DISCLAIMER: In order to maintain authenticity to character, some characters might have different viewpoints than my own, and use language or have actions I do not agree with. But if every character had my system of beliefs, there would be no legitimate character development and diversity. Any language one may find offensive, I apologize in advance. Those words I do not use, so please, keep this into consideration.

Love Kills

"Is Zoe doing okay?"

Things were strange when I came back inside. Mom couldn't pull herself together, and Tom had quietly asked that Tasha take me upstairs and help me out. She happily obliged, even going so far as to offer to carry me up the stairs.

I declined the offer.

Tasha was sitting on the floor of the bathroom, while I sat on top of the toilet cover. She had cleaned and bandaged my left hand, and had removed all of the glass from my right foot. Now, she was working on the left.

"Truthfully, no. Tonight kind of sent her over the edge. I mean, she saw you flying all across the room, Ash. You like, hit the walls and were on the ceiling at one point. That's fucked up," Tasha shook her head in disbelief, "She's been hiding in my room ever since you ran out of there. I tried talking to her after you left but she was a mess. All tears, no words. I told her I'd come back as soon as I could."

"She'd been holding up...scarily well. After everything she saw that weekend, I can't believe she hasn't had a breakdown yet," I sighed.

"Zoe's strong. She doesn't like to break in front of people. She thinks if she pushes everything down it will go away. But obviously it always comes back up. This was obviously no exception. I mean, the shit we deal with," I hissed as Tasha pulled the final shard out, and sprayed hydrogen peroxide on the cuts, quickly starting to wrap my foot, "is flat out nuts."

"She should stay here tonight. If she wants to, I mean."

"I think she will. She's in no condition to drive. And Mom, I mean...what the fuck are we going to do about her?"

"Dude, I don't know," I buried my face in my hands, exhaling loudly, "I feel so out of control. This is all becoming bigger and bigger and I keep waiting to just wake up and have it all be a weird, melatonin induced fever dream. I feel responsible for all of you and SHIT. Where's my phone?"

"Probably still in my room. Why?"

"Can you go get it? I don't want to intrude if Zoe is still freaked out but I need to call someone."

"Okay," Tasha sounded hesitant, she wanted to pry but she obliged my request, quickly slipping out of the room. I heard her quietly greet Zoe, whispering something, maybe words of comfort or reassurance that everyone was okay. Moments later she returned, my phone in her hand, "Who do you need to call?"

"Trey. ReFred was making some sort of show about going after him. I did my best to convince ReFred I wouldn't care but I don't think I can handle any more weight on my shoulders."

"That's fair. I'll leave you to it, let you shower. But if you need anything let me know," as Tasha started to exit, her hand on the door knob, she paused, "You said ReFred did all of that to you, right?"

"Well...kind of. He did this," I lifted my bandaged hand, "But truthfully...Freddy is back. He actually "saved" me from ReFred," I used my good hand to make my best air quotes

"...do you think Zoe and I are safe? From either one of them?" Tasha's tone had quickly become serious.

"I honestly don't know. Maybe...maybe don't sleep tonight? I'll be on guard but...I don't know what to expect anymore." I pursed my lips, scratching at my bandaged wrist, "I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Tasha smiled, "I'm gonna go take care of Zoe, okay?" I nodded, and she closed the door behind her. Alone at last I took a deep breath, pulling up the text messages from Trey's unsaved number. One of the only few interactions I'd had with anyone outside of my family (and Zoe). I tapped on the little phone icon, bringing the phone to my ear. It rang and rang, and even though I knew it was only close to about 8:00pm (and there was no way he would be asleep already), I couldn't help but feel my chest tighten with worry. Around the fifth ring it stopped.

"Ash, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Trey's voice was chipper on the other end, and I sighed with relief.

"Trey! Sorry I," I laughed a little, "I thought you might be...dead?"

"Dead? Damn. Well, I didn't mean to ghost you, I just figured you had your hands full with...whatever your whole situation is."

