Sheep, Predator And the Savior (III)

Three Weeks Ago.

Nameless Street, New York.

The scream tore through the night, sharp and jagged, the kind that made you pause, whether you wanted to or not. A girl's voice, desperate, like she already knew no one was coming. Killgrave stopped mid-step, the sound hanging in the air like bait.

"Far enough not to see me. Close enough to matter. Still, let's see what kind of play is there, maybe I could join in for fun," he said, a flicker of amusement curling at the edge of his mouth.

A few steps later, the quiet dissolved into chaos.

New York had its own brand of noise, honking horns, drunken shouting, a distant gunshot if you were lucky. But this wasn't just noise. This was something heavier, the kind of hopelessness you could feel. Not that he cared.

Killgrave tugged at his sleeve, his movements precise, calculated. He didn't rush. Why would he? Everything eventually came to him. The world always bent to his will, so what was the point of hurrying?

A Few Blocks Away, Few minutes Earlier.

Jessica pulled her scarf tighter against the biting wind, her boots crunching against the cracked pavement. Evening shifts were brutal, but they paid the bills. Her mom's excuses for not picking her up didn't even bother her anymore.

"You're an adult. Handle it yourself."

That's what Mrs. Walker always said at 7 pm after her shift was over. Jessica didn't mind, though. Tonight, she had her own reason to be out late. It was her first day at the office, and after wrapping up her shift, the supervisor had thrown a small party for the new hires. She'd stayed for a bit, laughed at a few awkward jokes, and even sipped half a beer, just to blend in. She wasn't proud of it, but what was she supposed to do? Say no to her boss?

Now, past midnight, maybe closer to 1 a.m. - nonetheless she regretted staying yes. Her phone was dead, and the streets were eerily empty. Still, it wasn't the first time she'd had to rely on herself.

Then again, she wasn't exactly normal, was she? The thought made her straighten up, her steps more confident as she pushed on toward home.

Ever since her powers had awakened, she barely felt the cold. Still, her hazel eyes flicked across the frozen streets, her breath fogging faintly in the frigid air. And then, without meaning to, she thought of Vincent.

That guy.

From the moment they met, he'd annoyed her. Something about his cocky smirk, the way he seemed to do everything with reckless abandon, had her convinced he was trouble.

"In City like this? Walking alone? You're basically auditioning to be a crime statistic," he'd said earlier, his grin as sharp as ever. "Wanna ride, newbie? My lifeline's reliable. Majestic, even, when you're on the back seat."

"No, thank you. I'm fine," she replied curtly, glancing at the black bike, brushing him off dismissively.

Now, walking alone through the frozen silence, she wondered if she should've said yes. Not that she trusted him. Reliable? Hardly. She smirked, shaking her head.

Then she heard it.

"Help me! Someone, please! Mom… Mom, where are you? Help!"

The scream sliced through the night, stopping Jessica in her tracks. Her pulse quickened as she turned the corner, and froze.

And then she saw it.

Under the flickering light of a single streetlamp, three or four men loomed over a girl who couldn't have been older than sixteen. She was pressed against the wall, trembling.

Her eyes were blue, her hair blonde, and most importantly, she was fragile, painfully thin. Her clothes were half-torn, the Lolita dress she wore looked old for this age, and to be honest, she was on the verge of being molested.

Jessica's heart tightened, but her body moved before she had time to think. She stepped forward, her boots scraping against the concrete.

The tallest of the group leaned against the alley wall, his grin crooked and malicious.

"What's the rush, little mouse? It's dangerous to be out alone at night."

The girl stammered something incoherent, clutching her small bag like it was a lifeline.

The second man, shorter but stocky, chuckled darkly, stepping closer.

"Don't be scared. We're just being friendly. You like friends, don't you?"

The third, his face gaunt and scarred, about to grab her arm.

"Let's take this somewhere quieter. Don't scream now, it'll only make things worse for you. Big brother just wants to help you stretch your flat chest, don't you want your breasts to grow big?"

"Disgusting…" Jessica muttered, disgust curling in her gut.

"Hey! Stop it!" she shouted, her voice slicing through the cold night air.

The three men turned to face her. Their smirks widened as they sized her up, slim frame, dark hair tied back, sharp features.

She was beautiful, and they had all the wrong intentions.

"Would you look at this, Robby," the tallest one sneered. "Another little girl. Pretty thing These days, trying to play the hero. Haha! Then Let her be the heroine of AV. My brother will show her how to stretch her legs up in the air."

