The morning sun cast a warm glow over Pallet Town as Ash Ketchum and his friends made their way to school. Ash was his usual energetic self, walking hand in hand and chatting with his girlfriend of one year May Maple. Beside him, Brock and Misty walked together, while Drew and Gary trailed behind, discussing their plans ready for a drunk-filled weekend.
As they approached the school gates, they noticed an unusual number of police cars parked outside. A crowd of students and teachers had gathered, their faces marked with expressions of shock and confusion.
"What's going on?" Ash asked, quickening his pace.
"I have a bad feeling about this," May said, her voice barely above a whisper.
The group pushed through the crowd to the front, where they saw Officer Jenny speaking with Principal Oak. Her usually composed demeanor was now filled with visible distress.
"Please, everyone, return home. School is canceled for today," Principal Oak announced, trying to maintain calm.
Brock's heart pounded in his chest. "What's happened, Officer Jenny?"
Officer Jenny turned to them, her eyes reflecting a deep sorrow. "I'm afraid there's been a tragedy. Dawn... Dawn was found dead this morning. It appears to be a murder."
The words hit Ash like a punch to the gut. "Dawn? No... it can't be..."
Gary clenched his fists. "Who did this?"
"We're investigating," Officer Jenny said. "But for now, everyone needs to go home. Please."
The group reluctantly left the school grounds, their minds reeling from the news. Dawn had been one of their closest friends, always cheerful and full of life. The idea that someone had taken her life was unbearable.
The sun was setting over Pallet Town, casting a golden glow over the small town. Ash, Gary, May, Brock, Drew, and Misty sat together in a circle on the hill overlooking the school, a place where they often met to talk and relax. Today, however, their faces were somber, their hearts heavy with the loss of their friend, Dawn.
"It's hard to believe she's gone," May said quietly, breaking the silence.
Misty nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. "I keep expecting her to be sitting here with that big smile of hers, talking about the last book she read."
Brock placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Dawn had a way of brightening up the room. She was always so full of life and energy."
Gary sighed, looking down at the ground. "She was more than just a bookworm. She was a great friend. Always there to lend a hand or offer a word of encouragement."
May wiped away a tear. "I remember when I was failing in Biology class. Dawn sat with me for hours, helping me see where I went wrong and how I could improve. She never gave up on anyone."
Brock, who often kept his emotions in check, was uncharacteristically quiet. He finally spoke, his voice thick with emotion. "She had this incredible spirit. She never let anything get her down, who would wanna murder her?"
Drew looked at his friends, seeing the pain in their eyes. "Whoever wanted to take her life must have done it for a good reason."
Misty suddenly stopped crying and looked at Drew in disgust. "How the fuck could you say that Drew? She was your friend too, She did nothing wrong!."
Before Misty could go any further May suddenly got in the way of both of them preventing a much heated fight.
¨It's okay Misty¨ May said trying to calm her down. ¨I'm sure Drew didn't mean it in a bad way, let's allow him to explain.¨ May said as she wrapped Misty in a much needed hug.
Drew smirked awkwardly. "Don't get me wrong I'm upset about losing her but somebody planned for this to happen, I mean she was murdered in cold blood but why?"
Ash broke the silence. "Look we´re all shocked about what happened here Drew but we have no answers to that right now, all we can do is celebrate her life now unfortunately."
Gary nodded. "She had this way of making everyone feel special, like they could achieve anything they set their mind to."
May's eyes sparkled with a mixture of sadness and fondness. "It's not fair but we promise Dawn you will always be in our hearts forever!"
As May let her tears roll down her face Ash wrapped her in a hug. The rest of the gang proceeded to wrap one another in a group hug knowing that although it was a bad day, Dawn will always be remembered as the light that guided all of them.
That night, after a long day of grieving, the Maple residence was quiet when she arrived. Her parents were out for the evening, and her younger brother, Max, was staying over at a friend's house. She had the place to herself, a rare and welcome opportunity to relax and unwind.
May was getting ready for bed when her phone rang, breaking the stillness. She frowned, glancing at the clock. It was nearly midnight. Who could be calling at this hour?
She picked up the phone and saw an unknown number flashing on the screen. With a mixture of curiosity and caution, she answered.
"Hello?"
There was a pause, then a voice she didn't recognize spoke, low and menacing. "Hello, May. What's your favorite scary movie?"
May's blood ran cold. "Who is this?"
"That's not important," the voice continued, ignoring her question. "What's important is that you're in danger."
Fear gripped her. "What do you want?"
"I want to play a game," the voice said, a sinister edge to its tone. "Answer my questions correctly, and you might just live through the night."
May's heart pounded in her chest. "This isn't funny."
"Who is this?" May demanded, trying to keep her voice steady.
"What's your favorite scary movie?" the voice asked, ignoring her question.
"Is this some kind of joke?" May's heart began to race. She had seen enough scary movies to recognize the eeriness of the situation.
"Do I sound like I'm joking? You know Dawn thought the same exact thing." The voice was now colder, more menacing.
"It was you.. You killed her! Seriously, who is this?" she repeated, her eyes darting around the room, suddenly feeling very alone.
" A scary night don't you think? With the sudden murder it's like something out of a horror movie. Do you want to play a game, May?" The voice continued, almost mocking.
