Chapter 7
Krueger ran. When asked he would deny it but he ran. He had victims in the past that turned on him. They became violent, their anger and violence surviving on their fear of him. There was Jason. He was the exception. That trash from Camp Crystal Lake. He was the worst decision Krueger has ever made. His mistake was that Jason never feared him. Jason was incapable of feeling fear unless faced by his mother. However Krueger wasn't his mother, the fear he imposed on Jason was artificial. It could never compare to the reality of his imposing fear of his mother. Krueger swore to never make that mistake again. He was only going to choose those who succumbed easily to fear, especially fear of him.
He slid to a stop in front of a humongous metal pot of boiling water. It was where all the heat originated from. The boiler room he chose as his controlled base was old in design. The cap to the pot of boiling water was originally missing, even when he chose the place. He never bothered to replace it. It scared a few of his earlier victims and he decided to keep it. Ava was right behind him. He watched the gleam of the sword she held in her hand. It swung loosely.
Krueger promised himself that he'd never make the mistake of choosing unqualified victims. It was safe to assume he broke his promise. He was horrible with promises.
Ava advanced slowly. The way she walked was casual and relaxed, much like how Krueger normally is. Except she didn't have the excited glow that Krueger was positive he had, he even felt it every time he chased his fearful, wide-eyed, victims. Ava's aura was one of satisfaction, content. It never wavered and it never swayed. It flowed steadily around her. Krueger crouched down and brought his razor hand in front of him. He adjusted his hat and readied himself for when she strike. He knows she's going to strike. Ava may have hid it well but underneath the way she presented herself, there was calculation. He could see it in her eyes.
"Come on, bitch! I'll rip you to shreds then defile your corpse in front of your tormented soul!" Krueger cackled. Ava stopped walking. She cocked her head, staring at him curiously. Then she laughed. Her shoulders shook as she collapsed with laughter. She bowed over at the waist dramatically before flipping herself upwards. Her hair flew at an exaggerated manner. A cynical smirk crossed across her lips. Her eyebrow rose in a mocking manner. The laugh that left her lips was more maniacal than anything.
"I'd like to see you try!" She charged. Her feet sprinted off the metal flooring, rattling the chains that held the catwalk together. Krueger charged forward as well. Despite his unfamiliarity with the move, Krueger tackled her mid section and threw her over his shoulder. Ava produced a strangled surprised gasp before she sailed straight and painful into the pot of boiling water behind him. The satisfying loud splash had Krueger rubbing his razors together and turning around to assess the damage he did to her. He knew what to expect.
There was going to be sizzling red skin curling off the muscles of her limbs and torso. Blood would gurgle out of her mouth and race out of her nose and eyes as she struggles to get out of the boiling pot of water that was staining red. Her muscles would be stripped clean of skin, bearing it for the world to see. It was a sight that he couldn't wait to see. He couldn't wait to hear her strangled cries for help, his help. The mere thought of had him tingling and rubbing his razors together even harder and faster. A wide excited grin spread across his chapped and scarred lips. The most exciting and wonderful sight he's only witnessed a handful times was going to be presented to him once more and in the most satisfying way.
Except it didn't; his smile fell.
The pot was empty and the water still. He peered at it curiously. It wasn't turning red with blood coloring and there were no floating burnt off flesh. Ava wasn't in it flailing around screaming at the top of her lungs. There were no muscles bear for the world to see, flesh and skin free. Krueger blinked.
Where was she?
-BREAK-
There was supposed to be pain. Ava knew it. Ava anticipated it the moment she saw Krueger haul her over his shoulder and the pot came into view. She closed her eyes and shielded her face as she sailed into it. She heard the crash. She felt the collision. However there was no pain. After the collision she felt nothing. Ava didn't dare open her eyes. Instead she spread out her fingers, wiggling them at the tips, feeling for something. Experience led her to expect to feel the water swishing and curving around her fingers, to feel a slight pressure, even the scalding burn of being cooked alive. However to her surprise she felt a hard surface beneath her. Suddenly the senses within her body flared alive. She could feel the hard surface poking into her shoulder blades, pushing against the back of her skull painfully, and jabbing into the bones of her limbs. It was quite uncomfortable.
