Disclaimer: In first chapter.


Chapter 6


Lifting up his head, Alex watched as Jarod sped down the gravel driveway and onto the county road. Reeling in his line, Alex laid down the fishing pole inside the boat. Opening up his tackle box, he checked to make sure everything was in order. Satisfied that it was, he turned on the motor and steered the boat down the lakeshore from Jarod’s house.

When he was a safe distance, he hopped out of the boat and pulled it onto the shore. Throwing off his fisherman cap, he replaced it with a baseball cap, making sure the visor covered his eyes. He next opened his tackle box, taking out the items he needed. Once he had everything secured, he made the long trek through the woods towards Jarod’s house.

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Miss Parker watched Jarod’s retreating form from the window, still contemplating the offer he just laid out on the table. How could she take him up on his offer? If she did say yes, who knows how long they would be on the run. It could be one week, six months, a year, to five years, or even longer. No, she couldn’t do that to him. She wouldn’t let him leave his family again after reuniting with them. It would be selfish of her to even consider. So, she was back to square one.

Sighing, she tried to busy herself by cleaning up the kitchen. Hoping to dissuade the little voice that kept on nagging inside her mind, telling her she should take Jarod up on his offer. She was broken from her thoughts when she heard a faint thud come from upstairs. Dropping the washcloth into the sink, she ran up the stairs.

When she reached Jarod’s room she found Matthew still sound asleep. She knew she wasn’t imagining things when she heard the sound. Walking around the room, she found everything to still be in place, yet she still couldn’t shake the uneasiness that enveloped her. Something wasn’t right.

Going out into the hallway, she checked the other rooms but found nothing. Going into the guest bedroom that Ethan was letting her and Matthew stay in, she went to her closet, pulling out a small metal box. Going over to her bed, she dug through the nightstand, bringing out the key. Unlocking the box, she pulled out her gun. Checking the clip to make sure it was full, she popped it back in and made her way back down the hall. She knew something or someone was in the house.

When she passed Jarod’s room, something caught her eye. Being ever so quiet, she pushed the door in further. A light gasp passed between her lips as her eyes took in the scene before her. There was a man sitting beside Matthew with his back towards her. With her gun aimed at the intruder, she stalked over to him.

“Get away from him!” she demanded through clenched teeth as she pressed the muzzle of her gun against the back of his neck. Peering over the intruder’s shoulder, she found an empty syringe in one hand as his other hand pressed a small piece of gauze against the inside of Matthew’s arm. “What the hell did you do?” she spat out.

The man seemed unfazed by her actions as he calmly laid the syringe down onto the nightstand. Pressing the gun harder against the man’s neck she hissed out, “Answer me, damn it!”

There was a long moment of silence before the intruder finally answered. “You won’t shoot me,” he replied in a calm voice.

Miss Parker’s heart dropped in the pit of her stomach. No, it can’t be him, she thought, he’s suppose to be dead, however they never did find his body. Still keeping the gun aimed at him, she moved around the bed to face him. “Alex,” she stated evenly.

Alex smiled at her. “Surprise, surprise.” Pulling the gauze off Matthew’s arm, he stood up. “Ah, what’s this, a homecoming party for me,” he said with delight, nodding his head towards her gun.

“What did you inject him with?” she growled out, feeling her blood boiling under her skin.

“Just a little something to help my current situation. After all, he is the key to your freedom,” he answered back with a sly smile.

Miss Parker narrowed her eyes at him. “What are you talking about? I swear to god if you harmed him in anyway…”

“Relax, Miss Parker,” he interjected. “You can still save your precious little boy, but you have to help me with a little something in return.”

Cocking back the hammer of her gun, she asked once again with an angry filled voice, “Don’t make me ask again. What did you inject him with?”

Pulling off his hat, he scratched his head, before sliding his cap back on. “Well, if you most know,” he answered in a bored tone, “Matthew has a deadly virus running through his body. In 48 hours your precious little Matty will be dead.”

Miss Parker glanced down at the small boy lying in bed then looked back up at Alex. Still keeping her gun trained on Alex, she marched around the bed. Grabbing Alex roughly by his shirt, she backed him against the wall, pushing the gun up under his chin.

“You know Miss Parker, these hostile tactics aren’t helping your situation,” commented Alex as he grinned down at her.

“You bastard!” she shouted out, slamming him against the wall. “He’s just a little boy. If you have a problem, take it up with me, but don’t involve him in your sick little games.” Tears of frustration and anger burned within in her eyes.

“Ah, but Miss Parker, you can still save your son.” He remained silent as Miss Parker loosened her grip.

“How?” she asked in a defeated voice as she sat down on the bed beside Matthew. “How can I save him?” she said as she smoothed back Matthew’s hair from his forehead. “I…I’ll do anything.”

Alex raised his eyebrows at her. “Anything?”

A few silent tears slipped down Miss Parker’s cheeks. Quickly swiping them away, she laid a hand down on Matthew’s chest, relieved to know that his heart was still beating inside. With her head hung low, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath before answering. “Anything.”

A smug smile graced Alex’s lips. My, my, my, look how the mighty have fallen, he thought wickedly. Taking a seat at a nearby chair, he clasped his hands together, letting them fall over his waist. Oh, he couldn’t help but enjoy himself as his eyes took in Miss Parker’s defeated form. “Well, I’m glad to hear you’re on board Miss Parker.”

“What do I have to do?” she asked in a dejected tone.

“Oh, it’s very simple. Jarod’s life for Matthew’s,” Alex simply said.

Miss Parker’s head shot up, looking over at him. “What?” she asked with disbelief.

Rolling his eyes, Alex leaned forward in his chair. “Well, here’s how it is, Miss Parker. You are not in the good graces of the Centre right now. I can make a deal with them to drop their search for you two if you help me bring Jarod back to the Centre. Also, as an extra bonus, I’ll give you the antidote for Matthew’s virus.” Sitting back in his chair he added, “It’s a win/win situation for the both of us. Neither one of us can lose. We both still remain free while Jarod wastes away his bane existence at the Centre.”

She couldn’t believe what she just heard. Turning away from Alex, she glanced down at Matthew. Reaching out her hand, she placed it on his forehead. He was burning up. She made a vow that she would protect Matthew with everything she had. Looking out the window she said sadly, “He won’t fall for it.”

“Well Miss Parker, that’s where you come in. Let him think you two have become friends again. Build a world full of complacency around him. Then, just when he thinks its safe, WHAM, we hit him with everything we have.” He paused momentarily before continuing. “But, Miss Parker, if we do go through with this plan and I find out you’ve double crossed me, you’ll be in a world of hurt. I’ll make sure that you watch helplessly when I kill Matthew before your eyes.”

“Bastard,” Miss Parker muttered under her breath.

Alex’s grin never faltered as he got up and stood beside the window, looking out over the lake. “I know this isn’t a decision to be made lightly so I’ll give you 24 hours to tell me what you’re going to do.” Stepping away from the window, he walked over to the door. Stopping in the doorway, he turned around. “Remember Miss Parker, our son’s life is now in your hands.” With that, he quickly exited the room, leaving a dumbfounded Miss Parker to ponder his words.

Our son. No, it can’t be, she thought with dread, but looking down at Matthew she knew it was true. There was no question in her mind as to whom Matthew’s father was, it was none other than the new tormentor in her life known as Alex.

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To Be Continued…