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APRIL 17, 2003
THE MUSEUM

The tension in the air was palpable as Summer stood in front of the truck, phone pressed to her ear, her frustration mounting. She glared at the screen for a moment before slamming the phone down into her hand. "Seriously? I've called the office like three times, and there's still no answer. What the hell?" Summer growled, running a hand through her hair. She looked over to Quinn, her brow furrowing with concern.

Quinn had just pulled the truck into the parking spot outside the Marine Museum, his knuckles tight on the steering wheel. He didn't respond immediately, his gaze distant, focused on the building ahead of them. Summer knew he was as anxious as she was, maybe even more so. This wasn't just any search-it was a race against time. The Sweetly Slasher had been terrorizing the area for far too long, and every second counted.

"Let's just hope we're not too late," Quinn muttered under his breath as he grabbed the flashlight from the backseat, his eyes narrowing as they scanned the museum's exterior. He stepped out of the truck, glancing back at Summer, who had already begun to gather her gear.

Summer, ever the planner, was already in control of the situation. She quickly checked that everyone had their weapons-Alexis with her bat, Lucy also gripping her bat tightly, Summer herself wielding the trusty crowbar, and Quinn with his ever-present flashlight, ready to shine a light on whatever waited in the dark corners of the museum.

With everything in hand, Summer moved quickly to the front, taking charge of the operation. "Lex and I will take the Bradbury boat. You two, head for the Keenora. The other boat." She paused, making sure they all understood. "There's a back entrance that's never locked. We'll get in, and we'll find out exactly where the Slasher is hiding. Stay sharp."

Quinn was about to step forward when his legs suddenly halted, his body stiffened as if something had rooted him to the ground. Alexis, a few steps ahead, immediately noticed his hesitation and turned back toward him. He looked at her with a heavy, unreadable expression, his jaw tense and his hands slightly trembling.

The moment dragged, until finally, Quinn stepped forward and cupped Alexis' face in his hands. His fingers were warm against her skin, his touch gentle but firm, like he was trying to reassure himself as much as he was her. Alexis could feel the weight of his gaze on her, the intensity of his worry and love, and it almost made her heart race faster.

Without saying a word, Quinn leaned in and kissed her, a deep, passionate kiss that lasted just long enough to remind them both of what was at stake. It wasn't just the mission, it was them, their connection, and the uncertainty of what lay ahead.

When they pulled apart, Quinn rested his forehead against hers, breathing heavily as if the kiss had released some of the tension inside him. "Stay safe, okay?" His voice was barely a whisper, the words almost drowned by the quiet night around them.

Alexis nodded, her heart fluttering in her chest. "I will, I promise," she said softly, a small smile tugging at her lips. She gave him a playful shove, hoping to ease the tension, then turned to catch up with Summer, who had already started walking toward the Bradbury.

As Alexis jogged up beside her, Summer shot her a sly smile. "You two are cute together, by the way," she teased, her voice light but laced with an underlying sincerity.

Alexis's cheeks immediately flushed, heat rising in her face. She avoided looking at Summer, her bat feeling suddenly heavier in her hands as she shifted it awkwardly from one hand to the other. "W-What?" she stammered, her voice betraying the surprise.

Summer grinned, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Don't even try to deny it. I saw how he kissed you. Totally adorable," she teased, nudging Alexis's shoulder with her own.

Alexis's blush deepened, and she felt her heart do a funny little flip in her chest. "I-I wasn't... I mean... it's not like that," she muttered, but she couldn't help the grin that tugged at the corners of her lips. It was funny-she hadn't thought about how Quinn's kiss would make her feel like this, like she was walking on air, even with everything going wrong.

"Sure, keep telling yourself that," Summer said with a wink, clearly enjoying Alexis's discomfort. "But seriously, you two have something special. I can see it."

Alexis forced herself to focus, shaking her head and clearing her thoughts. Summer was right-there was no time for distractions. They were here for a reason, and that reason was to find and stop the Sweetly Slasher before anyone else got hurt. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that Quinn's kiss had left a mark on her, something that would stay with her through the night, no matter what came next.

As the two women approached the Bradbury, the other team-Quinn and Lucy-headed toward the Keenora. The sound of their footsteps echoed in the otherwise quiet night as they entered the museum's shadowy parking lot. They were ready for whatever danger lay inside. But for now, Alexis let herself linger in the brief moment of warmth Quinn had left her with, holding on to that feeling before they dove headfirst into the unknown.

APRIL 17, 2003
THE BRADBURY

The tension in the air was thick as Summer and Alexis silently made their way around the Bradbury. The eerie hum of the flickering lightbulbs filled the oppressive silence, and every step they took seemed to echo far louder than it should have. Alexis's grip on her baseball bat was so tight her knuckles had turned white, and her breath came in shallow bursts. The uncertainty of the situation gripped her, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching them.

