Fours a Franchise
Part 20: Final
wordcount: 9,860
(Sorry babes I'm like that toxic ex that comes back in ur life and gives you hope just to ghost you 💔👻 BTW no this is not 'final. Series is done' there is a Scream 5&6 I'm combining but this is the final for 4.)
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You laid in bed with your own thoughts. you REFUSED to sleep at night in this damn hospital after what happened last time. Getting startled in your half-sleep state was common. Even by Karla knocking on the door and Mindy and Chad barreling in during the late afternoon while you had almost dozed off.
“Hey! She's hurt you two.” Karla scolded harsher then she usually did as Mindy almost tried jumping on your hospital bed and reluctantly stayed to the side. “We brought your purse that was in Randy's car. Oh, and your suitcase from the house.” She offered as she sat both down on the floor near a hospital chair.
“Oh…Thank you.” You murmured sitting up to look at her in a tired voice. Then casted your gaze to look down at the two bright eyed innocent kids staring up at you.
…You couldn't help staring at them and wanting to cry. Seeing Randy's lopsided smile and curious eyes in Chad and seeing his personality and sharp tongue in Mindy. You felt your throat tighten seeing them all dressed up. Karla in a black dress shirt and pants…Already knowing where they had been today.
Mindy and Chad asked you so many questions and you realized you had just been blankly staring at them with tears in your eyes.
Especially when Mindy just bluntly said, “Our Daddy died. We buried him today.”
As if you didn't already know.
You swallowed hard and furiously nodded, “I-I know honey. I'm so, so sorry.”
The guilt from just looking at them. How in the Hell could you see them knowing their Dad died because you got careless? Because of a stupid choice you made to go talk to those two in that barn and separate from Randy…That his final wish was you to stay far away from him and his family...How can you live with it?
Both 6 year olds looked sad, confused and concerned. This had to be so hard for them to fully process.
Karla, with a tight smile, talked a bit softer this time as she told them, “Here. Go to that vending machine down the hall where I can see you. No further.”
They took the money and nodded; running off as Karla tiredly sat in a chair near the door to watch them before asking you, “How ya feelin’, YN?”
“Better I guess. Not as sick. I…Should be asking you that.” You spoke barely above a whisper and tried not to cry. “I'm so sorry I missed Randy's funeral today. I-”
“No, not at all. Please, YN. Don't think like that. You can barely get out of bed.” She gave you a remorseful look. “I just- Shit. I should've known. I mean, you meet a man at a survivors meeting for victims of serial killers and think your life will be normal?” She wryly smirked and shook her head all before it faded. She looked at you with her own guilt. “YN…I didn't know you were kidnapped by those men when I called. I'm sorry, I should've known or helped or something. I could've accidentally got you killed! I-”
“No.” You interrupted her. “It's alright, I didn't speak in code or anything and…I'm okay.”
You hated being vague but she couldn't know. No one could. Dewey and Gale were a nightmare enough to deal with.
Karla watched her kids before leaning closer to whisper, “YN…Are you sure you're okay? They…They didn't? They didn't force you or…” She trailed off her question with immense worry on her face.
You stared before quickly shaking your head, “Oh no! No, nothing like that um…I don't know why they gave me up other than, uh, fear of being caught?”
You swore the way she looked at you was skeptical but maybe that was just your paranoia?
She exhaled, averting her eyes as something was clearly on her overworked mind before she just forced it out. “I gotta know...What happened?”
Your chest ached and stomach turned at her question. You already knew she'd ask. You almost hated talking to her because of it.
“Karla, I…” You faltered. Could you completely lie to her?
“Please.” She grasped your hand. A pleading gaze thrown your way with tears in her red rimmed eyes. “It makes no sense for Randy to split up. He wouldn't leave you alone, he wouldn't be in a parking lot of cars in a dark field by himself, he shouldn't have even been at that party…Why? Please YN, why? Dewey won't tell me anything and Gale…She's saying crazy things. I deserve to fuckin’ know as his damn wife, do I not?!”
“Crazy?” You repeated with a tense look at her hand clasped over yours.
“Talkin’ all kinds of craziness like you…Ya know. Like you know the whole story and you're…” She trailed off swallowing as her gaze wavered. “Not tellin’ it all or something.”
You frowned. “Gale's wrong. Whatever she said is just her hounding for more fame the older she gets…I had nothing to do with anything. NOTHING. I would never.” You couldn't even finish getting too devastated and angry to speak. That Gale, that dumb bitch, might be telling Karla YOU ACTUALLY could've killed Randy. That you murdered your best friend...It made your blood boil; Made your heart monitor rise a little too.
“Shh, I know.” She affirmed in a hushed tone at hearing your beeping heart monitor rising. “I just…I'm frustrated that no one has answers.”
Truly she was the only friend you had left, and yet, you had to lie through your teeth to her.
She continued in a whisper, “I also know you were his friend and you were together before he died. Please. If you know anything…Something.”
You stared at her for a moment before sighing, “...We went to the party cause we heard a noise at your house and figured we should be trying to catch the killer rather than wait…We did split at the party…We had…An argument-” Tears tried burning your gaze as you blinked up at the ceiling.
Karla looked both equal parts sympathetic yet urgently curious. “About?”
Your frown deepened as you tried to not let your lower lip wobble.
“YN, please. Not a single thing about any of this makes any damn sense. Where are those guys? Why is Dewey avoiding everyone? Why did they take you? How were you and Jill attacked at the hospital?...Please, what did you and my husband argue over?” Her voice grew more firm. Unrelenting in her pursuit for the truth about why she was now a widow.
Your voice failed you especially as you saw her crying as well. She quickly wiped her tears and you did the same as the kids came back and Chad slid you a candy bar. “Here, so you feel better.” He told you in his tiny voice. His eyes, despite being Karla's color, were Randy's round observant eyes to a Tee.
