Chapter 12

It looked like the events developed better than expected. The Cooke family was kind enough to agree to help their daughter in her plan. To tell the truth, Sherry expected more for them to refuse, all because of her decision to stay at the place where a merciless killer lives. But, lucky for her, all turned out to be just fantastic. Of course, first of all, she had to thank her brother, who not just agreed to cooperate, but managed to persuade mother and father to do the same. It seemed almost like a miracle that they believed that Jason Voorhees could be something more than just a soulless killing machine. They tried to understand, unlike many others, who don't even want to try to do it and don't see anything farther than their own nose. And, of course, thank God. Sherry wasn't really religious, but this time she felt it was appropriate to thank God.

Jason had approximately the same thoughts. He liked this girl and there were all the reasons for that. It was the first time during all his existence that someone, beside his mother, treated him with respect and was kind to him. She was like a ray of light that shines through all this darkness and filth that the world is filled with. He felt he could finally have a true friend that he'd never had.

Sherry watched him coming out of his hiding place and approached him slowly. As the day slowly turned into evening, she already had an idea in mind for tomorrow.

"So, um… I guess you heard everything we talked about, right?" she asked.

Jason nodded in response.

"Ok then. Well, my family is on our side, so we can finally have peace."

And he was satisfied. Her parents and brother looked like they could be trusted after all. As Jason watched them, it seemed to him that Sherry was so much like her mother. Kind, sweet and caring. Those were good people. Jason still didn't feel the wish to come out when they are here, but maybe… someday…

"Hey, could you take a walk with me tomorrow? I would like to get more familiar with the area," Sherry said. "I'm afraid to go alone. I remember you've set a lot of traps around, so it's better that you accompany me. Would you do that for me?" She was, in fact, pleading him with her eyes.

Jason nodded again. That was no problem for him. After all, he had nothing else to do anyway, so he eagerly agreed to show her the camp and the area around it.

"Thank you, Jason. Now, do you mind if I dedicate my time to work with my papers and computer? I have to do things for my studies."

Jason made no signs of positive or negative reply. He just tilted his head to the side.

"What? You don't understand what I'm talking about, do you?" Sherry asked. Although she already knew it was so, but thought it would be better to ask anyway. "Well, you never went to school, but I did. I finished the school and then went higher, and the place where I go now is called "University". There you can choose what exactly you want to learn that could be useful in your future, so you can get the work you want and earn money. So is the life, Jason. Do you understand?"

This time Jason finally nodded. He understood what work meant. Before he drowned, his mother was a cook in a camp, which meant that she worked and earned money, so she could sustain herself and her son. He didn't know if she went to school, but she worked nonetheless. But, whatever it was, if this "University" was necessary for Sherry, so be it. He'll let her work now, and tomorrow they will have more time to spend together. He was still very curious about those films Sherry and her family mentioned. He had to think how to ask her about it, but it won't be so easy. Until tomorrow he would think of something.

"Alright, Jason, then I'll say goodnight. I'll be busy for a while. See you tomorrow then."

The large man nodded again and turned around to go into the forest. Sherry, in turn, entered her cabin and closed the door. As it was getting darker, she switched on her desk lamp that her parents brought from home. As she turned on her laptop, one thought couldn't get out of her head. She was realizing the she liked being around Jason, although she didn't know him yet. What is his character like? Is he a peaceful or a bad-tempered type? Till now he seemed rather peaceful, but it was now. She was in this camp just two days, but it already seemed to her like eternity. There was enough time to get to know him better, but Sherry was sure about one thing – she was getting attached to Jason Voorhees. But even that wasn't all. The more she thought about her rival, the more the desire to paint her hands red grew inside her.

Am I going crazy? - she thought to herself. - Does being near Jason affect me like that? Damn it, this can become dangerous.

Sherry didn't like violence at all and in every situation she always looked for a way to solve the conflict in a peaceful way. But now, as her thoughts went back to Vanessa, Sherry wanted to kill her with her own hands, and to do it slowly. But after a second she shook her head frantically. No, she mustn't do that. After all, she gave a promise to her family. Killing is Jason's work, not hers, and she shouldn't interfere into his business.

