CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
NEW BLOOD AT CAMP CRYSTAL LAKE
Phil watched from the darkened forest as the cubby Filipino woman continued to hold the machete in front of her and barking out threats. Neither her ranting nor her aggressive stance impressed him in the least. His attention was firmly focused on the gleaming blade in her hand.
Thank you, whoever you are. He thought to the unseen forces that had lead him to this spot. And a Merry Christmas to you too.
“Ah yes,” the transparent image of Lewis said, “two more lambs for the slaughter. Now we can see how you do when it comes to having to stalk your prey.”
Fuck that. Phil thought as he lifted his ax and flung it at the heavy Filipino woman.
He saw an amazed look cross her face just as the rusty ax struck home, imbedding itself in her skull right between her eyes. The woman stumbled backwards and collapsed on top of her smaller, skinny, companion, pinning her to the ground.
The trapped woman screamed hysterically and tried to push her companion's body off her with her free right arm. But it was no use.
Phil emerged from the bushes and lumbered over to her. He pulled one of the tent spikes from the pocket of his trenchcoat.
He stood and looked down at the crying woman, enjoying her fear and listening to her plead for her life. The woman flayed her free arm at him, trying in vain to fend him off. Snot dibbled from her nose and down her cheek, mixing with her tears.
“Please!” the woman screamed. “My god, please don't hurt me!”
“Their fear can be so intoxicating.” Lewis said,watching the show with approval. “Can't it? But we really should finish our business here and get on our way. We still have more blood to spill tonight.”
Phil hated to admit Lewis had a point. He still had the pleasure of killing that documentary crew to look forward to. So he knelt down and grabbed the woman by the throat, being careful not to snap her neck in the process. Then he held the tent spike in front of her face. This had the desired affect. The woman let out another scream and started to struggle more. She hit him in the hockey mask a couple time, but of course it was useless. She was his to do with what he will.
Then he slowly, almost seductively, slipped the end of the tent spike into her left nostril and began to push it up her nose. The woman let out one last scream before Phil heard a sharp crunching sound. Then the woman went silent, her arm fell to the ground, and she was still.
“Excellent work, my boy.” Lewis said, looking down at the Filipino woman's face, which was frozen in the expression of her last moments agony. “And to the victor goes the spoils.” he said, motioning toward the shiny new machete, which was lying on the ground a couple of feet away.
Phil got up, went over and claimed his prize. The reflection of the flames from the campfire danced on the large blade. Now Phil felt truly ready for the slaughter to come.
“Would you please get off it.” Carol said, yawning and shaking her head at Shawn who was standing in the opened doorway of the run down cabin she occupied. She'd been ready to turn off her lantern and try to get some sleep when he barged in and started bugging her about leaving. “I said we'll leave in the morning after we've all had a good nights sleep.”
“I don't see why you're being so stubborn.” Shawn said. “It's almost like you're daring Morgana's warning.”
“I could give a flying fuck about that faker's act.” She told him, flipping her legs over the side of the lumpy, creaky, bed and sitiing up.”I'm being logical, unlike you and the other scary cat. We've had a very long and busy day, and I have no intention to trying to drive these roads in the middle of the night tired. That's just asking for an accident to happen.”
“OK, well, then let me drive.” Shawn said. “I'm not tired, and I think it would be the best for all of us to get the fuck out of here.”
“Or better yet, why don't I give the keys to the pothead.” she countered, sarcastically. “Now let me make myself perfectly clear on this, that is my van and it will not leave this place until I'm ready. If either you or the pothead want to leave before then I suggest you ask Elvira and her boyfriend out there for a ride.”
“Maybe we'll do just that.” he said, exasperated.
“Then I guess the two of you are opting out of any profits made by this documentary.”
“What you mean by that?” he asked, looking at her suspiciously.
“I gather you guys didn't look at the agreement you signed.” she said, matter of factly.
“What about it?” he asked, confused.
“It clearly says that you two have the option of walking out of this project at any time, but by doing so you relinquish your rights to any profits this project may acquire.”
“But all the shooting on the fucking thing is done. We've done our side of the contract.” he countered.
“Until we're back in California you two are on my time and still on contract.”she said. “You could try to fight this in court, but I wouldn't suggest you try it. Daddy has some very good lawyers on his payroll.”
“You fucking bitch!” Shawn said, infuriated.
“I'll see you in the morning.” she said, nonchalantly, slipping back into bed and pulling her green army surplus sleeping bag around her.”Oh, and would you please close that door on your way out. There's a bit of a draft in here.”
“Screw you!” was Shawn's answer. “My life is worth more than movie profits.” Then he grabbed the door and slammed it shut. The fragile, rotten, door shattered into pieces.
“Now, look what you've done!” she said, in a mix of surprise and anger.
“Well, chief, I guess you're just gonna have to rough it.” he told her before stomping away.
“So I gather your boss is still being as stubborn as ever.” Julius said, coming out of the darkened cabin he and Morgana shared. It was three cabins away from Carol's.
Shawn sighed and shook his head. “I don't know, sometimes that bitch can really piss me off.”
“Well, what're you going to do?” Julius asked him pointedly. “After all it's your life that's at stake here.”
“The problem is she has the keys to the van.” Shawn reminded him. “You two wouldn't possibly have room for some company when you leave?”
“It'll definitely be a tight fit, but both you and Jamal are welcome to join us.” Julius said.
“I be sorry, mon, but I won't be joinin' you unless da sister goes wid us.” Jamal said, as he stumbled up to them.
“Then you'll be sentencing yourself to death.” Morgana said, as she weakly dragged herself up to the cabin doorway.
“My god, you shouldn't be up.” Julius said, as he headed over to her and put his arm around her protectively.
“If we don't leave soon none of us will be in any condition to stand.” she told him. “I can sense the evil drawing nearer, it's getting stronger by the moment.”
“Bravo again.” Carol Martinez said, clapping her hands and walking up to them. “Another stellar performance.”
“Are you done yet?” Shawn asked in disgust.
“No, actually that's my question.” she countered. “Do you four know how ridiculous you look standing around out here blubbering about this crap?”
'You're the one who's being stupid, and because of that people could die.” Julius said, glaring at her.
“Oh, I'm so scared.” she said, mockingly. “Is the big bad serial killer of Camp Blood going to come and chop us all up with his nasty machete.”
“Actually, young lady, something like that is very possible indeed.” Rashid said, as he, Micki, Ryan, and Officer Marshack came out of the forest and approached them.
“What the fuck?” Carol said, in surprise, when she saw who her uninvited guests were. “What the fuck are you doing here, Freeman?”
“Would you believe trying to save your lives?” Ryan said simply.
“Mam, it's important that you and your friends leave this camp immediately.” Marshack said, stepping between Ryan and Carol. “There has been an incident in town and it's possible that a very dangerous suspect is on his way here.”
“Don't tell me, Jason Voorhees.” Carol said cynically.
“No, mam, the suspect is from all indications the assistant coroner, Philip Raman. I'm afraid he has left a large number of casualties in his wake.”
“A large number of casualties...” Ryan parodied. “My god, Marshack, stop with the Sergeant Friday routine and get to the point. Phil turned Main Street into a damned bloodbath.”
Shawn looked from Ryan to Marshack and then to Carol. “Now are you ready to leave?” he asked Carol, unable to hide the fear in his voice. “We were warned.”
“Damnit, will you please get off that supernatural shit!” she said, enraged. “This means nothing. He said they're not even sure he's coming here.”
It was at that moment, as if in answer to her, that the body of Lilleth Nague came flying out of the bushes and nearly landed on Shawn.