Chapter Text
Tara sat with Liv and Anika at their usual table, waiting for the Meeks-Martian twins and Wes to arrive. As they waited, Liv and Anika couldn’t resist bringing up the topic of Wes’s crush on Tara.
“Come on, Tara, it's getting painful to watch him be a puppy following you around. Give him a chance, you won’t find anyone like him.” Liv said, aggressively stabbing her salad.
“Liv is right, Tara. It’s leading him on. Didn’t you say Sheriff Hicks thinks you two are going out?” Anika looked at Tara with concern.
Tara groaned and placed her head on her arms, hiding from her friends. “Don’t remind me,” she said, lifting her head to look at her friends. “I've told him before that we're better off as friends. Don’t get me wrong, Wes is a good guy but I don’t see myself with him.”
“Well, you gotta make it clear to him. Because he still believes he has the chance with you.” Liv said, pointing her fork filled with lettuce at Tara.
“I know.” Tara replied with a sigh.
Anika turned her head as she noticed her girlfriend. “Well better think a few words cause the rest of the gang are coming.”
Mindy comes running towards them with the boys in tow.
“You guys, you guys, guess what?” Mindy says excitedly, planting her hands on the table. “There’s a party happening this Friday!”
Chad chimed in with a mischievous grin, "And we're all going, right?" He turned to Liv and Anika, his eyes were gleaming with excitement.
Liv and Anika nodded in agreement since their panthers are eager to go.
Wes turned to Tara with a hopeful expression, "You're going to the party, right? Because I'm definitely going." He tried to convince her, hoping to get a chance to spend time with her.
Liv and Anika exchanged a knowing look.
Tara hesitated, unsure if she wanted to go to the party. She preferred a quiet evening at home, especially to avoid being around Wes. "I don't know. I'm not really in the mood to go to parties."
Mindy's face fell. "Oh, come on, Tara. We haven’t gone to a party in ages. You can’t miss this one. Please."
Chad playfully grinned at Tara. "Yeah, Tara, you've got to come. You need to come out of your shell and enjoy the high school experience."
Liv joined in, persuading Tara. "Think of it as a favor to us, Tara. We'll have drinks, dance, and have fun with all of us together."
"Please, Tara, you've got to be there. It won't be the same without you." Ankia said, hoping to sway Tara’s decision.
Wes spoke up, his eyes fixed on Tara, and he gave her a hopeful smile. "I'll be there too, Tara." He said, hoping to catch her attention and convince her to come along.
Oh, that made Tara cringe a bit with Wes's plea, but she knew that Mindy wouldn’t leave her alone until she said yes. With a sigh, she finally gave in. "Fine, fine! I'll go. But I can't promise to take care of all of you the next day." Tara said, giving in to the group.
The group cheered, and Chad nudged Wes playfully. "See, Wes? This is your chance to make a move." He teased.
Wes blushed, but Tara quickly brushed off Chad's comment.
“Alright now that everyone is on board, how about we meet up at our house before we head over to the rich neighborhood?" Mindy suggested. Everyone agreed to the plan. "Alright, cool. Stop by around 7." she confirmed.
The sound of the bell interrupted the group's conversation, signaling the end of their lunch and their next class.
"Ugh, back to the grind." Tara said, groaning.
"But at least we have something to look forward to." Mindy exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear.
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Finally, Friday night arrived, and the group made their way to the house where the party was being held. As they approached, they could already hear the thumping bass and see people passed out on the lawn.
Tara felt a mix of excitement and nervousness as they made their way through the door, wondering what kind of night was in store for them. As they entered the crowded room, the thumping beat of the music filled the air.
After what seemed to be hours, the group decided to split up. Mindy and Ankia go to the kitchen, Wes goes to look around the house to see if there are people he knows, while Liv, Chad, and Tara continue dancing to the pulsing beat in the crowded living room.
Liv, Chad, and Tara danced in the middle of the crowded living room, their bodies swaying to the beat of the music.
The house was packed with half-drunk and high partygoers, and Tara couldn't help but be impressed by the lively atmosphere. "Whoever threw this party definitely knows how to have a good time!" she exclaimed to Liv, who was swaying to the music with Chad by her side.
Tara lifted her cup, only to realize that it was empty, she turned to Liv. "I'm going to get another drink. I’ll be right back."
As Tara made her way through the crowded living room, the pulsing music and colorful lights filled her with energy. She finally reached the makeshift bar where she poured herself a drink and started chatting with some of the other partygoers she knew. The alcohol and the good company were starting to work their magic, and Tara found herself enjoying the music and the company of a few.
As she scanned the crowd, she noticed Wes making his way towards her, holding a drink in his hand. “Fuck.” Tara muttered.
“Hey, Tara.” Wes said, grinning at her. “You having fun?”
