Hello guys and ghouls!! We were all really saddened to see that Pitch Perfect Horror Week wasn’t going ahead this year, it’s one of our favourite parts of the spooky season, so we put our heads together and (with the blessing of our predecessors) we have created Pitch Perfect Spookfest to fill the void!
Things are moving quickly in our little haunted house, and we’re aiming to get things going at the start of next week (19/09/22), but for now we wanted to let you know that we’re here and we’re getting ready to bring you a truly spooktacular eight day week of scary prompts and chilling works from your very talented minds
Here’s our proposed calendar for the spooky season, we’ll see you next week… keep your eyes peeled and check under your beds for monsters 😉😈👻
Sept 19th - 25th - We release the prompts for voting
Sept 26th - Your chosen 8 prompts are revealed
Oct 24th - 31st - Pitch Perfect Spookfest 2022 begins!!!
Do y'all not have enough help to do horror week this year?
It's not necessarily that, we just feel like the week has run its course. The fandom has grown smaller and smaller and a lot of effort is put into the week each year and it's just... I don't want to say not worth it, because what we've done so far is amazing, and inspiring and I'm thankful for every second of it. But at the end of the day, it feels like it's not reaching anyone anymore so we've decided to end it.
Who knows, it may be back in the future if there's some major Pitch Perfect news, like a fourth movie!
Thank you all so much for the amazing submissions to this years Horror Week. Every single entry was wonderful and we hope you had a fantastic year creating spooky stories and moodboards with us!
As for next year... we'll see. But keep tagging your work with the days so we can still see it throughout the year.
Author's Note: This is a continuation from Day 6 - Will Chloe Come Back?
Aubrey drove the Bellas bus through the dark night. Beca stood in the aisle, bent over to look out the front window.
"How did Chloe sound, Beca?" Emily asked.
Beca turned to look at her. "She sounded scared. But, also relieved? Maybe something else, I don't know. She was definitely scared though."
The bus got quiet again.
"We're almost there," Aubrey called out.
Beca moved to stand next to Aubrey, holding on to the poles as she again bent to look out the front window.
Aubrey made the turn into the gas station and everyone was looking around.
"There!" Beca cried out pointing to the side of the station.
Everyone stood to look and suddenly someone came running from around the corner.
"Chloe," Beca breathed out grabbing the handle that would open the doors.
Aubrey stopped the bus and Beca was off and running before the wheels stopped moving. She ran straight into Chloe's arms. Tears were streaming down both their faces.
"I'm here, Chloe," Beca cried. "I'm here."
Chloe cried as she clung to Beca as if she was never going to let her go. After a moment, Beca pulled back and wiped her tears.
"Come on," Beca told Chloe, taking her hand. "The girls are waiting for you and we should probably get you out of here."
Chloe let Beca lead her onto the bus. The girls remained seated and Aubrey stood and awkwardly pulled Chloe into a hug.
"Brey," Chloe sighed as she melted into the hug.
"We can continue this reunion at the house," Beca said. "I want to get out of here before someone comes looking for Chloe."
Beca sat down and Chloe sat next to her. Aubrey started the bus and pointed it toward Barden. Chloe hesitantly looked around at the Bellas. They all looked back at her with smiles on their faces.
"We really missed you, Chloe," CR said when Chloe's gaze reached her.
Chloe smiled as the tears streamed down her face.
"I really missed all of you, too," Chloe sobbed.
Beca gathered Chloe in her arms and held her. She kissed Chloe's forehead and said, "You're safe now, Chlo. I, we won't let anything happen to you. We're all just glad you're back with us."
~~ Pitch Perfect Horror Week 2021 - Day 7 ~~
Beca made up Chloe's bed and Aubrey helped her get settled. Aubrey started to leave and Beca sat on the end of the bed so Chloe wouldn't be alone.
"Brey, could you stay please?" Chloe said as Aubrey started to open the door.
Beca's breath hitched as she stood. She made to leave and Chloe stopped her.
"Where are you going, Beca?"
"I, um, was just going to leave you two alone," Beca said. "I thought that's what you wanted."
"No," Chloe said, shaking her head. "I want you both to stay. I have something I need to tell you."
Beca looked at Aubrey and they both moved to sit side-by-side on the end of the bed.
"What's going on, Chloe?" Aubrey asked. "What do you need to tell us?"
"You're not pregnant are you?" Beca blurted out.
Chloe frowned. "No, I'm not pregnant. I wish it was something that simple."
"Then what is it?"
Chloe inhaled through her nose and blurted out, "Tom's planning to kill his followers. Again."
Beca and Aubrey both sucked in a breath.
"Are you sure about that?" Aubrey asked.
"Yes, I'm sure," Chloe said. "He had Seth buy a bunch of wine and grape juice. That's what he did when he killed those people before we left the tent city just outside of Barden. He's going to poison the drinks and tell them they are toasting the Heavenly Father."
Beca and Aubrey didn't say anything at first. Both were thinking back to the day they found the bodies in the tent city. A shiver went through both as they remembered.
"Chlo?" Beca said. "Not that I'm not glad you're alive, but why didn't Tom kill you when he killed the others? Didn't you drink with them?"
