Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 02:57:41 EST
From: BrwyMilo@aol.com
Subject: "Nick and Justin" part 29
Happy Halloween everyone. In honor of the holiday, this section is a
little more "ghostly" than usual. So to speak. No, no one is going to
hacked to bits or anything. :o) It is a regular installment, with a bit of
a twist. And longer!
This is the 29th installment of this story. Pretty cool. It's gone on a
lot longer than I thought it would, but as of now, I don't see an end in
sight. The other story I work on, "Lost and Found" will be updated soon as
well. RJ is my partner in crime in that one.
If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, criticisms or just want
to say hi, you can e-mail me at BrwyMilo@aol.com. I love mail, so feel free
to write some.
This story is completely fiction and is not meant to imply anything about
the sexuality or beliefs of anyone involved. That said, enjoy the story.
*****
"This pumpkin is awesome," AJ said as he examined the freshly-carved
jack-o-lattern.
"You think so," Britney asked as she took a step back and examined it.
"It looks a little crooked or something. The smile I mean."
"Britney, it's great," Howie said as he walked over, carrying a bowl of
candy. Everyone sat together in the living room of the old plantation house
that management had rented for the night. It was supposed to be a surprise
for the groups as everyone had stated how sick they were of the usual hotels.
The house itself was ancient, dating back to the 1700's. There was a long
twisting driveway leading up to the house. On either side of the driveway
were tall trees. Their branches stretched out and met in the center, making
a canopy over the driveway. The house was a four story structure including
the attic. The halls were long and dusty, pieces of artwork on either side
all over the walls. There were statues and old suits of armor that had been
brought in during the renovation fifteen years ago. There were more rooms
than could be counted, as well as countless passageways that were common
during the era in which it was built. It was dusty, without too much light,
but for Halloween night, the atmosphere was perfect.
"I wanna go trick or treating," Chris said in a whine.
"Aren't you a little old for that," Joey asked as he threw Chris a funny
look.
"Hey, you're never too old to make an idiot of yourself to get candy,"
Chris replied as he hopped up.
"And you prove that fact every day," Joey with a wild laugh. Chris
picked up a pillow from the nearby couch and swung it, just missing his head
as Joey ducked.
"Hey, no pillow fights," Devon said in a fatherly tone. "Any more rough
housing and it's straight to bed!"
"Oh, you'd like that wouldn't you," Lance said, wrapping his arms around
Devon. Devon smiled and gave a leaned back.
"Ok then, time for bed," Devon yelled as he hopped up.
Justin sat on the couch, curled up with his knees as his chest. One arm
dangled down and was playing with Nick's hair. Nick smiled widely and
scrunched his face up as Justin twirled it around his fingers.
"You have got the nicest hair," he said with a smile. He bent down and
kissed Nick gently on the top of the head.
"I actually prefer curls," Nick replied as he turned his face up. He
lifted his neck and kissed Justin gently on the lips. Justin smiled widely.
"God, too much mush in one room," Fatima said as she got up and walked
over to the small refrigerator. She pulled out a bottle of water and opened
it carefully. She walked past the bowl with candy in it, pulling out a
hershey bar as she went.
"Fatima," Devon gasped as he saw her. "I don't believe it!"
Fatima looked up and shrugged. "Hey, it's Halloween." She reached into
the bowl and pulled out another. She tossed it over to Devon and shrugged.
"Enjoy."
"Here you go Lance," Devon replied as he handed Lance the candy. "I'm
watching my figure," he said with a laugh.
"So am I," Lance said with a grin. He groaned and threw himself back.
"That was so cheesy," he cried out.
"Yea, but I love it," Devon said as he gently kissed Lance's lips. Joey
groaned and stuck his hand into the candy bowl.
"Why are the only people getting any gay," he asked. "That's it, I'm
converting."
"There's a waiting list," Nick replied with a grin. "Sorry."
"Even the gays don't want me," Joey said with a pout.
"So, about that movie," Kevin said as held up a bunch of tapes. He threw
continuous looks over at Devon at Lance, trying to conceal them as best he
could. "Anyone ever see 'Night of the Living Dead'?"
"You're trying to give me nightmares, aren't you," Justin said as he
climbed off the couch and onto Nick's lap.
"Oh come on," JC said with a laugh.
"What," Justin said. "You know I don't like being scared."
"Not even a little," Brian asked as he leaned forward a bit.
"Not at all," Justin said. "My friends played a prank on me when I was
younger and since then I've been terrified."
"Must have been some prank," Kevin said. Britney laughed loudly.
"Why are you laughing," AJ asked with a grin.
"I remember that prank," she said through her tears. "We got you good."
"I said I wouldn't speak to you for...hey wait a second! I'm still not
supposed to be speaking to you," Justin said. He folded his arms across his
chest and pouted. Nick lay flat down on the floor and pulled Justin down on
top of him.
"How about this," Nick said. "We watch the movie like this, and I
promise I won't let anything hurt you."
"Ever," Justin asked, a bit more sincerely than he intended.
Nick gave him an odd look, then flashed a smile. "Ever."
Justin groaned and cuddled closer in Nick's arms. "Ok Kevin, pop in the
movie."
