13 - Chapter Two

          Trish Sutter had just dozed off when the phone started ringing. She had been nursing a migraine headache ever since waking from a nightmare at 3:30 AM. She rolled over and grabbed the headset from the base and answered it on the third ring.

          “Hello.”

          She sat up and winced. The migraine hadn't let up but the caller ID had displayed Tommy's number and she really needed to talk to him.

          “Hey sis, what's up?”

          His voice was cheerful and lifted her mood slightly. She turned and let her legs hang off the edge of the bed. She messaged the back of her head with her free hand.

          “Not much, just trying to get rid of nagging headache.”

          “Did I wake you up?”

          “Not really, I was laying down but not asleep. It's good.”

          He sighed.

          “I'm sorry Trish. I can call back a little later if you need to get a nap.”

          She felt bad for mentioning the headache. Tommy would be apologizing for the rest of their conversation and it really wasn't a big deal. The headache was bad but the nightmare had been much worse. She tried to push it out of her mind and focus on her brother. She was looking forward to his visit.

          “It's okay, really.”

          “You sure?”

          She smiled and shook her head slowly.

          “Positive. I'm fine. Now, when should we expect you?”

          There was a long pause.

          “That's why I called you. There has been a very slight change of plans and I have to make one stop before I get there.”

          Trish wasn't expecting that. Tommy was usually punctual to a fault. He rarely did things off the cuff and a last minute change was totally out of character for him. Her curiosity had been raised.

          “Is everything okay?”

          “Oh yeah. I just had an unexpected appointment pop up at the last minute. I really need to take care of it.”

          Trish faked a gasp and chuckled.

          “Wow, Tommy Jarvis, the king of OCD, is deviating from his schedule. To what do we owe this pleasure?”

          There was another lengthy pause before he responded.

          “Yeah, it's kind of strange. I really wouldn't bother but I need to take care of this before I hit the road for the book signing thing.”

          “Really? It's that important? You're blowing off your favorite sister and her family? What is it, a girl?”

          Tommy let out his own exaggerated gasp.

          “Now really, do you think I'd let some chick come in between me and family?”

          The migraine actually seemed to be letting up some. Tommy could have that affect on her. It was true that they had drifted apart during those first few years after their mother's death. With Tommy bouncing around between different institutions and her trying to create a normal life for herself, well, it had taken its toll. It had been especially rough after Tommy's experience at Camp Forest Green. They may have changed the name and tried to bury the past but it was still Crystal Lake and Tommy and had another traumatic experience there.

          She had really worried about him after that. Megan Garris had been good for him but their relationship had too much going against it. Trish hadn't been very optimistic when Tommy entered therapy that last time. She worried even more when he and Megan called it quits. She wondered if that might be the thing to set him off but it seemed to have the opposite effect. He had written that first book and done all those interviews and really seemed to be over it. Truthfully though, she didn't know that for a fact. They never discussed what had happened back in 1984.

          They had gotten together every year since 1996 to remember their mother's death. Tommy's upcoming visit was special because it marked the thirtieth anniversary. Trish had a hard time believing that it had been that long ago but one look in the mirror reminded her that she wasn't the teenage girl who went through that hell. Her thoughts continued to trail off but she refocused and answered Tommy.

          “No, I know better than that. It must be something important though. What's up?”

          Tommy really didn't want to tell her but if he wasn't up front then she would continue to ask until he caved in. Lying was completely out of the question as well. He had plenty of faults but dishonesty was not one of them. He decided to just blurt it out and see how she responded.

          “I'm meeting a guy from a television program.”

He really didn't think she would let it go at that but he hoped she wouldn't ask too much. He knew that she was not going to like it.

          “Really?”

          “Yep.”

          Tommy waited for several seconds. He was actually starting to believe that he might not have to tell her more when she chimed back in.

          “What program is it? You're already scheduled for the big ones aren't you? Who's trying to squeeze you in at the last minute?”

          He knew there was no need to drag it out any longer than necessary. The more he held out the more she'd be pissed when she found out. He could feel the muscles in his neck start to tense as he told her.

          “I'm meeting Larry Schnell. The guy from ViReal TV.”

