Hemlock High Ep 5 - "I Know Exactly Who You Are"

Hemlock High Ep 5 – “I Know Exactly What You Are”

[Ominous ambience]

Kim
Camdyn. You stride towards your parents’ murderers, Sharday and Abiola, Yakubu’s sisters. You are as brave as you have ever been, and you say…

Camdyn Lithey (Janaya)
You may not know me, but you will.

Kim
Sharday turns over her shoulder and looks at you, not impressed at all.

Sharday (Kim)
And if you knew us, you wouldn’t be talking so boldly. [Laughs]

Janaya
Camdyn arches their shoulders back and says…

Camdyn Lithey (Janaya)
Unfortunate news, I do know you. I know exactly who you are. You two, both of you…

Janaya
And tries to give recognition to the older sister, as well.

Camdyn Lithey (Janaya)
You both are murderers.

Kim
Now it’s Abiola who smiles at you. Already, her teeth are just slightly sharper than they should be.

Abiola (Kim)
We are hunters.

Camdyn Lithey (Janaya)
Hunters, murderers, whatever you are. You killed two people that meant everything to me. And I can’t get them back. So I only have to return the favor.

Janaya
And I would like to Lash Out Physically.

Kim
Alright, Camdyn. Go ahead and roll with Volatile.

Janaya
Here we go. Wish me luck…

[Rolls dice] That would be a 5.

Kim
Please mark experience. So what is it you try to do?

[Earlier that night. Crickets chirp softly]

Janaya
Before Camdyn even arrives at the game, there is a moment at the home where they’re trying to think about how to protect themselves. And if it was written for television, on the table they see a large knife. A foldable, retractable, but large knife. And it just says “Shaw” on it. Without hesitation, they grab it and stick it in their pocket.

[Ominous ambience]

Janaya
So in this moment, flash forward, they look at the two girls and go to take out the knife in their pocket. And before they could point it directly at them, the knife flings out of their hand and falls to the ground.

Kim
Camdyn, you are just so outnumbered in this moment, and Yakubu’s sisters are so strong and so fast. And they’re pack animals. And Sharday neutralizes that knife. Grabs your arm and twists it, and we hear something snap and pop. Go ahead and take 1 Harm. I think this violence is just getting lost in the celebration of this win at Homecoming. Your screams of pain being indistinguishable from shouts of celebration. No one is coming to your aid in this moment. And Abiola looks at you, grinning and chuckling under her breath…

Abiola (Kim)
I don’t even remember who you are talking about. But you are more than welcome to join them.

Janaya
Can I roll to Keep My Cool?

Kim
Absolutely. When you keep your cool and act despite fear, name what you’re afraid of and roll with Cold. So Camydn, what are you afraid could happen in this moment?

Janaya
Camdyn is mortified, seeing the threat in front of them. Because they fear that their bravery put them in a very unfortunate situation. And one of the last things that they do to help try and keep their cool is go to grab the pendant on their chest. And hopefully things go okay, here…

Kim
Alright. Go ahead and roll with Cold.

Janaya
[Rolls dice] So with a -1 in Cold, and a 6 on my roll… That will be a 5. So they go to grab the pendant on their chest, and immediately tugs too tight and the pendant rips off of their chest and falls to the ground.

Kim
Go ahead and mark experience. The resto f my player characters, here. One of the Keeper tenets of this is to be honest at all times. And I need to tell you that unless someone intervenes here, Camdyn is going to die.

Percy
Yeah.

Madeleine
Oh, yeah.

Cassandra
Oh, yeah. 100%. When Camdyn left Valley’s side, she kept her eyes on them. She obviously has lived in this town for a while. She’s familiar with Yakubu’s sisters. She’s probably seen them at the grocery store, and at various places around the town. Now knowing what Yakubu is, Valley in this moment assumes the sisters are the same and sees Camdyn struggling. And…

Kim
Yeah, Camdyn, go ahead and take another harm.

[Ghostly, whispering ambience]

Cassandra
And using some of her ghost-like abilities that she’s starting to uncover, she very quickly materializes between Camdyn and the sisters. And goes to kick one of them in the stomach, to take the focus off of Camdyn and put it on herself. So I do want to get in the middle of this and lash out physically against one of these sisters.

Kim
Alright. Go forth.

Cassandra
Okay. That is an 8 on the dice, minus my 1 of Volatile. So a 7.

Kim
On a 7 to 9 you harm them, but choose one. They learn something about your true nature and gain a String on you. The MC decides how bad the harm turns out. Or, you become your Darkest Self.