"Yes," Kevin said excitedly as he put the tape in the VCR. He looked
over and saw Justin already covering his eyes. Nick pulled a blanket from
off the couch and wrapped it around the two of them. He threw a look at
Devon and Lance and saw them in a similar position.
Brian sat in the chair and watched as the movie began. JC sat in front
of him on the floor, holding on to Brian's legs. As JC sat, he continuously
tickled Brian's legs and feet, making Brian jump. Brian would smile down at
JC and playfully kick him, then throw a look over at Nick and Justin, or
Devon and Lance and let out a sigh. Kevin noted all this in his mind.
'Somethings up,' he said to himself.
"I don't think I like this movie," Justin said as he cuddled closer to
Nick and tried to cover his eyes. Nick gave out a short laugh and pulled
Justin tighter.
"It's only a movie Justin. It's not like there are really zombies out
there or anything."
"That's debatable," Britney said with a grin as she continued to stare at
the tv screen. Justin threw her a look.
"I hate you," he said as he tried to keep a straight face. He finally
gave in and gave a slight grin before turning his head back to the movie.
One of the zombies was struggling to get into the car. Justin gave a jump.
"I'm never going to be able to drive past fans in the limo again," he said as
he looked around the room.
"Fans are usually harmless," Kevin said. "Justin, I never knew you were
this jumpy. Maybe we shouldn't watch this."
"Aw come on," Joey whined as he looked from Justin back to Kevin. Justin
sighed.
"No, it's alright. We can leave it on." He pulled the blanket up a bit
and tried to watch only the very bottom of the screen. Soon, he realized
this wouldn't work.
"Um, I'm gonna go in the den for a bit," Justin said as he began to stand.
"No stay," Nick pleaded. Justin hesitated and glanced back at the
television. "No, I can't. I'm gonna listen to some music. Come get me when
the scary parts are over."
"The whole movie is scary," JC said with a laugh.
"Case and point," Justin said as he walked towards the den. He was
vaguely aware of someone following him. "Nick, you go enjoy the movie."
"Um, actually it's me," the voice from behind him said.
Justin spun around quickly and noticed Fatima following him into the
room. "Fatima? You don't like scary movies either?"
"Actually, I've already seen that one. But that's not why I'm in here.
I kind of wanted to talk to you."
*****
"Would you guys think I was a huge bitch if I wanted to play a trick on
Justin," Britney said with a grin. Everyone looked up at her.
"Do you think that's a good idea," Kevin asked. "He's been kind of out
of it recently."
"Yea, and this might snap him back into it," Britney said.
The guys thought about that for a moment. Nick finally spoke up. "I
don't know if I want to be a part of this. I mean, Justin's really
sensitive. I don't know how smart this is."
"Oh, come on Nick! You're still young. You can get away with this
stuff," Howie yelled at him. Nick gave him an odd look and then sighed.
"Fine. I guess," Nick said sadly, knowing where this was heading. He
threw a worried look over at Britney. "So what are we doing?"
Britney thought a moment. Soon, her eyes lit up widely as a thought
struck her. "This is perfect."
*****
"Justin, let me ask you a question," Fatima said as she sat down in one
of the big leather easy chairs in the den.
"Um, sure," Justin said, taking a seat near her.
Fatima paused for a moment, looking like she was about to speak several
times before changing her mind. Finally, "I wasn't there when you and Nick
came out to the guys," she began. Justin nodded his head slowly. "How
did...what...well, how did they react?"
Justin was a bit taken aback by the question. He thought for a moment
then shrugged. "They were pretty cool with it. I mean, none of them were
really thrilled with it I guess. You know, just something else to worry
about I suppose. But honestly, they were all pretty cool. Except Chris
oddly enough."
"Chris?"
"Yea, he was kind of weird with it for a while. I mean, the first couple
of days. But he's definitely gotten used to it. After that, there was never
any problem with him at all."
"Well that's good to hear," Fatima said as she thought.
"Is there something you want to tell me," Justin asked as he stared at
Fatima's face.
Fatima looked up suddenly as if interrupted. After a moment, a smile
spread across her face. "Not right now Just." She looked around the room.
"So what do you think about this house anyway?"
"Well, it was pretty cool of management to rent it for us. It's huge!"
He looked around a bit more and shuddered. "A little too creepy for me
though. There are like gargoyles and stuff all over the place. It looks
cool, but god, it is kind of scary looking just the same."
Fatima laughed a bit. "Yea, I know what you mean. I kind of like it
here though. My aunt lived in a house kind of like this. We used to visit
her all the time and try to find all of the secret passageways and stuff. It
was fun." She looked at Justin for a moment. "So, what really is up with
you and scary movies?"
Justin looked up suddenly and kind of froze. He shook his head and
shrugged. "I don't know. I've always been afraid of them I guess. I mean I
can usually sit through them and all...but ever since the whole Robert
thing..."
"Gotcha," Fatima said. "I guess I'd be a little freaked out too if I had
a psycho like that in love with me. But god Justin, I had no idea! I mean,
he never really let on."
