Tales of Amity Park's Graveyard
Chapter 15: Party Tricks
Jazz Fenton sighed as she gazed out the window on a beautiful, sunny day. Despite the lovely scenery of trees passing by, she couldn't shake the feeling of being a worm. She was sitting in the backseat of Dash Baxter's car, arms crossed defensively over her chest. She had reluctantly agreed to join this trip, solely because Dash had promised to stop bullying her younger brother, Danny, if she did. After enduring months of torment, Jazz couldn't pass up the chance to protect her sibling. However, being in the same car as his bully felt like a betrayal. Thankfully, she wasn't alone with Dash. The group consisted of him, his on-and-off girlfriend Paulina, and a few of their friends, totaling ten people. Jazz was the odd one out and she knew it. She was intelligent, well-endowed, and had no interest in being part of the popular crowd. The redhead didn't bother learning their names as she was sure they would never speak to each other afterward.
"Who celebrates a birthday in the middle of fucking nowhere."- Jazz thought.
They were heading towards a secluded cabin deep in the woods, which belonged to Dash's father. His girlfriend thought it would be the perfect location for a wild birthday celebration. The redhead couldn't help but roll her eyes at the thought of spending time in a cramped cabin with a rowdy group of teenagers. She didn't belong with these materialistic and insincere teens. Jazz felt more at ease in her own room, surrounded by her books and school projects. She knew Dash had always been interested in her, even though he had a girlfriend it didn't stop him from flirting with her, and this only intensified her dislike for him. However, she planned to use it to her advantage and make him stop pestering her brother. As they drove closer to the remote cabin, Jazz couldn't shake off the unease in her stomach. She had a premonition that something was not right about this trip, but she couldn't pinpoint the cause. Perhaps it was the company she was in, or maybe it was the eerie quietness of the woods that seemed to be creeping closer. Whatever the reason, Jazz couldn't wait for this trip to be over.
After what felt like hours, they finally made a pit stop at a gas station to fuel up. Jazz was relieved to get out of the car and took the opportunity to stretch her legs and get some fresh air. She could feel the tension rising in the group, as everyone seemed to be on edge, most likely for the long car trip. Dash and his girlfriend Paulina were bickering about some nonsense, while the rest of the group just stood around awkwardly. Jazz couldn't help but feel like an outsider, and she was counting down the minutes until they reached the cabin and she could escape to the safety of her own thoughts. Jazz rolled her eyes before examining the gas station, it had seen better days, the pumps were decades old and the paint was peeling off the walls. She could see a small convenience store attached to the side of the station.
"Ugh, can we please just get back on the road? I don't want to waste any more time at this boring gas station."- Paulina rolled her eyes, already frustrated with the car trip.
"Hey, we need to fill up the tank."- Dash replied as he started to pump some gas.
"Actually, I could use a snack."- Jazz suddenly interjected, she was more used to long road trips. "Does anyone else want anything?"- she added trying to be friendly. But the group remained quiet, unsure if to take her offer up.
"I'll just grab something for myself then."- Jazz retorted as she headed to the old shop.
"Can you at least hurry up? I don't want to be stuck here forever."- Paulina said while snapping her fingers.
"I'll bring you a can of Fuck you"- Jazz shot back while flipping the Latina off. "Don't know what Danny sees in that obnoxious slut." She added.
"Hey, let's all just relax. We're almost at the cabin and then we can all unwind."- Dash said trying to take command.
As she wandered around the aisles, she couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia. The shelves were stocked with all the classic road trip snacks, from beef jerky to chips and soda. Jazz was surprised to find a bag of her favorite chips in the middle of nowhere, the bag was a little dusty but gave it no mind as she made her way to the counter to pay. The cashier, was most unusual, dressed in a long black robe, his face hidden behind the hood, and yet Jazz didn't mind at all as she pulled out her wallet, she had seen all manner of eccentric people back in Amity Park. It was then that Dash and his "friends" walked inside the store wanting to buy some snacks and perhaps use the bathroom. Jazz couldn't help but feel a sense of dread wash over her. But as she watched him and his friends make their way through the store, she noticed something different. They were all laughing and joking, no longer walking on eggshells.
"Oh my gosh, my favorite chips! I can't believe you have them here."- Jazz said as he put the bag and a soda on the counter.
"Ah, yes. Our selection may be limited, but we try to cater to everyone's cravings."- the Grim Reaper said with a deep ghostly voice
She was most surprised to see her drink and snacks were only one dollar and ninety-nine cents, truly a steal for being so out in the middle of nowhere, she couldn't help but blurt out that she would need the extra energy if she wanted to endure the car ride further up the woods and even more if she wanted to survive the night at the cabin, she was staying with her "friends." The Grim Reaper looked at the young redhead, his face nothing more than a black void, but he was clearly intrigued by her mention of friends and a cabin in the woods. Jazz quickly realized her mistake, knowing that she probably shouldn't be sharing her plans with the first person who asked her. She nervously laughed it off, trying to brush off the awkwardness that suddenly filled the air.
"Sounds like the beginning of a horror movie."- the reaper said as he scanned the items.
"Yeah, I guess it does. But it's actually for a birthday celebration. Some guy's birthday."- Jazz continued with the conversation.
