A/N: Hello, fellow readers. As I mentioned before, this is the portion from the previous chapter. Fear not, for things remain the same with clean editing and significant changes—shoutouts to Evolution-500 for helping me with the suggestions. Just sit back and enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Killer Instinct or Carrie. They belong to their respective owners.


As the sun sank in Chamberlain, Maine, the sky blushed red, and twinkling stars appeared. Under normal conditions, residents would enjoy Nature's splendor. Now, it was a distant memory. The Black Prom incident changed everything. Most planned to move out of fear while others stayed, confined to their homes.

Sue exited the house carrying a flashlight and a backpack. She checked her supplies for the treacherous journey she would take.

Rita remained at the door. "Are you sure about this? That girl might not be there anymore."

Sue scratched her head. "That's true."

"Is it possible to find anything?"

"Hard to say. The worst-case scenario? It's some joke, and a cop will tell me off. I want assurances that nothing sinister will come."

"Alright, but if anything happens, call me, okay?"

"I will." Sue strolled down the sidewalk, adjusting her backpack as Rita closed the door.


Memorial Park remained the same upon arrival except for the yellow tape. The lack of police officers surprised Sue.

I guess there isn't enough law enforcement in such a small town.

As Sue stepped forward, she paused, reflecting on the video.

With its taped-off entrance, Memorial Park resembled a stitched-up yawning mouth.

Despite her assurance that it might have been a hoax gone wrong, her trembling hand holding the flashlight betrayed her.

I think Rita was right to stay at home. Sue was about to depart when something light brushed her shoulder. Startled, she screamed and flashed her light at her intruder.

A young boy covered his face from the blinding light. "Sue, will you put that away?"

"What the… George?" She smacked his head after lowering her flashlight. "What the hell?"

"Ow! Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."

"What are you doing here?"

"I would ask you the same thing."

"Well…" Sue paused. How could she explain her reasons here? She rubbed her stomach to comfort her unborn baby. "I was planning to head home. I can't risk my child's safety."

"Sariel might agree."

"Who's Sariel?"

"Remember that student exchange program years ago? Sariel was the student we hosted in our senior year. He was from Japan. Tommy and I got to know him before Prom. Of course, he didn't attend. I spoke to him about the Memorial Park incident and asked if he could help. Sariel said he'd try before moving back once he sets his affairs in order."

"So you're escorting him? Because it looks like he agreed."

"Well…." His phone shuddered from his pants pocket while playing a catchy ringtone. George retrieved his phone and answered the call. "Hello?"

"Are you at Memorial Park?" an accented voice asked.

"Yeah, and so is Sue."

"'Sue?' As in the former Ultra member? From what you've told me, she's pregnant, right?"

"Yeah, she is. Why?"

"Can you tell her to leave?"

Before George could respond, Sue leaned in and said, "Not until I have answers."

The person on the other end sighed. "If you insist. I'll be there in five minutes."

"Alright, man." George hung up. "Well, I guess you're coming with us, Sue. Just stay close."

"Fine with me."

Minutes later, someone shouted as they spotted a boy approaching him. He wore a buttoned-up shirt and navy blue capris, giving him a classy and modern appearance. His eyes—one blue and one brown—set him apart from most Japanese people.

George shook hands with his friend. "Sariel, glad to see you."

"Likewise, and you must be Sue. George informed me about you."

Sue extended her hand. As Sariel gripped it, his two-toned eyes widened. "What's wrong?"

"Uh, sorry, I just…."

"Yeah?"

"Oh, nothing. We should move."

Sue knitted her brows while George gestured toward the entrance. Sighing, she followed Sariel, with George behind her. They slipped through the opening without ripping the tape.

The trio's footsteps echoed in the trail. Rustling leaves and owls hooting created an eerie symphony. The moon shone on their path, casting ominous shadows around them.

"This place is creepy," George remarked.

"Most places are," Sariel said. "So, I saw that unreleased 'Wrecked' episode on YouTube before it got taken down. As much as I pity their families, those boys should've never done something so stupid. Not only did they try to destroy that tombstone, but they also taunted an Onryō."

George stopped, as did Sue and Sariel. "What?"

"Wait, wait." Sue waved. "What's that?"

