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Prologue
August, 2001
The Hanson
family stood outside their house, climbing into their car to go to dinner.
“Everybody
ready?” Mr. Hanson asked. There were nods and mutters of agreement, so he
backed out. The whole family was going out tonight, together. As they were going through a deserted
intersection, the only other car there ran the light and causing the Hanson car
to crash into it. Screams were heard, and then there was silence.
« « «
Jake Pullman
stepped out of his car. He surveyed the damage on his car. It was still in
perfect condition. He started babbling to someone he called “Laura Ann” yet
there was no one else there except the Hansons, all of whom were unconscious
except for Zac and Mackenzie. Zac moaned. Jake looked over at him. Jake Pullman
had escaped from both prison and numerous mental institutions. He was a mental
case. The police hadn’t been able to catch him.
“Oh no, Laura
Ann,” he gasped, once again talking to his imaginary friend. “They see me, if I
leave them here, they’ll tell the police about me. I know!” And before either
Zac or Mackenzie knew what was happening, they were in his car and getting
farther and farther from their family.
« « «
Jessica’s eyes
opened slowly. She couldn’t see anything at first; it was too bright and
blurry. After a few minutes, she focused and she could see a doctor smiling
down at her.
“Hello,” the
doctor said, smiling. “My name is Dr. Foley. How are you feeling?” She was confused. What was he talking about?
All too soon it came back to her. The crash. She closed her eyes and opened
them again.
“Okay,” she
mumbled. Dr. Foley smiled.
“Good.”
“Is everyone
alright?” she managed.
“Yes,” Dr. Foley
said.
“Your sisters
Avery and Zoë? They’re doing fine. Just little cuts and bruises mainly. Your
brothers Isaac and Taylor, just fine. And…your mom and dad, right? They’re fine
also.” Jessica frowned. Dr. Foley noticed it.
“What’s wrong?
Do you feel alright?”
“Yeah, I’m
fine,” Jessica replied. “But my other brothers, Zac and Mackenzie, what about
them?” When Dr. Foley frowned, Jessica got a bad feeling. Dr. Foley picked up
his clipboard and flipped through it.
“I don’t have
anything here about a Zac or a Mackenzie. There were only seven people at the
scene, you, Isaac, Taylor, Avery, Zoë, and your mom and dad. That’s all.”