          She fired back immediately, nearly cutting him off.

          “I know who he is. Why in the world would you agree to meet that jackass?”

          “He has been trying to get up with me for months now. He wants to talk about the possibility of a future show.”

          Trish fought to keep her voice down.

          “What kind of show? Please tell me you're not thinking about going on that dirt bag's show. Tommy, you're not are you?”

          He could hear a slight touch of anger in her voice but there was mostly concern. She really didn't care if Tommy was on television promoting his book and he knew that. However, everyone knew that what ViReal TV was. No one was foolish enough to believe it was a legitimate news source or that it cared about putting out the truth. Schnell and his crew usually had to pay or bribe people to even get them on the air. Trish knew that and Tommy wondered how he could convince her that he wasn't selling out or in trouble.

          “Trust me Trish, it's not what it sounds like.”

          Once again, she cut him off before he could continue.

          “What is it then? You know how much of a slime ball that guy is. Don't you remember how he hounded me for years, trying to get me to come on and dish out dirt on you.”

          “I remember but that's not....”

          “What is it then? Tommy, you know how this guy is. He'd set up cameras right there on Mom's grave and rehash everything that's happened if we let him.”

          “I know. You have to trust me on this. It won't be like that.”

          “How do you know? I mean, what would even posses you to agree to this? You have never tried to exploit what happened. Why is this different?”

          He understood where she was coming from. He knew she wasn't angry. She felt betrayed and he understood exactly why she felt that was. Schnell was a low life and Tommy never gave them the time of day. On the surface that's exactly what it looked like. He knew that he has to convince Trish that it was going to be okay.

          “Let me explain, okay?”

          He gave her a moment.

          “Okay, but I have to tell you that this has got me freaked out. This isn't you.”

          He sighed and nodded.

          “I know. Just listen, okay?”

          “Okay.”

          Tommy cleared his throat and began.

          “Schnell has been calling and e-mailing for months now. I have ignored him every single time. I haven't even bothered to listen or read most of them. I know who he is and I know that he could care less about us or anyone who was affected by Jason.”

          He paused. He rarely spoke that name, especially not to Trish, and just hearing it come from his own mouth actually unnerved him a bit.

          “I never planned to answer him but his last message said that if I didn't at least call him back then he would pursue other avenues.”

          “Other avenues, what does that mean?”

          “He was going to hone in on you. That's what it means. He knew the only way I'd call him was if he threatened to start up with you again.”

          Like that, Trish's migraine was back in full force.

          “What does he want?”

          “He's planning some sort of retrospective about Crystal Lake. He kept telling me that this year is special because it's the anniversary of all the stuff that's happened there over the years. I mean, he's right about that but he's not looking to really honor the people who died. He knows it will get ratings.”

          “Anniversary? You mean of Mom's death?”

          “Yeah, but not just that. This year makes thirty-five years since Pamela Voorhees killed all those counselors at the original camp. It's been thirty years since all the other murders. Think about it Trish, Mom wasn't the only one who died that weekend. You remember all those kids next door. And to top it off, it's been twenty years since all that stuff at Forest Green. Schnell knows that it's going to be a big deal and he wants to make sure he is the one with the story.”

          “Then let him do it without you.”

          Tommy understood her frustration but he wasn't sure that she completely understood his motivation.

          “Look Trish, I didn't agree to do any show. All I did was agree to meet him so that he would stay away from you. If I don't show up you can bet that he and his crew will be camped outside of your house day and night. He will not let this go. Trust me.”

          Trish sat there on the bed with the phone up to her ear. She knew what Tommy was trying to do but she had a bad feeling about it. She had only seen a few episodes of ViReal TV over the years but she knew they were the absolute worst kind of tabloid television out there. Those trashy tabloid papers sold at the grocery check out line were more legitimate. Schnell had been sued so many times that he actually kept a running count of the lawsuits on his website. The disgusting thing was that he usually won them or got them tossed out. There was nothing too sacred to exploit when it came to him. Trish knew that and it scared her. She and Tommy had gone through so much and were finally at peace. There would be no end to what Schnell would dig up and throw at them.

