Chapter 2

I stand leaning against the stone mantelpiece, staring into the roaring flames as my mind churns and flips and spins like a whirling dervish. Occasionally I place a hand to my head to check that there aren't actually little gears turning at a breakneck speed inside my head, and that there isn't steam or smoke coming out of my ears due to the gears. I mean, how did this all happen?? Obviously I know a little. Right after Chase (yah, that's the name of the incredibly handsome guy who, it turns out, wants to kill my boyfriend) told me he wants to kill Jake I froze, and went into some sort of shock. I mean, literally, my mind drew a complete blank. If there are in fact a set of little gears inside my brain, then they stopped working. My little breakdown lasted for at least thirty seconds, and all the while Chase was watching me intently, but always with that damn smirk on his face. When I finally came round, I looked straight into Chase's eyes, and for just a brief second I could have sworn I saw a look of hope and fear, somehow strangely mixed together. The look disappeared as quickly as it had come, and in it's place was that damn f***ing little smirk again. I mean, I know I have a smirk sorta like that, and I know it's just a look on someone's face so it really shouldn't annoy me that much, but for what ever reason at that moment I got super pissed off. And I mean SUPER pissed.
"Why do you want to kill Jake, huh?? What could he ever have done to you??? And besides, I don't believe you even have the guts to kill him you yellow bellied coward. You're just a stupid mother f***ing asshole who deserves nothing better then to be rejected by everyone in the whole world, then go die a horrible slow death in a hole. I hate you. You're a horrid ugly bastard. I hate you!!!"
I tried to rush at him, but his two buddies behind me grabbed my arms and restrained me. If they hadn't, I probably would've clawed his eyes out I was so mad. A look of excruciating pain and sorrow danced across his face, and he quickly turned away from me. A sudden pang of regret filled me at the expression he had just shown, but my anger quickly burned the pang away. How dare they treat me like this??

For a long moment he remained with his back to me, and when he did finally turn around his face showed no emotion at all.
"I might tell you why I want to kill Jake, but I certainly won't out here in this miserable weather. I suggest that we all repair to my house, where we shall be warm and dry, and where we might talk about this in comfort. How does that sound to everyone?"
I was so surprised by this calm statement I'm pretty sure my mouth fell open. I had been expecting, no, counting on him getting angry and fighting back that I was quite caught off guard, and my anger died. I also noticed for the first time how amazing his voice was. It was just slightly husky, and relatively deep, but not too deep. In short, it was perfect.
"But... I have to check on my dogs. They'll need to be let out, and fed, and-"
Chase waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. "I'm sure Tommy here won't mind going and checking on them, will you Tommy?"
The boy holding my left arm grunted in agreement.
"Now all he'll need are the keys to your house and any special instructions for the dogs. I'm sure you can manage that?"
I looked back and forth between Tommy and Chase, before sighing and digging out my keys.
"The dogs both get two cups of the food under the sink. They also need to be let out, the heat needs to be turned up, and some of the big blankets in garage need to be laid out for them in the kitchen so they can keep warm should the heat fail. Got all that?" I dropped the keys into his waiting glove.
Tommy grunted again, then set off up the hill. Chase watched him get started, then turned his attention back to me.
"Now, if you're not going to try to attack me any more I think we can proceed to my house, correct?"
I couldn't think of any other excuse, and so remained silent, making sure to keep a stubborn and unpleasant look on my face. Taking my silence as a yes, Chase sighed and set off down the sidewalk, and I and the other boy, who still had a firm grip on my right arm, were left with no other choice but to follow.
Now, here I stand at Chase's house. Upon our arrival I was politely relieved of my coat, bag, and phone, then was escorted to the room which I am currently still in. I have only had one visitor, and that was Tommy reporting that my dogs are safe and happy. Otherwise, my only company has been the roaring, popping fire and silence.