It took 5 hours to get to Shreveport from New Orleans. Five torturous horrible hours of driving. It was especially torturous because most of the people on the road behaved like morons. You hated to think that way, but it was true. Louisiana in December wasn't as bad as it would've been up north, but icy roads meant empty heads. You graduated from a public college a few years ago and had been working since then. Shreveport would be lonely. Only one of your friends was there, getting a degree in Physics. Your mom sometimes talked about her when you got a bad grade. But it didn't make you dislike your friend or anything. Mom just wanted you to work as hard as Sarah did. And you graduated, so it counted for something.

Since you had no real options for housing, considering you worked at Sonic before you moved, you called Sarah one morning. Thankful that you had been keeping in contact with her, she said yes. When she parted ways with you after high school, you called and sometimes sent letters to her. Visited her too. Which is what you'd do for your friends back in New Orleans. You could never ignore or forget your friends. But it felt good to leave your old life behind. And bad at the same time, you didn't know how to feel.

You wouldn't work on roller skates ever again either. It took some getting used to, but you stopped falling on your ass every day. Too bad you wouldn't need that skill anymore. Unless you joined a roller derby team. But you're not interested in being thrown around.

The radio was playing music, volume lowered so it was muffled. The car in front of you stopped at the light ahead and braked. Leaning back in the seat, you turned up the volume a little and rest your hands on the wheel. You were already close to your new house. You were excited, it had been a year or so since you'd seen your friend.

"It's not much, but it's mine," Sarah said on the phone yesterday. You didn't care as long as you had something to sleep on. Luckily Sarah had two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a half bathroom.

Sarah was right, it wasn't much but it was nice. The house wasn't too close to their neighbors, and the land surrounding the house was considerable. There were plants around the house, and Sarah still liked to garden. You were glad. She was in her last year of college, she probably had a lot of time on her hands. When the two of you were in high school together, you'd come over and she'd ask you to help plant flowers. Her mother would join the two of you, making sure you didn't mess anything up.

The driveway was new, you noticed, smooth and dark, with no tire marks. You parked next to her car and turned yours off. The house was a pale yellow, with flowerbeds underneath the windows. Sarah cared about her house and her grass. It wasn't the yellow brittle grass you'd seen in your yard.

You popped the trunk and got out, heading to the back end to grab two of the boxes you stacked on your suitcases. Keys clutched against the box, you knock on the door a few times. The boxes start to slip and you use your knee to get a better grip on them. Two of the boxes held books, notebooks, and more books, while the third box just had her toiletries.

The door opens and Sarah stands in the doorway, smiling at you. She's wearing a too-large navy blue sweater with yoga pants, for a casual night.

When Sarah called on the phone yesterday she mentioned a movie she wanted to show you. "It's new but there's this place a few minutes away from me that-" You were watching a movie while she spoke to you and kind of tuned her out at that moment. You didn't mean to, but you were so tired and knew you had to be up early to make it to Shreveport early. But you could smell the popcorn and knew Sarah started watching movies without you. It was Saturday so Sarah would have class on Monday. You were glad you'd get to bond with her for a few days before school started after winter break ended.

You arrived as early as you could've, it was only about eight o'clock at night. You've been on road trips before and some of them took 20 hours, 12, 24. 5 hours was almost nothing. But it was still shitty. Still had your legs aching from not using them.

Sarah is tan with large brown eyes and black hair. She's smart and kind. Younger than you but you wouldn't be able to tell. Not that two years did anything drastic. "Hey, you mind helpin' me Sarah or are you just gonna stand there?" You tease, and Sarah rushes forward, a guilty look on her face. Sarah is one of the nicest people you've ever met. You grew up on the same street and met when you were about 5 years old. She has a younger brother, who you both think is annoying.

Sarah knew you were messing around, she rolled her eyes and grabbed the boxes in your hands. You turn away from her doorway and back to the trunk, just the two of your suitcases were left. You were glad you didn't have to rent a U-Haul or anything. But it was weird to see your entire life packed into a car. You felt a weight on your shoulders lift suddenly. You didn't know if you were happy to see Sarah or happy to stop driving. Probably both.

You pulled the suitcases out of the trunk, setting them on the grass next to the driveway. Slamming the trunk closed, you press a button on your keys and lock your car. Shoving your keys into the pocket of your denim shorts, you grab the suitcases and lug them toward Sarah's front porch. Whoever built the house didn't care that it was so small, they built a wrap-around porch anyway. You were even happier than you'd been when you saw Sarah.

Sarah opens the door wide and stands back, allowing you to drag the suitcases into the entrance of her house. The entryway is nice, a table sits in the middle of it, a vase on top with roses inside. A common flower, but one of your favorites. "Sarah you have a beautiful house." You offered politely, setting the suitcases off to the side.

Your friend closes the front door behind you, locking it, "Thanks, it was Jenna's." She said with a sad smile.

