"What do you mean?" Elaine asked, holding onto Taylor's arm.
"I'm the killer! That's right! Me! Little 'ol me! The killer!" Hope said, taking another step toward the frightened Taylor and Elaine.
"Kill me but let her be," Taylor told Hope. Hope started to laugh and dropped the knife. Taylor became loose of Elaine's grip and grabbed the knife that was now on the floor.
"Stay where you are!" Taylor told Hope, holding the knife up.
"Taylor, chill. Lighten up!" Hope laughed. "You guys ELaine breathed a sigh of relief. "Don't ever do that again," Elaine told her.
"Hey, I'm sorry. But the oppurtunity was too great to resist," Hope said, stilll laughing slightly.
"It's okay," Elaine told her, calming down.
"How do we know you aren't the killer?" Talyor asked her, still holding the knife in ready position.
"Taylor, what ever happened to 'there is no killer here'?"Elaien asked him, walking over to him and putting her arms around his waist. "COme on, drop the knife. She was just messing around."
"Look, Taylor, I'm sorry. No more. I'll leave you alone now. I promise," Hope said. "You might want this," she told Taylor, handing him a leather pouch to put the knife's sharp blade in. Taylor took it from her and slid the blade of the knife carefully into it. He then put it in his pocket.
"Come on, let's go look for Zac," Elaine said, giving Taylor a light squeeze then releasing him.
"Guys?" a voice whispered.
"What was that?" Elaine asked.
"Taylor?" the voice whispered again.
"That's Zac!" Taylor said. "Zac? Where are you?" he called.
"In here, under the bed," Zac replied softly. Hope, Talyor and Elaine dashed out of the bathroom and into the other room. They threw themselves down on the floor and lfted up the bedspread. Zac was lying there on his stomach, facing them.
"Come on out of there," Taylor told his little brother, outstreching his arms to him. Zac grabbed his hands. Taylor stood up and pulled Zac out from under the bed. Zac stood up. Elaine and Hope did the same.
"Where have you been? I've been worried sick about you?" Taylor yelled.
"I'm sorry, Tay. It was just I-I-flipped or -some-something when I saw Ike and I-"Zac choked out. "Someone was chasing me. I didn't know who. They just were. I could feel them, Tay! I could feel them!" Zac shrieked. He was crying by this point.
"Hey, Zac, it's okay. It's okay," Taylor said in a soothing voice. He embraced his brother in a hug. "Shhh, it's okay now. You're safe. It's okay," Taylor told him.
Elaine walked over to them. "Zac?" she said quietly. Zac parted from Taylor and turned around to face Zac.
"Yeah?" he said, sniffing back tears.
"Are you gonna be okay?" she asked.
"Yeah. Ummmm, I want to tell you that I'm sorry about what happened and stuff. I trust you," Zac told her. Elaine smiled the best she could.
"Thanks, Zac," she said, giving him a little kiss on the cheek.
"That was uncalled for," Zac replied smiling. Elaine laughed slightly.
"Sorry," she replied, smiling. Hope coughed.
"Oh! Zac, this is Hope. Hope this is Zac," Elaine introduced. Hope and Zac nodded to each other.
"Shoot! We gotta get back to Brooke and Isaac. They've been up there for forever," Taylor said suddenly.
"Oh god!" Elaine exclaimed. With that, all four of them raced out of the room, down the hall, and up the stairs. They jogged up the several flights of steps and raced to the room where their two unconcious friends lay.
Taylor unlocked the door and peered inside. Everything appeared to be okay. The four of them raced over to the bed. Taylor checked Isaac's pulse while Elaine checked Brooke's.
"Still with us?" Hope asked.
Taylor and Elaine nodded.
"Thank god!" Zac said.
"As thrilling as this day has been, I'm exhausted. Where can I sleep?" Hope asked.
"Sleep? You just lost your parents and you're going to sleep?" Taylor asked.
"If I don't, I'll bite everyone's head off," Hope told him.
"Taylor, I guess you'll be seeing some action then, huh?" Elaine asked. Taylor ran over to Elaine and grabbed her sides and tickled her to the floor.