Cassandra
While I love the idea of becoming my Darkest Self, I feel like that’s too revelatory in this giant crowd. So I’m gonna let you decide how bad the harm turns out. And it might not be much, which is perfectly within your purview to do!

Kim
No, I think… I think the danger here is that it’s too good. I think the danger here is that you kill one of Yakubu’s sisters.

Cassandra
Go forth.

Kim
Describe what it is you wanted to do, and then I’ll make it worse.

Cassandra
Valley putting herself between Camdyn and Yakubu’s sisters was purely meant to get Camdyn out of harm’s way, and put the focus on Valley. Valley is a fighter, but not in the typical sense. She fights for her own protection, to protect herself, to protect others. So in this moment, I think she’s just trying to subdue one or both of these sisters by kicking, pushing, trying to create distance between them and what is essentially now their prey. So I think it’s just a lot of shoving, kicking, pushing… Maybe she twists the arm of the one that twisted Camdyn’s arm, not realizing that she was inflicting similar pain on the sister. I think it’s just… She’s just pushing them out onto the field, with whatever moves she can.

Kim
I think it’s only Sable who clock this, as she is viewing this through a camera lens. We see Valley’s kicks and punches phasing through Yakubu’s sisters, but then materializing inside their bodies as you’re doing internal damage to Sharday, Yakubu’s middle sister. And your high kick connects with the side of her head. And one of those gold eyes just goes milky white. Some of her hair going white from shock. And Sharday drops to her knees, clutching at her insides. You’re starting to see these bruises appear on her body from internal bleeding.

[The distant sounds of a post-football celebration]

Madeleine
Sable, having seen this, sprints across the field, over to Valley and Camdyn, with Nagi trailing behind.

Sable Finch (Madeleine)
Are… Are you… What.. Where’s Yakubu? Are you both okay?

Camdyn Lithey (Janaya)
I’m sorry. I didn’t have enough time to explain earlier, but I will as quickly as possible explain everything to you now.

Janaya
There’s a cutaway scene that kind of explains, quick recap.

Kim
Yep, yep, yep. Star wipe.

Janaya
And coming back from the star wipe, the last thing I say is…

Camdyn Lithey (Janaya)
Yakubu’s sisters killed my parents. And I had to do something about it.

[Ominous ambience]

Percy
Yakubu is indeed trying to breathe and control this transformation that he wasn’t going to allow. That he didn’t ask for. And I think he does get a whiff of Sharday and Abiola’s scent.

Kim
Yeah.

Percy
And I think he tracks it for a second, and that’s when he sees his sister holding this other sister, dead in her arms. And there is that moment of loving your family, even in spite of their worst selves. And he barrels over to them, blubbering, asking…

Yakubu Anozie (Percy)
What happened? What happened?

Percy
Over and over again.

Sable Finch (Madeleine)
You don’t get to ask that. You tell us what happened. Where’s Dick?

Percy
Yakubu ignores Sable’s question. He reaches down. He clutches his sister’s face. And he’s breathing heavy, and he looks back to the three of you.

Yakubu Anozie (Percy)
What happened? I said I was gonna help you!

Percy
He growls to Camdyn.

Cassandra
I think it’s worth noting at this point that since doing what Valley did on the field, the she is dead quiet, and is completely disassociating. She is in shock. She is not helpful. You have basically had to drag her to this interaction. Because what she just did is a reflection of what happened to her. And she… If she were alive, she would not be able to live with that.

Janaya
Camdyn looks to Yakubu, tears in their eyes, and says…

Camdyn Lithey (Janaya)
I didn’t know what else to do. You weren’t there.

Percy
And Yakubu feels numb for just a moment, staring down at his sister’s lifeless face. And hearing Camdyn’s words, his eyes ignite gold. He begins to stalk towards them.

Yakubu Anozie (Percy)
I told you to trust me.

Camdyn Lithey (Janaya)
And I still do.

Janaya
And they try to put their hand up, and looks them in their golden eyes, and says…

Camdyn Lithey (Janaya)
Friends, remember?

Madeleine
Sable, seeing this, absolutely just barrels in between the two of them.

Sable Finch (Madeleine)
Yakubu, there’s a lot going on right now, and I need you to step away from Camdyn. And if you and your sister don’t get out of here right now, I can let Jackson and his dad know what’s going on over here. Or, even better…

Madeleine
And she pulls out her phone, opens her email drafts…

Sable Finch (Madeleine)
I can send this email to the paper that I’ve been drafting about you and your family.

Percy
And I think that is enough to fully get under Yakubu’s skin. He is not had a single good interaction with Sable so far. And as he looks to Camdyn, his eyes flick to Sable. And as his eyes go over to Valley and sees her standing here, stock still, doing nothing… I think without even realizing it, his clawed hand is already lashing out towards Sable’s face. As he screams…

Yakubu Anozie (Percy)
I wasn’t fucking talking to you!

