A/N: Hello, I hope everyone had a good Christmas, as well as New Year's, and with it comes a brand-new chapter. This time, I'll focus on Chamberlain as well as another place. A heads-up warning, though: the beginning of this chapter might be scary. *evil smile* I want to give a shoutout to CriticalSix4677 from the KI forums for helping me suggest a few ideas. Anyway, enjoy it.
Update: Due to a large word count contributing to edits, a portion from this chapter will be taken and transferred to a new one. Do not worry: things still remain the same.
Disclaimer: I need to put a sign that says that I do not own Killer Instinct or Carrie.
The moon shined over Memorial Park as light fog billowed the ground. The forest was alive with crickets and owls as they chirped and hooted. Moments later, lights pierced the gloom as three teenagers strolled on a trail. Each of them carried a backpack on their shoulders. While skimming the slabs, they headed towards their intended target.
Flashing the light over the headstone, they stared at the spray-painted markings. In bright, bold letters were the words "CARRIE WHITE BURNS IN HELL."
A boy with short curly brown hair and a blue windbreaker scratched his head. "Does it need more, Phil?"
Another boy drank from an open can of beer and belched. He wore a red and grey jacket matching the baseball cap on his head. After placing the can on the stone, he extracted a mallet from his backpack. "Trust me, Sam. It'll be a work of art once we're finished with it. Everyone will be talking about it!" He shifted towards a third boy beside him. "Tim, you have the camera?"
"I do." The third had blonde hair, wearing a black leather jacket with earrings. Tim shrugged off his backpack and extracted the camera, turning it on. As he glanced around, he shivered. "Is it me, or is this graveyard creepier at night?"
Sam scoffed. "You should stop watching those horror movies, dude."
"I can't help it! Plus, another Ring movie is coming out soon."
"No one cares, and if you're backing out—"
"Save your debates for later, guys," Phil said. "Mr. Hargensen paid us good money for this job. Once we're finished, we'll upload the video on YouTube."
Tim thumbed the record button while Phil and Sam positioned themselves near the slab. They put on ski masks to hide their faces. "Three. Two. One. Go!"
Phil smiled for the camera underneath his mask. "Hi, everyone! Fucktasic Phil here!"
"And I'm Virginspoiler!" Sam added.
"Welcome to another episode of 'Wrecked'! Boy, do we have a great episode for you this evening! We're standing in front of the grave of Carrie White, the murdering bitch of Black Prom. This episode is for Mr. Hargensen. Thank you so much for the pledge, my man! Be sure to subscribe to our channel as we demolish this frightening sight."
Phil clutched the hammer and hoisted it up over his shoulder. Before he slammed it down, an abrupt haze oozed through the graveyard. "The hell?" He checked the sky. "Hold on, didn't the news mention fair skies?"
"They could've made a mistake." Tim looked around until he paused at a particular area. "Uh, guys… what is that?"
"What?"
"That!"
Sam and Phil followed Tim's line of sight and froze.
A woman lingered beside a fresh grave, facing them. Long, black hair concealed her face. A tattered rose-pink kimono with flower prints clung to her diminutive form. She clutched onto a long wooden pole with a blade near the tip in one hand. A shredded red cloth tied around it fluttered in the breeze.
"What the hell…?" Sam uttered. "Guys, are you seeing this?"
"Yep." Phil popped his lips. "Hey, Sweet Cheeks, nice tits! How would you like to give me a blowjob?"
His buddies laughed beside him as he pointed to his groin.
"Wanna go sucky sucky? Me give you five dollars, me love you long time!" Phil called in an offensive mock-imitation of a Japanese accent. He stuck his tongue into his cheek, following it with slurping noises.
Sam and Tim laughed harder while Phil kept up with catcalls and lewd remarks. Then, Phil grabbed his crotch and pretended to hump the air. He followed it by smacking an imagined booty in front of him.
Sam shook his head, wiping his eyes. "Man, you're hilarious!"
The woman never reacted nor moved. Minutes passed as the four of them stared each other down.
Sam shivered. "The fuck is that bitch's problem? Hey, Tim, go ask what she wants."
"What are you, nuts? Fuck that! Look at her - she's emitting Ring/Grudge vibes."
"Sounds like your kind of girl!" Sam smirked as he nudged him. "Stop being a pussy and ask her!"
"Ugh, fine." Tim passed the camera to Phil and crept towards the woman, clearing his throat. "Uh… excuse me? Miss?"
