The shore was close, he had hope they were going to make it through, but the creature dashed all his hopes and dreams when it rammed the boat and destroyed it in a single hit. Stacey went head into the side window. The door that separated the controls from the rest of the group slammed closed, locking him inside, water rising. Pretty soon he wouldn't be able to breathe. He had to get out of there. He pushed at the window, but it wouldn't budge so he tried the door. It was locked. No. Not locked. Can't get locked inside a room with the lock on the same side as the door. It was jammed or held closed by the entity that wanted his body. Water rose up to his neck, he kept his head above water, breathing the only oxygen left. The Apparition swam in front of him under the water outside the boat. It swayed back and forth like it was taunting him. Fear gripped his heart, he couldn't breathe. It reached out a hand when water consumed him completely. He took his last breathe and held it, hands slapped over his mouth and nose to stop it from coming out. Its hand punched through the window and pulled out. He was swept away by the current and sunk head first.
Stacey didn't black out. He went from the ocean hunted by a mystical predator to landing on his feet in the middle of a town near an ice cream parlor with families and pets enjoying treats and people having friendly conversations with one another. It was picturesque, like A Sunday Afternoon. Perfect. Too perfect. No one acknowledged his presence, their eyes vapid, empty, hollow, creepy. His unease worsened by the minute, but it wasn't that bad compared to the creature. All he needed to know was if it was far from him and wouldn't show up for at least another day. He needed that much.
He looked around, trying to find someone familiar, but didn't see anyone near him. He's alone? Did everyone else die and he was the only one that made it out? Or did he die and this was hell? If hell looked like this, then why was his life so shitty? Then again anything that reminds him of that town in Edward Scissorhands is inherently evil and can't be trusted. He best not stick around. He chose a direction and walked down the sidewalk. The people went right through him. A cold chill settled in his bones each time they did. He shivered and held himself. Only then did he realize he wasn't wet anymore, but his side hurt like a bitch. He adjusted his case on his back when it slipped off his trembling shoulders.
He doesn't know how long he walked for when he arrives at a park with children laughing and playing games. They were ten times creepier than the people. Just as hollow and vapid, but in kid form. Kids are evil. The horror movies said so. Children of the Corn comes to mind. Nope. He kept going. Walking through the children, until he saw familiar people a ways away. He recognized Penny right away. Thank God. She's alive. Ilsa too and the other teens he knew of, but didn't know. He saw Penny help one up off the floor.
"P-Penny." He shivered, teeth clattering. The cold was getting worse. It didn't feel like air conditioning in the summer anymore. Now he felt like he was in the middle of winter naked.
"I-I don't think I-I c-an feel my fi-fi-fingers." They were locked onto his sleeves as though holding himself for warmth worked when it didn't. He knew he looked pale, maybe a little blue. He was familiar with what his face looked like in the mirror the mornings after he was locked out of the house in the cold.