Chapter 7 The threat

Stu sighed as he slowly pulled the door to his car closed. He puts the keys in the ignition of the car as he tossed the 'My bloody Valentine' case to the passenger seat. Stu muttered something as he grabs the steering wheel. "Fuck it. I'm to lazy I'll just wait here" Stu sighed turning the car off.

"Thanks for the support Barry" Randy smirked as he made his way to the register. "Not a problem bro. let me tell ya something about Jim" Barry says out of nowhere. "Yeah, what's that?" Randy asked looking up. "If Jim ever bothers you again, whoop his ass! Hit him with sticks, bricks, rocks, throw shit at him. Kick him, spit on him, treat him like a hoe! Bitch smack him. Do it for me, do it for Billy, do it for Stu, do it for Steve, do it for Loke and Casey. Do it just to do it, fuck it. He ain't gonna hit you back he's nothing!" Barry said loudly as Randy heard the phone go off and he raised a hand with one finger up as he picked up. "Blockbuster videos what do ya need?" Randy asked looking at Barry. "Randy? Is Stu there?" the voice of Tatum rings out. "Uhh, he just left. Said something about getting a movie for you and Syd" Randy explained. "Damnit!" Tatum swore under her breath.

Barry walks towards a large window overlooking the parking lot to see Stu's car still in the lot. "Randy! He's still here" Barry called out looking back at his friend. "Oh he's still here Tatum. Why what do ya need?" Randy asked again. "Look. Just please tell him to meet me at the police station" Tatum says in a very serious tone. "Why? What happened?" Randy asked worried as Barry raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Nothing. Just my doofis brother dragging me here. I'm bored" Tatum lied. She knew if she told him the truth he'd rush there with Stu. He'll probably barrage Sydney with worried questions and that's the last thing she needs right now.

"Uhh ok" Randy shrugged "Thanks nutcase" Tatum joked hanging up. "What was that about?" Barry piped up. "Can you tell Stu to go to the police station. Tatum needs him" Randy simply said. "And you want me to tell him don't ya?" Barry asked with a sigh. "Be a dear?" he joked as Barry walked off.

the police station)

Billy sits across the table from sheriff Burke. Next to Billy sits his father Hank Loomis. "What were you doing with a cellular phone son?" Burke asked in a serious tone. "It was my phone. He was just playing around with it" Hank explained. "You got some ideas of playing around boy" Burke said staring a hole through Billy. "I didn't call anyone with it. I just took it to show off" Billy explained. "Everyone's got one now. Why don't you check the phone bill for Christsakes. Call my carrier airfone comp. They'll have records of every number dialed" Hank says worried.

"Thank you Hank. We're on it." Burke nodded before turning his attention to Billy "What were you doing at Sydney's tonight?" He asked looking at the young man. "I just wanted to see her, that's all" Billy answered honestly. "You rode your bike down there?" Burke asked. "Yes sir" Billy responded politely. "And last night Sydney said you crawled through her window?" Burke explained. Hank looked surprised before looking at his son "You were out last night?" Hank asked shocked.

"I watched tv for a while but then i felt like going for a bike ride" Billy answered. "Did you ride by Veronica Kula's house?" the sheriff accused. "No, i didn't. I didn't kill anyone you gotta believe me!" Billy said trying to gain composure. "We're gonna have to keep ya Billy. The governor's got SBI, FBI and god knows what else on its way here" Burke explained. "This is crazy! I didn't do it!" Billy said fighting tears. Sheriff Burke eyes Billy up and down. Being very careful.

(The parking lot)

Tatum was waiting outside of the station for Stu. She shivered sightly looking around. She sees a car in the distance that quickly appears to her and parks in the closest parking spot. Tatum smiled as she made her way to the car that Stu had just exited "Isn't that your dad's car?" She asked with a smile. She felt instantly safe when Stu arrived. "Yeah? So?" Stu and with a smirk. "Look Stu, Somebody attacked Sydney tonight. The sheriff thinks it's Billy" Tatum explained watching Stu's face contort into shock "There's no way Billy did it" Stu says defending Billy.

