Hey my loves! I certainly am glad to be back! I'm sorry for some delays but I'm glad to get this chapter posted!
This chapter is gonna be a bit short, but it's got a lot going on!
ENJOY!
Chapter 11: The Third and Final Task
Previously:
Jackie said hoping someone was listening. "I regret everything." Her voice was weak as she spoke. "I- I- I'm so sorry." She said between tears. She felt so awful and no one would possibly be able to understand. "I didn't want anyone to get hurt, and I didn't mean to break any rules. It just . . ." unable to find the words, Jackie sighed as her vision fell to the ground. "I miss you . . . I don't know what to do . . . I just don't know what to do."
. . .
On the other side of the tree, Viola placed her gentle fingers to the shiny film over the Hollow Tree's opening. "Do not be afraid my daughter. We will be together soon." A tear slipped from her eyes as her smile grew. "I know you can do this." She put her fingers to her lips and again placed them to the film. As her daughter went further away from the tree, Viola turned to return to her kingdom. Something had to be done.
. . .
She tried to step past him, but he only stepped into her path. "You know, I've been working my butt off for you, the least you could do is show some appreciation." He said, now scowling at her.
She only scowled more. "Look, Chip, get this through your thick skull. I don't like you, I never will like and I want nothing to do with you!" She said in a very stern voice. She quickly stepped passed him and made her way into the house. Quickly, she shut and locked the door to avoid him getting inside. The last thing she saw was his scowl. But in her mind this only made her more determined. Jackie ran up the stairs to her room and grabbed the knife. How was she supposed to use this? What was she supposed to do?
Jackie twirled the knife in between her fingertips. Maybe she was supposed to cut off a piece of the tree? Or could it be that the knife was some kind of strange key? Jackie felt lost, but determined as she studied the knife. The sun had almost fully disappeared from the sky . . . It would be soon now . . .
The sudden tap at her window startled Jackie. She turned and was surprised by the same black bird with gold colored feathers that had brought her information about the second task. If felt like it happened weeks or even months ago instead only hours. She immediately went to the window and opened it. "What are you doing here?!" She quickly and almost angrily said, although she was very glad and grateful to see him sitting on her window sill. "I thought-"
"I have a message for you!" He spoke urgently.
"But I thought it was decided I was on my own?" Jackie replied feeling very confused.
"No time!" He squawked. He seemed extremely anxious to Jackie, but she felt she understood why. "Bring your brother and the knife to the Hollow Tree tonight when the moon is near the center of the sky."
Jackie looked up at the sky and saw she didn't have much time. "But why? I don't-" The bird began to squawk even louder than before. "Alright!" Jackie shouted over the noise. He immediately flew away, back into the forest. Jackie watched as he flew, the freedom his wings allowed him . . . She shook herself back to reality. Her time was too limited. She needed to get her brother. Maybe this meant he was getting to go with her! She needed to find Max . . .
And at perfect timing, Jackie heard the front door slam shut. She could hear Pam slurring her words and things being scuffed. Jackie's worry instantly went to her brother. When Pam got drunk everyone had to watch out. She wrapped up the knife and tucked it into her jacket pocket. She rushed out of her room and down the stairs. Jackie saw Pam had knocked over the table, she assumed by accident, and Marissa was in the corner of the room holding Max close to her. Jackie could see Pam was bombed. Her jacket was half on, there was a wine stain on the front of her dress and her hair was a complete mess. Jackie knew Pam was a terrible drunk. Pam looked up and laughed wickedly when she saw Jackie at the bottom of the stairs.
"Oh look who it is." She said, her words slurred and her body couldn't stand still. "The little bitch, who wanted to ruin my day with my boyfriend." She tried to move toward Jackie, but couldn't move in a straight line. She ended up falling on the couch.
Jackie walked over to Marissa. "What happened?" She asked taking Max in her arms and holding him close.
"Your mother was terribly upset with you." Marissa said, looking worriedly between Jackie and Pam. "Not to mention what Mr. Chip told us you said to him." Marissa said. Jackie rolled her eyes, she didn't get a care about Chip.
How am I gonna get out of here with Max?
"Richard was angry when he found out how you were so rude to his son!" Pam slurred. She tried her best to scowl at Jackie. Jackie slowly started making her way to the door. However, Pam noticed. "Where do you think you are going?!" She screamed.
From all the upset, Max started crying in Jackie's arms. Jackie scowled at Pam as she tried to sooth her brother. "As far away from here as possible!" With that Jackie darted out the door with her brother. Before anyone could stop her, she ran into the forest. She could hear Pam and Marissa calling out after her, but she didn't stop running. She could see the moon rising in the sky. Max still fused in her arms, while she ran she tried sooth him as best as she could. "I promise, Max, everything will be better soon!" She said to him as she ran. There was no way she was leaving without Max.
*At the Same Time*
Chip walked out of his home, his blood boiling in his veins. He could still hear that whore Pam yelling at his Father about how her bitch of a daughter ran into the forest with her son. Jackie was such a bitch. How dare she refuse him?! He is able to give her everything and she still refused him! She must be insane . . . Chip knew he saw her talking to a bird, walking in and out of that forest . . . she was crazy . . .
Chip promised Pam he would go get Jackie and Max. As he walked toward the forest at a calm pace he knew what he was going to do. He twisted his father's gun in his hand.
He was gonna show that bitch who was boss.
*At the Same Time*
Jackie darted in between the trees, keeping Max close as she moved. He was started to relax a bit, obviously exhausted. She could see his eyes getting heavy, she patted his back as she continued to run. "Almost there." She whispered. As the moon neared the top of the sky, Jackie tried to run faster. Finally, she could see the Hollow Tree in the distance. She felt her heart leap when she saw Steven standing by the tree. He had no emotion on his face.
When she was close enough, she slowed down and stopped right in front of Steven. Before she could speak, he said "Do you have the knife?" His voice was monotone. He was obviously very focused on the task at hand. Jackie nodded quickly, shuffling her brother to her side and pulling the knife out of her coat pocket. "And your brother?" He asked, looking at the baby boy in her arms. She smiled and kissed her brother's forehead. He giggled weakly, still tired. "Jacqueline, in order to open the portal to our world, you must sacrifice the blood of the innocent." He said, his voice still calm. "It is the final task."
Jackie looked at Steven wide eyed. "I don't understand." Her voice quiet, although she had a good idea what Steven was saying to her. She held her brother tighter in her arms.
"You must take the knife and sacrifice your brother's blood." He said, looking Jackie directly in the eyes.
"No!" She shouted. "No, I won't harm my brother!" Tears poured from her eyes. This could not be the third task! No! She refused to believe it.
"Jackie, once the moon leaves the sky you will no longer be able to enter." Steven said, moving toward her. "You must do it now." He said, urgency in his voice. Jackie shook her head and continued to cry. "You refuse?" He asked, pulling back from her.
"Yes," she said, tears still rushing down her cheeks.
"As you wish." Steven back away and disappeared as he walked through the tree. Jackie watched after him. This could not be it! It can't be! Jackie looked for an answer as she bounced her brother in her arms. There must be another way!
As she searched, she did not seem to notice Chip approaching, a gun still clutched in his hands.
Oh gosh! What did you think? What will Jackie do now?! What is gonna happen?!
We only have one more chapter! WOAH!
Again, sorry this chapter was pretty short, but I am seriously happy to be back writing!
For updates on this story check my profile page, where I will be posting weekly updates! AND also monthly news as well, just so you guys know what's going on and know about my new ideas and works (:
Please review, favorite, follow, send me a message, or scream at the top of your lungs! (: Or all of the above!
~Spencer
