Entanglement of Time

Chapter 4: A Raging Storm

Summary: Sam comes back  (fucking finally). 

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Wednesday, September 14th, 2022

The rain gently batters the windows, a relentless rhythm that creates a melancholic soundtrack to the day. The storm looms over Woodsboro like a shadow, enveloping the town in a damp embrace that feels all too familiar. Despite the high chance of flooding that threatens to turn the streets into rivers, the school day proceeds as if nothing were amiss. The relentless drizzle casts a somber pall over the school, muffling the sounds of chatter in the hallways.

Earlier that morning, Mindy had picked up Tara in Ms. Meeks-Martin's van, a vehicle that rattled and wheezed with age but offered a sense of nostalgic comfort. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of old leather and a hint of something sweet—perhaps a lingering air freshener. Tara sat between Mindy and Chad, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and anxiety as they navigated the increasingly flooded streets. She watched the water rise, swallowing curbs and creeping ever closer to the sidewalks, each inch a reminder of the chaos that lay just beneath the surface of their lives.

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1:15 p.m.

Inside the cafeteria, the atmosphere is charged with energy, students bustling through the tables, laughter, and gossip mingling with the sound of trays clattering and chairs scraping against the floor. Oblivious to the brewing storm outside, the students create a cacophony of noise that contrasts sharply with Tara's inner turmoil.

She sits at a small table with Mindy and Chad, her tray of food untouched, the fries growing cold as her mind drifts elsewhere. Mindy's laughter pierces through Tara's distraction like a beacon, but she can't fully engage. Each giggle feels hollow as her thoughts are consumed by Amber and the chasm that has grown between them over the years. The looming dread that her best friend might soon be pulled into the darkness by Richie weighs heavily on her chest, like a stone lodged in her throat.

Chad leans over, stealing a fry from Tara's plate with a mischievous grin. "You okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"I'm fine," she replies, but the tremor in her voice betrays her. The truth is the shadows of the past loom larger than life, wrapping around her like a suffocating blanket. The thought of losing Amber, of watching her spiral into Richie's web, sends a chill down her spine.

Suddenly, the cafeteria doors swing open with a creak that seems to echo through the room, and the energy shifts palpably. Tara's heart skips a beat as her gaze locks on Sam, stepping into the chaos. It's been five long years since she last saw her sister, and yet the sight of her ignites a flurry of emotions—relief, anxiety, and a profound sense of longing for the sister who had vanished from her life.

Sam looks different—youthful yet worn, a testament to the battles she's faced. The moment her eyes find Tara, her face softens, and she strides purposefully across the room, drawing the attention of others as she cuts through the clamor.

"Tara!" Sam's voice slices through the noise, vibrant and full of warmth, igniting a spark of hope in Tara's chest. 

Instinctively, Tara stands up, arms opening wide as they share a brief, tight embrace. It feels like a lifeline, pulling her back from the edge of despair. The familiar scent of Sam's perfume—a blend of floral notes and something distinctly her own—invokes a flood of childhood memories that makes Tara's throat tighten.

"I can't believe you're back," Tara whispers, pulling away to meet Sam's gaze. "I thought I'd lost you forever."

"Not this time," Sam replies, her eyes flickering over to Mindy and Chad, who watch the reunion with a mix of curiosity and caution. "You guys are okay?"