Being Possessed

Seaquil to the Tunnel

By

Tanja Milojevic age fifteen

Chapter one

Jake’s Call

Two weeks had passed since the shocking events in the tunnel had happened. It was two thirty when Mali had come home from school. She had gone strait up to her room and started doing her math homework. It was solving equations. She hated when she had to solve equations because it was hard and confusing. Billie was suppose to come over in a couple of minutes to help her figure them out, and so they could do all of their homework together. Billy’s wounds had hieled and he had finally caught up with the matirials in school. Over the last week, he had worked tirelessly to catch up. She had felt bad for him and offered to let him copy off her papers, but he had refused. “No but thanks. I need to learn it for my self.” He had said. Jake’s throat had heeled and he could talk again, but his voice was slightly horse. The doctor said that it would get back to normal in a few days. Off course, the Underhand tunnel was open to cars again. Over the last few days there were lots of car accidents, and five people had died.

Just then the doorbell rang. “I’ll get it mom.” Mali called as she sprinted down stairs. “O.K. sweetie. Just don’t kill your self.” Mary her mother called from the kitchen where she was making spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. “What a coincidence. Maybe we’ll have another fight.” Mali thought amusedly. “I’ll be right there.” Mali called as she ran to the door, and opened it. “Hey Mali how are you getting on with your homework?” Billie asked standing in the doorway with his black and red book bag slung over his shoulders. “Ho it’s hell.” Mali said frusteratedly. “I can’t figure out the equation that you’re suppose to simplify.” “O.K. we’ll figure it out.” He said amused looking at her and smiling. “Hi Miss. Glass.” Billie said. “Ho hi Billie. I’ve told you a thousand times to call me Mary.” She said and Billie chuckled. “So am I going to stand here in the doorway for ever? Or are you going to let me in.” Billie said smiling. “Yeah sure come in gentleman.” Mali said formally. They burst in to laughter as they headed upstairs to Mali’s room.

Billie took off his bag and took out his books. He started explaining the equations to Mali. “Oh I get it now.” She said in relief after two minutes of explaining. She couldn’t believe how easy Billie made it look. After doing there math and history homework, they started working on their science homework that Miss. Grant had given them. “This looks hard.” Mali said looking at the equation that she had to balance. “Equations aren’t your thing. Are they?” Billie said laughing. “No I guess not.” Mali said despairingly. “Alright first you need to count the atoms in each side. You see?” He said pointing to the hydrogen in the equation. “There are two on this side and four on the right.” He said. She nodded. “So you take this side and,” Just as he had finished explaining, and she had nodded vigorously, the phone began to ring. Mary answered it. After a few minutes she called Mali. “Mali Mali. The phone’s for you.” “Alright I’ll be right down.” Mali called back. “Billie I’ll be right back. Maybe it’s Jake.” She said. “Alright. Should I wait here?” He asked. “Yeah.” She replied and ran down stairs to get the phone.

“Hello?” She said. “Hi Mali I have something to tell you.” It was Jake and he sounded panicky. “What is it Jake? Is everything O.K.?” She asked worriedly. “I tried to get hold of Carrie to tell her, but she wouldn’t answer. I think she wasn’t home.” He continued. “Where’s Billie?” Jake asked. “He’s here at my house.” Mali said even more worried now. “We’re doing homework together. What’s the Matter?” “It’s the Underhand Tunnel.” He said. Like his life depended on saying this, he continued. “There have been lots of car accidents in it over the last few days. They’ve closed it to cars again.” He finished quickly. “Oh god.” She said stunned. “So it’s all happening all over again.” “Yeah.” He said matching her horrified tone. “What do we do?” Mali asked fearfully. “Listen.” Jake said. “Tell Billie everything and tell him that when he gets home to call me right away. O.K.?” Jake asked. “Yeah sure.” Mali said, and hung up. She went upstairs stunned. “WHO WAS THAT MALI?” Mary called from the kitchen. “Just a friend from school mom.” Mali called threw numb lips. She went in to her room, and when Billie saw her pale shocked face, he was alarmed. “Mali who was that? Are you O.K.?” Mali told him everything, and he wanted to go home and call Jake back right away, but Mali said that they had to finish there homework first. So Billie and her finished it and Billie went home. Mali was very worried, but Billie said that he would call her back as soon as he talked to Jake. But as it turned out, Mali didn’t get a call that night from Billie.

Chapter Two

Returning To the Tunnel

Billie came home and called a quick greeting to his parents who were in the kitchen talking. “How was school son?” his father asked from the kitchen. “Oh it was great.” Billie called absently already halfway up the stairs. He ran up to his room and dropped his bag on his bed. Then he ran quickly back down the stairs and in to the kitchen. Before his parents could ask him any questions he grabbed the phone and started dialing Jake’s number. “Don’t you have homework Billie? Why are you getting the phone already.” His mother asked from the table where she and his dad were drinking coffee. “I already did my homework at a friend’s house, and besides mom, I really need the phone.” Billie said desperately. “Alright Billie go ahead and use it, but don’t take too long on it.” His father said. Billie finished dialing and the phone started to ring.

Hello?” It was Jake’s mom. “ Hi. This is Billie Jake’s friend from school. Can I speak to him please?” Billie asked politely. “Sure Billie. Hold on a second.” She said, and there was a faint clunk as the phone was set down. A moment later Jake came on to the line. “Hello Billie?” Jake said. “Yeah it’s me.” Billie said walking out of the kitchen and going in to the parlor. He didn’t want his parents over hearing. Just in case they were to hear, he closed the kitchen door, and sat on the black, leather couch. “I can’t believe that the Underhand Tunnel has been closed again.” Billie said. “Yeah I know. So Mali told you everything I suppose.” Jake said. “Yeah. But what are we going to do about it?” Billie asked. “Listen Billie.” Jake said. “Alright, I’m listening.” “We’ll meet out side the tunnel in an hour.” Jake said. “O.K. But what are we going to do there?” Billie repeated. “I think that that curse from that knife we stabbed it with might want us to come back. I also think that the victims of it will try to possess us.” He said slowly, consideringly. “And you think we’ll be able to fight it?” Billie asked unbelievingly. “We’ll try. I mean we have too. We can’t have the same thing happening all over again. We don’t want any more people to die than they already have. Do we?” Jake asked. “No we don’t.” Billie replied quietly. “So how are we going to fight them?” “We’ll have to use our will against the victims. If it’s strong enough, well maybe they’ll go away, and rest.” Jake said. “So I’ll meet you in an hour?” Jake asked. “Yeah.” Billie said, and hung up. He totally forgot about calling Mali, and told his parents that he had the track team tryouts. They believed him. He ate supper, and by six o’clock, he was leaving his house, and heading towards the dreaded tunnel.

He met Jake at the dark entrance of the tunnel. “Hi Jake. What now?” Billie asked uncertainly. “Hi. Well we’re supposed to go in. Didn’t you know that?” “Yeah I guess I did.” Billie replied. They walked in slowly.

