+chapter.twelve+

She sighed as she approached her home. Her brows scrunched as she saw her front door cracked open slightly.

Cautiously, Jennifer walked up the driveway to the door. She pushed it open, the sickeningly sweet scent of blood filling her nostrils. She nearly gagged as she saw the police officer she left not but ten minutes ago, laying on the floor in a pool of dark, red blood.

Jennifer's breathing quickened as she stared at the lifeless body on the floor. After a few seconds, she snapped her head up, looking around frantically. Tears were falling from her eyes. Tears of fear. Tears of pure fear.

"Why the hell are you doing this to me?" she screamed. "Just go away and leave me alone!"

Jennifer turned and ran away from the house.

She knew where she was running. She had run to this place many times before. So many timed, but for different reasons. So many different reasons.

Jennifer stepped up on the front porch as she wiped her tearstained face and rang the doorbell.

Isaac appeared maybe five seconds later.

"Jenn?"

She nodded and sniffed. "I-Is your mom home?"

Ike nodded while replying," Yea...c'mon, she's in the kitchen."

"Thanks."

Ike nodded again, closed the door, and followed Jennifer on the way to the kitchen.

Walker and Diana were sitting in the kitchen, ironically talking about Jennifer.

"Walker, they've been friends for so long...we can't do that. They love each other."

"Diana, I know. But with what happened to her...if he gets too involved...and you know how Zac is."

Diana sighed. "Are you going to be the one to tell him?" She turned to look out the doorway to glance at her sleeping son, but instead of seeing Zachary, she came face to face with Jennifer. "Jenn..." she choked out.

Jennifer shook her head, turned around, and began to run to the door, pushing past Isaac.

"Jennifer!" Jenn heard Diana call.

Jenn continued running, tears trickling down her cheeks again. Now she couldn't trust Diana either? How could they even think of talking about Zachary and Jennifer's relationship? How could they? It wasn't her fault she was being terrorized.

Where could she go? Who could she turn to? Rach? Yea...Rach. She would help...right?

Jennifer ran to her friend's house, praying she would be home.

Jenn turned onto Rachelle's street, moving her feet as fast as she could. As she neared Rach's home, she slowed. The house looked abandoned. The curtains and blinds were gone. What the hell was going on? Why was everyone she relied on not there anymore? Why?

Slowly, Jennifer turned around and began walking down the street again, not exactly sure of where she was going.

Meanwhile...

Zachary stared at his parents. The slamming of the door had woken him up and Diana and Walker had vaguely told him what had happened.

"How could you talk about making me stop seeing her? How could you even think about that?" Zachary asked. He was hurt. They wanted to break them up?

"Zachary, it's for your own good," Walker spoke.

"No! No, Dad. It's not. She's my best friend, my love."

"You don't know what love is!" Walker yelled.

"Damn it, Dad. If I don't know, why the hell would I be arguing with you to stay with her?"

Walker stared at Zac. "Don't you use that language with me, Mister."

"Ugh. Screw this. I'm going to look for her since I'm the only one who cares anymore." With that, Zac stormed out of the kitchen and up to his room to change.

Two minutes later, Zac was rushing down the stairs and out the door. He was so mad at his parents. How could they do that?

Zac looked around. His stomach churned as he realized that he had no idea where to look. Her house? That girl's house? Wait, where did that girl live? Maybe...the park? She usually went there when she was upset. 'God, I hope she's there,' he thought.

He picked up speed, wanting to hold her close, tell her everything would be okay.

Once he reached the park, he looked around at every bench, everything in view. Then he spotted her. She was on a swing, pushing herself back and forth slightly.

Zac walked over and sat down on the swing next to her.

"Mind if I join you?"

Jennifer raised her tear stained face. "Oh my God! What're you doing here? You should be home!"

"So should you."

Jennifer shook her head.

"Why not?"

Should she tell him? She had already pulled him in so much. She shook her head again, tears stinging her eyes.

"Jenn..." Zachary spoke gently. "About my parents...don't pay attention...I'm so angry with them. I'd never, ever leave you. I love you."

"I love you too," Jennifer spoke.

"Tell me what's wrong?"

Jennifer shook her head again.

"Baby...why not?"

Jenn slowly raised her sad eyes to his concerned ones. "I already pulled you into this enough."

It was Zac's turn to shake his head. "That isn't true. I'm never involved enough in your life."

Jenn sniffed and closed her eyes lightly.

"Please?"

"He was there again. He killed the police officer..." Tears began to fall again. "I was gone for ten freakin' minutes."

"Oh my God...Baby...I...I...I'm sorry."

Jenn shook her head, brushing the tears away furiously. "No...It's not your fault."

"Yes...I wasn't there for you. God, I'm sorry."

"No...No...None of it's your fault."

Zac stood from his swing and pulled Jennifer to her feet and into his arms. Jennifer closed her eyes as she buried her face in his shoulder, just inhaling his scent.

Zac watched his fingers breeze over her soft sweet hair. "Do you wanna go back to my place?" Zachary asked gently.

"But your parents..." Jenn spoke, lifting her head.

"I'll take care of them. I'd rather you at least be safe...with me."

Jennifer nodded slowly. "Thank you."

"How many times have I told you? You don't have to thank me. You're my baby."

Jennifer gave the slightest smile, as Zachary wrapped his arm around her shoulder tightly.

Slowly, the two walked to Zachary's house. What to expect, neither knew.