Welcome back. Thank you for continuing to read this story, and thank you doubly for those of you who have been reviewing. Your reviews mean a lot to me. I can't even begin to explain how much motivation is lost when it seems like very few people are reading. When I see the number of people who have viewed my most recent chapter on the traffic graphs, and then I see how many of them bothered to review, I sometimes think, "what about the rest of you? You didn't have anything to say at all? What did I do wrong? Is it that awful?" So many doubts and suspicious cloud the mind of an author who gets page views without reviews. Why didn't those people say something? Is it so horrible they didn't even have the words to express how much they loathed it? I know if you write too, and post it someplace like this, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. Views without reviews are intimidating...

Anyway, here is the next chapter. I hope you like it:

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Gale frowned as she stared out the window of the living room in Sidney's father's house. Dewey had promised that they would stay together... They were supposed to never leave each other's sight. They were supposed to be looking out for each other at all times, but here she was, hanging out with a couple college-aged kids, not with Dewey.

When he had suggested that she, Sidney, and Randy leave the crime scene, Gale had been too out of it to protest, but now that she had recovered from the initial shock of seeing those two girls hanging from the tree at the school, she felt kind of angry. She and Dewey had told each other that they would stick together. Dewey wanted to make sure that Gale wasn't killed, and Gale wanted to reciprocate that gesture. Maybe Dewey felt content that Gale would be safe with Randy and Sidney, but what about him? Who was keeping Dewey safe?

"I guess my dad's not home," Sidney shrugged as she walked back into the room, "He didn't say he was going anywhere though..." her voice betrayed a hint of concern, "can I get you guys anything to drink?" she offered.

Gale shook her head. She really didn't want to be here right now, and didn't plan to stay for long.

"I better call my mom and let her know where I am," Randy commented as he stood up, "she worries... Can I use your phone, Sid?"

"Of course," Sidney answered, "you know where it is?"

Randy nodded, "I'll be right back," he said, and then paused in the doorway, "uh..." he shook his head as though disappointed in himself and walked out of the room.

Sidney looked over at Gale and sighed as she sat down on a chair across from the reporter, "you doing okay, Gale?" she asked.

Gale forced a smile as her eyes locked with Sidney's. She wasn't exactly the type of person who shared her fears and doubts with the world. Her career depended on her personal emotions staying hidden, and being so involved in her work meant that this sort of behavior carried over into her personal life more often than not. It came naturally to her to keep any personal feelings hidden, whether she was reporting or not, "yeah, I'm fine," she lied, "are you?" she frowned. Sidney probably knew those girls.

Sidney nodded, "it was too much to hope that they were still alive," she spoke with disappointment lacing her words, "I keep hoping things are going to get better, and that this is going to all be over, but it's only getting worse. I don't know why I keep getting my hopes up like this. I had hoped Heather and Kayla were alive somewhere. Today, when Randy and I followed the police to the school, I thought maybe, just maybe... that the killer had been caught. I had a hint of hope that this might be over. I knew it was too much to hope for, but the thought was still there, and I didn't dismiss it completely."

Gale stared across the room at the younger woman. Sidney was certainly more open to talking about her feelings than Gale was. The reporter really wasn't sure what to say, "he'll be caught, Sidney," Gale assured her.

"I hope so, Gale," Sidney frowned, "and I hope it's soon."

"Me too," Gale agreed. She paused. Sitting here with Sidney, talking about their feelings and doing nothing made her feel like she was wasting time and wasting opportunities. There was so much she could be doing right now. Whenever she knew something the public might not, she felt the need to report on it. Sure, a lot of people had been at the school - a lot of the public knew what was going on, but not everyone... And this time Gale had a story no other reporter could possibly have. She had the opportunity to report on the only living witness to any of these murders - herself. No other reporter could ask Gale what she saw. She wouldn't let them. Gale was the only witness she could guarantee would talk to no other members of the press. This was a news story only Gale could possibly have. How could she pass up the opportunity to have the best news story out there?

"Gale?" Sidney was looking at her like she was worried. Gale must have zoned out.

"Sidney, I've got to go," Gale stood up.

"Wait!" Sidney stood up as well, "Dewey told us to stay together!"

