Chapter 1

"Alright, Tessa, my number is on the notepad in the kitchen in case of an emergency along with 911. Don't let Jayden go outside. Make sure he's in the bed before nine. Dinner is in the microwave and make sure he doesn't watch anything violent on the TV."

I let out a sigh as Mrs. Richards went down her list. It never changed. I can't count how many times I have babysat Jayden; you'd think she would understand that I got the picture now. But still, an overprotective mother is understandable.

"Okay, Mrs. Richards," I replied, smiling sweetly.

She smiled, her hazel eyes brightening as she turned to face her husband. They always wanted to go out on dates and get some alone time with each other, which was understandable. With a little five year old running around, alone time was impossible. They turned, walking to the door.

"Thanks again, Tessa. Oh, and one more thing. If Jayden mentions a fellow named Jack… or Laughing Jack, just know it's his imaginary friend." She shook her head, letting out a chuckle. "Kids and their imaginations. Ah well. Are you ready, honey?" she asked, turning to her husband.

"Yes, dear." She smiled, exiting out the door with him.

I was left alone in the house with small Jayden, who was currently playing in the living room. I walked over, sitting down beside him.

"Watcha doin?" I asked.

"Playin with my trucks," he replied with a cheeky grin.

I laughed, watching him crash the little red and blue toy trucks against each other. I looked up at the TV, seeing it was on cartoons. All was well at the moment. I pulled out my phone, prepared to pass the moments by playing on it.

"This one's new," Jayden suddenly said, reaching over and rolling a small black and white truck into view.

"Nice," I grinned, looking back at my phone.

"Ya. Laughing Jack gave it to me."

My head snapped up, as I remembered what his mother had said. "Oh, yeah. Your friend." I offered him a smile as he nodded.

He probably found it on the bottom of his toy box and figured it was new.

"He's my best friend," he murmured, beginning to play with his toys some more.

"Aww. Well, what's Mr. Jack look like anyway?" I asked.

Jayden looked up, pursing his small little lips. "He's a clown," he replied, the most serious expression on his face. "He wears all black, white and grey. When I have a bad day in Kindergarten, or people are mean to me, he brings me candy. They taste real good."

I stared down at Jayden, my eyebrows furrowing. He must be bullied at school… perhaps Jack was just his way of feeling better?

"How long have you and Jack been friends?" I asked, my curiosity burning.

"A few days. He's visiting more and more," Jayden grinned.

Perhaps I should play along with this. Kids tend to like it when adults pretend to see their imaginary friends.

"Hey look, there he is," I gasped, pointing at the empty corner of the room.

Jayden looked at me, confused. "What are you talking about, Ms. Tessa? Laughing Jack isn't here right now. He said he had to go visit other sad kids and play with them. He promised he'd be back tonight," he replied, crossing his arms.

I let out a great sigh. Sucks for trying. Oh well. "Ah. Well, I must have just been seeing things, then," I murmured. "You want some dinner?" I asked, standing.

"Yeah!" he enthusiastically yelled, standing with me.

I walked into the kitchen, preparing to make some macaroni for the small child. He quickly sat at the table, waiting for me to get it ready for him. I couldn't help but notice him unwrapping a small candy and popping it into his mouth. His grandparents probably gave it to him. I haven't seen wrapped, hard candy in a long time. I finished making his dinner, then sat it in front of him. He ate now in silence as I began to get dozy. With getting up early for school, and baby sitting, I'm usually bushed by the end of the day. I barely even noticed when Jayden was done with dinner.

"I'm gonna go play with my trucks in my room," Jayden said, getting up.

"Alrighty," I replied, taking his plate and fork, putting them in the sink.

I walked to the living room, collapsing on the couch. I laid for a moment, getting the odd feeling that I was being watched. Ha, it was probably Laughing Jack. I snickered at the thought, stretching out on the couch. I noticed when it was getting hard for me to hold my eyes open. I fought it, trying not to fall asleep. But it was inevitable. Sleep found me, and I gave in. Jayden would be fine in his room…

…..

I knew I was asleep. But the dream seemed all too real. It was unnerving, looking around at the deserted fairground. Carts were on fire, the stuffed prizes turning black, their little button eyes melting. It was deserted, trash littering the ground. No rides were in motion. The sky was cloudy and dark. Soft music played, expected music that you'd hear at a circus. As lulling as it was, I began walking forward, trying to make it out of this horrible place.