There was a series of scrambled noises, loud and incoherent. She scrunched up her nose and groaned. Against her will, her body turned over onto its side and her arms reached out to the hard surface to push herself up onto her knees. The noises became a bit clearer, they were voices. What the voice said, she was still unsure. Ava shook her head then dared to open her eyes. Light invaded her corneas and stabbed straight through her lens. Ava grunted in discomfort as she closed her eyes once more, bowing her head over into her chest to avoid the light.
"Ava!" A familiar voice screamed the first word she could make sense of. Hands rested against her shoulder, guiding her to a wall. Ava rested against it when she felt its presence behind her, tickling the tactile senses on her shoulders.
"Ava, are you alright?" The same voice asked. Risking a chance, Ava peeled open her eyes. Staring straight at her face and blocking the light was Daniel's face. She slapped him without thinking. His eyes widened in surprise.
"… Sorry…" Ava barely registered herself saying sorry as she wondered why she slapped him. Daniel touched his stinging cheek gingerly before rubbing it.
"It's alright." He accepted her apology. "More importantly, are you alright?"
Ava looked past him. Standing behind him was the hotel manager and behind him, near the corner of the wall was Janice. She stared at Ava with an unreadable expression. Ava left Janice be for the moment and looked around the hall more. There was no trace of Tammy.
"Where's Tammy?" Ava asked as she struggled to stand. Daniel pushed her back down.
"Don't get up." He said.
"Why?" Ava asked immediately.
"… I'm just worried… We found you passed out on the floor. It's been ten minutes since then and you've only just woken up. I think a bit of precaution is in order." Daniel said. Ava glared at him.
"I'm fine." Ava grumbled as she shrugged off his hands and stood. Daniel practically plastered himself to her when she stumbled a bit. She pushed him back a bit, reassuring him that she wasn't going to fall over and proceed to die a slow painful death.
"Where's Tammy?" She asked again. Daniel turned back to look at Janice. Janice looked away. She crossed her arms and pursed her lips.
"Tammy disappeared." Daniel answered.
"…" Ava pushed past Daniel. "Janice, may I have a word with you?" She asked, softly and politely. Janice looked at her surprised but hid it well behind a skeptical look.
"Why?" She even asked. Ava didn't answer her. She walked past the woman and continued down the hallway. The atmosphere lifted. There was no pressure pressing down on her shoulders. The imposing weeping feel that pressurized her heart was gone. Tammy was truly gone. Seconds later, the click of Janice's impossibly high heels followed after her. Ava found herself clutching her hands into fists as the sounds of Janice's heels neared. Several images of how Janice can kill her with those heels flashed past her mind, thanks to her active imagination. Ava rolled her eyes, like Janice would have the guts to do that herself.
Ava led Janice into one of the empty rooms. When Janice entered Ava slammed the door shut and locked it. She turned around and leaned heavily onto the door. Janice stood before her with her heels crossed and her hands on her hips. A displeased but determined look settled over her face.
"Do you have any idea what you have done?" Ava asked; her voice controlled. She felt her anger rising. She knew it was soon before she loses herself but she was willing to give Janice this small time frame between her now and her when she lost control of her anger.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Janice dared to play that card.
"Don't joke. Don't you fucking joke about it!" Ava couldn't help but scream. Janice startled a bit. "Tammy told me everything. How could you? Is this the oath you took when you decided upon your fate, the job you dedicated yourself to for the rest of your life? If this is the oath you took then I'd hate to tell you, you took the wrong oath! We don't do things like this, Janice! It's against the code and most of all, our oath to protect and purify!"
That speech got a rise out of Janice. She uncrossed her heels and took a menacing step forward. The determined look on her face morphed into disgust.
"Listen to yourself! Do you hear yourself when you talk? You sound like some stupid hero from a cheesy 90s movie! Get over yourself; like you were so perfect after taking that stupid oath." Janice snarled.
"Janice, enough is enough. What you've done to Tammy is unforgivable. Where is she?" Ava took a step forward, unwilling to back down. Janice had gone too far.
"What makes you think I know where she is?" Janice pushed.
"Because you changed her, you manipulated her poor fragile soul into what it is today. She is under your control. Where is she?" Ava asked a final time. Janice studied her.
