I had Alysson in my arms, carrying her downstairs, jogging. I dove into the kitchen, Max following me at my heels.
Everyone suddenly looked surprised.
"I need to go next door, over Riley's house so that Alysson can use the bathroom. The bathroom upstairs is out of order, don't ask me why. However, I don't think she can hold it. I have to go over there, right now."
I was talking really fast, as I shifted my little sister in my arms.
"And we can trust you with that, how?"
Inquired Djinn, raising an eyebrow.
"Because! It's just that my sister needs to piss, now can I go or not?"
He sighed, not looking convinced.
"Just in case, I'm going with you."
Before I could agrue about that, he morphed back into my 'Uncle Marty' and stood to join me. Max's mouth dropped open.
"Does he need to go, too?" Asked Marty, pointing at my brother.
I looked at Max. He shook his head, still gawking at Djinn. "Fine, he stays here." Said my false uncle, as we headed for the door.
"But, Jennifer!"
Cried Max, following after us.
I whirled around.
"Look, we'll just be gone for two minutes, okay? I need you to just calm down and explore the house, whatever! Just stay here!"
I rushed out of the front door, my wriggling sister in my arms, and a demon by my side, closing it behind me. We jogged next door to a two story, yellow house.
There was a pale green door that matched the green shutters on the window, and tiles on the roof. There was a chimney, with probably a roaring fire in the house somewhere, from the swirling clouds of smoke rising out of it. Everything was neat and in order and look overall, happy.
Once we reached the porch, we searched for the doorbell.
There wasn't one.
"How, nice."
I muttered, setting Alysson down, banging on the door. We waited there, as I silently watched my sister strain to hold in her bladder.
"So, what happened with the bathroom?"
Asked Djinn, looking at me.
"Let's just say Creeper had a feast in there."
Djinn chuckled, shaking his head to himself.
"You know, he tried to eat me."
I said, defensively.
Djinn merely looked amused.
"Oh really? Hmm, well you were quite damaged from Freddy's handshake, now were you?" I groaned just thinking about those claws of his.
"He didn't have to squeeze so hard." I countered, angerily.
"That in itself, cannot be helped. He's one of the more,"
He hesitated, thinking how to describe the dream demon.
"Darker killers, of the generation." Alysson suddenly looked up. "Jenny, what's a killer?"
Ah, shit.
"Uh,"
I cleared my throat akwardly.
Djinn tossed a look at me, slightly grinning.
"Um,"
Hell, what could I say?
"A killer, is another word, for uh, for a tree."
Djinn burst out laughing, slapping himself on his forehead. Alysson looked at him, confused.
A tree? Really? How pathetic. I scolded myself.
Alysson looked around just then, admiring all the trees in the neighborhood.
"Wow, they're a lot of killers here."
Djinn broke into a huge smile.
"Yes, there are a lot of killers, now aren't there?"
I groaned. At least Alysson didn't know about the truth.
Just then, the door opened to reveal Riley, in a white shirt with a blue and black checkered jacket, with another pair of NIKE shorts. Riley's face lit up, instantly smiling.
"Oh hey, Jennifer. Hey, Marty."
He looked down at my little sister.
"You must be Jennifer's sister, hm?" She nodded, making a struggling expression.
"Uh, Riley, sorry to bother you, but Alysson needs to use the bathroom," He was about to ask, probably, what happened to ours, when I added;
"Our toliet broke down."
He nodded, stepping aside.
"Of course, come on in."
We filed in, looking around the house.
There was a staricase to our left, turning up against the wall to the second floor. The gray carpet beneath my feet, felt so soft and clean. The walls were white, with a green trim. Just as I had predicted, there was a fireplace in the wall, next to the stairs, with a roaring fire. Pictures littered the top shelf on the fireplace. A big, flat screen TV hung over the photos and blazing fire. There was a large green couch to our right, facing the fireplace. There were two bookcases on each side of the couch, against the wall.
Damn, did this place look nice.
Riley took my sister aside, up the carpetted steps.
