A Belief So Strong
“I’m so nervous, Justin.” Mandi said.
“Mandi, it’s gonna be okay, are you sure your ready for this?” He replied, with confidence in his voice.
“I’m deffinitly ready.” She said.
Justin and Mandi, a 2 year relationship is what the two of them held. Marriage, is what was in their future. They had a very steady going relationship /and it was doing well. Nothing was about to stand in their way.
“Are you ready, honey?” Mandi called to him from downstairs.
“In a sec! Just gotta get my hair done.”
“We’re going on a walk! Why?”
“Well, a guys gotta look good.”
“Whatever, just hurry, I want to catch the sunset.”
“Okay, I’ll be down in a sec.”
Mandi waited for 15 minutes. She glanced out the window, and noticed the sun beginning to set. She was mad, this wasn’t the first time Justin forgot about her. Later, he came running down the stairs.
“What took you so long?” She asked very stubbornly.
“I got caught up, what’s your problem?”
“Justin, I’ve had it, you’ve left me waiting enough times! I told you that I wanted to spend time with you before we got married, I know how busy your schedule is.”
“I know sweetie, but I just don’t have time right now….” He tried to catch himself before he said something stupid, but it was too late. He noticed the dull expression on her face.
“Okay, that’s it? I’m just a waste of time? Whatever you say Mr. Timberlake, I’ll go by myself.” She tried to say as calmly as she could.
“No, Mandi, I didn’t mean it.” He grabbed her arm before she left.
“Of course you did Justin, why else would you have said it?” She yanked her arm back and walked out of the door.
Justin tried to say something, but the door slammed in his face. He sighed. Smooth Justin, when are you gonna learn to keep your mouth shut. He thought, and walked into the kitchen to get something to eat.
After he made himself a sandwich, the phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Yo, J, what’s up?” It was JC.
“Oh hey JC, nothin’, just got walked out on.”
“What?!?!?!” JC yelled.
“No, it’s still on, she’s just mad, she left.”
“Fool, what the hell? You don’t even go after her?”
“Was I supposed to?”
“Do you care about her?”
“Of course I do.”
“Go find her man, she’ll take this the wrong way if you don’t.”
“Thanks man, I’ll talk to you later.”
“Bye.”
Justin ate the last bite of his meal and ran out the door. He knew exactly where to find her, she had a love for sunsets. So, he decided to go to Lover’s Peak, where he purposed to her. The sunset was gone by now, the stars were shining bright, but he knew she would still be there. What a fool….he thought…how could you let her down like that? He kicked at rock. Eventually he reached the Peak. It overlooked the whole city, and it had a perfect view of the horizon. He took a deep breath and admired the view for a second. Then she turned his head to look around for Mandi.
Then he saw her, laying in the grass. He walked over to her and knelt down.
“Mandi, I’m really sorry, you know how hectic my life is, and I know I’ve been a jerk, but I love you, and care for you. I’m really sorry.”
She made no comments, or not movements, she just laid there.
“I know your mad, but could you please just say something.” Not a word came out of her mouth. “Mandi…” He touched her shoulder and turned her over to look at him.
But what he saw wasn’t her at all, well it was, but she was different. Her eyes wide open, her skin pale, her hair ruffled, and her clothes torn. He realized that he was standing in a big puddle of blood, and he stopped. He struggled to get out his cell phone, but his hands were trembling so bad, that the phone kept falling. He finally got a grip on the phone. He quickly pushed 9-1-1.
“9-1-1 emergancy.”
“My, my girlfriend….” He stuttered.
“Yes sir, what’s wrong?”
“She’s, she’s……dead.” Tears started to invade his face and he cried.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“We are gathered her today to mourn the death of Amanda Nicole Tatterson….”
Justin sat by his mom, trying to be strong, watching his only love inside a box, one of which she would never come out of. He never thought something like this could ever happen. And he blamed himself for the death of his fiance. It seemed like if he cared for her more, then she would be with him, in his arms.
Later that day would be the results of her autopsy. He was terrifed to know what had happened to her. Was it, suicide? Or murder? He didn’t want to know, but inside, he knew he had to. He asked his four best friends to come along with him, for moral support.
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“Well Mr. Timberlake, I don’t have good news for you.” The doctor said with a tablet in his had. Justin swallowed.
“Okay, what is it?” The guys took deep breaths.
