WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE
SCARY MOVIE?

OH,  ELLIE,  I THINK THEY SHOULD BE

TERRIFIED

OF YOU.

THE ONE I WAS DANCING WITH IN NEW
YORK,  NO SHOES.  LOOKED UP AT THE
SKY AND IT WAS-

"You think I moved out here for fun?
College,  yeah,  but I didn't apply to
Blackmore just because."

"You didn't?"

"No.  No,  uh,  it's actually kinda crazy.  I
have this blonde ball of glitter that I
would go anywhere with,  and since she
lives here,  I knew I had to be here with
her."

THE BURGUNDY ON MY T-SHIRT WHEN
YOU SPLASHED YOUR WINE INTO ME,
HOW THE BLOOD RUSHED INTO MY
CHEEKS,  SO SCARLET IT WAS.

( maroon | taylor swift )

"I can't lose you,  Li-Li.  You're the only thing making this hellhole worth it."

It's a sentiment that Ellie-Marie can't help smiling at.   The circumstances couldn't be worse timing for her heart,  her dumb,  stupidly soft heart that's devoted itself wholly to Tara like the idea of romance isn't a secret fear in itself,  to skip several beats when the two of them lock eyes.  The world couldn't be fighting it more.  Even so, it's like Tara has become a magnet that Ellie can't help but attach herself to.  

One bloodied hand reaches down to take Tara's hand in hers,  finding immediate comfort in how they slot like puzzle pieces.  There are some promises you simply can't keep,  but for Tara,  she has to try.

"You won't."

DEAR READER :
TRIGGER WARNINGS,  DISCLAIMERS,  AND
DEDICATIONS !

TRIGGER WARNINGS :
the following material will include :  graphic
depictions of murder,  mentions of murder,
depictions of violence,  a great deal of
swearing,  mentions of alcohol,  underage
drinking,  mentions of sex,  depictions of
trauma,  discussions of mental illness,
depictions of mental illness,  mentions of
suicide,  and mentions of sexual harassment.

If any of the prior material poses a
threat to your mental wellbeing,  please
DO NOT continue.  Trigger warnings will
not be listed at the top of each chapter as
this is a horror-centered fic,  so please
take this as the key warning.  That said,
if anyone would like me to dm them
about potential triggers in upcoming
chapters,  I can certainly try as I go.  I
can't promise I'll get everything,  though,
so take this as the overarching warning
if you're unsure.

────────────────────────────────

DISCLAIMERS :
The characters of Abigail Prescott,  Rory
Hicks,  Bella Kinley/Annabelle Kirsch,
and Luna Weathers all belong to one of
my closest friends and beloved co-writer
of sorts,  castlescrumbled-.  Since the
dedications are soon I won't go on and on
here  ( I very well could if given a sliver
of opportunity ),   but Allie is truly a genius.
Their characters are intricate to the point
of feeling human,  complete with flaws and
strengths counteracting one another while
complimenting every decision.  I could only
hope to serve justice to what she has
created,  though I still plan on attempting
exactly that.  I admire them so much,  both
for their overall kindness and her
creativity.  For full perfection,  go check out
the oc book published on her account and
interact with their characters if possible !!

The characters of Juliette Meeks-Macher,
Buffy Meeks-Macher,  Juno Meeks-Macher,
and Randy Meeks  (honorary)   (because I
said so)  (but for legal reasons this is a joke)
belong to another one of my very close
friends and another honorary co-writer,
moviemeeks.   Again,  here is not the time
for extensive babbling,  but I could go on
and on about all the ways Lottie has both
encouraged me and helped create this story.  
They're absolutely insane in the best way, 
by which I mean we spitball both the most
gutwrenching & the softest headcanons to
one another and build upon with details
that make the characters feel almost
tangible.  I'm endlessly lucky to both be her
friend and have the honor of breaking these
things down as a team.

I own the characters & plotlines of Ellie-Marie
Riley,  Jodie Bridger,  Rebekah Loomis,  and
Madison Reed.  You can find them in my oc
book & a few scattered through the corners
of this hell app.  I hope you enjoy reading
about them almost as much as I have
enjoyed writing them!

