A spooky round heading your way! This is round 4 of season 9 QLFC, and here's my Arrows captain fic. This round is all about the TV show American Horror Story. We were given the title of a season, and must take inspiration from that. I was given the season 1984. I know nothing about American Horror Story, so I had to do some research on it in order to get a prompt. I hope you like what I've come up with.
Warning: there may be implied death and other related triggers ahead. Ye be warned.
No War, Modern, and Slasher AU! Just go with the fact that Ginny has a phone, the story won't really work otherwise, at least how I'm writing it.
Word Count: 1233
Betas: Ikuni Hattori, freya-luna
It was late one night, and Ginny Weasley was sitting curled up on the couch with a book. She was all alone that night, a rare thing with so many family members around. However, tonight was one of those nights. Her parents had gone to an event at the Ministry with some friends, Ron was on a date with Hermione, and the twins were out working through some plans to open their own joke shop.
Checking her cell phone, she saw a text from her boyfriend, Harry Potter.
Almost there. It's raining, trying to be careful.
A crack of thunder punctuated the sentence, lighting up the front yard, where a large tree stood silhouetted against the bright flash.
OK. Be safe. See you soon.
Ginny had figured it would be the perfect opportunity to spend some time with him, uninterrupted by prying family. Unfortunately, the weather had taken a turn.
She spotted a news site notification pop up onto her screen and tapped it. The link took her to a recently published news article.
KILLER STRIKES AGAIN!
Three days ago, a serial killer, labeled the "Death Eater," took his fourth victim on Sunday evening. He has acquired this nickname due to the terrible, gruesome state he leaves his victims in.
So far, very little seems to link these murders, aside from their proximity and the fact that the victims are all young women. The ages range from 18 to 24. The most recent victim follows this pattern. Sally Anne Perks was just twenty at the time of her death.
Investigations are still ongoing. Residents are advised to take precautions while traveling late, and avoid unfamiliar areas if at all possible. Do not answer the door if you aren't expecting anyone.
Ginny had heard quite a lot about this murderer over the last few weeks. Her parents had been especially worried, almost deciding to stay behind tonight. Ginny had managed to convince them that she would be safe, but it had been a close call. In the end, however, she had her wand and she wouldn't hesitate to use it if needed, Statute of Secrecy or not.
Let me know when you get in. I'll unlock the door.
Standing up, Ginny made to close the curtains against the falling rain. As another flash lit up the sky, she jumped back from the window. Someone was outside by the tree! Heart racing, she took a closer look.
Just one of the bushes, she realized, allowing her heart rate to calm. Closing the curtains, she headed into the kitchen for some water. On her way, she heard her cell phone ringing. Maybe it was lingering fear from her imagining someone by the tree, but Ginny felt something ominous as she saw that the incoming call was from an unknown number.
I have to answer it, she told herself. It could be Ron, or some kind of emergency number. You're being silly. She pushed the accept button.
"Hello?"
"Who's this?" The voice on the other end was male, friendly enough.
"You've probably got the wrong number," Ginny said, feeling glad she'd realized what was happening. It happened all the time.
"Oh, I do?"
Ginny shrugged. "Don't worry about it. Bye."
Clicking off the call, Ginny allowed herself to curl back on the couch. She'd just let herself forget the mysterious caller when her phone rang again. Same number?
"I said you had the wrong number. Why'd you call it again?" She demanded.
"I want to apologize."
Ginny sighed. "Apology accepted. Bye."
I don't have time for this, she thought. Hanging up again, she stood, deciding to unlock the door for when Harry got here. The phone rang once again.
Rolling her eyes, Ginny said, "I don't think this is an accident. What do you want?"
"I just want to talk."
"Who is this?"
"Tell me who you are and I'll tell you my name."
"Don't think so."
Despite herself, her fingers shook slightly. To her annoyance, she dropped the phone.
"What was that?"
"I just dropped my phone."
"What were you doing on the phone? You keep answering really quickly."
"Watching a horror movie," Ginny lied. Why should this guy know that she was texting her boyfriend? Not that she didn't like scary movies.
"Oh, you like scary movies? What's your favorite?"
Ginny gave in, deciding there couldn't be much harm in talking on the phone for a few minutes. "Thirteen Ghosts. It's in a fancy glass house and everything. You?"
"Oh, I don't have one. I like them all."
"You have to have one."
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
Ginny raised her eyebrow. "Why do you ask?"
"Just curious."
Ginny decided to lie. "Nah, I don't." Again, there was no reason for this guy to know anything about her.
"What's your name?"
"Why?"
"I want to know who I'm looking at."
At this, Ginny stared out the window she was standing before, barely realizing she was doing it. Her audible gasp was a clear giveaway of her fear. She pulled her wand out from her pocket. Crossing to the front door, she turned on the porch light and peeked out. Nothing.
Instead of acknowledging anything, she simply said, "I have to go," and hung up. Staring at the dead line, she let what happened wash over her. Someone's just harassing you, she told herself. But she was hardly surprised when the phone rang once again.
"You'd better leave me alone," she warned the man on the line. "This isn't funny anymore."
"But I just wanted to talk."
"Go bother someone else."
This time there was hardly a beat before the phone rang once again. Ginny knew nothing good could come from it, but she figured if she just told the guy off firmly enough, maybe he'd stop. He had to stop, right?
"I told you, you'd better…"
"NO, YOU LISTEN. IF YOU HANG UP ON ME AGAIN, I'LL GUT YOU LIKE A FISH. UNDERSTAND?"
There was such malice in the tone that Ginny could no longer kid herself that this was something benign. Gripping her wand tighter, she managed to say, "I'm warning you, I can protect myself. Don't try—"
She was interrupted by the front doorbell ringing. They only had it because it was expected, as no one really visited them.
"Who's there?" Ginny called. No one said anything, the bell just rang again. "Hello?"
She jumped as the person on the phone said, "Don't you know that saying is.a deathwish? You watch scary movies!"
Ginny gave up all pretense. "You'd better leave me alone. I told you I can protect myself, and so can my boyfriend. He's going to be here any second…"
"I thought you didn't have a boyfriend?"
Ginny barely let this stop her as she said, "I lied. I do have a boyfriend. He's coming, and you'd better be gone by then!" The man remained silent. "He plays sports, he's fast. I'm telling—"
"Your boyfriend wouldn't be named Harry, would he?"
Ginny felt her heart drop at this. Please, no. "How do you know his name?"
"Go to the door and turn on the porch light. Again."
Wanting to deny it, wanting to hope, but knowing what she would find, Ginny made her way back to the door. Not happening. She placed her shaking hand on the switch, dreading what she knew she would see when she turned it on.
AN: I was going to continue, but those familiar with the movie Scream know this doesn't have a happy ending. That, and I couldn't really see Ginny falling to pieces the same way. Also, I included an Easter egg, so if anyone notices it, review and tell me!