Terrifier: Splatter

7

The four of them went to the tree picking place. When they walked around, Mallory sighed, starting to feel unsure. "I don't even know if I want a real Christmas tree, I think a fake one will be better, they don't die on you." Everyone knows she had witnessed enough death in her life.

"Yeah, but the real ones can look so pretty when you put the ornaments on them! Give them a chance." Vivian promised, gesturing to the various trees for her to check out. She did go over to them anyway, because she didn't want to disappoint her friend.

"I vote fake one. Too many things have been going wrong in my life already, I don't want to add cleaning up a dead tree from the living room to that list." Sarah spoke, lifting her hand up slightly as a 'vote' before she glares at the tree next to her with suspicion.

"Oh, yeah... especially if you include dealing with a killer clown." Mallory said, proud of herself after finally being able to joke about her extremely traumatic experience.

"That's all I was talking about... and also him killing my ex boyfriend. But Aaron turned out to be a cheating scumbag, so..." Sarah trailed off.

Vivian frowned, looking at her friends. "Guys, that was in the past. It's Christmas season, nothing can go wrong!"

Sarah gasped, as if she had cursed her entire bloodline and spat in her face. She pointed a finger at Vivian. "If you just jinxed us, I will kill you myself."

Mallory turned to her boyfriend, who had walked off to look at some trees. "Thomas! What do you think? Real or fake tree?" she said, loud enough so he could hear.

He shrugged, coming back over to them. He wrapped an arm over her shoulders, and glanced down at his phone. He wasn't that interested in their discussions, and he made that clear with his actions. "Doesn't matter."

She was disappointed with his answer, leaving the decision up to her. He usually did this, let her do whatever without giving any of his own input. Now that they had started talked about the past again, she thought about Oliver. He would've given his opinion, but in the end, respect whatever choice she made. She missed him.

"Okay, fake it is. Let's go to the market, they have a lot." Sarah says, they all start walking to the car. Mallory is going with them, but abruptly stops when she sees Art standing next to one of the trees, staring right at her. He was holding the black trash bag, and raised his hand up, grinning as he wiggled his fingers as a hello. He was wearing a Santa hat, the only difference in his appearance from all of the other hallucinations she had experienced.

"You're not real." she hissed angrily, shaking her head slightly as if that would get him out of it. He nodded his head in return, a polar opposite to her shaking her head, which taunted her even more.

"Mal, what are you doing? Let's go!" Sarah runs back over to her, they had already gotten to the car. Thomas and Vivian were trailing behind, Thomas walking faster than the other. She turned her head to her bestfriend. "Sarah, I saw him."

"Again with the clown?" Thomas sighed, sounding a little annoyed. It was hard to remember why she even got together with him. "Where did you see him?" Sarah questioned, glancing around anxiously. Mallory gestured to where he had been standing. Thomas walked over to the tree, looking around. "Nothing. Mallory, you really need to up your dosage or something." He went back over to them, crossing his arms.

Mallory scoffed. "He was right there, but this time... he seemed so real. He even had a Santa hat on. My other hallucinations never added any accessories."

"Well, maybe your mind was feeling more into the Christmas spirit." Sarah said, still seeming a little on edge. "Let's just get the fake tree and go home. It's chilly out here." She hugged herself, seeking warmth.

They quickly pick up the fake tree and get plenty of ornaments before going to the house.