Truth of Lies

I could feel my heart pounding. The footsteps were getting closer. My thoughts racing in my head. What went wrong? How could i not see the signs? As the footsteps faded with his voice i let out a shaky breath that i didn't realize i was holding. I know i should feel something but all i felt was numb. I could feel the warm trickle of wetness down my arm, I cant believe he shot me!

He seemed so sweet when i met him, but all i could see now was a stranger. I have to get to safety. If im going to have any chance of survival i need to tread carefully. The coolness of the night was felt. Over to the left was a truck, i know they leave the keys in the glove department. The wind brushed the hair into my eyes and hurriedly i ran to the truck. To my relief it was unlocked. I looked in and around to see if he was near. My body beginning to shake and feeling weaker, i hopped onto the leather seat. Hurriedly locking the doors i reached into the glove department. But there were no keys!! Again my fear hit me,they have to be here they always are. He couldn't have known i would make it.

What if it was on Amber? Oh my god Amber... She didn't deserve this, i will never forgive myself. She trusted me even though she didn't like Jerry. She warned me but i didn't listen to her. How will i ever tell her family there daughter is dead because i'm a coward? I ran and left her when he shot her. I must make it so he wont get away with this, I owe her that much.

I felt the cold steele touch my fingertips as i felt around under the seat. When did the truckers carry firearms? Pulling out the gun gave me hope that i was going to make it. I felt my fear wash away as i checked the clip, it was loaded i have five shots if necessary. 

But i must get to Amber if i am to make it, I need those keys. Tucking the gun in the backside of my pants and closing the glove box i slowly made my way to the passenger side. Starting to unlock the door i froze at the sight of Ambers face looking at me, she was so pale. Her amber hair was matted with blood, relief flooded through me as i realized she was still alive. Her amber eyes were red and swollen her lips cracked with hints of blood. I reached to unlock the door, but her words stopped me.

Don't its what he wants. A flash of something black struck her in the head, his face appeared before me. Fear returned, Catherine there you are. Why don't you come on out and help your friend here? Trying not to panic i unlocked the door, before i knew it i felt the wetness of the cool morning upon the road. Was that me? The raspy breathing and the cry as the pain exploded in my head, i have to stay awake i cant black out. Catherine you are not getting off that easy. Stinging pain shot through my left cheek, his face was all i saw when i opened my eyes.

His dark black locks and his piercing blue eyes even now made this hard to believe. He was so sweet and kind when we met. He was six feet tall tan and everything a women could have wanted. Even when i showed no interest he gave me no choice. Yes i know im attractive but so many times of being let down and hurt, i swore i was done. Long dark brown hair to the waist not to thin and not fat,brown eyes that go from dark to light. Amber said on a few occasions that i have curves any man would want. I thought he was different, from the walks and him making dinner to the flowers delivered to work, i was in heaven.

Catherine!!!! Are you listening to me? There now that i got your attention, first you will watch her die, then i will take my time in killing you. You see i had this planned out for awhile now. They said it wouldn't be so easy and you would be quite a challenge to keep quiet. That they wanted no mess and something should be done to get you off there backs. That is why i cut your breaks last week in hopes it would scare you, in hopes you would turn your head the other way. Also why the death threat was sent in the mail, but you were to stupid to know when to back off. So now i have decided to use my own solution for this problem, no you and the Cartel investigation you were on will come to a halt, long enough for us to relocate. You should have listened to the warnings!!

I couldn't believe what he was saying, everything was a lie! I had to think fast i dont know how much more time we had. You made me trust you and believe you. You were only getting close to me to know about the investigation? Anger began to build i stood trying to hide the trembling i felt. This entire year has been nothing but a lie to you, is your name even Jerry? Please just let Amber and i go i promise we wont ever tell anyone about tonight. We will tell everyone that we were jumped that someone just wanted our wallets, i will get off the case just please don't do this!!! From all the kindness you showed me, all the time we spent together there has to be some kind of kindness in your heart to let us go and know we wont say anything.

My heart felt so numb. When i looked into his eyes all i saw was coldness and anger. Amber stood and looked at me. Catherine he doesn't care and he wont let us go. It was all just to get info from you he is nothing but a con. Jerry raised his arm and struck Amber with the gun. It was then i saw my opportunity. As he stood over Ambers crumpled body the anger took hold of my fear. I reached for the gun and in one swift movement i aimed and fired, his body crumpled next to Amber. I held my breath as i approached him, the bullet went straight through the back of his head. Feeling around in his pockets i found his keys, the car isnt to far its my only chance to get her help.

Quickly crawling to Amber i checked her pulse, thank god shes ok her pulse is steady. Gathering her in my arms i made my way to Jerrys car. Never once in the year Jerry and i were together did i ask his line of work or where he got his money. But now i realize i should have, i shouldn't have been so trusting. I should have seen some kind of sign, but i was blinded by love. Love that was only on my end. Setting Amber in the back seat i ran to the driver side. As i got in the car i looked back at Amber, will she ever forgive me for tonight? She has always been the one i count on and i should have listened, but i brushed everything she had to say about Jerry to the back of my mind. How could i have been so stupid? Hearing the roar of then engine i took off.

                                One day later

Amber is ok, the shot to the head was a  deep flesh wound she got lucky. She is awake and coherent .There is also no sign of a concussion. She had to have a blood transfusion, if you didnt get here when you did she would have not made it. Catherine we recovered Jerrys body. We are looking into what you told us and as soon as we I.D. him i will call. Is there anything else i can do for you?

I could see the sympathy in his eyes, he must think im such a fool. No Javier, thank you. I could hear the shaking of my voice and the warmth of my tears stream down my face. I cant but help feel heartbroken, and i don't know if Amber will ever forgive me for putting her in that situation. I should have listened to her. How could i have fallen in love with someone like that? How could i have not known? A year and you think i would have noticed something!!

Javier shifted his footing as he looked down at the ground. It pained him to see her like this. Even as disheveled as she was, she was still a beauty. He couldn't stand to hear the hurt in her voice and he would be damned if he was going to let her blame herself. Catherine he had us all fooled, no one knew or even suspected. This is not your fault understand and as for Amber she loves you. You saved her life and for that she will be grateful, just get some rest, take some time off for awhile. Looking at Catherine he was relieved to see her tears had stopped but still there was sadness on her face. I'm going to get going back to the office, go ahead and see Amber i will take care of everything else.

I watched him walk away and sighed to myself as i shoved away from the wall, looking towards Ambers room i hesitated upon entering the room. Was Javier right? Will she be grateful and forgive me or will she blame me for it happening to begin with? Well i wont find out unless i go in and talk to her. Amber? I wanted to say.......

Amber cut her off. She studied Catherine for a moment, the sadness was heartbreaking. Catherine don't blame yourself. Yes i didn't like him but even i had no idea he was capable of this. You did what any normal human being would have done when in love. You didn't do this he did and beating yourself up about it is not going to change what happened. I don't blame you and im not mad at you. But you can make it up to me by going to therapy with me and letting me pick your boyfriends from now on. Feeling relieved at the smile on Catherines face was just what she needed for the moment.

You have a deal Amber, but lets lay off the men for awhile please. I have had enough of them to last me almost a lifetime!!! Feeling hopeful and leaning on one step at a time for a better future is the first step to a better one. Ambers face went pale as if the life fled her body. Amber whats the matter, you look like you saw a ghost.

That is because Catherine i did, Jerry was standing in the doorway staring at us. He is here he took off down the hall, call for backup please don't leave me alone. Catherine felt the terrible fear clenching in her heart as she dialed the office and called for backup.