Created By

KrystalToney

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Bell sat by the phone waiting. It never rang and soon the sun set deep in the western sky casting a luminous orange glow across the cloudy sky. Bell could feel her eyelids growing heavy and weaker with each passing second, but she couldn't go to bed, she couldn't eat, she couldn't live.

There was a silent, but noticeable knock at the door. Mrs. Parker walked quietly in and sat a tray onto the bed next to Bell. Bell ignored the savary scent of the hot soup and thirst quenching power of the orange juice. ''Bell tell me what's wrong?'' Mrs. Parker begged, nearly crying. Bell just starred blankly at the red phone on her desk. It wasn't going to ring. ''Bell?'' Mrs. Parker sat next to her daughter and squeezed her tight in an embracing hug. ''Please tell mommy what's wrong.'' she cried.

Bell sat completely still, no sign of emotion or life in her face. ''I'm fine.'' she said finally. ''But I need to be alone.'' she said, echoing Jason's words to her mother. Her mother nodded happily. ''Okay then, but that detective is coming over in the morning.'' Bell nodded, somehow managing a weak smile. After her mother closed the door behind her Bell lay softly in her bed, obviously he wasn't going to call.

She could feel tears leaking onto her hand, which served as a pillow under her head. The sun had finally set and the day was finally over. ''So this is it?'' Bell thought to herself. ''This is what it feels like to be heartbroken.''

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------The next morning the sound of the coffee maker and the smell of pancakes and eggs was just enough to encourage Bell out of bed. She slumped lazily to the bathroom and starred at her discontented appearance. Her hair was a nappy mess all over her head and her left cheek was slightly bruised from where her hand had rested her head. She hopped into a warm shower, letting the water circle her body, embracing her in it's wet warmth.

Then, just as lazily as she'd woke, she trotted down the stairs and flopped down into her seat. She immediately started eating. Slowly she stuffed the eggs down her throat and swallowed her orange juice. To her satisfaction, it stayed down. Her father kept glancing her way, but she simply ignored his concerned eyes and focused on her pancake.

Just as Bell stuffed the last delicious piece into her mouth the door bell rang. ''Right on freaking time.'' she mumbled disheartedly. She could her mother's friendly voice welcoming Shane and then his deep, croaky voice asking to speak with Bell. Bell stood up from the table and joined them in the living room, where once again, Shane made himself at home. ''How have you been Bell?'' he asked, pulling out his little note pad. Bell shrugged slightly, but didn't answer. ''Okay...so did you ever get into contact with Jason?'' Bell quickly glanced away, but she knew the truth was written all over her face.

''No.'' she answered quickly. Shane hesitated and then jotted something down in his pad. ''So your mother has been telling me you've been acting out of character.'' he said. Bell shot her mother an angry look. ''That's none of your buisness.'' she hissed to him. ''I was just interested in knowing why you've been so down.'' he jotted more in his note pad. Bell humped her shoulders. ''I'm not down for any particular reason. I just don't feel like doing anything.''

Shane starred long and hard at Bell, perhaps hoping she'd blurt out the truth. ''Bell I want to warn you about something. Jason Cooks is a criminal. He killed a man, another human being and it's my job to bring such people to justice. If by some chance you know where he is and your not telling us you are just as wrong as he was or as Brad was.'' Bell looked him carefully in the face. Shane nodded. ''I know what might have happened to you, but I can't let this walk free. If you love him you'll turn him over and I'll clear this stuff up for you.''

''Bell I know the things Jason does. He could hurt himself and you don't want to lose him. Please Bell do this for yourself and for Jason.'' Bell could feel herself crying. Was he trying to help her or get the case over with? She didn't know, but for some reason she felt the urge to tell him. ''He hid out in the woods by the creek. In the big field. There's where I last saw him yesterday morning.'' she muttered. Shane smiled. ''Thank you.'' he said and quickly left.