Tales From The Dark-Side

"Where the hell is it!?" Jacob snapped, rifling through the rubbish. "It was right here!"

"Is that it over there?" Clara said, pointing to a hatchet standing in the far corner.

"How did it get over there?" he echoed, going over to it.

"Search me," Clara said, shrugging her shoulders.

"You really have to stop saying that," Jacob reluctantly grinned, reaching for the hatchet, only for it to fade like smoke. "Okay, was not expecting that," he said, backing away from it.

"Ezekiel," Clara called out into the corridor where he was investigating a closet, "how's it going out there?" All she got for her answer was a blinding flash of red light that sent her reeling. Cursing, she staggered out into the corridor, Jacob following her, only to find the place was resolutely empty of Ezekiel, a door further down swinging desultorily back and forth.

"Well, I suppose we better check that out," Jacob said, exhaling sharply before leading the way, Clara bringing up the rear. As Clara stilled the door, Jacob went into the bedroom, but it was also empty apart from a dolls house lying in the middle of the floor.

"Oh no," Jacob said, slumping against the wall, staring at the dolls house like it was Satan.

"What is it?" Clara said, bewildered.

"Jones is... gone," Jacob said, rumpling up his hair with agitated fingers.

"Define gone," Clara said, confused.

"I saw this in an episode of Tales From The Dark-Side," Jacob said, exhaling sharply.

"Saw what?"

"He's in the dolls house," Jacob said, gesturing wildly to it.

Clara face-palmed herself for what felt like the thousandth time.

"I know," Jacob said, drawing her to him. "I know."

"Why does he keep getting sucked into inanimate objects!?" Clara demanded, beginning to crack. "Is he trying to tell me something!? That he'd be happier inside a wardrobe than the real world!?"

"I vote we burn this damn place down!" Jacob said, booting the wall.

"No, no, no," Clara said, pinching the bridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger, "that's not the answer."

"No, it's not," Kate snapped, appearing in the doorway, Eve and Cassandra at her elbows, "my friends are still in here!"

"So's ours!" Clara snapped back, rounding on the girl.

"Then why do you want to burn the place down!?" Kate sobbed, the tears now beginning to flow again.

"It was my idea, okay!?" Jacob interjected angrily. "So leave Clara out of it!"

"Alright, calm down," Eve said, stepping inbetween them. "We're all... a little strung out," she said, glancing round them all, only to frown. "Where's Jones?" she asked, turning wildly on the spot.

Jacob pointed at the dolls house.

Eve just stood there, not getting it, only for her face to suddenly clear, making her take a sudden step back.

"I know," Jacob said, shaking his head, "I know."

Everything that I tell you, girl, every word that you hear
Every little whisper, let me make myself clear
There ain't no lies to deceive you...