Survive The Night

Chapter 8- Just A Dream

 We ate dinner, everyone was happy that the car worked.

   "Toast to Bubba and Catherine! They saved our butts!" Tricksey said holding his glass in his hooked hand, raising it above his head.

   Everyone toasted to Bubba and I. Teddy pointed out we still had a few more things to work out. Then 'a miracle happened' as Teddy put it. It rained, not just a little, but a lot. I poured gallon after gallon.

     "They'll have to postpone destroying the building!" Mesha said excitedly.

 I watched as Ronnie twirled her across the floor. Everyone was laughing and having fun. Even Teddy who was obviously still embarrassed from the earlier events. I though, was not laughing or smiling. I silently ate my pizza and was about to ask if I could leave when.

      "What is cannon anyways?" Mesha asked.

 "Not a who," I started "Cannon is a person, and he's my friend."

     "Is that who you were talking to earlier?" Ronnie asked.

   I nodded. Tricksey laughed.

       "There was no one there though!"

I looked down, "He likes hiding, I found him by chance."

     Everyone starred at me. Then Teddy spoke up.

   "I believe you." He said grabbing another slice of pizza.

      I sipped on my soda. Why did Tricksey say there was no one there? I clearly saw him, or at least his hands.  I looked at the stage, I saw the Puppet Master just sanding there. Starring at me with those dark masked eyes of his. He pointed up then gestured me to follow him. Everyone ignored him like he wasn't there at all.

    I excused myself and left. Following where the Puppet Master had been. I found a set of stairs, he was waiting for me at the top. I followed him the rest of the way. He was silent so I was to. Finally he pointed to a set of double doors saying,

  "This will take you to the balcony, you'll have to find your way to the roof from there."

   I pushed the doors open and stepped outside. The wind lashed at my skin sending shivers down my spine. My clothes already soaking wet. I looked around for anything that may help me. I found an emergency exit latter thing. 

    I rolled my eyes at the thought of me not remembering what it was called. But, either way I grabbed the latter and started my way up. Slowly, painfully slow even, I climbed. When I finally reached the top I swung myself over and collapsed on the roof.

    "Took you long enough." I heard a voice say.

   I turned around, but found no one.

      "Cannon? Cannon where are you?" I shouted over the raging wind.

  "In your head." came a soft reply.

I whipped me head around to see if anyone was there. But found myself completely alone.

  "Catherine, I am a dream. A figment of your imagination. You got so scared you let your imagination create me. Puppet Master and I."

     "W-what?"

"Catherine, I came to you because you were scared. If you want to put it in simpler terms. I am your imaginary friend. That is why the others can't see me. Or the Puppet Master. You simply let your imagination take over. That and the fact that this place is haunted so . . ."

     I shook my head. "Does that mean you won't be coming with me?"

"Look inside the box in the corner." I heard Cannon say.

   I opened it. Inside there was a golden stuffed teddy bear with a microphone and a top hat. I picked it up and held it to my heart.

"You thought I warned you about Teddy and the others, you found them and I. Your imagination helped create a story in your head. I helped create a nightmare that scared you. I'm sorry, but the bear its to remember me by." He said.

    I felt a warm hand on my shoulder. This time though when I turned around I found a face. Pale as the moon and as warm as the sun. His hair seemed to shimmer in the rain. His clothes weren't wet like mine either, they were dry. I touched his hand, but had to watch it slip through.

    "There's something in there from Puppet Man to." he said smiling.

 I looked in and saw a small music box. I spun the handle around a few times. Then out came the most beautiful song I ever heard. It is hard to describe. It seemed real, but not at the same time. I watched as the last note played, the lid opened and out sprang a doll that looked just like the Puppet Master. Every last detail was perfect right down to the purple tear marks.

   "Thank you." I whispered.

      "I will always be with you Catherine, always. I promise." Cannon said as he faded away.

   He faded away and my vision went dark. The last thing I heard was Teddy's voice screaming for someone to help him.