“Because you haven’t dated since you and Jesse broke up, and that was ages ago. Because we haven’t seen you at all since then, and Jesse said you haven’t really been going out or being social. We are social creatures, Alex, even you. You should get out more. I’m offering to accompany you on a date,” Linda replied, her smirk turning to a warm smile as she took Alex’s hand in hers. “I meant what I said. I like you. I’ve always thought you were funny, attractive, but...not available.”
Alex found herself without any witty comebacks, and simply squeezed Linda’s hand. “Linda, you are being too kind to me. I would love to go on a date with you.”
Linda’s warm smile turned to a full on grin. “You would? You would! Excellent!”
Alex laughed softly as the bridesmaid squealed with delight. Underneath the joy Linda exuded, there was a hint of jealousy. Alex turned in time to see Danika approach and place wedding cake in front of both her and Linda. She looked flatly at Linda. “Thanks for helping with the cake.”
Rolling her eyes, Linda replied, “Relax, Danika. There are a ton of people helping to hand out wedding cake. The only one who misses my presence over there is you, and that’s because you want to try and hit on the groomsman again. I’m busy.”
Danika rolled her eyes and walked off, causing both Linda and Alex to laugh. “I don’t think she likes me very much, “ Alex admitted,
“No, but then she doesn’t like most people. Jesse, Penny, and I are stuck with her because we’ve known each other so damned long. We just call her on her crap. It’s effective. You should try it sometime,” Linda replied.
By the time the two finished their cake, it was time to see the groom and bride off. Linda and Alex walked outside to fall in line with everyone else. As she looked around, Alex realized the zoo was a busy place. She knew there were more events going on, but the parking lot near the Tea Room was full. There were a lot of people heading to other venues, and she started to pick up on some of the wayward thoughts from strangers who had nothing to do with Jim and Jesse’s wedding. Most people seemed full of joy, but there was an undercurrent that tugged at Alex’s nerves.
Looking around, the telepath tried to pinpoint what she was picking up on. The smile she’d worn since Linda first kissed her now waned, and she felt her pulse quicken. Something was not right. She scanned the crowds more frantically, looking beyond where the limo for Jesse and Jim was parked.
Anger. Hate. Confusion.
“What’s wrong?” Linda asked, her brows furrowed in concern.
Alex shook her head slowly, but released Linda’s hand as she turned around, still scanning the area. “I don’t know. It might be nothing, but...something doesn’t feel right.”
“Feel right? What do you mean?”
Death walks here.
The thought came in clear now, and chilled Alex to her core. She heard cheers off to her left, and it registered that Jesse and Jim had walked out of the Tea Room. Everything seemed to slow down for the telepath. Someone was not happy, and that someone was close.
The joy coming from those cheering for Jim and Jesse interfered with Alex as she tried to spot where the more troubled thoughts were coming from. “Alex, what’s wrong? You’re starting to worry me,” Linda asked.
Pausing for a moment, Alex looked at Linda. “There’s... It’s hard to explain, but someone nearby is angry. There’s more to it than that, but I can’t find them.”
“What are you talking about?”
Giving Linda a small smile, she reached up and gently cupped her cheek. “I will do my best to explain later. I need to find this person.” She gave her a quick peck and then walked behind the line of people, going in the direction of the black thoughts. Jesse and Jim had just passed Linda as everyone continued to cheer. They were almost to the car, and for Alex, the sooner they were in the car the better.
No one deserves love. Jesse... She should have been mine. They must die. Everyone must die!
Alex’s eyes went wide as the thought slammed into her clear as a bell. She looked at the end of the procession line, opposite to where she’d been standing, and saw him. Todd. The man looked deranged. She knew him, but not like this. He had come across as a bigot and a sexist, but a killer? Looking to her left, she saw Jesse and Jim closing in on the car, and her blood drained from her face.
The bride and groom were his targets, and she just needed to act. Time seemed to slow to a standstill as the man stepped into the middle of the procession line and brandished a gun. He aimed for Jesse as he kept thinking, Die, die, die!
Alex cried out, “NOOO!” She barreled her way through the crowd, and unknowingly pushed Danika to the ground. There was no hesitation as she inserted herself between the gunman and her friends. There was no hesitation as the man pulled the trigger three times before he was tackled by two of the groomsmen as everyone else screamed.
At first, Alex thought he had missed. She looked down, and thought it odd he missed at such a close range. Somehow she ended up on her knees.
“ALEX!”
Jesse, Jim, and Linda all seemed to shout her name at the same time. Jesse was at her side a moment later. She looked up to her ex. “Did...did he miss?”
“Oh, Alex,” Jesse said, her eyes welling up with tears as she gently laid her friend on the ground. One of the groomsmen knelt next to her and put pressure on her chest. It was then the pain hit her, and she found it hard to breath. She coughed and saw crimson droplets land on Jesse’s dress.
“Oh, Jesse...your dress. I’m sorry,” Alex said, turning her eyes to meet her ex’s.
Jesse cupped her cheek. “Shush, Alex. Stay with me, okay? I don’t care about the dress.”
Alex tried to swallow, then coughed again as she started to shiver. “Why is it so cold, Jesse?”
“Don’t talk, love.”
Her eyes started to grow heavy, and Alex realized what was happening. He hadn’t missed after all. She looked back at Jesse. “You...you and Jim be happy together, and raise that child right. I’m sorry... I’m sorry I won’t be here to watch her grow up.”
“Alex, shush, don’t talk like that. The paramedics are on their way,” Jesse said, tears pouring from her eyes. Jim stood behind her, crying with his wife. He knew Alex had likely saved his wife and his unborn child’s lives. She’d given everything she could to make sure Jesse and Jim could have their happily ever after.
Smiling weakly, Alex shook her head. “Don’t lie to me, Jesse...never works. Tell Linda I’m sorry we can’t go on that date. I really like her.” For the first time in as long as she could remember, there was silence in Alex’s mind. She looked at Jesse. “You and Jim should know...I love y’all like family.”
And the life went from Alex’s eyes.
Outreach: Part One
by Dariel Raye
For my beautiful girls and boy who have passed on, Isis, Tauris, and Jackson – thank you for your love and loyalty. I really miss you. Beautiful baby boy, Jackson, thanks for reminding me that age doesn’t mean you stop getting excited over the little things. Now, for my new baby girl, Brianna, you are a mischievous whirlwind. So glad I found you. Thanks to my Mother and my supportive Sweetheart for being there, my fabulous friends and supporters, Romance Ravers, and of course, the fabulous ladies of O2O. Special thanks to my supportive readers and author friends. Dreamkeeper, you are a precious jewel.
Part One ends in a cliffhanger; however, to receive your FREE copy of part two, just send an e-mail to the address provided at the end of the story.