"That was the scary part," Justin said. "He was just always there,
taking pictures and stuff. Looking through all that stuff after we found out
he was dead was like torture."
"You're doing better now though, right," Fatima asked, a bit concerned.
"Yea, I'm doing alright," Justin said with a brief grin.
"Good. I have to look out for you, you know. You're the baby around
here," Fatima said with a laugh.
"Hey," Justin said with a laugh. "I'm legal," he replied.
"Yea, but you'll always be the baby." She thought of something and began
to laugh again. "You'll be a forty-eight year old baby in thirty years."
"Ugh, don't even go that far ahead," Justin said with a sigh.
Fatima glanced down at her watch. "Let's go back in there. Come on, the
movies not that scary. Nothing pops out at you or anything. Honestly."
Justin thought for a moment, finally nodding his head. "Fine, but I'm
coming after you if I have a heart attack."
Fatima laughed and walked quickly out of the den. She walked into the
living room and looked around. "Um, hello?"
"What," Justin said as he entered and stood next to her. "Wait a
second..."
The living room was completely deserted. The television was still turned
on and the movie playing, but there was no one around. The food and drinks
were exactly as they had been when Fatima and Justin had left.
"What, did they all just leave or something," Fatima said as she walked
around the couch. She laughed loudly. "Are you guys playing a prank on us,"
Fatima yelled upwards. "Some kind of Halloween trick? Well if you are, it
ain't gonna work," she said loudly. There was no answer.
"Can we turn this off please," Justin asked as he walked over to the
television and clicked the stop button on the vcr. "That was really freaking
me out. Now, where the hell are they." He walked around and saw no one.
The blanket he and Nick had been laying under was thrown on the floor.
"Nick," Justin called to no one. No answer came. "Ok, this is freaky,"
Justin said.
"Just, they're only playing a joke on us. They probably wanted to scare
you or something and are now hiding. We just have to find them."
"In this house," Justin said as he looked around. "This place is
enormous!"
"Yea, I guess you're right," Fatima said with a frown. "Well, I'm just
gonna look upstairs real quick. Don't let them scare you. And if they do,
don't let them know it. Don't give the idiots the satisfaction."
"Ok, I won't," Justin said.
"Ok then. Be right back," Fatima said as she headed towards the stairs.
"You're not supposed to say that," Justin yelled after her as he
remembered the movie 'Scream'. He sighed and walked back over to the couch.
He pulled the blanket up and around him and sat there waiting for anything.
As he sat, his thoughts ran around in his head. Suddenly he paused. He
glanced into the fire and then over at the stairs. "This is all way too
familiar."
*****
Britney walked slowly around the third floor hallway, careful not to step
on any of the squeaky floor boards. She giggled to herself as she went,
recalling Justin's face the last time she had pulled a prank on him. "I'm
getting to old for this," she laughed to herself. She approached one of the
bedrooms and entered it slowly. "This house is gorgeous," she said to
herself as she examined the contents of the bedroom. There was a huge four
post bed, as well as several antique sofas. She examined the lace bedspread
carefully, admiring its quality. "This is so beautiful," she said to herself
as she ran her hand lightly over it. The stitching appeared to be in the
form of several tiny flowers, bringing back memories of the blankets her
grandmother always had in her house. With a sigh she stepped back a bit.
Her cell phone rang. She scrambled to answer it before anyone else could
hear.
"Hello," she whispered harshly.
"It's JC," JC said back in a whisper. "Where are you?"
"I'm in a bedroom on the third floor," Britney replied. "Where are you?"
"Fourth floor. I heard that Fatima was coming up the steps and is on the
second floor now."
Britney thought for a second. "Try to keep an eye on her. If she finds
you, try to get her to help us pull this prank on Justin, ok? I think it'll
be good for him. Kind of snap him back into reality."
"OK, I'll tell Chris to be on the lookout. Talk to you soon Britney."
Britney hung up her phone and sat down on the bed. She sunk right in.
"God, I think I want to live here," Britney said with a laugh. She heard her
phone ring again, and angrily pulled it out. "Hello?"
The person on the other end hung up without so much as making a noise.
She groaned loudly. "Don't try to scare me JC. I'm queen of Halloween
alright." Her phone rang again. She laughed to herself and pulled it out."
"Hello JC."
"Get out of the house," a hoarse voice said.
"Excuse me," Britney said with a laugh.
"Get out of the house. Get out of my house," the voice said. Britney
listened carefully. She furrowed her brow and listened as the voice
repeatedly told her to leave.
"JC, this isn't funny anymore," she said, sounding a bit scared.
"What isn't funny anymore," JC said as he walked in. Britney looked up
at him and then down at the phone.
"Who the hell is this," she asked in a shaky voice.
******
"Isn't this fun," Devon said as he walked around. "It's like being in
one of those dumb horror movies or something."
"Yea, real fun," Lance replied as he walked past a huge suit of armor.
"I never liked scary movies either now that I think about it."
"Oh come on," Devon said with a laugh. "You love them. Watching a
movie, cuddling in front of a fire." He ran his hand slowly up and down
Lance's back. Lance smiled widely.
