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 shone over Memorial Park as fog billowed. Owls hooted and crickets chirped in the forest. Three teens strolled along a path, using their flashlights to guide them through the dark. Each of them carried a backpack on their shoulders. Skimming the slabs, they found their intended target.
The teens studied the spray-painted markings on the headstone. 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. A baseball cap matched the red and grey jacket he wore. He placed the can on the stone and extracted a mallet from his backpack. "Trust me, Sam. It'll be a work of art once we're finished. Everyone will talk about it! Tim, do you have the camera?"
"I do." The third had blonde hair, wearing a black leather jacket with earrings. He removed his backpack and pulled out his camera, pressing the 'On' button. 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 a lot of 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." He pressed the record button.
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, tonight's episode is a real treat! 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! Remember 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, a sudden haze rolled 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 scanned the area until he paused. "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, how would you like to give me a blowjob?"
His buddies laughed beside him as he pointed to his groin.
"You wanna 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, followed by slurping noises. While Phil continued with catcalls and lewd remarks, Sam and Tim laughed harder. He humped the air while holding his crotch. Following that, he smacked a booty he imagined.
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. "What the fuck is that bitch's problem? Hey, Tim, ask her what she wants."
"What are you, nuts? 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? What 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 asked, his voice shaking. The woman raised a gnarled hand and pointed at Carrie's headstone. While speaking Japanese, her voice was distorted with snarls and hisses. Her tone sent shivers towards the boys. "I think she wants us to leave the headstone alone."
Phil scoffed. "Yeah, well, we're wrecking that thing."
The woman pointed her weapon as if she understood his words, stopping him. She bared her razor-sharp teeth.
"Uh, guys, we should leave! We don't want to piss her off," Tim advised. "Let's. Go."
Phil's face displayed an angry 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 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 upon seeing their friend lying dead. Before they reacted, the woman unhinged her jaw, revealing rows of pointed teeth. As she roared, her form flickered and crawled 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. As they turned a corner, the woman emerged, 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?"
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 gazed at his friend's body contorting with wide, frightened eyes. His friend's limbs twisted and snapped, laced with tears 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 ripped through the corpse. Blood smeared her long claws. Her teeth remained sharp and animal-like. Her hair flowed 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. Frightened tears smeared his face while hiding behind a tree. Panting, he examined his surroundings as he 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. After turning, he faced the woman who snarled at him. Sam dropped the camera and screamed throughout the night.
Clouds shrouded the sky, pouring their tears on Chamberlain. Though the Black Prom event had passed, the ripple effect remained. Like a ritual, Sue arrived at Memorial Park, holding a white rose. Passing by her friends' graves, she reached Carrie's splotched stone.
She uttered silent prayers, wishing Carrie to find peace in the afterlife. As she lowered the flower to the ground, a decayed hand burst and grabbed her wrist. Sue screamed for help, struggling to break free from its grip.
Awoken with a start, Sue checked her hand. Quick and heavy breaths escaped her.
"Hey, are you okay?"
A woman sat at the edge of Sue's 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! She masked her face with her hands, fighting nausea as she shuddered.
Her companion tilted her head. "Is everything alright?"
Sue 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. On wobbly legs, she hurried to the bathroom.
Oh, God. Collapsed to her knees, Sue hurled inside the toilet. Her stomach ached as she continued, pausing in between breaths. After wiping her mouth, she flushed when a loud knock reached her ears.
"Sue, are you okay?" the woman asked.
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."
"Oh, dear. I'm cooking breakfast, so I'll call you when ready."
"Alright." Sue sat on the floor, rubbing her belly. While recovering, she reflected on the dream. Despite being expected to have vivid nightmares, the latest one scared her. Several minutes later, Sue cleared the washroom when Rita's voice shrilled through the house.
"Sue, something happened at Memorial Park!"
Rita was watching TV on the couch when the girl rushed to the lounge. Police cars and emergency vehicles surrounded the entrance. Two medical personnel wheeled two black bags on stretchers.
"In the quiet morning, police discovered a shocking scene. Behind me, the forensic team recovered the bodies of Phillip Carter and Tim Hart. Police have sealed the area and did not release a statement," the reporter said.
"We can't say what happened," a police officer stated. "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 comes near this area. Please contact us if you have any information."
"Twenty-year-old Tyler Avery found the scene with 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. Almost as if her spirit hasn't finished destroying 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. I found him while calling the police about the bodies," the man continued. "He was in the undergrowth, curled in a fetal position and bawling."
"Did he explain what happened?" the reporter said through the microphone.
Tyler shook his head. "He was gibbering like he made no 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 at the table. "Are you okay?"
The teenager had her head buried in her arms. "No, I'm not. Even after Prom, I still can't believe they're blaming her."
"I know, hon."
"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?"
The expectantmother smiled. "Sounds good to me. I could use some fresh air."
Sue and Rita strolled through the almost deserted 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 continues, this will become a ghost town. Carrie was such a lonely girl when she was alive. In death, she'll be more lonely. If these deaths keep occurring, nobody will want to pay respects to her."
A voice reached the women as they rounded a corner. Sue's eyes softened as a young boy approached them. His tanned complexion paired with his short black hair. He had his hands in his pockets and walked with a lowered head. As he raised his head, life in 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 alright. 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'd 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 great start, despite the storms," George joked. "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. "The guys who got killed had a YouTube channel called 'Wrecked.' Their latest video had streamed everything, and now it's number one."
Rita furrowed her 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.
In every news story, 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 them 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. Fog poured from the grove and engulfed the graveyard, stopping the boy. Whoever held the camera looked around until it focused on a woman.
Sue squinted her eyes. "Who's that?"
George shrugged. "I don't know, but she's one scary-looking lady."
As Sue studied the woman, she could tell this wasn't Carrie. Her appearance resembled that of either an Asian or Japanese woman. However, she couldn't shake off the dreaded vibe coming 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 the cameraman approached. As the third boy stepped back, green light flickered from her body. She lurched forward until she distorted and vanished. A few minutes later, she emerged closer to the boys.
Rita, Sue, and George 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.
Sue wanted to dismiss the whole thing as some horrible prank. Despite wanting to stop the video, something compelled her to watch. Within her mind, the unknown existed beyond the threshold of perception. In the past, Sue had comforted herself that the supernatural was ghost stories to convince kids to behave. Black Prom changed that perception; even now, she wasn't sure.
Once the video ended, the trio was still until they 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 the visual effects," George said. "After what happened with Black Prom, nothing could surprise me now. Still, the 'Wrecked' series has ended."
"I can't believe those bastards tried to sully Carrie's grave." Sue shook her head. "I'm willing to bet they were the ones that spray-painted the headstone."
"Well, justice is served if they had done it." George shuddered. "That woman in the video scared me."
"I agree. I feel somewhat sorry for the families of those boys, though," Rita said. "Also, I can see why people would mistake the woman for Carrie's spirit."
Sue nodded in agreement. "Who was that woman, and why did she save Carrie's grave?"
"I don't know." Rita clicked her tongue. "What are you thinking?"
As she debated her next course of action, Sue studied the sidewalk. "…Maybe we should pay a 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 folded her arms, shivering. "I want some peace of mind. The world around me appears to be going insane. Black Prom was supposed to be done, but now, it might've… triggered something."
"Triggered something?"
"Yeah, like a prelude to something awful. I can't stand this sensation and want it to disappear."
The trio stood in silence on the sidewalk, chilled by this turn of events.
George cleared his throat. "I should go. Besides, my family might need my help in moving things. You two take care, okay?"
Sue nodded. "You too, George."
As they headed their separate ways, Rita waited until George was alone. "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.