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

by Jennifer Jane Jennings

  Amy nodded at Damon. “Me too, but he loves her. This is really hurting him. Thanks for being there for him.”

  Damon smiled. “He’s a good guy.”

  “I better say goodbye to the others. I’m leaving Kat to last. Ashley’s even more crazy about her than Boyd is about Cadence.” Amy smiled at Connor and Josh. “Have a great new year.”

  Amy and Kevin walked over to Kat and her friends standing in a circle playing the karate memory game with Ashley. “Finish this game, Ash, and then it’s time to go.”

  Ashley’s lip dropped. “Aww, there’s only one more person to go. Can we play one more game, please?”

  Kat shook her head. “We’ll play it at karate, okay? I was only allowed to stay up this late too when I was your age. You’ll be a teen black belt like me, but you need your sleep to do so.”

  Ashley nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, Sensei Kat.” She seemed to hurry the last round of the game and flew into Kat’s arms as soon as it ended. “Happy new year, Sensei Kat. See you soon.”

  Kat smiled and hugged her tightly. “Definitely. Have a great New Year’s Day, beautiful.”

  Josh kept glancing at the girls dancing as he chatted with Connor and Damon.

  Damon smiled at him. “Come on, you two. Dancing’s so much fun. Let’s join them.” He grabbed Caleb who was trying to sneak a beer out of the cooler. He’d seen Caleb get three already but not drink any of them. Sneaking them must be more fun than actually drinking them. “Come on, Monkey. Dancing’s more fun than drinking.”

  Within half an hour, everyone was dancing and kept dancing until Eric’s alarm went off at eight minutes to midnight. “I’ll get the champagne ready and turn on the TV”

  All the adults followed him to help. Josh looked at Connor.

  Connor smiled. “Keep dancing. We’ve got enough helpers.”

  At two minutes to midnight, Cadence, Caleb, Kat and the other teenagers joined the adults. It wasn’t long before they were counting down to the new year. As the clock struck midnight, Eric kissed Dominique, popped the cork on the champagne and kissed his wife again. Kat hugged Chelsea, making Chelsea beam as Kat picked her first. Josh glanced at Sheridan and Avery, not knowing who to hug. Hugging them doesn’t mean I’m letting my bad wolf win. Before he could choose one, they hugged each other. Then everyone swapped. Not only did Josh get to hug all the teenage girls but everyone at the party except Baby Hope who was sleeping in the house.

  Eric raised his glass. “This is going to be the best year so far.”

  Everyone chose a glass of champagne or lemonade and raised their glass.

  Channel Nine News showed different areas in Melbourne and Sydney celebrating the new year before it flicked to Jamie Sanders bearing bad news. “Two sisters aged eighteen and twenty have been found after being brutally beaten and raped. It is believed their attack occurred just after the early fireworks in Melbourne. If you have any information on this crime, please call,” the screen flashed to the telephone number.

  Kat sighed. “I knew we couldn’t get through this night without someone being raped. Dad, Brent, can you please find out what you can? Damon, please call Pia or Kev and find out the best way for me to visit them?”

  Eric nodded to his daughter, “We’re on it, princess,” and walked inside with Brent.

  Damon took out his phone, “I’ll call now,” and walked to the driveway.

  Josh looked at Kat. “I know you’re good at karate, but shouldn’t the police look after these girls?”

  Avery shook her head. “Kat helped me,” Sheridan caught her attention, “us, more than the police did.”

  Josh stared at them. “What happened to you? Were you attacked?”

  Sheridan nodded and pulled her hair from her face. “Did you hear about the rapist who carved an X into his victims’ faces?”

  Josh nodded slowly.

  “That was us,” Avery said. “We had plastic surgery, but sometimes it feels like it’s still there.”

  Sheridan nodded. “People say they can’t see it, but I still want to hide my face with my hair.”

  Josh thought about all the sexual positions he had wanted to do with either of those girls and felt so low. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Kat helped us. She visited us in hospital and introduced us to each other. She’s helped with self-defence…”

  Avery cut Sheridan off, “And beat the snot out of our attacker when he went after her.”

