The Midnight Within

Chapter 53

Mia scooped up Jessie as the first sounds of screams reached their ears. They had just exited the cemetery and were on the edge of the parking lot when Paulie ran past them as fast as his stubby legs would let him and she wished she could have stopped him but there was no time now. She had to make sure that Jessie was safe.

They reached the mustang and Mia set Jessie down to open the door. " You save me a sucker and keep an eye out for Alex ok? " Mia ruffled Jessie's hair before the girl got into the front seat.

" No way! " Jessie giggled, clutching her treat bag to her chest.

" Hey! That's not fair. " Mia made a sad face as she shut and locked the car door. She was afraid to leave Jessie alone but she wanted to go back and help Zakk too. " Sit tight and wait for us! " Mia yelled through the glass.

" No! Please don't go. " Fresh tears spilled down the little girls face, the treat bag forgotten she shook her head to show Mia that she didn't want her to go.

" Honey I have to. I will be back. " Pocketing the keys, Mia turned to go and heard Jessie scream. Broken was grinning down at her. Before she could move, he grabbed her by the throat, lifting her off the ground. She kicked at him and he slammed her hard up against the car. Her head swam as he pulled her forward and slammed her back.

Inside the car Jessie screamed at him to stop. Her small fist banging on the window. It was music to Broken's ears. He dropped Mia to the ground and grinned through the snow-covered window at Jessie.

" Play? " He reached out his hand, licking his bloody lips.

" Leave me alone. " Jessie scooted across the car seat, trying to put distance between them. She couldn't see Mia at all and that scared her more than anything.

~ Unlock the door. ~ His voice was soft and soothing, she could hear him inside her head. He almost sounded playful, but how was he speaking without moving his lips. ~ I want to play. ~

Jessie covered her ears as she shook her head no, but he continued to whisper inside her head. She could almost recall dreams like this, dreams of running in the grass and dancing under the stars.

~ Go away! Leave me alone. ~

The girl's mental voice was strong enough to make him wince, forcing him to take a step back, he growled and placed his hand back on the wet glass, grinning as the lock popped up on it's own. Ripping the door off it's hinges he reached in for her, loving how she kicked and screamed as she tried to get away from him.

Panicked Jessie got the lock up on the drivers side and shoved the door open. She would have fallen out had Broken not grabbed her foot and pulled her back in. Dragged across the seat she dropped her treat bag, spilling candy across the floorboards as she flailed, her tiny hands doing no more damage than a mosquito.

Desperate and terrified Jessie recalled the last school party she had been allowed to attend. One of her friends had run with a sucker in her moth and fallen. She had never forgotten the screams of her friend or the other kids as he stood there with the sucker sticking out of his cheek.

Frantically she searched for and found the large orange and black sucker. It was the kind of sucker you would almost not want to eat and she was glad that she had not, in fact eaten it.

Broken's freezing hand's were on her legs, grabbing and pulling, she had to move fast or she would be a gonner for sure. Luckily her fingers found what she was looking for and anger replaced fear as she used the sucker to jab at his bloody face.

Before he could grab her wrist, the small white stick found its mark, sinking into the vampire's left eye with sickening ease. He howled, letting go of Jessie as he brought his hands up to his face.

It was the tiny opening she needed. She scrambled away from him and fell out the open drivers side door hard enough to knock the wind out of herself. She noticed people running past and thought about Mia. They probably thought she was drunk.

Scared that he had hurt Mia, Jessie scrabbled around the back end of the car to where Mia was sprawled in the snow. Broken was still struggling with the stick, making her want to kick him, but she knew she had to move before he came after her. She wasn't stupid, she had seen all the Jason and Freddy movies more than once.

Making sure Mia was breathing she stood up, brushing the tears from her face. Bending down she stroked Mia's face, whispering to her. " Don't worry, I'm going to find Zakk. "

" That hurt. " Broken was suddenly looming over them, breathing hard, the sucker stick still clutched in one hand. Where his eye had been was nothing but a bloody gash and Jessie saw that they eye, was still attached to the end of the stick. Screaming, Jessie ran straight for the corn. Leaving Mia and the monster behind.