"Is it your crush's birthday?"- the reaper said. "Not many would travel so far just for a birthday."- he added.
"Ew, no. I hate that guy. He… bullies my little brother."- the redhead confessed.
"Oh, I see. Then why are you going to his party?"- the reaper asked most intrigued.
"I made a deal with him. He promised to leave my brother alone if I went to his stupid party."- Jazz sighs loudly as she makes her confession.
"And is he expecting something kinky at the party?"- the grim reaper taunted.
"Oh my God, no! Just the damn party and nothing more. I would never do anything like that with him. It would be the most disgusting thing ever."- Jazz declared, visibly disgusted.
Jazz was most grossed out by the implication, there was no way in hell she would ever do something like that with Dash off all people, the sheer thought disgusted her but she was no fool and had to take certain precautions to avoid getting into a compromising situation. he had made the deal with Dash, reluctantly, to protect her brother. He had been relentlessly harassed and bullied by Dash and his gang for weeks now and Jazz couldn't take it anymore. Her brother was her everything and she couldn't bear to see him miserable. So, when Dash approached her with the deal, she saw it as an opportunity to put an end to her brother's suffering. She knew it was a risky move, Jazz couldn't help but feel a sense of dread and regret. She had never been to one of Dash's parties before, she skipped the last invite.
"Ah, true sibling love."- Jazz wasn't sure if the reaper was joking or being serious.
"Yeah, I would do anything for my brother."- The redhead said. "I'd rather sleep with him than with that jerk."- she jokingly said. The Grim Reaper chuckled at the pun.
"Well, I can assure you that it will be a night to remember."- Death replied, his voice most sinister.
"Yeah, right. I just hope I survive the night without killing Dash."- Jazz continued as she waved her hand and walked away. She rolled her eyes as she saw Dash looking at the beers in the fridge. As she walked out of the store noticed a young biker leaning against his motorcycle. Jazz had never been drawn to the bad boy stereotype but couldn't take her eyes off him. messy blonde hair, a long grey coat, and a mischievous glint in his eyes.
(XXXX)
Dash was busy trying to pick some road snack while his friends looked around the store, there was something about the cashier that he didn't like one bit yet chose to ignore it. It was then that he dropped a chocolate bar after seeing Jazz outside talking to some biker, his jaw dropped upon seeing her mounting the motorcycle and pretending to ride it. Dash knew she was always talking to creepy guys at school, he recalled seeing her give a pep talk to some loser with a mohawk and a bunch of tattoos. He couldn't understand why she was interested in them; they were nothing but trouble. But then again, Jazz was always drawn to the creepy and weird types. It was only after making sure that the biker was alone and didn't have any kind of gang tags that he stormed out, his fists clenched and his face red with anger.
"What the hell do you think you're doing, talking to this loser?"- Dash spat at Jazz.
"Relax, Dash. This is Johnny 13 and he's on his way to a bike rally."- The redhead replied.
Dash pulled the redhead off the motorcycle and tried to glare Johnny down but failing miserably, the blond hair biker just smirked and took a step closer to Jazz, causing Dash to flinch. It was then that the biker pulled out a huge hunting knife from behind and brandished it in front of Dash's face. Jazz could see the fear in Dash's eyes as he turned pale like a piece of paper. Still, to their surprise, Johnny also produced a soda bottle from his leather saddle bags and used the knife to pull off the tap impressing Jazz as he spun the blade around his finger before putting the blade away and handing the drink to Jazz. Feeling slightly uncomfortable with the situation, Jazz took the drink, thanked the biker, and shoved Dash back into the car. She could feel Dash's eyes burning into her back as she climbed into the car. She couldn't understand why he was so angry. But she pushed the encounter with Johnny to the back of her mind and tried to enjoy the rest of the trip.
However, as they drove through the winding roads of the countryside, Jazz couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched. She glanced back and saw the biker, Johnny 13 following them on his motorcycle, it wasn't strange as this was the only road leading to anywhere. She quickly turned her attention back to the road, trying to ignore the creeping sense of unease. She couldn't understand why the biker was following them, they had a pleasant conversation before Dash came with his macho bravado and ruined everything. Did he have some sort of grudge against him? Or was this the way to his biker rally? Jazz didn't give it much though and put on her headphones to drown out the shallow conversation between the group. She just wanted to get to their destination and forget about the strange encounter. She then noticed Johnny got off at the intersection.
As they drove deeper into the woods, the atmosphere became more and more unsettling. The trees seemed to close in around them, casting ominous shadows over the car. Jazz's unease grew when she noticed that they were the only cars on the road for miles. After what felt like an eternity, they finally arrived at the remote cabin. As Jazz stepped out of the car and took in her surroundings, she couldn't help but feel a chill run down her spine. The cabin was far from the dilapidated and rundown estate she was expecting for such a remote location, instead, it was surprisingly well-maintained. Two-story tall, with a modern exterior and a stone stair leading to the main entrance, Dash eagerly pushed her forward. At the same time, his friends unpacked the car, Jazz hated to admit it but the place was charming, to say the least, like the perfect resort for a romantic getaway which grossed her out. Inside, the cabin was just as stunning, with a spacious open floor plan and large windows that allowed natural light to flood in. But the eerie silence that filled the cabin only added to Jazz's unease. She couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched.
