Midnight House, page 17
Uphill, Daniel heard what sounded like a stampede of elephants charging their direction. A war cry cut through the night and echoed through the trees. “We need to go,” Daniel said. “Now. Wanna race?”
Without hesitation, Kyle took off down the hill.
Now Daniel had to get them back to Amber’s car and out of here for good.
Kyle felt like he was flying. The breeze felt good on his exposed skin, but he wasn’t a fan of the cold air gnawing on his exposed privates. He made a mental note to ask all those who had seen his privates in their currently cold-shrunken state to say nothing to Megan or anyone else.
Especially Amber. He knew she’d have some nickname for him that she would never stop using.
He looked back to see if he could see Daniel and tripped on something, stumbled, but kept his footing as the clearing to NEED Camp came closer into view.
He heard a second yell in the distance behind him and Daniel.
His teammates were coming to take him back!
Kyle arrived at the clearing first behind a pair of NEED Camp cabins, his bare feet now on solid, cold dirt.
Daniel arrived seconds later. They made their way across the soccer field to the large building that Kyle remembered housed the cafeteria and offices.
Daniel led Kyle around the back of the large building to a door with ADMINISTRATION OFFICE stenciled in white on the lower half. He tried the doorknob. Locked.
He paused a moment and listened. The yelling had stopped. Were they here? Did they give up? Daniel knew he and Kyle had to hurry, but this was a necessary detour.
“You think the lost and found would be in here?” Daniel asked.
“Probably,” Kyle said. “My toe hurts.” Kyle watched as Daniel took out his phone and shined his flashlight on Kyle’s feet. His right big toe was covered in blood and dirt; the nail bent up and back.
“Oh, my God!” Daniel exclaimed.
“I wonder why it doesn’t hurt as bad as it looks?”
“Because you’re drunk off your ass, and your feet are probably numb from the cold, that’s why,” Daniel said.
“Oh,” Kyle said.
Daniel scanned one of the window frames. “Just wait until tomorrow when you’ll have to decide what hurts worse, your hangover, or your toe.”
Kyle laughed.
“Doesn’t look like there’s an alarm.” Daniel looked around quickly with his phone’s flashlight and found a decent size rock. He smashed through the window as quietly as possible, reached in and unlocked the door, then opened it from the outside. “Careful of the glass,” Daniel said.
Daniel stepped inside. He swept the area around the inside of the door with his shoe, clearing it of any broken glass that had fallen.
“Let’s find you some clothes,” Daniel said.
CHAPTER
SEVENTY-SIX
Amber looked up as she heard the faint sounds of hollering in the distance. She rolled down her window and could hear more hollers and whooping cutting through the silence of the cold night.
Was Daniel in trouble? Was this just another part of the Midnight House stupidity?
She knew she had to find out.
She opened her door once again, closed it as quietly as she could, and locked the Focus. Her special friend was gripped tightly in her hand, ready for use if it came to that.
And she hoped it wouldn’t.
The sounds were coming from inside NEED Camp as far as she could tell, but she had no clue what the geography was of the camp, and the blackness of the night, thanks to the clouds and trees, wasn’t helping.
She didn’t want to use the flashlight on her phone in case it alerted anyone she was there. She used the dimmer light from her phone’s screen as a guide as she moved around the main NEED Camp gate and began her walk down the road to what she hoped would be an easy trek.
And an easier exit.
CHAPTER
SEVENTY-SEVEN
Daniel was hopeful that if he and Kyle waited, the other players and Luke would give up and go back to Midnight House. This event was mainly Luke’s little game, and Daniel was sure most of these players weren’t as sadistic as Luke probably thought. He also hoped that Luke would send others to come after them and not come himself.
At least then, Daniel figured, if they were found, he could reason with them. Hell, one was Steven Trout, his girlfriend’s best friend. It should be easy to get out of here with no problem.
Daniel knew that was the best-case scenario.
