Outcast (A JTK x Reader)

Chapter 10

(A/N: Hey ppl. Sorry for being really slow. You see there's this bitch called school-)

He began giggling like a giddy little kid. I cocked my head. I was so confused. My heartbeat began to speed up with anxious excitement. My palm began to sweat. The clown seemed to sense my nervous state and came to a halt. "We can take a break if you're tired, kid." I shook my head, "No. I can take it." Jack gave me a toothy grin, "That's what I like to hear. You're one tough cookie (omg I just realized my grandpa used to call me this.)."

After about a half hour, he stopped walking. I soon stopped as well. I gazed in front of me to see:

Nothing. Just trees and the usual bushes.

"Jack, what the hell?" I asked. "Shhh." He replied, "Look for it~" I groaned and began walking further into the trees. The trees were so dense, I had to hold out both of my arms. I felt something. A metal pole? Two of them. I walked around it to the side where the trees weren't so crowded. My eyes saw a sign. The sign said:

County Fair

There were lights that were supposed to be lit up, but they were dull. The F was falling off of the sign as well. It looked abandoned. I walked a few more yards, Laughing Jack behind me. I gasped. Instead of trees and bushes was a whole fair. It was falling apart. No people were present. Buildings were shabby. The rides looked too dangerous to actually go on. The power was out, so you couldn't even ride the rides if you wanted to. I carefully stepped into the ghost town of a place. I let out a short exhale while processing it all.

"You like?" Jack asked.

"Wow..."

The clown gave a triumphant grin, "I knew it. I knew you would like it." "Well, I didn't say I liked it.." His face contorted into a frown. "The power could be on..that would be more fun.." "Hmmph."The clown crossed his arms. I chuckled and patted his arm, "I still am amazed how you found this place... How this place is just....here" His face lit up as I hoped, "I know!" he fidgeted with his long fingers, "I'm so glad it exists." His face wore a look of admiration. I smiled.

He then hooked his arm with mine and skipped off, me, trying to keep up with his pace. "W-where are we going??" I questioned, furrowing my brow. "Somewhere wonderful!"Then, I saw it. The Ferris wheel. We stopped. "Jack, how are we gonna ride this, the power's out," I said, looking puzzled. "Pfft. Ride? We're gonna climb!" he shouted with glee, starting to hoist himself up the giant wheel. "What?!" I froze. "C'mon, it'll be fun, fun, fun!" he laughed. Laughing Jack had almost reached the top. My arms would not let me climb any further than halfway. I clung to the bars that made up the wheel, shutting my eyes. I felt giant claw-like hands grip my arms. "It's okay. You can let go." I hesitated, before letting go and feeling my body being lifted. As soon as I felt the bar beneath my bottom, I gripped the bar on both of my sides. I opened my eyes to see the clown giving me a "seriously?" face. I stuck out my tongue.

I turned my head, ignoring the snicker beside me, taking in the amazing view. The clouds were a dark greyish purple. I saw the bright sun, setting while its beams reached out to me. I was breathless. "The view is amazing..." I lifted my head up to Jack to see him wink at me. A chuckle escaped my lips.

After a while of sitting there, Jack began to shift until he was climbing back down the wheel. I shuddered at the thought of having to do that again. The clown sighed before climbing back up and letting me hold onto his shoulders as he eased himself back down the Ferris wheel. I rolled my eyes as he giggled, saying things like "Don't fall!" as he hoisted us down the ride.

When we got down, I started scrounging around for loot like forgotten prizes and unexpired food. My eye caught this stuffed wolf and I scuttled over. My body soon collided with a larger one. I looked up to see Laughing Jack. "Ah, ah, ah." he chimed while waving his index finger back and forth, "You've got to play to win.". I grumbled. My eyes flickered to the gun at the stand. This was a shooting game. I positioned the gun in both of my hands.

Remember training, (Y/N).

