Our Cause (Let the Monsters Live in Fear Book 1)

by Jennifer Jane Jennings

  “Thanks for helping us, Kat. This place has really changed our lives for the better,” Dominique smiled.

  “It sure has,” Kat beamed.

  “You have my phone. Call us if you’d like to come home early or need us for any reason. We won’t be far away. We’ll take you shopping for your own phone tomorrow,” Dominique said, holding back the urge to hug her daughter.

  Kat bit her bottom lip. “Um, while we’re shopping, can we look at another bed for me. I can’t even look at the one I shared with Courtney. Can we get rid of it, please? I’d like to make the room next to yours my proper bedroom and make that big room my study for my traineeship.”

  Dominique couldn’t take it anymore. She almost swept Kat off her feet in a ginormous hug.

  Eric joined in, hugging both his girls. “We certainly can, princess. That sounds fantastic!”

  5

  Kat looked at her bedroom, next to her parents’ room, on Sunday night and smiled. “That’s so much better. It feels like me.”

  Eric nodded. “It looks right for you, princess.”

  Dominique smiled at the quilt cover with the snow leopard and beamed at Kat’s karate medals. Kat had even grabbed some of her old teddies for her room. “So glad to have you back. Can’t wait till your new bed arrives. They said Tuesday.”

  Kat shrugged. “This bed’s comfy enough and looks way better now. I can’t wait till tomorrow!” She hugged her parents. “I’ll see you in the morning, bright and early. Night night.”

  “If you wake up before four, come into our bed. Sensei Damon wants you to do Laura’s six-thirty class. Getting to work about six is early enough, okay?”

  “Yes, Mum. Love you both.”

  “We both love you.” More than you could ever imagine.

  Courtney looked at the two older boys. “They are cute, but also seventeen. What if they want more than kissing?”

  Kat glanced at them and smiled. “It’s just a walk on the beach. If they want to do something we don’t want to do, we say no. How hard can that be?”

  Courtney bit her lip. “I guess.”

  Kat smiled and touched her arm. “Between your gymnastics and my karate…”

  Courtney beamed. “They are cute, and there are only two of them.”

  They walked along the beach, watching the moon reflect on the water.

  “We can get a better view from up there on the dunes.” Tommy took Kat’s hand. “It’ll be so romantic.”

  Kat looked at Courtney, who had Michael’s arm around her.

  Courtney smiled and nodded, “Okay.”

  Kat felt Tommy’s grip tighten as they started walking between the dunes, a much easier way than going straight up.

  Kat thought she heard something that didn’t feel right. “What was that?”

  Tommy’s grip tightened. He stepped behind her and grabbed her other arm. Kat kicked her heel into Tommy’s shin and went down into sumo stance, a strong, low stance. The sudden change in Kat’s position unbalanced Tommy, but Kat’s stance wasn’t as strong as it was in the dojo. The sand moved beneath her feet.

  “The sand is a game-changer.” The man who spoke didn’t look much older than twenty, except he did. He was different. Kat stared at him as she felt others pushing her to the ground, hands all over her. Courtney screamed…

  Kat screamed and jolted upright. She looked at her clock, twelve past four. Her alarm was due to go off at four-thirty.

  “Kat, Mum’s here. Can I come in?”

  “Yes, Mum. I’m getting up.” Kat got out of bed as her mum opened the door. “That was the first bad dream tonight that I can remember. That’s progress.”

  Dominique forced a smile. It shouldn’t have to be this way. “Excited about your first day of work, baby?”

  “Definitely. Can I have a hug before my shower?” Kat hugged her mother tightly, tears flowing down her cheeks from reliving her nightmare yet again.

  Dominique reluctantly let go when she felt Kat starting to pull away. “Jump in the shower. We’ll have a special breakfast to celebrate your first day. Pancakes and fruit?”

  “Thanks, Mum, for everything.”

  Kat got out of the shower and tried to look away before she saw the mirror. Too late. The ugly crooked gashes cried out for attention. Kat stared at her lost beauty, no, the stolen beauty. She would always be marked – damaged.

  Kat wrapped herself in her dressing gown and walked out to her parents. “Um, I’m not feeling well. I don’t think I should go in today.”

