Chapter 11—To Find Someone—Jennifer

In this time of fear

When prayer so often proves in vain

Hope seems like the summer bird

Too swiftly flown away

Yet now I'm standing here

My heart's so full, I can't explain

Seeking faith and speaking words

I never thought I'd say

 

So I was in Toronto and I had no idea where to start, I knew what Sasha looked like, and that was about it. So I decided since it was early to go and grab coffee. So I walk into Starbucks and mumbled my order, as I was waiting there to grab my cup of coffee and start walking around the city Sasha walked in. Was I really this fortunate, now all I had to figure out was how to start a conversation? I saw the broach she was wearing diamonds, maybe this was a starting point. She was walking over to wait for her coffee. "Nice broach, is that all diamonds?"

"Actually it is." She seemed to not want to talk but I had to push.

"Must have cost a lot, I wish my boyfriend spent his money on me." That seemed to spark her interests.

"Come sit with me, so does this boyfriend of yours have a lot of money?" I needed to come up with a lie.

"Yea and he'll probably make more soon he currently plays for the Toronto Marlborough but he'll probably play for the leafs soon enough." Oh shit…I remembered right after I said that that the Toronto Marlborough only were a team till 1989.

"Really, my last ex played for the Pittsburgh Penguins." Puck bunny, really she didn't even know about the team, oh well better for me.

"Cool so did he buy you the broach?"

"Yes and much more, you gotta know how to milk it out of them."

"I bet you could give me some great pointers on how to do that." I could feel myself cringing as I said those words, could she really be this evil, and did I want to find out.

"How about you meet me tonight and I will show you the proper way to get a man's money from him."

"What time?"

"About 8 o'clock at the old Provincial Psychiatric Hospital at 1001 Queen Street W."

"Ok I'll see you there, have a good afternoon." This didn't sound good so I went home to research this place.

'1001 Queen Street West has been home to a mental health facility for 150 years. On January 26, 1850, the Provincial Lunatic Asylum, as it was then known, first opened its doors. Throughout the years there have been numerous name changes -- the Toronto Lunatic Asylum, the Provincial Lunatic Asylum, "999 Queen Street" and the Queen Street Mental Health Centre. The site was a Provincial Psychiatric Hospital operated by the Government of Ontario until 1998 when the Provincial Psychiatric Hospitals began to be transformed into Public Hospitals.'

Oh Grand I could see this was going to be fun. What the hell was she doing to him, and I how was I going to help him out. I changed my outfit into something more night worthy, threw on some makeup and a hat. It was now about 7:30 I figured I should be going so I called the cab company and had them take me to Queen Street near where I needed to be. I saw Sasha waiting for me to come to the gate. Here we go, 'ought to be fun.

"Bonsoir."

"Ah bonsoir…I never got your name."

"Belle, Belle Savard." I had memorized it so that I could say it very naturally.

"Wonderful, my name is Vanessa, come Belle I have much to show you. What do you think about this place?"

"It's a little creepy don't you think." Her eyes smiled as wide as her mouth, I pictured the Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland, and it was scary.

"That's exactly the point; promise me you can keep a secret?"

"I'm one of the best."

"My last 'ex'" she did the air quotes when she mentioned this. "Well he's not an ex yet he's in there."

"In there…why?"

"Well, sometimes to get all their money, you have to milk them to death." I swallowed hard, how far was I going to have to let this go before I stopped her.

"How exactly do you do that?" I wasn't sure I wanted an answer.

"Let me show you, I could see you and I making amazing partners, I like you." And I despise you apparently you can't tell. Was it bad that I wanted to take her down? But I had to stay focused on the mission, get Marc and get out.

I followed her past the vine covered gates, past the doors that were basically just hanging on the hinges. We walked down what seemed to be endless hallways; I didn't know how to get out if I had to. We finally walked up to a room with a metal door that slid; she unlocked the door and slid it open. What I saw will forever be in my memory, there was a man chained to the wall so thin he was almost hollow, he looked up at me and I could just feel his eyes pleading with me. I wanted to turn at that point and just kill this woman, Sasha, how could anyone treat another human this way. I looked back at him hoping he wouldn't have to suffer this way for much longer.

Chapter 10—My Own Investigation—Max

Don't walk around with the world on your shoulders
And you're highest hopes laying on the ground
I know you think you've gotta try to be my hero
But don't you know the stars you wish upon they fall its true
But I still believe in you

I knew I had to do something; I couldn't just keep sitting here crying that wasn't getting anything done. I was also pretty sure that Marc's pets were extremely depressed Bouli was in hiding and Lilly just lay on his bed motionless. I had to force her to eat and I was hoping Bouli was eating; her food went down slowly so I guessed she was eating. I decided that today I was going to head down to the police station to see if they had any information.

I got there and Detective Ward pulled me into his office to talk, I'm guessing that he was trying his best to keep this case quiet. "What do you think his chances are of still being alive?"

"Well, I'm still holding out hope because…" He paused for a moment he looked like there was something he wanted to say and then decided it would be better if he didn't say it. "She hasn't always killed them right away." What did she do? His cell started to ring; he excused himself from the room.

