The girl upstairs

[Taylor]

I laughed at Katlyn's crude joke, but still I was very scared and freaked. My right hand was gripping on to Liam's hand in a death grip and Katlyn was rubbing my hand saying sweet kind things. About a few steps before the doctors house I stood to look in the window. My curly hair was messed up and I looked deadly pail. My clothes were ripped and I felt awful. I turned to look at Billie and Rein sitting on the porch. I plopped down next to them and fought back tears. I could feel the cold wind pushing my hair all around my face. I felt for my diamond braclet my father had given me a few years back and it was gone. I retraced my steps back to the well, until someone grabbed my arm and said,"Wait where are you going?"

[Miss Murder]

I watched Mylinda walk back to the well, obviously looking for something. I stood up, let go of one of Billie's hands, and we followed her. I wanted to help my friend; I thought I knew what she was looking for.

A few years ago, her father had given her a diamond bracelet, which she absolutely loved. Now it must mean even more to her, considering all that happened. I remember, because I had visited for the special occasion, and she had showed it to me proudly. And I think it was on the hand that the man had taken fierce hold of earlier.

I turned to Billie. He had stopped, and was looking down at me. I lifted one eyebrow; not both, just one. A talent I had discovered when I was young, and wanted to impress people in small, suttle ways. "You're so beautiful, Rein." He whispered, leaning toward me.

Remembering how I looked from earlier, I had to smile. Only someone who truly cared culd see beauty in that- My thoughts stopped when Billie pressed his lips against mine. I could feel one of his hands in the small of my back, and the other gently placed on the back of my neck.

This had truly taken me by surprise, but at least it was a pleasant surprise. I closed my eyes as another wave of sleepiness swept over me. I leaned into Billie's kiss, not caring who saw us. I didn't really care much about what anyone thought of me anymore. It was hard to, considering how bad I looked.

I gently pulled back from the kiss, and looked into Billie's questioning gaze as he opened his eyes. I sighed. "I'm sorry; I'm just....tired." I leaned my head against his chest, and he kissed the top of my head, whispering, "I understand."

I heard a now-familiar scream, and started running to the well. I could hear Billie behind me, along with Liam and Katlyn, whom we had left behind at the bar.

[Taylor]

I turned to see the man again, fully awake, but with a large red spot on his forehead. I screamed loudly as he held my diamond braclet in front of my face. I could feel myself getting angerier by the second. He still had a hold of my elbow and I jerked it away and grabbed for the braclet. He pulled it away and held it to high for me to reach. I kicked him in the shin and he dropped it, I grabbed it from off the ground and ran as fast as I could away. I ran behind the well and turned to look. He was standing at the other side of the well smiling crookedly. I shuddered, then I heard someone move behind me. I spun and saw the doctor run out of the bushes. His clothes were covered in his patients blood. I gawked at him for a second until I remembered the man. I turned to search for him, but he was gone. I saw Rein and Billie run up, followed by Liam and Katlyn. I looked around once more, but seeing no one I sat on the well's edge. I let out a breath and looked down at the grass sway in the wind. Something stirred in the well. I looked and saw a rat scurry across the bottom. Then a hand reach up. I jumped away from the well and ran toward Rein.

[Miss Murder]

Mylinda nearly made me fall over, but I returned her hug. "Th-there's-a hand!" She stuttered, and pulled me over to the well. I looked into it, and screamed. I looked around for something to use as a weapon, but there was nothing.

"Who-who are you?" I asked, looking over the edge of the well again. "Uuuuuuuugh...." The groan was horrible, and I shivvered. It made my blood run cold.

Billie put his coat over my shoulders. It was stillwarm, and helped a little. He cautiously looked over the edge of the well, and lifted his eyebrows. "Doctor?" He asked, taking the hand, helping the doctor out of the dark water.

"Thankee, m'boy." He mumbled, sounding quite dizzy. "Are you....drunk?" I asked, pulling Billie's coat tighter around me. He laughed loudly, as if it were the funniest qeustion in the world. "It would seem that way!" He laughed even louder, both looking and sounding like a hyena.

