Chapter 2


"The house is clear," the police officer said.

I was still shaking, tears streaking down my face. Mr. and Mrs. Richards were standing with Jayden, grim expressions on their faces.

"Jack was mean," Jayden whispered.

"Son, Jack isn't real. This appears to have been a break in of some sort," Jayden's father pressed.

I said nothing. It felt like my throat was closed off.

"Tessa, why don't you go on home. Tonight must have been rough for you," Jayden's mom whispered.

Rough? She had no idea. All she knows is that there is a broken window, and a hammer and nails in her son's room. And just the word from me and her son that a strange man broke in and was trying to hurt us. Jayden kept saying it was Laughing Jack. He was too young to understand that adults were not going to go for that. Even though, I myself, knew Jack was real. I saw him with my own eyes.

"One last thing. Give us the description of the man so we are sure it matches the child's," one of the officers said.

I told him of the clown like appearance, getting down to every last detail. They must have thought Jayden was exaggerating… and I wasn't going to blame them. I was terrified they'd think I did it. Then again, they heard my screams on the other line while Jayden was on the phone with the police.

They were going to have a officer watch the house for the night, to make sure 'Jack' wouldn't come back. My mind was in a blur as I got up and left, not wanting to hear or speak of this ever again. I said goodbye, then went to my house. It was just across the street. My parents were out for the night, which just so figures. I just had to be alone right now. I tried to settle down in my room, massaging my temples. Jack's voice still growled in my head, refusing to let me forget.

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

I'll see you in your dreams.

In your dreams.

In your dreams.

A sob broke through my mouth as I clenched my eyes shut, holding the sides of my head with my hands. Please, go away. Go away!

In your dreams.

The nightmare I had. He was really there. And he was going to come again.

Babysitters really shouldn't fall asleep.

Tears streaked down my face as I sat there, not knowing what to do. I couldn't go to sleep. Especially not without anyone in the house. He would kill me… for sure. I sprang up, desperate to find anything that will get my mind off of this. I had to stay awake. I walked into the kitchen, prepared to make something for dinner. Even though I didn't have that much of an appetite… it was something to do. I pass the table, tossing my phone on it, then opened the pantry. I searched, irritated that there didn't appear to be anything there. I moved to the refrigerator, growling when I came to find the same thing. I turned around, giving up. That's when I screamed.

Sitting on the table, that I just passed, was a small pile of candy. The kind of candy Jayden had… hard, wrapped candy of all the colors of the rainbow. In front of the candy was a note that read, Hungry? I fell to the ground, shaking like a leaf. He was here. Already. I passed that table coming in here, and I'm positive that candy was not there. I scrambled up, running back to my room and locking the door. Pff, like that would help. I could stay awake. I could do it. I sat on my bed, pulling my knees to my chest. I grabbed my I-pod and headphones, hoping they would help at least. I turned it up on full volume, blasting Suicide Silence in my ears. O.C.D was currently playing, one of my favorite songs by them.

I shut my eyes, beginning to calm down. It made me feel less alone in a way. Suddenly, the music got slightly blurry and muffled. My eyebrows furrowed, wondering if there was something wrong with it. I barely heard the line, "I can't sleep." When it cut off. Then, something else started. Chills ran down my spine as I heard the chorus of children begin to sing.

All around the mulberry bush.

My music cut in again, sounding perfectly fine. "Too many voices trying to talk to me." Once again, it was cut off.

The monkey chased the weasel.

"I can't sleep."

The monkey thought twas all in fun.

"Bloodshot eyes and I still feel fine."

POP GOES THE WEASEL!

I yanked the headphones out of my years, ripping them out of my I-pod, then threw them at the wall. I grabbed a pillow, stuffing my face into it, letting out a muffled shriek.

"Leave me alone!" I cried, not knowing what to do.

Hysterical laughter quietly started out in the hall, then disappeared. My mouth dropped open, fear engulfing me. I was going to die. I would run and get my phone… but I had a feeling if I left this room, it would be an instant death. I sat there, balled up and rocking back and forth for what seemed like hours. My eyes were wide open and glassy. Sweat dripped down my neck, my paranoia increasing by the minute. Any small noise would cause my heard to jerk towards it, expecting the clown to appear at any moment.

I laid back, unable to rock any more. I stared straight ahead, noticing how heavy my eyes were getting. No, I couldn't sleep. I just couldn't. They drooped lower, sleep beckoning me. Maybe I can just shut my eyes… that'd feel better. I felt myself starting to drift off. I tried forcing my eyes back open, but with the drowsiness… reason and importance just didn't matter. Sleep did… just sleep…

That fucking song.

That song loudly played in my ears, coming from all directions. I was back at that carnival. Everything looked the same, although some spotlights were shining on either side of the largest tent. I let out a sigh, trying to be brave. I knew I would end up having to enter that tent one way or another… I stepped forward, beginning to walk to the tent. Once I approached, I loomed in the doorway, trying to keep to the shadows. It was pitch black, other than the small ring of lights that surrounded the audience this time.

The children were there, not speaking. Just sitting there, their eyes glued to the center of the stage with anticipation. I took a step further inside, jumping when another spotlight flickered on. Laughing Jack stood at the center as before, his eyes already glued on me.

"Tessa, my dear sweets, you made it! I just thought you'd never sleep," he chuckled, darkly.

I frowned, stiffly leaning away towards the entrance. Perhaps I should run for it… Another spotlight turned on, it shining directly on me. I flinched, shielding my eyes from the sight.

"Come, Tessa. We should play a game," he purred.

Suddenly, the children on either side were grabbing at my arms and hair, trying to pull me to them. Panicking, I ran forward, the spotlight following me. I slid to a stop, still trying to keep my distance from Jack. I glared at him, wishing more than anything that I had a weapon of some sort at that moment.

"What do you want," I spat, crossing my arms.

"Why, I just said I wanted to play a game," he laughed, uncontrollably. "What's so difficult about that to comprehend, tootsie?" he asked. I continued to glare, barring my teeth. "Now, that's not very nice. Plus, you didn't eat the candy I left you! It was a nice gesture, how rude of you."

"I don't know what you put in those candies or where you got them, you sick fuck! You think I'm going to eat candy that a man who almost killed me gave me?" I yelled, anger radiating off of me.

He shrugged. "There's nothin' wrong with them. But ah well," he laughed. "So are you ready to play?" he asked, starting to circle me.

"Play what?" I asked, trying to back away.

"I'm afraid this game isn't going to be on a board or cards, lollipop. It's more of a test," he continued, his insane eyes glued on me.

"What kind of test," I continued, agitated.

He walked up to me, my brain telling me to run the opposite way. But I stood my ground. He stopped in front of me, leaning down until he was face to face. A sick grin spread across his face, a snicker escaping his lips. Then, he was serious.

"How long you can stay alive," he whispered, his voice now deep and monotone. His breath blew in my face, it smelling oddly sweet and alluring.

His words sent shivers down my spine as the place continued to get dimmer until it was nothing but blackness.

I then woke up from the nightmare.


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