Corey Becker was a survivor, his wounds were held together by the mere thread of his own heart. His fingers rested along the thick bandage that rested along his stomach as he looked at himself in the mirror. The small bathroom inside the hospital was depressing and reeked of bleach and chemicals, his mother practically brought every single ounce of soap they held at home. The bag weighed down his arm as he carefully placed it along the edge of the shelf inside the small shower. The bright green walls made him feel uneasy as he pushed the water on slowly.

The thick plastic around his cast was annoying and kept poking aggressively into his cheeks whenever he'd carefully move. The outside world for once was loud, he could hear the radios outside the door and the footsteps of passing nurses and doctors. He had been waiting for the world to get louder, for his brain to focus on something other than the pain. The urge to smoke a cigarette grew by the second, his fingernails dug into his scalp as he thought about it.

The smoke coating his lungs and the lingering sensation of suffering that entered his body with each puff. Each breath was nearing an end and every second he felt like he was dragging himself into despair. The water was cold, he wasn't surprised the warm water didn't last long, it seeped into his skin making the pain soothe away into endless bliss.

He felt the pain lingering along his stomach as he pressed his hands against the wall. He inhaled sharply as his eyes pushed themselves shut, his back grew tense as the cold water hit it like endless waves of thunder storms. He'd imagined a perfect moment, his eyes closed and his lips sealed so he'd never again weap for the loss of his sister.

He'd feel the warmth of Casey and the memories they once shared, the same feeling of her hands latching around him as he saw the fear in her gaze. Her eyes were so strong and heightened as he looked at her. The screams ripped apart his heart piece by piece as he watched the perfect image of her morph into horror. He flinched as his eyes opened, he looked down seeing the blood seeping through the bandage on his stomach. He winced as he pressed his fingers against the wound, he felt the water turned hotter.

His skin was peeling itself apart as the pain spread deeply across his flesh and made him frightened. He heard the screams before he could even process the pain he felt. He let out a heavy breath as he pushed himself against the wall, he didn't care if the pain spread and he definitely didn't care if he died.

He let himself breath deeply as he watched the doorknob twitch angrily. He felt such anguish as he thought about the mask, the same one that haunted his dreams. It was sewed into his eyelids, the long red thread running along his veins as he waited.

He felt angry with himself as he pushed himself away from the wall, he couldn't afford to be weak. Casey died because he was weak, his hands held her so tightly and yet he felt her let go. Felt the connection between them shattered into static, his heart felt empty and he couldn't find the missing half.

Corey lifted his head as he raised his fist into the air, he clenched them angrily as the door was kicked open. He screamed as he ran forward without hesitation and punched the person cleanly in the face. "Ah! What the fuck Corey!" the person groaned as they pressed their hand over their bleeding nose.

Corey's eyes widened "holy shit, Dewey" he let out a shaky breath "I thought you were trying to kill me! Why would you kick the door open like that!". He had completely forgotten he was naked until he heard the loud gag that ripped out of Dewey's throat "put on some clothes, I'm getting you out of here".

Corey rolled his eyes "you're the one who barged in here, did you think I was gonna be putting glitter and pretty rainbows on my cast? I'm obviously showering, why the hell are you even here?". Dewey groaned as he pressed a tissue against his nose "the killer attacked Sidney at her house, they said they were coming after you next. You weren't answering me when I called your name, so I used force to open the door".

Corey sighed in annoyance "and what you're gonna take me to Disneyland? Clearly no where is safe from this fucker if they're this damn desperate to kill me. Is Sidney alright? They didn't hurt her, did they?".

Dewey sighed "she's fine, we got her at the police station and that's where I'm taking you until we can figure out what's next. Seriously get dressed, I'll be right outside waiting for you in the car".

—

Corey let out an annoyed grumble when he got into the back of Dewey's police cruiser. "Could've let me sit in the front. Nothing says homicidal murder like a helpless victim stuck inside the back of a police car". He could hear the soft sigh that left Dewey's lips as the man put his seatbelt on and grabbed his radio. The static made Corey's head ache as he leaned back.

