Chapter Nine

When I wake, I feel extra groggy and confused. When I adjust to the bright lights, I realize I'm in the hospital. I look around panicked and confused until I see my mother and father next to my bed. 

"Mom...?" I ask slowly, confused about how I even got here. My mom jumps at my voice and rushes to hug me. 

"Oh, honey!" She says crying into my shoulder. "We are so glad you are okay!"

My dad hugs me and I see him holding back tears, which is an odd sight. He never cries. I try to sit up, but I'm met with a stinging pain in my ribs and I feel my head instantly start to ache. My mother sees my pained look and slightly pushes on my shoulder to make me lay back again. 

"What..." I start to say. My parents look at me sadly. That's when my father scoots closer to me and his look turns serious. 

"Look... Honey, I know you are in pain. But, do you remember anything that happened? Anything at all?" My father asks me, his detective skills taking over. I go to answer him, but that when it all comes flowing back to me. The stringy black hair, the blood covered teeth, that coppery smell. The dark room. The deal I agreed to. I look back at my father, who is waiting patiently, and I know what I have to do.

"It..." I start to say, hesitant. "It was the killer... the one who keeps killing all those people..." I say, deciding if I should tell the truth or go along with Jeffs plan. 

"Okay. How did you escape? What does the killer look like? Where was he hiding out?" My father asks, writing things down on the little napkin on the table next to me. I hesitate on what to do next. 

"He was hiding out in a cabin in the woods. He told me that I needed to lead you away from him, by giving you false information, but I can't. He knocked me out and I guess delivered me back off. His name is Jeff, he was the new kid at school... so he is about my age." I say quickly. My father looks confused. 

"Your age? Are you sure Misty?" My father asks. "These serial murders are done by just a mere teenager?" He asks. I nod. 

"I know... but it was him. But, he was different from when he was at school... He cut his cheeks into a smile and it looks like he did something to his eyelids. His hair is about shoulder length, and like raven black. He's so pale too..." I finish, and a shiver runs up my spine as I realize what I just did. I went against what Jeff said, and now I'm scared about what will happen to my dad. He smiles at me. 

"Good, this is good Misty! Thank you," My dad says, getting up to go talk to his boss, I'm assuming since I see him outside my hospital room window.  

"Wait!" I say quickly before he leaves. He looks at me concerned. "We are all now in danger. Jeff said that if I went against what he told me, he would come for you and mom... and Caleb too." I say quietly. My dad looks at me concerned again. 

"Okay, I will let the station know and I will get a team to watch the hospital and house until I know it's safe." He says, scratching his head. I know he is stressed. "But, you did a good thing Misty. Telling me." He walks out into the hall and I can see him talking to his boss. My mother looks at me concerned. 

"Are you feeling okay?" She asks. I nod.

"Yeah, just a little sore is all..." I say.

"Well good news, you can leave the hospital tomorrow afternoon." She says smiling. I feel relieved I don't have to stay here long but also scared to go back home, even if we will have someone watching the house. Part of me knows that won't be enough to keep him away. 

My mom and I talk while my father is in the hall. Now and then I look toward my dad, and I see him arguing with his boss. after about twenty minutes, he walks back into the room. 

"So... I've been taken off the case." He says slowly. 

"What? Why?!" My mother asks, getting up to stand by him. 

"Now that Misty is involved, and she is our daughter, I'm too close personally with the case and I had to be taken off. The biggest case this city has had in a long time." He says. 

"I'm sorry dad..." I say slowly.

"Honey, don't be sorry. You didn't do anything wrong. This is no way your fault. If anything, you helped us get closer to catching this sick bastard." My dad says sincerely. 

I smile at him, which makes me wince a little. I'm happy I got to help them get closer to finding Jeff, but I know that by me spilling who Jeff is to the cops, it's going to come with a price. The thought of what that price might just be sends a shiver down my spine.