"Ok, maybe I do like scary movies," he said with a grin. There was a
creak in a floor board under them. Lance jumped suddenly and clutched his
chest. "I just don't like being in them."
"Don't be a baby," Devon said with a laugh as he pecked Lance on the
cheek. "Come on, let's go exploring."
"Exploring," Lance exclaimed.
"Yea, come on! It's an old plantation house! There's gotta be something
good here!"
Lance sighed and followed as Devon walked down a long twisting corridor.
"You're gonna get us lost aren't you," Lance said as he passed statue after
statue. The craftmanship was amazing, with careful attention being paid to
each detail.
"Have I ever gotten us lost before," Devon said with a grin.
Lance thought a moment. "You've never had the opportunity before," Lance
said with a smile.
"Gee you're funny," Devon said as he threw his arm over Lance's shoulder.
"What's in here," he asked as he noticed a room. There was a single candle
lit and sitting on a table in the center of the room. He entered slowly,
clicking on the light switch as he went. "Wow," he said as he saw the room.
There was a huge king sized bed towards one end of them room. Surrounding
the bed were long drapes which could be closed to conceal whoever was inside.
Whatever furniture was in the room was covered with dusty sheets. Lance
looked at one wall and noticed a huge portrait. "Who do you think this is?"
Devon walked over and examined the painting. The woman in it had an odd
look on her face, almost a half smile. Her hair was swept up and she was
wearing a deep red dress. "I don't know," Devon replied. "Probably the
plantation owner's wife or something," he said. He grinned widely. "This
must have been their bedroom," he said with a smile. "So, why don't we see
how the bed is?"
Lance gave him a shocked look. "We can't do that," he said with a laugh.
"Sure we can," Devon said as he walked over. He pulled back one of the
curtains and peered inside. "Look, they even made it up for us," Devon said
as he noticed the newly washed sheets and blankets. He grinned over at Lance.
"Well, I guess it shouldn't go to waste," Lance replied. Devon smiled
widely and held the curtain back for Lance to crawl inside. "Ok, I'll go in
under one condition."
"And what's that," Devon asked with a grin.
"No sex."
Devon was very surprised. "Um, why?"
"Don't you remember 'Scream'," Lance asked. "Anyone who has sex dies in
all scary movies."
Devon laughed loudly. "It's worth it," he said as he climbed in and
closed the curtain behind him.
*****
Nick sat lounging in one of the overstuffed chairs in the fourth floor
smoking room. As he sat, his mind wandered to what Justin was doing, and if
they were scaring him too much.
"Come on Nick, isn't this fun," Brian said as he ran into the room.
"Not really. It's kind of dumb if you ask me," Nick replied.
"You're just worried about Justin," Brian replied as he knelt by the side
of Nick's chair.
Nick thought for a moment. "Yea, I am worried about him. I think this
is a really mean thing to do. We're separating him from the entire group and
basically making fun of him. Would you like it if we did that to you?"
Brian thought for a minute. "Well, no. But I think I would realize we
were only having some fun."
"I don't know about that," Nick said quietly.
"Look, stop worrying and at least try to enjoy the atmosphere. This
house is beautiful."
"It's s little too dark," Nick said as he noticed all the shadows in the
room. The floor was of dark marble, and the drapes were a deep maroon color.
"This place is down right creepy!"
"And the perfect place to spend Halloween." Brian smirked. "Hold out
your hand and say trick or treat."
"Brian, I'm a little too old for this."
"Yea, and I'm even older, so humor us seniors," Brian said with a slight
laugh.
"Fine," Nick groaned. He stretched his hands out and said in a monotone
voice, "Trick or treat."
Brian kissed him right on the lips, pushing his tongue inside. He
brought his hands to the back of Nick's head and continued to kiss him. Nick
finally pushed him off and wiped his mouth.
"What the hell was that," he yelled.
"You looked like you needed it," Brian said with a smile.
"Yea, from Justin," Nick replied. He stared at Brian angrily until
Brian's smile faded.
"Look, I was just playing around. Calm down. You're acting more like
Kevin," Brian said with a little laugh. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done
that. I was just trying to get you to laugh," Brian replied.
Nick sat for a moment longer, finally calming down. "I'm sorry. Just
please...don't do that again."
"I won't," Brian promised. "Now come on, get into the spirit of things
here, would ya!"
"Alright," Nick said as he stood from the chair. This is a really nice
house now that I think of it. And look at that view." Nick peered out the
window. "What the hell is that," Nick said as he squinted his eyes. His eyes
suddenly opened wide as he let out a loud yell.
*****
"I said, who the hell is this," Britney yelled, holding the phone away
from her.
"Britney, what are you doing," JC said as he stood next to her.
"I can see you right now," the voice on her phone said. "You'll be able
to see me soon enough."
"Listen you little fuck, who is this," Britney said again.
"Run." There was silence on the other end of the phone.
Britney stared at the phone a minute. The voice repeated itself. "Run."
There was a loud noise behind them.
"Shit," Britney yelled as she took off, JC right behind her. Soon, JC
strides over took her as he jetted down the hall. "Wait for me," Britney
screamed. As she ran passed an open door, an arm grabbed hers and yanked her
into the darkened room. The door slammed behind her.
