Chapter Nine

A/N: another chapter! Remember, I don't own clue, only my oc's. the song in this chapter is Thriller by Michael Jackson, and the lyrics are (as always) in bold. Yea for creepy chapters! Enjoy and review!

I clicked my flashlight on, trying to keep my breathing under control.

"Everyone alright?" I asked.

"Yeah," Heather sighed, sinking to the ground.

"We're alright," Peter answered as Madison sat up next to him, her eyes wide.

Alex clicked her flashlight on next to me before looking around the room.

"Where's Jackson?" She asked. We all stopped and glanced around the room quickly. Jackson was no where in sight.

"Drat," I muttered, running out into the hallway.

"Wait, where are you going?" Heather cried out after me.

"I have to find him!"

I watched David run out and then noticed Heather as she turned her face towards the fireplace.

"What are you thinking?" I asked her as she got up. Peter and Madison watched her fearfully.

"I don't know about you Alex," She turned to me as she crawled into the tunnel, "But I want to get out of here, or at least hide somewhere safer."

I was speechless as beautiful Heather, who had clung to David in fear all night, now fearlessly walked into a pitch-black tunnel by herself without any sort of light and full knowledge of a madman running around in the house.

Staring after her as she disappeared, I gave a sigh and turned back into the room.

"Well, I guess it's just us now." I tried to smile.

Madison and Peter were gone. Great.

"Oh come on, guys! This isn't fair!" I whined, marching out into the cold hallway by myself.

I stared around the hallway as I slowly made my way to the ballroom. If only everyone could see me now; Jackson: the fearless hero!

A rat shot out in front of me and I gave a screech, jumping out of the way.

Okay, so maybe not fearless, but at least slightly courageous! When the lights had gone out, I had seen a shadow outside the door that seemed to be making its way towards the ballroom. I don't know why I was chasing after it; I guess I kind of thought that the others would actually respect me for it. That, and they might follow behind me so that if it did attack me, they could save me at least.

As I rounded a corner, I heard a noise and froze, listening. Was that a… piano?

It's Close To Midnight And Something Evil's Lurking In The Dark

I continued on more slowly this time, following the… well, it wasn't music per say. More like, creepy random keys being hit. It was freaking me out quite a bit actually. And yet my feet kept moving me forward.

Under The Moonlight You See A Sight That Almost Stops Your Heart

Reaching the entrance to a small room outside the ballroom, I cautiously peeked around the corner.

You Try To Scream But Terror Takes The Sound Before You Make It

It was a music room, but no one was inside. Pressing myself back up against the wall, my breathing became heavy.

And Alex said the house wasn't haunted!

You Start To Freeze As Horror Looks You Right Between The Eyes,
You're Paralyzed

Then I turned my head to the side. Someone was standing right next to me.

'Cause This Is Thriller, Thriller Night
And No One's Gonna Save You From The Beast About to Strike

You Know It's Thriller, Thriller Night
You're Fighting For Your Life Inside A Killer, Thriller
Tonight

Before I could scream, a hand was thrown over my mouth. There was a cloth, and a strong smell, and then my vision went blurry and everything went black as I collapsed.

I had my hand against the cold wall inside the secret passageway, and that was all that was guiding me. Even though I had been in complete darkness for a couple of minutes already my eyes hadn't adjusted at all. It couldn't be that dark in here… could it?

You Hear The Door Slam And Realize There's Nowhere Left To Run

Another thing that bothered me was how cold it was in this passageway. I was freezing, even though I was wearing a thick sweater.

You Feel The Cold Hand And Wonder If You'll Ever See The Sun

I shivered as I continued on my way, wishing that I really had stayed inside the lounge. I mean, what was I thinking? Whoever was inside the house could be waiting for me inside this tunnel and I wouldn't even know it until I walked right into him!

You Close Your Eyes And Hope That This Is Just imagination

As soon as that thought popped into my head, I panicked. My legs gave out and I sunk to the ground. There was something wet on the floor and it soaked through the knees of my jeans. I was so scared I thought that it must surely be blood. My mind raced as I tried to stay calm.

But All The While You Hear a Creature Creepin' Up behind
You're Out Of Time

A sob escaped my mouth and as soon as it did, something lashed out and prodded me in the side. It was sharp and I could feel it rip through my sweater. I screamed with the shock.

Someone was in here with me!

'Cause This Is Thriller, Thriller Night
There Ain't No Second Chance Against The Thing With the forty eyes girl

Something stabbed at me again, and I cried out, wanting it all to stop. "Leave me alone!" I yelled at the top of my lungs, "GO AWAY!" I screamed inhumanly.