I wasn't normally a nebby person but this was my best friend when he left the room I decided to have a look for myself. I was flipping through papers looking for anything about Marc, I kept coming across papers about her previous beau's and picture of them at the coroners. I shuttered a little, then I picture Marc on that cold slab, this pushed me even more to find information. I finally saw a sheet with the letter head Sûreté du Québec I looked at the information 'believed to be in Toronto' & 'believed alive' that was all I needed to see I put the papers back into the folder and waited for Detective Ward to come back. He walked back into the room; I was itching to get out.

"As I was saying there is hope but as of now I have no more information." Liar! Oh well I knew what I knew and I was going to take matter into my own hands.

"Thank you; please keep me up to date on what happening?" I got up and headed immediately for the door I knew where I was going.

My first stop Marc's I need to find both pets and take them to someone. I knew where Lilly was already I grabbed her pet taxi and placed her into it, I also threw a shirt of Marc's in there with her, and she seemed somewhat satisfied by that. Next was the harder of the two I grabbed Bouli's pet taxi and some food I shook it and hoped she would come. To my surprise she went right in and just curled up and relaxed. I then started to call the team to see who would be willing to take in Marc's pets. I made up some excuse about needing to go home and I didn't want to take them with me. Finally, Kris said he would and he didn't even ask how long he just did. Maybe I wouldn't be back, but I needed to find Marc I needed to do something.

After I dropped Marc's pets off at Kris's I headed home to pack a bag and grab my passport. I grabbed all the necessities, enough clothes for me and some extra clothes for Marc. I felt like I was doing the right thing, I mean if it were Marc in my position do you really think he'd just sit around and let me die. I can't let him die, besides who would win the Stanley Cup with me in 2011, I needed him and he needed me. Checking the house making sure everything was off, I was headed out the door, and off I went to Canada.

The drive gave me a lot of time to strategize, what was I actually going to do if I found him? I mean what If he was already dead? I tried to wipe that though out of my mind as soon as it popped up, but it popped up a lot. I thought about Veronique having a gun or knife or something of the sort. What if he was still alive when I got there and in the process of trying to rescue him I died and then he would for sure be dead. My mind was racing every possible scenario over and over again. I was scared I don't think I had ever been that afraid my entire life, I mean playing hockey was one thing but to face death? Marc was my best friend no I take that back Marc was more than that he meant the world to me he was like my brother. Family comes first to me and I would give my life for my brother.

Chapter 9—To Catch a Criminal—Jennifer

Robbin' people with a six-gun

I fought the law, and the law won

I fought the law, and the law won

 

"Hey Jennifer, How's the case coming." I was working on a case of a psychotic woman who murdered her beau's to get their money. How she hadn't been caught yet is a mystery to me. But yet I wasn't getting very far myself.

"Cold, there is no DNA, she keeps changing alias with each new murder. I feel like this is impossible." I was about to bang my head off the desk when the captain called me back into his office. "Yes, Captain Butch?"

"This case, from what information we have, she has taken a new one. He was kidnapped 3 days ago in Pittsburgh, and we have a good chance she brought him here, possibly somewhere in the Toronto area."

"We have no idea what alias she is using now. How are we going to find her?"

"I want you to go undercover, you have the picture of her, pass yourself off as a gold digger as well. Try and do that whole girlie-girl buddy buddy thing with he see if she leads you to him."

"I'm not sure about that. I've never been undercover before, I've only been on the force for 2 years now; wouldn't you rather send one of your more veteran officers?"

"You are about her age she would trust you more than someone older. Plus you have acting skill, I think this will work for you."

"I'm not sure how am I supposed to act if she tortures him in front of me, or even worse if he is already dead."

"She has left her previous victims to die a slow death, while she leaves and goes on her merry way to the bank. There is a good chance that this young man," He started shuffling through his papers looking for a name. "Marc-André Fleury is still alive." He handed me a picture of him.

"Wait a minute isn't this the goalie for the Pittsburgh Penguins." I was a hockey fan but ever since joining the force I hadn't had much time to keep up on it.

"I think he may be. That would explain where he had his money from. A lot of the others that Sasha has killed have been old men with millions."

"Yes this I'm aware of how old is this one?" I was trying to desensitize myself as much as I could; I knew if I wanted to save this man I would have to keep my head on straight.

"He's 25." Only two years older than I was this would probably be harder than I had imagined.

"Go to HR explain that you are being placed on plain clothes. They will issue you a different gun to use. Don't give any details of your assignment to anyone; you will be issued all new papers and a different name. You're new name is Belle Savard, keep this in mind. Learn it and live it. It will be important to pull this off."

I headed down to HR. I did as the captain said. I was given a new license, new passport, and new gun. I felt like I was being exiled, this was odd. If it helped to solve the case, I was willing to try anything. I headed home I needed to take my dog elsewhere for the time being. I took him to my best friend's house and told her that I didn't know when I was going to be back, that I was going undercover. She was concerned for me but she knew that it just came with the job. I spent one more night at home made myself some pasta with alfredo sauce and watched some Law and Order for the night. It was getting to be 2 AM, I figured I would get some sleep it was going to be a huge day tomorrow. So I turned off the TV, threw my dish in the sink, and went upstairs to sleep. I woke up the next morning, this was going to be some day I had a flight scheduled at noon from Québec to Toronto, and the police dept. had got me an apartment and a rental car to get around in. I got to Toronto, started to settle in and thought about my next move.

