Martinsburg, West Virginia

Martinsburg Police Station

Saturday, August 10, 1996

6:34 PM

“Sorry to keep you waiting.” A young-looking man brushed past her quickly and placed a briefcase on the table. “If I didn’t have to drop my son off at the house, I would’ve been here sooner.”

Her eyes were fixated on the man’s hair. It was neatly pulled back into a slim ponytail, but what truly caught her attention was the coloration. Never before had she seen someone with hair the color of fresh grass.

“It’s really great to finally get to meet you,” the man said with a smile, “but I wish the circumstances would’ve been different.”

“Yeah,” she said with hesitation.

“I’m Nichola Caspian,” he said as he reached out his hand for her. When she didn’t move to respond, he dropped his hand back to the tabletop. “I‘m really regretful about having to do this at this time, but there’s something we need to discuss.”

Jennie nodded. But she was still engrossed on his hair.

“Jennifer?” he questioned when he caught a glimpse of her stare.

“Sorry,” she apologized as she looked downward shyly. “Mr. Caspian, right?”

“Just call me Nick,” he said.

Another nod from her. “Sorry,” she repeated, “for staring.”

Nick grinned uneasily. “It’s okay. I‘m kind of used to it by now.”

Peering upward at him, she saw his embarrassed smile. She wanted to question him about his hair, but couldn’t find the words.

“It’s natural,” he said as her eyes widened at his words. “I don’t dye it. It grows green.”

“Really?” she questioned.

“Although you’ve overlooked my eyes,” Nick said, pointing up to his right eye. It was an amber color. “Same issue.”

“It’s kind of like a pigment disorder,” he remarked. “All my kids have it. Actually there’s quite a few people with the same problem, but most are ignored.”

“Oh,” she whispered.

“Let’s get back on track,” he replied as he opened his briefcase. Pulling out some paperwork, he sat it down in front of her. “That is your parents’ will.”

Jennie only blinked at it. “Do I have to read it?”

“No,” Nick chuckled. “It just tells of what will happen to you in the event of their deaths.”

“And?” she asked, glancing up at him.

“I’ve known your parents for quite some time,” he said casually. “They supported me through college and all my exams. Helped me with my wife and children. I promised them a while back that I would return the favor.”

Something inside her snapped. “How old are you?”

Sheer alarm crossed the lawyer’s face as he gazed down at her. “Thirty-four.”

“Thirty-four?” she choked out. “But you don’t look any older than eighteen.”

“Yeah,” he said nervously.

“So,” she said in a soft voice, glancing down at her lap, “what does the will say?”

“I’m your legal guardian now,” he answered quickly. “So you’ll be staying with me and my family.”

Abruptly standing up, Jennie was quiet. Her arms hung by her sides. “Then can we go?”

“Yeah,” he said as he began to gather his belongings promptly. “I’ll have to tell Morey that we’re leaving. I’m sure he’ll take care of everything here.”

“You know that cop?” she asked as Nick stepped past her.

“Of course,” he said, throwing back a bright smile, “we grew up together.”

Keeping in step with the man, Jennie watched the back of his feet. He had stylish, long strides that made her have to walk faster to maintain distance. Compared to him she was rather short and her legs couldn’t match his pace.

“I’m going to take her home,” he said as he passed a desk where Jennie found Morey sitting at.

“I’ll call you later then,” Morey called after Nick. He turned his attention to Jennie as she slowed upon nearing him. “You take care of yourself. And if you have any problems, let me know.”

Jennie simply stopped and stared at the officer. He gazed back with a solemn expression. It dawned on her that his dark hair was a blue shade. Why hadn’t I noticed it before?

“Are you alright?” Morey questioned as Jennie woke from her thoughts.

“Yeah,” she choked out, forcing a smile.

Morey cracked a smile in return. “Go get some rest.”

She nodded and turned to follow after the green-haired man.

Outside Jennie found herself heading toward an expensive looking luxury car. She paused while just staring at the vehicle then at Nick who was fumbling around in his pockets of his slacks. He had dropped his briefcase to the ground in his search.

“Need some help?” she asked abruptly.

