♡

morning, Sidney, Tatum and Dakota were downstairs, having breakfast before they would need to go to school. The news was on as they ate, Mrs. Riley watching behind them as Dewey walked into the kitchen in his uniform.

"Sidney Prescott, who escaped a vicious attack last night, is the daughter of Maureen Prescott, who was brutally killed last year when convicted murderer Cotton Weary broke into their home and savagely raped and tortured the deceased." The reporter said and Sidney glanced down to her breakfast, Tatum rubbing her shoulder as Dakota squeezed her arm gently. "Cotton Weary is currently awaiting appeal for the death sentence handed down after the young Sidney testified against him. She was the key witness in the State's case against the-"

Dewey had turned it off, sitting down beside Dakota with a donut. Sidney looked back up, "It's never gonna stop, is it?"

"Billy was released." Dewey told them. "His cellular bill was clean. He didn't make those calls. We're checking' every cellular account in the county. Any calls made to you or Casey Becker are being cross-referenced. It's gonna take some time, but we'll find him."

"You okay?" Tatum asked, nudging Sidney who nodded.

"It'll be find, Sid." Dakota smiled, standing to place her cup and bowl in the sink.

Later in the morning, Dewey dropped the three girls off at school in his police car. He leant on the side as Sidney got out, "Don't worry, Sid, it's school. You'll be safe here."

"So how does it feel to be almost brutally butchered?" A reporter pushed, shoving her microphone in Sidney's face.

"Hey, leave her alone." Dakota snapped as Dewey tried to push people back away from her.

"People wanna know. They have a right to know!" The reporter yelled as Sidney rushed off, Tatum and Dakota at her sides.

Sidney grabbed Dakota's arm, stopping them, "What?"

"Just a sec." Sidney mumbled and headed over towards Gale.

Gale saw her and held a finger up, "Stop right there."

"I'm not here to fight. I just need to talk." Sidney explained.

"Kenny, camera, now!" Gale ordered, standing out of her van to face Sidney confidently.

"Off the record. No cameras." Sidney stated.

"Forget it." Gale scoffed.

"Please." Sidney mumbled. "You owe me."

"I owe you shit." Gale shot back.

"You owe my mother." Sidney continued firmly.

Gale held her hand up to stop Kenny from recording, "Your mother's murder was last year's hottest court case. Somebody was gonna write a book about it."

"Right. And it had to be you with all your lies and bullshit theories." Sidney replied with a small huff of laughter.

"What is your problem? You got what you wanted. Cotton Weary's in jail. They're gonna gas him. A book is not gonna change that." Gale continued and Sidney stared at her, Kenny puffing out his cheeks awkwardly in the van.

"Do you still think he's innocent?" Sidney asked.

"Your testimony put him away. It doesn't really matter what I think." Gale shrugged.

"During the trial, you did all those stories about me. You called me a liar." Sidney stated.

"I think you falsely identified him, yes." Gale nodded.

"Have you talked to Cotton?" Sidney questioned.

"Many times." Gale answered.

"And has his story changed?" Sidney inquired.

"Not one word." Gale replied. "He admits to having sex with your mother, but that's all."

"He's lying. She never would've touched him. He raped her, and then he... He butchered her. Her blood was all over his coat." Sidney defended.

"He was drunk that night." Gale stated. "He left his coat at your house after your mother seduced him."

"I saw him leave wearing it." Sidney retorted.

"No, you saw someone leave wearing that coat. The same someone who planted it in Cotton's car, framing him." Gale argued strongly.

"No. Cotton murdered my mother." Sidney repeated.

"You're not so sure anymore, are you?" Gale asked.

"Loving your new look, bitch. That bruise goes well with the Botox." Dakota grinned at Gale, walking towards them. "Let's go, love."

"The killer's still on the loose, isn't he?" Gale asked, ignoring her.

"C'mon, Sid." Dakota mumbled, linking their hands.

"Those murders are related." Gale added.

"I'm sorry I mangled your face." Sidney said, walking away with Dakota.

"Sidney, don't go!" Gale called.

"Just fuck off, okay?" Dakota ordered and Gale stopped.

The reporter smirked to herself and turned to Kenny, "Jesus Christ! An innocent man on death row, a killer still on the loose. Kenny, tell me I'm dreaming."

"You wanna go live?" Kenny asked.

"No, no. Not so fast. We don't have anything concrete." Gale mumbled.

"This is huge. We can't just sit on it." Kenny mused.

"I know! That's why we need proof. If I'm right about this, I could save a man's life. Do you know what that could do for my book sales?"

{815}