-Chapter 11-

-A Pair of Soulless Eyes-

Jacob sat quietly on his the bed in his room. He watched as the warm breeze caused the white curtains to dance in the air, the sun peeking through trees and forming irregular shadows on the clean white walls. His feet were rooted on the cold tile floor, his hands resting softly on his clean, black plants and his right arm in a cloth sling. Looking at his room was enough to see the stark contrast between this world and the Alternate world he had arrived from a few hours ago. After the sirens stopped, Jacob had opened his eyes and found himself in the Assembly Hall, the walls and floors spotless. Looking down at the girl in his arms, Jessica appeared normal. The gaping hole on her chest was gone, her face and hair clean. Jacob looked at himself and noticed he was spotless as well. Apart from his arm still being sore, it was as if the events before had never happened. The area around them was bathed in warm light, but a circle of multicolored light was focused on the two students as the sunlight of the new morning passed through the stained glass window. Jacob just sat there holding Jessica in his arms as a Sister, who was getting the Hall ready for the Opening Prayer, entered the Hall and stumbled upon the two students. She had let fly a series of questions to Jacob, what were they doing there, were they alright, and how did they get into the locked Hall. Jacob thought for a moment before answering. Should he tell her what he experienced? Sure, there's a good idea, he thought. Yes, Sister, Jessica and I were taken to an alternate Hope House where we saw a monster that looked like a Sister and Jessica here was run through with a pike by a guy with a pyramid helmet. She'd buy that, I'll bet. When he looked back at the waiting Sister, he decided it better to make up some lame story about the two of them sneaking out afterwards, he tripping down a staircase and Jessica falling asleep. He wasn't even sure that the story would fly, but the Sisters always paid strict attention to injuries and did what they could to prevent students from hurting themselves. While Jacob was directed to the infirmary, the Sister stayed back with Jessica to make sure if she was okay.

It had been several hours since his return from the nurse in the infirmary who simply gave Jacob the sling and painkiller, which was a strange, white colored fluid and had a bizarre after taste. He knew what he had to do, what he wanted to do but didn't wish to face the reality of the new Jessica. Because the event he witnessed was exactly the same as he saw the one Will go through at Rosewater, then she is lost, a fact Jacob didn't want to believe. He looked at the small clock on the wall, noticing that it was time for the first break from classes. He got up from his bed, carefully slipped into a black shirt and walked out of his room. He casually made his way from the Hope House dormitories, dodging students who kept asking about his arm. Jacob walked through several familiar hallways and even stopped briefly when he walked passed the faculty lounge, the sounds of talking and life occupying the space that was once dark, messy and ugly. He passed through the main lobby of Hope House, again noticing the cleanliness of the area before walking outside.

The warm air caressed his tired face and hair, the brightness of the sun causing him to squint as his eyes tried to get used to the shift from inside to outside. He watched students playing, sitting and eating and wondered, after all he had seen, how many of them were taken by that Pyramid Head creature. The words of Alexander went through his mind over and over, that the group who was responsible for this was in the past. But again, considering what he saw and how close he was to the latest victim, he believed that some of them were still around. For an instant, he wanted to go to Alexander and ask him about this, but considering the monster dressed as a Sister, he didn't want to take any chances, especially since the seal for Hope House was right below the cage Jessica was in when he took her down.

Jacob continued to look around the outside area of Hope House trying to find Jessica. When his gaze fell upon the oak tree they had shared once before, he spotted a woman leaning against the wood, her back facing him. His mouth went dry as he approached her, he didn't want to deal with this, but a part of him forced him to see her. When he fell under the shade of the tree and stood several feet from the girl, Jacob cleared his throat.

"Jessica?"