"Janice!"
"I'll never give her to you." Janice hissed.
"Janice, stop this instantly! Hand her over, now!" Ava stuck her hand out. Janice shook her head.
"No, you see, I'm not giving her to you. You're not taking anything else away from me. I've had enough of you! Why couldn't you just roll over and die?" Janice sobbed. "I hate you! You're the worst of them all! You keep talking about keeping our oath but the one who needs to keep her oath the most is you! If it's anyone who needs to be purified it's you! You're the worst of them all! You've taken all you can from me! Why do you have to dig to the bottom and steal everything till there's nothing left?" Her sobs became worse.
Ava took a step back. Her determined look transformed into confusion then sympathetic disapproval. She kept her hand out.
"I've never stolen anything from you. I'm sorry about our past but we can't change any of that. You of all people should know that Janice… I know you've tried… I've seen it." Ava said her voice much calmer. "Give me her soul, Janice. It's unfair for you drag an innocent soul into this. This is between you and me, keep it between us. Don't drag others into it. Tammy still has a chance. Give her to me so I can help her."
Janice stared at her. The tears never fell from her eyes but it might have. She looked as miserable as a woman who had cried for days. Her hands shook as she palmed at the locket hanging around her neck. In the back of her mind, Ava slapped herself for not realizing the locket was Tammy's holding chambers. Janice rarely wore lockets, she preferred jewels.
"Please," Ava urged her as Janice's fingers curled around it. Janice gave her another look. "Keep this between you and me, no one else." Ava's word proved effective when Janice tore off the necklace viciously and tossed the locket over to Ava. Ava caught it and held it to her heart. She closed her eyes and focused onto the locket encased within the heat of her hand. It pulsed with energy, hard and angered. She sighed. There was a lot of work to do if she ever hoped to salvage what's left of Tammy.
"Thank you," Ava said before she turned to open the door.
"This isn't over!" Janice shouted just as Ava placed a foot out of the room. "Sooner or later I will make you pay for all the wrong and sins you've brought upon yourself." She declared.
A cold chuckle left Ava's lips. "I don't doubt that." She whispered.
-BREAK-
The midnight air bit into Ava's skin as she walked calmly home. She wound the locket around her neck, instantly feeling the pulsating hatred that Tammy lashed out. Janice had destroyed her. Tammy, an unfortunate soul caught between Janice's hatred for Ava. Ava wanted to say sorry, she wanted to cry for Tammy but she knew it wouldn't do any good. Crying and apologizing wasn't going to help Tammy. If she truly wanted to help Tammy she'd dedicate herself to purifying the hatred from what's left of her soul. Tammy was originally a weak soul filled with distraught and cried constantly. When Ava found her, she was on the verge of disappearing into the universe. Ava wasn't sure what was left of her soul and if purifying her wouldn't make her disappear like she almost did years ago.
The familiar door to the facility appeared before her faster than she expected. Surprised she turned around to stare at the road she walked on. It stretched out into the distance, a distance that she walked. She knew for a fact that it was a long distance but the walk seemed shorter. Ava sighed before pushing the door opened. The first thing she heard was the silence. Normally the lobby was active with people chatting or signing in materials such as mail or packages. However that night, despite it being midnight, was too quiet. The night shift front desk receptionist looked up. She stared at Ava solemnly.
"Welcome back, Ms. Derricks." She greeted quietly.
"… Thanks…" Ava walked on to the elevators. She watched the numbers descend from the top floor.
"Ms. Derricks!" The receptionist called before scurrying over to her. Ava turned.
"Yes?"
"… Um-I'm not sure if it'd be any significance to you but we lost another one tonight." She whispered. Ava's fingers twitched. She already knew who it was. She didn't need to be told. She was there. She failed Blue. However she held her tongue and looked the receptionist straight in the eyes.
"Who?" She asked, despite her wanting to scream Blue's name out loud.
"Blue Munroe," She responded in a quiet sadden voice.
"… Thank you for telling me." Ava patted her shoulder. The elevator dinged behind her. She turned to board it. The receptionist nodded and waved good bye as the doors closed.