"Yeah, and Dewey told me that he and I would stick together too," Gale muttered under her breath, "sitting here doing nothing isn't going to help. I'm sorry, Sidney," Gale actually was sorry. She'd love to be the type of person who could keep things quiet and be content to sit around comforting her friends instead of taking action, but she just wasn't. She had information, and she needed to share it. Maybe her reports could even help find the killer.

She saw Sidney's shoulders slump and her lips fall into a frown. She felt awful for being a constant source of disappointment to so many people, but at the same time, she didn't want to feel useless or helpless. She had a job to do. She needed to keep the public informed when no one else would. She needed to get the attention her skilled reporting deserved.

"Where are you going?" Sidney wondered.

"I've just-" Gale hesitated, "I just have things I've got to do..."

"Gale, what-" Sidney was at a loss for words, "I can give you a ride at least," she offered.

"No, it's fine," Gale persisted, "I can call someone. Just stay here and you and Randy make sure you watch each other's backs. I'll see you around."

Without another word, Gale walked out Sidney's front door and down the porch steps. She pulled her cell phone out of her pocket. Dewey had given it back to her this morning, as it had been collected as evidence from Bethany's murder scene. Fortunately, the police had determined that it wasn't evidence after all, so she was allowed to have it back.

She hit speed dial number two - it was the number of her current camera man, Xavier, who was probably at the motel where they were staying, just outside of town. As the phone rang, Gale paced in front of Sidney's house and waited for an answer.

"Hello?" came the familiar voice of the man who had been recording all her news reports over the past year or so. After Kenny had been killed, Gale had spent a while working with various camera men and women, but she had found fault with each of them until she hired Xavier, who was actually much more dependable than Kenny ever was. He could never replace Kenny, of course. Gale actually liked Kenny as a person, not matter how much it may not have appeared that way. Xavier simply filled the vacant job.

"Xavier," Gale breathed a sigh of relief. Just speaking to her camera man made her feel more in her element. When she wasn't reporting on information she knew about a big story, she just didn't feel right, "I've got a story we need to record in time for the six o'clock news. Can you come pick me up? I'm outside the Prescott house," she hesitated, "well, I'll be walking down the road back toward town," she added. She really didn't want to stay here and risk Sidney or Randy coming out and trying to convince her to go back inside.

"Sure thing, Miss Weathers," Xavier answered, "where have you been? I knocked on your door last night," he was referring to her motel door - they were staying in a motel a few miles outside of town, in separate rooms, of course.

"Some things came up, Xavier," Gale remained purposefully vague, "I guess you'll understand when you record my report."

"Alright," the camera man agreed easily. He was kind of a push over. That's why he was such a good fit with Gale. She certainly didn't appreciate it when her camera men argued with her or pried into her news stories before she was ready to spill the details, "I'll be there in maybe ten minutes," he said.

"Look for me along the road, Xavier," she reminded him as she took off away from Sidney's house.

"Will do," Xavier said, "I'll see you in a few minutes."

"Thank you Xavier," Gale almost audibly cursed after she said that. She made it a habit to never thank Xavier for anything. He was doing a job. He was getting paid for it. She didn't owe him thanks, and giving them to him might just make him not take her seriously.

"You're welcome, Miss," he sounded so happy.

Gale sighed softly, "See you soon," she hung up the phone before he could say anything else.

... ...

"Alright, Gale, start whenever you're ready," Xavier spoke as he pointed his camera toward Gale, who stood in front of the high school.

Before coming here, Gale had gone back to her motel room and changed into something more professional, black dress pants, a snug-fitting red t-shirt, and a black blazer, to cover up the large bandage wrapped around her arm. They had then gone to the high school, where other reporters were already lingering. Their stories would have nothing on Gale's, however. She had made sure to choose a spot far enough away from the other reporters so that they wouldn't be within ear-shot.

Gale put on her best serious, unbiased reporter expression and began.

"This is Gale Weathers reporting from Woodsboro with some breaking news," she started, "I'm standing in front of Woodsboro high school, where just this morning the bodies of two local girls were found. Though their identities remain unconfirmed, early reports claim that the bodies are of fifteen year old Kayla Kelleher and fourteen year old Heather Williamson, two girls who have been missing since early Saturday morning. The girls had attended a party on Friday night, with Martha Meeks, the first victim of this unknown serial killer. While they had remained potential suspects up until this point, it is now clear that the girls were not perpetrators, but rather another couple of unlucky victims.