Unless, of course, the big one in the skull mask came with them. Who the hell was he, anyway?
“I think I found it,” Kyle said. “The lost and found.” Kyle pointed through an open doorway that led to an inner-office.
“What makes you think it’s in there?” Daniel asked.
“Do you see it out here?”
“Good point,” Daniel said.
Daniel and Kyle slipped inside.
Daniel turned on his phone’s flashlight once more, knowing his battery was draining each time. There was a small window near the ceiling on the opposite wall from the door. On the ground below the window was a large, weathered box: Lost and Found. Daniel and Kyle grabbed the box and hefted it onto the metal desk that sat nearby.
They sifted through the clothes and made a sobering discovery. “I think it was an all-girls camp this last time,” Kyle said. “There are no guy’s clothes in here.”
“Well,” Daniel said as he pulled out a Frozen sweatshirt, “it’s either these or run around naked in the freezing cold again. Your choice.”
Kyle considered. “Fine. Ooh! A Wonder Woman zip-up hoodie. Nice!”
Kyle got dressed as Daniel played look-out. Kyle belched a few times. The last one sounded a little too watery for Daniel’s liking. He didn’t see or hear any signs the mob was nearby, but he still knew they had to be cautious.
“You gonna throw up, buddy?” Daniel asked.
“I hope not,” Kyle said. “But it’s a definite possibility.”
Daniel was hopeful they could make it to Amber’s car without any more problems. And hopeful Kyle would puke before they got into her car.
The clothes were tight, but they were good enough for what Kyle needed. After he was fully dressed, minus shoes, Kyle joined Daniel. “Ready,” Kyle said.
“Amber’s parked at the entrance,” Daniel said. “I think we can make it by moonlight.”
Kyle paused, knowing he had to say what needed to be said. “I’m not leaving.”
Daniel turned and looked at him. “What?”
“I wanna go back,” Kyle said. “I still have a shot to be Varsity Captain, Daniel. That is if you didn’t ruin it for me.”
Daniel put his hand on Kyle’s shoulder. “Kyle, you’re drunk. You’re not thinking clearly. Those guys tried to kill you. Do you understand?”
“You know what?” Kyle said, a warm feeling blanketing his body. “I think Luke was right about you.” Kyle exited the offices and headed outside.
“Right about what?” Daniel asked, following close behind.
“You’re weak and insecure, and that’s why you’re afraid to leave me.”
“Luke said that, huh?” Daniel said.
“Yep,” Kyle said, as he continued back around the building the way they had come.
Daniel followed close behind Kyle, shaking off his best friend’s hurtful words.
Daniel turned the corner and stopped mid-step.
In front of him was a pack of masked Varsity players, naked and shivering JV players covering their privates, and Luke standing in front of them.
Kyle, in his newfound Wonder Woman and Frozen ensemble, joined the pack of guys and faced Daniel.
“I told you to go home, Daniel,” Luke said. “I should have them beat your ass for what you did to my nose.”
“I guess next year’s calendar will be a little delayed,” Daniel said.
He could hear a few snickers from the other players. He saw a smile on Kyle’s face.
“Kyle, it’s time to go,” Daniel said as he stepped forward.
Kyle didn’t move.
“These people aren’t your friends, Kyle.”
Kyle stepped forward toward Daniel. Daniel was relieved. He walked toward Kyle to meet his barefoot, slightly limping friend halfway.
Kyle slugged Daniel in the gut. Hard.
Caught off-guard, Daniel crumpled to the ground; the wind knocked out of him. His vision blurred with tears as he desperately struggled to suck in the cold night air.
“I have new friends,” Kyle said above him. “Go home, Daniel.” He heard Kyle spit. The wad hit Daniel in the face.
Through his blurred vision, Daniel saw the group moving away from him.
What the hell had just happened?