"I'll go show her the bathroom." He said, taking her up around the corner, vanishing behind it. Me and Djinn looked at each other.
"So, I guess we wait."
I said, akwardly sitting on the long couch. Djinn crossed his arms, leaning on the wall next to the front door. "Big place." He observed, looking around somemore.
I nodded, looking into the open doorway of the kitchen. The kitchen was yellow with a brown colortheme. There was a little round table, just like to one in my house, sitting ahead of the glass backdoor. Something out there caught my eye, as I squinted to see it better, through the glass. My eyebrows shot up.
A pool. There have a fucking pool. No way. LUCKY BASTARD!
Riley came down from the stairs just then.
"She'll be out in a few minutes."
He smiled, gesturing back behind him.
"So, what have you guys, been up to?" He was starting conversation, trying to make the visit better.
Goodluck with that.
"Nothing much, really. We've just been wondering around, bored as usual. You?" I said, trying to keep my voice casual. He shrugged.
"Same, I guess. Nobody really comes over anymore."
He shoved his hands into his short's pockets, seeming disappointed at that.
"Nice place, you got here." Grinned Marty/Djinn.
"Thanks, my dad does the decorating. He's a big fan of creatvity." There was a long pause. We all knew this was strangely akward, us just barging in on him like this.
"So, where's your parents?"
Asked Djinn.
"Dad is in the tool shed out in the backyard. Mom is at work."
At least you have your parents. Mine are gone, having run off with each other.
I was a bit jealous of him, for having his parents around. I missed mom and dad. A lot. However, I doubt that they could make this situation, any better.
"Nice pool out there."
I said, pointing at the backdoor.
He looked back at it.
"Oh yeah. It's nice to get in when it's hot outside."
I nodded, trying to remember the last time I swam in a pool. God, it's been a while.
"You've ever been swimming?"
He asked, causing me to wreck my train of thought.
"Uh, yeah, it's just been a really long time." He nodded, then seemed to perk up.
He had perked up the same way, everytime he had pointed something out, killer related.
Oh fuck, what are you going to say, now?
I feared the worse, opening my brain to get ready, to lie to him, again.
"You know, I'd like to invite you over for a swim."
Okay, didn't expect that, but the answer is already, no.
I sighed through my nose, disappointed. I would of loved to jump in that pool.
"I don-Sure, she'd love to accept."
I stared at Djinn, with a quizzical expression.
I flinched at his voice invaded my thoughts.
Accept the offer. Go have some fun. If we're going to be staying here for a while, you might as well.
He grinned at me, while I supressed a shudder.
But what about the others? They'd rather kill me than let me go swimming.
He raised an eyebrow, talking back with his thoughts.
I'll talk with them. I'm sure we can reach an agreement.
I glanced at Riley, whom looked puzzled, as if trying to read our expressions. "Uh, sure, I'd love to. Can I bring Max and Alysson? It's been a while since they've been swimming."
He nodded, smiling openly.
"Of course! The more the merrier."
Alysson ran down the steps, jumping into my arms with the welcoming hug of hers.
"Okay, I'm finished!"
She sang, hugging me tightly.
Good. We can go.
I thought, in total relief.
"When should we come over?" I asked, letting go of my sister's embrace.
"Tomorrow, would be great."
I nodded, plastering a small smile, purely fake of course, onto my face. "Okay. Well, thanks, Riley. We'll see you tomorrow, then."
We started for the door.
"Anytime, Jennifer. It was great to meet you, Alysson! Bye, Marty!"
He called, as we shut the door behind us.
"Good God, that's over."
I breathed, walking away.
"Djinn, why did you encourage me to go? I thought you didn't trust me."
I questioned, looking up at him beside me.
"I don't. However, he seems like a logic before belief, kind of person. He takes more after his dad, the rational side of the family. So, if you even slipped a word of it out, that you've been living with us. He'd only laugh at you and call you crazy."
I let his words sink in, slowly realizing his was right. I didn't even try to ask how he knew so much about Riley, that was probably his power or something.
I sighed, as we slowly continued our walk.