You nodded in understanding, Sarah's cousin died two years ago in the house they're standing in. Sarah was the one who found her, her throat had been ripped out. Eyes wide open, mouth open in a scream. Blood all over the place. Sarah screamed and ran out the door, leaving it wide open as she sprinted to a neighbor's house. She couldn't step over her cousin to use the phone. Sarah was healing, slowly but surely.

Sarah told you the police didn't know what had killed her cousin, maybe an animal. But Sarah didn't think so, she knew an animal would've done more than tear out her throat. She used to lay awake at night on the phone with you talking about how guilty she felt. "I should've been home earlier that night, maybe if I was..." You tried to help her as best you could during those times, even visiting her sometimes.

"The garden outside looks great." You smiled at her and turned left, into the living room. Your friend used to garden with her cousin, but after she died Sarah didn't have it in her. Until recently. Sarah had her DVD player set up. You suddenly remembered the conversation y'all had on the phone.

"There's this new movie, it's called Scream and it just came out. There's a place around 5 minutes away from me that has it. It's a new movie but they always have everything." Your answers to her were curt and you were hardly paying attention. Too wrapped up in the movie on the tv.

Sarah smiled gratefully at you, she knew you were right. Her cousin would be proud of her. She was the reason Sarah wanted a degree in Physics. She was her role model.

She already spoke with you about rent, you would be paying half of it. You didn't have a job yet but she promised she'd help you get one. Sarah didn't care either way though, she had enough to pay the rent in full. But she was nice enough to let you stay. You thanked her enough times already but knew you'd be doing it constantly.

There were candles on the table underneath the tv on the wall, a lot of candles. The lights were turned off, and a couple of movies were stacked on the coffee table, illuminated by the blue light of the tv. The original Halloween was at the top. You'd never seen it before, but kids would dress up as him every year for Halloween since you could remember.

"So Sarah, there's a new movie out?" You inquired vaguely. You knew the title but didn't want to get it wrong. "Scream?" She asked, pulling your suitcases into the living room and behind the couch. You knew it was a horror movie when she said the title. Those were Sarah's favorite movies. Something that surprised you when you grew up together. You grew to enjoy them with her. Sometimes even laughing at the cheesiness of it all.

Making sure she was looking at you, you nodded at her and continued inspecting her living room. The single couch sat in front of the tv, brown pleather. The table in front of it was wood, with four glass panels on top. There was a bookshelf next to where the tv sat on the wall, and pictures of Sarah's mom and her other family in frames on the shelves. You'd peruse her library later.

There were some succulents on the shelves too, and a flower basket hanging from a hook in the wall. You'd mostly seen those outside, but it wasn't shocking. Sarah loved her plants.

Maybe even more than her cat, who sauntered into the room, nose in the air. Sarah told her about him during one of their phone calls. His name is Dave, for some reason. He's ginger with white stripes and paws. Why Sarah couldn't name him Mittens, you didn't know. Dave sniffed the air and his eyes landed on you. You're seated on the couch now, waiting for him to say hello to you. He eventually does, sniffing the back of your hand and flicking his tail around. You reach for his ears and he flinches away with wide, crazy eyes. He swivels his head around and jumps off the couch, throwing himself underneath it. You hear him "making bread" on the underside of the couch.

Sarah sighs at the couch and heads further into the living room. The kitchen is past the living room, near the back of the house. You didn't know whether to follow her or just sit there, so you sat. She was quick though, carrying a small bowl in her hand that she shook a little. Cat foot rattled around in the bowl and Dave darted out from underneath the couch. Sarah drops his bowl gently near the doorway to the kitchen and stands over you.

"Here," she said, handing you the chunky phone she must've taken off the wall while she was in the kitchen, "Call and see if they have the movie." You stare up at her with furrowed brows, you don't know the number.

She laughs, "Sorry." She says sheepishly, telling you the number. Why she knew the number, you had no idea. You wondered how often she called to ask about new movies.

While you dial the number, Sarah is busy giving Dave water.

"Blockbuster, what do you want?" The voice on the other end is feminine. She has a strange accent and she sounds annoyed. She sounded like a Gone With the Wind actress, old and southern. Pam could hear the soft breathing on the other line as she waited for a response. She and Eric were watching a movie in his office, she stepped outside to answer the call. The movie was just getting good.

You clear your throat and sit up a little bit, hope I don't run into her at the store. "Hey, do you guys have the new movie Scream?" You made it quick, the woman already sounded mad you didn't want to make it worse.

"It Came in today," She confirmed, "have a nice evening." That sounded painful for her. You heard the dial tone and shrugged, you worked at Sonic after all. Used to rude people. Sarah finishes with the cat's water and grabs her purse off the kitchen table, walking over to where you're seated on the couch. It wasn't really a purse, it looked more like a homeless person's tote bag. You didn't own a purse, you owned a backpack. Which you carried around in your car and whenever you walked anywhere. It held more than a purse could, but it made you look "suspicious" as your mom put it. You didn't need it for a video store though.

"They have it right?" Sarah verifies, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She knew they'd have it. You tell her yes and she grins at you excitedly. Sarah makes sure all her doors and windows are locked, something she always did since her cousin died. Both of you leave the house, Sarah offers to drive, and you both get into her car. 1983 Oldsmobile Cutlass from her dad, who left her mom in 1989. Sarah's had a pretty hard life, but it was nothing therapy couldn't fix. She went every Sunday afternoon.