I inched closer to Billie, slightly afraid of the crazed man.

[Taylor]

I was clinging to the pole to the well looking down at the doctor in the well. As he got out and admitted he was drunk I clung tighter to the pole. I looked around to find that man, but he wasn't anywhere in sight. I also noticed Katlyn was gone. "Where's Katlyn?" I asked with a slight shiver in my voice. They all shrugged and looked around. Then I heard her screech from somewhere far off. I ran that way and pulled Liam with me. We ran down the road toward where we once were. I saw nothing the whole time and eventually sat on the wall of a house to think.

I could hear her screaming right next to me, but couldn't find the source. Then I realized about the underground sewers. I found a hole and peeked in. I could see Katlyn standing in the middle sobbing and looking for a way out. I realized she was alone so I called her name. She looked at me and shook her head. I knew she was claustriphobic and was scared to death under there.

After thinking of a very clever plan I climbed down into it. Liam grabbed my arm and tried to pull me back up. I said,"I have to." He let go and followed after me. Katlyn was no whispering no, no, over and over again and looking at the dark areas in the long tunnel.

[Miss Murder]

I stayed aboveground, watching as Mylinda and Liam ushered Katlyn out of the sewer tunnel. Although she was stinking and dirty, I hugged her. "How'd you get down there?" I asked her, slightly confused. A shook her head, looking down.

"AH!" I heard Billie yell. I looked around, seeing nothing "BILLIE!" I screamed, jumping off the ground, into a run. I saw his shirt tangled in the bushes around the trees, but he wasn't in it. Tears flowed freely down my cheeks. "Why am I so weak?" I questioned myself loudly, falling to my knees. "Why do I have to cry so much?!" I started to sob freely, my face in my hands.

I suddenly felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked around. No one. "NO!" I shrieked, feeling myself being pulled into the dark, evil-looking forest surrounding the small town.

[Taylor]

Katlyn was sitting on the ground now telling me she fell through a hole when I heard Rein scream. I ran toward her, but unable to find her and let out a sob. I could still hear her yelling and Billie too. I searched then came to the edge of the Dark Forest. Well it's not really called that, but that's what everyone calls it. I turned around for Liam or Katlyn, but they were not there. They weren't anywhere. I screamed they're names looking around, then realizing they weren't coming I took a deep breath and entered the forest.

I was walking frantically and clinging to trees then running to the next. I heard Rein scream again, just behind me and saw that man holding her against him with one arm as he gently rubbed his knife against her face. I winced at this sight and stepped back. I heard footsteps behind me, but no one popped out of the bushes. I turned back to Rein and that man, but they were gone.

[Miss Murder]

The knife was ice against my cheek. I opened my mouth to scream again, but the man clapped his hand over my mouth, silencing me.

I caugh onto a despereate idea, and decided to try it.

I bit down on the man's hand. I could taste his blood, and I could feel the bone of his hand shatter beneath my teeth.

He cursed loudly, dropping his knife.

I caught it, running in the direction of Billie's loud yells. Either he was putting up a fight, or his captor didn't care how loud he was.

I was running when someone caught my arm, pulling me against them. They brought a gentle finger to my lips, wanting me to be quiet. I turned around, gripping the knife tightly.

It was Billie.

He had a black eye, and there was a cut across his cheek. I hugged him tightly, and could feel him wince slightly. I pulled away instantly, looking him over. His torso was spiderwebbed with scratches. Most likely from being dragged through the forest, shirtless.

Sheepishly, I handed him what was left of his shirt. Then, I remembered his jacket. I slid it off, handing it to him. He smiled, kissing me on the forhead.

Billie hugged me strongly again, swaying from side to side, slightly.

We heard the sound of running. But the feet were too small and light to have been our captor's.