"The number of victims this unknown masked assailant has claimed is now confirmed to be five," Gale continued, "Just last night two other victims were killed, Bethany Grace, the 911 operator who took Martha's desperate call, and Marcus Storm, a local police officer. Just like with the teenaged victims, the murderer used a knife to kill these victims. Bethany was stabbed to death while Marcus was stabbed and then had his throat slit." Gale recognized that her report was becoming graphic, and that perhaps she shouldn't share this information before it was official, but she had been there when Bethany and Marcus had died. She knew their causes of death, and she was going to be the first to report it.

Gale focused on the camera and she went on, "though this case is looking very grim at this point, there is a bit of hope that this killer may soon be caught. The last murder was witnessed by an un-named civilian who gave us some information that may help in apprehending the murderer."

Xavier gave her a strange look from behind the camera, but remained quiet as he continued rolling. Gale paused for just a few seconds before quickly regaining her momentum, "the witness described the killer as wearing a costume similar to those worn by Billy Loomis and Stu Macher two years ago when they committed several murders in this same town. This costume includes a black robe-like garment as well as a white ghost-faced mask. The killer was described as being tall, perhaps near six feet, and is believed to be a man. It is likely that the killer is from Woodsboro, though not necessarily the case, and there's no guarantee that this person is working alone. Citizens are encouraged to keep a close watch for anything odd and report any suspicions to the local police."

Gale gave a slight nod to show Xavier that she was through. He shut off the camera and lowered it in his hands, "who's the witness?" he wondered.

The reporter breathed in a slow breath, "I am," she confirmed.

Xavier nodded. He didn't really seem surprised. He had probably pieced all this together already, or at least heard rumors that she had been present at the scene, "how did that happen? You witnessed the cop's death last night? And you're just now reporting on it? That's unlike you, Gale."

"I was kind of busy," Gale frowned, "the killer sort of attacked me and I had to go to the hospital."

"That's what the bandage over your arm was for," Xavier noted.

"That's right," Gale nodded. She glanced around them. There were at least ten other reporters hanging out around the school, and one of them was glancing over toward her with a knowing look on his face, "let's get out of here," she advised as she began making her way back toward Xavier's car.

Unfortunately, she wasn't fast enough. The reporter, who she did not recognize, but who clearly recognized her, was now making his way over toward them.

"Shit," Gale muttered under her breath as she quickened her pace.

"Miss Weathers!" the reporter said as he quickened his pace as well, "Gale Weathers," he persisted, "there are rumors that you were at the police station when the latest victim was killed, and that he attacked you after killing the victim. Can you confirm any of this?"

She ignored him and continued walking.

"Would you like to make a statement about having survived the killings two years ago, and about being back here now?" he asked.

Gale raised her hand up behind herself, as a signal for him to back off, as she moved toward Xavier's car. This man just wanted her to say something, and apparently it didn't even matter what it was. She was not going to play along. She knew this game better than anyone, and wasn't interested.

"Gale!" he called to her again, "did you see the killer?"

Xavier put his arm over her shoulders and pulled her along at a quicker pace until they reached the car. He opened the passenger side door and ushered Gale toward it. He slammed it shut as soon as she was inside and then rushed over to the driver's side, quickly sitting down, slamming the door, and turning the key in the ignition.

"Miss Weathers," the reporter knocked on the window.

"Just go, Xavier," Gale ordered, and her camera man followed her command without a word.

She looked out the window as they drove off. All the reporters hovering around the school while the police conducted their investigation did seem awfully rude and unsympathetic. She understood more than anyone that they were just doing a job, and trying to further their careers, but it didn't change the fact that it was quite easily and understandably viewed as disrespectful.

Gale interviewed unwilling witnesses and relatives all the time. It often just took asking more than once to get them to talk, even when they had refused the first time. The interview might not have been pleasant by that point, but it was certainly interesting, and that got her publicity. Even so, she knew how it felt to be on the other side. Countless reporters had tried to question her about the events she had survived two years ago, and she had to admit that she didn't appreciate it one bit. She understood why they were harassing her, but she hated them for it. She supposed that made her a hypocrite...

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Yay! Gale chapter! We love Gale, right?

Please review. :)