�I got here as fast I could.�
Nick stated walking into his father�s office. �What�s going
on?�
�Have a seat, Nick. I need to
talk to you about something.� Nick quickly sat down, sensing
it was a serious matter that his dad called him here for.
�I just got off the phone with Phillip.�
�Your friend Phillip who works at the
police station?�
�Yeah, he confided in me that they
found some evidence proving who may have caused the fire at Mel�s
place.�
�What did they find? Who was
it?� Nick asked sitting on the edge of the chair.
�They found a top to a lighter in the
debris. And they were able to lift a fingerprint of the top, but
only a partial. So they need more proof before they can make an
arrest, but Phillip is completely positive that they have found who
started the fire.�
�Dad, why do I get the feeling that
you don�t want to tell me who they think did this?�
He looked at his son and sighed.
�Just remember that the police need more proof that he caused the
fire.�
�Dad, just tell me.�
�The fingerprint belongs to Gary.�
Nick sat there letting it soak in.
Gary caused the fire, the fire that almost caused Melissa to lose her
life. He could have lost Melissa in that fire. He could
feel his anger growing as he thought about what could have happened
if he hadn�t gotten Melissa out of there.
Nick stood up and started to pace. He
needed to somehow burn off his anger towards Gary. �I should
have known, the way he acted after he got fired. Telling me that
I would pay, the way he would look at Mel, it all makes sense.�
He stopped pacing and looked at his father. �Why haven�t they
arrested him?�
�Like I told you Nick, it is only a
partial, plus Gary worked at the jobsite, so it is possible that he
left it there on another occasion.�
�No dad, I know he did it. He
wanted to hurt me and what better way than going after the one thing
that matters the most to me. Mel.�
�We have to let the police handle that,
stay away from Gary.�
�Dad��
�No Nick, promise me that you will
stay away from him.�
�Fine, but I know he did it.�
�The police believe that too, they
just need more evidence to prove it. Phillip said if they could
find the actual lighter, then they could prove if it was what started
the fire.�
Joe quickly walked away from the office
door and reached for his cell phone. �Gary, man, you are in
deep trouble. They know that it was you who started the fire.
They have your print from the top of your lighter, but they need the
actual lighter. Man, you better find it before they do or you
could be going to jail for arson.� Joe flipped his cell closed
and looked around to make sure no one saw him.
�I�m sorry honey; I should have known
that I wouldn�t have any groceries after my trip.� Kathleen
stated walking out to her car.
�It�s okay mom, really.�
Melissa replied following her.
�I�ll go to the store and then pick
up the pizza. I shouldn�t be long.� She smiled at her
daughter and pulled out of the driveway.
Melissa watched her leave, she walked
along the garage and looked at the flowers her mother planted.
They were blooming and full of color. Just then Melissa noticed
something shiny in the grass. The sun was reflecting off of it
as she picked it up. She looked at the metal tin, trying to figure
out what it was.
�This must have been in the fire, it
is all melted.� Not knowing what to do with it, Melissa took
it into the house.
�Shit!� Gary stated watching
Melissa pick up his lighter. �I need to get that back at any
cost.�
He slowly walked around to the back of
the house.
�Nick, I don�t think this is such
a good idea. Mel is really upset with you; I think you should
just keep your distance.� Brian stated as he and Samantha rode
with him to Melissa�s house.
�I know Brian, but if Gary did start
that fire, I need to let Mel know. She could be in danger.
What�s to say he won�t try something again and this time hurt or
kill someone?�
�I understand Nick, but maybe Brian
and I should tell her, not you.� Samantha replied as they turned
onto Melissa�s street.
�I�m sorry guys, but I have to do
this.�
Melissa sat down holding the object in
her hands. For some reason, she was fascinated by it.
�Maybe it was something of mom�s
or even dad�s.� She said to herself. �I guess I�ll
have to ask mom when she gets back from the store.�
Suddenly Melissa heard a noise coming
from the back of the house. She stood up and peeked around the
corner. �Hello?�
Silence.
�Paranoid much, Mel?� She walked
back into the kitchen. She looked at the scorched object.
�I know what this is. It�s a lighter, definitely not mom�s
or dad�s.� Just then she heard another noise, this time by
the entry way.
Melissa placed the object in her pocket
and slowly made her way to the front door. She looked around and
saw nothing out of place. She opened the door and looked outside.
Sudden she felt a hand go over her mouth
and an arm around her waist pulled back into the house.
�She is going to be mad that you didn�t
tell her right away that the fire marshal believed it was arson.�
Brian stated as the three of them got out of the car.
�I know, but I was more concerned with
her health than whom...� Nick stated as reached the porch seeing
the front door opened. �The door is ajar.�
�Something is wrong, Nick. Mel
or her mom wouldn�t just leave the door open like that.� Samantha
stated standing behind Brian.
�Call the police.� Brian replied.
Samantha quickly called and informed the operator that there might be
an intruder in the Barnes� house. Then the three of them slowly
entered the house.
�Mel, are you here?� Nick yelled.
They reached the living room and saw no sign of Melissa. �Mel,
if you are here, answer me!�
�Nicky boy, you just don�t know when
to give up!� Gary stated as they entered the kitchen.
�Mel.�
Gary held a knife close to Melissa�s
neck as his other arm was wrapped around her waist.
�Oh my god, Mel!� Samantha
couldn�t believe this was happening.
�Gary, what are you doing?� Nick
asked keeping his eyes on Melissa who crying.
�So glad you could join us.�
Gary stated tightening his grip around Melissa�s waist. �Have
a sit all of you and don�t try anything or I will cut her.�
Nick, Brian and Samantha sat down at
the dining room table. All their eyes were focused on Melissa.
�What are we going to do?�
Brian whispered to Nick.
�Keep him busy till the police show
up.�
�Is there something you would like
to share with the rest of the class?� Gary said walking over
to them with Melissa in tow.
�I was just saying that if you hurt
Mel, I will kill you.�
�What is with you and this girl, Carter?�
Gary took his available hand ran it down Melissa�s arm. �Constantly
telling me to back off, threatening me if I touched her.�
�I love her.� Nick stated like
it was a reflex. He did love her and he would always love her.
�Love her? Wow, did you hear
that?� Gary asked Melissa as they moved over by the oven.
�He loves you. And do you love him?�
Melissa looked over at Nick. His
eyes were focused on hers, giving her strength.
�I asked you a question.� Gary
raised his voice as he brought the blade of the knife closer to her
throat. �Answer me or am I going to have to shed some blood?�
�I love him.�
�There was that so bad?� He
grinned at Melissa as he made her look at him. �You two are
just like Romeo and Juliet, star crossed lovers.� Gary walked
back over to Nick, keeping Melissa in front of him. He wanted Nick to
witness everything he did to her.
�You remembered how that ended, don�t
you?� He looked at his captive audience and then placed a kiss
on Melissa�s neck. �They died in the end. The question
is who goes first? Romeo?� Gary pointed the blade at Nick,
still holding on tightly to Melissa. �Or Juliet?� He
brought the blade back to Melissa�s neck. Gary watched Nick�s
expression as he slowly cut Melissa�s neck.
�POLICE, PUT DOWN THE KNIFE!�
Gary looked in the direction of the voice.
Nick took this opportunity and lunged
for Gary. Melissa quickly moved out of the way as the two men
wrestled on the ground. Gary got free from Nick�s grasp and
charged him, cutting him.
�NICK!� Melissa yelled before
the cops rushed in and moved her out of the house.
