CHAPTER FIFTEEN:
X Marks the Spot
Martin checks his watch. It’s 7:30 in the evening. According to the note, Jennifer should arrive at eight. Martin’s attempts to speak to Jennifer in the last two days have failed. She refused to speak to him or take any of his calls. He doesn’t even know if the meeting is still on tonight. He heard rumors that Johnny’s father was in the hospital, but he never got the chance to ask his dad about it. Mr. West was too busy, as usual.
Martin exhales in frustration as he grips the steering wheel. He isn’t very familiar with this part of Logoria. It’s mostly woods and country. He’s been driving for twenty minutes already and hasn’t spotted a single car.
On the back of the note, the crudely drawn map shows a myriad of turns and landmarks. Wherever they planned on going, it’s just behind Logoria Memorial Park. As far as Martin knows, there is nothing there but trees and a few abandoned shacks.
Martin swipes at the beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He lowers the temperature on his AC and turns the fan on full blast. He knows the main source for the heat is nervous energy. He snuck out of the house and used his spare car key. Both his parents are working late tonight, which is good news for him. If either of them find out he’s been driving around in his car, they’ll kill him.
But Jennifer is worth the risk. Martin can’t allow her to be hurt by Johnny. What if Johnny has her alone? In a shack in the woods of all places? Martin shakes his head. Jen would never go for that, would she? He wipes his forehead with the back of his hand and pushes down on the accelerator. Anxiety begins to twist his insides, and Martin swerves to avoid a collision with a raccoon. He has to be more careful.
Martin's mind is swimming with possible scenarios. He has to come up with a plan once he reaches the “X” on the map. What if they aren’t there? What if he sees Johnny, but Jennifer hasn’t arrived yet? Will he end up fighting Johnny - again - and leaving his body somewhere in the woods? Martin allows himself a nervous laugh. He can’t go that route again. Besides, Jennifer would never forgive him. She already hates his guts. There’s no need to add wood to that fire. Martin sighs as he makes his way around a curve. He can’t let her end up with Johnny. Not until he tells her how he feels.
Martin pulls into a parking lot just a few yards from the park. He hesitates before turning off the car. He doesn’t want Jennifer to spot him before he spots her. She might recognize his car, and it’s pretty conspicuous in the middle of an empty parking lot. He finally decides to pull out and park at a small gas station. It’s only a few blocks away, and he can easily cover the distance on foot.
Martin grabs the note and stuffs it in his back pocket. He jogs down the sidewalk leading back to the park, glancing quickly at any car that passes. He checks his watch. It’s 7:45. He still has some time.
He pulls the note back out and looks over the map again. He follows the instructions, which lead well into the woods, until he comes to a clearing. A few yards in front of him there is a small house. It looks abandoned, judging by the sagging roof and gaps in the wood boards. There is a small, flickering light coming from the inside. Martin checks the map again, noting the “X” in the center. This is the place.
Martin suddenly feels very foolish. What is he doing here, spying on Jen? What if he’s blowing things way out of proportion?
Martin hears the faint sound of laughter and ducks back into the trees. It came from inside. Are they both here already? He crouches down deeper, under the cover of the woods. What is he going to do? He can’t just stay here, hiding in the woods, until they come out. It seems odd that Johnny would even let Jen walk through the woods alone at night. A sense of foreboding rises inside of him. Something about this meeting is off.
Soft laughter echoes through the trees. It’s distinctly feminine. Martin’s heart sinks. So, she really came. He strains his ears, listening for the sounds of muffled conversation.
The wind is blowing his way, rustling the trees and distorting every sound. Martin decides to chance running to the house, hoping he won’t be seen. He looks around quickly before heading out of the woods. He feels exposed as he makes his way to the shack. He hides by the porch, just under a window. He breathes in and out heavily. The run wasn’t far, but Martin’s anxiety is putting a strain on his body.
Martin hears another noise, but the sounds are still muffled. He presses his ear to the window and tries to still his breathing. Another laugh resounds from the house. Martin is no longer squatting, but standing at the window with his ear pressed to the glass. He hears a low moan and the distinct sound of kissing. At least, he thinks it sounds like kissing.
The sounds are mixing with the wind and his imagination. His mind could be playing tricks on him. He listens a moment longer before pushing himself away from the window in frustration. Martin flares his nostrils, kicking at the dirt with his sneakers. How can she be kissing Johnny in a place like this? Doesn’t she have any integrity?
Martin runs to the porch and grabs the handle to the front door. Reason tells him to walk away. What is he doing? Jennifer knows right from wrong. If she chooses to be with Johnny, Martin has no right to interfere.
Martin takes a deep breath, closes his eyes, and releases the doorknob. It’s her choice to make, not his. He takes a step back and turns around slowly.
“Let me go!” a female voice cries out.
Halfway down the steps, Martin hears the muffled shout. Several more follow and Martin hears glass break. Without thinking he turns back and yanks the front door open, rushing towards the sounds.
Why Did You Hurt Me? Page 15