Hey everyone. Thanks a lot for all the reviews. I really loved them all. Sorry for such a long wait. I thought after my exams ended, I'd have more time. Apparently not. School is more tiring than ever, with loads of tests. So im sorry. And thanks for still reading it so far. Here's another chapter...

Chapter 10... Through A Glass, Darkly

Bang.

Rachel stepped back with the recoiling force of the gun. As soon as the bullet had flown out, it had made a startling sound and everything was silent for a moment. Haley had a shocked expression on her face, and was looking at Rachel, who had the gun pointed towards the attic.

But she had missed.

In less than a second, the unruly tall man had taken three steps at a time and run down the stairs. He had tried desperately with his large, bony fingers to grab at Rachel or the gun, but had missed since Rachel had stepped even further back. During the sudden rush of movements, Haley had noticed what he looked like, soaring, pale skin, wavy black hair. He had rushed right past her after Rachel, and she seemed to be paralyzed in unexpected shock.

Rachel stumbled backwards and fell, as the man came closer and grabbed for the gun. In an impulse she threw it backwards down the stairs, and it made a few loud sounds as it fell down the individual steps. Then, Rachel took advantage of the distraction and kicked the man in knee. He fell backwards with a groan, and at the same time, Haley rushed from behind and pushed him forwards. He fell down right next to Rachel, and she instantly stood up, screaming, "Haley! Run!"

As she caught Haley's hand and tried to escape down the stairway, he caught her left leg and she shrieked. Haley saw what had happened and tried to climb back up and stamp her foot on his hand. But he pushed her strongly towards the wall, and she slumped down, knocked out. Rachel looked at the sorry state of her friend, and tried even harder to escape from his grip. But he then stood up and grinned, evilly, and then made a fist. And then everything went dark for Rachel.

…

Lucas bent down, panting. He then stood up fully and looked towards the distance, his eyes watering slightly. Where is she, where is she, where is she. And then he noticed it. Far off in the lake, a dim light on a boat was slowly wavering and coming towards the shore. Peyton, he thought. Cupping his hands to his mouth, he yelled out over the water, "Peyton! Bevin! Can you hear me?!"

There was no change in the wavering light. He thought it would be close enough for them to hear him. He was sure of it. He waited. Minutes passed, and the light continued to come closer and closer. He called out for them again. Yet again there was no response. Who is that, he wondered, his thoughts now wandering to a dark place. He turned around in a circle, thinking, Fuck, fuck, fuck. Time was passing in vain. He stared back to the water, and then, everything went dark for Lucas.

…

They had managed to somehow get him down from the wheel. His body was a dismal display of its previous self, battered and bloody, and Brooke couldn't stop crying. Nathan and Mouth tried to console her, at the same time worried about the girls they'd left at home.

"Come on Brooke, lets go back," Nathan said, with a firm resolve.

She glanced at him, sitting on the gravel covered floor, holding Chase in her arms. Mouth had bend down and was patting her on the back affectionately, and he too now looked up. Brooke nodded slowly, and the three stood up, carrying a dead body along with them. They were going back to the house. They wanted to leave this place. They wanted to forget the pain. They wanted to be back in Tree Hill.

As they walked away from the carnival towards the woods wearily, another motionless body was being carried towards it. Their paths were different, and there was a very good chance that they would never see Lucas again.

…

Rachel opened her eyes, slowly, and then blinked a few times, trying to adjust herself to the darkness. But it was translucent darkness. She was tied at the feet and hands, back to back with someone else, Haley. Her head throbbed horribly, and she felt bruised at the points where she was tied. She was covered with a large white sheet, which caused the darkness. She tried to keep as quiet as she could, and stopped moving instantly, since she hadn't the faintest clue where the man was. Or where they were, either.

"Haley?" She whispered.

There was no answer. But she could feel Haley breathing. At least there was some solace in that.

…

He stared at the gun kept on the table. His eyes constantly switched from the weapon to the clock. Again, and again. It was 10:12, exactly. The bitches were tied up. Ian said he would be at the shore some time after 10. He stood up, sauntered over to the table, and picked up the gun. Switching off the lights, he hummed a theme tune while he walked to the door and stepped outside.

…

The waves shook the boat, but not too extremely. The boat made a mellow sound as it hit the shore. He stepped outside, taking out the knives from inside. They were slightly drenched, as was he. He had heard Lucas calling out to Peyton. He smiled.

They're all here, are they? Now it's time to play.

Well, that's all. I hope there werent many grammatical errors. I wasnt able to edit it in a quiet place. So im sorry about that. Please let me know what you think. Thanks!