Jessica's fists tightened, her voice a warning. "Let. Her. Go."

The scarred man dragged the girl closer. "Or what? Gonna call the cops? By the time they show, we'll be long gone. But you?" His eyes raked over her, sick with desire. "You can stick around for a little fun."

The stocky one stepped forward, grinning. "Or maybe you're looking for trouble, huh? Lonely walk home? I get it. You're a slut looking for a customer. We're three. How much for the night?"

Jessica's expression remained cold as ice, but the anger was there. Ready to explode.

"Last warning. Let. Her. Go."

The tallest man cracked his knuckles, grinning wider. "We'll let her go. Right after we're done with you."

He lunged forward, reaching for her throat. Jessica didn't hesitate. Her foot slammed into his knee with a sickening crack.

**Boom!**

The man howled, collapsing. She spun, elbowing the stocky guy in the face. Blood sprayed as his nose broke. He staggered back, clutching his ruined face.

The scarred man released the girl, charging at Jessica with a roar. She sidestepped him effortlessly, her fist crashing into his jaw. His head snapped sideways, and he crumpled.

The first man, still clutching his knee, snarled. "You bitch—"

Jessica didn't give him a chance to finish. She raised her hand, energy crackling at her fingertips. With a flick of her wrist, a blast shot out, sending him flying into a dumpster with a thunderous crash.

The remaining two men staggered to their feet, their confidence crumbling.

"Stay down," Jessica said coldly.

But she wasn't finished. The thugs weren't done, so neither was she. She grabbed a nearby baseball bat, swung it with all her strength, and with a brutal crack, she shattered the three men groin, breaking their penis completely.

Their scream echoed through the alley as they all collapsed, writhing in agony and loss.

The young girl stared wide-eyed, tears streaming down her face, even though her voice was energetic.

"You… you… people on Earth are strange nowadays… amazing too."

Jessica crouched, her tone softening just enough. "Are you okay? Did they hurt you?"

The girl shook her head, sniffing. "No… I'm okay. They didn't really… I'm okay."

Jessica helped her up, brushing dirt off her coat. "Let's get you home. What's your name?"

The girl's blue eyes met Jessica's gaze, her voice quiet but clear.

"I'm Athena."

Across the alley.

Kilgrave stood in the shadows, his expression unreadable.

He'd arrived just in time to see the glow in Jessica's palm, the way she moved, confident, effortless, almost dangerous.

It was the first time he'd seen anything like this, random, unexpected.

Maybe, just maybe, his days wouldn't be as boring as they'd been.

There were people with powers in this world.

That much was clear.

But what really twisted something inside him was the flash of obsession, the way his mind instantly latched onto her, endless possibilities spinning in his head.

A slow, sick smile crept across his lips as a plan began to form.

"She doesn't know it yet, but she's already mine."

On the Street.

Jessica and the girl walked side by side, the silence between them heavy but slowly softening.

"Do you think those creeps are going to come after us?" the girl asked, her voice hesitant, glancing over her shoulder. But there was something off, a strange smile tugged at her lips, like she was faking it all.

Jessica smirked, her tone sharp.

"Doubt it. After what I did, they'll need at least a week to figure out how to stand, let alone come after anyone."

The girl frowned, her voice dropping.

"Why'd you let them live? People like that… they don't deserve to."

Jessica raised an eyebrow, her voice laced with dry sarcasm.

"What are you, their judge and jury? What's next you want me to be their executioner too?" She shook her head.

"Killing isn't always the answer. Maybe. But not all people are bad, no matter how much they suck."

"Btw..what about you? Why were you out here so late anyway"

The girl stayed quiet, her expression tightening. Then, after a beat, she mumbled,

"Ah..well..I have… sleepwalking disease."

Jessica blinked, then laughed, a short, incredulous sound.

"Sleepwalking disease? That's what you're going with? Seriously?"

The girl glanced up, a faint angry smile playing at her lips.

"What? You don't believe me?"

Jessica narrowed her eyes, her voice teasing but edged.

"Nah, I've seen a lot of crazy things, but sleepwalking into an alley with creeps? That's a new one." She scoffed, shaking her head. "And here I thought you'd at least thank me for saving your little ass."

The girl smirked, playful now.

"Alright, then. Bless you."

Jessica snorted. "Oye, it's thank you."

