Will Chloe Come Back?
Pitch Perfect Horror Week - 2021
Day Six - Fortune Teller
Author's Note: This is a continuation from Day 1 - Chloe's in A Cult?
Beca entered the Bellas House and let out a big sigh. Her shoulders drooped as she dragged her suitcase up the stairs. She stopped when she came to Chloe's room, blinking several times to keep the tears from forming.
"Where are you, Chloe?" Beca murmured as she looked at the door to what she still considered to be 'Chloe's Room.'
A door to the right opened, causing Beca to look in that direction. Stacie rushed out and over to Beca.
"Beca!" Stacie squealed and grabbed Beca into a bone-crushing hug.
Beca grimaced as Stacie held her up so that her legs were dangling as she was rocked back and forth.
"It's good to see you, too, Stacie," Beca mumbled. "Now put me down."
"I missed you," Stacie said, putting Beca down. "How was your summer?"
"It was summer, I guess," Beca said, looking forlornly at the door to Chloe's room.
"Brey hasn't heard anything from or about her either," Stacie said sadly.
Beca sighed. "I just want to know she's safe," Beca said. "It's been almost six months since she left with-." Beca stopped and cleared her throat. "Since she left."
"We have to think positively," Stacie said. "If she's alive and out there, we will find her."
"I guess," Beca said. "I'm going to go unpack. I'll see you later."
"Hey," Stacie said as Beca started to walk away. "Why don't you take Chloe's old room? I'd hate to have a newbie in there in case Chloe comes back. Besides, you're the Captain and should have your own room."
Beca frowned and looked at Stacie. "You really think I should?"
"Yes," Stacie said, smiling at Beca. "You'd better stake your claim now before someone else gets here and tries to take it."
"You mean, before Amy tries to claim it," Beca said chuckling. "You're right, I'll claim it first."
Beca reached for the door and Stacie grabbed her suitcase.
"I'll help you unpack and you can tell me all about your summer," Stacie said.
"Okay," Beca said, opening the door.
The two Bellas stood in the doorway and looked around the room. It was just as it had been after Chloe left six months before.
"It needs a good cleaning," Stacie said, running her fingers through the dust on the dresser. "I'll get the cleaning supplies while you start unpacking."
Stacie set Beca's suitcase on the bed and hurried out the door with an "I'll be right back," thrown over her shoulder.
Beca sat on the edge of the bed and looked around. A tear ran down her cheek as she saw nothing to remind her that Chloe had ever been in the room. She inhaled deeply, expecting to smell Chloe's perfume or some residual smell that was inherently Chloe; but again there was nothing left of Chloe.
Beca sat for a few minutes before jumping and grabbing her suitcase. She and was just walking out the door as Stacie returned.
"Where are you going?" Stacie asked, eying Beca's suitcase.
"I can't do it," Beca said, looking back into the empty room with tears in her eyes. "I thought I would feel close to Chloe in there, but there's nothing left of her. It's just an empty room. Amy or someone else can have it."
Stacie didn't know what to say, so she let Beca continue on to her old room.
"I'll clean it anyway," Stacie mumbled as she entered with the cleaning supplies.
~~ Pitch Perfect Horror Week 2021 - Day Six ~~
By the next day, most of the Bellas had arrived for the new semester. Beca and Stacie were currently (wo)manning the Bellas Booth at the Activities Fair when Jessica and Ashley came to relieve them.
"Let's plan on hitting up the Carnival tonight," Stacie said as she handed over the flyers to Ashley. "We can make it a mandatory Bellas Bonding event."
"I don't know, Stacie," Beca said. "I'm kind of tired."
"That's fine," Stacie said. "It doesn't open until seven, so you have plenty of time to get a nap in before we go." She turned to Jessica and Ashley. "Girls, plan to leave the house around seven and tell the others when you see them. We'll tell those we see."
"Sounds like fun, Stacie," Jessica said. "We'll be ready."
"Good luck," Stacie said. "We only had four girls sign up for auditions."
Stacie grabbed Beca's arm and led her away from the Activities Fair. When they reached the Bellas House, they saw Emily arriving.
"Hey, Emily," Stacie said, leaning in for a hug. "Good to see you."
"Oh, my gosh, you guys," Emily said, bouncing on her toes. "I'm so excited to be able to live in the Bellas House. Which room will I be in?"
"You'll be sharing with Stacie," Beca said, as she entered the house. "If that's okay?"
"I'm okay with that," Emily said, as she and Stacie followed Beca through the door.
"We're going to have so much fun," Stacie said, as the three made their way upstairs. "Oh, by the way, we're all going to the Carnival tonight. It's a mandatory Bellas Bonding event and we'll be leaving around seven."
