Mirror in the Forest: Book One (26 page)

Jessica waved her hand in the air. “I am not as worried about him as everyone else.”

Mark found that a little odd, but didn’t say anything. She didn’t seem too shaken by her attack today.

Mark cursed silently again and said, “Did you want to get in?”

He wasn’t supposed to let her sit in the passenger seat, but right now, who was going to see them?

Jessica froze for a moment, but finally walked around the car and got into the passenger side. Mark knew he was making a big mistake, but he couldn’t help it.

The age difference really didn’t bother him. He could plainly see Jessica Winters was very mature for her age. It was something about her demeanor that had been changing over the last couple of months that was bothering him.

“Thanks,” she said, as she got comfortable, closing the door.

“How did you know it was me out here? And why are you up so late?”

Jessica sat there in thought for a moment and then laughed.

“The other deputy never stopped tonight, and you did,” she answered. “As for your other question. I couldn’t sleep.”

“Oh, I see. Don’t be afraid. I think Rick is getting more unstable and I will see what I can do,” he answered.

Damn, she made good coffee for a teenager, he thought.

“I’m not afraid of him. I just couldn’t sleep,” she answered to his surprise.

Mark wondered why she wasn’t afraid of a man who just assaulted her earlier that day and was immediately released on bail.

Mark decided to change the subject. “This is good. Do you drink coffee?”

Jessica yawned a little. “Sometimes, when I have exams coming up.”

“Congratulations on making the basketball team,” he said.

Jessica smiled again. “Thank you. I never knew I had it in me.”

Mark noticed she was relieved to change to the subject on Rick too.

Then she began to run her fingers through her hair, and Mark cleared his throat, trying to look away for something to distract from the thoughts he was having about her hair. Well, the thoughts were not only of her hair either.

He tried to keep the subjects light.

“So, what made you do that?” He practically croaked when she didn’t stop.

Jessica finally stopped fingering her hair, to his relief, and shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. I guess to prove to my parents that I am not a total failure.”

“Did they ever say that?” He asked, skeptical.

“Not outwardly,” she answered. He could have sworn her brown eyes were smoldering in the darkness.

“I don’t think they feel that way,” Mark argued.

Jessica shook her head in disbelief. “You don’t know my parents,” she muttered.

“Jessica. I think you are too hard on them,” he said.

Jessica narrowed her brown eyes at him, and said, “Not when I have to look at their pictures everyday at school.”

“I know the pressure must be hard, but you won’t have to do that much longer,” he reasoned.

Jessica sat there and thought for a moment as Mark continued to enjoy the coffee.

“You know what?” She asked.  

“What?”

“I have to say, I am liking the attention I’m getting. Getting Power Forward is hard to do, and I did it. I hit a guy in the nose the other day because he was teasing me about the party. I haven’t been teased since, and am getting more respect finally,” she explained.

Mark chuckled. “Did you break his nose?”

Jessica laughed lightly. “Nah. I just made it bleed.”

“There is nothing wrong with defending yourself. Also, if you find you like the attention, then enjoy it. High School sucks, but it’s your last year, make the most of it,” he said.

Jessica sat quietly for a moment and seemed to be lost in her thoughts.

“That was really a beautiful speech you gave today,” she suddenly said.

“Thank you. Sara Miller meant a lot to my family,” he said, feeling the grief creep up again.

He noticed a change in Jessica’s look, but couldn’t pinpoint it.

Mark looked down at his empty cup and said, “I better get going, and you better get in before your parents notice you’re missing.”

Jessica laughed. He liked her so much better when she laughed. “Sheriff, once they have a few drinks, it’s lights out.”

“Well, just for your safety I will walk you to the door,” he offered, but knowing full well it was more than that.

“Okay.”

They walked up the steps to the porch, and Mark could not see the look on Jessica’s face as she turned around, because it was in shadow from the outside light.

He handed her the cup, both hesitating when their fingers brushed against each other.  “I guess this is goodnight, Miss Winters,” he said, trying to keep it formal.

“Goodnight Sheriff,” she said, lowering her head, but not moving.

Mark had to talk himself into turning around and walking away. He knew he had to. He knew he was not going to grab her and kiss her at that moment. He was a Sheriff, just doing his duty tonight. He was trying to be an honorable man, it didn’t always work, but he tried for the sake of his job, then his mother’s memory.

It wasn’t working that well tonight.

He did finally turn to go, but found his body stopping him from leaving. He turned towards her again. Every fiber of his being said to drive off, forget about Jessica Winters. Yet, he knew he wouldn’t. He had to taste her, had to feel her body against his at least this one time. Mark stopped on the bottom step, and turned towards her again.

Jessica looked him over questioningly, patiently waiting for him to say something.

“You never did tell me how your boyfriend is,” he commented, suddenly regretting his words.

Actually, Mark didn’t give a shit about Jessica’s boyfriend. The whole time they talked, she never even mentioned him, but for some reason he wanted to know why.

Even in the shadow, Mark could see Jessica’s changing facial expressions. She was deciding on how she wanted to respond to his question, but wasn’t sure how.

