After I had begrudgingly dragged myself through the kitchen door, the majority of those that had been present for my failed jailbreak came lumbering in after me. Upon entering, I had almost stepped into the same puddle of milk that was still on the floor from last night. I was both flabbergasted and beyond irked that no one had had the consideration to clean it up. Assholes.
Allowing myself a moment to stew in my emotions, I had taken a clearly untrusting position standing directly by the refrigerator to hug myself. It was the only comfort I could achieve with everything going on. Their glances and looks as they made their way past enticed a creeping sensation to itch around in my skin. It was nearly impossible to ignore their gazes.
Watching as everyone retook their past seats and places, this I could remember and assume from how they beelined to certain spots, I proceeded to watch where they had previously been. Chucky swiftly climbed the bars of one of the stools to sit on the left, longer side of the island. Freddy had strolled past farther left of the kitchen to jut his hip in a backwards lean against some of the kitchen cabinets, his arms crossed. Nathaniel took his place closer to me than I would have preferred, which was also to my left on the other side of the sink. One of my dad's mugs sat nearby. It seemed before I had come down that they had been having a weirdly normal morning of their own.
Michael had already been in the kitchen. He was seated stiffly at the opposite end from me of the island counter's shorter position. And of course, the fucker was dead-on staring at me. Unabashedly. The eternally stoic features of his mask only served to heighten the unsettling sensation that gnawed at my arms and legs. Seeing that his eyeholes still managed to remain a sinister black even in the bright sunlight, had the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end. Whether this was accomplished by the angling of his head, or maybe the fact that he was a manifestation of fucking evil, it couldn't be said. Either way I tried to pretend that the corner of my interlocked arms were amazingly interesting as I stubbornly gazed down. Despite my averted gaze he continued his creepy behavior.
Jason wandered over to him. I liked to imagine that I was subtle in watching their imminent interaction:
The two of them looked at one another. Michael threw his chin up in a quick lifting motion, as if to use his chin to gesture at me. Jason looked at me and then returned his attention to Michael. Michael tilted his forehead down towards him, lingering a bit long on the motion as if to emphasize something, and let his head hang back in a brisk roll of his neck. Jason tilted his head to the side while nodding briefly, giving a noncommittal shrug as he sat down beside him.
My brows banded together while I chewed my lip, continuing to watch. They're...Communicating. Clearly. A bit of a dialogue was being had between the pair, yet not one of them said a word aloud. Most of their conversational motions were impressively subtle. How could they tell what the other meant? I was fascinated.
So fascinated in fact that I hadn't noticed an unpleasant character sidling up next to me.
It took everything in my body not to shriek when I felt hot breath fan a bit of my hair across my cheek. I started, my body in a panicky stutter as my upper torso whipped itself around to my left. Nathaniel was uncomfortably close to me, a wide leer being presented by his devilish teeth. He couldn't help a snicker at my trying to compose myself, my eyes rapidly blinking away the initial scare.
"My apologies, did I startle you?" The question came out rather playful and in a gravelly purr. I was momentarily distracted by the intensity in his flame-colored irises. My mouth dried ever so slightly; "A..A bit, yeah." His head swung to the side, his eyelids drawing down heavily. Both of his clawed hands rose to his chest in an overly sympathetic manner; "Oh dear, do allow me to make it up to you." I shifted under the ominous weight of his too-eager smile. My arms gave up on the self-hug that I had been giving myself to instead hang down to clasp my hands together. "That's uh," I forced a little laugh of discomfort. "That's really not necessary."
He interjected a tad too quickly; "Oh, but I insist."
Nathaniel said the word as if it were a delicious snack he couldn't wait to devour. Ripples of suspicion and doubt began to slither through the rungs of my ribs. Why is he pushing this so hard? What the Hell does he want? I had to resist squinting at him.
"Again," I said as politely as I could muster; "That is quite sweet of you, but IIIiii...Whaat are yoou.."