As the afternoon went on, Jazz found a room for herself that she didn't have to share with the other girls and thankfully not with Dash, had the latter been the case she would walk back to Amity Park no matter how long it took her. She was grateful for the chance to have some space and peace, away from the annoying chatter of Dash and his friends. But even in her solitude, she couldn't stop thinking about the biker. She didn't fall for the silly bad boy trope like many of her peers, though had to admit that he found him charming. Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard footsteps approaching her room followed by a knock. She tensed up, wondering if it was Dash coming to bother her. But to her surprise, upon opening the door, she saw Paulina Sanchez wearing a pink robe and matching slippers, she looked at the redhead with disdain, the two never had a proper conversation in the past, yet Jazz knew her brother had a crush on her for some ungodly reason and Paulina was aware that her boyfriend Dash had a crush on Jazz. It was a strange situation and the redhead didn't want to be part of any drama.
"I don't know what are you doing here, Jazz. This is my boyfriend's birthday party."- The Latina spoke with her condescending voice.
"It's not like I want to be here, but I was invited."- Jazz replied while trying to stay calm.
"Invited? By who? Dash?"- Paulina fired back.
Jazz reassured Paulina that Dash had extended a personal invitation to her, and she had not wormed her way into the party like she suspected many other girls had done before. However, Jazz refrained from divulging any unnecessary details about her encounter with Dash. In response, Paulina revealed that she was aware of Dash's interest in her, but Jazz vehemently denied it. She simply wanted to blend in, keep a low profile, and try to have a good time at the party. The last thing on her mind was to bond with Dash and his cronies, who seemed to be more interested in showing off their popularity and by the look of things, wealth, than actually celebrating his birthday. Jazz could understand why Paulina was being so hostile toward her. Her boyfriend just invited the girl he had a crush on to his party, any girl would be on the defensive in this situation. But Jazz had no interest in Dash, not even being friends with him, and she hoped that Paulina would eventually see that. She didn't want to cause any trouble or drama, especially on Dash's special day. Jazz just wanted to enjoy the party
"Fine, just sit on the corner or something and don't say a word."- Paulina demanded as she looked at the redhead straight in the eyes. "Oh, I have a surprise for you, Jazz."- she added before tossing a small plastic bag.
"What is this?"- Jazz asked most confused.
"It's a bikini. We got a dress code for the pool party."- Paulina replied smirking.
"Pool party? No one told me the party was at the pool."- the redhead spoke, anger starting to rise.
"Well, now you know. And you better hurry up and change. I can't wait to see you in that bikini."- Paulina replied with a mocking attitude as she walked away.
"This is too small. It barely covers anything."- Jazz whispered as she pulled out the bikini.
Jazz couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right about the deal she had made with Dash. Attend the party and that's it? It seemed too good to be true. But as she stood in front of the mirror, wearing the skimpy one-piece outfit Paulina had given her, she realized there was a catch. The thin strings barely covered anything, and it was far too revealing for her modest taste, she might as well be naked at this point. She had been to the beach with her family countless times and had never seen anyone wear something so daring. It was too embarrassing to wear, and she couldn't help but feel uncomfortable in it. She had only agreed to attend the party, nothing more. But now, wearing this outfit, she couldn't help but wonder if Dash had other intentions. Did he expect something to happen between them later that night? She looked at the bed and felt disgusted at the thought. Was this all part of Dash's plan, to see her in this revealing outfit and then make a move on her? She couldn't help but wonder if he was hoping she would succumb to peer pressure. After all, it was just herself, Dash, and his friends.
The redhead cautiously approached the backyard, where the pool and party were in full swing. She took a glance out the window before stepping outside, fearful that it all might be a sick prank. To her relief, a few other girls were also sporting similar outfits, but she still felt out of place. Jazz couldn't help but resent Dash for putting her in this uncomfortable situation. She knew he had a reputation for being a player, and she didn't want to become another one of his conquests. As she made her way towards the pool, she could feel the judgmental stares from a couple of girls as they made their way into the lukewarm water. She couldn't blame them; she was the odd one out among the group of ten party-goers, which included only four boys. Jazz felt even more out of place as she only knew Dash, his girlfriend Paulina, and another girl named Star who seemed to be superglued to the Latina. It was clear that the others were all popular football players and cheerleaders, while she was just a quiet bookworm.
"Hey Jazz, you look like you could use a drink." Dash Baxter said, holding out a can of beer towards her.
"No, thanks, I'm good."- Jazz replied, the last thing she wanted was to be drunk around Dash while wearing a couple of strings that past as a swimsuit.
"Come on, live a little." He persisted, a mischievous glint in his eyes. Jazz couldn't help but feel his gaze lingering on her barely covered body, making her feel self-conscious.
"I'll pass, but thanks for the offer." Jazz said, trying to keep her voice steady as she quickly walked away from him.
