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

…

Gale's car speeds down the darkened roads in Woodsboro. She looks over at Sidney, who is just sitting next to her, staring into space.

"You alright?"

Sidney shakes her head. "You were right."

"About what?"

"She … she was my mother. And … Martin Grady killed her … right in front of me."

Gale reaches out and squeezes her forearm. "Sidney … I'm so sorry."

"Look … it doesn't matter anymore Gale. The only thing that matters to me now is stopping this psycho."

Gale nods. "We will."

VMM! VMM!

Sidney's cell phone begins vibrating. "It's him!"

"Answer it," Gale replies. Sidney puts in on SPEAKER. "Hello."

"Ready for Act Three?"

"Where are Kirby and Shannon?"

"The abandoned factory on the outskirts of town. You have ten minutes to get there. Kirby and Shannon will be there – in one form or another."

"Wait -."

The killer hangs up.

"The abandoned factory," Sidney repeats.

Gale nods. "I'm on it." She swerves the car in the middle of the road, speeding down the opposite direction.

…

"Okay … I need to know everything that happened." Judy Hicks is in the sheriff's office, having temporarily taken Dewey's place.

Alan and Stacey sit there. "It was our friends … Steve and Matthew. They killed everyone at Windsor … and Jake. They tried to kill us … we got Lauren to the hospital … Kyle's with her right now, if you want to question him."

Judy nods. "Okay. But what about Kirby?"

Alan's heart thumps. "What about Kirby?"

"Alan, please stay calm. The other killers … they kidnapped her."

Alan stands up. "What? Where is she? Are you working on getting her back?"

Judy places her hand on his shoulders. "We're doing everything we can."

"You're not doing enough!"

"Alan … please relax. I have my squad out on the streets. We have all areas on alert. Please believe me … I'm doing the best I can."

Alan nods, sitting back down. "I'm sorry. It's just … she's my cousin. We're family."

"I understand."

Judy's walkie suddenly BLARES. Judy speaks into it. "What? The killer called Sidney? The abandoned factory? I'll be right there."

She turns around, realizing that Alan and Stacey heard the whole conversation. She sees the look on Alan's face. "Oh no … don't you get any ideas."

"Judy … she's my cousin. What would you do?"

"Look, my goal is to keep everyone safe! Including you kids! I need you to stay here."

"Judy -."

"That's a direct order, Alan. I don't want to hear anymore about it!"

She turns, pulling out a stack of papers.

Alan looks at Stacey, then leans forward, lifting Judy's gun out of its holster.

Judy whirls around. "Alan! What are you doing?"

Alan's lip is trembling. "I'm going to that factory, Judy! I'm going to save my cousin from that psycho!"

"Alan … grabbing a cop's gun is punishable by law."

"Then arrest me after we catch that maniac! But for now – I'm going to make sure my cousin's safe!"

He reaches forward, lifting the car keys off of Judy's belt. "I'm taking your car too."

"Alan, please think this through!"

Alan backs away, despite Judy's pleading.

Stacey sits there, looking unsure. She suddenly bolts to her feet. "I'm coming with you!"

"No, you're not!"

Stacey places her hands on her hips. "We already faced two psychos! We can take down two more!"

Alan's hand trembles. "No! If anything happened to you … I couldn't live with myself!"

"That's not your decision to make, Alan!"

"Stacey … please. Just stay he-."

He is interrupted as she KISSES HIM furiously on the lips.

"You're not getting rid of me," Stacey says. "Besides, you need somebody to watch your back."

Alan nods. "Fine. But you stay close." He and Stacey back out of the office. "See ya' Judy."

"Alan, this is very stupid of you!" Judy protests.

Alan shrugs. "Hey … you don't know what I would do for my family." He and Stacey disappear behind the door, and Judy whirls around, picks up a phone and begins dialing for back-up.

…

Cold.

That's the first sensation Kirby Reed feels when she comes to. She sits up, looking around. She's in a large, abandoned room. Broken lights cast dim shadows all around her, flickering.

She sits up, and notices a cell phone lying next to her. It suddenly lights up, blaring its ringtone. She answers it.

"Hello?"

"Rise and shine, Kirby."

"Where am I?"

"That old abandoned factory. Now, come upstairs. Go to the auxiliary parking lot in the back of the building. I'll call you back as soon as you get there." He hangs up.

Kirby sighs. "I can hardly wait." She stands up, heading for a creepy flight of stairs.

…

Sidney and Gale park in the giant, main parking lot in front of the building. The two exit the car, and head for the main entrance.

"Are you sure we should just go bursting in?" Gale asks. "This place … it's like a labyrinth."

"What choice do we have?" Sidney asks.

They move towards the front doors – a metal detector is lying in front of them.

Sidney's cell phone rings, and she answers it.

"You see the metal detector – you know what to do."

