Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing pertaining to the Addams family, beyond this personalized work of fiction. Thank you. :)
I would go into explicit detail about the amount of things that were surging through my head, but with my eyes currently shut, and myself fighting just to stay awake for the moment. The only things I could process were the voices of my friends and little brother for the time being.
"Stewart?!? STEWART!!! Get up damn you, you can't just leave me like this!!!
"YOU FUCKING MANIAC!! Just what the hell were you THINKING?!?"
"Hey look!! It was either risk getting caught by those freaks, or cut off some loose strings holding us back. That little brat's been a pain in our asses for years now, and we all know Stewart wasn't just gonna leave him behind! With them both gone just means a bigger share for us all to enjoy. That's what we're all here for, isn't it?"
"We came here for a change of pace and to enjoy Halloween as friends! Not just so you could have a convenient excuse to stuff your damned face!!"
"Pfft... say what you like! The fact remains is that I now have the next key. So long as I'm the one with it, that means I'll be the one calling the shots from this point onward, that is assuming you guys want to get any further from here!"
"You can take that key and go straight to HELL!!! None of us are leaving behind Stewart, OR Paul!! Right guys?!?"
"There's no way I could forgive myself if I just left Stewart behind after he saved me, and that was right before we saved Jason. Sorry Bobby, but no way, no how!!"
"Well... what about you then, Marcus?"
"... S-... Sorry guys. Tell Stewart and Paul... that it was nothing personal."
"You coward..."
"I guess that settles it then. Suit yourselves fellas, but when you all end up dead, or as some creature's shit. Just remember I gave you guys a chance to get out of this alive, which by now is more than anyone could say for the two of those losers behind you! Let's go Marcus."
"Dude, forget about them. We've gotta get Stewart and Paul out of here! That kid from earlier was right, no amount of candy on this planet is worth losing our friends over!"
I could begin to make out Jason and Tommy hurrying their ways over to where I was currently embracing the ground like a worm. The only other noise that was audible given my present condition was Paul's sobbing as he laid his head sideways on my back. I wasn't sure if he thought I was dead right now, but given the general state of agony my right knee was in, maybe death was a mercy I've been overlooking until now.
As it is, I'm pretty sure there isn't another way out of this for me. Once Jason and Tommy reach us, I've got to tell them both to leave me behind, and get Paul the hell out of this mansion!! How could I have been such a damned idiot?!? Before this whole challenge even began, I knew better than anyone just how weird this family was at least on the surface, but never in my wildest of nightmares could I have imagined they'd be into this kind of stuff!
Well... I guess this is finally the end for me... I'm not all that sure what'll happen once I pass on, but at least Paul can hopefully live to tell both our stories. My only regret is the fact I put nearly everyone in my life important to me in danger. Maybe they wouldn't have sent me that letter if I'd just went through with scaring Wednesday to begin with, but then again I couldn't have stopped my friends from coming here anyway. I never exactly prepared for the day I'd say my final prayers, but so far only one's actually coming to mind...
"Whoever or whatever is out there that can hear this prayer... please... just please allow my little brother to live."
"Paul! Are you alright? Is Stewart still... y'know?"
"H-... sniff, He's still breathing, b-but he hasn't said a word since I found him like this. It's all my fault!! He was trying to protect me as he always has, and all I did was force him to take an explosion. Now his knee won't stop bleeding, and I don't know what to do!"
"He's bleeding now?!? Ohh God, poor dude. Don't worry Paul, we've got things under control. Tommy, help me lift Stewart up so we can get out of here!"
"You've got it man! Hang in there Stewart, we're not going anywhere without you guys!"
My back felt about 10 pounds lighter as Paul removed his head from it. I could now feel somebody wrapping my left arm around their shoulder as my body was being hoisted up, followed by my right arm as I was now being lifted off the ground and back to something of a vertical base. I still winced as my right knee received a pulse similar to a heart-beat, but as tempting as it is, I can't concern myself with that right now. As flattering as it is that my closest friends are trying to return the favor from earlier when the challenge first began, them trying to save me would only slow them down, and therefore make getting Paul out of here that much harder. I've got to tell them to leave me behind and focus only on getting Paul to safety, now!
