Splattered pumpkins

[Spellbinder]

<< Courtney's brief flash of RAGE in the form of that "demonic" aspect was as fleeting as the wind itself but it was REAL and this time, Ava and Delilah saw it too but right now, it wasnt like Courtne could care.>>

It MEANS, that all this SHIT in your head...is leaking out on me and I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE.

I hide in plain sight! I'm a PRISONER unto myself because YOU think that's the only way WE can live!

This...

<< gesturing between she and her mother>>

is NO WAY to live, mother.

I can't even be HONEST and TRUE to the only REAL FRIENDS I have now! I'm TIRED of it!

If YOU want to live in FEAR, handcuffed to your DEAD SON, that's YOUR choice, but YOU'RE NOT taking me along for this HELLRIDE anymore.

17 years for me....20 for you. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

<< Carole looked VISIBLY shocked and hurt. Chains had been BROKEN. The truth was liberating one and convicting the other. But Courtney....MORGAN wasnt out to HURT her mother, only to FREE herself and perhaps even do the same for her mother! Just like Ororo said!>>

<< Courtney calmed...>>

Mom...he's gone.

It's been 20 years.

He's gone.

<< she reached out to her mother with her hand>>

You were the one who cast the Hellfire spell on him. We watched him him BURN. you, Me, Alycia!


<<FLASH>>

Karen: NO! I can't...i WON'T let him take ANYONE ELSE...especially not YOU! Morgan. You stay here. If I....we...don't come back, GO. FLEE and Don't look back, do you understand!?

<< Inside, Alycia struggles to get away, but he's totally wounded her leg. She can't. He stands over her, preparing to strike a killing blow to her head when...>>

Karen: ADAM!

<< the shape looks up, fixing his eyes on his mother and slowly tilting his head.>>

Karen: That's ENOUGH. You're NOT MY SON. you're a BAD SEED. A THING OF EVIL. I should have ABORTED YOU! But I was A MOTHER. I didnt think I was SUPPOSED to feel that way! But NOW? I won't allow you to hurt ANYONE ELSE!

<< The Shape seems transfixed by Karen and then, ALYCIA is TELEPORTED outside by MORGAN, who after gathering herself and finding courage, gestures, and summons a disc to RESCUE Alycia. The Shape is PISSED and starts coming toward Karen.>>

Karen: Adam...It's TIME.

<< pointing at him.>>

Karen: Hellspawn demon creature of DEATH! FIRE shall take your very BREATH!

<< swinging her arm in a clockwise motion, chimes sound off, as Karen ignites a POWERFULL spell of HELLFIRE that EXPLODES out between she and the Shape JUST as he reaches her. the blast of hellfire radiates in a ballistic pattern and the flash can be seen for several miles around.>>

Morgan: MOM!?

<< Karen reappears outside, unharmed. But as she slowly makes her way to her daughter and Alycia, Morgan exclaims.>>

Morgan: OMIGAWD MOM! He's STILL COMING!

<< all three women look with utter HORROR as the SHAPE can be seen, lumbering forward through the hellfire but as it turns out, its only for a few steps before he drops to his knees, then falls down on his face. Not moving again. The spell runs its course and by the time police, sheiffs and emergency crews arrive, the fire is retreating as mysterious as it appeared. Karen, Alycia and Morgan are GONE. And the Shape? presumed DEAD.>>

<< by now, the confrontation between them had toned down to a conversation. Ava, Delilah and Nicolas could not hear what Courtney just said or what she was saying now>>

I...didn't exactly stick around to see the ASHES, Courtney.

I...IF he was going to come for us...wouldn't he have done it by now?? Wouldn't ALYCIA have called to warn us??

We are BOTH victims and we BOTH survived!

But that doesnt mean we have to hide from each other or that we cant BUILD new lives with the people we have in our lives now!

<< exhaling>>

I'm going to the car.

<< Courtney walks past her mother. pulling a hankerchief from her gothic purse and dabbing her eyes, sniffling a bit as she makes her way to the car. She doesnt know how much THEY heard, but at the momenet she doesnt care. This confrontation...as harsh as it was...marked a TURNING point in the relationship between Courtney...MORGAN and her mother. One that she hoped in her heart of hearts was for the BETTER. It would also mean she could finally be OPEN with her friends, whom she knew were growing more frustrated with her behavior. If they just knew...they might offer her support...or they might judge her cruelly but she'd rather take a chance than live never knowing.>>

<< reaching the car, Courtney climbs into the front passenger seat. Ava, Delilah and Nicolas had precious seconds to ask Courtney anything before Carole joined them>>

 

[Rampage]

As the alarm went off, Nicolas started to quickly usher Ava AWAY from the car, one hand on her hand, the other on her bottom. May as well get your feel on before you roll out fast as hell.

And then he 'felt' it. RIGHT before he SAW it. Ms. STARR. HERE. NOW.

Originally Posted By: Carole Starr

<< an odd, mystic "twinkling" sound can be heard as Dr. Starr, who has happened upon the wayward hillcrest students, quickly deals with the situation of the car alarm by twitching her nose a'la Samantha Stevens & immediately silences the alarm before the store clerk realizes just who's car that was.>>

Hold it RIGHT THERE!

