Obsession

Chapter 21

[Freaking tree creeps me out... I don't know about you guys but I would not like to have a run in with this...]

Jesse stopped the car on the street. Everyone piled out but Jesse remained in his spot.

"Jesse?" I asked.

"It's fine... Just go. I'll stay here."

I nodded understanding that he never wanted to go by that tree. It caused too much pain for the both of us.

I slowly turned away from his car and walked towards the tree where the others were. With each step closer, my heart rate quickened. I was getting anxious and uneasy.

"You OK?" Clinton asked, putting his hand on the small of my back.

"Yea... I'm fine... I'm just... Thinking."

"Stop... You'll hurt yourself trying to figure the way around this tree and what consequences come with it."

"What do you expect me to do? Sit back? I can't let this haunt me my whole life? I can't do that."

"Then we cut this mother fucker down!" Tyrone said.

Amanda nudged him. "Language."

"But I-"

"No he's right. We must cut it." I said quietly.

"But your sister." Clinton mumbled.

"She and Johnny told Jesse and I it's what's best..."

"So... Do we need a permit to cut it or...?" Brock asked.

"Screw the rules. I have a chainsaw at my place. It's like 2 minutes from here. I'll go get it." Luke said running to the car, getting in and having Jesse step on the gas. They were off in a flash.

"Why can't we burn it?" Christian suddenly asked.

"Because the spirits trapped inside won't reach their destinations and will be evaporate all together." I answered.

He nodded and walked around the tree.

"So this Johnny kid... What was he like?" Mitchel asked.

"I'm not sure. You'll have to ask Jesse but Johnny seems like a good kid. Very intelligent." I responded.

Mitchel simply nodded and we all remained silent.

A couple minutes later, Luke showed up with the chainsaw. Jesse remained in the car.

"Ready?" Luke asked me, handing me the saw.

"I want Jesse to be here. What if we see Johnny and Carine?"

Clinton sighed and walked to Jesse who rolled down the window of the car. They argued for a moment. From where I was standing, Clinton looked to be pleading and Jesse appeared to be very hesitant and kept glancing at me. He finally nodded his head slowly and they both made their way towards the tree.

"Ready?" I asked Jesse. He folded his arms across his chest and nodded. I turned the saw on and took it to the tree.

An hour or so went by and the tree finally fell. I turned off the saw and we all hovered around it.

"That's it? Nothing happens?" Tyrone asked.

"Guess not. I-"

Suddenly, multiple lights burst from the holes and cracks of the tree.

"We're free!" I heard a shout.

"Alas, the sun shines bright my friends!" Another said.

Two of the many lights morphed into Johnny and Carine. My friend's mouths all dropped open.