Whoever that girl was, for some odd reason when he looked into her eyes… she made him feel more calm. He knew that as long as he remembered that dream, or whatever it was… then he had nothing to complain about.

Jack sat up and slammed his fist against his other hand with confidence. “It’s time. Today’s the day we finally escape, Angela.”

He took a shower and started packing everything in his backpack. He put on his regular clothes when he was brought here in too. Now it was just a matter of when he’d be heading out into the yard. He had to wait for Candy’s group to get there first and knew to wait in his room until it was time. But first, he knew to head to the cafeteria to pack everyone as much food as he could. Jack decided to walk out without his book bag so he wouldn’t look too suspicious.

The moment Jack got there, he quickly got in line to get food for their survival. He collected five containers of food, but even Jack knew it wouldn’t be enough to last them a full week. As he was leaving the cafeteria, Jack accidentally bumped into Dr. Cato.

The doctor playfully slammed his fist against Jack’s shoulder. “Watch where you’re walking Jack. Don’t wanna drop all that food you’re carrying.” He looked at him with a suspicious gaze.

Jack expressed a forced smile, shifting his eyes erratically. “Yeah, sorry. I was just going back into my room. Haha, it’s nothing you know.”

Dr. Cato narrowed his eyes, his suspicion about Jack being clearly obvious. However, he smiled. “Is that so? Well, no matter my precious patient. By the way, what are you doing with all that food?”

“Oh! Well I thought since I’m leaving pretty soon, I’d pack half of this to go and eat the rest in my room. I don’t want to go to a place where I’m not familiar with its food, right?”

Dr. Cato laughed and patted Jack’s back. “Man you’re such a hilarious boy. I knew you were excited to go to rehab.”

Jack shrugged. “Yeah I guess. How’s Angela?”

“She’s okay. She’s just worried about you. I shouldn’t be surprised. You guys have bonded really well!”

Jack got a little upset after hearing that. “That’s good to hear.” He checked the time, but it wasn’t the time to feel upset. “Oh dang! Sorry Dr. Cato, I’ve gotta go now. I have an appointment with my nurse.”

He laughed hysterically. “Still the jokester I see. Okay, I’ll see you later, Jack. Take care!”

Dr. Cato left and as he walked away, Jack gave off a maniacal grin. He quickly shook his head and smacked his hand on his face. “Snap out of it. This isn’t you, Jack.”

He headed back to his room and went inside, packing the food and making sure there was enough space for Angela’s belongings as well. Carolyn walked in and informed him that Angela was napping in her room.

He packed the last items and observed Carolyn for the final time. He was gonna miss her beautiful face, her lovely hair, and those ominous yet gentle bluish teal eyes.

Jack smiled at her as his eyes glistened with life for once. “Thank you Carolyn… For everything.”

Carolyn walked up and hugged Jack. “I’m sorry your life’s been terrible up to this point, but Jack, the road ahead of you is bleak and painful. Whether you lose your faith in yourself, or in people… remember that I’ll always be there for you. Even if it’s in your imagination, don’t you ever forget that.”

He kissed Carolyn on the cheek, surprising both of them. He thanked her again and patted her shoulders. “Carolyn… I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure Angela lives a great life. And it’s funny… You remind me a lot of my mother. I guess that’s why I’ve bonded with you so well.”

Carolyn giggled and patted Jack’s head. “Thank you. Now go, you don’t have much time. This is the perfect opportunity for you guys to run. All the employees are on their lunch breaks or slacking off.”

Jack started to get misty eyed. “Yeah, thank you again, for everything. I hope we can meet again someday.” He wiped his eyes and sniffled.

“We’ll see about that.”

Carolyn sounded a bit ominous when she said that, but Jack was far too deep in the moment to notice. She hugged him one last time, and they let go of each other. Jack took one good look at her before he started to leave.

She smiled at him and appeared to be at peace. “Goodbye, Jack.”

Jack nodded and ran out. Carolyn stared out the window. “Someday… you’ll believe, Jack. And when that day comes… I’ll make sure to be by your side…” She closed her eyes and prayed to herself quietly, looking rather holy beneath the sunlight shining through the window.

Jack ran towards Angela’s room as fast as he could, but he was also taking it slow at times to make himself not seem suspicious. As Jack continued, he spotted Mr. Mathew with Dr. Cato. They both seemed really suspicious and alert.