With that thought Sherry finally began working on her thesis.

***

With the morning light the nature in Camp Crystal Lake came to life. The birds chirped merrily and the large trees swayed slowly in the wind like giants. And when the rays of sun got into Sherry's cabin window, she slowly opened her eyes. At first it seemed to her that she was lying in her bed at home, but when her vision cleared, she remembered where exactly she was. The young woman stretched her limbs and sat on the bed, looking for her cell phone. Noticing it on the desk near the laptop, she got out of the bed and checked the time. It was five minutes to ten.

Surprisingly for Sherry, she slept good. Some people on her place wouldn't be able to close they eyes, knowing they are in this cursed camp. But Sherry felt peaceful, no matter how strange it sounded.

Sherry changed into more comfortable clothes for this place – jeans and light t-shirt and opened the cabin door to breathe some fresh air. This place looked so serene in the daytime and if you forget about Jason and the killings, it would seem like a perfect place for camping. But now only the thrill seekers would dare to step to this camp, only to get killed by Jason. Sherry took a deep breath and went back to take her hygienic stuff and then went to the bathroom which was located within a few meters from her cabin.

While washing her teeth, she wondered where Jason could be. He hasn't been around when she stepped out of the cabin and went to the bathroom. But as it was just ten o'clock, there was a whole day to spend with him. He will come later or soon.

Sherry finished washing procedure in a few minutes and was prepared to exit the bathroom. But she hasn't managed to cross the threshold when she crashed into a mountain of muscles.

"Damn it, Jason! You scared me!" Sherry screamed, as this was totally unexpected. She couldn't hear a single sound before Jason appeared. "Next time be so kind and make some sound, ok? Otherwise I'll get a heart attack if you appear so, like a ghost."

Jason just looked at her in silence and while Sherry looked through the holes of his mask, she could swear there was a sparkle of fun in his right eye, as the left one seemed to be unable to see.

"What is it? It seems funny to you, right?" Sherry asked with a smirk. "I know, sometimes it is funny to scare others, but just a little bit. Then it's no fun anymore. But please, don't scare me like that again, ok?"

Sherry didn't know it, but Jason had his own plans. He crept without any sound on purpose, and this purpose was to check her reaction. He wanted to know how frightened will she be if she sees something really unexpected. When Sherry bumped into him, she just swore a bit, but that was it. No screams, no running, no pressing to the wall in fear. And it satisfied him so far. She felt peaceful around him and her nerves seemed to be stronger than he has seen by his victims. Jason still had thoughts in mind about her joining him in killings someday, but he didn't want to force her into it. If she does it, she must do it willingly. That would be real fun, if they could slay some filthy teens together. If not, no problem, he'll do everything on his own, as usual. But one he was sure about – he might let Sherry kill the girl who harmed her and brought her here to be killed.

But now all he could do is nod. Jason wanted to maintain good relationship with Sherry. It will benefit them both.

"So, how about we go for a walk now? You promise to show me the surrounding area," Sherry reminded him. Jason hasn't forgotten about it and was waiting until she finishes her things. Sherry ran to her cabin to put back the things she has just used and then joined Jason. He went first and the woman followed him. Jason knew these woods like his five fingers and it was impossible to get lost here with him. Sherry walked in the distance of a meter from him, wondering where he could have placed those traps and what kinds of traps. She has seen one bear trap that she nearly got herself into, if it wasn't for Jason. He might have set many such traps, but maybe there were more than just a few bear traps. And she was sure that he set them in random places. Yesterday they could have been in one place, today in a different spot. She should be careful in any case.

They went through the dense forest for several minutes and climbed up on a rather high hill. Sherry watched in awe how agile Jason actually was. Yes, he was a large man and could look clumsy, but he was far from being one. Luckily she had no problems with climbing up the hills, as she often went hiking with her family, so she had some experience. It didn't take long until they finally were on the top. Jason led her to the edge of the cliff where a panorama of Crystal Lake could be seen. Sherry was totally charmed by what she saw.

