The Midnight Within

Chapter 43

Giggling Jessie pushed the cat's ears back onto her head as she fell exhausted onto one of the many hay bales scattered around outside the kid's tent. Alex was trying to bob for apples and getting them all wet. Her full treat bag was at her feet. She was trying not to think of anything but having fun. Even Britt's sister Katie was being nice to her and that made her really happy. Every so often she would look around in case she spotted her brother. She had seen him outside the fence that afternoon so she knew he was still in town and not gone like all the adults thought, although she had tried to call his name he had been gone when she reached the fence.

Trying to be sneaky she stood up from her seat and stuck her head out into the drizzle. If anyone knew where her brother was it would be Britt. If she could find Britt then maybe she could tell Daniel not to go away or at least ask him if she could go with him. Outside the tent she ran across the muddy space in front of the big well-lit barn. To her left was the haunted house and beyond that the corn maze. The barn was filling up with older kids and a handful of adults all wearing black T-shirts with white lettering.

The Black Label Society was a club that Daniel had once been in. It was some sort of band Fan club for a guy who looked like those bikers on TV. Jessie couldn't count the times that Nick had yelled at her for trying to watch the show when her mom had it on. Mommy got yelled at too for watching what Nick called trash. It made Jessie mad, but now she kinda wished he was still around. even if he did yell a lot.

" And where do you think your going? " Britt's icy voice stopped Jessie in her tracks right before she went inside. She tried to be cute as she turned around with a huge grin, making sure to widen her eyes and tilt her head. It was a move Zakk had taught her to do when she wanted something from her bother. " Have you seen my brother? Is he here yet? "

" Do you think he would want to be bothered by his pesky little sister if he was here? How did you get out of the kiddy tent anyway? "

" I saw him today. " Jessie was not giving up so easy. " I had a dream he would be here."

Britt narrowed her eyes at the little girl. If she wasn't Daniel's sister, she would have laid into her. " If I see Daniel, I will tell him to come find you. ok?" She turned her back on the girl and marched off though the crowd before Jessie could say anything else. Crestfallen, Jessie clutched her treat bag, tears spilling from her big blue eyes. All day long she had held hope that Daniel would call her or find a way to see her. She hadn't even cried when her mommy was taken to the hospital and didn't come home or when she had to sleep at Pat's in their guest room. Tiny hitching sounds escaped her cold lips as she watched Britt walk off, leaving her alone.

" I can take you to your brother, " A soft male voice said from behind.

" You can? " Surprised, Jessie turned herself around, sucking in a breath as she blinked back her tears. She had to look up to see his face and was delighted to see that he had the prettiest, white hair she had ever seen.

" Yes I can but we have to hurry. " Broken knelt down in front of her with a disarming half smile. His skin was almost as white as his hair and his eyes were as blue as the pictures of

the ocean she liked to look at. " He's over there in that trailer over there, he asked me to come get you."

" Really? " Jessie looked towards where he pointed. She could only see the windswept darkened trees. If there was a trailer back in the trees, she couldn't see it.

" Yes, we need to hurry though. " He stood, taking her hand, his grin wide now.

" He's hiding from the police? " Jessie was beginning to feel scared. His smile was weird and he smelled. It was the same feeling she got whenever Paulie tired to talk to her, except Paulie would always touch her shoulders and hair. It made her want to run away every time he did it but if she pulled away she got scolded for not being nice. Nick had been huge on manners and being polite.

" It's a game. You like to play games don't you? " His hand felt like ice as he tightened his grip on her wrist and pulled her along.

" Sometimes, but Britt told me to go back to the kid's tent. "

" You want to see Daniel right? "

" Yes but I don't want to get into any more trouble."

" I won't tell if you won't. " He began to drag her behind him and Jessie wound herself up to scream as they moved away from the light and noise of the party.

" Let her go. " Black appeared in front of them. He was dressed much like the white- haired man and had the same bright colored eyes. They reminded her of the contacts that Zakk and Daniel liked to wear sometimes.

" I want her. " Broken snarled, not letting go of Jessie's wrist.

" We have other things to attend to, much more fun than a stringy child. "

Jessie had no idea what they were talking about and it made her uneasy to listen to them

Finding her brother was not so important anymore, in fact the lights and noise of the party was a rather welcoming thought. " Please let me go. " She whispered. " I won't tell anyone. "

" Go tell. " Broken locked eyes with Black almost daring him to take her away from him.

" You have a new bother. Come. " Black sounded almost amused.

Broken reluctantly released Jessie's wrist and moved past the other man into the darkness he was angry he was being forced to wait yet again, and for what? A newborn who would most likely be killed before the night was over?

Black shook his head at Broken, what would one child matter when they had a whole party to play with. When he turned his head to look at Jessie had fled back to the party. Perhaps he should have taken her to Daniel, given him something small to eat before they let him lose on the world? Well she was gone now, probably safe inside the kiddy tent. Chuckling he turned away and melted back into the shadows, the fun was about to begin.