"I picked it out!" Mindy chimed in.
"Did not!" Chad scoffed.
"Did too!"
Karla quieted their petty bickering as a wry chuckle bubbled on you at their carefree issues they focused on at 6.
You forced a smile. You didn't have the heart to tell them you were so sick that even hospital food tore your stomach up on these heavy antibiotics. Let alone a candy bar. No you'd just hold onto it. “Thank you. I just ate but I promise I'll eat it later and think of you two being so thoughtful!”
You kept that forced a smile and also forced your voice to be sweet. But on the inside; You felt…Like a stranger. You felt like an outsider. Everytime you looked at these kids it was painful. You knew Karla would not rest till she knew what you and Randy argued about and you couldn't tell her. You just couldn't tell Karla and it ate you up inside. She was going through it. Husband dead, two kids, a bank teller job she didn't make enough on to really afford anything now that she was a single income household.
Mindy and Chad yapped away while you looked at Karla who dabbed her eyes. She looked ready to go step into the hallway or bathroom to collect herself but she had more stress on her shoulders than you felt she deserved.
There was only one thing you could do. You were 32 with no kids and in the lifestyle you had; it would be selfish to bring any into this. You had your home, you had passive income from ‘Out of Darkness’...And who were you kidding? Who needed retirement if Ghostface would kill you? You'll be lucky to make it to 60...After all, Randy made it to 32 almost 33 and still didn't make it.
“...Mindy? Can you get in my purse?” You asked her as she paused to hear your request before obediently getting it with an eager ‘Yes!’.
In all the chaos; you forgot it. Hell, you wouldn't have had your phone had it not been in your pocket that night. “Careful, too heavy. Your Godmother has too much stuff in there... Thank you.” You joked as you helped her lift it over the bed with what little strength you had right now.
All three of them curiously watched you get in your checkbook and get out a pen.
Mindy and Chad watched while Karla looked perplexed before she mumbled, “What are you?...” Then dumbfounded as you wrote a check and handed it to her. “What is this-” Her voice trailed off and eyes widened to saucers as she saw the amount.
“A check. Pay for the funeral cost, live on it, I suggest moving the fu-”
Chad and Mindy gasped. Mindy pointed, “Aw, you swore!”
You couldn't help a snort like chuckle that hurt your stitched up stomach. “Ugh, sorry. Moving from Woodsboro.” All before seriously looking at Karla. “And if you stay then…Use it to get the best security system known to man.”
Karla was floored at the amount of 0's you wrote. “YN! There is no way I'm accepting this!”
“Karllaa,” You drew her name out in light scolding. “Take it. Put your pride aside and think of these two…You don't owe me anything. I'm the one that owes you.” You sighed at the last part.
She gave you an odd look, “Whaddya mean?”
“...Nothing. Survivors' guilt, I guess....”
She tried shoving the check back at you, “YN, you don't owe me for living! Randy would never accept this from you and neither am I!” She went to rip it.
“Karla!” You forced out firmly. “Use it for his funeral, use it for groceries, damn it, think of your kids! Just because Randy was stubborn doesn't mean you have to be.”
She faltered, her fingers on the check as she gazed down at the twins. Her eyes softened just looking at her children she and Randy brought into this world together. They stared up at her, their only source of comfort and protection now.
“Please…It's all I can give you. It's the only way I know how to make this right. I promise, that isn't going to break me. I have plenty to live off of.” You gave a tight smile while trying to reassure her.
This was the only thing you had. If you couldn't bring Randy back then you'd at least take care of his family. He's probably rolling in his grave cussing you out right now for this but all well. If you couldn't tell her the truth then this was the least you could do.
“YN…” Fresh tears of a different kind tried springing to her eyes. “I-I…I don't know what to say but…Thank you.”
For the first time in days, you felt a warmth spread through you as she hugged you. Leaning over to give a friendly hug to show how grateful she really was under her pride to not accept it at first. A small smile graced your lips as you soaked it in.
The kids watched and as you released her. You patted the bed offering them to sit on either side of you. Karla helped them as you looked between them. “I don't know how often I'll see you two after this.”
“But why?” Mindy urged.
“Yeah, why?” Chad begged even more. Eyes looking extremely sad and it tugged at your heart.
“Well…” You pondered what to say. “I just have a lot to think about. And you guys do too…And after all this I have to be very careful coming back to Woodsboro.”
Mindy frowned, “I heard people saying people die when you're here…”
“Mindy.” Karla scolded.
“No, no they do say that. I don't know if that's true or not but I can't risk it.” You sighed out ruefully.
Chad's eyes looked so scared, “So we'll never see you again?”
“Oh…Oh no, no. I'll try. Maybe when things settle down you can visit or I'll visit but…I need to go home and recover and figure things out.” You offered him a small smile.
He took this even harder than Mindy as he bribed you. “You can sleep at our house! You can have my bed!”
You gave a sad smile as you hugged him close and rubbed his back. Keeping one arm around Mindy as well.
You couldn't risk it. Not with Dewey, Gale, Jill…And besides that, even if Randy didn't mean it, he still told you to never see his family again. It felt like a direct spit on his grave if you came around every holiday or god forbid lived with them. It would also put them in danger of Jill or Billy and Stu or anyone else…Besides, the guilt would be astronomical and you knew if Karla knew the truth; she'd tell you the same thing Randy did if not worse.
“No, I need to go home. We'll figure this out somehow. Just know that I loved your Dad, I love your Mommy and I love both of you…We'll be together soon I just need time to think.”
It hurt. It hurt so goddamn bad. But they were in kindergarten. They'd move on, forget about you the more you space out visits and phone calls and soon you'd be like some distant family friend they forget for their own safety.
