mess it up, ˢᵃᵐ ᶜᵃʳᵖᵉⁿᵗᵉʳ

𝟎𝟎𝟗.

After a heavy, heartfelt talk with Gale and Sam, they had finally carved out a plan, fragile and desperate, but a plan nonetheless.

That's how Madison found herself stumbling painfully across campus, every step a reminder of the raw, burning ache shooting through her leg.

She was limping badly, but gripping Sam's hand tightly like a lifeline as they waited anxiously for the call that could change everything.

The plan was ridiculous, in Madison's mind, risky and reckless, but the fierce determination etched on Sam's face left no room for argument.

She bit her tongue and said nothing, knowing Sam's resolve was the only thing keeping them anchored.

"You should've stayed with the others," Sam said quietly, glancing toward Tara.

"Not gonna happen," Tara said firmly, shaking her head.

"There's no point in all three of us putting ourselves at risk," Sam argued, squeezing Madison's hand harder.

"I'm not risking it. I'm your backup," Tara said with a small, confident smirk.

Sam and Madison exchanged a brief smile, laughter bubbling up despite the nerves tightening their chests. A fragile moment of levity in the storm.

"Hey, Sam, Madi, stay frosty out there," came Kirby's voice over their earpieces.

They both nodded, Sam starting to say, "We're good—" before her phone buzzed insistently.

The caller ID read: Richie Kirsh.

Sam took a long, steadying breath before answering, but the venom in her voice was immediate. "You're gonna die, you know—" she spat.

The line went dead for a moment, then Ghostface's cold, twisted voice cracked through. "No, you're going to die, Samantha. Choking on your own blood while I hack up your sister and your little girlfriend."

The words hit Sam like a punch to the gut. Her mind went numb, everything narrowing into a terrifying tunnel.

Madison caught the sudden glaze in Sam's eyes and broke the silence sharply, voice bitter, "Unless we find you first."

"Masterminds, huh? Not very bright, waiting for me to call, hoping I'm close enough for the cops to catch me," Ghostface sneered.

Their heads snapped around, every shadow
suddenly a suspect.

"But I'm not close. I'm always one step ahead. Be seeing you, Samantha, Madison." The line clicked dead.

"Did you get it?" Madison whispered into her earpiece.

"Yep. Geolocation coming through now," Kirby replied quickly.

A chill ran down Madison's arms, the kind of cold that sinks into your bones and won't let go.

"He's on the Upper West Side," Kirby continued, confusion creeping into her voice. "Inside an apartment building. Halfway across the city."

"On West 96th?" Tara was sharp to ask.

"How did you know that?" Kirby blinked, baffled even though they couldn't see her.

Sam's stomach dropped. "Gale."

The three girls bolted toward Wayne's police cruiser. Madison bit her lip sharply, every movement sending pain radiating through her already battered leg.

"Our friend Danny works Upper West Side. He could get there faster," Madison suggested, pulling out her phone as Sam nodded in agreement.

"Or he could finish her off. It's possible he's the killer," Wayne's voice cut in behind them, suspicion thick in his tone.