You Know It's Thriller, Thriller Night

Whatever was in the hallway with me paused, and I could only hear my panicked breathing. And then, something hit me on the head. I moaned as I fell to the ground completely, my face and hair falling into the wet mud.

You're Fighting For Your Life Inside Of Killer, Thriller Tonight

I tried to keep my eyes open, but as heavy footsteps came towards me, I found that it was easier for me to just let everything go dark.

I was in the house by myself with only a flashlight and my heavy candlestick for protection. I had almost forgotten about all the weapons we had, but as soon as I remembered, I had made sure that I had mine.

Night Creatures Call
And The Dead Start To Walk In Their Masquerade

Not wanting to stay by myself, I made sure that I at least was armed with that before going out into the darkness. Now there was nothing but a silent house. I tried to keep my breathing under control, wanting to stay as quiet as possible.

There's No Escapin' The Jaws Of The Alien This Time
(They're Open Wide)

I headed towards the stairs, wondering if I would be able to find anyone upstairs. I cautiously started up, but as I did, I heard someone behind me. Giving a yell, I turned around and swung the heavy candlestick at whoever was behind me.

This Is The End Of Your Life

He was in the shadows, so I couldn't make out his face, but I knew that he was the one who had trapped us inside. He was caught off-guard by me, I could tell, and it made me want to smile; until he swung a shovel at me. We started 'sword fighting', if you want to call it that, up the stairs.

They're Out To Get You, There's Demons Closing In On Every Side

He would force me backwards, and then I would see an opportunity and take a swing at him, making him take a few steps back downstairs. He started getting frustrated at me and that was when he swung a little too hard and caught me on my arm.

They Will Possess You Unless You Change The Number On Your Dial

I cried out as I fell backwards, tumbling downstairs.

Now Is The Time For You And I To Cuddle Close Together

My candlestick clattered down after me, coming to a stop next to my very bruised arm. I glanced back up the stairs and could've sworn he was smiling, even though I couldn't see his face. I groaned, laying my head back down as he slowly approached me.

All Thru The Night I'll Save You From The Terror On The Screen,
I'll Make You See

This is it, I'm going to die.

That This Is Thriller, Thriller Night
'Cause I Can Thrill You More Than Any Ghost Would Dare To Try

I swung around, my flickering flashlight not helping much.

This Is Thriller, Thriller Night
So Let Me Hold You Tight And Share A Killer, Diller, Chiller
Thriller Here Tonight

I hadn't been able to find Jackson, and now my flashlight was going out. Not only that, but I had distinctly heard yells and screams all around me from different parts of the house. I doubted if Jackson was even alive still.

'Cause This Is Thriller, Thriller Night

Not being one to give up easily, I kept on going… and going… and going.

'Cause I Can Thrill You More Than Any Ghost Would Dare To Try
Girl, This Is Thriller, Thriller Night

Finally, as I made out the hallway that led to the kitchen, my flashlight beam caught someone's shadow. I gave a sigh of relief and walked faster.

So Let Me Hold You Tight And Share A Thriller

"At last, I was thinking I was the only one left in here," I smiled at who I guessed was Peter. Then he turned around and my smile fell.

Not Peter.

I turned to run, but as I did, something caught my feet and tripped me.

I'm going to thrill you tonight

I landed hard on the wooden floor, a layer of dust rising around me. I turned onto my back and tried to kick whoever this guy was.

Darkness Falls Across The Land
The Midnight Hour Is Close At Hand
Creatures Crawl In Search Of Blood
To Terrorize Y'all's Neighbourhood

Instead, he caught my foot, and smiled. I stared up fearfully as he slowly twisted my leg. It popped and cracked and I yelled out as pain flooded through my ankle. And then, there was a sharp pain in my jaw as the man punched me.

And Whosoever Shall Be Found
Without The Soul For Getting Down

My vision was immediately flooded with bright flashing lights and I had the vague sensation of being dragged on the ground back the way I had come. I groaned, but could barely do anything else.

Must Stand And Face The Hounds Of Hell
And Rot Inside A Corpse's Shell

Peter practically dragged me behind him as we ran down the hallway. I knew where he was leading us, and that almost made me more scared than whoever it was inside the house with us.

"Peter," I gasped, trying to catch my breath, "Why are going to the study?"

He didn't answer me, instead only running faster. I tried to stay with him, and was thankful when we finally reached the small room. Going inside, he quickly shut the door. Then, picking me up, he placed me inside the secret passageway that was still open.

