0 comments/ 7369 views/ 0 favorites The Final Encounter By: FreshPeach Authors Note: I placed this in Non Erotic because the story does NOT revolve around sex. However, there are R Rated elements, so beware. ************************ “So, what do you want to do?” asked Jessica as she swatted a bug away from her face. “I don’t know, what do you want to do?” Anna replied. “Jeez, Anna- make up your mind! Well, we’re almost to the lake now - so, I guess we’ll just change and go for a swim. How does that sound?” “Sure. That’s just peachy.” Anna replied, joining Jessica on the road to the lake. Jessica just shook her head. Her friend had never been very decisive. “Do you think Bob will be here?” Anna asked in a loud whisper. “Anna! Why do you always have to bring him up? That was so scary! Remember how him and his creepy cousin stalked us at the shelter?” “Remember? How could I forget? That was the most awful summer of my life.” Anna shuddered dramatically. “Well, let’s just forget about it... we’re here now. Let’s have fun!” Later that day while the girls were having lunch on the rocky beach, Jessica heard a crunch of tire. Looking past the cabin, she saw a state trooper’s cruiser drive slowly down the gravelly road to the lake. Shrugging, she turned back to her sandwich. The girls heard voices approaching from behind, but ignored them. “Hello, my darlings!” a husky voice said. Suddenly, both girls were on their backs on the rocks, staring up into a shadowed face. The face came closer. They would have known those greasy looks anywhere... Bob! The last thing Jessica saw before she started screaming was the gleam of the knife in the late day sun. *************************** Jessica sat up, clammy and shivering. Her blanket was on the floor at the foot of her four poster bed. About five feet away, she saw that her roommate Anna was sleeping peacefully, facing the wall and sawing logs. Above her, the window showed that it was nearly dawn and Jessica’s bedside clock agreed. Jessica sighed and leaned back against her headboard. She touched her hands to her head. No fever. With another sigh, she crept out of bed and out of the room to their cheerful yellow kitchen. The girls shared a tiny apartment, but they’d carefully decorated it to match their fun, cozy style. Jessica smiled at last when she saw their luggage piled neatly in the living room, awaiting the arrival of their boyfriends in the morning. Tomorrow they were going to an ocean town in Maryland to escape one last time before they had to go back to college. For the couples, this was their last chance before they headed their separate ways to graduate school. A lump formed in Jess’ throat as she busied herself to make coffee. This was the easiest way to wake Anna up without getting her head bitten off. Once the coffee was on, Jessica settled at their tiny kitchen table and fingered a wilting daisy. Paul. Her boyfriend of three years had given Jess the daisies last week to make her smile. She’d been complaining of frequent headaches. Her “doctor” wasn’t even helping. There was no way to make the dreams go away. Ever since the summer when they’d graduated high school... “Mornin’ my favorite beach bunny!” Anna chirped. Jess jumped, shocked at her usually not morning friendly roommate. Happy to have her thoughts taken away from her troubling dreams, Jess replied, “Is there something wrong with you, or have I awakened into an alternate universe?” “No such luck... it’s just that we’re going to the beach today! We have extra cash for once in our lives... and our rent is already paid! Our loving boys will be there... as will many other appreciative onlookers... and we, in our extravagant bikinis! Hoo hah!” “Did you just say ‘Hoo hah’?” Jessica said, trying to hide a smile. “I believe I did... what has your panties in a... Another dream? Oh, girl! Are you all right? They can’t hurt us Jess!” Jess did smile at her friend’s quick perception. “I know, kid... it’s just scary. You know they’ll be released soon. It was only juvie.” “I know. I worry about you more, though. We’ve both had counseling... and you’re still not okay. And I don’t think it’s good that we haven’t told the boys. They deserve to know.” “I know that, too. It’s just that I don’t want them to run in the other direction.” “I know they’d stay with us. They’d only be worried about us. And, if they run in the other direction... they weren’t worth our time to begin with!” A knock on the door distracted them immediately. Anna flew to the door and opened it, beaming upon the sleepy faces of Paul and John, their boys. Every worry was soon lost in a flurry of packing and loading themselves into Jess’ Jeep. Even the worries that had tormented Jess since that summer got left behind as the group headed for Ocean City. ************************ “Wow, Anna! This is a great place!” Jessica exclaimed once they had arrived at Anna’s parent’s condo. Everything was plush, white, and rich-looking. There were fresh flowers on the mantle and on the dining