Moving Forward

             Jess woke up shivering; she pulled her blanket up over her shoulders and rolled over.  She had never opened her window it was fall and freezing outside. Yet, it was wide open.  Every instinct in her body was warning her that something was wrong.

            “Just go shut it.” She said to herself.

            She jumped up and shut the window.

            Without the fresh air she was met with a familiar nose burning smell.  Jess was frozen in fear as if her foot was back in a shackle.  She felt a presence in her room and felt someone pull up some of her hair.  She heard him sniff her hair and her stomach dropped to the floor.  How did he get in here with there being cops outside?  How did he know where she lived?

            “Found you. Pretty girl.”  She went to let out a scream and he covered her mouth.

            “Shhhh. Don’t be doin that now. Aint you happy to see me? I've been looking everywhere for you. I know you didn't mean to run off and leave me all alone.”  She bit down on his hand and managed to work out a throat wrenching “Help!” Before the back of her head was hit with some kind of blunt force. 

            Jess knees buckled and she fell on the ground.  She felt something wet drip down her neck and her door flew open.  She could make out through blurred vision; her dad standing there and heard a loud Bang.  Last she could consciously remember was Jedd on the ground moaning before waking in a hospital bed again for the second time in two weeks.

            Her mom was there same as last time.

            “Momma?” Jess wailed.

            Her mom rushed to her bed and caressed her.

            “Is Daddy ok? Is it over?” She sobbed.

“He’s fine baby. It’s over, it’s all over baby girl.” Jess let her mother rock her until she stopped crying.  After sitting for a while Jess was hungry and her mom was much obliged to run to her favorite little lunch spot to grab her something to eat.

            It was over.  Her nightmare was finally over.  She took a deep breath and flipped on the television.  The hospital had about four channels as she was flipping through she came across a news clip of Jedd. 

            Local father called a hero after taking down daughter’s kidnapper and rapist.  Trial to be open to the public.

            The video cut to Jedd being escorted out of the same hospital she laid in, his arm in a sling.  He smiled at the camera man and seemed to make eye contact with her through the screen.

            “I’ll getcha pretty girl.” He smiled.

            Then officer Jay pushed his head into the squad car.

            “UGH!” She yelled and flipped the television off.

            Part of her wanted him to be dead.  But, at least he was going to jail for the rest of his life and she could move on with hers.  Jess did try to go on about her life.  She couldn’t actively participate in cheer until her leg heeled but, she was still required to show up to keep her spot on the squad.  She hated it, it was a constant reminder that Jackie was gone.  She had other friends but Jackie had been her person.  If losing her wasn’t enough everyone stared at her and whispered.  Honestly, she couldn’t blame them.  Nothing like this happened in this town and it was still all over the news.  It didn’t help that she had an officer following her at all times.  The police department had deemed it necessary until Jedd was expedited to a different county.  So she could expect a personal body guard for at least two weeks.  Part of her thought they were worried she was going to do something stupid.

            It was the time of year that Juniors were sending out for college admissions and one by one students were called to the counselor’s office.

            “Jess, Miss Opie will see you now.”  She stood to walk out of Algebra and her law shadow followed.

            “I bet you never thought you would have to be in High School again, huh Officer Jay?”  She smirked at him.

            He gave her a side eye, “Awe, we’re just trying to make sure you’re safe Jess.” He grabbed the door for her and gave a slight bow.  She laughed.

            “I’ll be right outside.” He smiled. 

            She knew he was genuine.  His family had always been close to hers.  In fact, she remembers playing with his little sister as a child.  She had gone missing when they were both eight.  They had found her down by the creek with a cracked skull.  It was ruled an accidental drowning.  That was the last real headline this town had seen.  Jay ended up signing up for the police academy shortly after.  It is almost like he had taken it upon himself to single handedly stop any child from disappearing again.

            “Ms Jessica,” Miss Opie greeted her with a warm smile. “I have been so excited to get you back in here.” She shuffled through a small stack of college admission letters.

            Jess sat back and crossed her arms.

            “I have all of your admission packages here, all I need is your final input.  I spoke with The University of Colorado and UCLA admissions about you and your file.  You are all but accepted to both so that is super exciting. Would you like me to send them both in or have you made up your mind since we last spoke?”

            “Neither.” Jess shuffled in her seat.

            “Oh, uhm. Change of heart? Penn State is closing their admissions at the end of the week but I think we could still get it there on time.” She put the Penn state file in front of Jess.

            She had been working very close with Miss Opie all year.  Jess had known exactly what she wanted to do and where she wanted to go.  With her grades, her community service and extra curriculum she could take her pick of colleges.

            “Miss Opie, I’m not sending any admission packages out.”  She was met with a mouth drop and look of disbelief.

            “I don’t want to go to college.” Jess leaned forward and pushed the file back.

            Miss Opie closed her hands as if she was praying and raised them to her mouth. 

            “Jess, do not let this unfortunate event detour your future.  Please…please don’t let this change you. You are such a bright and beautiful soul.”  She walked around the desk and crouched down next to Jess.  “Don’t you let that man steal your future too.”  Tears started to well in both of their eyes.

            “Miss Opie, I appreciate all your help and support this year.  He didn’t take away my future.  I just don’t want to do what I wanted to before this.”  Jess avoided her eye contact.

            “Ok, Jess.  What do you want to do? How can I help you move forward” She leaned against the desk.

            “I want to be a Sheriff.” She threw a nod back in a gesture towards Jay.

            “I have to admit Jessica, that’s a little left field. Can I ask you why?” Her arms now folded just like Jess.

            “I want to protect people.  No one should ever have to go through what I did.” Jess met her with a far off gaze.

            “Ok then, I will get you an application for the academy and we can get it submitted.” She smiled and circled back around to her chair.

            “That’s it?” Jess was somewhat shocked at the lack of protest.

            “If that’s what you want, I will support your decision. It’s your life, you should do what makes you happy.  I am just surprised.  You and Jackie were so excited to get out of this town.”

            “Ya, well Jackie’s dead and I saw enough of out of town for a life time.” She stood up to leave.

            “Jess I didn’t mean to upset you.” She said gently.

            “I’m sick of being associate with that creep.” She stormed out of the office and didn’t even bother heading back to class.

            “Jess I cannot in good faith let you skip school.” Jay shouted as he trailed behind her in the parking lot.

            “You’re not letting me...you’re just following me. That is your job right?  So, get in.” He listened and climbed in the passenger seat.

            “Where exactly are you going?” He asked.

            “Home. I just can’t be here today.” She hit the curb on the way out of the parking lot.

            When she got home Jess jumped in the shower and tossed herself in bed.  Surprisingly enough it was all she wanted to do, lay in bed.  You would have thought she had enough lying in bed when she was stuck in that cabin or the hospital.  Now it was all she could do to escape.