I closed one eye then pulled the trigger. A shot rang out. Then another. Then another. I smiled, realizing that I hadn't missed a single shot. "Congratulations, my young girl!" Jack bellowed, trying to imitate a cheerful old concessionaire. He handed me the stuffed animal, while I tried to ignore the holes in it caused by his sharp nails. I hugged it. I don't have a lot stuffed animals, but this was an exception. 

We walked along the boardwalk that exited the fair. It was fun having Laughing Jack around. I still felt a little bit uneasy around him. There was just something about his look that subtly warned me of oncoming danger. I mentally sighed. No one would come up to me. They thought I was cold. I, after all, had grown more quiet over the years as my excitement and interest in life had diminished. It was surprising he would even notice me. There was something fishy about it. He was my only friend here though. I had no choice but to trust him. I couldn't bare the thought of having no one to talk to. I was lonely enough back at home as I waited for my mother to get back from work. 

My head turned to look at him. Before I could stop myself, I sighed. The clown snapped his head around, "What is it?". "How come you bothered to come up to me?" I asked quietly, "I'm not that interesting or fun..." His chuckle erupted like a volcano. "You seemed a little on the bleak side. I wanted to cheer you up." He grinned, "I can't stand seeing people upset when there's so much fun all around!" Again, he started to laugh. I uncomfortably laughed as well, grabbing my arm and looking downward, "I suppose I'm always on the bleak side then.." "Well you don't have to be!" Jack bellowed, "You've got me and the others. We're the baddest out there. No one can hurt you (except us..)."  "I-I guess not." A small smile formed on my face as I lifted  my head up to face forward again.

The sky was getting darker and cloudier by the minute. I shivered as the wind blew some leaves in a spiral motion and kissed my skin. "Can we head back?" I asked, rubbing my arms in a pitiful attempt to warm up. "Sure thing." Jack said. He gave me a piggyback ride and I gasped, gripping him tighter as he began running and leaping at an inhuman pace. When I finally got used to the speed, I closed my eyes and breathed in the wind hitting my face, lifting my hair up (if you have short hair this didn't happen). I began unconsciously giggling. Jack joined in.

We stopped at the mansion. I took in its magnificence as if seeing it for the first time. I had hoped for a larger home everyday, but this was more than I had wished for. I jogged up the stairs and swung the door open, refreshed as ever. The people in the room swung their heads in m y direction. A feeling of sudden embarrassment flooded over me. "I-I um....I'm home." I stuttered, feeling stupid as ever. "What an entrance." Eyeless Jack commented. "I'm sorry.." I muttered quietly and looked down. "What the hell are you apologizing for?" BEN asked, confused. I looked up, flustered, "Nothing..e-erm sorry." People coughed. Some laughed. I trudged over to an open chair and sat in it, taking out my phone and earbuds to listen to whatever. 

A few moments later, Jeff came down the stairs. I quickly paused my music and watched him with a fast heartbeat. Why are you doing this, (Y//N)? He's just another one of the residents here. AUGH. STOP LOOKING AT HIM. I screamed to myself in my mind. But I couldn't stop looking at him. I watched him intently, looking at his every move. He's gonna think you're weird! Or creepy (even though he is a creep himself)! I didn't listen to my conscience. I just kept watching him. He moved towards Eyeless, muttering to him quietly. Jack nodded and chuckled before returning his gaze back to his book. Jeff began to walk in my direction. I shifted a bit, uncomfortably, clearly startled by his action. It's okay, (Y/N), he isn't looking at you. He's probably just going into the other room-

He leaned down to my ear, just as he had reached me. His voice sent tingles down my spine, "I would appreciate it if you'd stop stalking me." he whispered in a monotone voice. And just like that, he was gone. 

I felt like I was about to crumble out of my chair. Questions fluttered in my mind. Why was I acting like this? I mean, I've been training with him for a while. I should be pretty used to him by now.....

oh hell no.....

I quickly dismissed the thought that I might have a crush on the creep by getting up abruptly, walking fast out of the room. I ignored everyone muttering to one another about what was up with me. I headed straight for my room and slammed the door shut, plugging in my earphones in a desperate attempt to get Jeff out of my head.