As Sarah drove they made conversation about the movie they were getting and the store they were getting it from. She told you it was in a strip mall, next to a nail salon and Sally's Beauty. "There's an entire section of vampire movies, I don't watch 'em though," Sarah remarked flippantly. You'd seen a few of them but didn't enjoy the genre. When you thought of vampires you thought of Dracula, a scary dead guy that steals someone's wife.

Sarah had met the owners before, they had good taste and would recommend movies sometimes. But something about them scared her. She never knew why, but her heart would race as soon as she walked inside and met their gazes. But they were polite enough.

They arrived and parked out front, next to a blue truck, which sat next to a red Corvette. A Corvette in the middle of nowhere. You shook your head and got out of the car with Sarah. The video store was the biggest in the strip mall, not surprising. It was the only store open, too. DVDs were extremely popular all of a sudden. But it was different from any video store you'd been to. Most didn't stay open all night and all day like this one. "24 hrs" a neon sign glowed. The ones in New Orleans closed around 9.

"Why's it open all night?" You asked Sarah as you both stepped onto the curb in front of the door. She looked at you for a second but opened the door, she wouldn't talk about it yet. Sarah walked in first, and you followed her. The lights were reminiscent of a high school, fluorescent and depressing. But the number of movies was shocking. Sarah was right, you turned to your left and saw the vampire section. You almost wanted to laugh. There were way too many movies in that section.

You looked away from the movies and at the counter where a woman stood. She had dirty blonde hair and blue eyes, and she wore a long-sleeved black shirt. You couldn't see her bottom half but she was probably wearing black. Her eyes met your curious gaze and you looked away quickly, following Sarah to the horror movies. Shockingly, there were more of those than there were vampire movies.

"Scream, right?" You and Sarah turn around. The woman at the counter is in front of you with a movie in her hand. She doesn't have a nametag or anything, but you knew Sarah would fill you in later.

Sarah smiles gently at the woman, "Thanks Pam, how'd you know?" You thought that was a good question, you wondered the same thing. But Pam's presence made you forget. She was striking. Her grey eyes are wide and curious, mischievous.

"Caller-ID." Pam smiles in a secretive way and hands the movie over to Sarah, who thanks her again.

Pam waves her off and walks back to the counter she sat at earlier. A small tv was in the corner playing a movie. Pam was watching it when they came inside.

You and Sarah follow her, stopping to stand across from her, cash register and counter separating the group.

"How's Eric?" Sarah asked, trying to make small talk with the woman. Pam looked like she'd rather be anywhere else. You didn't blame her, working is tiring.

Pam rang them up before answering, "He's eating his dinner, I'm sure you'll see him some other time." The way Pam said it made you shiver, but you chalked it up to tiredness. She looked normal enough. But her clothes were darker than most people's. She dressed like a cast member of The Craft.

Sarah looked disappointed at that, Pam tried not to roll her eyes at this. Pam wasn't lying, he turned off the movie near the end, said he was hungry, and left. Pam wasn't in a good mood and she finished the movie without him. "Are you new in town?" Pam asked you, taking the 3 Sarah handed her, and putting it in the cash register. Her hands were pale, long, elegant, and her nails were painted red.

She looked up at you after a beat, "How'd you know?" You asked, you didn't mean to sound suspicious but she was kind of... Off. It didn't feel comfortable to be so close to her. But you weren't rude.

"I've never seen you before." She said it like it was obvious, handing Sarah the movie without looking at her. You didn't know what to say. Sarah turned to look at something behind Pam and she smiled.

"Y'all are hiring?" Sarah asked, leaning on the counter, raising her eyebrows at Pam. The blonde woman looks down at Sarah, gaze lingering on the arm that leaned on her countertop.

Pam tilted her head, "Did you drop out of college already?" She leered at your friend, glancing again at her arm. Sarah must come here often.

Sarah stopped leaning on the counter and rolled her eyes, "No Pam, my friend here just moved in with me and she needs a job." She gestures toward you with a tan hand. You didn't know if you wanted to work here, but it couldn't be worse than roller skates. Pam didn't seem to mind her suggestion, either.

"The day shift," Pam confirmed, shrugging her shoulders, "Do you get up early?" She asked you. You didn't but for money, you could do a lot.

You told her you could, and she said she'd call Sarah's house phone when she wanted you in. And then she said Eric would call too if she wasn't available. You've heard a lot of his name tonight and decided you'd ask Sarah about him tomorrow. Before the two of you left, Pam slipped some keys into your hand. To open the store, you guessed.

Sarah said goodbye to Pam while the two of you were leaving but didn't receive one in return. Instead, she told both of you to remember to return the movie. You knew Sarah wouldn't forget. You probably wouldn't either. Not after meeting Pam.

When you got in the car you felt relieved and you didn't know why. It was sort of frustrating, Pam must be a witch or something.