I kept walking forward, until I approached a massive tent. Shrugging, I walked inside, into complete darkness. I heard the faint rustling of people around me, but I couldn't see anything. Suddenly, a single spot light shone in the middle of the tent, a figure standing at it. I looked around with the new light, seeing the entire audience was children. Where was their parents?

Suddenly, laughter filled the air. Not the normal kind of laughter, more like hysterical, psychotic laughter. I faced the figure again, as he lifted his head. It was a clown. Black hair hung to his shoulders, dark against his pale face. His eyes were outlined by black, and a black and white striped cone was his nose. His outfit was mainly stripes of black and white, feathers covering his shoulders. Who was this? He broke into another fit of laughter, staring at me.

"Hello, Tessa," he purred, a terrifying smirk pulling across his face.

"Who are you," I asked, my eyes narrowing. I tried to look like he wasn't scaring the shit out of me.

"You know who I am. At least, you will in time."

I glared at him, my fists clenching. He began to walk forward, the spot light following him. I stood my ground, prepared to fight him if I had to. He stopped in front of me, the evil grin still tugging at the corners of his lips.

"Tessa," he sang, shaking his head. "Babysitters really shouldn't fall asleep," he breathed, followed by another fit of laughter.

I awoke from the dream with a gasp, a cold sweat on my forehead. Damn nightmares! My heart was still racing out of my chest. I jumped up, worry filling me. Jayden. I ran to his room, sliding to the stop at the end of the hall, seeing his door was closed. I faintly heard his voice on the other side, allowing me to let out a sigh of relief. I pressed my ear to the door, listening.

"Yeah, that's Tessa. She's my babysitter," Jayden said.

He must be talking to his imaginary friend. But then… my heart filled with dread.

"Hehehe, I know, little one. Now, would you like to play a game?"

My hand clasped over my mouth as I nearly doubled over. That voice. The voice from my dream. It was him! No! He couldn't be real! I was going to throw up…

"Sure, Jack. What do you want to play?"

"Oh, I have an idea." There was then the sound of rustling. Then, Jayden spoke again.

"Jack… what game involves nails and a hammer?" the little boy whispered, fear now penetrating through his voice.

"Only the best, child," the voice snickered.

Panicking, I threw myself through the door, facing the terrifying figure from my dream, and Jayden. They both paused, looking at me, Jack dropping the nails and the hammer.

"Ah, she's awake," Jack laughed, holding his stomach as he did.

"Jayden, run," I gasped, beginning to shake.

"What?" Jayden whispered, fear covering his small little face.

"Run. Jack's not your friend, he wants to hurt you," I growled. I took a step forward, prepared to block the child from him.

"Of course not, little one. Why would I do such a thing? You're my best friend," Jack replied, fake innocence in his voice.

"Jayden. Listen to me and run," I cried.

The little boys head snapped back and forth between the two of us before he took off in a sprint out of the room. I let out a sigh of relief, only to look into the hate filled eyes of Jack.

"Not a smart idea, sweets," the clown growled, bending down and picking up the hammer.

I let out a scream as he shot forward. I slunk out of the way, nearly falling onto Jayden's bed. Jack whipped around, a loud hysteric laugh breaking through his lips.

"We have a feisty little one, don't we?"

Tears fell down my face as I stood up, my heart thumping out of my chest. What could I do? A serial killer was standing in front of me, trying to mash a hammer into my brain.

"Might as well end this quickly. I have to finish off the little one as well," he chuckled, craze in his eyes.

He charge forward again, knocking me to the floor. A bright smile was on his face as I struggled beneath him, screams flying from my lips.

"Help me!" I shrieked, trying to get free.

"Hehehe, screaming wont help, lollipop. Although it sure makes this black heart of mine pound a little harder." Another laugh burst through his lips.

He raised the hammer, about to slam it down on my head. I clenched my eyes shut, waiting for the end. It was bound to come.

Suddenly, sirens filled the air. Jayden must have called the police. Jack pushed himself up, cursing under his breath. He turned, looking down at me. Then a wide smile stretched across his face.

"This isn't over, sweets. I'll see you in your dreams," he laughed.

And like that, he was gone in a puff of black smoke.

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