Chapter Five

A month passed and Jackie learned not to acknowledge the odd feelings she got whenever she left the house each morning, or passed the faded lines on the road she ran on. It was almost second nature to have the hairs on the back of her neck raise whenever she went somewhere. But she always felt like she wasn't alone. It's only your imagination, Jackie kept telling herself.

Lucy never brought up her absence again. The psychiatrist called twice and then stopped. Her boss was still as annoying and weird as ever, but she had noticed that he was . . . different. He was more intense, cornering her every-so-often, inquiring after her health and how she was feeling. It was an overnight change. She mentioned it to Lucy but her friend put it down to her boss hitting a rough patch in his life. Her life went on as if had before.

Spring turned to summer. And soon summer drew to a close. Jackie knew she was being followed. She was certain. But like Lucy said, ignore it and keep going. It was always a man, peeking around a corner, following her as she walked home or to work. He never approached her, like he had at the bookshop. It was that action that made her stand on edge. Even Lucy had been with her when he finally decided to approach. Mulciber didn't say a word, following them to work right after Tom had left. He walked behind them, only a few feet away. Jackie glanced at Lucy and entered the hospital.

But neither one said a word.

Blimey, she hoped she didn't have a full on stalker. Taking creepy pictures and making a shrine devoted to her.

Tom dealt with it entirely differently. He always made a point to stare at the spot where he had just seen the 'stalker' whenever he was around. He didn't like the bloke following his best friend around. He didn't like anyone who bothered Jackie. From the school yard bullies in the second grade to her boss, he always let them know not to mess with her. But the man following her, he never got to show. If he did, Tom would crack his knuckles thinking, he would make sure it left a mark. Jackie didn't know that he often spoke to Lucy about it. But his girlfriend adamantly told him not to mention it around Jackie.

He still grumbled under his breath and made a point to be more alert when he was with his best friend. Jackie knew he knew. But she wasn't about to let the peaceful lull she found herself in break. No matter how much she tossed and turned at night. It wasn't worth it.

"Jackie? Can I have a word, my office?" Richards asked one late August day. Jackie frowned but nodded, following him to his office. Richards had been acting increasingly . . . erratic, the past couple weeks. His normally tidy appearance had taken a sloppy turn, clothes wrinkled and hair uncombed. He drew the shades and shut the door. Jackie bit her lip, instantly uneasy.

Richards moved to stand by the window, adjusting his tie and clearing his throat.

"Jackie, I feel like we have gotten to know each other for a good while now-" Jackie backed away, instantly recognizing that his tone was not teasing, but serious. She didn't know where he got that idea from . . .

"Sir, this is really-"

"Matt," he insisted with a smile. "Don't be shy Jackie, you can call me by my name. We're not strangers."

Jackie's frown deepened. They were definitely strangers in her opinion. Oh. A horrible thought entered her mind. What if he's the one who's been following me? No. That was stupid, she knew it was that Mulciber. But what if Richards put him up to it? Good heavens.

"I think it's time to take this relationship to the next stage," Richards went on, oblivious. He slowly approached her, placing his hands on her arms. He then leaned down- Jackie's eyes widening.

"What are you doing?" Jackie hissed, struggling to break from his grip.

Richards pulled away with a smile. "Kissing you, love."

"Like hell," Jackie drew back. "No. Back off."

"Jackie-"

"Let me go, Richards! I don't agree with you, we hardly know each other. You are my boss," she cut in, still struggling in his grasp. It had not been a good idea to let him touch her. Or even be in his office once he had shut the blinds. Richards chuckled.

"Mum always said that when a girl says 'no' she really means 'yes'," he said. His mum said that?! What was she thinking, giving her son such an idea? He then leaned down again for another attempt. Jackie shook her head, jerking away. He was mad! Jackie, you should have stopped this sooner!

Richards wasn't letting go, and he seemed to be getting frustrated.

"Jackie! Hold still!" he growled, still trying to kiss her.

"No! Stop it!" she yelled. Anger flooded through her, at herself, Richards and the situation. Jackie shut her eyes tightly, letting out a shriek, "Let me go!"

Without warning the glass windows in Richards office shattered. There was a cracking before the windows exploded into the office. Thousands of tiny shards flying through the air and cutting their skin and whatever else was in the room. The blinds crashed to the floor, utterly ruined. Richards, in surprise, let her go and fell to the floor covering his neck and face with his arms.

Jackie's arms raised to protect herself, crouching down.

The stinging of glass cutting her passed. Slowly she lowered her arms and looked at her surroundings. Richards office was trashed. All the glass was broken, even the windows overlooking the road outside. All his belongings were either destroyed or scattered. He was gazing around in shock.