room table, attesting the regular upkeep Anna’s parent’s paid for. There were freshly polished French doors looking out onto a hardwood deck, and even further to the blue ocean. “Yeah. Like I said, it has two bedrooms upstairs and two bathrooms. The kitchen is through that door, and you’re standing in the living room/ dining room. Plus, outside, off of the deck, there is a heated pool and a hot tub. And on down the steps, we have our own stretch of beach!” Anna went on, as she busily placed bags in their future homes. “All right, Anna, you don’t have to sell us this place, we’re already here!” Paul joked. Anna made a face and went back outside to help John unload the rest of their belongings. Paul took that opportunity to pull Jessica close. “Why don’t we go upstairs and pick out a room?” he said with what he hoped was his most charming grin.“You’re so bad!” Jess whined with a smile. “So, that’s a yes?” Jess just rolled her eyes and went with him to explore the house. Anna and John continued to unpack the Jeep. “How much do want to bet that they’re already having sex?” John asked with a cursory glance at his watch. Anna shrugged and continued to reach for the last of the bags. “Want to join them?” he asked. Anna made a face, “I’m sorry. I really don’t want to lose my virginity at an orgy, honey.” John blushed a deep red... “That, uh, wasn’t what I, um... I didn’t mean...” As if to save him, Jess and Paul appeared to help them take the rest of their belongings inside. Each showed a tell tale flush, clearly indicating that John had been correct. Later that night, after they had settled in and had something to eat, Jess and Paul went to the beach for a late night swim and Anna and John went to sleep. Both were soon awakened by the sound of shattering glass. ************************* Paul chased Jess up the sandy slope. “Baby, come on! Just let me carry you! I’m not that drunk!” Jess giggled and fell onto all fours in the sand. Paul caught her around the waist and half carried her, half pulled her up the hill despite her noisy protest and frequent giggles. Laughing, they crossed the deck and entered the house, only to find Anna and John cuddling on the couch with Anna is hysterical tears. Jess sobered and hurried to Anna’s side. “My God! What’s wrong? Tell me what happened, honey!” Anna let loose of John and clung to Jess, whispering into her ear, “They followed us.” Jess pushed Anna back, her hands gripping her shoulders. “Bob?” she whispered. Paul came up behind her and put his strong hands on her shoulders. Anna handed her a crumpled note. Good luck with your vacation. I hope it’s better than mine WAS. -Yours- “It was taped to a brick and thrown through the door.” John said, looking angry. For the first time, Paul and Jess noticed broken glass glittering across the tiled floor of the foyer. “Did you call the police yet?” Paul asked. “I mean, since we can’t go out and break any legs, we could ask the police to get the sons of bitches who did this.” “Maybe we should tell them, Jess.” “Maybe you should us what?” John asked. Paul sat in the overstuffed chain facing the couch and pulled Jess into his lap. “Go on, baby. Do you know who did this?” Jess sighed. “Four years ago, this month, we met these two guys at my grandparent’s lake. I mean... it wasn’t like we led them on or anything...” “Jess. Just be honest.” Jess swallowed hard, pain closing in on her from every side as she pictured the sticky August night with horrific clarity. “Come out, come out wherever you are.” Bob’s voice floated from the very rafters of the big shelter. “Little boys should play nice.” Another slimy voice chimed in, “Don’t you want to see your girls again?” Jess shivered, clutching Anna’s arm as they cowered, tied up on the damp shower floor in the women’s bathroom. Their mouths were taped shut. Jess felt something with many legs skitter across her neck. In the pitch blackness, she could make out only the outline of the door and the muffled cries of their boyfriends. Suddenly, the room was flooded with light. Silhouettes of their captors filled the doorway. “Caught!” came Dean’s slimy voice. Though younger than his cousin, he outweighed him by about a hundred pounds. All of it was pure muscle. Next to him, Bob was as broad as a bean pole and almost as tall. They had murder written in their eyes. Dean strutted into the tiny, damp bathroom and clutched Jess’ boyfriend Billy by the hair and shook him. He groaned. “Come on, wake up! It’s party time!” In the early evening, Bob and Dean had come to the lake. They had been furious to find Anna and Jess with their boyfriends. In the days before, the girls had toyed with them, making them think they were single... meanwhile they had just been waiting for Billy and Jon to arrive. So, they had left, hearing the girls laughter behind their backs. They had returned and drugged them and tied them up in the bathroom. Anna and Jess could only imagine what their intentions were. Soon, all six of them where in the main room of the