"This is unreal…"
I wriggled against my bindings. I couldn't just sit here. I had to get free, and-
There! One manacle dropped off. The rusty old thing was just waiting to break. I struggled against the second…and it too fell.
Now for the leg irons. Those were simple enough. Just the turn of a key and I was out!
I made for the stairs. It was night now, I saw through a tiny window near the ceiling. I silently opened the door, and saw the open entryway…with no sign of anything living. Tiptoeing out, I ran for the cemetery. There'd be plenty of places to hide.
The crinkle of leaves was a welcome sound. I collapsed against a tombstone and breathed in. But my relaxation didn't last long. I heard someone…on the other side of the tombstone! I held my breath and didn't move an inch. It's always been a talent of mine to sit in complete silence. No one would know I was there if they didn't see me sit down.
"I know you're there. And I want to ask you something."
It was him. Of course.
"What do you want?! Why am I here?" I demanded hastily.
He didn't answer. Instead, he burdened me with a question of his own.
"Was it you who took part of my soul? I…know this sounds stupid, but…was it you?" He spoke softly, almost sadly.
"I…I don't know what you're-…"
"Oh, spare me the stories. You know why you're here. I've…felt so empty since that time long ago. I haven't been able to concentrate. All I've been hoping for the past few years is that I'd find her who bonded with me." Jack was so overcome with grief that his voice was slow and labored.
"And now, I'm afraid it isn't you…and what will I do if it's not? I don't think I could take the disappointment. What if you're just another thing to live here? To celebrate Halloween with us? To "update" us, persay. What then?"
I realized I had stopped holding my breath. Just to hear him speak was a pleasure I'd forgotten. I gave myself over to my emotions for just a split second, then hid them once again.
"I…I felt it! Just for a moment, but more strongly than I've ever felt it before! Can it be?!" Jack stood.
He turned around and grabbed my hand. Astonished, I stood with him and obediently followed until we reached the base of Spiral Hill.