"They are spirits seeking revenge on the living," Sariel explained. "Driven by their anger, they can cause all kinds of havoc, from minor disturbances to disasters."

"Why would there be one here?" George asked.

"Good question." Sariel scratched his chin. "Was Chamberlain involved in slavery? Anything involving Asian immigrants?"

"I don't think so." While recalling her history classes, Sue noted Sariel was staring at her. "What?"

"You shouldn't be here."

"Why?"

"This is for your safety. Onryōs are erratic and irrational. They might target you because of your condition."

"Look, I appreciate your concern, but I'll manage. It's not an 'Oreo'-"

"Onryō," George corrected.

Sue flicked her wrist. "Whatever. This sick person is playing games. Once we find her, you'll see."

After falling silent, they resumed their trek.

Sue, however, couldn't shake off the horrible sensation. What are you thinking, Sue? You're with your friends looking for someone who murdered two people!

"What's bothering you?" George asked.

Sue cleared her throat. "Um, I… don't think it's safe for you two to be out this late."

"We're not leaving you here alone."

"This isn't a game. We're in a life-or-death situation, so take Sariel and leave!"

"We will not leave you behind."

"You stubborn—"

"Wait." Sariel pulled out two small brocade bags with long strings from his pocket. "Take these."

"What are they?"

"They're called Omamoris. They provide luck and protection," Sariel said. "I gave you and George the Ward Away Evil Charm. It protects anyone from disasters and evil, as stated. It keeps even the most violent spirits at bay." Sue almost opened the bag when he restrained her. "Don't open it."

"Why?"

"You will receive bad luck. Also, the protection will disappear. Do not open these charms."

Sue resisted rolling her brown eyes. The Black Prom incident, however, suggests she should have protection. "What's inside these?"

"Sutras or prayers on wood, paper, or metal. It'll protect you and your baby."

"Thank you." Sue wore the charm like a bracelet.

George followed suit, and the three continued their journey. After some time, they arrived at the Black Prom victims' burial site. While walking past, Sue grazed her fingers against the smooth marble until they stopped at Tommy's marker.

"Hi, Tommy. I told my parents about my pregnancy, and…" Sue sighed. "…They didn't take it well. Don't worry, though. I asked Rita to help me. I'm sorry for not saving you and Carrie, but I'll raise our daughter with love." She rested her palm against the stone, teary-eyed. "I miss you, babe."

The trio paid their respects to Tommy.

Sue kissed her index and middle fingers and pressed them against the inscription. "Goodbye, Tommy."

While passing rows of headstones, Sue scanned the names of her fallen classmates, grazing her fingertips against the slabs. When approaching Chris's marker, she stepped away.

Sariel stopped. "You won't touch this stone?"

"I'll never acknowledge the stone of a heartless murderer," Sue said, her tone cold.

Intrigued, Sariel approached the stone and placed his hand on it. Then, he paused, staring into space.

With furrowed brows, Sue tapped George's shoulder. "What's with him?"

"He says he is clairvoyant," George whispered. "He could sense a person's soul, living and dead, and peer into that soul's memories. I doubted him until he recounted memories I had forgotten. Even secrets I kept to myself."

Once Sariel returned to reality, he glared at the headstone. After that, he approached his friends, meeting Sue's eyes. "Now I understand why you veered away from your former best friend. Christina, or Chris, brought so much pain to many people–Carrie included. She may have escaped justice in this realm, but she's serving time in Hell."

Though shocked, Sue couldn't agree more with the boy's statement. "She had it coming. Let's keep moving."

After several minutes of walking, the trio reached Carrie's resting place.

"This is strange," Sariel said, eyebrows furrowed.

Sue blinked. "What is it?"

"I can sense the spirits here, but with Carrie, there's nothing."

"Do that thing you did before," George suggested. "Maybe it'll deepen that connection."

"Okay." As he moved closer, Sariel rested his palm on the chiseled name. As he entered his trance-like state, images flashed in his mind.

The Black Prom massacre in its entirety, followed by Carrie holding her dead mother, crying. More images passed by but were fleeting and difficult to identify. The closing image depicted a masked man in Buddhist robes with a striped tattoo.

Sariel tore himself away, groaning.

Sue checked the medium. "Hey, are you alright?"

