Chapter 19: Chapter 18
While Jason got rid of the bodies, Sherry spoke to her mother via Skype. Luckily, Mrs. Cooke was alone at home at this moment, so they could talk about more private stuff freely, without any other ears listening.
"So, how are you doing there, honey? Is everything alright?" she asked.
"Yeah, I'm perfectly alright," Sherry said. "Jason is now away, mining his own business, so all is fine."
"Does he treat you well? I hope nothing has changed to the worse?" Although Sherry said things were going fine, mother had to be sure of that. Living with a serial killer as your neighbor is a serious matter.
"Don't worry, mum. He is the second person after my family that treats me well and respects me," Sherry explained. "Despite being a killer, he knows what respect means."
"Very well. Glad to know that he is not just a killing machine that knows nothing but death."
Sherry nodded, as they spoke via the video call, so they could see each other's faces.
"He has killed some people though while I was there," Sherry continued. "First there were four young adults, and Jason locked me in my cabin while he did the dirty job. Second time there was one couple around the same age, but then he just left me inside, without locking. He trusted me that I would not interfere."
"Yes, and you better not," mother said. "I know he's most dangerous when in killing mood."
"Of course. It's only us that he allows to come to his camp. Otherwise he can't stand trespassers."
"Well, lucky us then," Sharon laughed.
"I really can't comprehend why teens and young adults continue coming here. What is with this place that it attracts such type of people?" And that was right, Sherry truly was unable to understand it. "There are so many forested areas by the lake, so many parks. But they still choose Camp Crystal Lake. And from their talks I heard that they knew, or, at least, had an idea about Jason living here. I'm sometimes deeply surprised by human stupidity. And I highly doubt that adult people, like of your age, would ever visit the camp. They sure are smart enough to stay away from it."
"I know, dear," Sharon agreed. "I guess younger people like some sort of challenge."
"Maybe," Sherry replied. "But still it doesn't mean putting your life at stake for nothing. And it's impossible to get away from Jason. If you are here, he will find you. After all, he knows these woods like his own home."
A minute or two passed in silence until Sharon spoke again.
"I wonder if he sees us every time we come to visit you in the camp?"
"I'm sure he does," Sherry replied. "Believe me, mum, he has a good memory. He knows how you look like, your vehicle as well. He watches very carefully who comes to his territory before deciding whether these people should stay alive or not."
"I see. But why does he never come out to us?"
"I think the reason is him being ashamed of himself," Sherry explained.
"Ashamed? Why?"
"You see, it's the psychological trauma that he carries since his childhood. He was born hydrocephalic, and because of that always bullied by peers, until it finally resulted in his drowning in this very lake. I managed to persuade him to meet Richard though, so Jason doesn't hesitate to come out when he comes. I might try to do the same when you or dad arrive here. I think he wouldn't mind. After all, we became friends, and you are my family."
Sherry hoped for the best. If Jason didn't refuse to meet Richard, then why should he object against meeting her parents as well?
"You know…" Sherry began "…I think I am growing attached to Jason." While speaking about this, she blushed a bit. "One day he took me to his hut deep in the woods and showed something that is sacred for him."
"What exactly?" Sharon wanted to know.
"Just don't tell anyone for now, okay? It's our little secret."
"Of course, dear, if you say so."
"In his hut, he keeps some sort of an altar where he places his mother's head, surrounded by a lot of burning candles," Sherry said. "It looked like mummified or something, but when he found out that his mother died in such gruesome way, by being decapitated, it was a tragedy for him. Mother was the only person he had ever loved and who loved him. I'm very glad that he cherishes her memory. Yes, it might look terrifying when you see it, but nonetheless, he shows respect to her memory as he can. And if he showed me all of this, it means he trusts me. He would never take anyone else there, never."
"Wow, that sure means something, doesn't it?" Mrs. Cooke winked.
"It sure does. I have told him about it, that I am proud that he still loves his mother so much and cherishes her memory," Sherry continued. "More than that, I said that I do not care if he is a killer or not. I said that I accept him as he is. Indeed, if he treats me and my family well, the rest doesn't matter."
"Well, if it really was like that, I bet it touched his heart," Sharon pondered aloud. "Did it?"
"I'm sure it did. After I said it all, I noticed that he closed his eyes for a moment and I heard him growling quietly. I guess you understand that such words are like milk and honey for him, considering the bitter experience that all his life had been."
Sharon smiled warmly and nodded.
"You did the right thing, my darling. The more you do such kind things to him, the better it is for you. Having such man like Jason on your side means protection guaranteed. Although you are alone there with him, there is nothing to be afraid of."
"Sure, but you can never know who could be so stupid to trespass," Sherry grinned. "I'm sure that Jason has encountered some aggressive types as well. If it happens that I might encounter such people… Well, Richie has taught me how to protect myself, and I would use these skills without hesitation. But Jason could dispose of them in one blow. So yeah, you can never know."