"Look, you're a lot safer back there. Would you rather the person who did this to you see you sitting in the front? They could be unpredictable and highly dangerous because of the way they're acting". Corey kept his eyes on the man in front of him, the way he held himself and spoke made Corey dread his life.

Did this man actually care? Corey didn't care if the entire world began to burn, he could be spotted so fast by the fucker behind that mask. The windows could shatter, the car could break and he wouldn't care. Yet Dewey cared, the way he looked at the roads as he drove predicted his cop like manners.

He was doing his job, that's all this was and it wasn't anything else. Corey could make a snarky comment or even just down right ignore the man all together, and yet he couldn't bring himself to even think. Everything was spiraling into this mess of a situation, Corey Becker wasn't safe anymore. He couldn't walk outside and be an edgy teenager who blasted music into his eardrums so they could potentially burst.

He couldn't smile and act like he was even remotely happy, depression had clung onto his heart the second he looked at the closed casket that was Casey. The wood was such a vibrant shade of despair and he had ached to open it, to see what she had become. He'd see those dull eyes, the silence of pain would cut into his skin and he'd become numb.

He felt weird, he could sense the way his heart hurt whenever he'd try to picture what she looked like before. It was endless flashes of blood and fear that had corrupted this perfect image of his sister. He didn't know what was real anymore, he felt sick just thinking about all the ways he could've saved her.

Corey was such a complicated teenager, he was hard to piece apart or even together at this rate. Dewey had watched this kid turn into this unrecognizable person, his eyes were duller. He looked like a scared little boy as he kept his eyes latched to the sky, the stars were brighter than most nights. Dewey kept the cruiser silent, the constant hum of the radio every so often would make Corey flinch. The action caught Dewey's attention the second time, it was such a small moment and yet Dewey saw it perfectly.

"You'll be safe here Corey, I can't promise you'll have a pleasant experience getting inside. I'll try my best to make the new reporters back off". Dewey smiled at the boy before he turned down the road that led to the police station. "Right, nothing says you're safe like a bunch of microphones and cameras being shoved into your face. I'll put on my best smile".

His sarcasm made Dewey chuckle beneath his breath as he parked the cruiser beside the road. The flashes of lights made Corey feel like he was helpless as Dewey climbed out of the car. He watched the way the man waved the crowd of people back and angrily shouted for them to leave Corey alone.

Predictably, one little action can change your entire course of life. Everyone will adore you, love and cherish you so you'll tell them everything that hurt and tore you apart. The tears and blood you shed aren't enough, you aren't worth anything if you're normal, Corey wasn't normal anymore.

The boy was out on display for everyone to see, he couldn't stop thinking about that mask as Dewey opened the door for him. He couldn't hear a single word the man whispered to him, the shouting and the cameras being shoved into his face made it hard for him to even focus on himself.

He let out a heavy breath as he walked forward like a helpless dog, these people were so desperate to catch a glimpse of his voice. He kept his hand tight on Dewey's arm as the man helped him towards the entrance of the police station. He felt lightheaded with the amount of eyes that stared into his soul.

He could blink and they would savor it, he huffed in annoyance as he finally got inside the police station. The officers inside all got quiet almost immediately and it only made Corey roll his eyes as Dewey led him towards a desk. "You can stay here until I'm off for the night, you'll be staying with me until we catch whoever is behind your sister's murder".

"Given that my entire house is covered in crime tape and all my hopes and dreams are currently on postpone. Sure, why don't I just make my life more complicated by staying with the sheriff, that's the first place someone would think to look".

Corey leaned back into the chair as he looked at the photos that lingered on the desk. "It's only temporary Corey, I get you're under distress with what happened-" Corey scoffed "distress!". He could feel his eyebrow twitch with agitation as Dewey looked down at him "I'm not a damsel in distress you asshat, do I look even remotely like I'm in distress here! I was perfectly fine inside that cold ass hospital room but you just had to drag me out here because you can't do your damn job and catch the fucker who killed my sister and her boyfriend!".

