Scream V (2022) My Version

Chapter Sevemteen: Carpenter's Plan

Back at the hospital, Ben and Christine watch Tara and wonder when they can take their daughter home. They also wondered where Sam and Richie were. The two stepped outside Tara's room to talk. Ben is slowly pacing. His mind racing. Christine sees this and wants to know what he's thinking.

"Hon what are you thinking?" Christine asked.

"Been thinking about these two murders and the attacks on our daughters." Ben said. He and Christine are unaware that the sheriff and her son have been murdered which brings the total number of victims to four.

"Yeah. We have to protect our children" Christine said.

"I agree. The question is how can we protect them?" Ben asked.

"We could take them out of the state." Chris said. "Doesnt't your sister have a cabin up north?"

"Yes but she let my younger brother have it." Ben said of his family.

"What about Canada?" Christine asked. "We could take them there until the case is over."

"No. Besides, the sheriff doesn't want us leaving until this is over." Ben said thinking. "And where is the sheriff?" Ben asked.

"She's probably off duty." Christine said checking her watch. "Where is our daughter?"

"She said something about getting help with this situation." Ben said. "This doesn't make any sense. Why would a person in a fucking ghost face mask want to hurt our children?"

"Fuck if I know." Christine lied. She was hiding something.

"This shit has Sidney Prescott and Billy Loomis written all over it." Ben said. "She and Loomis haven't lived in Woodsboro in so long. Why would a killer now be targeting our girls?" He said. "What does Sidney and Billy have do with these attacks?" Christine shrugs. He notices reaction at the mere mention of Sidney & Billy. She flinched significantly and this did not go unnoticed by Ben. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Christine said trying to hide her distain for Sidney.

"Tell me." Ben said. Christine tried her best to avoid the subject but realized Ben had caught her reaction.

"It's just I don't really like Sidney Prescott. In fact, I've never liked her." Christine said.

"Why?" Ben asked Christine shrugged. Then it occurred to him. He remembered Christine having a a slight crush on Billy Loomis. "Is this about Billy?" He asked. Christine doesn't answer. "Jesus, do you still have feeling for him after all these years?"

"No. Of course not." Christine lied. Truth is she still loved Billy and would've preferred to be with him rather then Ben. "It just brings up bad memories is all." She said. "He chose her and I'm over it." He had broken her heart when he chose Sidney and she clearly isn't over it. Ben could see this but doesn't press the issue. He spots a someone walking towards them. It was Chad Meeks'Martin. "What are you doing here?" Christine asked.

"Hi Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter, I know it's a little late but was wondering if I could visit with Tara for a bit." Chad asked politely.

"Um.." Christine said unsure if Chad could visit Tara considering his family's history. Then again it wasn't fair to put that on Chad. He seemed to be a good young man. "Sure. Go ahead."

"Thanks." Chad said smiling. He enters Tara's room. She looked at him from her phone. "Hey cutie." He said as she smiled. "Your folks are out there talking. They said it was ok if I visited you." He said. Tara noticed his face.

"What happened to your face?" She asked.

"Oh this?" Chad asked pointing to his bruises. "This was courtesy of my teammates." He said bitterly. "The result of being the nephew of a serial killer."

"I'm sorry." Tara said feeling bad for him. She never made fun of him or Mindy for being related to Randy Meeks. She didn't care. Both were nice to her. Besides she thought Chad was pretty cute.

"It's all good." Chad said hiding the fact that he was hurt behind the attack.

"Have you seen my sister?" Tara asked.

"Earlier yeah." Chad said. "She and her boyfriend were at my house with our friends and Dewey Riley was there."

"Wait, the former sheriff was there?" Tara asked shocked.

"Yeah." Chad said.

"Why what's going on?" Tara asked curious.

"Your sister seems to think that the attacks and the murders are connected somehow. My sister seems to think that who ever is doing this is creating their own movie with Sam as the lead." Chad said. Tara looked on confused. "Yeah don't give it another thought." He said.

"So how are things between you and Liv. You ask her out yet?" Tara asked. Chad sighed deeply.

"I ask her out all the time and she says no. I don't get it. I'm a nice guy and I'd like to believe I'm fairly good looking. Why doesn't she want me?" Chad said.

"I don't know but one thing's for sure, you are good looking and a nice guy." Tara said smiling at him. Chad smiled at her kind words to him.

"I don't think she's good for you." Tara said.

"Really?" Chad asked shocked that Tara would say that.

"She's a bit loose and loves the bad boys." Tara said. Chad listened. "You're not the bad boy type."

"Do you think it has something to do with who my uncle was?" He asked her.

"Maybe. So what if it does. It's her loss. Perhaps you should look to date someone who is just as nice as you are." Tara said.

"Like who?" He asked. Tara smiled at him nervously. She wouldn't tell him but she has a little crush on him. She never really told him because of her relationship with Amber and the fact that he kept chasing Liv. Chad looked on catching Tara's hint. He smiled to. Tara is hot. He likes her as a friend but never entertained dating her due to the fact he didn't think she was into him. Tara's comment has a hint of attraction there and he picked up on it. "You're right. I should find someone who is as nice as I am. Someone like…" He said trailing off.

"Like?" Tara asked. Chad takes his finger and gently glides it against Tara's cheek. Tara closes her eyes enjoying the sensation of his touch. Chad smiles. She opens her eyes. Both stare at each other. Yeah there clearly is some attraction between them. Question is will Chad continue chasing Liv or will he decide to go for Tara who clearly likes him?