"I did," Chloe said tearfully. "But Tom wa-wanted me for himself and so he kept drinks for him, me, Seth, and Mary separate from the others. I f-f-found out later that my wine had been dosed with enough sleeping pills to knock me out but not kill me. Tom did it so that he and Seth could get the guys patrolling the ground into the tent and ki-kill them, too. He only wanted his devout followers to live."
Chloe hung her head, shamed by what she had been a part of.
"We should go to the police," Aubrey said. "You need to tell them what you know so they can stop Tom before he has a chance to kill those people."
"I, I,-" Chloe stammered as tears fell down her cheeks. "I can't. I don't want to go to jail."
Aubrey put her hand on Chloe's outstretched leg. "You can tell them everything Tom did and save a bunch of people in the process. I don't think they'll put you in jail if you cooperate."
"I'm going to call my Uncle," Beca said. "He's a lawyer. He can help you figure out the best way to do this."
"That's a good idea, Beca," Aubrey said. "Chloe, do you want Beca to call her uncle?"
Chloe looked at Aubrey and then at Beca. She didn't say anything, she just nodded her head.
"I'll call him now," Beca said and stood as if to leave. "He lives in Atlanta and can be here in about an hour."
"No, wait," Chloe said, stopping Beca. "Can we call him in the morning? I'm really tired and don't feel up to it right now."
"I'll call him now and ask him to come here around ten, okay?"
"Okay," Chloe said.
Beca left the room and placed the call. She assured her uncle it could wait a few hours. He promised to be there and they ended the call.
". . .glad you're back," Aubrey said as Beca re-entered Choe's room.
Chloe didn't say anything. She and Aubrey looked at Beca.
"He'll be here at ten," Beca said, shoving her phone into her back pocket. "I'm gonna go to bed. I'm tired, too. I'll see you later, Chloe."
"Please stay," Chloe said as Beca turned to leave. "Please?"
"I don't think the bed is big enough for the three of us, Chlo," Beca said chuckling softly.
"Oh, I'm not staying in here," Aubrey said and stood. "I'm sleeping downstairs."
"But, I thought-. You know what? Never mind," Beca said. "Why don't you use my bed? It will be more comfortable."
"Thanks, Beca, I think I will," Aubrey said, squeezing Beca's arm as she left the room. "Goodnight, you two."
"Goodnight, Aubrey," Beca said.
"Goodnight, Brey."
Aubrey left and Beca stood awkwardly in the middle of the room. Chloe gave her a small smile and lifted the blankets and made space for her.
Beca kicked off her shoes and climbed into bed. Chloe wrapped herself around Beca as Beca laid on her back.
Chloe sighed when Beca put her arms around her. "I finally feel safe."
~~ Pitch Perfect Horror Week 2021 - Day 7 ~~
The next morning, Beca's uncle arrived at the Bellas House. Aubrey went to wake Beca and Chloe.
"Beca," Aubrey called softly from Chloe's bedroom door. Beca didn't stir so she walked over to the bed. "Beca, wake up."
Beca slowly opened her eyes to find Chloe staring at her. Chloe looked up at Aubrey and Beca turned to do the same.
"Your uncle's here," Aubrey said. "Get dressed and I'll see you both downstairs."
"Okay," Beca said, getting out of the bed. "We'll be down in twenty."
Aubrey smiled and left the room, softly closing the door. Beca turned to look at Chloe.
"I can't believe it's already ten," Chloe said. "I haven't slept that well in months."
"Me, either," Beca said. "Do you need something to change into? I'm sure I have something that will fit you."
"That would be great," Chloe said.
"Okay," Beca said. "I'll get you something and be right back."
Beca left and quickly gathered what Chloe would need. She ran back to Chloe's room and handed Chloe the clothes.
"Thanks," Chloe said.
Beca left and went back to her room. After she had dressed she hurried back down to Chloe's and lightly tapped on the door.
"You ready, Chlo?"
The door opened and Chloe stepped out. "Let's do this."
Beca smiled as she and Chloe went downstairs. Beca introduced her Uncle Vinny to Chloe.
"Is there somewhere private where Chloe and I can talk?" Uncle Vinny asked.
"You can use the study room," Beca said, pointing to a door off to the side.
Chloe and Vinny walked over to the room and entered.
"Let's make something to eat," Aubrey said, looking at the girls. "I know Beca and Chloe must be starving."
"I could eat," Beca said.
The girls filed into the kitchen and sat around the table.
"Your lawyer uncle's name is Vinny, huh?" Stacie said, giggling.
"Why is that funny?" Beca asked.
"It would be funnier if he was your cousin," CR said, chuckling.
The other girls started laughing as well. Beca just stared at them.
"I don't get it."
"Oh, my God," Jessica said. "You really don't like watching movies, do you? My Cousin Vinny is a classic. I'm sure you've at least heard of it."
"Nope, doesn't ring a bell," Beca said, shaking her head.
The girls then proceeded to try and explain the movie to Beca.
~~ Pitch Perfect Horror Week 2021 - Day 7 ~~
It had been two hours since Chloe and Vinny started talking. Beca was pacing back and forth in the living room, chewing on her thumbnail, and constantly looking at the study door.
"Beca, sit down," Fat Amy said. "You're making us all more nervous."
"I can't help it," Beca said. "Chloe's been through a lot and I just want to be there for her."
