Sick Little Games (Zack Merrick)

• Eerie Silence •

{ t w e n t y t w o }

"So what are your parents like...Jane, was it?" Zacks step father questioned me again. I'm actually getting pretty tired of this. I don't know why he needs a written essay on my life.

And is my name really that hard to remember?!

"Justice." Zack cut in before I could, not even looking up and letting his hair fall into his eyes. "Mom justice has to get home now. Do you mind if I walk her?" He didn't even wait for a reply, standing up and coming around to my side of the table.

He put his hand out to me and I took it, stepping up too and we just walked out, just like that. If I did that my Mom would probably kill me. There isn't even really a probably about it. She would definitely kill me.

"I'm so sorry about them, I didn't really expect...any of this to happen." He laughed and I chuckled lightly, thinking about being arrested probably just like he was. I can't believe we actually got arrested tonight, its unreal. Something that only happens in books.

"Me either." I told him and we carried on walking down his street until we got to the walkway next to the beach. my house isn't that far from Zacks then.

I wondered how he knew where I lived briefly as I walked next to him, yet slightly behind, and then I remembered inviting him and Oli over not too long ago to help me unpack.

We walked in silence for a while, the tide was out so we could barely even hear the sea over the wind. It wasn't uncomfortable, it was just...silence. The darkness of the place was pretty eerie though. It puts a dark shadow over the see and all the buildings facing it put Zack and I into a dark pathway.

"What time is it?" I asked Zack, looking around again. This place looks so creepy right now.

"um, about 2am? Maybe later. I don't really know." It made me wonder why we had dinner as soon as we were bailed out of jail at 1am, but I let it slide. I guess they have a family deal or something. "Why?"

"This place just looks creepy in the dark." My answer obviously wasn't justification enough and barely made sense but Zack seemed to get what I was saying. Of course he just felt the need to make fun of me though.

Not just the 'ooh, Justice is afraid of the dark' kind of fun though, he literally stopped so I bumped into his side and started staring ahead of us- at nothing.

"Zack...what-" His body flipped around so he was facing me, letting out a loud scream that, in turn, made me scream too on instinct. Instinct, I swear. 

I was still screaming as he broke down laughing, feeling his hands on my shoulders to keep himself up. I felt like swearing at him until my vocal chords snapped, I could call him all of the names under the sun. I could-

"I'm sorry Jess." He told me, barely trying to sound sincere as small hiccup versions of a laugh kept leaving his lips. I looked around again, still feeling completely scared out of my mind because of him and I think he could tell. "Come on." His hand, which was on my shoulder, slipped around my waist and gripped my hip. He started to pull me forwards again, towards my house and I gradually sped up until I was speed walking.

"Seriously?" He asked, giggling a little. I turned and glared at him, he tightened his arm around me so I was pulled back next to him and started walking us both at a slower pace. "There is practically no crime rate here, calm down, nothings going to happen."

"That's what they say in the movies before they die, you moron." I told him and he raised his eyebrow at me with a smirk but carried on walking. My house came into view pretty quickly and I think I would've kissed the ground in relief if Zack wasn't with me.

I do have to admit though, I think he could protect us both. I mean, its obvious he works out, and I definitely do not, ever. What even is exercise? The point is I volunteer Zack to protect me in the future if I'm ever forced to do this again. 

We got outside my safe haven quickly and I turned in my arm to give him a quick hug. "Are you going to be okay walking back?" I asked him, suddenly worrying now that I'm home.

"What would you suggest if I wasn't?" He laughed, "walking me yourself?" That was a valid argument but I sent him a glare anyway. I tried to come up with something to prove him wrong and make him believe that I actually had a valid idea.

"You could've stayed here." I argued, suddenly realizing that I'm inviting a boy into a house that I've just moved into- that's not owned by anybody who's blood related to me. Way to go Justice.

"Maybe another time, I'll be fine." He told me and I felt a little relieved but still worried. It may only be a twenty minute walk but its almost 2.30 in the morning and its pitch black. Why don't we have street lights? I've only just realized this.

"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow at the beach." I told him, he leant down to hug me again and to my surprise even kissed me on the cheek. I smiled at him as he pulled back and started to walk away.

"Make sure you text me as soon as you're home, Zack!" I told him seriously, watching him walk away and make his way down the street.

"I will." He had to raise his voice a little but I'm guessing he doesn't want to wake people up so he tried to be as quiet as possible.

I got Jack to open the door and then I waited in my room for a text that didn't come, and it scared the shit out of me until I unwillingly fell asleep after sending him multiple texts, feeling worry surge through me.