Mirror in the Forest: Book One

by B. Groves

  Hal and Mark would take turns going through the Winters’ neighborhood throughout the night.

  As the night passed, Mark issued a few speeding tickets and went to break up a small fight at the bar; however the town was very quiet for a Saturday, and that was usually his busiest time.

  He looked at the clock on his dashboard and groaned. It was only two in the morning. He still had a few more hours.

  He knew Hal was probably asleep somewhere, and decided not to disturb him for right now.

  Hal informed him that Jessica’s neighborhood showed no signs of Rick, nor did he see him at any of his usual hangouts.

  Mark made his way over to Jessica’s house, and found it dark from the outside.

  He turned off the patrol car, and sat for a while looking around trying to keep his own eyes open. He should have gotten some coffee before he stopped there.

  He was thankful that it was almost November and he would finally get some day shifts. The deputies and himself took turns every month working the shifts. It would be his and Hal’s turn soon.

  He thought about hiring another deputy for some relief, but didn’t know if their budget would allow it. The city police force was looking better and better.

  He sat there and listened to the radio, and kept the music as loud as he could to keep awake.

  He had some cassettes in the car, but was too lazy to put any in right now, and thought that Def Leppard playing on the radio should help.

  Mark looked up in surprise to see a light turn on inside the Winters’ household.

  He spied a figure moving around, but couldn’t tell who it was.

  Then the outside light turned on, and the front door opened. He was even more surprised to see Jessica come outside.

  He watched as she quietly closed the door, walking towards him with something in her hand.

  She was wearing some pajama pants, slippers, and a sweatshirt. He could see her breath as she made her way closer to his cruiser.

  Her hair flowed past her shoulders in soft waves. Mark tried to stifle the thought, but he wanted to run his fingers through her hair badly.

  He cursed and adjusted in his seat.

  “What can I do for you Miss Winters?” He asked, rolling down the window when Jessica stopped in front of him.

  She held out a steaming coffee cup so he could take it.

  “I remembered you like your coffee black,” she answered quietly.

  Mark sat there for a moment. His conscious mind told him to politely turn her down, and get out of there, but the rest of him took the coffee cup from her hand without further inner arguments.

  “Thank you. That was very nice of you,” he said, sipping the coffee, finding he was grateful for it, and the company.

  Jessica smiled shyly, and said, “You’re welcome. I know it has to be boring sitting out here watching me.”

  Mark smiled, and said, “Not a problem. I guess you know Rick Tanner posted bail, so you probably shouldn’t be out here by yourself.”

  Jessica waved her hand in the air. “I am not as worried about him as everyone else.”

  Mark found that a little odd, but didn’t say anything. She didn’t seem too shaken by her attack today.

  Mark cursed silently again and said, “Did you want to get in?”

  He wasn’t supposed to let her sit in the passenger seat, but right now, who was going to see them?

  Jessica froze for a moment, but finally walked around the car and got into the passenger side. Mark knew he was making a big mistake, but he couldn’t help it.

  The age difference really didn’t bother him. He could plainly see Jessica Winters was very mature for her age. It was something about her demeanor that had been changing over the last couple of months that was bothering him.

  “Thanks,” she said, as she got comfortable, closing the door.

  “How did you know it was me out here? And why are you up so late?”

  Jessica sat there in thought for a moment and then laughed.

  “The other deputy never stopped tonight, and you did,” she answered. “As for your other question. I couldn’t sleep.”

  “Oh, I see. Don’t be afraid. I think Rick is getting more unstable and I will see what I can do,” he answered.

  Damn, she made good coffee for a teenager, he thought.

  “I’m not afraid of him. I just couldn’t sleep,” she answered to his surprise.

  Mark wondered why she wasn’t afraid of a man who just assaulted her earlier that day and was immediately released on bail.

  Mark decided to change the subject. “This is good. Do you drink coffee?”

  Jessica yawned a little. “Sometimes, when I have exams coming up.”

  “Congratulations on making the basketball team,” he said.

  Jessica smiled again. “Thank you. I never knew I had it in me.”

  Mark noticed she was relieved to change to the subject on Rick too.

  Then she began to run her fingers through her hair, and Mark cleared his throat, trying to look away for something to distract from the thoughts he was having about her hair. Well, the thoughts were not only of her hair either.

  He tried to keep the subjects light.

  “So, what made you do that?” He practically croaked when she didn’t stop.

  Jessica finally stopped fingering her hair, to his relief, and shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. I guess to prove to my parents that I am not a total failure.”

  “Did they ever say that?” He asked, skeptical.