Tara nodded, “Yeah, it’s a great party.” she replied, Glancing at the bottles on the table to see if there was something much stronger she could pour into her cup.
Wes took a sip of his drink before speaking again. “Uhh, listen, Tara, I was wondering if you wanted to dance?” he says, seeing Tara pour the hardest bottle into her cup.
That made Tara stop pouring her cup mid way. Setting the bottle back down on the table. “I don’t know Wes. I’m not really in the mood for dancing right now.” she said, despite having been dancing with Liv and Chad just moments ago.
Wes looked disappointed, his expression falling slightly, but he quickly nodded in understanding. "Okay, maybe later then," he said, his tone still friendly.
Tara smiled, relieved that he didn't push her further. She goes back to find Liv and Chad on the dance floor.
As she walked away, Wes was left standing alone next to the bar. He let out a heavy sigh and took a large gulp of his drink before pouring himself another.
Tara eventually made her way back to the spot where she had last seen Liv and Chad, but to her surprise, they were nowhere to be found. The crowded room made it difficult to search for them, and she began to grow increasingly anxious.
‘Where did they go?’ Tara thought.
Suddenly, a drunk guy stumbled towards Tara, trying to appear charming despite his slurred speech. "Hey there, the name is James. I couldn't help but notice that you looked a bit lost. Do you need help finding your way?" he asked, swaying slightly as he spoke.
Tara politely declined his offer, her tone firm but friendly. "No, thank you. I'm just looking for my friends."
James continued, refusing to leave Tara alone, and even went as far as grabbing her arm. "Come on, don't be shy. Let me show you a good time," he said, his grip tightening.
Tara's patience wore thin, and she tried to pull her arm away from James's grasp. "I'm not interested," she said firmly, hoping he would take the hint and leave her alone.
But James didn't take no for an answer and continued to persist, invading Tara's personal space. She could feel her frustration rising and was considering shoving him away when a mysterious girl suddenly appeared out of nowhere and stepped in between them. Tara was caught off guard by the girl's sudden appearance.
"She said she's not interested. So back off," the girl said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument. Tara felt a wave of gratitude wash over her as the girl's intervention allowed her to escape from James's unwanted touch.
James looked taken aback by the girl's sudden appearance, but didn't back down.
"Who do you think you are?" he sneered, clearly not intimidated.
The girl didn't flinch and reached into her pocket, pulling out a hunting knife and holding it up threateningly. "Someone who doesn't mess around. Now leave," she said, her voice firm and unyielding.
Finally getting the message, James raised his hands in surrender and quickly backed away, disappearing into the crowd.
Tara let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding and turned to thank the girl. "Um, thank you for stepping in." she said, her voice still a little shaky.
The girl turned to face Tara fully and gave her a warm smile. "No problem. Creeps like him don't belong here," she said, putting her hunting knife back in her pocket where the sheath is.
Tara felt her cheeks flush as she caught the girl's eye. She wanted to say something else, anything to keep the girl there, but her mind went blank. She glanced down at her drink, feeling suddenly self-conscious and unsure of what to do next.
The girl seemed to sense Tara's unease and took the lead, extending her hand towards Tara. "Want to dance?" she asked softly. Tara hesitated, but the look on the other girl's face was so inviting that she couldn't help but accept the offer and let herself be dragged into the crowd.
As a song started to play, the taller girl began jumping around Tara with a wide grin on her face. Tara giggled, her head barely bobbing to the beat. "Dance a bit!" the girl yelled over the music. Tara pouted but once again gave in to the pretty girl dancing in front of her. She felt the raven-haired girl's hands grabbing her wrists softly and began flailing them around their heads.
“Enjoying yourself?” the girl asked, sending Tara a pretty smile.
Tara rolled her eyes, a smile still plastered on her face. She ignored the heat on her cheeks, blaming it on the alcohol or how close this girl was. The raven-haired girl gently shoved her, and Tara smirked. "Yeah, fine. Whatever, it's fun."
“Should I try a bit more?” The girl is still holding onto Tara, gripping around her wrists so tight but not too tight to hurt her.
Suddenly, Tara is pulled close to the girl. She tenses up as the girl goes back to dancing, but soon gives in to the music and begins to enjoy herself. They dance in the dark, with bright neon lights illuminating their faces as they move. Tara laughs and actually has a good time, until she catches Wes looking around for her, barely able to walk and making a fool of himself.
The girl notices Tara looking at Wes and leans over to her ear. “Want to go outside?” she asks in a husky voice, sending shivers down Tara's spine.
Tara could only nod, and the girl pulled her through the crowd again. The late night air fills their lungs once they're out the front door, and it feels amazing on Tara's skin, which is sticky with sweat from the overcrowded room.
“Is bleach boy an ex or something?” the girl asked, arching a brow.