Jack wondered what was bothering them. However, none of that mattered now. He kept running, and felt his heart was pounding fast. He’d never felt this type of thrill before. The adrenaline pumping through his body, his legs tensing up. It was such a thrill. He’d never felt so alive.

He finally arrived at Angela’s door and opened it with excitement. “Angela!” he shouted out in joy.

Angela, who was barely awake, rubbed her eyes and got up. She looked at him and bursted with energy, shedding tears of joy. “Jack!” She ran up and jumped onto him, rubbing her face against his. “Wh-What are you do-doing here?”

Getting serious and placing his hands on her shoulders, Jack wiped the smile off his face. “Angela, I need you to pack your things and put it in my bag, okay?” He took his bag off and opened it.

She looked at him in confusion and asked, “Why? What’s go-going on? Wh-Why do I need to pack my st-stuff?”

Jack grabbed her shoulders again and smiled. “Because I’m getting us out of here. Come on, hurry before any of those guys come back.”

With no other questions to ask, she didn’t hesitate and began packing her stuff. After five minutes, she finally packed all her belongings, then quickly changed her clothes too. Jack turned around to give her privacy until she told him she was ready.

When Jack turned around, the outfit she wore surprised him. He couldn’t help but laugh. She dressed too classy and abnormal for someone her age.

“But that’s what all my clothes are like. I’m not sure why though.”

Jack quickly remembered that it was most likely her mother who dressed her like that. She may not remember her parents, but that didn’t mean she’d remember them one day.

With confidence built upon them, and with God protecting them from the sky, along with Carolyn’s good wishes, they were ready. They stormed out of the room and ran to the yard. Jack checked the clock up ahead and noticed they were right on time for Candy’s arrival. They were careful not to be noticed. Angela couldn’t help herself but smile most of the time.

They entered the yard and spotted Candy. He ran up to Angela and grabbed her, swinging her around with joy.

“Lil momma you’re okaah!” he shouted in excitement.

Jack interrupted their short reunion by patting Candy’s back and put some force into it. “Candy… it’s time,” he said with a huge smile.

He chuckled, making a girly “ow!” sound from the smack. He smiled maniacally. “Alright, boo boo! All according to plan, huh lil genius?”

“Yeah. We’ll wait until Mr. Mathew comes out and you do what you do best, and then we’ll sneak into your school.”

Candy made some weird moaning sound as he wiped his hair off his face. “Patience honey! Don’t rush yourself, I’ll give you the cue to go. Leave this to me sugarboo!” He winked at Jack, who immediately gagged.

“Thank you again Candy!” Jack extended his hand out to Candy.

He grabbed it and shook it. “Anything for the two of you, lil mini boo boo’s!”

They sat down and talked for a while until Mr. Mathew came to get his students. Angela drew Candy a goodbye gift to make sure he wouldn’t forget them. Her drawing was rather strange since it looked like Candy was being carried by some guys in a grass field. Of course, Candy loved it and embraced the picture by praising Angela.

Candy lifted the drawing into the air and allowed his eyes to bask in the glorious drawing of something he wished was reality. “Lil momma you’ve out done yourself this time, you adorable kitten you!”

Angela laughed at how silly Candy was behaving. He even started doing some ballerina type dances and poses as he embraced the drawings beauty and rubbed it against his chest.

Angela turned to Jack and sighed. “I’m gonna miss him. At fir-first I didn’t li-like him, but, he’s gro-grown on me.”

Jack chuckled. “Yeah, but Angela, why did you draw him that? It's a bit strange don’t you think?”

Angela placed a finger tip against her chin. “Hmm, I don’t know. I fi-figured he’d like it. I mean, he does stare at some of his cla-classmates too hard.”

Jack didn’t understand what Angela meant by that, so he shrugged and continued watching Candy act like a silly goose. They all had a great last moment for themselves. They laughed, conversed and had a blast. Jack was gonna miss that weird, rude and funny guy, but it was for their new life to ensure a brighter future.

At last!

Mr. Mathew came out and yelled at all his students that it was time to go back. They all rounded up, got into formation and started walking. Angela and Jack hid behind the group of students. They both wore hats so no one would notice who they were, especially if they knew it was Angela behind them. Who knew how those idiots would react.