  Josh stared at Kat. “I knew you were good at karate, but wow.” He paused for a moment, so many questions going through his mind. “How did you know you could help them?”

  Kat looked around the pergola. Josh was the only one who didn’t know. “Have you heard of Emily Jones and Courtney Jamison?”

  Josh thought back. “Weren’t they attacked on New Year’s Eve a few years back?”

  Kat nodded. “Two years ago. The media called me Emily Jones, the girl in the coma, to protect my identity. I can help these girls because not only have I survived, I’ve flourished.”

  34

  Josh didn’t say a word on the short drive to Connor’s three-bedroom home. He followed Connor inside. “I can’t believe Kat’s parents allowed me in their home. I couldn’t blame them if they wanted to kill me. I pulled a knife on their daughter after someone else had already stabbed her. She’s been through so much, and I just made it worse.”

  Connor put his hand on Josh’s shoulder. “You’ve grown a lot since then. I don’t think you planned to use the knife, just scare her.”

  Josh shook his head. “It’s still – unforgivable.”

  “Kat and her parents have forgiven you. You need to.”

  Josh shook his head. “I need to make this better.”

  Eric snuck out of bed at eight-thirty in the morning on New Year’s Day. Dominique touched his arms, rolled over and went back to sleep. Her golden hair against her face still took his breath away after all these years. He crept past Kat’s room. The girls had been making plans till the early hours of the morning to help the two sisters. Kat needed to be at the hospital before two. This gave Eric several hours to clean up after last night. He walked into the pergola to find Josh putting the last chair away.

  “I hope I didn’t wake you,” Josh said softly.

  Eric looked around. “Wow. You’ve done a great job. It doesn’t look like you’ve left anything for me. Is Connor here too?”

  Josh shook his head. “Just me. I want to…um help, um, I know I can never make up for what I did, but I want to try. It was bad enough when Kat was just a better karate student.” Tears filled Josh’s eyes. “Almost dying after being stabbed and um…you know, um, and now she helps people. She’s a superhero without any special powers or gadgets, just an incredible heart.”

  Eric smiled and nodded. “We’ve got some gadgets. Her heart and her karate are her superpowers. I appreciate what you’re doing. At the time, I wanted to beat you to a bloody pulp. You’re not that person anymore. Kat wanted to invite you, and we agreed because you are a really good guy now. I know you’ve still got some work to do. We all do.”

  “Speaking of work, what can I do? It’s probably too early to mow the lawn, not that it really needs it. Can I weed your garden? I know, I can clean your car so it’s spotless to take Kat to see those poor girls in the hospital.”

  “Well, as I was planning to do chores and everyone is sleeping, I suppose the Outlander could do with a clean. Come on, we’ll do it together.”

  Eric stood back and looked at the Outlander after they had finished. “Looking good.”

  Josh smiled, “Good inside too. All vacuumed, dusted and polished.”

  “Let’s go in and see if anyone’s up. We’ve earned breakfast.”

  As soon as they walked in the back door, people started coming out of bedrooms.

  Eric smiled. “Good morning. How’d you all sleep?”

  “Good, once we stopped planning.” Kat smiled. “We should be able to help those girls. Gareth said he’ll meet us at t
he hospital and introduce us. I hope he can do that when he becomes a detective. He said he will, but it will be easier if he gets a good partner. They won’t be as good as Kev, but Kev’s happy as a cop.” She looked at Josh and smiled, “Hey, did you and Connor end up staying over?”

  Josh looked at his feet. “Um.”

  Eric put his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “He was up early and thought we could use a hand. He’d pretty much finished everything by the time I got up. We’ve got a clean car to drive to the hospital now. Josh did the inside. It all looks great. I’m starving. I can make pancakes…”

  “No!” Kat interrupted. “Your pancakes are dreadful, Dad. I can make them if Mum isn’t up.”

  Dominique walked out of her bedroom wearing her silky robe. “I’m up. I’ll do them.”

  Kat grinned cheekily. “I was hoping you would. Mine aren’t much better than Dad’s.”

