Scream VII

Ghosts from Christmas Past

The towering Gothic-style Casey Becker Memorial Church looms overhead, adorned with white drapery and floral arrangements, spires reaching toward the sky.

Chilly gusts from the cool December wind blew around the church; the cemetery around her seemed to amplify the howls, making her feel small and insignificant in its vastness. It tugged at Sam's coat and tousled her hair. The eerie sound of howling gusts echoed through the cemetery, making the hairs on her arms stand on end. Despite her bravado, she couldn't help but feel intimidated by the ominous atmosphere. She knew what awaited inside....and she wasn't prepared to face it. Not in this way.

Straightening her coat, she took a deep breath before pushing open the heavy wooden doors and stepping into the dimly lit sanctuary, her eyes immediately drawn to the large portrait of Tara in her best outfit standing on an easel next to the closed casket. Tears prickled at her eyes as she approached the front, memories flooding back with each step. Just days ago, they had been gradually moving past their previous trauma, making plans for future adventures. Now, all that remained was an empty shell and bittersweet souvenirs. The funeral would take place later today, but for now, Sam hoped a moment to reflect on happier times could be achieved as she gazed at Tara's peaceful face.

But how could she? How can she focus on the positive when the bad outweighs all the good? When she had left Tara for five years? When she swooped in after their mother abandoned them? When she couldn't save her in the end? She couldn't bear it.

"I'm sorry Tara," she cried out, "I tried to stop him. I let you down."

She thought of her last conversation with Loomis, the memory lingering on the last conversation they shared and in doing so, her thoughts began to turn virulent...and spiteful. A vicious fire within her engulfed her thoughts in searing venom. Like a switch being flipped, her emotions take a dark turn, throbbing with intense rage that threatens to consume her.

Going against what she promised herself used to be set in stone, unable to be broken but after burying the only family she had left, what more could she have to lose?

"I will find him...." she vowed through gritted teeth, "...and he'll answer to me... I swear to God."

Letting out a heavy sigh, Sam stays leaning over the casket for a few more seconds. She doesn't bother to turn around as she hears the church doors swing open.  But then she hears...

"Hello, Sam."

Upon hearing those words reach her ears, Sam's head snapped to look behind her. Before she could even utter a word, the sight of Sidney walking down the aisle dropped her jaw. A rush of emotions flooded through her - surprise, joy, and nervousness all mixed. But mostly, relief.

Sam, both touched and shocked to see Sidney, sprints for her and throws her arms around her in a tight embrace. It had been so long since they had seen each other, and it was a relief she was here now when she needed A LOT of mental support. They stayed in each other's arms for a long moment, both needing the comfort of each other's presence.

"You came."

"I heard about Tara, I'm so sorry, honey."

Eventually, Sam pulled away and wiped her tears. Sidney squeezed Sam's hand in support.

Sam nodded, unable to speak as emotions threatened to overwhelm her once again. After a few moments, she regained control and answered Sidney's question. "Are your parents coming?"

"I don't know. Tara and I never heard from Dad since he left cause of me...and...when we moved to New York, Mom cut us off."

"Because of...?"