As the students began heading into the building, Candy stepped out of the group and immediately caught Mr. Mathew’s attention.

Mr. Mathew, knowing how much of a troubled individual Candy was, crossed his arms and yelled, “Hey! Fruit Cup. Get back in the group. Do you want to get more charges set on your record?”

Candy made a duck face and placed his hands on his hips. “Why so aggressive Mr. Meemee? You know it’s rude to pick on your students!” Candy chuckled and stepped a little closer towards Mr. Mathew.

The adults bottom lip twitched. It was obvious he didn’t like Candy retaliating against him. “Don’t come any closer you… Gargh, fag!”

The kids gasped and made suspenseful noises, adding fuel to the fire. But Dr. Mathew wasn’t bothered by their childish acting.

“Watch where you’re walking! I’m warning you, you damn Fruit Loop!” Mr. Mathew shouted, annoyed by the pressure.

Candy, on the other hand, wasn’t phased by such offensive language, he was getting amused provoking him. “Ooo… aren’t chu getting mad! Be careful of what you say sugar!” Candy playfully swirled his finger in a sassy manner as he continued walking towards him, agitating Mr. Mathew more.

Mr. Mathew uncrossed his arms, then clenched his fist and raised it slowly. “I’ll send you next door you bastard! Watch yourself!”

Jack noticed Candy was making hand gestures with his right hand behind his back. He understood and started walking towards the school door.

“Stop this now or you’ll be expelled,” Mr. Mathew spat.

Candy glanced at Angela and Jack and gave them a creepy smile. He looked back at Mr. Mathew and laughed. “Well Mr. Mc Ugleh, take a look at this you pig!”

Candy pulled his pants down and exposed himself to Mr. Mathew. The students hurled and looked away. The girls gasped, then blushed, and Mr. Mathew was red from bolstered fury.

“Yeah! Enjoying the view you pig?! Feel my lethal toy of destructive beauty! Bwahahahaha! Who’s the fag now?!”

Candy laughed hysterically. Mr. Mathew was so infuriated he grabbed his walkie and notified security.

The entire group of kids laughed at the two, which was a good enough distraction for Angela and Jack to finally make it to the doors. Jack took one last look at Candy and smiled. “We’ll meet again someday, my friend, I promise!” As Jack was about to open the door, Mr. Mathew spotted him and noticed who he was.

“Hey! What do you think you’re doing kid?” He spotted Angela beside him too. “Well, well, well. Looks like we got two naughty children that need to be punished!”

Angela got frightened and quickly hid behind Jack. Jack put his left arm in front of her as she peeked from behind him. He started to sweat from staring at Mr. Mathew’s fierce glares. Jack and Angela felt cornered.

Mr. Mathew walked towards them and the moment he did, Candy tried grabbing him. “G-Get off me you faggot!” He pushed Candy away with such force that Candy fell backwards.

“Now then, I wonder what Cato would say if he saw you out of your room… Angela?!” He glared at Angela with malice and started laughing maniacally. “Oh I’m going to enjoy this!”

Mr. Mathew stood in front of them. Jack didn’t know how to react. He could only stand there and feel overshadowed by Mr. Mathew’s might.

Jack grabbed Angela as he trembled in fear. “Le-Leave us alone!”

Mr. Mathew grabbed Angela. She started screaming.

“Let go of her!” Jack shouted. He kicked the adult in the groin, causing him to grab his junk and drop to his knees. His mouth opened as he screamed in pain. Jack used the opportunity to pull out his pills and opened the container.

Jack laughed and thanked Carolyn again, then tossed the pills into the adult’s mouth and grabbed Angela.

Candy also used the opportunity to grab Mr. Mathew and placed him into a neck lock. Mr. Mathew noticed Candy still had his pants down. He started screaming out of disgust as the kids gathered around them and laughed.

Candy looked at Jack and shouted, “Go!”

Jack listened and dragged them away from the scene. He lifted his hand to wave at Candy one last time, to thank him for everything he’d done.

After that, Jack pushed through the doors and they finally entered the school. He pulled out the guide Candy gave him and examined it. They checked both sides of the hallway and noticed it wasn’t similar to the guide he’d given them.