You just sat on that bed comforting them as Karla watched. Just soaking in this normal human warmth and contact. This motherhood you'd never get to experience. This family you'd never have of your own…Maybe if Mark would've lived; you'd have some kids of your own? Just imagining him as you remembered him. Some domestic normal fantasy of him smiling at you in the morning making pancakes with a daughter or son in the morning…But it faded to reality just as quickly. Of Ghostface storming in and Mark going for his gun and the kids screaming…That was reality. Domestic bliss was never for you. Fate had other plans.
At least you had the peace of mind that Randy's death wouldn't be in vain. He didn't have to work his ass off anymore and Karla didn't have to either for quite some time. They could rest. Something they needed after losing a husband and father.
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Days went by. Jill was out of the hospital and already doing interviews on tv. You just turned the channel every time.
Everyday, Karla and the kids visited you and you were both grateful yet…Sad. It made things harder. And only one day went by of her not prying; you could tell it was eating at her. Why wouldn't it? Her best friend and husband she loved made her a widow over a secret argument that split you and him up while a killer was on the loose and you couldn't tell her what it was about. You prayed she didn't think it was an affair or something outrageous especially since you and Randy dated for a hot minute years ago.
You finally had to lie poorly and say it was stress over this killer and things got said that you shouldn't have that neither of you meant. Blaming each other in the heat of it all…Not a complete lie but a piss poor one that made you feel like shit for telling it. You swore one day you would just start hallucinating and see his ghost mocking you or something…
She bought it, comforting you that whatever he said, he didn't mean…But if only she knew. None of it made you feel any better.
And what made you feel worse, was besides the media trying to sneak in or Gale trying to act friendly like you were an idiot thinking she didn't have on a damn wire…But that Dewey didn't visit you. Not even once.
It went from heartache to bitter anger that he wasn't willing to talk. To hear you out without Gale present. To not ask his own questions…But then again, maybe you couldn't trust him anymore anyways?
You even played with Sidney's locket you had in your suitcase Karla brought and suddenly it felt empty too. Somehow in your mind, you had clung onto hope that her and Tatum would forgive you and understand the position you had been forced into for years but with Randy and Dewey's reactions…You weren't sure now. You weren't sure this locket that now felt like any other teen short lived friendship instead of a beacon of hope wasn't just…A thing. Just a thing that the person that died had gave to you and that the person wouldn't hate your guts or act like you don't exist if she was still around.
You sighed, hanging your head with the locket in your grasp…
You knew on that video that piece of shit Charlie had; was a recording of Randy begging for his life and not only for his kids and wife's lives but yours as well. It hurt so much worse than if he would've hated you to the very end. And yet, you couldn't be sure. Would he try to forgive you somehow? Rally against you and say fuck Dewey and Gale?... Or would his reaction be like Gale and Dewey? Agree with them even?
And yet, something in you screamed he may have been angry but eventually would have attempted to be a Mark and help you catch Billy and Stu and get therapy or something. At least you hoped. Another part of you said with his family now; he would've told you to stay away. Dewey couldn't look past his grief of Tatum and the betrayal of you lying. Gale was just an enemy in disguise from day one. The one friend who could possibly have forgiven your sins was dead and his wife and kids were reminders.
You got off your hospital bed and now dressed in comfortable clothes…It was time to leave. Well, actually it wasn't but it had been a week in here and you were ready the second they switched to oral antibiotics. You were both scared yet relieved. Tired of expecting cops to bust in your hospital room to book you or Jill to finish off as a loose end. You swore she tried but to your relief, it seemed despite his reluctance to see you; Dewey and now Judy were not taking chances after last time. Your room was monitored round the clock.
Sooner you leave to go to your secure home in the woods away from everyone, the better…Even if it is lonely.
“Do you need a car called for you?” The receptionist asked.
“No, I'm just going to the nearest bus station. Thank you.” You mumbled. Not sure who to trust.
So here you were, recovering but healed mostly, and lugging a suitcase on wheels behind you on the sidewalk. Thankfully, even if some recognized you, they were too hung up on Jill as you tried to avoid everyone. Frowning deeply at the bookstore you passed with a permanent closed sign. Passing all the changed buildings from when you had lived here in '96…You'd give anything to go back to being that 17 year old YN in the 90's.
You walked until you almost got on the outskirts of town, then settled. Getting out your phone…Karla knew where you lived…Maybe just this one time? Maybe have dinner and-
You looked up feeling watched. And you instantly scowled…That little bitch.
You just knew it was her. You tsked and hauled your suitcase up the best you could; subtly getting your knife that had been in your purse transferred to the inside of your boot lining. You stooped down to ‘pick up’ something and shoved the knife inside your jacket's sleeve.
As you got near the cemetery at the edge of town, you felt a presence as if someone was right behind you and whipped around.
“You wanna finish it? Do it!” You snapped. Tense and ready to fight that stupid cunt once again, and this time, you'd risk prison if it meant she was dead after everything she did.
“Oh, I wanna finish alright. But if I do it, you'll yell at me.”
You blinked at the voice before seeing Stu near a tree in garb he'd normally not wear to disguise himself.
“...Stu?” You gasped out and he shhed you harshly.
“Babe. We have been over this for 15 years. Stop name dropping in public.”
You looked around and got closer to whisper to him. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“Checking on you. It's been a week. Too risky to call you.” He nonchalantly gave. “Ready to leave?”
“Um…Yeah but?-”
He grinned, “C'mon. Asshole is nearby. We'll take you home. I got on better meds at a hospital for a few days and we're both fine just waiting on you, Sweetcheeks.”
You eyed him skeptically.
He rolled his eyes, “Hey, that hurts. And after our moment? Tsk.”
“...No thank you.” And kept lugging your suitcase.
“No??” He looked dumbfounded and folded his arms. “So you're gonna huff it on foot clear back to your cabin an hour away, huh?”
“I'll figure something out. Just stay away from me.”
“Ouch.” I scoffed.
