Midnight Pleasure

chapter 7: The Truth

I fall backwards and hit my head as I try to get away from Jackson. I don't know what he is, but I'm not waiting to find out. I try to get up but my arms won't let me. I feel the back of my head and realize I'm bleeding. Did I fall that hard? I look up and see Jackson making his way towards me. I try to move away from him as fast as I can, but he gets to me too quickly.

The next thing I know, I'm back at the car with Cherry and Levi.

"We'll find it. Levi, you're coming with me."

"Find what?"

"The necklace?" I looked around, confused as to what's happening.

"No, we already looked. You guys went that way." I said, pointing the direction that Levi and Cherry went.

"No we haven't, Liz. Are you feeling alright? You look a little pale." No, this isn't right, is it? I could have sworn we just did this, didn't we?

"Eliza, are you feeling alright?" Jackson walked over to me, and I instinctively took a step backwards. I didn't know why, but something was telling me to run away from him.

"I..I don't know. Everything's so messed up right now. I can't tell what's real and what isn't." I shake my head and try to clear the fog from my mind, but it's still a jumbled mess.

"You've had a long day, maybe getting some rest is what you need right now. We can come back tomorrow and look for the necklace." I eyed Jackson suspiciously but ultimately gave in. I have so many questions but now isn't a good time to ask them. Cherry and Levi would think I was crazy, they probably already do. I can't say that I blame them.

"You're right, I probably just need some sleep."

"I can drop you guys off at your house and then pick you up tomorrow if you want." Cherry said, always trying to be helpful.

"No, I think driving is the best thing for me right now. You've done so much for me tonight, Cherry, thank you."

"Liz, you don't need to thank me. I'm here for you always, no matter what the situation is." We drove back to Cherry's apartment and said our goodbyes. Jackson got into my car and waited for me while I talked to Cherry.

"Jackson seems nice, and he's cute."

"I don't know, there's something off about him."

"Why, what do you mean?"

"I don't know." Cherry eyed me suspiciously but let it go. We hugged each other and parted ways. I got into my car, put the keys in but didn't start the engine. Instead I looked at Jackson.

"What?" He asked as if he didn't know what I wanted.

"You need to explain what happened back there."

"What do you mean? We got everything besides the necklace." I shook my head, frustrated that he was avoiding my question.

"You know what I'm talking about. I can't pinpoint exactly what it is, but I know something's wrong...off. It's like I had deja vu but it feels ten times stronger than normal. Something happened and you're covering it up."

"Oh really? And what do you think I'm trying to cover up?" I felt the sore spot on the back of my head, frustrated that I can't remember why it's like that.

"I don't know yet, but you're going to tell me."
"Oh am I?" That same smirk was on his face that he had earlier today when we first met.

"Yes, but not here." I looked back at Cherry's house and saw the curtains close. As much as I love her, she's definitely one of the nosiest people I've met.