Disclaimer: I do not own Scream; this is merely a fanfiction.

…

STU MACHER'S HOUSE.

NIGHT.

Stacey, Lauren and Alan wander through the dimly lit rooms of the Macher house. They take it all in.

"This is where it started," Lauren says. She surveys the living room where Randy Meeks gave his now famous speech about the rules of a horror movie. "They were all here that night. What was going through their heads? What was going through Billy and Stu's brains?"

"I'd rather not find out," Stacey says.

Alan nods in agreement. "Yeah … I'm not exactly a fan of being here right now. It's so creepy being in the house of a killer with another killer chasing us."

"It's almost like someone's scripting this," Lauren points out. "Like we're in a scary movie or something."

"Or a fanfiction written by some creepy guy at a computer," Stacey adds.

"I'm going to go check the back door," Lauren says. "Alan, Stacey … if you'd be so kind to check that the windows are locked. I have a feeling we might be here for a couple of hours, and I don't want to make it easier for the killer to break in."

Alan nods. "Come on, Stace."

Stacey cocks her head. "Stace? What is that, some kind of cute nickname you made up for me?"

"If you want it to be."

"Yeah. I like it."

Lauren shakes her head. "Oy, get a room you lovebirds." She chuckles at Alan and Stacey's embarrassed faces as she heads into the back.

Alan and Stacey go into the living room. Alan secures the window, locking it. They then move into the kitchen, locking those windows as well.

Alan and Stacey's hands reach for the same window … their hands touch, and they both smile. Cute little sappy moment.

They emerge from the kitchen, back into the living room. "Remember when we were attacked at my house that night," Alan says suddenly. "And you were strapped to the hood of my car."

"It was horrifying."

"Tell me about it. And the only thing I couldn't get out of my head was ... what if something happens to her? Could I go on if she got hurt?"

Stacey blushes. "Is that why you fought him so hard?"

"I just couldn't bear the thought."

Their eyes meet, and Stacey backs Alan onto the couch. She straddles him, and they begin kissing passionately.

Alan rubs his hands up her arms. Their lips separate, as Stacey caresses his face.

Alan looks past her arm to see that the window he had just closed WAS NOW WIDE OPEN!

"What?"

Stacey continues caressing his face.

Alan stops her.

"The window!"

She turns and feels the breeze from the open window. "I thought we closed it?"

"We did. And I locked it!"

"What does that mean?"

"It means we have to find Lauren and get the hell out of this house!"

They stand up, and they rush through the kitchen to the back parlor. "Lauren? Lauren!"

They run smack into KYLE!

"Guys," he begins.

Alan and Stacey back away from him. "Guys … you have to believe me … please, I barely got away from Steve. Don't leave me alone with him again!"

"Don't listen to him," Steve yells as he appears opposite them.

Alan grabs Stacey's wrist. He pushes past Kyle, back into the dining room.

Kyle and Steve's screaming can be heard coming from behind them.

"The front door!" screams Stacey.

They race to the front door, opening it wide.

GHOSTFACE IS STANDING ON THE OTHER SIDE!

Alan SLAMS the door in his face.

"Okay," Stacey says. "Not that door."

They race back into the kitchen – Steve and Kyle are both gone. "The garage!" Alan and Stacey scurry into the garage. Alan flicks the light on.

Lauren is sticking out of the cat flap in the garage door.

"Help me!"

"Lauren!" Stacey and Alan rush forward, grabbing her.

"The killer got me … he shoved me through!"

They hear footsteps behind them. Ghostface appears by the door controls. They could almost feel the amusement coming from behind the mask.

The killer PRESSES THE BUTTON.

THE GARAGE DOOR BEGINS TO ASCEND!

Lauren screams for help!

She rises with the door, inching higher; her head about to get crushed.

Stacey grabs her legs, struggling to pull her out.

Ghostface charges at Alan, waving his knife. Alan TIPS OVER the refrigerator, causing the killer to stumble.

Alan grabs a chair, BASHING THE KILLER ACROSS THE HEAD. Ghostface goes limp.

"Help me!"

Lauren is inching closer to impending doom.

Alan joins Stacey, grabbing Lauren's ankles. With a quick tug, Lauren tumbles out of the cat-flap onto the garage floor – only a second away from getting her neck broken in the gears.

They spin around – Ghostface is gone.

The garage door is completely open – leading them outside.

The trio stumble into the driveway – Lauren has a limp.

Car lights FLARE ON!

Lauren's car is SPEEDING UP THE DRIVEWAY STRAIGHT TOWARDS THEM!

The trio race back into the garage, the car picking up speed. They stumble back into the house, just as the car CRASHES INTO THE WALL OF THE GARAGE – almost crushing them all.

They race back into the living room.

Ghostface JUMPS from the shadows, STRIKING LAUREN IN THE HEAD WITH AN IRON BAR!