“I'm serious!” You hissed out picking up speed. “If Jill or Dewey or Gale or Judy sees you with me, you idiot, we're both fucked. Go!” You grumbled as you nervously looked around.
He sighed heavily. “Fine. Have it your way.” And to your immense relief he walked away. You let out a sigh of relief and kept walking away. You'd get Karla or a car to the nearest town or rent one or something.
You huffed to yourself trying to drag your suitcase too heavy to constantly carry across the sidewalk. You knew this was being stubborn but after so many have attacked you…How were you going to just be like ‘Oh yes! I am a suspect that was dropped from multiple cases and yes the internet thinks I did it and yep of course you random person can have directions to my secret location where I live!’
What fucking choices did you have?
You panted and took a break. Your infection is mostly gone but you were still weak, woozy and short of breath. You looked up seeing the street you were near and decided to take it.
Damn…What a blast from the past. Your mind tried remembering the houses and shrubs from late September to Early October 1996. Teens walking everywhere talking with backpacks. 90's fashion and older more reliable vehicles on the roads. You passed the streets that were familiar yet foreign now. And finally you got to an area where Billy had jumped out at you as a teen. The bushes there were gone now…You got to your old house and not a single bit of it was the same at all yet you recognized it. It was your home for only a little over a year but you still remembered walking through the front door, saying hi to your cat, getting on your house phone to talk to Sidney or Tatum, going upstairs to listen to cassettes and do homework…Damn…God what you wouldn't give for a time machine. And you asked yourself as you stared…Would you have let Gale kill Billy? Would you have let Sidney kill Stu or kill him yourself? A decade ago; fuck yes you would even with Stu visiting you. After their help this time…You weren't sure.
You saw people staring in their yards and forced yourself to keep walking. If they didn't know you from the massacre of '96 and Stab; they'd probably think you were a burglar staking out a place or a drifter or something. Your stitches still hurt but they were manageable. You still felt sick but it was like a mild belly ache and fatigue.
You should've never come back. Period. You should've never convinced Billy and Stu to return. You and Randy should've fled town that night instead of going to that party; let Kirby and Jill and all those teens that died anyways figure it out. Why the fuck did you always have to be the hero just to get tossed aside after? Like some service dog forced back outside once its job is done…You felt so defeated. What good did you do this time? Jill got away with it, Randy's dead, you have to lie to his family, Dewey can't stand to look at you, Gale is just a bitch as usual but you put your pride aside to give her the benefit of the doubt and look...And now, all you had was Billy and Stu. Unbelievable.
You got on the outskirts of town near the ‘Leaving Woodsboro Sign’ same as the one on the highway the opposite way and…Your handle on your suitcase broke with everything tumbling out as the zipper busted.
“Fuuucckkk…No, please no-” You groaned pitifully and you tried getting on your knees to put everything back. Hissing in pain at all your injuries and as you tried putting it back and it didn't fit and…And…
You just collapsed on the ground on your rear and couldn't hold back tears. What the fuck did you do to deserve this life? WHAT!? Just the wrong friend group as a teen? Being nice to two guys that didn't deserve that kindness? A stupid teen crush or two that went horribly wrong? Trying to do the right thing-
You quietly sobbed in your hands, shoulders heaving each tiny cry. You didn't care who saw. You didn't even care if Jill came up behind you and finished the job. Hell, Stu and Billy might. Even if you and Stu kissed; he had a fucked up logic and way about him. He'll even admit it.
Instead, you just sat there. Done crying after a few moments with your face in your arms propped on your knees, knees to your chest. Just shutting the world out. About to suck up your pride and shove caution to the wind and call Karla that; yes you passed her house on purpose but you couldn't do this alone...
You didn't know how long you sat there till you heard brakes squeaking, creeping to a halt in front of you. You sighed heavily and looked up seeing Billy and the van.
“You getting in or what? We don't have all day.” His even toned voice rang out.
You narrowed your eyes and looked away. “I'm fine.”
“Really? Cause you look like you're two seconds away from a mental breakdown.” He mumbled.
“I'll…I'll get Karla.” You gave quietly.
“Yeah, you could… And let her pester you the whole way on what you know about Meek Geeks Death or risk her life or something with that bitch on the loose…Get the fuck in here before someone sees, idiot.”
You stubbornly hesitated. But damn it, he was right. An hour ride with Karla would be filled with awkward guilt and ‘the talk’ of Randy because no matter how much you rehearsed it; she was upset and guilt ridden and just going over it like clockwork. You understood even if it was bad for you to keep explaining half truths and lies. You knew it. If the kids were there, it may buffer but…
Billy added, “You know we gotta talk anyways about all this. You owe us that.”
You glared. There it was. This ‘owing’ thing they constantly claimed. They act nice and there it was…But, what choices were there?
“...Fine.” You grumbled like you were 18 again and hauled your suitcase the best you could as Stu opened the sliding van door. You got in and closed your eyes leaning back in the seat. “Please…Just take me home. Same cabin as before.”
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The whole ride was awkward silence but more comfortable than what it would've been with Karla's rehearsal of what happened to Randy.
Stu tried to make conversation every so often but you tiredly ignored them. Talking only to stop and order at a drive thru. You swore, Stu was bionic or on some DAMN good pain relievers as injured as he had been and he still leaned over Billy's driver seat saying, “Hey yo, gimme a number 5-”
You couldn't help it. You stifled a rueful smile at the enraged look on Billy's mug at Stu just laying over him and his ass almost in his face. Billy raised his fist to hit it and Stu told him mid order, “Smacking a guy's ass is gay, man.”
Billy sneered at him and jerked him back to his seat by his shirt instead. Stu made some snide remark about pulling off clothes; Purposely moaning to make it gay just to embarrass his former partner in crime. You looked away rolling your lips to not smile. Yeah, you were wallowing but it felt like a necessary guarding of your mental health right now.
You ate your simple order, took your pills for the day, made small talk about how they treated you in the hospital when finally Billy just blurted out the elephant in the room.
