A/N: I own none of the Forbidden Game series, they all belong to Lisa Jane Smith.

This chapter's revision was solely created by this song:

Artist: Maggie Eckford

Song: Tell Me How to Feel

Chapter Five: Surprise

Darkness enveloped the space aside from a single sparse of light from a flickering bulb that swung above, illuminating the figure before her. A duster black jacket was fitted around the lithe frame and a silver bangle wound around his upper muscle, like a coiled serpent. Disheveled hair fell like frosted, iced crystals over the dark plains of his face.

A single breath expelled from his bare chest and receded a name, "Jenny..."

The whisper echoed in the hollow chamber around her. "Nothing really dies...as long as it's not forgotten..."

So this wasn't a created dream but a memory. It was the night Julian had died. As if on cue she found herself whispering out a soft, "I'm sorry."

She was sorry for how he'd suffered in passing. Ironically dying in her grandfathers basement-where this all once began and came back full circle.

While everyone had watched.

After, there had been no funeral because there had been nothing to bury. Even if there had, who would've attended? No one aside Jenny truly cared and this had only happened after witnessing the good behind his conniving nature.

Just as the memory had played, Julian disappeared like quicksilver moments later, leaving Jenny in the very hallway of the basement her grandfather was taken from. It was unnerving just sitting there. Afraid she'd see those haunting silvery eyes from the beach, as more unease curdled from her last reunion with Julian.

Where are you? her mind wanted to cry out.

As if in answer a sudden spine-tingling scream tore through her mind before bright cobalt eyes suddenly flashed in her mind, "JENNNNNNYYYYYY!"

Jenny awoke to the sound of her own screams.

With a strained gasp she pulled herself upright, the dream disappearing into her subconscious. Hit with an abrupt shock of coldness she realized the warmth had diminished, the lavender bath salts long dissolved, leaving a slick residue on her sun-kissed legs. As she climbed out rivulets of water dripped from her coiled bun, sending a shiver down her bare spine.

"W-what the hell was that?"

It was time to come clean with Summer if only to ease her anxiety. Anxious, Jenny slipped into the jade tank top and jean shorts resting on the edge of the sink. She'd just started to extract the bobby pins holding up her hair—

When a shadowy figure passed through the mirror.

A scream caught in Jenny's throat as her hands fumbled and searched along the walls for the light switch. The terror seized her heart as she flicked it on—only to see the grotesque reflection gone.

The ornate clock resting on the fireplace's mantlepiece continued to tick beside her, agitating her nerves further as she waited for Summer to return to the homestead.

Tick.

Tick.

Tick.

Jenny continued to pace, her white trainers eliciting a distinct creeaak across the floorboards twisting loose strands of hair undone from the clipped updo. She strained her hearing for the familiar rumble of the aged, yellow Volkswagen. Purchased from a sketchy dealership Jenny had had a hard time reconciling with, the vehicle already sounded on its last leg. Yet at this moment it was a blessing to hear less than a mile away.

Her fingers curled into fists as she willed herself to finally settle on the maroon couches grouped around the plasma. Her mother had helped pitch in for the TV when Summer and Jenny had decided to rent this place as their own. They'd found the duplex through their family realtor who had been struggling to rent the place. It wound up being a convenience for all three parties. Yet, the excitement they'd shared when the keys had been handed over, now seemed so long ago.

So much had happened, since.

Jenny sighed internally fighting not to look at the clock, again, If only time could go faster. This time alone was driving her mind wild. The face in the mirror had been a trick of the candlelight right? She couldn't possibly be losing her mind. At this point, Jenny was desperate for another perspective.

Tom was just not an option.

He had enough to juggle on his plate. Jenny didn't need her parents checking up on her either. They'd done enough of that after Pennsylvania. She could expect this if she confided to Tom. Which would surely follow up with news of their engagement.

Jenny dragged her hands down her temples. Would Tom think her insane if he found out? Was she underestimating her... fiancé? The thought made her glance at the diamond on her ring finger.

Pug, pug, pug.

She heard the familiar engine pull into the lot.

Minutes later keys jingled in the lock.

As soon as the front door opened, Jenny was at the threshold. "Summer!"

Her hands flung around her startled friend with a rolled-up mat under one arm. No doubt she'd just finished up Yoga. She smiled and hung up the knitted peace cap placed over her curls. A gift Jenny had bought at a thrift sale and the girl had worn it ever since.

It made Jenny smile soft yet strained.