"Oh no! No, you didn't ghost me at all!" I felt my face flush with embarrassment, "I just…" How the fuck was I going to explain this to him? Every possible word in the English language suddenly vanished from my brain.

"Ash you still there?"

"Yes! Sorry. Okay, I'm just gonna spit it out," I took a deep breath, "So basically you know those guys, the ones that attacked me and the ones I was with and the ones that attacked me in my dream? Well one of the Freddy's, the Remake Freddy, he kind of implied he was going to go after you for shits and giggles and I think I convinced him I didn't know you well enough for that to warrant as something I'd care about so I think you're fine but you also might not be it is very unclear."

There was silence, only the subtle static sound of the phone, and then:

"Okay yeah that's a lot. I guess I know why so many people are afraid they'll be murdered meeting someone from the internet," he laughed, "But I appreciate you caring enough about your Tinder match to check in on me."

"You did us a huge favor that weekend, I'd feel terrible if it led to you getting hurt. You didn't have to help a total stranger. Especially someone in as much of a mess as I am."

"I couldn't exactly put it in reverse and drive off, leaving you to bleed out," I could imagine him shrugging as he spoke, "It's good to hear from you though. I was wondering if you'd be okay."

"Could be worse," I stood up, looking at myself in the mirror. The bags under my eyes were dark and sunken, heavy luggage from months of terrible sleep, "I'm glad you're okay too. Sorry for the sudden call."

"No apology necessary. Hey," Trey's voice perked up, "Maybe, if you have time, we could try an actual date? I mean, that is the whole point of Tinder."

"I thought the point of Tinder was to boink?"

"I like to subvert expectations."

"Hm, I don't think I'm the best person to spend your free time with," I frowned at my reflection. I wanted to say, I also don't think I'll live long enough to really try my hand at dating.

"What about this? I come visit, you let me take you out on just one date. Even if you decide you never want to see me again, I get the pleasure of spending more time with you. And maybe, you know, you deserve a break after everything?"

"You're not worried that being around me is basically a death sentence?"

"We all die someday," there was a content smile in his voice, "I'd regret not taking you out at least once."

I fell completely silent, the red in my cheeks burning brighter. This had never happened to me before. No one had ever been interested in me. Every crush I'd ever had fizzled out, even before I became a shut in. I'd tried dating apps before this (deleted every single one) and neither men or women seemed interested in me.

"Did I lose you?" Trey's voice broke my trance.

"No, sorry I'm here. Um, sure. Sure I'll go on a date with you."

"Great!" Trey was clearly grinning on the other end, "When are you free?"

"Uh, well. How about next Saturday?"

"Next Saturday, I'll pencil you in," Trey was doing his best to sound only moderately excited, "I look forward to it."

"Me too," I smiled at myself in the mirror, "I gotta go. I'll talk to you later?"

"Sounds good." And with that I hung up. Turning the faucet on I splashed my face with cold water, and reached for the hand towel, dabbing it gently on my skin. Sighing, I turned to the shower, twisting the handle. Water sprayed against the tile floor of the shower, and as I turned to get undressed I caught a glimpse of something through the window. Outside, almost far enough back where I could miss it, I could see the stark white contrast of Michael's mask compared to the darkness. Doing my best to come off casual (and blissfully unaware) I simply closed the curtain.

He probably knows about what happened earlier, I thought, reassuring myself, He's just keeping watch. That's all.

Lorraine wanted - no, she needed - a cigarette.

She had sworn off smoking when she'd met Patrick years and years ago. But like any addict (let's be real here she knew she just about anything could become addicting) she had her moments where the craving was too damn strong. Tom thought his smoking habit was subtle but Lorraine caught on quickly. Even knew where he hid some of his packs. Sometimes she thought he knew she was taking them but she didn't care. Everyone had their secrets. He didn't call her out so she wouldn't call him out.

Tonight was different.

"Tom" she croaked, her voice raw from all of the crying and yelling, "Go get me one of your cigs." His arm still wrapped around her shoulders, the two of them sitting on the porch steps staring out into the night, Tom leaned forward, trying to get a better look at her face. Lorraine sniffled, side-eyeing him, "Please?"