Chapter 8—From bad to hell—Marc-André

Close every door to me

Hide all the world from me

Bar all the windows

and shut out the light

Do what you want with me

Hate me and laugh at me

darken my daytime

and torture my night

If my life were important I

Would ask will I live or die

But I know the answers

Lie far from this world

 

Last thing I remembered I was being grabbed out of my car, I tried to fight back and I got a huge gash in my leg, there was a lot of blood and I passed out. I woke up in total darkness I was blindfolded and tied up; I could tell that I was moving in some kind of vehicle. I had no idea what was happening to me I really wish I had answered Max's call earlier, then maybe I wouldn't be here and I would've turned around earlier. The van stopped, I was still feeling weak, I could hear muffled voices then I heard the door open I was grabbed out of the vehicle and carried somewhere. I was dropped onto the floor, it was concrete, did not feel so great. I again passed out. I woke up I didn't know how long I had been passed out, but it was long enough for me to be untied and my blindfold was removed. It didn't really matter considering the room was pretty much pitch black.

"Hello?" I didn't think anyone would be there but it was worth a shot in the dark. I'm Marc-André and I think I'm funny. Apparently all the blood loss was going to my head. I was going through everything that lead up to me being here. Maybe I wouldn't be here had I answered Max's first call. My thoughts were suddenly interrupted. I heard a noise by where the door was, the door flung open and I was almost blinded by the light. I saw who was standing there I didn't know whether to be shocked or horrified. "Veronique?"

"If you must know my real name is Sasha. You are not the first guy I've been with for his money, actually you are the eight, and for the other seven well they are dead." I just couldn't even form thoughts yet alone words.

Finally I was able to spit out a few words. "Please don't kill me. I'll give you whatever you want."

"Ha I know you'll give me everything I want. But I wouldn't dream of leaving you alive, what, so you can go and tell the police? I don't think so."

"I wouldn't, you can trust me." I couldn't even imagine dying I wanted to play games of my life; I wanted to win as many Stanley cups as possible. I even eventually wanted to get married and have a family.

"Sweetie this is just how it works. And such a pity too, you were, I mean I guess for the moment still are young and good looking. Some death's are painless that's true, don't worry I won't follow standards." I was in my personal hell, she was pretty but she was fucking crazy. "Well I'll leave you to your own mind. Have fun! I'll be back soon." I was then sitting back in the dark with a racing mind this was not good.

I decided I would stand up to try and get familiar with my surroundings. I stood up and with a loud scream I fell back to the ground. Grand, I wasn't going anywhere. My mind then started working; this was a problem. Was she going to kill me slowly, make it hurt. Would she kill me fast, get it over with. Leave me to rot? I was thinking back to every horror movie I've ever seen, wishing I have never seen any of them. I then started thinking of all the saw movies, crushed, burned alive, frozen alive, too many contraptions that made death horrible. If I ever got out of here I was going to kill Max for making me watch them. Then my thoughts transferred to the team, Max knew something happened, but what he knew was still a mystery to me. I was hoping they were still trying to search for me, I was guessing that there was a lot of blood in my car. Maybe they thought I was dead and stopped caring. I mean Veroni-Sasha said she had killed seven others, SEVEN, what would stop her from killing me. Did they know it was Sasha who took me? Did they think it was a random kidnapping? Maybe they thought a puck bunny took me. I don't know I just was still holding out hope that someone was still searching for me. I lay down on the cold floor; I was weak from all the blood loss. I drifted off to a restless sleep. I didn't know how long I had been asleep but when I heard the door rattling I woke up. I guess this was the start.

Chapter 7—Money—Veronique

Playground school bell rings, again.

Rain clouds come to play, again.

Has no one told you she's (he's) not breathing?

Hello

I'm your mind

Giving you someone to talk to

Hello

 

If I smile and don't believe

Soon I know I'll wake from this dream

Don't try to fix me

I'm not broken

Hello

I'm the lie

Living for you so you can hide

Don't cry

 

Suddenly I know I'm not sleeping

Hello

I'm still here

All that's left of yesterday

 

I sat outside his house all day that day. I saw him fall into the ground I saw him walk in the house with that twit Max. I waited I knew he would leave eventually. So when he left that night at midnight I followed him. No one screws me out of money. I was riding his ass I knew about his paranoia it would get to him.

"Veronique can we get food I'm hungry?" Why do I find thugs that constantly need food?

"We will soon enough, there is something we need to do first. I told you stop calling me Veronique, it's Vanessa now."

"Yes, I'm sorry. So what's the plan?"

"I'm not sure; I'm making it up as I go." Marc finally turned off an exit, I followed.

"Are we getting food?"

"Not yet we'll get it after we get Marc."

"Fine, do you want him dead or alive?"

"Whichever way you can get him is fine by me"

We were swerving to try and catch up with him. He was a better driver than I gave him credit for, we finally dropped over a street then in about 5 minutes we cut him off and made him turn into an alley.

"Jason go get him."