────────────────────────────────

DEDICATIONS :

Oh, hi!

Before I begin my immediate dedications to
the friends who have encouraged,  aided,
and supported this fic & the characters
created along the way,  I would like to thank
you.  Dearest reader,  whether we've
spoken or not,  you are still to credit for this
fic.  Whether that's a good or bad thing will
wind up being entirely up to you,  but know
that without your engagement -  no matter
if you stop now or if you continue the entire
way through -  this may not have happened.
I came on this little fanfic app to read what
others have written,  not write my own,  yet
here we are regardless.  The support I have
seen here has been an encouraging factor
in itself,  inspiring me to at least give it a
shot. It doesn't matter how you feel about
my writing,  I am grateful that you've
decided to at least give it a try.  If you vote
or comment and believe I do not notice,
know that I do and I appreciate it.  Thank
you ❤️

Now,  onto my more direct dedications :

Allie,  what is there truly to say? Hours have been spent between the two of us building our friendship via connecting our little worlds & verses together, marking our names in the little corner of this particular universe.  I've met plenty of creative people in my life,  my other friends on this list included,  but you are certainly up in the top ranges.  Your creativity,  wit,  introspection,  sensitivity,  and overall passion in everything you do has shined through time and time again.  Just when I start to believe that you can't make me more honored to know you and be your friend, you do just that.  I am so proud of you,  proud of your achievements,  proud of your growth as a writer,  and proud of all you have created while being conscious of character background.  There is not an unkind bone in your body,  I do believe.  I could rattle off all you have taught me,  all you have helped me grow,  but I fear that could be a book in itself.  For now I will say :  you are one of the pillars of this silly little fic.  I love you to the moon and to saturn,  castlescrumbled-.

Lottie,  I'm gonna be so real with you.  Pack your dolls and a sweater,  we're moving to India forever.  I don't know where this story would have gone without your influence, though I can confidently say that I doubt it would have lifted from the ground.  You are a fellow pillar to this story.   All of the hours we have spent having conversations from one  era to another have inspired me immensely, helping craft an entire storyline whether the ideas came at 3 in the afternoon or 3 in the  morning.  I have loved every idea you have  introduced to me to but above all I have loved  every conversation with you.  Regardless of  topic or level of agonizing pain that we both  love oh-so-much,  you are that common denominator that I will always find such joy in talking with.  You never fail to astound me with your creativity,  your spunk,  your love for your friends, and the heart you pour into everyone and everything.  I cannot help but always want to hear every thought you are willing to share,  cannot hide how proud I am of your genius.  In every platonic sense, I was enchanted to meet you, moviemeeks.

Spence,  if I could pass your stories down like folk songs,  I would.  You are one of the most creative people I have ever encountered, be it online or real life.   You have such a genuine love for the power of creation,  for the friendships you build,  for the characters you create-  it's downright inspiring.  Many could only dream to reach your level of dedication to your craft.  While I have been lucky enough to have been close friends with you since last year,  I still cannot get over how intricate your characters are nor how deep your love runs for those around you.  I admire how much passion you pour into every piece of work and without the hours we have spent discussing our respective worlds,  who knows how far this would have gone?  Perhaps nowhere at all.  You've always been brave enough to put your incredible work forward and encourage those around you to do the same,  and you have reached me in the ways previously unimaginable.  I love you forever and always, orionsktulu.

Zo,  I could never forget you.  I feel as though I could promise you that the world will remember your talent and heart and it would be a promise to be easily fulfilled,  so dedicated you are once you have set yourself on a path.  I would follow any of your brilliant ideas without question and take comfort in the knowledge that I will love the conclusion.  While our conversations waver on that dangerous line between adoring softness and heartbreaking,  stomach churning,  gut wrenching angst,  I can always trust that you are writing from where it matters most.   That alone is inspiring,  but combining your personality with it?  Hello?   You've got a heart bigger than the whole sky,  one that,  while dedicated to your passions,  is even more dedicated to your friends.  You have a love for life that radiates from you,  even from a screen,  even if you are having a bad day.  You extend such friendliness and compassion to those around you regardless of situation,  and it is with all the love in my heart that I extend this to you now.  You're like starlight,  zoramones.