"Sure. Yeah, sure," Tom's arm slid away from her shoulders, and as he left through the blue tarp he'd hung up to cover the gaping hole where the porch door once was, Lorraine continued to stare out into their backyard. Patrick's passing had already been the worst possible thing that could have happened to her. Then Ash was attacked, and she thought, well, at least she is alive. And safe. The worst could have happened and it didn't. Now this? Men in costumes breaking into her home, terrorizing her family? She didn't know what to think anymore.

Behind her the tarp shifted again, and as Tom sat beside her once more, he handed her a cigarette. One was already held between his teeth. Taking the cigarette from him, holding it between two perfectly manicured fingers, Lorraine brought it to her lips. Lighter in hand Tom leaned over, lighting hers before lighting his own. Lorraine's eyes closed as she inhaled, and she let out a wavering exhale, smoke billowing out from her mouth. Yeah, she'd needed that.

"You didn't seem at all surprised earlier. You didn't even flinch seeing that...that man holding Ash" Lorraine pointed out, pulling the cigarette from her mouth, "How long did you know about this?" She asked without looking his way.

"Bout a week," Tom replied gruffly, "I had a feeling something was going on. Followed my gut, went to pick em' up last weekend. That's when I found out." Lorraine inhaled again, her hand shaking slightly.

"So you lied to me?" Tom scratched the back of his neck, which was enough of an answer for her, "What even happened here, Tom? I thought a home invasion was bad enough but then Ash is flying all across the room. Making doors explode. I-I don't even know what to think! I keep thinking this is all some sort of dream and I just...can't wake up from it. I can't…" taking one more drag Lorraine pressed the lit cigarette to her forearm, gasping loudly as it singed her skin.

"Jesus Lorraine!" Tom yelled, immediately pulling her hand away from her arm. The cigarette fell into her lap, a brilliantly red dot was left behind on her arm, "Don't do that!" Lorraine hung her head, hair covering her face for a moment as she winced, the pain quietly simmering down. Lifting her head back up, she pulled her hand away from Tom.

"I just want to wake up, and go about my life knowing things like this don't happen in real life."

"Mom?" Pushing the blue tarp to the side, Ash poked her head out from inside. Quickly wiping under her eyes Lorraine turned to face her daughter. Ash's wet hair was clinging to her neck, and Lorraine could see her left hand had been wrapped in bandages, "Can we talk?" Her nose twitched and she sniffed the air, 'Wait are you two smoking?"

"I'll leave you two alone," Tom grunted as he stood, sliding past Ash. Ash took up the empty spot beside Lorraine, who shifted awkwardly, picking the burnt out cigarette from her lap, handing it to Tom.

"Throw this out?" She asked, and he nodded, taking it from her before he disappeared behind the tarp. Awkward silence followed his leave, and as her eyes focused on her own hands Lorraine found she was at a loss for words. Here she was, barely able to look at her own daughter without wanting to burst into tears. When she did, all she could think about was her unconscious body slamming into Tasha's wall, writhing around on the ceiling. Blood spraying the bed sheets as her hand was crushed by some unseen force.

"I gotta say," Ash decided to break the quiet, "for how many times I've had to explain all of this to people, it doesn't get any easier."

"There's so many questions I don't even know where to begin. W-Who are these people? What do they want with you? What happened in that bedroom, I mean,the door? How did you do that to the door?" Once she'd started talking Lorraine found it near difficult to stop the flood of questions erupting from her, "I don't know what to think. All summer I've been thinking about how thankful I was for seeing you leave the house. Seeing how close you were with Tasha again. It was nice. But now I feel like an idiot. An idiot, and a terrible mother." Here come the tears again. Lorraine had never been the emotional one, but tonight the waterworks would not quit, "How could I not notice something was wrong? My job is to take care of you girls and I couldn't even do that. Why couldn't you just….tell me? I know you were always closer with Dad but do you not trust me?" Guilt swarmed Ash's face, and Lorraine immediately regretted her rant, shaking her head, "Wait, that came off wrong-"

"No. No it's okay," Ash turned, fully facing her mother, legs crossed, "I was afraid. When this started I confided in Tasha but really didn't intend on telling you, or Tom. I thought I would be keeping you guys safe. I thought ignorance is bliss you know?" Ash sighed, craning her neck to look up at the sky, "I was wrong. This has only snowballed and clearly I should have tried to tell you sooner. Although, you would have thought I was batshit crazy."

