( SOME CHILDREN ARE SIMPLY
BORN WITH TRAGEDY IN THEIR
BLOOD )

☏☏☏☏☏☏☏☏

BEATRIX STOOD FIRMLY between Sam and Tara, their footsteps echoing softly against the winding paths of Central Park. The trees loomed overhead, their branches swaying gently in the breeze, while the vibrant colors of spring painted the landscape around them.

For a moment Sam and Tara's eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and trepidation as they took in the sights—the sun-dappled lawns, children laughing in the distance, and the distant sounds of music from a nearby gathering.

But for Beatrix, the beauty of the park felt like a deceptive veil, hiding the danger that lurked just beyond their line of sight.

The plan to catch Ghostface had been concocted by Detective Bailey, with Kirby's support. Yet, as they walked, a nagging doubt gnawed at Beatrix.

Central Park?

It felt too public, too exposed for someone like Ghostface to make an appearance.

Her instincts screamed that this was a trap, a setup waiting to unfold.

The thought of her sister's facing that masked killer sent chills down her spine. She had tried to voice her concerns, to make them see the flaws in the plan, but her warnings fell on deaf ears.

They were caught up in the thrill of the chase, convinced that they could outsmart the monster that haunted their lives.

As they continue down the path, Beatrix's resolve strengthened. She couldn't abandon Sam and Tara, not when they were so close to danger. They had to stay together, a united front against the shadows that threatened to engulf them.

With each step, she felt the weight of responsibility on her shoulders, a fierce determination to protect her sisters at all costs.

The park, with its deceptive calm, was not going to be their downfall.

Beatrix would ensure that they faced whatever came next as one, ready to confront the darkness lurking just beyond the trees.

"You two should've stayed with the others." Sam's voice cut through Beatrix's spiraling thoughts, pulling her back to the present.

"Hell no."

"That's not gonna happen."

Beatrix and Tara chime in unison, nudging each other playfully, their laughter momentarily easing the tension in the air as Sam rolls her eyes in exasperation. "There's no point in putting yourselves at risk."

"There's no risk. Not here." Beatrix insists, shaking her head as she gestures to the park's open expanse, though her crutches wobbled beneath her, forcing Tara and Sam to reach out and steady her.

Once she regains her balance, Tara clears her throat, her playful demeanor returning. "Plus, we're your backup."

Sam allows a small smile to form on her lips as they continue their walk, the three sisters weaving through the vibrant scenery.

Beatrix broke the silence again, her tone lightening. "I also couldn't stay in a truck with Ethan staring at me with those puppy dog eyes. It would've drove me crazy, and then Chad would probably knock him out."

The sound of their laughter fills the air, a brief reprieve from the gravity of their situation. Sam, with her protective older sister instincts, leans in. "You ever going to talk to him?"

"Yeah, I mean, after everything we've been through. After everything you've told him, you really think Ethan of all people could be capable of something like that?" Tara adds. "I think if you weren't with Chad, he would've confessed his love for you already."

Beatrix pauses, feeling the fatigue wash over her from the effort of walking with crutches. She glances between her sisters, her expression turning serious. "He's not in love with me."

Sam and Tara open their mouths to retort, but Beatrix presses on, her voice heavy with the weight of her thoughts. "Either way, we've learned not to trust anyone. No matter how long we've known them. I-I can't trust him. Or his word, no matter how much I want to. And trust me, I really want to; he's become my closest friend. The thought of him being behind any of this, being part of the darkness that's creeping into our lives, would kill me inside. So, I'd rather just not think about it at all, okay?"

As Beatrix turned to take another step, a heavy silence enveloped the three of them.
Tara and Sam exchange a knowing glance, their hearts sinking at the unspoken fear that hovered in the air.

They both understood the fragility of Beatrix's state of mind; the idea of Ethan being the one behind the mask, behind the chaos, would shatter her.

It was a truth they couldn't ignore, and the thought of her breaking under that weight was terrifying.