It was pitch black inside. They were both dead scared, but they kept on going. Their hearts were pounding like drums. Out of no where, there was a strong woosh of chilly air. It was like a tornado, and both boys fell backwards. Along with the wind came a smell. A horrible rotting smell. They didn’t notice it though because they were both knocked out cold. Two figures came sloshing towards them on rotting legs. One figure was nothing but a dried out skeleton with a couple of peace’s of rotting flesh clinging to its feeble bones. The other had much more flesh clinging to it. It was rotting in lots of places and swelling up. Its clothes were crawling with maggots and flies. The skeleton was the long dead body of the worker. The other body was Chad’s. They were both the victims of it. They had come back because they wanted fresh bodies. They needed fresh bodies. “Nice to get fresh people for a change.” Chad said threw a puffed, decayed, throat, on witch bugs were crawling. The worker nodded. “But I won’t be needing a body. You can try possessing someone first.” The worker said in a low rasping voice witch was bearley understandable. “But why not?” Chad asked. “Because I want you to go first.” The worker replied. “O.K. Let’s have some fun. Let’s get back at the whole world for leaving us here and not burying us.” Chad said, and the worker nodded again. But what they didn’t know was that their bodies were in fact buried. They were too concentrated on the fact that they were dead. Chad and the worker turned in to two werling masses. The worker disappeared while Chad went in to Billie. Billie wasn’t even aware that he was now possessed. The ghost in side him could take control over him at any point in time. “Hey Billie what happened?” Jake asked getting up from the floor. “I don’t know.” Billie said also getting up. “What do you remember last?” Jake asked. “I remember us coming in and,” For a moment, something had flickered in Billy’s mind, but now it was gone. “That’s all that I remember.” Billie finished uncertainly. “You don’t think we’re possessed do you?” Jake asked fearfully. “No we would know if we were.” Billie said, but he wasn’t so sure that they could tell if they were possessed or not. “Yeah we would know.”Jake said in relief. “We must have beat it.” Billie said.” “Yeah we must have.” Jake agreed. “Lets go home before our parents wonder where we went.” Billie said. “Yeah I told my parents that I went for a walk. I have to go home anyway.” Jake said. “Alright see you tomorrow Jake.” Billie said heading towards the entrance. “Yeah see you.” Jake said, and they went home. Chad was already planning on whom he was going to kill and when he was going to do it.

Chapter Three

The Murder of Jack Pearson

The clock in a dark room read twelve O'clock. This room was Chad’s parent’s room. They were both sleeping. Suddenly the screen on the open window ripped with a horrible tearing noise. They didn’t stir. Billy’s face stared threw the ripped screen. It wasn’t Billie though, It was Chad. Billie was taken over completely by Chad’s ghost. His eyes were a deep brown in stead of blue. He ripped the rest of the screen off of the window. Both of the parents jumped out of bed and stared at him with shocked and pleading eyes. “Please don’t hurt us. We’ll do anything.” Said Chad’s mother in a panicked voice. “Who are you? What do you want?” Chad’s father asked right after his wife made her shocked statement. Chad was looking at them with contempt, and sadness. “Hi mom and dad. It’s me. Chad.” They stared at him with disbelief. He continued though, as if he didn’t see their look. “I came back. The only way I could do that was by taking over a guy named Billie from school. You obviously didn’t care about me because you left me in there to rot. No one buried me.” Chad said as his dark brown eyes filled with rage and Billy’s cheeks flushed a dark red. Billie knew that something was possessing him and tried to control it but he just couldn’t. It was too strong for him. Billie tried harder anyway to get at least some control of his body but couldn’t. He knew that something bad was going to happen. He tried again and again to gain control, but it was like trying to move a brick wall. Chad was using Billy’s mouth to talk. Billy’s voice was gone. Instead there was a deeper voice that was Chad’s instead of Billy’s. Jack, Chad’s father looked shocked but he talked anyway. “Is this a joke?” He asked Chad in a trembling voice. “If it is,” He continued coming closer to Chad. “I’ll call the police. How dare you pretend to be our son Chad?” Jack said gaining confidence. “The police can’t help you now.” Chad said in a growl. Jack stepped backwards as he saw the murderess look in his son’s eyes. Brenda, Chad’s mother on the other hand was trying to take all of this in. “But… But… Hun,” She stammered. “We did bury you. We had a servos, and all of the town showed up.” She said with her eyes streaming tears. “No you didn’t.” Chad said furiously. “WHY DIDN’T YOU SAVE ME FROM IT THEN? Huh?” Chad yelled advancing on Brenda who shrank back. “Now you both will have to pay.” Chad said lowering his voice to a whisper. He balled his hand in to a fist and struck Brenda in the temple. She crumpled to the floor. Just then Jack grabbed him and tried to turn him around. Chad pushed his father’s hands off easily, and pushed Jack backwards. Jack’s head hit the wall hard, and he slid down the wall while looking dazedly up at Chad.

Billie knew that if he fought very hard now he could gain control just in time and save Chad’s father. But it was too late because Chad was already grabbing Jack around the throat. “No.” Billie thought desperately. “I’ve got to stop this.” Jack knew that he was going to die, and that no pleading was going to help him in any way. He knew that there wasn’t much time before Chad choked or snapped his neck. “Now you want to see how it killed me?” Chad asked. “Well I’ll show you. Hope to see you soon.” Chad said. “No wait.” Jack said hoarsely. It was hard to talk or even breathe. “I love you.” Jack whispered. Billie knew that this was it. If he didn’t gain control now, it would be too late so he tried again and could feel himself gaining it slowly. But it was too late by the time that he finally gained all control. Chad had paused when his father had said to wait. “Good bye.” Chad said as he snapped Jack’s head backwards. There was a horrible crack, and Jack went limp. A jet of blood rushed from Jack’s broken neck, and drenched Billy’s arms and clothing. Billie gained full control then, and Chad left for the time being.

Billie stared in stupid horror at Jack, and then at his bloody clothes, and back to Jack again. “No, no, no,” He said in horror. He couldn’t believe that Chad had made him kill Jack. “He can’t be dead. He just can’t be.” Billie thought in his shocked and frozen mind. With his hands trembling, he checked for a pulse. He didn’t find one. Billie was breathing hard now trying not to panic. He went around the bed and knocked a nightstand over in his haste. A glass and lamp both shattered. Billie paid them no attention, but froze when he saw Brenda. She was lying on the floor on the opposite side of the bed from her dead husband. Billie tried to think if Chad had made him kill her too. Everything was starting to get mixed up in his mind. He couldn’t really remember the details anymore. It was getting all-woozy like things do after a nightmare. He desperately hoped that it was only a dream. Billie bent down quickly and checked Brenda’s pulse. It was still there. He sighed in relief. His head was trying to hurt now and he felt sick to his stomach. Billie stepped over her and finally got to the black phone. He picked it up and dialed 9, 1, 1. A female voice answered. “Nine one one emergency.” Billie tried to find his voice to speak but he couldn’t seem to. And besides what would he say? “Oh yeah Hi. Guess what. I’ve killed Chad’s father and knocked his wife out. Oh no I was actually possessed by Chad’s ghost and he snapped his father’s neck. So please come and make all of this be a dream.” Billie thought not knowing what to tell this lady. He didn’t want to look suspicious anyway. Because that would surely get him in to jail. “Hello is anyone there?” The lady on the phone asked in alarm. She obviously thought that the person on the other end was being murdered. Or maybe she just thought that the phone jack had been pulled out of the wall. “Hello?” She repeated more alarmed now. Billie suddenly found his voice and stammered hoarsely, “I… I… I… I’d…I’d like to… to… report a murder. Jack… Jack Pearson Father of Chad Pearson has been mur-murdered.” Billie tried to take a deep steadying breath, but it wasn’t very steadying. But he tried to go on anyway. For a moment he couldn’t make his mouth work. “Hello? Are you still there?” The woman on the other end asked anxiously. “Y-Ye-Yes?” Billie said. “Can you go on?” The woman asked. “I… I… I… think so.” Billie said shakily. “His… his… wife is not dead I don’t think but… but… sh-she’s lying on the fl-floor.” Billie was sweating and shivering all over. He felt that he would puke in any minute. His head hurt more than ever, and he couldn’t think because his mind was frozen. “Alright we’ll send an ambulance in a few minutes. Who is this please?” Billie hung up the phone and his hands were shaking worse than ever. He ran back around the bed and Climbed out the window. He landed on the deck. Sure enough, he heard the sirens as he ran down the brick steps. He was now running across the backyard. He went threw the back gate and ran down the street. He wanted to be as far away from Chad’s house as possible. He ran down a few more blocks, and came to his house at last. He wanted to run in and tell his parents all about what had happened, but he knew that they wouldn’t believe a single word. So he went around back, and found that the back door was locked. He suddenly felt a weight in his right pocket. He put his hand in his pocket, and felt his key ring inside. Billie took his keys out, and unlocked the back door. He went in quietly, and took his shoes off in the small hallway. Billie shut the outside door and went into the house. He locked both doors. He was certain that Chad had put the keys in his pocket. Billie felt a knawing sensation in the pit of his stomach. He felt horror and guilt, and reaction was starting to settle in even more than before. Billie suddenly ran into the bathroom and puked. He broke down violently, and started crying uncontrollably. There was a knock on his door. “Billie open the door. What’s wrong?” His mother asked worriedly. Billie tried to get himself under some kind of control. He got up and flushed the toilet. Then he opened the door. His mother was standing there, and her face was pale. She looked at him with sympathy and concern when she saw his wet face. He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. There was a large knot of guilt in the pit of his stomach. It tightened. He didn’t know what to say to his mother. “Are you O.K.?” His mother asked franticly. “No I’m not. I’ve just killed someone, and am perfectly under control.” Billie thought sarcastically. “Yeah I’m alright.” He said, his voice horse. He said this with a lot of effort. “Are you sick?” His mother asked anxiously. “Yeah.” He said with tears still running down his face. “Why are you crying Billie?” She asked. “Oh my god.” She exclaimed in horror seeing the blood all over Billie. “Why are you all covered in blood?” Billie couldn’t take this anymore. He couldn’t tell his mother what he had done. If he did, she would freak. With out thinking Billie crashed threw the wired screen. “Billie what are you doing?” His mother asked in horror as Billie ripped his way threw the screen and landed on the ground that was five feet below. She tried to grab him, but her hand closed on thin air only. She looked down and saw him sprawled on the ground. “Billie Are you O.K. why did you do that?” But Billie didn’t pay attention to her.

