A/N: I do not own L.J Smiths works all characters belong to her aside the character Jadan which I created. No copy infringement intended.
See you next time in: Stranded
This chapter was made possible by this song:
Artist: Chris Cornell
Song: Scream
Chapter Eleven: The Hunted
In the Shadow World one never knew what they were going to find. As Jenny dragged her fingertips along the dripping cavernous walls, the voice ceased. Large stalagmites hung from the walls, glistening off the light brightening ahead, making her heart thump against her chest as it nearly encompassed her. Quickly she stepped back. Even the light itself could be deceitful. Things were not as they appeared in the shadow realm.
This, she was well versed in.
Yet Jenny was close to unraveling what lay ahead. If she dared one foot into the vicinity it would determine if the rays were harmful. She'd just need to be cautious lest insanity incur. This was very, very possible when it came to a fight for survival.
And she was.
Julian had once explained the misfortune of unsuspecting humans that walked into their world. Those that dabbled with the runes always paid, dearly. It was hard to imagine yet this truth had been unveiled in the past. PC Serrani, Slug Martell, and her grandfather were all living examples.
Slug Martell and P.C Serrani.
Admittedly they hadn't had the best intentions when they'd stalked Jenny in the rougher areas of Vista Grande. Yet it seemed like another time now, another life. In doing so she'd stumbled across the More Games store, her first introduction to Julian himself. Dressed as a cyberpunk, he'd offered her games beyond the wilds of her imagination. Which was exactly what Jenny hoped to attain for boyfriend Tom's birthday bash.
Secrets revealed. Desires unveiled.
How naïve she had been.
Oblivious to the upside-down U of Uruz engraved on the box. Unknowingly, it had pierced the veil between worlds causing them all to be sucked into the paper doll house they'd set up. The dollhouse of nightmares. Their nightmares, specifically. Wittingly, Julian placed pieces through out the game meant to win her body and soul.
For all eternity, after.
However, he'd underestimated her. Against the clock Jenny had reached the top of the dollhouse and won the game. Outmaneuvering Julians seductive efforts to entrap her, she'd found the exit. In doing so, she'd been able to lock the Shadow Man in the closet of the dollhouse and return to her own world. But in doing so, Slug and P. C Serrani had broken into her home and stolen the game. Thus, they'd sealed their own fates when they'd stepped into the shadow world. Into the qualms of a very pissed-off Julian. And even worse, at the waiting hands of the other Shadow Men.
And they were far crueler.
Jenny would come to this horrific revelation when she'd step into Joyland Park. There she'd encounter first their headless corpses in the lake. While their heads had been found in the funhouse. The way their flesh had slid into the dip of her nails. The memory still made her shudder as an ever-present reminder of the monster's natures. She'd sworn to never tell Angela Serrani's almost girlfriend of their horrid fate.
Morality made humans different from such fallen creatures. No matter how murderous or venomous humans could be, they always knew the risk they were taking. Somewhere in their conscious. Thus, the outcome on such choices of fate. This, the Shadow Men appeared to lack, acting upon their sinister characteristics akin to an impious beast.
It only hastened her anxiousness to continue on, in the present. Another step was one step closer to ending the game.
For good. Okay... time to do this.
Clenching her eyes shut Jenny made a quick, impulsive act and shoved her foot into the light.
Wait.
Slowly, Jenny opened her eyes and stared at her foot, surprised. Innocent beams of light glowed against the sun-kissed skin. There was no pain. Only warmth.
Odd.
Jenny raised her arms to shield her eyes as she stepped into the scorching heat, encompassed in its otherworldly, radiance. Its heady allure snaked up her body, causing indescribable sensations that left her breathless.
Nerves tingled.
Abrupt, sensual whispers like that of a male suddenly whispered against her skin. Amongst fingers. Gliding down her arms feather light, warm lips just barely brushed the nape of her neck. Jenny's eyes fluttered, bewitched.
"Enjoying your fun, Jenny?"
It was as if a bucket of ice was suddenly thrust upon her. Her eyes snapped open in alarm as the heat hissed and diminished completely.
"Quite interesting, isn't it? When you can combine all the elements of heat together. You get so many reactions. So many possibilities..."
Jenny felt her cheeks instantly flush under his scrutiny. With her mouth slightly ajar, it took a minute before she was able to squish the skittish butterflies within. That fluttering of desire. "That, that was... you?"
