Chapter Text
As cliche as it was to say, it was a dark and stormy night in Pine Grove, and Drew Moore was already ready to watch Dateline.
Ever since the attacks in Pine Grove, done by Jessica Bowden and her accomplice, Marco, as well as Karl Gibbs, Dateline had already done a feature on the Pine Grove murders and Drew was already interested in watching it. She could imagine that it was very hard, though. Especially with Jessica Bowden killing her own son. Mrs. Moore had been horrified by that fact, saying that she could never bring herself to kill her own daughter. Drew had a feeling that she would have to hug her own mother very tightly after that.
There was more, of course. Apparently Bryan Mercer, one of those Ryan Murphy wannabes, was doing some kind of Monsters rip-off. He was starting with Billy Loomis, of course, and Stu Macher. Mrs. Moore had scoffed at it. “About as tasteful as The Haunting of Sharon Tate,” she’d said. Drew had never watched The Haunting of Sharon Tate, but she could imagine.
It seemed that Stab was on hiatus for now. Movies were out, at least in the case of the murders that had taken place in Woodsboro and Pine Grove, and true crime was in. And here she was watching that shit, Drew mused as she made popcorn.
Her text messages went off. A simple Hello.
Drew was about to put the popcorn in the microwave, but she looked at her phone. Then, I think you’ve got the wrong number. Don’t worry about it. Take it easy.
She placed the popcorn in the microwave and set it to the necessary time. Right. Perfect.
She found that the text had reached her just in time. What if I wanted company?
There’s Reddit for that. Or Tumblr. Or anywhere else.
What if I wanted to talk to you?
Drew couldn’t deny the flutter in her chest. Even more so when the texter (was that a word?) continued.
Do you like scary movies, Drew?
Drew texted back, Yes. Wait, how do you know my name?
I observe things.
Somehow, that sent up a red flag in spite of herself. Then again, it could be someone at school.
What’s your favorite scary movie? the texter (if that was a word) said.
I’d say the 2018 Halloween. It’s a really good reflection on trauma. What’s yours?
Guess. 😉 the texter said.
Jordan Peele? Drew typed.
Stab. the texter typed.
I saw it at a slumber party ages ago. Bit nineties for me.
That’s part of the charm, isn’t it? the texter typed.
Could be.
The microwave beeped, letting Drew know that her popcorn was done. Drew got out the popcorn…and it was then that she noticed something skulking about in the darkness outside. But who would be here at this hour? Probably an animal, she thought. Maybe a fox…but it looked like someone in a black cloak was skulking about outside and it wasn’t Halloween.
I better go, Drew typed, Dateline’s on. They’re covering the Pine Grove murders.
I wouldn’t go if I were you, the texter warned.
Before Drew could respond, her phone rang. She checked. It was her ex-boyfriend, Matt; they’d broken up after a rather turbulent summer romance. She still couldn’t face him in college classes. Why was he calling her?
She clicked ANSWER despite better judgment. “Matt, I’m busy, go away — ”
“Hello, Drew. Matt can’t come to the phone right now; he’s about to die.” The same voice from the Stab movies. The same voice that survivors like Sidney Prescott, Sam and Tara Carpenter, and Tatum Evans had described as the worst sound one could ever hear. Oily, slithery, staticky.
”Please, please don’t." Drew begged. “He’s not a bad guy; he doesn’t deserve this…”
”Who said anything about deserving, Drew?” Ghostface said. “Many people that live deserve death, some that die deserve life. Not a scary movie, but you get the idea. Tell you what; I’ll make you a deal. A trivia contest. Get them all right, and you and Matt walk away with your lives. Get them wrong, and you’ll have to die. I’m a man of my word.”
Drew swallowed. “I’m ready.” Matt didn’t deserve to die like that and she’d do anything to save him.
”I’ll make it easy. Who played Billy Loomis in the first Stab movie?"
”Luke Wilson.”
“Exactly. Luke Wilson, in one of his most famous roles. Now…how many Ghostfaces were involved in the NYC killing spree?”
”Three.”
”Incorrect. Jason and Greg were also involved in the New York City killing spree albeit in lesser roles. I’m afraid you overlooked a vital part of that killing spree.”
”But it was the Bailey family that did the heavy lifting.” Drew was fully aware that was bargaining now. All too well.
“Rules are rules, Drew.”
Matt’s muffled gasp as Ghostface stabbed him rattled down the phone and Drew squeezed her eyes shut in horror. She had failed him.
”And which door am I at?”
”Trick question,” Drew said. “You’re in the backyard. That was you.”
”You are correct. Unfortunately, Matty here had to die. But I can give you a headstart. Run.”
Drew did.
***
She didn’t get that far. Even as she ran, Ghostface caught her. The last thing she felt before darkness swallowed her was Ghostface’s knife slicing into her throat.