WESTIN HILLS
CHAPTER 14- SECRET SESSION


“Alright, listen up,” Calvin called out as the six remaining teens at Westin Hills gathered around the couch in the TV room. “My shift ended ten minutes ago, but I want you to know I’m here to help you guys, aight? I want to know what’s going on just as much as any ya’ll, so I’ll be right here by the door standing guard. And based on what I’ve heard, if anybody or anything tries to get in here, they will have to go through me first.”

“Thanks, Cal,” Lexi said happily, breathing a sigh of relief that someone was finally on her side for a change.

“You only got 15 minutes, so make it good,” Calvin concluded, locking the door and standing directly in front of it with his hands at his side, almost at complete attention.

Lexi nodded and stood before the rest of the group, who were scattered around the room. Off to her left, Gwen sat upright in an old sienna cushioned chair with her legs wrapped Indian-style beneath her. On the couch, Maria and Suzette were engaged in their usual side chatter as they lounged about, their legs stretched out before them. And finally, behind the sofa perched on stools were Tex and Simon, who just faced forward like they were being punished in English class, their attention totally on what Lexi was about to say.

“There’s no easy way to say this, so I’ll just go ahead,” Lexi stated. “We’re being hunted by a mass murderer.”

That grabbed everyone’s attention. All noise in the room instantly ceased. Everything went silent in a matter of a split-second, as if all the air had been totally sucked out of the room. The only sound that remained was the low buzz of the fluorescent lights above them, but even that was miniscule.

Feeling all six sets of eyeballs on her (including Calvin’s), Lexi continued, glancing at the blank TV screen behind her to collect her thoughts, then turning back to face the entire group.

“Only this murderer doesn’t operate on any street corner or hide in any shadows. He stalks you in your dreams.”

“Pssh,” was the dual reply of both Maria and Suzette, who rolled their eyes in disgust.

The others remained reticent, reserving their opinions until the end, after the entire story was told.

“I know that may sound crazy, but it’s true. He’s hurt a lot of people.”

“Who the fuck is he?” Calvin called out from the door.

Sighing, Lexi just went ahead and said it, not even wanting to spit the words out of her mouth. “His name is Freddy Krueger.”

A collective hush came over the group, while it was Maria and Suzette who still appeared spaced out.

“Many years ago, Fred Krueger kidnapped and murdered over twenty of the town’s children on Elm Street, killing them in very gruesome ways. He tortured them every way imaginable, and even created some of his own weapons to use, including modified sledgehammers, bats, and clubs. However, it was his favorite glove that he grew accustomed to—a glove he still uses to this day. It looks like any other glove, except it has four long, razor-sharp blades sticking out of each finger.”

Hearing that, Maria and Suzette made eye contact with each other and collectively shuddered with the rest of them, who clearly recognized what she was talking about.

“The cops tracked him down and arrested him, but because the judge signed the search warrant in the wrong place, his case was dismissed and Krueger was freed. Obviously, the local parents were pissed off, so they hunted him down in the old boiler room where he used to work, torched the place, and burnt him to death.”

Another hush came over the six of them, who were now hanging on Lexi’s every word.

“But that wasn’t the end of it. Krueger somehow came back from the dead and returned to Elm Street. This time, he got back at the parents by brutally slaying their children in their sleep. No one could ever really figure it out, and to this day, nobody’s been able to stop it. And every now and then, the murders just start up. Krueger’s suffering has extended way beyond the borders of this realm. His tormented soul rots in the dream world, a personal hell he will never escape. The only problem is, every time we fall asleep, he’s there waiting for us. It’s just a matter of time. And if he kills you in your dream, you’re dead for real.”

“Pshh,” was the echoed reply of Maria and Suzette, who were in obvious denial of the whole situation.

“Will you guys listen to me???” Lexi demanded, sensing their doubt. “I am not fucking around here!!! That son of a bitch killed all my friends...my sister...my mother...”

Breaking into tears, Lexi’s head sunk into her hands, and she nearly collapsed to the floor. Luckily, Gwen was right by her side in a flash, catching her before she fainted to the ground.