"Ack! Stop it!" Elaine said between laughing. Taylor climbed on top of her and sat on her legs then stopped tickling. "I'm not amused. Get off of me!" Elaine told him.
"That's not what you were saying earlier," he smiled.
"Please! Why would I do that with you? "Elaine asked, grinning.
"Um, you two? Where can I sleep?" Hope asked.
"Pick a spot!" Taylor told her.
"Fine, piss head," Hope said. She went to the other side of the room and sat up in the corner. "Everyone, leave me alone."
Zac was sitting on the bed by Isaac. "Do I even want to know what you two are doing over there on the floor?" Zac asked. The next thing Zac heard was Taylor moaning then a loud slap. Elaine stood up.
"You! Stay off of me!" Elaine told Taylor, half serious-half kidding.
Taylor stood up. "Sorry," he laughed. "But it was too perfect!"
"Elaine, what happened?" Zac asked.
"Nothing! Your brother is being an ass!" she told him.
"Hey, I'm sorry. Seriously," Taylor told her, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"What's going on between you guys?" Zac asked.
"Huh?" Elaine started laughing. "Nothing. We're just close," she said. Zac gave them both a funny look but decided it would be best for him to shut up just this once. Somehow, he wasn't in the mood for a black eye.
"You know, maybe we all should think about getting some sleep," Elaine said.
"Yeah," Taylor replied. "Think it'll be safe?"
"Lock the door then it will be," Elaien told him. Taylor once again let go of Elaine and locked the door. He then came back over.
"Guess she was tired," Zac said, pointing to Hope who was asleep in the corner.
"You know, she's so much more tolerable when she's asleep," Taylor said.
"Taylor!" Elaine giggled.
"Well it's true!" he smiled.
"Anyways!" Elaine said trying to get off topic. "Where you guys wanna sleep?"
"I wanna sleep by Ike," Zac said.
"Okay," Elaine smiled. "Crawl beside him them."
"Where?" Zac asked.
"Right there between him and Brooke," she instructed.
"I don't want Brooke to get mad," Zac said.
"She won't care.And that's even if she finds out. Go ahead," Elaine said. Zac crawled between Isaac and Brooke. He fell asleep almost immediately.
Taylor and Elaine were sitting on the end of the bed. They had decided to stay up as long as possible in case someone did try to come in. They talked for awhile about their lives and shared stories. They tried to tell only humerous stories to keep each other's mind off the situation at hand. Every few minutes they would check Brooke and Isaac to see how they were holding up. They carried this on for quite sometime. Eventually, they reached a silent pause.
"Hey, Taylor, do you think we'll make it out of here alive?" Elaine asked suddenly.
"Of course we will," he told her.
"It's just, I'm beginning to doubt it," she told him. "And what if Brooke dies, huh? I can't loose her. And my parents, they'll be crushed!" She broke out into tears.
Taylor reached his arms out and pulled her into him. He laid her head on his lap and stroked her hair. "I won't let anything happen to you, Elaine. I promise you that," he said in a voice that was unfamiliar to himself. After a few minutes he felt her body stop trembling and her quite. He lifted her head slightly off his lap and saw that she had fallen asleep. He laid her head back on his lap and continued to stroke her hair. "I won't let anything happen to you," he said once more in a soft, whispery voice. He sat that night with Elaine's head rested in his lap and praying. He prayed for God to allow Isaac and Brooke and to live. He prayed that God would watch over them and protect them from all harm. He prayed even for Hope to find peace in her parent's passing. He slept not once that night. He couldn't have even if he tried. There was too much to be thought about.
The next morning, Elaine was the first one to awake. Taylor felt her head move lightly in his lap. She took her head off Taylor's lap and looked up at him. She wrapped her arms around his waist.
"Hi," she smiled.
"Hey," he smiled back. She sat up completely but kept her arms around him.
"What time is it?" she asked still smilining.
"10:30," he said, looking at his watch. She put her face up to his and rested her cheek beside his. She undid her arms from around him and took his arms that were at his side and placed them around her. She then put her arms back around him. She blew in his ear.
"Elaine," he said.
"Hmmm?" she replied.
"What are doing?" he asked.
"Cuddling," she whispered.
"No, this isn't cuddling," he replied.