Though a flickering candle compared to Julian, Jadans presence had a certain spark. Like that of a struck match. He didn't look like the withered monsters she'd come to know. His skin was a smooth alabaster appearing youthful rather than ancient, with a certain snarkiness that wasn't entirely cruel—though she had yet to see.
Those rich, silver eyes eyes taxed her from head to foot.
His hair blazed a fiery red beneath the rays of sunlight. One hand was shoved into the pockets of acidic, washed-out jeans. His shirt had been exchanged for a thin, black shirt that accented muscular forearms. The ruby dragon pierced into one dark brow seemingly glistened as if an existence of its own. It was as unsettling as Jadan's sinister grin that appeared right then, merely feet away. "As the saying goes, if I told you I'd have to kill you."
Jenny folded her arms tightly to her chest.
Julian... J.
"For future reference the name is Jadan."
Yet as words flooded back to her, she found her arms loosening from the newfound discovery. "You're going to wake up and the game will have already begun
That's all I will tell you until you meet the other
Their words will be a little more fierce
Than what I just uttered..."
The way he stared at her right then. Jenny steadily raised her chin with a furrowed brow. "You; you're a part of the game."
"You forgot a few lines to that riddle, Little Red."
"Am I wrong, Jadan?"
"You know, pointing fingers are rude, Jenny."
His eyes flashed like silver daggers.
The way her name rolled off his lips sent chills down Jenny's spine. That was what he wanted of course. Fear was their greatest weapon to wield against a human. Rather than give him the satisfaction she surveyed their surroundings, her anxiety surprisingly controlled.
For now.
Blankets of grass covered the grounds rising up to a large knoll with a steep incline just a hundred feet from her. Glancing behind her was the cavernous dwelling she'd stepped out of. So if Jadan was involved in the game, why the early confession? Jenny looked back at Jadan who smirked at her, calculative of his casual attire absent of weaponry.
Was she to battle against him?
The more challenging trials always came later.
For once, Jenny didn't know. "So why are you here now?"
Jadan eyes lowered, amused.
Jenny pressed on. "Is this the first challenge? A head start?"
Jadan smirked. "That would be telling. Wouldn't it, Little Red?"
Jenny was not in the mood for such mind games. And she was quickly growing to despise his taunting nameplate for her. "I'm well experienced with stalling; it doesn't work. "
Jadan cocked his head to the side as his eyes swirled like a storm.
"Time is of no object.
It can be rewound or fast-forwarded if I so desired.
From whence I said before,
I'm giving you a chance, which is not required."
"A chance for what?!" Jenny snapped, her patience shortening.
"Hmm... for what..."
Jenny crossed her arms as his eyes roved over her. It made her feel exceptionally, exposed. Julian may have left her feeling threatened, but Jadan, he made her feel altogether...stripped bare. "You led me out of that damn hole. I'm not an idiot."
When Jadan merely smirked, the well of her emotions cresting the damn of her psyche—burst. Trapped in a world where dreams shattered and reality was but a figment of a dream. Her arms shook as her hands curled into fists. "I have been through enough hell you sick, sadistic bastards!"
BOOM!
The ground abruptly shook from beneath her, causing Jenny's balance to quaver. She glanced at the prominent fissure in the ground before she glanced up—
To Jadan just inches from her face.
His eyes eerily flashed like two lightning bolts, waiting to strike down upon her if she so much as ushered another word. His face was stone as he said in a dangerously quiet voice, "Let the games begin now, Jenny Thornton."
Then he spun on his heel and statically faded like an old 70's boxed tv.
It struck a chord inside Jenny.
In allowing her emotions to take over she'd made a stupid mistake. Jadan was a new Shadow Man and as such Jenny knew she should've kept her mouth shut. Now, she had no idea what this would bring.
"Wait!" Her hand shot into the air.
Jadan whirled around static seeming to stick to him like a current. Unexpected thunder rocked the grounds and rumbled overhead as those piercing orbs sliced into her like a double-edged sword. "Too late, Jenny. We'll see how you do with this. But you may want to hurry." His smile then turned menacing with a shrug. "While your time might not be up, another life might just be poured from their cup."
