The Pain that Lingers

chapter thirty four: I Won't Force You, I Guess

Lucy 

I got a random text message from someone telling them to meet them at a secluded area. This is weird, what if this is the person who has been threatening Jayden? I got directions to the area and was told to come alone. I hesitated looking at the message. 

"Everything okay?" Karina asked. 

"Yes. I have to go. I'll see you guys tomorrow," I said leaving the library. Harrison, Ethan, Karina and I were all studying for our tests for our classes. 

I scurried to my car, almost feeling out of breath. I took a deep breath in and exhaled through my nose. Should I tell someone about this? Even Jayden? No, I don't want to risk him getting hurt. 

Once I got to the abandoned area, I stayed in my car. I got a text telling me to meet them behind a building. It was so creepy out here, we're on the other side of town. I heard footsteps and turned to face them. 

The person got closer and closer. It was a man, a man who I don't recognize. 

It was Jalen, Jayden's brother. 

"Don't be afraid of me." He said. He had a similar built like Jayden, both muscular, but not too muscular. Jalen is shorter than Jayden though. Jalen has light brown hair, and light brown eyes and fair skin. Jayden is the complete opposite. "I'm Jalen," He said. 

"Are you the one that is threatening Jayden?" I asked. 

"Maybe. Maybe not," Jalen remarks. 

"Please tell me." I said. 

"No, that's why I'm here. I've been getting text messages like that since Jayden left Florida. I'm not sure who it is. I saw you with him and found your phone number on the internet." Jalen explained.

"That's kind of weird," I said, incredulously. Its hard for me to be convinced of something without knowing the actual reason why someone is meeting in secrecy. "So why are we meeting in secret?" I asked. 

"I want to figure this out, but I need your help." Jalen mentions imploring me to help him. 

"Fine. However, we have to tell Jayden eventually!" I said. 

"I know. For now, I'd rather come up with all the possibilities of who might be doing this." Jalen said in a soft tone. 

"Anyone in particular you think is doing this to you and Jayden?" I ask. 

"Maybe our father? I don't know for sure," Jalen said. 

"There is a good way to find out. Jayden went to see him to figure out where you were, so that could have made him mad." I point out. 

"You think fast. I like it," Jalen said. 

"Thanks." I say neutrally. 

"I'm heading back to Florida next week, so maybe we can go into the city to find out if its our dad." Jalen said. 

"I'll have to find time... School is kind of busy right now," I said truthfully, which it was. School is getting harder and harder by the minute. Plus I have no one to stay with in the city, besides Aunt Tara, but she is always working. Alyssa and Clay haven't really been talking to each other as of late.