  Josh finished his pancakes, “Thanks, Dominique. They were delicious.” He stood up and started washing the dishes they had finished with. Several others helped him when they finished their breakfast. As soon as the kitchen was clean, he looked at Eric. “Thanks.” He turned to Kat. “Please, let me know if there’s anything I can do to help with this case or any others or anything. I better go back to Connor’s. He was sleeping when I left.”

  “Would you like a lift?” Eric offered.

  Josh shook his head. “All good. It’s not far. I’ll enjoy the run.”

  Gareth met Kat, Dominique and Eric at the entrance to the hospital. “Let’s go for a walk. A detective is with them. We’ll go in after he’s left. I’d rather he didn’t see us. I’ve done some of my hours as a detective with him. Completely by the book. Lacks imagination. He would not be happy with us being here.”

  Kat nodded and started walking. “Best not to be seen then. Who is he?”

  “Hopefully, not my next partner. Xavier Lawless. His name couldn’t be further from the truth. It wouldn’t surprise me if he were actually a robot. He’s that rule orientated.”

  Dominique chuckled softly. “I used to think that would be a good quality for a cop. I’m not sure if I gave detectives much thought other than in fiction. Imagination would be essential.”

  Gareth nodded. “Absolutely. Empathy and compassion are also a must.”

  Kat cocked her head and looked at Gareth. “You don’t think he’s got empathy or compassion?”

  “I’ve only helped him a few times, but the rules seem to come before everything and everyone else.”

  Kat nodded. “We’ll need to be careful then.”

  They walked for just over twenty minutes before going to Olivia and Chloe’s room. Kat watched Gareth talk with their parents before he called her over.

  Their mum, a blonde woman in her late forties whose eyes were bloodshot from crying, turned to Kat. “Officer Payne told us you’ve been through even worse than this and have helped others who have been…”

  Kat nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I can help them because I’ve overcome it. They will too.”

  Their mum burst into tears. “I hope so. This should never have happened. No one should be attacked, ever.”

  “I agree. I’d love to stop this from ever happening.” Kat gestured towards Dominique and Eric. “You should speak with my parents while I speak with your girls. They should be able to help you. I was in a coma after my attack. They know how hard this is.” Kat walked into Olivia and Chloe’s room with Gareth. “Hey, I’m Kat. People knew me as Emily Jones. We’re going to get through this together, okay?”

  Gareth left as Chloe turned to look at Kat, her face appeared to be one big bruise. “Why did they do this?”

  “I don’t know. I don’t try to work out why they do it anymore. I don’t think anything could justify or explain it. It wasn’t your fault. You both need to be sure of that.”

  Olivia forced herself to sit up. “I started karate when I was a kid. If I continued, maybe this wouldn’t have happened.”

  Kat shook her head. “I was a brown belt with gold medals when I watched my best friend get raped and murdered in front of me. There were eight of them and two of us. How many attacked you?”

  “Only six,” Olivia answered in a small voice.

  Kat shook her head. “There’s no only about it. That’s three against one. Even one on one, men have the upper hand. I do intend to train you in self-defence to prevent it from happening again. It won’t make you bulletproof, but it will definitely help your confidence.” Kat pulled down her top to reveal the scars on her chest, “If I can come back, you can too. We’ll get through this together.”

  “Detective Lawless said they’re doing everything they can, but they might not be able to find them,” Chloe said.

  Kat lowered her voice. “Keep this between us, but I aim to find them and beat the snot out of them. A friend of mine’s an artist. She’s been through this too. If you describe the monsters who hurt you, she should be able to draw them with your help.”

  Olivia sat up straight. “Chloe, you’re an artist! You could do it or help her.”

  Chloe nodded. “I can try.” She looked at Kat, “How can you beat them now when you couldn’t earlier?”

  Kat smiled. “Good question. I know I can now. I train every day in karate and fitness and have some amazing backup. My main karate instructor is also ex-military. Against six monsters, I’d definitely need his help and probably more, but believe me, the monsters will lose and regret ever going near you.”

  Tears came to Olivia’s eyes as she smiled. “I believe you. Thank you.”