The woman cracked her neck as she raised her eyes, stunning Tim. The sclera was dark, but her irises were white. Her pale image flickered with a green light as though warped by a videotape.
Phil stepped back. "Whoa, what the fuck? The fuck was that?"
The woman lurched towards the boys until she distorted and vanished. They remained still, unsure of what had happened.
"Fuck this, guys, I'm out of here!" Tim spun to leave but screamed. Sam and Phil shifted in Tim's direction and let out startled screams. The woman appeared closer, standing before them.
"What do you want?" Sam said with slight fear in his voice. The woman raised a gnarled hand and pointed at Carrie's headstone. As she spoke Japanese, her voice mixed with distorted snarls and hisses. Her tone sent shivers toward the boys. "I think she wants us to leave the headstone alone."
Phil scoffed. "Yeah, well, we're wrecking that thing."
As if she understood his words, the woman jutted her weapon, stopping him. She bared her razor-sharp teeth.
"Uh, guys, I think now is the time to leave! We don't want to piss her off," Tim advised. "Let's. Go."
Phil's face twisted to an ugly expression. "If you're too pussy to do the job, leave. I'm not afraid of this shit. She's only wearing make—"
The woman slashed the boy across the chest before he could finish his sentence.
"Phil!" Tim cried.
Phil staggered back before he became still. From neck to navel was a horrible bloody gash. He touched the injury with his hands, studying the blood. His eyes rolled back, and he fell to the ground.
Sam and Tim screamed at the sight of their friend lying dead. Before they reacted, the woman unhinged her jaw, revealing rows of pointed teeth. As she roared, her form flickered before crawling toward the boys. The woman's limbs snapped and twisted with each movement. Her legs folded over her shoulders while her torso rolled and turned like a corkscrew.
"Jesus fucking Christ!" Tim yelled.
The boys sprinted through the graveyard. The woman emerged as they turned a corner, phasing into Tim's body. A ghastly green tinge surrounded Tim as he groaned and dropped to his knees.
Sam approached his friend. "Tim, what's wrong with you? What's going on?"
Tim cried in pain as he coughed up blood.
Sam grabbed his friend, trying to help him up. "Come on, man, stay with me! I'll get you to a doctor—"
Tim screamed as he rose to the sky, pulling away from Sam's hands. Blood gushed from his mouth like a stream. Sam observed his friend's body contorted and bent with wide, frightened eyes. His friend's limbs twisted and snapped, laced by wet tearing and pops.
Sam trembled, and his pants became warm and moist. The body floated like a piece of meat hanging from a metal hook. Once it fell at Sam's feet, he fled. Sam glanced over his shoulder as the woman tore her way from the corpse. Blood smeared her long claws. Her teeth remained sharp and animal-like. Her hair bristled in every direction, and her eyes glowed.
"JESUS CHRIST! JESUS CHRIST!"
Sam uttered a series of silent prayers and whimpers. He didn't care that he pissed himself as he fled deeper into the forest. Sam ducked behind a tree with frightened tears trickling down his face. Panting, he checked his surroundings when his hands held onto something. Sam gasped at the camera, and it was still recording. After a quick fumble, he pointed the camera at him.
"If-if anyone finds this, please help me! My-my name is-is S-S-Sam Collins. A monster attacked my friends and me over at Memorial Park! Send help!"
Sam's heart stopped from a soft snap to his left. Turning slowly, he found himself face-to-face with the woman while she snarled. Sam dropped the camera and released a shrilled scream throughout the night air.
Clouds shrouded the sky, pouring their tears on Chamberlain. Though the Black Prom event had passed, the ripple effect remained. Sue was at Memorial Park like a ritual routine, holding a white rose. Passing by her friends' graves, Sue reached Carrie's splotched stone.
She uttered silent prayers, wishing Carrie to find peace in the afterlife. Before setting the flower on the ground, a decayed hand burst and grabbed her wrist. Sue screamed for help, struggling to break free from its grip.
Waking up with a start, Sue shot up and checked her hand. Quick and heavy breaths escaped her.
"Hey, are you okay?"
Sue shifted her attention to a woman sitting at the edge of her bed. Her ginger hair was ruffled, and her green eyes flashed with concern. Sue tried to process what had happened. With a shaky breath, she allowed herself to relax.
A dream, and yet, it seemed… Jesus Christ, I'm shaking! Sue masked her face with her hands, fighting back nausea as she shuddered.
"What happened? Are you okay?" the woman said.