"I would never think that!" Lorraine exclaimed, and Ash held up a finger.

"Mom, I was "recruited" by the living embodiments of fictional murderers to be their walking, talking battery because they run on energy and apparently I'm full of it. Oh and they threatened to kill my family if I didn't. Also have threatened to kill me several times but haven't which makes zero sense I mean, they're murderers. Oh! There's also more of them, like other versions of themselves, and they're all in a petty fight with each other, and now I'm caught in the middle because a couple of narcissists are power hungry. And apparently there are even more who can find me now cause they also need energy. Am I missing anything? Oh yeah, I've developed powers and we don't know what the fuck that is all about."

With her explanation finished Ash rested her hands in her lap, staring at her mother with a blank expression. Lorraine's upper lip twitched, and she tried desperately to control it but it was too late. Once she started snickering, her mouth opened up and between tears she let out a hysterical laugh. Ash wasn't too far behind, bursting into laughter until the two of them were leaning against one another, cracking up.

"O-Oh my God," Ash clutched her stomach as she laughed, "It sounds even more crazy saying it like that." Lorraine nodded, wiping her eyes again and trying to catch her breath. As the laughing fit subsided Lorraine brushed her hair out of her face.

"And this...all of this is...true?"

"See? I told you; I knew you wouldn't believe it."

"After tonight I definitely do but it does sound...far-fetched," Lorraine agreed, "So the one with the chainsaw?"

"Leatherface. He's not one of the guys I...'work' with."

"The hockey mask one?"

"Jason. He's on my side. Kind of? Jury's still out on that one. Same with Michael," as Ash spoke she looked out at the trees, "The guy from Halloween."

"Oh that movie scares me. I never liked that one."

"And then there's…" Ash stopped, shaking her head, "Nope. Not giving that one any satisfaction. Regardless, there seems to be more than we anticipated. Zoe, Tasha and I are looking into it. I think you and Tom will be safe in the meantime, Jason and Michael certainly are territorial."

"We can't just...tell them to go away? Couldn't Tom arrest them?" Lorraine knew it was a foolish question but it couldn't hurt to ask.

"They aren't exactly human. They're something else. We've made it about two months and Tasha and I are still alive. Bruised and battered for sure but alive. From now on I'll be fully honest with you. But in return I need you to listen to me if I have to make any difficult decisions. I may need to leave and-"

"No. Not an option," Lorraine cut her off, "You're not doing this alone."

"If more show up, and it becomes clear they're putting you all in danger, I will do what I have to," Ash was firm, "The last thing I can handle is losing you or Tasha because of this. I can't be responsible for that again."

"I know this is all out of my depth and I am going to have a hard time coming to grips with any of this but," Lorraine sighed, pulling Ash into a side hug, holding onto her tight, "Please just talk to me before you do anything. Please?"

"I will. I promise," Ash rested her head on Lorraine's shoulder, allowing her mother to comb those french manicured fingers through her auburn hair. "Can we just...sit here for a while?" Ash asked quietly.

"Of course," Lorraine whispered back, still stroking her daughter's head, "Of course."

And they did.

All the while, the Shape stood just out of sight, watching them from behind the trees.

Zoe was far from okay.

Huddled up in the beanbag, desperately trying to curl up and out of existence, her heart was still pounding out of her chest. Adrenaline was somehow still coursing through her system and her breathing was erratic. Sure, she knew Ash was safe. She knew the psychopath with the chainsaw was gone. But she was stuck to the chair, completely petrified.

