by Ben Cass
After he left, Ellie turned to the sheriff. “Seconds? Seriously?”
Bellsley nodded and scratched his chin. “Your sister told us what happened, but we figured her adrenaline messed with her sense of time. People can’t always be expected to be reliable when recounting such vicious attacks on themselves.” The sheriff closed his small notebook and continued, “We pulled the footage from the security cameras. Fred had them installed a few weeks back because those punk kids kept spray-painting his walls. Anyway, the cameras showed us the entire fight, and your sister had described it down to a T. He absolutely eviscerated those men, almost literally.”
“How are they doing?” Ellie asked, wondering why she cared. As far as she was concerned, they deserved whatever they had gotten. Bellsley grimaced.
“Well, if he hadn’t been trying to save a life and they hadn’t been armed and attacked him first, I’d probably have to arrest him for attempted murder. He broke all three jaws, cracked a couple of skulls, broke some arms, broke some legs, shattered some ribs, punctured a lung or three...” The sheriff’s voice trailed off. “All with his bare hands,” he finished quietly, rubbing his thinning hair.
“Pink pigs on a falafel!” Ellie muttered. “Who IS this guy?”
Bellsley nodded in agreement. “Jeff said he was scared to death of that man; he half-expected to be killed. I should arrest him for assaulting a police officer.”
“Well, Jeff did point a gun at him before announcing who he was, right after he’d just faced down three muggers,” Jen said defensively. “I still can’t believe how easily Doyle disarmed him. He threw a knife about twenty feet, through a deluge, and hit the gun perfectly. That shouldn’t be possible.”
A thought crossed Ellie’s mind. “Maybe he’s former military. Black ops or something. Highly trained, highly lethal, highly gorgeous.” Oh, shit. She hadn’t meant to say those last two words. She felt her sister’s sideways glance, and was grateful when Jen didn’t say anything.
The sheriff thought it over. “You know, that makes the most sense. If he really was some kind of military guy, he might not want to talk about it. God knows I don’t like to think about my time in the service.” He laughed. “Seems Jeff’s guess of ‘revenge-seeking magical ninja’ is out of the running.” He gestured to Sam, who’d been standing to the side. “Sammy, do me a favor and drive these two home. We’re done for now and Jen needs to rest. She’s going to be aching soon, once the adrenaline wears off.”
“I’m fine, Sheriff,” Jen said. “We have a news show to put on, and this is news.”
Stan, Jen’s producer, spoke for the first time. “Jen, that’s not happening.”
“Stan! We’re on in five minutes!”
“Bill’s going to cover for you. You’re not doing anything for the next couple of days. I’m ordering you to stay away until at least Monday.”
“Monday!” she exclaimed. “Stan, you must be joking!”
He shook his head. “Not in the slightest. Take the weekend off. I don’t want to see you until Monday morning.”
She glared at him, but Ellie was glad to see he wasn’t going to change his mind. Jen finally sighed. “Fine, but promise me you’ll report the story today. And don’t leave my name out of it! People need to know what happened.”
Stan raised his hands in surrender. “If that’s what it takes to get you out of here, you have a deal.”
“Well, good. That’s all settled,” Ellie said cheerfully. “Let’s go home. You need a hot bath and a nap.”
SAM drove them home and insisted on checking out the house before letting the two women inside. After he satisfied himself it was safe, he escorted them inside. “I’ll drop in later, make sure everything’s okay,” he assured them. Jen smiled and thanked him; ever the gentleman, he tipped his hat and headed off.
Ellie wasted no time in getting her sister comfortable. She drew up a hot bath for her and brought some warm tea while Jen soaked. Jen could hear her on the phone, apparently talking to her school about what had happened and requesting Maddie bring her homework over later. Jen felt a rush of pride; Ellie was turning out to be a really wonderful young lady.
Jen sighed then, remembering the nearly-obsessive private concerns Ellie had about her rail-thin figure. I guess we all have our demons to battle. She splashed some water on her face. “At least I can’t remember mine,” Jen muttered out loud.
“What was that, Jen?” Ellie’s voice came from the bedroom. A moment later, she stood in the bathroom door. “You need something?”