  Chloe nodded. “Me too.”

  Kat sat in a chair where they could both see her. “I don’t need to…”

  Gareth’s knock on the door cut her off. “Sorry, ladies. I need to steal Kat for a little while.”

  Kat smiled, “I’ll see you soon,” and walked out the door.

  “You most certainly will not, young lady,” Detective Lawless fumed. “You and Officer Payne have committed a serious breach in protocol.”

  Kat spoke before Gareth could say anything. “It was my idea, Detective. I asked Officer Payne to introduce me. I’ve been pack-raped too and know I can help them.”

  “I’m sorry that happened to you. I’ll take you to the station and get your statement. You need to charge the men who hurt you, not talk to other victims. What is your name?”

  “Emily Jones.”

  Detective Lawless took a step back. “Emily Jones as in the girl in the coma?”

  Kat pulled her top down. “I’ve got the scars to prove it.”

  The detective stared for a moment before he found his words. “And heart and fire by the looks of things. Do you really think you can help these girls?”

  Kat looked at him with clear, green eyes. “I know I can.”

  Detective Lawless smiled and pointed to Chloe and Olivia’s room. “You better get back in there then.”

  35

  Kat noticed Sasha trying to sneak off after her aerobics class. “Hey, Sasha. You got a minute?”

  Sasha smiled and turned around. “I can spare a few. Great class.”

  Kat waited for the other girls to leave. “Why the quick exit? Is everything okay?

  Sasha looked at her feet. “Um.”

  Kat’s eyes widened and she touched Sasha on the shoulder. “What’s going on?”

  “Did you hear Gareth’s back with his wife?”

  Kat frowned. “Yeah. I can’t stand her. She tried to come on to both Sensei Damon and Sensei Lucas in front of Pia on New Year’s Eve. I really wish you could’ve come instead. It must be hard for you, especially as his wife’s such a cow.”

  Sasha looked around to ensure no one else was there. “I’m still seeing him. I know he’s married and it’s wrong. That’s why I tried to leave quickly. I’m embarrassed, I guess. Not of Gareth, he’s sexy as hell, but of the fact I’m the other woman. I’ve had a few guys ask me out, and I’ve turned them down. Gareth said I can date other people. It’d just feel wrong if I did. I
feel bad enough as it is.”

  Kat hugged her. I have no idea what to say. Kat hugged her even tighter.

  Sasha hugged Kat just as tightly. “Thanks.”

  Kat ran up the stairs to see Damon staring at the news. “Oh no. What now? Please don’t tell me another girl’s been raped or murdered.”

  “Pushed off the bridge near the creek here in Lorikeet Meadows. She broke her arm in the fall, but she’s alive. Apparently, she was running last night around nine o’clock and wasn’t found till this morning.”

  “Oh my God! The poor girl. Pity we didn’t run that way this morning. We may’ve found her.”

  Damon nodded. “I was thinking the same thing. I’m also thinking about checking it out today. I’d like to hide and watch you run for the next few nights in case they come back.”

  “Yes! I’m in! I’ll push them off the bridge instead!”

  “How about we wait until we check it out and decide?” Damon smiled at Connor who was oiling one of the exercise bikes. “Do you think you can hold down the fort while we go for a run?”

  “Yeah, okay, but I’m going on lookout duty with you until those bast… bad guys are caught.”

  Kat beamed. “You’ve got it! I’m so glad I can do more than just talk with the victims, although we should talk with her. We should try to set it up with Pia. Detective Lawless turned out to be okay, but I still don’t want to push it. We’re bound to run into him. I just don’t want to make it a habit.”

  Damon and Connor both nodded. “Agreed.”

  Kat kept pace with Damon as they ran to the path by the side of the creek. “This really is a lovely run. We can’t let anyone scare people away.”

  “Yeah, I love this spot.” Damon grinned, “that’s the plus side of this mission. We get to run here and you get to run here lots. I enjoy mixing things up, but at the moment we should run past here every day.”

  Kat nodded. “That’s wise. Which bridge did they push her off? There are four if they run the full eight k path.”