“Well first, we believe that it was suicide on her attempt. Um, we found several stab marks and a gun shot in the head.”
“What?” Lance blurted out. Everyone started at him. “Sorry.”
“But her clothes? How could she….”
“It’s a possibitly, we found a weapon with her fingerprints on it, and no one elses. If she was murdered, it’s highly unlikely we would find the killer. I’m sorry.”
Justin couldn’t say anything. He shook the doctors and and left with his friends.
“It’s okay J.” Joey said as soon as they were about to get into the car. Justin stopped in his tracks.
“Wait…..how could she? If she stabbed herself, how could she shoot herself. If she shoot herself how could she stab herself?”
“Well, maybe she shot herself from the pain?” Chris suggested.
“Then explained the clothes, she was half naked.”
“Are you suggesting she was raped?” Lance said.
“God, I don’t know. I’m so confused, it’s my fault.” A tear ran down his face.
“Don’t blame yourself J, it’s not your fault.” JC comforted.
“Then why do I feel so guilty?”
“It’s just ‘cause she’s gone, you’ve gotta face it man.” Joey patted his back.
“I know….” He wiped a tear from his eye. “But, I know she was killed! Why won’t you believe me?”
“Because, it’s hard to.” Lance said.
“I’ll prove you all wrong, it’s true.”
“Just get in the car.” JC said. Justin looked up to the sky. I know your up there Mandi, I’ll find him. I’m sorry, I love you, I’ll find him, I promise.
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Justin couldn’t eat, sleep, or sing. He didn’t want to let down his friends, or his fans down. But living without her was so hard, and knowing that he was the only one who believed that she was murdered was harder. Every night he wrote a note to himself in a notebook, whether it was to himself, to solve the problem, or to Mandi, he didn’t care, he wrote in it.
Day One, July 10th, 2000
Mandi,
Hey honey. You don’t understand how confused I am. I know that even though I wasn’t the best fiance or boyfriend, that you still cared for me. I can’t and won’t believe you’d end your life because of me. That’s why I’m searching for the person who treated you so badly, who killed you and is trying to make everyone believe that it was you. It’s wasn’t. I’ll find him, sweetie, I will. I love you, and miss you.
-Justin
Justin knew that she was murdered. For one, she was stabbed 22 times in the chest and there was a gunshot wound to the head. Her clothes were ripped off of her, but the doctor’s said there was no sign of any struggling to get out of the killer’s reach, everything was clean. Justin tried to contact the police, but they wouldn’t do anything without proof or evidence. Even his best friends were against him, so it was up to Justin, to figure it all out.
He sat at home, staring at pictures of Mandi and him together, and every one of them she was happy. He could see the sparkle in her eye, the glisten in her hair, and the joy on her lips. A tear ran down his cheek. Mandi, I’m sorry, I’m so so sorry. He cried to himself.
Day Two, July 11th, 2000
Note to self: 22 stab wounds, 1 gunshot wound. No signs of struggling, Cleaver Knife, and a .22m pistol found on location. No fingerprints.
Mandi,
Well, Im doing my best to move on, it’s hard without you. I wanted you to be with me. I’ve narrowed my list down to a couple suspects.
Britney Spears
Carley Jones
Lou Pearlman
I know it’s hard to believe that Carley would be on there, knowing she’s your best friend. But I had a feeling that her and her boyfriend weren’t very happy with you. Neither one of these suspects wanted us to be happy together, honey. Of course there is always the possiblity that some stranger did it.
Britney Spears
Carley Jones
Lou Pearlman
????
I miss you baby.
-Justin
“Man get out.” JC said to Justin over the phone.
“Dude, you know how much she meant to me.” Justin said trying to hold back his emotions.
“I know, but you have to move on, it’s what she would want. She was my best friend, come on, we’re all here for you.”
“Where am I supposed to go?”
“With us, to a club.”
“Nah, I’ll pass.”
“J, just do it.”
“JC, you know I’ll just hate it.”
“You never know, come on.”
“Fine.”
“We’ll be there at nine.”
“Bye.”
Justin sighed. He really didn’t want to go. He knew that the guys wanted him to just meet another girl and move on, but it wasn’t gonna be that easy. He decided to go for the heck of it. He would only be out for an hour or so.
Later…….
“Glad you came J.” Joey said.