Jen waved a hand idly. “No, I was just musing about how everybody has to face some kind of personal demon in life.” Ellie’s eyebrow rose; they’d had this conversation numerous times over the past three years and she was quite defensive about it. Jen hastened to add, “And then I said I’m lucky enough to not be able to remember mine.”
Ellie shook her head disapprovingly, just like her mother would have done. “Amnesia is not a laughing matter, Jen. Doesn’t it bother you to not remember the first sixteen years of your life? To not know where you came from?”
They’d had this discussion a lot, too. As always, Jen shrugged. “Sometimes, yes.”
“Sometimes?” Ellie screeched. “You don’t wonder why you were wandering through the woods, in a dress, with your head bleeding?”
“Ellie, it’s not important,” Jen said gently. “I’m okay with not knowing, really.”
Ellie grabbed the fuzzy red towel hanging on the door and pulled on it, wrapping it around her hands. Jen could tell she was angry and trying to control herself. Every time they had this talk, Ellie got mad at Jen’s lack of interest.
“So you’re okay with not knowing why nobody reported you missing? You’re okay with not knowing if you have a real family, real siblings?”
“Ellie, you are my real family. Period.” Jen sank down into the hot water, letting it cover her upper body. Ellie’s face softened a bit, but she wasn’t done yet.
“I know. I didn’t mean that. It’s just...” She pulled the towel around her neck, tugging on both ends as she tilted her head back. “I just don’t get it, Jen. I’m dying to know everything about your life, and you don’t give a rat’s ass!”
“I have my reasons, Ellie,” Jen said, trying to remain calm. Ellie had never been quite this passionate about it before. Usually, she walked away in frustration when Jen said she was fine with not knowing.
“Yeah, well, your reasons, whatever they are, must really suck. You’re being really stupid about this.”
Jen frowned; that was too far. “You want to know why I don’t care? Why I say I’m fine not knowing?”
Ellie threw her hands in the air. “Obviously!”
“Because I obviously went through some kind of seriously traumatic experience!” Jen replied sharply. “Lost in the woods, head bleeding, not knowing who I am or what happened? That’s not normal, Ellie! I don’t want to know the truth because it is probably going to be a hundred times worse than anything I could think of!”
Ellie’s mouth opened and closed, and she hung her head. Jen waited, but Ellie didn’t say anything for several seconds. Finally, she spoke quietly. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I never thought of it that way.”
“Come here,” Jen said, sitting forward and waving a hand. Ellie perched on the edge of the tub, looking guilty. “Truth is, I know something bad happened to me. I don’t know what, though, and at this point, I’d rather not find out. I have a good life, Ellie. I mean, sure, I got stuck with an annoying baby sister, but she’s great most of the time.”
Ellie stuck her tongue out at her. “I got stuck with a crazy older sister. Emphasis on the old.” She smiled at Jen, her eyes glistening slightly. “I get it now. I do. I promise not to mention it again. If you’re okay with not knowing, then I’ll just have to be okay with it, too.” Jen leaned her head against Ellie’s leg, but a sudden sharp pang in the side of her face made her gasp in pain and sit up. Ellie’s face clouded with worry, and she reached for Jen.
“I’m okay,” Jen said, cutting her off before she could say anything. “That’s where I got punched.” Jen gingerly probed the side of her face; there was some swelling going on. Great. Jen started to lean against the tub, but her back muscles seized up, forcing her forward. She muttered some particularly nasty obscenities under her breath, making her sister laugh. Jen knew she probably shouldn’t swear, but at the moment, she didn’t give a damn. She was hurting, finally. The sheriff had been right.
Jen braced herself against the tub. “Here, help me up?” Ellie grabbed her hand and stood, slowly pulling Jen with her. Once Jen had her balance, Ellie grabbed the bathrobe off the rack and helped her slip into it.
JEN padded into Ellie’s room and sat on her bed, waiting for her to emerge from the shower. The room was pretty cozy, actually. Ellie’s memory foam mattress was soft and very comfortable and she had a couple of blue bean bag chairs by her closet. Assorted posters hung on her walls: sports teams, actors, movies. Unlike many teenagers, Ellie kept a very clean room.
