(Dedicated to my loving husband who continues to encourage and push me into writing)
Jade was visibly upset even though she didn't consider Dannie as a friend. She was even worried that, somehow, Michael might have this her murder charged to him. They just sat in silence holding each other. The thread of fear had woven itself all through their hearts.
"Let's have something to eat," Michael said finally.
"I don't know if I can eat anything. I just feel so numb. I had warned her to be careful with you because she could get into trouble and then you could lose your job. I had no idea that anyone was planning something like this."
"Ok, let's just sit here in front of the fire and hold each other for a while."
Soon, with the roaring of the fire and the quiet in the room, both Jade and Michael slipped off to sleep. Their sleep was interrupted with nightmares of Dannie and they both jumped and woke themselves up.
"Whew! I'm even afraid to go to sleep now. I was dreaming about Dannie and her floating in the lake," Jade said.
"So was I..........wow! I wonder if the school will ever weather this storm."
Michael looked down at Jade and kissed her lips. She couldn't help but respond to those soft lips and soon, she was feeling that warmth of love starting to spread from her toes up. "Mmmmmmm, I could use a lot of that," Jade said.
"Oh, yes, me, too. Would you like to go where it's more comfortable?"
"Yes, more than anything............ but........... I better go and see what my roommate is up to. I don't want anything, especially right now, to link us together. If you (were to) lost your job, I just couldn't handle it."
"I appreciate the thought but I'd sure like you to stay."
"Me, too, but I'd better not."
Jade gathered up her things and made her way back to her dorm. The police were still swarming around looking for anything or anyone who might have a clue as to what happened to Dannie. Jade picked her way past them and went to her room and lay across her bed and dozed off. It was good to be where it was quiet and not close to the spotlight.
************
They weren't through with Michael just yet and called him back in several times for more questions. His stress level was now at the highest and he wished that he had some tranquilizers to take the edge off his nerves. He and Jade decided to cool their relationship until all of the trouble had blown over. When they looked at each other, you could see the love and lust in their eyes. Since Michael had made love to her for the first time, it had only whetted her appetite for more. It was killing her to be apart from him for very long.
*************
After weeks of investigation the police found a nude picture of Dannie on the internet. Further investigation revealed who had put it up for display – Eddie Johnson. This was a really smart - but "not so popular" - guy who was considered a loner. He spent most of his time in front of the computer. He made straight A's but made no friends. He was not very attractive and his personality left much to be desired. He was very cynical in his attitude and most of his classmates just left him alone because that was the way he seemed to like it.
The police confiscated his computer and when they searched his room, they found pictures and pictures of Dannie – some dressed and some nude – some covering the wall and as well as those in the computer. It appeared that he was very good with his camera and had taken many pictures that she was unaware of. When they questioned him about them, he would only say that he was practicing with his new camera.
After more investigation, they found that he had been stalking Dannie for months – watching her and taking pictures. Some of the guys who had been out at night actually saw him sitting in a tree with his camera. When they started to tease him about it, he became belligerent and told them that he'd "show them" because Dannie had a date with him on Saturday night. That statement only made them more curious so they planned to "tail" him and see if he were telling the truth.
Saturday night came and the guys were all dressed in black and went to Eddie's dorm and waited. Sure enough, he left his room that night but didn't go to meet Dannie. He was stalking her once again. When Dannie came out with her date, Eddie was hiding in the bushes like a snake. The guys decided that they had better not approach him because of how mad he got the other day. They would just keep this information for future reference. It just so happened that this was exactly the kind of information that the police needed.
Eddie was picked up, fingerprinted and photographed. He was detained for a day and a half being questioned. After the grueling time "under the spotlight" of the officers grim faces, he broke down and cried. He sobbed and through his tears, he admitted that he had killed Dannie. He had tried and tried to date her but he was the one boy that she rejected. His statement was taken and he signed it still sobbing making the paper wet with his tears.
The officers booked him and placed him in a cell all alone under constant watch – for his own protection. They were afraid that he might commit suicide because he was so distraught.
How right they were! When the guard turned his back to get his lunch, Eddie strung up his sheet that he had prepared and hanged himself from the ceiling. When the guard returned, he rushed to take him down and give him CPR - but it was too late. Eddie was gone in a most gruesome way – similar to what he had done to Dannie.
*************
The school slowly got back to its normal routine – well, as normal as possible. The students were still feeling the effects of the fear that had taken hold of them. Classes resumed and there were psychologists on hand to talk to anyone who wanted to vent their fears and frustrations.
Little by little, regular routines were reestablished including Jade's sessions with Michael. The school year was drawing to a close and the seniors were getting prepared for their graduations – Jade, too.
Their tests were completed and everyone was waiting for their final grades. Of course, Jade was in the top 10% of her class and she and Michael couldn't be prouder. Now, she had to start deciding what to do with the rest of her life. She knew that she wanted to spend it with Michael but what about work? If she took a job out of state, what would he do? Questions, questions, questions.
Once the graduation was over, Michael swept her away to a lovely chalet in the mountains. It was on the top and the view was spectacular. Up there, the air was so cool and crisp they could have a fire every night in the fireplace. It was the most romantic place she had ever been – second only to the first night she made love with Michael.
He found a small restaurant (the "mom and pop" type) and took her there for dinner on the first night. It was packed with people because the food was so good. After they had ordered their meals, Michael pulled out a small box, went down on one knee and handed it to Jade. Her eyes were large and tears were beginning to form. Everyone in the restaurant stopped eating and talking to see what was happening.
"Jade, I have loved you from the first moment I met you. I have never found anyone who I would consider my soul mate until you came along. I cannot think of living the rest of my life without the "other half of me" because you make me whole. I would be most honored if you'll be my wife." She held out her hand and he put the ring on her finger.
