Chapter 14: Acknowledgement

Tiredly fumbling through Dad's keys to find our side door house key as Dad let out a yawn next to me, I wondered if I dared to just plop into bed, screwing all consequences of that action. I'm damn tired and I could use the rest. I had a bit of a rough day.

Hey Dad, guess how my day was? I got through another day of high school, almost got killed by Freddy (a few times), learned that Freddy killed my best friend, and then killed at Freddy's request to save your life along with Mike's.

Yep, he'd rightfully send me to a mental institution. I'm sure I'd fit right in. Or perhaps he'd lock me up and throw away the key?

Finally finding the correct key, I had to keep back from letting hysterical giggles erupt from deep within me. Sergeant Dawson's daughter just shot her pervy school buddy dead in the parking lot of a whorehouse at the request of some psychopath who happened to be lurking in her dreams and more recently, parading around as Officer Miller.

What the heck is wrong with me? Perhaps all the stress of high school is causing me to go loopy. Unfortunately for me, I knew that I couldn't just write Freddy off as the product of my over imaginative mind. I had the scars to prove he was real, and a dead best friend to boot.

Opening the door to find Mom bustling about in a hurry, I knew she was getting ready for work. Her eyes settled on Dad and me before visibly relaxing and rushing up to me.

"Oh, honey. You're back." Mom crushed my body in a tender hug. Sheesh Mom, how long was I gone? A few years or a few hours? A grin surfaced on my face as I patted her back.

When she finally let go and fussed over my coat, I responded with, "Yes I am. So is Dad." Looking up at Dad, I saw that he was covering another yawn with the palm of his hand.

"You both had a rough day. You should get some sleep. Are you hungry?" I shook my head no; I don't think I had the capacity to after what I went through today.

"Alright then. I'd better get going if I don't want to be late for work. I have to come in at seven and I'll be there until seven in the morning. Long night ahead of me. I'll see you tomorrow!" Mom kissed me on the forehead, and then went to Dad to kiss him on the lips. I averted my eyes, avoiding the urge to say 'yuck'.

How could I pretend to be normal when I just killed somebody? I murdered Jack. I shot him. I'm going to get caught, I just know it…

"Christine? You there?" Bringing me back to reality, Mom stood there with a worried expression on her face.

"Yeah, you needed something?" What did she say that I missed?

"Nothing, just sleep tight. If you need anything, just call." Mom looked reluctant to leave. I gestured for her to go with a half-hearted smile.

"Okay Mom. Love you." I finally started to leave the kitchen, drudging up the stairs after hanging my coat up in the hallway and kicking off my sneakers. Every step seemed to take too much effort and I longed for the comfort of my bed. I don't think I have the capacity to take a shower right now.

Finally reaching the door to my bedroom, I just took off the jeans and socks I was wearing before crashing onto my bed with a sigh.

Oh, just in case, I'd better put on the alarm. I don't want to miss church in the morning. With a grimace, I wriggled my way onto the edge of the bed to set it to five in the morning to make sure that I'd have enough time to wash and look presentable.

Slipping my feet underneath my messy covers and curling myself into a fetus-like position, I grabbed the pillow that I wasn't using and cuddled it to myself before slipping into slumber.

"Do ya like Subway?"

"W-what? Why?" The girl looked positively frightened. I couldn't stop myself from inching closer, taking in the way her body quivered and shook underneath me as her chest heaved, aching for a sizeable amount of oxygen. She gave me a good chase, I'll admit that.

" 'cuz I got a footlong for you!" The girl cringed in disgust as I laughed vociferously at my own bad joke.

"Get your mind outta the gutter! I meant these!" I held up my gloved hand excitedly, waving the blades in the air.

Realization dawned on her face as she tried crawling backwards like a crab, clearly intending to bolt away.

Christine didn't hold back her laughter. Spinning my head around to see her dressed in the clothes she was in during the day, there she stood, arms crossed in front of her with plain amusement written on her face.

I looked back to the girl I was just about to stab with my claw, then to Christine. Then back to her. Then back to Christine. Agh…decisions, decisions!

Lucky for me, I can have them both.

Huffing in an undignified manner as the girl pleaded for Christine to save her, I jokingly asked Christine, "Do ya mind? I'm a bit busy right now!" before plunging the blades fully into the screaming girl's chest. The ear-piercing shriek was temporarily dulled by the blood that cascaded in an arc out her mouth. Burning the lovely view into my memory, I looked back to decipher what Christine's reaction would be.

Revulsion, guilt, horror. Even a bit of…admiration?

Wait. Hold on a minute. What?

I had to figure out what the hell was going on. Eagerly finishing the bitch off by slashing a multitude of marks down her bare arms and leaving time to finish the rest as bubbles of blood frothed out of the slut's mouth, I quickly got up to see that Christine hadn't moved from her position. She was bathed in the red light that the fiery furnaces gave off.

Slowly walking up to her in a predatory way, I caught her eye and flicked my tongue out to gather a bit of blood from the tip of my index blade. Closing my eyes to revel in the coppery taste for a moment, I opened them again to find her intently watching. Finally finding myself an arm's length away, I started to slowly circle her. I had a few questions just needed to be answered.

"So, you've dropped by to visit ol' Freddy?" I opened my arms in a mock welcoming gesture. No answer from her? Okay, then I'll continue. "Well, before I start the fun, I've got uh – a few questions for ya."

Christine continued to stand there, nonplussed as I paced around her, the mouse that was just waiting for the cat to lash out and strike.