          “It's not you that I don't trust. I know you wouldn't do anything that you thought would jeopardize us. I know that you are doing this because you think Schnell will back off. But what happens when he doesn't get what he wants from you? What do you think he'll do when you're on the road? Do you really believe that he's going to leave me alone? You yourself said that this will be the story of the year. It doesn't matter what you tell him. You know he's going to come for me too.”

          “No. He won't.”

          “How can you be so sure?”

          Tommy thought long and hard about his next words. He wanted to assure her that she was going to be safe but he didn't want her to take it the wrong way and start to worry.

          “I am going to convince him that it will be in his best interest to stay away from you?”

          “How do you plan to do that?”

          “I'm not sure yet. I thought I would start by sitting down and talking to him about what happened. I can tell him that he won't get anything more by contacting to you. I'll tell him that we spoke and agreed that I would be the official spokesperson for the Jarvis family. Anything he needs will have to come from me. If I give him something then maybe he'll go off somewhere else looking for the rest. We're not the only two survivors.”

          Without hesitation Trish responded.

          “What about Megan?”

          Tommy sat silently while he pondered his sister's question.

          “I've thought about that. She's most certainly on his list. I had planned on calling her after I talked with you so I'm not exactly sure how she's going to respond. I do care but you're family and family comes first.”

          Trish's headache was at full strength again.

          “Look Tommy, I do trust you. I know you won't do anything to hurt us but I just don't trust that guy. He'll do anything to get he wants. You know that. I really don't believe he'll leave me alone either but I'm going to trust you. You meet with him and then tell me what happens. Let me know if I should start looking for a van outside.”

          Tommy tried to laugh away the tension.

          “I'll do that. What if he does show up?”

          In spite of the pounding in her head and ball of nerves that had built up in her stomach, she tried to laugh.

          “If he does show up he'll have to deal with my cop husband and his gun.”

          Even though they were only connected by a phone line, they legitimately smiled at the same time. Tommy did not feel as anxious and Trish wasn't as upset as she had been.

          “Is Joe's gun big enough?”

          The double entendre was obvious.

          “Trust me little brother, it's big enough.”

          They simultaneously erupted into laughter. The dark cloud lifted somewhat and Trish felt much better, in spite of the situation. She didn't want to hang up but her head was really starting to hurt.

          “Let me go Tommy, my head is really pounding now and I could use the nap.”

          “Okay. I'm sorry about all this. If I could do it without worrying you I would.”

          “I know. You're just looking out for me.”

          “Always. You know that. You're my big sister but I feel like it's my job to keep an eye on you. I mean, I know you have Joe and the kids and all that but you're still my sister. You're all I've got. I know Joe won't let anyone mess with you.”

          “You can bet on that. Schnell would have a better time dealing with Jason.”

          Tommy frowned at that. It was so unlike Trish. They never talked about it and they never mentioned the name. Perhaps she was just trying to lighten the mood. As if sensing his thoughts, Trish spoke back up.

          “Hey, I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry.”

          Tommy nodded to himself and responded.

          “It's okay. I know what you meant. Look, I'll let you go. You need to sleep off that headache and I need to think about getting on the road.”

          Trish felt terrible.

          “Tommy, I am sorry. It was just a bad joke.”

          “I know, I know. I dropped a lot on you. I understand.”

          “I just want to know that I love you and I didn't mean anything by it. I don't know what I was thinking. Maybe it's the migraine”

          “Trish, listen. It's okay. I'm fine. Now, I really do need to run. I'll call when I get to New Jersey. Okay?”

          “Yeah.”

          She almost hung the phone up but stopped.

          “Tommy?”

          “Yeah.”

          “I love you. Be safe.”

          “Love you too.”

          The line clicked dead and Trish sat there staring at the handset. She felt terrible about the “Jason” comment. Truthfully, didn't know why she said in the first place. She regretted it the moment she said. Tommy could say that it was okay but she knew it has bothered him. It was a horrible thing to say and she wasn't sure if she could forgive herself for saying it. The guilt only made the pain behind her eyes worse.

