Scream VII

Red Cold River

It was her estranged father's voice, coming through the receiver and the mere mention of his name caused Tara and the Meeks twins to look up in alarm. Danny held Tara from behind as they all strained to hear the conversation.

Sam, is--is that you at the house?

"Y---y--yeah, I'm.....I'm here with Tara", Sam replied, struggling to keep her composure. "We....just--It's...it's been so long. I hadn't heard your voice--"

Since you found out who your real father was. Yes.

At the mention of her real father, Samantha's heart raced and she felt a cold sweat break out on her forehead. She couldn't help but glance over her shoulder at the kitchen window, half-expecting to see the sinister smile of Billy Loomis taunting her once again. But he doesn't show up.

She forces herself through, focusing on her conversation with her father. But her mind was blank, and all she could do was stare at the phone, wracking her brain for something, anything to say to break the tense silence.

Realizing this, her dad took the lead on the other side of the phone.

Sweetie, listen. I know I'm the last person you wanted to hear from after what happened...but I want you to know that--that was all my fault. Not yours, ok? I shouldn't have done what I did, no matter how angry I was at your mother....for....keeping that from me. From us. I never meant to leave you and your sister behind...I just...I couldn't handle the truth.

A heavy silence hung in the air before he hesitantly continued.

This is gonna sound abrupt but....I was thinking, maybe we could meet somewhere and catch up. It's been so long since we've seen each other and...I just found my way back to Woodsboro.

Once again, Sam can't answer that. She remains quiet.

Listen, Sam....cross my heart and hope to die, I'll make it up to you and Tara. I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you; I don't care if it means you won't talk to me again after the fact. Just--please let me know what you're thinking.

A heavy sigh leaves Sam through baited breaths. Part of her wanted to hold onto her anger and resentment towards her father for leaving; she felt herself visibly clenching her fists. But another smaller part of her still longed for his love and forgiveness....anything to gradually wipe away the stench of Billy Loomis from her life, unlikely as they looked.

With a shaking hand and after a moment of hesitation, Sam finally whispers into the phone....."I'd....I'd like that."

Tara stood behind her with an expression of disapproval, arms crossed tightly over her chest. Chad is quick to notice her distress.

"You ok?"

She shakes her head 'No'.

Is Tara with you?

Sam catches her sister's expression in her peripheral vision and becomes worried.

"Yes?"

Can you put her on?

She hesitated before nodding and handing the phone to Tara.

Tara, withholding her annoyance, spits out, "I don't want to talk to him."

"Babe, he's still your dad," Chad reminded her gently. She wouldn't budge, however.

"Leaving us when we were little was one thing. But I nearly bit the dust. Ceased to be, pulsus terminatus, shuffled off the mortal coil. And he didn't even bother to check on me or anything after I was attacked. He doesn't get a pass from me."