FUCK. fuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuck.

Nicolas did not even make it ONE day. ONE day. He PROMISED his aunt, all of them, and HE did not make it even ONE day.

He was caught with his hand on Ava's ass while hanging outside the liquor store with her two bfs including the HEADMISTRESS' daughter!!

Well...so be it. He starts to step forward to take his the blame when Courtney steps up. She tries humor which he already knew from experience would not work.

Originally Posted By: Carole

No, you know what?

<< handing Delilah, the most studious and trustworthy [ as far as Carole was concerned] of the group, the car keys>>

Here. You three, go get in the car. I'll be right there.

<< she waves Ava , Delilah and Nicolas along and then quickly turns back to Courtney, holding her hand out in a STOP motion. It was time for a little MOTHER/DAUGHTER talk.>>

<<indeed>>

COURTNEY! WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!?

<< Carole bellows with such force!>>

Nicolas was fine with going to the car...he had seen her anger break into simple annoyance and, combined with Courtney stepping up on this one, perhaps he had a shot. He was walking with the others when he heard and the SAW Carole JACK her nearly-adult daughter up in public!!

He whispers to the other two.

Fuck THAT. I can get a cab. If she is gonna be tripping like that, I am not getting in the car.

And then they all saw IT. The face, the sound. He knew what it was. It was sexy and scary all at once. The HELL-face. Nicolas whispers again.

You two believe me NOW? She is something else and she needs our help. And what happened so bad that they could get to HERE? You don't tussle in the street over nothing...not as straight-laced as Dr. Starr is. And since when did she drink so much?

Nicolas smelled the alcohol and had already decided he would 'monitor' the drive home. Now he wondered if they should go home with two witches pissed in the car. But the ladies had gotten in the back and he knew he would not leave them alone.

Courtney made the decision for them as she got in the car in the front seat, apparently with tears in here eyes. Nicolas placed a hand gently on her shoulder and spoke.

Court...we are here for you hon. If the two of us can become friends after OUR start, then anything you need to say will be OK. Just trust us, all of us are different and I could give a shit about any of that as long as you are OK.

Nicolas put away the laughter and the jokes and put his heart into that simple statement. Hopefully they could get past the questions and work on helping her through this...through ALL of this.

 

[MorningStar]

Busted…

Dr. Starr was livid, and Delilah was appropriately shamed by it. She trudged with her head lowered sheepishly towards the car. Courtney’s mother handed her the keys and she obediently unlocked the car and got into the back seat with Ava and Nicolas. Well, this sucked.

“Great idea, Courtney.”

She crossed her arms and legs and sulked.

Delilah’s attitude changed, however, as they all heard Carole laying into Courtney, and Courtney giving good right back.

You two believe me NOW? She is something else and she needs our help. And what happened so bad that they could get to HERE? You don't tussle in the street over nothing...not as straight-laced as Dr. Starr is. And since when did she drink so much?

Delilah rolled her eyes.

"Please. I've been saying something's wrong for FOREVER."

And she didn’t need perfect hearing to know that things were bad at home for her friend.

Courtney then slid into the front seat, still visibly upset. Delilah reached forward and put a hand on her shoulder, giving it a squeeze.

“Are you okay?”

She asked the question, even though she already knew the answer…

 

[Persephone]

Hearing the oh so recognizable shriek of Dr. Starr's voice, Ava's eyes went wide in horror as she stopped mid step. She could hear both Delilah and Nicolas sing a melody of "oh shits and fucks". Ava just remained a silent and she turned around, making sure to grab Nicolas' wandering hand off her ass in the process. The last thing she needed on top of getting caught for skipping class was Dr. Starr to yell at her again for her constant public displays of affection. Apparently it looked bad for Hillcrest and she wanted her girls to conduct themselves in such a way that reflected her as headmaster. Well....yelling at her daughter in public wasn't exactly "Hillcrest Standards".

Courtney began to take the fall for them and Dr. Starr told them to get in the car. Walking with Nicolas and Delilah, Ava glanced back hearing the harsh words that Dr. Starr was saying to Courtney. It was embarrassing. Even some random bi standards slowed their walking pace just to listen. Looking up at the sky, Ava squinted her eyes as a dark cloud slowly began to overtake the clear blue skies and thunder could be heard. It began to rain lightly, causing the bi standards to stop their gawking and run to their cars or closest stores for cover. It was the least Ava could do for Courtney considering the verbal tongue lashing she was receiving.

"I feel so bad for her....I mean, I know Dr. Starr is an uptight bitch, but no one deserves to be yelled at like THAT. And...seriously...what does 17 years for me and 20 years for you even mean? What happened to th--"

The car door opened and Courtney got in, trying to hide the fact she had been crying. Ava remained silent and lowered her eyes, sort of trying to give Courtney some privacy in the matter. Nicolas offered words of comfort before Delilah asked if she was okay. Ava just kept quiet for a few moments before finally chiming in.

"Thanks for that Courtney.....you didn't have to take the fall for us...."