*****
Justin's head popped up suddenly as he heard the scream. "What the hell
was that," he said. "It sounded like...Nick...I think..." He got up slowly
and walked towards the stairs, hearing another scream. "What the hell is
going on there?" He glanced up to the top and gathered himself. "OK Just,
you're going to walk up the stairs and see what's going on. Nothing is going
to hurt you, you're just going to go see what's going on."
He put his foot on the first step and paused. "OK, I can do this," he
said to himself as his heart beat loudly in his chest. He froze. He lifted
his other foot and walked to the second. His breathing was slow and rhythmic
as he continued his decent. About halfway up he paused. There was a
creaking noise behind him. He looked over his shoulder, not seeing the
shrouded figure that ran across the top of the staircase. He turned back
around and breathed heavier as he continued to walk. He heard another
creaking noise. He looked and saw a door on the landing slowly opening.
"Wasn't this a scene in psycho," he asked himself. He started to take
another step when he paused. The door began to open more. "Run," he said to
himself as he turned and bolted down the steps. He didn't stop running til
he reached one of the dining rooms; the main one. He breathed hard as he
tried to catch his breath. "There are stairs in the kitchen I can use," he
said to himself. As soon as he could breath again, he pushed the door to the
kitchen open and walked inside.
"It's freezing in here," he said to himself as he brought his arms around
to hug himself. He shuddered slightly and looked around in the darkness. He
checked the light switch. It didn't go on. "The power is not out," he said
to himself. But it was. With a groan, he took another step inside. As he
entered, he noticed why it was so cold. A pane of glass in the door had been
shattered, shards of it lying on the floor. The door was halfway open, as
was the door to the basement. "I am going to kill those guys," he said to
himself as he turned...
And screamed...
*****
"Joey, what the hell where you doing out there," Nick asked as he
composed himself. He watched as Joey climbed back in through the window,
careful not to kick any of the glass.
"I turned the power off," Joey exclaimed happily.
"You what!"
"I turned the power off," Joey said again, a bit troubled. Nick sighed
loudly and began to pace around.
"You don't think that any of this is going a little too far. Maybe we
scared Justin enough. We should end this now. Anything," Nick said loudly.
"No way. This is great. This prank is going down in the record books."
"Right," Nick said harshly. He walked back over to his chair and plopped
down in it.
"Joey, what were you thinking," Brian asked as he re-entered.
"I was just making it a little scarier," Joey said, now feeling a little
guilty.
"Well it worked," Brian said as he motioned into the hallway. Nick and
Joey both exited the room and looked on the floor where JC lay, slumped up
against the wall.
"Oh that's bad," Joey said.
"Gee, ya think," Brian said sarcastically. He knelt down beside JC and
slapped him lightly on the cheek.
"Oh move over," Nick said as he whacked JC squarely in the cheek.
"Ouch," JC yelled as his hand came up. He looked around. "What
happened?"
"I think you passed out," Brian said, still kneeling.
JC's eyes suddenly grew wide. "There's something wrong. Someone's been
calling Britney on her cell phone and saying weird things. Then he said run
and there was this noise and I ran off and...she's not here," JC said as he
noticed for the first time that Britney was not with him.
"No, we haven't seen her," Joey said as he helped JC to his feet.
"Well we've gotta find her," JC said, a bit frantic.
"Will you calm down," Brian yelled. "I'll have Nick sock you again."
"JC, it was probably AJ playing a little joke on her. There's nothing to
worry about," Nick said.
"I don't know about that," JC said unsurely.
"Justin calm down. Everything is alright," Brian said as he hugged him.
"Come on, we're gonna decide what to do now."
*****
"Kevin did you hear a scream," Chris asked as he looked up.
"A scream," Kevin said. He glanced around the room they were in and
shook his head. "No, why? You hearing things again?"
"Very funny," Chris replied. "Kevin, this is the cheesiest thing I have
ever done."
"Oh come on, it'll be spooky," Kevin said as he helped Chris.
"Yea right. For a five year old!"
"Will you just put his on," Kevin said. There was a noise behind them.
"Now I know you heard that," Chris said.
"Yea," Kevin replied a bit apprehensively. "I'll go check it out. You
wait here."
Chris watched as Kevin walked away. "OK, I don't think I like this
anymore." He paced around the room, waiting for Kevin to return. He began
to hum lightly to himself, stepping on creaky floorboards as he walked
around. With a sigh, he dropped down onto a dusty chair. 'This isn't so fun
anymore.'
"Boo," Kevin said as he grabbed Chris from behind. Chris jumped up and
slapped Kevin's arm.
"You prick," he yelled. "Don't do that to me!"
Kevin laughed loudly. "There was nothing there. Probably just the house
settling."
"That's what they always say," Chris remarked.
"Come here a second," Kevin said as he pulled Chris closer. He adjusted
his outfit carefully and smiled. "Now you look perfect. Let's get going."
"Are you sure this is smart?"
"It's gonna be hysterical. Let's go."
*****
"What the hell are you doing here," Britney yelled loudly.