Jazz could hear the sound of his chuckling behind her, and she couldn't resist the urge to roll her eyes. She knew exactly where his gaze was fixed, further adding to her belief that he was nothing more than a pig. She scolded herself for accepting Dash's invitation to this party. She knew it was a mistake, but she couldn't bring herself to say no. After all, he had promised to stop bullying her younger brother. Although she didn't regret her decision, she couldn't help but wish she had stayed at home, curled up with a good book instead of being here, feeling like an outsider. Sitting on the edge of the pool, Jazz dipped her feet in the water, it was a small party with some light music, more like a group of friends hanging out than a party, her gaze soon fell upon Dash and Paulina cuddled in a corner, halfway submerged in the water, whispering sweet nothings to each other. Jazz was sure that it was a pathetic attempt to make her jealous. Jazz decided to play along and turned her attention to a tall, muscular black teen who was nearby. She moved closer to him with a coy smile, the girl ignored the feeling of being objectified as she knew the first thing, he noticed wasn't her piercing blue eyes or her long, sparkly red hair, but her ample breasts floating in the water. They exchanged pleasantries and learned his name, Jamal.
It didn't take long for Dash to approach the couple, clearly annoyed. Jazz couldn't help but smirk, enjoying the sight of Dash fuming with jealousy. Jamal, on the other hand, seemed unfazed by Dash's presence, both were rather imposing figures which only added to Jazz's amusement. She couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction, knowing that Dash's attempts to make her jealous had backfired. Jazz and Jamal continued to chat, laughing and joking together, completely ignoring Dash causing him to storm off in a fit of rage. Jazz couldn't contain her laughter as she watched him leave, it was then that Jamal offered to get her a drink, the two then got out of the pool, and the colored teen couldn't help but gulp down as he looked at Jazz's body, far curvier than any of the girls at the party.
Dash felt a pang of jealousy as he watched Jamal's hand casually rest on Jazz's lower back as they walked towards the bar. But his inner macho kicked in and got out of the pool much to his girlfriend's dislike. However, as he approached the bar, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of insecurity as he saw Jazz and Jamal laughing and almost flirting with each other. His eyes then set over the soda bottle and the machete next to the bar, an idea down on him. Dash yanked the soda off Jamal's hand slid the blade off the counter and playfully aimed it at the couple who were now staring at him in shock. Jazz's eyes widened as she saw the dangerous game Dash was playing, but before she could even say anything, Dash put the sharp end just under the soda cap while both items were around for everyone to see. Jazz knew what he was up to, trying to emulate the same trick the biker did. She rolled her eyes and let out a small chuckle, knowing that Dash's attempt to impress her only made her realize how childish and insecure he could be at times. She turned to Jamal, who was now looking at Dash with a mix of confusion and amusement.
"Check this out guys, you're gonna love it."- Dash declared.
He put the long blade on the bottle's neck and slashed upwards but the cap remained in its place, he repeated but failed again causing his friends and Jazz to start giggling. Frustrated, Dash tried again though this time the machete slipped off his hand and landed on the floor. Jazz got to it first, she took the soda and casually uncapped the bottle with a single swing. The teen turned red with anger as he yanked the blade of her hand and another soda, this time determined to prove he could do it. But he swung too hard and broke the bottle, blood dripped down his hand and onto the floor. Jazz's laughter died down as she saw the injury, her face turned serious as she grabbed his hand and tried to clean the wound with a clothe but Dash angrily pulled his hand away and stormed into the cabin followed by Paulina, the party was over after that.
(XXXX)
Even though the party boy was no longer present, everyone stayed at the pool ignoring Jazz except for Jamal who took a great liking to her. It was through him that she learned a few names, there was Mike a short bulky boy with a buzzcut manning the grill, then came Kwan who was Dash's best friend, Jamel then pointed over to a group of four girls, all cheerleaders who had a brunet, two blondes and an Asian girl with black hair named Jessica, Stacy, Barbie, and Lucy, though Jazz was unsure of who was who except for the last one. Jamal's hand rested on her shoulder as he laughed at a joke he only understood, Jazz couldn't help but smile at his infectious laughter. But her thoughts kept wandering back to Dash, she couldn't help but feel guilty for ruining his party and causing him to storm off. But then recalled he was an asshole that ruined many parties with his obnoxious behavior.
The group quickly disbanded as soon as it became dark, normally they would carry the party until late in the night but the road trip to the cabin had taken a toll on them and Dash's little accident had killed the mood. Jazz looked over at the jacuzzi which Paulina and her friends had hugged for themselves, it felt like a waste to go inside the cabin without using it at least once, so she took a hotdog and dipped inside. The sensation was amazing, it was then that she noticed Jamal standing a few feet away from her holding a few sodas in his hand having taken notice of her dislike for beer. Jazz was sure that he wanted to come in and "chat." He was a nice guy but she wasn't looking for any company, especially not from a guy who seemed to have his agenda. She hardly knew the jock and didn't want to give him false hopes.
"Oh, hey Jamal. What's up?"- Jazz asked having a faint idea already.
"Hey, Jazz. I was just passing by and thought I'd bring you something to drink"- the tall jock offered as he showed a few sodas and a bag of chips.
"That's sweet of you, but I'm actually busy right now."- Jazz tried to dismiss him. She didn't feel comfortable being alone with a teen she hardly knew anything about, especially with her current wears.
