Ya'll know it had to happen – 2 chapters in one day. I'm going at such a strong pace, though, I fear that this will be over w/in the next few days. (Actually, now that I think about it, it should have only about... 4 more chapters – this one included.)

At least it leads the way for a sequel of sorts. "Of sorts" because it isn't so much a sequel as one would call it like pick up where things left off but more or less... Jude's healing process, etc. I' actually anxious as hell to get to work on it! (Anyone got title ideas?)

We'll just have to see...

PS: I'm fucking pissed off right now. One of the best writer's on the IS category was about ready to dip because a person flamed her. HEAR THIS: If you are going to leave someone a review and all you're going to say is that the story fucking sucks (i.e. non-constructive criticism) then just KEEP YOUR MOUTH FUCKING SHUT. I bet they've kept their mouth shut about your "work". Thanks...

PSS: Sorry it's so short. :(

Chapter 28 / You Should Have Known Better

The water was uncomfortably hot, the cast iron bathtub grabbing its heat and turning into an encapsulating furnace. It ran over her feet, turning them a bright pink. She squirmed amidst the elevated temperature, but reveled in how clean it made her feel. Everything floated to the surface, mingling with the few soap bubbles that dared interfere with her cleansing.

Jude hummed to herself unconsciously, the heat and everything else praying she'd fall asleep. She was trying; trying to stop all of the rampant reminders of why she'd left, why she couldn't think at all, why she was afraid of everything. She closed her eyes, slipping beneath the water.

Jude... Jude? We know you're there.

She popped up from the surface, looking around the tiled bathroom fearfully. She named off the pattern in the ceramic surround. Black... Teal... Silver... Black... Teal... Silver...

Answer us, Jude...

Black, teal, silver. BLACK, TEAL, SILVER.

Shut up and talk to us. Are you mad?

BLACK.

TALK, DAMN YOU!

TEAL!

JUDE!

Silver...

You're going to die, Jude. You know that right? You are going to die. No one can save you now.

Jude leaned back against the tub, focusing her attention to the small print on a shampoo bottle. She squinted, trying to read the label. Ingredients: Sodium...

He'll die too.

"Not Tommy! Just kill me. Take me..."

Sleep. Go under. Sleep until you die.

Something in a far corner caught her eye, her head whirling in the direction. She froze, a shadow coming closer, sliding into her bath. It hovered above her, the darkness brining with it a chill that ran the length of her body.

"You aren't real." She closed her eyes tightly, blocking herself from the thing that stood above her. "You aren't real."

Jude... Jude... Under... Go... Under...

Jude slowly rose from her position, eyes still shut, and stepped out. She backed away slowly, opening her eyes to her previous location, everything gone but the tiding water. She pensively dressed, hoping her ghosts would remain amongst the tiles and soaps. Taking a final look around the bathroom, she ran, fear riding high on her back. She slowed down, the feeling of evil fading into the background.

She stopped mid-step, imagined thunder and lightening pounding in her ears.

You're going to die...

"Where is she? I want to see her!"

"She's in the bathroom. Mrs. Harrison, calm down. She's isn't good with noise or confrontation. You have to take it easy." Tommy's icy defiant stare turned to Stuart, Stuart hanging his head to his chest. "I told you she wasn't ready for this! Why did you call her!"

Victoria didn't wait for her ex-husband's response, flying into a fit of rage.

"Because I'm her mother! I deserve to know when my missing daughter has been found!"

"Victoria, please. Tommy's right. We don't need this right now."

"Shut up, Stuart! I just want..." Victoria caught sight of her daughter standing haggardly in the hallway. "Jude!"

Jude took a step backwards, her mother running up to her and enveloping her in a tight hug. She nuzzled her cheek to Jude's temple, Jude frozen against the invasion.

"Jude doesn't like to be touched." Tommy warned, motioning something with his hands and nodding an "ok" to Jude.

Victoria paid him no mind, keeping Jude in her tight embrace. She pulled away to stare at her daughters face, smiling and happy to finally see her.

"Oh my god, Jude! Are you okay, honey? Are you ready to come home?"

"She won't go, Mrs. Harrison. Said she can't take it there."

"It'll be okay, Tom. All she needs is a good night's sleep and her family. She'll be okay."

"Mom, will you please just stop? Look at her!" Sadie, a once silent figure in the room, calmly walked to Jude's side. She removed her mother's arms from around her sister. "Tommy said she doesn't want to be touched. Leave her alone."

"What is this? A conspiracy against me? My daughter has been gone for a week and you tell me not to even hug her?"

"We aren't saying that, Mom, but..." Sadie looked at her sister's face, the grimace still plastered over Jude's features. "Just give her some time."

"Sadie's right, Victoria. I've been trying to keep my distance too."

Victoria glowered at Stuart, stepping closer to him.

"Just like always, right?"

Stuart growled under his breath, eyes narrowing in anger.

"Let's argue over that another time."

"Both of you be quiet! Just... hold down." Tommy put himself between the two formals, Sadie in from of him.

"Leave this to us, ok, Tom? Besides, it's nothing Stuart doesn't already know."

A scream reverberated within space, the sound of crying following suit.

"Stop it! Stop... So loud..." Everyone turned to look at Jude, pale and holding the sides of her head. "Please, stop..."

"I told you!" Tommy glared at everyone in the room, moving in towards Jude. "Jude, it's ok. We'll stop." He reached for her arm, another screech filling the room. He stood motionless as she made her way back down the hallway and towards the room she'd just left, watching everyone miniaturize. She chanted to her family quietly.

"Dear Mom..."