"You are," Aubrey said. "And Chloe knows that."
"I feel like-"
Beca's gaze shot to the study door when she heard it open.
"Thank you, Mr. Mitchell," Chloe said as she exited the room.
"You're welcome, Miss Beale," Vinny said. "Do you want to say goodbye before we go?"
"What?" Beca said. "Goodbye? Where is she going?"
"I, um, I have to go to the police station," Chloe said. "To tell them about Tom."
"I called them while Chloe and I were speaking," Vinny said. "They want to talk to her as soon as possible so they hopefully stop Tom from doing what Chloe said he plans to do."
"Can she at least eat first?" Aubrey asked. "We made soup and sandwiches."
"I'll just take a sandwich with me," Chloe said, looking at Vinny. "If that's okay?"
"That's fine," Vinny said.
Aubrey rushed into the kitchen and put a couple of sandwiches in a bag and grabbed two bottles of water. She went back to the living room and handed the bag and water to Chloe.
"I packed enough for both of you," Aubrey said as Chloe took the food.
"Thank you," Chloe whispered.
Vinny opened the door and before Chloe could walk out, Beca ran over to her and pulled Chloe into her arms.
"No matter what happens, I'll be here waiting for you," Beca whispered.
Chloe let a small sob escape as she hugged Beca tighter. Beca pulled out of the hug and looked at her uncle.
"Take good care of her, Uncle Vinny," Beca said. "Let me know when you're done."
"Will do, Beca," Vinny said, giving Beca a quick hug.
Chloe followed Vinny out the door and Beca slumped into the nearest chair. She put her head in her hands and stared down at the floor as tears burned her eyes.
"She's going to be fine, Beca," Emily said.
Beca wiped her eyes and looked at Emily with a smile. "I know," was all she said.
~~ Pitch Perfect Horror Week 2021 - Day 7 ~~
Chloe and Vinny had been gone for quite a while. Beca was still beside herself with worry.
"Come eat, Beca," Aubrey said. "You'll need to keep up your strength."
"I'm not hungry," Beca said dismissively.
"I didn't ask if you were," Aubrey retorted, staring at Beca.
Beca stared back; neither one blinking.
"Find," Beca finally said.
Aubrey smirked and headed for the kitchen; Beca followed. They both stopped when there was a knock at the door.
"I'll get it," Beca said, veering off in that direction.
She opened the door to find her Uncle Vinny standing there; alone. Beca stepped out and looked around.
"Where's Chloe?"
"The police took her into custody," Vinny said.
"What!? Why?!" Beca yelled. "This is bullshit!"
"May I come in so I can explain?"
Beca allowed him to enter as Aubrey and Stacie came out to see why Beca was yelling. They saw Vinny, but not Chloe.
"Where's Chloe?" Aubrey asked.
"My Uncle Vinny was about to explain why the cops took Chloe into custody," Beca said tersely.
"What?"
"Why would they do that?"
"It was for her own protection," Vinny said.
"Why does she need protection?" Beca asked. "Is it because of Tom? Did he threaten her? I'll kill him before I let him get near her again!"
"Calm down, Beca," Vinny said. "Chloe told them a bunch of stuff about Tom and some of his followers. Some bad stuff I can't give you any specifics about. The police thought it best if they took Chloe into protective custody until they had Tom and the others in custody."
"Is she okay?" Beca asked.
"She's fine," Vinny said. "Once they have everyone arrested, she'll be allowed to come home."
"That could take a while," Aubrey said. "Can we see her at the jail?"
"No," Vinny said. "They're going to move her to a safer location and don't want anyone to know where she is. I'll be informed of her location but will not be telling anyone." He paused and looked directly at Beca as he added, "Anyone where she is."
The other Bellas came from the kitchen and stood behind Stacie and Aubrey. Beca frowned at her uncle and crossed her arms over her chest.
"I don't care where she is as long as I know she's safe," Beca said.
"She's safe," Vinny reassured Beca and the others. "I promise."
Beca looked at her Uncle Vinny.
"What else is there?" Beca said. "I feel like you're leaving something out."
"I forget we're family and you know me so well," Vinny said with a smile. "Chloe may need to stay in protective custody for longer than just until Tom is arrested."
"Why?" Aubrey asked. "Are Tom and his people that bad?"
"Yes, they are that bad," Vinny said. "Tom will be charged with murder, armed robbery, and, um, child rape. The others will be arrested for the same since they are accomplices or participants in those acts."
"Oh, my God!" several Bellas cried out.
"Child rape?" Stacie muttered, shaking her head. "Sick bastards."
"If Tom is arrested and they can't find the others," Vinny went on to explain. "Chloe would still be in danger from them. The good news is, if Tom pleads guilty to everything or another of his followers turns on him, Chloe will still have to testify but they don't think she'll have to worry about anyone coming after her."
Beca breathed in through her nose and let it out slowly. "Was Chloe able to tell the police where Tom and his goons can be found?"
"Yes," Vinny said. "That's why I'm hopeful this can all be over very soon."
Beca looked over at Aubrey and the rest of the Bellas. They were looking back at her expectantly.
"I guess we'll finish dinner and hope the cops don't fuck it all up," Beca said. "Care to join us, Uncle Vinny?"