shelter. Jess and Anna were arranged in such a way that they could see the whole of the room. Jess’ boyfriend, Billy and Anna’s boyfriend, Jon were standing on the second level, looking woozy. Dean stood behind the girls and tore away the duct tape that had served as their gags. In the split second it took for the girls’ screams to rip from their throats, the boys were laying in front of them, mangled and bleeding. He last thing either remembers is the sound of Bob and Dean’s laughter as they drove away into the dark night. The room was silent, except for Jess’ muffled sobs when she finished the story. Paul stroked her back, ut sat looking shocked. “Why didn’t they get imprisoned for life?” John asked. “Well, Bob’s dad was a state trooper, and often left case files around. Bob was clever enough to make it look like suicide. Our testimonies were thrown out of court because we were seeking counseling for trauma. They only went to juvie for stalking and evading police questioning. They were to be released this week.” John stood and moved to the phone. “We’ll report this. If they’re so stupid to have stayed in town, they’ll be easily caught.” Paul stood as well, “Screw that! C’mon, John, let’s go kick these bastards asses.” Jess jumped up and in front of Paul. “That’s not necessary, baby. Come on... it’s probably just some kids trying to scare us. I am all worked up from telling you that awful story, though. Maybe you could just help me forget.” Jess absolutely purred the last line, trailing an innocent finger down his puffed out chest. “And besides, my baby doesn’t scare easily, does he?” Just as she expected, Paul melted at her touch. “Well... I guess I... yeah. I can protect you.” “No Paul, you’re right. We should at least report this to the police.” John took the phone off of the hook. Anna objected this time. “Baby, no... let’s just forget it. Look, if something else happens, I promise we can call the police.” She looked to Jess for support, but she was already in her own world with Paul, cooing intimately on the sofa. Winding her arms around John’s neck, she corralled him onto the overstuffed chair. Sitting on his lap took his mind immediately away from the trouble at hand. “Let’s say we go to bed, cuddle up, and start fresh tomorrow.” John just nodded, distracted by the shapely form lounging on his most private area. ************************** The following morning, the two awoke late to find that Jess and Paul had already headed to the beach for an early afternoon swim. “Wanna join them?” John asked, sipping some cold coffee distastefully. “Sure. I think we should have some groceries delivered later. That way, we can eat breakfast and snack without spending mega bucks on boardwalk food.” “So practical.” John laughed. Anna punched him in the arm good naturedly. “Speaking of the boardwalk, though, are we ever going to go?” “Sure. How about tonight?” “Sounds good. We should ask Paul and Jess, too. I mean, we should do something as a group.” Anna said, rummaging through the a kitchen drawer. “I already asked if you would.” John said. His idea was punctuated by another sharp punch in the shoulder. Later, the girls lay on the beach, watching their goofy boys frolic in the waves. They’d rented surf boards and it was a damn funny sight. Jess’ watch beeped and the girls turned over to even out their tan as if they were eggs that needed frying on both sides. Jess had a sort of California girl meets Harvard prep look. Her hair was pure gold, sliced through with lighter strands. She was short and shapely. Her fair skin burned first, but then mellowed into a delicious tan. She wore a turquoise bikini that showed off her blue-hazel eyes. The brief bikini was much too pricey, but, as Anna said, they had earned it. There was no mistaking Anna’s Italian and Irish roots. She was also on the short side, but her legs went on for ever, as John liked to point out. She had a year round deep tan from her Italian side and a streak of temper that matched her Irish ancestors. She had a wild mass of curly black hair and dark eyes to match. She’d chosen a basic black bikini... with Dolce and Gabana silver embellishments. It made Jess laugh. Lounging on their bellies made the vulnerable to attack, and attack the boys did! They picked up the girls and threw them over their shoulders...and from there, into the salty water. Needless to say, tanning for the day was over. ************************* Later that evening, the four went to eat at a hot spot on the boardwalk. “I love this town! All these drunk people are so friendly!” Jess said, giggling and swaying a little on her three inch thick sandals. “Isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black?” Anna laughed, holding onto John for support. “Keep your proverbs to yourself... you’re not Miss Sobriety either.” The two giggled, and the boys laughed. The walked toward the pier where the Ferris wheel rode high into the starry sky. Paul and Jess walked on ahead as John pulled Anna back and onto the steps