Billie landed hard, and sprawled on the dirt for a moment. He was pretty cut up and his whole body felt as though it was stabbed. “Chad made me do this.” Billie thought but knew that Chad had only made him do it half way. He had originally wanted to jump out the window because it was the only way out. He stumbled to his feet, his blood now mixing with Jack’s on his clothing and skin. He started running. He didn’t know where he would go, but he had to get away from his mother. ” Billie where are you going? Come back. Are you O.K.? Please come back.” His mother called from the window. But Billie paid no attention to her. He just ran on and on.

Billie found himself at Mali’s house. He had to tell her everything. If he couldn’t tell anyone else, he had to tell Mali what he had done. He went around the house to the back. Mali’s light was on. He could see her threw the window. She was sitting at her desk and singing along with the radio. Apparently she was listening to Broken by Amy Lee, and Seether. Billie could hear it coming from her room, but it sounded muffled. He wished that he could sing along too, and not have to worry about Chad, but he didn’t feel like singing just now. Billie went up to the window, and tapped on it. He was panicking now, and had to get her attention before Chad took control. “MALI, MALI,” He shouted desperately, determined not to let Chad take over. She looked at the window, and her face took on an expression of surprise. Billie kept on knocking all the same. Mali got up and opened the window.

Mali was listening to Broken. She was still waiting for Billie to call her back. He was suppose to call her back to tell her what Jake had said. She was still staying up because she knew that Billie would call her no matter what. “I wanted you to know that I love the way you laugh. I want to hold you high and steel your pain. Away.” She sang along with Seether. “I keep your photographs, and I know it serves me well. I want to hold you high and steel your pain.” She sang. She couldn’t go quite as low as Seether could, but she tried anyway. She loved his and Amy Lee’s voice in harmony. “Cause I’m broken, and I’m lonesome, and I don’t feel right when you’re gone away.” That was the first chorus, and Mali loved the way Amy Lee would harmonize in it. “You’ve gone away. You don’t feel me here anymore.” Now was the best part. This was where Amy Lee came in. “The worst is over now, and we can breathe again. I want to hold you high, and steel your pain. Away I’ve so much love to learn, and nowhere love to find. I want to hold you high and steel your pain.” Mali was interrupted by a tapping on her window. Then she heard a voice. It sounded like Billy’s, but that was ridiculous. Billie couldn’t come to her house now. It was too late. “MALI, MALI,” It shouted. Mali could hear the note of desperation in that voice. She looked at the window, and sure enough it was Billie. But there was something wrong. His face was all pale, and he looked shocked to her. She was surprised. Billie kept on tapping. Mali stepped over to the window and opened it.

“Billie” She exclaimed in surprise. Then her eyes grew wide as she saw the blood on his clothing and skin. “Billie what happened to you?” Billie motioned for her to open the window a little more so he could climb threw. “Mali… Mali… umm I have to tell you the truth about what happened to me.” Billie stammered as he climbed threw the window. “Billie What?” Mali began. “No… no Mali let me tell you the whole thing, and please try not to ask me any questions. “But Billie, how did you get all that blood all over you?” “I’ll explain everything Mali. I promise.” Billie said trying not to brake down again. “Oh my god Billie. You’re hurt. Come on lets go to the bathroom so you can clean your self up.” Billie nodded, and they went in to the bathroom down the hall. “Mali don’t tell anyone about this, because if you do, I’ll probably go to jail.” Billie started. “What do you mean go to jail?” Mali asked as she turned on the fosset and Billie started washing the blood off of his hands and skin. “Mali I… I… need major help. Today when I left your house I called Jake back right away, and,” Billie continued. “He… he… told me to meat him at the Underhand tunnel, and I did. No don’t ask any questions please.” Billie said as he saw Mali open her mouth. He got up to the part when Chad was taking over his body, when Mali looked at him in disbelief. “Mali I, I mean Chad killed Jack Pearson who was actually his father. Chad forced me to do it. I mean, Chad used my body to kill him.” Billie said with a lot of effort. He was still trying not to vomit or brake down. Mali looked shocked. Suddenly she grabbed a vas full of flowers as though she was going to throw it at Billie who flinched back. “You mean you killed someone?” She asked in shock and sudden fury. “No Mali you don’t understand,” Billie began desperately. Was she not going to understand anything? He had counted on her to understand him. She was the only one who he could think of to tell. But Mali appeared not to hear a word Billie had said. “You’re a murderer. Get out. I don’t want to get in trouble because of you.” She stepped backwards in fear, and struck the back of the tub. “No Mali I didn’t kill him. I’m telling you. He took over. Please, You’ve got to help me. DON’T THROW THAT.” He shouted in a last attempt to get her to believe him. She shook her head and tried backing away even more, but it was no good. She held the vas in a death grip. Billie could feel Chad trying to take over. He started to panic. “Mali he’s trying to take over again. Please do something.” But she just attempted to back up even more. “It’s no good.” Billie thought in fury. “Fine then, If you won’t help me then screw you. I’ve tried to get you to understand but you won’t.” Billie said trying to fight off Chad.