Tara felt a lump form in her throat, while Sam's protective instincts surged. They hoped, for all their sakes, that Ethan wasn't the one lurking behind that sinister mask.

The very notion was too much to bear, and they silently vowed to shield Beatrix from that possibility for as long as they could.

The bond they shared as sisters was their strength, but the shadows of betrayal loomed large, and they could only pray that their friendship with Ethan remained untainted.

Joining her side, the three sisters resume their cautious trek, eyes scanning the dimly lit surroundings, alert for any sign of Ghostface or a hint of danger lurking in the shadows.

The air was thick with tension, each rustle of leaves and distant sound amplifying their fears as they navigated the uncertainty that threatened to engulf them.

Beatrix went to open her mouth to break the silence, but the shrill ring of her phone cut her off, causing her to snap her jaw shut. She froze mid-step, a wave of dread washing over her as she fished her phone from her pocket and handed it to Sam.

Flipping the device over, the name displayed on the screen sent a chill coursing through her veins—her mother's contact.

The sight made her blood run cold, and her heart plummeted into the depths of despair.

Breath hitching in her throat, Beatrix stares at the name, the reality hitting her like a punch to the gut. Of course, Ghostface would use her dead mother's phone to torment her.

It was a sickening twist that felt all too familiar. Sam, sensing the shift in Beatrix's demeanor, slowly answers the call, putting it on speaker.

She opens her mouth to speak, but Beatrix's voice surged forward, sharp and defiant. "You sick twisted son of a bitch."

"Did mommy dearest raise you to speak like that?" Ghostface's voice echoes through the speaker, dripping with malice. "Bummer she isn't here to—."

"You're gonna die, you know." Sam interjects, her tone fierce as she caught sight of Beatrix's cold, hardened eyes transform into a reflection of heartbreak at the mention of her mother.

"No, you and Beatrix are gonna die!" Ghostface retorts, the hybrid voice sending shivers down their spines. "You two will be choking on your own blood while I hack up little Tara."

"Unless we find you first." Sam shot back, her gaze darting around, searching for any sign of the masked figure that haunted their nightmares.

Beatrix silently prayed that Kirby, who was back in the truck with the others, would manage to pinpoint Ghostface's location.

The call couldn't end soon enough.

"For a mastermind, you're not very bright." Ghostface mocks, a sickening chuckle echoing through the phone that made Beatrix's stomach churn. "Waiting for me to call, desperately hoping I'm nearby so the police can grab me?"

"I knew it." Beatrix hisses, her heart pounding violently against her ribcage as the weight of her realization crashes over her. They should've listened to her instincts, the nagging feeling that something was off. "I fucking knew it."

"Should've listened to Beatrix because now I'm a step ahead. I'm not nearby." Ghostface's voice drips with malice, low and taunting. "Be seeing you two very soon."

The line goes dead, leaving an oppressive silence in its wake.

As they pause, the tension thick enough to cut, Sam speaks into her earpiece, her voice steady yet laced with urgency. "Did you get it?"

"Yup." The confirmation from Kirby crackles through, faint but clear enough for Tara and Beatrix to hear.

Moments stretch like an eternity as Beatrix grips her phone tightly, her knuckles white, running a stressed hand through her hair, trying to process the dread that coils in her stomach.

Then Kirby's voice breaks through the silence once more. "He's on the Upper West Side. Inside an apartment building, halfway across the city."

At those words, Beatrix feels her heart plummet, the grip on her phone faltering as it slips from her fingers, crashing to the ground and shattering into a million pieces.

"O-On West 96th?" She stutters, her mind racing.

"How'd you know—."

"Gale and Dewey. T-Their in trouble." Beatrix barely manages to choke out, the realization hitting her like a freight train.

The stakes had just risen, and the looming threat of Ghostface felt more real than ever.

They were running out of time, and every second counted.