"Oh, how exciting," Emily said as they stopped outside her and Stacie's room.
"Yeah," Beca said. "I'm going to go take a nap. I'll see you later."
Stacie and Emily watched as Beca walked to her room, turning to give them a two-finger salute before disappearing through the doorway.
"Is she okay?" Emily asked.
"She's still worried about Chloe," Stacie replied. "Come on, let's get you settled in our room."
Emily followed Stacie and laid her suitcase on the vacant bed before sitting on its edge.
"Has anyone heard anything from Chloe?"
"Nope, nothing," Stace responded, laying back on her bed. "Beca was going to take Chloe's old room, but couldn't handle it. The rest of us decided to leave it empty so if Chloe does come back, she'll have a place to stay."
"That doesn't sound very healthy," Emily said.
"It's not," Stacie said, sitting up to look at Emily. "But, it keeps Beca's hopes alive and nobody wants to be the one to kill that hope. No matter how unrealistic we think it might be."
"I get it," Emily said. "I just feel so bad for Beca. I hope I find someone to love me the way she loves Chloe."
~~ Pitch Perfect Horror Week 2021 - Day Six ~~
Beca wasn't really feeling it but decided to paste a fake smile on her face and enjoy the night out with the Bellas. The group arrived at the Fair and went off into small groups. Beca wanted to ride a few of the rides. Stacie and Emily wanted to do the same so the three went off together.
After having their fill of rides, Stacie, Emily, and Beca found the other Bellas and grabbed some carnival treats.
Beca was walking around, pulling off a wad of cotton candy when Stacie grabbed her arm, pulling her to a stop.
"Let's go in there," Stacie said, pointing at a tent with a sign that read Madam Lola, Fortune Teller. "We can get our fortunes told."
"It's all made up," Beca scoffed. "I bet we'll all find our true loves soon and live happy and successful lives."
"Okay, Miss Doubting Tho-," Stacie stopped herself before she finished the thought, fearful of Beca's reaction to hearing the name Thomas. "Don't be a Debbie Downer, Beca. It will be fun to hear what Madam Lola has to say."
"I want to do it," Emily said. "Maybe she'll have some insight as to when I'll meet the love of my life."
"I'll go," Jessica said.
"Me, too," Ashley said.
The others decided to return to the rides and games.
"I really don't want to do this," Beca whined as Stacie dragged her over to the fortune teller's tent.
"It might be good for a few laughs," Stacie said. "You could all use a few less tears and a lot more laughs and smiles."
"Fine," Beca said. "I'll do it."
The girls bought their tickets and lined up outside the tent's entrance. Emily was the first to be called in. She stood in the doorway and looked around. A woman stood a few feet away.
"I am Madam Lola," the woman said.
Madam Lola was dressed in a flowing floral caftan, a matching turban covered the top of her head, and she was wearing several bracelets on her wrists that jangled when she moved her arms. Her face was heavily made up so she looked to be older than her actual age.
"I'm Emily," Emily managed to squeak out.
"Please sit, Emily," Madam Lola said, bracelets jangling as she waved at the seat across from her.
Both women sat and Madam Lola started chanting. To Emily, it sounded like a bunch of nonsensical words being strung together. Madam Lola stopped chanting and reached for Emily's hand. Emily furrowed her brow as Madam Lola pulled Emily's hand closer to her.
"You are looking for love," Madam Lola said. "And you will have it. It is someone you have already met. He is a few years older than you, but still quite boyish. I see magic and music around him. He is the one you are destined to be with. You will be very happy with him. I also see music in your future. You will have a successful career in music."
"Benji's my one?" Emily thought to herself.
"That is all I can see for you," Madam Lola said. "Would you kindly send in the next in line on your way out?"
"Oh, um, sure," Emily said as she stood.
Emily exited the tent and Jessica went in next.
"Beca was right," Emily said. "Madam Lola said I have already met my true love and will have a successful career in music. She described Benji as my true love."
"I thought you tried dating and it didn't work out," Ashley said.
"We only went on like two dates," Emily said. "I liked him but I don't think he liked me as much. He hasn't asked me out since."
"If you still like him," Stacie said. "Maybe you should ask him out."
"Can I do that?" Emily asked.
"Why not?" Stacie said. "There is no rule that says only the guys can ask; girls can ask, too. We're liberated and can do whatever we want."
~~ Pitch Perfect Horror Week 2021 - Day Six ~~
Each of the girls came outside after their turns with Madam Lola with the same predictions. True love and successful careers. They were each astonished when Madam Lola described their true loves as they had each already found their person and she correctly predicted that Jessica wanted to open a bakery, Ashley wanted to act in Broadway musicals, and that Stacie wanted to be a bio-physicist.