I became lost in my words while I watched his hands creep toward mine. My breath hitched quietly as I felt him firmly take my hands into his, easily separating them from the intertwine of my own fingers. I was too shocked by the audacity he had to do this, which made it incredibly easy for him to kidnap my hands to raise somewhat between the two of us. His palms were strangely warm, the overall temperature nothing compared to Pinhead's. My cheeks colored against my will, my heart beginning to thump in unison. His hands holding mine looked downright threatening. Daylight was lost on the inky black of his honed talons.
I barely shook my head, my eyes blinking up to his, not understanding what he was doing.
"It is the least I can do. Surely there must be something you would want? A drink? Something to eat?" His face was lighting up at each suggestion. Then almost as if it were an afterthought, his eyelids lowered; "Jennifer."
My name in his mouth had me feeling a level of discomfort I didn't know was conceivable. Whatever he was offering, I began to wonder if I should just accept it to get myself out of this odd interaction. But I knew that was just my social anxiety talking. Math may not have been my strongest subject, but I knew when something didn't add up, and this definitely wasn't adding up. It didn't do to accept things from strangers, let alone demons.
"I..." I hesitated.
The hesitation in my voice had his smile morphing into a grin. His eyes became half-lidded.
"Yeesss...?"
I steeled myself with a breath, gently pulling my hands away from his. He watched me do this with a noticeable disappointment that he couldn't quite conceal, his tongue licking the tops of his bottom teeth. His hands weren't ready to let mine go free so I gave a more determined tug. He reluctantly let me go. Having to endure this scenario was one thing, but having to endure this in front of other people was entirely another. A self-conscious heat rose in my neck. My hands clasped together once again, my fists resting underneath my chin awkwardly. "I-I'm fine," I quickly added; "I appreciate it, but I can assure you...I'm uh...I'm okay. So um, there's no need. Really."
His mouth formed into an unsatisfied purse of black lips. Thankfully he nodded acceptingly, willing to let the subject be. I dipped my head, further adding a notion of false gratitude that I did not feel to ease the tension; "Thank you." He was back to licking the tips of his double-edged teeth again in thought. I had taken that as the sign that whatever that had been about was over.
I went to step past him.
Only to flinch when Nathaniel stepped in my way. Whaaat do you waant from meee? While I wanted to shove him out of my way, I urged myself to calm. I raised an eyebrow at him, prodding him to get whatever it was off of his chest so he could leave me the hell alone.
"Are you so sure?" The heat of his stare did not wane, even as one of his hands gestured off at my dad's mug near the sink. "There is more coffee. Perhaps you would enjoy some sugary cubes to go with it?" Sugary cubes? My face contorted for a second before tilting my head to see what else he had been gesturing to. The squarish glass jar of sugar cubes looked upon me in return. I wasn't able to stifle the tiny baffled laugh that left my mouth. I shook my head more assertively this time; "Ahah, no. I don't um, I don't drink coffee." And you already offered me a drink.
His opposite hand sliced a backwards path to now direct my attention to the cabinets; "Might you be interested in some breakfast then? Eggs? Bacon? Cereals?" Cereals? He stared off into space for half a second, his intense eye contact breaking momentarily as if to think up something else to offer. When the half-second ended, his gaze leeched itself back on mine to recommend a second time, just as oddly enthusiastic as the first; "Eggs?"
There he went again; Offering me something to eat when he had just offered hardly a minute ago. Yoouuu…Aree a weiirdoo. A ridiculously insistent weirdo at that. I battled with how to feel over this. He really wanted to appease me this morning for whatever reason…And I wasn't altogether sure if it was out of kindness or something else entirely. "Nathaniel.."
"Yes?"
"I can make my own breakfast."
He didn't like that answer. He didn't like it at all because he still continued to stand in front of me like a big green, stubborn blockade. So I stated again, nodding slowly with every word to drive the point home; "Thank you, but I don't need anything. I am okay." Now drop it.