Beatrix had just gotten Dewey back, and it felt like a dream come true, especially since he and Gale were the closest things she had to family.

To her mother.

They had been through so much together, and Dewey's return gave her hope and warmth that she thought she had lost forever.

But now, with Ghostface threatening to take Dewey away from her again, she felt a deep fear. Losing him would mean losing that sense of family she had fought so hard to rebuild, and the thought of facing that darkness again was unbearable.

She was determined to protect what little she had left.

☏☏☏☏☏☏☏☏

Beatrix didn't waste a second.

The moment she heard the news, adrenaline surged through her veins, driving her forward despite the crutches that felt more like a burden than a support.

She moved as fast as she could toward Detective Bailey's cop car, her heart pounding in her chest. Tara seemed to sense the urgency radiating off her, and without a word, she hopped into the driver's seat, determination etched on her face.

Beatrix slid into the passenger seat, her mind racing, while Sam took her place in the back, the tension in the air thick enough to cut with a knife.

Detective Bailey's words fell on deaf ears; they were irrelevant in that moment.

All that mattered was getting to Gale and Dewey.

They didn't hesitate.

They took the car and sped off, using the sirens wailing to get them there faster, but it felt like a distant echo compared to the chaos in Beatrix's mind.

She couldn't afford to lose them—not again.

The thought of losing either Gale or Dewey felt like losing a part of her childhood, a piece of her life that had become so intertwined with theirs.

They represented everything she had fought for, the remnants of a family she desperately clung to.

She was so tired of losing people. It felt like they were all slipping through her fingers, and the fear of that loss clawed at her insides.

Gale and Dewey were her lifeline, the closest she had to her mother, and the idea of facing a world without them was unbearable.

She couldn't let that happen.

Not now.

Not ever.

As Beatrix arrives at Gale's apartment building, she pushes herself forward with her crutches, leading Sam and Tara up the stairs with a fierce determination. Her heart thumped so hard in her chest that she could faintly hear it, a relentless drumbeat echoing in her ears.

Adrenaline surges through her veins, igniting every nerve ending and fueling her resolve. Even though standing on her own felt like an impossible task, she was ready to face Ghostface and protect her loved ones with everything she had.

When they rush into the apartment, time seemed to slow down for Beatrix.

The world around her faded into a blur as her eyes locked onto Dewey.

He was on his knees, bleeding from his arm, battered and bruised, visibly fighting back tears.

The sight of him in pain twisted her heart, but what struck her even harder was Gale, lying on her back, gasping for breath, her strength waning.

In that moment, all of Beatrix's fears crystallized into a singular, overwhelming need: she had to save them.

She couldn't let the darkness take them away.

Blood soaked the carpet around them, a gruesome reminder of the chaos that had unfolded, while shards of glass and scattered books lay strewn across the floor like remnants of a shattered world.

No sign of Ghostface lingered in sight, but Beatrix was far beyond caring about that.

Her gaze was glued to Gale, the lifeblood of her resolve.

The crutches slipped from her grip, clattering to the floor as shock paralyzed her body, and it was Dewey's choked sob that finally broke through the haze, compelling her to move.

With a deep breath, she forced herself to limp forward, each step a battle against the pain coursing through her. She knelt beside Dewey, who was desperately trying to staunch Gale's bleeding, his hands trembling with urgency.

Tears welled in Beatrix's eyes as she caught Gale's almost lifeless gaze, a flicker of recognition that pierced through the despair.

"B-Bea..." Gale's voice was barely a whisper, each syllable a struggle.

Beatrix shook her head rapidly, her heart racing. "No, no, no. Y-you're going to be okay. Y-you have to be okay. S-stay with us, okay? Please."

Her words pour out like a desperate incantation, a plea to the universe to keep Gale tethered to life.

"H-Honey, y-you are so strong." Gale chokes out, her breath shallow. "Y-you two have to t-take care of each other f-for me."