  “What happened, baby?”

  Kat burst into tears. “I’m ugly!”

  Tears filled Dominique’s eyes. “No, Kat, no. You are beautiful, baby.”

  Eric stepped forward. “Is Sensei Damon ugly? I’ve seen all the girls look at him. They all think he’s dreamy,” he said with a goofy dad look on his face.

  Kat nodded. “They all have crushes on him. That’s why I had to pretend he’s gay.”

  “That wouldn’t happen to an ugly man. His scars are as bad as yours, give or take. You are the most beautiful thing your mother and I have ever seen in our lives. Just like Sensei Damon, the scars don’t touch you. Your beauty shines through. But like every dad, I don’t want you showing your chest off any time soon, okay, princess?”

  “Okay, Dad.” Kat hugged them both for a three-way hug.

  “Go get dressed. I’m looking forward to pancakes.”

  Kat walked out wearing her new black tank top, shorts and jacket with Knightly Karate Gym embroidered on them in gold, her long, golden hair in a ponytail.

  Eric stood up. “You look amazing, princess.”

  Dominique turned around from the frypan. Tears filled her eyes. “Kat, you look perfect.”

  Kat blushed and smiled. “Thanks.”

  “Breakfast is almost ready. Have you packed the rest of your uniform, your towel and your gi?”

  “Yes, Mum.”

  Eric did his goofy dad face. “There’s a truck load of food you also need to pack.”

  Eric stopped in the gym’s car park. “Have a great day at work, princess.”

  Dominique was about to offer to walk Kat inside, but Eric shook his head, pre-empting what his wife was about to say. “You have your new phone, call us if you need anything. We love you, Kat.”

  “I love you both too. Enjoy some time alone without me.” Kat started walking to the gym, turned around, waved to her parents and walked inside. She smiled and bowed, “Good morning, Sensei Damon and Sensei Connor.”

  They both smiled and bowed.

  Damon gestured to the cars pulling into the car park. “Just in time to sign the big boys in. You can put your food away after that. Your mum packs like my stepmum, Heather. Enough to feed everyone but Connor, or just Connor.”

  Connor grinned. “It’d be funny if it wasn’t true. I eat a lot. You two need to be more like me. I’d never forget to eat. Welcome aboard, Kat. It truly is great, and not just because I don’t have to listen to Sensei Damon grumble about finding an aerobics instructor.”

  Damon grinned and pointed to the door. “Saved by the big boys. Mick and Cliffy, this is Kat. It’s her first official day today.”

  Mick grinned. “Hey, Kat.”

  Cliffy scratched his bald head. “Aren’t you the little chicky we saw doing those awesome katas on Friday?”

  Kat blushed and nodded. “Yeah. That was me.”

  “No wonder they hired you.”

  “You’re brilliant. Sign us in, girl.” Mick handed Kat his card.

  “Thanks.” Kat scanned both Mick and Cliffy’s cards. “Have a great workout.”

  She scanned in the other two weightlifter’s cards, who weren’t as chatty as Mick and Cliffy. She looked at Damon, “Should I put my lunch away now, Sensei Damon?”

  Damon smiled and nodded. She didn’t say um. Her confidence was growing. “Great work on signing in the big boys too, Kat.”

  “Thanks!”

  Kat came back as Laura and Dereck walked in.

&nbs
p; Laura was wearing the same uniform as Kat. “Looking good, Kat. Give me a hand setting up. I’ve got to teach you how to use the sound system and mic. We’ve got some great music for today.”

  Dereck smiled and put the box of fruit on the desk. “You think all your aerobics music is great.” He gave Laura a quick kiss. “Have fun, ladies.”

  “We will.”

  Chelsea walked in carrying a plate full of cookies just as Kat and Laura were about to turn away. “Hey, Kat. I made these for your first day.”

  Kat’s mouth opened in amazement and formed a huge smile. “That’s so nice!”

  Laura smiled warmly. “You really are, Chels. Let’s hide them away from Sensei Connor, and then we can all have one after class. I can give you a lift to school if you like?”

  “Thanks, Laura, but I should have plenty of time. School’s only a five-minute walk and doesn’t start till eight-fifty. A cookie after class sounds great, though.”

