Chapter 15: A New Hope
Marc returned home after his work, he was worried because he knew if he gets caught, no one will be there to protect his sister. He knew Craig and Diesel will go to any heights to get what they want, and they'll not hesitate to hurt his sister and even his mother.
"Hey Marc, you look like a mess," Cheryl said watching her brother's tense face.
"I'm fine, nothing to worry about," Marc answered.
"What's wrong with you," Cheryl sat beside Marc, "For last week I've seen you acting strangely, please tell me, is there something wrong?"
"Please Cheryl, I'm fine so leave me alone," Marc said in a harsh tone.
Cheryl had a feeling that her brother did something bad, and now he's hiding something from her.
"Ok If you don't want to tell me its fine, but there something else I'm worried about."
"What?" Marc asked.
"You know Aunt Gwen was here, and she wasn't pleased with mom for the way she's raising us."
"Yes, I know that, is there anything else."
"Well Aunt Gwen threatened she take me away," Cheryl did want to get out from this place and have a chance to live a normal life, but she loved her brother who almost raised her, and she didn't want to leave him.
"Do you like Aunt Gwen," Marc asked politely.
"Yes she was kind."
Marc closed his eyes, he also loved his sister, but he did a worst thing that he could ever do in his life and if his sister can move away from all this and have a better life…it was worth it.
"What are you thinking now, if you don't mind sharing with me?"
"Maybe it's for the best."
"What?" Cheryl was a bit shocked.
"Listen Cheryl, maybe Aunt Gwen is a blessing in a disguise, if you think she's nice, and she wants best for you then its ok."
"But what about you, we'll be separated."
"Listen I'm twenty years old, and I'm a big guy, and besides if you can have a normal life, I'll be happy."
"But, I don't want to leave you."
"Neither do I, but I want best for you."
"Ok, but what about mom, I know she's a rack, but I also care for her."
"She'll be fine, trust me."
"Ok I'm going to do my home work, we talk about it later," Cheryl said and left the living room and Marc was once again buried in his thoughts.
Lucas was driving on the roads, and without noticing he just reached the West fuel Pump station…the place where it all happened.
He stopped his car and got out from it and walked towards the store which was still covered with yellow ribbons. He could see the inside the shop. Floor was no doubt clean but there were still marks of blood on it.
Lucas sighed and began walking away but someone grabbed him from behind. Lucas looked back and it was an old homeless person.
"What do you want?" Lucas was not in a mood to deal with him.
"I saw everything?"
"What do you mean?" Lucas was puzzled.
"I saw the whole murder," Homeless man said.
"Don't you dare joke with me; it was my nephew who was killed," Lucas glared.
"I'm not joking."
"Ok come with me to the cops," Lucas grabbed him.
"Hell no," the man backed away, "I'm not talking to the cops, I need some money, give me, and I shall tell you."
"Ok take this," Lucas gave him the money.
"I saw three men grabbed the woman and began tearing her clothes."
"What woman?" This information was also new to Lucas.
"How do I know her," man said in a harsh tone, "She was there and that boy just came to save her, but they were three and two of them began beating him and then a third one shot him."
"Is there something else?" Lucas wanted to know more.
"Yes, while the woman was running away, she dropped her purse, and bad luck for me, she didn't have the credit cards but plenty of money and an address."
"Address…can I have it," Lucas wanted to get to the woman.
"Well…it'll cost you extra buck."
"Take it," Lucas handed him more money.
"Good," man grabbed the money at once, "Here it is."
Lucas took the card, and number and address was written on it, so he immediately dialed the number.
"Hello," on the other side it was a female voice.
"Is this Melinda Harkar?" Lucas said looking at the card.
"Yes, but whose calling."
"You don't know me; I know a week ago you were attacked…"
"I don't know what you are talking about," Lucas could feel that on other side the voice was shaking.
"Please I need to see you."
"Don't call me ever again."
"Listen…please…" Lucas said but the call was cut from the other side. He knew that she didn't want to come forward, but she has to, and he has to see her at all cost…
Ever since Jacob heard from jack that his car was stolen and used for a murder, he was having a gut feeling that Craig and Diesel were involved in it. He knew that two of them are capable of this, but he was worried about Marc, and he didn't want Marc to be part of all this. For past months Marc began hanging out with two and Jacob knew Marc will end up doing something he'll regret.
"Hey Jacob, are you worried about something? A middle age woman asked.
"Yes Patty, there is something wrong," Jacob said looking at the woman, she was his wife for twenty five years, and they loved each other very much but sadly they didn't have any children.
"I know a cop came a little earlier," Patty said sitting in front of Jacob, "What's wrong?"