Sariel massaged his temples, wincing from the pain. "Sorry. My abilities leave me headache-ridden whenever I use them. Give me a minute." He exhaled as the discomfort ebbed away. "I'm alright now." He scowled at the graffiti covering the slab. "We should clean this up."

"Well, none of us thought to bring cleaning supplies. Listen, we should—"

Sariel hushed her, motioning to a thick, oncoming mist. The haze seeped through the thicket and spilled into the burial site.

"It's coming." He held his Omamori. "The Onryō is coming."

Sue denied Sariel's claims until the fog encircled them. The coloration was off, like a pale grayish green. Once it covered the entire cemetery, a chill descended upon them. Her heart pounded in her chest as if expecting cardiac arrest. The air crackled with life, enough for Sue to half-expect sparks to fly.

Sariel pointed. "Look!"

Sue caught a faint watermark in the dense fog. A green light flashed, and a figure appeared.

The girl was young, about eighteen or nineteen. Yet, Sue quivered from the dangerous air around her. Stains and tatters adorned her clothes, giving her a shabby appearance. She carried a weapon: a naginata. Her black eyes were like a shark's—cold and empty.

The girl stared at Carrie's burial ground before turning her attention to the group, staggering toward them. Still eyeing them, the girl perched on a nearby marker. Her muddy feet swung near the ground.

"Should we run?" George uttered.

Sariel mouthed no. After motioning them to remain, he took cautious steps forward. In a non-threatening posture, Sariel sat on a headstone, facing the vengeful spirit. "Kon'nichiwa. Watashinonamaeha sarierudesu. Korera wa watashi no 2-ri no goeidesu: Sū to jōji. Anatahadare?"

After a moment of silence, the spirit spoke. "Namae o oboeteinai. Ōku no hito ga watashi o Hisako to yonda."

"Hisako?"

"Hai."

"What's she saying?" George asked.

"She doesn't remember her name," Sariel said, "but she calls herself Hisako. Hisako-san, nanishini kita no?"

With green energy shimmering, an animal-like snarl formed on her face. "Karera wa watashi no mura ni yattekimashita."

"Dare?"

Her snarl grew as her speech became vicious. "Heitai. Karera wa watashinokazoku o koroshimashita. Watashi no mura wa karera ga tsukutta kaji de moete imashita. Karera wa watashinokazoku no itai o yogoshimashita!" Her hands tightened on her naginata. "Karera wa jibun-tachi no tochi de mizuabi o shimashitaga, sarani mizu o abi tsudzukete imasu!"

As Hisako grew angry, her hair appeared to come alive, growing wilder and more untamed. Sariel raised a calming hand, soothing the enraged spirit.

Sue read the woman's body language as if she were about to break. "What's the matter? What did she tell you?"

"Soldiers came to her village and murdered her family. They even defiled their graves," Sariel said.

"What? When?"

"I'm… not sure, to be honest."

"What do you mean?"

"Hisako can't distinguish between the past and the present. It's like she's living both lives at once."

"So she doesn't know what's going on now or when she died?" George asked.

"Pretty much," Sariel said.

"This is absurd." Sue marched towards Hisako. "This charade ends now!"

"Sue, don't!" Sariel warned.

"Calm down. It's just a woman wearing a costume. I'll show—"

Hisako shrieked as she unhinged her jaw, revealing her pointed teeth. She darted toward Sue, moving like a spider.

Sue tumbled, raising her arms in defense. She braced herself for a beating, but it never came. Hisako stopped, her vacant eyes fixed on something. Peeking at the source, Sue gasped; the bagged charm Sariel gave her produced a dim light to stop the attack before it began.

The spirit studied the Omamori, her form flickering. She eyed Sue, like a predator denied of its food, while returning to her stone perch.

Sue kept her gaze on Hisako while George picked her up. "She—she's…."

"Easy, Sue, you're okay now."

"She's not human! Jesus, she's not human!"

Hisako tilted her chin with a toothy grin.

Sue shifted away, shuddering. "Sariel, ask it… ask it what it wants. Why is it here?"

Sariel repeated Sue's questions in Japanese. The spirit answered, her voice changing from mock human vocals to hisses and rasps. He listened, his brows knitting. "She was pursuing someone when she sensed a strange power emitting here."