Mali saw Billy’s eyes turn brown. “Now Mali, It’s your turn to pay. We must settle a score.” His voice was changing with each word. It was becoming deeper and deeper, until it was the voice of Chad. “Billie what’s happening to you?” She asked in a trembling voice. “I’m not Billie. I’m Chad as you can see. Billy’s not coming back until you talk.” Chad said menacingly. His eyes were exactly the same as they were when he was alive, Mali noticed. “We have a score to settle remember?” Chad repeated conversationally. “What score?” Mali asked in a shaking voice. She knew that Billie had been telling the truth. She had been such a fool not to listen. “Oh you know, the score in the tunnel. Remember?” Chad asked in a growl. “Please don’t hurt me.” Mali asked shrinking against the tub. “Oh I think I’ll do much more than hurt you. I think I’ll kill you.” “No please.” She squeaked, trying to scream. He enjoyed seeing Mali like this. This was really good revenge. “Now do you remember or not?” Chad repeated. “Yeah I do But I didn’t do anything.” She squeaked again, but more fearfully this time. “Oh I think you did plenty. It’s time for you to remember what you did.” Chad said. “I’ll call the police. I’ll scream.” She said in a shocked whisper. “Now that’s what I call an empty threat. If you so much as scream or attempt to call the police, I’ll kill you slower, and with more pain.” Chad said slowly. “But I didn’t do anything. What do you want from me? Billie please come back. Fight him please.” Mali pleaded starting to cry now too. “I don’t think Billie will come back until you’re dead. He can’t fight me. And as for the what did I do? Part, you did a lot. First of all when you went in to that tunnel and wouldn’t come out, I was getting very worried about you. Especially when I heard you scream.” Chad added. “So I told you’re friends what had happened, and what do they do? They beat me up and leave me to call the police. None of you were coming out so I got worried even more, and went in after you. It got me, and now I want revenge. You were the cause of this.” Chad said. “You know, I cared about you. Ever since we were at that dance, I sort of started to like you. I cared about you, and how do you repay me? By getting me killed.” Chad said sadly advancing on Mali. For a moment, Billie came back. “Mali run. Just run. Before he can make me kill you. Please, I know you can do it.” Billie said in his normal voice, and for that short moment his eyes were back to being blue. But he was straining to stay there so he could tell her that eighteen-word message. Then Chad was back with the deep voice, and the brown eyes included. “I won’t let him get control of his body back until I want to. And you can be sure that won’t be until you’re dead” Chad said, But he wasn’t so sure. Mali was slowly regaining her confidence. Billie had given it to her. “I didn’t repay you by getting you killed. I didn’t start this either. I only went out with you because you were popular.” Mali said furiously. “Oh really.” Chad said threw clenched teeth. “Maybe I was hanging out with cool people, and maybe I had the looks, but being popular doesn’t make me a jerk.” Chad explained, his cheeks flaming red with rage. “Oh yeah? Well you fooled me. I thought that all popular guys were plain jerks, and it looks like I was right.” Mali said. Chad started advancing on Mali again, with renewed reasons to kill her. He was furious, and wanted revenge, witch made him even more dangerous. “Here, Catch this.” Mali said and threw the vas at Chad, who caught it surprised. He stared at it dumbly for a second witch gave her enough time to run. Mali bulted for the kitchen. She made it half way when she heard him after her. She ran even faster, trying not to scream, and got a knife from the wrack witch was right by the door. She didn’t know what she would do with it, but she had to defend her self. Chad grabbed the knife from her grasp easily. “Don’t even attempt to scream.” He said as she opened her mouth. Mali stepped backwards, and grabbed the kitchen door with the spring lock. She slammed it just as Chad was about to grab it. She locked it in time, and grabbed the knob in her hands to prevent anyone from opening the door. Mali began to cry softly so no one would here. She thought that if her parents heard, Chad would kill her.

Chad went outside threw the front door. He walked around the house until he was under the kitchen window. Billie finally got control of his body, and tried to call out to Mali, to tell her that it was all right. He wouldn’t kill her. But Chad stopped him. “What has she ever done for you?” “She’s done plenty so shut up, you murderer leave me alone. Get out of my body.” Billie said to Chad. “Oh but I always have a reason why I kill, and by the sound of it, she hasn’t done anything good for you.” “SHE’S DONE PLENTY OF GOOD THINGS FOR ME, AND BESIDES I’M NOT LISTENING TO YOU. GET OUT.” Billie yelled at Chad. “Yes I always have a reason, and have told Mali my motive for wanting to kill her.” Chad repeated ignoring Billy’s protests. “Here’s an example of Mali not doing anything good for you.” Chad said. “She didn’t even show you sympathy when you told her everything. Instead she picks up a vas and backs away. She is worried about her self, and no one else. You trusted her, and she let you down. Didn’t she?” Chad asked coaxingly. “Well yeah she did let me down a little. But you’re trying to force me in to something I don’t want to do. I’m not falling for your stupid and sly tricks. You’re a lire, and a killer, and I’m not telling you how I feel. Go away.” Billie said stubbornly. “Oh but you know that she was using you all this time. I am a lire sometimes, but everyone lies for something. I always have a reason to lie. I also admit that I’m a murderer, but I at least have a motive. You even know that I’m telling the truth about that. You also know that I’m telling the truth about her letting you down. This is a heart to heart talk between you and me. You can tell me how you feel, or I can find out for my self. I suggest that you tell me because there will be consequences if you don’t. So now lets talk.” Chad continued patiently. “She just wants you to give you answers to her homework doesn’t she? She just wants to be your girl friend to look cool.” “How do you know all of this?” Billie asked. “Well I’ve gathered the information in my ways that you shouldn’t know about. Now aren’t you mad at Mali for betraying you like that Billie?” Chad asked. Billie had to admit that he was furious at her for that. Now that Chad had mentioned the fact of her using him for the homework, it seemed very likely. “Come on you have to agree. I know that you want to.” Chad said. “Well yeah but,” Billie said unsure. “But nothing.” Chad said. “You want revenge on her don’t you?” And Billie did. He wanted to show Mali how it felt to be betrayed. “Yes I do, but I don’t trust you.” Billie said. “Good you don’t have to trust me, but I can help you with this. I’ll take over and do it for both of us, to save you all the pain.” And before Billie could think, Chad took over completely, and Billie couldn’t control it at all. He was sick of trying. The window was fully open, and the screen was easy to take off. Chad had to be really quiet so Mali wouldn’t hear. She was looking at the kitchen door expecting him to come in threw there. “Well I’ve got a surprise for you Mali.” Chad thought as he quietly cut the screen out, so he could get in safely. Chad pulled it off finally and laid it on the grass with hardly a sound. Mali was still sobbing, and she hadn’t heard a thing. That was good. Chad climbed in very carefully so not to make a sound. He succeeded and walked up directly behind her. She world around just as he pricked the knife in to her back. She collapsed. Chad thought that she was dead because he thought that he had plunged the knife in to her back far enough to kill her, but he had only pricked her back with it. Mali had fainted from the shock of the knife pricking her back.

“Yes I did it.” Chad said. “Goodbye Mali. The score is settled. Chad let Billie take control again. “Oh my god. What have you made me do?” Billie asked in shock and remorse. “Mali please don’t be dead. Please. Please be alright.” Billie said but he knew that it was no good. Mali was dead. Billie started to cry, and got a table cloth from a drawer. He covered Mali with it, and climbed Back threw the window. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. Chad made me do it, but I didn’t mean to.” Billie repeated these words over and over as he covered Mali.

“I really didn’t mean to kill you. It’s All Chad’s fault. I’m Sorry.” Billie said. Mali suddenly sat up, and said, “I know. It’s O.K.” Billie froze. He just stared at her for a moment with his mouth open. “Billie Are you alright?” Mali asked. “A-A-A-AHHH.” Billie screamed as he climbed the rest of the way out of the window and started running. He stopped himself a block away. It took a lot of effort to stop. “I have to think about it first. Maybe I’m just hallucinating. It’s because of all the stress, and because I can’t think clearly. I’m wishing for her to be alive so much, that my mind made me see her that way. I’m not going crazy I hope. I have to go back and check on her.” Billie thought, trying to reason with him self. He reluctantly went back while dreading what he might find there. “Maybe I’ll find her waiting for me ready to throw a knife.” Billie thought fearfully. He finally got to the window, and looked in. Mali was lying under the tablecloth just as he had left her, when covering her. But what if it wasn’t her under there. He tried to dismiss that thought, but couldn’t. He reluctantly climbed back in. He had to check on her. He uncovered her face ready to see someone else, but it was her, and she was dead. Billie was overwhelmed again to see her dead. He knew that what he had seen and heard was a hallucination. He wished that she were alive. He slowly climbed back out, and prepared to leave. He looked back one last time at her sprawled body that was under a shroud threw tear filled eyes, and walked away.