          Why had she said that name? It was like an unwritten rule in their family, never mention him or what he had done to their family. They rarely mentioned their mother because that brought back memories of that weekend and the horror they had experienced.

          That's what her dream had been about. Perhaps that's why she mentioned his name. It had been thirty-five years and she hadn't gone through everything that Tommy had been through but that didn't mean she had experienced her own person trauma. She had been able to move past the initial events and re acclimate herself into normal life but there had been years of therapy for her too. She didn't talk about it and she had never even told Tommy but Joe and the kids knew about her night terrors and the headaches that usually followed them.

          Trish may not have been as openly scarred as Tommy but that didn't mean Jason Voorhees had stopped stalking her. He came to her in her dreams and unlike their encounter in 1984, he didn't end up on the floor dead with a machete in his head. In the dreams he kept coming. In the dreams she saw the terrible things he did. The years had passed but in the dreams she could still hear Rob screaming out from the basement. “He's killing me. Oh God, he's killing me.” She could still hear the sound of his body being pummeled.

          In many ways the dreams were worse than the actual memories. The sounds were louder and the shadows less dim. She could see things that had mercifully been hidden during the actual experience. Her imagination filled in details that she had only heard second hand and it made up other things that never even happened. The dreams with her mother were the worst.

          In some of them Trish was able to see her mother, standing face to face with Jason in the pouring rain. Lightning would illuminate his battered mask, her mother would scream out in terror, and the blood soaked machete would silence her abruptly. Those dreams were bad but the ones where she found her mother in the tub made them almost tolerable. Trish could imagine the cold touch of her dead skin and see her lifeless eyes rolled back into her skull. In the dreams she tried to scream but nothing would come out. She could only sit there and cradle her mother's dead body until it spoke, calling out her name.

          Trish shuddered and sat the phone back onto the base. She rubbed both temples gently with the tips of her fingers. The migraine was getting stronger and she would have to take one of the pills before too long. They helped eased the pain but they knocked her out. As painful as the headaches were she dreaded deep sleep even more. That's when the dreams came. She fell back onto her bed and pulled the pillow over heard. She began to weep softly and beg God for some relief. She dozed off after fifteen minutes and for the first time in months, the dreams didn't come.

13 - Chapter One

         Tommy Jarvis opened his eyes and stared into the mirror. He frowned as he surveyed the damage that time had inflicted. There were wrinkles under his eyes and his hairline was receding. The black hair dye counteracted the effects of aging somewhat but the weary look in his eyes betrayed him and it would have been apparent to anyone that earned every one of his forty-two years. He sighed deeply and thought that he might have actually earned a few extra. However, given his past, he didn’t look too bad. He was extremely fortunate to be alive and he knew it.

Very few people survive an ordeal like the one he experienced when he was a boy; much less two more just like it. To say that he had been lucky was an understatement. Tommy was very aware that he was blessed and he made every effort to not take it for granted. Still, it had been twenty years since that night at Camp Forest Green and he had put as much distance possible between himself and his experiences there. The same could be said for the entire Crystal Lake region.

It took two years of intense therapy for Tommy to finally believe that it was all over. During that time he dated Megan Garris and they did their very best to cling to one another and cope. As much as they wanted to make it work there just didn’t seem to be any hope. There were too many shared bad memories for them to overcome. Megan had her own grief to process after losing her father and her friends. Watching Tommy relive ten years of pain and grief was just too much for her to handle.

They split up and she moved away from the area. Tommy did keep up with her and they remained friends in much the same way that veterans of combat did but he gave her the space she needed to heal. Even though they weren’t able to get past the baggage and make things work romantically, they were still connected to one another on a level deeper than most people. He had encouraged her as she went off to college and earned her degree in Psychology. It didn’t surprise him when she continued her studies and eventually became Dr. Megan Garris. He watched from afar as she started her own practice in Syracuse, New York. Her specialty was dealing with children who were survivors of traumatic events. She had thrown herself into her studies in order to overcome her past and she believed the best way to honor the memory of those she lost was to help others do the same. In the process she had become successful and she was soon one of the most sought out in her field.