that led fro the boardwalk to the closed public beaches. “What are you doing?” Anna exclaimed in surprise. “Being spontaneous.” John answered, pulling off his shirt and shoes and heading for the water. “Come on! Skinny dip, baby!” Anna giggled, glad of the liquor swimming in her head. She stripped off her top and followed him to the dark sea. Just as she dipped under her first wave, there came a shrill whistle and a stern voice. “Hold it right there!” ************************* “Jeez, Paul. Don’t you think this is a bit much ice cream? Three scoops? It looks more like a half gallon!” Jess exclaimed when he handed over a large mint chocolate chip cone. “I’ll help, I promise.” He led her to the edge of the boardwalk where they could feel the cool sand between their toes.” “So, where did you say Anna and John disappeared to?” “John asked me for advice on how to be more spontaneous... he wants Anna to loosen up and sleep with him. And... I told him spontaneity was how I got you.” Paul grinned, slinging his arm over her shoulder to fend off the ocean’s cool breeze. “Oh, come off it, Paul. You took me to a hotel in the middle of the afternoon and asked if maybe I’d sleep with you. That’s called hormones... not spontaneity.” Jess laughed, rolling her eyes. Paul actually blushed, “Well... I’ve gotten better... right?” “Of course, baby. You’re the king of spontaneity! Now, what fool idea did you put in John’s head?” “Skinny dipping.” Paul replied proudly. “Paul! This is a public beach! They could get arrested!” “Hey, the public beach thing was his idea.” Just then, the ice cream fell off of the cone and onto the sand. “I guess that’s our cue to leave, huh?” Jess giggled. “Yeah, let’s catch the drunk bus home.” ************************ When Jess and Paul arrived at the condo, there was a police car waiting. Jess looked pointedly at Paul and they opened the door. The scene inside was similar to the one from last night. Anna was cuddled up to John, crying on sofa. Except for this time, a police officer was standing over them, trying to look comforting. He was failing. Another officer was dusting the patio door with fine white powder. “Who are you?” the officer standing asked. Anna stood, holding her arms to herself. “Officer, this is Jessica. She was one of the original victims.” “I’d like to ask you a few questions.” the office said, reaching for a note pad. Paul jumped in, his quick temper taking over, “I have a question, myself. What the hell is going on here?” Jess moved to sit next to Anna and pulled Paul down next to her. John stood. “Well, we were being escorted home by this officer. When we got here, the door was standing wide open. There were pillows and cushions everywhere and some drawers dumped out. The patio door was also open.” “There’s no sign of forced entry, kids.” The other officer put in, closing up a small case. “We’d like to keep a surveillance on the house. We don’t usually have break ins, so we’d like to stop this as soon as possible.” “No, officer, we’ll be all right. We might have just left the doors unlocked. And nothing was even taken.” Anna said before the guys could agree. “Well, if you’re sure...” the first officer said. “We are.” Jess answered. As soon as the door closed behind the policemen, John burst out, “Why’d you say that Anna?” “I somehow don’t think this was Bob. He liked to leave notes... gifts. He was also usually neat about it. As if he was being romantic.” “What sort of gifts?” John asked. “Well... he gave us roses... and mix CDs... and he even gave Jess a sapphire ring. It was his mothers, that bastard. Then... right before they got taken to jail... Bob left us the head of a dead dog on my grandparent’s lawn. It was awful... so Godfather.” Paul glanced at Jess, who was an incurable dog lover. A few tears had slipped down her cheek. He moved to her. “I’m sorry, baby. Why don’t we go and get some sleep. I’ll help you forget all about this.” Jess smiled though her tears and wound her arms around his neck. “She turned to Anna. “So, why were the cops bringing you home anyway?” Anna gave John a pointed look. “I’ll tell you tomorrow.” ************************* The next evening, Paul and Jess decided to go off and explore the boardwalk on their own. John purchased some groceries and made Anna dinner. He also bought a bottle of red wine and planned a spontaneous poolside/ hot tub party. After supper and a few glasses of wine, Anna was staring to feel a little bit tipsy. John, who was also buzzing, brought out a deck of cards. “Strip poker?” “Can’t we play any games that don’t involve stripping?” Anna laughed. John made a hurt face, but before Anna could feel bad, he broke into a smile, “Nope. Do you know how to play?” The Final Encounter “Barely.” “Good.” John dealt the cards and explained the elementary rules, as well as handing Anna another drink. Three hands later, John was covering himself with his hands. Anna laughed and gave him a towel. “I’m glad I didn’t know how to play.” She downed the remainder of