[Taylor]

I ran toward them and finally pushed through a bush. Seeing Rein and Billie together I let out a sob and ran to them gripping they're waist's. They hugged me back and hot tears ran down my face. I could hear other people running at us and I looked up at them. We started running and I could hear two seperate footsteps. One from in front, one from behind. I stopped listening.

[Miss Murder]

I looked back. "Liam?" I asked, slowing. "Rein! Mylinda! Billie!" Liam gasped for air, stumbling to a stop int front of us. More footsteps came from in front of us. I laced my fingers with Billie's, and he squeezed my hand strongly.

I looked over at Mylinda, who was hugging Liam tightly. I smiled; They're so cute together.

I heard a terrified sob, and Katlyn soared through the bushes, landing on her hands and knees. Everyone surged toward her. Mylinda and I reached her at the same time, hugging her between us. Then, I heard another scream, coming from a male, and I froze.

[Taylor]

We sat hugging when a blood curling scream came from behind us. We turned and no one was there. This just didn't male any sense. Our only hope now was getting out of the forest and we all knew that.

[Miss Murder]

I looked around, and saw no one. Nothing but my friends and trees. Billie was beside me then, covering my hands comfortingly. His hands are large and strong, easily twice the size of mine. And they're warm.

I leaned against him gently, so I didn't bother his scratches any. He put his secure arms around my waist, pulling me against his warm body. I laid my head on one of his broad shoulders, but didn't close my eyes for fear of opening them to a clearing empty of everyone else.

"Go to sleep, Rein." Billie whispered softly, hugging me tighter. "I won't let them go anywhere." He assured me. I inspected his face. His kind brown eyes were widely aware, and looked down upon me intensely.

"Okay." I yawned, giving in. He kissed my hand, and whispered, "Good night." "Good night." I murmered, letting my green eyes flutter closed.

[Taylor]

We all sat on the ground looking around and relaxing. I layed down and watched the stars. Or at least the stars you can see through the trees. We layed there and after a few minutes I fell asleep.

[Miss Murder]

Unvoluntarily, I opened my eyes to the black night. I looked around, trying to get my bearings. I looked into Billie's beautiful brown eyes, which followed my every move. I was curled into a slight ball on his lap, my head resting on his broad chest as he leaned comfortably against a tree.

Easily, he shrugged out of his jacket, putting it around my shoulders as I started to shiver. "Aren't you c-cold?" I asked through chattering teeth, but he just shook his head, hugging me closer to his strong, warm body.

I turned my head to look around again, this time searching for my friends. Liam slouched against a tree across the clearing, and when he saw me looking at him he gave me a tired smile. Mylinda's head was in his lap, and he fondly brushed her hair from her face. Katlyn was sprawled in the center of the clearing, her chest rising and falling slowly with each steady breath.

I smiled, and fixed my gaze on the stars that blinked through the branches of the tall trees. A pack of wolves howled at the full moon that hung low in the sky just above us. I sighed, and looked again at Billie. He was still watching me lovingly, and smiled when our gazes locked.

"You amaze me, Rein. You always leave me awestruck, and I can't get you out of my mind for more than a moment." He smoothed my hair with a large, strong hand, combing his fingers through it reverently. "If you can't get me out of your mind, then maybe that's where I'm supposed to be." I yawned, my hand covering my mouth.

I leaned my head back on Billie's shoulder and closed my eyes, drifting back into dreamless sleep.

[Taylor]

I was falling, and fast to. Down and down into the darkness. Then I woke up screaming. I jerked up and covered my face with my hands. I looked around and calmed down. I could feel Liam's hand on my back trying to calm me down. I saw Katlyn wake slightly, look at me, look around for danger, when she saw none she fell back asleep. I looked back at Liam and almost cried from being so scared. He asked me what was wrong and I said,"I had a dream where I was falling, and falling, and everyone was dead or chasing me." I shook my head and stood up,"I have to get out of this stupid forest."
"What no you can't go when it's dark out!"
" Well to bad, I'm already gone." I walked past them and when I looked back Liam was waking Billie. I started to run, desperate for a way out.