"I have a problem," Leigh Anne said cautiously.
"You've got a lot of problems," Britney replied. "How'd you get in here
anyway?"
"I kind of broke a pane of glass in the ktichen door," Leigh Anne said
guiltily as she looked down at the floor.
"You're sick," Britney said.
"Please Britney. I really need your help right now," Leigh Anne said.
Britney examined her face a moment.
'She's not this good an actress,' Britney said as she decided that Leigh
Anne must be telling the truth. "Ok, what is it," Britney said with a sigh.
"Someone's been calling me," Leigh Anne began. "Like prank calls. They
started out as someone calling and then hanging up. Then, they were more
threatening. I'm watching you. I can see you right now. Soon you'll be
able to see me. I coming for you."
Britney froze as she remembered the call she had received. "Keep going."
"I had them traced," Leigh Anne said. "The first few were from Orlando.
Then Miami. Tallahassee. Basically every place you guys have been. I
checked the tour dates. They match. That means that one of the guys has
been making those calls."
"Hold on a second," Britney said. "That does not prove that one of the
guys did it. It could be someone else."
"Look Britney," Leigh Anne said quickly. "It's one of two things.
Either it's one of the guys...or it's someone following you guys form tour
stop to tour stop."
Britney froze where she was and cursed under her breath. "We have to
tell the others."
*****
"Justin, will you calm down, it's only me," Fatima said as she slapped
Justin. Justin stopped screaming and regained his composure.
"Why the hell did you sneak up on me like that," Justin said angrily.
"Christ you almost gave me a heart attack!"
"OK, well I didn't so calm down," Fatima said. Justin took a few deep
breaths and then leaned against the counter. "Ok, I'm better."
"Thank god," Fatima said sarcastically. "I checked upstairs. I heard a
lot of noises, but I couldn't actually find anyone. This place is too big."
"Check this out," Justin said as he indicated the door. "Someone broke
in. And...the basement door was open."
"Well come on then," Fatima said as she approached the basement door.
"Let's go check it out."
"Are you nuts! You never go into the basement!" Justin grabbed her arm
and tried to pull her back.
"You're not serious," Fatima said with a slight laugh. "Justin...it's
the guys playing a prank on you. That's all. Now come on." Fatima gave
Justin a tug, but he wouldn't budge. "Justin, be a man!"
"I don't wanna!"
"March," Fatima ordered as she moved Justin towards the stairs.
"I really hate today," he said as he took the first step.
*****
"God that was wonderful," Lance said with a smile as he lay back in the
bed, one arm wrapped tightly around Devon.
"I really like this house," Devon said with a smile. "If we could just
like remodel it or something...add some more lights or something. Not that I
don't like running around in the dark or anything...it's just a little
annoying after a while."
"I love old houses," Lance replied. "I want to buy a castle!"
"A castle," Devon laughed. "Do we see ourselves as a king?"
Lance laughed a bit and smiled. He shrugged his shoudlers. "Why not?"
After a minute he sighed and stood up. "We should get dressed and find
everyone else." He threw his legs over the side of the bed and quickly
pulled on his boxers and pants. He stretched and then looked over to Devon.
"Not that I don't like seeing you naked and all, but you may want to get
dressed too."
Devon gave a brief laugh before hopping out of the bed and putting his
own clothes on. "OK, let's go find the other guys," he said as he walked
towards the door.
"Wait a second," Lance said as he walked towards the window. He walked
over slowly, passing over creaky floorboards as he went. "I think there's
someone out there," Lance replied. He rubbed one hand across the frosty
window pane. "What the hell is that!"
He stared as a figure cloaked in white appeared to be walking along the
edge of the house. It staggered once and almost fell, but soon made it's way
to Lance's window. Lance backed up as it approached, still unsure of what it
was.
It knocked. Lance threw a look over at Devon, who was still staring at
the creature outside. With a shrug, Lance opened the window.
"Well it took you long enough," the thing said. "It's freezing out
there!"
"Chris," Devon asked as he began to lift the sheet up that Chris was
wearing.
"Yes it's me, who do you think it would be," Chris said as he brought the
sheet up to his neck.
"Oh I dunno...some other psycho hanging around outside our window," Devon
said with a laugh. He pulled the sheet all the way up and jumped back. "Oh
my god what is that," he yelled.
"Face paint," Chris laughed. "Kevin and I figured Justin would think
that it was one of us, so he put this on me."
"And you agreed to this," Lance asked.
Chris looked down and then nodded. "I thought it would be funny."
"It's something all right," Devon replied. A moment later, Kevin came
running into the room.
"Well,' he asked Chris. He looked back and forth between Devon and Lance.
"Sorry Kev, didn't scare them," Chris replied.
"Any more than seeing Chris usually does," Devon said with a smirk.
Chris gave him a playful smack as they stood there looking at each other.
"This is getting really old guys," Devon said. "I think Justin is scared
enough. Or if he's not, I know we are. So why don't we just call it quits."
There was a scream from upstairs.
"Or we can run," Kevin said as he bolted towards the stairs leading to
the attic.