her drink. John just grumbled at her. She offered him her hand and led him to the roiling hot tub. “Are you okay, Anna?” John asked. Anna reached behind her neck and gave the ties to her bikini top a tug and let the triangles fall to the wet tiles. “I am now.” John just stared. Loosening her bottoms, Anna looked expectantly at him. “Well?” she asked as she stepped into the tub, nearly tumbling over. John moved fast, despite the liquor swirling around his brain and caught her in his arms. He let his towel drop in the process. He joined her in the tub and possessed her mouth. Anna let a small moan pass through her lips. Her breasts felt heavy and her nipples went taut as his chest stroked against them. She felt the weight of his sex stroke against her inner leg. The heat of the water and intensity of his kisses filled her to the top with a heat she couldn’t remember feeling before. John stopped and wrapped his arms around her. “Are you sure about this, baby?” Anna stared up at him, doe-eyed innocence peeking through sultry lashes spiky with water. John pulled her close, feeling her rounded curves fill his hollow places like she was meant for him. “I love you, baby. I love you with all my heart.” he said, harsh against her ear, tickling her there with his tongue. Anna smiled and looked into his eyes again, “I love you, too.” Her hands roamed his back, feeling his skin burn under her fingertips. Feeling as though her could take no more, he pulled Anna to a tiled seat and perched her there. He gently moved his hips between her long legs, finding her softest spot with his hardest. He pulled her close, loving the tickle of her nipples against him. He gently pushed inside of her murmuring assurances against her ear. He felt as she took in breath sharply, then exhaled. He waited for the pain to pass, and then moved again inside of her. Soon, she moaned against his neck and was throwing her wild curls against the steamy tiles. The moved as one, thrusting and parrying, harder and faster as the water churned around them. Suddenly, Anna felt as though her insides were shattering like a mirror into a million pieces. Each piece reflected light and the light was blinding, but warm. She felt Johns arm tighten around her and heard him exhale her name into her ear, and his release came. Clinging to one another, they came down from their ecstasy as one. When her heart finally slowed to something resembling normalcy, Anna pulled away, looking into John’s eyes. Her head was still spinning slightly, but his sober look brought her back. In a husky voice rife with emotion, he whispered, “I love you, Anna. I’d do anything to make you happy.” His voice choked off, and he fought back tears. Instead, tears spilled over in Anna’s eyes. She’d never felt so complete. John pulled her from the tub gently and carried her to an oversized hammock on the deck. There, he wrapped them in a blanket and they dozed in one another’s heat and love. ************************ Paul and Jessica sat idly watching the stars on the beach wrapped in one another’s arms. “You know how much I love you, right?” Paul asked, toying with Jessica’s wild, windswept hair. “Of course, sweetie. I love you, too.” Jessica replied, smiling under Paul’s somber gaze. “Good. I don’t want you to think that because of what one guy did to you, it’ll be like that forever.” “Of course not, baby. I know you’d never hurt me.” Paul’s eyes sparkled and he beamed at her. “Come on, I have a surprise for you!” Jessica stood, laughing. She let him lead her to a darkened spot close to the water’s edge. “Stand here, okay?” he asked and moved away, as if her were looking for something. He came back and moving around her in a circle, lit five tall torches arranged in the sand. He then bent down to flick on a portable stereo she hadn’t noticed before. Sir Elton John’s voice soon filled the crisp evening air with the beginning og “Your Song.” Paul moved to her and executed a gentlemanly bow. “Milady, may I have this dance.” Jessica smiled, trying to suppress the urge to laugh and to cry, and took his hand. He pulled her close and began to sing in her ear, as if he’d written the words just for her. “I love you, Paul. I love you.” They stayed like that long into the night. ************************ When they finally returned to the house, they saw the deck lights were still on. They tiptoed onto the back patio, and around Anna and John’s sleeping form. “How sweet!” Jessica whispered as she unlocked the patio doors. As soon as they slid inside and turned on the low lights, they saw a hug, ridiculously gaudy bouquet of flowers sitting on the dining room table. Upon a closer look, Jessica found a note. She unfolded it, careful to hold it on the edge. I enjoyed the hot tub and Dance. Keep me entertained. -Yours- Jessica dropped the note and sagged against the table. Paul picked it up, and promptly crumpled it. “That bastard! I’ll kill him! I’ll castrate him! I’ll kill him after I castrate him!” “Paul,” Jessica whimpered, “please. I