"Ugh... g-guys??"
"Jason, did you hear something?"
"It's Stewart, he's awake! We were so worried about you man, Paul thought he'd lost you for good! Are you alright?"
"Y-... yeah, not really, my right knee feels like it's on fire, but listen carefully... you guys have to forget about me, and find a way to get Paul out of this mansion and back home. Do you understand?"
"Are you crazy?!? There's no way in hell we're leaving you behind!! After you saved the both of us when everyone else ran off? What kind of friends would we be if we just left you here to die?!? How would we explain that to your parents?!? Just stop being ridiculous, and let's get home in one piece okay?"
"Urgh... I appreciate it guys, I really do, but if you try to save us both, you'll only be slowing yourselves down as well. Right now, the only thing that matters to me is getting Paul back home, safe and sound. Just because I won't make it back doesn't mean he should have to die too. Forget about me, and just make sure Paul lives to see tomorrow... please!"
"But Stewart!!!"
Just then, Paul spun around and looked me dead straight in both my eyes. He gripped my chin with what felt like every ounce of force he could muster. I would have been just a bit frightened at his current display of anger and frustration, but the agony in my right knee made much of anything hard to concentrate on. He began to tell me off in a similar fashion to the way I told him off when we'd just left that terrifying green-house from earlier.
"Now... you listen to me! With everything we've been through together, and after everything you've ever done for me, do you really think I'd just let you die here?!? Never mind explaining it to mom and dad, how am I supposed to live with myself, knowing my only brother had to fucking DIE, just so I could live on?!? I swear right now... if I can promise anything tonight, even if it kills me, we're ALL getting back home safe and sound, together!"
I could elaborate as much as my mind would allow me on what I'd been forced to take in by Paul, but no words I could ever hope to muster would explain what it felt to hear how much Paul cares about me. We've always been pretty close in spite of our differences and arguments, but I never truly got the idea he'd go as far as to die for me. I just always thought that was a parental or older sibling sort of thing. We all end up caring more because we basically have to. It's not just because it's what's expected of us, but that the elders have to lead by example. I'd be lying if I said I've always been the most positive force in Paul's life, but I like to think he's always known I do care about him.
Regardless, all I could do was stare blankly at him. My eyes were wider than I thought they could open up, and my mouth hung agape at his impassioned speech. I briefly spared Jason and Tommy a glance and their expression mirrored my own. They looked as if though they had to be dreaming what they just heard. Jason managed to regain his senses long enough to remember that we still had a mansion to bail from.
"You hear that Stew? Looks like your little bro can't go on without you. Do you have the heart to tell him he has to anyway?"
I let out a small chuckle as I once again had no comeback to offer. What was I supposed to say? Even more important than a retort was the fact that Paul was right here. Besides the impossible task of explaining my passing to mom and dad, Paul would have to live with survivor's guilt for the rest of his life. The very last thing I'd want is for my noble sacrifice to make his life even harder on him years from now.
"... Alright Paul... as usual, you win."
"What a surprise. Just take it easy for now big bro, and let me take the lead for now."
I wasn't in much of a state for arguing in my present condition, so somebody would have to take over in my place. Paul began to lead the way as he ran beyond the now opened gates. Jason and Tommy followed him as quickly as they could given they were basically dragging my limp carcass at the moment. I could tell we were passing through the gates now, which made me worry whether or not Paul could lead us through the trees on his own.
As we began to reach the trees, Paul patiently waited for us to catch up as my 2 best friends carried me as carefully as they could. My right knee continued to ache unendingly as the blood oozing from it stained my costume. I wasn't sure how much longer I could stay conscious in this state, but worrying about getting this wound patched up would have to wait until after we get back home. I don't have the slightest of clues on how we're supposed to get our boards back, but then again even the best board on the market isn't much use if you're dead.
In all that's been said, I can't believe I've forgotten to mention Bobby and Marcus! I knew it was Bobby that put me in this state, and it looks like Marcus jumped ship in order to save his own hide. As much as I'd like to say Bobby's betrayal is surprising, I always knew it'd either be him or Marcus one day. Bobby's always been out for himself more than anything else. The only reason he ever hung out with us was so we could help him with homework and to stay out of detention. Marcus on the other hand, while I knew the least about him compared to anyone else by far, never struck me as dishonest or a traitor. We generally get along pretty well all things considered, even if he's the most quiet out of our group.
