Devils Roses 01 - Cursed

never left his post watching out the windows, looking for any sort of shadows or movements.
    I didn’t know what to do to get my safety back, but I was worried for myself and for Giselle in the city. I knew the hospital had good security, as it was a children’s hospital. I wasn’t sure it would be enough, the creep seemed pretty good.
    “ Thanks for coming for me,” I whispered after a long time.
    Shane smiled down at me. “Aimee, you’re my date for the dance. Where will I find a date with this short of notice?” I punched his arm hurting my hand.
    I didn’t have a dress picked out and had decided I would find one in the city. “What color dress should I get?” I wanted the conversation to be light; I missed Giselle.
    He shrugged. “Whatever you want."
    I jumped, as a knock on the door interrupted us.
    Shane’s eyes grew serious as he walked to the door and peeked through the window. He unlocked the door and greeted my dad. “Mr. James, come on in.”
    My dad smiled at me and he shook Shane’s hand. I could see the worry all over his face.
    “ I called the police, Aimee. I know nothing happened and they understand that, but they’re as worried as I am. It's better for them to have a full handle on what’s going on.”
    I nodded, feeling the reality of the situation hit me again. It had been pleasant—fun even—sitting in the kitchen with Shane. But when the reality set back in, it hit like a ton of bricks.
    “ They’re coming here, Shane. I hope you don’t mind. They should be here any minute.” My dad walked into the house and put a hand on my shoulder. “How’s it going, kiddo?”
    I nodded. “I’m good, if I don’t think about it.”
    “ I think most things are like that. What were you thinking?”
    I shook my head. "I don’t know." My face flushed, I felt foolish. What had I been thinking?
    Shane walked around the bar and started to make some coffee in his mom’s expensive coffee maker. The huge stainless steel contraption looked like it belonged to a barista. Shane had a cup of coffee for my dad within seconds.
    “ Here you go, sir. Cream or sugar?”
    “ No thanks, son. Black is perfect.” He sipped his coffee. We all looked out at the backyard, watching. “This is a good cup of coffee.”
    “ Yeah, my mom bought it in Seattle. It cost more than my truck, I think.”
    My dad laughed.
    “ Where’s Alise?” I asked knowing the answer.
    “ She is at Blake’s house. His parents are letting her stay over. They know about the situation and that we need to go see Giselle. She is not to leave their house, until we arrive home.” My dad spoke as if he had an awful taste in his mouth. I knew it was my sister’s way of twisting a bad situation to her advantage.
    He looked at me concerned. “Did you get a good look at him?”
    I shook my head. “No he had a dark fleece on with a hood, sunglasses, and his voice was raspy, so I wouldn’t be able to recognize it if I tried. He knew my name. He was tall, like Shane’s height and build, and white. He was wearing jeans—dark jeans. His lips, they were so thin—cruel and thin. His phone rang with a squawking bird; it was black I think, maybe a Blackberry.”
    My dad looked at Shane and I. “Sounds like every one of your friends.”
    Shane nodded. “I think, at this point everyone should be on the list of suspects, including me. I'm certain the police will say the same thing. Though for the record, I have nice lips and an iPhone.”
    I smiled at Shane. “I know it isn’t you.”
    He smiled back, but my dad’s eyes were not as trusting as he watched us.
    The doorbell interrupted. “The police.” my dad spoke.
    Shane walked to the door, opening it without looking.
    Two police officers entered the house, shaking Shane’s hand and introducing themselves.
    I recognized one of them instantly, as the police officer who had asked Giselle and me questions in the hospital.
    He smiled at me kindly. “Hi, Aimee, how are you feeling?”
    I sighed. “Good, I feel pretty good. I’m a lot better. I just wish this was over, though.”
    The other officer nodded. “Yes, you’ve been through enough, I think.”
    My dad laughed sarcastically. “Oh—more than.”
    The older officer, who I had never met before, smiled at my dad. “And how is Dad holding up?”
    My dad shook his head. “Our family doesn’t need any extra drama, not this year.”
    The police officer, whose nametag said Williams, gave my dad a knowing look. They appeared