"Oh, come on. I just wanted to chat with you for a bit."- Jamal insisted, a sly smile on his face as he dipped into the jacuzzi while putting his arm over the redhead's shoulder.
"I don't know, Jamal. I have a lot on my mind right now."- Jazz looked away as the teen leaned in closer.
"That's okay, I don't mind listening. And who knows, maybe we can have some fun while we're at it."- the jock made his intentions more than clear.
"Excuse me?"- the redhead replied clearly offended by the implication.
"You know, we can have some alone time and see where things go. I've been wanting to get to know you better."- Jamal pressured.
"Look, Jamal. I appreciate the gesture, but I'm not interested in whatever you're trying to imply. We barely know each other."- Jazz retorted with a firm voice.
"Are you sure? I can show you a good time."- the jock leans in even closer, just an inch away from her nose. "We can get to know each other better."- He continued.
A sudden bloodcurdling scream boomed across the cabin, making both teens jump on their spots. The scream came from the living room, and without a moment's doubt rushed towards the origin followed by Jamal, both found Paulina sitting on the ground shaking uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face. Jazz slowly looks into the living room and gasps at the horrible sight, Dash Baxter is sitting on the single couch with a huge slash on his neck, blood permeating his clothes. Panic and fear took over as the teens realized that someone had murdered Dash in cold blood. The rest of the party-goers arrived within seconds; Paulina clutched to her best friend Star who watched in a panic state at the lifeless body. There was no denying the jock was an insufferable prick but he didn't deserve to die… well maybe…
All nine party-goers looked at each other in confusion and terror wondering if there was a killer on the loose, there had to be one, Dash was murdered. The girls except for Jazz quickly took their phones out and tried calling the authorities but being so deep in the woods prevented them from having a signal, nevertheless, there was the landline, which alone was enough to contact the sheriff but his arrival would take several hours. The redhead looked with shock and disgust at the gaping wound, a clean cut, as if done by a sharp blade, with no sign of struggle or hesitation. She could feel the panic rising in the room as all gathered around the body, trying to make sense of what had just happened. Her mind raced with questions and theories, could it have been the biker with whom Dash almost got into a fight? Or could it be one of them?
They were all invited to the party, but who would have a motive to kill Dash? He was the popular jock, loved by all, but also known for his arrogance and bullying ways. Jazz couldn't help but think that maybe someone had enough of Dash's cruel ways and decided to take matters into their own hands. But who was it? Weren't they all friends? The thought of a murderer in their midst sent chills down Jazz's spine. She looked around at the other party-goers, trying to read their expressions for any signs of guilt or fear. But everyone seemed genuinely shocked and scared, just like herself.
"He was murdered and I know who did it."- Paulina declared, her voice shaking with anger and grief. "It was Jazz!"- the Latina pointed over to the young redhead.
"What? That's ridiculous!"- Jazz exclaimed, her voice rising in disbelief. "I would never do something like that!"- she added as everyone looked at her with fear, anger, or confusion.
But Paulina wasn't convinced. She pointed out that Jazz had a clear motive for killing Dash. He had always bullied and humiliated Danny, Jazz's younger brother ever since the start of the school year. She believed that Jazz had finally snapped and taken revenge on Dash, most likely finding him distracted and slicing his neck from behind like a coward. The redhead vehemently denied the accusation, stating that she was outside in the jacuzzi with her new friend Jamal when they heard Paulina's scream. Jamal quickly backed her claims. She even showed that they were both still wet from the water.
"Being wet doesn't prove anything!"- Paulina countered; her voice filled with anger. "It just means you had the chance to wash off the blood!"- the cheerleader continued.
"Or maybe we were just in the jacuzzi like I said. We heard you scream and came running."- Jazz's voice was rising up.
"You expect me to believe that? You're always trying to get back at Dash for what he did to your brother. This was the perfect opportunity for you."-
"I didn't like the guy but that doesn't mean I wanted him dead."- Jazz replied sternly. And let's not forget that you were the one who found the body. You could have done it and then pretended to find him."- All eyes shifted to the cheerleader. Out of nowhere, Kwan suddenly struck Mike across the face as hard as he could accusing him of being the killer.
"You were always jealous of Dash. You always wanted to be the star quarterback and he was always in your way."- Kwan yelled, his face red with rage.
Mike stumbled back, shocked and confused. Everyone was now accusing each other, pointing fingers, and trying to shift blame. The once close-knit group was now torn apart by suspicion and fear. Paulina couldn't believe what was happening. She had thought they were all friends, but now it seemed like they were all capable of murder. She couldn't help but wonder who was really behind the death of Dash and if they would ever find out the truth. The once peaceful cabin was now filled with tension and doubt, and Paulina couldn't shake the feeling of dread. She looked over at Jazz who had a shocked expression drawn across her face, she then looked at Kwan and Mike who started to trade blows and strikes. It was like they were two completely different people, consumed by jealousy and hatred. Paulina couldn't help but remember all the times both teens had expressed their jealousy towards Dash. They always wanted to be the star quarterback and Dash always seemed to outshine both of them. But could that really be enough to drive someone to murder?