The girl sighed, her breath trembling. As she opened her mouth to respond, her stomach tightened. Bile rose at the back of her throat, forcing her to gag and cover her mouth. She rushed to the bathroom on wobbling legs.
Oh, God. Collapsed to her knees, Sue hurled inside the toilet. She drew deep breaths before she barfed again. After wiping her mouth, she flushed when a door knocked reached her ears.
"Sue, are you okay in there?" the woman called.
The girl groaned, her forehead resting on the toilet seat lid. "I'm fine, Rita. I guess the baby didn't enjoy the choice of dinner last night."
"Okay. I'm cooking breakfast, so I'll call you when ready."
"All right." Sue sat on the floor, rubbing her belly. While recovering, she reflected on the dream. Though expected to have vivid nightmares, the latest one spooked her. Five minutes later, Sue cleared the washroom when Rita's voice shrilled through the house.
"Sue, something happened at Memorial Park!"
The girl hurried to the lounge and found Rita on the couch, watching TV. Police cars and emergency vehicles surrounded the entrance. Two medical personnel wheeled two black bags on stretchers.
"It was a quiet morning when police discovered a shocking scene. Behind me, the forensic team obtained the bodies of Phillip Carter and Tim Hart. Police have sealed the area and did not release a statement," the reporter said.
"It's too early to say what happened here," a police officer spoke. "However, we're doing everything to discover what happened. We have a potential suspect in custody who is being treated for shock. We have informed his family and are making inquiries as we speak. In the meantime, nobody goes near this area. If anyone has information, contact us as soon as possible."
"The man who found the scene was 20-year-old Tyler Avery and Buddy, his dog."
The camera shifted to a man holding a Golden Retriever on a leash. "I was taking Buddy for a walk when he started barking. I assumed he wanted to chase a squirrel until I found the dead bodies. The scary part was they were a few meters away from Carrie White's mound. You almost get this sense like her spirit hasn't finished dooming this town."
Heat flushed around Sue's body as she folded her arms across her chest. A tiny vein pulsed in her forehead as she growled low.
"The guy was scared shitless," the man continued. "I found him while calling the police about the bodies. He was in the undergrowth, curled in a fetal position and bawling."
"Did he explain what happened?" the reporter asked.
The man shook his head. "He was gibbering like he made little sense. He said, 'Don't ruin Carrie's grave, or she'll come to kill you.'"
"I've heard enough!" Sue stomped to the kitchen.
Rita shut off the TV, shaking her head. While getting up, she found Sue sitting on a chair at the table. "Are you okay?"
"No, I'm not." The teenager had her head buried in her arms. "I still can't believe they're blaming her, even after Prom."
"I feel the same way too."
"Do you miss Carrie?"
Rita placed her hands on the girl's shoulders. "Every day. I wish I could've done more for her." The two women fell silent as an air of melancholy filled the room. "What do you say we take a walk around town to clear our heads?"
"Sounds good to me. I could use some fresh air."
Sue and Rita strolled through the near-lifeless town. Along the way, they discovered several moving vans parked in most houses. Dozens of 'For Sale' signs littered the yards.
"Jeez, so many people are leaving," Sue remarked.
"Yeah," Rita said. "You can't blame them, though. Black Prom is still fresh in everybody's minds. There's so much anger… pain… how does one continue with tragedy striking them? If this keeps up, this will become a ghost town.
"Carrie was such a lonely girl when she was alive. Now it seems she'll be lonelier in death. If these deaths keep occurring, nobody will want to pay respects to her."
While turning a corner, a voice reached the two women. Sue's eyes softened as a young boy approached them. His tanned complexion mixed well with his short black hair. He had his hands stuffed in his pockets and walked with his head down slightly. As he raised his head, life from his brown eyes dimmed, but he tried to stay positive.
"Hi, Ms. Desjardin, Sue," the boy greeted.
"George, it's good to see you!" Sue smiled. "How are you?"
"Doing all right. I was coming back from visiting Erika at the hospital. She's still distressed from Black Prom but is doing okay."
"Can you send her our regards when you see her again?"
"I'll keep that in mind. Erika told me she'll be moving once she's released. My family's doing the same. What about you and Ms. D?"
"We're considering it," Rita said. "Where are you moving to?"
"My parents say Florida's a pleasant start, despite the tempests," George said. He left a glimmer of jest at the end. "I saw the news about Memorial Park. First, Black Prom, and now, this. Everyone keeps saying that Carrie's spirit has arisen to 'finish the job.'"
Sue pinched the bridge of her nose. "Ugh! I wish these bastards would leave Carrie in peace!"