"Let's just forego the pleasantries, shall we?" As I finished my sentence, I stepped closer to her, murmuring the last bit into her hair, evoking a visible shiver. A satisfied grin appeared on my face before I forced it to disappear and continued pacing to complete the circle by going back in front of her as I spoke.

"Now. A few moments ago. I saw your horrified reaction. Gross, huh?" I pointed to the girl who was definitely at her few last shallow breaths with the blade on my index finger. Christine grimaced, I smiled. "I take that as a yes, then."

Finding myself in front of Christine, I grabbed her chin with my gloved hand, suddenly wrenching her face close to me so that she was less than an inch away from mine. A look of terror settled on her features as her eyes shifted away from my face and to the searing surroundings around us.

Shaking her head so that she would get the hint and not look away, I continued when her eyes focused back on me. "Answer me honestly. You know I can tell whether you're lying to me or not." I paused for emphasis, staring intently into her eyes, knowing it would put her at unease. "What else did you feel as I plunged my blades into the little piggy's stomach?"

My eyes were drawn to her throat as she gulped. I could definitely interpret that she clearly did not want to admit why she felt as she did even to herself, nevertheless me. C'mon dearie, we shouldn't let this take all night! I have so much more in store for you.

I narrowed my eyes until she finally opened her mouth to respond to my question. "I was horrified, amused and uhm." Her gaze averted from my face again. "Impressed."

I quelled the urge to laugh at the strange turn of events, wishing her to elaborate. Clearing my throat, I let the grasp that I held on her face subside before letting my fingers travel down to her throat very gently. "Oh, and why is that?"

Christine closed her eyes as she internally battled with herself. Not wanting to needlessly drain my powers by listening in on her thoughts, I waited a moment before pressing the blades on my glove a bit more deeply on her neck, yet still not enough to draw blood.

Licking her lips but keeping her eyes closed, she continued. "You're so free. You have no restraints. No rules. Nothing ever holding you back." She paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts together. "You punish anyone you wish to. You aren't afraid of anything or anyone."

My hold on her throat slackened a bit as I listened intently to her words, which were increasingly getting quieter. "I was impressed because you are smarter than you pretend to be, witty to those who can appreciate your humor and you certainly know how to maim and torture. I've never even heard about anyone like you." Christine finally opened her eyes, drawing up some courage to meet my own inquisitive stare.

"Like it or not, you've made me feel. After months of just doing the same routine and going through the motions of life…you made me feel something. Jolted me back into existence. You've changed me, though I truly wonder if it is for the better."

"Christine?" …Dad? Huh?

"Mmmmmf. Ugh. What do you want?" It was hard not to let my irritation seep through. Just a second ago I was spilling my innermost thoughts to Freddy after finally admitting the thoughts to myself, and I wasn't even given an opportunity to hear his response to it because Dad shook me awake?

"Just checking up on you. You think you're up to going to church tomorrow?" This is what he woke me up for?

My hands balling into fists, I forced the anger to slip from my voice when I answered. "I'll go. The priest might freak if I don't show."

"Alright. I guess you're going to sleep. You really do need it. I won't bother you anymore tonight. Night, honey."

"Mhm. Love you." Stuffing my face into the pillow as Dad quietly closed my door, I fought the urge to yell.

Can't I get some peaceful shut eye around here between inquisitive fathers and crazy murderers? Of which I was one, my mind gently reminded me.

Angrily, I turned over and with a glower worked on going back to sleep.

Materializing in the interior of my kitchen in the downtrodden house of the dream realm, I called for my three little girls in a somewhat distracted tone.

It wasn't long before I heard three sets of little footsteps bounding down the creaky staircase. Leaving the kitchen to meet them, I arrived just in time to see the girl with scarlet plaited hair shriek because her foot went through one of the steps, dirtying her milky white stocking. The other two girls stopped to tug her foot out of the gaping hole before the three hurriedly rushed to stand before me.

I settled myself on my haunches to be at their level and to make sure I was understood, motioned the three to get closer with the blade on my glove. They nervously inched forward, playing with the fringes on their pure white gowns. With a dramatic roll of my eyes, I waved my hand over the red haired girl's stockings, reverting it back to its former glory before looking to address the trio.

"Listen you three. I want you to be on your guard. Today will be a busy night. I gave you had a few nights to play, but now Freddy needs your help. Are you listening?"

Three little heads bobbed affirmatively.

"Okay. Christine should be popping in soon. Make sure you give her a proper…welcoming. She hasn't yet been introduced to you. Play with her as you like. I'll be taking over at some point. Then I will play with her for a little while. Understood?"

Again, three doll-like girls nodded yes.

"Afterwards, people may be popping in. I give you free reign –" Wait, do they even know what that means? Probably not. "I give you my permission to play with them as you like. See you later, kiddies!" I waved my claw at them before popping away.

I looked at Sandy and Diana with a frown as I wrapped my finger around my ponytail, winding the strands of thick hair around and around. "I hate this job, guys."

"Tell me about it, Alicia." Diana sighed as she looked down at her legs for any sign of damage. "Why can't he just let us play? Or better yet, let us go?"

Sandy continued playing with the hem of her dress as she spoke. "Do you think he'll ever let us go?"

Somehow, I had the feeling that we were stuck in a never-ending game where we were the little pieces that couldn't just be forgotten under the rug. It's better to keep hoping though, so I answered brightly, "Of course he will. Once we prove to him that we can follow all of his instructions like good little girls, he'll let us go."

If that day did come, where would that leave us?