Finally, she stood straight, and Mark could see a sudden confidence in her body language.

“He’s not you,” she responded, softly. It was so soft, that Mark almost didn’t hear her.

Mark tried to stop himself. He did, but couldn’t. Without another doubt he stepped back up to the porch and moved closer to Jessica.

She inhaled a sharp breath, as he cupped her face, gently pushed her against the door, while his lips came down on hers.

She went to wrap her arms around his neck, but he grabbed them and put them above her head as his tongue slid over her soft puffy lips, and into her warm mouth. She tasted so sweet, he didn’t know if he could stop himself from going any further.

Mark almost groaned as his uniform pants tightened. Jessica responded by leaning into him and welcoming his kiss. She sighed as their tongues met, and danced within her mouth. She tasted as sweet as he originally thought.

He knew he had to let go, even though he could have stayed there all night and continued what they started. But, he knew he had to let go of her.

He pulled away slightly still cupping her face, feeling her rapid breath against his cheek. She tilted her head, trying to get another kiss from him, but his self-control took over, so he pulled away slightly. Usually, he didn’t practice that very well, this time he had to.

He leaned into her ear, pushed her soft hair away and whispered, “Hold that thought.”

He watched as a shy smile began to spread over her features. “I will,” she whispered back to him.

He finally let her go, and stepped down from the porch. He waited while Jessica straightened up, gave him another smile, and walked into the house closing the door behind her.

He had a weird feeling he would eventually regret this.

One month later

Jessica then twirled in front of The Spirit of the Mirror happily as she explained her first win to the spirit. She lifted her hands above her head imitating making the winning basket for emphasis.

The spirit watched her explain everything with amusement that flickered in his white eyes.

Jessica looked over her old self, and could really compare the changes now to her new self.

She had been practicing hard, and playing hard, and it was paying off. Her clothes were getting looser fitting, and her face was thinner.

She had barely fit into the standard uniforms for the basketball team, but now the tank top and shorts were loosening up on her.

“So, that was your first win?” The spirit asked.

“It was. We won last weekend’s game, but I made the winning basket and it was nothing but net,” Jessica said grinning from ear to ear.

“And, how have the reactions been for you?” The Spirit asked.

Jessica stopped and thought for a moment. “Mostly positive. I am thinking about having a huge birthday party when it comes up.”

“Have you made many more friends?” The Spirit asked.

Jessica nodded, but hesitated. “The rest of the school has been great, but my team, not so much. They ignore me most of the time. I’m hoping this party will help.”

The spirit gave Jessica a sympathetic look, when her eyes became sad. Jessica didn’t care about getting wet, and sat on the snow covered ground.  It felt cold, hard, and damp beneath her rear, but she loved every moment of it. No matter what she did she would always love nature.

“Besides that, it’s been a great month,” Jessica said, not sure who she was trying to convince herself, or The Spirit.

“You have separated from the boy as well?” The Spirit asked.

Instead of answering his question Jessica crinkled her nose, she could have sworn she smelled something weird in the woods when the wind blew south as she spoke to The Spirit, but tried to ignore it.

She thought back to only a week ago when she broke it off with Danny.

“I’m sorry, but it’s not fair on either of us to continue something that I’m just not feeling,” Jessica tried to explain to her angry boyfriend.

“After all we’ve been through this is what I get? A quick goodbye, see ya, and all that bullshit?” He asked angrily.

“Well, at least I didn’t write you a note,” Jessica said, shrugging her shoulders.

Danny scoffed. “I did feel it, but I guess it wasn’t returned.”

“I’m sorry Danny……”

Danny stomped away from Jessica, and then turned saying, “I thought you were better than the rest of those nasty bitches, but turns out you’re the same.”

Those words had stung, but Jessica knew she had done the right thing. Besides, there was someone else…..

Jessica sniffed the air, but couldn’t place the area where the weird smell was coming from.

She turned again to the spirit who watched her patiently.

“He took it hard, but he’ll get over it,” she answered.

“What about the Sheriff?” He asked.

Jessica sighed. She knew Mark was trying to do the right thing by waiting till she officially turned eighteen, and it was almost comical when she thought it over, however he had stayed away to keep his job. Jessica couldn’t blame him there. Mark had a great reputation in this town, and Jessica didn’t want to be selfish and ruin it for him.  She wanted to see him again, and wanted to kiss him again, but she had to be patient.

She absentmindedly touched her lips and thought of their kiss that one night and smiled softly
.

That kiss had been so raw and passionate that Jessica didn’t know what to think. She felt the warmth rush through her cold body at the thought of the Sheriff’s touch, and couldn’t help it, but wished her birthday came sooner rather than later.

He did attend her game last night, and they talked for a few moments, but he was on duty and had to go. She had been disappointed that he never got to see her make the winning basket.

         “I want more,” she said softly.

“That can be arranged,” The Spirit offered.

Jessica shook her head in protest.

“No. I want this to myself,” she answered.

“As you wish,” The Spirit said.

Jessica suddenly looked up at The Spirit.

“How did you know Rick Tanner, Spirit?” She asked.