The corners of his mouth sagged. His head sank while he at last let me be to say; "Should you change your mind," His voice pitched low, his demonic eyes imploring me with things unsaid; "Do let me know."
Alright! I'll let you know! Sheesh. Took you long enough. How many times had I had to insist that I was fine?
I gave him a clear and concise nod of my head, daring to hold his own gaze; "You'll be the first to know." That seemed to make him feel better because he somewhat relaxed. Somewhat. His mouth was back to another smile, in his own way looking pleased by my words. His upper lip twitched; "I will hold you to that." Nathaniel stepped back finally, turning a hand outward and allowing me my intended path.
I walked on past him, thanking every available god I could think of. The day had barely even started and I was already exhausted. What more would it throw at me? I didn't want to think about it. The only thing I wanted to think about right now? Was me enjoying a nice bowl of cereal. A well earned bowl of cereal at that.
I didn't notice the dark eyes of Freddy watching my every move as I trudged past him, but I did notice the obviously empty box of Cheerios that lay discarded on the floor. And next to it was an ever bigger eyesore in comparison, being the entire goddamn bag of the particular cereal half spilled on the tile. My mouth dropped open at the sight. Seriously? I quickly glanced around the kitchen, wondering which of these jackasses had left it laying there. You've gotta be fucking joking.
But it wasn't a joke. There was milk AND cereal on the floor. The only thing that was missing was a bowl and a spoon, and the fucking floor could have a nice breakfast.
There it was again. The anger. The very same that had me wanting to empty all the air in my lungs to scream, and the very same I had to squash down if I wanted to keep on living. Get the fucking cereal, Jennifer. You know it's a lost cause. I turned away from the infuriating sight, trying my damnedest to calm down. Now I hadn't at all lost sight of the painfully clear fact that them trashing the house was a hundred times better than them murdering me, but did the thought make me any less agitated? No.
Opening up one of the cabinets, which was currently unfortunately next to where Freddy stood, I reached for the box of Trix that sat inside. My fingers brushed uselessly against the side of the box, earning a slightly frustrated huff of air through my nostrils. Going on tiptoe, right hand on the counter to help keep myself balanced, I was able to grip the thinnest side of the colorful cereal box and retrieve it from its spot.
I had barely gotten back onto the balls on my feet when the cereal box was crudely torn from my grasp. My head snapped around, not able to help the glare that followed it. Freddy Krueger, the Christmas-sweater-wearing motherfucker, had the box of Trix in his left hand. And what's more? He was actively holding the box away from me.
Good tap dancing CHRIST!
I struggled, really struggled to hold in my ever rising irritation. Thankfully the unease I felt in his company dimmed some of that rage; 'Dimmed' being the keyword.
I reluctantly reached for the Trix box he held hostage. As I expected, he once more pulled it away from my reach, wearing a lopsided grin. I glanced at the box and then back at him. There was a smug expression on his face. It was apparent that he wanted to see if I were brave enough to tell him that he was being a dick. Ha. Ha. Good one, funny, now you better give me.. "Can I...?" I pointed at the Trix, nodding uncertainly towards it.
Freddy glanced at the cereal box in his hand, pretending to realize only then that his behavior was bothering me. "Oh I'm sorry," He drawled. He presented the box in a tilt to me, the same way in which a waiter might offer a bottle of their finest wine, holding it with both hands. His gloved hand beheld it at the bottom, the blades long and gleaming against the cartoonish cardboard. A sliver of fright crawled up my back at the sight. "Is this what ya wanted?" He meant the cereal. I fought not to sigh loudly. No, I wanted to tell him. I took that specific box out of the cabinet just for the fuck of it. No other reason. Obviously. "...Yes." I answered pointedly, chewing the inside of my lip.
He moved the offering a little bit closer as if wanting me to take it. Naively I obliged, moving my hands forward to accept. I don't know why I was surprised when he yanked away the box for a third time but I was. A small aggravated breath exhaled itself from my nose, looking up at him.