For whatever reason, none of this had felt real. Sure, she came home to find that her family couldn't remember the names of any of her friends, save for Tasha. Giving her shit for looking hungover, something she played along with so they would leave her alone while she sobbed alone in her room. And then, a switch just sort of flipped. It suddenly felt like nothing more than a bad dream, a long winded nightmare she had just woken up from and was already forgetting. It didn't feel real anymore.

Still, her curiosity got the better of her, and besides, diving head first into research was better than acknowledging trauma. Distractions and busy work was Zoe's M.O. Wondering if things like this were possible (even though she had already begun to convince herself they weren't) was better than believing them. Even when Tasha was checking in on her, updating her on the chaos, it all sounded so...ridiculous. A man running around some cheesy, over-priced laser tag arena? She even laughed thinking about it. Maybe Tasha and Ash were involved in something, no doubt about that. But monsters? Fictional ones at that? Zoe would entertain the idea, if only to support them.

Tonight shit had hit the fan.

Tonight she realized it was all too real and she was faaaaar from ready to admit that.

"Hi sorry," Tasha jogged into the room, her face looking flush, "I was helping Ash clean up. Are you okay?" Unable to vocally reply Zoe shook her head. Tears from earlier had mixed with her makeup and was sticking to her cheeks, but fresh tears already were breaking free from her tired eyes. Concerned, Tasha crossed the room, "Mind if I join you?" Zoe shook her head again and Tasha quickly snuggled up next to her girlfriend, "Is it too much if I hug you right now?"

"No," Zoe choked out, doing her best to hold back her tears, "That's fine." Tasha wrapped her arms around Zoe who immediately clung back. Digging her fingers into Tasha's back Zoe couldn't hold it back any longer, bursting into tears again, "I-I thought I could d-do this. I thought if I just...I dunno, powered through it I'd be fine? I thought I could handle it I-I really did. But my fuckin' God you two are wrapped up in some fucked up shit. I don't think I can do this anymore I can't…" Zoe's tongue began to fail her, her cries strangling the words from her throat.

"Fuck, I'm so sorry Zoe," Tasha lowered her voice, trying her hardest to sound soothing, "But I'm okay! We're all okay-"

"But for how long?" Zoe pulled away, angrily wiping her eyes and letting out a sarcastic laugh, "I mean fuck Tasha, I'm black. After the busty blonde is killed it's only a matter of time. You said it yourself, I was supposed to die at that party, you guys saved me. All of the idiot, drunk college students die in these types of movies. I drink, I have sex, I party; I should be dead. Time is just tickin' away for me and I don't know when I'm gonna run out of it!" Wiping her face with her palms Zoe lightly smacked her own forehead, "Oh yeah, and we're gay. One of us is going to die. Isn't that how it always fucking goes? And it's clearly going to be me."

"Hold up," Tasha held up her hands, "Stop. You are not some token fucking character in a dated horror movie, okay? You are more than just your appearance, and you're not a stereotype. You're Zoe fuckin' Reign. Valedictorian for the class of 2015. Recipient of every Scholarship you applied for. President of the class of 2019. Team leader, star athlete, do you want me to keep goin? Cause' I can keep going."

"You really don't need to."

"The point is, you and I are more than our labels. I mean, look at us! We're so many things. Strong, capable, smart, hot as hell-"

"Not humble, though."

"Don't ruin my motivational speech. As I was saying, we aren't stereotypes. And even if we are, so what? Does that mean we deserve to die?" Tasha paused for dramatic effect, "Fuck. No. We don't bury our gays around here."

"Do you truly believe we have a shot at surviving this?" Zoe asked, "Do you truly, in your heart of hearts, believe there's even a chance?"

"Hey, we've made it this far."

"Because of your sister. They need her alive. They're only keeping you alive because if you go, she'll threatened suicide and they can't have that yet. It's a miracle I'm not dead."

"You're alive for a reason."

"Once they're done with her we're all dead. Ash included," Zoe's face had turned somber, her watery eyes locked on Tasha as she spoke, "It just feels like we're delaying the inevitable. And I don't know if I want to be involved in this anymore."