Sidney and Gale use the detector all over themselves. No guns … no weapons.

"Good. Now come inside and let the games begin!"

The two look at each other, and nod. "Okay … here we go."

…

Alan pulls Judy's car up into the parking lot – it's empty, save for Gale's car. Alan turns to Stacey, handing her the gun.

"What am I supposed to do with this?" she asks.

"Use it. I want you to stay in the car."

"But -."

"Look, it's bad enough I let you come. Please, just stay here. Anything that moves – don't hesitate to shoot."

He prepares to get out of the car, but stops himself. He whirls around, giving Stacey a passionate kiss on the lips. He smiles sheepishly at her. "Wait for me."

He exits the car, sprinting inside.

Stacey waits until he's inside, then sighs to herself. "Screw this." She opens the door, cocks the gun, and goes inside.

Undetected.

…

"This place is so creepy. Leave it up to a killer to pick this as his hideout." Gale shrugs as she and Sidney walk through the hallways of the factory.

The floorboards creak beneath them.

"Be careful," Sidney advises. "I don't think these floors are entirely stable. They might give out beneath us."

"Great," Gale sighs. "Broken floors with a psycho wandering around. What a life we lead."

"Don't sound so shocked. Isn't this always how it goes? We get lured to some spooky mansion, or abandoned building, then the killer jumps us."

"Yeah, they usually burst out at us right about now."

"You mean like this?"

Ghostface BURSTS through a rotten door like tissue. He STABS for Gale, who ducks. The killer's knife is lodged in the wall.

"Move!" Sidney and Gale run at top speed.

Ghostface WRENCHES his knife out of the wall, giving chase.

Gale takes a misstep – AND FALLS RIGHT THROUGH THE FLOORBOARDS TO THE LEVEL BELOW!

"Gale!"

Sidney looks down to see Gale, moaning, rolling in pain.

Ghostface jumps over the hole in the floor, barreling right towards her.

Sidney opens a door, rushing in. She's in the packaging plant, where items are boxed. She walks on the catwalk, with the main plant below.

Ghostface appears right behind her.

Several narrow rafters crisscross atop the ceiling. Sidney jumps up, grabbing a hold of one. She hoists herself atop it, standing up. She tightrope walks across the rafter. She makes the mistake of looking down, and gulps.

Ghostface is hoisting himself up atop the rafters. He moves with the grace of a silent predator.

Sidney picks up the pace – SHE SLIPS!

She grabs the edge, dangling above a fifty foot drop.

Ghostface casually strolls over to her. He looks down upon her, tilting his head. He lifts his boot.

STOMP!

Sidney SCREAMS as pain shoots through her fingers.

The killer grinds her fingers beneath his boot.

She's slipping – another second and she'll fall.

STOMP!

Again.

Sidney cries out.

She reaches out with her free hand, grabbing hold of the killer's ankle.

Ghostface cocks his head again.

Sidney looks up at him with all the rage in the world. "I fall, you fall too, asshole."

Ghostface struggles to kick himself free – she's not letting go. Her fingers are like a bulldog's grip.

She SQUEEZES his Achilles tendon.

He loses his footing, and falls forward, over the edge.

Sidney watches as Ghostface plunges, flailing, waving his arms.

He SLAMS HARD ON HIS BACK.

He moves no more.

Sidney pulls herself back atop the rafters. She catches her breath; she peers over the edge.

Ghostface has VANISHED!

Sidney is in shock. How could anyone survive a fall like that?

"Randy was right," she says to herself. "Virtually indestructible."

…

After passing through the labyrinth, Kirby stops at the glass doors leading to the auxiliary parking lot.

The lights BEAM ON!

Three chairs, just outside.

Sitting, strapped and gagged, side by side, are – ALAN, SHANNON, AND STEPHANIE!

"No!" Kirby goes for the door. Her phone rings, and she shakily answers it.

"The final act – BEGINS NOW! Do you have what it takes, Kirby? Can you save them all?"

"Bring it, you fucker!"

"Spunky as always. Did you give Jill Roberts and Phil Howards this kind of lip?"

"They were sickos just like you."

"Sick is the new sane, Kirby. Now, you've played this game … what, like twenty times? You know how this goes. Three questions – one for each victim. Get it right, the victim lives. Get it wrong, they DIE!"

"No … please …"

"Your cousin. Your best friend. And the governor's innocent daughter. All their lives depend on you. Can you stand it, Kirby? Can you have their blood on your hands?"

"You don't have to do this!"

"That's the point. I don't have to. I want to!"

"Then let's stop playing and get on with it already! I've heard this all before!" She's on the verge of tears.

"Having flashbacks Kirby? Do you remember in your garage, playing this game with Jill while Charlie was strapped to a chair? Or how about when you played it with Phil while Shannon and Evan were strapped by the swimming pool?"

