𝐒𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝐒𝐈𝐗 (𝐀𝐔)

EIGHT

As Anika and Amber strolled through the park, they awaited the call from Ghostface, while the rest of the group-Kirby, Ethan, Chad, Sam, Tara, and Mindy-stayed in the van.

"You should have stayed in the van," Anika remarked to Amber as they walked side by side.

Amber shook her head, refusing the suggestion. "No way am I leaving you to face the killer alone," she replied, a determined smile forming on her face. "Besides, I'm stronger than you, so I can provide backup."

Anika playfully pointed out, "I'm taller than you."

Amber shrugged, undeterred. "Only by an inch. I've got your back, Ani," she declared, starting to walk a few steps ahead of Anika. Anika couldn't help but smile gently, reassured by Amber's presence and support.

Just then, Anika's phone rang, and she swiftly answered, placing it on speaker. "You're going to die, you know," she confidently asserted, walking alongside Amber.

"No, you're the one who's going to die, Anika," Ghostface menacingly warned, his voice filled with malice. "Choking on your own blood while I hack up your sister."

Anika's voice quivered slightly, but determination laced her words. "Unless we find you first."

Ghostface sneered, attempting to undermine Anika's intelligence. "For a so-called mastermind, you're not very bright. Waiting for my call, desperately hoping I'm nearby so the police can swoop in. But I'm not nearby. I'm one step ahead." With that, the call abruptly ended.

Anika scoffed before she shifted too Kirby looking around, "did you get that?"

"yep! geolocation is going through now.." Kirby paused as she looked at the map, "he's on the upper west side. In an apartment building."

"on west 96.." Amber asked and kirby let out a yeah. The two sister's eyes widen then they heard Sam say.

"Gale.."

➩➩➩➩➩

Sam and Tara quickly exited the van, and the group started running down the street, with Wayne trailing behind them as best he could.

"How are we going to make it all the way across town in time?" Anika asked, her voice laced with concern.

Amber's eyes gleamed with a mischievous smirk as she spotted a cop car in the distance. Without hesitation, she sprinted towards it, prompting Tara to shout after her in confusion. The rest followed, running towards Amber and the cop car.

"I'm getting us a ride, duh!" Amber exclaimed triumphantly as she opened the driver's side door and hopped in. Tara joined Sam in the backseat, while Anika settled into the front seat, glancing over at Amber.

"Are we really going to use the sirens?" Anika questioned, a mix of excitement and apprehension in her voice.

Amber's smirk widened. "Did you really think we would steal a cop car and not use the sirens?" she retorted, confidently flipping the switch to activate them.

"It's a cop car, you can't just steal a cop car!" Bailey's voice echoed behind them, protesting their actions. However, his curses grew faint as Amber accelerated and drove away. Despite the thrill of the moment, Annabella nervously gripped the dashboard as the car sped past numerous buildings.

➩➩➩➩➩

They arrived at the apartments, their movements filled with urgency as they dashed towards the elevators. Anika swiftly pressed the button for her floor, and as the doors opened, she wasted no time in reaching the door and forcefully pushing it open.

Inside the apartment, Anika's eyes widened as she witnessed Gale's close encounter with the blade. Reacting with reflexes honed by adrenaline, she instinctively seized a nearby gun and unleashed a barrage of shots at Ghostface. The masked figure quickly retreated, compelled by the hail of bullets.

The remaining group members hurriedly rushed to check on Gale, their concern evident. Anika, still filled with a surge of emotions, muttered a curse word under her breath before relinquishing her grip on the gun, it's weight suddenly feeling burdensome in the aftermath of the intense confrontation.

"Gale, it's going to be alright," Sam reassured, her voice filled with concern as she applied pressure to Gale's wound. "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry."

"He didn't get me," Gale weakly whispered, shaking her head. "Tell Sidney... tell her he never got me." With those words, Gale hummed softly as her eyes closed, causing Sam's eyes to widen in distress.

"Gale? Gale! Gale!" Sam called out, her voice filled with panic as she shook her gently. Nurses and paramedics swiftly entered the room, responding to the commotion. Amber, recognizing the need for space, pulled her sister away from the unconscious woman, while Tara struggled to hold Sam back.

"Gale! No, no!" Sam continued to cry out, her voice filled with desperation and fear, desperately longing for Gale to regain consciousness.

She was sobbing uncontrollably as she looked away from the women. "she's going to be okay Sam." Tara told her.

➩➩➩➩➩

The group sat somberly in the lobby of the apartment, their expressions reflecting their sadness. Amber found solace as she rested her head on Mindy's other shoulder, while Mindy leaned on Amber for support. In a rush, Danny entered the room and hurried over to Sam. "I got here as soon as I could," he explained breathlessly.

Tara scoffed, her skepticism evident. "Did you, though?"

Fear tinged Mindy's voice as she finally admitted, "I'm scared, you guys. I don't want to get hurt again." Anika, understanding her girlfriend's vulnerability, tightened her grip on Mindy's hand, offering reassurance.

Chad's voice carried a sense of uncertainty. "What do we do now?"

Anika's voice, firm and resolute, filled the room. "Maybe this time he wins. Maybe he wants to punish me. Let him. I'll turn myself in. It's the only way to ensure all of you stay safe." She squeezed her girlfriend's hand one last time before letting go and rising to her feet.

"No, Anika, every single day you choose to protect us. None of us would be alive if it weren't for you and Sam," Amber said, her voice filled with sincerity as she shook her head. "Now it's time to let us protect you."

Anika shook her head in resistance. "No..."

Amber's expression grew determined as she nodded. "Yes, Anika. We're a team, remember? We stick together and watch out for one another. It's your turn to let us be there for you."

"Actually... we're family," Mindy corrected, as she, Chad, Tara, and Sam stood up, forming a circle.

"We're the core fucking six!" Chad declared, extending his hand, which puzzled Danny.

"The core what?" Danny asked, looking at Chad with confusion.

"It's an 'us' thing," Amber shrugged, before she reached out and grabbed Chad's hand.

"Isn't there somewhere safe we can keep ghostface in?" Ethan inquired, searching for a solution.

Amber sighed, her voice tinged with resignation. "No, he'll just keep finding us."

"Ugh, great..." Ethan huffed, his frustration evident.

Tara interjected, a glimmer of hope in her voice. "But maybe we can use that to our advantage."

➩➩➩➩➩

Tara dialed Bailey's number, quickly filling him in on their plan to apprehend Ghostface. As Bailey answered the call, his voice carried a hint of annoyance. "I'm already getting chewed out for not dropping this case, and now you want me to do what?"

"We need to lure him into a secure location and trap him," Tara explained matter-of-factly.

Bailey's tone changed, his curiosity piqued. "And what happens after we trap him?"

"Execute him, are you going to help us?"

"Let's kill this son of a bitch."