Chapter 34

Jeff woke with a pounding in his head. As he reached up to touch it he discovered that his arms had been tied behind the chair he was in. He tried to pull his restraints but couldn't break the bonds. Frustrated Jeff tried to recall what led him to his current predicament.

The headlights, Jeff thought to himself and everything came back to him. He had been driving to his house with Pete trying to tell him to slow down, but Jeff wasn't paying him any attention. He had to get there quickly. He didn't want to take any chance of letting him get anywhere near Matt's house and Jessica. Then the headlights came; the brightness of them forced Jeff to squint. It was then that he realized that the car was heading directly towards them. He had attempted to swerve as the car came closer, but the other car was able to ram into them. Jeff struggled to keep control of the car as it skidded of the road. The last thing he saw was the trees coming closer, then everything went black.

His thoughts immediately went to Jessica. He had screwed up and played into the hands of her stalker and now he was unable to protect her. He couldn't even imagine what was going on with Jess. Hopefully Matt and Tony had been able to keep her safe. He had to get out of there and fast. He looked around the room trying to find a way out.

It was a cold dark room, with concrete walls. All that he could see was there was a light hanging from the ceiling, the steel chair he was in and a door all the way across the room. Jeff struggled to drag himself across the room to the door. After what seemed like forever, he finally reached it but with him being attached to the chair he couldn't even attempt to open it although he was fairly sure that it was locked. Frustrated he banged himself against the door.

"Let me out of here you son of bitch!" He yelled but got no response and that scared him the most because if this guy wasn't here then he knew that he was out there looking for a way to get to Jess. "Is anyone out there? Please?"

All of the sudden the bright light switched on blinding him. The door swung open slamming into Jeff and knocking him to the floor. His assailant kicked him then dragged him further away from the door.

"What did you think you were going to do?" He taunted Jeff, kicking him in the stomach.

"Where is she?" Jeff asked when he was able to catch his breath.

"Well, I regret that she's not with me yet, your brother is making that a little harder than I thought. But it will come, don't worry. Eventually, everything will fall into place."

"Don't you dare hurt her!" Jeff tried to move himself around to get a look at who he was.

"I'm not going to hurt her. I love her. I would never cause her any harm."

"Oh, like last time. You drove her so crazy that she tried to kill herself."

"I admit it, I didn't see that one coming but we know Jess. She acts before she thinks, kind of like you. You two really are alike. You'd be perfect for each other if she wasn't already in love with me."

"She's not in love with you, you sick son of…" Jeff couldn't finish as he received another kick.

"I wouldn't piss me off. Not in your predicament."

"When I get out of this, I'll kill you." Jeff threatened him and he just laughed.

"The only way you get out of this, is if Jessica does as I say. Either way, you'll never be with her again." He walked towards the door and Jeff became desperate. He had to figure out a way to stop him from leaving.

"She doesn't love you, she loves me." Jeff told him.

"Oh, is that right? How can she love you? You cheated on her, and broke her heart. Do you honestly think she'd ever be able to forgive you?"

"She already has."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Well you told her you're always watching right? I assume that means you've seen everything we've done." Jeff stressed the word everything hoping to anger him and get him to slip up. His attacker took a deep breath.

"You better not be suggesting what I think you are." As Jeff received even more kicks. He pulled Jeff's hair and came even closer. Jeff pulled all of his strength together to hurl himself at him. Jeff knocked him down and was now laying face to face with his attacker. Jeff stared in shock as he realized who it was giving the other guy the advantage. He took another swing at Jeff then pulled them face to face.

"You better not have slept with her, for your sake, and for hers." He gave Jeff one final kick, this time in the head knocking him out.

He looked down at a motionless Hardy, anger pouring through his veins. She loves me, he kept repeating to himself. He hadn't meant to reveal himself to Jeff, but his emotions got the best of him. Now he had to act quickly. He needed to get Jessica and get out before anyone found them. He smiled at the thought that soon they would be together, and there wasn't anyone who could stop them.