  “Not outwardly,” she answered. He could have sworn her brown eyes were smoldering in the darkness.

  “I don’t think they feel that way,” Mark argued.

  Jessica shook her head in disbelief. “You don’t know my parents,” she muttered.

  “Jessica. I think you are too hard on them,” he said.

  Jessica narrowed her brown eyes at him, and said, “Not when I have to look at their pictures everyday at school.”

  “I know the pressure must be hard, but you won’t have to do that much longer,” he reasoned.

  Jessica sat there and thought for a moment as Mark continued to enjoy the coffee.

  “You know what?” She asked.

  “What?”

  “I have to say, I am liking the attention I’m getting. Getting Power Forward is hard to do, and I did it. I hit a guy in the nose the other day because he was teasing me about the party. I haven’t been teased since, and am getting more respect finally,” she explained.

  Mark chuckled. “Did you break his nose?”

  Jessica laughed lightly. “Nah. I just made it bleed.”

  “There is nothing wrong with defending yourself. Also, if you find you like the attention, then enjoy it. High School sucks, but it’s your last year, make the most of it,” he said.

  Jessica sat quietly for a moment and seemed to be lost in her thoughts.

  “That was really a beautiful speech you gave today,” she suddenly said.

  “Thank you. Sara Miller meant a lot to my family,” he said, feeling the grief creep up again.

  He noticed a change in Jessica’s look, but couldn’t pinpoint it.

  Mark looked down at his empty cup and said, “I better get going, and you better get in before your parents notice you’re missing.”

  Jessica laughed. He liked her so much better when she laughed. “Sheriff, once they have a few drinks, it’s lights out.”

  “Well, just for your safety I will walk you to the door,” he offered, but knowing full well it was more than that.

  “Okay.”

  They walked up the steps to the porch, and Mark could not see the look on Jessica’s face as she turned around, because it was in shadow from the outside light.

  He handed her the cup, both hesitating when their fingers brushed against each other. “I guess this is goodnight, Miss Winters,” he said, trying to keep it formal.

  “Goodnight Sheriff,” she said, lowering her head, but not moving.

 
; Mark had to talk himself into turning around and walking away. He knew he had to. He knew he was not going to grab her and kiss her at that moment. He was a Sheriff, just doing his duty tonight. He was trying to be an honorable man, it didn’t always work, but he tried for the sake of his job, then his mother’s memory.

  It wasn’t working that well tonight.

  He did finally turn to go, but found his body stopping him from leaving. He turned towards her again. Every fiber of his being said to drive off, forget about Jessica Winters. Yet, he knew he wouldn’t. He had to taste her, had to feel her body against his at least this one time. Mark stopped on the bottom step, and turned towards her again.

  Jessica looked him over questioningly, patiently waiting for him to say something.

  “You never did tell me how your boyfriend is,” he commented, suddenly regretting his words.

  Actually, Mark didn’t give a shit about Jessica’s boyfriend. The whole time they talked, she never even mentioned him, but for some reason he wanted to know why.

  Even in the shadow, Mark could see Jessica’s changing facial expressions. She was deciding on how she wanted to respond to his question, but wasn’t sure how.

  Finally, she stood straight, and Mark could see a sudden confidence in her body language.

  “He’s not you,” she responded, softly. It was so soft, that Mark almost didn’t hear her.

  Mark tried to stop himself. He did, but couldn’t. Without another doubt he stepped back up to the porch and moved closer to Jessica.

  She inhaled a sharp breath, as he cupped her face, gently pushed her against the door, while his lips came down on hers.

  She went to wrap her arms around his neck, but he grabbed them and put them above her head as his tongue slid over her soft puffy lips, and into her warm mouth. She tasted so sweet, he didn’t know if he could stop himself from going any further.

  Mark almost groaned as his uniform pants tightened. Jessica responded by leaning into him and welcoming his kiss. She sighed as their tongues met, and danced within her mouth. She tasted as sweet as he originally thought.

  He knew he had to let go, even though he could have stayed there all night and continued what they started. But, he knew he had to let go of her.

  He pulled away slightly still cupping her face, feeling her rapid breath against his cheek. She tilted her head, trying to get another kiss from him, but his self-control took over, so he pulled away slightly. Usually, he didn’t practice that very well, this time he had to.

  He leaned into her ear, pushed her soft hair away and whispered, “Hold that thought.”

  He watched as a shy smile began to spread over her features. “I will,” she whispered back to him.

  He finally let her go, and stepped down from the porch. He waited while Jessica straightened up, gave him another smile, and walked into the house closing the door behind her.

  He had a weird feeling he would eventually regret this.

