Stolen Cards- Chapter 9: Past and Present

The house of old Mister Snider’s held an unnerving atmosphere about it, the large structure bending with the wind, creating a creaking sound that made it seem like it was groaning, as if warning the two boys that were standing before it to turn back, now, while they had a chance. The wooden boards that held it up were flaking their once white layer of paint, now dirtied with time, and the windows, while all in place, were coated with a thick layer of dust, white sheets behind them preventing any possible view of the inside of the architecture. Climbing up the wall of the building was a family of vines, all intertwining together to create a leafy veil that barricaded light from half of the front windows. The house was surrounded by overgrown weeds and grasses, making the journey to the dirtied front porch almost seem like a trip through the jungle.

This was the address the paper found in Klark’s basement had led them to, and now here they were. Jack nervously stared at the door before him, Di standing next to him with a matching look of anxiety, as though the two knew that what they were about to do was the equivalent of a death wish. The two exchanged hesitant glances before Jack reached forward, his hand finding its place on the rusted doorknob and slowly turning it. Surprisingly, it was unlocked and the door opened with ease. That was probably the first sign that they should leave, but the two were adamant on saving their friends.

As they had discussed on the way there, Jack placed an arm on Di’s shoulder, his red eyes glowing as the two soon became invisible to any who may have been watching. Jack was currently the only jack card holder with this ability, since Di lost his same ability to do so- he could create illusions, and place these illusions on others he was in contact with.  Though this ability was completely useless against joker card holders- since their powers canceled out the others, they could easily see right through illusions- it still felt reassuring for there to be some sort of defensive maneuver taking place, no matter how useless it was.

Di had his mechanical arm at ready, as well, however. With a flash of steel the robotic fingers had transformed into a sharp, pointed end.  While the blue haired boy refused to resort to violence, even he wished to protect himself in such a situation.

Cautiously, the two walked around the house, their feet not making a sound on the carpeted floors that were tearing with time as they bypassed furniture that was covered by white sheets. Neither reached out to remove them, in fear of what may actually lay beneath the cloth masks.  They soon made it to a large set of doors and exchanged hesitant glances just as they had done before at the entrance of the house. Either this was not the hideout and their suspicions were wrong, or… this was just too easy.  Everything would end up being staged, if that were the case, and going on might just assure them of their demise. But… what did they have to lose? Jack released Di and the boys both placed a hand on a door handle, different doors for each- Jack on the left, Di on the right, and in unison they pulled back the door, an antiseptic smell quickly overpowering their sentence as cool air rushed out of the room and brushed past them. In front was a sore sight to see- probably the worst possible predicament they could imagine.

The room had sleek metal sheets for the walls and a metal floor, contrasting the rest of the rooms in the house and quite obviously added in by the joker card holders, themselves. The room was illuminated by a soft blue light that was radiating from large blue tanks- sixteen, to be exact on the number. Most of them held familiar faces that had been hooked up to some sort of gas mask, eyes closed as though they were sleeping peacefully, and the others were empty.  Sitting at a desk to the side of this row of tanks was Klark, his pasty white skin visible as he smiled at them coolly, Ran standing behind him with a demented grin on her face. The boys just froze, knowing what was to happen next but also well aware that they couldn’t escape this awaiting fate. Jack’s eyes were primarily focused on Ran, however, memories and thoughts he had tried to push back resurfacing as he looked at her, a look of horror on his face.

Klark spoke, his voice so calm it was unnerving, “Welcome, jack cards. We’ve been waiting for you two to arrive at our little party.”

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Journal 9
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[i]I can’t believe I am still choosing to write in this stupid thing, especially after what happened last time when I transformed mid-write. But now for a little catch-up on things…

Six months. That’s how long it has been. Only an hour ago did I turn into myself in that time, and up until then I have been Ran. Things have ended up in a way I didn’t expect, however. Jack is with me, and the way he has managed to still help me despite me being Ran half the time is something I wish he hadn’t done.

You see, the night I began to leave the house, I blacked out. I think I became Ran during that time, but then I woke up with Jack next to me in a dark room. He… he looked so worn and tired. He seemed just so different. When I asked him what had happened, he seemed hesitant to answer, but soon did.

He befriended Ran. A jack card holder befriended a joker card holder. How he befriended her, though, was by doing her dirty work. Apparently he helped with capturing a few people for her to do experiments on. When I asked what he meant by that he only shook his head, telling me I wouldn’t want to know. Did he really help her do something so horrible he doesn’t want to show me? Jack can be so… so… stupid. I mean, I get it, he is trying to help me, but making himself suffer like that isn’t doing any good for him or me- what else can I have him do? Let him kill others?  He’s probably gotten in a lot of trouble with Daddy, now, because of this.

On another note, another thing that’s going on since I have become me again is my normally plain black hair has pink streaks in it… I am afraid of not being able to turn back anymore, but I don’t think I should really waste my time complaining about it here.

Hopefully until next time, Diary.
~Orchid