Killer Instinct: Carrie Unleashed

Chapter 8: Hisako

Blood-red light seeped over Chamberlain, Maine, as the sun died. Tonight, there were no cheers or evening strolls beneath the cold, expanding darkness-only the absolute silence of a town holding its breath. The Black Prom's stain had changed everything. Those remaining huddled behind dead-bolted doors, while others were already packing, their moving vans a promise of permanent, terrified flight.

Sue Snell stepped onto the sidewalk, flashlight in one hand, the other adjusting the weight of her backpack. She slapped the nylon, verifying the heft of the water and spare batteries for the dark hike to Memorial Park.

Rita gripped the doorframe. "Are you sure about this, Sue? That girl might not be there anymore."

Sue shifted the pack straps. "I understand the risk."

"But is it possible to find anything?"

"If it's a joke, a cop will scold me. Otherwise, I need to know the threat."

"Alright, but if anything happens, you call me."

"I will." Sue didn't stroll; she moved with a determined, brittle stride. Behind her, the door latched shut with a soft, final click.

***

Only yellow tape marked the park entrance. Memorial Park's gates were quiet, empty. Sue checked the street for patrol cars. Law enforcement lacked sufficient resources here. As she stepped closer, she paused. The taped-off entrance gaped, a stitched-up yawning mouth. A hoax, she'd told Rita-but the flashlight beam jittered in her trembling hand.

Rita was right. I should have stayed home.

Something brushed her shoulder. Startled, Sue screamed and jammed the light beam into her attacker's face.

A young boy shielded his eyes. "Sue, put that thing away!"

"George?" She smacked his head and dropped the light beam. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Ow! Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. Also, I could ask you the same thing."

"Well..." Sue's hand rubbed her stomach. She didn't have time to explain. "I'm heading back. I won't risk my baby."

"Sariel might agree with that."

"Who is Sariel?"

"Exchange student. Senior year. Tommy and I knew him-he's the Japanese kid we hosted before Prom." George spoke, looking over his shoulder. "I called him about the park. He said he'd try to help before moving back."

"And now you're his escort?" Sue squinted past him. "Looks like he agreed."

George's phone buzzed against his hip, playing a catchy ringtone. He pulled it out and answered. "Hello?"

"Are you at Memorial Park?" an accented voice asked.

"Yeah, and so is Sue."

"'Sue?' The former Ultra member? From what you've told me, she's pregnant, right?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"Tell her to leave."

Before George could respond, Sue shoved her face near the speaker. "Not until I have answers."

A heavy sigh came through the speaker. "If you insist. I'll be there in five minutes."

"Alright, man." George hung up. "Guess you're coming with us, Sue. Just stay close."

"Fine."

A shout cut through the park's silence. George looked up. Sariel was walking toward them, wearing a crisp button-up shirt and looking out of place against the yellow tape. His most striking feature was the heterochromia: one eye was blue, the other brown.