The Guardian

addiction. You rationalize everything to the point that you just know you can pull this one thing off. You fail to see the pitfalls. In addition, if you do, you rationalize them away. Everything seems quite clear. You convince yourself that nothing can go wrong. You become invincible.
    No matter how many times you go over it in your head, you just don’t see the flaws in the plan. It had become like an obsession to him. Like a junkie needing a fix.
    Jack was convinced that once he had her back at his place, explained things to her, she would see. She would see that he wasn’t going to hurt her. If she would mind and cooperate as the other two girls were doing, everything would be fine. He was sure that she would grow to accept and enjoy the games that they would play. They would all grow to accept the situation and everything would be just as he had planned it.
    All of these thoughts were going through his mind. It was like a whirlwind, spinning, constantly buzzing around in his brain. The thoughts never stopped. Sometimes he would get unbearable headaches from it.He couldn’t help it. He was constantly planning, scheming, trying to figure all the angles to make everything work. He was constantly going over every detail in his head. Some times, he would see a snag in the plan, but like the writer of a play, he would rewrite the scene so it worked in his favor. He was sure, that if it were to happen that way for real, the characters would play it out, just as he had done it in his head.
    The fact that he was starting to lose his mind was the one thing that never entered his head. Why would it? In his mind’s eye, he was perfectly normal. If he were in control, he could force them to obey him. He would force them to adjust and to behave as he willed. They would do as they were told and they would like it. Eventually they would like it. They would come to appreciate the love that he was showing them. That’s all there was to it.
    He prepared the things he needed. He opened the side door of the van and pulled out the jack, the small, plastic, red and white reflective sign and the spare tire.
    Jack placed the tire against the wall that surrounded the house that sat on that corner. He then walked over and placed the small, triangular sign facing the oncoming traffic a short way behind the van.
    While he was doing this, he watched the school the whole time. The kids were coming out, heading home or to their perspective destinations. He watched for the little girl with the blonde hair.
    Making sure that he put it behind the wheel, he slid the jack under the van and raised it. It was just enough to touch the frame. He was going to have to leave it and the tire and didn’t want to worry that he’d be driving over it.
    Ducking into the side door, he made sure that the ties and gags were ready. He had the chloroform in is pocket ready to go. He came back out and saw the girl coming up the sidewalk towards him. His heart pounded, he started to get aroused as he watched her walking towards him. He panicked. She was walking with another girl. He hadn’t figured that part in. The last time the other girl had gone off in another direction. It wasn’t supposed to be happening this way. He suddenly lost his erection. How could this be? This wasn’t part of the plan.
    His mind was racing, he was trying to look occupied with his wheel, but he was sweating, trying to figure out a new plan. His mind was blank. Damn it, it had to be now, he couldn’t wait any longer.
    The girls were crossing the street, getting closer, he had to come up with something pretty damn quickly, or the moment would be lost. He was thinking about his being in this area too many times, always showing up when the school let out, how many people would remember him, the van. How many times had the woman seen him? Would she be here? Would she remember? He had to stop that. He had to think positive. He was just being paranoid. Dam it, why was that other girl there. He watched nervously as they got closer and closer. He was sweating more profusely now.
    Chapter 78
    The pain was incredible. John was limping all the way to his car from the office. Jesus, he was going to have to do something about his knees. He knew it. The running had made them flair up like that. He’d be okay once he got home, soaked in a nice hot bath with some Epsom salts. That would do it. All he needed was a hot bath, a cold beer, and a good long soak in the tub. Just what the doctor