Chapter 3: We All Have Nightmares
Blonde Jennifer was sitting alone in her apartment. The news was still sinking in. it was unreal that one of her best friends had actually been murdered. No one even knew who it was. The detectives had no leads right now. It had been two days, and they had come up with nothing.
She sighed and grabbed her phone from the table. She needed to distract herself with some mindless entertainment. She frowned as she realized it was dead. She snatched the magazine sitting there. The words were a blurry jumble as she blinked a few times, trying to get her eyes to focus.
A yawn escaped her as she tossed the magazine aside. She was tired, but her mind wouldn't stop racing. She hadn't slept since yesterday. She hadn't been able to sleep because she saw Jennifer's dead body haunting her every time she closed her eyes.
"Jennifer."
Jennifer's head snapped up in shock. She saw a bloody body in a body bag standing before her. It took her only a few seconds before she realized it was Jennifer.
She screamed, jumping up and running from her apartment. She ran into someone, barely managing to stay on her feet as she fled. Manners were out the window right now.
"Watch where you're going!" the man yelled.
Jennifer looked back and saw a man in a red and green sweater. She only moved faster to get away from him. It reminded her of her nightmare from before. She reached the other Jennifer's apartment. Knocking frantically, she called for Jennifer.
"Jennifer!"
She continued to pound on the door. Why wasn't she opening the door?
"Jennifer, I swear if you're with Lucy!" she hollered. She looked around surprised no one else was coming to investigate the noise she was making.
"What's the matter, Jennifer, scared?" a deep gravelly voice asked.
She whirled around to see the man at the end of the hall. He was wearing that same ugly sweater and hat. She also saw the glove with the claws. He had to have been the one that killed the other Jennifer. Now he was after her. She needed to get into this apartment and get to a phone.
"Jennifer," she hollered. Kicking the door with all her might, she did not dare take her eyes off the man approaching her. "JENNIFER!" she screamed.
The door behind her gave way, causing her to stumble. She caught her balance and turned to see curly-haired Jennifer standing there, looking at her, confused.
"What are you doing here?" Jennifer looked over her shoulder, and the man was gone.
"I was being chased," she said trying to catch her breath.
She glanced over her shoulder and he was gone. Where did he go? Was it real? She was too tired for this crap. Maybe it had been in her head.
"Oh," the other Jennifer said. Jennifer nodded her head. "By who?" she asked as she pulled Jennifer into a hug.
"This guy," Jennifer said shaking her head.
She didn't know what to think right now. She had seen him in her dream the night before, but now he was real.
A glance back down the hall told her that he was gone. Where could he have gone? She knew none of the other residents would let a man like that into their apartments. The stairs were in the other direction. There was nowhere he could have logically gone. Was he real?
She turned back to talk to Jennifer, and the man was there. She screamed, and the man grabbed her by her throat muffling her cries. She grabbed at his hand trying to get his grip to release. He just smoked back at her.
"Such a pretty little thing, aren't ya," he said. He lifted his other hand revealing the clawed glove.
"No," she gasped out, as she kicked at him. This was a dream. This wasn't real. He wasn't real.
He brought a clawed finger to her cheek. He smirked gleefully as he ran the claw across her cheek. Pain spread across her face as he did so. He brought the now bloody claw up to his lips licking the blood.
"You kids never learn," he said shaking his head.
She was losing air and everything was fading to black. She tried to fight back and get this man off of her. He reared his hand back and then shot it forward into her stomach. She tried to scream again as pain flashed through her body.
-Nightmare at the Palm Woods-
Logan made his way down to the lobby behind the guys. He was exhausted. He hadn't been able to sleep much the last few days. Every time he slept, Freddy and the nightmares came back. Last night had been the worst, Freddy had chased him around the entire hotel, or so it felt like it. He had been drenched in sweat and panting as if he really had been running. He hadn't gone back to sleep after that.
Across the lobby, Lucy, Jo, and Camille were sitting together. Camille had introduced the two, and they seemed to be becoming fast friends. Camille waved them all over.
"Did you hear?" Lucy asked quietly.
"Hear what?" Kendall asked, confused.
"Another Jennifer is dead," Camille said.
"What?" Logan asked, his eyes going wide.
"Yeah, apparently, she was attacked in her sleep," Jo said.
"That's odd," Carlos said.
"With the same cuts that the other Jennifer had, too," Lucy added.
"How's the other Jennifer holding up?" Kendall asked, switching gears. He glanced around, not seeing her anywhere.
"Not good, we were about to go check on her. She was down here giving a statement to the detectives a little while ago," Camille said.
"She's freaked that someone is after her," Jo said.
"Well yeah, her friends were killed. I would think the same thing if I were in her position," James said.