just want to go to bed. I want this gone. Please, don’t wake them...” “How can you ask that of me, Jessica? I’m only reacting as anyone should to a perverted intruder who is stalking my girlfriend! How can you let this go on?!” he all but shouted the last part pacing frenetically behind the love seat. Jessica moved to him, “Please, Paul. We’ll call the police first thing in the morning. Let’s not let this ruin our perfect evening.” Paul relented, pulling her into his arms. “I’m sorry, baby. It’s just that... that you’re everything to me, and I can’t let anything happen to you!” Jessica smiled against his shoulder, glad of the love behind his words. ********************** The morning dawned cooler and rainy. Once Paul had awakened, he kept his promise and called the police. They came just after Paul and Jessica had explained what they had missed the night before. They flowers were destroyed to spare Anna, but the note was logged in as evidence. “We can survey the house once an hour from six a.m. until twelve. Then, from midnight to six, we can have an officer positioned inconspicuously to watch the house,” an officer named Bruce explained. “We’d only leave if there was a major call.” Paul and John talked with the officers while Jessica and Anna excused themselves to the upstairs. “This is getting really bad. I don’t want a repeat of last time, Jess.” Anna said, sitting on the bed and dragging a pillow into her lap. Sitting there like that, she looked like a frightened child. Jessica felt just like one. “I know. And I really do love Paul. I’m so afraid of what might happen... because of us. You know how hard-headed he can be.” Jessica said, wringing her hands and pacing - a habit she’d picked up from Paul. “I’ll be okay, Jess. Both Paul and John haven’t been scared off yet. They’re here for the long haul.” Anna said, joining Jessica in pacing. Jessica only nodded, “That’s what scares me. I think I’ll change. I’ll see you downstairs.” Anna smiled at her friend, and laid back on the bed, quietly reliving the past night’s events. Her skin absolutely crawled with the thought of someone watching them. “Oh get over yourself, Anna! You’re supposed to be the level headed one!” she admonished herself aloud, and stood, moving to the closet to change her clothes. Downstairs, the officers had left. Jessica was dressed in a barely existent skirt and a bikini top and occupying Paul’s lap. John sat on the opposite couch laughing at something one of them had said. “So,” Anna interjected, “what are our plans for tonight?” “I was thinking we could go tot eh Brass Balls and shoot some pool, then make it a B-Horror Night?” John suggested. Apparently, he’d already told Jessica and Paul, because they were looking at her expectantly. Not to much later, they found themselves occupying a quiet corner, nursing a few drinks, and chalking pool cues. “Who’s up for Battle of the Sexes?” Jessica suggested, eying up the pool table. Paul laughed, knowing full well that Jessica’s best pool trick was posing on the table with a cue. “You’re on, girls!” John proclaimed. “And, you have the break.” And so the game continued, with the girls goofing off, but somehow they were left with only the eight ball on the table. Jessica balanced herself on another pair of ankle breaking sandals, aiming impossibly at the cue ball. With stunning accuracy for someone so inept at the game, the eight ball rolled precisely into the called pocket. Anna cheered and she and Jessica hugged and jumped around. Paul smiled, gamely. “Well, it was worth the loss to see that little drunken display.” Jessica slapped him on the bum and shook her head. Anna smiled at John and twined her hands behind his head, “So, what do we win, baby?” Paul answered, “I can think of a few things.” Anna made a face, “You have to share it.” Paul’s smile became devious and he received another slap, accompanied by a laugh. “Okay, uh... we’ll pay for tonight’s fiesta.” John said, smiling. Anna laughed and rolled her eyes, “As if we would have paid anyway.” After hitting the video store and buying some more liquor, they made their way into the cozy basement. There was a big screen television and two giant sofas, made for cuddling. Anna cranked up the air conditioner and locked the doors. John even grabbed some spare blankets from upstairs. Paul popped some popcorn and Jessica made drinks. Soon, everyone was snuggled in, munching popcorn, and laughing at the ridiculous movie they’d chosen, Terror at Summer Camp. Outside, the dark sky was starless. The rain that had been keeping the day gray turned into and all-out thunderstorm. “Who ordered the special effects?” asked John. “Creepy,” agreed Jessica, snuggling closer to Paul. It was quiet for a few moments as someone died a less-than-creative death on screen. Paul smiled wickedly over Jessica’s head, and simultaneously, both boys poked the girls and shouted “Boo!” Anna squealed and Jessica screamed. Then the power snapped off. “I’ll go get the fuses.” John offered. Paul reached