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"Jeff," I squeak. What is he doing here? How did he find me?
I haven't seen him since I fled his house in the middle of the night and never looked back.
He's been the bane of my existence ever since my mom brought him into our lives, but at least I haven't had to deal with him since I left.
I'm hoping that I can keep it that way.
He's tall and lanky with a face that's starting to sag with age. He's got thinning black hair, and he's dressed in a suit that's much too nice for the diner. I guess he's not working today—just trying to find me, probably.
"Where have you been, Jazzy?" he asks, his voice almost singsong-y as he calls me the nickname that makes me grit my teeth. I always hated it when he called me that. "I've been looking all over for you."
I clench my jaw and refuse to look him in the eye.
"I'm at work, Jeff," I tell him, biting my tongue to keep myself from calling him the bastard he is.
He's the reason I ran away from my home and the reason I'm working two jobs to support myself.
"You can't just run away from all your responsibilities, Jazzy," he snarls at me. "I need you home."
I back away from him, feeling my heart beating faster in my chest. I don't want to be near him, but he steps closer to me, invading my personal space.
"You're not taking care of your stepdad like you should be," he continues, his breath hot on my face. "You're neglecting your duties as a daughter."
I shake my head, trying to push him away from me. "I'm not going back with you, Jeff. You can't make me."
He grabs my arm, his fingers digging into my skin painfully. "You don't have a choice, Jazzy. You're coming with me."
I try to fight him off, but he's stronger than me. He drags me toward his car, and I know that I'm in trouble.
As he shoves me into the passenger seat, I catch a glimpse of Maria, my coworker, through the window of the diner. She looks concerned, and I know that she's seen what's going on, even though I know she's helpless to help me.
Jeff gets into the driver's seat and starts the car. I'm trapped, and I don't know how to get out of this situation.
But I know that I can't let him win. I can't let him control my life again.
I take a deep breath and steel myself. I'm going to fight him every step of the way, and I'm going to come out on top.
I lunge for the door, but he locks it before my hand ever reaches the handle.
I raise my fist, ready to smash it through the glass to get out, but Jeff's next words stop me.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you. It'd be a shame if I had to burn down another building."
I go completely still and turn to him with horror as the realization dawns on me.
Jeff chuckles evilly. "Did you really think I wouldn't find you, Jazzy? You belong to me." His eyes turn hard. "It would be a shame if that handsome firefighter of yours perished in a fire. Actually," he cocks his head to the side, "I guess it would be kind of ironic, wouldn't it? Or maybe poetic?"
I shake my head as if I can deny it, but Jeff's grin only widens. "So, we have an understanding? You come home to me —where you belong—and nothing happens to your little firefighter. Okay?"
I don't speak. I just swallow as hollowness settles in the pit of my stomach.
It's bad enough that so many people were already hurt because of me.
I won't let Zeke be another casualty.
See? I knew it was all too good to be true. Good things like Zeke just don't happen to girls like me.
There's always a monster lurking around the corner to drag me back to hell.