Beca scoffed as they each sang Madam Lola's praises.
"Go on, Beca," Stacie said. "It's your turn. See if she gets anything right for you. If she doesn't you can come back and say I told you so to all of us."
Beca hesitated as she looked at the entrance to the tent. Stacie gave her a little push from behind.
"I'm going, I'm going," Beca said, scowling at Stacie.
"Please have a seat," Madam Lola told Beca.
Beca sat and looked around the room. Her head jerked back to Madam Lola when she started chanting. Suddenly, Madam Lola stopped chanting and really looked at Beca.
"I feel a heaviness in your soul," Madam Lola said.
Beca squirmed in her seat.
"You are searching for someone," Madam Lola continued. "Wait, not just someone. You are searching for your soulmate. She is someone you know and you are worried for her. I see someone with red hair and you are feeling as if she is lost to you forever. That's not true. Not yet."
Madam Lola chanted a bit more and stopped. Beca looked down at the table while Madam Lola chanted.
"You have reason to be concerned as she is in danger," Madam Lola said, causing Beca's head to snap up and look at her. "You must find her. She will reach out to you and you must go to her. If you do not, it will be too late."
"What kind of danger is she in?" Beca couldn't stop herself from asking.
"She has trusted the wrong person and her life is in danger because of it. She is questioning herself about everything. He will. . .He will do her harm if he realizes he can no longer trust her."
Madam Lola closed her eyes, moving her head back and forth. She suddenly opened her eyes and grabbed Beca's hands, pulling her halfway across the table.
"You must do everything in your power to get her away from him. If you do not she will. . .she will die by his hand."
Beca snatched her hands away and jumped up. She ran out of the tent and rushed past Stacie and the girls.
"Beca!" Stacie called and ran after her. "Beca! Stop!"
The other girls followed after Stacie. Stacie reached Beca and grabbed her arm, bringing her to an abrupt stop.
Stacie took a step back when she saw tears streaming down Beca's face. The other girls reached them and stopped behind Stacie. They were also a bit taken aback at Beca's tears.
"Beca, what happened?" Stacie asked. "What did Madam Lola tell you?"
"She said Chloe was going to die if I didn't find her and get her away from Tom," Beca said all in one breath.
The girls gasped and Stacie pulled Beca to her. She held Beca as the tears fell.
"Did she give you any clues as to how we could find Chloe to save her?"
Beca sniffled and pulled back from Stacie.
"She said, um," Beca stuttered. "She said, Chloe would reach out to me. And when she did I needed to go to her. That's the only way I can save her."
"That's good," Jessica said. "Right?"
"It sounds like Chloe will be calling you or something," Ashley said.
"But when?" Emily asked.
"She didn't say how long it would be," Beca said, wiping the tears from her face.
"Well, whenever she does call," Stacie said. "We'll be ready to go get her."
"Absolutely," Jessica said.
"Of course," Emily said.
"I'm in," Ashley added. "And I'm sure the other girls are all in, too."
~~ Pitch Perfect Horror Week 2021 - Day Six ~~
Over the next four days, Beca kept her phone in her hand at all times. She didn't sleep for fear of Chloe calling and not hearing the phone ring. She wasn't eating and the girls were worried about her. They didn't know what to do, so they did the only thing that made sense to them; they called Aubrey. Aubrey immediately drove to Barden to help.
Aubrey had only been there for a few minutes when Beca came downstairs. She was swaying and was using the wall to guide her as she slowly made her way down.
"She looks terrible," Aubrey whispered to Stacie.
"I know," Stacie whispered back. "It was bad before, but she's been like this for the past two days. We're worried about her, but we don't know what to do to help her."
Beca made it to the bottom of the stairs, phone firmly in hand, and turned as if to go to the kitchen. She stumbled and Aubrey reached out to keep her from falling to the floor.
"You okay, Beca?" Aubrey asked after Beca was back on her feet.
Beca waved Aubrey away with a mumbled, "I'm fine."
"Beca, you're not fine," CR told her. "Give me your phone and go get some rest. If Chloe calls I will come and get you. Okay? I swear it."
"CR's right, Beca," Stacie said. "You won't be any good for her if you can barely function."
"Go, Beca," Aubrey said. "Get some rest. I'll be here and will make sure-"
Just then, Beca's phone rang, startling Beca and the rest of the girls. Beca managed to keep hold of her phone and looked at the Caller ID.
Beca let out a small sob. "I'm sorry. It's my dad."
The girls let out a collective sigh as Beca put the phone to her ear.