Dewey sighed "it's only been a few days, we can't catch someone who didn't leave behind anything. They wore a mask for a reason, so they can't be caught but that doesn't mean it's impossible". Corey grumbled as looked around the station "nothing's impossible, I can name like ten different things that everyone said were impossible for this town".

His mind kept racing, and the constant question for who? Was tugging away at his insides, who was behind his sister's murder? Who had single handedly stabbed him and nearly killed him. It was always that one word that plagued his brain. He lost his words when he caught sight of Sidney, the girl sat alone beside a desk as Tatum Riley stood beside her.

Both of the girls looked annoyed and uncomfortable with all the officers who walked past them. Corey didn't find anything in this town remotely more comforting than seeing Sidney Prescott alive and well, she was breathing and she didn't seem hurt. At least not physically, maybe a bit mentally.

His legs had a mind of their own, he found himself making his way towards the girl before he could even process what to say. He could awkwardly smile or nod but that would be terrible given Sidney's probably seeking comfort. Maybe a simple hey or how's it going could make it less stressful, but then she's inside a police station and that's even worse.

Corey ended up taking the overall defeat and let whatever slip out of his lips happen naturally. "Funny running into you here" he wanted to physically smack himself or vomit all over the ground to save himself but instead he stood there. He smiled weakly as Sidney and Tatum looked at one another.

They didn't need to speak for him to know he had failed miserably. He cleared his throat slightly, let himself rest and then he sat down across from Sidney. "They got any leads yet? Or is this all just for show?" Sidney looked distressed "they suspected Billy, they're questioning him right now. He had a burner phone and gloves when they came to my house".

Corey nearly fell out of his chair when Sidney spoke, Billy Loomis? The guy who once hit Corey in the face with a basketball when he was trying to hide behind the bleachers to avoid playing. Also the guy who was dating Sidney Prescott, and for some reason had really amazing hair that smelled like coconut. Corey of course only knew this from the basketball incident, after Billy's weak apology and his dramatic hair flip the stench of coconuts smacked Corey's nostrils.

Billy gave off serial killer vibes just by the way he walks and Corey wouldn't be surprised if he was behind everything. The kid has serious mommy issues and was always cracking weird jokes at terrible times. Corey sighed "has he said anything? I mean I could get him to talk if I bribe him or something maybe".

He reached into his pockets "I got..." he looked down at the money in his hands "a dollar, and half a receipt from the store and an old piece of mint gum, I mean I'd talk if someone offered me any of these things, also when did I even buy gum?".

He shrugged as popped it into his mouth and then folded the wrapper. "How charming" Tatums lack of interest in him made him only chuckle beneath his breath as he looked at her. "So does your brother go around offering safe passage to everyone? I mean if I knew getting stabbed was all it took to see the inside of the sheriffs house, I'd do it more often".

Tatum pushed her arms over her chest in annoyance, "gosh is everyone gonna just stay in my house? He didn't even think to mention it". The girl stormed off towards her brother and Corey sighed, he missed Casey and the endless bickering. The way she'd talk for hours about how he needs to take better care of himself, how he needs to stop leaving his shoes in the hallway. It's not his fault she tripped on them a few times, he just missed her caring.

All that remained was static, he'd think about her and see static and the sound of it engraved his mind like fireworks. He couldn't remember her voice, her smile or even the way she'd walk. It was all fading away so quickly and it made him panic inside. His chest burned and his eyes kept watering whenever he pictured her face, it was all blurry. Coated with blood and tears, all of it led back to that mask, to that night.

Corey leaned forward as he looked at Sidney "so, they went after you?" he felt awkward just mentioning it as he smiled weakly. "I would've mentioned the creepy mask but given I was in the hospital" he shrugged as he bent the gum wrapper slightly. Sidney smiled "I thought it was Randy, he tends to get all geeked out over these things. It wasn't him though, I honestly don't even know who it could be".

She picked at the hem of her sleeves as she looked down, Corey looked past her towards the small ingratiation room. He could see the side of Billy's head as the boy spoke with the officer, he could see the tense look on his face. The way his shoulders would slouch forward like he was annoyed.

