Chapter 3: Carrie White Is Still Alive
(Later, at the Chamberlain Courthouse…)
A few days later, an investigation happened. Sue stood at a court hearing surrounding the events of the prom. The Head Commissioner: Stewart Murphy, was responsible for the investigation of the Black Prom Massacre. Murphy had her on the spot anxious to hear her side of the story and looked directly at the recovered Sue, Tommy, Rita, Morton, George and Erika in the Chamberlain Courthouse. Sue knew this would come eventually, but she had no other choice.
"Miss Snell, we're trying to determine the exact role Carrie White played in the tragedy on prom night." Murphy explained. "You would agree that you were under an enormous amount of stress. Isn't it possible that what you saw was a natural act?"
Sue's breath trembled at the word 'natural'. She looked up at Murphy.
"But I..." Sue paused for a moment and placed her hand on her stomach.
Sue and Tommy remembered what Carrie told her. Everyone died at the Black Prom Massacre. She was pregnant with a girl. She was carrying his baby.
"Most of my friends died that night." Sue answered. "But my boyfriend and we know what we saw. Do you want an explanation? Carrie had some sort of power but she was like me. Like any of you." She looked back to the people sitting in the Chamberlain Courthouse. Then, she faced Murphy once more. "She had hope and she had fears. And we pushed her, and you can only push someone so far before they break."
"Chris Hargensen." Murphy replied.
"Yes. She was my friend. She and her boyfriend. I hate Chris Hargensen." Sue replied.
"Billy Nolan?" Murphy asked in concern.
"Yes. Chris Hargensen and Billy Nolan killed Tommy Ross. Tommy did not die, yet." Sue replied.
"That's right." Murphy replied.
"Yes sir." Sue replied.
(Meanwhile, later…)
Two weeks had passed since the devastating destruction of Chamberlain and the night was still as dark as ever. Sue and Tommy made her way along the storage unit, her left hand clutching a flashlight tightly. They stopped in front of a red storage door, the padlock glinting in the dim light. With a silver key, she unlocked the door and pushed it open, revealing shelves upon shelves of old things and antiques. It was a place where Sue and Tommy's family kept their belongings safe…
As they walked further into the storage room, the beam of light illuminated a figure in the distance. It was a girl, dressed in double denim and converse shoes, with her blonde hair cascading down her back. Despite being in the storage room, her hair looked freshly washed, and her green eyes shone in the light. The girl caught sight of Sue and Tommy and pulled her sleeves down, looking down at the ground…
It was Carrie White, the girl who had miraculously survived the collapsing house. Sue and Tommy had found her among the ruins and had hidden her away in the family storage unit. Now, with the White Commission calmed, Sue could finally help Carrie escape.
"Are you ready?" Sue inquired, and Carrie gave a solemn nod.
Exiting the storage unit, Sue secured the lock with a decisive click. The two women made their way to Sue's car, settling into their respective seats, Sue and Tommy behind the wheel, Carrie in the passenger's seat. As the engine roared to life, Carrie jumped in surprise.
"It's alright, Carrie." Tommy said.
"It's just the engine. Where shall we venture?" Sue asked.
Carrie's voice was soft and hesitant. "T-The cemetery. I just need to bid goodbye to my mother."
Sue and Tommy's expression softened, and they nodded in understanding. With that, Sue pulled out of the storage unit and onto the open road.
(Meanwhile…)
The Snell and Ross family storage unit was a mere five miles away from the local cemetery. The clock had struck noon and the world was shrouded in a blanket of silence, save for the occasional rustle of leaves. Despite the tragedy that had befallen the town, people tried to find solace in sleep. But not Carrie, Sue, and Tommy.
The three stood in front of a gravestone, each holding a pristine white rose. Carrie's eyes were fixed on the stone, her gaze unwavering. The night grew colder and darker, as if the universe was mourning with them. The gravestone bore two names - Margaret White and Carrie White.
MARGARET WHITE
1966-2013
CARRIE WHITE
1995-2013
But what caught their attention was the red spray paint that had defaced the gravestone. The words "CARRIE WHITE BURNS IN HELL." were etched in bold letters, mocking the memory of the departed.
Carrie, Sue, and Tommy placed their white roses in front of the damaged gravestone, a symbol of their undying love and respect for the deceased. Carrie's eyes welled up with tears as the gravestone cracked under the weight of her emotions. Her scream echoed through the town of Chamberlain, a cry of anguish that pierced the stillness of the night.
Sue and Tommy placed a comforting hand on Carrie's shoulder and led her away to the car. As they drove away from the cemetery, the stars twinkled in the sky, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of hope.
Carrie gazed up at the vast expanse of the night sky, her eyes tracing the constellations as they whizzed by. The car hummed along the open road, carrying her away from the tragedy of Chamberlain. Sue and Tommy sat beside her, the weight of the silence between them palpable.
Finally, Sue stole a quick glance at Carrie before returning her focus to the road. "It wasn't your fault." She said softly, her voice laced with empathy. Carrie turned to her, surprised by the unexpected comfort.
"It wasn't all your fault." Sue amended, sensing Carrie's hesitation.
Carrie's eyes flicked back to the road ahead. "I can't stay in Chamberlain now, can I?" She murmured, her voice heavy with resignation.
Tommy's response was measured. "Well, people thinking you're dead is contingent on nobody's seen you alive."
Carrie's mind raced with the implications of her situation. "Where am I gonna go?" She asked, her voice tinged with desperation.
Tommy's answer was honest, if not entirely reassuring. "I don't know. Somewhere they don't know you."
Carrie's lips pursed as she turned back to the window, her thoughts consumed by the uncertainty of her future. Sue sighed, her heart heavy with the weight of her friend's burden. "We'll drive you as far as Metropolis," She offered, "then we have to come back."
The road stretched out before them, a path to a new life. Carrie's heart was heavy with the weight of the past, but she knew she had to keep moving forward. Together, they drove into the night, leaving Chamberlain and its tragedy behind.
"I hope." Carrie sighed and heart heavy.
Carrie turned her head to Sue. Carrie saw and hallucinated…her arch-nemesis, Chris. She turned her head to Carrie. Carrie has a nightmarish vision of Chris lunging at her. Carrie woke up, gasped, and looked around.
"Are you okay?" A voice came.
Carrie turned her head to…Sue and Tommy. Sue turned her head to Carrie. Carrie nodded yes.
"Your bad dream?" Tommy asked.
"Yeah." Carrie said.
"Do you want me to pull over?" Sue asked.
"No." Carrie nods no.
Carrie's facepalm looked and kept driving in the rain. Carrie turned her head. They are going to Metropolis…
To Be Continued…