It was the last thing Ava could get out before Dr. Starr climbed into the car.

 

[Spellbinder]

returned

<< Courtney was not easily embarrassed and while this would be utterly humiliating for most, she was not at all worried about THAT. For her something much more important was at stake and she felt that she'd taken a much needed stand against her mother on this longstanding issue between them. whatever cost associated with it was worth it if it would make things change.>>

<< the pain of issues between them was due to the trauma they survived. neither one was the enemy. it was time they both realized that.>>

<< in the car, Courtney looked very unhappy. her friends offered sympathy and support, each in his/her own way. Nicolas reaffirmed his loyalty and that she could trust him to be there for her. Ava, who had subtlely dispersed any possibly gawkers with her mild rain shower, thanked Courtney for taking the fall for them and Delilah, reached out, gently touching Courtney's shoulder, asking if she was okay.>>

<< Courtney looked up at the ceiling of the lexus truck they were in and sighed heavily>>

Later.

<< she said in a tight tone of voice. she DID have things she wanted to say to them, but it would have to happen tonight...after school, when most of the student body and faculty would leave for the weekend retreat.>>

 

[Shadow Weaver]

the pain of truth, the hope for freedom

<< as her daughter walked away, Carole bowed her head, placing her hand on her forehead as she shut her eyes tightly>>

she's right. they both are

<< her own thoughts echoed in her mind as she flashed back to her conversation with Michael at lunch>>

<<FLASH>>

BOTH of us need you to trust us enough to open up.

Mike reached for her hand, enveloping it in his easily.

At some point you will need to face whatever it is you are afraid of. I don't know when but I am trying to make sure you do not face it alone, but I can't do that if you toss me away. Why don't you trust me?

<< swallowing hard>>

<<FLASH>>

You ...you treat me like a PRISONER!
You won't let me be myself to ANYONE. even YOU!

YOU ACT LIKE I'M THE ONE WHO DID IT!

<< to go from a survivor who only wanted to protect her last living child to being perceived as an overbearing, overprotective WARDEN who wouldnt even SEE her own daughter, always living behind the facade of "Carole" and "Courtney"...HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT for over 20 years and yet...NOTHING. MORGAN pointed out Alycia, their one time savior and trusted family friend, wouldnt SHE have phoned if there was any sign of danger?!>>

<< it was all starting to crumble now and KAREN would have to change course before she lost her last child, not to a monster, but to HER maladaptive ways!>>

<< blinking back a few tears, Carole placed her round, oversized sunglasses back on and returned to her Lexus. Getting in the passenger seat.>>

<< The students in the back were all quiet and Courtney was drawn up, turned away from her.>>

<< upon starting the vehicle, the satellite radio resumes playing music>>

<< The Cordettes, Mr. Sand Man>>

<< from behind her sun glasses, Carole's eye brows lift a bit with surprise at the song and its unintended association. It was the song playing on the radio in Alycia's car, which was running the night at the hospital when KAREN cast the hellfire spell against Adam, THE SHAPE>>

<< she only let it play for a few seconds before quickly turning it off and pulling out of the parking spot, driving away to return to Hillcrest in Beacon Hill with her wayward charges.>>

 

[The Shape]

the pursuit of mother and daughter

If he cared, he'd realize that the strife between his mother and sister, the fear they'd been living under for the last 20 years, this was HIS legacy.

But things like that really didnt matter. All that mattered was that he FOUND BOTH OF THEM now.

Standing silent sentry in front of the car he'd stolen, he watched as they battled one another and most of it was over him and the impact he'd had on their lives since they escaped him.

Morgan didnt realize that Karen had every reason to be fearful and Karen didnt realize that her fear was all but about to come to pass. Morgan didnt realize that time meant nothing to a super predator.

Now that he knew where they were, he would follow them. Predator stalking the prey. He would finish what he started and this time, NOTHING would stop him.

Morgan moves away from their mother to a black Lexus truck. Karen lingers at the spot of the confrontation, looking very distraught, much like she had the night she found him

<<FLASH>>

<< MOMENTS LATER, after Blaze's violent murder, outside the house>>

<< Karen and Chris Victor arrive home to find their son standing at the end of the walk way in a clown costume complete with a mask and weilding a large, sharp, now BLOOD soaked, dripping KITCHEN KNIFE.>>

Karen: ADAM!?

<< Chris removes the clown mask from Adam's face. Both parents look at him with extreme bewilderment as the boy stands there, unmoved, detached with a cold expressionless face and the blackest eyes....THE DEVIL'S EYES.>>

Whatever else was going on, it didn't matter to him. MOTHER AND SISTER were all that mattered.

Karen returns to her vehicle and soon drives off and unbenknownst to her or anyone in her car, another car pulls out, does a u-turn and begins following them.

All the way to Beacon Hill.

A slow and smooth pursuit all this way to the private drive leading up to the gate of Hillcrest!

He pulled off to the side, watching as Karen touched a key pad to open the gates and drive in.

Halloween. 20 years later.

The boy whose family and everyone else hoped never to see again, was HOME.