SORRY GUYS! Still new to everything, and I thought I had loaded Chapter 4...but I didn't. Alas, here it is, review if you love or hate it.
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"Okay Lisa...and smile!" A bright flash erupted from Cynthia's digital camera, capturing the image of Kathy, Michael, and Lisa arm in arm, behind the backdrop of a large rustic water fountain with metallic dolphins. Seconds later the group huddled around the camera, examining the picture.
It was Friday evening, and the group had decided to take a trip to Coral Square, a recently remodeled shopping complex along the ocean, complete with boardwalk, countless restaurants, and mini theme park. The weather was beyond humid, making Lisa's blue cotton shirt cling onto her damp skin, a sheen of sweat gleaming across her forehead and neck.
Originally, Lisa had not wanted to come. The return of Jackson had shaken her up, and more than anything she simply wanted to spend the weekend at her father's house, where she knew she could feel relatively safe. Still, the group had beckoned her to come, insisting that if she really was going through some internal issue, it wouldn't be healthy loafing alone at home, risking the chance to return to her once agoraphobic habit. Seeing the truth in this, Lisa decided to go with the flow and hope that their comical banter and companionship would ease her worries, and reinforce her with some needed comfort.
Besides, it's not what happens to you, but how you react to it, right?
A voice in the back of her head still urged her to call Keefe, but she realized that by not contacting the authorities, she was proving a personal point to Jackson that she was not going to let herself be too intimidated. Call it stupid pride, but this was her own little personal battle with her tormentor; if he pressed the button further, she wouldn't hesitate to call.
Besides, she was over that phase of her life. She had once heard that the bravest people who go to battle are the ones that are the most frightened and go anyway. Perhaps that's how she felt in this case.
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Jackson's eyes narrowed. He was positioned alongside an outdoor Mexican cafe, with green pepper and Christmas lights flashing around him as he sipped his black coffee nonchalantly. Tonight, he was playing the part as an anonymous civilian: black shirt, casual jeans, and slightly tinted glasses to top it all off. He immediately regretted his shirt though; it was ungodly hot and it wasn't exactly keeping him cool. He peered down towards his Rolex, checking the time silently.
7:58...and I'm still roasting.
He had been watching Lisa loiter with her friends for the past hour with unexpected indifference, merely waiting for the proper time to make his move. The usual resentment that Jackson contained had been replaced with predatory coolness, watching his mark frolic amongst the bright colors of festive balloons and jubilant groups of smiling faces.
In fact, he seemed that his presence completely contrasted everything around him: the jeers of children on the ferris wheel, groups of teenagers babbling slang and texting uncontrollably on their sticker-embellished cell phones, families hand in hand, a young couple on their first date, too shy to make constant eye contact . The naivety and carelessness of every day society hadn't hit him in a long time, and he realized that it had become another realm to him, another dimension. He couldn't, and never would, adjust to such a life style.
Yet here she was. She had tip-toed across the surface of his world, and was able to come back, almost untouched.
Almost.
The vibration of his cell phone interrupted his thoughts, and he retrieved it, seeing the name entry "Stupid Bastard" appear on the screen.
Garrett.
Rolling his eyes, he answered it hesitantly. "Anything important to tell me?"
Garrett guffawed. "I suggest you have some fun and take a ride in the merry-go-round."
Jackson's nostrils flared in contempt. "I suggest you shut up and let me get back to work."
"Ouch Rippner. Just giving info from the boss: apparently there is an agent from your former company around the area. The details aren't specific, but from what I've heard it's an old comrade of yours, some guy who worked in your cell. Boss wants you to divert the bastard and resume all plans."
Great. Just great.
After a heavily exhausted paused, Jackson continued. "Any knowledge as to why he was sent?"
"No, but it's more than obvious. Your old buddies aren't patient people."
No shit. "Okay, I'll take care of it. Tell the boss I'll neutralize him. Thanks for being useful for once."
Before Garrett could reel in another comment, Jackson hung up, shoving his compact Nokia into his pocket in fury. Just perfect, another one of his old employee was sharking Lisa the same night he was. Now he had two things to scratch off in his mental check list, and the first one was going to be a tad harder. Hopefully, the agent lurking around hadn't spotted Jackson first, and if not, well...he shouldn't be too terribly far from Lisa, now should he?