Lauren's eyes roll into her head as she loses consciousness. Ghostface looks up at Alan and Lauren, who race back into the kitchen.

Steve appears in the doorway at the opposite side, his face filled with dread! "Guys, we have to get out of here!"

Ghostface barrels into the kitchen right behind them.

Alan grabs Steve's arm. "Come on, man! We have to move!"

Ghostface stalls to a stop, waiting patiently.

Steve reaches into his pocket, pulling out a voice changer. He speaks into it, the machine changing his voice into Ghostface's. "Surprise, Alan."

Alan and Stacey back away, around the island in the kitchen as Steve and Ghostface advance on them.

"It's you," Alan murmurs, hurt and betrayal crossing his face. "You're one of the killers!"

"Is that so shocking?" Steve asks.

"But … I was your friend … your best friend!"

"Aaw, you were Alan. Don't worry, buddy. I'll give you a glorious death – one that will be immortalized in the next Stab movie!" Ghostface joins Steve, who clasps him on the shoulder. "My partner and I will make this one splatter film to remember! Oh, the suspense must be killing you! Who could it be under the mask? It could be Kyle – woman-beater extraordinaire. He would be the type, wouldn't he? Or could it be sweet little Lauren, playing the victim?"

"Enough games," Alan spits. "Let's get this over with!"

"That impatient, huh?" Steve shrugs. "Alright partner, show them who you are."

"With pleasure."

Ghostface unmasks himself to reveal -.

.

.

.

.

.

It's Matthew.

"Surprised?" Matthew asks as he tosses the mask and black robe aside. He unsheathes his hunting knife, pointing it at the two of them.

Stacey can't believe her eyes. "Damn it, Matthew! We trusted you!"

"Well … you trusted the wrong person then!"

Alan wraps his arm around Stacey protectively. "Why? Tell us why?"

Matthew steps forward, the knife waving dangerously in his hand. "I suppose … I was tired of always being 'the friend.' You know what I mean Alan. Hell, you've been trying to get a date out of Stacey for like, forever. Glad to see you didn't end up in the friend zone like I did."

"Is this about Lauren?" Stacey gasps. "She's not into you – get over it!"

"Not into me? You're right. But she will be. When I reveal myself as the hero who saved her life. When she comes to, the first thing she'll see is my face! Me, the wounded hero, left for dead in the cemetery, only to come back and save the day! I'll be the knight in shining armor."

"More like the retard in tin foil," Stacey spits.

"Watch it now," Matthew replies. "It's foolproof. Steve and I have planned this out too well."

"And what's your motive, Steve?" Alan growls. "Fame? Money?"

Steve shrugs. "I have no motive. See, as Billy said, it's a lot scarier when there is no motive. Matthew and I planned this out before I took you to Jake's party. He knew I was into horror movies – he came to me, and I said sure, why not?"

"Steve's a rare find," Matthew adds, patting him on the back. "Not too many people are willing to stick a knife in someone's back just for the hell of it. So we planned this little murder spree; kill off everyone in our little circle of friends, leaving me, Steve and of course, Lauren, as the sole survivors. Lauren then falls irresistibly in love with me."

"So if this all about Lauren … then why did you kidnap the governor's daughter?"

Matthew and Steve look at each other, then burst out laughing.

"That wasn't us," Steve says.

"That's right," Matthew adds. "You see, there are two pairs of killers. Me and Steve … and another set out there. We're operating independently of each other. It was the other pair who killed Mr. Howards and his girlfriend. It was the other pair who kidnapped the governor's daughter and has all of Woodsboro riled up. It's the other pair who's going after Sidney."

"Does that scare you?" inquires Steve. "That there's another set of killers that have nothing to do with us?"

"I have to admit," Alan replies. "I would be lying if I didn't find it a little horrifying."

Matthew plays with his knife. "I got the idea after the other guys killed Mr. Howards and his girlfriend. It's foolproof. The cops will think it's all part of one massacre. So, we'll get away with it all, while the other guys take the blame for all of our kills."

"But just say, things don't go according to plan," Steve adds. "We've got to have a backup in case the cops don't believe the other guys killed everyone."

"Show them what's behind Door #3," Matthew exclaims.

Steve opens the door, and KYLE TUMBLES OUT, HIS WRISTS, ANKLES AND MOUTH TAPED UP.

Steve drags the struggling Kyle into the center of the kitchen. "Kyle here is the fall guy. We already know he's a woman beater."

Kyle shakes his head in protest. Even with duct tape over his mouth, he vehemently denies ever hitting Lauren.

Matthew gloats. "He's had a violent history, prone to angry outbursts and such. It's plausible for the cops to think he might don the Ghostface costume in order to win his girlfriend back."

"That's right," Steve continues. "But of course, he can't do it alone. He needs a partner. That's why I tried to get you to go to Jake's party that night, Alan. That's why I tried to get you ingrained into Lauren's group of friends."

