Painted Smile: The Return of Jeffery Woods

Misunderstanding...

"Mam! Mam! The boogeyman's outside!" Bella ran downstairs and to her mother, nudging her so she could get her attention. Becky and Amy quickly got up and ran to the door that lead to the garden but before they went out, Becky told Amy "Stay with Bella." Bella was by Amy's side as Becky was in front of them, navigating the back of her house. All she saw was the nature that surrounded the fence and heard the birds singing their beautiful songs. Bella had a worried expression on her face. After Becky finished her observing, she sighed and looked back at Bella. From her face, you could tell that Becky thought Bella was lying. "Mam, please believe me. He was out here, I felt like he was and, I saw him standing here. I'm not lying to you," Bella begged her mother to believe her, but she didn't think she was getting anywhere with her. Suddenly, Bella screamed, "MAM, LOOK OUT!" Bella ran to Becky and pulled her arm so she would duck down. Becky looked up to see a knife fly past her head and almost hit Amy, but luckily missed. Becky stood back up and looked at Bella. Bella looked at Becky and said, "Do you believe me now? I knew he was gonna throw that knife at you, that's why I pulled you down." Becky looked at Amy. Amy told her, "I told you she wasn't lying. She just saved your life. She knows what his moves are, she knows where he is." Becky knelt down to Bella and asked her, "Bella, if you really do know where he is. Then tell me, where is he right now?" Bella looked behind her mother and slowly lifted her arm so that she was pointing. "Behind that tree," she whispered. Becky turned her head so she was looking at the tree behind her, near the shed. Slowly, she stood up and took slow steps towards the tree, when suddenly...

Jeff walked out from behind the tree. Becky backed away and picked up the knife to protect Bella. The child then whispered as she was close to crying from fear, "Dad." She stood behind her mother whilst Becky held the knife in front of her, "Stay away Jeff." Jeff chuckled, "Becky, you wouldn't use that. You wouldn't have the guts to, now that your insanity has fled and been replaced by your sanity." Amy stormed forward so she was next to Becky, "You keep away from her. Stay away from Bella especially. She can't even sleep at night because she has nightmares about her own father." Jeff stared straight at his sister's friend. He saw the fear that she had when she looked him in the eye. He spoke whilst not losing eye contact, "Hello again, Amy. Look at you trying not to be frightened. You were told not to go to someplace where I was, unless you want a repeat of what happened." Amy growled at him, "You're sick. A sick freak, that's what you are. I can't believe Bella has to have a father like you." After she said that, Jeff slowly turned his head to look at Bella. His eyes made her shiver. "Bella, come to daddy. I won't hurt you. I'm gonna take you somewhere safe." Becky then shouted, "SOMEWHERE SAFE?! WHENEVER YOU'RE AROUND SHE'S NOT SAFE! WHAT COULD POSSIBLY MAKE YOU THINK SHE'D BE SAFE WITH YOU?!" Jeff replied, "She'll be safe with me because I'll take her somewhere far away from the danger." Amy questioned, "What danger? What are you talking about?" Jeff looked at Amy, then at his younger sister. "I'm talking about her mother." Becky's eyes widened. "What are you talking about? You know I could never hurt Bella. Why would you think such a thing?" Jeff had his eyes locked on the knife and slowly started walking towards Becky.

Once he was right in front of her, he stopped and stared into her eyes. Becky stared back at him. Jeff then whispered to her, "Do it. Kill me. I'm right here." Instead of lashing at her brother, Becky stood there. Staring straight into Jeff's eyes. "Becky, what are you waiting for? Kill him," said Amy, standing at the back with Bella so Jeff couldn't get to her. Jeff stared deep into Becky's eyes. For some strange reason, Becky didn't stab him. Her hands were shaking, not knowing why. Slowly, Jeff lowered the knife in Becky's hand. She didn't do anything to stop him. "Becky? What the hell are you doing," asked Amy, confused as to why her friend didn't do anything. Becky turned around so she was looking at Amy and spoke, "I can't do it. I, can't kill him." Amy walked towards her, "Do you realise what you're doing by keeping him alive? You're not stopping Bella's nightmares. If you don't do this, she'll have nightmares forever. Is that really what you want for your daughter?" Becky shook her head, "Of course I don't. I want to do what's right for Bella." Amy sighed. "Then kill Jeff. It's what's right for Bella. At least then she wouldn't have to live in fear." Jeff then spoke, making Becky turn around "Do you see what I mean? Bella isn't safe with you. She's best off with me." Becky asked, "I don't know what you mean. How is she not safe with me? A loving, caring mother who'd do anything to keep her safe?" Jeff chuckled at what Becky said, "Anything? I just gave you the chance to kill me. To end the nightmare, but did you take the chance? No, you didn't." He then started laughing. But suddenly...

Becky raised the knife and stabbed Jeff in the shoulder, causing him to scream. Amy went inside, taking Bella with her. Becky pulled the blade out of Jeff's shoulder, making him fall. But he quickly got up. His hand was on his shoulder, stopping the bleeding. He stared at his sister. Rage was filled in his devilish eyes. "You bitch," he said. Becky then felt strange. She dropped the bloody knife and tried to control her breathing. Jeff headed towards the knife and grabbed it. Becky was struggling to walk and tried to head back into the house. Jeff chuckled and threw the knife, it stabbed Becky right in the shoulder. She fell to the floor and screamed in pain. Her brother ran towards her body on the floor and looked at her. "Now you know how it feels." Then without warning, he forcefully pulled out the knife, making Becky scream again. Tears streamed down her cheeks. Jeff then ran as Amy dashed into the garden after hearing Becky's scream. "Oh my god! Becky! What's happened," she asked as she knelt down beside Becky, who was laying on her side. "He threw the knife. It hit me right in the shoulder. Then he ran." Amy quickly ran to the fence to see if she can see Jeff. He was nowhere in sight. She ran back to Becky and helped her up. She told Becky to keep her hand on her shoulder to stop the bleeding.