"Yeah. Did you hear about the update on the Memorial Park news?"
"No, why?"
George pulled out his phone and clicked on YouTube. "Apparently, the guys that got killed had a YouTube channel called 'Wrecked.' Their latest video had streamed everything, and now it's number one on the site."
Rita's mouth drooped with furrowed brows. "Wrecked?"
"I've heard of that series," Sue said. "Why would they do a recording at Memorial Park?"
"You won't like it, but everything will be clear once you see it." After scrolling, George found a trending video and tapped play.
With every news, the reporters mentioned the camera. They also stated that they could reveal the video with permission. Before doing so, they added the 'viewer discretion is advised' warning.
The video began with the boys at Carrie's grave, one of them carrying a mallet. Sue narrowed her eyes while closing her hand into a fist.
Rita became still as her face turned to stone. Swarms of dark red clouded her vision. "How does anyone enjoy this?"
George raised and lowered his shoulders. "You got me."
The two boys gave shout-outs to those subscribing to their channel. However, one name, in particular, left the women speechless.
"Mr. Hargensen?" Sue said. "I didn't know he watched this series."
Rita folded her arms. "I don't think he does. Last I checked, Mr. Hargensen had been fired from his job as a lawyer. Somehow, the law firm had received evidence of unethical conduct."
The video continued as the boy holding the mallet lifted it. Sue and Rita ground their teeth as if they expected the stone to be destroyed. Then, a thick fog oozed from the grove and surrounded the graveyard, stopping the boy. Whoever held the camera looked around until it focused on a woman.
"Who's that?" Sue asked.
"I don't know, but she's one scary-looking lady," George said.
As Sue studied the woman, she could tell this wasn't Carrie. The woman looked Asian, possibly Japanese. However, she couldn't shake off the dreaded vibe emitting from her. When the lead boy asked the woman for a blowjob, she rolled her eyes.
The woman remained still, unfazed by the boy's sexual gestures and words. She moved only when a third boy—the camera person—approached her. As the third boy stepped back, green light flickered from her body.
The woman lurched forward until she distorted and vanished. A few minutes later, she reappeared, closer to the boys.
"Did you see that?" Rita asked. Sue and George nodded. The trio gazed as everything unfolded onscreen before them. What started as morbid curiosity turned into stomach-clenching terror.
The woman pursued and attacked the boys. One by one, they fell victim to the woman's wrath and in the most gruesome ways.
Sue wanted to dismiss everything as some horrible prank. She planned to turn off the video, but something compelled her to watch. Once the video ended, the trio was still until Sue remembered to breathe.
"…My God, that was frightening." Rita patted her chest, trying to calm her panicked heart. "Please tell me it's fake."
"If it is, then kudos to whoever did special effects," George said. "After what happened with Black Prom, nothing could surprise me now. One thing is for sure: the 'Wrecked' series comes to an end."
Sue exhaled. "As it should. I can't believe those bastards tried to desecrate Carrie's grave. I'm willing to bet they were the ones that spray-painted the headstone."
"Well, if they had done it, I guess justice is served." George shuddered. "That woman in the video scared me."
"I agree. I feel somewhat bad for the families of those boys, though," Rita said. "Also, I can see why people would mistake the woman as Carrie's spirit."
"Yeah," Sue said. "Who was that woman, and why did she protect Carrie's grave?"
Rita clicked her tongue. "I have no idea. What are you thinking?"
Staring at the sidewalk stretching towards the horizon, Sue pursed her lips. "…Maybe we should go visit."
"No, Sue."
"But Rita—"
"I said no!"
"I just want answers!"
"What makes you think she won't attack you? Let the police deal with her."
"I need to do this, Rita!"
"Why?"
"Because…." Sue looked away, folding her arms as she shivered. "I want some peace of mind. I can't help feeling like the world around me is going insane. Black Prom was supposed to be done, but now, it might've… triggered something."
"Triggered something?"
"Yeah, like a prelude to something bigger and fucked up. I can't stand this sensation, and I want it to disappear."
The trio stood quietly on the sidewalk, chilled by this turn of events.
George cleared his throat. "I should get going. Besides, my family might need my help in moving things. You two take care, okay?"
Sue nodded. "You too, George."
As they went their separate ways, Rita waited until George was gone. "So, where do you want to start?"
A/N: That's it for this chapter. Do you think Sue might be onto something after watching the video? Would she find the woman responsible for the murders and still lurking in the graveyard? Well, time for my brain to rest, so I'll see you later.