"You and Kyle were partners," Matthew says. "You guys will take the fall for us – just in case."

Stacey is protesting. "The cops will never believe you! Alan would never …"

Steve cuts her off. "With all due respect, Stacey – he's Kirby Reed's cousin. He works at a movie theater. There's plenty of motive. Alan's movie freaked mind snapped, and he joined Kyle in carving everyone up." He turns to Matthew. "You ready, partner?"

"I am. Let's do it! Get it up!"

Steve STABS Matthew in the side. Matthew screams, shoving stuff off the counter. "Damn, that hurts! My turn!"

He STABS Steve in the shoulder!

They go back and forth.

Alan is shaking his head. "You'll never get away with this."

"We will. Because everyone who knows what really happened is in this room." Matthew looks at Stacey regretfully. "Sorry Stacey. You were a good friend, but I can't have you blabbing."

He points a gun at her.

"NO!"

Alan TACKLES Matthew to the ground. The two roll around … the gun skitters away.

"Get the gun," Matthew yells as Alan pins him down.

Steve scampers for the firearm, but Stacey grabs a pan, SMACKING HIM ACROSS THE FACE!

Steve recovers, then unsheathes his knife. Stacey backs away as Steve charges her, knife raised.

Matthew gains the upper hand, SLAMMING ALAN UP AGAINST THE WALL. His fingers constrict around Alan's throat. With his free hand, he raises his knife.

A GUNSHOT GOES OFF!

Everyone goes silent, looking for the source of the shot.

LAUREN STANDS THERE, GUN RAISED. She had picked it up while everyone was fighting. "Don't anybody FUCKING move!"

Matthew drops Alan. "Lauren … exactly how much did you hear?"

"Every. Freaking. Word. I came to a little earlier than you expected, huh Matthew? You did this … all because you wanted me to love you? You sick fuck! Wasn't my friendship enough?"

"This would never have happened if you had accepted my love!" Matthew hisses.

"You can't force someone to love you!"

Steve looks to Matthew for instruction. "She knows. The whole plan's gone down the tubes – now what?"

Matthew looks down regretfully. "She heard too much. As much as it kills me inside … she has to die too."

They take a step towards her. She cocks the gun. "Take another step, and I swear I'll do it!"

"Do you even know how to use a gun?" Steve teases.

Matthew cocks his head. "Come on, Lauren. You won't shoot me. I'm your BFF, remember?"

"Not anymore!"

"Fine. Then that makes it easier for me to do THIS!" In a lightning fast move, he STABS Lauren in the stomach!

Lauren doubles over, dropping to the ground.

"NOOO!"

Alan and Stacey scream at the same time.

Matthew turns around to face them – KYLE TACKLES HIM TO THE FLOOR! Alan and Stacey had taken the opportunity to untie him while the killers were busy with Lauren.

Kyle pins Matthew down. Steve charges – Stacey grabs a pan, and SMASHES HIM IN THE FACE! Steve staggers around. He slips on a puddle of blood, his head CRACKING ON THE COUNTER. Blood and brain matter dribble out as he collapses.

Dead before he even hits the ground.

Kyle is sitting on Matthew, PUNCHING HIM REPEATEDLY IN THE FACE. "YOU. MOTHER. FUCKER! I. WILL. KILL. YOU!"

Matthew's face is a bloody pulp. He's not even fighting back anymore. Alan grabs Kyle, who is still struggling to beat Matthew raw. "Come on, man. It's over!"

Alan helps Kyle to his feet. Kyle rushes over to Lauren, cradling her head in his lap. "Lauren … I'm so sorry. Wake up, please. Don't die on me!"

Lauren slowly opens her eyes. "Kyle?"

He smiles.

She smiles back. "I have a confession …" she says weakly.

Stacey kneels down by her side. "What is it?"

"Kyle … never hit me. Not once. I really did fall down the stairs. We … just had a bad break-up … and I made it up that he hit me … because I was … mad at him."

Kyle looks up at Stacey and Alan. "Told you!"

"Bad breakup," Lauren repeats. She gazes up into Kyle's face. "But … maybe not broken up for good."

Tears trail down Kyle's face. "You mean that?"

"Uh-huh. But in the meantime … do you think we could get to a hospital? My car's in the garage. Steve so conveniently crashed it there."

The three turn around.

MATTHEW BURSTS TO HIS FEET, GROWLING IN FURY AND HATE. HE RAISES HIS KNIFE!

Lauren lets out a yelp, grabs the gun which she dropped, AND SHOOTS HIM RIGHT IN THE FOREHEAD!

Matthew just stands there for a moment, before he sways and falls over.

Dead.

Lauren glares at him. "That … that's for saying … I wouldn't shoot you. Douchebag."

She lowers her head onto the floor, breathing deeply, trying to digest the physical, mental and emotional pain she's gone through this night.