"Nope. Bless you," the girl insisted, grinning faintly.

Jessica rolled her eyes, a hint of a disbelief breaking through.

"Well, aren't you a saint? Thanks for the blessing, little grandma."

The girl chuckled softly.

"...You deserve it."

Suddenly...

"Excuse me," a smooth, calculated voice interrupted.

Jessica froze mid-step. Turning slowly, she saw a man standing a few feet away. His posture was relaxed, his demeanor unnervingly composed.

The dim light from a nearby streetlamp gleamed off his sharp suit.

Something about him felt off, not the chaotic kind, but the kind that settled in like a shadow, unnoticed until it suffocated you.

"I didn't mean to intrude," he began, with polite charm. "It's just... you're quite striking. I felt compelled to introduce myself."

Jessica's body tensed. "Compelled?" she repeated, her tone cautious.

He smiled faintly, tilting his head.

"Forgive the phrasing. I'm David Graven. And you, my dear, look like someone who doesn't belong in such... unremarkable surroundings."

Jessica's instincts flared. Something wasn't right. His words felt too smooth, like a polished blade.

"You always bother strangers like this?"

"Only the ones worth noticing," he replied, his tone unshakably smooth, his eyes locking onto hers.

"You have a presence, commanding, sharp. It's rare. Intriguing, hazel eyes..like mine ...so much same ..

So much in common"

He took a slow step forward.

"Tell me, do you always carry yourself with such confidence, or is tonight a special occasion?"

Jessica's jaw tightened.

"Look, buddy, if this is your idea of a pick-up line, it sucks."

David, who had always raped women with his mind control ability, chuckled softly.

The sound was strangely disarming. Then he spoke again, "You're right. I'm terrible at small talk. But let's not pretend we're here for that." His tone shifted, a subtle weight creeping into his words. "Give me your number."

Jessica blinked, her pulse quickening as she felt an odd pressure in her mind, a quiet, insistent pull that wasn't hers. Her muscles stiffened, her mind battling against the force, though she didn't yet realize someone was trying to control her.

"I command you, give me your number," his voice turned sharp and clear, almost like a verdict.

Her lips twitched involuntarily, her hand starting to move toward her pocket. But then, a spark of clarity surged through her. She clenched her fists, fighting the invisible force.

"I'm a minor, you creep," she snapped.

His smile widened, almost predatory.

"I'll wait. I'll let you grow up"

"You're sick," she spat.

Without warning, Jessica's fist shot out, catching him hard in the stomach. He stumbled backward, his composure cracking as he slammed into the wall.

She didn't give him time to recover. Enough with dealing with creeps. Turning sharply, she called out,

"Let's go, Athena."

But as she moved, Jessica glanced back. The alley was empty.

"Hey, don't play games, you grandma! Let me drop you home. Athena! Athena!"

The girl, who had been by her side moments ago, was gone,vanished like smoke in the cold night air.

Jessica's heart pounded as she scanned her surroundings. "What the hell?" she muttered, her fists still clenched.

Her eyes landed on her reddened knuckles, the dull ache confirming she'd hit someone.

"__"

The girl, was she even real?

"Athena," she shouted, her breath visible in the icy air.

"Was it... all in my head? Hallucinations? No, it can't be, my hands are sore from the fight."

She shook it off, forcing herself to move forward.

"Damn powers," she said.

"Side effects, maybe. Or something worse."

In that moment, Jessica couldn't help but feel like life was mocking her. It all seemed so absurd, so surreal, that she convinced herself it was just some twisted hallucination. What she didn't realize, though, was that it wasn't the end of the madness.

It was just the beginning of her nightmare.

On the other hand.

A minute later, Killgrave stirred. He pushed himself up from the rubble, dusting off his suit. A sharp crack echoed as he twisted his neck, his expression shifting from irritation to amusement. 

"So," he muttered, a crooked smile curling his lips, "my power doesn't work on special people, huh?" His hazel eyes glinted in the dim light, burning with newfound obsession. 

"Looks like I'll need to use… different methods." 

He straightened his tie, his demeanor calm once more, and vanished into the shadows.

14 Days Ago...

It was lunch break at Saint Stannis High School, the halls alive with the usual buzz of students. Jessica Walker leaned against her locker, eyes glued to her phone. At seventeen, she was no stranger to being alone. Her powers had set her apart, too different, too cautious to ever truly belong.

