SCREAM 4 ME

CHAPTER NINE

Charlie had rushed home after school to get changed before he was supposed to meet up with Clancy once more to discuss what was going on - he was going to take her to meet the others, but that didn't happen.

He wore a pair of slim-fitting, dark-wash denim jeans that hugged his hips and tapered down to his ankles. The jeans were accented with a distressed pattern and frayed edges, giving them a trendy and edgy look. The jeans were paired with a simple white t-shirt that fit him snugly, showing off his lean physique. The shirt had a small, black graphic printed on it, adding a subtle touch of personality to his outfit. On his feet, Charlie wore a pair of crisp white sneakers with a low profile, making them both comfortable and stylish. The shoes had a minimalist design with a black accent on the back heel, and the clean white colour made them the perfect finishing touch to his outfit.

In the distance, Charlie could hear sirens.

The first police car was a sleek, black SUV with a powerful engine and tinted windows. The driver expertly weaved through traffic, navigating the narrow streets with ease. The car had a large decal on the side, displaying the emblem of the local police department, and the word "POLICE" was emblazoned in bold, white letters across the hood. As the car screeched to a halt in front of the house, the officers jumped out, their guns drawn and ready for action. They wore black tactical gear, including bulletproof vests and helmets, and carried a variety of weapons, including assault rifles and shotguns. Their training and experience were evident in the way they moved with precision and purpose, ready to confront any threat that may lay ahead.

The second police car was a classic black-and-white cruiser, adorned with a flashing red light on the roof and a loudspeaker mounted on the hood. The car had a distinctly vintage feel, with chrome accents and a sturdy build. The officers inside wore traditional blue police uniforms and carried standard-issue pistols, but their eyes were just as sharp and focused as their counterparts in the SUV. As the second car pulled up behind the SUV, the officers piled out and sprinted towards the house, their radios crackling with updates from their colleagues. They worked in sync, moving swiftly and efficiently to secure the perimeter and investigate the scene.

Sheriff Hicks jumped from the second classic car while Detective Reed and Haywood jumped from the black SUV.

"Are you sure about this, Sheriff?" Kirby asked as they approached the front door of the house.

"I want to be wrong," Judy said with a sorrowful look on her face. She knocked on the door. "Woodsboro Sheriff's Office! Open up!" There was no answer, so Judy knocked again, more forcefully this time. "Is anyone in there?"

"What's going on?" The door opened to reveal Charlie who looked extremely frightened and unsettled. "Have I done something wrong?"

"Charlie, we need you to come with us," Judy said, her tone serious.

"What's going on?" Charlie asked, feeling a sense of unease in the pit of his stomach.

"We need to ask you some questions about a murder that took place last night," she said, stepping forward.

Charlie felt his heart race as he realised what was happening. He had heard about the murder on the news that morning, but he never thought he would be a suspect.

"I didn't do anything," Charlie said, his voice trembling slightly.

"Charlie, we're placing you under arrest on suspicion of murder," Haywood said, his voice heavy.

Charlie felt like the world was closing in on him. He knew he had nothing to do with the murder, but he also knew that proving his innocence was going to be a long and difficult road.

Charlie knew he didn't have a choice. He followed the officers out of his house and into the back of a police car, feeling the weight of suspicion bearing down on him. As the car drove away from his house, Charlie tried to think of anything that could have led the police to suspect him. He knew he had nothing to do with the murder, but he couldn't help feeling nervous. When they arrived at the station, Charlie was taken to a small room and left alone for what felt like hours. He paced back and forth, trying to calm his nerves, but every passing minute made him more anxious.

As he paced around the room, Charlie began to think about the past and his own experience with Ghostface.

Suddenly the door opened and Detective Kirby Reed stepped into the room holding two coffee cups, Charlie stepped back from her in fright as he looked her over.

"Are you okay?" She asked.

He shook his head from side to side. "N-no I'm not okay, I don't know what is going on here".

"Charlie, your hair was found at the crime scene" Kirby informed him. "It makes you our only suspect".

Charlie's heart was racing as he sat in the cold, sterile interrogation room. He couldn't believe he was being accused of murder, something so far from the reality of his life. He was just a regular kid, trying to get by and finish school. He was feeling a mix of emotions, the most prominent of which was disbelief. How could anyone think he was capable of such a heinous act? Charlie couldn't even imagine hurting anyone, let alone taking someone's life. As the minutes passed, Charlie's disbelief turned into anger. He was angry at the world for accusing him of something he hadn't done. He was angry at the police for not believing him, despite his insistence on his innocence. He was also scared. The thought of being charged with murder, and possibly facing the rest of his life in prison, was a nightmare. Charlie had never been in trouble with the law before, and the idea of being seen as a criminal was terrifying.

As he sat in the interrogation room, Charlie tried to think of anything that could help clear his name. He racked his brain, trying to remember anything from the night in question that could prove his innocence. But everything was a blur, and he couldn't remember anything specific that would help him. Charlie felt like he was drowning in a sea of suspicion and accusation. He knew he was innocent, but he didn't know how to prove it. He was worried that no one would believe him, that he would be labelled a murderer for the rest of his life.

"I didn't hurt anybody".

Kirby looked down at Charlie as he looked back into her eyes. "I want to believe you, but we have your hair at the crime scene. Charlie, if you don't tell us the truth you will go to prison for the murder of those three teenagers!"

"It WASN'T ME!"

And with that, Charlie broke down. He cried loudly at the accusation, he felt like he was drowning. But somehow he managed to pull himself out of the despair. He wiped away his tears and looked up at Kirby.

"I didn't kill anyone," he said.

"How did your hair get at the crime scene?" Kirby asked.

"Ghostface must have planted it," Charlie said, his voice sounding more like a question.

Kirby placed the two cups of coffee down and sat on the table. "Charlie, please, do you have any kind of alibi that can keep you away from prison?"

Charlie's mind began to race.

"I-I"

"What about your dad? Can he vouch for you?"

Charlie's eyes widened as he clapped his hand on the metal table. "The security cameras! My house has security cameras, you'll be able to see that I didn't leave!"

"We need to keep you here until we are done. Sit tight, and enjoy the coffee" Kirby said before she got up and walked out of the room.