Jackie's energy drains from her body. She pants and hyperventilates as her chest tightens. Grasping her mouth, she makes a desperate attempt to conserve energy, fighting to maintain strength. Her small size allows her to squeeze between branches that would prove impassable in her adult form.
Tripping on an uprooted tree, she stumbles to the earth, slamming her mouth into a petrified tree stump. Almost passing out, she hears the noise of rumbling feet close behind charging through the mounds of dead leaves and branches; they are close. Spitting out the thick blood and cracked teeth, she rises and continues to run. The farther away from the carnival grounds she gets, she feels her adult strength returning.
Ahead of her, among the trees and shrubs, she sees a bright light. A glorious golden halo creeps throughout as it remains steadily in front. She knows nothing else but to head directly toward the light. She believes the fate behind her to be far worse than that within the luminous dominion ahead. With her mouth throbbing and her head pounding, she leaps into the light's outer boundary.
"Stop, Jackie, it's me!" Jackie opens her eyes, finding herself fighting off Sarah. "You're bleeding on your mouth and arms, God! I think you chewed up your tongue! Wait right here. I'll get somethin' to clean you up." Jackie grabs Sarah's shirt with her exhausted arms. Pulling Sarah down, Jackie nervously whispers in to Sarah's ear.
"I-I-have to talk to you."
"Is there anything I can do to help?" asks Mr. Nicholas appearing suddenly, standing directly behind Sarah. Jackie's eyes fill with fright recognizing the old man. The long black beard is absent no longer screening his face. This doesn't go unnoticed by Sarah.
"Oh, Mr. Nicholas, what are you doing here? Thanks for asking, but I think I can handle this. She just bit her tongue real bad."
"Well, take this handkerchief to clean up some of the blood." Mr. Nicholas lifts a snow white cloth from his pocket and hands it to Sarah, who reluctantly accepts it.
"Thank you." Sarah says.
Jackie lifts her exhausted body, staring intensely at the concerned old man. She stumbles into the wall attempting to maintain her balance. Her shredded clothing drapes along side as the strands sway with her every movement. Her eyes bulge as she backs toward the exit. Her bloody hands streak the wall she is using to guide her escape. Jackie maintains a fixed gaze upon the man, being sure not to lose sight of him.
"Let me help you Jack..."
"No! I'm okay, I-I just need to get outta here!" Jackie shrieks as she slaps Sarah's hand away.
"Maybe I could drive you to the hospital?" asks Mr. Nicholas.
"No! You stay away from me you...you devil!" Jackie bursts toward the doorway.
"Jackie, wait!" Sarah screams.
Jackie slowly turns, her face teeming with sweat and blood. She looks at Sarah, then Mr. Nicholas whose eyes suddenly turn into an abyss of blackness and his mouth into a smirky grin as if to say, I am...who you think I am. Jackie opens her exhausted mouth and speaks faintly.
"Oh my God--they're here."
