Bad Girl Business

Chapter 4: Expansion

Julie Kostenko

It could have been such a beautiful morning.
Amanda and I would have walked over to Kenneth's lair, questioned him, gotten our answers, and then returned victoriously to party, drink, eat, and fuck each other's brains out.
But no, instead we end up here in Father Campbell's Chapel, having to fight our way through a killer as stupidly dressed cheerleaders. And of course, the killer is none other than Kenneth "Jeffrey Hawk" Chase. Like I said, I stopped believing in coincidences a long time ago. This whole thing stinks to high heaven!
"What a set up shitshow...," Amanda hisses and takes out her frustration on the fortune-telling machine next to her, destroying it in the process.
Even though I totally agree with her, I focus my anger on a single aim. "Amanda, whatever's going on here, we need to get out of this trial first."
I put my hands on her shoulders and her brown eyes bore into mine. "And for that we have to play the game, willy-nilly." Which means doing what survivors do: Fix stupid generators, hide and run away like cowards. Yes, fun times.
"Once we get through this bullshit and it's known who's responsible for it, there's going to be hell to pay." Amanda's voice is so deep and deadly, it creates exhilarating tingles all over my skin. I can't wait to see her in action up close, when she doesn't hold back anymore. I grin, quickly planting a kiss on her fiery lips. "Deal."
Despite her anger, Amanda can't help but grin back. "So, how do we do this, partner?"
"Teamwork makes the dream work. Let's quickly finish the generator in this area first and then split up. Time is of the essence."
As if on cue, a male scream and The Clown's renewed heavy gasping sound in the distance. Without hesitation, we get to work.
During the repair, we see the aura of a male survivor being hung from a hook and shortly thereafter being unhooked by another male survivor.
Once our generator starts fully pumping, the lights above turn on and we slowly but surely hear eerie carnival music getting louder and louder. The Clown's terror radius. After a short eye contact, we separate. There's no way Chase can see us, especially Amanda. She's his primary target, and after losing his beloved collection of severed fingers in the fountain at the MacMillan Estate, he's definitely out for blood.
Crouching, I move in the direction of the main building and hear how another generator is being worked on on the upper floor. As I creep up the stairs and arrive at the top, my eyes narrow to slits. You've got to be fucking kidding me!
It's none other than Ace sitting there in front of me, humming to himself with a crooked grin. My fingers twitch to my sides only to be disappointed. Too bad I don't have my hunting knife with me, otherwise I'd love to put a different kind of smile on that scumbag's face!
Breathe in, breathe out. I force myself to curb my violent fantasies and put on a neutral face. Remember, you need him, Jules. For now.
Then the slimy bastard finally notices me. "Oh! Hello, beautiful girl. Or should I rather say beautiful kitten? Like the way you just sneaked up on me all quiet."
Ace chuckles at his own silly line and I have to try very hard not to roll my eyes in annoyance. Meanwhile, his eyes wander inevitably and extensively over my skimpy outfit. I demonstratively cross my arms in front of my chest so as not to wring his neck on the spot. "My face is up here, pervert."
He raises his arms, like a kid getting caught with his hands in the cookie jar. "Uh, sorry. It's just, I've always had an eye for pretty b... uhh balustrades. Exactly, balustrades, like the one right behind you. Hehehe." His grin gets more crooked by the second.
"Whatever, lecher. We've got a job to do, so let's do it." Without further ado, I sit on the other side of the generator and start tying up loose wires. Ace cranes his head above the machine, blinking in confusion. "But... we haven't officially introduced ourselves yet..."
"Yes, we have. You, lecher. Me, pretty cheerleader with big tits and a very short temper. Now get to work."
"Er... yes, mistress, uhh, mate." I snort and shake my head. This guy is a real piece of...
Before I can finish my thought, the sound of another repaired generator can be heard in the distance. I smile. Just three more to go and we're out of here. But the happiness is short-lived when I hear a man scream followed by the spiteful laughter of The Clown, who shortly thereafter throws his victim on the nearest meat hook. Now I also recognize his silhouette. It's Dwight and he's hanging for the second time. If no one rescues him quickly, it'll be three defenseless survivors against one vengeful killer. Not good.