Waiting.

Waiting is the worst part.

Tap. Tap. Tap. Feet can tap impatiently all day, but that won't make things move any faster. The same way it doesn't save the innocent, the same way it doesn't fix the broken. But they'll all just have to deal with that, won't they? Miserable little girls, who are unfortunate enough to live another day. I will make sure they won't have to suffer much longer, They thought. But for now, let's watch them

Massie Block was in the waiting room of the hospital-funny how she was always there these days-gripping Kristen's hand tightly. Suddenly, when the girls thought that they couldn't take it anymore, the doctor came back out. He was overseeing all examinations of the children. "I have good news," he began, the corners of his mouth folding up. "The children aren't dead, they were simply stunned into unconsciousness somehow. Their parents have been notified and they are all located in the children's ward."

Sighing in relief, Kristen stood and shook his hand vigorously. "Thank you, so much. That's wonderful." She was practically gasping for air. "So whose blood was that on the wall?"

The doctor scratched his head. "Well our analysts have come up with several matches and all of them are from blood doners so no murders. It had to have been someone with access to the hospital which doesn't quite narrow down our search given the circumstances with Dylan Marvil and her countless visitors along with everyone else already here."

Patting Kristen's back warmly, Massie tried to calm down her friend. "It's okay, we'll find them. Don't worry."

"Massie, dear, where have you been?" Sister McLaughlin whispered, her voice having deteriorated to a brittle and broken thing. Just like the rest of her. And Massie's soul. A black robe was draped over Sister McLaughlin's bony shoulders and wisps of gray hair curled around her head.

A choked sob escaped Massie's throat. "Funerals, hospitals. The usual."

Before Sister McLaughlin could reply, Massie tread down the hallway and doors opened on their own as she passed them. Noticing this, she slowed her pace to a stop. Shadows slipped through the doorways, and Massie could feel her heart thumping a mile a minute. Her breath quivered, she began to turn her head to peek inside one of the rooms. There was a girl, about her age and a little boy. He seemed like he was four or five. They were both drenched in dirt and water, with tiny scorch marks creating holes in the little boy's clothing.

Massie refrains from widening her eyes. It couldn't possibly be-"Timothy," the girl says, her voice scratchy and rough. The little boy looks up at her obediently. "Do you know what this intruder is doing in our home? Our only home?"

She gulps nervously as the girl licks her lips evilly, as if she was going to finally exact her revenge-which she very well could be. Her hair was dark and stringy, her skin ghostly white. The look in her eyes, she couldn't get it out of her head. It was wild, malicious. Deadly-

Dead.

But, against her better judgement, Massie decided to play whatever game this was-and play it better. So, she let a smirk smoothly glide across her lips. She could do this...right? "You're the only intruder in this place, considering I work here and I have never seen you two before. I doubt you're even on the list." Confidently, she stepped into the room and locked the door behind them with a click.

Guilt wrenched at her gut like a rusty hatchet.

Kristen walked with her book-bag slung over her shoulder as she made her way to her next class. I should have been there. I should have stopped this person. God, I've never felt so stupid. Oh, but she has.

Suddenly, Claire entered her mind. What were her last minutes like? Probably terrible. Oh, she wished that Massie wasn't so harsh. Or bitchy or whatever. She also wanted to know who the hell was doing this. Suddenly, a thought crossed her mind. Maybe she could go back to the theater where she found the kids, see if she noticed anything.

"Kris, why are you at school?" Carrie Randolph asked her, her eyes wide and innocent. Simply shaking her head, Kristen persisted through the halls. She came so she could think less about Claire...gulp dead. And Dyl and the kids in the hospital. Despite the great lengths that she has been thinking of them, she actually was doing better than she would have been had she stayed home. Besides, the doctor said to have people around at all times. School was probably the most populated area in town...right?

So, she continued to her AP forensics class and paid extra attention. Who knows?

She may need as much of his knowledge as she can get.

Dylan relaxed more into her bed. The nurses came bearing news, news she didn't feel like hearing. She didn't feel like listening.

Didn't feel like moving.

Or living.

But she had to. She had to keep pushing through the struggle and pain. At that moment, however, she could pretend nothing was real, that nothing was as terrifying as it seemed. But now, it was just all too real. Another thing she had to deal with. Just another thing.

Something crashes through the windows-glass shards spitting everywhere-and her stomach lurches so she doesn't feel so at peace anymore. She remembers the maniacal laughter, full of phlegm and increasing in volume as tittering footsteps drew closer. Darkness engulfed her before she slipped into a dream. A wild, unbelievable dream.

A dream so horrible it could only be real.

yeah, let's just end it here

hmm would it be too much to [beg] for 10 reviews for another chapter? I probably will after a while anyway but if you want it soon...

xoxo,

natalie