Written in the Stars

Chapter 10: "Halo"

(Chapter 10)
"Halo"

Saturday, February 21
11:00am

In the waiting room, Jillian sat with her head in her hands.

"This is my fault."

"What is?" Jesse asked.

"That he got hurt."

"What are you talking about?"

Jillian looked up.
"The Admirer."

"What?"

"HE HURT HIM!"

"How do you know?"

"Who else would?"

"Well..."

"Remember the last note? It ended with, 'if you don't love me, I'll make sure you won't love anyone else.'"

"Oh..." Jesse fell silent.

"I put him in danger. I should've just stayed at home."

"Jillian, there's no way you could've known."

Jillian jumped up.
"BUT I DID! I knew this guy was stalking me, I knew this guy was crazy, I knew this guy was jealous of other guys, I did know. I did this to him because I was too much of a coward to stay home. At least, I shouldn't have left him alone. Did you see his face?! He's really hurt."

"He's going to be okay," Jesse assured.

"I'll never forgive myself for this."

"Jillian?" Patricia came back out. "Darren's asking for you."

Jillian went back in his hospital room and sat on the bed beside him.

"Hey," Jillian said softly.

"Hey."

"You... I mean... I'm really glad you're okay."

"Well... I'll live."

"I'm sorry."

"Why are you sorry?"

"I left you alone."

"You shouldn't feel bad about that. You would've gotten hurt too."

"No, I wouldn't have."

"What do you mean?"

"This is my fault," Jillian told him.

"How is this your fault?"

"There's a guy who's been stalking me."

"What guy?"

"Remember on our first date when I told you that there was someone leaving me notes?"

"Yeah."

"Well, I got more of them. Five in total. They started off as love notes. But, then they got very creepy and threatening. The fifth letter I got was taped outside my window Thursday night, which is why I didn't feel safe at home. I shouldn't have gone with you. He wouldn't have hurt you."

"Who is it?"

"I don't know."

"Well, the guy was wearing a mask."

"Yeah, you told us," Jillian said. "I can't be around you anymore."

"What?"

"We have to keep our distance. It's the only way to keep you safe. At least until we figure out who it is," Jillian explained.

"Jill, I can take care of myself. I'm strong, I know how to fight. The guy was passive and just caught me off guard. He pretty much hit me over the head and then ran off."