Fear

Not finished yet but it should be soon.

I woke in the nurse's office. "Oh honey, you're awake." Said a nurse with kind eyes. 

I groaned as I felt the knot in my head. "Unfortunately." 

She shook her head at me. "We tried to get ahold of your father but he didn't answer either phone." She said. 

I shot up. My eyes were wide and my heart was racing. "Um... He's busy." I blurted. 

"No problem." The nurse said. "Do you have anyone else we can get ahold of?"

I shook my head. "No. He's the only one." I stood up. "But I'm fine, really. I should get back to class." I started to walk toward the door.

"Sweetie, we need to let someone know about this. There could be something medically wrong with you." She said with eyes that made me want to listen.

"No." I said, but I paused. I needed something to say. "No, it happened before. We got it checked out. they said I just got a little overheated and I'd need to be more careful. Looks like i didn't listen. I'll get back to class." I rushed out the door.

Zach was alive. ZACH WAS ALIVE! I smiled. I didn't even care that he hadn't mentioned me. Maybe he was trying to keep me safe. Maybe he didn't want people to know who he was or where he'd come from. It was a good plan, I was just so afraid of losing him. 

I slipped back into math class. It was nearing the end and the teacher was lecturing. I slid back into my desk and everyone turned to stare. "Are you okay?" A girl asked loudly, interrupting the teacher. I shook my head yes as the teacher stared at me questioningly. She went back to teaching but the kids still stared. 

it continued that way until class ended. I felt a little embarrassed, but I shook it off. Zach was alive. I smiled again. That thought get me through the rest of my classes. He was really okay. 

At the end of the day I rushed home. Immediately I began looking um videos and interviews of "Stark Everett". There were so many. He's only been famous a short while and yet he had more interviews than I could count. I watched them all. Hearing his voice sent tears down my face. I clutched his jacket and breathed in his scent. I missed him so much. I went to sleep that night to the sound of his voice. His voice was as pure and beautiful as it had been the day he sang to me in the woods. We'd been so young. He told me he'd been practicing for me for a long time. When he finally sang my heart melted. I'd never heard something so beautiful. I'd never heard something so beautiful until I now. Until the moment I realized I'd never hear him sing to me again. 

~

In school the next day I was anxious. My last class couldn’t come fast enough. I wanted to hear more about him. I wanted to know that it was real. When I walked into class the girls were again gathered around the computer. His voice blared across the room. My heart skipped a beat. It drew me toward the group of girls. “He’s so perfect!” One shouted. It sickened me to think that his fame was the only thing that made him likeable. Before, no one had noticed him. He’d been a blob in a colorless world.

         Another interview was spilling through the computer speakers. “This fame is unbelievable!” Said a flirtatious young woman. The crowed screamed.

         Zach laughed in a musical tone. “It is.” He said.

         “Let’s take a moment to remember where you were a few months ago: small town California boy with a small group of friends and no musical experience. How did you get here? And so quickly? What made you decide to do it?” She said. I got a look at the screen. The girl twisted her hair in her fingers.

         He smiled. “Well I’d always had the dream. It was something I’ve wanted to do since I can remember. I started putting out videos and people liked it, so I put out more. Before I knew it, I was being signed. I never really thought I’d get this big. I simply had a dream that came true.” His tone felt so forced.

         “His answers are always so down to earth!” One of the girls cried.

         “I have another question that’s been asked by many fans. Everyone wants to know. Is there a special lady in your life?” The interviewer asked. The girls around the computer crossed their fingers.

         Something flashed across Zach/Stark’s face. Just as quickly as it appeared, it was gone. I knew him well enough to know that he was about to tell a lie. “No. Not yet at least. I haven’t met anyone that’s caught my attention yet.” He smiled.

         The interviewer smiled too. “Well with that, the fans want to know. Would you ever date a fan?”

         He smiled again. “Well… that’s a question everyone is asked. I think it’s always answered pretty incorrectly though. I think that if I met a fan and something said she was the one, I’d go for it. Now I wouldn’t just date any fan. I’d have to find myself attracted to her, like any other girl.” He hesitated. “I feel like I know what I want and I’m just waiting for her to show up.” He looked into the camera as he said it.

         “He was totally looking at me!” One of the girls squealed.

         “I’m going to be that fan!” Another said.

         I walked away. Maybe he did remember me. Maybe he was asking for me to find him. Maybe he knew I’d see that interview and it make me want to find him. I sat down at my desk and the teacher began her lesson. My mind was racing. I had to go. I jumped out of my desk. The teacher stopped. “Allie. Is everything okay?” She asked.

         My eyes darted around the room. What could I do? “I need to go to the restroom.” I said as I ran out of the room. She didn’t follow. I heard her continue to teach. I ran toward the door and when I arrived at it, it opened easily. I slipped out without being noticed.

I ran down the street. I didn’t really know where I was going but I knew I needed to find Zach. My feet carried me home and to my computer. I said down and immediately started typing. My hands knew what they were doing before my mind could process it. I’d typed in “Stark Everett Tour Dates” and hit the search button. I clicked the first link and read. Where was he today? My eyes skimmed the page. Austin, Texas. What about tomorrow? Charleston, South Carolina. That was close. What about the day after? My eyes searched hungrily. Raleigh, North Carolina. I stood up quickly. It took about two and half hours to get there from here. My heart was racing. What would I do in the meantime? I couldn’t fathom the thought of being at school. My hands shook and I felt jumpy. I walked up to the window that looked out into my backyard. The woods glared back like the eyes of the devil. I shut the curtains. I paced around my house. I couldn’t wait like this.

       There was a knock at the door. I panicked. I ran my fingers into my hair. Then I shook them out at my side. Who could be here? I walked quietly up to the door and listened. Silence. I jumped when the knock came again. “Miss Quinlan?” I heard the person from outside say. I stepped away from the door. They know I’m here. I have to answer it. “Miss Quinlan, we’d like to talk to you.” My body started to shake even more violently. I walked back up to the door. I put my hand on the doorknob, ready to open it. “We know what happened… with your father. We know you killed him, and we know you’re here. You can’t hide. Come out and talk and we will protect you.” I took a huge shaky breath. My heart fell to the floor. It was out. How did they know? I couldn’t allow them to take me. “If you don’t come out, we’ll come in. We have a warrant. If you come out willingly we will take things easier on you.” I stepped back. I couldn’t just stand here. My eyes flew across the room and landed on the back door. My legs carried me to it. I opened the door and tossed myself out. My legs took me to the woods and up a thick leafy tree. Tears spilled out my eyes.

       “Miss Quinlan! You can’t run. We will find you!” Said the men as they ran to the backyard. “The woods.” They came running. I kept myself still. I felt hopeless. This was it. “Over here!” They shouted. My body tensed. They saw me. I’d lose everything. I’d never see Zach again. The tears streamed down my face. 

Author's Note

Any help is appreciated. :)