Chapter 53: Jack and the Haunted House:

Jack's POV:

We have had many strange adventures, but so far, the strangest was when we saved the planet from alien children. Now, the only threat we have is Aku. But now Jill and Peter have their own weapons. Jill possesses the war fans and Peter has the Yumi, a bow.

"Jill, where are your fans," I asked.

They then appear in Jill's hands. "I can summon then at will."

"Jack, should we practice with our new weapons," asks Peter.

I then draw out my sword. "That is an excellent idea. The both of you against me."

We were prepared. Peter fires his energy arrows, but I deflect them with my sword. Jill then came at me with her fans, but I fought her off with my sword. It was my sword against her fans. In the end, I was the victor. Jill and Peter did alright, and we all trained together, but I had more experience. We then rested.

"That was a heck of a workout," says Peter.

"Your weapons are impressive," I said.

"Hey, listen to that," says Jill.

There was a little girl sobbing. We walked over to check on her. The little girl then runs away but drops her stuffed animal.

"We must return her toy," I said.

. . .

We followed the little girl to an old house. It looks like it hasn't been used in years.

"Let's enter the house," I said.

. . .

We looked around this strange house.

"Strange place," says Peter.

"Split up," I said.

"I hear that is something you never do," says Peter.

"We could cover more ground this way," says Jill.

"Very well," says Peter.

Jill's POV:

I was searching, but then I heard something.

Creature: The day is the wife whom I elude
The one to whom I should be right
Although forewarned by peers and kin
I always get into the night
Mother always warned me such
Being a nocturnal soul
Besides just being simply strange
Spawns from some illness of the mind

The night, she calls me
She calls me, she calls me
She calls me, she calls me
She sways in her velvet dress
And pulls me towards her in the dark
While the others rest

Heed the call the time has come
For all you children of the night
Gather 'round like suckling dogs
Mothers come she is the night
Come with me to the other side
Make the girl in black your bride

The night, she calls me
She calls me, she calls me
She calls me, she calls me
She sways in her velvet dress
And pulls me towards her in the dark
While the others rest

It just seems very strange to me
Not her quiet lonely streets
And draped in all her mystery
Could be so sweet and comforting

The night, she calls me
She calls me, she calls me
She calls me, she calls me
She sways in her velvet dress
And pulls me towards her in the dark
While the others rest!

I was then placed in a cage.

Peter's POV:

I was looking around when I saw something. "Aku?" I then decided to take a look. I opened a door, and a strange shadow grabs me.

Jack's POV:

As I was searching, I was getting these strange visions of a family... I believe they were the family that lived in this house. I found model ships and then I had visions of the young man who made them getting attacked. Each time I found an item... the same thing. There is something strange going on here.

. . .

I then found the little girl. "Come, we must find my friends," I said.

. . .

We searched but could not find Peter or Jill. Also, there weren't any doors or windows. Peter and Jill are missing, and it seems we cannot leave.

I then realized the little girl and I were both tired. "I suppose we will have to spend the night here." I cannot find Jill or Peter without rest.

. . .

I could not sleep. I was getting more visions of the attacks on the inhabitants. I then woke up and saw the little girl was gone.

. . .

I began searching, but then I found the little girl, sitting with Jill, Peter, and the family from my visions.

"Oh," says the father, "excuse us. Please, won't you join us?"

"No," I said, "there is something wrong!"

"I don't understand," says the father, "come, have tea with us."

"This is... this is... some sort of illusion! Like everything in this house!"

"There is absolutely nothing to fear. We are all quite real."

"It's alright," says Peter.

"These nice people can be trusted," says Jill.

"Are you two illusions," I asked, "and what about the little girl?"

The Mother then pours me a cup of tea.

"Come," says the father, "drink the tea if you don't believe we are real. This is my daughter, Kuni. My son, Toby. And my wife, Yamiko."

I then tried the tea. "Why, this is quite good."

"Yes, it comes from the southern part of Edo."

"Yes, I am familiar with Edo. My family and I spent our summers there."

"Your family had a lot of fun there," says Peter.

Strange thing is, we did have fun, but Peter and Jill were not there, but Peter acted as if he were. Also, Jill had her fans, but she does not have them all the time. "What has happened to your home? And why is this room so impeccable?"

"There was a storm," says Yamiko, "a terrible storm?"

"Yes, that's right and we have tried to make the best of it. Isn't that right, Toby?" Toby's eyes then rolled to the point where his pupils were gone. "Shy children. Toby, why don't you tell our guests about your studies?" Toby continued to act strange. "Must not be feeling well."

"I'm sorry," says Kuni.

It turns out, I was right, it was all an illusion! Everyone, but me and Kuni, then turned to this demon creature. I tried to strike, but the creature grabs me...

. . .

I opened my eyes and I saw Peter and Jill. Something was torturing them. I looked and the same was happening to Kuni's family. The creature was going to do the same to me. I then got out my sword and fought the creature. We had an incredible fight, but then I had the upper hand and I managed to destroy the creature, but I had another vision...

. . .

We were all freed.

"Thank you for freeing us from that nightmare," says Kuni's Father.

"I have a feeling it is not over," I said.

We then said our goodbyes and left.

. . .

"Jack, you said it was not over," says Jill, "was that thing working for Aku?"

"No, but I did get a vision of the creature's master," I said, "it was not Aku. He does not wear... hats."

There was something else and I have a feeling it might be even more...villainous then Aku.

LIII

In the next chapter, Jack turns into a chicken.