As one might expect, neither of them are my favorite people in the world right now. It's not even that I can't forgive Bobby for his attempt at murdering me, but it's the fact he tried to take both me AND Paul out together at the same time. Assuming either of us get out of this hell-hole alive, that fat SOB can consider himself a marked man! I know vengeance isn't a particularly healthy thing to harbor towards someone, but trying to hurt my little bro makes this as personal as it can be! Even if it ends with me getting sent away, this isn't over between us, not even close!!!
As for Marcus, while I do feel more than a fair share of pain and anger toward him abandoning us, at least he didn't go out of his way to kill both me, AND my brother. We're definitely off each other's phone number listings after this is over, but right now Bobby as far as I'm concerned is public enemy number 1! Having said that, I can't concentrate on formulating revenge until we can get ourselves out of here. I need time to recover, and everyone else needs to be somewhere safe, which is pretty much anywhere but this mansion at the moment!
Paul somehow managed to lead us through the trees in about the same amount of time I did. Jason and Tommy did their best to keep pace with him given what they were carrying with them at the moment, but Paul said nothing about their speed, understanding the severity of the situation at hand. He quickly opened the door for us all, holding it open for Jason, Tommy, and myself to pass through first. He then shut the door behind us, and proceeded to lead the 3 of us back to the stair-way that led to this part of the house.
The way there took a bit longer than it would have normally given I couldn't walk on my own right now, but we managed to make it at our own pace. As Paul was standing right next to the stair-way, waiting for all 3 of us to reach him, a large wall appeared from the very top of the stair-case. Paul just barely reacted to it in time as the shock caused by the sudden intrusion led to him stumbling backward, nearly falling rear first on the ground as he did so.
Before I could fully process what'd even just happened, a familiar screeching audio came through a loud speaker in the distance yet again. This was the first time they'd ever contacted us outside of a room, but given they just blocked off our only exit, I can assume it has something to do with us leaving.
"Tsk Tsk Tsk... Dear guests, this is a most disappointing development indeed. You've all shown tremendous bravery and coordination in your efforts to successfully win this game. For you all to turn back now and simply flee for survival is a betrayal of just how far you've all come. I do apologize for having to resort to methods such as these, but I'm afraid I simply cannot allow any game to go unfinished. Not to worry however! Our children shouldn't be too far away from where you are currently."
Okay, now I'm convinced these people just want us all dead!
After hearing this terrifying announcement, Paul and the others begun to panic as now we not only have no place to go. We now know that we aren't even alone in these hall-ways! Wednesday and Pugsley could be lurking around the hall-ways as we speak, and our only exit has been effectively cut off. To put it bluntly, we're trapped like rats in a spot of the house I don't even know all that well. Even worse is the fact we're not gonna win a fight against those 2 kids. Paul's the youngest and therefore weakest of us all, then Jason and Tommy can't defend themselves and me at the same time, and finally I've got a bum leg and can't even stand up right! We've all seen they're capable of using weapons, and we don't even have our boards with us right now!!
Before all hope could be lost, Jason called out to Paul on what to do next from here.
"Just how badly do these people want us dead?!? C'mon Paul, we're counting on you here!! Where do we go now?"
Paul had an aggravated grimace on his face as he seemed deep in thought at our next move. I hated that he had to bear so much pressure on him right now, but there wasn't much I could do in my current state sadly. A couple of minutes go by and Paul suddenly rushed back the way we came, seemingly with purpose in mind. My closest friends ran after him while still carrying me along as well. I could hear their grunts and pants of effort as they heaved me toward the direction Paul was running in.
"Paul, wait up!! Where are we going?"
"We're going to find another way out of this death-trap! If they aren't gonna let us go quietly, we'll just have to make another exit for ourselves then!"
I couldn't be more proud, and more than a little surprised at how well Paul's taken control of the situation so far. Despite clearly being as scared as the rest of us, he's not allowing his fear to overcome his reason. As hopeless as things genuinely seem right now, I can confidently state that doing anything still has to be better than doing nothing at all. Even if all we're doing is prolonging the inevitable, that doesn't mean we have to roll over and play dead for them!