"Maybe some other time," Vinny said. "I should get home."
"Okay," Beca said. "I'll see you out."
Beca looked at Aubrey as she walked past.
"Come on, girls," Aubrey said, clapping her hands together reminiscent of her time as the Bellas Captain. "Let's eat before it gets any colder."
The Bellas slowly walked back to the kitchen. Aubrey looked back over her shoulder to see Beca standing outside the door with her uncle.
"I wanted to thank you, Uncle Vinny," Beca said. "Chloe really needed someone on her side to make her feel like things were going to be okay."
"I thought that's what you and those girls were for," Vinny said with a smile. "She, uh, she talked about you on the ride to the police station."
Beca didn't say anything, she just stared down at the ground.
"Despite what's happening to her right now," Vinny said. "She seems like a really good person."
"She is," Beca said, bringing her head up to look at her uncle. "There's no one better than Chloe."
"She said the same of you," Vinny said. He took a moment and then said, "I know it's probably not my place, but I think that girl has feelings for you. Strong feelings."
"She's my best friend," Beca said.
"Is that all she is?" Vinny asked as he turned toward the steps. "I'd better go."
Beca surprised them both by grabbing her Uncle Vinny in a hug.
"Thanks!" Beca said as she pulled back from the hug.
"I'll talk to you soon," Vinny said.
"Bye, Uncle Vinny."
~~ Pitch Perfect Horror Week 2021 - Day 7 ~~
The Bellas were sitting around trying to decide what to watch on Netflix. Beca was still riled up over what little they learned about what Chloe had been through.
"I swear Tom is the devil incarnate," Beca said to no one in particular. "He's walking evil."
"I don't think anyone here disagrees with you, Beca," Stacie said.
"In my country," Flo said. "He would be executed just for thinking about touching a child inappropriately."
"I sometimes wish that happened in this country," Ashley said. "There is nothing worst than someone who rapes or murders a child."
"It makes me wonder," Beca said. "What was Tom like when Chloe dated him? What did she see in him? And why did she break up with him in the first place? Did he show signs of what he was becoming? Or was it something else?"
"Not something, someone," Fat Amy said.
"Amy!" Aubrey whisper-yelled.
"What?" Fat Amy asked with a shrug. "I didn't say who did I?"
"What are you talking about, Amy?" Beca asked.
"She's not talking about anything," Aubrey cut in, glaring at Fat Amy. "Are you, Amy?"
"It was nothing. I'm sorry I said anything," Fat Amy said, looking down at her hands in her lap.
"Aubrey, could I speak to you in the kitchen?" Beca asked as she stood.
"Sure," Aubrey responded, standing as well. "Lead the way."
Beca went to the kitchen; Aubrey followed.
"What's up?" Aubrey asked.
"My Uncle Vinny said something before he left," Beca said. "And I wanted to ask you, um, I want you to be totally honest with me here, okay?"
"Okay," Aubrey said.
"Do you think Chloe has, um, feelings for me?" Beca asked her cheeks pink. "And, I'm not talking about I'm her best friend kind of feelings."
Aubrey smiled as she looked at Beca.
"Not to betray my best friend," Aubrey said. "But, yes, I do believe she has strong not-so-best-friend type feelings for you. How do you feel about that?"
"I feel, um, pretty good about that," Beca said. "I have some strong not-so-best-friend type feelings for her, too."
"I know," Aubrey said.
"How could you know that?" Beca was surprised by Aubrey's admission. "I didn't know what my feelings were until over the summer. My mom actually called me out on them. And now, you and my Uncle Vinny."
Aubrey didn't say anything at first, but the smile never left her face.
"What are you going to do about it?"
Beca stared blankly at Aubrey. Aubrey waited patiently as Beca took a moment to think about it.
"I, uh, I should probably tell her," Beca finally said.
"I think that's a great idea," Aubrey responded. "Let's go see what movie we're watching."
Beca followed Aubrey out and the Bellas started chuckling as soon as she stepped into the room.
"What?" Beca asked.
Aubrey sat down and started chuckling when she looked at the TV.
"It looks like we're going to watch My Cousin Vinny."
Beca gave the girls her resting bitch face and sat down next to Aubrey. Stacie hit play and the girls settled back to watch, including Beca.
~~ Pitch Perfect Horror Week 2021 - Day 7 ~~
It had been a week since Chloe had been put into protective custody.
Four days after Chloe's interview with the police, the police raided Tom's camp, and the arrest of Tom and his, for lack of a better term, team had been all over the news for a couple of days now. The police managed to get to the camp before Tom could carry out his plans to kill his followers. Once they had Tom in custody, they made arrangements and sent everyone back home to their families and loved ones. Tom and his team were taken to jail and denied bail the same night.
Beca still had not heard anything about Chloe. She was on the phone with Aubrey, talking about starting up Bellas rehearsals to try and get back to some sort of normalcy.
"I think that's a great idea, Beca," Aubrey said. "I'm on my way to Barden now and we can talk more when I get there."
"Oh, okay," Beca said. "See you in a bit."
Beca ended the call and put her phone in her pocket. A few minutes later, Beca heard a car outside and went to the door, surprised Aubrey was there already.
Beca was doubly surprised when Chloe got out of Aubrey's car and was making her way up the walk to the house.