“Yeah, well…” Justin said, not knowing how to respond.
“Cheer up bro.” Lance said. Justin put on a fake smile.
“Oh, come on. What happened to the Justin I used to know?” Chris said.
“He died with the rest of them.” He laid his head back and closed his eyes. Before he knew it, they were at the club.
“J, wake up, we’re here.” Joey said, shaking him a little. He sat up and ran his fingers through his hair.
“Okay, I’m up.” He opened the door and stepped out. The club was boomin’, you could here the music outside. Unfortunatly, one of their songs was playing which would attract more attention to fans when they walked in.
They walked up to the huge bouncer at the door.
“Hey Paul.” JC said, shaking his hand.
“Hey JC.” He said with a deep voice. He allowed all of them in automatically. He noticed a blonde curly haired boy with his head down. “I.D.” He said, putting his hand in front of him. Justin looked up at him. “Oh, Justin, sorry. I didn’t know it was you. Come in.” Justin pressed his lips together and casually walked into the club.
“Justin……” Echoed his voice right as he stepped in. He was approached by 7 reporters. He covered his face to avoid the pictures, and tried to block out all the question’s being yelled into his ears.
“Just…get…” He tried to say, but it was too loud.
“Hey. Hey!!! Leave him alone!!” JC said, storming into the crowd.
“Mr. Chasez, is it true that Justin was dating that young girl, who bruetully killed herself??” A young woman asked.
“NO!!!!!! She DID NOT kill herself!!” Justin yelled as loud as he could and walked out of the club. The doors shut in the reporters faces and he kept walking.
“Hey Justin.” Paul said. Justin looked up at the large man. “Are they bugging you?”
“No, I’m fine.” He said turning back to the pathway. “I just need to be alone for awhile.”
“Alright, take care.”
“You too.” He started to walk away.
He shoved his hands in his pockets and started to walk towards Lover’s Peak. Thoughts were going through his mind the whole way there. She’s dead, he has to face it. Why does it have to be so hard? He asked himself, as he walked to the edge of the peak and stared at the stars in the sky.
“Because that’s just they way it is….” A Voice said behind Justin. He turned around and was confronted by Mandi.
“Mandi??” He asked in confusion.
“It’s me Justin, don’t be afraid.” She smiled. Justin stared at her, wide eyed.
“But, bu-, how??” He tired to touch her, but his hand brushed right through her face.
“No touching.” Justin looked at her in demand. “I know your alarmed, Justin. But I was sent here to protect you.”
“Protect me? From what?”
“From who killed me, it’s not over.”
“You were killed I knew it!” He shouted.
“Hushhhh…not too loud. It’s true, but I can’t be here for long.”
“No, why?”
“I was sent here on a mission, not to come back to life.”
“I know, but can’t you stay?”
“Justin, you know I was killed, now you have to find out who it is, before there’s another victim. I can only give you one clue, you’re really close to figuring it out. Remember, never give up hope.” She started to fade away.
“No, no! That’s not a clue, you can’t leave me!”
“I love you Justin, and I’ll always be with you…” She disappeared.
“No…don’t go….” He begged and fell to the ground. He felt something against his arms. He lifted his head and saw and piece of cloth. He figured it was something, so he took it home with him.
He stood up and ran home to get to his notebook. He stormed into his house and stopped right as he opened the door.
“Holy….” He stared at his trashed house. “Shit.” He threw his keys down and started to wonder through the house. Nothing seemed to be missing, except for a picture of him and Mandi. Why would someone want that? He asked himself, looking at the bare shelf. He ran into his room to see if any jewlery was missing, but everything was there. He noticed that everything had a weird symbol over Mandi’s face in red. He never really knew of the symbol, but he recognized it. It was a cross with one extra horizontal line below the other.
Justin threw his head against the wall and started to think. Think Justin, you know who it is, you just have to think. A very sweet voice inside his head told him. He opened his eyes and ran to the notebook.
List Of Suspects:
Britney Spears
Carley Jones
Lou Pearlman
????
They were all there, except three were crossed out, except one, which revealed the one who killed his only love……..
List Of Suspects:
Britney Spears
Carley Jones
Lou Pearlman
????
“I should’ve known.” He said to himself. He got into his Beemer and left.
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“Britney!!” He shouted to her right in the middle of her rehersal.
“Oh, Justin….hey.” She said excitedly.