Paul sprinted off toward that fork in the road where we found those 3 doors. I began to remember that there was a 2nd hall-way which led to a stair-case. I groaned partially in pain from my knee, and partially in annoyance as taking a stair-case up would be taking us further into the mansion, rather than out of it. That said, it's not like we even have a choice by this point.
Furthermore, neither of us exactly went into this place with a good exit strategy in mind. I just never expected to need one given nearly every kid in our neighborhood showed up to accept the challenge. How anybody could predict a family would have either the time, or resources to set something like this up truly escapes me beyond what mere words can convey.
We ran our way up the stair-case in our efforts to find another way to escape the mansion. Paul waited patiently for us to catch up to him at the top of the stair-case. Jason and Tommy heaved my full body weight up the entire stair-case as well, albeit not without some considerable difficulty given the heaviness of their breathing and grunts. I mentally cursed at how useless I felt at not being able to manipulate my own body, but putting any weight on a bad knee would accomplish nothing but put myself in further agony than I already am. I'm already drifting in and out of consciousness right now, so odds are more suffering would only speed up the inevitable process of me passing out.
At the top of the stair-case, I could make out a portrait hanging off a wall from a rather dimmly lit hall-way. Like I said before, being on the move still beats standing around doing nothing, but going up instead of down only made me feel nervous at just what lay in store for us. Even if we could find a way out from up here, there's no guarantee it won't just be leading us into yet another trap. That said, we're basically shit out of options by this point, so anything even remotely resembling a way home is good enough for me right now.
Paul gave the decision of picking a direction a bit of thought, before finally darting off toward the left, prompting us to follow him. Though still in a considerable amount of pain, I made sure to take in each detail of the hall-ways we were going through.
They had many of the same details all the other locations possessed. A noticeably bare amount of light, just enough to keep things visible, but bleak enough to make sight-seeing a chore. Some paintings usually depicting disturbing events like warriors engaging their enemies on an ancient battlefield, witches concocting bizarre experiments over simmering black cauldrons, or large, frightening monsters closing in on their petrified human victims.
These frightening depictions, coupled with the rather desolate amount of usable light made our travels through this place increasingly unnerving. If push comes to shove, I'd even settle for being chucked out of one of these Victorian era windows just to get out of here! Paul continued to guide us through each hall-way undaunted, though by now it's becoming clear to me that we aren't making any progress at all. In fact, with how similar each of the layouts of these hall-ways are, it's beginning to remind me more and more of...
"N-No... damn it, it really is another t-trap!"
"Mmm? You say something Stew?"
As if sensing my growing dread, Jason somehow overheard my tense, pain filled, whisper as my voice was low and mostly in groan form. I have to warn the guys before it's too late! With my best efforts to ignore the miserable suffering in my right knee, I put all my remaining energy into warning Jason and Tommy about the trap we all blindly stepped into.
"Ugh... g-guys, you have to t-tell Paul to turn b-back. We're all stuck in a maze right now, which is w-why it feels like we're running around in c-circles!"
The both of them just stared at me completely awe-strucken at what I'd just revealed to them. I can imagine neither of them realized it for themselves given what they've literally had their hands full doing right now, but that's not what's important at the moment! The longer we spend time in this maze, the more energy and effort that goes to waste here. Paul can't just keep on running forever, and I know Jason and Tommy are approaching their limits as well, no matter if they try to deny it or not.
Without hesitation, Jason and Tommy both called out to Paul before he could start running down the next corridor.
"PAUL, STOP!!! We've run into a trap, we're all stuck in a maze right now. This whole time we've just been running around in circles, and none of us even knew it!!!"
Paul spun around near instantaneously as he attempted to think over what he'd just been told. He didn't seem totally convinced at both of their claims, but began to rush his way over to us after Jason and Tommy finished making their point.
