CHAPTER 9: Runaway

"Guys, I'm worried about her. I've never seen her that scared before." Jeff explained to everyone. "She's never jumped or screamed when I touch her."

"We know Jeff, it scared us too." Amy explained. The others nodded.

"Well, I'm gonna go check on her." Jeff stood up, and left the kitchen. The others still sat around talking, until seconds later, when they heard Jeff yelling for them. They all quickly ran up the stairs.

"What's wrong?" Shannon asked.

Jeff just pointed to the door to his and Nicole's room. There were marks in it. Axe marks.

"What the hell happened?" Matt questioned.

Jeff didn't answer. Instead, he went in the room, no Nicole. "Oh shit, where is she?" He asked no one.

Everyone else separated and went to look for Nicole. They looked in every room, until they heard Shane call them. "Guys, she's in here."

Jeff was the first one in the room. Everyone else followed closely behind. When they entered the room, they found Nicole, asleep on the bed, her face still wet with tears.

Jeff went over to Nicole and sat down next to her. He wiped away her tears and looked at her. "Don't wake her up, Jeff. You might just scare her more." Amy advised.

"Yeah, but what scared her in the first place?" Jeff asked. None of his friends knew the answer, they all just shrugged.

"Jeff, let's ask about this when she wakes up. That way maybe she'll be more and calm and ready to talk."

"Yeah, you're right Shan, well ask her when she wakes up." Jeff nodded and left the room. They all went downstairs to wait for Nicole to wake up.

*~*~*~*~*

Nicole woke up, two hours later. She had a splitting headache. "Crying." She told herself. She slowly got up. She walked to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. Her eyes were red and puffy. After splashing cold water on her face, she headed downstairs. When she walked past her room, she noticed the door. "Oh god, tell me Jeff or anyone else hasn't already been up here." She pleaded as she walked down the stairs.

Following noise, she went into the living room. There, she found everyone sitting down, watching TV. But she knew that none of them were watching. As soon as she walked in the room, everyone looked up.

She forced a smile. "Hi guys."

"Hey shorty."

"Hey girl."

"Hey Nic."

"Hey sis."

Nicole looked at Jeff, waiting for his greeting. When it didn't come, she looked at him. She immediately took note of the upset look on his face. 'Oh shit, he must know.' She thought. She looked at everyone else, 'Do they know too?' She asked, already knowing the answer.

Even though they probably knew, Nicole decided to play dumb. "What's wrong everybody?" She asked.

Jeff finally looked at her. "What happened today, Nic?" He asked. He sounded concerned, but then why wouldn't he be?

"Oh Jeff, if you mean about when I got scared before I'm sorry. I just was watching a scary movie and when you came up behind me, well you know." She smiled, hoping her would believe her.

"Nic, don't play dumb with me. What happened while we were gone today?"

"What are you talking about?"

Matt answered calmly. "The door, Nic. The axe marks in the door."

"Where did they come from?" Jeff asked, his voice rising.

Nicole felt tears spring to her eyes. She blinked them back, as Jeff continued to stare her down.

"Come on Nic, just tell us what happened. We're here for you." Amy said, trying to comfort her friend.

"Yeah, now what happened today?" Jeff asked again, his green eyes, confused yet accusing.

Nicole couldn't take anymore. The tears fell down her face. She did the only thing she could do... run.

A/N: So... how is it? Huh, huh? Tell me!!! LOL R&R please!!! :) Nicole***