“What the hell is your problem!! Your gonna get it this time.”
“What are you talking about?” She said wiping the sweat below her boobs.
“You know what I’m talking about, I know what you did.”
“Oh, don’t tell anyone, I’ve been denying it forever!”
“Forever?? She just died.” He said a little confused.
“OH!!!!!! Hehe….I thought you were talking about my tits, sorry. Died??”
“Duh!!!!”
“Oh, her, I didn’t kill her.”
“Sure, is that why you crossed everyone’s name off except for yours?”
“Hon, I don’t know what your talking about.”
“Don’t call me that!! Just admit it!”
“Why in the hell would I kill her??”
“Cuz, you’re a BITCH like that!!”
“Well, I’m offened.”
“Good, you should be.”
“I didn’t do it Justin, I want you, but I wouldn’t kill for it.”
“Then who did??”
“It wasn’t me.” She said pissed off. “Okay!! REHERSALS OVER!!”
“But Britney…” Her dancers said.
“I SAID OVER!! Did I make myself clear?!?!” They all shook their heads. “Tell me when your ready to get over you slutty girl….oh did I mention she was DEAD??” She laughed. Justin glared furiously at her and walked away. It’s not the end Britney, it’s not over, yet.
Day Three, July 13th, 2000
Mandi,
Hey, I know that your watching over me now, I know that whatever I write you’ll be able to see and read. Oh Mandi, I miss you, but have I screwed up again?? It’s really hard to believe that anyone would kill someone as sweet as you, because I miss you! You don’t understand, maybe it’ll be easier if I just ended it all, met with you up in Heaven’s Gates. Maybe that’s the solution, maybe that’s what I’ll do. I’ll see you soon, maybe sooner than you think.
-Justin
Justin slowly closed the notebook and sighed. He laid his head against the wall and shut is eyes. Why me? He turned around and glaced at his foggy window. He stood up and glared out the glass to see outside. It was nice to see his reflection and it was something worth seeing, but now, he saw nothing. His life was ending before he knew it. He didn’t know what to do, he wanted to be happy, but living with no life in his eyes, and no love in his heart was not worth the wait. He grabbed the .22m pistol, he bought for protection and ran out the door.
He walked in the rain to Lover’s Peak. The droplets of water hiding the salty tears of fear, but he thought that this was what he wanted. Sobbing, he walked faster and faster, glancing at he gun her held so carefully in his hands, making sure it didn’t go off…..yet. He stopped and looked at his left hand. He imagined a ring floating on his ring finger, and her standing beside him. The dream faded when he realized what was happening. He tightened the grip on the gun and walked up the short hill and to the edge of the Peak. This is it, this is the day I find my love…..he held the gun up to his head and closed his eyes tight, he took a deep breath and……
“Justin!!” JC yelled just as Justin was about ready to pull the trigger. “What in the hell are you doing??” Justin swung around and stared at his friend, tear flooding out of his eyes.
“What does it look like I’m doing?!?!”
“Shit Justin, give me that!” He yelled walking up to his younger friend. Justin held the gun up to his temple again.
“No…..leave me alone.” He said closing his eyes.
“J, this isn’t the way to go, give me the gun.” JC said as calmly as he could.
“Then where do I go?!?!” He yelled lowering the gun. “I have nowhere to turn!! No one to turn to!! I’m lost.”
“It’s okay Justin, we’re all here for you. Me, the guys, your family, do you know how devestated little Jon would be if he didn’t have big brother?” Justin looked at the gun. JC was right.
“I can’t go on without her, she was my life.” Justin said, calming down.
“J, just give me the gun, everything will be alright.”
“Everything is left in the past!”
“It’s cold, think about all the people you’ll let down if you go on with this, you know that Mandi would want the best for you and this certainally isn’t the best. Just give me the gun.” Justin looked at the gun and closed his eyes. He slowly loosened the gripe and the gun fell to the floor. JC slowly bent down and picked it up, and put the safe on it. He looked up and Justin and realized how painful it was for him. “Let’s go J.” Justin looked at him and smiled.
“Thank you JC.”
“That’s what friends are for.” He patted Justin’s shoulder and the left the peak.
“Justin, you sure you’ll be alright?” JC said inside his Jeep.
“I’ll be fine JC.” Justin said opening the door.
“Alright, but if you need anything I’m just 7 digits away.”