Jack looked closely at the map and noticed it was outdated. “That idiot. He gave us the wrong map!”

A security guard spotted them and walked forward. “Hey!” he shouted as he pointed at them. “Who are you kids?!”

Angela and Jack looked at each other and then looked back at him. “Umm, we’re new here?” Jack said sarcastically.

The guard didn’t buy it and ran towards them. Angela and Jack immediately started running and sped ahead while the guard chased them.

The children ran through countless hallways. Their adrenaline was off the charts, and their hearts felt like they were about to explode out of their chest, not knowing that they were already lost. Jack realized the guy was determined to get them, and he couldn’t risk them getting apprehended by some lame security guard.

As they ran with sweaty, clenched hands, Jack managed to spot an open room and rushed into it, with Angela by his side. They ran in, then he closed the door and made sure the guard wouldn’t suspect that room. They could finally take a breath of relief for now, but Jack wanted to be sure, so he creaked the door open and looked around the hallways.

The coast is clear!

Jack gently closed the door and looked around the room they were in. They’d somehow ended up in the janitor’s closet.

“Hmm? Out of all the places we could end up in, it was the janitor’s closet… great.” Angela covered her nose from the strong stench coming from the mop bucket. She gagged and Jack chuckled.

Further observing the room, Jack spotted a vent and began to think, but Angela’s continuous gagging was making it hard for him to think clearly. However, the doorknob suddenly started to turn, which brought Jack back his senses. Angela grabbed onto Jack while the doorknob rattled violently.

Shit! I didn’t think he would find us this fast!

There was no time for thinking, so Jack dashed to the vent and opened it. Dust exploded, erupting all over his face. He coughed and its cloud of annoyance drifted towards Angela, which made her cough, too.

“We’re going to be okay, Angela,” Jack said as he waved the dust out of his presence. He threw the backpack in first so he could crawl in after her. “Okay An-Angela! You go in first, okay?”

She was hesitant at first, not because of her expensive dress, but due to her fear of the dark. After a small motivational talk about beating the darkness and dust bunnies, she finally had the courage to walk in. She seemed afraid after taking a first crawl in, but shook her head and smiled with confidence.

“O-Okay! I trust y-you!” she exclaimed as she crawled inside.

Jack followed behind her and grabbed the vent behind them. “This oughta do the trick.” He shut it behind him, making sure no one would suspect them going into the vents. That was a good idea because they busted the door down shortly afterwards as they crawled away from the light behind them.

The children crawled towards the end of the vent. It was dark, musty, and dust drifted inside their tiny lungs. They patiently waited for the security guard to leave, but he had company. There were more security guards and even the police were present. Jack wondered why they were even there.

They patiently waited for them to leave as their hearts beat fast out of fear. Jack covered Angela and his own mouth to subdue any coughs, but they were beginning to grow sore and cramped. The feeling of claustrophobia was growing rapidly.

When minutes felt like days and their anxiety grew, the adults finally left, which gave Angela and Jack the opportunity to release all that dusty air out of their lungs. They slowly crept towards the light, quietly approaching the vent with caution.

Jack made sure to see if there was anyone out there, and found that the coast was clear. He opened the vent and crawled out first, then stood up and got Angela up to her feet.

They both patted the dust off their clothes and sighed with relief. Jack approached the door, opened it very slowly, then leaned his head out and checked both hallways. Nobody was in sight. That feeling of freedom never felt so good till now. Jack held Angela’s hand and they quickly rushed out of the closet, hoping they were near the closest exit of the building.

Suddenly, they heard multiple footsteps coming their way. Both children took cover under a stairwell and hid. A couple of security and police officers, as well as teachers, passed by. Jack assumed they were rushing to Mr. Mathew’s aid. After the adults had passed them, Angela and Jack continued on their way to an exit, hoping it would lead them to the outside world beyond the school.

Jack’s nerves were wrenching, and he felt as if another heart attack was about to happen. He couldn’t seem to find a damn exit. After countless attempts of trying to find one, minutes stormed by, which made Jack’s frustration grow.

“Damn! Still not a single exit in sight.”

When Jack felt on the verge of collapsing and giving up on their efforts… a miracle appeared in front of them.

