Hey, brief update this week. This chapter runs a bit shorter than the others because the schedule has been hectic this week; had some personal issues to work out. I wasn't able to put everything I wanted into the chapter due to time constraints, but when the next chapter gets posted in two weeks, this chapter will be updated with additional material, so check back then. I also hope to have some other exciting, non-Elm Street stuff posted over Halloween next week. So whatever you do, don't fall asleep...

CHAPTER 21

NOT ALONE

The sun was out, but the snow hadn't melted a lot by the time the group made it to the comic shop. As the SUV pulled up to the shop, Jake was in the window switching on the "OPEN" sign. He noticed the Explorer pulling in and stepped outside. Moments later, Shelby excitedly exited the van.

"Jake!" She threw her arms around him and nearly tackled him into the snow.

"Good to see you, Shell," Jake said. "Carla's inside." Shelby nodded eagerly and hustled in out of the cold, Taylor coming in right behind her.

I need a quick word with you two before we go in," Jake said to Randy and Dustin. "I just spoke with my mom, and Ms. Miller wants the three of us to help carry Cameron's casket tomorrow. Carla, too."

"Of course," Dustin said immediately.

"No question, done," Randal agreed.

Jake nodded, "Awesome. And, there's a few things I wanted to say before the funeral. After everything that's happened, I feel like we need to clear the air with certain people about certain things."

"Shit, Jake, you really want to do this now? The day before Cameron's funeral?" Randal asked in disbelief.

"I feel like there are things that Taylor still needs to know about our situation. I think she may be able to help us."

"We can do that tomorrow, after we're done with everything," Randal interjected. "We've got enough going on already without dragging the Freddy situation back into it. Let's not sully the mood any more than circumstances already have. It can wait one more day."

Jake contemplated the words for a moment, letting them sink in. With a heavy sigh, he agreed. "Alright, fine. But right after Cameron's funeral, we're telling her everything."

Dustin looked slightly confused. "Everything?" he parroted. "You mean, everything, right? About who we really are, and what we can do?"

"Everything," Jake repeated. "Beginning to end. No more secrets. We're going to need all the help we can get when we face off against Freddy again. And I'd bet everything I have that's going to be sooner, rather than later..."

...

December 23rd, 2014

It was still dark outside even though Dustin's alarm clock was ringing 8 A.M. He was normally reluctant to get up on an average day, but getting out of bed this morning meant he would be forced to face the reality of the fact that Cameron was going to be buried today.

Dustin had laid out his clothes the night before, as he normally did, being the neat-freak he was, as opposed to his cousin, who was a bit more unruly when it came to the day-to-day. The funeral was at eleven, but Dustin and Randal had planned on being there by ten, so Dustin had two hours alone to prepare himself, mentally and physically, for the day ahead.

Well, not exactly alone. Shelby was lying half naked on the bed next to him, rolling over gently as Dustin moved to get up

"Morning," Dustin said as he stood up. Shelby opened her eyes and quickly sat up in the bed, looking at her surroundings, trying to reconcile the previous night's events.

"What the hell...?" Shelby groaned, still half out of it. She stood and started to wobble, feeling weak in her legs, falling back onto the bed. "Oh Jesus... My insides feel like mush!"

"All night fuck-a-thons will do that to a woman," Dustin chuckled as he grabbed a pair of lounge pants and a shirt.

"Especially with that thing," Shelby said as she eyed Dustin's goods.

Dustin looked down as well and smiled. "I must have done something really right in a past life to earn this. Good karma, or something."

Shelby smiled and shook her head. "You're hilarious."

"I try to be," Dustin said. "Times like this, people got to remember to stay positive, and not be Debbie Downers all the time."

"I guess so," Shelby said, suddenly sounding downbeat. "I'm just worried about Amy. She can't be handling this well at all."

"Me too," Dustin said. "This has to be rougher on her than almost anyone else. After the ordeal with her parents, there weren't many people she really trusted, and Cameron was one of them."

"What do you think happened to them?" Shelby wondered aloud. "I have a hard time believing they just abandoned their daughter like that. How alone she must feel?"

"It happens. Some people, when the shit hits the fans, they GTFO instead of sticking it out..." Dustin said. He walked back over to the bed and fell backwards across Shelby's lap.

"I know," Shelby said, stroking the hair from Dustin's forehead. "People like that are scumbags."

"She's not alone, though. All of us, we're her family, too. Not blood, but family still. Considering everything we've gone through together, that's huge." Dustin sighed heavily. "Do you think she knows that?"

"She knows," Shelby affirmed. "No matter how bad it gets, she knows we're all here for her."

"I hope she makes it to the funeral today. Speaking of, we need to get ourselves ready. Gotta be there by ten." Dustin shook his head. "This day is gonna suck."

To be continued...

11/6/15