G.I. Joe: Agent Blue Jaye and the Beasts of Lakeside

Chapter 5

Jessie woke up face down on the gray memory foam couch-bed of Elise's boyfriend's apartment. Slowly opening her eyes, she heard the muffled excitement of Elise's boyfriend and roommate playing video games in the small living room. The walls were painted an off white, covered in various music, movie, and sports posters. Jessie initially welcomed the feelings of restoration and revitalization that came with a good night's sleep but soon, the events of last night came back into the forefront of her memory. Sitting up, she rubbed her hand back and forth across her forehead. Devon, Elise's boyfriend, and his roommate Jake quickly turned to her with a look of guilt on their faces.

"Sorry, did we wake you?" They both asked roughly in unison.

"No." Jessie replied. "It's ok. Thank you for letting me crash here."

"No problem" Devon said. Jessie saw the look on his face had changed to an innocent fear. He obviously didn't know what to say next. "I'm sorry. That was some real messed up stuff that happened last night."

"Yeah. It was." Jessie said softly.

Elise then walked in to the room, smiling, grateful to see Jessie awake. She sat down next to Jessie and snuggled in close. The blue in Elise's hair was braided on each side and tied back like a princess crown. Devon looked relieved he didn't have to hold the conversation anymore.

"Check this out." Elise said as she handed Jessie her phone. The screen displayed the local TV station website, WCBVT Channel 7. In large bold black font, a headline shouted across the top of the page. Body of Lakeside University Student Found Last Night.

"Found?" Jessie asked aloud.

"I know right?" Elise responded, leaning in toward the phone urging Jessie to continue reading.

Last night, at approximately nine thirty, police responded to a 911 call from a tenant at 233 Pine Street in Lakeside. Police reported finding the body of a young male. The victim's name is being withheld at this time. Police have not confirmed the cause of death and have not ruled out the possibility of foul play. Sheriff Douglas will be making a statement later this afternoon at three o'clock. For any information, please call the Lakeside Police Department hotline listed below. We will be following up on this story as more information becomes available.

After Jessie finished reading, she read it again and sat still, staring at the screen.

"Looks like they are keeping things quiet for now until they notify the family." Elise stated. Jessie nodded.

"I bet we'll get a little more information at three when the Sheriff makes his address." Jessie said. "Once they notify the family, they can discuss more specifics, but basic stuff, like the victim's name, age, maybe confirmation of foul play, but I doubt it, not this early in the investigation. I'm sure they're going to keep any information about motive under wraps." Jessie stated, remembering Sheriff Douglas' voice when he shot down Jason's statement about the mountain lion.

"So, he's probably not going to mention that Craig was killed by a bloodthirsty mountain lion which is still on the loose?" Elise asked, looking at Jessie with questioning terror.

"No, I don't think he will mention it. Also, we don't even know for sure that it was a lion." Jessie said.

The clicking of joysticks and buttons had ceased. Devon and Jake had turned their backs to the TV, now fully absorbed in the conversation. Jessie continued.

"We didn't see what happened. We came out after whomever, or whatever killed him."

"But Jason was telling the truth!" Elise retorted as tears began to form around the edges of her eyes. Jessie could feel herself also choking up as she remembered Jason's testimony. Jessie did believe him, but to write this story correctly, they would need to prove what he was saying was true.

"I believe him too, but we need proof." Jessie said. A long silence filled the room. Everyone looked to one another not knowing what to say next.

"Jason?" Devon asked, breaking the silence.

"Jason Smith." Elise replied. He is in our documentary class. "He's the tall guy that always wears the Lakeside basketball stuff. He was at Steven's party last Saturday."

"Oh ok, I know Jason." Devon replied smiling, happy he was finally contributing to the discussion. "Yeah, he's really chill. From Boston, always wears sports shirts and stuff." Devon said, looking to Jake for confirmation.

"Yeah, I see him at The Roadside a lot watching games. Nice guy, always to me at least." Jake added, nodding at Devon and then toward Elise and Jessie.

Jessie looked down at the phone and swiped the current screen away searching through Elise's apps. Elise was a huge hockey fan, and along with Devon, the three had taken a trip up to Montreal last semester to see a game. It was a fun trip. Jessie's Dad was big into sports and she would always go to basketball games with him when she was little. Their trip reminded Jessie of the fun times she had with her Dad, and it made her friendship with Elise that much stronger.

With another swipe of her thumb, Jessie found the sports app she was looking for, pressed it, and quickly navigated to the day's baseball schedule. Boston was playing a make-up game at one o'clock. It was eleven thirty in the morning. With any luck Jessie thought, Jason would be at The Roadside, possibly watching the game.

"Do you think Jason will be watching the game at The Roadside?" Elise asked, starring at her phone in Jessie's hands, clearly following her train of thought.

"I can text him and tell him to meet us there if you want?" Devon asked, holding up his phone.

"Perfect." Jessie said. The Roadside was a local dive bar and would definitely have the game on.

"Ok, I'm going to head to the Journalism Department first to grab my bag and computer. Then I'll head over to The Roadside." Jessie said. Elise nodded in agreement.

"Did you want me to walk with you to get your stuff?" Elise asked, a grave concern across her face. Jessie immediately cued in to what she was thinking. The lion.

"I'll be ok. It's daytime. I think they sleep during the day." Jessie replied. Elise nodded again. Jessie was a little spooked. Like Elise, she believed Jason was telling the truth, but it was difficult to believe that a killer mountain lion was on the loose in town.

"Ok, be careful." Elise said, and stood up as Jessie got ready to leave. After taking a deep breath, Jessie hugged Elise tight. Devon and Jake looked at each other awkwardly as the girls stood embraced in silence. Jessie didn't want to let go but finally released her grip.

"I'll be fine. See you at one." Jessie said, and with a quick turn, she headed out the apartment door.