Chapter Four

Chad’s Attempt

Billie went back home. Someone had to help him before he killed anyone else. “Oh my god. I can’t believe that Chad made me do this. How could I kill Mali? He was just using his method of coaxing me to do something I’ll regret later. I hate him. I have to tell my parents. Maybe they’ll think I’m crazy, but I must try. It’s the only thing I can think of to do.” Billie thought all of these things as he walked down the street and up his stairs.

The front door was unlocked. He walked in, and the lights were on. Both his parents were in the living room. “Billie you’re home thank god.” “What happened son? Why are you covered in blood?” “Are you O.K. Billie? Why did you break threw the screen?” His parents were full of questions. Billie took a deep breath and said, “Mom? Dad? I’m possessed.” “What?” They both asked at the same time. Billie started to explain. He sat down on a couch after closing the front door. He’d gotten as far as when he had gotten to Mali’s house, and then with out any warning Chad took over. Billy’s eyes changed, and his voice had gotten lower. It was changing as he was speaking. “Son?” His father asked fearfully, and his mother screamed softly. “Oh hello Mr. and Miss. Gun. Nice to meet you. I’m Chad.” He held his hand out, and they shrank back. “Don’t you know that it’s impolite not to shake hands?” He asked amusedly. They just stared at him in horror. “What do you want? Why are you possessing Billie?” Mr. Gun asked angrily. “Aaaah just like my father. You’re trying to solve everything with angry questions and statements. Well that’s what got him killed. As for what I want, Well I want to kill you because you were involved in this mess. How were you involved? Well you like Mali whom I hate, and who started this whole thing. Oh she’s dead by the way. Billie didn’t get to that part yet, but it’s great. I killed her like a professional.” Both parents looked shocked, and clapped their hands to there mouths. “So that’s it. Now I’ll have to kill you. Don’t worry you’re not the last victims. I’ll save your pride by killing you now. He advanced on them slowly.

Mali woke up in a dark room. She looked around, and realized that she was lying in a bed. The walls were completely white, and there were some more beds around her, but they were unoccupied. She saw a bathroom and a door on her left. She looked to her right, and saw chairs. She looked at the foot of the bed, and saw a table. “I must be in a hospital.” She thought. “Thank god I’m safe. I’m not dead. I’m alive. I’m alive.” She thought happily. But then she felt the ache in her back. It really hurt. She must have lost a lot of blood to end up in the hospital. “Or maybe my parents just got scared since I was knocked out, and my back was bleeding. They must have heard me fall or something.” She thought. Along with that thought came everything that had happened since Billie had appeared at her window. “What should I do?” She thought. She knew that Chad thought that she was dead because he wouldn’t have left otherwise. “Call Jake.” She thought. Actually that was a good idea because he was the only one who could maybe think of what to do. He was the one who had Called Billie in the first place. “Yes he’ll know what to do.” Mali thought reassuringly.

She saw the call button above her head, and pressed it. A minute later, a pretty nurse with black hair and blue eyes walked in, and sat next to her. “What’s the problem?” She asked in a concerned voice. “I need to make a phone call.” Mali said “A phone call to your parents?” The pretty nurse asked. “Yes to my parents.” Mali lied. “I have to let them know what happened.” “Yeah I see.” The nurse said. “They dropped you off here, and when we told them that you would be all right, they left. Actually they left five minutes ago. You can use this phone here. Just dial nine first to get an outside line.” She said. “O.K. thanks.” Mali said and smiled politely. “Is there anything else I can help you with? How are you feeling? Need your bandaged changed?” She asked. “No thanks I’m fine. My back hurts a little. Thanks for your concern.” Mali said. “Can you deal with the phone?” “Oh yeah sure.” “Alright then. See you later.” “Alright bye.” Mali said as the nurse left closing the door.

She picked up the phone, and dialed nine. She got an open line. Mali dialed Jake’s number, and waited as the phone began to ring. “Oh please be there and pick up the phone Jake.” “Hello?” a groggy voice answered. It was jake, and Mali had obviously woken him up because he sounded half-asleep. “Hi Jake. It’s Mali.” She said. “Mali? Why are you calling this late? What happened? Are you O.K.?” He asked growing more worried by the second. “Yes there’s a big problem Jake. I hope you can help.” Mali said. “What happened Mali? What problem? Offcourse I’ll help. I’ll do anything I can. So tell me. What happened?” Mali started explaining. “So that’s it. Billy’s possessed, and I don’t know what to do.” Mali finished. “Oh my god. I never expected Billie to do that kind of thing. Actually I never expected him to be the one who would ever be possessed, not to mention attempting murder in your case, and actually seceding in Jack Pearson’s Case.” Jake said in disbelief. “Yeah I never expected it either.” Mali said. “Does your back hurt a lot?” Jake asked. “No but I can’t really go anywhere.” Mali said. “Good it’s smarter that you stay where you are. I’ll go over his house and try to go on natural instinct. I’ll try to find a way to get Chad out of Billy’s body. If I can do that, It will all turn out all right I think.” Jake said. “Jake please be careful.” Mali said. “I will be. You just stay there, and I’ll let you know how it went.” “That is if he doesn’t kill you first.” Mali thought coldly. She banished that aufal thought out of her mind, and said; “Well good luck, and don’t forget to let me know what happened all right?” She asked. “Sure. Bye.” “Bye.” She hung up the phone and tried to fall asleep, but she couldn’t. She kept thinking about what Jake had said. How was he going to save Billie though? She didn’t know, but she hoped that Jake would save him, and not end up dead meat.

Jake hung up the phone, and got out of bed. It was now one O'clock in the morning. He didn’t want to wake up his parents, so he dressed quietly, and got his keys from his night table. He put on his coat before he left. He wore sneakers, and genes. He also had a random striped sweater on. Jake left the house behind locked. He checked his pocket to make sure that the keys were still there. They were. He sighed in relief, and started running towards Billy’s house. He wanted to get there as fast as possible. He didn’t want it to be too late. He hoped that it wasn’t too late.

As Chad advanced on the two parents, they backed away even more, and Chad’s mother tried to scream but nothing but a ceeries of squeaks was coming out. “Is it the same with all my victims?” Jake asked sadly. “Don’t try to scream or to call the police because they can’t help you now. If you do scream or try to call them, I’ll have to kill you in the worse fation.” Chad said. In a flash He pulled out the knife and was prepared to plunge it in to Billy’s mother, when Jake burst in threw the door. He took Chad by surprise. Chad half turned when jake grabbed him. The knife dropped to the floor. Jake picked up Chad easily, and flung him at the wall. Billy’s head struck the wall hard. Chad was stunned. He was forced out of Billy’s body so fast that he couldn’t resist. Chad tried to go back in to Billy’s body, but couldn’t. He tried Jake’s body but Jake fought him hard, and Chad was repelled backwards. He flew around and around the room, but couldn’t find a body that he could possess. Billy’s parents were kneeling next to him and trying to wake him up. “Is he still possessed?” Billy’s father asked jake pointing to Billie. “No not anymore. Chad is still in here though. Watch out he might try to possess one of you.” Jake said warningly to Billy’s parents. “His pulse is still here.” Billy’s mother said kissing him on the cheek.