"What's the point of all this?"

"You remember, Kirby. The terror. The tightening of your muscles. The pulsing of your heart. The sweat on your palms. Remember. Just remember. You're going to feel that fear ONCE AGAIN!"

…

Gale staggers up a flight of stairs, holding her sore back. She creaks open a door, peering into the deserted hallway.

She staggers out, looking around.

She grabs the handle to the door across the way.

A HAND GRABS HER SHOULDER!

Gale spins, PUNCHING THE ASSAILANT ACROSS THE FACE!

"Stop! Stop!"

It's Stacey, holding her jaw.

"What are you doing here?" asks Gale.

"I came here with Alan."

"What? Why?"

"The killer has Kirby. Alan wants to save her – I couldn't let him come alone."

"Dang it all … just stay close to me."

The two walk. Gale notices that Stacey is limping. "What happened to your ankle?"

"I … uh … sprained it."

Gale raises her eyebrows. "Really … Well, come on. We have to find the others."

Gale nods, motioning for Stacey to go ahead of her. She wants to be behind Stacey to keep an eye on her at all times.

…

"Question #1! For Alan! What is the name of the babysitter killed with a hammer by Chucky?"

"Her name … her name was Maggie. Maggie Peterson."

"Question #2! For Shannon! What was the name of the demonologist in Paranormal Activity?"

"Dr. Johan Avery. Please!"

"Keep begging, Kirby. It's music to my ears. Question #3! For poor little Stephanie! What was the relationship between Michael Myers and Laurie Strode?"

"They were siblings!"

"Question #4! For you! What does that last question have to do with me?"

"What …? I … I don't …"

"Think Kirby. I'm giving you a subtle hint! Think about that relationship between Michael and Laurie. What does it tell you about me?"

Kirby looks around, struggling, crying. "I can't … please …"

"You can't? Then I'll just RIP the answer out of you!"

"I … I …"

"Or perhaps I should move outside. You don't have the answer? Well, someone else can take your place. I don't feel like killing you anymore, anyway."

"NO! I got their questions correct – leave them alone!"

"The poor governor's daughter, her whole life ahead of her. Would be a shame to snuff such a shining candle out."

"Don't do this!"

"Or, I could rip out Shannon's insides. Your best friend, been with you through thick and thin. The other survivor of the Reality TV Murders."

"No! Leave her alone!"

"Then what about your beloved cousin Alan! You know, he came here just to save you! Imagine that – he put his butt on the line for yours! So how about it – he wants to save you so bad. So should I just kill him and spare you?"

"NO! Please, just let them all go! Let us go back to our families!"

"Family? FAMILY? Heh, you got me started on the wrong subject, girlfriend! Don't tell ME about family!"

"Family," Kirby says to herself. "Family. Michael and Laurie … you and Sidney!"

"She finally gets it!"

"So then … you and Sidney … are siblings."

"Bingo."

"I got it right! That means you have to let us go!"

"I don't have to do anything, Kirby. This is my show!"

"But … the rules … I won fair and square!"

"Kirby … since when do I play fair?"

The lights GO OFF!

Kirby screeches into the phone. "NO! PLEASE, DON'T!"

Someone is screaming in pain behind a gag. A knife slicing through flesh. Organs dropping.

SQUISH!

SPLAT!

The lights come on -.

SHANNON'S STOMACH HAS BEEN COMPLETELY OBLITERATED! HER INTESTINES ARE IN HER LAP, STEAMING IN A NEAT PILE!

"Shannon!"

Kirby bangs helplessly on the window as Shannon's lifeless head sways with the wind.

Alan and Stephanie are freaking out.

"You … you sick bastard! She never hurt anybody! She didn't deserve -."

"Of course she didn't. Kirby, when will you realize that half the people I kill don't deserve it?"

Kirby is in tears, her face smudging up the glass door.

She tosses the phone aside as she sits there, sobbing.

Alan and Stephanie try to shout out a warning, but the gags muffle their voices.

Kirby looks up to see the reflection of the ghost mask in the glass. She dives out of the way, just as the killer STABS THROUGH THE GLASS!

"You motherfucker!" Kirby screams. "I am going to kill you!"

Ghostface seems amused.

"Hey assbag!"

The voice comes from behind them, as Sidney CRACKS A WOODEN BEAM ACROSS THE KILLER'S SKULL!

Ghostface goes flying. He hits a wall, and slumps over.

Sidney moves over him, BASHING HIM A FEW MORE TIMES!

Kirby opens the glass door, untying both Stephanie and Alan.

Alan looks at Shannon's gutted corpse. "Kirby … I'm so sorry!"

Kirby hugs him. "No time for sorrow! We have to go!" The three rush back inside.

Sidney towers over the killer. She reaches down to unmask him.