"What about you?" Kendall asked, looking at Lucy. She gave him a confused look.
"Weren't you getting closer with them since you and…" Kendall trailed off.
Lucy's cheeks went red as she looked away from him, gaining confused looks from the others around them.
"What are you talking about?" James asked.
"Jennifer and I are…seeing each other," Lucy said, looking up at the others. "It wasn't serious until about a month ago, and yes, Kendall, I was getting closer with the other two since they are all a package deal."
"Whoa, how did you land a date with Jennifer," Carlos asked.
"Well, for one thing, I wasn't ogling her every time she walked by, and I don't know, it just kind of happened once and again, and then there were a few dates, and now I think…we might actually be dating. Like, I really like her, and she's so funny and caring once you get past the Hollywood persona," Lucy said.
"You better go console your girlfriend then," Kendall said.
"I will. You two still coming?" Lucy asked, looking at Jo and Camille.
"Yeah, she's gonna need all the support and friends she can right now," Camille said.
"We'll see you guys later," Lucy said, leading the other two from the lobby.
"Yeah, keep us updated and tell her we are here for her if she needs it," Kendall called after her. She waved, signaling that she heard him.
The guys made their way out to the pool, away from everyone. Kendall sat down on a chair, pulling Logan down beside him. Logan leaned against him naturally. He placed an arm around the brunette holding him close. James and Carlos took a seat opposite them. They glanced around nervously as well.
"Someone's attacking people at the Palm Woods," Kendall said.
"Obviously," James said.
"Look, guys, we're going to have to be careful," Kendall said, ignoring James' comment. The other two nodded their heads in agreement with Kendall.
"Who could it be, though?" Carlos asked, looking around the pool. There were a few teens milling about, most likely gossiping about the murders. They all looked nervous even to be out and about.
"I don't know. I don't think it's somebody who lives here, though," Kendall said, frowning.
"Who would want to prey on teenagers," James asked.
"Freddy," Logan said before he could stop himself.
The guys all looked at him. Logan felt his face heat up.
"He's not real, Logan," Kendall said.
"I know, I was just…" Logan started. He was unsure of what to say.
"Are you having nightmares again?" Kendall asked.
"No, I just…that was the story. He killed teens in their sleep and…and it popped into my head," Logan said quickly, trying to cover his blunder.
"Are you ok?" Kendall asked, looking at him worriedly.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Logan lied, "You know, aside from two of our friends being violently murdered in the last few days."
The four fell silent as they sat there thinking over what had happened. This was a lot to take in. Logan felt nervous being out in the open. He could see the guys were anxious too. Maybe hanging out by the pool wasn't such a good idea.
Logan opened his mouth to speak when Jett Stetson, Dak Zevon, and Guitar Dude entered the pool area, talking about the murders. He paused as they walked past, not paying any mind to them.
"It's so strange, man," Guitar Dude said.
"I know," Dak said, nodding his head.
Dak spent more time at the Palm Woods ever since he and Jett had started dating. Jett had become a little less of an asshole since he and Dak started dating but was still rivals with Kendall.
"She was just talking to me about having nightmares of someone trying to kill her," Guitar Dude said.
"Everyone has nightmares," Jett said as they took a seat at a table not that far from the guys.
"Dude, she knew she was going to be killed," Guitar Dude said.
"She didn't know. She was just paranoid from finding Jennifer killed," Jett said as they all sat down at a table near the guys.
"She told me she had a dream someone was trying to kill her, and then the next day, she's dead. All I am saying is it's odd," Guitar Dude said, putting his hands up.
"You sound scared. What's the matter, Dude? Had a nightmare lately?" Jett asked, laughing, earning a slap on the arm from Dak. He turned to Dak, confused.
"Don't be such an ass," Dak scolded his boyfriend.
"What?" Jett asked, "it's not like dreams can kill," he said, shaking his head.
"Have you been having nightmares, Jett?" Logan asked, standing up. He walked over to the table.
"Guys can have nightmares too, Mitchell," Jett said.
"Did you have a nightmare?" Logan asked again.
"What's it to you?" Jett asked.
"Logie," Kendall said, walking over to the brunette. He quickly pulled Logan along away from the others, who were looking at him confused.
"What was that for?" Logan asked, rounding on Kendall once they were alone.
"Me? What about you?" Kendall asked.
"The nightmares, they are a common thread," Logan said.
Logan didn't want to admit it, but something was going on. Maybe Freddy was right, maybe he was real. That was the only explanation. Everyone was having nightmares. He knew it, they were all freaked out.
"Do you have any idea how crazy you sound?" Kendall asked, bringing him back from his thoughts.
