The House at the End of the Street

Chapter Six: Splitting Up

The day started and I stayed indoors. I had done this ever since Dade's death. It was still hard for me to believe that Dade was gone. Dade was my best friend, and watching him die was one of the worst things I've ever experienced.
I rarely went outside, and when I did, I stayed far away from any other person. Jhett had tried to talk with me, but I ignored him, knowing he'd try and help me. The thing I least wanted was someone trying to make me feel better.
"Zack. C'mon, just talk to me!" Gracie said, trying to get my attention.
I ignored her, though. I didn't want help. They kept trying to talk with me, but I didn't answer. I never liked people trying to help my social life. Gracie, Jhett, Conner, and Jack kept trying to talk to me, but I didn't want to talk. I wanted to see Dade again. Dade was my best friend, and it was painful to see him die.
After four days after Dade's death, I finally decided to let Jhett try and help me.
"Finally. Took you for-" Jhett started, but I interrupted.
"No, stop. The only way I'm talking is if you understand what my life is like," I interrupted. I walked into the living room and sat down on the couch and Jhett sat next to me.
"Dude, just listen to what I have to say," Jhett said.
"Dade was my best friend. He was my only friend. He bought me lunch when I couldn't afford it. He protected me from bullies, and now he's dead," I replied.
"I can't say much against that. I barely knew Dade, but I believe he was a good friend and person," Jhett comforted.
"He was. He was the best friend anyone could ask for. He smashed Rylan's head with a fricken lead pipe... to protect me. Dade is dead because of me. I didn't look up, and if I would have looked up, I could have prevented this," I said, guilty of Dade's death.
"It's okay, Zack. It wasn't your fault. It was Salvullaz's. He killed Dade," Jhett said back.
"No, Dade is dead. Nothing would make me happier than seeing him again," I replied.
"Zack, you're making yourself feel guilty over someone who was killed by a demon. It's not your fault. Like I said, earlier, it's Salvullaz's fault,"
"I just need to kick that demon's ass,"
Jhett sat down next to me on the couch.
"It's not your fault," Jhett said.
She wrapped her arm around me, trying to comfort me. It didn't seem to do anything to help me, though. At that moment, Gracie and Conner came through the door. Jhett and I turned our heads and Gracie and Conner walked into the living room, where we were.
"How are you holding up?" Conner asked, sitting down next to Me. Gracie sat next to Jhett.
"I'm fine," I replied, starting to stand up, but Jhett grabbed my shoulder and pushed me back down to the couch.
"No, it's pretty obvious that you're not," Jhett said, grabbing the remote and turning on the TV.
"Jhett, I. Am. Fine," I replied.
"I'm worried about you, Zack. A week ago, you were the happiest guy I knew. Now, you're depressed. Something isn't right. You need to let the thought of Dade's death go," Conner said.
"Conner is right, Zack. You need to let his death go," Gracie replied.
"Let's pass the time by... umm... watching a Christmas movie! We've got four days until Christmas, so why the hell not!" Jhett said, enthusiastically.
Jhett put on a movie and we all relaxed. Gracie asked every thirty minutes if I were okay. To this day, I can't remember what movie it was. It gave us all a lot of laughs. Jhett was our server, bringing us drinks and snacks throughout the movie's duration.
The movie ended and we watched about three more movies. By the end of the fourth movie, it was almost sunset. I put up a ladder to the roof and ushered the others to come up with us.
"It's almost sunset. Don't want to miss it!" I said, heading up the ladder first.
"I'm coming. Hold up," Jhett said.
I laid out some blankets on the roof and all four of us sat down. As the sun went down, I could see the sky turn from blue to yellow to red. I laid back on the chimney and closed my eyes, facing the sky.
Then, a helicopter flew over us. I opened my eyes to it being pitch black and seeing the light of the helicopter flying over us.
"What the hell is that?" Conner asked, waking up.
"Helicopters. But, why?" Gracie asked.
"Guys, fourteen people are missing. Salvullaz is back," Jhett said, looking through his phone.
"How do you know it isn't just a serial killer?" I asked.
"There is no evidence saying it was a serial killer. No break-ins, no tracks, they just... disappeared. Poofed from existence. Most of which were kids," Jhett finished.
"So, you think it is Salvullaz?" Conner asked.
"Possibly," Jhett said.
"Zack, are you okay?" Gracie asked.
"Dade died for no reason. I'm ready to kick some demon ass," I said, standing up and climbing down the ladder.
"Where are you going?" Gracie asked.
"I'm following the helicopter," I replied, sliding down the ladder.
The others followed me soon. I started running in the direction of the helicopters but tripped over a log.
"Zack!" Gracie yelled, coming over to help me up.
"I'm good," I replied.
"How do you know that it's for the missing people?" Conner asked.
"Why the hell would people be flying helicopters anyway?" Jhett replied, pulling out his phone.
"If we can find some of the missing kids, then maybe it'll lead us to Salvullaz," Gracie said.
"Then, we could beat him. And get vengeance for Dade's death!" I yelled, excitedly.
"Let's get the hell moving then!" Jhett said, running and following the helicopters.
All of a sudden, about seven more helicopters came from nowhere with their searchlights on and searching the forest. We kept following the helicopters until I made it to the middle of town where everyone was in chaos. Adults and their younger kids were running everywhere.
"What the hell happened here?" Conner asked an adult.
"My son. He's missing, and I don't know where he is," The adult replied.
"What's his name?" Gracie asked.
"Ethan. Ethan Gessner," The adult replied.
"I'm not sure I know him, but we'll look around for him," I told her.
"Thank you for the help,"
"No problem," I replied.
She ran off with a small child, maybe four or five, in her hand. A truck came flying down the road, and almost hitting us. We were lucky enough to jump out of the way, but a homeless guy and the trucker both died, as the truck hit the homeless guy and exploded, creating a ball of fire.
A ton of helicopters came flying over us, one seemed to be falling out of the sky. And turns out, it was. It was a huge helicopter hurtling towards the earth.
"Run!" I screamed.
All five of us sprinted into the safety of the woods. We saw the helicopter hit the ground, explode, then bounce down the street. I sprinted out to the chaos to help the pilot.
"Where are you going?" Gracie asked me.
"I'm going to save a life," I replied, running down the street.
I was about halfway there when another big truck smashed into the burning helicopter and the truck plowed into a building. And exploded. I started running back, but another helicopter smashed into the ground, sending flames and pieces of metal flying.
I jumped out of the way, but got hit in the head by a thick piece of metal. I could feel my head spinning and Gracie, Jhett, and Conner all pulled me to the woods. Jhett put me up against a tree and checked me out, seeing if I was injured.
"C'mon, Zack!" Jhett said.
Then, I passed out.