The Hunt (An AntiSepticEye story)

Fourteen

I woke up in a hospital room. My mom and dad were by my bed side.

"Hey sweetie!" My mom cried as she saw me awake. "Are you okay?"
"What happened?" I asked.
"The church caught on fire and you and Marley were caught in it." Dad explained. "You and Marley both got burned pretty badly, but they said you both should be able to recover."

I was relieved to hear that Marley was okay. But then I worried about Jack, and Father Richardson. I didn't bother asking about Jack, because they would probably get suspicious.

"What about Father Richardson?" I asked. "He was with us before the fire..."
"I don't know honey." Mom said. "They couldn't find anybody else while we were there..."

I then grew worried that AntiSepticEye might have done something with Father Richardson. Possibly leaving him dead.

I then looked at the TV, which was on a News Station and was showing the now burnt church through the view of a helicopter. Then, a headline showed up below it.

MAN FOUND DEAD IN CHURCH

"Mom!" I exclaimed. "Turn it up!"

Mom did as I said and turned the volume up on the television.

"We have news coming in about the church fire that occurred late last night. The body of a priest that worked at the church has been found severely burned under the debree just a few moments ago." The reporter stated.

My eyes widened. AntiSepticEye has struck again!

"I-I need to talk to Marley!" I told them.
"She's with her mom right now, you'll have to wait." Dad answered.
"I need to tell her something!" I argued.
"Sweetie I'm sure she's gotten the news too!" Mom said.

I laid back in my seat, beginning to get emotional.

Because of our plan to exorcise AntiSepticEye, a priest well known to that church was dead. It was all our fault. I was worried about what that meant for both me and Marley.

Finally, my parents left the room to go see Marley and let her know I wanted to see her. While she was away, my phone vibrated, receiving a text.

It was from Jack. He was alive.

Are you and Marley seriously in the hospital? Did I seriously kill a priest??

He sounded panicked, but for some reason, I didn't respond.

A few moments later, Marley was wheeled into my room. She looked relieved to see me, but she also seemed upset after what happened last night. We both asked our family to leave us alone. They nodded and they shut the door behind them.

"I can't believe that happened..." I said to Marley.
"I can't help but blame ourselves..." Marley spoke. "I got a well known priest killed!"
"It wasn't us who killed him, Marley, it was--" I explained.
"AntiSepticEye, I know!" Marley interrupted.

Marley and I were both silent for a moment and then Marley spoke again.

"That was probably the only idea I could think of that wouldn't hurt Jack." Marley said. "I feel like we have no choice but to go after him!"
"I'm not gonna have him hurt himself!" I immediately objected. "I'm going to prove to you that Jack can fight AntiSepticEye by himself and possibly get rid of him!"
"Well, whatever you wanna do, I'm not gonna get involved." Marley told me.
"Why not?" I asked.
"Did you not see the damage he caused?" Marley asked. "We could've died in there, Jackie!"
"Marley if you stick with me on this, it will probably help get rid of AntiSepticEye faster!" I explained.

I could tell Marley was still in doubt and unsure about what to do. Marley's mom then came in and took her out of the room. My mom followed in behind her.

"Where did dad go?" I asked.
"Down into the cafeteria to get some breakfast." Mom answered.

We were both silent but then my mom spoke.

"What were you guys talking about?" Mom asked.
"Just what we both experienced in there." I said.
"I know, it's probably tough for both for you." Mom said. "But what matters right now is that you're both okay."

I laid back down on my bed, realizing something.

"I'm surprised nobody's in here asking me any questions." I said.
"Why would they want to ask you questions?" Mom asked. "Wasn't the church fire an accident?"

I had a weird look on my face. They considered the fire an accident? Was there no proof at the scene that AntiSepticEye attacked Father Richardson or Marley or me?

I then turned to my mom.

"Well yeah, but..." I said, being unable to finish what I was saying.
"Don't worry about if anybody does come in and ask you questions." Mom assured. "It's just for precautions."

I nodded. Mom then looked at the time.

"I have to get going." Mom said.

I looked at the time. It was 9am. Mom has probably been here all morning and needed to sleep. I couldn't blame her, I wanted to get some rest as well. She gave me a kissed on the forehead and I watched as she left the room.