"It figures," Christina muttered, "Your dead…so much like the message on the door." She looked at Kerri. Her eye's seemed tired and her face had no life in its dreary expression. Christina grabbed the paper and crumpled it up, tossing it in the trashcan. "Don't worry about it, this guy won't do anything to you."
"I guess…" Kerri repyled softly, not very sure that that was the truth. "I'll be back in a little while." She said suddenly, then stood up and quickly left the room. I'll call Desiree, she decided, Des will know what to do.
"Is there a pay phone around here somewhere?" Kerri asked a bellboy in the lobby. He pointed her in the direction of the restrooms. Kerri grabbed the nearest phone and shoved her change into the payphone. It rang a few times, and Kerri prayed that Desiree was home.
"Hello?" A voice on the other end of the line asked. Kerri paused for a moment, then realized who it was.
"Hey Amanda! How are you?" She said, happy to be talking to her friend.
"Not as good as you. Girl, how did YOU manage to get to be on the tour." Amanda joked.
Kerri laughed, "I know, I know, but I will say hi to Kevin for you, ok?"
"Alright, I guess that will due for now. I guess you want Desiree, I'll get her, hold on." Amanda set down the phone, Kerri could hear her call for Desiree. Kerri waited a little while before she actually picked up the phone.
"Hey dude! How's it goin'?" Desiree said cheerful into the phone. Kerri didn't say anything and Desiree knew something was wrong. "Kerri, what happened?"
"You know Mark's friend Jason? Well, he's following me and has been threatening me." Kerri told her, now mad to no end at Jason and Mark.
"That jerk! I can't belive he would do that. It's only common sense to know that Mark must have sent him. I have even worse news Kerri. I wasn't going to tell you because I thought it would upset you. I guess you should know, after what has happened with Jason." Desiree told her, then paused as if she still really didn't want to tell her.
"Des..." Kerri started, she wanted to know what Desiree was talking about.
"Mark got out today, they couldn't even keep him in there for the week. He has disappeared and no one knows where he is at. He might be headed your way since Jason knows where you are. I would watch yourself, you could be in real danger if Mark gets a hold of you." Desiree said quickly.
"I'm gonna need a few people to help watch myself. How would you and Amanda like to come with me to Washington DC tomorrow and the day after." Kerri suggested, even though it was more of a plea than a simple request.
"Of course I will, let me ask Mandy." Desiree said, then held down the phone to yell to Amanda. "Mandy, want to go visit Kerri?"
Kerri held the phone away from her ear as Amanda started screaming and then started chanting, Kevin, Kevin, Kevin! Desiree laughed as she put the phone back to her ear.
"Oh, it doesn't sound at all like she wants to go." Kerri said sarcasticaly. For the next half hour the girls planned out how they would get them to DC. Once they had it all worked out Kerri hung up the phone. She smiled a little, having her friends with her would help out a lot.
Kerri wandered around the hotel, not ready to go back to her room and pack. She didn't even realize that she had made her way to the hall where the Backstreet Boys rooms were. She stopped cold when she saw Nick standing in front of his room, staring at the door. She slowly turned her eyes to the door. A red DIE, exactly like the one on her door.
"Nick!" She called hurrying down the hallway. He looked up at Kerri, still in shock at seeing what was on his door.
"Nick," She said, this time quieter, "I know who did it." Nick didn't say anything, he just kept looking at her. "It was Mark's friend Jason. He followed me here, and has been doing things like this to me. I'm sorry he went and did this."
"It's not your fault." Nick replyed, "We have to do something about this guy."
"I know, but there is another thing I haven't told you yet. They let Mark out of jail today and Desiree thinks he may be headed our way." She told him, cringing at the thought of seeing Mark again. "Desiree and another friend of mine are coming out tomorrow to stay with me for a while. It will help with them being there."
"I guess it will a little, but Mark and his pal probably won't care how many people you have with you." Nick said, hoping Kerri wouldn't become careless being with her friends.
"I know." Kerri yawned, "It will all work out, I'm sure. I haven't packed yet so I need to go."
"Only if you promise me that you will come straight here in the morning, I don't want you to be alone at any time. Ok?" Nick said, looking into her eyes as she promised to.
Kerri headed back to the room and packed her things. She couldn't wait to see Desiree and Amanda the next day. She was careful not to wake Christina or Jess as she moved around the room. She climbed into bed.
Kerri suddenly woke up, someone was pounding on the door. Kerri reached out and turned on the light. Christna and Jess were gone. Funny, she thought, she hadn't even heard them leave. That must be them at the door.
"I'm coming!" Kerri called, pulling on her robe. She walked to the door and looked through the peephole on the door. She couldn't tell who it was. Slowley she unlocked the door. The next moment the door was thrown wide open to reveal Mark.
Kerri jumped back as she stared at him. He was dirty and appeared to have been traveling for a while. He had a wild look on his face that frightened Kerri, she shrunk back into the room.
"Mark, what are you doing here?" She stammered.
He didn't answer, he just walked towards her. His steps were slow, but every time he stepped down he seemed to create a small earthquake that was sent straight to Kerri's heart.
"Mark stop, leave me alone!" She begged.
Mark forced her further back into the room, but not before turning to close and lock the door. He looked at Kerri shivering with fear, and he smiled. The evil grin only caused Kerri fear to grow more. She watched as he slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out a metallic object.
A gun, Kerri thought, he has a gun! Her mind went wild and she did the only thing she could. Kerri reached out and made a grab for the gun. Mark pushed her away easily and knocked her to the floor. He aimed the gun down at her, and smiled again. Thinking quickly Kerri threw her leg up with all her might and kicked the gun from his hand. He titled his head and frowned at her.
"I guess I will have to do it the old fashion way." He rasped, reaching out and wrapping his fingers around her neck, choking her. She struggled against his grip, but couldn't get him off and slowly she felt herself go weak.