"Alright" Jason grabbed the knife that was in the back seat and ran up to the car. He punched out the window; I could see that Marc was starting to fight. Jason had taken the knife and stabbed it deep into Marc's thigh. At that point Marc passed out so I got out of the van and walked over. There was a lot of blood.

"Put him in the van, tie him up and put a bag over his head."

"He's losing a lot of blood do you want me to stop it."

"No leave it go, we'll see what happens."

"I really think I should…"

"You think….YOUTHINK…now there is the true problem. Do what I said and that's it. Put him in the van and we will go grab food." As Jason carried Marc to the van I disabled the GPS chip in his car this would give us more get away time.

We stopped at McDonalds, Jason was finally happy. We were on our way into Canada. As we neared the border I told Jason to hide in the far back behind a hidden wall I had built and keep Marc back there with him. We got to the border, I handed the border guard my passport. I pulled out all the stops and had on a short skirt and low shirt.

"Good afternoon Vanessa, and where are we heading today?"

"Home to Sorel"

"Anyone else with you?"

"Nope, just going home to see my parents."

"So do you plan on heading back anytime soon?"

"Not really unless you have a reason for me to?"

"Well I should still be here by the time you come back. Have a nice visit with your parents" It was no more than 10 minutes till we passed the guard that Jason said that Marc had woke up and was squirming around.

"Hold on we should be to the warehouse in about 30 minutes can you keep him still for that long?" I was getting frustrated, could he do nothing right?

"He started bleeding again."

"Just leave him and come back up here."

Jason had come back up to the front, and I could see Marc rolling from side to side in the back. He was wining a little, probably in pain, good for him. We'll see how much pain I can put him through till he gives me all his money.

We finally pulled into the parking lot of the warehouse. Jason grabbed Marc from the back and dropped him on to the floor of the room, he wasn't breathing so well, we'll see how he is in the morning. I locked the door shutting Marc into the cold, dark and damp room.

Chapter 6—The Incriminating Truth—Max

Fly, fly little wing

Fly beyond imagining

The softest cloud, the whitest dove

Upon the wind of Heaven's love

Past the planets and the stars

Leave this lonely world of ours

Escape the sorrow and the pain

And fly again

 

Fly, fly precious one

Your endless journey has begun

Take your gentle happiness

Far too beautiful for this

Cross over to the other shore

There is peace forever more

But hold this memory bittersweet

Until we meet

 

Fly, fly do not fear

Don't waste a breath, don't shed a tear

Your heart is pure, your soul is free,

Be on your way, don't wait for me

Above the universe you'll climb

On beyond the hands of time

The moon will rise, the sun will set

But I won't forget

 

Fly, fly little wing

Fly where only angels sing

Fly away, the time is right

Go now, find the light

 

I pulled up to his car I could see blood on the ground. I looked in his car it was covered with blood. I threw up and as soon as I pulled myself together I heard the sirens coming to where I told the detective I found the car. This couldn't be good. Could someone loose that much blood and still be alive? I was still sick to my stomach so I walked towards my car and just sat down with my head between my knees, the world was spinning. What was I going to do? He was my best friend; I've known his family since I was little. Detective Ward was walking towards me, I doubted what he was going to say was going to be good. I braced myself.

"This looks like previous scenes. I'm not going to lie to you there is a good chance that Marc is already dead. But there is no body yet so jumping to conclusions would be a bad idea." Jumping to conclusions you just told me that basically my best friend is dead. I felt it again as I threw up near the detective's feet he placed a hand on my back. "I'm sorry." He walked away; as he did I decided I needed to go to the gym.

I was at the gym most people would not see this as the best place to be if your friend might be dead but I was about to kill someone myself. I walked over to the punching bag, I didn't even bother changing my clothes, I didn't care. I started to punch it, my fists started to hurt, I didn't care. I noticed that my hand were turning red, I didn't care! They started to bleed, I DIDN'T CARE!! As I placed one more hard punch into the bag I heard my hand crack, I had broken my hand. I stopped and decided to go and talk to the guys. I grabbed an ice pack on my way out of the gym and wrapped my hand. I was on my way to Mario's I had called the team including the coach to meet me there. I'm pretty sure by the way I was crying they could tell something was wrong.

I got to Mario's I rang the doorbell, Sid answered. "Hey man, what's going on the whole team is here? And what the hell did you do to your hand?"

"It doesn't matter I have to talk to the team NOW!" I didn't care what I looked or more than likely smelled like, my life had just basically been stopped this morning.

Mario stopped me before I could go into the kitchen to talk to the team. "What's going on?"

"I just" I started to cry "last night Marc…" I couldn't keep going.

"Come into my den; if you can't tell me, there is no way you're going to be able to tell the team." I reluctantly walked with him into his den. "Let me see your hand. It's broken you should really be at the E.R."

"I promise I will go after I talk to the team." I started to walk back towards the door, he grabbed my shoulder.

"Maybe it would be better if you tell me then I can tell the team."

"Marc might be dead."

"What? I was not expecting that. What happened?" Tears were starting to form into his eyes.

