Madhouse

[Chapter 23]

Jaxon fumbled blindly across the room, growing fearful, though frustrated.

"Show yourself, bastard!" He wailed. "Don't you dare lay a finger on him, you hear me?!" Jaxon huffed, referring to Nolan. His Nolan. His angel..

A hard object smacked against the back of Jaxon's head, as he instantly collapsed to the ground, moaning in agony. "N-Nolan.." He moaned, his gaze becoming a blur.. until black.

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Lights flicked on, as Thatcher and Natsuki let out a sigh of relief, though still slightly surprised.

"You OK?" Thatcher sniffed, blinking over to Natsuki, who seemed dizzy.

"Yeah. But we need to find Nolan and Jaxon." She informed Thatcher, shaking her head, clearing away the faint pain that lingered around.

"Right, let's go." Thatcher firmly nodded.

The two staggered out the room, making their way down the hall, until coming face-to-face with.. a black-masked woman.

Thatcher grunted, thrusting Natsuki behind him, his body blocking her.

"You!" He cried, rage lit his amber eyes. "Why're you doing this..?"

The woman paused, growing annoyed.

"Say something!" Thatcher hissed.

She swiftly pulled out a gun, pointing it at thatcher's head. Her finger clicked the trigger, causing a loud boom..

Thatcher staggered to the ground, grunting. He'd luckily been hit on the shoulder.. blood oozing out. Natsuki's eyes widened. She couldn't be afraid- she had to save her friends.

With a shrill cry, she charged forward, blocking Thatcher's body with her own. The woman attempted to click once more, though it appeared she had run out of bullets.

Natsuki felt herself sweat with relief, though Thatcher brought her out of her thoughts. "Run! I'll buy you time." He croaked, eyes wide with agony. His shoulder looked bad..

"I'm not leaving you-" She hissed.

The woman scoffed, dropping the gun with annoyance. Slipping a hand through her belt, she pulled out a knife, her gaze sparking with triumph towards her finding.

"Go, I'll catch up!" Thatcher insisted, shoving her forward, wincing at the touch. Natsuki whimpered, though obeyed, glancing regretfully back towards Thatcher. Please be safe.. She prayed, scrambling out the room.

The woman rushed forward, the knife grasped firmly in her hand. Thatcher shuffled to the side, grasping at her free arm, unbalancing her. The woman collapsed to the ground, as a slicing-like sound filled the air, wails echoing off the walls of the room.

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Natsuki pushed herself into a room, gasping for breath. She staggered over to a different door, attempting to open it- though it appeared locked. Of course! She rolled her eyes.

A door clicked, startling Natsuki.

She hesitantly looked behind her, nearly fainting at the sight..

The woman. She clutched a blood-stained knife, her eyes narrowed.

"Oh shit-" Natsuki shrieked, pressing herself against the door. "Wh-why're you doing this?" She croaked, a tear sliding down her cheek.

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Nolan blinked open his eyes, straining. He analyzed the current room he was in. It was dark.. with a faint candle lightening the place. Nolan attempted to rise to his feet, though found himself unsuccessful.. he was tied up.

Grunting, he pulled and twisted, huffing. "God, help me.." Nolan wailed. A sound stirred form behind him, making his heart drop. Jaxon touched his hand, gently hushing him with a soothing whisper.

"It's just me, angel." He breathed.

Nolan sighed with relief, nodding.

"Ar-are you hurt, Nolan?"

"No.. just dizzy. But that's beside the point- are YOU fine?" He fretted, longing to see Jaxon's face.

"I'm alright, don't fuss over me." Jaxon chuckled. "But we have to get out of here." He murmured, his voice growing firm. "Natsuki and Thatcher need us!" Jaxon added.

Nolan desperately scanned the room, hoping to find some prop to set them free. A telephone, a few chairs lining the walls, with banners hung above. His eyes pin-pointed a gleaming object. A knife- what luck!

"I-I see a knife." Nolan called.

"Can you reach it?"

"I.. I think I can pass it to you with my feet." He nodded. Nolan slid his leg forward, shifting the knife towards him. Hesitantly, he kicked his foot, as it slid over to Jaxon's side. Nolan sighed with relief, glad he hadn't hurt him during the attempt.

"I got it!" Jaxon called, grinning. 

"Great! Now try and use it." Nolan nodded.

Jaxon uneasily slipped the knife through the ropes along his body, as they fell the ground. Eyes brightening, he crawled over to Nolan.

"Stay still, baby." He whispered, eyeing the ropes with anticipation.

He slid them into the vines, sliding it through. They slipped off, while Nolan shimmied free.

"Thanks." He sighed.

Jaxon nodded, rising to his feet, as he spotted a door. He hurried over, his hand fumbling on the knob, though it appeared.. "Locked." Jaxon grunted.

"Wait, Jaxon! There's a telephone. Not sure how to use it though.." Nolan remarked.

"Try and call the police, I'll try and get this open." Jaxon blinked to the door.

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The masked woman sighed. "I guess you deserve to know before you die." She clicked her tongue, propping her free hand on her hip.

She lifted off her mask.. and hood.

Natsuki gasped. "Wh-what?! How-"

Who's the murderer?

What happened to Thatcher?

Will Nolan and Jaxon find a way out?