. Thinking of nightmares, she hoped Kate and Sarah hadn't noticed her twitching in her sleep. She like them, but wasn't ready to share her past just yet.
Thursday Jess woke up happy. She had managed to sleep the whole night without a single nightmare. Taking this as a good sign, she walked down to breakfast whistling.
Sarah noticed Jess' chipper mood, but didn't comment. She didn't want Jess to know she had been secretly spying on her while she slept all week. Not knowing if chronic nightmares was reason enough to suspect anything, Sarah had decided to only tell Caleb if Jess' nightmares persisted longer than a week. Obviously she hadn't had one, and Sarah was relieved.
"So what do you have first today Jess?"
"English"
"Me too," said Reid as he smiled and slid in next to her.
"I hate English," Tyler groaned as he took a bite out of toast.
"Who knows, maybe this year English won't suck," he said winking at Jess.
Biting back laughter, Jess quickly took a drink of OJ before anyone noticed the flirtatious exchange.
As predicted, Jess actually found herself enjoying English. Reid sat next to her, and as the teacher lectured, they passed a notebook between them.
Mr. George's pants look like they might burst at any moment. I wonder what he had for breakfast.
Well if he ate anything like you did this morning, I'm sure his pants are bound to rip. Not all of us can keep up the diet you can.
Which is a shame really, since they are clearly missing out on delicious food.
Yea like what, a double cheeseburger with bacon? That's like a heart attack waiting to happen.
The banter had continued all through class until the bell rang and Reid walked her to Calculus winking at her as he turned to go to the library.
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Climbing into bed that night, Jess started to wonder about Reid and their flirtatious relationship. He didn't really seem like the relationship type, and she didn't know if she wanted to be the type of girl that was ok with a one night stand. Laughing, she realized she secretly wanted to sleep with him, even if it just happened once.
Whatever, he probably has a ton of other girls he's interested in. Why complicate my life any further? With that Jess rolled over and flipped off the light, looking forward to another night without nightmares.
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Stumbling in the dark Jess wondered where she was. Obviously it was a dream. She'd had lucid dreams ever since she met Chase, and knew that getting out of it would be impossible. She was under his command, and she braced herself for the inevitable as she looked around.
Up in the distance she could see a campfire, and started to move towards it. As she neared, she saw the four boys, Kate and Sarah, and herself all sitting around the fire. Reid was telling her he could make the best roasted marshmallows, Kate and Pogue were about to makeout, and Sarah, Tyler, and Caleb were whispering about something.
Smiling, Jess started to think it might not be a nightmare after all. Then she heard it. Turning around she saw Chase come out of the shadows of the woods.
Looking casually at her he said, "Wow looks like you and Reid are really hitting it off. Too bad, since he probably won't make it through the night. Want to wait around and watch?" With that he moved forward into the scene. Unlike Jess helplessly looking on from the outside, Chase could be seen. Well, maybe not as seen, but felt. Immediately the four boys stood up and looked around.
"Did you feel that man?" Pogue said to Caleb as he quickly put Kate behind him.
"Yea. Maybe it's time we get the girls settled and look around. Just to be safe"
Jess moved forward. She couldn't just watch as the dream version of her and her friends were attacked. But it was too late.
Chase took a hold of the Reid and slammed him into a tree. Reid, unable to see the attacker didn't even know what hit him. The dream version of Jess, also unable to see its source, could only run over to Reid and glance around nervously. Caleb and Pogue took a few steps towards Reid and narrowed their eyes.
"What the hell?"
"Caleb, he's knocked out cold." Tyler said, worriedly looking down at his friend.
"What the hell is going on?" The dream Jess stammered.
Meanwhile Chase had walked out of the scene towards the on looking Jess saying, "Wow, you should really be more careful around your friends, it seems like everyone around you suffers."
"Leave them alone you asshole!"
"I will if you give me what I want"
"NO!"
"Well then, when I'm stronger, I'll find you again, and this time I won't ask, I'll just take."
"You know it doesn't work like that."
Grabbing her around the throat Chase yelled, "listen bitch, you'll do as I say or your new friends will all die. Not that I wasn't planning on killing them anyway. You are so naïve, can't you tell those four are the son's of Ipswich? Running from me did nothing. You're hanging out with people with the same abilities I have."
Sarah had walked in and noticed Jess twitching. Quickly shaking her, Jess stifled a scream as she sat bolt upright in bed. Seeing Sarah, alive and away from the forest, Jess relaxed.
"You ok Jess?"
"Yea, just a bad dream."
"Ok, well I'm going to bed. Are you sure you're alright?"
"Yep"
As Sarah fell asleep Jess could only wonder about her dream. Was he right? Did her new friends posses the same powers as Chase? It did seem like they might. But they didn't seem to posses it in the same way. Chase was vindictive and manipulative, but Caleb, Pogue, Reid, and Tyler seemed like normal guys. She couldn't image Reid inflicting the same pain that Chase had. She'd definitely have to be more on guard around them. Either way, she had to make a judgment, and fast, before it was too late.