"Chloe!" Beca yelled and sprinted out the door and down the steps, meeting Chloe halfway up the walk.
Chloe grabbed Beca, wrapping her arms around Beca's neck. Beca wrapped her arms around Chloe's waist and pulled her closer. Beca pulled her head back and stared into Chloe's eyes.
"I love you," Beca said.
Chloe didn't say anything, she just leaned in and crushed their lips together.
Aubrey smiled as she made her way past them, continuing up the steps to stand with the rest of the Bellas.
Beca kissed Chloe back. They only stopped when breathing became an issue. Chloe leaned her forehead against Beca's.
"I love you, too," Chloe said.
"How are you here right now?" Beca asked.
"Let's go inside so I can tell everyone at the same time," Chloe said.
"Kiss me again," Beca said, smiling at Chloe.
"My pleasure," Chloe said, placing her lips on Beca's.
The Bellas continued to watch for a moment before making their way back inside. Beca and Chloe kissed for another minute or two before following the girls inside.
"So, how are you here right now?" Beca asked again.
"Tom confessed to everything and threw all his accomplices under the bus with him," Chloe said. "With all that, I wasn't needed anymore so I was let go. I called Brey to pick me up so I could surprise you all."
"I was happy to do it," Aubrey said, smiling at Beca and Chloe.
"So, that's it?" Stacie asked. "You're back and everything can return to normal."
"Yep," Chloe said.
"What's going on with you two?" Fat Amy asked, pointing between Beca and Chloe. "Because that kiss was not normal."
"But, it was hot," Stacie added.
"Yeah, it was," Chloe said, smiling when she saw Beca's face redden.
~~ Pitch Perfect Horror Week 2021 - Day 7 ~~
Six months later, Beca and Chloe were cuddled together on Chloe's bed watching a video of their latest rehearsal to see where they could make some improvements.
"There," Beca pointed to the screen. "Right there is where we need to change the choreography. It looks awkward or something. I'm not sure how to explain it."
"I see what you're saying," Chloe said. "I'll work with Stac-"
"You guys," Stacie screamed as she burst into the room, slamming the door against the wall. "Did you hear? It's all over the news."
"Hear what?" Beca asked.
"Tom and the other creeps got life in prison for every person they killed in the tent city," Stacie said. "They are to run concurrently. The prosecutors wanted the death penalty for the rapes but the judge wouldn't allow it as an option."
"My Uncle Vinny explained that to us," Beca said. "That's why the prosecutors opted to drop the rape charges and go for the murders. That way they'll never get out of prison."
"Oh, yeah," Stacie said. "Emily said to tell you that dinner should be ready in about half an hour."
"Thanks, Stacie," Beca said. "Just call us when it's ready, okay?"
"You got it, Captain," Stacie said and left the room.
Beca closed her laptop and moved it off Chloe's lap.
"Are you okay?" Beca asked. "You didn't say anything about what Stacie told us."
"I'm in shock, I guess," Chloe said. "It's over. It's really over."
"Yep," Beca said. "It's really over."
"Thank, God," Chloe said, pulling Beca into a kiss.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
Summary:
Beca's first months on campus have been an...experience. Chloe Beale is, by far, the most memorable part of that experience (so far). The two have an attraction to each other that's undeniable. After accepting an invitation to be Chloe's date to a Halloween Party, Beca learns of the urban legend. The Barden Belle. A spirit that roams the showers of Barden University searching for her soulmate. That soulmate being a woman the Belle lost to a tragic illness in the 1960s. Oh yeah, turns out that the Belle is a breathtakingly beautiful redhead. Beca has never believed in spirits, or soulmates, before. Things happen that just can't be explained away as coincidence. The most vital piece of information Beca learns is that this year is said to be the last year the Belle will search for her lost soulmate. If she doesn't reconnect with her soulmate, she will pass on to other side, broken-hearted. Beca has until midnight on Halloween to decide if Chloe could possibly be the Belle. And she will also need to declare her love to Chloe to keep her in this world...or lose her forever.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
The Barden Belle
eolhceB143
Chapter 2: 2
Summary: Chloe decides its time to going shopping for a costume/dress. Harmless enough, right? I mean, what could happen.
And Stacie gets involved. She's so easy to talk to...
Chapter Text
“Titanium” disrupts Beca’s Saturday morning sleep-in at a little after 9AM. At this hour, normally that would garner a ‘fuck off’ from the DJ. Knowing that it’s Chloe’s ringtone, she does her best to sound somewhat coherent and chipper (as chipper as she could be this early).
How well can you really get to know someone? Not how they take their coffee (two sugars and enough creamer not to taste said coffee). You never truly know who a person is… or who they aren’t. The final day of Horror Week is The Devil You Know.
Make Sure to tag your posts with #HW2107 so we can find your masterfully creepy submissions and Reblog them. We will be on the lookout all day!
Additional Tags: Fortune Telling, mentions of death of family member, Crime Scene Investigation, mentions of a murder, steca brotp oh yea
Language: English
Summary: The Bellas decide to go to the carnival and they fall in life for a reading from a fortune teller, they hear things that they want to hear and some heard stuff that they don’t want to hear. Especially Stacie.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Chloe woke up from a very restless sleep in the bed she shared with Beca, her girlfriend’s good arm loosely draped over her waist.