“...What did Jill tell you?”
You sighed and told him as you all drove, “She was waiting on me when I woke up. Whispered to me what to say. We both described you as having dark hair, blue eyes and a hooked nose and Stu as reddish hair, tooth gap, dragon tattoo on the right shoulder.”
“Aw man.” Stu scoffed. “Now what if I wanted a dragon tattoo there?”
“Too bad.” You shrugged.
“Hmph.” He huffed, “You couldn't make me Asian and 5’8 or something?”
Billy rolled his eyes, “They saw us on Camera, douchenozzle.”
“Exactly. We had to make you guys close but not quite. Just enough to give you both time…We're lucky as fuck Jill was cornered somehow and was willing to cooperate.” You wanted to yell at them for making a risky choice for you that could've got you arrested or killed but held back.
“She try anything?” Stu asked suddenly with a more serious tone.
“Oooh sure.” You smirked wryly. “Unlucky for her, I was awake at night and Dewey had cops outside my door at all times.”
“Yeah, probably to make sure you didn't flee.” Billy mumbled.
You faltered and grew silent. A part of you really hoped it was protection...But...
“...Yeah…Yeah probably.” You quietly agreed. “Can we make a stop? I gotta pick up something.”
—————————————
It was the longest talk of your life you had to cut short with your family but their house was on the way to yours anyhow. They grilled you for not letting them know you were in the hospital or answering your phone right away once you were safe. You just used their safety as a half truth. You lied and said Billy was a friend taking you back and cut off questioning before they really dug in. Hugs, condolences on Randy, fear, them believing Jill's lies, anger at you, sadness but relief. You promised you loved them and you'd talk to them more. It was the type of love you give to family just because they're family but at this point any contact was better than absolutely zero options. And love was love even if it wasn't chosen.
And they did watch Cherri as your elderly Golden Retriever sat in the backseat while Stu tried loving on her, “Hheeyyyy, old lady, how's my favorite girl?...Hey…Cherri!…Hey, dog-” He snapped his fingers and she huffed and rolled over to ignore him. “Well fine, guess I'll see you from your 15th nap today, you old bitty.” He playfully grumbled in disappointment only remembering her at about 3 or 4 years old not 13 with cataracts and lighter aged fur. You smiled and petted her as she snored. Thank God for her.
“Think cops could be here?” Billy asked as he drove up the hill to your house way off the beaten path.
You shook your head and replied, “No. If they were gonna arrest me, they would've done it in Woodsboro or on the way here…Place might be staked out though. Like, Media in the woods.”
“Maybe I should take off my pants near the woods and give them a show?” Stu gave a sly smirk and you rolled your lips to not grin.
“They see plenty of twigs and berries out there.” Billy mumbled. “I think they'll ignore it.”
“Hey-” Stu scoffed, “Fuck you, man. I have a log down here, alright? They'd probably be overwhelmed by the sheer size of my manhood.”
“Manhood? The Hell is this? Some Erotic novel on your mom's bookshelf?” Billy huffed mockingly with a bewildered expression.
You shook your head in amusement as he drove up the mountainside to your secluded residency. A few neighbors but far and few in-between. Was it lonely? Yeah. But it was also peaceful. You learned a long time ago you'd rather be alone than be surrounded by people that make you feel alone.
“So…” Billy pulled up to your cabin. There was a weird silence among you. The curves, dense forest, your unchanged cabin are the only comforting sights these last few days. “...That's it?”
You nodded solemnly, taking a breath to reply. “Yeah…Yeah, it is.” You shakily sighed, “She won.”
“...YN, that's bullshit.” Billy uncomfortably mumbled.
“No, she did. She fucking won and that's that.” You scoffed with a humorless laugh. “She took everything from me. My best friend, my freedom, my life, my career, my sanity. How can any of it be the same now? No more Randy…Can't even see his kids without immense guilt.” You sniffed trying to keep yourself neutral as you looked down while talking. “Always gonna be looking over my shoulder, always scared I'll get a knock on my door from FBI or a news article of me being a suspect, can never go to Woodsboro or see Randy's family again even if I wanted to…My Grandma is buried there for fucksake and I can't even visit her grave. Not really.”
Stu frowned in the front seat and Billy looked at you with his mirror.
“I know I know. Preaching to the choir with your lives but you made a choice and…Oh fuck. So did I. Unlike you two, I just thought it was the right choice. It wasn't, obviously.” You wryly huffed with a smirk and wrung your shirts hem as you kept going, “The one person, Dewey...Okay, the one person who should have my back?…Told me to not come back and won't even talk to me. I understand why but…I did all this for him and Randy. If they weren't a thing? I would've left Woodsboro the second a murder was announced. And look-” You shrugged with a heavy sigh. “I fought for them and it kicked me in the ass, tossed me on the ground and spit on my face while I'm down there too. Jill destroyed everyone's lives, made everyone else comply, got treated like the victim, is gonna be set for life and the people that should believe me; don't…She won.” You quietly ended your rant with a shaky tone.
“Man, screw that and screw her.” Stu grumbled. “We'll get her.”
“You can't.” You firmly told him dabbing your eyes to not accidentally cry in front of them. “She's gonna be heavily guarded and prepared. Especially from you two…She won.”
“She didn't.” Stu firmly gave with a glare. “Okay, I refuse to be outsmarted by a teenage bitch like her!”
“Why? You guys were once-”
“Har Har, YN. Because we were teens…” Stu made a face and waved it off. “We're grown men now. Advanced. Okay, we have years under our belt compared to that prissy ass thing…We'll get her. She'll slip up and BAM-!” He smacked his hands then grimaced at his injuries.
Billy rolled his eyes, “Yeah well, count me out of it.”
“Seriously? Pussy.” Stu scoffed.