"Guys, what are you both talking about? We haven't even been through a maze so far, in fact I-"
Just then, a long, glass mirror slammed down in front of where Paul was standing, completely blocking his path back to us. My mind began to race itself to death in circles, as an inescapable sense of fear and dread flooded it's way into my pain and exhaustion wracked body. I could hear him begin to shout from behind the mirror, thunderously pounding on it as he tried with all his might to reach us where we were. I could only grimace and recoil in pain and despair as the absolute worst case scenario just came to pass! This whole time I've managed to keep Paul in my sight, and out of harm's way, and now THIS has to happen! Was refusing to be alone with someone else really deserving of this?!?
NO! This isn't fair, to anybody!!! I'm the idiot that didn't put my foot down when Paul insisted he come with us. I should have personally dragged his ass back home, no matter how much he complained about it or cursed me out in the process! After what I've been through and the pain my right knee is in right now, being grounded until my hair turns gray is a day in paradise as far as where I'm currently "hobbling" at the moment!! If I only showed a little bit more authority as an older brother, Paul wouldn't be in this place right now!!! If anyone deserves to suffer and die, IT SHOULD BE ME!!!
"PAAAAAUUUL!!! PAAA-HA-AAAAAL!!! NOOOO!!!"
Summoning every last ounce of energy and raw emotion my body could spare, I threw myself at the glass barrier standing between me and my only sibling. My petrified mind and viciously pounding heart forced me to ignore the pain of having to put weight on my still badly injured knee. The throbbing pulses of agony only fuelled my repeated punching of the mirror even more as I screamed and cried to see Paul again. My eyes began to flood with warm tears as I realized no matter how hard I hit it, I hadn't even made a dent in this mirror yet. I'd been hitting it hard enough to cause actual damage to my hands. I could feel them begin to bruise and swell over as each strike made it's own distinctive thud upon the slick surface of the mirror. It was like glass made out of steel! Just what hole in hell did these people first crawl out of?!?
My pummeling of the mirror began to soften as I could feel the adrenaline in my veins begin to fade away. With my new re-surge of strength spent, the previous misery I mentioned before returned with an awful vengeance. It was like every sensation of pain I'd ever felt before was transferred into my right knee all at once, causing me to double over on the ground, with one hand clutching my knee, and the other clutching the mirror.
In the chaos that consumed me, I turned my head around just enough to see Jason and Tommy staring at me with genuinely sad expressions on their faces. They didn't seem to know whether they should help me back up, or to turn back around and find Paul before we all got out of here together. I made it clear to both of them what I wanted out of them, as my final request to them as my best friends on the entire planet!
I managed to squeak out the request admist my now sore throat, and dimming vision as a result of the blood loss I've suffered, in addition to the endless pain that just won't leave me be even for a second.
"P-... Please... just f-find him... and g-get yourselves out of... h-here."
The two of them looked at each other, it seemed they both were on the verge of crying and losing all hope. Just when I thought I couldn't be in anymore pain than I'm already in! Jason and Tommy were both some of the most confident, cheerful, and up-right people I'd ever known. They were afraid of practically nothing, which made them clash somewhat with my more passive, cautious nature. I suppose that's why we ultimately made for great friends though! We've always been there for each other ever since the 2nd grade, whether it be helping with homework, practicing skate-boarding, defending each other from bullies, and so on. They've admitted to me before I helped bail them out of trouble on more than one ocassion, but I can't say they haven't done the same for me in the past. To see them come so close to breaking down like this just makes me feel even worse than I already do, but I can't let that distract them from finding Paul and getting out of here!
"We'll find him Stewart don't you worry, but we're still not leaving this place without you. You'd better remember that... you hear me?!?"
I would have offered a rebuttal, but the pain I'm in is just too great to bother with it right now. I gently nodded my now light as a feather head as I regarded them one last time... there go my best friends in the world. They're willing to risk their own lives just to save my brother, and therefore clean up the mess which I ended up starting in the first place. With all this being said, if I wasn't already sure this was the end of me, these recent events all but set it in stone. The only thing missing was my official signature on the dotted line, but I can picture a marked tombstone was just as good as anything else.
Well... at least now I can get some shut-eye as I contemplate all my failures up until this point.
"Hey! We just want to find our friend so we can get out of here already! We're already scared half to death, what else do you want from us?!?"
"There's a 10 year old kid from our group that's lost! Just let us find him and we'll all leave immediately! To hell with candy, we just wanna go home already!"
