~~Chapter 11~~
~~Nightmare Index~~
Getting embarrassed, he laughed. "Basically what I'm trying to say is that...I want to be more committed to you."
He opened the box to reveal a beautiful ring. Sharon didn't look surprised at all but she smiled broadly as Michael put the ring on her finger. Janet and Jeff were totally quiet in shock. Still holding Sharon's hand, Michael said, "Will you marry me?"
Sharon nodded and the kissed Michael on the lips. Janet and Jeff clapped but they couldn't believe the scene they had just witnessed. As the couple kissed, Sharon's eyes turned into a flaming red. She casually put a hand on Michael's heart. Michael felt an electric sensation shoot through his body, almost stopping his heart. immediately he pulled away.
"Whoa, you are some kisser."
Sharon laughed. "That I am."
Michael turned to Janet and Jeff. They looked at him with a blank expression on their faces. Michael smiled. "You guys ready to hit the rides?"
Janet and Jeff smiled nervously and nodded. "How do you all want to do this?" Sharon asked. "Split up in pairs?"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Um, I wanted to go with Michael." Janet said softly. Michael nodded.
"Yeah, we've got some catching up to do."
"Perfect." Sharon said. "I wanted to talk to Jeff anyway." She gave a threatening glare at Jeff.
They went about their separate ways. As Jeff and Sharon walked the small brick road, Sharon said, "You don't think I love him, do you?"
Jeff sighed. "It's not my place to say."
"Don't give me that." Sharon snapped.
"How about we stick to having fun in your future husband's backyard theme park?"
"How about I tell you the truth?"
Jeff stopped walking. "Spill it."
Sharon stopped walking too and turned around. With her eyes burning red, she smiled.
"I can't believe it." Janet said.
"Hey, you want some cotton candy?" Michael asked, ignoring Janet's response to his proposal. Janet shook her head.
"I just don't know about--"
"Shhh..." Michael hushed.
"Why?"
He stopped walking. "Shhhh!" He began looking around. "It's after miiiiddnight..." Michael sung. "Somethin' evil's lurking in the dark..."
Janet laughed.
"Under the mooonnnlight...ummm...I forgot the rest..."
Janet laughed again and hit Michael playfully. "You goof!"
"Yeah, uh huh. But I know Dunky Dunk was scared."
Janet shook her head. "Nope."
"Uh huh, and don't start arguing with me." He said, narrowing his eyes at Janet. Janet rolled her eye, laughing, "Whatever."
They began to walk in silence.
"So, why didn't you tell me you were romantically involved with Sharon? At first you told my you were just friends."
"We were but..." Michael paused. "It just happened."
"Extremely fast, might I add."
Michael shrugged and said nothing.
"Look, I'm just looking out for you. I don't want to see you heartbroken again."
"And I won't be," Michael reassured. "I know what I'm doing."
"You really want to know?" Sharon's eyes seemed to burn right through Jeff. She walked up to him. As she came closer, Jeff's head began throbbing with pain.
"What are you doing to me??!" he cried, pressing his palm against his forehead.
"I'm giving you the truth."
Jeff dropped to his knees. The pain was becoming more than he could bare.
"This is the truth. I killed Whyan. I took Michael's kids. But Jeff, I love him. And he deserves better. People like you following him around like a shadow, making sure he's 'safe'. That stupid career he's got. And those kids. He deserves much better. That's why I'm gonna kill him. Actually, I'm killing him as we speak."
"You're crazy."
Sharon frowned. "That's what everyone told me. And they call Michael crazy too but look how beautiful he is! The REAL crazy ones will get what's coming to them. Just like you." Sharon gazed upwards and all the lights in the themepark flickered off.
She laughed and whispered. "Michael will love ME until he breathes his last breath."
This was the last thing Jeff heard until everything fell into blackness.
Janet and Michael stopped when the lights went out.
"Hmm...what's going on?" Janet asked.
Suddenly, Michael gasped loudly and doubled over.
"Are you okay?"
Michael nodded, and collected himself. "Whoa...I don't know what just happened. It was as if someone stabbed me right here." He put his hand on his chest.
"Stress?" Janet suggested.
"Maybe, but that's never happened before."
Janet gazed at Michael with worry. "Come on, maybe we should go find Jeff and--"
Michael hollered in pain, this time collapsing to the ground. Not sure what to do, Janet took Michael's cell phone and tried to reach Jeff. But someone from behind grabbed Janet, knocking the phone out of her hand.
Janet saw that it was Sharon.
"What are you do---"
Sharon covered Janet's mouth. Both Sharon and Janet gazed at Michael, who was laying in a fetal position in extreme pain.
"I'm putting him out of his misery." Sharon whispered.
Janet jabbed her with her elbow in the stomach, forcing her to let go. "I knew you weren't what you seemed to be."
Sharon laughed. "Am I supposed to care? Janet, I am the best thing that ever happened to him. He remembered. He remembered all the pain. All the hurt. I helped him forget and I showed him real love. Now that he's found real love, there's nothing else for him to live for. You see he's found his peace. Through me."
Janet punched Sharon in the stomach in anger. This knocked the wind out of her. Janet ran to Michael and helped him stand. "Come on, Michael. We need to get to the house."
Leaning on support of Janet's shoulder, Michael asked in a weak tone, "But what about Sharon?"
"Forget Sharon!" Janet told him, as they made their escape. "Just FORGET about Sharon."