Entanglement of Time

Chapter 5: Shadows of the Future

Summary: Tara finds the Ghostface costume under Amber's bed in a box at a sleepover for the group (Wes wasn't invited and Liv was busy).

______________________________________

September 16th, 2022

The teacher spoke about some random economy lesson, his voice reverberated against the tiled walls of the otherwise quiet classroom. Tara sat at her desk, her fingers idly tracing the outline of her notebook while her gaze was fixated on the clock. The ticking seconds seemed to stretch out, each one heavy with anticipation. Thoughts of the upcoming sleepover at Amber's house churned in her mind, swirling like a storm. She felt a mix of excitement and anxiety; the thrill of spending time with friends was overshadowed by the unsettling weight of what was to come sooner or later.

Nearby, Mindy and Chad animatedly discussed their plans for the evening, their laughter punctuating the air. Tara could see their lips moving, the expressions on their faces shifting with every joke, but the words felt distant and muted, like a TV playing in another room. Instead, her focus remained on the ominous sense that something sinister lurked beneath the surface of their seemingly normal lives. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was standing at the edge of a precipice, peering into an abyss that threatened to swallow them whole.

With each passing moment, the tension in her chest tightened. 

What if Amber's darkness was more than just a phase? 

Tara had tried to convince herself that it was just teenage angst, but the thought of Amber having a Ghostface costume hidden in her room gnawed at her, a persistent reminder of the dangers that lay ahead. Tara's heart raced, the fear of the unknown mingling with the worry for her friend.

When the bell rang, jolting her back to reality, Tara jumped to her feet, her movements almost frantic as she gathered her things. She shoved her notebook and pens into her bag, the fabric crumpling under her hurried motions. The clamor of students rising from their seats filled her ears, their voices blending into a cacophony of excitement and relief. She joined the throng of students flowing toward the exit, a sea of backpacks and chatter surrounding her.

As they stepped outside, the rain had let up slightly, leaving the pavement glistening under the fading light of the afternoon sun. The air felt fresher, invigorating, and yet Tara remained acutely aware of the tension still coiling in her gut.

Mindy nudged her, pulling her from her thoughts. "You ready for tonight? We're gonna binge-watch those horror movies you love!" Her enthusiasm was contagious, but Tara could only manage a half-hearted smile in response.

"Yeah, totally," Tara replied, trying to inject some excitement into her voice, but it felt strained. 

As Mindy's words faded into the background, her mind spiraled back to the idea of a hidden costume, the mask, and the knife—the dark reminders of what they might be facing. What if tonight was the night everything changed and her greatest fears were true?

The excitement of the sleepover mingled with an unsettling dread as Tara walked home. 

What if she needed help? What if it was too late? 

The questions haunted Tara, each step forward feeling heavier than the last.

______________________________________

Later that evening, as dusk settled over Woodsboro, Tara prepared for the sleepover with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. She stood in her room, the soft glow of her fairy lights casting a warm hue over the space, but it did little to alleviate the tension coiling in her stomach.