She felt Beca stir, and then she heard a loud clunk as Beca’s cast banged against the bed frame. “Shit! Ow!”
Chloe gave her a kiss on the cheek. “I guess your arm still hurts?”
“Like a bitch.”
“Let’s get you some breakfast and some more pain medicine.”
Beca groaned, but she slowly got out of bed. Chloe helped her put her casted arm in a sling.
Chloe made some pancakes for Beca, making sure to leave a stack for any other Bella who might get hungry.
As they were eating, Chloe tried to get Beca to tell her more about the previous day’s incident.
“It was weird. I was walking out of the radio station, and then I was on the ground. It’s like someone pushed me, but that’s impossible. Jesse and I were the only ones at the station, and Jesse was definitely in the booth. I’m positive of that because I remember hearing his voice as I stepped out.”
“And nobody was walking by?”
“Does anybody walk by the station?”
“No. I always wondered why they put it so far away from most of the campus.”
Beca shrugged.
“So, anyway, I called my dad. Something told me to call him and not you guys. Besides, you were all getting ready for the circus.” Beca paused for a beat. “You know, it’s weird how my dad didn’t even seem all that surprised I was calling. He just sighed and said he’d come and get me.”
“Weird.”
“I know.”
Before the two women could talk more, Beca’s cell phone rang.
“Speak of the devil…” she picked up the phone. “Hi, Dad.”
“Hey, Bec. How’s the arm?”
“It hurts. I just took my medicine, so hopefully not for long.”
“Good.”
“Dad, can I ask you something?”
“You just did.”
“Very funny, Dad. Why weren’t you surprised when I called you yesterday?”
“What do you mean?”
“I called you, told you I had fallen and was pretty sure I’d broken my arm. And you just sighed and said you’d come and get me.”
Beca’s dad took a few beats to respond. “I…I did a stupid thing, Beca.”
“Huh?”
“Look, I…I made a mistake. I met a woman at a bar after work last week. I’d been grading papers and dealing with a very demanding student, and I had a few drinks too many. A pretty lady caught my eye, and…”
“And you cheated on Sheila with her. God, Dad. What the hell? You cheated on Mom with Sheila. And then you cheated on Sheila with…with…?“
“Hilda.”
“With a woman named Hilda? That just screams ‘old lady’. Gross, Dad. How old is she?”
Beca’s dad let out a nervous laugh. “It turns out she’s four hundred.”
“What?!!!”
“Yeah. She spotted you, me, and Sheila at the restaurant the next day. She told me she was a witch and then cursed me. She said the most important woman in my life would suffer a fall on Halloween.”
“Dad?” Beca thought for a moment. “That’s me?”
“Since the day you were born.”
Beca softened. “I’m touched, but I’m still mad at you for cheating. And, how is she four hundred years old?”
“I guess witches can live longer. She doesn’t look a day over 35. She only told me when she called me that night. She hollered something about having lived over four hundred years when she cursed me.”
“She cursed you over the phone?”
“And it obviously worked. I guess I’m relieved that it wasn’t anything worse than a broken arm.”
“I guess. Did you tell Sheila?”
“No. It was a one-time thing. I swear. And, really, it didn’t seem appropriate.”
“I guess not, but, seriously? Cheating?”
“I know, I know.”
“Did Hilda mention anything else? Should I be worried?”
“She didn’t, but I don’t know anything about witches,” said Dr. Mitchell.
“Right,” said Beca. “I need to go now, Dad. The pain medicine is kicking in and I’m a little woozy.”
“Okay, Bec. I’ll call and check on you again later. And, I’m really sorry I got you cursed.”
Beca hung up without responding.
“I guess Mom was right. Once a cheater, always a cheater,” said Beca.
“So, you’re not woozy?” Chloe asked.
“Not even a little bit. Do you think any of the Bellas knows anything about witchcraft?”
“I have no idea. I’m sure they’ll be down for breakfast soon, though.”
Chloe’s prediction was correct, and everyone was in the kitchen within a half-hour. Chloe even made a second batch of pancakes.
“So, everybody,” Chloe began. “Beca has a question for everyone.”
Beca sighed. “Way too formal, Chlo. Anyway, I have a weird question for everyone.” Beca cleared her throat. “I know this sounds super weird, but…”
“But, what?” Stacie asked.
“I can’t believe I’m asking this. Does anyone know anything about witchcraft?”
Stacie gave a raised eyebrow, and Fat Amy barely even looked up from her stack of pancakes. Just as Beca was about to thank everyone, she was surprised when Jessica and Ashley spoke up.
“We do!”
“You do?” The two of them nodded. “I would have guessed that Lilly, if anyone, would have the answer.”
Lilly said something that nobody could hear.
Aubrey opened her mouth to ask but stopped once she saw the rest of the group vigorously shake their heads.
Jessica and Ashley agreed to talk to Beca after breakfast.
Beca met Jessica and Ashley in their shared room.
“Wait a minute,” Beca said, looking around their room. “You guys have a double bed?”
The two women nodded.
“Are you two dating?” she asked.
Jessica and Ashley looked at Beca incredulously. “Ever since Hood Night,” one of them said. “You didn’t know?”
