In A Million Years

Chapter 3: Memories

He knew that he was in her head. His plan was working. It was only a matter of time until she broke and once she did, that would be it for Alex. He smirked.

"She's a nice girl."

He looked at the woman beside him and shrugged. "Whatever."

He knew better. She was naive and scared. That's where he needed her. Alex's fight with the suspect had been an amazing accident. He couldn't have been more thankful for the opportunity; but Alyssa had been a miracle. He could tell how important she was to Alex and that would be his downfall.

**********

"Oh...my...goodness! You never called! You didn't tell me how you were! I was so worried! Aly, why didn't you call?"

Alyssa managed a half smile at her best friend's freakout. Oakley Scout had been her best friend since first grade. The girls told each other everything. Alyssa sighed. She told her best friend everything, except how scared she was and how much this whole thing had affected her.

Oakley had called her out on it. She showed up at her door, flustered and upset that she hadn't called since she had been in the hospital. She had repeatedly reminded Alyssa that she lived an hour away and that she could've helped her.

"Ok, ok, you're right, Oakley!" Alyssa raised her hands in defeat as she collapsed onto the couch. "I'm sorry! There's just been a lot going on."

Oakley sighed as she sat down beside her. "Something's bothering you. Won't you talk to me?"

"I've been getting threats," Alyssa replied after a slight pause. "Some anonymous person sent me a text, threatening the cop that I helped out and--and then last night..."
"What happened?" Oakley demanded to know when Alyssa stopped.

"Somebody threatened me at knife-point!" Alyssa finally blurted out.

"Oh my gosh!" Oakley scoffed, wrapping her into a hug. "I'm so sorry! I'm so glad you're ok. Did you tell your mom and dad?"

Alyssa scoffed. "No. I'd be on house arrest if I did."

"Aly, you could've been killed!" Oakley exclaimed. "You need to tell your parents!"

"No, I got it under control! I've talked to a couple guys down at the police department."
"Oh, yea, you told me about the cop you met," Oakley changed the subject. "Adam--Andy--oh, what was his name?"

"Alex," Alyssa answered with a half smile.

"Oh! Someone's got a crush!" Oakley teased, seeing the slight blush that colored her friend's cheeks.

"Do not!"

"Uh-huh. You do too! I could tell on the phone you did."

"It's not a crush, Oak. First off, he's a cop and you know where I stand on dating cops. Second, I've only met him twice--well, three times, but the first time doesn't count! I promise you, it's not a crush!"

Oakley snickered. "Ok. Whatever you say."

Alyssa sighed, pushing herself off of the couch, attempting to hide her bright red cheeks from her friend. Her stomach reminded her that it had been more than twenty-four hours since she had fed it food. So, she wandered into the kitchen, wondering if she even had food. She had been on the way to the store when she had seen Alex's fight. Eventually, she found some sandwich meat and bread and made herself a sandwich.

"Oak, sandwich?"

"Sure. Hey, Aly, want me to text him for you?"

"No! You don't even get to meet him!" Alyssa exclaimed.