It was a short trip down the ridge and Jess was not one-hundred percent sure where Jay had parked his car. Unsure what to expect she drove slow. As she came around the second to last bend before the main highway, her headlights lit up Jays squad car. Both doors were open and the road spikes where thrown out across the road.
She tried to take in the entirety of the situation before jumping out. After all the ball was now in Jedd’s court. Jess was yet again at the mercy of this psychopath. There was no way she could move the spikes, make it to the squad car, locate Jay and be back in the car. She was lucky he wasn’t at her door ripping her out. She opened the door and was hit with the bitter cold. It was always freezing on this side of the ridge because of the river about forty feet down.&nbs
The sound of Jay's vehicle approached the cabin. “I can’t believe you would let her come here alone!” Jay slammed the door on his cruiser. "You should have came to get me as soon as she put her ass in the car." Doug got out and trailed behind him, “Well it’s not like I could have got her to change her mind.” “I would have locked her in the laundry room if it would have kept her there.” It was clear Jay was furious. He looked in the window of Jess’ car. “Well she’s still here. Jess!” He shouted. Both men listened for a second for any sign of movement before walking up the front steps. Jay attempted to open the door and it was stuck. "Man someone lived in
The four of them didn’t move a muscle except to look at each other. When Jay was sure it was over he rushed to Jess’ side putting pressure on her now gaping wound. “Did you really need to cut her that deep?” He helped Jess to her feet before picking her up to carry her up the hill. “The attachment was deep. So the wound needed to be deep.” Myra shouted up to him as Jay huffed up the incline. Not one word was spoke on the ride back to the house. All that could be heard was the hurried breathing from Jess because she was hurting. Once inside Myra started brewing a pot of coffee. Doug and Jay threw themselves on the couch. Jess went into the laundry room and retrieved a sewing kit. Walking into the living room she tossed it on Jay’s lap.
This was the first time since the night she killed Jedd that she had come down to the riverside. All four of them stepped out into the cold and Jess crossed her arms around herself, rubbing her arms for warmth. Myra knew just where to go as if she herself had been there. Jess and Jay shared a brief glace before Jay wrapped an arm around her. He lead her down the slope. Jess felt as if she was walking in mud, her feet didn’t want to step forward. She was all but relying on Jay to keep her in a forward momentum. It shouldn’t have surprised her that the fire pit remained exactly where it had been. It was also evident that some of the kids from town decided that it was going to be their new hang out spot. Beer cans and tree carvings were visible in the surrounding areas. &nb
Jess found herself at the local coffee roaster's with her nose in her laptop, drinking an Americano. She felt the eyes on her and noticed the whispers. Any time she would make eye contact with someone they would quickly look away. She was fine with it though it was better this way. Three drinks in she started to feel anxious and could hardly sit still. Just as she felt she couldn’t take waiting any more her phone rang. “Hello Jess? It’s Doug, I’m roughly ten minutes out should we meet at the house?” She closed her laptop and walk to the street to get in her car. “Yes, that will work. I will see you soon.” Jess flipped a U-turn and made her way home. Pulling up the dr
Driving up the ridge she felt more alone then ever. She had made this drive a million times over yet, today it felt like she was in someone else’s life. The curves of the road, the tree line, the gravel drive way to her home; it all felt different. She had spent so much of the past few weeks in tears. Jess felt them building up even now as she prepared to walk into the home where Trevor and her had built so many memories. “No. Don’t cry.” She took a deep breath and walked into the quiet house. Her phone notification went off and she about jumped out of her skin. You really didn’t need to leave so sudden. Are you ok? Daddy and I are worried. Call me when you make it home, Love Mom. &n
Jess woke early the next morning. She peeked out the window and saw a small blood stain where Trevor’s body had been just a few hours before. She could see her reflection in the window, she looked exhausted. Her eyes were swollen from crying and she had deep, dark circles under her eyes. “Ugh.” She let the curtain fall back into place. The house was quiet; her parents were probably still sleeping. Trevor’s and her parents were close friends since as long as Jess could remember. She was thankful for that friendship now. Her dad had handled all the things needed to get Trevor back to his parents in Colorado. Jess scribbled a quick note on the fridge; I love you guys more than anything. I need my space. Ill text to let you know I made it home. I’ll be okay. Yours always