"This is smart," Lance said. "We heard a scream. Let's go to the attic
to investigate. This place is haunted. We're all gonna get killed, aren't
we?"
"Oh, I'll protect you," Devon said with a sigh. "Remember to water my
plants should something happen to me."
"You don't have any," Lance replied flatly.
"But I'd like some," Devon replied with a grin as he walked upstairs.
Kevin was already in the attic when the rest arrived. "I have no idea
what happened," he said. "I know there was a scream from up here...but
where'd it come from."
There was a pounding on a closet which made everyone jump. Kevin walked
slowly over to it and put his ear to it. There was another pounding. He
tried the knob and noticed it was lock. He turned the lock and opened the
door quickly, jumping out of the way as he did so.
Howie and AJ spilled out of the closet, landing on the floor.
"About time someone heard us," AJ yelled.
"We've been in there for twenty minutes! What have you guys been doing
down there," Howie asked.
Devon and Lance threw each other a look and smirked. "Our taxes."
"Oh god," AJ said as he rolled his eyes. "Great, while you were doing
your...taxes...someone was locking us in closets."
"What," Kevin yelled.
"Someone pushed us in there and locked it," Howie replied.
"OK, so like I was saying before," Devon said. "This has gone far enough
and it's time for us to end it. I'm going downstairs and talking to Justin,
and I don't care who likes it or doesn't."
"Fine by me," AJ said.
"Me too," Howie echoed.
"Good, then let's go.
"Let me call Britney and tell her it's over," Kevin said, pulling out his
cell phone.
*****
"OK, so it looks like we've got quite a story to tell the guys," Britney
said. "Again," she added sadly.
"God, I always cause trouble," Leigh Anne said as she plopped back on the
bed.
"Yes you do, but this one isn't your fault," Britney said. Her cell
phone rang. She froze, staring at it in her hand.
"Aren't you going to answer that," Leigh Anne said.
Britney shook her head quickly. Leigh Anne sighed and took it from her.
She pulled up the antenna and pressed the talk button.
"Hello?"
"Um, Britney," Kevin said confused.
"Shit," Leigh Anne whispered as she covered the mouthpiece. "It's Kevin!"
"Oh thank god," Britney said, taking the phone from Leigh Anne. "What's
up Kevin?"
"Britney who was that," Kevin asked.
"I'll fill you in soon. Where are you?"
"We're all heading downstairs. I just met up with Brian, Nick and JC and
Joey and the rest of the guys" Kevin said. "This little prank is over,"
Kevin said.
"Yea, I know," Britney replied. "We'll meet you downstairs."
"We," Kevin asked.
"Just wait," Britney said as she hung up. "Let's go," Britney said as
she stood.
*****
"OK, so there was nothing in the basement," Fatima said as she walked
back into the kitchen. "You must have been imagining things."
"I guess," Justin said as he followed her back into the living room. As
he entered, he saw everyone coming down the stairs. He looked up at them,
angrily for a moment, then shaking his head merely sat back down on the
couch. "Did you guys have fun," he asked a tad bitterly.
"No," Howie said flatly.
"We're sorry," Kevin said as he sat down near Justin. "We thought this
might cheer you up or something."
"Really," Justin said sarcastically.
"Don't be angry," JC pleaded.
Justin looked up at Nick and saw him on the verge of tears. "I'm not
angry," Justin said staring up at Nick. He smiled gently and motioned for
Nick to sit down near him. He shyly approached and wrapped one arm around
Justin as he sat.
Britney came walking slowly down the stairs. "That was really freaky,"
she said as she approached the group.
"Oh, I have a surprise for you," Justin said as he saw her.
"And I have one for you," she replied increduously.
"Let me go first," Justin said. He picked up his cell phone and dialed.
Britney heard her phone go off. With an odd look, she picked it up.
"Um, hello?"
"Run," the same voice said. Britney looked up and saw Justin laughing
hysterically. "Never use the same prank twice Britney. You already pulled
this one on me."
"I did," she asked. She looked around and thought. "Oh yea! Damn, I
need new material." She shook her head and laughed. "Nice come back."
"Thank you thank you," Justin said with a smile. "So what was your
surprise."
"Well, it's not really my surprise per se," she said. "Leigh Anne," she
called up the stairs. Leigh Anne stepped out of the shadows of where she was
and slowly walked down the stairs. There was a loud gasp as everyone saw
her.
"Um, hi," she said as she gave a little wave.
"I don't want to hear it right now," Kevin said. "Whatever you have to
say is going to wait until tomorrow. I've been through too much tonight to
hear anymore now."
"I don't even want to see you," JC said as he gave her a dirty look.
Leigh Anne took a seat next to Britney and tried to hide behind her. She
threw a look over at Brian and saw him shaking his head and looking at the
ground. With a sigh she lay back on the floor.
"Can we watch the end of the movie," Joey asked. Kevin groaned and then
nodded. Joey ran out and turned the power back on. He put the tape to the
place where they had left off and plopped down on the floor in front of the
tv.
"Might as well," AJ replied. He started to approach Britney, but as he
saw Leigh Anne, he just gave her a slight wave and moved further away.
Britney giggled a bit and shook her head, her eyes now fixating on the tv.