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"Jesus Christ, look at the love handles on that!" Kathy pointed to herself on the screen as they walked down the boardwalk, welcoming the gushes of the salty sea breeze.
Michael patted her head. "After having kids, there are a lot worst things that can happen. I think you look great."
Kathy grunted dismally. "Still, I'll miss those days when I could go out to the beach in public, not worrying about stretch marks or love handles. Look at Cynthia here: she's all skin and bones!"
Cynthia's eyes grew large in shock. "Gee, well I can't help it if I'm so skinny, blame my genes. In fact, I wouldn't mind packing a few pounds myself!"
Kathy laughed, then handed Cynthia her half-empty cup of strawberry frapucchino. "Start sipping honey, this thing has enough calories to last you a few days. It's a start, right?"
Cynthia giggled, shrugging while taking the drink graciously. "Hey Lisa, want some?"
Lisa, waking up from a lengthy doze, turned sharply. "No. No. I'm fine."
Michael looked at her with a worried expression. "Lisa, you haven't even had dinner yet. Even if your appetite really is that low, how about we get you a salad or something light? C'mon, it'll be my treat."
Kathy leaped towards Michael. "You're treating me as well, am I right?"
Michael snorted. "You got a husband: use his credit card."
Lisa shook her head. "No guys, I'm okay, really. I already had something to eat before I came here anyway...wait." Lisa's eyes were suddenly directed towards an idle snow-cone stand near the center of the shopping plaza, and the feeling of sweet cold ice relieving her from the heat seduced her.
Michael chuckled as he followed her gaze. "How does a large cup sound?"
Lisa grinned blissfully. "Oh, sounds absolutely great."
Kathy whistled. "Hope they got extra large."
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Jackson watched them make their way towards the snow-cone stand, Kathy tugging playfully at Lisa's shoulder as Michael took out his wallet, fishing through five-dollar bills. He had abandoned his spot at the cafe and was concealed inside the refuge of a small souvenir shop, pretending to take a interest in the magazine stack in front of him.. This was it; his former employee shouldn't be too far. It was only a matter of minutes before the unidentified hit man would make his appearance known. Jackson only hoped that he himself hadn't been spotted first.
"C'mon, where are you?" He whispered in ire, his eyes studying the area, checking every face around the perimeters of the snow-cone stand.
An older couple, no. A little girl with her stuffed rabbit, I hope not. Man with bad fashion sense, no...
Two tense minutes passed, but finally a dark figure stalked from the bushes diagonally across Lisa and her friends, revealing a tall, stocky man in a posh suit that was a bit too obnoxious to be worn by any average Joe. The man had crushed his cigarette onto the pavement with polished Salvatore Ferragamo shoes, and his eyes shifted left and right as he talked lowly to his razor cell phone. His face was stony and stoical, glancing at Lisa once or twice as he leaned against the side of the public bathrooms.
Bingo.
Jackson's lips curled in relief: the man's name was Paul, and although Jackson only knew little of his former co-worker's profile, he knew that Paul was a capable man and had always held a fairly respectful position. Still, his one major flaw was that he was idiotic and arrogant enough to wear such a pricey suit, which made him stick out like a sore thumb amongst the casual, jovial atmosphere of the entertainment venue. What, was he just asking to be spotted?
Paul snapped the flip phone shut after a curt goodbye, then peered around him before sharply turning, heading towards the men's restroom. After the bathroom door had shut closed, Jackson placed his hands in his pockets and followed.
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"Enjoying your strawberry snow-cone Lisa?" Michael asked, receiving back a slow nod from Lisa.
"Very."
The group remained awkwardly silent for a moment, Lisa simply staring straight ahead of her, eyes distraught in thought. Kathy decided it best to be brave and ask the question.
"Leese, is everything alright?
Lisa visibly grimaced, chewing on her plastic spoon, trying to ignore Kathy's probing stare. "Yeah. I've just been a bit under the weather lately. I might be getting something."
Michael exhaled sharply. "Lisa, we've gone over this. We are your friends, if you need to..."