"I'll have to call you back, Dad," Beca said into the phone and ended the call without waiting for a response or acknowledgment from her father.
Beca wiped a tear from her eye and looked down at her phone. She sighed and held her phone out toward CR.
"Make sure you come wake me if she calls."
"I promise," CR said, taking the phone.
All eyes were on Beca and she slowly made the trek back upstairs.
"Has she been eating?" Aubrey asked.
"I don't think so," Stacie said. "She hasn't been coming down to eat with us. I don't know if she's eating anything when she's not here."
"Tell me everything the fortune teller told Beca," Aubrey said.
Stacie, Jessica, and Emily relayed everything Beca told them about her reading with the fortune teller.
"Beca's been adamant about getting Chloe away from Tom," Stacie added. "She's more afraid of Chloe dying than anything else. I've never seen her like this."
"We just have to hope that Chloe reaches out to Beca," Aubrey said. "And soon."
"What do we do in the meantime?" Emily asked.
"We wait," Aubrey sighed. "That's all we can do."
~~ Pitch Perfect Horror Week 2021 - Day Six ~~
Beca was getting worse by the day. Aubrey had been staying at Barden for almost a week and Beca had not showered, nor had she slept. The girls took turns staying up with her so she didn't do anything crazy.
It was Aubrey's night to stay up with Beca and they were hanging out in the living room.
"Don't you have work?" Beca asked.
"I took some family leave," Aubrey said. "I couldn't work when one of my best friends is missing and in serious danger. And the other is slowly killing herself with worry."
Beca gave Aubrey a sheepish grin. "I'm sorry you have to be here because of me. I'm afraid if I go to sleep, Chloe's going to call and I'll miss it. I need to be able to talk to her and know she's alive." Beca wiped the tears from her eyes. "I miss her so much."
Beca started sobbing and Aubrey got up and moved over to sit next to Beca. She pulled Beca into a hug and held her while she cried.
"I love her, too," Aubrey said after a few moments. "And don't worry, we'll find her and bring her back where she belongs. And I promise you, with my dying breath I will see to it that Tom gets what's coming to him. You can bet on that. Okay?"
Beca didn't say anything so Aubrey pulled back a bit and looked down at her. Aubrey smiled because Beca was asleep.
"Finally," Aubrey muttered as she maneuvered Beca to a lying position.
Once Aubrey was sure Beca was comfortable, she carefully took the blanket from the back of the sofa and gently placed it over Beca.
Aubrey didn't want to leave Beca alone so she made herself comfortable in the large chair across from the sofa. It didn't take long for her to fall asleep.
~~ Pitch Perfect Horror Week 2021 - Day Six ~~
Beca woke up with a start and sat up. Pulling the blanket off, she looked at it as if she had never seen it before. She dropped the blanket behind her as she stood. She stretched and it was at that moment she saw Aubrey asleep in the chair across from her. She sat down on the sofa with a soft smile.
Her smile dropped immediately when she heard her phone start to ring. She scrambled to find it amidst the discarded blanket. She found the phone and immediately put it to her ear; the first thing she heard was "B-Beca?"
"Chloe!?" Beca said and fell to her knees in front of the sofa.
"I need help," Chloe's voice came through the phone. "I'm so scared."
"I'm here, Chloe," Beca said as tears fell down her face. "I'm here. Are you somewhere safe?"
Beca looked over at Aubrey who was still sleeping. She picked up her shoe and threw it at Aubrey. Aubrey jerked awake and looked at Beca.
"It's Chloe," Beca mouthed, pointing to the phone.
Aubrey jumped up and ran upstairs to wake the other girls.
"Um, yes," Chloe said. "I'm at a gas station. I was trying to get to Barden but the truck needs gas, and I don't have any money."
"What gas station?"
"The one we usually go to fill the bus," Chloe said. "It's about 15 minutes outside Barden." Beca heard Chloe sniffle through the phone. "Can you come and get me? Please?"
"I know where you are," Beca said. "We're coming to get you. I want you to hide in case Tom is looking for you. Can you do that for me? Hide somewhere safe and I'll be there before you know it."
"Hurry, Beca," Chloe said. She paused and Beca could hear the fear in her voice when she whispered, "I'm really scared."
"Don't worry, Chlo. I'm coming for you."
Beca ended the call and turned to see all the Bellas standing near the door.
"Come on, Beca," Stacie said. "Let's go get our girl."
Beca searched for her shoes and put them on. She then made her way over to the girls and led the way out the door to the Bellas bus. The Bellas climbed on board and took a seat. Aubrey got behind the wheel and looked at Beca.
"Where to?"