"I thought this is what you wanted?" she asked, looking into his eyes.
"Elaine, your my friend. I love you but not like this. This is too much right here," he told her, releasing his arms from around her then sliding her arms from around him.
"Oh, sorry," Elaine said, getting off the bed.
"I'm sorry, too," he told her. "Please, don't let this ruin our friendship."
"Naw, it's okay," she told him, smiling. "Hey, not to be a pain but, do you think I could borrow something form you to wear?" she asked.
"You gonna make a trip up to our room?" he asked.
"Yeah, if I can borrow soemthing," she said.
"Borrow whatever. I don't care," he smiled. "Hey, actually, while you're up there, could you bring down a blanket or two?"
"Why don't you just come with me?" she suggested.
"Yeah, I don't want you to go alone anyways," he said, getting off the bed himself. Taylor woke Zac to tell him what him and Elaine were doing and that he was locking the door. Zac mumbled then fell back asleep.
Elaine and Taylor walked down the hall to the stairs and went to their hotel room. The opened the door and walked in. Before doing anyhting else, they checked the room to make sure it was safe then they got down to business. "Maybe I should bring something for everyone else too," she said.
"Just bring my suitcase and Ike's bad. That'll cover it," he told her. Meanwhile, Taylor stripped the bed then went into their's parents conjoining room and did the same to their's. He also went in the bathroom and grabbed the towles.
"Think I should grab the toilet paper?" Talyor asked. Elaine started laughing.
"Taylor, shut up and don't talk," she told him still laughing.
"It was just a thought," he said smiling. "Are we ready to go?"
Elaine nodded and picked up Taylor's suticase and Isaac's tote bag.
"Here, I'll get those. You can carry these," Taylor told her, handing her the linens and taking the suitcase and bag. They left room and Taylor locked it behind them. They returned to the others. Taylor fiddled with the lock but couldn't get it open. He banged on the door.
"Hey, it's me and Elaine. Let us in," Taylor called. No answer. Taylor banged again.
"Hello? Zac? Hope? It's us!" Elaine told them. This time they heard foot steps and arguing. Finally, Zac opened the door.
"About time," Taylor said.
"Hope told me not to open the door. She said that it could be the killer. Then I asked her how they could sound like you two and she said that the killer was probably making you guys say that so he could get in and kill us too," Zac told them.
"Both good points," Elaine said. Hope went over to Elaine and took some of the linens from her and placed them in a pile on the floor. Elaien dropped hers in the same spot.
"I say from now on, no one opens the door for anyone even if you hear their voice," Hope said.
"Agreed," Elaine said.
"Okay," Taylor replied.
"I guess," answered Zac.
Taylor sat down the his suitcase and Isaac's bag on the nearby dresser.
"Whats all this?" Hope asked.
"A change of clothes," Taylor replied.
"Well, I have my stuff in my room. Elaine, let's go get them," Hope said.
"Here, take this," Taylor told Elaine, handing her the knife that had been in his pocket. Elaine took it and headed out the door with Brooke. Elaine walked with the knife tightly cluthced in her left hand. They both of them were very cautious. They got to Hope's room. They ran in, grabbed her suitcase, then ran out, down the hall and back upstairs. When they got to the room they saw Taylor standing in the door way with the door open, waiting for them. Taylor was smiling.
"Taylor, what is it?" Elaine asked.
"See for yourself," Taylor said, moving aside. Elaine and Hope raced in to the room. Isaac and Brooke were sitting up in the bed, awake.
"Oh my god!" Elaine exclaimed, running over to them. She Brooke a long hug. "You had us scared to death!"
"Hey, no one can beat the great and wonderful Princess Brooke," Brooke replied weakly.
"That's right," Elaine smiled.
"Hi to you too, Elaine," Isaac said weakly, trying to joke around.
"Hey, Isaac," Elaine said to him.
"How are you two feeling?" Taylor asked them, walking over to them. He sat behind Elaine.
"What happened exactly?" Brooke asked.
"You were attacked. Someone did it. We arne't quite sure who yet, but we're working on it," Hope piped in.
"Who's she?" Isaac whispered to Zac. Zac shrugged.
"Some chick they found in the hotel when they were looking for me,"Zac whispered back.
