*

Something, or someone, is in your way. Whether you are a stalker about to claim your latest victim, or a lover desperately searching for your partner, or a cop on the hunt for the biggest criminal—the goal is always the same:

"I will always find you."

*

by

Young men and women crowded around the Sky Hotel lobby half-dressed with a mixture of bored and annoyed expressions on their faces. They'd come here for spring break, but the staff kept them from their planned festivities. Instead, they were forced to wait for overbooked room assignments.

The manager huddled over a computer with a female coworker desperately scanning for more rooms. Kate approached the counter to give them welcome news.

"I'm checking out, room 1015," she placed the two plastic key cards on the counter.

The manager turned his laser-whitened smile in her direction. Then unhurried, pulled up her reservation on the machine in front of him.

"Ah, here it is, Ms. Campbell. It looks like you're all set. Can I interest you in becoming a club member? You'll receive discounts on all your future stays."

"No, thank you."

Kate smiled at the man. No, she wouldn't be returning. She'd used an old account under her maiden name to pay for everything. She looked down when she felt a tug on the hem of her shirt.

"Mommy, where are we going?"

"I already told you, remember? We're taking another plane ride today."

"I don't want to fly again!"

Her son crossed his arms over his body his bottom lip poking out. The threat of making a scene clear if she tried to force him to move. She stroked his light brown hair so much like his father's.

"How about we pick up some ice cream before we go?"

He dropped his arms and grabbed her hand bouncing up and down.

The A1A had filled with cars before breakfast. By lunch, teenagers listening to loud music blended together with the sounds of giddy laughter and boisterous conversations. Kate turned up her own radio. Her son asleep in the back seat with drops of chocolate ice cream on his face and shirt didn't stir.

There was breaking news and the radio station paused its jubilant spring break set in favor of an update in the Jeffries vs. State case.

NEWS REPORTER:

"Estranged husband and father, John Jeffries arrives in court today to hear the jury's verdict in this most bizarre case. He'll be charged in the disappearance of his four-year-old son, John Jeffries Jr. despite the lack of a body. Over the last few months, we've heard shocking testimony regarding this case including some scathing and horrifying first-hand accounts from his wife, Kate Jeffries. Her chilling testimony earlier this month describes her husband as abusive, absent, and adulterous. At one point, the judge had to call a recess. One jury member began to cry openly during the questioning of Kate Jeffries, who described in detail the torture she endured at the hands of her husband."

Kate continued to listen with half an ear at the recap of the proceedings as she made her way to the airport. The two leather brown bags on the seat beside her held the total of their belongings. Her two dresses, swimsuit, and sandals would be enough for their new home. She smiled in the rearview at her son sleeping sound in the backseat. He was going to love living near the beach.

One more flight and they'd be beyond her husband's reach. There was only one thing left to do. In order for her plan to succeed she'd needed several things in place, most of which her husband had unwittingly provided.

Kate had learned about his second account, his second mistress, and his second car. Things he'd hidden away for himself to forego his responsibilities as a father and husband. In the meantime, beating her senseless when she asked questions.

She'd collected all the information she needed planning her escape.

Kate got out the phone she'd purchased at the Walmart and sent the last message. Then she wiped her prints off of it and tossed the phone and battery in two different garbage bins at the airport. Their flight left in less than three hours. The news of her disappearance would break and her face would soon be everywhere.

Kate slung one bag over her shoulder and carried the other in her hand. Still sleepy, John Jr. was forced to stumble along beside her until they were through security.

They had seats A and B in row fourteen just behind the wing. She placed her small blue travel pillow as a cushion on the armrest. John Jr. had already positioned himself on it by the time she placed the matching blanket over him.

Kate pulled out the second burner phone and made her last and final call before they closed the doors to the aircraft. The phone rang three times before the digital operator spoke,

"Please leave your message after the tone."

As soon as she'd left the message, she removed the battery from the phone. Then slipped it into the pocket of her bag. She'd dispose of it in the bathroom when they were airborne. The flight attendants hurried through the cabin anxious to be off. Their announcements filled the cabin.

"We ask that you please fasten your seatbelts at this time and secure all baggage underneath your seat or in the overhead compartments. We also ask that your seats and table trays are in the upright position for take-off. Please turn off all personal electronic devices, including laptops and cell phones."

Kate put her head back on the seat and smiled.

The next day, while her son played on the beach in front of their new home, she searched the screen for the international news channel for an update on her husband's trial.

NEWS REPORTER:

"Investigators have found more shocking new evidence in the case of John Jeffries vs. State. When his wife failed to show up for court and a mysterious message sent to her lawyer. Authorities suspect foul play.

John Jeffries sentencing will be delayed while the jury considers this new evidence. If found guilty in his wife's disappearance, John Jeffries faces up to two counts of homicide each carrying a full life sentence. However, until the victims' bodies are found prosecutors have more work to do in this case. The question on everyone's mind tonight is what happened to Kate and John Jeffries Jr?"

Kate turned off the news and examined her neck in the mirror. The last of the bruises from where he'd tried to choke her had finally faded. She no longer needed her clothes to hide them. She only hoped her son's tortured memories of his father would fade as fast.

She put on her floppy beach hat and stepped out into the sun. Kate's new neighbors waved her over to the welcome picnic they'd set up in their honor. She plastered on a huge smile content in the fact they'd never learn about her past.

Kate recalled the times she'd had to lie to friends and family while they stared at her with pity. She'd heard the whispered gossip but chose to ignore it.

Those days were over. She and John Jr. were free of her husband's tyranny at last. Everything had gone according to plan. He'd never harm either of them again.

That evening while tucking in her son for bed, she pulled out one of his favorite books. He couldn't part with the story of the purple dinosaur no matter how many times she'd read it to him. She cracked open the book to the first page and a sealed envelope slipped out and onto the floor.

"What's this?"

She picked up the envelope holding it up to him.

"I don't know."

He shrugged, more concerned with the reading of his story than the envelope. She put it on his side table to read later.

John Jr. insisted on hearing his favorite story twice that night with a bathroom break in between. By the time she was finished her back was sore on top of another full day of travel, she was ready for bed.

The next morning, Kate woke from restful sleep to the eerie sound of silence. John Jr. was an early riser. By now, he was usually watching the screen.

She called out his name, her throat aching from a night of disuse. When he didn't answer, she slipped into her robe and went in search of him.

He was probably exhausted. When she reached his rumpled bed though he wasn't in it. She placed a hand on the cool sheets. He hadn't been in it for some time.

She stepped outside calling his name over the crashing of the waves. She'd warned him about going down to the beach alone. His beach toys were still on the deck beside the screen door where she'd left them to dry.

Kate called his name again, the tingle under her arms and on the back of her neck increasing when he didn't answer.

John Jr. was gone.

Ears buzzing with panic, she searched his room again. His shoes and clothes were where she'd left them. Kate lifted the purple dinosaur book from the side table.

Then she saw it.

The envelope from last night. Hands trembling she tore it open. There was one line:

I WILL ALWAYS FIND YOU.

It was impossible. She heard footsteps behind her, but it was too late.

Her final scream of terror was drowned out by the broadcast playing in the other room.

NEWS REPORTER:

"In a shocking twist, investigators discovered evidence of Kate Jeffries and John Jr. alive. John Jeffries was released yesterday, all charges in the case dropped while authorities are still searching for his missing wife and child..."