Stacy who had tears streaming down her face was fed up with the macho bullshit and got between the fighting boys trying to separate them, yelling at them to stop fighting but another loud yell courtesy of a blonde girl boomed across the living room as Stacy took a step back. Jazz gasped in utter horror as she saw a folding blade stuck on the side of the cheerleader's head. The blonde girl blinked several times and twitched almost like a malfunctioning robot as blood gushed out. Kwan, filled with terror quickly started to apologize but the damage was done, Stacy fell to her knees and collapsed to the ground with a loud thud, her skull making a loud thud as it hit the hardwood floor. The once chaotic room was now filled with deafening silence as everyone stared in shock at the lifeless body of their friend. Jazz couldn't believe what she was seeing, she had never seen a dead person before much less one being murdered in front of her eyes. She stood in awe, looking down at the corpse.
This was supposed to be a fun, carefree night but it had turned into a nightmare. Chaos erupted once more as Mike called Kwan a murderer for having stabbed Stacy in the head, the jock claimed it was an accident. While Kwan insisted it was an accident, Mike refused to believe him and retaliated by punching him. The fight escalated once again, causing chaos and panic among the group. Jazz, unable to tear her eyes away from Stacy's lifeless body, was suddenly jolted by Jamal's frantic scream of 'Gun.' The three jocks were now engaged in a dangerous struggle for possession of a firearm. In a split second, a deafening bang echoed through the air as a bullet narrowly missed Jazz's head. She collapsed to the ground, consumed by terror. Jamal quickly let go and sought shelter, not wanting to become another victim of this mindless violence. Meanwhile, Mike managed to break free from Kwan's grip and began firing his pistol, adding to the mayhem. Jazz crawled her way around the couch trying to avoid being struck by Mike, she gasped in horror as Lucy, the Asian cheerleader was struck between the eyes. Everyone ran away as Mike in his deranged state fired randomly.
(XXX)
Jazz's embarrassment was palpable as she lay beneath the bed. She had always scorned movie characters for making such foolish choices, but at that moment, her brilliant mind had deserted her. With Mike's relentless pursuit echoing through the house, the bed seemed like the only refuge, despite its absurdity. Her heart skipped a beat as the door creaked open, but to her relief, it was Paulina, who had sought the same sanctuary. Jazz cautiously emerged from her hiding place, her eyes meeting Paulina's with a mix of apprehension and disbelief. The two girls stood silently, their expressions mirroring their mutual mistrust. The atmosphere was thick with tension, their hearts beating like thunder in their chests. It was a nightmare, a surreal and terrifying scenario that had them both on edge. Distrust was still seeding between the two girls as they kept a safe distance from one another, their gazes locked in a silent battle of wills. The air crackled with unease, each second stretching into an eternity of fear and uncertainty.
"I can't believe what just happened."- Paulina was the first to break the silence. "Mike… he killed Dash… he's a monster."- the Latina continued.
"I don't know… I have my doubts."- Jazz replied. "I mean, he had a gun but Dash had his throat cut. Why use a knife instead of a gun?"- the redhead asked, genuinely confused.
"How the hell should I know, maybe he caught Dash off guard and slit his neck."- Paulina countered.
"And why? I thought you all got along. Maybe he snapped?"- Jazz continued her inquiries, wondering if it really was due to losing the quarterback position to Dash, people did kill for petty reasons. "No, that can't be. He brought a gun and waited for Dash to be alone… this was planned. It makes no sense at all."- the redhead continued.
"Dash and I broke up about a week ago… he kinda… slept with Mike's girlfriend. He might have overheard…"- Paulina added.
"That means you also had a motive to kill Dash…"- Jazz trailed off as she looked directly at Paulina.
The atmosphere in the room had become suffocatingly tense, silence hanging heavy like a physical weight. Paulina stood resolute in her conviction that Jazz bore the blame for the murder, adamant that Mike had acted solely in self-defense, even if his actions had resulted in the shooting and potential injury of their companions along with the death of one of the girls. As the silence dragged on, the gravity of the accusations seemed to permeate the very air they breathed. Both girls had their reasons for wanting Dash dead, he cheated on Paulina leading to their break-up, and her sheer presence at the party meant that she could have planned on taking revenge, Dash had bullied Jazz's younger brother for months, and most likely invited her to the party with nefarious intentions, then there was Mike, the victim of infidelity.
Despite her unwavering belief, Paulina couldn't shake the feeling of intimidation that Jazz's towering presence instilled in her. The redhead stood a full head taller, casting a long shadow over Paulina's petite frame. The sheer physical disparity between them filled Paulina with trepidation, making it difficult for her to envision a scenario where she could emerge victorious in a physical confrontation. Jazz's demeanor exuded an air of confidence and a hint of danger that suggested she possessed more than just the ability to pull hair and scratch. Paulina's intuition whispered that Jazz was a formidable opponent, one who would not hesitate to use her superior size and strength to her advantage. As a result, Paulina couldn't shake the feeling that she was at a significant disadvantage, both physically and psychologically, when faced with the imposing figure of the redhead.