  “Let’s put them in the office, and I’ll show you both how to use the gear. They won’t last two seconds in the kitchen. Come on, girls.”

  Connor did a fake pout. “They’d last at least five. Save one for me after class.”

  “Definitely.”

  Kat walked up the stairs after class and froze.

  Meredith Wright, a redheaded reporter who looked similar to Nicole Kidman, was on the TV “Police discovered the mutilated body of a sex worker known as Trinity. Her real identity is still under investigation.”

  Tears filled Kat’s eyes.

  Sasha nudged Kat. “It’s okay, Kat. It’s just a hooker. Occupational hazard.”

  “Just a hooker!” Kat cried.

  Sasha shrugged. “Yeah. Why are you so upset?”

  Chelsea stepped in between them. “The real question is: why aren’t you? She’s a human being and deserves a lot better than that. Jeez! Come on, Kat. I need some air. Let’s take our cookies outside.” Chelsea took two cookies and handed Sensei Connor the plate, half hoping he’d eat them all before Sasha got one.

  Damon watched the two girls walk outside together. Chelsea had this. He didn’t need to intervene.

  “Um, I take stuff like this really seriously. Thanks for standing up for me. At least I didn’t go into a panic attack this time,” Kat said and wished she hadn’t. “Um.”

  “Everyone should be upset about what happened to Trinity, but you take it personally. Your parents are really protective of you too. Way more than mine. Were you really in a car accident, or was it something worse?”

  “You’re too smart.” Kat bit her lip. “Um, have you heard of Courtney Jamison and Emily Jones?”

  “Of course I…Oh my God, no! Fuck no! Oh my God! Oh no! It makes sense. Karate, Queensland, your parents not letting you out of their sight. You were the girl in the coma, weren’t you?”

  Kat nodded. “Please don’t tell anyone unless you have to. What happened to that girl was wrong. And yeah, I guess I take it personally. I know how it feels. No one should have to go through that. No one has the right to do that to someone else.”

  Chelsea was shaking herself. Tears filled her eyes. “I’d ask if you’re okay, but that’s a stupid question. How could you be? No one deserves that. I don’t know how you’re as strong as you are.”

  Kat shook her head. “I’m not strong. I almost didn’t come in today. Sensei Damon went through a lot in Afghanistan, and he’s been helping me. That’s how Dad talked me into it. My parents have been great. So have you. You’re the first friend I’ve had since I lost Courtney.” Kat went dead white. “Maybe you shouldn’t be my friend.”

  Chelsea showed Kat her hand and put her arm around her. “We’ll look after each other, okay?”

  Kat smiled and hugged Chelsea. “I’d like that.”

  “Is your attack why you want to be a counsellor?”

  “Yeah. I want to work with victims of crime, but I’d rather stop them from happening in the first place rather than just clean up the mess.”

  “You could be a police officer. That may help.”

  Kat shook her head. “They just catch the monsters. I want to stop them before they hurt anyone, but I don’t know how.”

  “If there were an easy way, they would’ve done it already. Besides raising kids right, crime and punishment’s all we really know.”

  Kat nodded. “Yeah. I’d like to change that. Why do you want to be a psychologist?”

  “I notice things, and people tell me things they wouldn’t usually tell others. I want to help people and think it’s the best way for me to do it.”

  Kat smiled. “You do notice things. I think you’ll make a great psychologist.”

  “Thanks. I hope so. You’ll make a great aerobics and karate instructor. You fit in here so well. I hope you can find a way to change things, but victims of crime would be so lucky to have someone who’s made it through something so horrific.”

  “I’ve had help. Thank you…for everything.”

  Laura came out as they just finished their cookies. “It’s eight-thirty, Chels. Get changed, and I’ll give you a lift.”

  Chelsea turned to Kat, who smiled. “I’m fine. You go to school. Thanks again.”

  Chelsea hugged Kat. “I’ll see you this afternoon.”

  Kat walked in with Laura and noticed the front TV channel had been changed to the music channel most of the televisions were on. “Um, you don’t need to change the channel. I need to get used to it. It’s good having some news and sport on as well as the music.”

  “We’ll live without the news for a week or two. The music’s more uplifting,” Damon said with a compassionate smile.