  Chapter 25

  One month later

  Jessica then twirled in front of The Spirit of the Mirror happily as she explained her first win to the spirit. She lifted her hands above her head imitating making the winning basket for emphasis.

  The spirit watched her explain everything with amusement that flickered in his white eyes.

  Jessica looked over her old self, and could really compare the changes now to her new self.

  She had been practicing hard, and playing hard, and it was paying off. Her clothes were getting looser fitting, and her face was thinner.

  She had barely fit into the standard uniforms for the basketball team, but now the tank top and shorts were loosening up on her.

  “So, that was your first win?” The spirit asked.

  “It was. We won last weekend’s game, but I made the winning basket and it was nothing but net,” Jessica said grinning from ear to ear.

  “And, how have the reactions been for you?” The Spirit asked.

  Jessica stopped and thought for a moment. “Mostly positive. I am thinking about having a huge birthday party when it comes up.”

  “Have you made many more friends?” The Spirit asked.

  Jessica nodded, but hesitated. “The rest of the school has been great, but my team, not so much. They ignore me most of the time. I’m hoping this party will help.”

  The spirit gave Jessica a sympathetic look, when her eyes became sad. Jessica didn’t care about getting wet, and sat on the snow covered ground. It felt cold, hard, and damp beneath her rear, but she loved every moment of it. No matter what she did she would always love nature.

  “Besides that, it’s been a great month,” Jessica said, not sure who she was trying to convince herself, or The Spirit.

  “You have separated from the boy as well?” The Spirit asked.

  Instead of answering his question Jessica crinkled her nose, she could have sworn she smelled something weird in the woods when the wind blew south as she spoke to The Spirit, but tried to ignore it.

  She thought back to only a week ago when she broke it off with Danny.

  “I’m sorry, but it’s not fair on either of us to continue something that I’m just not feeling,” Jessica tried to explain to her angry boyfriend.

  “After all we’ve been through this is what I get? A quick goodbye, see ya, and all that bullshit?” He asked angrily.

  “Well, at least I didn’t write you a note,” Jessica said, shrugging her shoulders.

  Danny scoffed. “I did feel it, but I guess it wasn’t returned.”

  “I’m sorry Danny……”

  Danny stomped away from Jessica, and then turned saying, “I thought you were better than the rest of those nasty bitches, but turns out you’re the same.”

  Those words had stung, but Jessica knew she had done the right thing. Besides, there was someone else…..

  Jessica sniffed the air, but couldn’t place the area where the weird smell was coming from.

  She turned again to the spirit who watched her patiently.

  “He took it hard, but he’ll get over it,” she answered.

  “What about the Sheriff?” He asked.

  Jessica sighed. She knew Mark was trying to do the right thing by waiting till she officially turned eighteen, and it was almost comical when she thought it over, however he had stayed away to keep his job. Jessica couldn’t blame him there. Mark had a great reputation in this town, and Jessica didn’t want to be selfish and ruin it for him. She wanted to see him again, and wanted to kiss him again, but she had to be patient.

  She absentmindedly touched her lips and thought of their kiss that one night and smiled softly.

  That kiss had been so raw and passionate that Jessica didn’t know what to think. She felt the warmth rush through her cold body at the thought of the Sheriff’s touch, and couldn’t help it, but wished her birthday came sooner rather than later.

  He did attend her game last night, and they talked for a few moments, but he was on duty and had to go. She had been disappointed that he never got to see her make the winning basket.

  “I want more,” she said softly.

  “That can be arranged,” The Spirit offered.

  Jessica shook her head in protest.

  “No. I want this to myself,” she answered.

  “As you wish,” The Spirit said.

  Jessica suddenly looked up at The Spirit.

  “How did you know Rick Tanner, Spirit?” She asked.

  The spirit’s white eyes flashed when she brought up Rick. “Rick Tanner, yes Rick. The unfortunate soul who has been lost since illegal substances overcame his potential of a good future. I will confess that is he one that I tried desperately to help, but there are those that are just not able to accept what is offered when it is for the taking.”

  “So, you can’t help everyone?” Jessica asked curiously.

  She caught a whiff of the strange smell again, but tried to ignore it as the spirit explained more to her.

  “No, Jessica I cannot. Rick needed h
elp with his problems, and no matter how many wishes were granted there were constant failures. Finally, I told him I could not help him any longer,” he said.

  “He said that you would destroy me? Did you destroy his life?” She asked carefully.

  The Spirit smiled slightly. “There are those in the world who would always blame others for their own downfalls. No one forced his hand into using the substances. He chose his own fate.”