"You know the car that I fixed so I can sell it for some money."
"Yes I know it was stolen."
"Well someone stole it and used it for robbery and killed a very young boy."
"Oh my God, isn't that boy James Scott?"
"Yes, it was him."
"Are we in trouble?"
"I guess not, but I'm having a feeling that Craig and Diesel are involved."
"Well I can expect that from them, they aren't humans!" Patty said in anger.
"But I'm worried Marc is also involved."
"Marc…" Patty was also surprised.
"Yes I think he is also involved."
"What will you do?"
"I don't know, but I'm going to Tree Hill, and I want to meet the family."
"Is this a good idea?" Patty wasn't sure.
"Yeah, I thought about it and I think I must visit the Scotts."
Sawyer was walking on the road; she just got a call from Ashley that she wanted to see her.
"Hey," Someone shouted and Sawyer turned, it was John, Jake's son and Jenny's brother, "If I'm not mistaken you're Sawyer Scott."
"Yes and you're John Jagielski."
"Wow, you know me."
"Yes, I know you very well; Jenny hangs around a lot with us."
"Ok it a little embarrassing to say."
"What?" Sawyer was curious.
"Actually…I lost my way."
Sawyer began smiling and John was embarrassed even more.
"Ok I'll show you the way," Sawyer said still enjoying looking at his face.
"Thanks," John began walking with her.
"So how long will you stay?"
"Actually we'll leave tomorrow to Savannah," John said, "If you don't mind, can I ask you where you're going?"
"Of course not, I'm going to my Uncle Nathan, Ashley wants to see me."
"Oh…Jamie was a close friend of Jenny."
"Yeah, he was the best…we are really missing him," Sawyer was sad once again.
"If you don't mind, can I come with you?"
"Of course not, I think they'll like you there." Sawyer said and they began walking together.
Brook was dealing with the customers, Rebecca came to her.
"Mom, I got a call from Ashley, and she want to see me."
"Ok, I'll take you there," Brook told her daughter.
As they were talking, Peyton entered COB.
"Hi, is it a good time," Peyton said drawing everyone's attention towards her.
"Yes it's a perfect time, nothing big happening here," Brook answered.
"I also came because I was bored and there's nothing to do."
"Well you came to the right place; I want us to spend a little time together."
"That's exactly what I was about to say."
"Ok I'll drop Rebecca to Nathan's and we shall meet at Karen's café."
"Yeah, Sawyer is also heading there."
"Ok, meet you at the Café in half n hour."
Jacob was standing in front of Nathan and Haley's house, his heart was beating, but he knew he has to meet them. He finally took courage and rang the bell. After a minute, door opened, and he saw a ten years old boy.
"Hi, my name is Jacob and is this Nathan Scott's house?"
"Yes, he's my dad and I'm Adam Scott."
"So you're the brother of James Scott."
"Yes, he was my brother," Adam said and Jacob felt the sadness in his voice, "I'll tell my dad."
Jacob saw Adam leaving; he waited and after a minute saw Nathan coming.
"Hi, I'm Nathan Scott; I don't seem to recognize you."
"Well you don't know me, but I have something to say to you and your wife."
"Ok come inside," Nathan said, but he was still confused.
Jacob looked around and saw an older blonde woman standing with a mid thirties brunette woman, and he knew that younger one is the mother of the boy.
"Ok Mr. Jacob, what do you want to say to us." Nathan said offering Jacob to sit on the couch.
"I know your son was murdered a week ago, and I'm very sorry."
"Do you know our son," Haley said also sitting on the couch.
"No, I don't know him," Jacob answered.
"Listen, I'm confused, we don't know you, and you don't know us, then why you're here?" Nathan asked.
"Alright…" Jacob took a deep breath, "I know it's difficult for me to say and difficult for you to hear but the car those people were driving belonged to me."
"What!" Nathan stood up fallowed by Haley, "You…you dare to come here? Nathan's eyes were full of rage and anger and Jacob wasn't ready for it.
"Listen, I know the car belonged to me, but I was not involved, trust me, I'm came here to talk to you."
"So what do you want to talk?" Nathan was still much angry and Haley was silent but her body was shaking.
"Listen, my car was stolen, here the copy of the report, I'm feeling very sorry for what happened, and I'm here to help you."
"How can you help us?" Nathan asked.
"Listen, I have a clue who stole my car."
"You know…" Nathan was a bit shocked as were the others.
"I'm not sure," Jacob said, "But I have my doubts."
"Please sir, tell me who they were."
