Fears 3 - Journeys

Chapter 25 - Jinn

WARNING: MENTAL DECLINE AND CRINGE DRUNK CHARACTER SCENES

The town was empty, with no life in sight. The lights were all off, like a ghost town of some sort. Nonetheless, it was rather out of the ordinary since I vividly remembered it being late at night, when the streets were the most crowded. Despite there being no signs of life around, there were still cars sitting at a halt in the designated parking areas lining the streets.

My mind was scared shitless regardless. I knew this was deja vu and that the entity fed off my fear, but it was like my mind couldn't control its thoughts and feelings. The entity's influence was far too strong, leading me to be unable to control something as simple as my train of thought.

The events repeated. That eerie presence came back, and I felt someone getting closer. I looked around at my surroundings and noticed a paper on a nearby windowsill. On the paper was a small note etched in red marker.

Don't run away!

I started to panic and instantly ran as fast as I could. As I ran through the streets of the abandoned city, I heard the entity's laughter, and the vivid sounds of what scarred me most throughout my childhood played in my head like a broken record. I passed by another sign with certain letters blacked out, and others lit up a bright green color.

Because this city was so big, there were many attractions around, and this wasn't an exception. Next to one of the buildings was a local drop tower, which I remember brought in many tourists from around the world. The ride had a chilling name: "Devil's Flight." The sign was lit so that every letter was blacked out except the letters D, I, and E.

DEvIl's Flight

I continued running until I heard the voice from behind, getting closer. No matter how fast I ran, the voice kept getting louder. I felt a gust of wind make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I didn't stop running. I couldn't.

As I ran, although I heard the voice, there was a chance that this was just one of the entity's twisted games it loved to play with its victims, influencing their minds and toying with them. I took a peek behind me to see if there was anything or anybody chasing me, but there was nothing. Upon looking behind me, I heard the voices cease, and I felt calm again. For now.

I had stopped to catch a break due to all the running that I had just done for so long. However, I was interrupted by a voice from behind when I put my hands on my knees to catch my breath.

"Why did you run away? I thought you wanted to play a game with me?" The voice called out

I turned around to see the entity appear to me in the form of my abusive father. The entity took a beer can and crushed it without an ounce of effort.

"I know what happened... Jinn. No matter how much you run away from your problems, you'll never forget the savagery that was brought upon you at such a young age. I happen to notice your FEAR! Bring me that fear. The thing I desire. The thing I wish for. The thing that powers me... GIVE IT TO ME!" The entity called out.

"I'm not scared of you." I shook, trying to hide my fear. "Tell me, why must you follow me out of all people? Is there something you want from me specifically?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

"My... You're a real detective. Speaking of detectives, your friend is one. Regarding your so-called 'friends,' I would like to strike a deal with you. Bring me to your friends and show me where they will be or where they are now, and I'll never bother you again. You know how much I've followed you around your whole life. You met me when you were a kid. Your father and mother succumbed to my fate after you ran away. Tell me, it's an easy deal, really. I never bother you again and you give up the location of the people you're with., like you would ever care about them to begin with."