The Midnight Within

Untitled Part 50

Lightning ripped across the sky as Jessie, Alex and Katie ran from the mouth of the corn maze, over the wet ground to the steps of the haunted house. Holding her treat bag close Jessie looked around her with a soft frown as her friends pushed open the old door and went inside. She had never gone into the haunted house alone and it was staring to feel a bit scary. The maze had been fun if not a bit lame, but the house was a different story and it didn't help that Katie had dared her to go in alone.

~ What if THEY were inside waiting for me. ~

She kept an eye out for Daniel or even Zakk and so far had not seen either of them, well she wasn't about to let Katie get the better of her, she would go in alone if she had too. Screwing up her courage she turned to face the old weathered door. She could do this, she knew she could. Piece of cake right? Slowly she reached out, placing her hand on the knob and screamed when a pair of hands came down on her shoulders.

Grabbed from behind, Jessie screamed even louder, struggling to free herself from the hands holding her in place. All she could think of was that the white-haired twins had come to drag her away to that dark spooky trailer. She was spun around until she found herself face to face with a guy wearing a mask, his head covered by a black hoodie. Scared to death, she kicked out at him, nailing the guy in the shin hard enough to get him to let go. She was about to punch him when another figure rushed up the wet steps. Mia's soft voice caught her attention as she got between Jessie and Zakk.

" Good going Zakk. Jessie sweetie it's Mia. "

" She kicked me! The little shit kicked me. "

" Maybe you should have removed your mask before grabbing her then? " She swatted his leg before turning her attention back to Jessie.

" I'm sorry Mia, he grabbed me and I didn't know what to do. "

" I know sweetie. You did the right thing, but Jess, what are you doing out here? " Mia's voice was soft as she hugged Jessie with one arm.

" Pat dropped me off. She said I had to stay with Alex and Katie and she would pick me up when I was done. I thought maybe Daniel was here but when I went to look in the barn Britt stopped me. Then Daniel's friend said that he was hiding in the trailer but it was so dark that I went back to the kid's tent instead. "

Rubbing at his leg Zakk looked sharply at Jessie when she mentioned Daniel's friend. He didn't like the fact that either Jessie or his little brother had come to the party, had in fact made his mother promise to keep Alex home but he guessed she didn't care.

Mia kept her smile in place as she reached out to smooth Jessie's windblown hair. She didn't need to look up to know what Zakk was thinking.

" Sweetheart, you need to find Alex and Katie and call pat. Zakk can take you guys home. "

Zakk was shaking his head back and forth. " Not unless you and Kate are going to come with us. "

" Yeah, you need to come with. I don't like Daniel's new friends. They smell funny. "

" Me neither. " Zakk mouthed to the little girl, making her smile.

" I can't go. I need to find Daniel first. "

Jessie could tell by the way Zakk and Mia were looking at each other that something was, really wrong. Afraid all over again she pressed closer to Mia's side. They looked the same way Nick and her mommy had looked the day they gave away the puppy that Daniel had gotten her for Christmas one year.

" Honey, I really need you to find your friends and go with Zakk. "

" Uh Mia. Jerk alert. " Zakk was standing at the railing looking out towards the barn. It was hard to make out their faces but he was pretty sure he had spotted the enemy.

Shooting Zakk a look of concern Mia stood, grabbing Jessie's hand and squinted towards what Zakk was looking at. It was hard to see at first but she did pick out the four dark shapes moving towards the barn.

" Zakk. Take Jessie to the car and meet me back here. We need to get as many people out of here as possible. "

" Mia. This is nuts. We need to stay together and I am not leaving my brother. " Zakk was determined to stand his ground. He had lost sight of the foursome and was feeling pretty panicky.

" Go with Zakk. " Mia smiled down at Jessie. " I will get Alex, you go get warm. "

" Ok. " Jessie was trying to be brave and not cry but it was hard.

" No. You go. " Zakk held out the keys to Mia. He looked terrified as he tweaked Jessie's nose. " Zakk no! " Mia's voice was pleading, but deep down she knew he was right. He knew so many more people than she did. They all knew him as a good and honest guy.

" Go now. " Zakk gave Mia a little push off the steps as he smiled once again at Jessie. " You take care of her ok. "

" I will. " Jessie nodded. Taking Mia's hand she pulled her off the steps and into the sleet that would soon turn to snow. Zakk remained on the steps watching them head towards the parking lot. Heaving a heavy sigh he pulled his hoodie up and headed for the barn.