Tara shook her head. “No, just a friend. He’s been trying to ask me out, but I don’t really want to deal with it right now.”
The girl nodded, placing a hand on Tara’s shoulder. “Well, he won’t bother us out here. In the dark sitting on the swing.” she said, a playful smirk tugging at the corner of her lips as she gestured towards the porch swing.
Tara felt a small flutter in her stomach at the girl's words, but quickly brushed it off and followed her to the swing. They sat down, and Tara felt a sense of comfort and ease settle over her.
"Thanks for standing up for me earlier." Tara said, referring to when the girl had defended her from James.
The girl shrugged, a small smile playing on her lips. "I couldn't just let him keep bothering you. Besides, it gave me a chance to talk to you."
Tara's cheeks flushed at the girl's words, a tingle of excitement running down her spine as she couldn't deny the attraction she was feeling towards her.
"So, what do you like to do for fun?" the girl asked, breaking the silence and leaning forward, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Tara thought for a moment before answering. “Mostly catching up on reading and binge watching old shows/movies.”
The girl leaned back, with a mischievous grin widened. "Oh, a bookworm and a movie buff. I like that." she said, nodding approvingly.
Curiosity piqued, Tara returned the question. "What about you? What do you do for fun?"
A mischievous grin spread across the girl's face. "I'm a horror movie fanatic. I love the thrill of a good scare."
Tara raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What genre?"
The girl's grin turned devilish. "Mindless slashers. They're my guilty pleasure. Do you enjoy horror movies?" she asked eagerly.
Tara nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. "I do, but I'm not really into slasher movies."
The girl's teasing tone was evident as she spoke. "Don't tell me you're into elevated horror movies."
Tara shrugged, defending her preference. "I find them more insightful than mindless gore. Plus, they make me think."
The girl noticed Tara's expression and let out a small laugh, amused by her reaction. "I can see why you're not into slashers," she said with a smirk. "But hear me out. Slasher movies are the best horror films."
Tara raised an eyebrow, curious to hear the girl's reasoning.
"I mean, sure, some of them are mindless and predictable," the girl continued, "but there's something about the suspense and the thrill of seeing the killer stalk their prey that just gets your heart racing. And when it all comes together in that final act...it's just so satisfying."
“And what movie would that be?” Tara asked
"Stab." the girl replied with a smirk.
"Stab?" Tara furrowed her brows in confusion.
"Yeah, it's a classic slasher movie franchise. It's so mindless and predictable, yet so entertaining. You know the killer is going to show up and start hacking people up, but you can't help but scream and jump when it happens." the girl explained, clearly excited about the topic.
Tara chuckled, "I think I'll stick to my elevated horror movies."
The girl rolled her eyes playfully, "Suit yourself. Not everyone can appreciate the subtleties of elevated horror. But I guarantee you'll enjoy it if you give slashers a chance."
"Maybe I will," Tara said thoughtfully. "Who knows, perhaps I'll even enjoy Stab. But for me, there's something to be said about horror that makes you think rather than just relying on jump scares."
The girl flashed a smile, nodding in agreement. "I couldn't agree more. So what type of books have you been reading?"
The night sky was dotted with stars, and the cool breeze added a touch of freshness to the air.
They laughed, shared stories, and enjoyed each other's company without knowing each other's names. The night passed by quickly as they lost track of time in each other's presence.
The girl was captivated by Tara's kind heart, intelligence, and witty sense of humor, while Tara was intrigued by the girl's confidence, sharp wit, and mysterious aura. They were both surprised by how comfortable they felt with each other, as if they had known each other for a long time. Their conversation flowed with ease, each one opening up to the other.
As the night wore on, the party began to wind down, and the majority of the guests either left or were passed out from too much alcohol.
As the group stumbled out of the party, Mindy realized that Tara was nowhere to be seen. "Hey, has anyone seen Tara?" Mindy asked, her words slurring slightly from the alcohol.
Chad struggled to hold up Wes, who was completely passed out from drinking, while Liv leaned on Chad's shoulder, equally drunk. "I have no idea. Maybe she left with Ankia. But we really need to get these two home." Chad said, straining as he tried to support Wes's weight.
Mindy felt a pang of worry for Tara's safety. "I’m going back inside to check if she's still here. Go ahead and wait in the car." she said as she made her way back inside.
Mindy searched every room, calling out Tara's name, but came up empty-handed. Just as she was starting to think that Tara had left with Ankia, she heard a faint voice calling out from the porch. Mindy followed the voice, and there she found Tara, sitting on the porch swing with a mysterious girl.
"Tara, thank god I found you." Mindy said with a sigh of relief. "Chad's struggling with Wes and Liv, and it's getting late. We really need to go."
Tara tore her gaze away from the girl sitting next to her. "Yeah, you're right. I'll catch up with you guys in a bit."
