HATCHETS & CROWBARS

5

"What was his deal?" I exclaimed as the man went inside, away from us. "What did he mean by that, the sharing the body thing? Is he human?"

Toby sighed, running his hands through his hair. "He's a s-sleeper." He said. "His n-name is Tim, but he do-doesn't like being called that. The per-per-personality you just saw is separate from Tim's. It's... co-complicated." He explained, then put his hands on my shoulders. "L-listen to me... Hey. Hello." He pulled me closer, his face close to mine, his breath was hot.

I held my breath, his grip on me was tight, so much was going on. I had so many questions, I couldn't help but feel a bit afraid. I wondered what I was getting myself into.

"You con-convinced Tim, that's g-good." He grinned, there was a giddy look in his eyes, but it was scary. He raised a hand up to pet my head and the side of my face like I was some precious possession of his, I didn't move. "B-b-but Brian is worse. Click. Killer. Haha." He ended.

"What do you mean?" I asked, a bit uncomfortable with how close he was, but didn't pull away as to not upset him.

"You can't c-convince Brian with words; he just j-j-judges you. He does-doesn't ask questions. Haha." A bit of fear crept into his eyes at that. "Just don't m-make him mad... a-and you'll be f-fine..."

"And if I'm not fine?" I stared into his eyes.

Toby was quiet, the fear on his face turned to sadness then changed back to that excited look. The corner of his mouth curled up in a grin. "You'll be f-fine..." He patted my head, whispering. "You-you'll be fine..." He repeated.

I stayed silent. I was going to die if I wasn't accepted and Toby would have to kill me to fix his mistake of trying to recruit me. That was the truth of this situation.

I didn't want to die, so this was the only way I had a chance, but I was so tired and I felt like shit. Hopefully I'd get recruited into this cult or whatever there would be a bed for me where I could sleep for several days. I had sweat all over my forehead and down my back, I wondered if I had a fever from my concussion. I hadn't had the time to pause and ask myself that.

I sighed then looked back up to Toby's eyes. "Well, let's get this over with then."

As we stepped back inside the house, I stopped dead in my tracks. The kitchen, the foyer, the floor, the ceiling, it was all different. It looked cleaner, the colors were all different, it was bigger, there was red and brown carpets and pale wallpaper with dark floorboards. Sure, it was a bit dusty, but it was different, this... it was a completely different house.

"What the..." I muttered, turning to look at the door as it closed behind us. I looked out the window, it was dark outside, just moments ago it was midday. What was going on? I walked to the window looking outside, the setting was completely different. "What the hell?" I went back and opened the door, opening it and stepping back out, I was on a porch now, a big one, there were a few cars in the drive way.

This was a completely different house. We were somewhere else.

"Grab them," The masked man told Toby. "Get them inside, quick, they're going to attract the crawlers."

"The what?" I exclaimed. "What is going on?"

Toby quickly grabbed my hand, pulling me back inside the house, then slammed the door shut and locked it fast with shaking hands.

The masked man came forward, grabbing my shirt and pulling me to look him in the eyes. "Do not. Ever. Go outside without permission. You will be cut to pieces by the things in the woods."

Despite my urge to scream in his face that I didn't understand, I was too tired and confused to argue with him. Maybe this was all a dream I'd wake up from soon, that would make sense. I simply nodded, keeping my mouth shut.