  Kat smiled. “It is. Thanks.”

  6

  Kat almost ran to Laura as she walked in the door. “I wish I could take today’s classes for you. You have better things to do.”

  Dereck put his arms around Laura, and they both put their hands on her tummy.

  Laura smiled warmly. “You are taking the first class, Kat. I’m just here in a supervisory capacity for your course and to make everything all legal. We’ll see about the other classes later.”

  Kat bit her bottom lip. “Um, I’m not sure I’m good enough yet.”

  Damon smiled and nodded. “You are good enough, Kat. You’ve been here for a month now and have taken parts of Laura’s classes and helped students in karate. Your grades are fantastic, and you’re well respected. You’ve got this. I’ve also got a friend coming in with a new computer for the office. You can use it for your studies and won’t need to go home between classes unless you want to.”

  Kat smiled. “Thanks. That’d really help.”

  “We’re proud of you, Kat.” Damon glanced at Dereck and Laura. “What do you think they’re having?”

  “A boy!” Kat said a bit over-enthusiastically, realised and calmed herself down, “But as long as they’re safe and healthy.”

  Connor grinned cheekily, “I wanted to run a tally, but Sensei Dereck wouldn’t let me.”

  Dereck chuckled. “I don’t recall that conversation.”

  Connor shook his head. “Dad brain already.”

  Laura giggled. “Now, now, you two. Kat and I have a class, and then we have an appointment. I can’t wait! Everyone says to get neutral colours, but no. This little one’s going to be dressed in the cutest clothes. Unisex is boring. I’m so excited.” Laura almost danced down the stairs with Kat.

  She hugged Kat before anyone arrived. “You’ve got this. I’m here if you need me, but I really don’t want to take a shower before we go to the docs.”

  Kat shook her head. “Don’t worry. You won’t need to. I can’t wait to find out also. I can’t believe you’re twenty weeks already. You definitely don’t look it.”

  “Thanks so much. I try not to think about how I look and just enjoy our little person inside me.”

  Kat got her step, chose her music, checked her notes and put on her mic. I can do this!

  She watched as over thirty people put their steps in place. I
’ve got this. “I’m Kat.” She raised her left hand to mirror her class. “Right foot first. Tap up. Tap down. Change sides.” Kat took them through the warmup and stretches. “We’re going to have some fun. Take your right foot up to the left-hand side of your step and punch over your front foot.” Kat took them through an energetic class full of punches and kicks using the step. Everyone finished sweaty and smiling. Kat felt someone watching her from the door. Sensei Damon smiled, gave her the thumbs up sign and disappeared before anyone could approach him. Kat looked at the class and doubted anyone noticed him at all. It’s pretty cool how someone that good-looking could remain hidden in plain sight. Possibly part of his army training?

  Laura ran up to Kat and threw her arms around her.

  “I’ll get you all sweaty!” Kat tried to step away.

  Laura shook her head. “You’re not that sweaty, but you are amazing. A cross between step and karate. So perfect for this gym.”

  Kat beamed, “Thanks.” She stopped herself from biting her lip as she saw at least twenty women approaching her.

  “You were fantastic!”

  “That was so cool!”

  “I totally loved it!”

  Even Sasha smiled, “You did really well, kid.”

  “Thanks so much, everyone!” Kat turned to Laura. “Go get ready for your appointment.”

  Kat walked upstairs after she packed up and finished speaking with everyone. She glanced at Meredith Wright on the TV with a professional surfer and stopped to watch. Sensei Damon walked over and stood next to her without saying a word.

  “I’m okay. I’m just interested. He’s Cade Allen, isn’t he?”

  “Yeah, I think so. He’s talking about his sister. It’s pretty deep, and we’ve only had this TV off the music for a week. We’ll take the other off in a week or two if you’re okay.”

  “I’m okay. What happened to his sister? Was she attacked?”

  Cade Allen spoke as though he were answering Kat’s question. “I can’t believe it’s a year after her death. I know everyone said she committed suicide, but I don’t believe it. The surf was flat. Jess can, I mean could, swim as well as I. There is no way she could drown in that, even if she were trying to. Her natural reflexes would take over, and she’d swim. They haven’t even found her body! If she drowned, they would’ve by now.”