Then his gaze turned to her, even more shock. As if he didn't realize- know, what was going on, or what happened. Jackie raised her eyes to the hall outside his office as she stood. At the reception desk several of her fellow nurses and a few patients gaped at her. One of the nurses dropped the clipboard in her hands. It clattered against the floor.

Had she . . . done this?

Jackie stared down at her shaking hands and then back up. She gasped as the same creepy suited, cape wearing man from the bookstore stared at her from the door at the end of the hall. Slowly, ever so slowly, a sinister smile spread across his thin lips. Her breaths became uneven, and without a glance or word to her fellow employee's, she ran.

How did this happen? Jackie was staring at her hands, sitting on the doorstep of a pub. 'The Rusty Nail', it was called. The only pub she really knew. Only because her other best friend worked there as a barkeep. He was due for a break any minute now. He would make things better. He would give her an explanation as to why that- happened.

She was still in her purple hospital scrubs, her cuts scabbed over. She kicked a loose pebble of asphalt with her white shoes. Her hands were covered in hundreds of little cuts, and though they weren't bleeding, still stung from the memory of the glass.

Jackie kept replaying the event in her mind. Slightly overwhelmed. She had been so mortified, embarrassed and angry at the time. She didn't want Richards advances. But had never the heart to call him out and stop it. She had been too worried over his feelings and her post as a nurse. Too cowardly to stand up for herself, she moaned miserably.

The metal door suddenly swung open and out sauntered Tom. He cupped his hands around his mouth, a flicker of flame coming from his steel lighter. He took a long drag before noticing her. When he did, he drew a long breath and let it out slowly, smoke curling up out of his lips. A bit like a dragon, she mused with amusement.

"All right."

Jackie bit her lip, feeling her eyes begin to water. She blinked quickly and averted her eyes. It wouldn't do to cry now. Tom always hated it when she cried. His eyes narrowed at her subdued expression. Tom sat down beside her on the steps, giving her a worried look.

"What's wrong?" he asked instantly, taking in her appearance. He noticed the cuts and how her hair was falling out of her usual ponytail. She was pale and it worried him. "You don't look so good."

"I feel queer," Jackie mumbled. "Richards tried to kiss me."

"What?"

"I didn't want him to. He had some line that no means yes-"

"What!" anger filled Tom's voice.

"Then all the windows in the office shattered, I was so angry," Jackie went on. Better get it out before she couldn't. "The man I saw at the bookstore was there. I panicked, and ran."

Jackie stared at her hands. Tom took another drag from his cigarette, thinking. Jackie knew he would make things better. He always did. Ever since they had been mates in grade school. She knew they were an odd pair, him looking like a bad boy and her a good girl. To her they fit. A yin and yang. He was a brother she never had.

"That git," Tom finally said, muttering under his breath. "I'm gonna flog his hide."

"Tom," Jackie said putting a hand on his arm. She noticed that he seemed to be ignoring the odd window shattering topic.

"No. He had no right. Luce has been telling me about him for ages. He's barking mad, Jacks," he growled. "I don't know why those windows shattered, but I'm glad you got out of there." He then shifted, placing his free hand on hers, that rested on his arm. "That man though, I do believe he's following you. Whad'ya say his name was?"

"Mulciber."

Tom made a face. He obviously didn't think very highly of the name. "I'm taking you home tonight."

"What about Luce? Your bike?"

Tom shrugged, a sly grin growing on his face. "I'll stay at Luce's, go with you two to work tomorrow and pick up my bike."

Jackie smacked his arm. "You're just looking for an excuse to hanky panky with Lucy."

"Maybe. Maybe not," he said suddenly serious. "I don't like what's happening Jackie. It rubs me all the wrong ways, and I don't feel right." Jackie could see the determination shining in his dark eyes. She sighed, knowing that there was no arguing with him tonight.

"Alright." Jackie stood. "You off then?"

"Yeah, let me grab my jacket."

Tom made sure she made it inside her door before turning and strolling with Lucy down the sidewalk. Jackie watched them disappear around the corner before firmly closing the curtains. He really was the bestest friend anyone could wish for.

Lucy was too. But she had met Lucy in high school, many years later. There wasn't that deep bond she shared with Tom yet. Jackie grinned. He was going to ask her! It would be interesting to have her two best friends married. She expected that it would be a bit weird at first, but, she shrugged, didn't really mind.

Lucy would probably finally move in with Tom.

That brought a frown to her face. Meaning they would both live in Bristol. No matter, she was happy for them. With a sigh she went to the loo and prepared herself a much needed relaxing warm bath.

The real stuff begins next! :) R&R!

A huge thank you to menalliha! (I would've deleted this if not for you!)

~filimeala