"Where did you go?" Isaac whispered back to him.
"Long story," Zac replied.
"Hey, I'm gonna go get a quick shower," Elaine told everyone. She stood up. Taylor stood up behind her. "I'm gonna try to piece myself back together."
"Hey, when you're done, wanna help me put myself together?" Brooke asked. Elaine smiled.
"Sure."
"Hey! I wanna help!" Hope said. "It'll help keep my mind of things anyhow."
Elaine and Brooke agreed.
"Great! Elaine, go get your shower. I'll find you something to wear. Brooke, can you get up?" Hope asked. Brooke shook her head "no". "Hmmm...... I'll see what I can do," Hope said.
Elaine went in and got her shower. She scrubbed feriously like she had before. She still couldn't get the feeling of being clean. It was a horrible feeling. SHe scrubbed herself almost raw before she quit, realizing that the 'dirtiness' was in her mind. She stepped out of the shower realizing she had forgotten a towel. She hid behind the door and peeked her head out.
"Could someone pass me a towel and some clothes?" Elaine asked. She heard Zac laughing hysterically. "Zac! Shut up!"
"I'm coming," Hope told her. Hope got up and handed Elaine a towel and some clothes. SHe dried off quickly then put the clothes on. She toed her hair back out of her face then glanced in the mirror. She gasped.
"Hope! What the hell did you give me to wear?" Elaine yelled. Hope started laughing.
"It'll look cute. It's one of my outfits," Hope answered.
"Oh! So she looks like a whore?" Taylor asked.
"You would know better than anyone else," Hope replied. "Now come on out."
Elaine cracked the door open and stepped out. She wore a pair of short, dark blue jean shorts and a halter top.
"Now there's something I like waking up to see," Isaac told her. Elaine blushed.
"You look great!" Brooke told her.
"What do you think, Taylor?" Hope asked him.
"I think that you guys aren't taking this whole siuation seriously!" Taylor proclaimed. "When you guys wanna be serious, then let me know. I'll be in the other room," he said, scrunching his eyebrows and storming off to the next room. Elaine ran after him.
"Can I come in?" she asked, standing in the doorway.
"Yeah, close the door behind," he told her. She did what she was told then went over and squatted down in front of the chair he was slouched over in.
"Are you okay?" she asked him. He grabbed her hands and held them in his.
"No," he replied. "I'm tired of being the tough one. The one who does everything. It's like, you guys go do whatever and I'll do all the worrying and unfun stuff."
"Hey, I'm sorry. I didn't know. You should have said something sooner," she told him. "Hug!"
Taylor fell into her arms. They were in a strong embrace. He smelled her hair and smiled. Something about her was so soothing. They were interupted by a scream. They both leaped up and ran to the door that joined the two rooms. Locked!
"Help me! Please God, don't do this to me. Please! Help!" a voice yelled and pleaded.
"Hope?" Elaine yelled. "Hello? Anyone?"
"Please, please! I beg of you. Don't hurt me. Please. I'm too young to die," they heard a voice plea and sob. Then silence. The door remained locked. Taylor ran over to the door that led to the hallway. Locked as well.
"We're trapped in here," Taylor announced to Elaine.
"Atleast we're safe," Elaine said. Taylor went back over to her.
"Hey! Can't you pick the lock?" Taylor asked.
"Card?" Elaine said, reaching her hand out.
Taylor felt around in his pockets. "I don't have it."
"No! It must be in my other clothes!" Elaine said.
"There goes that idea," Taylor said. Elaine pressed her body up against the door and pushed in desperation. As expected, no budge. She tired again and again. Suddenly she screamed and fell backward. A knife was sticking through the door. The side of her arm had blood on it. Taylor raced to her.
"Are you hurt?" he asked. She shook her head "no". He grabbed her arm and felt it to see if there were any cuts or punctures. He touched the spot where the blood was at on her arm. It came off on his hands. He wiped the rest of it away with the bottom of his shirt. "This isn't your blood," he told her. Her whole body was shaking. She was crying hysterically. "If this isn't your blood, then whose is it?"
Taylor and Elaine glanced at her arm then looked to the knife at the door, soaked and stained completely with fresh blood.