"Wow, is this how Crystal Lake looks from above?" she asked more for herself than addressing this question to Jason. "It's so beautiful. Hell, if I was an artist, I'd definitely create a painting of this beauty. The more you look at it, the more you forget about this place being… cursed." Sherry suddenly shut her mouth with a palm, afraid to annoy Jason, but he just shrugged. "But, you know what? Camp Crystal Lake is cursed only in films, but the reality is different from that. You live here and you just protect your territory, and that's about it, nothing more. Nothing to do with the curse or any crap of that kind. Actually, nothing here is cursed."

Jason nodded in agreement. It was all true what she was saying. And what is a curse anyway? This was something beyond his comprehension.

"Oh, by the way, I bet you're curious about those films that we mentioned. I have some in my computer. Are you interested to take a look?"

Yes, finally. She guessed it herself. Jason didn't even have to try to make her understand that he wanted to know what this film thing was. Now his curiosity will be satisfied.

Thus both spent a few more hours walking around the camp area, side by side. During the walk Sherry tried her best to remember the locations so maybe after a few more walks with Jason she would be able to orientate here on her own. Also she had strong feeling of wanting to get into Jason's head and find out what he was thinking at this moment, and she was sure that he felt the same. So pity that she didn't own a thought reading ability, but ok, it's not the worst situation. Of course, if your partner is mute, it makes things more difficult, but she can cope. So far they could understand each other, more or less, and maybe it will improve with time. Yes, only the time will show.

Finally Jason took her back to the camp and the way already seemed more familiar to Sherry. She ran happily to the lake and sat down to touch the water. Although the weather was hot, especially in the afternoon, the water still seemed cold. Sherry had her bikini in some bag or box, but it seemed that better it is to wait for some time until the water gets warmer, so she could swim in the lake one day. At least she could sunbathe near the lake, and it was already great.

Jason just watched her quietly while she played with water. It made him remember his time in camp. Children found happiness in playing like that in the lake, and he could never join them, as it always resulted in insulting and hurting him. But now this young woman looked like a happy child who got to water for the first time in a year. It seemed cute on the one hand, but on the other hand, made the unpleasant memories return. But Jason could get over it, as he knew that it was all in past and will never happen again.

Suddenly Jason stiffened. He listened carefully, as he was undoubtedly sure that a sound of an engine reached his ears. Sherry seemed to hear nothing and continued dipping her fingers in the water. He listened for some more time and now was sure that he heard it right. It was definitely a car approaching the camp. Somehow Jason knew that those weren't Sherry's relatives, as they would come when she needs something. So he grabbed Sherry, put her on his shoulder like a bag and carried to the cabin.

"Jason, what the hell?! What are you doing?" Sherry screamed in surprise, but Jason didn't listen. "Put me down! Do you hear me? I said – put me down!"

It was no use. Jason didn't slow down even a bit. He brought Sherry into her cabin and dropped on a bed. She looked at him in confusion and annoyance while he moved to the door. But before he exited, Jason put the index finger to his mask, like trying to say "Be quiet". Then he closed the door and Sherry heard it being locked.

"Damn it, Jason!" she swore to herself. "What an asshole... What the hell is his problem?"

Soon she got her answer though. Sherry sat and listened. She could clearly hear a car coming closer and closer until the engine went out. Right after that the silence was broken by male and female voices, but Sherry didn't recognize any of them. Definitely it wasn't Vanessa and Jordan. Besides, judging by those voices, there were four people – two guys and two girls. And Vanessa would have brought a larger company than just four.

It could mean one thing – Jason will finally have his bloody fun.

Sherry peeked through the window and saw four young adults take their camping stuff from the car and move to the lake, right to the spot where she and her family had a barbecue a day ago. But there was no sign of Jason anywhere. She presumed that he was hiding somewhere and watching them, waiting for the suitable moment to strike.

And she was right. Jason was standing among the trees, covered by high bushes and lower trees. It seemed like the nature itself provided him a good hiding spot. He watched the young people making a fire at the lake, laughing and joking carelessly. They had no idea what awaited them.

Jason's eyes filled with blood in anger and rage. These trespassers will not get out of here alive.

And he will take care of it.