When the Clock Strikes Midnight

8:30 p.m

A/N: I'm so sorry! It has been forever since I have written this story! So I kind of went off book for a little while and was just writing a lot of random stuff that is actually in the story but wasn't a part of my original story plan. So I am slowly trying to shift back to the original plot. But thank you so much for those of you that are reading this story. I really do appreciate you.

I start crawling towards the door, trying to get up the stairs so that I can get to Veronica. I feel a hand on my back and I whimper, looking up at the person. It is Hailey. She crouches down beside me, searching my eyes.

"Peach. I know that you want to go and save Veronica from him. But he probably locked that door. Right now you need to go and check on Jack. He is still unconscious. You need to make sure that he is ok. Then you can see if you can go and get Veronica." I nod, taking a deep breath. Using all of my energy I start to drag myself over to Jack, starting to pant because of the effort. I finally reach him and I stop, looking at his face. His eyes are still closed but he looks completely peaceful. He is breathing deeply and it just looks like he is having a good dream. I don't want to wake him up but I know that I have to. That is the only way that I can be sure that he is ok. I gently start to shake his shoulder, trying to be gentle not to hurt him but still needing him to wake up. He groans and starts to stir, his eyes opening slowly.

"Peach? What's happening?" I take a deep breath, relief washing over me.

"Jack. I am so glad that you are ok!" I wrap my arms around him, ignoring the pain that I feel because of it. Jack hugs me back, also wincing in pain. Suddenly he gasps, pulling back.

"Where is he? Where is Micheal? What did he do to you?" I take another deep breath, wincing in pain from the movement breathing requires.

"He was just taunting me like usual. He didn't hurt me. But he took Veronica upstairs. I need to go and save her. But I needed to make sure that you were ok first." Jack starts to shake his head, the movement causing him to wince. I use the wall to help me stand up, struggling while Jack talks.

"Peach. You can't do that. You have been through way too much. You can't even walk properly right now. Veronica will be ok. She can get through this. You have. Multiple times. She will be ok. You need to stay here and rest. You need to save your energy for when he comes back to torture you later." I manage to get myself standing and I start taking deep breaths, tears starting to fall down my face because of the pain. I look down at Jack, barely being able to see because of the pain.

"Jack. You don't understand what it's like. To be raped. Yes, our bodies can recover physically. It might take some time, but our physical bodies will heal. But being raped breaks you. In so many ways. And I can't live knowing that I didn't at least try to stop Veronica from having to experience that. So please. Don't try to convince me not to go. Just be there for me when I get back." Jack sighs, locking eyes with me. We both stay silent for a second before Jack breaks the silence.

"I know that I can't convince you otherwise. Just please be careful. I can't lose you Peach." I nod, smiling at him. I look up and take a deep breath, trying to prepare myself for this. I take a shaky step away from the wall, gasping in pain. My knees buckle and I am about to fall but I stop myself. I wave my arms around me, using the movement to keep myself standing. I manage to stand up somewhat straight and I start taking deep breaths, trying to keep the tears in my eyes. Suddenly I hear a scream from upstairs and I instantly start to move towards the door faster, panting from the pain that it causes me. I manage to make it to the stairs before my knees buckle completely. I collapse onto the stairs, tears starting to stream down my face. I hear another scream and I start to pull myself up the stairs, forcing the bile back down my throat. I manage to get to the top of the stairs and I manage to grab the doorknob, trying to turn it. The doorknob actually turns and I push the door open, falling into the open doorway. I hear another piercing scream and I pull myself into the hall, gasping in pain.