CHAPTER
SEVENTY-EIGHT
Kyle didn’t want to do it, but he knew it was the only way to get Daniel out of there without Luke doing something to him. He felt horrible. Disgusted. Sick. He wanted to run back and hug Daniel. To apologize and tell him how sorry he was.
But he knew he couldn’t.
Not right now. Kyle was at the back of the pack, Luke beside him.
“Not bad,” Luke said, clapping Kyle on the back. “I mean, I would’ve kicked him in the face, too, but I’m still impressed.”
“Thanks,” Kyle said, now happy he did what he did.
“But you do know you have to be punished for what happened, right?”
Kyle’s mind seized-up for a second. Punished?
“What do you mean?” Kyle asked.
“An outsider discovered Midnight House. That’s a violation of the rules. And broken rules have consequences.” Luke leaned closer to his ear. “Don’t worry,” he whispered, “it’s all part of the game.”
Luke snapped his fingers.
Kyle felt himself being lifted off the ground from behind by a group of hands.
It was a crowd-surfing moment he knew he would regret for a long time.
CHAPTER
SEVENTY-NINE
Amber was close enough in the shadows to see Daniel get punched and fall to the ground, followed by Kyle spitting on him. She wanted to run out there and do something, but knew she would be outnumbered given the situation.
A slight breeze came her way, and she could immediately smell the alcohol present in the air. She definitely had no desire to confront a group of drunk teenage boys hopped up on their own testosterone-fueled power and energy.
She peeked around the corner again and saw that the others were leaving Daniel by himself. Alone.
She was ready to move in to help him when she heard shoes on gravel.
Someone else was here.
Daniel tried his best to breathe and not throw up as the pain in his gut from Kyle’s surprisingly strong punch immobilized him on the cold, hard, damp dirt. He could feel another wave of nausea pass as he rolled over onto all fours, spit a mouthful of saliva onto the ground, then stood.
Well, that definitely didn’t go as planned.
He had to get back to Amber.
And, he knew it was crazy, insane to even think at this point, but he knew he still had to go back for Kyle.
That’s why he was out here. That’s why he had put himself and Amber in this situation. And even as he lay on the cold dirt, his stomach revolting against him as he attempted to move, Daniel knew he had to go back.
Kyle would’ve done it for him, after all.
And two years ago, he did.
Daniel took a few more breaths, rubbed his stomach through his jacket, and got to his feet. He took a couple steps toward the main NEED Camp building.
He heard the crunch of gravel behind him.
He turned and saw Skull Mask from inside the cabin, advancing toward him like an enraged bull. He was now in a t-shirt, sweats, and shoes, but the mask remained.
Daniel sprinted toward the grassy field where he had once played soccer years ago. The grass was slick from the recent rains, and the ground was spongy beneath his feet as he raced away to be anywhere but near the skull-masked giant.
Despite his determination, Daniel felt two hands shove him hard from behind.
Daniel lost his balance and fell forward onto the rain-saturated grass, sliding to a stop. He attempted to get up but felt a foot press down between his shoulder blades.
A foot moved to Daniel’s side and flipped him over on his back. In the now-present moonlight, Daniel stared up at Skull Mask. The wetness from the grass had slowly seeped into the back of Daniel’s jacket, shirt, and jeans. He felt cold and clammy.
The foot stepped down on Daniel’s stomach, causing a wave of nausea to return.
“You really think your little girlfriend over there in her white car can save you?” Skull Mask asked.
Daniel felt a rage build inside of him. It was one thing to go after him, but another to bring Amber into this.
And how did this guy even know she was his girlfriend?
CHAPTER
EIGHTY
Kyle’s hands were bound above his head, the rope tied around his wrists connected to one of the wooden beams above him. His NEED Camp clothes had been stripped off, and he was now naked again and facing away from the group.
“This paddle,” he heard Luke behind him addressing the others, “is for those who break the rules of Midnight House. And Kyle Hanson has broken one of those rules tonight.”