Fearing for her safety, the cheerleader bolted through the open door before Jazz could utter a single word. Paulina's suspicions had always been towards Jazz, believing her to be the killer, perhaps with the aid of Mike. A chilling shiver ran down her spine, but she refused to let fear paralyze her. Determined to expose the truth, she embarked on a perilous mission to gather evidence. Paulina tiptoed down the corridor, her heart pounding with each silent step. The once familiar surroundings now felt menacing, and she questioned the loyalty of those she once trusted. As she navigated the shadows, a faint whisper reached her ears, calling her name. It was Star, her closest friend. A glimmer of hope flickered within Paulina as she looked at her blonde-haired companion who urged her to her side.
"Thank goodness, you're alright. "- Star declared with tears in her eyes.
"We gotta get out of here and call the police."- Paulina replied. "I know it was that bitch or Mike who killed Dash, I just know it, they are the only ones that wanted him dead"- she added, venom in her voice.
"I don't think Mike had anything to do with this. He was hitting on me when we heard you scream."- Star confessed.
The Latina was confused, Jazz claimed to have been in her room with Jamal when the murder took place, and now Star told her that she and Mike were flirting in the front yard. The two main suspects had airtight alibies, as airtight as the accounts of a teenager could be. Paulina cast those thoughts aside as there were more pressing matters at hand, such as getting out of the cabin and back to civilization. Star's suggestion to search the kitchen for car keys ignited a glimmer of hope. If they could locate the keys, they could make their escape. Alternatively, if the keys were absent, they could resort to the bikes, offering a means to return to civilization. The weight of their predicament bore down on Paulina as she grappled with the conflicting information and the desperate need to find a way out of their isolated confinement. Neither of them wanted to spend another minute in a cabin with a murderer on the loose.
(XXXX)
As the two girls cautiously stepped into the kitchen, a collective gasp escaped their lips. A macabre scene unfolded before their wide eyes, leaving them frozen in shock. Jazz Fenton, the usually quiet and unassuming girl, stood in the center of the room, a sharp kitchen knife clutched tightly in her trembling hand, blood permeating her hands and torso. At her feet lay Mike, his lifeless body crumpled on the floor, a crimson puddle seeping from a gaping wound on his chest. The air hung heavy with the stench of blood and the eerie silence that followed the gruesome discovery. The girls' minds raced, trying to comprehend the unthinkable sight that had just met their eyes. Paulina's suspicions were true, Jazz was the murderer. It was then that Jamal approached the trio unable to believe the scene before his eyes.
"No, I didn't do it. I swear, I found him like this and tried to stop the bleeding."- the redhead declared, her eyes looking at Jamal for support.
"Ok… I believe you… just put the knife down and we can talk this through."- Jamal tried to take control of the situation.
Jamal's gaze fell upon a piece of fabric clutched tightly in her hands, its white surface now stained crimson with blood. The sight sent a jolt of realization through him. Could it be that Jazz was not the perpetrator of this heinous crime, but rather an innocent bystander who had tried desperately to save Mike's life? Jamal's mind raced, trying to reconcile this newfound information with the image of her standing over Mike's lifeless body, a knife clutched in her hand. He had known her only briefly, but she did not seem to possess the cold-blooded nature of a murderer. As he observed her closely, he noticed a flicker of fear and desperation in her eyes, a stark contrast to the icy indifference he had expected. It was then that Jamal began to question his initial assumptions. A sudden gunshot startled all four of them.
Shocked and terrified, the group hastily converged towards the origin of the deafening sound. To their utmost horror, they discovered Jessica lying motionless at the base of the stairs ascending to the upper floor. A gaping wound adorned the summit of her head, the gruesome aftermath of a gunshot. The group grappled with disbelief and bewilderment, their minds racing to comprehend the unfolding nightmare. Desperation propelled Jazz into action, meticulously counting the remaining members of the group, including those who had met their untimely demise. A chilling realization dawned upon her: one individual was conspicuously absent, Kwan. The logical conclusion struck Jazz with the force of a lightning bolt: Kwan, driven by mad jealousy over losing the quarterback position, must be the perpetrator of this heinous crime.
"I think Kwan is the killer, he murdered Dash and tried to blame Mike for it after hearing about the cheating incident but didn't count that he had a gun"- Jazz relays her theory.
"What? That's impossible! Kwan and Dash were like brothers."- Paulina refuted the idea, she had an easier time believing Jazz or Mike were the culprits, for all she knew the redhead could have silenced Mike.
"I know it sounds crazy, but hear me out. Kwan murdered Dash in a fit of rage after losing the quarterback position, then tried to frame Mike for it after hearing about Dash sleeping with Mike's girlfriend. But what he didn't realize was that Mike had a gun, and he used it to defend himself. Things got out of control after that."- Jazz explained.
"I don't care who did it. All I know is that Kwan needs to be stopped."- Jamal declared as his eyes fell over a hatchet hanging on the wall, most likely a decoration.
With a deep, steadying breath, the football player ascended the creaking stairs with calculated stealth, his every step a silent testament to his determination. The redhead trailed close behind, her eyes darting nervously around the dimly lit hallway. But as they approached the top of the stairs, a sense of unease washed over Paulina and Star, who had remained downstairs. Star, with her keen observational skills, had witnessed a disturbing encounter at the gas station on their way to the cabin: Jazz had been engaged in a flirtatious exchange with a biker who had a less-than-friendly demeanor. Paulina's suspicions were immediately aroused once again; she couldn't shake the feeling that Jazz could be connected to the sinister events that had unfolded. Convinced that Jazz was the real killer, Paulina and Star decided to follow the duo cautiously, armed with kitchen knives for self-defense. As they crept along the hallway, their hearts pounded with a mix of fear and anticipation, unsure of what dangers lurked ahead.