"You know that he and Veronique split up." He nodded. "Well last night he decided he was going to get out of the area for a few weeks, so he decided to take a trip to Alaska, and he was on his way to the airport and I had called him. But, he didn't answer that call. Then no more than 10 minutes later he called me all frantic that someone was following him. I convinced him to turn around and come home. He was in the process of doing that and then the last thing I heard him say was 'oh shit' and the phone went dead. So I called the cops and found out that Veronique was a con artist up in Canada and had taken 7 other guys for all their money and then killed them. So the cops tried to search for his car by using the GPS but she had disabled it. So I decided to get in my car and I drove to find his car and I found it. Andtherewassomuchbloodhecouldn'tbealiveHJUSTCOULDN'T!!" I burst out into a fit of tears I was bawling my eyes out. Mario looked like he was about to puke, cry and kill someone all at the same time.

"The team needs to know this." He led me over to his couch in his den. "Lay down I'll see if I can get the team doctor to make a house call no one is going to want to go anywhere."

I was lying down in the den. I heard Mario start to tell the team what happened. I then heard some sobbing and some screaming. This was a horrible situation, people died everyday from car accident's health problems, but something like this, no one could have ever seen it coming.

Chapter 5—What has happened—Max

My best friend gave me the best advice

He said each day's a gift and not a given right

Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind

And try to take the path less traveled by

That first step you take is the longest stride

 

If today was your last day

And tomorrow was too late

Could you say goodbye to yesterday?

Would you live each moment like your last?

Leave old pictures in the past

Donate every dime you have?

If today was your last day

 

This Chapter is from Max's perspective.

I called the cops, they had asked me where he was and all I knew was that he had turned off some exit before the airport.

"Is it ok if we use the GPS chip in his car to find it?" Why did the officer ask, wasn't it obvious, of course.

"Anything that will help find him." I responded it was a natural response, he was my best friend.

"Would there be any reason he would want to fake a kidnapping or death?" I was shocked at this.

"I don't believe so he had friends and family that love him. His girlfriend had been using him and they broke up two days ago but I don't think that would lead him to do anything stupid."

"Well we have to consider all possibilities. What was his girlfriend's name?"

"Veronique Cartier"

"Ah, I just want to keep that in mind." I was concerned when the look on his face had almost an 'oh shit' look to it.

"Is there anything I need to be worried about? I saw the look on your face when I said that name, that can't mean good things."

"Well, it's just, that name it sounds really familiar to me. I'll tell you what how about when I go back to the station I'll see if I can figure out why. Either way I'll call you good or bad."

"Thank you. Please keep me updated I'm just going to stay here until I hear more."

The police had left; I was pacing around the kitchen I didn't know what to think. I had fed his pets and I almost wanted to go look for myself. I was guessing that maybe at this point they had found his car, but I still hadn't heard from the cops. I couldn't take it anymore, so I got into my car and drove. I went towards the airport and just started taking exits and driving roads that I had never seen before. I started to cry, this was my best friend if anything had happened to him I wouldn't be able to forgive myself. I was supposed to stay sober; I knew he wasn't in any shape to be alone. I was such an idiot, and if he was faking this God help him. But, in my heart I knew he wasn't faking this that just wasn't him he cracked up telling a joke before he even got to the punch line. All of a sudden my phone started going off *Fuck the caps I won the cup motherfucker…Fuck the wings I won the cup motherfucker* "Hello"

"Hi Max this is Detective Ward from the Pittsburgh police, remember when I said I had seen that name before, Veronique Cartier. I had we had gotten a flyer in about a month ago from Québec police. Veronique Cartier, also known as Sasha Jones, Ingrid Person and Renée Pierce is a con artist and murderer. She has taken more than 7 men for their money and then killed them."

I was in shock; I knew she was a bitch but a murderer. This was just crazy. "Do you think she took him? Did you find his car? Did you find him?"

"Max I'm sorry we haven't found anything yet she's clever she knew how to remove the GPS chip from his car and disable it. But we are still working on finding it."

"I'm out driving around now if I find I will let you guys know as well."

"I would really advise against doing that I really don't want you stumbling on something that would upset you."

"He's my best friend, isn't it also true that the more time that passes by the harder it is to find them *gulp* alive"

"That is true but I still think it would be best to let my police work on it. But I really can't stop you from looking."

"All I'm doing is taking exit's near the airport because I knew he wasn't that far off from it." I started shaking I saw a car in an alley that was halfway out and stuck there as if someone had run someone off the road. "I think I may have found his car"

Chapter 4—Getting Away

I wish that I could fly

Into the sky

So very high

Just like a dragonfly

 

I'd fly above the trees

Over the seas in all degrees

To anywhere I please

 

Oh I want to get away

I wanna fly away

Yeah yeah yeah

Oh I want to get away

I wanna fly away

Yeah yeah yeah

 

"Hello Airtran I'm looking to get away tonight what do you have leaving within the next couple hours?" I wanted to get away before Max woke up. I knew that he would probably try and convince me not to go, but I had to.

