Happy Terror, a companion piece to Devil in Sheep's Clothing, an Amanda's Shorts ficlet
Author's Note: You don't need to read Devil in Sheep's Clothing to understand this piece, but it could provide some background information that is only discovered by the characters in that fic. Here are a few things to keep in mind: Jessi is with Declan but Jessi is very concerned for Amanda's sanity – she's already healed her mind once that afternoon – and Hillary has been charged by Latnok to keep everyone other than Kyle and Josh together until further notice, at any cost. The relevant chapters in Devil in Sheep's Clothing are Chapter 17 through 20 but they focus primarily on Kyle. This ficlet will focus only on Amanda and Jessi. Keep in mind also that Amanda knows all of Kyle's secrets and Kyle even has a connection, an uncontrolled feedback loop, with Amanda, though the characters don't learn of that until the very end. Jessi, to prevent herself from feeling lust or any other undesired feelings from Kyle's feedback loop with Amanda, has completely shut off her side of the connection at Foss's order. I think it was that scene with Foss and Jessi that made me think of the zombie story to begin with!
The last thing is that Kyle and Jessi are clones in this scenario, an important point I think.
It wasn't every day that Amanda went to the movies, and certainly not two movies in a row at someone else's expense. She was very grateful for Hillary's generosity especially considering how she'd felt all of a few hours previously. She might not have cared for the first movie but was certainly interested in the second. But now finally, after a decadent meal and some surprising gentleness from Jessi, she felt really good. Aside from the occasional pang of sadness and worry – which still troubled her somewhat – she felt normal again. No longer was she this crazed she-beast who tried to pounce on Jessi and pummel and scratch her, to no effect. Of course, Jessi was like Kyle too, she realized. It was odd that Kyle had kept all of Jessi's secrets while divulging his completely only a few days ago. Amanda however wasn't the dumb blonde many thought she was only because she was pretty.
Amanda knew how to persevere at a task even when it was boring or tedious or seemed downright impossible. She had mastered most of Mozart's compositions now despite the many struggles. Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Strauss; she had her favourites from all of them and many more and now felt confident she could play any of their masterpieces with a bit of work. A shy person she might be, an innocent girl she certainly was, a layperson or dumb blonde? Never. Her skills with the piano were a testament to her dedication and perseverance. She saw patterns and could read them pretty well. Kyle had tried in vain to keep her in the dark until one day she had stood in a completely dark corner of her house and called for his help only with her voice. When he had appeared, located and reached her without a flashlight, while also missing the six obstacles she'd placed between the door and her on the ground, she had kissed and asked him, "You can see perfectly well in the dark and heard me call weakly for help. Care to tell me more?"
Of course he hadn't told her anything just then – it had taken her a week of cajoling and haranguing to get him to just confirm what she already suspected. He was simply a wonderful human being, and came with a few bells and whistles. He was that luxury condo with 18 foot ceilings and a view of the ocean.
Nope, Amanda Bloom, even though she was modest and occasionally self deprecating, wanted the bells and whistles. Even if the fancy bells and the piercing whistles were on a clone, a human clone. The mere thought of the word clone had, only two days ago, sent her massive shivers. Now, she was completely at ease. No matter the potential difficulties, he was Kyle, the best guy in the world.
She breathed a deep sigh as the movie began. She was thinking these good thoughts because she didn't normally fare well at horror movies and this movie was rumoured to be relentless in the scare department.
Everyone – Jessi, Lori, Hillary, and Declan – were quiet and staring straight ahead.
In typical horror movie fashion, a young couple were making out in a car in the woods to loud music. Thankfully the windows were fogged up so you didn't see any detail – until the first zombie dinosaur came up to the vehicle and tore the roof apart with a large claw and devoured the top half of the girl, fake blood splattering everywhere, bathing her boyfriend (hopefully he wasn't just a fling, thought Amanda) in red.
Then all you saw was the blithering idiot lying there screaming his head off with legs and a nice cross section of abdomen – with intestines strewn about for the camera – until he was eaten in the next few moments.
The loud crunching noises really grossed her out. Wouldn't a dinosaur, especially one that big, just gulp the nasty guy down and omit the chewing?
The movie's title flashed on screen to cheers from some of the more blood thirsty spectators among them – she realized that both Declan and Jessi clapped and whistled, figures, she thought – and Amanda already felt nauseous. She clamped her jaw shut and watched passively as the blood and gore sprayed everywhere during the entire movie. Even so, she jumped in her seat five separate times as zombie dinosaurs just came out of nowhere to gobble and crunch their unsuspecting meals to thunderous and grotesque sounds.