“I’m not even sure which one of you is which.”
Both women said, in unison, “I’m Jessica!”
The blonde turned to the brunette. “For the last time, I’m Jessica.”
“Right. I’m Ashley.”
Jessica sighed. “Sorry about that. So, what do you need?”
“So, I wasn’t at the Halloween circus yesterday because a witch cursed my dad.”
“What?” asked Ashley.
“I know. It’s stupid. My dad cheated on Sheila with someone named Hilda who’s four hundred? I know it sounds absurd.”
“We know Hilda. She’s the leader of our coven, and she hates when a guy mistreats her.”
“I swear she has an eye for cheaters,” Ashley added. “This happens a lot.”
“It does?” Beca asked.
“Yeah. It’s almost always the same curse, too. It’s meant to get the guy’s wife or girlfriend, but sometimes it doesn’t quite hit the intended target. I don’t know why Hilda isn’t more specific,” Jessica said.
“I think she’s hoping she’ll be the person who falls on Halloween,” said Ashley. “But it’s usually the guy’s wife or girlfriend, but sometimes it’s his mother, sister, or daughter.”
“So…am I going to fall on every Halloween?” Beca asked.
“You will unless you are no longer the most important woman in his life,” said Jessica. “But I think we can help you.”
“I’ll get Hilda,” said Ashley. She waved a finger and vanished into thin air.
“What just happened?”
“She’ll be back,” said Jessica. “We don’t usually travel this way, but the power does come in handy sometimes.”
Before Beca could ask further questions, Ashley appeared with a blonde woman.
“Are you Hilda?” Beca asked.
“I am,” she said. “I guess you’re the most important woman in Francis’s life.”
Beca shrugged. “I guess so, considering he cheated on my mom and now the stepmonster.”
“That does make sense.”
“And, if it helps, I’m upset with him as well. He cheated on my mom, and then he moved across the country to be with the new woman. I hardly talked to him for a long time afterward. If you really want to get him, you should curse him directly. I’d tell you to turn him into a frog, but that sounds cliche. You could give him boils or something the next time he cheats. Because I’m sure there will be a next time.”
Hilda waved a finger. “Done.”
“What? I was kidding.”
Hilda shrugged. “Oh well. Too bad.”
She waved a finger and disappeared.
Three weeks later
Beca got a text from her dad, canceling their dinner plans.
Dad: I need to cancel tonight, Bec, I’m sorry.
Beca: What’s wrong, Dad?
Dad: I’ve come down with boils all over my skin
Dad: Sheila is taking me to the hospital
Beca snickered to herself. “Once a cheater, always a cheater.”
Come one, come all, step into that tent of wonder and mystery. For the great and powerful Madame… okay okay, we can’t keep doing this. Is this what fortune tellers used to be? Well, count us in. Day six is Fortune Teller.
Make Sure to tag your posts with #HW2106 so we can find your masterfully creepy submissions and Reblog them. We will be on the lookout all day!
[Hey guys! I promise I didn't miss Day four, you can actually find it here . But here is day five. Let me know what you think!]
“I’m not seeing anything,” Emily said, pulling the scope to the left a bit. Her hands were aching, the electric zip of the screen pressing against her nose. She couldn’t get any closer to the monitor. But still, there was nothing but stretching inky darkness.
She let out a grumble and pushed herself back in her chair, reaching for the bag of chips that was closest to her. There was nothing but crumbs left, so she straightened the plastic and tipped it back, catching whatever salt was left.
“Working hard, I see.”
Emily pulled herself forward, landing all four legs of the chair back on the ground. She was startled, pulling her headphones down around her neck. “My eyes needed a break.”
“Ah,” Aubrey entered the room and lowered herself onto the edge of the table. She wasn’t supposed to be down here, this close to the equipment room. It wasn’t her shift, nor was it anytime for a human not adjusted to this time frame to be awake. “Nothing but vast ocean floor.”
“I saw a few Mesopelagic fish.” She used her thumb to brush a crumb from the corner of her mouth.
“Oh, tantalizing. If that’s what we were actually looking for. I swear to you Em. Part of me thinks she’s not even down here.”
“I don’t think you’re the only one who’s lost hope, you know. Funding is running out, and I have a feeling that if we don’t… if we don’t find the ship soon, no one ever will.”
Aubrey didn’t’ respond to her. Instead, she moved closer to the screen, leaning her full body weight on the chair behind her. Emily could smell her sweat and her sweet perfume used to mask it. She felt her warmth in the cold lower cabins of the ship.
“Do you see that?” She whispered; voice raspy.
Truth is, she didn’t see much of anything but the bout of blonde hair that had suddenly invaded her space. If she wasn’t careful, her glasses would fog up. She cleared her throat, regretted downing those chip crumbs, and moved closer to the screen herself.
“Another fish, granted.”
“No, no. It looked like the front end of a crypt.”
Emily shifted in the seat; the woman forgotten as she shifted the probes view right. There was a mass, albeit one covered with thick bits of algae. Still, it had a distinct shape that was nearly unmistakable. Emily’s breath caught in her throat for the second time in the last few moments.
“Wake Mitchell. I’ll call up to the deckhouse and get Stacie to pull the breaks. I think we’ve found something.”