She glanced toward the cafeteria doors, contemplating whether to grab lunch, when an uneasy feeling crept over her. Someone was watching her.

Turning slowly, her hazel eyes locked onto a man standing at the far end of the hall.

Her stomach dropped—she recognized him instantly. The same man she had slammed into a wall only days earlier.

What was he doing here?

Her instincts screamed for her to move, but the man began walking toward her, his movements slow, deliberate—unnervingly predatory.

"Jessica Walker," he said, his voice smooth, too calm, too controlled. "It took me a day to learn everything I need to know about you."

Jessica's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "What... are you stalking me? Should I call security?"

The man stopped a few feet away, his gaze never leaving hers. His hazel eyes gleamed, but it wasn't warmth. It was something darker, something that made her skin crawl.

"My name is David Graven," he said, with a small, mocking bow. "I suspect you've heard of me."

Jessica stiffened, disgust creeping into her chest. "No. Never heard of you. Now, if you'll excuse me—"

"I've been watching you, Jessica," David interrupted, his voice smooth, laced with something dangerous. "You're remarkable. Strong. Brave. Everything a girl your age shouldn't be, yet here you are, defying every expectation. I admire that."

Jessica's pulse quickened, unease prickling along her spine. She took a small step back, wanting to distance herself.

"Okay, that's officially creepy. Who the hell are you, and why are you following me? I'm calling the cops," she said, her voice shaking with anger and growing fear.

David chuckled, his smile unsettlingly warm as he took another slow step forward, closing the distance between them.

"You're direct. I like that. But since that night, I haven't been able to stop thinking about you," he said, reaching into his jacket pocket and pulling out a small velvet box. He opened it, revealing a diamond ring.

Jessica recoiled, instinctively putting distance between them.

"You've captured my heart, Jessica," David said softly, his voice dripping with false tenderness. "You're unlike anyone I've ever met. So strong, so bold... I want you to be mine."

Jessica stared at him, disgust twisting her stomach into knots. "You've got to be kidding me. You're, what, forty? I'm seventeen. You're a pedophile."

David's expression faltered only for a moment, but he quickly regained control, his smile never leaving his face, though it no longer seemed sincere.

"Age is just a number, Jessica," he said, his voice taking on a hypnotic, soothing tone. "You're mature beyond your years. You have so much potential. Together, we could—"

"No." Jessica's voice was sharp, cutting him off. "You're disgusting. I don't even know you, and you think you can just waltz in here and propose to me? Get lost, creep. If it wasn't a school, I'd have already killed you."

A few students had stopped to watch, whispers growing louder. Jessica's anger flared, but she held her ground.

David's smile faded, his eyes darkening with menace. "You don't understand what you're rejecting," he said, In dangerous tone,  "I can give you everything you've ever wanted. Power. Security. A life free from fear. All of that could be yours, Jessica."

Jessica's laugh was bitter, "The only thing I want right now is for you to get the hell away from me. Permanently."

David leaned in slightly, his smile returning, but it was colder now, predatory.

"You'll regret this, Jessica. I'm not a man who takes rejection well...may be for you I will"

Jessica didn't know what was happening. She was finally starting to get comfortable with her new job and her colleague, Vincent. So why the hell was this creepy middle-aged man trying to ruin everything?

On the Same Evening.

Jessica had already had a rough day at school. She didn't have many friends, and after today, the ridicule from her classmates felt heavier than ever, but she had a place, a sanctuary, her home.

The place where Mrs. Dorothy Walker, her adoptive mother, always managed to provide warmth, or so she thought.

Stepping inside, Jessica froze in the doorway.

David Graven was standing in the living room.

Her adoptive mother, Mrs. Walker, and her sister, Trish, sat stiffly on the couch, their faces eerily blank.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Jessica barked, her voice trembling with fury.

David turned toward her, that unsettling smirk curling across his face. "Jessica, I told you earlier. You're special to me. I don't give up easily."

Her hands balled into fists. "Get out of my house, you freak, or I swear I'll—"

"You'll what?" David interrupted smoothly, his tone dripping with mockery. "Throw me out? Hurt me? Call the police?" He tilted his head, as though considering. "Why don't you start by asking your family what they think of me?"

Jessica's stomach twisted as Mrs. Walker and Trish stood in eerie unison.

"Jessica," her mother said, her voice disturbingly calm, her eyes vacant. "David is a wonderful man. You should be grateful he's chosen you."