The spirit’s white eyes flashed when she brought up Rick. “Rick Tanner, yes Rick. The unfortunate soul who has been lost since illegal substances overcame his potential of a good future. I will confess that is he one that I tried desperately to help, but there are those that are just not able to accept what is offered when it is for the taking.”

“So, you can’t help everyone?” Jessica asked curiously.

She caught a whiff of the strange smell again, but tried to ignore it as the spirit explained more to her.

“No, Jessica I cannot. Rick needed help with his problems, and no matter how many wishes were granted there were constant failures. Finally, I told him I could not help him any longer,” he said.

“He said that you would destroy me? Did you destroy his life?” She asked carefully.

The Spirit smiled slightly. “There are those in the world who would always blame others for their own downfalls. No one forced his hand into using the substances. He chose his own fate.”

“How long have you been here Spirit?” She asked.

“I will be here as long as there are those that need me,” he said patiently.

Jessica put her finger on her chin, and said, “I am really not sure if I need you anymore.”

The Spirit nodded in understanding. “If that is what you wish Jessica, then it is your decision, but I do enjoy your company.”

Jessica smiled. No matter what, The Spirit had been her friend, even though she thought she was crazy sometimes.

“I do too Spirit,” she said sincerely.

Jessica smelled the odd odor again, standing, while sniffing the air.

“What is that smell?” She asked out loud.

She walked around the edge of the wooded area where The Spirit of the Mirror was, but could see nothing out of the ordinary. She could have sworn it was the smell of death, but she wasn’t sure.

“Do you smell it?”

The spirit looked around confused.

“I’m sorry. Can you even smell?” She asked.

“I can,” he answered.

Jessica wrinkled her nose, but tried to ignore it.  

“My Dad said that Rick has completely disappeared. He didn’t show up to for his court hearing. Did you have anything to do with that?” She asked.

Jessica had to know. It was true. Her dad had spoken to Dale Cooper and even though he was still busy with Mandy, he had pulled some strings with the current county prosecutor to throw Rick in jail for a long time.

Mark did have a chance to tell her that they were searching vigilantly for him, a warrant had been issued for his arrest, but he was just gone.

“If Rick has decided to leave Leon’s Crossing it would probably be to his benefit. I have not seen him in a long time,” The Spirit explained.

The winds changed again, making Jessica almost gag from the smell permeating her nostrils.

“Yuk! There must be a dead animal around here. I know it’s hunting season,” she commented.

“Yes, I have witnessed hunters around. Remember death is a part of the cycle of life,” the spirit answered.

Jessica turned to leave and said, “I better go before I’m missed. Besides, if you’ve seen hunters than I don’t want to be their trophy.”

“We do not want that child. Remember, if you need me, I am here for you,” he said chuckling.

Jessica waved goodbye and walked away, but decided to make a few different turns to see if she could find the source of the smell.

She walked around another path that led to the old ski resort, but found nothing. She couldn’t follow the smell, and when she reached the old resort cabins it was not there.

She could see the construction starting on the resort soon. The mayor of Leon’s Crossing was trying to build up the town again, and make it the premier ski destination in Washington after the devastation of Mt. St. Helens.

Her whole life she lived here, and never once went skiing, but now she may have to change that. That was if she ever came back to the town, which was not a high priority for her.

Jessica had been waiting to hear back from NYU to see if she had been accepted. She really had her heart set on it, and hoped for a positive response soon.

The only thing that had been bothering her lately was the nightmares about Sara Miller. They were just awful.

She would wake up in a sweat at night, and found she was more tired during the day because of them. Even though she blew it off to her friends that it was the constant demands of class and basketball practice.

Sara would usually be standing in her store holding the dagger in her burned hands, glaring at Jessica.

It gave Jessica chills when she thought of it.

She knew Sara’s daughter was in the process of selling the shop, and Jessica thought it couldn’t come soon enough.

Jessica, still not finding the source of the smell, decided to go home.

She had practice tomorrow night, and she wanted to be rested up for that.

Tessa had not asked her anymore about the mirror, but Jessica had a strange feeling she was still suspicious of something.

Jessica had noticed that she had hidden a book about the town’s history under her schoolbooks in the library one night, forcing Jessica to be more aware of her friend’s intentions. She wondered what Tessa could be looking for and why in the town’s history.

It seemed the pressure was now off of Jessica, but she knew she would probably confess to her friend eventually about The Spirit of the Mirror, but never about Sara Miller.

Jessica began to wonder if The Spirit could help with Tessa’s diabetes. Jessica could have sworn that Tessa was just looking sicker and sicker every day, and she worried for her health even though Tessa insisted she was fine.

Thinking she would ask The Spirit of the Mirror about it later, Jessica gave up, and made her way back home.

However, instead of walking anymore Jessica now jogged through the forest. She had to keep in shape for basketball.

She did think about Kelly Martin. Kelly was deliberately not passing her the ball or defending her. Mr. Cranston had caught her a few times, and had reprimanded her for it.

Jessica knew Kelly was going to be a problem soon, and just like Mandy, Jessica was willing to take care of it with the help of The Spirit of the Mirror.

Jessica jogged back home with a smile on her face.