"Stop. Please." Beatrix's voice cracks, a raw edge of anguish as tears streamed down her cheeks. She places her hands over Dewey's, desperately trying to help slow the blood that oozed from Gale's wounds, her heart racing with the weight of impending loss.

Gale's hand, cold and trembling, weakly hovered over theirs, and Beatrix could feel the warmth of life slipping away.

With a final, shuddering breath, Gale's eyes fluttered shut, and in that haunting moment, both Beatrix and Dewey felt the chilling finality of her last breath.

"No! Wake up! Wake up, please!" Beatrix cries out, a loud sob escaping her lips as she gently shook Gale, her heart shattering as the medics rush in, their voices a distant echo in the storm of her grief.

Tara and Sam exchange a desperate glance, their hearts pounding in unison as they approached Beatrix, who was still kneeling beside Gale, her hands stained with blood and her eyes wide with horror.

The chaos around them faded into a haunting silence, every breath heavy with the weight of impending loss.

They knew they had to act, to pull Beatrix away from the scene that threatened to consume her.

"Bea, we need to go." Tara says softly, her voice trembling as she reached out, her fingers brushing against Beatrix's shoulder.

But Beatrix didn't budge, her gaze locked on Gale, who lay motionless, the life continuing to drain from her eyes as the medics worked on her.

"Please, Beatrix." Sam urges, her voice breaking. "We can't stay here."

With a shared resolve, they moved in closer, their hands gently but firmly gripping Beatrix's arms. Together, they pried her away from Gale, who was slipping further away with each passing second.

Beatrix fought against them, her body instinctively yearning to return to the woman who had been her anchor, her heart, her everything.

"No! I can't leave her! Gale, please!" Beatrix screamed, her voice raw and filled with anguish.

But as they finally managed to pull her away, she immediately began to crawl back toward Gale, her desperation palpable.

In that moment, Dewey moves forward, his heart breaking at the sight of Beatrix's pain. He caught her in his arms, lifting her from the ground as she struggles against him, her cries echoing in the air.

"Beatrix, please." He whispers, holding her tightly against him.

As she melts into his embrace, Beatrix broke down completely, her sobs shaking her body. She clutched onto his jacket, her fingers digging into the fabric as if it were the only thing anchoring her to reality.

Dewey could feel the tremors coursing through him, the weight of grief settling heavily on his shoulders as he cried alongside her, both of them bound by the shared loss of Gale.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Beatrix cries out, her voice a choked whisper. "I-I knew something was wrong. I could've been here. I-I—."

The words tumble out in a frantic rush, but soon they faded into a choked silence.

Beatrix buried her head in Dewey's chest, unable to bear the sight of Gale any longer. The warmth of Dewey's body surrounded her, but it offered little comfort against the cold reality of their situation.

Why did this have to be her life?

The question echoed in her mind, a haunting reminder of the fragility of their existence.

All she could feel was the crushing weight of despair, the world around them darkening as they clung to each other, lost in their grief.

☏☏☏☏☏☏☏☏

In the lit lobby of the apartment, Beatrix sat curled up on the couch, her body a fragile shell of the person she once was. The silence was thick, wrapping around her like a suffocating blanket as she stared at her hands, the memory of Gale's blood still vivid in her mind.

Her hands trembled uncontrollably, a physical manifestation of the turmoil raging inside her. In a desperate attempt to regain some semblance of control, she clenched her fists so tightly that her fingernails bit into her palms, drawing tiny beads of blood.

Yet, she felt no pain; the numbness enveloped her, an eerie calm amidst the chaos.

Beatrix was sandwiched between Chad and Mindy, their presence a fragile comfort in the storm of her emotions. She pulls her legs up to her chest, seeking solace in the smallness of her frame.

Mindy's arm was linked with hers, a lifeline in the overwhelming sea of despair, while Chad's arm draped protectively over her thigh, rubbing soothing circles against her skin. His touch was gentle, a silent promise that he would be there for her, even if she felt lost in her own mind.