"Nice to see you too." Summers's voice feigned to hide her foreknowledge, "Glad to see you looking well again my newly engaged flower!" Her bright blue eyes lit with excitement. "Ready to celebrate?!"

Jenny fought to keep her smile in place. Summer didn't know about that can of worms. Jenny was quick to settle for subtlety. "Thank you, it is still... soaking in I think." She scratched the back of her neck, not ready to divulge but clearly her friend had been clued in before. "Actually... there's something I want to talk to you about." This is what she had to be ready for: Summer's reaction.

"Okay." Summer shrugged nonchalantly. "Follow me to the kitchen."

The guilt bit down on her gut for what she was about to bring up. For months the poor blonde had had vivid nightmares about what she'd faced. Involving the dollhouse they'd made and been sucked into, Summers's nightmare had involved a fear of infested giant-sized bugs and morbid creatures in her bedroom. It had nearly killed her after being sucked down into the pit of the grotesque monstrosities. For a time, Jenny believed it had and relentlessly blamed herself. Until they'd found her in the playhouse at Joyland Park. The emotions of that day became fresh in her mind whenever she looked upon her friend.

Alive and breathing.

Occasionally the two still shared a midnight snack over their nightmares. Jenny would never grow tired of this. Not one bone in her body would ever take Summer for granted, again. As she followed her into the polished kitchen, she tried not to think of how Summer was going to react. The girl looked so serene and retrieved a tub of ice cream from the freezer, a dreamy smile across her lips.

Jenny assumed she was thinking of Zach.

Ever since Summer and Zach had become a couple, Summer had a constant perma-grin on her face. "So, how's Zach doing?" Jenny casually leaned against the kitchen island with a knowing look.

Summer ushered a small girlish giggle as she scanned through the cupboards and pulled out the blender. "Good, he said he just had someone offer to buy one of his paintings."

Jenny gaped at her, "Really?"

Summer nodded. She began scooping out chunks of Swiss chocolate ice cream. "He said the guy offered him about a thousand dollars for it."

Jenny's eyes widened. "Really? I'm glad he seems to be making progress, then."

Far more than her own.

Summers smile grew as she licked melted chocolate off a finger. After serving up three scoops into the blender, she pinned Jenny with a questioning look. "You want some while I'm making it?"

Jenny scooped some chocolate dripping off the side of the ice cream tub. "Mmm... what you are making?"

"Chocolate malts." Then her nose crinkled in distaste. "Yoga classes tend to make me parched afterward."

Jenny laughed, it was such a Summer thing to do. Usually a stickler about eating healthy and exercising she still indulged in thr chocolate treat. Almost like a reward for herself.

Jenny's laugh softened, "Oh I think a malt sounds perfect right now."

Summer winked in guilty pleasure, "Coming right up then."

Summers's was transfixed on her drink her expression completely unreadable. Having excused herself the moment the Shadow Men had been mentioned for a second round to the kitchen. Returning with two Baileys Irish Cream drinks minutes later.

No doubt smuggled in by her new college friends

Jenny only made it partially through her story before Summer had decidedly settled on the entire bottle of Baileys. By the glassy-eyed look that now shone, it was obvious Summer was officially drunk.

Jenny sighed and set her glass down that she'd nearly finished after decidedly needing to take the edge off herself. "Summer, you know you're the only one I could tell this to. Dees is always busy, and Tom would think I'm losing it. You understand, don't you?"

Now Jenny didn't seem as certain.

Summer twirled a springy curl around her finger as if in thought. "Yes," she added slowly. "I dooo. But why are you dreaming of J-Julian?" She hiccupped. "Didn't you stop seein' 'im in your dreams after a while?"

Jenny looked at her tipsy friend with a quizzical brow, the alcohol starting to warm her. Summer wasn't aware of Jenny's budding friendship with the Shadow Man. It wasn't exactly public knowledge. So, she fibbed. "That doesn't mean he can't come back." At this, her eyes wandered towards the window. The lace curtains continued to sway by the warm breeze drifting across the room. "I'm sure it's possible he could've been carved back into the rune stave. The face I saw in the mirror-"

"But Julian diiiied." Summer enunciated. She tilted her glass with a bidded nod. "We all saw iiit."

"Yes, I know!" Jenny could feel herself growing irritated now. Especially as her tolerance level decreased and ideas started to configure from the sober part of her brain. "But, Summer..." She sighed. "Don't you see any Shadow Man can die... but they can come back if carved back. We all know that. Maybe it's not even Julian, maybe it's..."

