The Hunt (An AntiSepticEye story)

Eight

Later on that night, after dinner, I got a text from Jack.

Hey, I'm okay, I just discovered something real bizarre. Call me!

I then took a quick glance at my parents, who were washing the dishes, and then I ran upstairs to call Jack.

"Hey Jackie!" Jack answered.
"What's going on?" I asked.
"Well, the reasons why I didn't get caught this time or last time, was because my evil self doesn't leave behind my fingerprints." Jack explained.
"So are they just not there or are they different?" I asked.
"I don't know..." Jack said. "But according to a newspaper article, my sweater didn't have any evidence of a suspect!"
"How's that possible?" I asked.
"I don't know... But until I'm actually seen by somebody, I can get away with it!" Jack said.
"Don't get too cocky over it..." I mumbled.
"I know... I'm not." Jack assured. He then continued talking. "I just feel relieved right now."
"Can you at least try and control your evil self tonight?" I asked. "I mean, by yourself?"
"I don't know..." Jack said. "Can you not come over and help me tonight?"
"I have my friends' dads funeral to go to tomorrow, and I don't even know if I'm in trouble from earlier." I explained.
"You told them?" Jack asked.
"No!" I said. "I only said I was hanging out with you. I somehow got away with it because my parents were too upset over my friends dad's death!"

Jack was silent for a moment.

"I just still can't believe what I did and who I killed." Jack mumbled. "I probably ruined your friendship with your friend!"

I thought about Marley just then. Jack could be right. Our friendship could be over after what I've done. Then again, she would've told her mom and my parents that Jack was the killer. Because I told her that earlier this morning. Or maybe she's keeping that a secret still to keep from getting both me and her in trouble.

"I don't know..." I finally replied. "I guess I'll have to see what happens tomorrow..."
"I have to go..." Jack said.

I then looked out the window, the sun was setting. Jack's evil self was about to take over.

"Just try and see if you can control yourself, please?" I asked.
"I'll try..." He promised before hanging up.

I hung up and went back downstairs. My parents looked at me as I walked into the kitchen.

"Who were you talking to?" Mom asked.
"I was talking to... Jack..." I said, being able to no longer lie. Besides, if what Jack said was true, I didn't have to worry about anybody finding out he was the killer yet.
"You gave him your number?" Dad asked.
"No, we both exchanged numbers..." I said.
"And he's already calling you?" Dad asked, being overprotective.
"He heard that Marley's dad died and he knew I knew him, so he was spreading his condolences, okay?" I snapped.
"Okay, okay..." Dad said, finally backing off.

Later on that night, I couldn't sleep. My mind was focusing too much on Jack. Who his evil self could be killing right now. Somebody else I probably knew, some other family member or friend.

But then I also began thinking about the normal Jack, his innocent side, the side that doesn't know what goes on during the night when he's being controlled. It made me feel bad for him that he has to deal with this. Eventually, he will get caught, and the truth will come out, and both him and I will probably be both in trouble, and knowing my parents, they would want me to rot in jail.

Suddenly, I got a text from my phone. I looked, it was Jack.

Nothing's happened... I hope this is a good thing!

I smiled, kind of relieved. I texted back.

You're probably able to control it.

He texted back

Sometimes I get a break. This must be my lucky day, or night rather.

I then texted him back.

Well get some rest. I'm going to sleep.

He didn't text back after that, and I finally fell asleep, relieved that nothing was happening to him tonight.

But it also made me curious why his evil self wasn't controlling him tonight.