The medics had managed to find a faint pulse in Gale, a flicker of hope that clung to the edges of their despair. With enough time, healing, and strength, Gale would pull through.

Dewey was at the hospital now, keeping vigil by her side, whispering words of encouragement that Beatrix wished she could hear. The thought of Gale awakening, of her returning to them, should have brought relief, but the weight on Beatrix's chest remained unyielding.

It pressed down on her like a boulder, suffocating and relentless, stealing the breath from her lungs.

All she could think about was the monster that had inflicted this pain, the faceless terror of Ghostface.

Her mind spiraled with dark thoughts, envisioning countless ways to end the nightmare that had invaded their lives.

Each scenario played out like a twisted film reel, fueling her anger and desperation. In that moment, as she sat in the lobby surrounded by her friends, Beatrix felt the heaviness of her grief intertwining with a growing resolve.

She would not let Gale's suffering be in vain.

Ghostface would pay for what he had done, and she would make sure of it.

The lobby was thick with tension, shadows clinging to the corners like secrets waiting to be uncovered. Just then, Danny burst through the entrance, his chest heaving as he sprinted toward Sam.

The moment felt suspended in time, every pair of eyes in the room drawn to him, a mix of hope and suspicion swirling in the air.

"Hey. I got here as fast as I could." He pants, finally reaching Sam's side, his breath coming in short gasps.

The weight of his words hung in the silence, a fragile thread connecting them amidst the chaos that surrounded them.

But the room was filled with uncertainty.

After everything that had happened, trust was a currency too precious to spend freely.
Tara's voice cut through the stillness, sharp and accusatory. "Did you?"

Danny's gaze drops to Tara, the challenge in her eyes striking him mute.

A heavy silence enveloped them again, thick enough to suffocate. Beatrix's heart races as her eyes shifts between Danny and Ethan, who was watching her with a look of concern that twisted her insides.

Ethan was her closest friend, the one who grew to know the darkest corners of her past, who didn't look at her with sympathy like the rest did, he knew the horrors that Ghostface had inflicted on them all.

Yet, in that moment of uncertainty, Beatrix grappled with her instincts. She wanted to trust him, to believe that the worry etched on his face was genuine and not a mask for something darker.

With a small yet sincere smile, she offered him a flicker of reassurance, a silent plea for understanding. But as she turns to Mindy, the silence shattered, leaving them all teetering on the edge of doubt and fear, waiting for someone to speak the truth they all desperately needed.

"I'm scared, you guys." Mindy starts, her voice trembling as she tightens her grip around Beatrix's arm, seeking comfort in the warmth of her best friend. "I really don't want to get hurt again."

"Neither do I." Chad mumbles, his words barely escaping his lips as he echoes his sister's fear.

The weight of his own anxiety is heavy, and Beatrix can feel his grip on her thigh falter, a subtle sign of his vulnerability.

"I'm sorry." Is all Beatrix can manage to whisper, the guilt clawing at her insides like a relentless beast.

Chad and Mindy shake their heads in unison, their expressions firm.

It wasn't her fault.

Not at all.

They refuse to let her shoulder the burden of guilt that threatened to consume her.

"I don't want either of you getting hurt again." Mindy insists, her gaze darting between her twin brother and Beatrix, the fear in her eyes a reflection of their shared trauma.

With a soft sigh, Mindy leans her head against Beatrix's shoulder, seeking solace. Chad moves in closer, enveloping both girls in his protective embrace. "I know...I know."

As Mindy reluctantly pulls back, Beatrix clings to Chad, feeling the strength of his presence grounding her. He holds her tightly, pulling her into his chest, kissing her forehead with a tenderness that momentarily eases the pain swirling inside her.

"So, what do we do now?" He asks, his voice steady despite the uncertainty.

"Maybe he gets to win this time." Sam responds, her words slicing through the moment like a cold wind, making everyone hold their breath.

