Unexpected Fate

Chapter 2

My mind was still racing from all the events that took place. I don't think I could speak. Jay just stared at me as if he were in shock. I'm sure I looked rough.

"Jess, would you like to go in the bathroom and get cleaned up?" He asked.

"I...I don't have anymore clothes." I stuttered.

"You're covered in blood, I'm sure I can find you something." Jay replied.

That's when it hit me. As I looked down at my hands, they still had dried blood on them. My shirt had rips and tares, and my jeans were also covered in blood. I was in complete and total shock. I just froze, my breathing began to pick up, and I could feel my heart starting to race. My eyes widened and I felt like I was going to faint.

"Hey, hey, Jess, look at me. It's okay. We will get you cleaned up. Calm down." Jay said softly as he pulled me toward him.

"I...I" I stuttered. I was stunned and couldn't speak.

"Shh, It's going to be okay." Jay said as he hugged me. "You go get cleaned up, and don't throw anything away. We will get this handled."

I just nodded, as tears began to fill my eyes and roll off my cheeks.

"I'm going to call Adam and let him know you are here, and we will go from there. Now come on, I'll show you where everything is." Jay said as he wiped my cheek and took my hand to lead me to the bathroom.

As we walked into the bathroom, Jay flipped on the light, and looked under the sink. He grabbed a towel, wash cloth and a small clear trash bag.

"Put your clothes in this bag, right down to your...your underwear." Jay said awkwardly. " I'll go see what I can find you to wear."

He walked out and closed the door behind him. I just stood there. I nervously looked up into the mirror. My short brown hair was in a ponytail that was all knotted up. I had blood splatter all over my face and neck. After a minute, Jay knocked on the door.

"Jess, can I come in? You decent?" He asked.

"Yea." I replied.

He slowly opened the door. "I found these for you. I hope they fit." He said as he gave a slight smile.

"Thank you." I replied,"Jay?"

"Yea," Jay answered.

"What's going to happen to Jace?"

"I...ugh...I'm not sure. But listen, don't you worry about that, okay? I'm going to call Adam. We will get this all figured out , I promise."

"Umm...okay."

Jay shut the door and I began to get undressed. I folded my clothes and put them neatly into the bag. I fought to get the knotted ponytail holder out of my hair and stepped into the shower. I let the hot water just run down my body. I could hear Jay in the other room on the phone with Adam. "Hey man," Jay said. "Jess made it. They have Jace."

He paused, waiting for Adam's reply.

"You know I will take care of her, dude, I owe you that much." Jay paused again.

"When does the next boat leave?" He questioned, "You figure that out and I'll get her there. Dude, you know I can't go back to Alaska, I'll get her there. Have Dean meet her at the port."

Jay paused again. I'm going home, I thought to myself. I hadn't been home since my dad married Pam, my horrible stepmother. My three brothers and I grew up in Alaska. I loved it there. My dad made the decision to move us to Alabama after our mother passed away, about 6 years ago, to be closer to family. Adam, my oldest brother, stayed behind, while my dad, Jace, Pete, and I packed up and moved to Alabama. Jay was Adam's childhood friend. He moved down about six months ago when my dad passed away to be here for Jace, Pete, and I, since we were now left in the care of my awful stepmother. She hated me and my brothers. At this point, she probably hadn't even noticed Jace and I were missing. After dad died, Pam started living it up on his money. She was gone all the time and always going on dates with different men, and never really acknowledged us. Jace and I mostly looked after Pete, our ten-year-old younger brother.

Suddenly, I heard a slight knock on the door, bringing me back to reality. I jumped, knocking over a bottle of shampoo.

"Jess," Jay said as he knocked on the door, " you alright in there?"

"Yea, I'm fine." I replied, as I scrambled to pick of the bottle before it began to pour out. "Almost done."