“Wait, hold up?” Jack hovered his hand over his eyes and leaned forward to get a better view of what was up ahead. “There’s one!” he said with determination. “There’s an exit!”

They continued running to their freedom. Finally, they could taste it.

Angela and Jack rushed towards the exit. Those moments that were once dreams were about to come true and they were getting close, but alas… it wasn’t. Police stood by the doorway, guarding it.

Damn it all!

We need to think of something else or we’ll get caught.

Jack was thinking again, as fast as he could, when Angela accidentally sneezed and the adults heard it. Turning around, they all spotted Angela and Jack, and shouted “Hey!” as they burst through the doors.

“I’m sorry Jack,” Angela said in shame, but Jack’s ears blocked it out.

They quickly ran the moment the adults began to sprint after them. Angela and Jack ran as fast as their little legs could handle, but no matter how fast they were running, the adults were gaining on them.

Angela and Jack passed classrooms, offices and other nearby security. The moment when Jack thought all hope was lost, he saw a huge light at the end of a hallway.

Could this be another exit to freedom? The one we’ve been seeking?

Jack glanced at Angela and even she too appeared to be full of joy again. They had so much adrenaline pumping through their bodies that they couldn’t help but smile.

It was a giant step forward for their new lives, and oh how Jack wished Carolyn could see them spread their wings and be set free.

The children reached the bright light and pushed the doors open, covering their faces from the intense flash of freedom. The sun cooked their pale skin. They had done it, their freedom had been reached.

Just when that flash of freedom and breath of fresh air was the hope that they strived for… the minute they lowered their hands, both Angela and Jack saw what was in front of them. It brought out their sense of fear once again, and they lost all hope.

Police cars were pulled up near the entrance, with police officers standing behind their car doors with their guns drawn. Also, Jack noted how there were strange men standing behind the police officers. They were all waiting for Angela and Jack. They all knew they’d reach out here. The other cops were just leading the children to them.

Angela held onto Jack. She was extremely upset and scared, but he took a glimpse at her and noticed she didn’t look sad. She still looked determined. His trust was still embedded in her eyes as they shined with a glimpse of hope. Seeing her mixed with emotions, and those brightened blue eyes of devotion, gave Jack motivation and made him keep his smile. It was no time to give up, they were almost free.

“Angela…” She gazed up at Jack. “Don’t worry, I’ll get us out of here…” He held her tight and clenched a fist. “No matter the odds, I won’t give up.”

She smiled and nodded.

“All right kid!” shouted one cop. “Let the girl go. The more you comply, the more we can do this easily!”

One cop approached them very slowly. “Come on kid, give us the girl… I’m going to slowly approach you two. Don’t do anything funny, all right?”

Jack held Angela’s hand tightly and looked at her. “You haven’t given up… have you?”

She looked at him and held him even tighter. “I trust you, bro. I know we can do this.”

Jack chuckled and patted her head. “Yeah, we can do this. As long as you’re by my side Angela, I don’t have to…”

The moment he could finish his sentence, the police he’d briefly forgotten about came back to them and snatched Angela away. The others grabbed Jack’s arms and started pulling him away from her.

“Angela! Noo!” Jack shouted in agony as they carried her to a white patrol car.

She kept squirming around in their grasp and did everything in her power to break free. She extended her hand out to him. “Don’t t-take me away from him! Jack!” She wailed and yelled for his help, but Jack was being restrained.

“Please! Let me go!” Jack shouted, trying to break free, but it was no use.

The cop to Jack’s right said, “Sorry kid, it’s what’s best for her. Trust us, we had orders from Mr. Mathew and Dr. Cato.”

Wh-What? You mean to tell me that it was those guys who called these people? So-So… that means, he-he knew! Then that means he was a step ahead of me…

No, no! How? How could he have known? I’m such a fool… a dumb stupid kid blinded by self confidence. I knew this was impossible… I-I give up!

Jack couldn’t take it any longer. The burdens on his shoulders finally weighed him down to his knees. His eyes watered from remorse.

How could I have not seen this coming?

The cop’s hands went around Jack’s arms. He gritted his teeth out from his own mistakes, and frustrations ran rampant throughout his body. Angela’s cries echoed in his mind, fueling that feeling of hoplessness to a cinder. With his head down and his eyes ready to burst, that girl’s voice started talking to him again.