Trish nodded, her tone equally hollow. "He loves you, Jess. You should say yes."

Jessica's breath hitched.

Their eyes—black and empty—looked almost lifeless.

The words stung, cutting deeper than she cared to admit.

"What did you do to them?" Jessica hissed, stepping closer, her heart pounding like a drum.

David chuckled, his demeanor so casual it made her skin crawl. "Nothing at all. They're simply... seeing reason. Your family is my family now, Jessica. They just want what's best for you. And what's best... is me."

Jessica's anger boiled over, her voice cracking with emotion. "You're insane. I'd rather burn this house to the ground than let you anywhere near me!"

David arched a brow, amused. "Such fire. It's part of why I like you."

Jessica's gaze flicked between her mother and Trish.

"Get out," she said, her tone low but unyielding. "Now."

David stared at her, his smirk slowly fading.

"You really are something else, Jessica."

He took a step toward the door but paused, glancing back at her. His smile returned, colder, sharper.

"This isn't over. Not by a long shot."

Jessica stood frozen, her chest heaving as he walked out, the door clicking shut behind him.

Her legs buckled, and she sank onto the couch, staring blankly at her mother and sister.

For the first time in years, Jessica felt powerless.

And this was only the beginning.

13 Days ago...

It hadn't even been a full day when Jessica's phone buzzed. A strange email popped up, no subject line, no sender. Just a video attachment.

Her gut told her not to open it, but curiosity and unease won out. She tapped the screen.

The video began to play.

Dorothy Walker, her mother, was on her hands and knees, lips wrapped around David's cock.

The living room she'd called home for years was now the backdrop to something horrifying.

Dorothy's movements were slow, mechanical, like she was being forced, but her blank expression was twisted with something that resembled devotion, or despair.

David's smirk dominated the frame, his gaze drilling straight into Jessica as if he knew she was watching. He leaned closer to the camera, his voice dripping with smug satisfaction.

"Your mother is delicious."

Jessica felt her stomach churn violently. Her phone clattered onto the counter as she stumbled back, bile rising in her throat. Rage and revulsion twisted inside her like a venomous storm.

Same day, Jessica sat at the kitchen table, staring daggers at her mother. Dorothy stirred her coffee, her face infuriatingly calm, as if nothing had happened.

"You're lying," Jessica spat, her voice trembling with fury barely held in check. "That man is a monster, and you know it."

Mrs. Walker didn't flinch. She brought the spoon to rest beside her mug.

"David cares about me, Jessica. You don't understand the things I've been through. If you don't want a good man in your life, I will."

Jessica's fists slammed onto the table, the sharp crack echoing in the tense kitchen.

"I understand that he must have..beaten you! I understand that he humiliated you, recorded you, and sent it to me like some sick trophy!"

Her mother's shoulders tensed, just for a moment. Then she shrugged it off with a sigh.

"You're being dramatic. It's not like that. He just wanted you to know how much he loves me. It's normal for couple these days"

Jessica let out a bitter laugh, hollow and sharp.

"Not like that? Mom, he's using you! He's manipulating you, and you're just... letting him!"

Mrs. Walker's voice remained steady, almost indifferent.

"You wouldn't understand. Adults have to make compromises sometimes. After all... I'm not getting any younger."

"Compromises?" Jessica's voice cracked, her anger and disbelief spilling over. "Is that what you call sucking off my stalker while he blackmails us?"

Dorothy's gaze didn't waver.

"It doesn't matter what you think. David is my boyfriend. I love him."

Jessica's breath hitched. Her eyes narrowed as she studied her mother's face. The way Dorothy's lips curled slightly when she said his name, almost like a fanatic, but her tears betrayed her. They streamed silently down her cheeks, unnoticed or ignored.

She's lying.

But why?

What does he have over them? What is he doing to them?

From that day, things only grew darker.

First, it was her cat.

Jessica came home to a silence that felt wrong. When she opened the door, she was hit with a wave of cold dread.

She rushed outside, her heart hammering in her chest, and there it was, her beloved cat, hanging from the iron pole.

A sickening, twisted scene that turned her stomach. The poor thing's body dangled lifelessly, its eyes wide and empty.

But what truly froze her blood was the note tied around its neck.

"You can't love anyone but me."

Her vision blurred with tears, rage burning through her veins.

She wanted to scream, but her throat was tight, suffocated by the heavy weight of fear that followed every step.

Then, it was the boy from the neighborhood.