Corey huffed as he looked away "I think whoever it is needs a better hobby" he grabbed Sidney's hand and flipped it over slightly so her palm was opened. "They clearly don't know the difference between good and bad hobbies, I mean you don't see me over here murdering someone for sport, I make origami birds out of gum wrappers to pass the time".

The little bird fell upon Sidney's palm as he smiled and placed it there "a little trick I learned back in third grade, I used to steal gum from the kid who sat behind me in history class. I made a dove, it reminded me of you and it's also the only one I like making".

Sidney grabbed the gum wrapper and looked at it as she smiled and twirled it around slightly "it's beautiful, how did you manage to make it so detailed". He chuckled "just magic and patience, plus I went with the good hobby". The moment felt peaceful, and then like clockwork Corey's utter doom had come back to bite him in the ass.

Billy Loomis, who was walking out of the integration room, had nearly broken his neck with the amount of force he used to approach Sidney. "Sid! I didn't do it! Sidney you gotta believe me! I'm being framed!" The boy was pushed back by the officer and Corey could see the distress on Sidney's face.

The way she lowered herself in the chair in hope for this entire situation to end. Corey sneered as he glared at Billy Loomis, he could see that dull light in the back of his eyes, the hidden smirk on his lips. The way his eyes almost looked so deadly as he watched Sidney closely, like he waited for her to speak.

Corey watched it all crumble into this mask, a hidden expression of concern and fear replacing it almost as quickly as Corey noticed it. "Dewey said we're going out the back" Tatum's voice was loud as she skipped towards the duo beside the desk. She glared at Billy as well "that guy gives me the creeps, I don't know how you're even dating him Sid".

Corey stood up "you're dating Stuart Macher, the two are practically inseparable. Maybe they'll confess their undying love for each other one of these days and leave you both hanging dry in the shadows". Tatum let out a fake laugh as she nudged Corey's shoulders playfully "you're a real catch Mr. Dreamy".

He smirked "At least I'm catching the bait I seek, Billy Loomis wishes he could catch my attention. Don't even get me on that idiot of a boyfriend you have, he's a real awful kisser". Corey could hear the loud gasp Tatum let out as he laughed and quickly made his way towards the doorway.

He could hear the bickering between Tatum and Dewey as they avoided the press by going through the back set of doors. Corey let out a breath when the cold air hit him, he didn't realize how warm it was inside. Dewey walked ahead of them to get the car while Sidney and Tatum stayed behind Corey.

"I knew it, over here" his body grew tense at the sight of Gale Weathers quickly sprinting towards them as she yelled at her cameraman to film. Corey sneered angrily as he moved toward the woman "why don't you go and bother someone else lady, we're not answering any of your pathetic questions".

He didn't enjoy the attention, the way half of the town wanted to know his story. His sister's face was plastered all over the news and given he had witnessed what happened, he was the star of the story. His name was in all the headlines, in all the articles and newspapers. It would haunt him forever whenever he'd read or try to pretend his life was fine.

Deep down inside his cold heart, he wasn't fine and Gale Weathers was trying to piece it all together with her lies and her bright smile. "Is it true the killer wore a mask? Did you see what they looked like?" he huffed as he started to walk but she was so desperate.

Questions flew out of her mouth so rapidly half of it sounded like gibberish as he climbed into the back of the police cruiser. For once he felt safe behind the intense bars and the lack of light, he could see Sidney. The way her eyes would light with such rage whenever she looked at Gale, then her fist was colliding with the woman's face and Corey gasped.

—

"You're a real fighter then huh?" Corey sat at the end of the bathtub as he placed bandaids over Sidney's knuckles carefully. His hands were freezing and despite the thick cast preventing him from moving his left hand much, he still did decent. "I don't know why I did it, I just got so angry and then it happened".

She leaned back into the sink for support as Corey placed the last bandaid over her pinkie finger. "I mean the damage could be worse, just next time make sure you don't put your thumb in, it could break". He flashed his fist slightly "always do it like this, more firm and if you focus hard enough you could totally break someone's nose and leave them a real message".