“It’s okay, Lexi,” Gwen tried to assure her. “I believe you. We all believe you, don’t we guys???”

“Yeah,” Simon and Tex responded at the same time, while Maria and Suzette just sat there.

“Cal?”

“I don’t know,” he replied somberly. “A dream stalker killing kids in their sleep…it seems a little far-fetched, but it would certainly explain what happened to Manny.”

“Yeah, Lexi, why don’t you tell us all about what happened to Manny, since you know so much,” Suzette piped out snobbishly.

“What do you mean?” Lexi cried, picking her head up. “There’s nothing to tell. You guys were there. You all saw what that bastard did to him.”

While Gwen, Tex, and Simon all nodded in agreement, it was Maria and Suzette who continued their defiance.

“But that was just a dream,” Maria relented. “Dreams aren’t real.”

“With him, they are,” Lexi responded, wiping the tears from her cheek. “With Krueger, your worst nightmares become reality. Trust me, I’ve been there. It’s not a place you want to be.”

While it appeared that something had finally sunk in to Maria, judging by the confused look on her face, Suzette was still not convinced.

“Sure, whatever,” Suzette snapped. “Look, I’ve heard about enough of this, I am going to bed. Calvin, please let me out.”

But the tall orderly didn’t budge.

“Come on, Cal,” Suzette prodded, trying to sneak past his arm. “I’ve heard enough of this bullshit.”

“Fine, whatever, but don’t say she didn’t warn you,” Calvin responded, stepping out of the way as they flung open the door.

Shockingly, they were greeted by Dr. Graham, who glared into the room past them.

“What the hell is going on here?” Dr. Graham stated, pushing Maria and Suzette back into the room. “What has she been telling you?”

“The truth,” Lexi replied, moving to face him.

“And what exactly is that?” he asked as Dr. Halverson joined him inside the room. “No, wait, don’t say anything. And you, Jennings, you helped them with this little stunt. What have you got to say for yourself?”

“I’m just trying to help,” Calvin answered matter-of-factly. “Which is more than your sorry ass can say.”

“Need I remind you that you’re just an orderly,” Dr. Graham smirked. “I told you. I’m the doctor here. I’ll handle the treatment. Because of that, you’ve jeopardized our entire program.”

“Jeopardized?”

“Yeah, jeopardized. And for that, Jennings, I can’t justify keeping you around here anymore. YOU’RE FIRED!”

“FIRED? Are you fucking kidding me???”

“Guys, get him out of here,” Dr. Graham ordered as Calvin’s three familiar colleagues stepped in and slammed him against the wall. “Lloyd, I want these five placed on emergency lockdown until further notice. And take Miss Murphy down to D-wing. She needs to cool off with the REAL murderer, her homeboy, Ty.”

“NOOOO!” Lexi screamed while the others protested their incarceration. “I won’t let you take me there!!!! I WON’T!!!!”

Lexi fought and scratched with everything she had, but in the end, it wasn’t enough. As she backed away from the orderlies, she felt a sharp pain in her arm, like she had just been stung by a bee. Spinning around, she saw Dr. Halverson standing there holding a needle with an empty vial of the drug imobatine, its red residue still visible inside it. “Oh god, what did you do to me???” she panted, clearly getting woozy.

“Okay, guys,” Dr. Graham nodded, sending the orderlies to collect the rapidly-fading Lexi. As the orderlies grabbed her arms and legs and physically carried her out of the room, she looked right at Gwen and mumbled, “Come find me…You know how…” Her eyes then rolled back in her head and the room began to get really blurry and fade to black right in front of her face. “Think about it…Don’t let me die down there...Don’t let me--” and just like that, Lexi passed out, leaving the rest of the group stunned and at the mercy of Dr. Graham.

Visibly shaken and in tears, Gwen just exchanged a knowing glance with Simon and Tex, who were equally confused as Lexi disappeared from view.

“What are we gonna do?” Gwen whispered softly.


Proceed To Chapter 15
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