Jen looked over at the pictures on the dresser. There was one of the two girls together when Jen had first been adopted, Ellie resting her head on Jen’s shoulder while trying to wrap her little arms around her new big sister, smiling like everything in the world was fantastic. Next to this picture, but slightly behind it, was one of their parents. Jen felt a tug at her heart; although she had only known them for ten years, they were the only parents she could remember. She still had no recollection of the first sixteen years of her life, only of the last twelve. No matter what she told Ellie, there were some things that bothered her about her amnesia. This was one of them.
It was bad enough they’d lost their parents in a house fire. It was even worse that the fire had been arson, a case that was still unsolved. For Jen, though, it meant she’d lost another set of parents. She didn’t say anything about it to Ellie, who still had trouble from time to time coping with her grief. She didn’t need the burden of Jen’s private grief as well.
“I always cry at that picture, too,” said Ellie, standing in the doorway of the bathroom. “I can’t bear to take it down, though. Hard to believe it’s almost been three years.” Jen smiled in understanding. Wiping away a couple of stray tears, she patted the bed next to her.
Ellie plopped down next to her sister and leaned her head on Jen’s shoulder. Jen tilted her head down to rest against Ellie’s.
“I was so scared this morning,” Ellie whispered. Jen chuckled.
“YOU were scared? Maybe I should scream a little louder next time,” Jen said, as innocently as she could. Ellie pulled away and shoved her sister’s shoulder.
“How can you joke about it?” she demanded, a bit indignant. Jen shrugged.
“Sweetie, if I don’t joke about it, I’ll wind up absolutely freaking out. I’ve never been so terrified in my life. I thought I was going to die.”
Ellie reached up and tenderly touched Jen’s slightly black eye, her small fingers barely grazing the skin. “We’re just lucky you’re not hurt any worse than this. Thank goodness Coach Doyle was there.”
Jen nodded. “It’s weird. I had literally just run into him a few minutes earlier. I almost knocked him over because I wasn’t paying attention.”
Her sister rolled her eyes. “Almost knocked him over? Yeah, right. That guy’s the size of a mountain. And those thighs?” She sighed in appreciation, giving a small shudder like she had goosebumps. “I never thought I would be so thankful for shorts.”
Jen tried to glare at her, but Ellie’s grin was too much and the glare wouldn’t hold. Jen settled for bumping her sideways. “He’s too old for you, so eyes off, kiddo.”
Ellie snorted rudely. “Yeah. That’s going to happen. Did you see his body?” She sighed theatrically, laying the back of her hand against her forehead. Ellie looked up to the ceiling, kissed two fingers, and then held them up. “Thank you, she-who-gave-him-to-us.”
“Sadly, I didn’t get a chance to check it out. Maybe next time.”
Ellie’s head snapped down and her eyes widened. “Did you just make an actual reference to wanting to see a guy’s hot body?”
Jen frowned slightly. “Um, yeah. What’s the big deal?”
Ellie’s eyes searched Jen’s. “I have always been able to talk to you about anything, no matter how awkward or embarrassing it might be for either of us, and you have always done your best to answer my questions openly and give me advice. It doesn’t even seem to bother you. But as soon as it comes to talking about guys, though....bam!” She pounded her fist into her palm. “The door gets slammed shut. Why?” She sounded both frustrated and curious, clearly wanting an answer. “Do you think I’m too young for that kind of talk? Because I’m not, you know.”
Jen thought about it and realized Ellie was right. She was still thinking of her younger sister as a girl, when in reality, she was pretty much a woman. She was almost seventeen, after all, and Jen had known friends who were married at seventeen.
Her eyes widened. “How do I know that?” Jen stammered, slapping a hand against her forehead. Ellie grabbed her other hand, suddenly looking worried.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
Jen shook her head. “I was just thinking about how you’re almost seventeen and I’ve had friends who got married at seventeen.” Jen chewed her lip, hoping the pain would help her think.
Ellie did the thinking for her. “Nobody you know here got married at seventeen, so...pink pigs on a falafel! Is your memory coming back?”
Jen blew out her breath and shrugged. “No, just that one random thought. I wish I could remember more.”