"You don't have to be. We can still hang, and not do scary horror stuff," Tasha tried to give her an earnest smile, but Zoe knew when a nerve had been struck. Panic pooled in Tasha's face, her muscles tight as she forced this mask of understanding.

"But...Ash is dangerous to be around. And if you're going to be around her...so are you."

"Ash doesn't need to third wheel! We can do stuff, just the two of us," desperate Tasha grabbed Zoe's hands, squeezing them tightly, "We can actually focus on defining our relationship. Focus on us." Biting her lip, Zoe's eyes shut tight as a few more tears trickled down her cheeks, and with hesitation, pulled her hands away from Tasha's.

"You're involved in this as much as she is. There's a big ass target on your back. And even if we were alone, we have no guarantee we'd be safe."

"But we got the target off of your back! We saved your life. Do you not trust us to keep you safe?"

"No!" Zoe snapped, raising her voice to Tasha's surprise, "No, because you know what? You didn't save me from them. You just barely saved me from you. You guys offered us up to your psychos-"

"We didn't offer you guys up. You invited us, they found out, they took advantage.," Tasha stood up, crossing her arms as she huffed loudly, "We did all that we could to keep you safe."

"But you didn't even try to keep everyone else safe? What about Dani, huh?" Guilt struck Tasha like an electric shock, her face falling. Zoe laughed, rolling her eyes, "I mean you have barely shown any remorse for the loss of your fucking friends. Going on about your fucked up little adventure. Our friends are dead because of you and you don't seem to feel too bad about it."

"You can't be serious," Tasha put a hand to her chest, "I am hurting. I didn't want any of this! Sorry that I hold it all in. Sorry that there's so much I need to worry about that I can't take a minute to myself to grieve. I have to worry about Ash, about Mom and Tom and you!"

"You only need to worry about me because of the mess you dragged me in. You dragged me in from day fucking one. I knew something weird was going on. Look," Zoe dug her phone out from her back pocket, her thumbs scrolling like wild. Having found what she was looking for, she turned her phone to Tasha, "I caught a picture of your little buddies that night. Leaving that golf course. You were putting my life in danger the second it started."

"You offered to check on Ash with me! I didn't ask you to!"

"Just like you didn't bother asking Ash if there was any other way to satisfy your fucked up little , wait a minute," Zoe gasped dramatically (sarcastically even) as she put her phone away, "You had no trouble finding a bunch of strangers to pawn off to them. You couldn't do that from day one? Couldn't even try to find a solution? No. You served your friends to them on a silver fuckin' platter."

"Ash said there were rules, Freddy told her-"

"Ya'll have had it way too easy. Getting away with killing innocent people. I don't want to be associated with that," Zoe spat, standing up herself. Inches from each other they stared at one another, Tasha huffing and puffing while Zoe simply glared. Only seconds went by in their stand off but it felt so much longer. With each passing second Tasha looked closer to crying her eyes out.

"So you don't even want to be with me?" Tasha finally succumbed to her emotions. Tears were falling down her face and her nostrils flared as she tried to control her breathing, "Is that what you're saying?"

"No! I just," Zoe rubbed her face with her palms, "I just need...space. I need to think. I need to be alone." With nothing left to say Zoe brushed past Tasha, their shoulders bumping into one another, and Zoe swept her backpack up with ease, tossing it over her shoulder, "I'm going home." Not giving Tasha a chance to argue Zoe tore through the tarp, her walk brisk as she hauled down the hall, down the stairs and out the front door. She didn't mean to slam the door behind her, especially with it not being her own home, but it just seemed to happen. The headlights of her car flashed as she unlocked her car, and as she threw her backpack into the front seat she looked back at the house. Tasha was standing at the front door, having followed her down but not out. Instead she just watched, her nose red and raw, her hand gripping the half open edge of the door.

Zoe climbed into the driver's seat, and quickly backed out of the driveway.

It wasn't until she had made it halfway home that she burst into tears again.