“Look, dickhead.” He growled out with his own glare at Stu. “For the first time in a long time; we may be off the hook. I'm not going to prison or death row because some little twat wanted to put on the mask. I'd LOVE to kill her and that entire fucking bloodline…But it's over.”
You stayed silent as they bickered before Stu huffed and fell back in his seat muttering cowardly diverted insults. You frowned and went to lug your suitcase out and despite your best efforts a bit of pain hit you where Jill cut you and your stuff fell all over the yard. You smacked your hands against your thighs and didn't see Stu giving Billy a look and Billy rolling his eyes as they both got out to help. Cherri groaned, getting her old joints moving and wagging her tail at being home.
Stu and Billy helped and you reluctantly mumbled, “Thanks…Can you?-” You gestured to the suitcase as you lightened it by holding some of your stuff.
“Yeah of course.“ Stu had replied carrying the mostly empty busted suitcase eagerly to your house.
You looked back at Billy, “You might as well come in.”
“Oh…” He had his hands in his pockets and shrugged. “I don't think that's exactly great. Uh…Considering everything.”
“Well, can you at least bring my purse in?”
Billy rolled his eyes, “What am I, you're damn Butler?” He grumbled under his breath still walking like an old man with being cut horizontally over his abdomen and shot in his leg.
Cherri just moseyed around the yard with its fence as you all went inside.
“Jesus YN, do you ever want a change of scenery??” Billy mocked as everything was the exact same as it was in 2001.
You shrugged, “Hey, I've been busy the last few years. And no. I like my quaint home.”
Stu mumbled as he gingerly sat down the suitcase with a groan, “Who are you to talk? You had 80's paneling and shag carpeting in your trailer.”
“Oh fuck off.” Billy tossed your purse and started going to the door. “It housed your ass just fine-”
They both bickered as usual as you sat everything down and your heart sank seeing Sidney's locket but more so seeing your answering machine…You hesitantly clicked it and closed your eyes. Swallowing hard as Randy's voice played. “Hey YN, um I can't get ahold of your cell so maybe you're book signing or-”
You almost zoned out hearing his voice. Your eyes burned and watered and your lips trembled. Frowning to force yourself not to cry.
…Stu and Billy heard it and faltered their petty bickering back and forth. Billy steeled a neutral stare at your back while Stu looked a mix curious and concerned as your shoulders tensed and you looked down at Sidney's locket sitting on a pile of clothes. They both knew it was her's. “...That fucking cunt.” You gave low in your throat. They both looked surprised when you tossed it aside. “FUCK her!”
They looked confused thinking you meant Sidney until you ranted, “Jill Roberts. That bitch…That fucking-” Your hands were tight fist at your sides.
Stu looked more than understanding. Mildly glaring while Billy looked away.
You sucked in air and then finally said it, “...You're right, Stu. She's not getting away with this.” You shook your head and angrily started unpacking your things. “She isn't getting away with killing my friend and ruining my life! What life I had!” Jerking Sidney's locket from where it landed. It wasn't just a necklace yet it also didn't hold the weight it once did upon you.
Stu smirked, “Hell yeah.” He softly agreed at your declaration.
“Tsk. Yeah well-” Billy went to leave. “Good luck with that.”
“Wait.”
Billy stopped and raised a brow. Curiosity got the better of him as you swallowed and tried to find the words. Your pride and past regret and hurt and anger warring with each other. But right now, justified rage and contempt for the latest Ghostface won out.
“...I need you. I need both of you.” You forced out.
“Yeah yeah, we're your body guards or killers depending-”
“No!” You cut Billy's cynicism off. “No, I need you and you need me. We all 3 need each other. Now more than ever.”
Stu's eyes widened. “...What are you saying?”
You sucked in a breath. After all this? Priorities changed. Now that you weren't in Woodsboro or under threat. Now that it was settling in. Now that you heard Randy's voice knowing it was the last…Suddenly, Tatum and Sidney felt like distant memories. Suddenly, past wounds felt temporarily sealed with a good metaphorical bandaid. Now all the sudden, you had no one but them and the pros outweigh the cons.
“I am saying…” You paused a beat to ponder your next statement as bitter tears had ran down your cheeks, “That Jill doing this has us completely looped together now. Think about it. We gave vague descriptions but they could still match up. They could find your fingerprints at the crime scene. Your blood. Your hair or clothing fibers. I bought you both time; not safety. And me? I'll never be safe. Jill is coming for me one day; she made that pretty fucking clear.”
“So?” Billy shrugged and tried looking aloof but you knew better. Could see it in the way he didn't look at you. “We'll go into hiding and deal with it when the time comes. Like we always have.”
“Yeah…” You shook your head. “But I don't want to. I almost died. Once from being gutted and again from sepsis. I laid on that kitchen floor in my own blood holding onto you thinking that was it.”
Stu frowned but said nothing and Billy glared at the floor.
You continued, “Why? Why are we living far away in hiding and trying to get ahold of each other halfway through the murders when it's pretty much too late? These fucking Ghostface are not going to stop.”
Billy huffed and smirked wryly, “Cause of us right?-”
“We're past that.” You sternly cut him off. A fire in you that you hadn't had in a long time.
He looked with widened eyes at you. It was no secret you usually blamed them and yes, they did horrible things and started all of this. But right now? Jill took the whole damn cake.
“Jill made an enemy of all of us. She heavily injured us, got your faces on camera, got your DNA at the crime scene, may know your van now, made me as much of an outlaw as you two as far as ever even attempting to relax or have normalcy!…" You ranted with pure emotion. "And she ruined my friendship and killed the other. Fuck that bitch. She's gonna pay.”
Adrenaline pumping just thinking about what you wanted to do to her. Thinking back to the last Ghostface that tried you after tragedy. How you stabbed that wannabe star so many times it shocked everyone; even you.
“God you're even hotter now.” Stu mumbled in awe. Zero filter.