"What's wrong? I thought ya wanted cereal."
He held back a murmured laugh, his lips pressing together creepily. The color of humiliation swarmed to my face. That's it! I'm done! I quickly leaned forward, going to snatch the box out of his hands. It was a futile effort, seeing as the bastard was faster than I was. With his ungloved hand he held the box above his hatted head, his other arm somewhat wrapping around him.
"Give me the goddamn cereal!" I snapped.
His arm lowered just enough to fool myself into thinking that I could grab it if I tried; "Ohoho, you're a firecracker aren'tcha? What's the matter? You a little too short?" He let out an entertained laugh; "It's right here. Take it!" I tried doing just that, and wow so shocking, he held the damn thing even further above his head and mine. Then I actually jumped for it, like an impatient dog that couldn't wait for their promised treat. The tips of my fingers only managed to graze against the wrist of his sweater sleeve. Inside I fumed, hating the tease of my inferior height.
I knew I must have looked like a fool, playing right into his immature game but in the moment I didn't care. I just wanted some stupid breakfast. Jumping again and again for it, Freddy let out different jeers of "oohs" and "aaah, so close", letting out laughs all the while as he shook the box side to side to rattle the contents, way more entertained by making fun of my height than he should have been.
The fourth time must have been the charm, because after that I refused to keep playing the part I had unknowingly cast upon myself. He noticed my internal decision because he smirked down at me; "Giving up already? I didn't peg ya for a quitter."
In the crescendo of my frustration, I couldn't help but exclaim; "Good God, all I want is some Trix!"
The box was let down to be pushed up against the side of his striped torso. His gloved hand went to it, palm facing up, three of the bladed fingers pressing together save for the pointer and thumb. The index blade tapped a few times against the white cheek of the rabbit on the front. Looking at the cereal mascot and then back to me, he learned down towards my face, in turn making me scrunch away from him as he mockingly said;
"Trix are for kids."
His laughter belittled me, but Freddy wasn't the only one tickled by the joke. I could hear both Chucky and Nathaniel snickering in the background. If my face turned any more red, the skin was going to melt from my skull. Was this the last time I was going to be ridiculed today? I doubted it.
With that in mind, I gave up.
Spinning away from him, I all but stomped my way back to the cabinet. I hiked my leg up in a swift semi-climb onto the counter, reaching for a different box of cereal. While it wasn't my favorite of breakfast foods, it was the only other box left. I yanked the box of Alpha-Bits from its place and pulled my leg down from the slight climbing position it had been in, now back on both feet. I closed the cabinet and protectively hugged the box to my chest. No one was going to take this box of cereal from me, no one. Especially not a talking strip of bacon.
"Aww, have I been too mean to ya? Here, you can have the cereal." Freddy spoke in a babied tone of voice, setting the Trix on the counter beside him, his hand patting the top of the box. I made it a point to disregard him altogether. I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of my attention any longer. And who knows what the bastard bacon strip would do? Probably goad me into coming close enough to snatch away the other box of cereal too! So instead I elected to root through some of the kitchen cabinets and drawers for a bowl and spoon.
I was beginning to learn something about Freddy Krueger: Evidently he really liked the sound of his own voice. How did I know? Because the fucker kept on talking.
"You can have it if ya want it." He taunted, waving the Trix box around.
"Shove it up your ass." I snarked.
Chucky openly wheezed out a laugh at that; "Walked right into that one, didn't you?" I felt a tiny surge of pride when the doll laughed for a little while longer. Right after the words had left my mouth, I caught some of Freddy's humor dying away into a slight curl of his upper lip. Oh, he didn't like getting talked back to? You get what you fucking deserve. I made my way to the fridge with a bowl in hand, a spoon resting inside it.
Through the blaze of my irked thoughts however, a voice of reason rose to remind me that I should really try to watch my mouth. No matter how much they pushed my buttons, at the end of the day, they could very well still kill me if they wanted to.
