I kneel into a sprinting position, ready to run for my life.

Stu and Billy approach the closet, both of them grabbing a door.

My lungs feel tight, but I can't allow myself to panic.

They both throw the doors open with a bang- as if signaling the race to start- I run between the two, taking them completely off guard.

The thing is, though... I'm no track star. As I dart down the hallway my socks slip on the hardwood floor and I tumble down the stairs. My back hits the bottom floor and I shout in agony as a pain shoots up my spine.

I glance up at the top of the steps, the two stand there looking down at me. The hunting knife gleams as Billy turns it around in his hand. Stu has a pained expression, as if my betrayal had genuinely hurt his feelings.

I have no time to waste. In spite of the pain in my back I push myself up, praying that the adrenaline that rushed through my veins would help to numb the ache.

I scurry for the front door of the house, almost running comepletely into it in my panic. Of course, it's locked.

As I fumble with the deadbolt Stu lunges at me and I swiftly dodge him by rolling against the wall. I dash toward the phone but Billy was already there, guarding the reciever.

Stu and Billy stand on either side of the island, completely blocking my path. I have never felt such a paralyzing fear in my life.

I reach into a drawer behind me, pulling out a large pair of poultry shears.

"Come near me and ill cut your fucking dicks off." I open and close the scissors threateningly.

"Calm down, calm down!" Stu puts his palms up infront of him in defense. "I- we really don't want to hurt you."

"Yeah, right." I hiss. "I'm not as innocent and gullible as you might think. I can be totally unhinged."

"I really mean it." Stu sighs. "Just put down the scissors."

"I'll put these down when he puts down the knife!" I point at Billy, who still gripped the hunting knife tightly.

Stu shoots Billy a concerned glance and Billy grins, sliding the knife across the island counter toward me.

I pick it up and pretend to shove it back into the drawer with the scissors, but instead slide in discreetly into my back pocket.

"I knew I liked you." Billy chuckles. "Not only are you fucking hot but you've got the spunk to match."

"I told you to stop taking about them like that, It makes me uncomfortable." Stu groans.

"So what is your plan, huh?" I furrow my brows. "What are you going to do with me now that I know your dirty little secret."

"That's really up to you." Billy smiles. "You can keep your pretty pie hole shut, or we can kill you. Your choice."

"Please don't make me hurt you." Stu pleads. "I'll do it if I have to, but please don't make me do it."

My thoughts race. What should I do?

"So, if I give you my word that I'll keep your secret..." I bite my lip. "You really won't hurt me?"

"No, we won't! Right dude?" Stu looks in Billy's direction.

"I don't know..." Billy rubs his chin. "Will your word be enough?"

"What else do you want from me?" I spat.

"I think you could be a great asset." He grins.

"Your thinking they could help us with our plan?" Stu chimes in and Billy nods.

"I'm not going to kill anybody!" I shout.

"You don't have to do any of the actual killing, just help us out." Stu adds.

If I can figure out a way to report them before they can hurt anybody else I should be alright.

"Alright... I'll do it." I exhale.

"Perfect!" Stu claps excitedly. "This is going to be fun!"

The joy in his voice leaves a lump in my throat. He was not always this way... since when had he gotten so sick?

"Shit." Billy grumbles, glancing at the clock on the wall. "I've got to get home before dad notices I'm gone."

"That's cool. I'll fill them in on our plans." Stu finally approaches me, patting me on the back.

"Alright. I'll see you at school tomorrow." Billy leaves the house in a rush and only me and Stu remain.

I can't describe the way I am feeling. I am not necessarily afraid of Stu, but knowing there is a dangerous side of him that I am unaware of makes me nauseous.

I suddenly remeber what Sidney had said in the hallway... "it took me off guard. When you think you know somebody...you don't."

I've never heard more true words.

"So, here's how it's going to go down." Stu grins.

"Can you explain tomorrow?" I interrupt him, laying a hand on my forehead. "I'm still not feeling well, I'd like to go to bed."

"Okay..." He pouts. "I guess you have been through a lot of shock today."

"Good night, Stu." I try to act normally, as if it were any ordinary night.

"Goodnight." He replies.

I drag my feet up to my room and lock the door. I sigh, pulling the hunting knife from my pocket and examining its blade. It still had dried blood on it, as well as my own.

How many lives had been taken with this knife? So far 3 that I am aware of... but could there be more?

I open my sock drawer, shoving the knife underneath everything. Perhaps I can give it to the police as evidence... I just have to find the courage.

My heart has yet to slow. I need to calm down if I'm going to sleep through the night. I don't feel like being a zombie at school tomorrow.

The landline that lay on my bedside table catches my attention and I gravitate toward it. Before I am even aware of what I am doing I had already flipped through the phone book and dialed Sidney's number.

What am I doing? It's so late... I'm probably waking her up.

"Hello?" I hear her sweet voice though the reciever.

"H-hey...it's me..." I stutter as tears begin to roll down my cheeks, my emotions had finally begun to set in.

"Are you crying?" I can hear the concern in her tone. "What's wrong? Are you thinking about what you saw again?"

"Y-yes..." I lie. At this point I feel as if seeing the principals insides were the least of my worries.

"It's alright- you'll be alright." She reassures me.

"Have you taken your medication?" She asks.

"No..." I reach into my pocket, pulling out the small orange bottle and reading it's label.

"You should take one." I picture her sitting beside me as I lay in my bed, just like when I was in the hospital.

"I can talk to you until you dose off... how does that sound?" She continues.

"That would be nice." I smile. She really is kind.

I hold the phone between my cheek and my shoulder as I twist open the bottle and pick out a tablet, placing it under my tongue.

"So, the other day you said you like ghost and dirty dancing right?" She tries to make conversation.

My heart flutters just knowing that she really had be listening, although I didn't think she was.

"Yes, I love those movies."

"What other movies do you like?" She asks with genuine interest.

"My favorite movie of all time is Grease." I giggle. "I can sing all of the songs word for word."

"Ah, that's a classic. I love John Travolta."

"We should watch it together some time." The words leave my mouth before I am able to think. How embarassing...

"That would be awesome." She laughs. "How about tomorrow after school?"

My heart stops in my chest and I suddenly forget how to breath.

"Sounds... perfect." I struggle to find the words.

We continue to talk for a while about our different interests. It was a very welcome distraction.

I could literally have kept the conversation going all night, she was so easy to talk to and a perfect rest for my weary heart.

But alas, it was not long before my medication had kicked in and I had drifted off into a deep slumber.