As the last of his words were ushered, the skies crackled and sheets of rain fell like sharp needles. Jenny jumped as lighting struck above, illuminating the world before her in a bright, white flash. Dark clouds started to swirl as a gust of wind tugged her forward carrying a murderous scream that tore through the air.
"HEEEEELLLP!"
"HEEEEELLLLP!"
Jenny stilled.
"Bye for now, Little Red."
Jadans laughter faded into the air as the grounds rocked once more. Jenny stared at where Jadan disappeared, her clothes now plastered to her body like wet paper.
"HEEEELLLLLLLLLLP!"
It was then Jenny acted.
She raced towards the sharp hill that seemed even steeper upon closer inspection. Yet there was no hesitation. As soon as she was close enough, Jenny leapt and dug the toe of her shoes into the sodden earth, plunging her nails into the grit to keep a firm grip as she began her trek.
Rain pounded against her backside.
Luckily, Jenny had been fortunate to take mountain climbing lessons with her father at the old gym before it had shut down. As she climbed into higher elevations, she realized the hill was starting to straighten out, almost as if she were climbing up a mountain. She could feel the pull of her muscle when they started to strain, her legs shaking as the pressure became too great to balance the weight. Beads of perspiration ran down her face. Jenny clenched her teeth against the screaming protest in her lungs as the oxygen in the air, decreased.
"Uhh!" Jenny nails suddenly sunk deeper into the hill as one foot slipped on an unstable piece of earth, causing her to nearly lose her balance.
"Aaaahhh! PLEASE ANYBODY!"
Jenny ground her teeth together as she pulled herself back up.
Almost there.
"PLEEEASSSE!"
"Dammit, Jenny, come on!"
Had Dee been there they would've reached the top sooner. Dee's father, Jamal, was a major outdoorsman. Like her father, Dee would've pushed her athletic body to the limits until she made it to the top.
Jenny knew if Dee were here, she'd be coaching her to do the same. Using the last bit of strength she had, Jenny yelled out and stretched her trembling muscles—just before she ascended atop the hill. Wheezing as the rain fell harder and stabbed at her, Jenny dragged her body over and collapsed.
Before her eyes widened as she took in the view before her. "Whoa." Tiny rocks slipped beneath her fingers.
Off of a cliff face.
Hundreds of feet below slick, pointed rocks arose like eager claws for those who dared to engage in a jump. White, foamy waves reared up and slammed against the bank, the waters a murky sea-green that appeared almost black. Looking across it was like she'd reached the edge of the world.
Nothing laid ahead of her but the ocean.
That's when Jenny caught a flicker of silver from the lightning scissoring across the skies just then. No, it was an object.
A... boat.
Tossed haphazardly from side to side, the monstrous waves were carrying the boat to its demise. Jennys heart felt as if it slammed against her ribcage as she realized the boat was occupied. A person was waving their arms in a frantic motion. Jenny's attention only sharpened as she saw the hair. It bore a very peculiar color. Almost looked like a burnished flame, a red tint, like the shade of...
Copper.
With a burst of adrenaline, Jenny shot to her feet. Beneath the deadly black waters, a figure bobbed yelling in choked sobs. "Keep swimming, Michael, you can do it!"
"No, no." Jenny found herself taking a step back, her head spinning and the pelt of rain chilling her skin.
It's a trick, they didn't mess with the runes it's not possible!
"Audrey, Michael?" Jenny choked. This had to be a cruel trick.
No.
Jenny's hands clenched into fists her breaths coming faster. But just as quick as the panic set in came a wave of fiery anger that severed her anxiety like ribbons as it roared to the surface, "NOOOO!" she snarled. "Don't you DARE do this. Come out and face me, dammit this is MY FIGHT!"
"Clever, girl," a voice echoed.
Jenny looked up at the molten skies above and just knew they were watching.
"There is a Shadow World like our own but different, existing alongside ours but never touching. Some people call it the world of dreams. But it's as real as anything else..." Julians words reverberated in her mind.
The Shadow Men could basically recreate anything they desired. It was possible that was being orchestrated right now. It was just a hunch but that's all Jenny had to go by. Which gave her an idea. Steeling herself as the screams continued from down below she answered.
"I will jump, try me."
She peered up at the clouds, droplets falling into the thick of her lashes. She knew somehow, they were watching, waiting to see what she'd do. Anyone would've called her crazy for what she was about to do. But Jenny was far from caring. And if this wasn't some trick she would risk her life to save her friends. Always would their lives be put above her own and that was not about to change.
