HALLOWEEN

Chapter 14

Laurie is looking out through the blinds of her bedroom window. Her front yard is empty. Not a soul in sight.

Karen is sitting on the bed. "I'm scared. I don't know how to do this, mum".

Laurie grabs her weapon. "You never wanted to listen when I spoke about that night... but this is why. We fight to survive. He is a killer. But he will be killed tonight. I've been preparing for this for a long time. And whether you know it or not, so have you".

Karen is scared, weeping, but shakes her head "yes".

Laurie looks at her. "Karen... I'm sorry. For everything". Karen sees her mom's eyes welling up. She hugs Laurie.  Laurie hasn't felt this in years and hugs her as tight as she can. "I'm so sorry baby".

Allyson moves quickly through the woods. Bloody, tired, limping. She grabs a tree to catch her breath. She sees the disturbing silhouettes of the mannequins that Laurie used as target practice. Frozen expressions with bullet ridden faces all around her. She avoids one but collides with another and they collapse along side her. She starts screaming in fear.

Ray plays with the untangled yo-yo that Laurie had at the community center. He watches the security camera monitors. He sees a police cruiser slowly rolling up to the front of the house. It hits a couple of garbage cans and then stops. Curious, he gets up and goes to the front door. The door has two small windows with color glass. He sees the cruiser with lights flashing. He stands there watching before he decides to go and investigate.

He opens the door and steps out into the cold night.

"Any word on Allyson?" He calls out.

No response.

He walks closer to the cruiser.

"Do you need some coffee or something?"

Ray strains to see Officer Richards in the front seat of the cruiser.  Ray waves.  No response. Ray moves toward the car, knocks on the window and then opens the driver's side door. What he sees is a mind-blowing moment of horror: Officer Richards has his throat slit and Doctor Sartain's pen blade jammed through his ear. AND- in his lap sits Officer Francis' head...

Ray backs up, a wave of fear coming over him.

"Oh, my god".

Officer Franics' head is carved like a Jack-o-Lantern. A torch has been shoved up into it, it's glow lighting up the car. Ray hears the sound of the wind chimes approaching and he turns and sees The Shape standing there. Ray chokes and wheezes and swings his arms wildly trying to save himself. Michael has wrapped the chimes around his throat. After a great struggle, he falls to the ground... Dead.

The Shape steps back and looks down at him and observes his kill while Laurie comes down the stairs inside.

"Ray?" She calls out, her shotgun still resting in his hands.

She steps up to the front door. She looks through the distorted glass of the windows and sees in plain sight... The Shape with his back to her, standing perfectly still over Ray's body. Laurie locks the door, cringes as she registers the scene and turns away. She sees Karen walk down the staircase.

"Mum?"

Laurie shakes her head and holds her finger to her lips. She meets Karen in the middle of the room.

"He's here Karen. Michael is here.  Go to the shelter and hide. You'll be safe there".

"What about Ray? What about Allyson?" Asks Karen.

Laurie speaks, "I'll take care of it. It's time. Now. It all ends tonight".

Karen nods through tears and runs to the kitchen. She spins the island counter clock-wise. She shares a look with Laurie as her mother takes position. Armed at the front door. Is this good-bye? Karen disappears into the shelter and the island slides back, covering the secret door.

Laurie turns back toward the window with her shotgun to keep an eye along The Shape. Before she gets a glance, the glass of one window smashes. The Shapes right arm reaches through and grabs her by the side and then slides to her throat. Her weapon is useless as he pulls her into the door. The other arm punches through the other window and reaches desperately for her. She spins around until her back is to the door. Her left hand reaches up and grabs hold of The Shape's spastic hand.

With her right hand, Laurie pumps her shotgun and points it toward The Shape's left hand. He grabs hold of the barrel and she pulls the trigger. His left hand explodes. Two fingers disintegrated by the blast. His thumb and two others remain. He lets go and his arms retreat into the darkness.

Karen hears footsteps above her. She looks and considers the  overwhelming arsenal beside her: A crossbow, a semi-automatic rifle, a shotgun and a small handgun, etc. She grabs the smallest firearm on the wall and walks to the  base of the ladder as footsteps pace above her. She hears the island move aside and the hinges of the door lift open.

She's nervous, but the gun is ready. She pulls the trigger- CLICK!

"It only works if you load it, sweetheart" says Laurie.