DIET MOUNTAIN DEW • SCREAM 1996

0.5 : " GROIN TO STERNUM "

0.5 : " GROIN TO STERNUM "

SEPTEMBER 20TH, 1996

BENNY COULDN'T stop grinning as he expertly fluffed his hair. It was quarter to four, and the teen could hardly contain his excitement. Just the thought of having a night with someone like Willow made him eager to just leave the house despite his half dressed state.

She probably wouldn't mind either way, Benny reminded himself. Willow said her parents weren't gonna be home all night, and every teenager with a mind knows what that means.

This was the first time Benny had ever gone on a date before. He was no virgin, though, a steamy night two years ago disproved that easily. Let's just say Benny could never look at Casey Becker and Steve Orth in the face again without turning bright red.

That was probably the only time he, Stu, and Billy had ever fought. Benny shuddered at the thought, not wanting to think about the night that ended with several scrapes, bruises, and even a broken bone on Stu's behalf.

The brunet was just shifting through shirts in his closet when the kitchen phone rang. Benny huffed in annoyance and slipped on a simple white tee that he was probably going to change out of before he left.

Benny slid down the stairs, railing easily, and found his way to the telephone. He picked it up and took a seat on the kitchen island. The boy greeted, "Hello?"

"Hello there."

The voice was unfamiliar, so Benny raised a brown curiously. "Who is this?" He asked.

"That's unimportant. Why don't you ask a better question?"

Usually, the Mercer boy had the patience of a saint, but he really needed to leave the house, and this call was beginning to feel like it was going to take forever. Benny silently groaned in irritation.

Instead of voicing these complaints, though, he settled on: "Seriously, I think you have the wrong number. Bye."

The teen hung up the phone and went to walk away, but the obnoxious ringing filled the empty house again. Begrudgingly, Benny picked it back up. "Wha-"

"Don't hang up the phone."

His famous doe brown eyes fluttered in surprise at the sudden demand. He rubbed his forehead tiredly and replied. "Dude, I can't-"

"Ask another question."

Benny scoffed, brows furrowing. "I don't even know you. Why the hell are you callin'?"

"Now that's a question I can answer, my dear sweet Benjamin."

"How do you know my name?" Benny demanded, as he took a glance out of his window. He expected to find his friends or something hiding around a corner trying to scare him. "Randy, is this you? Knock it off, man."

"Tsk. Tsk. Do you want to know why I called or not, Benny darling?"

"Okay. What?" The boy admitted, defeated. He was five minutes late at this point. Randy better hurry up with this stupid prank.

The voice sighed, and it almost felt like the person was right behind Benny breathing on his neck. Benny snapped his head back but saw nothing.

"It seems you still don't understand what's happening."

"And what's that?" He questioned impatiently, gazing at the clock; 4:06 p.m.

"Stop looking at the damn clock, Benny."

Benny jumped, and he looked around wildly, trying to find something, anything. "What the hell-?"

"Benny, Benny, Benny. I've been watching you for a long time."

The color drained from the boy's face, making his golden tanned skin pale dully. Benny shuddered at the thought of her eyes constantly watching him.

"Why so quiet, darling? Don't worry. I don't plan on hurting you. All you have to-"

Benny slammed the phone down and breathed in a sigh of relief as it didn't ring again. Well, only for a moment before the loud ringing was back. Benny shook his head and attempted to ignore it, but it just kept ringing.

The teen picked it up again but had no chance to speak as the voice yelled:

"Next time you hang up, I'm gonna slit you groin to sternum!"

The person barked in his ears, and honestly, it scared the shit out of Benny. He wasn't the toughest guy out there, and despite his love for horror movies, he had no desire to be a part of one himself.

"What do you want?" He tried to stay strong, but tears were pricking at his eyes.

"Oh don't cry, my dear." The voice attempted to soothe, but it only made Benny feel worse, and he scrubbed at his eyes. "Just don't contact Willow Pierson ever again."

Benny felt confused, hand dropping slowly from his face. Why did this creep not want him to talk to Willow-? "Uh w-why? Billy, Stu, are you messing with me-?"

"This isn't a joke, Benjamin, damn it! You talk to that girl again and i'll gut her like a fucking fish."

The boy cowered back and away from the phone as the yell reached his ear.

"Do I need to prove it, huh? I'll just kill her right now. She is home all alone now, isn't she? What's she gonna think when instead of her sweet crush showing up at her door, it's her death wish? The betrayal. Oh how pretty her screams will be when I drag my knife-"

"Okay, okay, fine! Please just...just don't do that! I won't talk to her please, just don't!" Benny pleaded, a tear dripping down his cheek. This guy was watching both him and Willow. He didn't know what he was planning, but there was no way he was going to risk both of their lives.

"No need to beg, baby. All of this is up to you. If she dies it's only the consequences of your actions. Understood?"

Benny nodded, keeping a hand on his lips to stifle the sob that wanted to come out.

"If you tell anyone, the cops, your friends, your parents. Whoever. I'll know."

The line went dead.

Benny threw the phone and sunk to the floor with his arms wrapped tightly around his torso. He rocked back and forth, keeping his face tucked into his knees. He felt like if he even turned the corner to his living room, someone would be standing there ready to murder him. The boy let out quiet weeps, terrified.

It was a long while before the tears went dry and he shakily stood up. Benny nervously gripped the phone, like it would bite his fingers off with one wrong movement. He slowly dialed a number he knew by heart.

The phone rang for only a moment before the cheerful voice of his best friend rang clear through the speaker. "Hey Benny!"

"H-hey Stu. Is, uh, Billy with you?" The words came out stuttered and weak, thick with emotion. Benny winced at the sound, Stu would know something was wrong in a heartbeat with how bad he sounded.

"Uh, yeah. Are you okay, Benny? Do you want us to come over?" The concern leaking from his voice and the sound of Stu shouting at Billy to hurry up, filled Benny with safety and warmth.

"Please?" The boy answered, not stopping the smile hooking on his lips.

"Of course, bub." It was Billy who answered this time, his gruff voice reverberating pleasantly through Benny's ear.

"Thanks." Benny whispered before the line died, melting to the floor but this time with a soft grin on his face.