"Well sir, we have a flight leaving at 2 AM for Alaska…"

Before she could even finish her sentence I answered. "I'll take it!" I continued to give her my credit card information. It was currently 11:30 I wanted to get packed in a half hour and leave by midnight. I just threw together a few of the things I needed and really wanted. Anything else I could buy when I got there. I sighed heavily Lilly was sitting on my bed looking at me; she knew I was leaving; I couldn't possibly take her with me. I wrote a note for Max, asking him to take care of Bouli and Lilly, and that I just needed time to clear my head. I finally had everything done; I set the note on the coffee table by the passed out Max. Lilly started barking I quieted her by giving her a chewie. She seemed satisfied so I went out to my car started it up and left.

I was on the way to the airport, my cell started ringing. Max, shit he woke up, I decided it would be better not to answer and I would just call him when I got to Alaska. I had been driving now for 10 minutes, there was a car following me every since I pulled out of my driveway. I started getting paranoid, I mean I was on a four lane highway and they were riding my ass. I decided to take a turn off the road, if I missed my plane I'd just get another one, it's not like I really wanted to go to Alaska anyway. So I get off the exit and they get off the exit. So I get a little more paranoid, but I figured maybe I was wrong. So I start taking side roads, back roads, making quick turns without turn signals they were STILL behind me. I at this point figured I had the right to be worried I was going between 60-80 miles per hour. I decided maybe I would call Max and tell him maybe he could talk me down. As I was calling him the car had disappeared.

I was relieved he answered. "What the hell were you thinking leaving, where the hell are you going? Why the hell didn't you just stay or better yet we could've both went?" He paused for a second.

"I know, I'm sorry but now is not the time. I was on my way to the airport and this car started following me and so I took an early exit and they kept following me and I took side roads and I went fast and made turns without turn signals and they were still following me." I took a breath after I said all of that.

"Where are they now did you call the cops?"

"No they disappeared. But I'm still worried." I was still looking around to see if they were waiting.

"Dude just turn around and come the hell home. I'll stay on the phone with you until you get here"

"Alright, maybe we can both go somewhere. Oh shit…"

"Hello…Hello…Marc are you there? What's going on? I'm calling the cops."

 

Chapter 3—And the TV said…

'Cause i'm leavin on a jet plane

Don't know if i'll be back again

 

 

I was kind of intrigued that Max wouldn't unglue his eyes from the TV. So I decided heck I'll see what they are talking about.

"…in other news today Alex Ovechkin will be heading back to Russia to play in the Russian Superleague. He hasn't released an official reason, but sources say that the NHL may have banned him for his dirty play."

"Look at that Flower, things are already looking better. You know you hate him as much as I do." I thought about it for a second, maybe things were looking up for me.

"Maybe today won't be as bad as I thought it was gonna be, and who knows maybe life in Russia will be horrible for Ovechkin. At least Geno and Sid won't have to deal with him anymore."

"Now all we need to do is put Brodeur in the zoo and all life will be good."

"Man that's so harsh." I moved my hand and I winced at the movement.

"What the hell did you do?" He motioned towards the fresh hole in the wall and I nodded. "That sucks. Do you think it is broke?"

"I don't think so; I can still move it and all. Let's just go I want some food. Maybe, some alcohol there and then after I feel like making today a waste of life."

"Glad I volunteered to drive. Thanks!"

"Hey, how many times have I driven your drunken ass around? Anyway after lunch we can grab some stuff from the Wine & Spirits store and come back here and both get drunk." I thought for a second tapping my chin. "A bonfire sounds really good tonight don't you think so?"

"We'll see. We'll see, let's just go."

We got in his car and took off towards the Olive Garden in Green Tree. When we got there who was there but Sid, Geno, Gronk, Gods, Billy G and Rupp. I looked at Max and he pushed me towards the table.

"Hey man heard what happened last night I'm sorry." Sid was the first one to speak. He's a good guy but I was not in the mood to talk. So I nodded politely to him as to thank him for his concern, all I wanted at this moment was a nice trip away from reality and having all these guys around me was the farthest thing from that.

The waitress was at our table. "I'll have a double vodka and a water…no make that a double vodka and a glass of wine….house cabernet sounds good"

"No problem and for the rest of yinz?" She asked politely I was pretty sure at this point she thought I was an alcoholic but I really didn't care. All the other guys ordered. Geno joined me with a shot of vodka; the rest of them got water. They were all staring at me, I'm pretty sure they were worried I'm surprised I didn't get any comments about my hand yet. I knew it was only a matter of time though I wanted out of here, but since that wasn't going to happen I was going to try my damndest to forget it. We ate lunch together; I was going between the vodka and wine, I think in total I had 3 doubles of vodka and 4 no 5 glasses of wine. Needless to say I was feeling pretty damn good. I walked out running into the door and apologizing to it, I think.

Max and I got to the hardware store I was sitting in the passenger side singing 'I'm a little teapot'. Max went in for me he suggested it'd be better if I stayed in the car. He came back I had switched his radio to KISS and was now singing Lady Gaga at the top of my lungs.

"Hey man are you sure you still want to stop at the Wine & Spirits?" He asked hesitantly I could tell he was worried about me.

"Don't you wanna get drunk tonight too?" I was slurring each word together as I spoke them.

"I'm thinking maybe I need to watch over you." This statement threw me off guard. Was I really that bad?

"I'm fine. Aren't you my best friend, why don't you want to get drunk with me?"