"Alright, don't take too long." Mindy took a closer look at the girl that was next to Tara, trying to place where she had heard her voice before.
After Mindy left to rejoin the group, Tara couldn't shake the feeling of disappointment that she had to leave her conversation with the mysterious girl. As she got up to join her friends, she realized that she never got the girl's name. Just as she was about to ask, the girl gave her a sly grin and suggested, "Want to exchange numbers?"
Tara's heart skipped a beat, surprised by the boldness of the girl's move. But she was intrigued nonetheless, so they proceeded to swap phones and added their numbers before handing them back.
As Tara looked down at her phone, she realized that the girl had only entered "Savior" as her contact name. She couldn't help but feel confused and asked, "Don't you want me to put your real name?"
The girl replied with a mischievous grin, "Nah, just call me your Savior. For now." Tara couldn't help but chuckle at the girl's playful response, feeling a spark of excitement at the prospect of getting to know her more.
Tara was intrigued by the girl's enigmatic nature and playful demeanor, and she found herself irresistibly drawn to her. After exchanging numbers and bidding a quick goodbye to her savior, she rejoined her friends. Together, they headed back to the twins' home where they were staying for the night. However, Tara's mind was preoccupied with thoughts of the mysterious girl, and she found herself tossing and turning in bed, unable to shake them off. Her thoughts raced with questions about the girl's identity and what had made her so alluring.
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In a dim basement, with damp walls and the faint smell of mold. The only light source came from a single flickering bulb hanging from the ceiling, casting eerie shadows on the walls.
As James slowly regained consciousness, feeling a throbbing pain in his head and a cold draft on his skin. Although his eyes struggled to adjust to the darkness, he could make out a few objects in the room.
Suddenly, he realized his mouth was taped shut, and he attempted to scream, but no sound escaped his lips. Despite struggling and writhing in his seat, he realized that the ropes tightly bound his body to the chair, rendering his attempts to break free to be useless.
As panic set in, he discovered that he wasn't alone in the basement. An individual wearing a Ghost face mask and brandishing a knife approached him, causing James to cry and plead through the tape. However, he could only mumble through the tape, his eyes wide with fear.
The masked individual loomed over James, their eyes appearing cold and calculating behind the grotesque mask. They seemed to revel in James' terror, enjoying the power they held over him.
The cold, electric-sounding voice spoke, sending chills down James' spine. "Hello, James."
Trembling, James whimpered, his voice barely audible. "Please...please let me go. I haven't done anything."
The masked person let out a chilling chuckle that made James' heart race with fear. "Let you go? Not done anything? Oh no, you've done plenty. You're going to be here for a long time." the figure taunted, tracing the sharp blade of the knife along James' arm.
The masked person spoke with a sadistic tone, relishing in James' fear and discomfort. "Let's start by cutting you like the pig you are." They began to make a slow, straight cut on James cheek, but their cut was jugged by James's slight movements due to his tight restraints.
"Don't ruin the fun now, we're just getting started." The masked person grinned behind the mask as they lifted up a saw and other gruesome tools from the table.
With a swift motion, the masked person ripped the tape from James's mouth, causing him to gasp for air and cough from the sudden sensation.
"Now, now," The masked person chided, their voice dripping with amusement. "Don't want you dying on me just yet. We have so much more to do."
James desperately scanned the room, looking for any sign of hope, but there was none. He was trapped with his captor, a sick and twisted individual who revealed his terror.
The masked person circled around him, their knife twirling between their fingers. "You know, You should consider yourself lucky," they said in a chilling voice. "Most people would give anything to be in your place right now. To have the power to control another human being."
James felt sick to his stomach, the realization of his situation settling in. He was at the mercy of a killer, and he had no idea how to escape.
The masked person stopped in front of him, their grotesque smile widening behind the mask. "But don't worry," they said in a mocking tone. "I won't kill you. Not yet, anyway. I have other plans for you."
James screamed in agony as he felt a sharp stab in his leg, tears streaming down his face.
“Oh, don’t be a baby. The last person handled it like a champ.” The Ghost Face said, patting James' face roughly to keep him conscious.
James’ heart sank as he watched the masked figure pick up a saw, the sound of the teeth grinding together echoing in the small room. He closed his eyes, trying to block out the horror of what was about to happen.
“Now, that hand, oh that hand," they continued, "it was a huge problem. I didn't like where it was touching and holding onto something really precious and innocent." The masked person waved the saw around menacingly before placing it right on top of James' wrist to begin cutting. “Now, I need you awake. It’s going to hurt a lot.”
Despite closing his eyes, James was unprepared for the excruciating pain that seared through his flesh, the saw tearing through his bone and sinew. He couldn't help but scream, his cries echoing off the walls of the basement.
Ghostface only laughed in response, their twisted pleasure at James' agony evident in every sound they made.