The dorms were quiet but no one was sleeping. All the doors were opened. The lights were out. The girls sat on their beds, huddled together with their roommate and mourning in silence. Ava came upon Blue's dorm. She peered in. Blue's roommate sat there alone, staring at the opposite bed. It was made neatly with baby blue floral bed spreads. There was bottled water atop the bedside drawer and a framed picture of a family. Ava recognized the young looking girl with dyed electric purple hair. It contrasted the red hair Ava knew Blue to have naturally. The picture was of her family. Tests and report cards were taped to the walls surrounding Blue's side of the room. Ava slumped against the door to stare at the papers. Each one of them presented proof that Blue was smart and most likely going somewhere after high school.
"Blue was easily mistaken for a genius." The roommate spoke suddenly.
"Yeah?"
"Uh huh, Blue studied so hard for those grades. She had a dream of leaving this place, this nightmare, and making something of herself. Her parents were hippies. They've never really had a job. They've never really had an education, focusing their time on the movement. By the time they came to their senses, time has passed and they were raising a child together. Blue always spoke about proving to her parents that they could make it in the world. She dreamt about supporting her parents, giving them fat lumps of money as allowance, and paying their bills. She also dreamt about shoving it into those snobs' faces."
"Snobs?"
"Kids who made fun of Blue for having hippie parents, they called her disgusting, filthy, and a slut or whore despite the fact that none of it was true and evidence is clear as day. They would proposition her. They asked questions such as 'how much for a night, whore?'" The roommate explained further.
"… Sounds like you were really close friends with Blue." Ava assumed. The roommate looked up.
"We were the best of friends. I've known her since we were children. Blue never wanted to come here but her father fell ill suddenly and to pay his hospital bills Blue accepted the offer…"
"What about you? Why are you here?" Ava asked.
"I followed her here. Her parents were worried about her accepting such a dangerous job even if it paid a large sum of cash. I don't have parents. No one would miss me if something happened so I volunteered to come with her. The department gladly accepted me. I think… I'll give my salary over to them so they can pay for hospital bills. Without Blue around and the income of her hard work, they'll drown fast into debt." The roommate looked down at her feet. Her shoulders shook and she produced a strangled cry.
Ava's heartstrings tugged tight against her as she listened to Blue's friend cry. Her guilt sky rocketed as she realized that her chance of saving such heartbreak was given and she failed. She didn't try hard enough. Perhaps if she had stopped Krueger a fraction of a second earlier Blue would still be here. There wouldn't be a need for these tears to be shed. Ava bowed her head.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
"It's not your fault. We knew the risks and possibilities when we accepted this job."
"I'm sorry." Ava turned and left. The cries of Blue's friend accompanied her to her room. The door to her shared room with Priscilla was closed. She frowned as she eyed the other doors. They were all opened and it was their door that was closed. Suspiciously Ava turned the knob on the door. It was unlocked. She walked in. The room was dark. The lights were out except for the bathroom. Light slipped into the room through the crack underneath the door. A shadow, presumably Priscilla's, shifted about. Ava closed the door softly and walked towards her bed. She ventured carefully, not sure if turning on the light would agitate Priscilla. It seems the entire building was in mourning and despite their mourning being silent and normal; Ava's getting weird vibes as if she's walking on egg shells and if she cracks one open they'd all pounce.
She sat down at her bed and took off her shoes. Her eyes trailed over to the bedside drawer. As expected there was a small plastic cup with a pill in it. She looked at and then at the bathroom. The urge to flush it down the toilet was tempting. However memories of Krueger's sudden intrusion into her work frustrated her.
I don't feel like dealing with you tonight. She thought as she grabbed the cup and threw the pill into her mouth. She downed it with a large gulp of water. Slightly horrified at taking a pill, Ava dropped the plastic cup to the floor and laid back. She stared up at the white ceiling and listened to Priscilla shuffling about in the bathroom. Slowly her eyes slipped shut as sleep claimed her.
A/N: It's been a while since I've updated this story. Recently I got a review from a reader and her review suddenly gave me that nudge to continue and update.
Thank you! :D
Please do leave a review and tell me what you think. They make it so easy now, just click on the box and type your review. I got to say, I'm loving this new version of leaving reviews a lot better than the old one. I hope they keep this one. :)