He stood to his tallness making Sidney chuckle nervously as he hovered over her. "I think it's best you stick to the fighting, you're better at it than me" he chuckled slightly "I'll do my best if necessary". The knock on the door made Corey walk towards the door and open it "I only had frozen peas in the freezer".

Tatum looked grossed out as she looked at the peas in her grasp "my mother insists it's for dinner, but she's never cooked these a day in her life". Corey smiled as he grabbed the bag "it'll work, although I find frozen carrots are a bit better, more of a brighter color".

He walked towards Sidney "probably best you keep this on your hand for a few hours, it'll help with the soreness and swelling". He placed the frozen peas on her hand and she winced "it's also highly uncomfortable and really cold, sorry should've warned you before I put it on your hand".

He scratched the back of his head as Sidney laughed slightly "it's fine, I'll find a rag and see if it'll help with the coldness, thanks again for the help". She walked out of the bathroom, he could hear her and Tatum whispering to one another. "he's so hot..." He sighed as he looked into the mirror, the person staring back at him was a complete stranger.

Part of him wanted to leave and never look back, fleeing town felt better than being forced to act like you weren't paranoid. He couldn't even look at his own shadow without flinching, when the phone began ringing he jumped. He could hear Tatum's mother walking down the hallway grumbling in annoyance due to the late call. It had just turned midnight and everyone was settling down for bed.

Corey rubbed at his face as he walked down the hallway towards the small guest bedroom across from Tatums room. Her door was open and her and Sidney were giggling as they joked about Sidney being a badass since she punched Gale Weathers. "Sid the super bitch!" Corey smiled as he walked into the guest bedroom and pushed the door shut.

He hated that it was dark inside aside from the moonlight entering from the window. He let out a sigh as he laid down and looked at the ceiling, everything had fallen apart so quickly. One second he was in his bedroom listening to music while Casey did her homework across the hallway. Now he was sleeping in the sheriff's house for his own safety and Casey was dead. He wanted to cry just thinking about it as he pushed the blanket over himself, a scared little boy hidden beneath the covers. The monsters lurked in the shadows as he tried to sleep away his fear.

Sidney's sudden scream made him jump out of the bed and burst out of the room, a strong sense of Deja vu overcame him and the panic that hit him nearly gave him whiplash. "Sid!" he nearly tripped over the air as he approached the girl, she cried as she held onto the phone. He grabbed the phone so fast he nearly ripped it out of the wall as he pressed it against his ear.

"Listen asshole, I don't care who you are but leave Sidney alone or so help me...". He had never felt such rage in his entire life, the thought of whoever was behind that mask fueled his determination.

"Oh Corey, don't make promises you can't keep. I gutted that bitch of a sister you had, it's a real shame I never got to finish you off! I'm gonna cut your fucking heart out just like I did your sister!".

The dial tone of the call ending made him sneer angrily as he smacked the phone down. "Oh I can't believe this prick, I'm gonna kill the son of a bitch when I see who they are". He rubbed at his head slightly as he looked down at Sidney "you alright? They didn't scare you did they?". His mind kept spinning and the tears on Sidney's face made him feel weird. He wanted to hold the girl, to tell her everything would be alright, he'd protect her from whoever was behind everything.

He could just move towards her and hold her until she stopped crying, until she felt safe and comfortable. He didn't instead he just awkwardly looked at her, waiting for her to speak or even just look at him. He let out a soft groan when she nearly made him tumble backwards from her quick hold on him.

Her arms were holding him so tight, "hey it's alright, they're just trying to scare you, it's midnight, I doubt they'll show up here". He carefully placed his hand on her back in comfort, the one that was stuck inside the thick cast held her shoulder. He could feel her body shaking as she cried, the way she held him made his heart shatter into a thousand pieces.

—
authors notes:
yes, you can gasp. I've updated this after many months of it sitting there, I spent the course of the last few days slowly writing this, it overall turned out to be pretty long. Given it's been awhile since I've updated it seemed fair. I'm loving this rewrite already, it goes more into depth of Corey and his struggles. Hopefully this long chapter makes up for the wait!