... You can't be serious right now.
Are the words "lay off" even in their vocabulary?!? I know Gomez said neither Pugsley or Wednesday would show us any mercy upon getting caught, but this is insane!! I can't let either of them stop Jason and Tommy though, not before they can find Paul, and get him back to safety!
Though my body is extremely worn out, and the fact is I'm in more pain than I've ever been in before, I have to get to where they are! Slowly, I placed my left hand on the dust filled rug I was currently writhing in pain on, and begun to inch myself a bit toward the beginning of the next hall-way. Every waking muscle or nerve ending within me cried out all at once to just stop and leave it be, but I can't let Wednesday and Pugsley stop my friends from saving Paul. If they need a sacrifice so damn badly, they can have their fills of me instead!
I used my right arm to shift my body to the left, to avoid putting weight on my injured knee pointlessly. That would at least make the small trip to getting there a bit less painful. I then threw my right arm out in front of me, so I could use both hands to drag myself forward as much as possible. My left leg gave me a little extra push as it forced my body forward a fair amount, combined with my 2 hands and one good leg, I was making actual progress somehow. Thankfully, we were about half way down the hall-way when that mirror slammed down in front of Paul, so getting to the end of it shouldn't take more than a minute or so if I can just hurry.
I made it to the end of the hall-way just in time to see Jason and Tommy getting cornered by Wednesday and Pugsley. I could see them taking up a defensive stance as they looked ready to fight both of them if need be, but I could tell they were now scared out of their damned wits. Just like I pointed out earlier, Wednesday and her brother showed off the fact they could use weapons, and they both faced my friends with weapons in hand. Pugsley had a large, sharp, but almost glistening silver axe from what looked like the middle ages. It seemed to be in pristine condition, as even with such limited light, it shined and practically sparkled in the small amounts of light given off from the windows.
Wednesday herself still had her crossbow like from before, only this time the tips of the arrows looked as though they were lit on fire. Just the thought of what they both had in mind for my friends was enough to make me retch! With my right hand, I reached out to the wall next to me, and started to pound on it with all my remaining strength. My hands were still bruised over and had begun to swell a bit, but the pain I'm in doesn't even compare to what Jason, Tommy, and most importantly Paul will suffer if I can't buy time for them.
Much to my luck, Wednesday and Pugsley took their attentions off my friends, and re-directed it squarely on me instead. Slowly, they started to approach me, just as I wanted them to. Now that they're coming my way, I just need to lure them away from where Jason and Tommy are, so that they can use the distraction to find Paul, and finally leave this hell hole! As far as I'm concerned, the closer they are to me, the more time that gives Jason and Tommy to find Paul.
I used the same method for dragging myself as I did before, and I can only thank whatever might be out there for allowing me to buy time for my friends to get away. I continued to drag myself all the way back to the glass barrier standing between me and Paul, finally giving into pain and fatigue as my right knee was still aching despite me not putting too much weight on it. My hands felt like someone had stuck in a pump, and rapidly increased their size to the point of them bursting. My right knee's agonizing pulsing and sensations seemingly joined into one in order to become the most painful thing I'd ever experienced before, and at this rate ever will.
However, beyond even the most gruesome of my physical pain right now, my greatest suffering was the fact I failed my little brother in every way an elder can do so. At least Jason and Tommy can hopefully bring him home safely, but the reality is he wouldn't even be here right now if it weren't for me. I've always had a bad habit of caving into his demands, even if it ended up causing trouble for me. That said, there's nothing more I can do for anyone right now, not when I have 2 blood-lusted, delinquents forcing me into a wall like a vicious predator to helpless prey.
With my head against the mirror, Wednesday slowly walked her way over to me, her crossbow more omnious than ever as it could easily end me with just one shot in my present state. I could only shut my eyes as tightly as I could as I had no way out of this situation, and truthfully I don't believe I deserve one either.
As I embraced the darkness that my eye lids provided, I could begin to see the events of that nightmare playing out all over again. Suddenly, it all seemed to make sense within this moment! My right knee getting injured just as it had in the dream, Wednesday omniously cornering me as she is now, and finally Paul being forced to run off while I stayed behind. I'd probably have soiled myself long before now if I weren't completely exhausted, but at this point considering the suffering I'm already in, they're basically doing me a favor to be perfectly frank.
