• I woke up earlier than normal the next morning. I had to get Jackie ready for school. She was still asking about Hank that morning. I couldn't ever seem to bring myself to tell her that he was murdered. I don't think I could have handled the guilt that followed since it's my fault I got him mixed in this mess.

    Jackie didn't want to go to school, but I was able to get her out the door and on the bus in time. When the bus left, I went back inside to call my boss. I knew she would be so "excited" to hear from me after yesterday. I grabbed my cell phone and began to dial the number. However, Right before I could hit the send button, there was a knock on the door. I set my phone down and peeked outside. I couldn't see the person at the door, but I did notice a black car parked outside my house.

    I began to suspect the worse. Hank's murderers were back to get me. They knocked once more with more force to make it clear they were there.

    "I'm coming," I shouted across the room. I walked into the kitchen before I headed towards the door and grabbed a knife. With the knife in hand, I continued to the door. I unlocked the door and opened it quickly. I raised the knife in an attempt to beat the Killer to the attack. Before I went down, I realized that it wasn't one of the killers. Instead, my boss let out a small, but loud scream and backed away from me.

    "What the hell are you doing Josh?" Mrs. Rosa yelled. I took a look around to make sure no one else saw what I almost did. No one was around luckily.

    "Oh, sorry Ms. Rosa. Please, come in," I asked her politely while putting the knife back in my pocket.

    "Uhh, ok Josh, but you have a lot of explaining to do," she said as she slowly began to make her way inside. She looked around and almost looked surprised. The house was cleaner than she had thought.

    "Have a seat if you will," I told her while putting the knife away. She took a seat at the kitchen table. "So what can I help you with?"

    "Well Josh, I want to know what's going on. Your always keeping secrets and don't lie to me, especially after what happened at the door. I'm not here today as your boss, but as a friend. After yesterday I think you owe me some kind of explanation. Please Josh, just tell me."

    I sat down and began to consider my options. She already knew something was up, but I don't need to cause any more problems as it is. I don't think I could handle one more murder let alone have one more person know my secrets.

    "You can keep secrets right?" I asked politely.

    "Well of course I can Josh," she replied.

    I finally decided to give in and tell her everything. I told her about my parents, the murder, my life, yesterday, and finally the reason why I pulled a knife out on her this morning. The whole time she sat there patiently waiting on me to finish with no emotions. She seemed like she didn't believe me. But, when I showed her the news about my neighbor, she finally accepted that I wasn't a liar.

    "I'm so sorry Josh," she said. "If you had told me everything before yesterday, I might have been more easier on you. Listen, I'm going to give you time off until you get a hold on things in your life. If there's anything you might need, just tell me."

    "Well, there is one thing," I told her. "I need some money and I need it soon. You don't have to be inclined to pay me, but I'll work to gain every cent back when I fix things up." She began to grab her purse and search through it. She grabbed her checkbook and signed a blank check. She began to hand it to me until she pulled back at the last second.

    "What exactly do you plan to do with the money Josh?"

    "Well," I replied. "I have to take care of Hank's daughter now that he's gone. I don't exactly have enough money to support the both of us at the moment." She looked me straight in the eyes and slowly handed me the check.

    "I hope you know what your doing Josh," she responded. She gathered her stuff and I walked her out the door and thanked her for understanding.

    I had dodged a bullet there. I had a feeling she knew that Jackie wasn't the problem though. I needed the money for a gun license, gun, and ammo. I needed some way to protect me and Jackie. Besides, it wouldn't be long until I find him, and when I do, I want to be prepared. I wrote down $5000 on the check.

    I quickly went outside and got in my car. I knew I had to do this now. I cashed the check at an atm and headed straight to a gun shop. There I bought two Sig Sauer model sp2340 semi-automatic pistols, a Parker Hale Model 85 sniper rifle, and a M14 rifle plus tons of ammo for each gun. Soon, the fight would be brought to him.