"Seriously Mike, it's fine," Lisa said, her tone becoming slightly rigid. "Really guys, I appreciate your concern, but it's nothing. Absolutely nothing. Just a never ending headache."
Another silence resumed.
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Jackson stared proudly at his masterpiece. What was once a enviable Hugo Boss jacket was now soaked in water, and its wearer was sitting unconscious, upright on the toilet. Paul wasn't as careful as he should have been and didn't even have time to react when Jackson clocked him on the head with an iron fist. Dragging the man was the real challenge; he certainly didn't grow thinner the last time Jackson saw him, and situating him on the toilet almost made Jackson break out in a sweat.
"Sorry Paul, nothing personal." Jackson muttered, picking up the trampled cigarette on the tile floor and placing it back in Paul's mouth. He had injected a decent amount of the emergency-case sedatives to make sure Paul wouldn't go anywhere for the next twelve hours, and after searching his jacket, he discovered an impressive switch blade, gun, and bottle of sleeping pills.
He considered taking the weaponry for his own use, but decided that it was best to leave it. Once the janitor finds him and realizes that he's been knocked out good, chances are that the police or ambulance might come. It's going to be hard for Paul to talk himself out of owning a Colt 1911-WWI Replica without a license, even more difficult if they find his job's detailed "instructions" tucked away in his pocket.
Jackson gazed at him detachedly for one last time before closing the bathroom stall. Paul hadn't been a horrible fellow, just an unfortunate one.
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"It's getting late guys. I have to pick up the kids from my mother-in-law's house," Kathy yawned, fumbling with the keys of her van. "Little brats will want some ice cream on the way, I just feel it. Anyway, I'll call you later Leese!"
"Bye!" Lisa said, waving her hand. She turned to see Cynthia and Michael talking quietly amongst themselves, with Michael's face flushing slightly after Cynthia released a suppressed giggle. Raising an eyebrow, she queried Cynthia. "And what about you two?"
Cynthia smiled nervously while Michael sputtered. "Well we just...Cynthia just wanted to go to her house, you know...movies and stuff."
"Uh-huh." Lisa smiled, knowing. "Well you two have fun. I have to go home and take care of a few stuff."
"No no no Leese!" Cynthia went frantic, her cheeks also becoming beet red. "You can come too! It was just an idea..."
"Guys, it's alright. I'm fine." She asserted, hushing them both. "You don't even have to walk me to my car: I'm a big girl. Just promise me you both will call later, alright?"
Both Cynthia and Michael looked reluctant, but nodded in unison. Before they had time to apologize, Lisa had already brisked away, grinning victoriously.
Yeah, they can thank me later when they get married...Lisa thought, heading over to the vast parking lot, crunching her spoon against the hardened ice that had developed at the bottom of her snow-cone. Blinding headlights and the sound of tires going over speed bumps were the only thing that Lisa's senses grasped, and she felt herself lose herself in her thoughts. Lately, she seemed to be doing that a lot.
I will be just fine...I've slept safe these past few nights. No crazy murderer jumping through my window. If I can't go to sleep then I'll just call dad and spend the night over there. Besides, I haven't done that in so long. Hmm...why don't I just...
Suddenly her wrist was grabbed tightly, causing her snow-cone to plop onto the asphalt, the styrofoam cup denting awkwardly from the impact as shards of pink ice littered the area. Lisa gasped, and immediately flung herself backwards, shrieking as she tumbled harshly into a parked sedan, the blow making a painfully loud thud. The memory of the rape flickered instantaneously, and she felt her once inert scar blaze up in livid alarm.
Not without a fight.
She thrusted her hand wildly to her attacker, only for it to be repossessed by his impermeable grip. She cried, beating onto the jacket of her attack as he caught hold of her other wrist and shoved her mercilessly against him. Lisa was ready to bite her way to safety, only to freeze as cold blue eyes took her breath away.
Jackson?!
Ok...so the next chapter is exclusively Lisa & Jackson. No friends, no interruptions, just pure, unadulterated interaction between our two main people. And sorry for the whole thinking-I-uploaded-a-chapter-but-I-didn't-incident. COMIN SOON!!!