“Still, that’s more than you’ve remembered before.” She squeezed her hand and then kissed it. “Anything else?” Jen shrugged helplessly. “Okay. So where were we? Oh, that’s right: you were about to explain why you don’t talk with me about guys. We’re sisters. I’m almost an adult, and you’re my guardian. I’m pretty sure it’s legally required for you to discuss it.”
“I don’t know,” Jen replied honestly. “I just feel...weird, I guess, talking about guys. It doesn’t seem right.”
“Oh, come off it. They’re always talking about you!”
Jen laughed lightly. “All right,” she said, lying back on the bed. “You want to talk about guys, let’s talk about guys.” Ellie flopped down next to her, a lot more excited than Jen would have liked.
“Are you seeing anybody you haven’t told me about?” Ellie asked, propping her head on her hand, elbow resting on the mattress. Jen snorted derisively. “Are you at least talking to somebody?”
Jen shifted her weight, realizing she was really feeling all the effects of bouncing off the wall that morning. Man, her muscles hurt.
“Nope. I’m just not interested in anybody right now. Besides, around here, the selection is rather limited.” Jen tenderly rubbed her aching neck. She was going to have to call her chiropractor and probably book a massage.
“So? You could get anybody you wanted. Why not have some fun? I have to live vicariously through you. You’re the hot sister, I’m the not sister.”
Well, that was a new one. Jen knew she would regret asking, but she did anyway. “The not sister?”
“Yeah. I’m not you. I’m so hot I could freeze water.” Ellie indicated her tiny, toothpick-like frame. “In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m a bit lacking in the height and curves departments. I think you’ve got more than enough to spare, though. How about you transfer some to me?” Ellie flashed a wicked grin.
Jen squeezed Ellie’s leg. “Just give it time, would you? Everybody is different. Besides, you have to make the most out of who you are right now. It’s all that matters in the long run.”
Ellie let out an exaggerated sigh. “How much time do I have to give? Isn’t sixteen years enough?” She frowned slightly, falling silent. For the next few minutes, the only sound in the room was of their breathing.
“He is smoking hot though, right?” Ellie asked suddenly. Jen didn’t ne
ed to wonder which he her sister was talking about.
“And then some,” Jen replied softly, squeezing Ellie’s shoulder.
Ellie gave a big yawn and curled up into Jen, just like she had when she was little. “Maybe you should ask him out; he’s perfect for you.” Her voice was soft and when Jen looked down, Ellie was asleep.
“Maybe I should,” Jen whispered, kissing the top of her sister’s head. “Maybe I should.” She pulled Ellie closer, snuggling into her.
Chapter Three
Early the next morning, Jen decided she could power through the soreness and got ready for her Saturday jog. She checked in on Ellie, who was still sleeping peacefully, a small smile on her face. She then locked the front door on her way out and set off down the road. Groverton was not a large town. Jen had found she could jog across it in less than thirty minutes. She made her way down to the other end of Main Street, waving at residents as she went. There were a few cars driving, but for the most part, it was a quiet Saturday morning. The air was still cool, keeping her from sweating too much. Her shirt was tucked into the back of her jogging pants; she had no problem jogging in her sports bra, but preferred to wear a shirt while eating, which she would be doing soon.
Jen cut behind the post office to enter the Scarlett Woods, Groverton’s pride and joy. Hundreds of acres had been designated as an animal sanctuary, and the people of Groverton took great delight in their small forest, which basically surrounded the town. A nice jogging path had been cut through, its entrance just behind the post office. Although the path wasn’t paved, it was very smooth and peaceful, running parallel to the river. At the end of the path sat a small diner, where she stopped for breakfast every Saturday morning. The diner was an old log cabin, which fit quite nicely into the forest setting.
Jen could see the cabin now, so she slowed to a walk, bringing her heartbeat back to normal. After ambling around and cooling down, she walked up the steps, pulling on her shirt, and went inside. The usual suspects were there: the sheriff and his husband, a couple of officers, old Walt in his corner. Jen didn’t think Walt ever actually moved from that corner. In the twelve years she’d been coming here, he had never been absent from that booth. She was half-certain he was really an animatronic character, like they had at the Disney theme parks. The sheriff gave her a look that was either disapproving or mildly approving. It was hard to tell the difference with him sometimes.
