Snow Cover

Chapter 27 Processing The News

Julia's POV

I am pacing at this rate, thinking of all the details of last night again.. But this time I'm doing it at a different angle and in a different light. Trying to see if there was something I didn't see before, mostly from being blinded by my undeniable attraction for Colby.. That is the most like the description the police have given over anyone else that I saw at the restaurant. I don't want to think it, believe me. But I can deny the similarities that were given to keep an eye out for. I just hope with every last inch of me that this was not him. But things are too close for comfort right now, making me feel very weary.

I know I had just met this man yesterday but when we talked, and not just talked a little, we talked all night and so much more than we should have. But this made me feel incredibly connected with him, as if I have known him all my life. So I don't think he could do something like this. But that is the feeling deep within my heart talking. Not the logic or the police description nagging at the back of my mind telling me this might be him.

I keep pacing back and forth by the couch as I continue glancing back at the TV, because the curiosity is getting the best of me, especially knowing that I should know as much as possible, but it is making me sad the more I know because it keeps making me think that this might be the one person I don't want it to be. Or maybe that is my paranoid mind coming into play once again like it has all morning for me already. But either way, I need to know as much as possible about this potential attacker for me or anyone in this place.

I reluctantly look back at the screen as I continue to watch the news report. It is all live and won't stop since this is obviously big news to this little town.. But I'm sure like the rest of the people in this place, this report is making me want to run outside and get a better look as I get as much information for my peace of mind as possible.. But I won't head out there yet, at least not until after I get the rest of the information that they are willingly handing out. And with things pointing at the man that I like, I need all the information I can get so I can figure out if it is him or not.

"Women.. Make sure to stay alert and vigilant if you're in these areas. This man has a type of women that he is looking for, late 20's to mid 30's, brunette, pale skin, short stature, and is alone most of the time. If this sounds like you then please stay as vigilant as possible or just stay in large groups.. If you have to be alone somewhere then make sure to carry something for protection with you at all times." I groan out thinking about just that because I never brought any weapons or anything to help me out even if I needed it, because I wasn't thinking of that when I had originally packed for the trip.

I am feeling the frustration taking over as my hands plant straight onto my hips. "If you have any information to help identify who this mystery killer might be, then let us know at the anonymous call line here. The only thing we know for sure is that he has been using the women's card and cash during the ski vacations, along with a fake name.. So we can't pinpoint anything to him directly just yet.. But we are getting closer to the culprit. Stay safe out there and keep your eyes open to anything that could help." They say as I feel my jaw clench as I shake my head.

The fear has gone away, being replaced by curiosity and the strong hope that this is not Colby. "That's so sad and scary.. I wonder if that killer was one of the men I saw in the bar last night? I really hope not though." I say under my breath, just finding myself hoping with all my heart that it is not Colby. I wasn't saying that comment to anyone in particular, I barely even realized that it was said out loud, but apparently it was loud enough to get John's attention. He looks back at me in shock, as if he didn't hear me come out of the shower at all.

John must have been just as invested into the news report as I was. Maybe he is just scared or worried about us being here at this point, feeling responsible for bringing us here. But either way, I startled him in this moment. He does a double take turning down the sound as he stands up and comes to my side, I think wanting to try to ease my mind. "Don't even look at this news report or listen to anything it has to say.. I don't want you to worry your pretty little head. This is still a vacation.. So Nothing to worry about my love." He says to me as I feel my eyebrows furrowing automatically.

I shake my head because I am not an i***t or easily persuade by some positive thinking. I point over at the TV screen while looking straight at John. "You can't say that and expect me to believe it John. I'm not stupid, nor am I easily convinced. Look at that screen, the victims look just like me and were around my age.. and the killer is now in the same area as us.. how is that not something to worry about? Because I think that is every reason to worry." I state the obvious, because there is no way I wouldn't be worrying about this especially since it has happened right outside of our window.

But he doesn't want me to think about that either way as he continues by automatically shaking his head. "No need to worry yourself with things that are similar.. That would just make this weekend, that is supposed to be a fun time away, much harder than it needs to be.. We are here to relax and not think of the outside issues happening.. these things happen in every single city or town.. okay? People being killed happens everywhere, so you can't let it dictate what you do in your life.. Or you would be living a very sad and worry-filled life and that is not what I want for us." he declares this causing me to automatically nod my head in understanding, since that is exactly what I was saying to my roommate.

John is trying so hard to be protective and calming to try to ease the worries in my mind. Believe me, I really want to have fun and not think about such things, but at this rate that is asking the impossible. I feel like since it has been brought to the back door of our hotel room, that forgetting this would be way easier said than done. "Yeah I get what you're saying.. and I see what you're trying to do John and it's very sweet that you're trying to keep my mind from this.. It's just hard not to think about the FACT that women like me are coming to places like this just like I am right now.. and are being murdered.. you know?" He nods his head a couple of times as he steps closer.

"How can I not think about that at all? Especially when it is right at the back door to our room.. I mean I was just there last night getting dinner... If I would have stayed out there for a moment longer that could have been me John." I squeak out as I feel my eyes watering at that thought. "It would not have happened to you." He says this with so much confidence but there is no way to be confident about something like that. Who's to say that I won't be the next person?

"John.. you can't say that, because you don't know that." I declare as he let out a defeated breath before putting his hands on my arms. He is rubbing them up and down, trying to be even more comforting, and I have to give him an A for an effort.. But I won't just drop this. All I can think of to do is go outside and check out the crime scene. I do like how concerned and sweet he is being though, it is slightly making me feel better. He is a good man.

"Julia." He whispers to me from being in such close proximity, I look up into his calm eyes as I watch him slowly reach up and pushing the little bit of wet hair out of my face. "I am here to keep you safe from anyone and even psychopaths, No one will touch you especially while I am around." he says as I smile and shake my head, looking away from him. This is before he reaches up and grabbing my cheek to point my face right back at his. So I can't look away even if I wanted to. "I won't let anyone touch you and if they do, I would murder them.. remember.. you're mine."

I pause thinking about his words. He sounds very serious, giving me a weird feeling inside. I swallow the lump in my throat before nodding as he presses his lips into mine, catching my off guard once again, as is tradition at this point. His tongue pushes through my lips without hesitation, the kiss is heated but only on his end.. I feel bad that I am not feeling as good about his words or his affections as he is. He is obviously feeling confident about his protectiveness. But I can't seem to gain the same confidence even though I do appreciate the effort given.

I like the confidence, but I have to be honest with myself, I know as well as most do that his confidence within himself won't keep me safe from this psychopath just because he wants it to. No offense to him, but he is an older man. Yes, he is fit and can probably take care of himself, but he is 15 years older than me.. How can he even think that he can keep up with a 30 or so year-old man. Yes he looks like he is in his mid 30s, but there is no way he can act like it and keep up.. Right? But I am not thinking about anything but the murder and Colby, so I am not into any of this.

I break the kiss as nicely as I can as he looks down at me, I think trying to read how I feel right now. But I don't want to be honest about all of that just yet, because I know it will make him feel bad and that is the last thing I want. Since I don't know what to say, I just try to make him feel better. "Yeah sure.. I remember." I just hope he doesn't see the guilt and questioning in my eyes, because I don't want him to feel bad when he is trying to help me feel better, but I definitely don't believe the words coming out of my mouth. But all that matters is that he does.