What Was Missing

Ten -Max-

Note: From here on, each section's POV marker will use the child's name as they prefer to be called, instead of their full name. The translation, if misunderstood in the past, is as so: Maximilian-Max, Madeline-Maddy, Lilian-Lily/Lila. These children have went inside, and we think they deserve this small token, at the least.

"We can do this."

That was Lily. She's even paler then usual, and I can understand why.

We've arrived at Jacob's, and as she glances at my face, I can tell that the statement was geared towards the both of us. Silently thanking her, I smile, and she does the same half-heartedly. The ride here was a quiet one, and she's obviously picked up on how nervous I am.

"Yeah," I reply. "This is it."

Maddy finally turns to us, and weakly musters a grin.

"This is what we've been waiting for, after all," she mumbles. From her disposition, I can immediately tell I'm not the only worried one. Jacob seems like he's the only person unaffected by the whole concept of entrance.

"I'll grab the headsets from the back," he tells us. "You guys, head inside. Anybody who has to go to the bathroom, ask Gus and he'll show you where it is."

I nod, and finally get out of the car. We had to drive a long way, and as my feet meet the pavement, I stretch out my sore limbs with a yawn.

After a moment, I check my watch, and widen my eyes. Ten thirty-five. In my barn-life, I went to bed at eight and woke up at six. This is way late for me. Well, I guess it doesn't matter. I'll be sleeping for a long while, I'm pretty sure.

Jacob's grabbed the headsets in the back, and Lily has her belongings. I don't think Maddy brought anything, and as she walks up to the door behind Gus, I follow. He's fiddling with the lock, but after a moment, the door swings open. "After you."

I nod, and glance into the house. The lights are out, but I can dimly make out a table and chairs. The kitchen must be in the front. It all seems normal, an everyday sight, but something... doesn't seem right. I'm about to turn back to think about it, but the shadows seem to dance before my eyes as I feel something prick me in the side. My mouth opens into a silent O, and stumbling, I fall into the house.

I immediately trip on over something warm. Maddy's body. On the floor. Out cold.

Something clicks in my head, and, looking back through increasingly heavy eyes, I see Gus shove Lily in. She falls on my body, sharp elbow glancing off of my shoulder, and I try to warn Jacob that he's next. Unfortunately, my voice decides not to obey my mind, and as the world starts to fade to black, I see my long-time friend walk in. Next to Gus, arms folded. Face blank. Calculating.

Betraying.

The world's darkening quickly, now, and something fleeting comes to my mind.

...No...

...Wait, what about Maddy's mom? Why isn't she out of the truck...?

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. . .

. . .

Wh. . .

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...ugh...

...

...my head...

...what's on...

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...Where... am... I?