Kwan was pacing back and forth in one of the rooms, desperation clear in his face. The large Asian jock quickly noticed Jamal peaking at the door. The colored football player showed only one hand in a sign of peace while concealing the hatchet behind the door, he didn't want to startle his friend knowing that he would have only one chance to take Kwan down, but he wasn't sure if could bring himself to use the blade on his fellow teammate, perhaps he could tackled him and subdue him with force but something didn't feel right. Kwan was sobbing as he walked around, both hands were shaking making him an even greater threat, was he really the cold-blooded killer Jazz theorized him to be?
"I swear to fucking God that it was an accident."- Kwan declared. "I wanted to get the hell out of this place and saw Mike in the kitchen, he saw me I thought he was going to shoot but he slipped, somehow, his fat ass end up stabbing himself with a knife. Then Jessica came out from nowhere and tried to grab the gun, calling me a killer. Bitch is stronger than she looks like, I… end up shooting her, it was a fucking accident. I swear."- Kwan continued.
Jamal didn't know what to think, Kwan didn't strike him as a serial killer, everything might have been an accident as he claims. Kwan was too torn up by the situation. None of his friends seemed like killers to him, it was true that Kwan bullied several kids at school but that was under Dash's orders, but to go as far as to murder someone, made no sense at all. Paulina and Star arrived, both fearful of what could happen, but it was Star who bravely walked into the room trying to convince her boyfriend to drop the gun, she didn't even flinch when Kwan instinctively aimed his pistol in her general direction demanding that she step back. Tears were streaming down Kwan's face, it was madness. A sudden thunderclap resounded followed by a gunshot.
The blonde cheerleader stumbled back. A single, gaping bullet hole had pierced her slender neck, unleashing a torrent of blood that cascaded down her delicate skin. The once-cheery girl's eyes widened in horror as she gasped for breath, her voice choked with a guttural gurgle. As she collapsed onto the blood-soaked ground, her lifeless gaze met the horrified expression of Paulina, her best friend. Paulina's piercing scream cut through the air like a knife, a desperate plea that echoed the unspeakable tragedy that had just unfolded before her eyes. Consumed by fury, Jamal lunged toward Kwan, who stood rooted in disbelief at realizing his actions. Kwan felt the hatchet pierce his shoulder with brutal force, fear guiding his hand as he pulled the trigger, unleashing bullet after bullet into his fellow teammate.
Jazz stood paralyzed with fear, her eyes fixed on the gruesome scene unfolding before her. The floor was slick with the mingling blood of the two massive teens who had engaged in a savage fight. Jamal, his body riddled with bullet holes, collapsed to his knees, unable to withstand the relentless assault. Kwan, his face twisted in a pained expression, dropped the empty pistol that had become useless and reached for the hatchet that was embedded deep in his shoulder. As the tension reached its peak, Paulina, her voice filled with a mixture of rage and desperation, charged at the burly jock, but he stepped aside and the girl flew out the window.
"Calm down. Kwan. I know you didn't mean for any of this to happen."- Jazz declared as she walked backward.
Kwan stumbled backward, his hands trembling as he yanked the hatchet from his bloodied body. Before he could utter a single gasp, his knees buckled beneath him, and he collapsed to the floor, a crimson pool forming around his once-imposing frame. The lone redhead who had witnessed the gruesome spectacle cautiously circled the fallen warrior, her eyes wide with a mixture of terror and awe. She dared not approach too closely, lest he somehow defy death and rise again. With her gaze fixed on the lifeless form, she glanced out the shattered window, her heart pounding in her chest. To her horror, she caught sight of Paulina's mangled body lying in the garden below, her head twisted at an unnatural angle, her once-vibrant eyes now extinguished.
Jazz wondered if the madness was finally over, she never came across another killer, perhaps it really was one of the party-goers. She didn't dare arm herself with the hatchet, she couldn't even look at it, her eyes gazed upon the mirror making her realize that she was still in her sling bikini, never having the chance to change out of it. The cabin was deafeningly silent, she knew the cops would arrive soon, and she would have a hard time explaining what happened. After putting on a jacket, she headed to the living room where she spotted the lifeless bodies of Dash, Stacy, and Lucy. Her attention shifted to a bowl with chips that was miraculously spared from the onslaught after eating a couple noticed a particular item on the coffee table, a cell phone. It didn't take a genius to know it belonged to Dash. Touching his lifeless hand wasn't the worst thing Jazz had endured that night but it was on her top ten.
Her eyes gazed over a video that Dash was making, the jock had a glass soda bottle in one hand while the other held the machete. He was trying to open the cap using the blade but failing with each try, he was becoming desperate. Tragedy struck as he miscalculated his next move, the blade was incrusted into his neck, and horror filled Dash's eyes before he yanked off the machete and tossed it away out of the camera's view, he then collapsed on the couch.
"Oh…"- was all Jazz said before taking the bowl.
The end.