Chapter 11

Brian followed behind Jessica. She couldn't see him, he knew. His footsteps were silent. Not a sound stirred from him. He knew what was to come. In his heart he knew that the end was near. He was filled with dread and yet he accepted it.

He followed Jessica into the old run-down building. People turned her way as she walked past, they stared at her up and down, nodding to themselves. She raised her head high and ignored all of them. She strode through two double doors and pushed past the two men blocking her path. One caught her arm and roughly pulled her to him.

She reached back her other hand and slapped him, hard across the face. "Back the fuck off!"

It angered the man and he backhanded her. She flew into the wall and slumped to the ground. She struggled to get up and the man sent his foot flying into her side.

She cried out in pain and went down face first, holding her side. The man brought his fist down upon her face and again her head slammed into the floor.

Brian watched and did nothing. She would make it he knew, he trusted her. She was on her own at this moment. She did not call therefor he could not come. Jessica glared up at the man, hatred ran through her eyes. She rose to her knees, not taking her eyes off of him. She held up her hands as he went to slap her again. "Please, you have won. Don't."

The man paused briefly. Jessica slid both of her feet around and took him down to his knees. "Oh, glad you could join me." She said sarcastically. She held up her index finger and indicated he come closer. He did. She drew back her fist and contacted sharply with his face. "Get out of my space!" She hollered and jumped back to her feet. The man went to stand up, she lashed out her foot and heard a loud pop as it connected with his jaw.

The man went back, out cold.

Jessica slowly turned to face the other guy, pulling the handgun out from behind her back. "Take me to Jason's. Make a sound and Bam!" she threatened.

The man nodded silently staring at his friend on the floor. He nodded his head in the other direction and Jessica cautiously followed. The man lead her up the steps into the club-like surroundings. Music blared loudly, strippers danced on stage. She smelled beer and alcohol. Ignoring the stares of the others she followed the man into a back room.

Jason sat on a larger leather couch, two scarcely dressed women were hanging on him. They jumped when they saw the gun in Jessica's hand. Jason stood up slowly, indicating that the man who lead Jessica to him leave. He did as he was told, despite Jessica's gun aimed at his back. That just showed how much power Jason had over these people. Well he didn't have shit over her!

"What can I do ya for, Jessica?" He asked, smoothly.

His long legs swerved around the glass table, upon which champagne sat. He stood directly in front of Jessica now. His gaze was mocking the gun in her hand. He showed no fear, which angered her to the core. She was a time bomb about to go off and when she did all would not be pretty!

Before Jessica could blink an eye, Jason had the gun out of her hands, into his own and pointed directly at her.

Jessica took a tentative step back, still she faced him, head held hi. The girl had courage that was for sure. Or perhaps it was stupidity.

"Why are you here Jessica?" he asked calmly.

Jessica drew back angrily. "You killed her I know it! You killed her!" she accused.

"Killed who? Look whatever it is, I'm sure we can work through it." He lowered the gun and went to take her hand.

"Don't' touch me! Don't you dare touch me!" she yelled. "I don't want you grubby hands anywhere near me!"

"Then why did you come here?" he asked, coolly.

"Admit it you bastard! You killed them!"

"Jessica I don't know what you are talking about I…"

Despite the gun in his hand, Jessica reached back and slapped him hard across the face, her hair swinging covering her eyes. "Don't you dare deny it! I know it's true. You're a liar! Tell the truth! You killed her because she was pregnant with your child and you didn't want the news to get out!" She fumed. Jason took a step back. He smiled evilly. "You don't get it do you, Jessica?" He laughed.

She squinted her eyes in confusion. "I don't get what?"

"I didn't kill her because her child was mine…" he paused.

"I killed her because the child wasn't mine."

Jessica's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

Again Jason laughed. "Boy oh boy. You just don't get it do you?"

" I don't get what? Jason, damnit! Tell me!" she commanded, though the gun was still trained at her chest.

"The little brat that Rachael was carrying wasn't mine! It was Chad's!" Jason said through gritted teeth.

Jessica glanced up sharply, not sure if she heard him right. "What?" she said sharply.

"You heard me! She'd been cheating on me, and your little lover boy had been cheating on you too!" he said. "It's all right though, the bitch got what she deserved!"

Anger and confusion overwhelmed Jessica. In an angry fit she threw herself towards Jason, forgetting about the gun still in his hand.

Before Jessica could think about what she was doing, the gun went off.