“Don’t give up now. I’ll help you out, but this will take a toll on you and I. Are you prepared?” She giggled and began humming a creepy song, but it was gentle to his tormented soul.

Jack was breathing heavily from all that feeling of guilt and anger, but hearing her soothing voice simmered his mind down enough to stop his hopeless actions.

“Will it be enough… to free her? Enough to give us time to escape?” Jack asked beneath his breath.

She laughed softly, tickling his eardrums. “Of course silly! So long as you deliver our promise someday...”

She’s still on about that promise?

Jack didn’t fully understand what she meant by that, not to mention how she still haunted his dreams and screwed with his mind. But he didn’t care at this point, he wanted them to escape, for them to be free.

He lowered his head and took deep breaths as the police began dragging him away. “I-I-I… promise to devote myself… to you.” Jack’s fingers began twitching as his skin color began to fade. “When I fully understand this meaning… the meaning of devotion, love and marriage… I’ll fulfil your promise.”

She stayed quiet for a moment. The sound of slight whimpering was abrupt and then… it stopped. “O-Okay,” she said soothingly. “I knew I made the right choice, I knew… you were the one… the one, I’ve been waiting for...”

While the cops struggled to drag Jack, half of the officers heard ringing. They looked around to see where it was coming from. It got louder and louder. They covered their ears but that was still not enough. The ringing was so intense, they felt their brains tremble from the intensity. Their noses bled, and they dragged their fingers across their face as they scratched violently. They dropped to their knees and started having seizures.

Some officers noticed and were terrified of what was happening to their fellow colleagues on the ground, who were violently trembling as foam came out of their mouths. The officers who still held Jack noticed a huge black mist around him. His skin was similar to gray snow and his hair was as black as the roads they stood on.

They freaked out and immediately let go of him, but as soon as Jack lifted his head, a huge forceful wind blew off of him, causing them to fly and collide against the hard walls, which knocked them out.

“What’s going on?” shouted one officer.

Another call came through on his radio and he notified Dr. Cato. “Yeah, my men are having seizures! Just what the hell’s going on here??”

He noticed someone walking out of the shadows from the exit where Jack stood. The amount of fear that bestowed upon him from seeing that, along with Jack, made him speechless.

“Sir?! Hello?!” one officer exclaimed, trying to snap his captain back into reality. “We have the girl in the car sir… Uhh? Sir…” He spotted Jack and freaked out as well. He pulled his gun out and pointed it at him. “Stop! Don’t come any closer… y-you freak!”

Jack’s black misty aura grew even bigger as his eyes became pitch black. The clouds that were white now turned black and the sound of thunder was enough to break the sound barrier ten times over. Clouds moved rapidly throughout the skies, while every officer was left standing there in complete shock.

The police officers all pointed their guns at Jack. “Stop what you’re doing, or we’ll shoot.

Dr. Cato was running through the hallways. He looked out the window and noticed the chaos near the school. He opened the window and he too could feel the awful dark presence from that direction. The hairs on his arms rose, sweat dripped from his face, but he couldn’t believe what was happening. Yet, at the same time, he had already expected something like this would happen.

Mr. Mathew was woozy from the pills that Jack threw in his mouth. Candy was cuffed by security, but every student was too busy staring at the sky, watching the horror happening amongst them.

Mr. Mathew ordered the kids to go towards the facility. He pulled his necklace out and saw his cross was glowing. He then ordered security to escort the kids to the facility. They listened and started pushing the kids into the building.

The tall teenager, Randy, kept staring at the swirling clouds as the skies clapped with haunting echoes. “It’s her… the devil incarnate!” He clenched a fist, feeling bad for Jack and regretted not warning him enough. “I warned him and now… you’re next I’m afraid… kid.” He walked away and regrouped with the students.

Candy couldn’t believe what was happening. He was left speechless. “Jack… Angela…” Security carried him back with the group as he stared at the chaotic sky.

Mr. Mathew stood up and ran towards the direction of chaos. Dr. Cato was heading there as well. Carolyn approached a window, but stopped to watch the chaos ensue. She seemed so disappointed. She had enough of this madness and tears of shame began to shed from the supernatural occurring, yet she looked rather calm. She wished Jack and Angela all the luck in the world and continued glaring at the chaos.

