¹𝐅𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐑,, billy loomis & stu macher | ✔︎

20, I really did love you

F L I C K E R
•-•༻★•🔪•☆༺•-•
CHAPTER TWENTY,   I really did love you
" my beloved ghost and me, sitting in a tree, D-Y-I-N-G "
•-•★•🔪•☆•-•

Kathryn never thought she would see the day when she'd be relieved to see Gale freaking Weathers.

"Right here, asshole," Gale declared, holding the gun with a shaky but determined grip, aiming it squarely at Billy. He turned his head slowly toward Stu, a glare darkening his expression.

"I thought she was dead."

"She looked dead, man," Stu replied weakly, his gaze glued to the barrel of the gun. "Still does."

Despite looking like she could barely stand, Gale held her ground. Her face, painted with scratches, twisted into a grimace as she stared down the boys.

"I've got an ending for you," she began, voice trembling. "The reporter left for dead in the news van comes to, stumbles upon you two dipshits, finds the gun, foils the plan, and saves the day."

Sidney straightened her posture, taking a small step forward. "I like that ending," she said, her tone growing stronger. She glanced down at Kathryn, who gave a slow, deliberate nod in agreement.

"Sounds perfect to me."

Billy didn't flinch. Instead, a sinister smile crept across his face as he eased closer to Gale. "I know something you don't."

Gale pressed the trigger, but nothing happened. Her eyes widened in horror as she realized the gun was jammed. Before she could react, Billy lunged, knocking her backward into the doorway with a harsh kick to the stomach, where she collapsed unconscious beside Dewey.

"Yeah, man," Stu cheered quietly, though still wincing in pain as Billy retrieved the gun from Gale's limp hand. "Yeah."

Billy inspected the gun, flipping the safety off. "This is Gale Weathers, signing off."

Stu chuckled darkly, turning his attention to the kitchen, a grin spreading across his face. "Oh, princess, you're gonna love this—oh, shit..."

Kathryn, Sidney, and Neil had quietly crept out of the kitchen, their hearts pounding. If Billy and Stu had wanted to keep her alive before, that was definitely off the table now.

Kathryn shot a glance over her shoulder, then looked at Sidney, who was supporting her father. "Okay, I need you guys to go—hide. Now."

"What—no, I'm not leaving you, Kat," Sidney whispered, her voice quivering, tears brimming in her eyes.

"Trust me, Sid. I'll call the cops. We'll hide until they get here. It won't take long."

Reluctantly, Sidney nodded, but the sound of Billy and Stu rummaging in the kitchen sent her heart racing. Just as she was about to leave, Kathryn stopped her.

"Wait. Hand me the cell phone and voice modulator."

"Why?" Sidney asked, her voice soft but trembling as she dug the items out of Neil's pocket.

"Just trust me."

Billy circled the kitchen, growing increasingly frustrated. For the first time that night, a hint of fear flashed in his eyes. "Where are they?" he muttered, though his thoughts were deafening.

Slumping against the fridge, Stu let out a pained cough. "I don't know, Billy, but I'm hurting, man."

Billy stormed toward the foyer, only to freeze when the shrill ring of the telephone echoed through the house. Both he and Stu snapped their heads toward it.