“No, no, just trying to find my keys,” he said with a weak smile, “I seem to have misplaced them.”

A look of concern befell her. He’s going to be my guardian?

“Found them!” he exclaimed, holding up a set of keys.

“Yay,” she mumbled, walking toward the passenger side of the car.

“Alright,” he stated, “hop in.”

Jennie slid into the seat and quickly grabbed for her seat belt. Out of the corner of her eyes she could see Nick doing the same.

“So, Mr. Caspian,” she said, “where exactly do you live?”

“Remember,” he stated, looking over toward her with an affable grin, “just call me Nick.”

“Yeah, sorry,” she mumbled, “so, Nick, where do you live?”

“Hedgesville,” he answered, “I own about two acres there. Gives you room to breath.”

“Sounds nice,” she replied.

“Well,” Nick responded, “how about you tell me a little about yourself?”

“There’s not much to tell,” Jennie whispered.

“You must have some hobbies,” he inquired.

“I have a few,” she quietly stated, “Reading and drawing. I do a little writing, too. Nothing really great.”

“In your room I have a desk for you,” Nick said, “with a computer. So you should be able to draw and write on it.”

“That’s nice,” she said casually.

Out of the corner of her eyes she could see Nick was gazing at her. They hadn’t even moved out of the parking lot yet.

“Are we going to go?” she questioned.

“Sorry,” Nick muttered, “I was just trying to get to know you.”

“I know,” she replied, “but right now I just want to sit here. And think”

As the car’s engine was turned on Jennie closed her eyes. Just want to try to remember what happened. Gotta try.

“Jennifer, I know today has been pretty bad,” he stated flatly, “but maybe you could open up a little. I’ll be watching over you from now on and it would be nice to be able to talk to each other.”

“Later,” Jennie whispered, “Besides why get close to me? Everyone who has so far has ended up dead. You might be next.”

“I doubt that,” Nick replied.

His words sent a chill down her body as the hairs on her arms rose. She glanced at him only to see his attention on the road.

“I guess it‘s pretty obvious that I won‘t be going to Musselman High anymore, huh?” she questioned, trying to be friendly.

“Nope,” he answered.

“Hedgesville then?” she questioned.

“Nope,” he said with a small smile, “you’ll be going to a private school with my youngest son.”

“Youngest,” she whispered, “how many kids do you have?”

“Three,” he stated as he glanced over to her.

“What are they like?” Jennie inquired.

“My oldest is twenty.”

“What?” she snapped as her head whipped around to look at him with wide eyes. “That would’ve made you…fourteen…when you had him.”

“He’s adopted,” Nick remarked with a chuckle, “He and his sister are my older brother’s children. I had to raise them when my brother disappeared.”

“Oh,” she whispered. Disappeared?

“You’re something else,” he whispered, “figuring something like that so…quickly.”

“I want to be a writer,” she announced, “so I take in all the details. How old were you when you had to take your niece and nephew in?”

“Seventeen,” he answered, “and the two just call me ‘Dad’. To make it easier on my youngest, I think.”

“Anyway,” Nick said, “my oldest owns a bookstore downtown. Actually a few blocks away from the police station. Then the second oldest is eighteen and happens to go to college and take care of everything around the house when I’m busy.”

“I see,” she whispered, “so what are they like? Your children…?”

“Personality-wise?”

“Yeah,” she said with a nod.

A feeble laugh came from Nick as he kept his eyes on the road. “They’re all nice kids. I hope you’ll be able to get along with them.”

He’s dodging the question. Did I offend him somehow?

“Oh,” he abruptly exclaimed, startling Jennie who swiftly sat upright and looked around to see if something was happening. “I almost forgot.”

“Huh?” she questioned with wide eyes.

“It’s your birthday,” he stated, “Maybe I should stop off at a store and pick you up a cake.”

“Don’t,” she whispered. Really not in the mood for that. Not after what happened today. I doubt I’ll want to celebrate it ever again.

“Okay,” he said in a soft tone while his eyes dimmed, “I suppose you just need some rest when you get to the house.”

“That sounds good,” she said with a nod as she leaned her head back. The movement of the vehicle slowly drowned out her thoughts while she was lulled into a drained sleep.