"Quite possible."
"Yeah… And after I told him that I accept him as he is, he caressed my face gently, and I knew that he was thanking me like that. I thanked him as well for all that he did for me, and… I gave in to my emotions then and just… hugged him. I have never felt so protected in my life, being in this man's strong arms. Thus we stood for some time, hugging each other. I could only imagine how it would look like – a large man in a hockey mask and a small woman like me standing in front of an altar with a dead head, holding each other in our arms." Sherry giggled at these memories, but they warmed her heart throughout.
"Haha, yeah, this would be worth a painting," Mrs. Cooke laughed as well, trying to create this image in her mind. "But, if we speak seriously, I'm really happy that you are in good relationship with Jason, considering him being what he is. This is worth many things."
"Thanks, mum, I'm more than happy to know that you understand," Sherry said, regretting that mother was not here at the moment. She would love to hug her so much.
"Oh, it's alright, dear. Each good parent should at least try to understand what their children feel."
God, how right you are, mum! You're the best! – Sherry thought to herself. She considered her mother the most intelligent person in the whole world. It's the fact that not all parents succeed in understanding the inner world of their children, and some do not even try. But Mrs. Cooke knew that the key to good relationship with children was understanding.
"Listen, Sherry, do you need anything? From food, clothes, or anything else?" I was thinking about paying you a visit tomorrow morning, so while we are connected, think about what you need."
Sherry then delved into thinking, trying to concentrate. As the weather was hot, she drank a lot, so drinks would definitely be number one necessity. Also, she realized she needed some new underwear and new shirts and tops on straps, and socks as well. When she was finally up with the ideas, she told mother all she wanted.
"Alright, just collect the dirty stuff into a bag," Sharon said. "I will bring you new ones instead and take the old ones to wash. What about food?"
"Hmm… well, maybe some instant soups or noodles would be nice. Oh, I would be grateful for a pizza as well and a package of eggs and some milk. I still have corn flakes left, but milk is nearly over. I like drinking it too, you know."
"Of course, no problem," Sharon said. "Tomorrow around nine I will be here with all the things. Well, see you tomorrow then?"
"Thanks, mum. See you," Sherry said, and the call ended.
***
Walking back to the camp, Jason heard some female voices coming from there. His first reaction was - trespassers! He pulled the machete out and walked quietly to the cabins, creeping like wolf that was hunting for its prey. But as he got closer, he realized that one of the voices was Sherry's. That made him calm down a bit, but who was the other person she was talking to?
As Jason approached Sherry's cabin, she stepped outside to meet him. He thought how to ask her about her conversation, but it was difficult. So first he pointed to her, then to the doorway, and then to his ears. Sherry didn't understand what he meant at first, but then it finally dawned on her.
"Oh, I think I know what you want to say. You heard me talking, right?"
Jason nodded.
"I spoke to my mother through my computer. You know, there is a communication device called "Skype", and with that you can speak to people around the world, no matter where they are. It's a very convenient thing."
The large man didn't understand what computer or this "Skype" was, but he got the general idea. He had an idea about the phone, but now it looked like that there was more than one way to communicate.
"Oh, and I want you to know that tomorrow morning my mother will come here and bring me some food and other things that I need. I hope you don't mind?"
Jason shook his head. Of course, he didn't mind. He already made her understand some time ago that her family was allowed to visit her in his camp. As long as the visitors were familiar to him, he was alright with it.
"Thanks, Jason. I knew I can count on you," she said, caressing his large arm up and down. Jason enjoyed the touch of her fragile hands. It was so gentle, so… loving. It reminded him of his own mother's touch in childhood, but this was a little bit different. Sherry was not his mother, and he never forgot about it. All he knew that he wouldn't mind her touching him like that every day.
Then Sherry suddenly spoke:
"Jason? I'd like to ask you something. Would you like to meet my mother tomorrow? She comes alone. You know Richard already, and she asked why you never come out when she and my father visit me. She would like to meet you as well."
Jason thought for a few moments, and during this short amount of time Sherry kept silent. Considering all pros and cons, he finally concluded that she might be right as well. Her family knew about him, and he knew her brother personally. So no harm would come if he got introduced to her mother too. Finally he nodded.
"Good." Sherry was satisfied with his decision. She wished to know what was going on in his head right now, but she presumed that nothing bad would happen if he and her mother meet each other.
Jason had a feeling that tomorrow would be a special day for him. First of all, the arrival of Sherry's mother. This would be a very interesting event. But there was something else. As his senses gave him a hint that another hunt was on the way. And after that, the next day would be Friday, the 13th of June, his birthday. Then he will have true hunting party as the bad people were going to come here, the ones that hurt Sherry. These were the days he was especially looking forward to, and at that thought his dead heart began beating in his chest.
He will murder them all.
For himself.
For Mother.
For Sherry.
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