Chapter 28 Frustration

Wes' POV

I couldn't believe it.. I held Jamie in my arms. I needed to calm myself down so I could work on soothing my sweet Jamie. *At the moment I'm a mess.* She'd been shivering since she flew into my arms at the boutique's parking lot. Then again, if I had been in her position, I don't think I'd be any better. To tell the truth, *I'm not!* And I wasn't even the one to find it!

I brought her back to my dorm. No way I was gonna let her go back to her own dorm after what happened. I really didn't want her to have to deal with Gwen right now. The last thing my princess needs right now is to have Gwen go all... Gwen on her for no reason! She needs somewhere safe to recover from whatever the hell is going on at her work. I'd already been frustrated before this enigma. *Now I'm going crazy,* but I can't let her know how I'm feeling.

*What kinda psycho uses mannequin's to deliver a message?* I've always found them kinda creepy anyway. They are like those life-like dolls and their eyes just follow you everywhere..*. yeah, creepy!*

But the picture freaked me out even more! I know Ashlyn. I've seen her around in a few of my classes and I have heard she's been sick the last couple a days, *but what the hell was this supposed to mean?* I didn't have the heart to ask her about it as we were standing outside the shop. I knew I'd have to get her to talk at some point, but for the moment I just let her be.

Now I'm laying in my bed with her in my arms. She's finally stopped shaking and her breathing is somewhat normal. I've been rubbing her back as we cuddled, trying to bring my girl some comfort. Her warmth is a salve to my frayed nerves. *I'm scared! Is someone threatening her?* Or is this directed at the store? I don't know...

I sigh and pull back looking down at her face. She hadn't said a word the whole time, *which scared me*. Her eyes were red rimmed from her tears. I know she's scared, and I can't blame her. *Hell! I'm scared for her...* Maybe she can quit and get a new job? I'm sure there's a burger joint somewhere around here that could always use an extra pair of hands... *Maybe she could work at that Cajun place we went to in the dining hall*? Anything would be better than working at Sunny Days!

"Wanna talk about it?" I whisper.

I mostly want to know what is going on in her head. It can't be healthy for her to shut down like this. She needs to let it all out or she will be stuck in her head until she blows, which is most definitely not the healthy way to do it.

"T-the m-mann-equin... it was dressed j-just like A-ashlyn was y-yesterday..." she stutters over her whispered words. "Th-there wasss bl-blood..." she chokes on the last word. "T-the riddle... *Judy said the answer was blood*... Why would someone ask a riddle about *blood?*" she sobs as she nuzzles into my chest seeking comfort.

"I don't know, princess. I don't really understand any of it... But then I'm not a crazy person who plays dress up with big dolls," I grumble thinking about the whole mess. This has got to be the most inefficient way to creep someone out! Couldn't they leave a note on the bathroom mirror like any other crazy person? I almost laugh as I picture the Riddler from Batman placing the thing in the middle of the damn boutique. *Yeah, bad timing, but I guess my mind is trying to calm me down by using humor.*

I'd read the riddle on the picture she'd shown me. Obviously the cops had kept me out of the shop and I didn't get to go in to see it with my own eyes. If I had, I would've gone in and grabbed Jamie... I wonder if they are done with their investigation... And what they learned. Would they ever tell us what they found out? Hopefully they catch the bastard and give Jamie some closure.

Honestly, I don't really wanna know. *I just wanna keep Jamie safe.* There is only one way I can think to do that at the moment.

"Maybe you should skip work tomorrow?" I suggest. *I'm not joking.* I really think she needs to skip and *then quit.* Why go back when there was a crazy person leaving creepy messages? *It can't be good on anyone's mental health!* They should close the shop down!

I'd heard rumors about workers going missing from that shop, but I thought it was all BS. And *NEVER* had I heard anything about a mannequin holding a freaking sign covered in blood! Maybe there is an unsatisfied customer out there taking revenge on the stupid store? Why hasn't anyone investigated this before?

"I can't! *I can't leave Dee and Judy all alone!* And what about *Ashlyn?* Dee has been trying to get a hold of her and she can't! What if she is missing and the person who put the mannequin in the break room is sending a message that they took her?" Jamie's voice is almost hysterical by the end of her rant.

Cold fear shoots through me at that. Ashlyn may *very well* be who the psycho was talking about, but if they were talking about *her* blood, then I have a feeling she won't be going back to school any time soon. But at least they aren't focused on Jamie! *I'd go on a rampage if anyone came after my princess.*

I kiss her on her forehead. "Shh, sweetheart. Calm down. *Okay, so you won't skip work tomorrow... But what if I stay with you?"* I suggest.

"You can't, Wes. You have homework you need to do," she reminds me.

*Damn, she's right.* I actually have *a lot* of homework to catch up on *and it's only Tuesday.* I only manage to do it while she's at work because the rest of the time I'm spending with her. *I probably should manage my time better...*

I sigh in defeat. "Okay, Jamie. But if anything happens..." I pull her in my arms and she rests her head on my chest.

*It feels so natural to hold her like this. I would love this to be an everyday thing. I want to spend forever holding her in my arms while we fall asleep. It lulls me into peaceful bliss.*

"I'll make sure to call you," she promises with a sleepy voice.

I chuckle and kiss her hair. "Go to sleep, beautiful." I whisper.