"Emmy?" Summer called softly, her voice barely above a whisper. The sound of her words was swallowed by the overwhelming silence. They crept around a corner, hoping for a response, but the only thing they heard was the occasional creak of the old ship's structure.

As they moved deeper into the shadows of the Bradbury, the dim, flickering light from the overhead bulbs did little to ease Alexis's growing unease. She couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, even though every corner they turned seemed empty. Alexis paused momentarily, listening intently for any sound, but the only noise was the beating of her own heart.

"Emmy?" Summer tried again, her voice strained, louder this time. Her nerves were starting to fray, and she was beginning to lose hope that they would find Emmy here at all. The ship felt too large, too ominous.

They reached the staircase, the old wooden steps creaking under their feet as they descended. The lights overhead flickered again, casting brief moments of darkness that left Alexis feeling exposed. The stairs stretched downward into what felt like an abyss, and as they moved lower, the air grew heavier, colder. Alexis tightened her grip on the bat, the familiar weight of it offering a small sense of reassurance.

At the bottom of the stairs, the two girls stood still for a moment, surveying the hallway. The air smelled musty, like old wood and salt, and the faint hum of the lights above did little to alleviate the oppressive atmosphere. Alexis's breath hitched as another bulb flickered out of the corner of her eye, casting long, jagged shadows across the walls.

Summer glanced at Alexis, her brow furrowed with worry. "We need to check the other boat. She might be there," she whispered, motioning toward the exit.

Nodding, Alexis followed Summer as she pushed open the door. The night air rushed in, cold and sharp, making Alexis shiver involuntarily. They stepped onto the deck of the Keenora, the boat visible in the distance, its silhouette cutting a dark shape against the night sky.

As they approached the far side of the Keenora, Alexis's breath caught in her throat. There, through a small window, they could just make out Emmy, oblivious to the danger around her, swaying gently to music through her headphones. She was completely unaware.

"Emmy!" Alexis shouted, her voice desperate as she slammed her palm against the window.

Summer repeated the cry, her voice becoming frantic. "Emmy, turn around!"

But there was no reaction. Emmy remained blissfully unaware, her back turned to the approaching danger.

Then Alexis's eyes widened in horror. In the distance, lurking just beyond the shadowed doorway, stood the Sweetly Slasher. His tall, dark figure seemed to blend into the darkness of the ship, his presence almost suffocating. Alexis's heart hammered in her chest.

"Summer! We need to move now!" Alexis shouted, her voice full of panic as her gaze locked onto the killer's menacing form.

Without hesitation, Summer grabbed Alexis's arm, pulling her toward the bridge that connected the two boats. They sprinted across the narrow passageway, the sound of their footsteps pounding against the old wood, filling the air. Every instinct in Alexis's body screamed at her to keep running, to get to Emmy before it was too late.

They reached the window and banged on it with all their strength. "Emmy!" they cried in unison, each of their voices breaking with urgency. Emmy's head snapped around, her confusion morphing into fear as she finally saw them.

"Behind you!" Alexis screamed, pointing toward the Sweetly Slasher, whose figure loomed closer with each passing second.

Emmy's face drained of color as she turned, her eyes locking onto the killer. Her panic was palpable. "Summer? It won't open!" she cried, tugging frantically at the door that wouldn't budge.

Without wasting another second, Summer charged forward, yanking the door open with a strength fueled by desperation. She pulled Emmy out of the cabin with urgency, her hands gripping her shoulders tightly as she yanked her away from the threat.

Alexis, never one to waste an opportunity, slammed the door shut behind them with all her strength. The sickening sound of the Sweetly Slasher's hand crashing against the door echoed in the tight space, but Alexis didn't flinch. Instead, she quickly turned toward the window and, with an adrenaline-fueled grin, flipped him off-her defiance sharp in the face of the terror she felt.

"Lock the door!" Summer yelled, but Emmy's hands were shaking too much to be effective. She fumbled with the lock, her eyes wide with fear.

"I'm trying!" Emmy shouted back, but her voice was strained with panic.

The sound of the killer's fist slamming into the door made the hairs on the back of Alexis's neck stand on end. The door seemed to groan with every hit, and Alexis knew they wouldn't be safe for long.

"Look out!" Summer shouted, pulling Alexis and Emmy back as the Sweetly Slasher's arm shot through the shattered window of the door. His hand reached toward the handle, trying desperately to get in.

In that instant, Alexis's fight-or-flight response kicked into overdrive. "This way!" she screamed, grabbing Summer's arm and pulling her toward the nearest exit. They had no time to waste.

Without even looking back, the three girls sprinted down the narrow hallway, their breaths coming in frantic gasps. Every second felt like a lifetime, and Alexis's pulse raced in her ears. They could hear the sound of the Sweetly Slasher's footsteps behind them-slow, deliberate, as if he were savoring the hunt. The air seemed to grow colder, heavier, with every step they took.