"I am serious, both Jennifer's had a nightmare, and they were killed, and I've been having nightmares and look," Logan said as he held up his arm to show his bandaged arm.
"I scratched you," Kendall said logically.
"Kendall, there is no way you did this to me," Logan said, shaking his head. The cut was too deep for someone to have scratched him with their bare hand. However, a clawed glove could make that kind of cut.
"Logie, you're reading too much into things," Kendall said, shaking his head, "now stop this nonsense about killer nightmares and let's go back to the crib," he said.
"But the guys are at the pool," Logan said, pointing to the pool.
"Yeah, but I think we should get you back to the crib so you can sleep," Kendall said, looking at Logan worriedly.
"I'm not tired," Logan said, shaking his head. He wasn't going to go to sleep, not now. He needed to figure out how Freddy followed him here and how to stop him.
"Logan, you're not making any sense right now. I know you haven't slept much lately," Kendall said, placing a hand on his arm. "I'm worried about you."
"I'm fine," Logan said slipping free from his grip. He pushed past the blonde and made his way to the Palm Woods park. He needed to get away from everyone for a little while. He was no longer worried about the killer comnig after him. He knew that they only time that would happen was when he was sleeping.
-Nightmare at the Palm Woods-
Guitar Dude sighed as he wandered around the park. He had left Dak and Jett at the pool. He didn't want to admit it, but he was having nightmares. While Jett had become one of his best friends here at the Palm Woods, he was still a jerk sometimes. Dak had definitely mellowed the cocky actor out, though.
Dude sighed as he made his way over to a park bench. He paused as he spotted Logan sitting alone. He had been acting strange earlier, too, asking about the dreams. Was he having nightmares too? It was probably because of the murders. That was why Dude was having them.
He made his way over to the nerdy boy sitting beside him. Logan startled and looked up, only to relax as he saw it was Dude.
"Shouldn't you be with your friends and not out here alone?" Dude asked.
"What about you?" Logan replied, arching a brow at him.
"Fair point," Dude said. They sat in silence for a moment.
He looked the popstar over. Logan looked like he hadn't slept in weeks, which was odd cause he was off tour. He should be sleeping better than ever now that he was home. Why wasn't he sleeping? Was he having nightmares too?
"So why were you asking about the nightmares?" Dude asked.
Logan looked away from him. He seemed to want to say something but thought better of it. "It's nothing."
"Is it because the Jennifers were having nightmares?" Dude asked slowly, trying to gauge his reactions. There was something he wasn't saying.
"Yeah, they were talking about it before…you know," Logan said, turning back to him. "It's just a weird coincidence."
He looked down at the ground, away from Dude again. He seemed deep in thought. It seemed like there was more that he wanted to say, but he was holding back for some reason.
"Yeah, my nightmare was of some crazy guy chasing me around the Palm Woods," Dude said, without thinking about it, "probably had to do with the smoking before bed and the murders, but it felt so real," he added hastily.
"What?" Logan asked turning to face him, his eyes wide.
"Yeah, never smoke a new blend before you go to bed," Dude said, forcing a laugh. He didn't like that look. There was something more going on here.
"What did-?" Logan started
"Logan, there you are."
Logan jumped up, whirling around to face Kendall as he approached them, James and Carlos following behind him. They all looked worried.
"I gotta go," Logan said. He walked over to the guys assuring them he was fine and that he had needed a moment to breathe. He allowed Kendall and James to steer him away, with Carlos following along, telling him they were worried.
Dude sat there watching the four of them retreat. He wondered what kind of nightmare Logan had. The panicked look on his face spoke volumes. Was he just worried about the killer that seemed to be stalking the Palm Woods? That was it, right? Everyone was now paranoid because of what happened to the Jennifers.
-Nightmare at the Palm Woods-
James looked around the lobby for Carlos. They had been sent to get snacks for their impromptu movie marathon. After returning from the store, Carlos ran straight into the lobby, not waiting for James.
"He took off into the elevator."
James whirled around as Camille exited the pool area. She was carrying a script with her.
"Audition?" James asked.
"No, I was helping Jo. It's some sappy chick flick, not what I'm looking for right now," Camille said, waving her hand. "She just left, so I was heading back to my place."
"Would you like some company?" James asked, "I don't think we should be alone right now."
"You were alone," Camille said.
"Carlos took off ahead of me. We were in charge of snacks for our movie marathon," James said.
"Movie marathon?" Camille asked.
"Yeah, mama Knight called us all back to the crib; she's worried," James shrugged.
"Who isn't, it just sucks that my dad is out of town this week," Camille replied.
"Wanna come over?" James asked quickly.
"I don't want to intrude," Camille said.
"I don't mind," James said, he felt heat creep up his cheeks as Camille's eyes went wide. "I'm sure the guys wouldn't mind, I don't think they would want you alone right now either," he added.
