I nearly snorted.

Jackson wanted me to help him steal someone's horse? This man must actually be crazy.

"This is a joke, right?" I asked, slightly amused. I figured that he was joking with me. There was no way he could be serious about this.

Jackson's facial expressions never changed. They always stayed serious- eyes even filled with slight sadness.

"I'm not joking." He said simply, crossing his arms tightly against his chest. "I've never been more serious than I am right now." He added.

I exhaled heavily, and placed a hand on my forehead.

"Listen, I love horses and all- but I can't help you steal one!" I exclaimed, shaking my head. "I'm sorry, but you'll need to find someone else to help you." I said, beginning to turn around to walk inside.

"Alyssa, please." Jack started in a pleading voice. "I need you to help me. I can't do this alone, and no one else will help me. Everyone thinks I'm crazy for this- even my Mother. No one will listen."

That made me stop in my tracks. I turned around to face Jackson again, eyes narrowing.

"And why should I help you? I barely know you, and for all I know- which isn't a lot, frankly- you could take me somewhere, and then murder me. And no one would suspect you because from what they know, I never even met you."

Jackson seemed shocked at my words. His eyes were slightly wide, and his lips were parted as if he were going to talk.

"You really think I would do something like that? Hell, I can't even bring myself to kill a fly, let alone a seventeen year old girl."

I rolled my eyes, letting out a heavy sigh.

"Fine- y'know what? I'll help you. As long as you leave me alone afterwards." I said, frowning. I didn't mean to snap at him, but I had.

Jackson seemed to visibly cheer up.

"Oh, thank you so much." Jack said, smiling. "We're going to do it tonight- after everyone leaves."

I nodded, glancing up at the sky. The sun was already close to setting.

"You should go home and get ready." I told him, my voice slightly cold.

But he didn't seem to notice as he nodded, and turned around. He glanced a look at me over his shoulder, face softening to a small smile.

"I really to appreciate this." He said, but he began to walk away before I could even say anything.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
I was ready to go, dressed in all black.

I was wearing a black hoodie, along with a black pair of leggings, and black boots.

If we wanted to be inconspicuous, we had to stay hidden. I figured that there would at least be barn hands still at he stables.

Max seemed to know I was leaving- he was sitting by the door as he always did when I was going somewhere.

"Maxy-boy..." I shook my head, using his nickname.

"I need to go, buddy." I said, leaning down. I gave him a kiss on his head, and then pet him before standing back up.

I walked over to the kitchen, making sure that Max's bowls were filled. I wasn't sure how long we would be gone for.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed, causing me to jump. I pulled it up, glancing at the name. I had completely forgotten that I had given Jackson my number before he left.

I pressed the answer button, and brought the phone up to my ear.

"Hello?" I asked, leaning against the counter in the kitchen. I tapped my foot impatiently. It was already 11- we were supposed to have left earlier.

"Hey, Alyssa." Jackson started, his voice slightly muffled. There was another sound in the background- sounded like an engine.

I rolled my eyes. "What do you need? We were supposed to leave at nine." I said, clearly irritated.

"I know, I know. I needed to get the trailer hooked up to my truck. I'm outside, now. Hurry up." He said, and then hung up.

"Ass." I muttered, once again rolling my eyes- a habit of mine.

I put my phone back into my pocket, and hurried towards the door. I made sure I had the spare key, and slipped out through the front door, gently pushing Max to the side.

I closed the door behind me, and looked out towards the road. It was almost pitch black, but I could make out the faint silhouette of a truck.

I hurried down the three steps that connected my house to the ground, and began running towards the vehicle.

As soon as I reached the large truck, I raced around to the passenger side, and jumped in. I was panting by now, and was slightly startled by Jackson's chuckling.

"What's so funny?" I panted out, frowning.

"Oh, nothing." He shrugged, but a smile still showed on his face. He put the car in drive, and began driving.

"It's not too long down the road." Jack started, eyes focusing on the dark road that was illuminated only by his headlights.

"My house is only about ten minutes down here. And then the dark, about five more minutes past my house."

I nodded as he spoke, watching the trees blur by us.

For most of the drive- about eight minutes- it was silent. Until Jackson broke it.

"So... Your grandfather," he started, his voice slightly nervous.

"Why did he have so many animals? I remember him having almost 100, if I can remember correctly." Jack chuckled slightly.

I sighed softly, closing my eyes. "He believed every animal deserved a good life- so he refused them. From slaughter houses, abusive owners. Things like that."

Jackson nodded, the car beginning to slow to a stop. My eyes scanned through the windshield, a look of confusion crossing across my face.

"I don't see anything." I said, shaking my head.

"Just wait- at 11:30, the lights come on. I don't know why, but they do." Jack said.

I glanced down at my phone. 11:28.

I waited a few moments, head resting on my hand. I looked at my phone again. 11:29.

"Come on..." I muttered, shaking my head.

And then, 11:30.

I looked up quickly, eyes searching the darkness. And then I saw it- a large mansion, yards away from us.

"There it is."