It would probably come as no surprise that Tommy had gone in a similar direction. He never had the inclination to study but he had written a book chronicling his therapeutic journey and how he now spoke up for children who were the victims of violent crimes. Given his past, there was the occasional tabloid bloodsucker that would crawl out of the woodwork and want to exploit the “Jason” angle. Tommy answered those types of questions with the briefest and vaguest answers possible. He knew the truth about what he had experienced but he had no desire to relive it in the media or exploit it. He knew that Jason Voorhees was finally in the grave and he believed his best course of action was to help those who were living.

Tommy’s first book, The Long Road From Crystal Lake, had been a bestseller mostly by accident. Many had bought it expecting a blood-soaked memoir about the murders in 1984, 1989, and 1994. Tommy did address the trauma he incurred and the emotional baggage that he carried around as a result but he shied away from gory details and speculation about Jason. No one was more surprised when the book sold a million copies in spite of that fact. He appeared on several talk shows in the year following the book’s release and that is how he became an advocate for those who had experienced similar events.

His refusal to discuss or speculate about Jason helped to put that part of his past behind him. People eventually figured out that he was not going to discuss those things and for the most part, the questions stopped. He anticipated a few of them as he embarked on the book signing tour for his newest book, A Bandage For The Soul. It was getting ready to hit the shelves and he knew that the serious programs would avoid that type of exploitive journalism. He had earned respect and was treated as an expert on the subject. The internet wackos and tabloid shows were still out there and they would undoubtedly dredge the story up again now that he would be out in the public but Tommy had learned how to avoid and ignore them. If he was apprehensive about anything it was the upcoming visit to his sister Trish.

It wasn’t as if he didn’t want to see her. They remained very close, as one might expect, but she and her family still lived in New Jersey not far from Crystal Lake. Tommy once asked her how she could live in such close proximity to the place where their lives had been irreparably scarred. She smiled and told him that she wasn’t going to let the ghosts and demons in her past run her away from the only place that she had ever called home. He understood but admitted that he could never be that strong.

Trish had married a really nice guy named Joseph Sutter. He was New Jersey State Trooper and was stationed in the area just outside of Freemont, about one hour away from Crystal Lake. They met in college in 1986 and were married a year later. Their son, Joseph Jr. was born in 1989. He was an English teacher at the local high school and lived down the road from his parents. Their daughter Tracy, who was named after Trish and Tommy’s mother, was born in 1994. She had gotten pregnant during her senior year of high school. She had a little boy and named him after her uncle Tommy. His father skipped town shortly after graduation and was never seen from again. Tracy lived at home with her parents while taking college classes online.

Tommy had still been a minor and was in a state facilitated home when Trish married Joseph. He was still lost at the time and Trish had not been able to help him. She called and visited when she could but her life was moving in different direction. It hurt her and she always felt as if she had abandoned him but he never blamed her. It seemed like some sort of cruel cosmic prank. Every time Trish had a major life change, Tommy was facing the specter of Jason. He hadn’t been able to share in her joy and she hadn’t been able to help in his time of need. However, that was all behind them now.

When he entered therapy in 1995 they were able to seriously reconnect and reestablish the close relationship they had when they were younger. Tommy had been thrilled to jump back into Trish’s life and he loved getting to know his brother-in-law and his niece and nephew. He was especially attached to Tracy’s son Tommy. Perhaps it was because they shared a name or maybe it was something deeper. Whatever it was, he felt a connection to the bright eyed toddler than he had never felt with another person. As anxious as being near Crystal Lake made him feel, he knew it would be worth it to be with family.

There were a few more things he needed to do before hopping in the car and making the three hour drive from his small farm outside of Towanda, Pennsylvania to Freemont, New Jersey. The first thing on his list was to return a phone call to Larry Schnell. He wasn’t exactly looking forward to hit but Schnell had already left seven messages on the voicemail and had flooded his inbox with e-mails. None of the messages contained specifics. They were mostly one or two sentences suggesting that Schnell had an offer that he couldn’t refuse. Tommy knew who Schnell was and was familiar with some of his work and that only made him dread the phone conversation even more.