Billy rolled his eyes and pinched his nose bridge. “So what? You want us to be…What!? Fucking cool with each other or something-”
“I want that bitch dead, Billy.”
Billy's eyes widened a fraction more and his mouth parted while Stu grinned in wide eyed excitement.
You continued and held your stare, “She'll fuck up. One day, she is going to fuck up. Majorly. She'll get paranoid that we're after her or she'll get paranoid I'll talk. Or maybe she'll just get bored and crave that itch again because NO ONE kills their entire friend group and first boyfriend and their own mother just for ambition. She loves the hunt, she loves the kill, she'll get cocky…And when she does? I want to hang her and have her bleeding out of a fucking tree.”
“Fuucckk, I'm so hard right now.” Stu groaned loud enough to interrupt your train of thought.
You blinked, your anger momentarily halted by…Whatever that interruption was as Stu grinned like a kid in a candy store at you. He came towards you, “Sweetcheeks…Baby…You might as well be proposing to me. I am down. So, so down. I say we hunt her and-”
You put up a hand, “No." You halted his train of thought. "Not right now, anyways. Too much publicity.” You looked at him then Billy. “What I am saying is…We all need to stay in contact. We need to stick together even just texting…We just can't separate and let her one day pick us off. It's not enough to keep our promise to get any Ghostface's after Neil and Roman. She's got too good of a handle on this and we are fucking prey. You two are prey now just as much as Neil made all 3 of us sitting ducks back then. Only this time, there is no definitive answer.”
Stu grinned even wider, “You mean…Like, calling? Texting? Hanging out?”
You faltered…Was that what you were saying? Not exactly but…In a way…
“Okay, this has been a real fun time.” Billy waved you both off. “And by fun I mean pain in the ass. But if you two think I'm being chummy? You're both nuts! I have tried to kill you both plenty of times and after Stu punched me and you have been avoiding my kill list for years; I want to stab your faces more.” He mockingly smirked. “So fuck you both. Don't call me unless a new threat happens DIRECTLY to me-” He grunted and fell on his ass as a wet Golden Retriever barreled him over in the doorway. Rain pouring outside and just getting so much so that it was a white out.
He groaned in pain at his injuries as he fell and Cherri to add insult to injury shook off water on him, “You stupid mutt-” He grumbled going to shove her away as she left; old and oblivious to him.
Stu just stood there snickering while you went to help him up. He didn't accept your hand at first but had to when he hissed in pain through his teeth.
“Sorry. She's very demanding in her older years.” You sheepishly gave.
“Rain. What is it with rain whenever I'm near you??” He grumbled clutching his still bandaged stomach.
You shrugged, “It's almost winter. And we're elevated land. We get a lot of rain.”
“Maybe God cries every time he sees your face?” Stu mumbled in mock innocence.
Billy whipped his head to glare and you gave Stu a look but thankfully he groaned and led Cherri to the bathroom to towel dry her. Everything the same as the last time he was here. Well, mostly.
“...You might as well stay. You can't drive in this.” You offered softly.
He sided eyed you, “What is wrong with you? Why are you being nice, huh? I killed your friends, your Highschool Sweetheart, I tried to kill you multiple times and still plan to.”
Why indeed. Were you suicidal still? Maybe. Were you desperate? For sure. Were you lonely?...Regrettably, yes.
You breathed through your nose as you pondered, “...The enemy of my enemy is my ally. Or however that goes. You have no one-” He huffed in offense but you cut him off before he argued and repeated. “I have no one. Stu, well I actually don't know what the Hell Stu has. But all 3 of us are wanted or could be and our lives lie in the hands of a psychotic narcissistic teenager.”
“...Hmph.” He huffed and looked out the open door at the rain pouring off your enclosed porch.
“Huh. Maybe life does work out? Wanted you to stay a while.” You mused.
“Don't start getting philosophical with me, you freak.” Billy grumbled with no real heat in his words.
“...This might fill up my pond.”
He raised a brow. “You have a pond? Where?”
A sly smile crept upon your face as you gestured him to follow you. He looked puzzled but shut the front door and walked with you to the back of the house. You opened the secured back door to show him…True to your word; a man sized open grave like hole right there in the yard.
“It's half filled with water now. Might be kinda gross to bury you in it if you act up.”
You expected anger, mockery, defensiveness…Instead, Billy gave a low rumbling chuckle that eased to a soft laugh. “Yeah right. Keep dreaming, bitch. I'd use it for your body instead but I like to display my corpses.”
He walked away and you smirked slightly. A hint of camaraderie between you both that seemed inevitable considering the circumstances. You shut and locked up the backdoor to see Billy groan and reluctantly take the recliner while it rained.
Stu came out, “Umm…That is my chair. It was my claim a decade ago.”
Billy shrugged, took the remote. “Oh was it? Awww…”
He reluctantly grumbled and took the couch. Trying to get Cherri to sit with him when she kept staring at Billy. Billy huffed out, “YN, what does your ugly ass dog want?”
You couldn't help but chuckle at a rumbling groan of displeasure from your dog as she stared at Billy.
“You're both wrong. YOU are in her seat.” You called as you made coffee.
“Too bad, mutt.” He replied and faltered at her resting her face on the arm and looking sad.
Stu awwed, “Awww...Give her the chair, asshole! She's probably got minutes to live. She's like a corpse now.”
“No, I am not!” He smacked the arm in frustration and she took it as an invitation to just crawl up and make herself at home. “Ack! Fuck, watch the stitches you damn-” He growled out with a grimace as her big body laid on him.
Stu huffed, “You don't want his smelly lap! C'mon. C'mon girl-” He whistled and she just tried sleeping on Billy. “Traitor.”
Billy sighed with a glare. “You can have her; as soon as this rain lets up I'm out of here. You coming with me or what?”
“Undecided.” He gave a sly smirk as he eyed you up and down. Indulging in his new appreciation rekindled as you moved around the kitchen.