"OK, I'm going to bed then," Justin said as he stood. "I'll see everyone
in the morning."
"Mind if I come with you," Nick asked as he stood. Justin smiled and
nodded, leading them up the stairs.
"So, where do we sleep," Nick asked. Justin began looking through the
rooms on the second floor until one caught his eye.
It was dark, save for a single candle standing in an ancient candelabra.
The wax, already dripping, had began to fall down the polished finish and
harden. Through the large picture window, one could only see the gnarled
branches of a long ago dead tree, having shed it's leaves centuries before.
The bed was enormous, with a canopy that more resmebled a tent than anything
else. The heavy drapes were dusty and heavy, throwing a light film over
anything they brushed up against. There was a step stool at the side of the
bed. It was necessary to use this small ladder to climb up as the mattress
sat up so high. The rest of the furniture in the room was covered with
white sheets. Hung on one wall was a painting, faded and even torn in some
places. It was of a woman, stunning in a scarlet red dress with her hair
swept up on top of her head.
Justin entered the room slowly and looked around nervously, thinking he
had been there before. With each step he took, he could feel his heart beat
louder in his chest. He quickly walked over to one of the covered sheets and
tore the blanket off, causing a cloud of dust to rise into the air. He
coughed loudly and covered his mouth and nostrils. He continued to walk
around the room, tearing sheets from the various couches and beds as he
walked. With a sigh he glanced around.
"Do you like it," a voice behind him said.
Justin jumped a bit and threw a look over his shoulder. He smiled
warmly. "I love it," he said with a grin. "It's a little creepy right now,
but I think with some more light it will be amazing."
"I'm glad," Nick said with a wide smile as he approached. Justin took a
step back and walked over to the bed. One of the boards in the floor
creaked, causing Justin to jump back. As he did he fell into one of the
posts of the canopy.
"Ouch," he cried out as he clutched his back. He swore under his breath
and took a step forward.
Something grabbed his foot. Justin let out a yelp as he felt the grip on
his ankle tighten and pull him down. He tried to stand, but the iron grip on
his leg wouldn't let go. He kicked and then jumped to his feet. He
scrambled back and cried out.
"Something just grabbed me," he said as he hopped up.
"What," Nick said. "I saw you fall, but I didn't see anyone grab you."
"Something fucking grabbed me," Justin screamed. "Something's under the
bed." Nick took a step forward. "Don't look under there," Justin said as he
clutched his arm.
"I'm just gonna take a look," Nick said. He crept closer and then with
one quick action threw the blankets back and looked under.
"There's nothing here," Nick replied.
Justin stared for a moment and then took a step closer. He looked under
the bed and paused. "I could have sworn..." He paused. "I want to get out of
here," he said quickly.
Nick looked at him for a moment. "You mean you don't wanna stay here?"
"I want to go to a hotel or something. I'm not staying in this house
anymore. It's too creepy."
Nick stared at him for a moment and then nodded. "OK, let's go tell the
rest of the guys." He put one arm around Justin's shoulder and led him out
of the room. They walked slowly down the creaky steps and towards the VCR.
Nick paused at the bottom step and pointed to the group, laughing a bit.
Justin looked and smiled widely.
Everyone had their hands covering their eyes as they watched the movie.
Britney had a pillow over her face and her fingers in her ears, trying to
block out the images. Justin tip toed slowly towards her and paused right
behind her. He looked back at Nick who nodded. With a yell, Justin reached
out and grabbed her shoulders.
"OH MY GOD," she screamed as she hopped him, throwing Justin's back. He
laughed loudly as she jumped around, throwing her head all over trying to see
what had grabbed her. When she saw him she paused and made a fist. "I could
kill you," she said slowly.
"Some other place," Justin said. "Would anyone mind if we went to a
hotel or something."
"Actually I was just thinking that," Kevin said. "I don't thin any of us
particularly like this house after everything."
"Cool, so let's go then," Joey said. He walked over to the VCR and
pulled the tape out. Everyone walked over to their bags which were being
kept in the den and began to load them into the large van that had been
rented for them.
"Think we can get some rooms for tonight," Britney asked as she buckled
her seat belt.
"We better, because I'm not going back there," Justin said with a smile.
"Agreed," Nick said as he gave him a kiss on the cheek.
Leigh Anne sat all the way in the back of the van and wrapped her arms
around herself. 'This isn't over,' she thought to herself over and over.
*****
He watched as the van drove down the long twisting driveway and under the
gnarled tree branches. He laughed to himself as he saw the people in the
back moving around. "I'll see you soon," he said in a harsh whisper.
*****
Well, I hope everyone enjoyed that section and had a happy Halloween. If
you have anything at all to say, write me at BrwyMilo@aol.com.
So, Leigh Anne is back. Is she "all there" so to speak? What impact is
all this going to have on the bands? Was the house really haunted, or did
someone just make it seem that way? Is Brian content with his relationship?
Is there something in Devon's past he's trying to hide? What was Fatima
trying to tell Justin? Did Britney Spears really get a boob job? The
answers to at least a few of these questions to be answered next time.
Thanks for reading!