die for you

Chapter 11

"Oh, perfect. She's having a party," Richie retorts, "Who has a party in the middle of a killing spree? Look, I'm aborting the plan."

"No, no. We're already here," Sam shuts him down as she unbuckles, "I'll go in quickly and get it. I'll be back in five."

"We're coming too," Tara declares, unbuckling her seatbelt. Eliza looks over at Tara, but quickly unbuckles her seatbelt and begins to help Tara out of the car.

"All right, if you think I'm waiting out here just to get murdered, you're out of your mind," Richie announces as he turns off the car and unbuckles as well. The four of them head toward Amber's house, Tara on crutches behind Sam and Richie. Eliza holds her arm, helping the girl as she slowly makes her way to the house.

As Tara and Eliza walk in, the crowd of students begin cheering.

"Tara! Hey!"

"Eliza!"

As the students begin clamoring them with attention, Amber pops out from the crowd. She bends down and gives Tara a peck on the cheek, after which, Tara looks to Eliza.

"What are you doing out of the hospital?" She asks her girlfriend, "Should you even be up and around?"

"I need my spare inhaler," Tara rasps, getting right to the point.

"Why? Where are you going?" Amber asks. Tara looks back at Sam and then at Eliza. She doesn't trust her girlfriend. Amber sighs and then says, "It's fine. Don't tell me, I get it. Just be safe, okay? Text me. I think it's in my room."

Amber turns to the crowd of people, "All right, everyone! Thanks for coming, but the party's over!"

"What?"

"Why?"

"Time to go!" Amber yells.

"No!"

"But it's so early!"

"Come on!"

Sam nods to Richie, signaling for him to help get everyone out. He turns and finds the light switches, flipping on the regular, boring house lights, "Hey, hey, hey! Hello! Can we cut the music, please?"

The lights turn on and everyone quiets down. Richie waves awkwardly, "Uh, hi.... Gen Z. How are you? Um... Both Sam and Tara here have been attacked by the killer twice."

Tara stands close to Eliza, with Eliza still holding her up for support. Amber notices this and decides to do the same, making Eliza step back.

"And now they're here, which makes this place a huge murder target, so... uh, if I were you, I would probably leave."

The crowd begins booing Richie as a solo cup is thrown at his head, "Okay, I tried to be nice. Get the fuck out! Please get the fuck out. Sincerely, get the fuck out!"

As the students begin leaving, Richie thanks them, although they have unkind words for him. Amber helps Tara to the kitchen, Eliza and Sam following behind them.

Meanwhile, Mindy and Frances make out on the couch as the same Stab movie continues playing.

"Hey, somebody's goofy-ass dad's kicking us out," A teen says to Frances.

"Goddamn it," Mindy sighs as they stop. Frances gets up and leaves with the other teen. Mindy goes back to watching Stab as Richie enters the living room.

"Hi. Uh... Do you know if there's any beer left? There's none in the kitchen," He asks her.

"Yes, Richie, there's beer in the basement," She answers, unamused, "Right behind you. Basement."