Mr. Mathew and Dr. Cato regrouped. They already knew what was happening and had an idea on how to stop the madness. The police were still on standby as Jack stood silently. Their hands and legs trembled due to the haunting presence.

As they were about to step closer to Jack, he started chuckling. The police got scared and stepped back as Jack slowly lifted his arms. Lightning started striking the buildings near the police. They yelled at Jack with empty orders, yet the boy stopped his arms and frowned. The sky calmed down, the clouds faded away and everything returned to normal. The cops felt at ease for a moment, seeming rather confused over this entire situation… but that blackened misty aura around Jack grew dim and was barely emitting.

They slowly approached him again and all of a sudden… echoes of laughter erupted in the air. The police, who were still frightened, had their fingers on their triggers. They noticed the laughter came from Jack. As he continued to laugh maniacally, his eyes were white and his veins were pitch black. His laughter disappeared, and then the sound of silence filled the eerie calm winds that continued blowing over them. He took in a huge deep breath, then held his breath for a minute, but one cop grew impatient and fired a shot, leaving everyone surprised. The shot struck Jack in the arm.

Jack’s arms were still hovering though, until he finally opened his mouth. A small trail of black smoke glided out of his mouth. He glared at the police with his eyes filled with emptiness.

“Ahhh!”

Every window, windshield and any piece of glass shattered as Jack let out that haunting cry of terror. Everyone inside the facility freaked out and panicked. They all said the same thing, “It’s the devil!” People were injured from cuts as glass shattered throughout the buildings. Every patrol car rusted out completely, causing them to fall apart except for the one car that Angela was in.

Every police officer collapsed to the ground with blood dripping from their eyes and ears. Dr. Cato and Mr. Mathew was unscathed from the unknown scream. They looked around and saw the amount of damage that it caused. They quickly hurried to see what the true cause of it was.

Jack regained consciousness. He dropped to his knees and felt awful. The pain throughout his mind was unbearable, and he didn’t pay attention to the destruction and surroundings that was caused by him.

He got up and slowly walked to the patrol car Angela was in. Upon opening the door, Jack found her unconscious. Even though he wasn’t really thinking at that point, he was going by instinct, so he grabbed Angela and carried her out of the patrol car. Walking away from the scene without even looking back once, he continued onwards down the long empty road that led to the institution.

As Jack walked down the road, the sound of crows cawed at them. His mind was still fuzzy, full of confusion and disarray. The leaves on every tree died as he passed them, but he didn’t notice the exposed crows with glowing purple eyes.

Dr. Cato and Mr. Mathew finally arrived and witnessed the amount of destruction that was caused. Dr. Cato dropped to his knees and started crying out from devastation. Mr. Mathew kept running towards the entrance and spotted Jack far in the distance. He gritted his teeth and yelled bloody murder, damning both Angela, and especially Jack, to hell.

Dr. Cato pulled a photo of his friend alongside Angela, repeating, “I failed!” over and over again. Mr. Mathew returned to Cato and comforted his friend, telling him not to worry. He showed Cato a drawing that he took from Angela.

“This is no time to cry. With this drawing, we’ll have her back.” He showed him a drawing of Angela being picked by Dr. Cato. She was smiling and had “Thank you Doctor” written beside it.

Dr. Cato wiped his tears, stood up, then took a deep breath and smirked. They walked towards the entrance to watch Jack make his escape. “We’ll have her back, someday. And when that day comes… I promise to free her, I bet my life on it! Until then… take care of her, Jack!” The shouting of Jack’s name echoed down the road, scaring the crows as they flew away.

The sky was clear as day as the crows flew over the building. Carolyn stared out a window on the second floor overlooking the exit. She watched the two walk to freedom, but at the same time… she couldn’t help but feel disappointed in Jack. She took out a beautiful rose from her pocket and held it in her hand. She blew on it and watched it drift away with the wind.

She smiled. “Thank you Jack. I wish you a great life.” She lowered her arms and closed her eyes, remembering the promise she told Jack… to watch over him, to protect him, but most of all… the promise of freeing the two from their nightmares.

Carolyn walked away from the window and disappeared back into the building, letting that single rose continuously drift away into the distance, where Jack and Angela had finally proclaimed their newfound freedom.