"I don't get it Stu, why do you always defend him? I mean for fucks sake he treats you like shit" Tatum said loudly watching her boyfriend. "He always treats you like crap Stu and you always defend him like his personal lap dog" Tatum honestly said as Stu looked down. "I need you right now Stu. Not Billy, i need you." she said grabbing his hand. Stu looked up at Tatum "he's my best friend Tate" he softly says. "What a friend" she scoffed. "Ok, ok. I'm here for you and Syd not for Billy" Stu nods as they go inside.

Stu and Tatum join Sydney. The sheriff's for opens and Billy is led out by a couple of uniforms. Billy looked over to the 3 teens "Syd! Come on you know me!" he yelled looking at her. His eyes land on Stu a look of hope crosses his face. "Stu! Help me out man! Come on! You know I wouldn't do this!" He yelled being shoved by the officers. He looks betrayed as he stared at Stu wide eyed he was ignoring Billy, wasn't paying him any mind it was as if Stu didn't even hear Billy. Stu sighed as he rubbed Sydney's back ignoring Billy.

Burke and Dewy appear in the doorway watching Tatum and Stu comfort Sydney. The two cops begin speaking out of earshot. "The ghost mask is sold at both Kroger's and Walmart neither one keeps purchase records." Dewey explained. "What about the phone bill?" Burke asked looking towards Dewey. "Their pulling the Loomis account but it'll be till the morning before we see anything" Dewey explained. "Twenty years ago i would've said not a chance. But these kids today. damn if i know" Burke sighed. "Hey... Dewey can we go now?" Tatum asked with a sigh. Dewey glanced over at Tatum "Hold up a sec" He said with a reassuring look. "She staying with you?" Burke asked curiously as Dewey turned to him. "We haven't located her dad yet, so yeah she'll be staying with us in the meantime" Dewey explained with a sigh. "In fact the Macher's left town as well and knowing Stu, he's a good kid. Knowing Tatum he might be staying with us as well" Dewey explained as Burke nodded. "Can you trust him?" Burke asked as Dewey looked over to the boy in question. He sighed and looked back at the sheriff. "Yeah, Stu's a good kid. Tatum's known him since they were kids and they've been dating for 2 years now. I trust him" Dewey timidly explained as Burke nodded.

"Goddamnit Dewey!" Tatum yelled furiously staring at her brother. Stu looked at her surprised "Whoa Tate. Chill" Stu chuckled looking at his girlfriend. Sydney looked up at Stu with a small smile. She was glad that not only Tatum was staying with her but Stu might be there for the night as well. Dewey turned to Tatum his face bright red in anger. "What did mama tell you? When I wear this badge you treat me as a man of the law!" Dewey said nobley yet angrily. Stu oooohed as he covered his mouth giggling. "I'm sorry deputy Dewey boy but we're ready to go" Tatum says as Sydney stood up, Stu ready to catch her if she lost her balance. Dewey looked at Stu as he shrugged "Sorry Dewey boy but what she says goes" Stu jokingly laughed. "Use the back way, Avoid the circus" Burke said pointing to the side door.

The door opens and Sydney, Stu, Tatum, and Dewey step out avoiding the hoard of reporters that can be seen around the corner waiting anxiously at the front entrance. Dewey turns around facing the teens "I'll get the car, wait here" He simply said walking off. From the darkness of the ally Gale Weathers and her camera man Kenny appear. They've been waiting. "Hello Sydney" Gale smiles, a smug smile plastered on her face. Sydney spins around followed by Stu and Tatum. Sydney's body tightens.

"Some night are you alright?" She asked as their eyes met in a cold familiar stare. Sydney says nothing she's visibly shaken. Stu and Tatum notice this. "What happened?" She asked with a notepad ready. She was faking a smile the smug demeanor stays however. "She's not answering any questions. Just leave us alone. Okay?" Tatum says in her usual feisty tone. "It's alright Tatum. She's just doing her job, right Gale" Sydney faked a smile as Gale nods. "Yes that's right" She nodded. Stu hugged Tatum from behind making sure to wrap his arms around her waist covering her arms at the elbows making sure she didn't do anything stupid. "How's the book?" Sydney asked trying to be friendly as she waited for Dewey.

