Chapter 6

"Do we get popcorn with our movie?" Kyle asked, looking up at Jarod.

"I've got something even better!" Lyle replied. He rummaged through a large bag and pulled out various boxes, "Chinese food and candied snails!" he said with a smile, like he had prepared some spectacular meal right in front of their eyes. Everyone stared at him. Gar applauded. Sydney peeked in one of the food boxes.

"It looks like some of it's been eaten," Sydney stated.

"Leftover Chinese tastes the best," Lyle said. Somewhere, Miss Parker became severely ill, and that's not the ulcer we're discussing here.

"I refuse to eat food that you've already picked at!" Broots exclaimed, "That's like cross contamination. Plus it's Lyle's food!"

"Sissy." Lyle retorted.

"Shut up! The movie's on!" Jarod said, ending the discussion. Broots grabbed his Pop-Tart box and sat next to Sydney. Drop Dead Gorgeous is, unfortunately, not a movie that several grown men would've scrambled fanatically to a video store to rent for an evening of camaraderie. But then again, this wasn't usual camaraderie. Nevertheless, the only ones who somewhat enjoyed it were Broots and Jarod, because they just did.

"So Jarod, you think you would've figured out that Becky's mom was behind the sabotage early on?" Broots asked.

"Totally," Jarod replied with a small smile.

"Next movie!" Lyle announced.

"How about a movie that doesn't belong at a teenage girl's birthday party?" Sam said sarcastically.

"How about you not talk?" Gar joined Lyle in picking out a movie.

"Ooh, that one looks scary," Gar said pointing at a movie entitled The Ring. The two of them looked over the cover, oohing and giggling at each other as they read the plot description on the back.

"Sometimes I like to pretend that things aren't really happening," Willie said.

"Quiet, Willie," Raines said. Willie obeyed like a good little Sweeper. The chatter silenced as the next movie began. It pretty much stayed that way the entire time. Jarod took out the movie when it ended, taking in everyone's expressions. He enjoyed it; it was priceless. Mr. Parker looked like a deer caught in a pair of headlights. Gar and Lyle were clinging to each other, whimpering. Sydney even looked disturbed. Broots looked like he needed to change his Pampers. Sam had his hands covering his eyes. Kyle had a delighted, yet psychotic look on his face, the twisted kid. Raines was hyperventilating, and Willie was asleep.

"Well, that was…quite a movie," Jarod said, breaking the tension.

"I liked how almost everyone died!" Kyle said happily.

"You WOULD," Broots said shakily. He screamed as the phone on Sydney's desk began to ring loudly.

"It's just like in the movie…" Gar said, eyes wide. The men backed away from the phone, looking horrified.

"Answer it, Jarod!!!" Sam said nervously, pushing Jarod forward. Jarod grinned as he turned away to walk towards the phone on Sydney's desk. He picked it up slowly and held it to his ear. The men stared intensely as Jarod listened to the call. He set the receiver down, his lip quivering. Walking back, the others congregated around him.

"Who was it?" Sydney said.

"I…don't know," Jarod replied.

"What did they say?"

"They just said…seven days."

"YOU'RE LYING! You're just messing with us, you sadistic jerk!" Gar cried, wringing his hands.

Jarod shook his head, "I wish I was." He turned and motioned everyone's attention to a far corner, where in large red letters, someone had written 'SEVEN DAYS'. Sam shrieked and hid underneath Sydney's desk. The men stared in horror at the wall, and at each other.

"Wow, I wish I had thought of this," Kyle said with a faraway look in his eyes.

"YOU! You must've done this you sicko!" Sam accused, pointing at Kyle from the safety of the desk. Kyle ignored him. Everyone jumped as the walls and the pipes began to bang loudly.

"We're out of here," Raines said, moving swiftly towards the door, as swiftly as someone like Raines could go. Everyone else followed suit, shoving each other to get through the door first, with Jarod bringing up the rear. He turned back to look around the room, as a sly grin began to play on his face.

"Nice job, Angelo," he said, and walked out the door. Angelo sat in the vents, laughing hysterically. He climbed out and began to feast on the food left behind. They'll think twice next time there's a party and he wasn't invited.

End of Chapter