Kim
So a Keeper reaction is that I can choose, under very rare circumstances, to invoke a character’s Darkest Self. It feels appropriate. Would you agree, Percy?

Percy
You wouldn’t dare! But I’m just kidding. Please dare!

Madeleine
[Laughs]

Kim
Can you go ahead and read Yakubu’s Darkest Self?

Percy
You transform into a terrifying wolf creature. You crave power and dominance, and those are earned through bloodshed. If anyone attempts to stand in your way, they must be brought down and made to bleed. You escape your darkest self when you wound someone you really care about, or the sun rises. Whichever happens first.

Kim
Yakubu, Abiola is transforming alongside you. It should be noted: her were-self is much taller and much stronger and much bigger than yours.

Percy
And I do want to point out that I took Unstable. When you become your Darkest Self, mark experience.

Kim
Please do.

Percy
And that makes it 5, so I…

Cassandra
Come on, level up!

Percy
…Get to level up, baby!

[Everyone cheers]

Percy
And I already know what I’m taking.

Kim
Alright, what are you choosing?

Percy
I would like to pick from another Skin. One move. That move is The Hunger.

Kim
Please read it.

Percy
You have a hunger for one of the following. And unfortunately they didn’t have what I hungered for. I think Yakubu hungers for violence.

Kim
Uh-huh.

Percy
When you heedlessly pursue a Hunger, add 1 to your rolls. When you ignore a promising feast opportunity, roll to Keep your Cool.

Kim
Lovely. This is from The Ghoul playbook, which is very… Kind of like a zombie parallel. Please take it! I love it.

Percy
As Yakubu raises his arm up, and we watch as his muscles tense and grow. The spotted fur ripping out of his own flesh. We watch as his neck extends and becomes more muscular and vicious. This short snout, filled with vicious fangs, glares down at you, Sable. And I think you’re fortunate enough, though, that the back of his hand doesn’t hit you. It hits his sister. As he swings wide over you, and attempts to knock her down.

Kim
[Gasps]

Cassandra
Oh, god damn…

Kim
Please Lash out Physically, Yakubu. Add a +1.

Percy
With my +1 forward, as I pursue my Hunger of violence, my Volatile is 2. And I rolled an 8, which makes that an 11.

Cassandra
What??

Kim
Let’s go.

Cassandra
Let’s go!

Kim
On a 10+ you deal them harm, and they choke up momentarily before they can react.

Percy
And with that, I also have Primal Dominance. When you harm someone, take a String on them.

Kim
Oh, fantastic.

Percy
As the back of Yakubu’s hand meets Abiola’s face, he slams her into the dirt. Having to reach higher than he ever has, as his sister does tower over him. But the strike is filled with years of abuse, years of them telling him how he had to be.

[Soft, dramatic piano music]

Percy
As the strike lands on her face, we get a tiny little flashback to the night of Dick’s murder. Yakubu, who had been beaten and starved by his sisters and told to figure it out by himself, was so hungry, so cold, so alone, that the familial power within him awoken, without him even ever knowing. Leading to the anguish he has held onto for so many days. And in one moment, he is allowed relief as he feels bone splinter under his hand, as he knocks Abiola down to the ground. And begins yipping and snarling into her face.

And with Primal Dominance, like I said, I get to take a String on Abiola. And I think I would like to spend that String to tempt her to do what I want. Which is get the fuck out of here, and leave me to my junior year.

Kim
String spent, Abiola snarls at you. There is a horrific gash along the side of her snout and her neck. In your darkest self, you were so close to killing your older sister. She gathers up Sharday’s body in her arms and flees into the forest. Which is conveniently next to the football field.

Percy
Always.

Kim
I have a question for the table, here. Yakubu, you escape your Darkest Self when you wound someone you really care about. I’m not quite sure if Abiola falls under that category. Valley…

Cassandra
Yes.

Kim
Looking at all of this violence, how does this make you feel about the situation, and about Yakubu?

Cassandra
He lied to Valley by omitting this very big part of him. Granted, they hadn’t really started spending time together until basically this week, when all of this stuff started going down. But there was certainly something blossoming there. But I think this mirrors the violence that she inflicted on his sister. And I think it also mirrors the violence that she herself has experienced. And I would say that he can leave Darkest Self with this wound, but I think you have to give me Traumatized as a result.

Kim
I love it.

