Author's notes: thanks for everyone's support. It makes my day when I get a review or a new follower or fav. There's a special place in my heart for Betsy.
Jane's heart is pounding in his ears as he walks up the stairs. Dread is pulling at his ankles, his legs heavy, slowing his accent. He can feel sweat all over his body, drenching his underclothes. There's a thick darkness surrounding him, it's tangible, he feels it brushing against his skin as he makes his way up towards his room. He knows it's his room though the stairs are not familiar, neither are the photos that adorn the walls as he finally makes his way along the hallway. They're blurred ghostly apparitions that glow through the darkness but offer him no light. Where's the bedroom door? His hallway is only a few feet long, but he senses nothing solid in front of him.
He jumps as a scream fills space and assaults his ears. It's a child's voice, he's sure of it. He runs as panic surges through him, he shouts Charlotte's name. There's another scream and he tries to move faster but the darkness is getting thicker and it's hold is now around his knees and it's stronger. He tries to shake it off but his efforts are ineffectual and the darkness moves up his body. He shouts Charlotte's name once more, his voice filled with panic and desperation. His arms are flailing trying to break free, but there's nothing to hold on to, his hands just slip through. It's dragging him to the ground he pleads with it to let him go, he tells it that his daughter needs him, he'll do anything if it will let him go so he can save her.
He's unable to move any of his limbs, the darkness has control and is dragging him along the ground, he shouts Charlotte's name as the screams continue, he squeezes his eyes tight against his frustration and helplessness. He tries bargaining once more, offering himself to whatever the darkness wants, do whatever it wants with him, just let him help Charlotte, she needs him.
A voice fills his head, hateful, mocking, deriding.
"There's nothing I want from you Mr. Jane. Nothing you can give me, nothing you can say, because you're already mine. You can't resist me, I'm stronger than you, I'm cleverer than you. Everything you own is mine, you have nothing, you're nothing. You can't save your daughter, she's already mine, you can't save anyone, your just a useless piece of garbage that the world would be better off without.
Jane's trying desperately to shut out the voice, he's trying desperately to get free, struggling with all the strength he has left, but he feels himself weakening, he tries to shout Charlotte's name once more but nothing comes, the screaming suddenly stops but the sound of whimpering proves more heart wrenching as his strength is gone,his body feels on fire and he's at the mercy of his captor.
Betsy wakes up suddenly as Jane's shout breaks through her sleep. She's disoriented at first but quickly comes to wakefulness as she hears his voice again. She jumps down off the bed, grabbing the ribbon as she leaves and rushes to him. His eyes are closed like he's asleep but his whole body is in motion, arms flailing, legs kicking, his features contorted. She's rooted to the spot a few feet away out of his reach, tears form as she watches his struggle, not knowing how to help, afraid to get close.
The on call resident lets out a sigh as he makes his way to check on Betsy. It's been a busy night with two emergency admits, he could do without having this extra chore but Dr. Wride gave strict instructions that regular checks were needed tonight. He looks through the window and reaches for his pager sending for Doctor Wride. He hits the emergency button to summon immediate help and enters the room.
Betsy jumps at the sound of the door and turns to see a strange man running into the room towards her, she shrinks back until she hits the wall, unable to stop screaming as more people rush in. Two move towards Jane and one towards Betsy. She covers her face with her hands and sinks to the floor as panic overwhelms her. The woman kneels down beside her and speaks to her softly trying to calm her. Betsy sobs in to her hands.
The others help the doctor grab Jane and lower him off the couch on to the floor afraid he may fall off and hurt himself. The Doctor kneels down beside him and speaks his name sharply to wake him up. The third time the resident gets through to Jane and his eyes pop open, the horror of his nightmare evident to all.
He's free of the darkness, consciousness finds him on the floor with faces looking at him.
"Mr. Jane I'm Doctor Barren I need to examine you."
As Jane realises that Betsy's sanctuary has been invaded he sits up in alarm.
"Where's Betsy?"
At the same moment he can hear her cries. As he tries to get up, hands try to keep him down, he shrugs them off.
"Everyone out of here now."
Jane gets to his feet and sees Betsy against the wall a nurse kneeling helplessly beside her.
"Mr. Jane I need to examine..."
"I'm fine it was just a dream, if I need examinig Dr. Wride can do it. Now you must all leave."
Jane has made his way to Betsy and crouches down beside her, he steady's himself as his legs feel weak and wobbly.
"Betsy it's me, it's all right they're not going to hurt you."
Jane picks up the end of the yellow ribbon Betsy's still holding in her hand and pulls gently on it, She looks up at him and throws herself in to his arms, the force knocks him off his feet but he manages to hold Betsy with one hand and save himself with the other. He looks up and the young doctor is still in the room, Jane is about to tell him once again to leave when Doctor Wride appears at the door. He beckons his resident towards him and then closes the door as they leave. Betsy and Jane are alone. Jane wraps his arms around Betsy as fierce tremors run through her body.
"I'm so sorry Betsy, I'm so sorry. Shhh it's okay it's just us, everyone's gone. It just us."
Author's notes: I hope you liked the chapter, a crisis had to happen.