"Well a cop named Jack Daniels came to me and asked me some question, if I can meet him again, I promise I'll help."
"I'll take you to him," Nathan said and looked at Haley.
"Sir, can you wait a minute," Haley said and Jacob nodded
"Are you sure you know the person who killed my son?" Nathan asked.
"Listen I said before, I only have a guess."
"I just want a justice for my son."
As they were talking Haley came back, and she was holding a picture and Ashley and Maggie were behind him.
"That's was our son," Haley handed Jacob the picture.
"He was the best son any parents can wish for and a great big brother." Haley said with tears in her eyes.
Jacob looked at everyone and his felt really bad looking at their sad face.
"Your son will get the Justice." Jacob said, "Ok Mr. Scott, take me to that cop."
Nathan took his car keys and they both left. Everyone saw them leaving and they knew Jamie will soon get the justice.
Sam was sitting in her room at the hospital.
"Hey," Dr Andrew knocked the door.
"Dr. Andrew…" Sam stood up.
"Please sit down," Dr. Andrew said and also sat in front of her.
"Got any news from your husband?"
"Yes, he thinks he got the men."
"That's great; those people deserve to be behind the bars."
"Yes, they do."
"You may have already read the autopsy report."
"No I didn't, is there anything important."
"As matter of fact it is." Dr. Andrew said rubbing his forehead, "If paramedics would have found Jamie earlier or someone stayed with him and somehow did something to stop the flow of blood, Jamie could have make it in the surgery."
"Yeah," Sam sighed, "I know reason for his death was loss of blood?"
"Yeah, but it's strange, Dr. Paul just gave me his resignation."
"What?" Sam was surprised, "Isn't he the one who did an autopsy on Jamie."
"Yes, he is the one."
"Maybe he has his reason."
"Maybe…"
"Ok Dr. Andrew if you don't mind can I go to Karen's Café and have a cup of coffee."
"Of course you can go, bring one for me, I hate these machine coffees."
"Ok Dr. Andrew I'll bring you one."
Sawyer and John were standing in front of Nathan's house. Sawyer was about to open the door.
"Hey don't you press the doorbell first?" John told Sawyer.
"This is my Uncle's house; I hang here all the time and I don't need to press the doorbell."
"Yeah I know that, but now I'm with you."
"Yeah, you're right." Sawyer realized and was about to push the doorbell, someone pecked her on behind. She turned around and saw Rebecca standing behind her.
"So Ashley called you too," Rebecca said and turned towards John, "John, when did you meet Sawyer?"
"Hi Rebecca, so you do know John," Sawyer was a bit surprised.
"Yeah we meet earlier; I was hanging out with Davis." John told Sawyer.
"Yeah you two seem to become friends in no time," Rebecca said to John.
"Yeah, we have many things in common but right now I think we better get inside."
"Yeah, you're right," Sawyer finally pushed the doorbell, and after few minutes Ashley opened the door.
"Sawyer and Rebecca you're here." Ashley said, "John you also came."
"Yeah I also came, if you don't mind?"
"No…I'm ok that you came." Ashley said, she was surprised, but she was not bothered at all to see him, "Ok all of you come inside."
All of them fallowed Ashley inside the home.
"Ok I think you three friends can talk, I shall see Adam," John said and left the girls.
"Ok I've called you all here because I wanted to apologize." Ashley spoke looking at both her friends.
"Apologize for what," Sawyer said and looked at Rebecca, and she was also confused.
"They way I ignored you and avoided you."
"Ashley, we know what you were going through, you don't need to apologize to us."
"Yeah, but I feel bad."
"Don't be, we're ok," Rebecca said coming to Ashley.
"I really said something bad to Jenny."
"Well John is here, it's a best chance that she'll be here."
"Yeah I need to talk to her," Ashley really felt bad for the words she said to Jenny, "Ok come to my room, we have much to talk."
"Yes we've much to talk," Sawyer said and all girls went to Ashley's room.
Peyton and Brook entered the Café.
"Wow Lily, so you're handling the Café today," Brook said looking at Lily
"Yes but mom called me, and she'll be here any minute to check on me," Lily said. "What can I do for you?"
"Just give us some coffee." Peyton said and she and Brook both sat on one of the booths. Lily poured two mugs of Coffee for them and left to deal with the customers.
"Ok Peyton you go first," Brook said sipping the coffee.
"Yeah, the things are getting back to normal, but still its long way to go."
"Yeah same for me…"
"Did you talk to Haley after the funeral?""
"No, but I'm planning to."
"We need to talk to her as soon as we can."
As they were talking, Sam entered the Café and surprised to see Brook and Peyton there.
