Learning All Things Owen Jackson

Chapter II

Multiple groups of people moved to the beat of remixed music, swaying their bodies to and fro with the help of the alcohol running through their veins to numb their senses. Some of them bobbed their heads; others were pressed against eachother, rocking their hips to the rhythm.

As Vanessa made a beeline to the bar to order her usual drink, vodka and coke, my socially awkward self kicked in and I briskly headed off to one of the secluded empty tables at the very back of the club.

"Gosh, sometimes those bartenders can be so rude," Vanessa commented as soon as she was sat down with her drink.

"Well it's not like any of the customers are going to be sober enough to remember it. Besides, I'm pretty sure working at a club would be the definition of hell." I shrugged, crossing my arms against my chest.

"Ah," she spoke, sipping her drink. "That's true. Now, don't digress, Cameron. I've noticed that glum look on your face the minute I climbed into your car. What's the matter?"

I sighed and rubbed my tired eyes. "It's finally happening, V. My parents are splitting up..."

I watched as Vanessa frowned deeply at my reply and enveloped my hands into hers.

"That's really shitty, Cammie. I'm sorry," she consoled me. "Tell you what, let's treat ourselves and have a girls' night. Movies, snacks, strippers, you name it."

"Strippers?" I choked out, staring at Vanessa with wide eyes.

"We're adults now! Holy shit, we can do anything." she grinned and then suddenly, if it was even possible, her mouth grew wider.

"No." I shook my head frantically. "Whatever you're planning, I'm uninviting myself."

"Oh please, Cameron! It'll be so much fun and will cheer you right up," she begged, pouting her lips and interlocking her fingers.

"Fine," I gave in.

***
"Vanessa Andrews, I'm actually going to murder you, throw your body into the river so nobody can find you and place rocks on top of you for good measure," I growled out, gritting my teeth as I trembled in the cold with my mini torch pointing forwards.

"Come on, it's not so bad," she said, slipping out of her dress.

My eyes settled on the flowing river, glistening in the silver moon light.

"Not so bad? It's almost midnight and you expect us to bloody skinny dip in the river! You're practically asking to get killed!" I shivered, wrapping my arms around my trembling frame with my hand still clutched on tightly to the torch.

"Stop being a wimp and come join me." she waved me over as she stepped slowly into the icy cold water.

"Nope, I'm going home," I refused, spinning around on my feet to head off back to the club.

"Really, Cameron? Why do you have to ruin everything?" She retorted back bitterly.

Her remark stung me slightly but I didn't allow her to see how hurt I was by her words.

"Sometimes, Vanessa, you go too far with things," I responded, turning back around. "Maybe if you-"

As I turned to Vanessa, my eyes caught sight of something in the distance. Among the pine trees, lights flickered through the gaps of the branches and soon a muffled yelp was heard.

I froze in my steps, squinting at the lit up area. I switched off the mere light that shone from my torch.

"V, get out of the river, please," I whispered, keeping my eyes focused on the lights whilst kneeling down to pick up her discarded dress.

"Cameron, I don't understand..." Vanessa said but did as she was told.

I waited patiently for her to put her dress back on and then grabbed onto her wrist tightly.

With as much stealth as I could, I slowly sneaked towards the lights, ducking behind a wide tree with the palm of my other hand placed firmly on its trunk.

"Cameron, what-"

Vanessa began to speak up but I raised my finger up to my lips as an indication for her to be quiet.

Tilting my head from out behind the tree trunk, my entire body stiffened as I took everything in.

Three men clad in black surrounded one dishevelled and bruised guy who was sprawled out on the hard ground. His hands and feet were pinned to the ground by two of the men and the other, possibly the leader, loomed over him like a dark cloud overcasting the moon.

"Not so big now, are you?" One of the men chuckled out harshly.

"Next time you choose to double cross me, it won't be just your head I'll have on a stick," the leader spat in warning, leaning down to pull on the beaten man's hair. "It'll be your partner's head and both of your families' heads."

Then the leader made a few hand gestures to the other men and they all followed each other, one by one, into the forest.

I waited a couple more seconds before I exposed myself to the man lying on the muddy floor.

"Hello?" I called out to the man.

I felt Vanessa tug on my wrist and I turned to her.

"What are you doing?" She asked in shock, staring at me as if I had gone completely mad.

"This man clearly needs help. Call the police, V," I responded, rushing over to the man on the floor when he didn't reply.

Out of nowhere, a figure came out of the bushes, jolting my whole body backwards. As quick as I could, I raised myself from off of the ground and managed to stand on my trembling legs.

An orange tint of light from the lantern that he held, enhanced the sharpness of his jaw and the twinkle of his chestnut brown eyes.

I stared back at the man, my own eyes slowly widening as realisation and recognition struck me.

"What are you doing here?" We both asked, me in confusion and him with a tinge of anger.

And as I stood watching him, studying his broad shoulders that were hidden under a black piece of clothing, I knew for definite that I should have stayed away from those lantern lights.

He was a stranger in a crowd of well known people. A black crow amongst a flock of white doves. A face in which I never thought I'd see again.

He was Owen Jackson; my archenemy