Dancing On The Razor's Edge, Together

III. 5 CC's of Beautiful Vanity

(A/N: Slight trigger warning in this chapter. Mentions of wound detail, specifically cutting. You've been warned. :))

12am, East Union Medical Center.

The night was cold and silent, save for the running engine of an oncoming car. After the loss of contact and cryptic hint of Ruby's condition and whereabouts, it sent her paranoia into overdrive.

Pulling up to the parking lot of East Union Medical Center in her Cadillac DeVille, Shay slammed on the brakes as soon as she was able to, parking up quickly before getting out. Shutting the door, she scanned the immediate surroundings. Seeing an ambulance with its back doors ajar, she jogged over to investigate. Bumping into a figure as she turned the corner, she was relieved to see it was Kate. With the other girl giving a surprised yelp, it attracted the attention of the others with her; the same gang as before. Deena came out from behind her, albeit admittedly shocked to see Shay again.

"Shay? Well... Not that I don't want you here right now, but what are you doing here?"

"Hey, you guys. I'm... I'm here to see someone. It's kinda important, you know?" Shay admitted, sighing. She wasn't technically lying, after all. But she knew deep down that they would surely ostracise her from her group, if they knew who she was after, let alone why.

Kate interrupted, looking quite jumpy, rather than the rest of the group.

"Yeah well, whoever you're looking for in there, they're probably six feet under. Skull mask was lurking around whilst we were here to see how Sam was doing. So I'd cut your losses and check the news later tomorrow morning." She said, very rushed and almost incoherent. Shay was convinced she was on something, which for Kate, wasn't too unlikely. Looking to Deena, she sought some form of validation.

"She's right, Shay. First he was stalking us at my place, then he broke a window at Kate's. He was rummaging through the laundry, and for some reason wanted Sam's bloody shirt from earlier tonight. Well anyway, then we came here. I was visiting Sam in her room, with Peter there too. He got killed, so from there, who knows what else has happened? Whoever you're looking for, I wouldn't hold your breath." Deena explained, firmly, albeit sympathetically to her new acquaintance.

Shay nodded shakily, before sighing.

"Well then, I'm heading in. If there's even half a chance I can help the person who needs me, I'll take it."

Kate, Simon and Josh all looked at her as though she'd gone insane.

"Are you out of your mind? Skull Mask is still in there. No one in there is safe, let alone you. Besides, do you even have a weapon?" Josh asked, his eyes wide open in fear and anxiety.

She shook her head. He had a point in all fairness. If push came to shove and she went in there with no weapon, it'd be the end of her.

"No, I don't... Anyone else have one?"

"Nope. We didn't think he'd even be here. Sheriff Goode shot him last night after he'd killed Heather. That's what the cops say, anyway." Deena sighed, looking at Shay sadly.

Shay nodded in understanding, before shrugging.

"Well, I'm going in. I can't not try. If I don't come out... It was great to meet you guys." Shay chuckled dryly, before slowly walking into the hospital.

Upon walking in, she saw the immediate bloodbath around the waiting area; the receptionist lay dead, slumped against the wall next to her desk, her throat slit. In the middle of the floor of the waiting area lay three other bodies, including one tall body of an orderly, who'd been stabbed through the neck. Taking care to avoid the blood on the floor, she crept quietly, fully well knowing that Skull Mask could be here. Creeping past the different patient beds, she saw the body of Peter, Sam's boyfriend, dead next to what was presumably her bed. Looking up, she saw Skull Mask looking the other way at the end of the hallway. Quickly getting down to her feet, she hid behind the bed, peeking barely over the top to get a good look; it was as though he knew she was here now, and he was actively hunting her.