"I would but not through emotional drinking it's not healthy for you. Why don't we go back to your place and just chill and watch some TV." I did still have a fully stocked wine cabinet so I figured I would 'sober up' and get him to drink with me eventually.

As we were on the way back to my house I had a lot to think about. I was slowly starting to get over her, and that felt good, but there was something else bothering me. We finally got back to my house. I was working on 'sobering up' the entire trip back. I got out of the car and the ground came up really fast. Max was then pulling me up off the ground. Good job I did at sobering up huh? We went in, Max set me on the couch, Lilly immediately started to lick my hand and face which was now scraped up. Max brought in an ice pack and put it on my face.

"Hey man I'm sorry you know I'm not normally like this. I don't know what got into me." I said to max then placed the ice pack on my face, it felt good.

"Hey you've been there for me. I can't say I blame you either" At this my response was a grunt. "Alright why don't you take a nap? I'm gonna grab a beer and fix this hole in your wall."

"Help yourself. Don't let me sleep too long I still want to have that bonfire." Then the next sight was the back of my eyelids. I woke up and it was 8 at night, I went to the back door and Max was making a bonfire circle. I looked at the recycle bin there had to be at least 8 beer bottles in there and at least another 3 in my yard empty. At this point I was pretty sober, with a massive headache to go with it. I was thinking that max was probably a little toasted. I walked out into the yard as I was walking out the door Lilly rushed through my feet and beat me out. Bouli was just sitting on the window seal probably thinking 'You were the one who got a dog' I could see it in her eyes.

"HEY I started on the bonfire!!!!! Now what are you planning on burning?" He was toasted. Very toasted, and he had another fresh 6-pack sitting at his side ready to be drank.

"All her clothes and pictures." I walked in heading straight upstairs. I went to the balcony that overlooked the yard and just started heaving stuff outside. Max started to put it in the fire pit and throwing lighter fluid on it. When it was all finally down there I came down and he handed me a match. I lit it and threw it on all her shit. This made me just want to cry more, I held it back. When the fire finally died down Max and I both headed in the house. He was well toasted at this point and he passed out on the couch.

I walked upstairs, today had been extremely draining. I needed something else, something new, it was July I had time before the regular season started back up.

"Hello Airtran…."

 

Chapter 2—The day after

I Want You To Need Me--Celine Dion

I want to be the face you see when you close your eyes
I want to be the touch you need every single night
I want to be your fantasy
And be your reality
And everything between

I want you to need me
Like the air you breathe
I want you to feel me
In everything
I want you to see me
In your every dream
The way that I taste you, feel you, breathe you, need you
I want you to need me
Like I need you

I want to be the eyes that look deep into your soul
I want to be the world to you
I just want it all
I want to be your deepest kiss
The answer to your every wish
And all you ever need

I want you to need me
Like the air you breathe
I want you to feel me
In everything
I want you to see me
In your every dream
The way that I taste you, feel you, breathe you, need you
I want you to need me
(Need me)
'Cause I need you

More than you could know
And I need you
To never never let me go
And I need, to be deep inside your heart
I just want to be everywhere you are

I want to be the face you see when you close your eyes
(Baby, huh)
I want to be the touch you need every single night
I want to be your fantasy
And be your reality
And everything between

I want you to need me
Like the air you breathe
I want you to feel me
In everything
I want you to see me
In your every dream
'Cause baby I taste you, feel you, breathe you, need you

I want you to need me
(Yea)
Like the air you breathe
I want you to feel me
In your everything
I want you to see me
In your every dream
'Cause baby I taste you, feel you, breathe you, need you

I want you to need me
(Need me)
Like I need you
(Need me)
Like I need you
(Need me)
Like I need you
________________________________________________
I woke up the next morning, or at least I thought it was morning it was light out, with a smashing headache and a sore hand. I went to go and get some food. Cereal looked good this morning and thanks to Talbot giving me a never ending supply of City of Champions I never am out of it. As I poured myself a bowl my cat jumped up on the counter and was purring and looking at me, she knew that I was sad.

“Hey precious Daddy doesn’t want to play right now,” as I said this the dog started tugging at my leg. “Lilly I really don’t feel like playing right now.” I plopped down in the chair and started to eat my cereal the cat and dog joined. “I guess I should feed you two huh?” I got them food and water then they left me alone. Finally, a moment to think, that’s when all the thoughts of last night came rushing back and I just started to cry again. Well there went my appetite, as I was pouring the cereal and milk down the garbage disposal my phone rang.

“Hello?”

“Hey man it’s Max, what’s wrong?”

“You were right about Veronique. She only wanted money.” I could feel the tears building up again.

“Hey do you want me to come over have a few glasses of wine? Hang by the pool?” What time was it I wondered because looking at a clock when I first got up would’ve made too much sense. Noon, already, wow I must’ve been well passed out last night.

“Sure sounds like a good plan. Can you pick up some drywall on your way over?”

“Really? Maybe you want something stronger than wine?” That could be good.

“Can you grab some Vodka? And maybe some food too, or how about you pick me up and we’ll go get some food I could really use the company.” Maybe my appetite would come back by the time he got here.

“What about the mass amount of cereal I gave you?”

“Not really feeling it. I really want something fatty.”