Just then there was a shimmer at the window. It was the ghost of the worker. He spoke to Chad. “You must come with me to the tunnel. There’s much more victims that are lured there. We can kill them together. You’ve already had your revenge. Now you must come.” The worker said. “No I want to kill them first.” Chad said. “There’s no need to kill them.” The worker said. “You just want to kill for the fun of it.” The worker added. “I guess you’re right besides I don’t even have a body. He! made me lose it.” Chad said pointing to Jake. “So let us go and kill those that are worth the time and the effort.” The worker said. “Alright lets go.” Chad said. The worker grabbed Chad’s hand and they drifted out of the window together.

“We’ve got to do something about that tunnel.” Billy’s father said. “Yeah.” Said Jake. “We have to blow it up.” Jake suggested. “What will we blow it up with?” Billy’s dad asked. “Gun powder.” Said Jake. “My brother has a hunting rifle. He has some gunpowder that is suppose to go in to his rifle for shooting. I’ll get some and we can blow the tunnel up.” Jake said. “That’s a good idea. Oh thank god this is all almost over.” Billy’s mother said. Jake went over to Billie and tried to wake him up. “Hey Billie wake up.” Jake said shaking Billy’s limp arm a little. Billie wouldn’t wake up. “Lets bring him to the hospital because he’s going to have a major headache when he wakes up. I think he’s just unconscious.” Jake said. “Jake thank you for everything you’ve done for us. With out you we’d probably be dead now.” Chad’s mother said and hugged Jake. Billy’s father thanked Jake and hugged him too. “Thanks but there’s no need to thank me so much. I had to. Oh and by the way you’re welcome. Any time.” Jake said blushing. Billy’s father called the hospital, and an ambulance picked Billie up in a few minutes. He was brought to the hospital and treated for a coma. “When do you think he’ll wake up?” His mother asked crying. “Don’t worry. He’ll wake up very soon you’ll see.” Jake said. Jake finally went home around four in the morning and climbed exosted back in to bed. He was planning to bring the gunpowder as soon as it got dark, so they could blow up the tunnel. He was glad that he had gotten there on time, and that Billy’s parents were all right. Jake was proud of him self for accomplishing his goal. He hoped that Billie would wake up soon. Jake finally went to sleep, and had no nightmares.

Chapter Five

The tunnel goes up in Smoke at last.

The next day Jake headed to Billy’s house. He wanted to get the tunnel over with. “The sooner the evil leaves the better.” He thought as he put some gun powder in a bag. It was six o’clock in the evening when Jake arrived at Billy’s house. He rang the door bell. “One minute.” A voice called from inside. Billy’s mother opened the door. She stood in the doorway and said, “Come in Jake. I’m glad you could make it.” “No problem Miss. Gun.” Jake said. “How is Billie?” Jake asked as he walked inside. ”He’s still in a coma.” She said sighing heavily, with worry etched in her face. “I hope he’ll be all right.” Jake said concernedly. “Yeah me too.” She replied. “Oh hello Jake.” Mr. Gun said from the parlor where he was watching some movie. Jake walked down and sat on the couch. “Hi Mr. Gun.” “I’m glad you could make it. Did you get some gun powder?” He asked. “Yes it’s right here.” Jake held the bag up so Mr. Gun could see it. Mr. Gun motioned for jake to give him the bag. Jake handed the bag over to Mr. Gun who examined it. “All right.” He said putting the large bag under his arm. “Let’s go and get this over with.” Mr. Gun said. “How will we explain all of this to the town?” Asked Billy’s mother. “Well we’ll just put the gun powder in the tunnel, and light it. It’ll make a big explosion. Then we’ll get as far away from it as possible. What we’ll tell the town is that we had nothing to do with it.” Mr. Gun said. “But won’t the fire trucks be able to save it?” She asked. “No because by the time they get there, it will already have exploded.” Her husband replied confidently. “So are we going?” Jake asked. “Yeah lets go.” Billy’s father said, and they walked out of the house.

Ten minutes later they arrived at the tunnel. “Now we have to put the bag in the entrance of the tunnel, and gather some dry leaves around it. We’ll light the leaves first so we don’t explode along with the tunnel. Then while the leaves are burning, we will run as fast as we can away from the tunnel. There will be a large explosion like I already said, so we have to take shelter as far away as possible.” Mr. Gun explained. At once they began to gather dry leaves, and heaped them around the bag of gunpowder. It was finished in ten minutes. They began to run away from the tunnel just as Mr. Gun lit the heap of leaves on fire. He was a faster runner than either Jake or Miss. Gun. Billy’s father took a book of matches out of his pocket. He struck it, and threw the blazing match as far away from the bag of gunpowder as the heap of leaves would allow. Then he was also running. They made it a few blocks away from the tunnel when it finally exploded with a deafening bang. There were flying fragments of stone and brick that went up high and came down on houses and roofs of cars. People were coming out of their houses to watch the explosion. They were all stunned. They didn’t understand how it could have exploded so suddenly. Everyone was calling out to each other and asking questions. “How could this have happened?” One woman asked her husband as the tunnel collapsed in on itself. Her husband shook his head. It was as bright as day from the fire. “We did it.” Jake said in relief. “Yes we did. Thanks to your brother’s gun powder.” Mr. Gun said smiling. His wife just stared in disbelief. “Thanks for the gun powder Jake. It did the trick.” She finally said. “Oh sure.” Jake said.

The three of them just stared as smokey transparent figures rose from the wreckage. They were all floating away from the tunnel. One of them turned towards them and waved. That figure was Chad’s ghost. Chad made the peace sign at them. Jake was perplexed. He didn’t get why Chad was suddenly being nice to them. Then it hit him. Chad understood that his body was in fact buried. He also realized that people did in fact care about him. Chad mouthed the words “I’m sorry about everything. I hope you’ll forgive me.” Neither of the parents understood his words, but Jake did. He told Billie what Chad had said later.

All of the ghosts were now floating towards their graves and disappearing with in them. The worker was also visible. He disappeared in to his grave. Then Chad was the only one left. He smiled at the three of them and disappeared in to his grave at last.

“It’s over.” Jake said happily to the two parents. They both nodded, and Miss. Gun said, “Thank god. The rest of the people thought that the ghosts were just whiffs of smoke. They joked about them later. They said that one whiff of smoke looked like a boy. “But that’s just nonsense.” A woman said, and her husband nodded. There was heavy smoke around the wreckage for a long time. By the time that the fire trucks had come, the fire was burning it self out.

Chapter Six

Billy’s back

The next day Jake and Carrie went to the hospital to see how Billie was doing. Mali was allowed to come to see Billie too. Jake had filled Carrie in on everything that had happened. Carrie and Jake had decided to let Billie know that Mali was not dead after he woke up. All three of them filed in to see Billie at one o'clock. “When do you think he’ll wake up?” Mali asked worriedly. “I don’t know.” Jake said. “Hey Mali, if you hadn’t called me the night before last night, I don’t know what would have happened. It’s good that you did.” Jake said. “Yeah it’s good. I’m so glad that you did it.” Mali said. “Yeah me too.” Jake said. He had also filled Mali in on everything that had happened since He had gone to Billy’s house. “I can’t believe that Billie would do anything like that.” Carrie said looking at Billy’s face. “Hello Carrie.” Jake said poking her in the back. “Billie was possessed.” “I know but.” “But nothing.” Jake said. “Umm guys I’ll be right back. I’ve got to go to the bathroom.” Mali said. “Alright Jake said. “O.K.” Carrie said at the same time as Jake. Mali left threw the open door.