"It'll be out later this year" Gale answered as Stu and Tatum watched. Sydney tried to contain herself squeezing a clenched fist. Dewey, in a squad car turns into the ally and pulls up. The other reporters smartened up, they began rushing into the ally. "I'll look for it" Sydney faked another smile. :I'll send you a copy" Gale smiled. In a blurred unexpected instant Sydney brings her fist forward smashing it hard into Gale's face. The impact sent Gale reeling backwards knocking into Kenny as they both tumble to the pavement. "Damn!" Stu laughed in surprise. Sydney was breathing heavily a sense of satisfaction on her face.

(Tatum's bedroom later)

Tatum and Sydney were sitting on a large pink bed facing each other, Stu sitting on a pink couch on the other side of the room. "God I loved it!" Tatum laughed "'I'll send you a copy' Bam!" Tatum laughed. Stu laughed looking up "Syd super bitch!" Stu laughed as Tatum pointed at him laughing "Super bitch I like that" She laughed. Stu chuckled standing up. "Is it cool if I make a sandwich?" It wasn't really a question as he was already on his way to the door. "Go ahead make me and Syd one too" Tatum laughed. Stu walked by Dewey who appeared in the doorway holding an icepack, "I thought you might want something for that right hook" Dewey smiled offering the icepack. Sydney stood up taking it and puts the cold ice on her hand.

"I'll be right next door, try and get some sleep" Dewey nodded leaving the room. "Any word on my dad?" Sydney called out as Dewey turned around."Not yet but we're looking, and if you need anything..." Dewey said being cut off by his sister. "Yeah yeah yeah." Tatum laughed, Dewey smiled and pulled the door closed upon exiting. "Just another sleepover at the Riley's" Sydney smiled "Just like old times huh?" Tatum smiled "No, its nothing like old times." Sydney sighed rolling over. The phone rings somewhere in the house. "Do you really think Billy did it?" Tatum asked curiously. "He was there Tatum" She sighed. "I knew this guy was to perfect, he was destined to have a flaw" Tatum chuckled

A knock on the door interrupts them. It opens and a friendly graying woman pops in. It's Tatum's mother, she wear a comforting smile. "Telephone dear" She smiled. "Who is it?" Tatum questioned "Its for Syd" mama Riley simply said "Is it my dad?" Sydney asked as the woman shook her head. "Then take a message" Tatum unintentally says rudely. "Its alright i'll get it." Sydney sighed moving into the hallway.

Sydney picks up the phone with a sigh. "Hello?" She asked kindly "Hello Sydney" The smooth voice of ghostface rang out. Sydney's eyes widen in fear. She cries out Mama Riley turns around as Tatum bolted out to Sydney. "Poor Billy-boyfriend an innocent guy never stands a chance with you" The voice teases. "Leave me alone!" Sydney cries. "Looks like you fingered the wrong guy again" Ghostface chuckled, "Looks like you just costed another friend his life" Ghost face laughed "Who are you?" Sydney asked fighting tears. "Don't worry, you'll see soon enough" Ghostface said hanging up. Mama Riley goes to Dewey's door banging on it calling his name. Dewey rushed out just as Stu was walking upstairs with a plateful of sandwiches. "What? What?" Dewey asked rushing out of his room in boxers holding his gun. "What's with all the furrowed brows?" Stu asked. "He threatened to kill someone" Sydney cried. "What? Who?" Stu asked worried "The killer idiot" Tatum scoffed. "I'll call it in, what did he say exactly? Dewey questioned "He said you just cost another friend his life" Sydney sobbed

A/N I've been meaning to come back to this so since its been a while I made an extra large chapter have a good day. And as always Comment telling me what you think and follow me