Kyle felt the wooden paddle glide down his back and across his butt. He was still a little buzzed from the alcohol from earlier in the evening and hoped that helped with what was to come. Although his toe was starting to throb now, which wasn’t a good sign.
“How many whacks does he deserve?” Luke asked the group. He heard voices shouting out numbers like the audience on a twisted version of The Price is Right. “How about his jersey number?” Luke said, quieting the group.
My jersey number? Kyle thought. That’s...
“Fourteen!” Luke said. “Let’s get to it. But first,” Luke held up a bottle of whiskey in front of Kyle’s face, “here’s a little something to take the pain away.”
Before Kyle could object, the whiskey bottle was shoved into his mouth, the contents of the bottle now filling his throat and spilling down his face onto his chest. He reflexively swallowed, the brown alcohol burning his throat and nostrils, but the burning tapered off the more he swallowed.
Luke pulled the whiskey bottle from Kyle’s lips and looked at what remained inside. “Half a bottle should do the trick,” Luke said, then leaned in closer to Kyle. “Oh, and nice try getting Seth to distract me while you did your little costume party. I’m really gonna enjoy this.”
Luke disappeared behind Kyle.
Kyle closed his eyes. Between missing the rally, distracting Luke so he could do the costume contest, and Daniel showing up tonight and punching Luke in the nose, Kyle had a feeling a lot of Luke’s anger was about to be dispensed through the wooden paddle he brandished in his hand.
The first smack of the paddle against Kyle’s bare butt stung beyond anything he had felt before. The pain in his toe and his emerging headache were suddenly a distant memory.
SMACK! came the second one! SMACK! With each hit, his backside began to feel numb, but the initial sting of the impact resonated through his body. His legs shook like Jell-O.
Kyle bit his lip, gritted his teeth, and did his best not to make a sound. He was certain if he let out even a whimper, Luke would start over.
CHAPTER
EIGHTY-ONE
Amber saw her moment to attack as Daniel was shoved to the ground, then flipped over. She charged from her spot behind the main building and across the grass directly toward the big guy and Daniel. She gripped her weapon tightly as she approached and saw her opportunity to strike.
Amber fired up her stun gun and jammed it as hard as she could into the big guy’s lower back. The stun gun sparked and popped, the smell of burning fabric hit her face.
The big guy in the skull mask screamed and dropped to his knees, then onto his side on the wet grass, jerking from the voltage injected into him.
In the moonlight, she could see him seizing on the wet grass.
Her eyes met Daniel’s.
“Amber?” Daniel said in disbelief, the masked guy’s body still jerking on the grass between them.
“Let’s go,” she said as she started to run. Daniel joined her.
“What did you hit him with?” Daniel asked as they left the grass and their feet met asphalt.
“Stun gun,” Amber said, matter-of-factly. “Should keep him down long enough.”
They raced across the parking lot area toward the Focus.
She unlocked the car, and they hopped inside.
“I have a crazy idea,” Daniel said.
“Whatever it is,” Amber said, turning on the Focus, “at this point, I’m in.”
Daniel was grateful Amber showed up when she did and definitely wanted to know more about how she got a stun gun. But right now, it was clear Amber had a plan similar to his that he was more than willing to go along with: they were going to get Kyle.
Before Daniel had a chance to put on his seatbelt, Amber had hit the gas. He lunged forward in his seat as they accelerated backward toward the main road.
Amber turned the wheel as the car made it to the main road, the front of the Focus aimed up the road where Midnight House resided. She threw it into drive just as Daniel clicked his seatbelt into place, and the car sped toward its new destination.
CHAPTER
EIGHTY-TWO
As Tyler lay on the ground, his muscles contracting, his body shuddering from the sudden shock of what he guessed was electricity – had he heard the girl say the words stun gun? – his will to break free from his invisible bonds grew. His rage grew hotter. His bloodlust was suddenly at a fever pitch as he felt the pain in his lower back where the stun gun had made contact.
