Scream For Me

Chapter 16

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The next few days were filled with plotting of her own.
When Alyssa had woken up the next morning on the couch alone a note waited for her.
It was simple, just saying that he was going to be busy for the next few days but that he would come by and see her as soon as he could and stating that she should burn this before her parents got home later that day.

She had then called up her teammates and the principal.
She had a plan.

That was why she was currently gearing up to play a charity soccer event. She had decided that the town should at the very least try and help the families that were suffering in these difficult times, and all of the profits made would go to these families.

And this also might ease some of the guilt she felt for harboring a fugitive a few nights a week. She walked out onto the field and the bright lights momentarily blinded her.

She looked around with her eyes squinted and saw all of the bleachers filled.

Her brown eyes widened and she rubbed at them. She could have sworn she had seen his mask for a moment hiding under the bleachers. Alyssa shook her head and rolled her shoulders. She was imagining things when she should be focusing.

Taking a deep breath her eyes turned to steel and her hands tightened into fists.

The game had begun.

She flanked Tasha's right side and slid around the opposing girl.
Dirt kicked up around her feet as she fell into place and she bounced on her feet so that she would be ready. Timing was everything in this play and they were running out of it!

Fifteen seconds left till the ball was in the goal, but there were only ten left in the game.

Tasha passed it to her and she took the shot instead of passing to Caitlin.

There just wasn't enough time for that! Everything slowed down and her heart pounded.

The goalie lunged for the ball, having not expected it to come from that direction.

Her gloves brushed against it and everything held its breath, even the night sky stilled.

And it sailed past her fingertips into the goal, just as the timer buzzed.

Cheering erupted through the stands and she found herself suddenly enveloped in the embrace of her teammates, their arms crushing her and she tried to catch her breath.

The celebration lasted a full twenty minutes while they were in the locker room and she just smiled.

It really shouldn't have been her shot and she sent a mournful look at her star forward who just gave her a reassuring smile in return.

Eventually she found her way out of the crowd and locker-room.
Her hair was still tired up messily and her jersey and cleats had been replaced by a tee-shirt and her well-worn sneakers.
She put her bag on her shoulder and took a deep breath, the night air was cool and crisp, it felt good against her hot skin.

Her parents had tried to get her to ride home with them but she always preferred running after a game, it helped her cool down and kept her from becoming sore the next day. She started up, moving easily through the dimly light streets, when suddenly a voice called out her name and she paused.

"Alyssa!" Cory ran up to her, the large blonde haired male beaming at her.

"That was a great game, you were amazing."

She shifted her bag and gave him a small smile.

"Thanks, what are you doing out here?"

"Um, well I was just thinking that maybe I could walk you home?" he gave her a sheepish smile, his hazel eyes lighting up.

"Oh, that's sweet," She tried not to show her discomfort.

After what Tasha had told her she had been trying to avoid him.
She did not at all feel anything towards the boy besides friendship and she wanted to leave it at that.

"But I'm fine on my own." She turned around and made to leave.

"Wait!" he looked embarrassed at his outburst.

"Are you sure, it's really dark and with the killer still on the loose..."

Alyssa suppressed a snort.
As if Ghostface would ever be so stupid to snatch her off of an open street where anyone could see them.

"I'm fine." She didn't sugar coat her annoyance this time.

"Oh...well...Do you want to hang out sometime? We could go to the movies or something...." He frowned as he looked at her. "We haven't hung out in a long time, not since your birthday..."

She wanted to scream.
What would it take for him to let her go home?
She was tired and she really really wanted a shower that didn't smell like eggs like the school showers did.

"Sure. You should come over sometime, not I need to get going." She turned and took off down the street before he could say anything else.

She turned the corner and was suddenly yanked into an alley. She opened her mouth to shout her surprise then a gloved hand found its way over her mouth and an icy blade was pressed to her throat.

She gripped her bag tightly and swung it towards her assailant.
He grunted in pain and swore quietly.

Her eyes widened she knew that voice and he tossed back his hood.

"That hurt!" he whined as he let her go.

She gritted her teeth, anger surging through her, her leg shot out before she had consciously thought about it and she kicked him in the shin, hard. He yelped and hopped on one foot.

"I hope it hurt you idiot!" she yelled before she caught herself and lowered her voice.

"What on earth are you doing here?" he stopped hopping although his ankle was still throbbing with pain and he smiled.

As always she could feel his smile, it radiated from him and warmed her even while the crisp air still bit at her skin.

"You played fantastically." She felt her cheeks go hot. She had seen him under the bleachers!

"Go home." She turned away so he wouldn't see her smile as she walked off.

But he had seen and he felt a dopey grin spread across his own face.
He was so grateful that she hadn't died when he attached her.

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