Sorry that it took me so long to update, but I got sidetracked. :) I hope it's a good continuation! R&R to let me know.

I emerged from the bathroom minutes later with dark make-up plastered across my face so densely that even Lou could barley see me underneath it all. I kept my hood just above my eyes and rolled up one pant leg while untying both of my shoes. Maybe, just maybe, Jack wouldn’t realize who I was before I could leave.

When I entered the family room again, I could tell that the three of them, now seated in various places, were having difficulty suppressing their surprise at my updated appearance.

“Uh, Danielle, did you-“

“Clean up? Yeah,” I filled in for her before she could finish her correct thought, “Thanks.”

Jack’s eyes softened as he watched me. I had never imagined that such a look of friendliness and… interest could take place in those hateful eyes. It reminded me of when I had first laid eyes on him and he’d faked joy at the tract I’d given him. I suppressed the oncoming shudder at the memory and the very man himself before me. It was all I could do not to dart away towards the door when I brushed so closely beside that same, accursed black chest and knocked the small, black case that had held the gun from the top of it.

Shaking uncontrollably now, I bent to pick it up while rattling off countless apologies. And just as I was about to wrap my fingers around it, my hand brushed against other humanly flesh. I jumped upon looking up to see Jack bending down beside me. He grinned charmingly and finished the length to pick up the case. We rose in unison without ever breaking gaze. His contained appeal and mine was filled with the struggle to hide my fear and anxiety.

“So you’re… Jane, right?” he asked while shifting the case from one hand to the other.

My jaw hung ajar briefly before it ever actually formed any words.

“That’s right. And you’re Jack.”

“Right,” he held out his hand for a shake. I timidly pressed my hand against his and had to force my fingers to grasp his in an embrace. His eyes brightened at the touch and I felt ready to puke.

“So, what brings you to my neck of the woods?” he queried while gesturing for us to sit on the small couch he had just been seated on.

I hesitated and then realized I could not afford to do so. Instead of replying immediately, I waited until I was properly positioned beside him on the couch before answering with, “Well, I was actually at the carnival.”

“Oh! And mom and dad dragged you home, huh?” he teased while glancing over at his parents who were now smiling in that way that only a parent could.

“They offered to help me clean myself up after eating that shaved ice,” I explained after forcing a small chuckle.

“Yup. Sounds like mom and dad. So, were you there… you know, with anyone?” he fished.

Subconsciously, I scooted a little farther away from him before replying.

“Uh, actually…” my voice trailed as I struggled to remember how much I could say and still keep Lou and I undercover.

“If you don’t mind me cutting in,” Audrey interrupted, “But why is Jackie taking so long?”

“Oh, you should’ve seen her!” I exclaimed, grateful to be off that dreaded subject, “The second she got her hands on that box of tissues she could not put it down. She turned pale and sat down beside the toilet to spit anything that came into her mouth into it. And if you ask me, I think she’s coming down with the flu.”

Audrey gasped and Jonah glared skeptically at the hallway where Lou had disappeared in to. Jack turned to me in alarm and asked, “Should I go check on her?”

“Uh, probably not,” I answered quickly, “Just let her recuperate and then I’ll take her home.”

“But you don’t know where she lives and you don’t have a car,” he began with a small dancing across his lips, “I can take you both.”

“That’s not necessary,” I cut in quickly, “Honestly, I can just call a cab and get her home safely.”

Jack searched my eyes so earnestly that beads of sweat began dampening the back of my neck.

“You-you look… familiar,” he said finally making my heart leap into an all-time new level speed.

“How so?” I inquired as I slowly lowered my head so that my eyes were more concealed.

“I don’t know,” he said finally. But by his tone and the way his eyes darkened, I knew he was lying.

Just then, Lou came sauntering uncertainly into the room with a tissue in one hand and the other covering her eyes. She had always been a superb actress and now I appreciated it more than ever. She dizzily removed her hand and then banged against the doorframe upon trying to enter the family room. Lou groaned before striding clumsily forward and ending up a few feet from the couch we sat on.

Jack rose to his feet to go support her.

“No, Jack, I’m fine,” she murmured, “I just feel so… weird.”

He grasped her elbow as she leaned against the wall. I stared steadily at her and she held it briefly before turning to Jack as he began speaking again.

“You need to sit down. You probably are coming down with the flu as Jane said-“

And before he could even finish that sentence, Drew suddenly burst in through the front door with his hair in disarray. His wild eyes found me first, and before observing the surroundings, he instantly began yelling at me in frustration.

“What were you thinking?” he exploded while crossing his arms indignantly, “You can’t just run off with my parents and come back here of all places! Danielle, if Jack showed up and saw you after everything that’s happened, do you have any idea how angry he’d be?”

My jaw dropped and all the color drained from my face.

Lou turned such a horribly white color that she really did appear as though she was going to be sick. And Drew’s face was the most horrid of all. It turned beet red and his eyes appeared ready to burst from their sockets.

“So you have been helping her!” he accused while releasing his grip on Lou and marching forward to stop beside where I sat.

“Jack…” he whispered faintly, “I didn’t-“

“See me?” he finished. And then Jack whipped out his pistol and jammed it into my neck. White danced briefly across my vision with the impact.

“Don’t move,” he ordered through gritted teeth before turning his wicked gaze away from me and onto his brother.

“Jack, put that gun-“

Jonah started irately, but just then, Jack pulled out another pistol and aimed it at him as well. Jonah halted in his tracks to stare dumbly at the weapon.

“Jack, I-I’m… shocked,” was all Audrey could manage to say before she drooped over onto the couch in unconsciousness.

“Look what you’ve done to your mother!” Jonah stormed despite the threat.

“Shut up!” Jack bellowed.

Jonah did just that.

“Now I want both Jonah and Jackie to go and sit on the couch across the room,” he ordered, his jaw still clenched.

Lou slowly and regrettably moved across the room until she was sitting beside Jonah on the small, two-seater couch. She kept glancing sorrowfully at me.

“You had better stay there or I swear I will blow your head off,” he threatened the two.

They both turned chalk white and seemed to become frozen into instant statues.

Jack turned back to Drew.

“Jack, please-“ Drew started but was rudely cut off by the click of the pistol at my neck.

“Listen,” Jack snapped, “None of you will ever understand the pain I’ve suffered because of stupid Christians!” he bellowed out while beginning to shake un anticipation, “By killing her,” he paused to yank down my hood with the barrel of the pistol, “I will get revenge on them. I will finally have… revenge.”

And then he pulled the trigger.