"NO!" came a loud booming voice, overhead. Suddenly a flash of blinding white light filled the room. And Jessica was blinding by the stunning figure before her. Colors radiated off the figure. Endless amounts of colors, beautiful white feathers were designed upon the long wings. White was everywhere and for a brief instant everything stopped and time stood still.

Jason stood holding the gun, the bullet hanging in the air as if by invisible wires, the enchanting creature in front of Jessica, and Jessica behind it.

Then everything went to fast for Jessica to react. The bullet shot through the whiteness, and deep red waves of pain shot throughout the creature's body. It slammed backwards into Jessica, sending them both flying.

Another bullet sound went off and Jason dropped to the floor, killed by his own hand.

Then everything slowed down once again. Endless dreams were shattered and wave after wave of constant nightmares arose. Red decorated Jessica's mind, all she saw was the red forever staining the clothing of the enchanted creature. Jessica heard sirens but paid them no attention. For her entire being was focused upon the creature before her. It was he, an angel sent down to earth to save her from herself. And yet she had only succeeded in ending it's own life. Tears of deep guilt came over Jessica, and she felt such a sharp pain in her chest as though someone had just ripped out her still beating heart and crushed it to the ground.

For she finally realized who or what the creature was. She stroked his soft curly hair and kissed his forehead, her tears fell down her cheeks, trailing down upon his soft face.

Jessica screamed aloud, holding his head in her hands. "Why?" She cried, lying her head on his chest as she had done just the night before. "Bring him back, bring him back. Please Lord! Bring him back." She wailed towards the heavens.

The paramedics arrived in what seemed like ages. They found Jessica in shock, still lying upon his chest. All they could get out of her was. "Bring him back, bring him back."

She didn't recall them taking the bodies away, or the paramedics taking her to the hospital. She only recalled the empty Veil of blackness, so much deeper than when she had first met him.

No tears fell from her eyes for she no longer believed in any emotion. It was best to stay within her shell where she was safe and nobody would hurt her or…love her again.

She didn't blink, she only rocked back and forth upon the hospital bed, holding her knees tightly to her chest.

Doctor after doctor came in trying to get her to answer their questions. She knew nothing, said nothing, heard nothing. The black veil was too strong for her to breach past.

She didn't remember her mother coming into her room, or her mother taking her into her arms and rocking her like she used too, before things changed. The blackness was too much for her to overcome and she was too weak to fight it. Her mother was there for her, feeding her, bathing her, helping her body grow, while her mind remained locked away. Her mother read her young children's books hoping and praying that she show some sign of recognition, of remembrance.

Days went by and still there was no sign of recovery for her. Jessica's mom sat beside her in the chair provided and simply held her hand.

A young doctor came in. "Mrs. Sinclair, may I speak to you outside a moment?" the doctor asked.

Jessica's mother nodded and rose, kissing her daughter on the forehead as she left the room. "What is it?"

"Well…we've gotten the test results back. Nothing is wrong with her...except…" the man paused.

Jessica's mother's heart jumped. "Except what doctor? Is my baby going to be all right?" she asked, worry etched in her voice.

"Yes, she's going to be fine. It's just that…Mrs. Sinclair…your daughter is pregnant." He replied.

He left a bewildered mother standing outside her daughter's room.

Jessica's mother entered her room, slowly walking over to where her daughter lay. She would try to snap her out of it. She had to. "Jessica!" her mother yelled. Jessica didn't blink. "Jessica Sinclair! Snap out of it this instant! You have a child in you. You have to be strong for it. Do you hear what I'm saying girl!" her mother tried again.

She shook her daughter vigorously and still no response. "Jessica! Snap out of this black whole! Be there for your child, he's going to need you! Please…baby girl…please." Her mother started sobbing and laid her head upon Jessica's stomach, clutching her daughter's hands within her own. "Dear God. Make her wake up. Please…I need her. Her baby needs her. Please…"she cried out to the lord.

Jessica stirred underneath her mother and flinched, squeezing her hand softly.

"Mama…"her voice cracked.

Mrs. Sinclair glanced up and stared into her daughter's eyes. "Mama…" Jessica wrapped her arms around her mother and squeezed tightly, never wanting to let go.

Perhaps her mother had succeeded finally. Perhaps they would finally learn to trust one another. Perhaps Jessica could forgive her for all that she had done. And maybe they can find solace and comfort where they least expected…in the arms of one another.

Chapter 12