He crawled up next to me, standing extremely close.

I tried to breathe as he gazed down at me. I stared up at him, puzzled as the emotion I had seen earlier returned to his face.

"Peter…" I started. He held a hand up to my lips, stopping me.

"Wait, let me talk. We don't have much time." He glanced out into the dark room nervously as if aware something bad were about to happen. "Listen closely. When whoever's in the house with us comes in here, I want you to stay hidden right here, no matter what."

The Foulest Stench Is In The Air
The Funk Of Forty Thousand Years
And Grizzy Ghouls From Every Tomb
Are Closing In To Seal Your Doom

"But-"

"Maddy, he won't find you if he thinks I'm by myself. Now, you can't make any noise and try not to move too much, or he might find you. After he's gone, wait ten more minutes until you come out. I know what he's after; He wants the will. You need to find it Maddy; I read in one of those old newspapers in my attic that it disappeared around the time of whatever murder happened here. Find that, and we have a bargaining chip."

And Though You Fight To Stay Alive
Your Body Starts To Shiver

"Peter, this is insane! Are you saying that you're going out there by yourself just to save me?" I demanded. He glanced down.

For No Mere Mortal Can Resist

The Evil Of The Thriller

"Yeah," he answered weakly. I slowly gathered my breath .

"Why?" I asked, unable to hide my tears. He paused, and suddenly I knew that he was just as scared as me.

"Because I don't want you to get hurt." He finally said, his voice broken.

"Peter…" I only got that much out before I started to cry.

He raised a shaky hand up to my face, wiping a tear away hesitantly.

"Maddy, I-I…" he took a deep breath, "I want you in my life. You're my best friend, and… I'd like to be… more, than that, if you want." He replied softly. Then there were footsteps in the hallway and I was pushed further inside the tunnel as Peter hopped back into the room. He threw one last look back at me as he swung the passage door close.

I stood speechless where I was. Peter… liked me? Me?

I blinked, a few more tears falling down my face. Then, my knees gave out as I sunk to the floor. I heard the study door slam open and Peter gave a small yell of fear. I straightened up, realizing what type of danger he was in.

"No, no! Stay away!" he screamed. I bit my lip, wanting to scream myself. I needed to save him, and yet, I needed to stay here so I could have a chance to save everyone else. I listened to the struggle inside the room with agony. And then Peter cried out, and I started to cry silently to myself, curling up on the floor of the tunnel. I heard a choking noise and Peter's breathing become more and more shallow. And then, silence. I buried my head in my arms.

I pleaded silently with God that Peter was still alive, that he was going to be okay, that we would make it out of here together.

Peter Plum… liked me. And I was too stupid to see it before, and now he was gone. I stayed still, crying for what seemed an eternity, and then the lights inside the study flickered on. I sat up, blinking at the unfamiliar sight of electric lights. Something was happening; and I needed to find that will before anyone else did.

Green had told her that they were to stay in pairs, and yet she had hardly seen him at all the entire night. If Mrs. White were to blame anybody for the murder, it'd be Jonathan Green. Why, the only reason he was invited was because he had weaseled his way into the will!

Sure, others might expect her. Everybody in Raven Brook knew that she didn't respect Reginald all that much; she didn't even like him. But hate him enough to murder him? That was a bit much.

Blanche walked slowly over to a self in the corner of the lounge, gently picking up a picture. It was of a younger Reginald Boddy, one with his sister. She hadn't been invited tonight. Some would say that it was because Mr. Boddy didn't approve of her husband, but Mrs. White knew better.

The whole reason Reginald was having this party was to be murdered. She had found out by accident of course, but she had found out nonetheless. Reginald was sick; terminally ill. Cancer of the lung. He was not to be expected to live even two more months.

Mr. Boddy, being the great man that he was, wanted a heroic death. Not one where he was left cowering and in pain. And so here Blanche White was, chained to a possible murderer as they uselessly tried to solve this crime by themselves.

Well, she was innocent; why should she not call the police right now?

As the thought entered her head, she immediately picked up the phone. Starting to dial, she was prepared to tell all. And then the lights went out.

"Aw, Horsefeathers!" she muttered, slamming the receiver back down.

A/N: There you go, part of the mystery solved. We now know why Reginald was pratically waiting to be murdered by his bloodthirsty guests. But which one did the murdering? Anyways, I hoped you enjoyed it. Please review and tell me how I did. Another chapter's on it's way!