TAUNTING NIGHTMARE

Maddie had finally returned to Ellie's house at around 3 a.m. Ellie did not even notice that Maddie had been gone most of the night. Maddie simply walked in and went to bed.

The next morning, she went downstairs to eat breakfast and Ellie was on the couch.

"Madeline, did you enjoy the dance?" She asked.

"Yes I did."

"Did that boy drop you off?"

"Yes."

"Oh good."

It seemed as if Ellie had zoned out the entire world. Maddie wished she could do the same sometimes.

"Is that boy in your class?" Ellie asked.

"Yes he is. My science class."

Maddie finished her breakfast and went back to her room. She tried to keep it the same way as her old room. She picked up her cell phone and saw that Brandon had called her. She called him back.

"Maddie, hello," he said, "I miss you already."

"Yeah, I really had fun last night. I want to do it again."

"That'd be great. I can't get you out of my mind."

"Brandon I need you to keep a secret for me."

"I'll do anything for you."

"Don't tell anyone about that bunker. It's our secret."

"You got it."

"And Brandon, I really miss you too. I never felt this way about anyone before."

"I'm glad you feel the same way. I've fallen for you."

Maddie giggled.

"Maddie, will anyone find out about what you and I did?"

"No, and let's not talk about it on the phone. You know, government agents could spy on us or a secret watchdog organization could be listening."

Brandon laughed.

"That's funny," he said.

"I'm serious," she boldly replied.

"Oh. I'm sorry…"

"Don't worry about it."

"That's what I like about you. Your psychotic, dangerous, serious, tough. I love it."

"You've changed to. Changed into someone I like."

Then, Maddie heard a car pull into the driveway. She looked out the window and saw that it was Rusty.

"Brandon, I gotta go. That detective is here."

"Oh shit!"

"I'll call you back, okay?"

Maddie hung up the phone and watched Rusty walk towards the front door. The doorbell rang. Maddie heard Ellie open the door.

"Hello ma'am," Rusty said, "I'm Detective Rusty Briggs, is Madeline here?"

"Oh Madeline, yes, one moment," Ellie said, "Oh Madeline."

Maddie suddenly appeared behind Ellie. She stared at Rusty.

"There you are," Ellie said to her, "This gentleman would like to talk with you."

"I'd like to speak with her outside, alone," Rusty told her.

Maddie walked outside and closed the door.

"Yes," she said to him.

"So, we meet again."

Maddie smiled at him.

"I'm investigating…," Rusty started to say.

"Who got killed?"

"You know a kid named Brock?"

"Yes I do, he goes to my school, he's in one of my classes."

"He used to go there. He was found dead by the football field."

Maddie didn't seem surprised.

"You wouldn't know anything about that, would you?"

Maddie shook her head. Rusty looked at her with suspicion.

"He wasn't exactly a model student," Maddie said, "He was a bully."

"I see. He still didn't deserve to die."

Maddie laughed and then tried to contain it.

"It's not funny!" Rusty said, "Someone is dead and it's possible we have a serial killer on the loose."

"I'm sorry, you'll have to excuse me."

"What were you wearing last night?"

"I was wearing a red dress and red heels."

Rusty's suspicion was nearly confirmed. Maddie couldn't lie to him because many students would tell the police they saw her there.

"One more question for you Clara," Rusty said, "Why is there…?

"Maddie," she said.

"Excuse me?"

"My name is Maddie. You called me Clara."

"No I didn't."

"Yes you did."

Rusty then realized he confused her for Clara.

"Look, sorry if I did. What I want to know is why is Brock's car parked near your old house?"

Maddie remembered that Brandon left it there before they went into the bunker.

"I don't know why," Maddie replied. "Whoever killed him must have stolen his car."

Rusty knew there was not a strong case against her and once again he had no evidence.

"Well, thanks for your cooperation," Rusty said.

"Sorry I couldn't have been more of an assistance," Maddie replied.

She smiled at him. He walked down the stairs and onto the driveway. Maddie stood on the steps and stared at him. Rusty got in his car and saw Maddie at the bottom of the steps, staring right at him. He backed out of the driveway and drove down the road. He looked in his rearview mirror and saw Maddie standing at the edge of the driveway staring at him. A chill went down his spine.

Rusty was sitting at his desk with a picture of Maddie when she was 8 years old. His suspicions only grew stronger. Maddie was guilty as sin. He stared at Maddie's photo. He locked eyes with it and it appeared that Maddie was staring into his soul. Then, the picture smiled. Rusty slammed the folder closed. Captain Donnelly took notice and came over.

"Don't worry Briggs, it will all be over soon," he said. "You're not letting this one last case get to you, right?"

"Maybe it is," Rusty said, "This girl, she's in my head. I know she's guilty. I wanna bring her in."

"And did you collect any evidence?"

"No, but the way she acts. She knows that I know she's guilty and she's playing with my head. She won't win."

"Don't do what I think you're going to do. Don't harass this girl. She's not worth it. Look, it doesn't matter to me if you solve this case. When you retire, I'll put someone else on it."

"I need to know if it's her. That girl she looks just like Clara."

"Briggs, don't risk it. Please don't risk it. You accuse a teen girl who just lost her father, you will ruin your career. Everything you worked for will burn up in flames. Your close to retirement. Don't blow your pension for a teen girl."

Rusty took a deep breath.

"I should take you off the case," Captain Donnelly continued, "But you'll just try and solve it anyway. I have a lot of respect for you and I'm telling you Briggs, this girl is not worth it, nothing is. Give me your word you'll leave her alone unless you have some damning evidence."

"Fine, I promise," Rusty said.

"Good."

Captain Donnelly walked away. Rusty reopened the folder and saw Maddie's picture. This time the picture winked at him. Rusty looked up and realized he was going crazy.

On his way home, Rusty parked his car near the alley where Clara died. He walked into it and looked around at the trash and the graffiti on the broken walls. He walked towards the wall and then turned around. Clara's body was on the ground with syringes laying around her. He knelt beside her and touched her face. He felt the chill running through him. He got up and walked back to his car. Little did he know; someone was watching him in the distance. As he drove home, he thought about Clara's case. There were no fingerprints on the syringe and the surgical tubing. A database search found no matches.

Later that night, Rusty laid in bed, listening to the thunder and the rain. Retirement was coming soon, but that did not help him sleep. He was overwhelmed by the thought of Maddie. Then, a little girl with long brown hair and around 8 years old climbed on to the bed.

"Clara!" Rusty said with excitement.

"Daddy, I can't sleep," Clara said, "The thunder is too loud."

"Well, you can stay with me tonight, okay."

Clara crawled on the bed, moving closer to him. Then, a flash of lightning occurred and Clara turned into the teenage Maddie. She sat on top of him and pinned his arms. Maddie laughed.

"You'll never catch me," she said.

Rusty tried to struggle free.

"I'm watching your every move," she continued, "You'll die like all the others. I'll cut your throat and put a bloody smile on your face."

Rusty kept trying to get free. Maddie leaned in closer to him. Her face was close to his.

"You can't win," Maddie whispered, "I'm gonna kill again and there is nothing you can do. It will be time for you to die."

Rusty screamed and shoved Maddie off him. He woke up from his nightmare and looked around for her. He laid back down and closed his eyes.