Larry Schnell was known nationwide as the face of ViReal TV. They were one of many trashy tabloid shows that specialized in hidden camera and viewer submitted footage. Their accompanying website and YouTube channel boosted the number of active viewers into the millions. A story on their show or website was guaranteed to go viral and eventually be picked up by the mainstream media. Because of his shrewd business ethics and his willingness to run any story, Schnell had become quite wealthy. More than one of his peers had publicly called him a bloodsucker due to his lack of compassion and restraint.

Tommy dialed Schnell’s number and waited. After a few seconds Schnell answered, almost in a scream.

“Tommy Jarvis! How are you?”

Tommy sighed and responded, “I’m well.”

“That’s great buddy.”

Tommy hated it when strangers pretended to be friendly.

“Mr. Schnell, I only have a moment. What is it that you would like to discuss?

Schnell laughed in a way that could only be described as slimy.

“I’m glad you ask. Are you aware of my influence in the world of media and entertainment?”

Tommy paused and considered his response. He had no use for Schnell but wanted to maintain some sort of dignity. After several seconds of silence he answered.

“I am aware of your television show and your website.”

“Good, good, then you know I am capable of promoting you in a way that no one else can offer.”

Tommy chuckled.

“Really? Why exactly do I need promoting?”

“Tommy, come on. We know that you have a new book coming out soon. Don’t you want this one to race to the top of the bestsellers list too?”

Tommy sighed.

“Mr. Schnell, I appreciate your concern but that’s not why I wrote the book. I’m sure it will do quite well on its own.”

He was getting ready to say something else when Schnell cut him off.

“Tommy, let’s be real here. You’re not going to tell me that you aren’t promoting this book are you? I mean, you’re not going to sit here and tell me that you’re not getting ready to start a national book signing tour are you? That’s not what I’m hearing is it?”

Tommy sighed even deeper. He had spent years working on his temper and it took quite a bit to get him riled up. Schnell, however, was quickly pushing him in that direction.

“Look Mr. Schnell, I appreciate the offer, I really do. The truth is that I am already booked for a two solid months. I have signings in several cities and I have four television appearances. I really don’t have room in my schedule for one more.”

Schnell laughed obnoxiously on the other end.

“Tommy, baby, who can give you the exposure that ViReal TV can? Seriously, name one.”

Tommy smiled his head. He was at his breaking point.

“Mr. Schnell, once again, I appreciate it but I’m sure that Conan, Fallon, Good Morning America and the Today show are quite capable of promoting the book.”

He waited for Schnell respond, curious as to how he would answer. After a long pause Schnell chuckled.

“What, no Letterman?”

Without missing a beat he shot back.

“Yeah, he’s retiring next year and there isn’t a slot. I’m hoping Colbert will squeeze me in when he takes over.”

Tommy grinned and hoped that he had pissed Schnell off. He was ready for the conversation to be over. There was an uncomfortably long period of silence and Tommy was just about to say goodbye when Schnell finally responded.

“Yeah, we probably can’t help you out much with the book. You’re right.”

Tommy prepared to thank him and hang up but Schnell spoke up.

“Truthfully, that’s not the real reason I’d like to meet up. I just thought it might sweeten the pot a bit.”

Tommy felt his stomach tighten. He did not like the way the conversation had turned. He knew Schnell’s reputation and if the book wasn’t the real reason he contacted him, then he was afraid to know the truth.

“Okay Mr. Schnell, what do you want?”

There was silence on the other end and in his mind Tommy could imagine Schnell leaning back in his chair, putting his feet up on the desk, and taking a huge puff from a cheap cigar. The truth was that Tommy’s imagination wasn’t too terribly far off. Schnell was sitting at his desk and he was smoking a foul smelling cigar. His feet, however, were firmly planted on the floor.

“Tommy, you do realize what year it is?”

Without thinking, he replied.

“2014. Why?”

Schnell chuckled again. Tommy was starting to hate the sound of it. He thought for a moment and then it dawned on him. He understood what Schnell’s angle was. He remained silent and waited for a response.

“That’s right Jarvis. It’s 2014. That’s an important year for you isn’t it?”

Tommy knew exactly what he was talking about but refused to play along.

