Find me - A Duskwood story

Chapter 1

Two months. Two months, nine days, and sixteen hours since I've talked to Jake. I stared at my phone screen waiting for a notification to appear. But nothing. I sighed, putting my phone on my coffee table and lay back on my couch.

Last time I talked to Jake we were in Duskwood. I drove there as soon as I ended my phone call with Richy. It's only when I arrived that I learned about the fire. Cleo picked me up at the Duskwood motel and drove me to Jessy's.

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I spent days trying to comfort her. She was so mad at Richy. She couldn't accept what he did, to Hannah, to her, to everyone. Fortunately, the firemen found him before it was too late. He didn't have too many burns, but he inhaled too much smoke. He was still at hospital, in a coma, and he would go to prison as soon as he woke up.

Hannah was also in the hospital, but even though she confessed what she did ten years ago, Jennifer's death happened so long ago and Hannah's was a sixteen year old teenager back then, so she wouldn't go to prison. For now, she was at the psychiatric ward trying to heal.

During my stay at Duskwood, I tried my best to not break down. I stayed there a couple of weeks and it's only at the end of the second week that I heard from Jake. I was heading to Jessy's when I received a message from Nym-0s. It was a link, and when I clicked on it, Duskwood's map opened with a mark on the location of Blackwater lake.

My heart skipped a beat. I just had the time to blink and it disappeared. But I knew where I needed to go. I sent a quick message to Jessy so she wouldn't be worried about me.

MC: Hey Jessy. I'm going home late tonight. Don't wait for me.

Jessy: Okay! Everything's alright?

MC: Yeah don't worry. Everything's fine.

I walked fast, fighting the urge not to run to the blackwater lake. It was Jake. I had no doubt. I walked pass the houses, and headed toward the motel.

There, there was a little path that went into the woods and led to the lake. We were in April and the weather was soft. I could feel the sunlight gently warm my skin. The flower started to bloom and the wooded scent of the pines surrounded me. With every step, I felt the branches crack under my feet, the stones rolling when I accidentally hit them. With every step, I felt my heart beat faster. Until, after a last turn, I was able to see the blackwater lake.

This time I ran, I ran so fast that I almost fell because of a root sticking out of the ground. But it didn't stop me. I arrived, breathless, on Blackwater Lake's Beach and I analyzed my surroundings.

I was alone, and the place was quiet but I didn't dare to call Jake. While I was waiting for him, I got closer to the water and took off my shoes. It was the first time I came here and I understood why Jessy loved this place. It was so peaceful.

I rolled up my jeans and put my feet in the cold water. A chill ran down my body and I smiled. I closed my eyes to enjoy the moment and focus on the sound of nature. I heard the birds singing, the water clapping, and the wind rising. It blew between the trees, and wrapped around me, ruffling my hair and lifting up my jacket.

I jumped when I heard footsteps behind me. I turned around to face a tall man with a hood. Before I realized it, tears were running down my cheek, "Jake...?" I whispered. I was so relieved. Relieved to see him, relieved he wasn't hurt.

Jake raised his hand and his fingers brushed my tears away. His touch was soft, his skin was warm. I felt my cheek turn red. With a light smile he spoke, "Hello MC." it was like in our chats. His words, his smile, he was exactly the same man I chatted with for weeks. "You came to Duskwood."

"Yes. I couldn't stay away knowing the FBI was in Duskwood too. Plus, Hannah's safe and Richy is..." I shook my head a little, "it wasn't dangerous anymore for me to come. And you told me we would meet here". I smiled at him, my eyes full of hope.

"I know. This is why I came back. But I waited for the FBI to leave before I contacted you." he took a deep breath. "I thought a lot about what we talked about before I went to the mine. That if you wanted..." he deeply looked into my eyes and took my hands. "If you want to be with me, we will find a solution. Do you still want it?"

"Of course I want to be with you!" a nervous laugh pierced my lips.

He blushed. Then, he leaned over me, his face was so close to mine that I could feel his warm breath on me. I closed my eyes and held his hands tightly in mine. When he kissed me I felt my heart beating so fast, as if it wanted to get out my chest.

It was exactly as I told him I imagined our first meeting. The world around us disappeared.

When he pulled away he led me toward the trees and we sat down next to each other. Jake wrapped his arm around my waist and I laid my head on his shoulder. We remain silent for a moment, staring at the lake.

After a while, Jake spoke again. "MC, I don't have much time. I will contact you again with Nym-0s the next time we will be able to see each other."

"Okay. I'll be waiting." I nodded "Are you safe for now?"

"I... Don't worry about me, MC. I know what to do to get rid of my pursuers." he looked away, fainting to focus on a leaf near his feet.

"There is something you're not telling me " I frowned.

"I can't hide anything from you." he chuckled.

"Nope!" I raised my hand to ruffle his black messy hair. "So you better talk, Hackerboy!" I laughed and soon he joined me.

"I received a message from the FBI." He was serious again. " This is the first time they tried to contact me. They want to talk."

"Isn't it a trap?" I asked concerned.

"Probably. But don't worry, I won't do something reckless."

"I know." I leaned and kissed him again.

It was getting dark outside and Jake insisted on walking me back to Jessy's. We were standing in a dark alley a few feet from Jessy's apartment. Jake pulled me closer to him and kissed me. He wasn't shy anymore, he pushed me against the wall and kissed my jaw until he reached my neck and started to nibble my skin. When I started moaning Jake pulled away from me, I could feel he was trying to control himself so he wouldn't go any further with me.

He sighed. "I have to go now. I will contact you soon, I promise." He kissed me lovingly one last time. "Go." He said while pushing me toward Jessy's apartment.

As I reached the door I turned to see him but he was already gone.

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So here I was two months, nine days and sixteen minutes later, lying on my couch waiting for his message.

Like every day, I tried to change my mind by cleaning my apartment, watching movies or reading. It was almost midnight when I prepared myself to go to bed. I picked up my phone and this is when I noticed a notification. I stopped breathing. It was a message from Nym-0s.

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