The Life of Jacob Track (Book Two of the 33X Series)

Part One: CAPTURED/ Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

February 15, 2015

Jacob Track was filled with sensations he hadn't felt in over a year and a half.  His heart pounded in his chest.  His arms, legs, and face were covered in goose bumps.  His love, Zacchya, had returned to him.  The memories of their relationship flooded his mind.  He could finally remember how happy and alive he had felt the night when she accepted his promise ring.  The way her lips felt on his lips, so tender and warm, he'd never forget that again.  He'd give anything to feel her kiss again.

            She stood in front of him, crying softly, touching his cheek.  He reached out to touch her other hand, the one at her right side.  The moment he did, his world exploded.  She had brought him back to life.  No longer was his mind full of revenge plots and hopes to kill her.  No, he longed to love her, marry her, and live his whole life with her. 

            "You saved me," he said joyfully, squeezing her hand gently.

            "What?" she asked, wiping a tear from her eye.

            "I'm alive! I feel it! Everything! You brought me back to life!" He couldn't contain his joy.  He grabbed her, hugged her tight.

            "Jake? How?" she asked, returning his hug.    

            "Who cares? I'm alive now! That's all that matters!" he exclaimed.  Zacchya nuzzled her face into his neck.

            "I've missed you so much, Jake!" Zacchya sighed sweetly. She couldn't believe she was holding him. She had come to die, to atone for her sins. It was a miracle. Jake was alive.

            "Let's get out of here, just me and you together. Turn away and never look back."

            "We can't..."

            "Why not? Everyone thinks I'm dead. I can disappear easily!"

            "I'm not dead, though.  I have Trevor, Mom, and..." Her voice trailed off as she stepped back from him.     

            "What is it?"

            "There's someone...else," she said, barely in a whisper. 

            "A boyfriend?" Jake asked, the hope draining from his face.

            "Yes. He actually ... proposed to me ... yesterday."  She couldn't look him in the eye.  It felt so wrong to be talking about Zac with Jake.

            "Oh... I should have realized. I'm sorry."  Jake replied quietly, staring at a rusty railroad track tie.

            "I said no, though.  I knew I had killed you.  I came to say goodbye to you. I never expected this...for you to be alive...never!"

            "Do you love him?"

            "Yes ... I mean ..."

            "Then you should be with him..."

            "No...I don't know.  Please don't make me choose between you!"

            "Don't choose.  I'm telling you to be with him.  You deserve the best man there is.  If that's him, then go.  Be a wife, a mother, and all the things I can't give you.  Please, go."  Jake said, fighting back tears, barely able to look into her hauntingly beautiful blue eyes.

            "But I love you! I've always loved you!"  she cried, reaching for his hand.  He wouldn't let her grab it.  He had made his choice to let her go.  She had moved on from Jacob in her grieving, hadn't she?  She wasn't sure what she wanted.  A part of her said Zac was the right choice for her.  He was handsome, charming, strong, kind, loving...everything a girl could want.  She'd be more than lucky to have a life with Zac.  He came along when she needed him and made her believe that love was real again.  She had thought after Jacob died, that she'd spend the rest of her life alone and never feel that spark again.  Zac gave her hope again in her darkest time, just when she needed him most.