SCREAM 4 ME

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Woodsboro

2011

Kirby lay on the ground outside her house, clutching her stomach and trying to stanch the flow of blood from her wound. She could feel her strength ebbing away with each passing second, and she knew that she was running out of time. Inside the house, she could hear the sounds of a violent confrontation between Sidney and Jill. She tried to call out for help, but her voice was barely a whisper. As the minutes ticked by, Kirby's pain intensified, and she could feel her consciousness slipping away. She knew that she needed to hold on, to stay alive long enough for someone to find her and get her the help she needed. But as the sounds of the struggle inside the house grew more intense, Kirby's strength began to fail. She felt herself slipping into darkness, her thoughts becoming jumbled and confused. Suddenly, the noise inside the house stopped, and it felt like hours slowly crept by then Kirby heard footsteps approaching her. She tried to lift her head to see who it was, but her vision was blurry and her body felt heavy and unresponsive.

"Kirby!"

Her eyes focused on the figure in front of her. It was Sheriff Riley.

Her colourless lips curled upwards into a faint smile as she tried to reach for him. He took her hand within his and squeezed tightly. She felt a tear roll down her cheek.

"You're going to be okay" he assured her.

Approaching behind was Deputy Hicks. She could hear her voice as she spoke into her receiver and alerted the others that a survivor had been found outside.

"C-Charlie".

Sheriff Riley held Kirby's hand tightly, his fingers entwined with hers as they waited for the ambulance to arrive. He could feel her pulse weakening with each passing moment, and he knew that time was running out.

"Kirby, you need to hold on," he pleaded. "The ambulance is on its way, and they're going to help you."

Kirby's breathing was shallow and laboured, and she was barely conscious. Her eyes were closed, and her face was twisted in pain.

Sheriff Riley could feel his heart breaking as he watched her struggle. Kirby was one of the strongest and bravest people he had ever known, and seeing her like this was almost too much to bear.

"Kirby, please," he said, his voice trembling with emotion. "You can't leave us. You have to keep fighting."

Kirby's eyes flickered open, and she looked up at him with a weak smile.

"I'm trying, Sheriff," she whispered. "I'm trying to hold on."

Sheriff Riley squeezed her hand, his eyes welling up with tears.

"You're going to make it," he said, his voice choked with emotion. "You're going to be okay."

Kirby smiled weakly, her eyelids drooping. "I'm scared," she said softly. "I don't want to die."

Sheriff Riley felt his fear rise up in his chest, but he fought to keep his voice steady.

"You're not going to die, Kirby," he said firmly. "You're going to fight this, and you're going to come out the other side. I know you can do it."

"Hicks, stay with Kirby!" He demanded when he heard the sirens in the distance. He got up and hurried up the hill toward the front of the house.

Sheriff Riley stood on the sidewalk, his heart pounding as he watched the ambulance approach. He knew that every second counted, and he was desperate to get Kirby the help she needed. As the ambulance drew closer, Sheriff Riley stepped out into the street, waving his arms frantically to get the driver's attention. The blaring sirens drowned out his voice, but he kept waving, his eyes fixed on the approaching vehicle. Finally, the ambulance screeched to a halt in front of him, the doors flying open as the EMTs sprang into action. Sheriff Riley stepped aside, watching anxiously as they rushed over to Kirby's prone form.