“Ok, as long you don’t become Fatty Mcfatty like Brodeur”

“Hey what did he ever do to you man?”

“He was an asshole to you. But none the less I’m heading over. Olive Garden sound good?”

“Sounds like a plan.”

I went upstairs to take a shower; apparently I had yet to notice the blood that was on my hand. Thankfully it wasn’t broken, Bylsma would not be happy with that. As I was in the shower the hot water helped me to relax. I stood there thinking of all the ways to forget her, trying to think of everything she had done wrong. How could I not have noticed before, I’m such a fool, I slammed both fists against the shower wall. That was a stupid move, now my hand that I punched the wall with was throbbing even more than before, and now the other one hurt. As I was letting the water run down I heard Lilly start barking her head off, was Max already here? I looked at my watch I had been in the shower for a half hour. I finished washing the conditioner out of my hair, grabbed a towel and stepped out of the shower.

“Hey I let myself in with the key you keep under the gnome!” Why did I let him know about that?

“Ok just got out of the shower I’ll be ready in ten feel free to watch some TV.”

I went to go get dressed, I grabbed a tee shirt, I didn’t want anything hitting my hand. I also grabbed a pair of shorts, flip-flops would suffice for today. Not that I would ever have to worry about bad fashion around Max. I love him but he is probably now wearing rainbow brite plaid or horizontal stripes in the same colors.

I came down stairs and to my surprise Max had a fairly conservative outfit on grey and white plaid with jeans. “Hey man you ready to go grab some food?” He was glued to the TV like nothing else I didn’t know what was going on. “Hey come on let’s get some food!”

Chapter 1--Current Thoughts

La Dodo La Do--Celine Dion


La do do la do
Deux doigts sur un piano
Ce vieux piano a bon dos
Me suivre dans mes reves
Ce n'est pas de tout repos

Sur les touches noires
Je mets mon desespoir
Ou bien je gare
Mes problemes

C'est sur les touches blanches
Que je range
Mes (Je t'aime)


Alors ce piano-la
Ne sait plus ou il va
Il pleure ou bien il rit
Ou les deux a la fois
Il fait des tremolos
Il est juste il est faux

Il melange tout
Le pire et le meilleur
Il colle bout a bout
Mineur et puis majeur
Il cogne un peu trop fort
Et se trompe d'accord

La do do la do
Je joue pianissimo
En revant d'un inconnu
Qui pour la vie entiere
Me fera faire
Un pas de plus


Je n'ai que deux mains
Mais l'air que j'aime bien
Ne se joue qu'a quatre mains
Mais pourvu qu'il existe
Le pianiste
Que j'attends

Sinon ce piano-la
Ne sait plus ou il va
Il pleure ou bien il rit
Ou les deux a la fois
Il fait des tremolos
Il est juste il est faux

En attendant qu'il vienne
Cet air que je compose
Ne risque pas de faire
Trembler (La vie en rose)
Et pourtant je suis fiere
D'avoir fait sur son nom
Cette drole de chanson

Drole de chanson
Cette drole de chanson



Sad but true the better I get the more I blame myself for every stupid loss. But, there is something else bothering me. Lately Veronique seems to want finer things and money seems to be a huge thing to her. The team has seen it for awhile especially Max. I guess it's time to see for myself.

"Hey sweetie, I'm home" I walked in exhausted from practice.

"How was practice?" She replied from upstairs. Maybe the team could be wrong how someone who I loved so much could not love me.

"Long, I'm exhausted, the team decided to throw some goalie bowling into practice." I thought about Max jumping me at practice he was always the one to try and make me smile. I plopped down on the couch and turned on FSN.

I heard her come downstairs. I could tell she was wearing heels I could hear the clicking on the wooden stairs. She walked up behind me placing her hands on my shoulders. Nice! A shoulder rub I could really use that.

"Baby, I really want to go out tonight." Why she had to go out every night is beyond me. Maybe the team was right, I guess it is time for me to see if she really wants me only for my money.

"I really feel like a night at home relaxing and watching T.V."

"Come on there is nothing to eat here, and you know a steak always sounds good to you."

"I really want to start watching my money. The team was talking today about possible salary cuts because of the new arena."

"So are you going to look for a new team? I'm sure you can find one that will pay you just as much"

“I enjoy Pittsburgh too much to leave." I truly felt bad lying like this but I needed to know if it was me or my money she loved.
"But your cars and house and lifestyle."

"I can get by, I got by before."

"But what if I don't want to stay in Pittsburgh?" This was making me suspicious I didn't like the way this conversation was going.

"You've never complained before."

"Well you've always made so much..." She paused; I knew exactly what she was going to say.

"MONEY!!!!" I was reeling I could feel the burning in my eyes as tears started for form. "Is that all I'm good for!!! REALLY?!?! GET OUT!!! GET THE HELL OUT OF MY HOUSE!!!"

"That's not what I meant."

"SURE! I was the ONLY fool not to see it. I loved you! I did EVERYTHING for you! GET OUT!!!" She slammed the door and took off in the Miata I bought for her. I didn't care; I turned and punched a nice hole in the wall. I felt every emoting sweep over me like a tidal wave. I curled up on the floor and cried all night.