GHOSTFACE COMES TO LIFE, SLICING DOWN HER ARM!

Sidney lets out a gasp as Ghostface springs to his feet. The killer turns, disappearing into the darkened hallways.

"We have to move!" Alan screams. "My car is parked in the main lot! If we move, we can get there before Gruesome Gus shows up again!"

Sidney stops. "No. I'm tired of running."

Kirby looks at her. "Sid?"

"Go with Alan and Stephanie. Alan, get them as far away from here as possible."

"What about you?" Kirby cries.

"I'm ending this – once and for all."

"I'm coming with you!" Kirby shouts.

"No. This has to do with me. It's always been about me. So it ends that way – with just me!"

She gives Kirby a hug, before she turns and follows the killer into the shadows.

Kirby just stands there, watching her. Alan tugs on her arm. "Come on – we have to go!"

Kirby turns to him. "Take Stephanie and get to your car! Get to safety!"

"Kirby … you heard Sidney! She wants you to come with us!"

"No! I'm not leaving without Sidney!"

Alan shakes his head. "Kirby … don't make this difficult! Please! Your safety means everything to me!"

"And Sidney means everything to me! Go on without me, Alan!"

"Get to the car, Kirby!"

"I'm not arguing with you anymore, Alan!"

Alan sighs. "Then you've left me no choice."

Kirby stops as she hears A GUN CLICK. She slowly turns around.

Alan is holding a struggling STEPHANIE AT GUNPOINT!

"Alan … what are you doing?"

"I'm sorry, Kirby. I never wanted you to find out."

"Find out what?"

Tears roll down Alan's cheeks. "Everything I've done … I've done for you. To keep you … and our family … safe."

Time seems to slow around Kirby. "Alan … it's you! You're one of the killers!"

"Finally figured it out?"

"But why?"

Alan looks at her regretfully. "My mother was nearly killed in an accident – caused by my father! I've become the man of the house, taking care of her. Hell, I even used to take care of Grandma and Grandpa before they died. Taking them to their doctor appointments, getting their medicine. I was there with them in hospice. I was so helpless … I watched them wither away, and there was nothing I could do! Well no more."

"This is about helplessness?"

Alan sighs. "I'll do whatever it takes to keep those I care about safe. And you Kirby, we grew up together. We were inseparable! But then, Sidney comes into your life! From then on, you've had more near-death experiences than Sharon Stone! One psycho after another carves up town, and you've been directly in their warpaths! All. Because. Of. Sidney!"

Kirby is nearly hysterical. "So you just go nuts and hack up half of town?"

"To protect you! Sidney dies – and it all stops. The killers stop coming after you. You'll be safe!"

"Alan … I can't believe this …"

Alan is shaking his head. "Mr. Howards and his girlfriend … well, it was because of his snuff films that his son Phil tried to carve you up. The bastard managed to weasel out of jail … but he was a good practice kill. Then that bitch Alice tried to take advantage of the whole situation …" He shrugs. "I never anticipated that Matthew and Steve would go on a killing spree themselves. But they helped me out in the long run by deflecting suspicion away from me … sending the cops looking in all the wrong places. Who knew one of the victims was also a killer?"

"You're a sicko!"

"Kirby, that hurts. I went through a great deal to ensure your safety. This is it. After tonight, it ends. Now … get back to the car and go home with Stacey."

"No!"

"You're making this more difficult than it has to be." He presses the gun against Stephanie's temple.

"Let her go, Alan!"

"Just as soon as you get to the car and go home to safety!"

"And if I go home, I'll just report your ass!"

"Good. Jail doesn't matter to me – as long as my family is safe."

"Please, Alan!"

BLAM!

Kirby and Stephanie shriek as Alan shoots a hole in the wall. He reaches into his pocket, withdrawing his knife, pressing it against Stephanie's jugular.

"Let her go!"

"You know how to make that happen, Kirbz!"

"Alan!"

"Fine. We do things my way."

With a quick JERK, Alan SLITS Stephanie's throat open. Blood SPURTS onto the wall, as Alan tosses Stephanie's corpse aside.

"You fucking coward!"

Alan steps towards Kirby. "You just had to make this difficult!"

Kirby grabs the wooden beam Sidney used earlier, waving it at Alan's head. Alan ducks, grabbing her wrist. He STABS her in the stomach!

Kirby gags on her blood, and she falls to the ground, holding her gut.

Alan stands over her. "Don't worry, Kirbz. You'll live. I stabbed you in a non-vital spot. I'll be sure to call an ambulance for you – just as soon as my partner and I deal with Sidney."

He steps over the writhing Kirby, disappearing into the darkness.

…

Author's Note: ATTENTION!

The next chapter is the last one! The final killer will be revealed! Drop a couple reviews by, tell me what you think so far :)

The finale begins … soon.