"mikey?" Juliet whispered, staring at her friend's blank face. there was no response, not that she expected one.
"what do we do?" Haven asked, glancing at Juliet out of the corner of her eye. She would never admit it, but Haven was terrified. she didn't even know if she wanted to live through this anymore.
"Have," Juliet whispered suddenly, staring at Michael with fear. Haven looked at him, and her heart caught in her throat. his head was slowly tilting to the left, as if he was assessing them with his non-existent eyes.
"Michael, please come back to us," Juliet pleaded with him, moving closer to her friend.
"Jules, be careful!" Haven warned, trying to pull her back, but Juliet just shrugged her off.
"look, Have, he recognizes me!" Juliet looked hopeful as Michael began raising his hand up to her face. he laid his hand, feather light, on her cheek.
but hope can be dangerous.
"Jules, please back up, I don't trust him right now," Haven told her, itching to get her away from what used to be Michael.
"no, it's okay, he recognizes me, he wouldn't-" Juliet's words died in her throat as Michael suddenly drew his hand back and snapped it forwards hard, pushing Juliet's head sharply to the side.
Haven heard the sickening crunch of bone and the thud of her best friend's body hitting the ground. she stared at her in shock; even with her head twisted unnaturally, Juliet was still beautiful. Haven didn't realize she was crying until she tasted the salty tears on her lips.
a deep voice sounded suddenly, coming from everywhere and nowhere all at once. it's deep chuckling made shivers run down Haven's spine.
your friends are all dead, it taunted. don't you want to join them?
Haven stood up and ran, realizing with a start that Michael was right behind her, chasing her.
"Michael, stop!" Haven screamed, running for her life. she barreled through doors and up stairs, unable to shake michael from her trail.
the deep laughter once again reverberated throughout the fun house and in Haven's head, making her feel like she was going insane.
"Leave me alone!" she screamed at the top of her lungs, sprinting to another door. it wouldn't budge.
"no. no, no, no!" Haven yelled, slamming her fists down on the door. "come on!" she backed up and rammed her shoulder into the door. it gave some, so she did it again.
she could hear Michael coming from behind her, his footsteps slow, like he knew she was trapped. she felt like an animal.
she threw herself against the door; this time she could feel the cool air of outside.
his footsteps were dangerously close. she gave it one last ram, her shoulder popping in the process. her arm exploded with pain; she couldn't help the yell that came from her chapped lips.
the door was open though. she ran through it, looking around for an escape route. they were on the third floor balcony, with no fire escape. no way out.
the voice sounded once again, making Haven cover her ears and scream to block it out. it didn't work.
you can't leave, you stupid girl. you're mine now.
something was different about the sound of the voice now though. it sounded closer, almost like...
almost like he was here with her.
Haven looked up, her heart dropping to her stomach when she saw Michael standing in the doorway. his features were back intact, but Haven knew it wasn't him.
his eyes held an evil glint to them, almost to the point of insanity. "miss me?" he laughed.
"stop this!" Haven demanded, her courage growing with every word. she couldn't tell if she was being brave, or if she just didn't care anymore.
"you may have killed all of my friends, but you will not add me to the list." she told the thing inside Michael. taking a deep breath, she stared at him.
then he was rushing her. he tackled her and sent them both crashing against the hard metal railing. Haven screamed as her back slammed against it. without thinking, she threw Michael over her head, the momentum of his tackle making it easier, sending him flying over the edge of the balcony.
unfortunately, he had a hold on her wrist. Haven didn't even have time to scream before they were both hurtling towards the ground.
the thing was trying to get Haven underneath him so that she would break his fall, but Haven wasn't having any of it. she firmly held him under her, bracing herself for the impact.
It came a split second later. Michael's body hit the ground and bounced, his head cracking against the packed dirt like concrete. Haven screamed as her shoulder was flung about, straining the spot.
when they were both still, Haven laying on top of Michael's body, she opened her eyes, only to jump back with a start.
Michael's eyes were open. "Have," he croaked, blood soaking the ground behind him.
"Michael, oh god, Michael," Haven sobbed, scrambling back over to him. "stay with me, okay? don't you close your eyes."
Michael made a noise that sounded like a scoff. "what were we thinking, Have? coming to this place?"
"I know Michael, I know," Haven cried. "you have to stay alive though, for me? okay? do it for me,"
Michael managed lift his eyes from her face and to her head, focusing on something there. "you're bleeding,"
Haven lifted her hand to her head; when she brought it back down her fingers were coated in sticky crimson. she didn't know she had even hit her head.
when she looked back down, Michael's eyes were unfocused and he was still as death. without a sound, Haven collapsed beside him, the world turning black.
***
I'm so sorry for not updating in forever, things were (are) complicated. I hope this makes up for it??? love you guys, thanks for sticking with me :)
