Note:

This chapter contains vulgar language. Be prepared!

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Once that was completely cleared out Jeff turned towards you, the hatred was distinctly evident in his eyes, yet you were unsure whether the cause was you or the monochrome clown. You expected him to speak, to 'lecture' you about the whole event and how it was probably your fault that it had happened.

But, as if he knew you were expecting that, he didn't.

Instead, he kept glaring at you. Kept looking you up and down as if he was trying to find words... As if he was trying to explain what had happened... As if he was trying to come up with a good lie to disguise the fact that you had yet again been attacked by another killer.

Who desperately wanted you dead.

Without even thinking of the right words to say, keeping in mind his dawdling anger, you boldly spoke:

"What is going on? Why did he attack me?" You saw how Jeff's lidless orbs seemed to shine, how a small light was apparent in his eyes. He didn't look away, he merely kept staring straight into your own eyes as he said:

"He didn't. It was a joke. Drop it."

You hadn't questioned Jeff about the first attack, the one where you got dragged out of the room... Merely because you had no time. You were too engulfed into your own feelings, too engulfed into your thoughts to question this mansion and all its habitants. Too engulfed in Jeff's weird behavior and display of emotions that it had slipped your mind and you had lost the opportunity to ask.

Maybe you were a little too scared to question it, as well.

But this time you weren't satisfied with a lousy answer like this. Jack had clearly told Jeff that you would die one way or another, indicating that those two attacks had indeed been planned, just as you suspected. Those attacks were meant to be, with you as their target.

Portraying the attack as merely a joke was the understatement of the year. There was no way he could convince you now, not after what Laughing Jack had told you himself. It took those exact words to make you realize that you, instead of a mere inconvenience they'd rather see go, was now clearly a target.

'They want you dead.'

The feeling of fear and shock of the second attack was crawling back down into the ground, leaving you completely empty of all other emotions. The words still had to seep in a little more, the words still needed to dawn upon your mind. You had thought of every possible reason why they'd want you dead right in that moment, when Laughing Jack was so close to ending you, but could not find one.

Were you so blinded by your desperation to get your friends? So blinded that you were unable to notice that you had made a number of severe enemies? Were you so engulfed into your own doom, your own pity that you didn't see them slashing at you?

Or was is really something new?

Whatever it would be, you could never figure this out on your own. Especially since Jeff kept his jaws locked tightly together. You took a quick glance at the smiley killer, wondering what was going on in his mind.

Yet you couldn't come up with anything that came close.

It had always been the same story... He was unreadable.

He had protected you twice now... Twice from these... 'arranged' attacks. For what reason whatsoever? What was he trying to hide from you? What was it that he did not want you to know and rather get his own life on the line than explaining?

Figuring that standing around here like two sacks of salt wouldn't get you anywhere, you focused your attention on the guy in front of you.

He still stood there, eying you with what seemed like uncertainty. As if he knew that you didn't buy his explanation. How stupid did he really think you were? He was hiding something and you knew it...

He had been hiding something all along. This was the time to ask him about it. This was the time to stop coming up with conspiracy theories of your own and finally get out the truth. He had no handles, nothing that could help him lie to you again...

You just hoped he wouldn't bail on you when the moment was near.

It was clear that he didn't have the guts to speak, or rather didn't want to speak. You were sure he was thinking of a way to silence you, to make you stop questioning everything. But after two arranged attacks on you it wouldn't be easy.

"I don't believe you. What was that about?" Those words felt incredibly stupid. As if you were asking a merciless killer why he wanted to kill you, as if it was completely normal to be attacked by an advanced race only to escape every day. But you had to start somewhere. This whole situation was as complex as making a nuclear bomb and you somehow wanted more insights in it.

He again didn't speak, he was only staring thoroughly at you. Considering the lies and other possible explanations which could hide the truth. You didn't budge, you didn't repeat the question. You only stared right back at him, determination filling your veins as the shock of the 'kidnap' ebbed away more slowly.

You knew he was out of luck, you knew he had no way to get out of this.

He kept silent.

Your hand turned into a fist, getting angry by merely the thought of him refusing to talk to you. After all that had happened! After two times of being attacked on purpose! You were not going to stand back and watch, you were not going to wait for the next one to try and get a hold of you.

Clenching your eyes shut you tried to subdue your anger, control your impulsive nature a little more. Yet ever since you had stepped into this mansion your impulsiveness had increased significantly, as well as your emotional state. You could consider yourself a complete train wreck on that part.