There were simply not enough words in the English language to properly describe just how thankful I was, when I wasn't interrupted or bothered in the process of fixing myself the overdue bowl of Alpha-Bits. Milk and all. After having returned the jug of milk to the refrigerator, I started my way towards the door. No way did I want to eat breakfast with them. I'd eat my cereal on the fucking roof if I had to, fuck what my fear of heights had to say about it.
"Heeeyy, where you goin'?" Chucky almost whined the question.
"I'm going to eat in the living room." I muttered.
That's when one of the stools shot out in front of my legs, a hair away from causing me to trip over the thing. I let out a startled noise, jumping back in shock. The milk in my bowl dangerously slopped back and forth. What the Hell?
I turned to try and see who had done that. Though I was certain someone had shoved the stool towards me, no one was close enough to have sent the object scooting my way. It was almost as if it had had a will of its own.
"Have a seat."
The deep cadence of Pinhead's voice further alarmed me. Quickly looking towards the direction of his voice, I found him standing in front of the kitchen door. I hadn't heard him come in. One of his arms were raised to gesture at said seat, pleasantly looking upon my person. Well, perhaps 'pleasantly looking upon me' wasn't so accurate. The look in his black gaze felt more like a dare, more like a silent question of whether or not I was courageous enough to challenge him. The way he stood in front of the door left no room for imagining a route out of the kitchen. And quite frankly, my metaphorical balls were certainly not big enough to even entertain the notion of scooching past him out the door. I visibly hesitated. I really did not want to sit and eat in front of them. However Pinhead's earlier lecture returned to me and I knew right then that I had no choice but to indulge the request. Denying him seemed unfathomably scary.
No way did I want to deal with any more chains.
Taking a soft breath to compose myself, I sat in the stool. But before I could begin scooting it back towards its rightful place, the stool with me still on it broke into a smooth glide towards the island counter. I gasped audibly, stiffening myself to try and keep my balance so I wouldn't fall off the fucking thing. I gripped my bowl with both hands, my eyes as wide as saucers. Just as quickly as it had moved, the stool stopped right where it needed to, right in front of the shorter side of the island on the opposite end from Jason and Michael. The abrupt stop of the chair had milk sloshing over the rim of my cereal bowl-
Annnd spilling right onto my lap.
My mouth was agape as I felt some of the liquid slosh onto my lap, staining the lap of my pajama bottoms and the stomach of my shirt. I had frozen in place with a hardly contained expression of disbelief. That seriously...Did not just happen. Spoiler alert: It had. I cringed at the horrible sensation of the spill, my shoulders hunched up by my ears. Freddy barked out a pleased laugh.
I inhaled and exhaled deeply. Sooooo deeeeeeply.
I damn well wasn't about to get out of my seat to awkwardly wipe and pat at the stains around my crotch with a paper towel. I had had enough embarrassment for the day. Gritting my teeth, I set the bowl down on top of the island. "Thanks.." The tone in which I said it clearly wasn't thankful.
There was a low, rumbly laugh from behind me as I recognized Nathaniel's voice replying; "My pleasure." He did that? But...How? I mulled it over, once again back to my hard habit of chewing my bottom lip. There were so many unknowns about this group of psychos. Still so many unanswered questions. I let myself sigh. Flipping my hair away from my shoulders to rest down my back so it wouldn't fall into the bowl, I picked up my spoon and began to glumly churn the cereal.
After that I played my favorite game; 'Try To Pretend That Everyone Isn't Fucking Staring At You'.
In my crestfallen state, I picked at the slightly soggy letters with the tip of my eating utensil. Pressing my free hand to the side of my face, my elbow came forth to rest on the countertop. I started to rearrange some of the letters within. Scooping around a K, F, C, and U, I sorted the characters into the word that I had in mind.
FUCK.
What better word to describe how I felt than that?