“I know, thanks again.” Justin stepped out of the Jeep and watched JC speed away. He took a deep breath and walked into his house. He heard the TV going and a noise inside the kitchen. “Hello?” He called out, slowly walking forward. “Someone here?” Smooth stupid, now they know you’re here. He thought.
“Justin?” He heard a girl’s voice. He started to walk alittle fast to the kitchen and ran into someone.
“Carley?” He said surprised by her visit. She ran up to him and gave him a hug.
“Oh I’m sorry I just came in here, but I just heard the news.”
“Just?”
“Yeah, poor Mandi, god you must me devastated.” She said letting him go.
“Yeah.”
“Can’t you say anymore than one word?”
“No.” She laughed. He just stared at her.
“Take a picture, it last longer.” Justin started to think really hard. Be Careful Justin. He heard Mandi’s voice.
~FlashBack~
Nothing seemed to be missing, except for a picture of him and Mandi.
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“Take a picture, it last longer.”
~End Of Flashback~
Pieces of the mystery were coming together piece by piece.
“Justin? Hello?”
“Oh sorry.” He said.
“Well, I just wanted to stop by to say sorry.”
“Thanks.” He said. Staring at her necklace.
“Justin talk to my face.”
“Wha-what?”
“If you want me, just ask me.”
“I don’t want you though.”
“Sure ya do.” She said walking closer to him. Staring at his wet body from the rain. Justin started to get nervous. Her eyes wondered around his body anxiously awaiting for his return.
“Uh, Carley, I think you should go.” He said backing up. She rolled her fingers behind her ear to stick her hair behind it so now her earrings would show. They were exactly the symbol that was written over every picture. Oh shit, it’s her.
“Do you like them?” She said noticing he was staring at her ears, still walking forward.
“Get out.”
“They stand for, love.” She said.
“Get out.”
“What Justin!?! You afraid now? You afraid of me!?!?”
“Get out!”
“I love you Justin! She never did!!!!! I did!!! I always did! And you walked by me like dirt and went to her, you never respected me!”
“Why are you doing this?”
“Because I deserve you….”
“No, I love her, I always will, your just a crazy bitch.”
“Oh I am, am I?? Let’s just see….” She pulled a gun out from behind and shot her. He dodged the shot and went right for her. They fell to the ground. He held her arm in place so that she couldn’t move it. Then she kneed him in the groin and he fell over. She rolled over on top of him and held the gun to his throat. “You never respected me.” She cocked the gun. “Now you can join your lover.”
“Police! Freeze!” 5 cops came running in, holding their guns in place. She turned her head.
“I could easily just kill him.”
“Then do it.” He said. She looked at him.
“But I care too much about him.” She moved the gun and threw it at the cops. They came running over to her and arrested her.
“Your under arrest for the murder of Amanda Tatterson, anything you say can and will be held against you in the court of law…..” She stared at Justin.
“You’ll never know Justin.” She said as they pulled her out of the house.
“Are you okay sir?” A policeman came up and asked him.
“Yeah, fine.” He said, holding his head.
“Well, we need to ask you a couple questions…..” He said. Justin listened attentively answering every question specifically and in as much detail. “Thank you sir, without your help, this woman could’ve done some real damage.”
“I don’t think so.” He smiled. The policeman closed his notebook and left. The four guys came running in as he left.
“Man, are you alright?” Joey said looking at him.
“I’m fine. How’d you know to call the cops?”
“JC never left the neighborhood. He heard a gunshot.” Lance said.
“I’ll never believe you Curly.” JC said walking up to him to give him a hug. Justing laughed.
“What an adventure.” He said
“Good work J, you’ve done us all proud.” Chris said.
Day Four, July 14th, 2000
Mandi,
It’s amazing to know that I’ve done something worth while in my life. Ever since the day you left this world, I thought I was a waste of air, of flesh, but you proved me wrong. Without your faith I probably wouldn’t be where I am today. I miss you baby, I’ll never forget you, and there will always be a place in my heart for you. I have a brand new life ahead, but trust me, you’ll be apart of it.
-Justin
Justin,
I know you won’t be able to see this, but I have a feeling you’ll be able to feel it. Thank you for staying with me. For never believe anything but your feelings. I love you too, and I’ll watch over you until we meet again. But most of all, thank you for having a belief so strong.
-Mandi
The End
