(Saturday, September 2, 2006 ~ Day 20 ~ 11:55 A.M.)
Melissa opened her eyes slowly to find herself in bed. She turned over to give Jackson a kiss, but couldn't find him. Her heart pounded faster as the events of last night came to her. "Jackson?" she called, but there was no answer. "Jackson?" After a moment, she decided to get up. She picked up the video camera that sat on the nightstand. She slowly exited the bedroom, then noticed that she was at Nathan and Daley's house. She went down some stairs. She could hear a familiar voice.
"I don't know what it is. But there's something in that house."
Melissa entered the kitchen to find Jackson, who was surrounded by Nathan and Daley.
The boy noticed her, stood, then walked toward her. "Morning, Mel."
The girl said nothing, still startled from last night's events.
(Saturday, September 2, 2006 ~ Day 20 ~ 1:37 P.M.)
Melissa sat on the couch while Jackson was in the computer chair.
Nathan and Daley were behind him, watching the screen as he showed them several unnatural things that had happened in the house.
(Saturday, September 2, 2006 ~ Day 20 ~ 7:46 P.M.)
Jackson lay on the couch, Melissa on top of him.
Both were tired, but didn't want to close their eyes, afraid of what they might see.
(Monday, September 4, 2006 ~ Day 22 ~ 1:54 A.M.)
Jackson got off the couch, careful not to wake Melissa. He grabbed the camera, then went into the bathroom. He set the video recorder onto the counter, then opened the medicine cabinet, rummaging around. He searched for something--anything--that would make him drowsy.
After a moment, he found some Nyquil. He pulled it out, then opened the cap. He look a long swig, then swallowed. He took another mouthful, then let the medicine slide down his throat.
He hung his head and closed his eyes, putting his hands on the edges of the counter, swaying a bit. After a few minutes, he put the bottle of Nyquil back into the cabinet, then started to leave the bathroom, but turned around and grabbed the camera before exiting.
(Monday, September 4, 2006 ~ Day 22 ~ 8:32 A.M.)
"Jackson, you okay?"
"Hmm?" The boy lifted his head quickly, still resting his head in his hand and his elbow on the arm of the couch. "Yeah. I'm fine."
Melissa scooted closer to him, then put her arm around him. "You going to work today?"
"Yeah."
(Monday, September 4, 2006 ~ Day 22 ~ 11:56 P.M.)
Melissa sat up, listening intently. "You hear that?"
Jackson pushed himself up slowly. He could hear small banging noises. He pushed himself off of the couch, then picked up the camera, following the sound.
Melissa stayed put, snuggling with her cover.
The boy walked slowly, getting closer and closer to the sound. He stepped into the kitchen, then noticed that the noises were coming from this room. He went to the fridge to find that the sounds were ice cubes falling. He opened the door, looked inside, then shut it.
What he saw after he closed the fridge caused him to immediately drop the camera.
(Monday, September 4, 2006 ~ Day 22 ~ 11:59 P.M.)
"Did you get it?"
"I think so." Jackson checked the camera. "Yeah. It's working."
Melissa smiled. "Sorry about that."
Jackson chuckled. "Yeah. You scared the s*** outta me. You gotta stop sneaking up on me like that."
(Thursday, September 7, 2006 ~ Day 25 ~ 2:50 A.M.)
Jackson got off of the couch, then went into the bathroom, taking the camera with him. He opened the medicine cabinet and grabbed the bottle of Nyquil, only to find that it was empty. He closed the cabinet, only to see a shadow in the reflection of the mirror. He spun around, but saw nothing.
He sighed, then turned on the faucet. Jackson collected some water in his hands, then wiped his eyes. He stared at himself in the mirror.
His bloodshot eyes had bags under them.
All of a sudden, his reflection changed. He saw his sister, ragged and torn, like in his nightmares. He stumbled back, leaning against the wall, feeling as if he'd been punched in the stomach. He heard a high-pitched scratching sound. His head pounded as he tried to cover his ears. He felt a burning sensation in his arm and looked at it.
Letters were being carved into his skin. He dropped onto the floor, pushing himself against the wall, screaming through clenched teeth. He squeezed his eyes closed.
After a minute he opened them to see his sister.
She came toward him, grabbing his arm, smirking.
"Leave me alone! Stop!" Jackson pushed her, but she wouldn't go away.
All of a sudden, the door opened.
Melissa, Nathan and Daley rushed inside.
There were no more scratching noises--no more shadows.
Only Jackson, who clutched his arm, shaking.
(Thursday, September 7, 2006 ~ Day 25 ~ 12:14 P.M.)
Jackson sat on the couch, observing his arm.
Melissa came to sit next to him, camera in hand. "Can I see?" When the boy stretched his arm out, she panned the camera along it.
The video camera recorded the words 'still here.'"
When Melissa was done, she set the camera on the table in front of her, making sure that it faced them. She pulled Jackson into a hug.
The boy gripped Melissa's hair, resting his chin on her shoulder.
They stayed like this for a long while.
"Mel?"
"Yeah."
"I gotta go back."
The girl pulled away. "Don't be crazy, Jackson."
"We thought it would go away if we left the house. Well, it hasn't. And I don't want anything to start happening to Nathan or Daley."
"But, Jackson, you can't go back there."
"It's not the house, Mel. It's me."
"But-"
"I'm going back. I'm gonna figure out how to end this. And in the mean time…you're staying here."
"What?"
"It's too dangerous for you to go with me."
"But I wanna stay with you."
"I'm sorry, Mel." Jackson gave her a long kiss, stood up, then grabbed the keys from the table in front of him. He headed out the door, leaving the camera behind.