"Power?" Sue froze. "Oh, my God."

"What?" George asked.

"Black Prom! She must've sensed Carrie's power and came here because of it!"

"But Carrie's dead! Wouldn't her power fade away or something?"

"No one knows how this… power works. It may take months or years for it to disappear."

"So, what does this mean for Chamberlain? If Carrie's abilities could draw things like her…." George motioned to Hisako. "…Then what else will it attract?"

Sue turned pale at the thought. The concept of dark and dangerous creatures wreaking havoc made her blood run cold. While massaging her temples, a wave of nausea crept inside her. Christ, this is worse than I imagined!

The spirit uttered again, drawing everyone's attention.

"What did she say?" Sue asked while Sariel listened. "Well?"

"She's confused about Carrie's grave. She can't detect her spiritual energy."

"What? N-no. That can't be right. Carrie is dead. Right?"

After a while, Sariel spoke. "I received strange visions when I used my ability on Carrie's marker. I can't say for certain what they mean, but this led me to believe that her body has not yet been recovered or is still alive."

The gang digested this news.

Could it be true? Sue covered her mouth. Was Carrie alive? If so, where is she?

A slight crack from Hisako snapped Sue out of her thoughts as she climbed off her perch. With her back towards the trio, a bright portal appeared before her.

When Sariel asked Hisako, the creature exchanged words and entered the entryway. She stopped mid-step, offering Sue her creepy smile, and conversed.

Sue held her charm while stepping back.

Once Hisako left, the smog curled into the portal, disappearing.

Sue stayed still as the cool air skimmed her sweat-covered face until she collapsed. She remained in darkness when a faint but clear voice called.

"Miss? Miss, are you okay?"

Sue stirred as her blurred vision cleared to reveal two police officers. One pointed a beam of light, forcing her to shield her eyes.

"Stay still," the man instructed. "I gotta check if you're injured."

Sue lay still while the cop checked for bumps or wounds. Then, he flashed the light to examine her pupils. Once finished, the man clicked it off. After that, he raised two fingers.

Sue replied, "Two."

He lifted another finger.

"Three."

He held up his thumb and pinky.

"Five."

He added four more fingers.

"Nine."

"No sign of a concussion. Good."

While sitting up, Sue pinched her nose. "What happened?"

"You fainted," the cop said. "You're lucky you didn't bang your head against these headstones. Hell, you're fortunate to be alive. This area is off-limits. I'm considering arresting the three of you for trespassing. What are you doing here?"

"It's my fault, Officer. We were playing a prank on her," Sariel said. "We thought it'd be funny to come here and pretend to be Carrie White's ghost. My fault for scaring you, Sue, though it was funny!"

The expectant mother scrunched her eyebrows until she got the message and pretended to huff. "Well, your stunt almost cracked my head, young man! Your mom will hear about this when we get home!"

"No, please, Sue!" George begged. "Don't tell our parents! We're sorry!"

The cop pressed his lips, checking his wristwatch. "Alright, listen. We'll let it slide, but no more night pranks here. Comprende?"

The boys bowed. "Yes, sir."

"Good. With that settled, you three should walk home."

"Sure thing." Sue rose. "Come on, you two."

As they departed, the police officer and his partner tilted their hats. "Have a great evening, ma'am."


George exhaled, wiping his brow as the trio left Memorial Park. "That was close. Awesome save there, Sariel."

"No problem."

Sue became silent as they walked the midnight road, her mind processing the event. They passed underneath the street lamps, hearing their electrical hum.

"Hey, you good?" George asked.

"No. Far from it." Every nerve in Sue's body tingled during the experience. "To think something like that is…."

"Yeah. It almost makes you wonder what else is out there. Why did it leave?"

"She said she wanted to pursue the hunt," Sariel said.

Sue's mind flashed to Hisako's horrible smile at the mention of that word. She drew deep, slow breaths, trying to shut it out. "Sariel?"

"Yes?"

"Hisako said something to me. What was it?"

Sariel paused, squinting. "Until we meet again."

Sue shivered, not looking forward to that encounter. "Let's go home."


A/N: Hmm... so our trio knows that Carrie might be alive. However, how long will everyone else learn the truth? I'll let my brain rest, so I'll see you later.