Oddly enough, Amanda noticed Hillary checking her cell at six different times and once she even left her seat only to return in very short order. Not that she would have cared about disruptions to this movie, but it was very curious that Hillary would be checking her e-mails and calls so often during it, especially since she seemed to be a big fan of the series. And yet, when a particularly shocking scene played on screen, Amanda found it a little odd that she overheard Hillary yelling just a tad late. Granted there was a gaggle of younger girls near the front – who were quite probably underage – screaming at just about everything on screen. She was rarely thankful that her mother kept a tight leash on her but she was grateful she wasn't that ditzy.
By the end, the movie stayed true to its horror roots and ensured one zombie dinosaur – somehow, inexplicably pregnant – to remain "alive" and undetected by the victorious humans.
Because zombie dinosaur sequels were money makers, everyone knew.
As the credits rolled, Amanda heaved a sigh of relief as the crazy people around her clapped thunderously. Honestly, who could even like that tripe? Oh well, at least the romantic comedy coming up next would make her laugh and feel all warm and fuzzy now that the misunderstanding with Jessi sleeping in Kyle's tub that morning was resolved. What a day she'd had!
Amanda got up before the others and had to wait until the credits had finished rolling. Even during the credits nasty sound effects kept playing, zombie dinosaurs roared and people screamed then were eaten. When the interminable credits finally ended, the first person to notice her was Jessi, whose bright smile instantly became a frown. She pushed by Declan and Lori to reach her and whispered, a hand to her shoulder, "Are you okay?"
Amanda couldn't suppress a small smile. "As stupid as that movie was, it still scared me silly."
Jessi said, "I found it hilarious!"
"But I heard you scream with everyone else," started Amanda.
Jessi slapped Amanda's shoulder playfully, making Amanda wince – that hurt – and said, "Oh come on! The very idea of undead dinosaurs is absolutely ludicrous! If what made them undead to begin with was some sort of disease, or parasite or something, don't you think it would wipe out most of humanity when the first zombie dinosaurs were unearthed? Almost no one would be alive to get eaten by the dinosaurs if that actually happened!"
"Yes but it was really gross," Amanda complained just because she had wanted to. She felt perfectly fine now. "Thanks Jessi, for everything."
Jessi's smile narrowed. "Don't mention it. Really, I have a rep to uphold." Amanda saw Declan standing behind Jessi, a brief look of concern on his face until Jessi turned to him with a smile.
"Okay," said Amanda.
Hillary flipped her cell shut one more time and yelled for the entire group to hear, "All right muffins, let's go see the sickly sweet movie now!"
Jessi turned to Amanda with a big smile and she whispered, "I love romantic comedies! I can't wait!" But loudly, presumably for the conservation of her rep she said loudly, "Yuck, I'd rather watch this movie again."
Lori got up and said, "Josh would've loved that but I thought it was barely passable."
Hillary turned to Lori, "Lori! I saw you scream with everyone else; I thought you loved it!"
Lori scoffed. "The movie writers and the director resorted to plain scare tactics, dinosaurs popping out of nowhere to make you jump and expose as much blood and gore as they ate people. Was the whole world affected or just that town?"
Declan stepped forward, "That sucks for you, Trager. I loved it and would rather watch it again than wa—" He stopped in mid word at Jessi's glance. "Maybe I should go home instead."
Hillary jumped and said, "No no no! I insist you watch the comedy with us! I've already bought the tickets! Besides," she started with a sly smile, "I think your girlfriend here will muscle you into the theatre if you try to run away." She giggled and started galloping down the stairs.
Amanda noticed Lori, Declan, and Jessi all share a suspicious glance but she turned away soon enough not to be seen. It almost sounded like Hillary knew about Jessi, which would almost certainly mean she knew about Kyle. Perhaps the ditzy blonde wasn't as ditzy as she let on?
If Hillary wasn't just a ditz, she had the world fooled. She did it that well. As a result, Amanda had to assume it was just a comment relating to Jessi handling her in their earlier fight. It was true she had landed that first punch, but after that, not a single scratch, punch, pull, or kick had gotten anywhere close while she hadn't even tried to land a single strike of her own.
Amanda's smile faded when she thought about exactly what Jessi might have been able to do to her had she not restrained herself. It sent a shiver down her spine. She somehow started feeling really antsy and fearful. Jessi was not someone she should mess with. Thankfully, Jessi seemed to be more interested in saving her skin than in flaying it.
Suddenly Amanda's thoughts were interrupted once more by Jessi's hand on her shoulder. "Come on! Don't let the dinos get to you." Slowly she let herself get gently pushed down the stairs.
The only thing Amanda thought was, At least they don't seem to be able to read minds.
