Tardy | Tara Carpenter x Female Reader

chapter 3

They say your life flashes before your eyes when you're about to die.

It doesn't happen exactly like that; it's all a blur of feelings and pure animal instincts. When you see Ghostface make his way towards Tara, full force with a knife held over his head, something in you snaps.

You can't seem to focus on anything else.

Tara whom you've been enamored with at first sight, Tara who makes you monthly playlists, who remembers your class schedule, Tara who just kissed you.

Tara. Tara. Tara.

Ghostface's a finger away from Tara before you grab your computer; still playing Titanic, and slam it across his head.

"Get the fuck away from her." You spit, watching as Ghostface whirls around bewildered, obviously not anticipating you fighting back.

He's bigger than you, but he looks unsure. You see it in his stance, in the grip around his knife.

He surges at you, hands gripping around your shoulders tight. The knife is still in one of his hands, you're acutely aware of it. You guys thrash around wildly, and fall onto the floor; hard. His head connects to the pavement with a loud thud, and for a moment you think he might be dead.

That is until Ghostface lets out a groan, and reaches out to try and grab you again. He's weakened, and you take the moment to your advantage, kicking at his shins with all your might.

He cries out, grabbing at thin air.

You're about to reach forward and rip the mask off his face, but Tara stops you with a tug on your arm.

You furrow your eyebrows, sending her a questioning look. Did she not want to find out who Ghostface was?

"Come on, we have to go. They're still- Sam, she's still down there." She rushes out, and it's only then you notice some messy mascara stains are running down her cheeks.

You frown. You know Tara's a nervous crier, but it's never happened right in front of you.

It seems like only then Tara realizes she's been crying. Her cheeks flush red a little in embarrassment, but she's still staring at you with urgency in her eyes.

You swipe quickly at her cheeks.

You follow her lead, but not before locking the door to the roof; leaving Ghostface locked up outside.

Sucker.

You and Tara sprint down the stairs and into the apartment, stopping short at the sight in front of you.

It's a mess.

The coffee table is broken, carpet stained with blood; but worst of all, it's empty.

You search for any signs of life, any screaming. They were here moments ago, where could they have gone? More importantly, where was the other Ghostface?

There's always two, you remember.

You decide you don't want to stick around and find out. You grab Tara's hand, tugging her out of the apartment and down the stairs of their condo.

"Tara!" Sam's voice bellows from below you. She looks uninjured, other than a couple of blood stains on her shirt.

You guys round the last corner of the stairs to come face to face with all your friends. Anika and Mindy stood tight together, holding onto each other's hands for dear life. Chad's behind them, looking smaller than you've ever seen him.

Sam's at the front, nothing but fury in her eyes.

She rushes to Tara the moment you guys hit the floor, taking her in her arms; holding tight.