Emily had already pulled the phone from the hook, struggling not to trip herself in the long winding wire. The whole ship creaked and groaned as it came to a halt, but all through the wile she kept her eyes on the structure that they had found. A simple piece of earth that could uncover the conspiracy of the century.
When Beca finally got down to the observatory, she was sleep ridden and still in pajamas. Her clothes moused her but not her pure presence in the room. Aubrey was quick to follow her in, leaning against the metal frame of the door. They all held their breath, whether they knew it or not. Emily breathed in eventually, when her lungs started to burn.
“Holy shit,” Beca said, making use of the machinery. She rotated the probe a full 360, her nose nearly pressed to the screen “Holy Shit, I think we found it.”
Emily knew when to take a step back from the monitor, the worn chair, and the bag of stale chips that made her stomach turn now. She knew what buttons to push when, but there was no exact science behind it- Aubrey carried a degree in anthropology and American history while Beca lead the way with topography and marine biology.
They migrated to the top deck, the ships engines screaming as the wind countered the man-made sound. Saltwater beat against Emily’s skin, stinging her throat, her lungs, her eyes. The large flood lights made it easy to see, a large pully system connected to the probes started to haul the structure to the service.
“Bring it forward!” Beca yells over the roar of the sea.
Emily wishes she grabbed her raincoat
before coming out here, she braced herself against the railing, staring up at the structure that was looming above them. The moss that had flowed so freely slumped under gravity, slippery and salt worn.
It was bigger than expected; the crypt. The stone had eroded, Beca’s fingers digging into the muck easily as she scooped it away. Emily found herself helping, brushing the muck, and sand, away until it digs into her nailbed. She nearly gagged on the scent.
“Holy shit,” Beca repeated, “Holy shit, this is it.”
“Maybe we should wait. We were hired to find it, not open it.”
“We’ve been out here for three months, Bree. Emily can only keep saltines down. Don’t you think we deserve this?”
The woman glanced towards Emily, her hair wet and stringy, lips pressed into a thin line. If she had any objections, they had left her just as easily as they were found. She nods and scoops the last bit of hardened sand away.
Emily felt sick. She didn’t’ want to admit that Beca was right, that her late-night lunch threatened to make a reappearance. She could taste the bile but swallowed it back. There was something about opening the crypt that had so deliberately been dropped in the middle of the Atlantic that didn’t sit right with her.
The sky was a swirling black above her, and she waited- for a slick moment of time between life and death she stared at the grey clouds that pushed cold rain against her cheeks. Her fingers were knuckle deep in much and her captain called her attention, asking tersely for her to put her back into it.
The inside of the stone structure was lined in a bloody, vibrant red satin. She found it funny, that such a pleasant fabric had lain untouched in the deepest depths of the ocean for this long. The scent that followed- the putrid acidic odor of decay hit her next.
Emily nearly hurled herself to the opposite end of the deck, the cold metal railing digging uncomfortably into her ribs. She vomited, tasting bile and salt before lifting herself back up and staring back at Aubrey, at Beca who braced the side of the container.
“We shouldn’t have opened it,” She murmured, damp hair falling into her gaze. The rain was letting up, the sting not as potent. “We have to put it back.”
Aubrey looked at her, mouth propped in an agape stare. She flicked her gaze down to the open box and then back to Beca but never at Emily, who moved the sleeve of her coat against her pale lips to wipe away the last of bile that clung thick to her senses.
“Bullshit,” Emily’s shoes sloshed as she walked across the deck “I’ve been staring at that stupid monitor for… for months! And you want to put it back.”
Beca swallowed hard and pressed her eyes shut. She turned her back to what they had just pulled from the sea. The rest of the crew stared at them with bated breath, afraid to move, to breathe, to disturb the natural fall of time.
Aubrey inhaled shakily “Emily,”
“No, not I’m not doing this.” She moved closer to the box. “If we don’t deliver this, we don’t get paid. I haven’t spent the better part of winter in the god damned Atlantic to leave empty handed. We worked hard for this.”
“something tells me someone else worked harder. We put it back.” She said.
Emily frowned and gripped the side of the box until her fingers met the softly worn texture of the satin. She swallowed back her nausea, past the scent of decay and dust and- and a metallic edge that smelled more like a rusted blade than congealed blood, a distasteful mix of both. She peered into the darkness, illuminated by the moon that broke through storm clouds.
Summary: After 23 years away Chloe returns to her home town of Barden, bringing her 13 year old son with her. When he goes missing one night, Chloe finds herself faced with a town who can’t help. Knowing this is more that a normal missing child case, Chloe takes her appeal for help online, where it is found by cryptid enthusiasts Beca and Jesse. What will Beca discover as they travel to Barden to join the search for Chloe’s son?
Words: 1760
Rating: T
Notes: So I should start by saying this probably the most difficult fic I’ve ever written, and there was a period where I honestly didn’t think it’d ever get it finished.
It’s my first attempt at writing anything in the horror genre, and while I don’t think I necessarily wrote something scary, I am pretty pleased with the end result.
I think this is the most nervous I’ve been posting a fic, so please be kind to me haha
In terms of posting I’m gonna start with alternate days, but when we get towards the end I’ll probably bump it to every day because I’m taking a trip in November, I don’t want you guys to have to wait to see how it ends 😅