As they reached the end of the hall, the sound of Quinn and Lucy's voices cut through the tension. "Go! Go! Go!" Quinn shouted, his voice filled with urgency as he and Lucy appeared at the far end, rushing toward them.

Without hesitation, Alexis and Summer turned and sprinted toward them, but their escape was cut short. The Sweetly Slasher appeared in the doorway, blocking their only exit. His grin spread across his face, sickening and cold.

"No!" Summer screamed, panic flooding her voice as they came to a sudden halt.

"Go!" Quinn shouted, pushing Summer toward the net that hung nearby. "We're not sticking around!"

Without a second thought, the group turned on their heels, running even faster now as they scrambled to climb down the net. Alexis's hands were slick with sweat, her fingers slipping on the rope, but she kept climbing, her muscles burning from the strain. The sound of the killer's footsteps was so close it felt as though he was breathing down her neck.

Finally, they all reached the bottom of the net, and Alexis's legs felt like jelly as she stumbled onto the solid ground. Her chest heaved as she gasped for air, her heart pounding so loudly she could hear it in her ears.

"We made it," Alexis breathed, her voice shaky with relief. They were safe-at least for the moment. But deep down, she knew the Sweetly Slasher was still out there. And he wouldn't stop until they were all dead.

APRIL 17, 2003
OUTSIDE OF EMMYS HOUSE

As Quinn parked the truck in front of Emmy's house, the tension between the group was palpable. The events of the past few hours had left them all exhausted, but there was a small glimmer of relief in seeing Emmy safe. Summer and Emmy climbed out of the truck, exchanging a long, heartfelt hug on the front porch. Their reunion was a moment of warmth amidst the chaos that had unfolded in the past few days. Alexis, Quinn, and Lucy stayed in the truck, watching from a distance as the two girls talked and laughed together, relieved to see their friend safe.

Quinn leaned back in his seat, letting out a deep sigh, his hands resting on the steering wheel. Lucy, ever the optimist, smiled at the scene. "We did it. We saved Emmy, and no one else died," she said, her voice soft but laced with satisfaction.

Alexis, still catching her breath, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I just hope she lives a very long, boring, and uneventful life," she said, the corners of her mouth lifting into a small, tired smile. After everything they'd been through, a quiet life was all any of them could wish for Emmy.

Quinn chuckled lightly, his eyes flicking over to Lucy, who was looking at Summer and Emmy with a thoughtful expression. "Yeah, that's what she deserves," he agreed. But his tone shifted slightly, becoming more serious. "Though, I gotta admit, I'll be glad when everything's over."

Lucy's smile faltered just a bit as her eyes stayed on Summer and Emmy, watching them talk. "I was thinking that we could save the next person too," she said quietly, a weight settling in her voice.

Both Quinn and Alexis turned to look at her, eyebrows raised in confusion. "Who is it?" Alexis asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

Lucy hesitated, the silence stretching between them for a long moment. When she finally spoke, her voice was barely a whisper, but it carried a sense of urgency and determination. "Summer," she revealed.

Quinn's eyes widened, and he glanced between Lucy and Alexis in disbelief. "It's Summer?" he repeated, his voice laced with shock.

Alexis's heart skipped a beat, her mind racing with the implications. "Lucy, why aren't we driving across state lines right now?" she asked, her voice rising slightly with panic. "We have to get her out of here. Like, now."

Lucy turned her gaze toward the dashboard, her eyes far away, almost lost in thought. "I know. We have to save her," she murmured, the weight of the responsibility clear in her words.

Quinn turned to look at Lucy, his face serious. "You can't wait any longer, Lucy. You have to tell her. You can't let her walk into this trap."

Alexis's voice was firm, urging Lucy to act. "You have to tell her, Lucy. Before it's too late." Her heart ached with the thought of losing someone else, especially Summer, who had already been through so much.

Lucy bit her lip, her fingers gripping the edge of her seat, her thoughts swirling. "I will," she said, her voice barely audible. "I'm gonna tell her tonight." There was a quiet resolve in her tone now, but her hands trembled slightly as the weight of what she had to do settled in.

Quinn nodded in agreement, his eyes focused on the front of the house where Summer and Emmy were still standing. "You have to," he said softly. "We can't let history repeat itself."

Lucy let out a deep breath, her gaze never leaving the scene outside the truck. "I'll make sure she knows everything," she promised, more to herself than to the others.

Alexis's voice softened. "We'll help you, Lucy. Whatever you need."

The tension in the truck lingered for a moment longer, but the unspoken understanding between them was clear. They had done the impossible once, and they would do it again. But this time, it was personal. They couldn't lose Summer, not after everything they had fought for.

ASH SPEAKS!

we're close to the end of this fic :( i love this fanfic so much

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!
COMMENT AND VOTE! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:)