As they waited for the second movie to start, Amanda noticed that Hillary went to fairly great lengths to keep everyone happy, chatting, and eating. Whatever you wanted came in moments; you didn't even need to wait in line! Hillary just opened up her phone and whispered the order and it came within a minute or two, hand delivered.
Eventually Lori even noticed and said to Hillary, "Hils, what's with the celebrity service? We've gone to the movies before and we never get this type of service."
Hillary seemed to glance at the server dreamily, "What a stud." After a brief pause her smile vanished. "I thought we were all here for a good cause; to help Amanda in her day of need?"
Amanda felt everyone's eyes turn to her with grim looks. It's true she had had a rough day and had felt totally unlike herself with half-crazed thoughts. Under the stares though she tried to give them a reassuring smile but she once more started feeling like she was coming apart at the seems. It was a feeling that before today she had never experienced, even when her father had died.
The strange moment passed quickly when Jessi started telling jokes. She delivered them perfectly, as though she was a comedian on stage. Soon enough everyone around them laughed with tears in their eyes and although Amanda laughed along, there remained that undeniable hole in her gut, a feeling of darkness, of despair, and rage.
Jessi bowed after the sixth joke in a row and excused herself to Declan and immediately grabbed Amanda's arm and pulled her in an iron grip. When they were clear of the crowd and getting closer to the women's washroom, Jessi whispered, "You can fool them but to me it's clear you're still not well."
"You're just like Kyle," Amanda said, revealing what she had known in secret.
"Of course." Jessi's lips pursed tightly after the confirmation and Amanda felt like Jessi was thinking a reply in her head. She knew she sometimes did. Jessi brought her into the washroom and led her directly into the largest stall. "Since you know – and I know Kyle told you a few days ago – I'm going to try a more direct approach."
Amanda didn't have the time to even try to dodge the vice grip Jessi placed around the top of her head, starting just below the hair line at the top of the forehead and into her hair above her ears. Amanda felt the negative feelings subside as they were washed away with happy feelings. When Jessi let go, all Amanda could say was, "Wow."
Jessi, who had looked a little grim during the exercise, smiled. She opened her mouth to say something when a loud knock came from the door to the women's washroom followed by a gruff voice, "Is anyone in here?"
Amanda and Jessi simultaneously said, "Yes," and grinned to each other. Jessi opened the stall door and started walking. "We should get back to the others."
Hillary seemed enormously relieved when she saw her and Jessi returning. She stood between Lori and Declan who were turned away from each other. When Declan saw Jessi he softened somewhat but took a few steps toward the exit. "I'm leaving; you coming Jessi?"
Amanda saw Hillary glance at her cell phone and whisper a little something into it before she snapped it shut. Within moments the doors to the theatre opened for the next movie and people started going in. Hillary took Lori's arm and pleaded with her to follow into the theatre while Jessi simply clamped her hand into Declan's and nearly dragged him the first few steps.
Amanda tried to ignore the fact that Declan had very quickly accepted his fate. It appeared he too knew Jessi's secrets, and more than likely Kyle's too.
Although the doors were open the cleaners were still busily trying to tidy the worst areas of the theatre for another ten minutes or so before they all gave up and walked out. The theatre was in the worst shape Amanda had ever seen: sticky areas were left unwashed; half eaten bags of popcorn were spilled on the floor as people walked over the mess with their shoes.
And yet, when the movie started over thirty-five minutes later, she became mesmerized by the movie; it was a delight to behold and she let herself be swept away by the funny lines and the steamier scenes that followed. She could practically see the love between the main characters, and when they overcame the many hardships that life tossed at them their love only increased further.
There was one scene that almost broke her heart; when their first child died during delivery only to be revived by quick actions of the doctor. Wet tears had flowed down her cheeks during those tense moments only to be replaced by cheers and nearly immeasurable joy. Strangely enough Amanda also felt a little confusion poke through even though she was following the plot just fine. Something in her must have been a little confused about some development, though she didn't understand what that might be.
The ending of the movie was so cheerful and so bright that Amanda could easily ignore the mounting sense of confusion and concern she felt deep inside her. The credits rolled and she cheered and applauded with many of the other teary eyed spectators, though she noticed that Jessi was likely restraining her exuberance if not her smile. That was as bright as hers.
Declan started walking the exit with most of the crowd when Hillary instantly hurried after him. Jessi, Lori, and Amanda were willing to spend a few extra minutes to talk during the credits about how good a movie it had been.
And yet, soon enough, they too walked out of the theatre as a little group and found Hillary draped onto Declan's arm. Amanda didn't miss the heated look Jessi gave her. There had been a time when she'd been blissfully ignorant of what that look could actually mean.
