Protecting Zoey

Chapter 6: Best Friends

Mason made his way back to Millie's house shortly after leaving the Pike's home. Luckily for him, they lived relatively nearby ensuring he wouldn't have to hurry too much to reach their place should something go wrong. He spent the evening going over the letters Zoey received over and over trying to gain as much information as possible even though it made him sick to his stomach to re-read the letters again.

Still feeling the jet lag from the earlier flight Mason eventually fell asleep on the couch surrounded by the profane letters addressed to Zoey. He had stayed up through the evening, re-reading the letters repeatedly, hoping he could find a small detail that may help the police's investigation to no avail, only making himself more exhausted than he needed to be.

Mason began to stir around sunrise as the rays of light began streaming through the large windows landing directly on his face.

I probably should have made my way to the pool house last night.

He thought to himself as he threw one of his hands up over his face cursing his lack of foresight. Eventually, he rolled over and the documents strewn around him began to fall all over the floor, he grumbled to himself as he picked them up and put them back into their folder trying not to read them this time.

I can see her having a secret admirer, Natalie had plenty of those throughout the years and even some I had to chase off. It's strange how quickly they went to the darker side of things with Zoey though.

He continued to think to himself as he put the most recent and more vulgar letters into the front of the folder and dropped it on the table. He made his way into the pool house and grabbed some workout clothes from his bag planning to shower after a morning jog, he stripped out of his clothes and jumped into the new ones quickly before making his way back through the house and out the front door.

He started on a slow jog down the street letting his body warm up to the activity, as he turned the corner at the end of the block, he increased his pace pushing himself to go faster. It had been a while since he went for a run, and he could feel his muscles beginning to protest against the sudden change in activity.

He eventually made his way through the neighborhood and into one of the small green parks strewn throughout the large city. He picked up his pace gradually taking in the fresh air as his feet pounded against the paved jogging path snaking through the park before eventually allowing himself to get lost in thought again.

The faster the police find out who's sending these letters the better. Stopping by the station needs to be at the top of my list tomorrow. I also need to find out from Mr. Pike who the lead detective is since it isn't publicized, I don't want to just walk in asking stupid questions.

He thought to himself as he began to slow his pace before coming to a stop at the edge of the park letting out a deep breath as he bent over placing his hands on his knees. After a few moments, he straightened up and turned back in the direction of Millie's house planning to head home and get some breakfast before his showering as he saw a well-built sandy brown-haired girl stumble in front of him and limp her way over to the nearby bench.

Mason made his way over to the bench and knelt a few feet in front of the girl.

"Is everything okay? Did you roll your ankle or anything?" The girl looked up at him with her eyes glinting in the sun as a bright smile grew across her face.

"Oh no," she said in a happy tone. "Just got sore for a moment so I needed to rest, better safe than sorry right?"

"It definitely is, I'm glad you're not hurt." He said before getting up and making his way back to the path. "You should probably get some water or something, it's pretty hot out."