The girl's head turned at the calling of her name, she twisted her body around to face Jacob and gave him a warm, heartfelt smile. "Jacob," her voice was light, the tone sounding a bit listless. Just like Will's. "How are you, this marvelous afternoon? Look at this beautiful day God has given us. We should offer Her deep prayers of thanks." Jacob felt his stomach turn as he watched the young girl fall to her knees and clasp her hands together, her lips moving quickly in silent prayer. When she was done, her eyes opened and gave Jacob another smile. She picked up a few small yellow flowers and played around with them. Taking more into her hands, she began to fashion a small crown of marigolds. Judging by the size of her smile, she was enjoying herself immensely. Jacob sat on the grass before Jessica, watching the girl fashion her crown. She looked as good as before, Her long brown hair rested over her shoulder while her soft hands skillfully weaving the stems of the flowers to her will.

"Jessica?" Jacob asked, his voice soft.

"Yes, Jacob?" Jessica smiled at him. Jacob felt sad as he looked into those pale, empty eyes he had seen once before.

"Do you remember the monsters?"

Jessica looked at him curiously. "What monsters, Jacob?"

"The monsters we saw. They wore school uniforms. We were attacked by a Sister and a creature with a pyramid shaped helmet. It hurt you. It stabbed you."

Jessica gave him a look of deep concern. "Jacob, I don't know what you are talking about. There are no monsters here. This is the safest place in the world for us. Evil exists outside the walls, not within. We are safe from the corruption and weakness of the world."

"Jessica, you've never been this way. What happened to you? We used to be alike. We didn't care about this religious nonsense."

Jacob wished he hadn't said that after seeing the look Jessica gave him. Her eyes, stile pale, showed fire for his words. "How dare you call it nonsense! Maybe you think it's silly, but I see what the world for what it really is! It's an evil place filled with weak, evil people. Don't you remember how your parents died? From a wicked man! He was weak so he drank. His weakness took away your parents. You of all people should realize how ugly this world is. Our safety truly depends on how much She loves us, how much She cares for us. She has given us this place until we are led to Paradise. People who think like you will be lost, doomed to suffer a life full of pain and misery." The marigold crown she was creating was crushed from the tight grip of her hands while she let loose on Jacob. He merely sat there quietly, taking in the truth that Jessica was well and truly gone. Jessica quickly got up and started to walk away. Before she left for Hope House, she turned to him. "You'd better think differently, Jacob," she said, her voice still a bit hard. "Holy places such as this have no room for unbelievers such as you. You'd should start paying attention and beg hard that She forgives your ill words." With those words, she threw her crown on the grass and stormed off. Watching her move towards the entrance of Hope House, he saw Jessica meet up with other classmates, including Will, which brought her to smiles and cheer. He watched as she pointed to him and turned away when all eyes were looking at him. Jacob leaned against the tree and ignored the onlookers, trying to figure out his next course of action. With Jessica gone, there was really no reason for him to be here. He had nothing left. While nursing his sore arm, Jacob decided to leave Hope House, to leave this horrible place far behind and never look back. He got up from the tree and made his way back towards the school. When he reached the front steps, he was greeted by Father Alexander.

"Good afternoon, my son." He said with a cheery voice.

"Hello, Father." Jacob didn't look at the man when he returned the greeting.

"How's your arm, son?"

"It'll be fine. Just a little sore."

"One should always be careful of where they go." He smiled at Jacob in a friendly manner.

"I guess so, Father." They both stood on the steps in silence. Alexander placed his arms behind his backed and admired the afternoon climate. "Where are you off to now, Jacob?"

"I'm going to head back to my room. I'll go find my teachers and see about the work I missed earlier today."

"Ah, very good. I'm glad you've decided not to shirk your studies. They are important to you. 'A weak mind is the demon's paradise' as they say, correct?"

Jacob nodded and excused himself. He moved past Alexander, just wanting to get away from him. Before he entered the doors, he heard Alexander say, "Jessica seems to be in high spirits today. Everyone does. Must be this wonderful weather."

Jacob looked back at the smiling Father. "Must be, sir," he replied before moving through the Hope House doors.