Beatrix's heart sinks, but she can't help but agree. The reality of their situation loomed like a dark cloud overhead, and deep down, she feared that perhaps this time, they were outmatched.

Beatrix slowly pulls herself from Chad's grip, her gaze fixated on the small round table in front of them, its surface a blur as her thoughts spiral. "S-She's right, he wants to punish me. This was a direct shot at me. I'm so tired of losing people, so maybe if I—."

A small sob escapes her lips, a sound of desperation that echoes in the charged silence. "If I give myself up, you guys c-can be safe. Then that's okay."

The weight of her words hangs heavy in the air, a sacrifice she feels she must make.

"No, are you crazy?" Chad is the first to react, his voice laced with urgency as he reaches out to grip Beatrix's hand tightly. "You're not giving yourself up. I am not losing you."

"Chad—."

He refused to let her slip away.

"He's right." Tara interjects, rising to her feet. Her eyes dart between Sam and Beatrix. "You two have done nothing but protect us. We wouldn't even be alive if it wasn't for you. Now, it's our turn to protect you."

"No." Beatrix whispers, shaking her head, tears streaming down her cheeks like rivers of sorrow. The thought of endangering her friends more than she already has—is unbearable, yet the fear of losing them grips her heart.

"I promised you that I would never leave your side." Chad murmurs, his voice softening as he wipes away her tears with tender fingers, cupping her cheek gently. "And I'm not. We're in this together."

His words are a lifeline, a promise that ignites a flicker of hope within her.

"He's right." Tara adds, her voice steady and reassuring. "We're a team, remember?"

"Actually..." Mindy stands up, her expression fierce and unwavering. "We're a family."

Beatrix turns around at her words, her heart racing as she meets Mindy's gaze, the warmth in her best friend's eyes offering a glimmer of hope. Mindy's hand reaches out, fingers gently wrapping around Beatrix's, and in that moment, everything feels a little less heavy.

Tears spill over, but this time they're not just from despair; they're from a mix of relief and gratitude.

Slowly, she allows Mindy to pull her to her feet, the absence of her crutches a reminder of how much she's relied on her friends.

Chad, ever the spirit of the group, beams at them, clapping his hands together with infectious excitement. "Let's go! Original Fucking Five!"

His voice rings through the air, a rallying cry that fills the room with energy.
He extends his hand, and the small circle they've formed feels electric.

Mindy places her hand on top of Chad's, a silent agreement of unity, and Tara follows suit, her determination shining through. They all turn their expectant gazes toward Sam and Beatrix, waiting for them to join in.

"Come on." Mindy urges, pulling them back into the moment.

"Come on, pretty girl." Chad adds, throwing a playful pout Beatrix's way. A small smile breaks through her tears. "For me? Original Five?"

Just as Beatrix goes to place her hand over Tara's, Danny's voice cuts through the moment like a knife.

"Original what?" He asks, confusion etched on his face.

"It's an us thing." Chad retorts, shooting Danny a look before turning back to Beatrix, his eyebrows raised in anticipation.

As Beatrix's hand hovers, uncertainty creeping in, Sam's voice trembles. "H-He's going to keep coming after us."

Her words hang heavy in the air, a reminder of the danger they all face.

"We have to remember that we aren't alone." Beatrix replies softly, her voice steadying as she wraps an arm around Chad's waist. He pulls her in close, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her head.

"Is-Isn't there somewhere, like, safe we could just hold up in?" Ethan's voice echoes through the lobby, a reminder of his presence as the five had momentarily forgotten he was there.

"No, he's just going to keep finding us." Tara replies, her voice laced with frustration.

Ethan huffs, the sound filled with exasperation. "Great."

"That might just work, E." Beatrix says, sharing a knowing look with Tara. They both seem to understand the unspoken plan forming between them, a flicker of strategy igniting hope.

Though the use of the nickname brings a smile to Ethan's face, it's a small victory in a sea of uncertainty.

"We could use that to our advantage."