The Greener Field

Waiting for a Shadow

Most of that late night over dinner and even into the next day, when Carrie elected to stay with Sarah, the discussion revolved around whether or not Sarah would press formal charges against Jess. Naturally Carrie, due to her Lara Croft persona and position with the FBI, had been coaxing her to proceed, explaining she had the resources to make sure it did not get overlooked or hung up in the legal pipeline.

"But Carrie! You just don't understand my fears here. I don't want this to go anywhere. Not even to my parents."

The two of them were now out on Sarah's secluded balcony in their pajamas with a sunny view of the blue Pacific in the distance.

"OK, hon. I understand that. But you have an obligation now to stop this predator before he victimizes other girls . . . just the way he did you. I mean, my God, Sarah . . . how many others are out there already?"

"I know. But I just can't face this anymore. I just want to get beyond it. I just can't imagine being dragged into court to face him . . . or have to ever watch that video again. And you know that's what I'd have to do to . . .just to admit I am the victim in it. And all in front of lawyers and a jury. My mother and father! No way, Carrie!"

"Alright Sarah. Let's not get ahead of ourselves on this. You're assuming Jess will still be alive once you tell me where I can find him." She smiled a devilish smile.

"Please, Carrie. No jokes about this."

"OK. Maybe just a couple of broken legs?"

"Carrie! And besides I really don't know where he lives. He told me Paris. But now who can believe anything he told dumb little Sarah? I really don't even know what business he's in. Just that he must be pretty good at it . . . to have that kind of money."

"This is all information I can find out. Don't worry."

"I'm so confused right now, Carrie. I've gone from believing I was in love with someone to suddenly . . . hating him so much. And now I have this feeling he's . . ."

"He's what?"

"That he's going to hurt me . . . if I tell anyone."

"Come on Sarah. You have to be strong in this. Don't you want to see him burn for abusing you and your trust like that? For not caring that he planned to put your body out there for God knows how many people to see? He's an animal. Plain and simple. He has to be taken out. Believe me, people do time in prison for what he did to you. And we can put him there, Sarah. Just give me the word to proceed."

"I don't know. I'm really . . . afraid of him now. I keep expecting him to show up like a shadow. To call or message me. And it's actually worse that he hasn't yet. I just don't know what he's thinking . . . Where he is. He says he comes to California often. He could be here in San Diego right now. And that really terrifies me!"

"Alright, listen. From what I know about these things he'll definitely contact you. You see by letting him know on that tablet that you saw the clips . . . he'll want to take your temperature now. To see what you're planning to do about it. He knows he has a hell of a lot to lose and a difficult battle if you pursue this, Sarah."

"But. . . what if he threatens me. To not go to the authorities?"

"You already have, sweetie. Me."  Her friend smiled again.

"OK Carrie. But that doesn't mean you have to . . . do anything about it."

"That's true. I don't. It really does have to come from you. And if you're not prepared to go the distance on this, there isn't any point for me to start stirring the shit. Personally . . . I think you should. To prevent you and those others from making their own debut in the movies."