"Hi," Sam greeted them.
"Sam so good to see you," Peyton said looking at her, "Please join us."
"Thanks," Sam sat with them.
"Wow today is a full house," Some said from behind but they knew it was Karen.
"Yeah we decided to have a time together," Peyton said sipping her coffee.
"Yeah I'm also glad to see you all here."
Before they could talk further, Lucas also entered the café and everyone was really surprised to see him.
"Lucas, you're here," Karen asked in surprise, "Is there something important?"
"As a matter of fact it is, and I wanted to talk to you, but now see Brook and Peyton here, I think there's no harm sharing this news with them too."
"I think you got something big," Karen said and they all sat together.
"I meet a half crazy man, and he told me that Jamie wasn't alone before he was killed."
"So you also know," Sam said and everyone's attention was now drawn towards her.
"What is going on?" Brook asked and Lily, who was hearing them, also came closer.
"Ok let me tell you all," Lucas said, "There was a woman along with her two kids in the shop, and these men tried to rape her, before Jamie interfered."
"So what you're saying means Jamie died protecting someone?" Karen asked.
"Yes he did."
"Oh my God, who was that woman?" Brook asked.
"Her name is Melinda Harkar, and she lives two towns ahead."
"What did she said?" Peyton asked.
"Nothing, she told me not to call her again."
"What does it means?" Brook yelled in anger, "Jamie died for that bitch, and she wants to hide."
"I know I'm angry too, but we can't push her," Lucas said feeling Brook's anger.
"Hell no, just give me her address, and I shall drag her here, even I have to pull her hair all the way," Brook was furious and everyone could feel it.
"Brook calms down," Peyton said, "Lucas is right, we can't just rush in."
"Ok fine, do it your way…" Brook sat.
"Ok Lucas do Jack know you got the address?" Sam asked.
"Yes I called him and he asked to meet him at the station, and I'm heading there."
"Yes Lucas, don't waste any time," Karen said and Lucas left the Café at once.
Nathan along with Jacob was sitting at Jack's desk.
"Listen I'm pretty much sure that Craig, Diesel and Marc are our men," Jack said looking at Jacob, "All I need is something to nail them."
"I don't know why Marc did this," Jacob sighed.
"Listen Jacob," Nathan was angry, "I don't give a damn how much you care for him, but he killed my son, and he has to pay for it."
"I know I feel sorry for his sister."
"What about my kids," Nathan yelled, "Didn't you saw their faces."
"Nathan, Clam down." Jack came in the middle.
"Don't ask me to calm down; I want all of them behind the bar."
"We'll get them, trust me, I think Jacob is here to help, and I know he's the biggest lead we got."
"Ok," Nathan sat on the chair, "I'm sorry Jacob."
"I can understand."
While they were busy Lucas also came there.
"Oh Lucas… Jack told me about the woman, and I've heard you got the address." Nathan said looking at Lucas.
"Yes I think God also wants to help us," Lucas said and sat on the chair.
"Ok, this woman is important but first we need to catch these men," Jack said taking the card from Lucas.
"What shall we do?" Nathan asked.
"I have a plan; Jacob can play a bog role in it."
"I told you, I'll help you in any way possible." Jacob assured.
"Ok here it is…." Jack told them his plan.
"It's a good plan, but it's also dangerous," Lucas said and looked at Jack.
"I know but its only way."
"I told you I'll do it," Jacob assured again
"Thanks, you don't know how grateful I'm to you," Nathan said to Jacob.
"Don't thank me, it's my duty, and you're right, they killed an innocent boy, and they need to be punished."
Dan was walking and came close to Tree Hill Police department. All of sudden he saw Nathan and Lucas walking out and from and looking at their faces, he knew something really good happened.
"Nathan, Lucas can I talk to you." Dan calls them both.
Lucas and Nathan looked at each other and then came close to him.
"Can I ask you is there any progress?"
"I think we came close to catching them, soon Jamie's killer will be behind the bar."
"That's good news," Dan said, "Is there something else?"
"Well there…." Lucas was about to tell about Melinda but both Lucas's and Nathan's phones began to ring.
"Ok we shall talk later," Dan said and began walking away, he was hoping that they'll never get close to the woman who came to warn him, because she was the only one who knew that he was with Jamie that day.
Dan began remembering that day…watching his grandson lying in a pool of his own blood, looking towards him for help, but he decided to go after the killers, and he left him there. He knew in his heart that it was a wrong decision, and if he would have stayed with Jamie, he could have saved him.
So that's my new chapter, next chapter is going to be big one, so stay tuned. Thanks for reading and I hope to get some reviews.