Having said that.. there was one thing about the dream that stands out more than anything else at the moment. It was just one, single question delivered in a tone that could be considered barely above a whisper... and it said.
"... Are you scared?"
That one question, as cryptic and sinister as it was at that time, was now the only thing my sub-conscious seemed interested in repeating. It echoed around in my brain constantly like a chorus of obnoxious birds chirping when someone takes a nasty blow to the head. I couldn't get it to stop!! It even dulled the pain somewhat in my right knee as it begun to take over what remained of my attention for the moment.
However, as maddening as it is to hear right now, I can't help but feel it's attempting to convey a deeper meaning here. Is this a sign that I've finally conquered my fear? Is the knowledge that I'm about to die proof that I've discovered what it means to have true courage? I guess there's no harm in testing that theory right about now. I'm about to lose the only thing that I have left to offer, so I might as well make a statement about it in the process.
Willing myself to open my eyes for one last time, I could feel every waking inch of my body jump awake as Wednesday's lifeless, icy stare was now almost nose to nose with me. I felt panic, fear, and perhaps just a slight hint of bashfulness at the fact a girl about my age was now staring me down eye to eye. This is it then... now or never. If I really do have anything even remotely resembling a spine, now's my chance to prove it to the one person I've feared since the day I first met her.
Just as all the times that came before it... no sound whatsoever from her. She only stared... was that her way of communicating? Were there no words that could do justice to explain just how throughly dead I am? Whatever the case, her deafening silence gave me all the time I needed to impart one final truth...
"N-... No, I'm not... not anymore."
With that last uttering of strength, my body and mind gave in all at once to the culmination of pain and fatigue. In one instant, I could still make out Wednesday's face and emotionless expression, and now in the next... I couldn't even feel anything at all.
"Ohh darling! How's the poor boy faring?"
"Though his wound was quite messy, the treatment Grandmama administered should be enough to keep his condition stable. That young man is unlike any individual his age, the likes of which I believed never could have even existed! He's truly a rare find indeed, and one this world could use more of these days."
I'd awoken to find myself strapped to some kind of table. If what the 2 voices I'd overheard just now were anything to go by, my guess is an operating table. My eyes were pointed directly above me to see nothing but a small lighting fixture overlooked by pure darkness. The shock and realization that I'm in fact alive, and NOT dead is either yet another miracle, or a sinister omen at what true suffering awaits for me.
With myself strapped onto the table, I'm clearly not going anywhere right now, so I might as well look around the room itself. From the sides around me, I could make out a couple of desks with notes about complex chemical studies that I have no hope in hell of interpreting. By looking straight ahead, I could see odd substances flowing through long glass tubes of sorts, and lastly a large computer lay against one of the walls.
The room didn't have much about it that stood out beyond that. It's walls were made out of concrete and seemed to be uncared for, which might explain why they've started to mold over. It's pretty obvious to me now I'm in some kind of laboratory, but the decor otherwise makes it look like a type of bomb shelter one made for the basement. It looks like a quick death was just too much to ask for, well as long as Jason, Tommy, and Paul somehow magically made it out of here alive and well, at least I can die with no regrets.
I forced myself to look at my now restrained body, only to find my costume was removed and that I'm now in my regular clothes. To my greatest shock yet though, I could clearly see my right knee was now tightly bandaged up and no longer bleeding, though the bandages themselves were stained partially with my own blood.
As ridiculous as the idea seemed, all of this could only conclude one possible outcome...
They... saved me, but why?
Before I could even begin to wonder how I'd cheated death once again, my ears began to pick up the sound of foot-steps coming closer to the lab I've been kept in for presumably a while now. My immediate reaction was to panic, but looking at things rationally, it's pretty obvious I'd either be dead, or in far worse shape than I'm in now if their intentions were malicious. It's not like I could fight back even if I wasn't strapped to a table at the moment, hell I couldn't even run if that were the case! I have no idea why they're extending this courtesy to me right now, but I have literally every reason to be grateful for it all the same.