As soon as Mali was gone, Billie opened his eyes, and looked around puzzled. Both Carrie and Jake looked surprised and happy. “Hey man welcome back to earth.” Jake said, and Carrie pushed him. Jake not being aware of her at the moment fell off his chair. “Ouch that hurt. I’ll get you back for that Carrie. I was just trying to be funny.” Jake said getting off of the floor, and rubbing his hand witch he had landed on. Carrie mean while was laughing histairickly. Billie smiled, and looked surprised to see them. “Jake? Carrie? What are you two doing here? Where am I? What happened?” Billie asked groggily. He touched his head, and winced. Then he looked around, and suddenly looked shocked. “Oh no I think that Chad will take over again. I’m possessed. He made me kill Two people. I don’t know if he’ll make me kill others. Some one has to help me get rid of him. I can’t control him.” Billie said all of this very fast. He was still in shock. “Hey Billie relax.” Jake said. “I made him leave. He’s gone. I had to throw you against the wall though. Sorry.” “You mean that? He’s really gone?” Billie asked in disbelief. “Yes. As a matter of fact, he’s back in his grave. All the victims of it are back in their graves. Last night, we blew up the tunnel with gun powder.” Jake explained. “You what? But how? When? What day is this?” Billie asked confused. “Billie I’ll explain everything. Just don’t ask questions.” Jake said slowly. “Billie you’ve got to tell me all about it.” Carrie said. “How does it feel to be possessed? How did he make you kill that guy?” Carrie asked, and Jake stepped on her foot hard. “Ouch that really hurt.” She said. “Shut up.” Jake said softly. “Don’t ask him those kinds of questions because he’s still in shock, and you sound like a TV reporter interviewing someone with one of those stupid microphones.” Jake whispered. “Shut up.” Carrie said, but she got the point. “Carrie he made me kill two people. He made me kill his father, and Ma-“ Billie stopped in mid word, and his face froze in shock again. “Please tell me she’s not dead. No, not her. She can’t be.” Billie said in a choked voice. “No Billie.” Jake said. “Mali’s not dead. She’ll be right here. She’s just in the bathroom. But you did prick her back a little with the knife.” Jake said trying to be funny, to loosen up the situation. Billie sighed in relief, and his face relaxed. He smiled. “Thank god this is over. Thank god she’s not dead.” Billie said taking deep relieved breaths. “Yeah.” Jake agreed.

Just then Mali Walked in. Billy’s whole face lit up. He looked happier than ever. “Mali you’re O.K.” Billie shouted trying to get up. But the restraints on the bed prevented him. Mali looked surprised for a moment, then her face lit up like Billy’s, and she Ran towards Him. “Billie you finally woke up. I’m so glad. I thought you’d never wake up.” Mali cried, and she hugged Billie who had finally managed to get the restraints off, and was sitting up. He hugged her back. “Thank god you’re not dead. Thank god he didn’t make me kill you.” Billie said again. “Well offcourse you, I mean he, didn’t kill me. I got to act like I was dead. Thank god you’re not dead.” Mali said. Carrie and Jake looked oquerdly at each other for a moment. “I bet you ten dollars that they’ll kiss right here.” Jake said with a smile. “Alright the bet is on.” Carrie said. Billie and Mali kissed. “Huh.” Jake said triumphantly. “I get ten dollars.” “You suck.” Carrie said sulkily while pounding her fist on her leg. “I’ve just lost ten dollars.” Carrie said and shot a wiltering look at Jake. Jake laughed. “Well you wanted the bet.” He said still laughing. “Shut up.” Carrie said punching Jake in the arm.

Meanwhile Billie and Mali were talking amongst them selves. They had not heard what Jake and Carrie had just said. “Sorry about not believing you. I just didn’t know what to think.” Mali began. “It’s O.K. I understand why you didn’t believe me at first.” Billie replied. “I mean if my girlfriend showed up at my window in the middle of the night, I would be a little shocked. Especially if she were covered in blood, and said that she was possessed. If she’d also added that the person who had possessed her made her kill someone, yeah, I wouldn’t believe her either. I would naturally think that she was the murderer.” Billie said. He was wearing a hospital jonney, and Mali could see that the back of his head was bandaged. “How much does it hurt?” Mali asked in concern. Billie smiled at her. “It doesn’t hurt that much.” Billie said. “It was the only way that Jake could have gotten Chad out of your body.” Mali said. “I know.” Billie said looking relieved at the thought that Chad was gone. “I was just shocked about what Chad had made me do. I went home first, before coming to your house. I didn’t know what to do. Chad put my key ring in my pocket, and I went in threw the back door. I felt like ai was going to puke or something. I went to the bathroom and threw up.” “Oh my god Billie. If you’d only told me.” Billie looked as if he wanted to say something back, but he didn’t. Instead he said, “I started crying because I didn’t know what else to do. My mom came in and started asking questions like,” Billie paused. “Look Billie you don’t have to tell me this now. You can tell me later. We have time.” Mali said. “No I want to tell you now to get it all out.” He said. “She asked me questions like, Why are you covered in blood? and Are you O.K.? She also asked me if I was sick, but I couldn’t tell her anything because she wouldn’t believe me.” Billie continued. “There you go Carrie. Your answers to the questions. You might as well take out a clip board, and write it all down. Then you can put it in a newspaper.” Jake said. Carrie laughed. “If you guys write a news paper on me, I’ll kill you out of my own free will.” Billie said, and they all laughed. Billie continued as if they hadn’t been interrupted. “I couldn’t take it. The only thing I could do was escape threw the window since she was in the doorway. I ripped threw the screen.” “Oh my god. Did it hurt a lot?” Mali asked. “Take note of this. This is very important in newspapers. How does the person feel?” Jake said to Carrie. She elbowed him and said, “Shut up.” They laughed again. “It didn’t hurt so much right then, but it did later.” Billie said. They talked some more. Billie and Mali exchanged apologies about what they had done, and Jake and Carrie just looked at each other amusedly. “There they go again.” Jake would say every time they started apologizing to each other, and Carrie would nod.

Chapter Seven

The Prank

It was late in the evening on Sunday. The windows were open in the little guest bedroom in Mali’s house. Mali had wanted to sleep down here because she had gotten use to it. She rarely slept in her room because she didn’t like to always go down stairs to get a drink. It was a school night so Mali had to go to bed at ten the latest. She hated that rule, but she had to follow it. Earlier today she had gone to see Billie in the hospital. He didn’t know when he would be let out of the hospital, but he hoped that it would be soon. She was glad that things were some what back to normal. They had let her out of the hospital just yesterday. She was glad because it was boring in there. It was a little hard to explain everything to her parents, but she had done it. Mali wasn’t sure if her parents believed everything, but she had done her part in explaining. “They must have had a hard time in understanding everything.” She Thought. She drifted off to sleep around ten thirty.

