DAMSEL IN DISTRESS [SCREAM 1996]

30: Halloween

Cassandra sat on the edge of the bed for what felt like an eternity, her mind swirling with Randy's words. The idea that Billy had been playing both her and Sidney was almost too much to bear. Every memory of him, every tender moment they'd shared, now felt tainted and hollow. She wanted to scream, to cry, to confront him and demand answers, but a deep, gnawing doubt held her back. The suspicion that the killer is Randy was too high to believe him blindly.

Eventually, the sounds of the party downstairs pulled her from her thoughts. The laughter and music seemed distant, like echoes from another world. She knew she couldn't stay hidden away forever. She had to go back, face whatever came next, and keep her wits about her. She couldn't let her emotions get the best of her— not when Ghostface was still out there and Billy is still missing.

Taking a deep breath, Cassandra forced herself to stand. She walked to the door, hesitating for just a moment before pushing it open. The hallway was quiet, but the muted thrum of the party grew louder as she descended the stairs, each step feeling heavier than the last.

When she reached the bottom, she saw that the others had gathered in the living room and the flickering images from Halloween cast eerie shadows across the walls. Stu was sprawled out on the couch, grinning like a kid at Christmas, while Randy stood in front of the TV, animatedly explaining his rules for surviving a horror movie.

Cassandra slipped into the room, unnoticed at first. She hovered near the doorway, watching as Randy delivered his speech with the fervor of a preacher. "Rule number one: You can never have sex," he declared, eliciting a few groans and laughs from the crowd. A few guys threw popcorn at him. "Big no-no! Sex equals death, okay?"

"I'm a dead man," Stu joked, locking eyes with Cassandra, nodding for her to join them.

She carefully eased her way through and sat down in front of Stu, he poked her shoulder teasingly, sensing how tense she was.

"Rule number two: You can never drink or do drugs." Randy's voice took on a mocking tone as he clinked his beer bottle with some of the others. "The sin factor! It's an extension of rule number one."

Stu let out a loud laugh, clearly enjoying himself. Cassandra's eyes narrowed as she watched him. There was something unsettling about the way he seemed so at ease, so carefree, as if nothing in the world could touch him.

She looked around the room. She'd seen Tatum earlier.. where was she now? Where was Sidney?

"And  number three: Never, ever, ever, under any circumstances say, 'I'll be right back.'" Randy paused for effect, glancing around the room with a smirk. "Because you won't be back."

Stu, grinning like a Cheshire cat, stood up from the couch. "I'm gettin' another beer. You want one?" he asked, looking around at the others.

"Yeah, sure."

"I'll be right back!" he said with exaggerated theatrics, earning a round of laughs from the group.

"You see, you push the laws and you end up dead," Randy scolded as Stu shuffled into the kitchen. "I'll see you in the kitchen with a knife."

Cassandra felt a cold shiver run down her spine as she watched Stu head toward the kitchen. Without thinking, she moved to follow him, slipping out of the room just as the others were distracted by the movie and Randy's speech.

Stu was rummaging through the fridge, his back to her, as he hummed a tune under his breath. Cassandra hesitated in the doorway, her thoughts racing. She didn't know what she was expecting to find, but the urge to follow him was overwhelming.

She stepped closer, her heart pounding in her chest. "Stu," she called out softly, her voice betraying the tension she felt.

Stu turned around and his grin widened when he saw her. "Cass! What's up? You stalking me now?"