over and tapped the power button on the television and it snapped back on. “Taken care of.” They all settled back in for the rest of the movie. “Well,” Paul said, standing to stretch, “I think I’ll get some rest.” “Come on Paul, just say you and Jess are going to bang and spare us.” John said, slightly bitter. “All right, Jess. Let’s go bang.” Paul said, holding his hand out to her. Jessica laughed sheepishly and took his hand, “My Prince Charming.” Anna stood and popped in the sequel, Terror 2: Cry of the Campers then settled herself against John’s shoulder. After a few minutes, Anna settled further down and put her head in his lap. “Uh, babe, that’s not a good place to be right now.” John said, looking down at her. Anna smiled up at him and unbuttoned his shorts with one hand. John adopted that shocked look and let his mouth drop open. Anna closed his mouth and got up and swung her leg over him so that she was sitting in his lap, facing him. She let her short skirt ride up around her hips, revealing her lack of panties. Taking advantage of her position, she lowered herself onto him and hushed his moan with a deep kiss. They moved their hips on unison that was sensual and somehow familiar. They quickened and let their release tumble over them. Breathing heavily, they clung together and cuddled close. John rolled Anna off of him and settled her under a blanket on the couch. “Baby, wait right here until I get back, okay?” Anna smiled at him, sated and happy. ************************* “Paul, do you think John is mad at you?” Jessica asked, cuddling close to him. Both were fully clothed. “Nah, just horny and nothing to do about it.” Paul reassured her, twirling his fingers in her hair. “I feel bad that they only think we have sex. Sometimes I like to just lay here with you.” Jessica said, contentedly closing her eyes. “And I love holding you here. It’s comfy and familiar. And, plus, it usually leads to sex anyway.” he laughed. Jessica punched him good naturedly and they started wrestling around. “How sweet.” a dull, male voice said from somewhere in the darkened room. “John?” Paul asked. That was the last word either of them heard. ********************* John dug through his top dresser drawer before extracting a turquoise box with a white bow that proclaimed “Tiffany & Co.” on the lid. Without looking inside, he envisioned the sparkling earrings he’d bought for Anna. “Even these aren’t as beautiful as she is.” John murmured, pocketing the diamonds. “Diamonds are a girls best friend,” a quiet voice stated, just before reaching a large suffocating black gloved palm around to cover John’s mouth. He couldn’t even hear his own protests over the rushing of blood in his ears as he passed out. ********************** Anna was beginning to feel lonely. She stood up to turn the air conditioner down. When she returned to her seat on the couch, there was a note folded there. A kiss is a kiss, a rose is a rose. I have the camera, now I want you to pose. - Yours - Anna dropped the note and turned around. She caught a glimpse of someone before the flash caught her off guard and something smacked the back of her head. A red wash of pain fell over her eyes as the screams on the movie echoed her own. ********************** When Anna came to, she felt as though she’d been hit by a bus. Her joints were stiff and her vision clouded. A cool breeze caressed her face. When her vision cleared, she saw that she was on the deck, facing the ocean. Her arms were tied behind her. A thick shadow fell over her and she looked up. It was Bob. She tried to scream, but she was gagged. “The first to awaken, my darling?” he asked, a licentious grin crossing his sallow featured face. Anna only cringed, but remained looking him in the eye. He laughed and stalked away. “So, how have you enjoyed you vacation?” When Anna said nothing, he was on her. He ripped her gag away painfully and roared at her, “Answer me!” Anna stared him defiantly in the eye, unflinching. He grabbed her by the hair and wrenched her head up at an unnatural angle. He bent and smashed his slug-like lips over hers in a gruesome kiss. “Get off of her!” John shouted. He’d distracted Bob just enough for Anna to pull her head away. Smiling again, Bob reeled back and backhanded John across the mouth. Anna flinched at the sickening sound of bone against bone. Bob then reached down to pinch John’s cheek. “Little boys shouldn’t speak unless spoken to,” he said with a cruel laugh. Just then, Jessica moaned from behind Anna. “Ah, my other sleeping beauty awakens.” Bob said, moving to her. Then he heard Paul groan from behind his gag. “And her fool as well.” Bob lifted Jessica’s chin, and she winced as pain suddenly flashed behind her eyes. “I can’t understand you, princess. After that skinny little Billy-Boy, how could you have wanted this wiry little dork? Aren’t the similarities too much for you?” he asked, eying her like a fresh cut of meat. “Or is that you’ll suck any dick that gives you the time of day?” he asked