SCREAM 4 ME

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Charlie's hand trembles as he picks up Jessie's phone, which is ringing insistently on her nightstand. He has a sinking feeling that it's Ghostface on the other end, and his intuition proves correct when he answers the call.

"Hello?" he says, his voice hoarse and filled with anger.

"Hello, Charlie," the voice on the other end says in a sinister, mocking tone. "I see you've found Jessie. It's a shame you were too late to save her."

Charlie's blood boils at the sound of Ghostface's voice. He can't believe that this killer is taunting him after brutally murdering his friend.

"What do you want?" he snarls into the phone.

"Oh, just to have a little fun," Ghostface replies. "You know the drill, Charlie. You and your friends are next. You can't outrun me."

Charlie clenches his jaw in frustration. He knows that he's dealing with a cold-blooded killer who won't hesitate to strike again.

"We'll see about that," he says through gritted teeth. "I'm going to find you, and I'm going to make you pay for what you've done."

"You're no hero, Charlie".

"Who the fuck are you?" Charlie spat angrily. "Listen, you sick bastard," he says, his voice low and dangerous. "I don't know who you are or what you want, but you're not going to get away with this. I'm going to find you, and when I do, I'm going to make you pay for what you've done."

Ghostface laughs again, the sound sending shivers down Charlie's spine. "Good luck with that, Charlie," he says. "I'm always one step ahead. You and your friends are no match for me."

"You're a coward".

"Wanna know what I'm gonna do, Charlie. I'm going to slice your fucking eyelids in half, that way when I stab you in the fucking face you can't blink".

As Ghostface ends the call, the darkness in the hallway seems to swallow him whole, leaving Charlie alone in the dimly lit corridor. But suddenly, the killer emerges from the shadows, brandishing his weapon and charging towards Charlie with deadly intent. Reacting quickly, Charlie raises his arm in a defensive gesture, but it's too late. Ghostface's razor-sharp blade slices through his forearm, drawing a deep and painful gash. Despite the injury, Charlie doesn't back down. Instead, he lunges forward, tackling the masked killer and sending both of them tumbling down the stairs. The impact of the fall is jarring, and both Charlie and Ghostface roll and scramble for purchase as they struggle to regain their footing. The sound of their bodies slamming against the steps echoes through the house, punctuated by grunts and gasps of exertion.

Charlie and Ghostface pull themselves up, both battered and bruised from their intense fight. But before Ghostface can make another move, Charlie delivers a swift kick between his legs, causing the killer to double over in pain. As Ghostface writhes on the ground, clutching his injured groin, Charlie takes a step back, catching his breath and preparing for another attack. But suddenly, the sound of sirens fills the air, and red and blue flashing lights illuminate the living room. The arrival of the police causes Ghostface to panic, and he quickly gathers himself and makes a run for it, sprinting out of the house and disappearing into the night. Charlie watches him go, relief and frustration warring within him. He had come so close to catching the killer, but once again, Ghostface had managed to slip away.

As Detective Reed and Haywood burst through the front door of the house, their weapons are drawn and ready for action. The panic on their faces is evident, and they move cautiously through the darkened living room, eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of danger.

Their footsteps echo through the space, the only sound in the silent house. With every passing moment, the tension in the air grows thicker, until it's almost suffocating. The flicker of red and blue lights from outside sends an eerie glow through the windows, casting strange shadows across the walls. But even with the added light, the space feels claustrophobic and tense, like the slightest sound could set off a chain reaction of violence.