The shadow of the figure that approached the room had scraggly hair, and a kind of "witch" like demeanor. Her shadow showed off a long, narrow, almost boney nose, and her mouth was curved into a wicked grin that seemed to signal a cliched, evil cackle was coming. Whoever it was didn't seem to be laughing, but I could make out the sounds of conversation between them and another person. At any rate, given how close they were to me, I'd be getting an answer as to why I'm not 6 feet under right now.
The figure emerged from the corner of the hall-way, and made her presence be known with a white surgical mask, and rubber gloves. The mask in question made it hard to tell whether or not she was happy at the fact I'm now conscious, but judging by the fact she's wearing these things at all, I can only assume she was the one that fixed me up. That explains what those people from earlier were talking about when they said "Grandmama".
"Hee-Hee-Hee!! So glad to see you're awake dear child!!! Do be careful as you walk however, I'm afraid you are yet to be fully healed."
Upon closer inspection, I started to take in some asthetic details about my mysterious, if a bit eccentric savior. She wore a black witch's hat, a black dress of some kind, and had black dress shoes with black and white striped socks running down each one. I can only assume she's into throwback costumes, and doesn't actually intend to keep me alive only to conduct experiments on me. I decided to break my dizzied stupor and ask her just how I got here, and exactly who she was.
"You're the one that saved me and patched up my knee? Thank you so much! You literally saved my life! I overheard somebody mention a Grandmama from before, guess that means you're part of the family too. So are you Grandmama then?"
"Mmhmm. I'm affectionately referred to as "Grandmama" by my beloved kin, but just as a special ocassion to such a handsome and brave young lad as yourself, I shall reveal my full name to you, and to you alone! I am Henrietta, Eloise, Esmeralda, renowned practitioner of the mystical arts, and an undefeated master of medicinal treatments involving herbs and spices from the old country!!!"
I guess I ought to question just what she means by "mystical arts", but after the night I've had and the things I've seen, nothing short of Edward Sicssorhands falling through the ceiling, and playing a round of patty cake with Wolverine could surprise me right now. All kidding aside though, I've gotta focus on what's truly important. I'm still breathing for starters, which means Paul and the others won't have to go home alone after all. In spite of all my fears and worries, this family isn't in fact a deranged group of serial killers and sadists. Lastly, once I join up with Paul, Jason, and Tommy, we'll all be heading back home, and away from life threatening danger at long last.
Speaking of which, now's as good a time as any to ask where my friends and little brother are.
"Uhh, not to be rude ma'am, but would you happen to know where my friends and brother are?"
"They are both safe and well child, rest assured you have nothing to fear any longer. We gathered your friends and placed them in a special guest room for them to regain their stamina. Perhaps you have already guessed this for yourself, but the challenge had not gone exactly as Gomez and Morticia had envisioned it would. Many groups barring your own disassembled into wild frenzied brawls over greed and pragmatism. I tried to warn them the temptation of the prize was far too great for their desires to resist, but alas it was never my challenge to begin with. If you wish to learn more, Gomez and Morticia await your arrival at the house's foyer. I shall take you there now myself, please come with me!"
With just a flick of her left hand, my restraints were gone and I could freely move my body once again. As quickly as I was able to given I'm still injured, I got back to my feet and proceeded toward the door-way which she originally entered through. My right knee began to buckle a bit as I partially forgotten I was no longer laying down on a table. Seeing my struggle to walk, Grandmama rushed to my side, and wrapped her one of her arms around my waist. She then offered her right shoulder to me as a way to maintain vertical balance, which I gladly accepted.
"There's no need to force yourself anymore Stewart. We'll arrive at the Foyer as one, and you shall see the faces of your beloved friends and sibling once more."
How could I argue with a promise like that? I just let this kind, wise, elderly woman guide me through the door-way, and toward my loved ones without question or hesitation.
A/N: Do not quote me on this naturally, but I have a feeling the next chapter will probably be the last one I churn out for this story. In spite of my creative funks and indecision on where I wanted to take it however, I throughly enjoyed myself with every last written word and development spent on it! I wholeheartedly thank those that could spare it any time or attention whatsoever. Many thanks for your viewing indulgence, peace and blessings be upon you all, and I hope to see you join us all for the (possible) finale!