"Another? Riiiight." Summer giggled, quickly smacking a hand over her mouth. "Sorry."

Jenny shook her head, "It's okay obviously you needed to take the edge off."

"Well," Summer began offhandedly, "when ya almost die from flesh-eating monsters because of a madman obsessed with your best friend yeeeah." She snorted, "You'll need a drink to hear 'bout him again."

"I understand." Jenny nodded with a sympathetic wince. "And I know it was supposed to have ended when the door was shut. I just don't know!" Jenny groaned as her mind grew foggier. "And then there was that cut on my finger."

She'd almost forgotten about that.

"Pssh yeah." Summer belched rather unladylike and took another swig of the bottle. "That could've happened at any t-time though."

"Yeah, maybe..." There were pieces here like a puzzle slowly fitting together. But the drunken haze she was falling under was making it more difficult. After a while, Jenny finally relinquished her self-control, trading off drinks from the amber bottle before them.

After a time, she was feeling the effects quite prominently. "It's jus'... What if it 'appened during the t-time when they carved Julian's name out? What if at sooome point during the time he was trying to saaave me, I got cut? I didn't discover it until we were on the plane, but if my bloods still there-"

Summer smacked her lips together, cutting her off. "And probably missed, those shadow dudes are quiite dumb."

"Shadow dudes dumb." Jenny couldn't help but laugh lightly at her own ridiculousness.

"Now try sayin' 'at five times fast." Summer giggled so hard it jostled a snort, causing Jenny to shake with hysterical laughter.

"Stop you're going to make me pee!"

"Wouldn't be the first time!"

The two nearly toppled off the couch but caught themselves just in time, clenching their sides in another bout of riotous laughter. Only when they'd finally calmed did Jenny feel the seriousness creeping into her voice once more, "It jus' maakes sense. D'you know today will be the same day my grandfather opened the portal?" By Summers's sudden bout of shock, Jenny added, "I know craaazy right? I was quite a messed-up kid back then."

Summer recovered after a moment and cleared her throat, "So, tooday?"

Jenny nodded, "Right before I was to start pre-school. Will never forget it." It would explain everything happening. But not Julian's disappearance. Jenny was forced to settle back into the couch as her vision started to tilt and closed her eyes. "Sooomething jus' doesn't seem right ya know?"

"Mhm." Summer muttered beside her and Jenny felt the couch dip beside her.

"Summer?"

"Hmm?"

"Thanks, for not thinking I'm crazy."

Summer laughed and patted Jenny's knee. "Sweetie after w-what I've been through? No ch 'ance in twix sticks."

Jenny felt her lips break into a grin at her choice of words. Only Summer. "Even though I suffer from posst traumatic stress?"

"Mhm," Summer nodded, "think w-we all do."

Jenny didn't doubt it.

Still, even with the lull of Summer's comforting presence and alcohol to numb the nerves, Jenny couldn't shake her gut feeling. It just reiterated the Shadow World and how things weren't always what they appeared.

"Jenny?"

"Hmmmm?"

"Not to go off s-subject but are you scared of marriage? You just... you don't seem excited. Mean I'm happy for you..."

Jenny sighed. "Shoould it?"

Summer yawned, "I doon't know... ever think maybe this is your mind holding onto something your afraaaid to let go of? To cleanse the chakras so to speak?"

"I don't know but I don't think so..." Jenny's answer was so quiet she wouldn't be surprised if Summer hadn't heard her.

But she had. "It's okay you know," Summer added softly. "All of us went through an experience, Jenny. All of us have had to overcome our fears of it repeating. Youuu don't always have to be the strong one all the time."

"Ugh," Jenny scrubbed her hands down her face. "I don't know, S-Sums, my heads such a mess l-lately. And I just... I feel it. Like something isn't right. My words are jumblin', s-sorry. You know what I mean. All, I want is to have a normal life. I know I need to talk to Tom, but I feel like if I don't do something or... ignore my gut feeling—"

"It's going to happen all over again."

Jenny stiffened, Summers's wide blue eyes darting to hers. Slowly, Jenny sat back up to see a double Tom Locke standing in the doorway.

"Hey, Thorny, surprise."

NOTES:

Yes I know the speech was rather ridiculous. However, when alcohol is involved isn't it usually when you're three sheets to the wind? XD Forgive me.