“I’m not sure I follow you Mr. Schnell.”

“Jarvis, cut the formal bullshit. You know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s been thirty years since Jason hacked up all those folks in Crystal Lake. It’s been thirty years since you faced him down.”

There was another long pause, as if Schnell was letting it sink in. Tommy could feel the anger starting to simmer. He was not going to play this game. He stood there, gripping the phone so tight that his knuckles were turning white. Schnell realized that he had gotten to him and went in for the kill.

“It’s been thirty years since that bastard killed your mother.”

In the past, that would have been enough to send Tommy into a rage. He took a deep breath and fought that rage that was now boiling. He cleared his throat and spoke calmly into the phone.

“Look Mr. Schnell. I am aware of the amount of time that has passed since those tragic events. I have spent a good portion of my life dealing with them. I can now say that they are firmly in my past and that is where I intend to leave them.”

“In your past huh? That’s nice. What about the events from twenty-five years ago, when that crazy ambulance driver killed all those folks at the halfway house you were living in? You over that too? Have you put that in your past? Or what about the mess that happened at Camp Forest Green in 1994? That was just twenty years ago. They changed the name but it was still Crystal Lake, right? Have you put that in your past?”

Tommy had to fight himself to let Schnell finish. He nearly cut him off twice but he was determined to not let that jerk get the best of him. He waited a couple of seconds after Schnell stopped speaking and then answered.

“I don’t expect you to understand. There really is no way that you can. I accept that. However, I am not going to live in the past or let it dictate the course of my future any longer. I survived those things and have worked my ass off to move beyond them. I haven’t forgotten. I still think about those who died. I always will. But I’m not dead. I am alive and I am living in the present. There is nothing for me to gain by rehashing those memories. I have been there and I have done that. Now, is that all?”

Schnell didn’t hesitate.

“Actually Tommy, it’s not. We’re going to do a retrospective with or without you. I don’t think you appreciate how big this is going to be. Forget about your past for a minute. Do you realize that this is the thirty-fifth anniversary of Pamela Voorhees’ killing spree at the original camp? It’s been fifty-five years since she killed those first two campers after little Jason drowned. This is going to be the story of the year and you need to be a part of it.”

Tommy stopped him.

“I need to be a part of it? Don’t you mean that you need me to be a part of it?”

Schnell laughed that irritating laugh again.

“Jarvis, I don’t need shit from you. It’d be nice if you’d cooperate but we’re moving along with or without you. We’ve already started contacting other survivors. We will do this.”

“What other survivors?”

“Ah, that got your attention didn’t it? Well, I’m not at liberty to say right now. Let’s just say that there are some surprises in store.”

The floodgates opened and Tommy’s anger finally spilled out.

“Listen to me you son of a bitch. If you go near my sister and her family I will personally kick your ass. Do you understand me?”

“Jarvis, there’s no need to get bent out of shape. There’s no need to threaten violence. I can promise you that we won’t go near Trish if you’re willing to work with us. What do you say? Meet with us and do one little interview. That’s all we want.”

Tommy could feel the blood pounding in his head. It was the first time in years that he had lost his cool and that bothered him. He wanted to reach through the phone and grab that lowlife by the throat and choke him. That thought bothered him even more. He took several deep breaths to calm himself down. He knew that he was going to regret this decision but he responded.

“I’ll meet with you and discuss the possibility of taking part in your show. I’m not promising to be on it or to do your interview. All I am agreeing to is a meeting but it is under the condition that you stay away from Trish. Do we have a deal?”

Tommy could almost imagine Schnell’s shit-eating grin as he answered.

“You got it.”

Tommy sighed once again.

“I am leaving for New Jersey this afternoon. I will call you when I arrive at my location. We will set up a time to meet in a public place and continue this conversation. Until then, you don’t contact me or my sister. Are we clear?”

“Crystal clear.”

The line went dead and Tommy hung the phone up. He ran his fingers through his hair and spoke out loud to no one.

“What the hell am I getting myself into?”

He went into his bedroom and started throwing clothes into a suitcase. This trip was going to be much more eventful than he had planned. He had no idea how much more but he was soon going to find out.