Chapter 7: Disenchanted (Song by Unfinished Thought)

Xoe was left thinking along with the voices. Was it really Jeff who had killed Ben? If he had, he would have admitted it, just like she admitted when she killed someone. But he had the look of truth in his eyes as if he were trying to tell her something important...

"I can't believe I just went ahead and killed him," Xoe whispered. "I could have used him for so much more..."

He was worthless.

He wasn't worth your time.

"Maybe you're right..."

We are right.

Don't doubt us.

"I wasn't doubting you." Xoe sighed.

You're beginning to not like us anymore.

What's wrong, Xoe?

Are we not good enough for you?

Or are you just afraid of us?

Afraid of what we say?

Afraid of everything we do to your mind?

Or are you just afraid of everything?

"SHUT UP!" Xoe screamed.

We'll never be silent.

We're in your head.

You can't escape us.

"LEAVE ME ALONE!" Xoe lied on her bed staring up at the ceiling. "Why can't you just let me decide on my own what I do?"

You need us to help.

You need us to help you think.

You need us to help you live out this.

You need us to help you be your best dream.

"I hate this dream, though!"

Fine then. Suit yourself.

Xoe stood up. She walked out of her apartment and down to town. Xoe was all alone now, and she had not really anyone to help her out that she could think of. She walked into one of the fancy restaurants on the main road.

Everyone was staring at her tattered dress, but she had a mysterious beauty, everyone knew. Xoe ordered and ate lunch, but when she got the bill, she did not have enough to pay.

"You don't have enough to pay for lunch?" the waiter murmured. "It's only twenty dollars."

"No, I don't have that much right now." Xoe sighed. "Three people died last night that was close to me..."

"Good for you." The waiter did not look entertained.

Suddenly a black and white hamster walked up. "I'll pay for her," he remarked as he sat down across from her at her table. The waiter murmured as the new guy paid for her lunch.

"...Who are you?" Xoe inquired. "You look familiar..."

The man looked over at her. "My name is Brad. I was the minister at your exboyfriend's funeral. Remember now, Xoe Revie?"

Xoe glared back at him. "What do you want?"

"I know everything about you. I was the one who told Jeff everything."

"You mean Jeff didn't stalk me-"

"No. I stalk you."

Xoe's blue eyes went wide. "Get away from me, you freak..."

Brad shook his head. "Sorry, Xoe. I'm here to stay now."

::What's The Matter Baby?::

::You Don't Like The Sighs::

::The Cries Inside::

"You mean now you're going to follow me around everywhere?"

"Yes. Where ever you go, Xoe, I'm always there. Even when you stay in your little apartment for days, I'm there watching you. I know how you killed everyone, and I know everyone who you've killed. In order: Marie, Josh, Charlie, Anna, Jackie, those guys, Jack, and Jeff."

"...How did you know all of this?"

"As I said, I follow you around."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"So now you know who's watching you."

"I'll kill you-"

"If you even dare to say that you'll kill me, I'll call the cops and tell them that you're a serial killer. I've got proof and photographs."

Xoe breathed hard. "Leave me alone..."

"No."

"LEAVE ME ALONE!" Xoe screamed as she stood up from the table. She raced out of the restaurant and into the street. Xoe could feel Brad's stares as she looked up and down the street. She felt him behind her breathing on the back of her neck. Xoe screamed as she ran down the street to try to escape him.

"FORGET ABOUT ME, BRAD, AND I'LL FORGET ABOUT YOU!" Xoe screamed as she continued to run.

::I Know It's A Tough Trip::

::So Heartbreaking::

::To Forget Me::

Xoe ran into her apartment and locked the door behind her. She leaned up against the door and tried to listen for him. Xoe could hear him walking up to her door. She could hear him pull out a key and unlock the bolt on the door. Xoe tried to hold it closed but Brad pushed open the door.

"What do you want from me?" Xoe whispered as she backed away.

Brad stepped toward her. "You know what I want."

"NO, I DON'T!"

"You know what I want from you..."

"Tell me, please, so I can get you to leave me alone faster..."

::So Sweet To Think You Cared Enough::

::To Stare As The Wheels Turning Round::

::Screeching To A Halt::

Brad grinned maliciously. "Xoe... Oh, Xoe Revie... You know what I want... Xoe..."

::When You Echo My Name::

"GET AWAY FROM ME!" Xoe screamed as she fell back onto the floor. "I have no idea what you're here for, but just go away!"

"How is everyone treating you, Xoe? How are you, Xoe? Are you well today, Xoe?" His grin continued to enlarge.

"I have no idea who you are or what you want, but-"

"I want you and your sanity."

::How Are The Nights Treating You::

::With The Sunbreaking Daze?::

::Does It Help Or Hinder::

::Your Thickening Haze?::

Xoe continued to back up. "What?"

"I want you and your sanity. I want you, a great serial killer, to cover up my disenchanting deeds. I want your mental stability to cover up my wrongs. I want you, Xoe Revie."

"You couldn't make my sanity last longer than five seconds in your control," Xoe spat back.

"I would try to make it last. You must not care about what you're about to get into."

::To Hear That I Don't Care::

::Of Course This Is Fair::

::You'd Do The Same If You Had The Chance::

::To Make It Last::

"Brad, leave me alone." Xoe stood up and got up in his face. "I have nothing to do with you. Now leave. I can't tell you anymore."

Brad backed away. "Alright, but you'll see me again soon." He then walked out the open door.

Xoe shut her door and locked it shut. She leaned up against the doorway and thought, Now I'm being stalked...

Good for you.

Now what do we do?

We try to find a way to get him to leave us alone...

Yes, we must.

"You just don't understand... You don't just tell someone to go away," Xoe whispered to the voices. "You have to force them to in some sort of way..."

Kill him.

Yes, kill him.

There's nothing else you can do with him.

::But My Poor

::Sweet Baby::

::You've Had Your Chance::

Xoe nodded. "I won't let him get to me," she declared. "I'll get by him. He won't know what stabbed him in the back..."