But you needed to stay calm, it was of great importance that you didn't give him a reason not to tell you. Control your emotions for once, woman.

Taking in a deep sigh you opened your eyes again, seeing that Jeff had turned his back on you. Your chance of getting answers once and for all was slowly slipping through your fingers if you didn't think of something quickly.

He was never keen on answering your questions.

He had always pulled a Houdini on them, avoiding giving answers while making sure to push every button you had. He had only ever answered your questions one time, and even then you didn't get all the answers you wished for...

But he did budge...

Taking in another deep breath you glared holes in his back, knowing that the only way to make him talk was to revert to the one thing you had sworn not to do again and hated with a passion. You had done it once, with slight results... Done it twice... And that didn't end well.

Clenching your teeth together you decided to swallow your pride once more, believing in the greater good you spoke softly:

"Jeff..." His name came out more desperate than you had wanted, more filled with all sorts of emotions... But it didn't come out as a lie. Right now, while fearing for your life every second, you did feel rather desperate.

He didn't react, he kept facing the wall on the other side, ignoring your call out to him completely. Your mouth opened again to find words, to make sure not to push him away any further... But you couldn't come up with any.

The whole rush of events floated back into your mind, recalling every crisis that had happened from the day you had entered this mansion. The flashbacks of Lola's deformed body, Sandy's dying breaths... All those times you were chased by killers and survived.

All those times YOU survived...

"You can't protect me forever." Your mouth spilled these words almost naturally, as if they were meant to be said by you a long time ago. They came out gentler than you had imagined, more serene than you had imagined.

It wasn't a threat, it wasn't a challenge... It wasn't an underestimation of his abilities either...

It was a matter of fact.

Jeff suddenly whipped around, his eyes in fury as he stomped closer towards you. The calm, almost uncertain demeanor was quickly replaced with his aggressive and dangerous one. Taking a step back while holding up your hands, you gazed into his orbs with renewed fear. You felt his anger radiating through his body and with that you knew you had hit a sensitive string.

It was either working or backfiring.

"I can do whatever the fuck I want to do with you. Don't you dare say I can't." Every word was strengthened with a loud breath, his face uncomfortably close to yours and you knew he could lash out any minute.

Still gazing into his eyes, you slowly put down your hands, showing him that it was not meant as something like that. You were extremely vulnerable right now, almost waiting for him to strangle you. Clearing your throat, you gathered the guts to speak again, this time even softer than before:

"One day..." You started with slight uncertainty, but knew you had to finish it. "You won't be around to protect me... And I will die."

For a second you were afraid that he would raise up his hand and slam you right through the floorboards... For one second you were sure he would end you right there, saying he had enough of you all along.

But when staring into his grey eyes you noticed how he was contemplating. Not if he should hit you or anything like that... More knowing that what you were saying was completely true and whether he should play open cards with you. As if he knew you were speaking the truth.

Deciding to do something brave and push him over the edge you slowly reached out to his hand, your fingertips brushing against his as to see if he allowed you. Making sure he wouldn't break your hand for doing something bold like that.

His hand didn't budge and yours slowly entwined with his. You now noticed how incredibly cold his skin felt, how leathery like his skin felt. His hands had always felt dirty on your skin... They were the root of his hatred, of his abusive ways... They represented something bad, something painful. But you had never actually felt them. It truly felt as if you were touching a burnt rubber glove and, for the first time ever, you began to feel... Almost... Slight... Empathy for this guy.

Swallowing the remaining saliva in your mouth you opened it again, feeling his breath on your cheek as you spoke:

"I'm of no help... Unless you tell me exactly why they want me dead..." He still didn't budge. He still didn't laugh at you for being stupid. He still didn't try to dig his knife into you. He still didn't try to abuse you, ram you through the wall with all his might.

He did absolutely nothing.

"Jeff..." Your voice was now a whisper, squeezing his hand slightly, feeling a wave of sadness, anger and loneliness flash through you. It almost seemed as if you were feeling his emotions... As if your entwined hands stood for a connection deeper than just physical. As if lightening bolted through your body and finally woke you up. You wanted to know.

You just wanted to know the truth for once.

"Please..." Licking your lips you continued slowly, feeling a few tears stinging the back of your mind.

"Tell me the truth."

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Another chapter!

That is all for today.

Have a terrific day >:D