"No, I don't," she replied, her voice trembling. "I don't know who you are, but I'm hanging up."
"If you hang up on me you´ll die just like your stupid friend!" the voice threatened.
May's blood ran cold. She slowly turned to look behind her, but there was nothing there. Her hands shook as she gripped the phone tighter.
"What do you want?" she whispered.
"I want to know what scares you, May. What keeps you up at night?" Ghostface's voice was calm, almost amused.
"This isn't funny," she said, feeling a mix of fear and anger. "I'm calling the police."
"Go ahead, they´ll never make it in time but who knows? I might go after that little orange haired bitch next or maybe even your little boyfriend!" Ghostface challenged. "But remember, I'm closer than you think."
May's mind raced. She needed to stay calm and think. "Why are you doing this?"
"Because it's fun," the voice replied simply. "And because you're my next target."
A loud knock on the bedroom window made her jump. She glanced around the room, desperately searching for something to defend herself with. The phone slipped from her grasp and clattered to the floor. She took a deep breath, calming herself, and crept towards the window. Peeking through the curtains, she saw an all too familiar face.
"Ash?" she whispered, relief flooding her voice. She unlocked the door and pulled it open. "What are you doing here?"
Ash stepped inside, looking around the room with a wary expression. "I heard there was trouble," he said, his voice low. "Thought you might need some help."
May couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Ash's sudden appearance was too convenient. She studied his face, trying to discern his true intentions.
"How did you know I was in trouble?" she asked, crossing her arms.
Ash gave her a lopsided grin. "I've got my sources," he said cryptically. He walked over to the fallen phone and picked it up. "Ghostface, huh? The one who.. Murdered Dawn?"
May frowned. "How do you know that?"
Ash shrugged, his grin widening. "It's all over the news, they even have a description of the killer. White mask and black robes. Usually the phone calls symbolize the end. "
A chill ran down May's spine. Could Ash be involved somehow? Rumors will not solve anything but how could he have been here so fast?
"Why are you really here, Ash?" she demanded.
I had a feeling you were alone tonight so I knew I had to come check up on you.¨ Ash said, sounding hesitantly.
May's heart pounded in her chest. She looked at Ash, who was watching her intently. Her mind raced, trying to figure out what to do. Should she trust him, or was he part of Ghostface's twisted game?
"May," Ash said softly, taking a step closer. "I promise, I'm here to help you."
May's mind raced, the eerie echo of Ghostface's laugh still lingered in her ears. Ash stood there, his presence both comforting and suspicious. She needed to get out, to find safety, to think. She couldn't trust anyone right now, not even Ash.
"I'm sorry, Ash," she said, backing away towards the door. "But I need to go."
Ash's eyes darkened. "May, you have to believe me. I'm not Ghostface. I'm here to help you."
She shook her head, her voice trembling. "I can't take that chance."
Before Ash could respond, May darted out of her house, sprinting down the hallway. She didn't look back, her only goal was to reach the police station a few blocks away. Her footsteps echoed in the empty streets, each step a reminder of the danger she was in.
Finally, she burst through the doors of the police station, breathless and terrified. An officer at the front desk looked up, concern etched on his face.
"Miss, are you okay?" he asked, standing up.
May nodded, trying to catch her breath. "I need to report a crime. Ghostface...he's after me."
The officer's expression grew serious. "Come with me." He led her to a small room where another officer, Detective Martinez, sat behind a desk.
"Detective, this is May. She says Ghostface is after her."
Martinez looked up, his eyes sharp and attentive. "Tell me everything," he said, motioning for her to sit.
May recounted the night's events, from the chilling phone call to Ash's sudden appearance. She described her fear and her doubts, how she wasn't sure if she could trust Ash.
Martinez listened carefully, his fingers steepled under his chin. When she finished, he leaned back in his chair. "You did the right thing coming here, May. We'll look into this. But I need you to stay here for your own safety."
May nodded, relief washing over her. She finally felt safe, if only for a moment. Martinez stood up and left the room, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
A few minutes later, the door opened again. To her shock, Ash walked in, escorted by two officers. His hands were cuffed behind his back, his expression a mix of anger and betrayal.
"May, why?" he demanded, his voice strained. "I told you I'm not Ghostface."
Detective Martinez stepped in behind him, his face grim. "We found him lurking outside the station. Do you recognize him, May?"
She swallowed hard, her heart aching with doubt and fear. "Yes, that's Ash."
Martinez nodded to the officers. "Take him to the holding cell."
As they led Ash away, he turned back to look at her. "May, please, you have to believe me. I would never hurt you."
Tears welled up in her eyes, but she remained silent. She didn't know what to believe anymore. All she knew was that she was caught in a nightmare, one where trust was a luxury she couldn't afford.
Hours passed, and May sat in the station, waiting for news. The tension was palpable, every sound making her jump. Finally, Martinez returned, a folder in his hand.
"We've got some news," he said, sitting down across from her. "We checked Ash's alibi. He's clear. He was miles away when the first call came in. Someone is trying to frame him."
May's heart sank. She had doubted him, and now she felt a pang of guilt. "What do we do now?"
How's that for a cliffhanger? I hope my second chapter was good enough to get you all to want more. Just want to remind everyone that I do not own Pokemon or the movie Scream. I am really excited to keep this going. My main goal is to have this story be at least 10 chapters. Until next time.