"Right," Camille said.
"Come on," James said, grabbing her hand and leading her toward the elevator.
"Whoa, slow down," Camille laughed.
They stopped together in front of the elevator. They both reached for the up button. They froze as they hit the button together.
"Oops," They said together. James looked over at her, heat rising up his cheeks again. He saw her cheeks dust a light pink too.
"Sorry," he said, withdrawing his hand.
The elevator doors slid open, and he gestured for her to get in. He followed her into the elevator. His heart was racing being so close to her. He knew that Kendall had told him to go for it, but he wouldn't until he talked to Logan. He knew they were over, but he needed to talk to Logan first.
-Nightmare at the Palm Woods-
Jett laughed as he leaned on Dak. They made their way up to his apartment. Dak's car had decided now to bite the dust. Instead of calling an Uber, he asked Jett if he could just stay with him until he could get it taken care of in the morning.
"Thanks again, Jett," Dak said smiling at the other boy. "I'd rather not get in a car with a stranger. My last Uber experience was…he was a total fanboy."
"Anything for you, Dak," Jett said placing an arm around his neck, "I gotta make sure no one messes with my man."
"Stop," Dak said blushing as they came to a stop outside his apartment.
Jett fished his keys from his pocket as he laughed. They entered the apartment laughing together and playfully nudging each other.
"It's hard to believe you're the same guy I started dating only six months ago," Dak said as they settled on the couch together.
"Has it been that long already?" Jett asked, looking over at him surprised.
"Almost," Dak said, smiling.
"Tomorrow," Jett replied as he did the math and figured out what day it was.
It really felt like so long ago though. So much had changed in the last six months. Dak had been able to chip away at that macho exterior that he had put up. He was able to get Jett to admit he was human and had feelings too, even if only when they were alone.
"You've changed so much, Jett," Dak said as he scooted closer to the other boy.
"I know, lots of people seem to think so too," Jett said, nodding his head.
He had seen many gossip stories about how he was changing and becoming softer. People were always trying topo guess who he was dating, but he was never seen in public with anyone alone. He was always with Dude and Dak. No one had managed to put two and two together. It was funny to see how everyone was making the wrong guesses as to who he was dating, from Jo to Kendork. He was never so glad when Kendall and Logan announced they were dating. That got that rumor to die. There were those who thought he was dating Lucy or maybe even Guitar Dude, but no one outside their small group of friends and the four dorks from Big Time Rush knew. They only knew cause Kendall thought he had started the rumor they were dating and confronted Jett, and Jett slipped and corrected him that he was dating Dak. They swore the other to secrecy as Kendall admitted he was with Logan.
"So, what do you have planned for tomorrow," Jett asked, knowing Dak was a big romantic sap. He would never say it out loud, but it was one of the things he loved about the other boy. He was always whisking Jett away in secret and pampering him.
"I don't know; guess you'll just have to wait and see," Dak said, sitting back. He smiled at the other boy.
"Aw, come on," Jett said, grabbing his hand and pulling him close. He paused when they were a breath apart. "Don't be such a tease."
"I'm not," Dak said, grinning. He leaned in and kissed the other boy, "maybe we could start celebrating tonight? If you behave."
"Don't imply something you won't follow through on," Jett warned as he pushed the other boy onto his back.
"I never said-" Dak started, pushing the other boy up. He wiggled out from under him.
"No, seriously, I don't know if I can handle the teasing you do," Jett said, sinking back into the couch. His phone buzzed, and he saw a text from Dude.
Dude: Man is that you outside or am I just paranoid again? I thought you were on a date with your man.
"Who said I was gonna tease," Dak asked as he started for Jett's bedroom. He shed his shirt on the way.
Jett looked up, his jaw-dropping. Dak was never this bold. He had been the one who wanted to take things slow. He had heard of Jett's reputation. It wasn't a good one, but Jett was past all that. He was ready for something serious. He had spent the last six months trying to prove that to him.
He glanced down at his phone, shooting Dude a text. It was hard to focus on texting right now. He could barely think about Dude when Dak was stripping.
Jett: I am busy with Dak, we just got back to my place ;)
"Well, are you coming or not?" Dak asked as he turned around in the doorway of Jett's bedroom door. He leaned against the frame shirtless.
"Are you serious right now?" Jett asked asking, glancing down as Dude replied.
Dude: Get some. I expect a full report tomorrow.
"Guess you'll have to put that phone down and find out," Dak said, backing into the room as he opened his jeans. He bit his lip as he locked eyes with Jett.
"Sorry, Dude was tripping, he's fine," Jett said, pocketing his phone. He jumped up and ran after the other boy.