You came back with coffee for each of them. You knew you were being too nice and hospitable to literal killers but…What else was there? It was obvious even if things weren't ‘good’, they were not the enemy now. Or at least, not the immediate threat they once were.
You sighed, “Listen, I don't care how long you stay. We need to discuss how we're going to handle Jill. When? How? What signs?” You mumbled as you sat in the other chair.
Stu grimaced, “Ugh, babe. You know I take sugar in my coffee.”
“Now, how would I know that?” You deadpanned and gestured to the kitchen. “Cabinet on the right.” As he got up slowly with his injuries and hobbled to the kitchen. None of you were in any shape to fight or kill each other; let alone Ghostface's.
You and Billy talked amongst yourselves as Stu rummaged. He was sneaking, he just couldn't let you know. Curious about guys in your life, your personal life, all while ‘trying to find the spoons’. He was a controlling, possessive, demanding guy and if he had to kill competition then he would.
Then…He found a knick knack sort of catch all drawer…
He went to shut it but something caught his gaze. His blue eyes sparkled in wonder, softening at what he saw.
A necklace he had worn all the time. He lost it back in the day while visiting here. You most likely found under or behind something…And the note he wrote you with his number was A
all wrinkled and worn but still there.
You didn't forget him. A rare warmth bloomed in his chest at that. That maybe, just maybe, he really wasn't a last resort...
He chuckled a bit and with a coy rare little smile, gently put the note back where it came from. Acting like he saw nothing as he stirred sugar in his coffee.
This was…Going to be an interesting turn of events.
————————————
One Year Later…
“Hey! It's Jill Roberts!” Some guy called out and ran up to her, “Holy shit, can I like get a selfie or?-”
“Yeah, of course.” Jill forced the smile and that sweet act for the public her first day at Uni. She did a kissy face as he snapped a picture of them and rambled to her; asking for her socials and she declined.
It wasn't anything for guys to ask if she had been sexually assaulted or if being stabbed turned her on. She was attractive in a world of dehumanizing horny teen boys. She also got plenty of jealousy from girls. She just ignored it mostly.
She hated going to University but she was pressured in Interviews and she couldn't say ‘Take the money you idiots give me and spend it on a birkin.’ No, she had to say ‘I want to go to University and study something to help others!’ She settled on Medical for now. She just kept telling herself she could drop out in a year or two once the hype died down then work on a book deal…Hmm…Maybe if it gets too stale; another Ghostface killing spree she ‘narrowly’ escape could boost her relevance again?
On her laptop, all she did was scroll past a few nosey people saying she did it and on her phone she got prank calls constantly but she had to answer to make sure it wasn't an important person wanting her. Despite it all, she smirked as she walked. They were talking about a documentary about her. Best of all? YN has gone MIA. No one has seen or heard from her...Good.
She walked and paused hearing someone calling for her. “I'm not into autographs or sharing details. Sorry.”
“Jill, it's me.”
…She froze hearing the familiar female voice. Of all the people…She heard news Kirby lived about a month after everything but Jill distanced herself on purpose. She turned around with a fake smile, “Hheeyy!”
Kirby smiled and they both awkwardly hugged. Kirby had a longer pixie cut, “Um how are you? I called you and you never really got back with me a few months ago.” She lowered her voice, “Jill you're my best friend and we almost died, I mean…Shouldn't we stay in contact?”
That Dipshit Charlie... He couldn't do one job.
Jill forced a smile while her eyes looked nervous, “Yeah I'm reaaalllyy sorry about that. Life has been…”
“Yeah.” Kirby agreed and nodded. “What major? I'm going into Criminal Justice with a few Sciences under my belt. Maybe some Sociology.”
Jill gave a tight lipped look, “Uh Medical. Nursing.” She vaguely gave.
“Really? Wow, man. I just…Never considered you into that, I mean, you were always as obsessed with horror as me and after what happened...”
“I need stability.” Jill saved with a sharp tone but forced herself to soften it. “You know, after everything.”
“No, I get that. I might epically fail Crime stopping anyways.” She gave a self deprecated joke as they both forced a chuckle. “Actually…I really wanna talk with you. You know about everything.”
Fuck.
“Yeahh.” Jill forced out with a too big of a smile, “Yeah, absolutely. We'll just fit our schedule.”
“Cool. The stab wound is healed ya know, if you're wondering.” Kirby mused almost passive aggressively at Jill not even asking.
She had to get her shit together. She couldn't let a year of planning and careful narratives be washed away- “Sorry, sorry. I suck.”
“Yeah you do.” Kirby smirked. “Coffee?”
“Uh, not right now. Sorry. Just trying to settle in.” Jill grimaced slightly as Kirby grabbed her phone.
“Welp, you leave me no choice. Here's my number. Call me or I'll hunt your ass down and call you.” She chuckled before handing the phone back. “I'm glad you're alright, Jill.”
“Yeah. You…Too.”
Jill watched Kirby leave and her smile dropped. No, Kirby didn't see the kitchen. She got stabbed outside by Charlie but…If she brought up that viral dark web video most sites took down every few weeks just for someone to inevitably upload it again of Olivia's murder…
Her only hope was to say Charlie had to have planted it in her room and admit to any affair and…DAMN IT!
Her hand tightened on her bag. This stupid paranoia never went away. It was all YN's fucking fault. That and those two. And Gale…She might hate Gale most of all, the ex journalist still snooping.
She had a paper thrown at her while walking and she scoffed, “Okay, asshole. Who threw that?” She announced but everyone kept walking, spared a glance but ignored.
She grumbled and picked it up. The note reading, ‘I know what you did-’
She tore it up, not even reading the rest. “Real fucking original.” She grumbled as she tore it up and tossed it like confetti…Not even knowing who sent it…Who threw it…
Or the person watching her from across the Courtyard.