A wise woman had once told her, "I believe that evil has to be fought personal. Hand to hand. If you care enough to do it..."
Aba.
They won't win.
"Okay."
Jenny stepped forward taking only one wisp of a breath, and jumped.
"Jenny?! Jenny, please wake up! Jenny?"
Sky blue eyes swam before her vision.
The whistle of air as she'd hurled herself down to the waves below-was absent.
"Jenny?!"
Something soft now cushioned her. That voice, Jenny's eyes slowly flitted open. Eyes. The sky-blue color rimmed with a darker hue. She knew that color. The shape. Was it a trick? Was she seeing correctly? Jenny crushed the heel of her palms into her eyes blinking once, twice.
Yet there she remained in perfect form.
"S... Summer?" Her voice came barely above a soft croak. Her head still swam from nerves and the spike of adrenaline from possibly falling to her death.
It had all happened so fast.
"Oh, thank God! You were out for the longest time. We were all so worried!"
Jenny's head snapped up at Summer then, uncertain. "We?"
Summer's face was starting to sharpen in her vision now. Delicate gold tendrils hung limply around sharp, boney shoulders. It didn't look right. The black clothing draped over her scrawny frame didn't match her friends usual bright, perky persona.
In fact, Summer hated the color black.
For all the time she'd spent in darkness she'd sworn off all dark colors. Considered it a bad omen. "Dark colors bring out bad auras." she'd once said. No, this Summer looked particularly haughty. As Jenny focused, she could now make out the deep, bruised shadows that ran beneath her friends' eyes. Her lips were stark white and seemed to crack as she spoke, "Yes, Jenny, we all know you've been depressed lately and Julian—"
Julian.
Grinding her teeth, Jenny raised one hand as everything came back rushing to the surface. "Don't mention that name." she said, maybe a little too sharp. Like the snap of a finger her anger had flared hinting at a hurt buried deep down. "I'd rather not talk about him, ever again." she added quietly.
Summer ushered a slight, high-pitched sniff.
Jenny looked at her, disbelieved her friend had the nerve to laugh. Yet goosebumps rose to her skin at the sound. That definitely wasn't like a tinkling bell much like the sun bunny's.
It had a grated pitch.
Jenny looked wearily at this... Summer.
Summer's eyes had darkened, her body seemingly shrinking inwards as if she were a child being scolded. "I'm sorry, Jenny." she even said in an eerie, child-like voice. "But you have to remember you are married to him, now."
There was that laughter again, and Jenny could feel herself inwardly cringe. But when the last of that sentence registered, she could only stare. In an almost frozen-like state she whispered, "Wh... What?"
Upon their own accord her eyes traveled further up, taking in the new strange surroundings. Inside. A room. Embossed, maroon wallpaper adorned the walls. Fire crackled from a marble hearth. Recessed shelves aligned the walls embellished with small, onyx stones centered around waxed, black candles. It was rather edwardian and reminded her of old gothic novels she'd once stumbled across in an antique store.
No, wait... Jenny could feel her heart suddenly thump, hard, against her chest.
The dollhouse.
Her lips fell slack as her sight traveled over the silk, ebony covers entangled in her legs. Roses coiled around the posts of her bed in thorny, twisted veins of metal. Layered at the top was a sheer black canopy that spilled over the sides like a veil. Jenny sucked in a breath as she reached down and plucked a ruby rose petal. Dozens more were strewn about the addressed linens. The petal was like velvet as she brushed it between her thumb and forefinger.
"Where... How...?"
Jenny swallowed and winced as if a wad of sandpaper had been lodged down her throat, a phantom pain. In her struck state Jenny couldn't think. Couldn't breathe. Couldn't move. Left to stare at just what exactly was hugging her body in a decadence of lace.
Then, she saw it.
No.
Bile.
It surged and Jenny had to swallow against the acidic liquid. She knew more than felt the words that burned into the flesh. Branding her. Her eyes slowly wavered to the gold band now positioned on her ring finger.
"Seventeenth-century poesy ring used to be given as a token between two lovers..." The ghost of Julian's words came back like a haunting symphony. "This ring, this symbol of my oath will hold me to the words I speak...
All I refuse & thee I chuse...