It was eleven O'clock when the tapping came on Mali’s window. At first it was soft, then it got louder and louder. Mali jumped out of bed. ”Who is it?” She asked. The tapping stopped. She looked towards the window in the middle, and realized that she had forgotten to close the screen. Outside of it Stood Billie. But it really wasn’t him; it was Chad possessing him again, she realized in horror as soon as she saw him. Billy’s eyes were now brown instead of blue. And the biggest shock was the fact that he was all covered in blood. Mali clapped her hands to her mouth, and tried to scream but couldn’t. All that would come out was a series of squeaks. She backed up as fast as her stumbling legs would allow. She bumped into the bed, and tried to scream again but she still couldn’t. Her throat wouldn’t allow anything but those squeaks. Chad spoke suddenly, making Mali shrink back even more. “Now Mali I’ll have to kill you. We have to settle a score. Remember?” Chad stepped in threw the open window with hardly any effort and slowly stepped towards her. Mali Turned and tried to run, but her legs felt like led. She stumbled towards the door still trying to scream, when she tripped over her school bag, and fell heavily. Chad was laughing now. “Mali it’s just a joke. Are you O.K.?” Billie asked bending down to help her up. “No get away from me Chad. Please don’t kill me.” Mali squeaked now crawling towards the door as fast as she could. “No Mali it’s O.K. it’s me. I was just joking. I won’t kill you. Relax.” Billie said in his normal voice. Mali still crawled, and she finally reached the door. “Mali it’s O.K. it’s only me. Billie.” Billie repeated. “I was just playing a joke on you. I didn’t mean to scare you that much. Sorry it really was a stupid joke.” Billie said going after her. He felt really guilty now. He wished that he could take the joke back. Mali froze. “You mean you’re not Chad?” She asked fearfully. “No off course not. He’s gone. I just wanted to see your reaction. So I decided to play this prank. Just to be funny.” He added quickly. “I didn’t mean it to scare you that much.” “I’m going to kill you Billie. I thought that you’d just killed someone. Is that fake blood?” Mali asked. “Yes I got it at the store. These things that make my eyes look brown are just contacts. I just wanted to surprise you. I didn’t kill anyone. Don’t worry. But I can understand why you’d think that. They let me out today, so I just wanted to come by.” Billie said. “Well you surprised me.” Mali said getting up. “I said I was sorry.” Billie said pretending to cry. “I didn’t mean to.” He said. Mali punched him in the arm. “Alright Alright. Don’t cry. Its O.K. just don’t do it again. You scared the crap out of me.” Mali said and they both sniggered. “You should have scene your face.” Billie said. “Your voice sounded weird too. You were like, Please don’t kill me.” Billie imitated Mali in a high trembling voice. “Oh shut up.” Mali said and giggled. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Oh and I’m glad you’re finally out of the hospital.” Mali said. “O.K. see you.” Billie said and left threw the front door quietly. Mali went back to bed. “That really was some joke. Jake would be proud of it.” Mali thought as she went back to sleep.

Chapter eight

The hand

It was Monday after school, and Billie and Mali were walking home together. They passed the ruins of the tunnel witch were roped off. They were now passing the graveyard. Mali stopped suddenly. “What?” Billie asked as he stopped too and looked at her curiously. “Why don’t we visit his grave. “What? Who’s?” Billie asked. “Chad’s.” Mali said. “What are you crazy? I’m not going back there. What if he tries to possess me again?” Billie asked in alarm. “He won’t. He’s got his revenge now.” Mali replied. “But does he really?” Billie protested. “I mean it could just be a trick. He could be luring us to the grave so he can try something again.” Billie said. “Well let’s just visit it for five minutes.” Mali said. Billie looked at her uncertainly. “I mean we could just see it for like two minutes and then leave.” She added. “And besides, if anything happens, you can blame me.” Mali said. “Oh alright. But it’s going to be your fault if anything happens.” Billie said jokingly.” “Yeah I know.” Said Mali smiling.

They walked slowly threw the gate, and then threw the graves. Billie was trailing behind Mali a little. He wasn’t really enthusiastic about visiting Chad’s grave, but he guessed that Mali felt guilty about the whole thing, an wanted to see his grave out of respect. Billie could understand that, but he was worried about the chance that he might be possessed again by Chad. He was doing this for her. He loved her, so that was mainly the reason.

“Here it is.” Mali said and approached a black grave stone. Billie walked over with her feeling uneasy. “Chad Pearson from 1989 to 2004” She read. Then Mali saw a letter in the place where you put the candles to burn. Billie look, There’s a letter here.” Mali said, and took it out of the little metal church with the metal cross on top. Mali red the red ink “Or blood.” Billie thought grimly. She looked surprised. “Billie,” She said in surprise. “It says your name on it.” Billie couldn’t believe it. It was just weird. Who would leave a letter for him in a graveyard? “Chad offcourse.” That horrible voice in the back of his mind said. “I’m not going to read it. I can’t.” Billie said. “Do you want me to read it?” Mali asked fearfully. “If you can. I really don’t want to because it might be a trick from Chad.” Billie said. Mali slowly opened the envelope. “Flip it over. Don’t touch the stuff inside until we see what it is.” Billie said sharply just as Mali reached inside. She immediately flipped the envelope over. A shriveled hand and a note fell out. Both Billie and Mali stared at the hand with there mouths open. Mali made as if to run, but Billie grabbed her. “Mali wait. We have to see what it says.” Billie said pointing to the note. “Oh no I’m not touching anything that came out of this.” Mali said dropping the envelope as if it were a bomb. “All right. I’ll read it. That’s only because I have to.” Billie said reluctantly bending down and gingerly picking up the note. He started reading it.

Look Billie. I’m sorry about possessing you. I needed a body, and I was mad at everyone because I thought that they didn’t bury my body. I was apparently wrong. I regret killing my father, and hope that Mali can forgive me for what I said to her, and for trying to kill her. She really wasn’t the start of this mess. You’re really lucky to have her as a girl friend. I was wondering if you could do me one last favor. No not anything that has to do with possession or murder. I mean, Can you bury my hand near my body? It was the only thing they couldn’t find in the tunnel. If you could, I would be grateful. I won’t bother you anymore I promise. I will truly rest in peace if you bury my hand. It doesn’t have to be buried deep. I’m really sorry for this whole thing.

Chad Pearson.

“What does it say?” Mali asked fearfully. Billie handed it over wordlessly. She read it slowly. Billie felt a little sorry for Chad, but he still felt angry that Chad could use him like this. Billie didn’t understand how this could even be possible. “We have to bury it Billie.” Mali said. She had tears in her eyes. Billie could understand why. It was because of what Chad had written about her. “Where will we bury it?” Billie asked. “Right here.” Mali said bending down and pointing to where the head stone was. “Billie Can you dig the whole? If you can, I can drop the hand in, and cover it up with dirt.” Mali said. “Alright sure.” Billie said and also bent down. He dug a six by six inch whole, that was four inches deep. Mali picked up the hand by one of its fingers gingerly with a grimace of disgust. She dropped it in quickly, and then crumpled the note and envelope up. She put them in her pocket, and covered up the whole. Mali and Billie both pressed the dirt down more firmly so it wouldn’t be so noticeable.

They walked out of the Graveyard together, and Mali dropped the note and envelope in a trash can on the sidewalk. “Better to get rid of everything.” Mali said. “Why?” Billie asked curiously. “Because I want to forget the whole nightmare. I want to go on with my life, and forget that this whole possession thing ever happened.” Mali said. “Yeah I know what you mean. I want to really forget that I killed Chad’s fauther, and almost killed you, and my parents too.” Billie said seriously. “Yeah I know. It’s much worse for you than it is for me.” Mali said. “But don’t worry Billie. You’ll get threw it. Eventually you might even stop thinking about it. No you won’t ever forget it, but you’ll stop having night mares about it, and you’ll stop thinking about it.” Mali said, and Billie smiled. “Hey thanks. That really makes me feel better. Oh and by the way, How did you know that I have nightmares?” Billie asked in surprise. “Well I would if I were going threw the same thing as you are.” Mali said. They came to an intersection. Billie was suppose to go left while Mali was supposed to go right. “Well see you later.” Mali said. “Yeah see you.” Billie said. They kissed ant then they went to their houses, ready to get back to their normal lives.

Mali and Billie made it a habit to do their homework together, and they sometimes did there work with Jake and Carrie. All four of them constantly hung out together, and eventually life went back to it’s usual fast pace. Jack Pearson’s cause of death was murder. The police thought that an escaped convict who was a sico had killed Jack. They also believed that he had set the underhand tunnel on fire. They thought that he had put a bomb in the tunnel, and that was the cause of the explosion. That sico had confessed to everything, and he was back in prison. He had a life sentence. People didn’t know his motive for murder or the explosion, but they thought that since he was a sico, he shouldn’t have a motive. That off course wasn’t true, but the only people who knew that were Billy’s family, and Mali’s family, and Jake and Carrie. They would keep that secret for as long as they lived. And so life went on for everybody.

THE END