with a cruel smile. Jessica just looked away, sickened and Paul wrestled against the restraints. “You bastard! Don’t you dare talk to my girlfriend that way, let alone look at her! You’re nothing but a backwoods white trash freak who has to stalk innocent women to get off! Or maybe it’s really boys you like, you ugly prick.” Bob moved to Jessica and quickly sliced through her wrist bonds and then dragged her to Paul and threw her on him. She whimpered and kissed his bruised face, tears spilling over. Then Bob grabbed Jessica by the hair and threw her back onto the deck. Bob withdrew a lethal looking blade and dragged it down Paul’s cheek as he fought against his restraints. Jessica screamed and tried to stand and attack Bob, but her legs were still bound. Bob sat back on his haunches and dragged his greasy finger over the deep slice. Paul spat in his face, smiling defiantly. Bob’s smile faded and he dragged Jessica up again by her hair and promptly stabbed Paul in the side with the blade. Jessica screamed and doubled over with sobs. Bob dropped Jessica and she scrambled to Paul. She ripped off her shirt and tried to slow the bleeding. Paul was already beginning to pass out. By that time, John had worked his wrists free of the bonds and was working on Anna’s behind his back. Bob caught him and without hesitation, slammed the blade hard into John’s side. John screamed, soon joined by Anna. Jessica finally had Paul’s bleeding under control and moved to help John. “A whore to the end, huh, Jessi?” Bon asked, pulling a gun from his waistband. His aim was point blank, but Anna thrashed backward enough to knock him off balance. On her side, she could see that the knife was only inches from her. Wresting against her loosened bonds, she freed herself. “You bitch!” Bob roared, turning the gun on her. He aimed and Jessica screamed. All at once, Anna rolled to the side to miss getting shot and reached for the knife, hiding it behind her back. Bob turned on Jessica and smacked her in the head with the butt of the gun. She fell silently against John, who was passed out from loss of blood. Bob turned back to Anna, a sick smile on his face once more. “Now we can be alone.” Anna was backed against the house, her ankles still bound and her knife hidden behind her. To Bob, she looked defenseless. “You have always been my obsession, darling.” Bob said, tracing Anna’s face with her gun, “At first, I was more infatuated with that whore Jessica. Her looks... that blonde hair... those curves... But! She was never you. You have something special,” he came close to her for another kiss. Anna spat in his face. “The police will be here any minute! They patrol the house, you sick bastard!” Anna shouted. Bob shook his head, laughing, “I took care of them. I called in a bomb threat a nearby theater. Do you think I’m an amateur?” He laughed again, “Come on, baby. Just a kiss. We can be together...” He leaned down to her, pulling her hair roughly. Anna suddenly smiled, “All right. I guess I can’t fight it. I mean, you’re so manly. I was just jealous of Jess because you wanted her over me!” Bob smiled, “I knew you felt this way!” Anna rose to meet his mouth and pulled him to her. Forgetting his gun, he snaked one hand up under her shirt to cup her breast and the other settled on her thigh. Though repulsed she kissed back, waiting until he was distracted enough. Finally, in one swift motion, she swung the bloody knife in a wide arc and stabbed him in the back. Bob cried out and collapsed against her. Anna didn’t relent until she felt his blood puddle on her legs and saw him breath his last breath. She cut the bonds from her legs, and moved to her friends. It felt like hours before she saw the flash of red and blue lights flood over her. ********************** “Oh, Jessica. Baby. God! I love you, I love you!” Paul said, holding Jessica’s hand over the hospital bed rail. Jessica was in a wheel chair with a broken leg. One of her eyes was still swollen closed, but aside from that, she was fine. Paul was bandaged all around his torso. His face also exhibited bruises and cuts. “Oh, Paul, I love you too. I’m so glad I didn’t lose you. I never want to let you go!” Jessica said, smiling at him through her tears. The Final Encounter “Will you make that official?” he asked. “Huh?” Paul produced a velvet box containing a sparkling diamond ring. “I’m sorry to do this were I can’t even be on my knee, but I couldn’t wait. Jess, will you marry me?” The whole hospital had to have heard her resounding “Yes!” ************************* Anna sat in an uncomfortable plastic chair that had to become a permanent fixture to her butt in the past two days. She held John’s hand and watched him sleep. “He’s going to wake up everyday, honey. Don’t you worry,” the nurse had told her. He opened his eyes again, “Oh, it’s my guardian angel,” he whispered with a weak smile. “Rest, baby, rest,” he smiled again and drifted off. She laid her head on his chest and dozed with him. “It’ll be fine.” The End