The little boy she'd patted on the head so many times, the one who had waved at her every morning with that bright, innocent smile.

He was found dead in his own swimming pool, drowned.

The police said it was an accident, but Jessica couldn't shake the feeling of unease that tightened in her chest.

It wasn't right.

None of it was.

Things at school didn't get any better, either.

Her grades, already high, spiked even further, though it didn't make her feel accomplished. It made her feel... exposed.

Her classmates started whispering behind her back. Her teacher, Mrs. Leland, who had always taken a special interest in her, was suddenly gone.

No warning, no explanation. Just gone.

And it wasn't just her.

More teachers who had favored her in the past, teachers who saw her potential and understood her struggles, were being dismissed, one by one.

And it wasn't just the teachers.

Bullying increased. Her bag was thrown in the trash when she wasn't around. Strange notes were stuffed in her locker, some made crude jokes about her being a slut. Many people asked her out. Her gym shower had bloody water.

And so many other things happened that could break anyone's spirit.

Present Time, 1 Jan 2011.

The phone buzzed in her hand.

"Hello?" Jessica said, already regretting answering.

There was a pause. Then his voice came through.

Smooth.

Mocking.

Rotten to its core.

"Jessicaaa… darling," David Graven drawled, dragging out her name like it was his favorite toy. "How dare you block me? Don't you miss me? Don't you want to see your everything?"

.

Jessica's stomach turned. She knew that voice too well, too damn well.

Her throat tightened as memories surfaced, fast and brutal, like broken glass tearing through her mind. The worst part? She didn't even understand it.

This wasn't the first time. It was the same thing every night. Like clockwork, when she left her office, it all came rushing back. Her memories she didn't have during the day.

During the day, she was fine. Happy, even. But once the sun set, her brain turned on her, dragging her into a nightmare she couldn't escape.

"You sick piece of Motherfucking shit—"

"Now, now, temper, my dear," David interrupted, his tone almost teasing. "You'll hurt my feelings. After all, I'm only calling because I miss you."

Jessica's fingers dug into the edge of the table. "Stay the hell away from me."

David chuckled. "Oh, Jessica. I don't think you really want that. You wouldn't have forgotten me so easily if that were true."

Her skin prickled. His voice was like poison, slipping through her defenses, twisting her insides.

Then, another voice came through the line, soft and painfully familiar.

"Jess? It's me… Trish," her sister said, sounding almost shy.

Jessica froze. "Trish? What's going on? Are you—"

Trish's voice was calm, too calm. Detached. "I just wanted to let you know… Daddy says it's time. He says I'm ready to give him my virginity."

The words hit Jessica like a fist to the gut. Her vision blurred, and she nearly dropped the phone.

"What did you just say?"

Trish giggled—a soft, sweet sound that felt so out of place it made Jessica's chest ache.

"Daddy says it's okay. He loves me, Jess. Just like he loves you. Don't you think that's nice?"

Jessica's hand flew to her mouth, bile rising in her throat. "Trish, listen to me. Whatever he's telling you, it's a lie. You don't have to—"

"Why are you always so angry?" Trish interrupted, her voice light, almost playful. "You just don't understand him like we do. Mom gets it now. You will too, eventually."

"No! Goddammit, no!" Jessica shouted, her voice cracking. "Trish, he's lying to you. He's controlling you—"

David's voice slid back in, calm and cruel. "Oh, Jessica, you really need to learn how to listen. Trish is a big girl. She can make her own choices. Isn't that right, sweetheart?"

"Yes, Daddy," Trish said softly.

Jessica's scream ripped through the room.

"You bastard! I will kill you"

David sighed, as if bored.

"Honestly, Jessica, you're so predictable. Always so angry. It's exhausting, really. But if you want to see for yourself, why don't you come home? I'd be delighted to show you."

The line went dead.

Jessica stood there, shaking, her mind racing. She wanted to believe it wasn't real.

Her mom was already broken, ruined beyond repair. But even Trish?

Whatever this was, whatever game he thought he was playing, she wasn't going to let him win.

With these thoughts racing through her mind, she leaped into the air and landed on the rooftop of a two-story house.

She wanted to reach her home faster, fearing that something bad might happen.

[ Author's Note: You'll either like my story or you won't. Regardless, I'm really tired, it took me almost a week to finish this damn chapter. Anyway, from the next one, our boy Vincent is coming back into the limelight. ]