***
When Jessi saw Hillary pressing herself against Declan's side like a sardine, her jaw set in the thoroughly clenched position. Hadn't Hillary told Declan she wasn't interested in him, that as Lori's ex she considered him off-limits?
Jessi saw Lori throw her a glance of disgust. Lori exhaled and turned around with a loud thump of her right foot, not that anyone really heard other than her and Amanda. Jessi dismissed Amanda and focused her hearing to listen to the things Hillary was saying to him.
It only took a few words to mutter in a soft whisper, "She is so dead." It took both Lori and Amanda only 2.3 and 2.1 seconds to respond to that comment – which made her smile grimly – before she took a few strides toward the scheming blonde. Of course she had forced herself to say something aloud because otherwise she would have been tempted to make the bitch faint by moving all the blood out of her brain for a few more seconds than was recommended.
And really, she didn't really want that; it would have been a gut reaction and one that was uncalled for. A fist or a slap, sure, but brain damage was likely a little overkill. Still it would have been satisfying for what, five seconds? And then she would have personally overseen Hillary's care as a vegetable for the rest of her life.
No, in those 2.1 seconds, Jessi had decided not to take any drastic action and let herself be halted by two rather puny blond girls, one a sister, the other an ex-rival and neighbour. Well, she'd still be a rival if she ever determined that Kyle was wavering in his choice but that was for later, much later she feared.
Still she was comforted by Declan's fairly late reaction of pushing Hillary off him.
"I want you Declan!" Hillary yelled at the top of her lungs.
Jessi's cell buzzed in her pocket and she hurriedly pulled it out, expecting a message from Kyle. To her dismay, when she read the message she was less than pleased. Foss wanted her to remove the block she'd put on her connection between her and Kyle. Her teeth clenched in response and her fists almost started hurting with how hard she held them shut.
Spectators surely would have believed it was the result of Hillary's yell, or the subsequent, "Right here, right now!" she cried moments later.
Amanda and Lori gasped and both held Jessi's arms as hard as they could, likely fearing she'd lash out at the girl.
She might have a year ago, under the circumstances, and yet even then she didn't try to hurt people. She only didn't know her own strength, which was no longer a problem. The things she could do at once marvelled her and scared her to death so she was growing much more careful.
Now, if Hillary had been holding a gun to Declan's head, her head would likely have exploded in a wet splash of gore as she threatened to pull the trigger, but given that they were almost all reasonable teenagers, there would be no gore splashing today. Instead, she reluctantly did exactly as Foss asked.
The instant the barrier came down, a flood of emotions washed over her. They were extremely strong, stronger than she'd ever felt from Kyle. There was a small amount of joy and relief and even romance but it was greatly overshadowed by the pain, the betrayal, and the rage that he felt deep inside him.
She had been about to mutter something about having to go home right away but never had the chance. Before the seventeenth second ticked by with the connection restored, Jessi felt an enormous pain rip at her chest. Instinctively she clutched at her chest and her breath caught as she crashed to her knees. The shock and pain were so great she saw stars in front of her eyes but Amanda was in front of her in moments.
"What's wrong Jessi?" she asked.
***
When Jessi collapsed – as Latnok had said she could anticipate – Hillary took that moment of mass concern to flee. Her job was done, but at a fairly hefty price. She wondered if she'd have to move after this.
***
Jessi fought for breath as she stretched her senses all around, searching for the possible source of the attack. Declan ran to Jessi's side, concern deeply etched in his features. Amanda was suddenly overtaken by a wave best described as dread while Lori was in shock. Hillary was running away as fast as her stilettos would allow her. The rest of the crowd didn't matter.
Amanda whispered so only those nearest her and Jessi could hear, "You no longer feel Kyle, do you?"
It was hard to speak but Jessi had always been good at persevering through pain. Somehow Amanda had been right. For once, Jessi was completely dumbfounded as to how Amanda could have discovered that before she did. "I just restored it and he cut it." She gasped as she stood. "I have to, to go home," she stuttered.
Declan announced, "I'm calling a cab right now," as he punched in numbers into his phone.
Amanda muttered, maybe for herself and yet maybe not, "I just hope Kyle's all right."
They were the first words her neighbour had ever said that Jessi fully agreed with, one hundred percent. That little seed of commonality could change their entire lives, if she, Jessi, allowed it.
***
They came home to an empty house, with no sign of Kyle anywhere.
Author's Note: Sorry, you're going to have to read the last two chapters of Devil in Sheep's Clothing to find out the end! Muhuhahaha! That is of course if you never read it in full before! It starts out episode-like and ends wonderfully, or so I think anyway.
Please review!