Percy
I think Yakubu not only sees that, but senses that, as hyenas are very pheromone-driven creatures. And so as he gets the whiff of fear mixed with Valley’s scent, the scent that had given him peace and comfort for so long, he sees the two mix together, hazards a glance to see the fear in her face… And with a swiftness unbecoming of a creature this size, he dashes away. And I think we see a tiny bit of tear streaking the fur, as the fur peels from his face, revealing his own mortal flesh as he goes galloping home.

[A soft indie-pop instrumental. The murmur of a crowd]

Kim
The glow of the full moon is superimposed with a gleaming disco ball as we transition to the Homecoming dance after the football game. All of you, battered, bruised, traumatized… But naturally, showing up to the dance.

This is my CW TV show. I do need fit checks.

[Synth music]

Madeleine
Sable, after all of that chaos, took Camdyn, along with Bea – Bea let us into the school dressing rooms…

Kim
Yeah.

Madeleine
…To get ready. So I also think in that time, we probably had a very brief little, like, Sable bandaging a wrist, gentle kiss on the wrist situation… Maybe slightly erotic healing moment for Camdyn, perhaps?

Cassandra
Ooh!

Kim
Oh, I like it. Yeah, we’ve got a healing move where if it’s fictionally appropriate, you can heal Harm. There is a side note here: if someone else is there with you, tending to your wounds delicate and intimately, and perhaps with erotic subtext, you can heal an additional 1 harm.

Cassandra
Ooh, cute.

Madeleine
Yes.

Janaya
[Singing] Heal me! [Laughs]

Madeleine
While Bea is just like, “Oh, god,” in the corner.

Janaya
[Laughs]

Madeleine
No, but Sable… Sable’s mom works in antiquing, essentially. She handles estate sales for various homes. So while Sable was scouring Reddit, trying to come up with Homecoming outhit ideas that didn’t fall into the traditional long gown, jumpsuit… Nothing felt really right. So her mom suggested she look through some of the trunks she had gotten recently from an estate sale that had not been sold. The estate of Tony “The Tunes” Diaz.

Janaya
[Snorts]

A regionally famous piano bar owner a state away. And Sable is wearing one of Tony’s old suits. A faded, soft pink. Definitely was a bright pink at one point. One of those 70s, billowing ruffled shirts. Wide lapels, padded shoulders… Very untailored on her but fits… Like, the trousers fit her perfectly? Almost making Sable appear a little curvy, which is fairly unusual for them. Definitely looks like Queer Fabio on the cover of some banned romance novel for their school library.

Kim
Yeah, it’s giving Liberace…

Madeleine
Liberace, absolutely. But since it’s so unfitted, it almost looks, in Sable’s brain, cool. And then her hair is half up, half down. She’s dyed the whole back half of her hair pink.

Kim
I love it.

Janaya
Before the Homecoming dance, sprit almost to Jackson’s room. And just throw it down on the door. Knock knock knock.

Camdyn Lithey (Janaya)
Jackson, I need your help immediately.

Kim
Jackson is home. He like ran home to change out of his football pads and put on a suit for a dance. He’s, like, shoving a beanie onto his head.

Jackson (Kim)
Yeah, what do you need?

Janaya
Assuming the door is unlocked?

Kim
Yes.

Janaya
I poke my head in, but my eyes are averted. And I say…

Jackson (Kim)
I’m dressed.

Camdyn Lithey (Janaya)
Oh, okay. Cool. Awesome. I have not had any time to grab anything for the Homecoming dance. Do you have a suit I could borrow?

Jackson (Kim)
We’re about the same size. The pants might be a little long on you…

Camdyn Lithey (Janaya)
That’s okay. I can tailor it. Knits and Knobs, baby.

Jackson (Kim)
[Laughs] That’s true.

Kim
And yeah, he pulls a spare suit out of the closet and hands it to you. What does it look like?

Janaya
The suit is probably the most colorful thing that Camdyn will now adorn, as most of their clothes are very neutral and beige toned. This is a forest green suit with adornments of leaves and flowers. Imagine a suit that they would wear for like a wedding. But like a set up wedding situation, where they were told they had to wear this. And it’s not unattractive in any way. But as noted, it does run a little big. So Camdyn immediately takes the suit, thanks Jackson…

Camdyn Lithey (Janaya)
Thank you. Thank you, thank you. I owe you my life. No pun intended.

Kim
[Laughs]

Janaya
And then runs back to their room where their tailoring and stitching equipment are, and starts to get to work.

Kim
A furious Singer sewing machine montage.

Janaya
Yeah.

Kim
The machine is going, the bobbin is spinning… And then due to the magic of camera montages, we end with a totally tailored suit.

Janaya
Yeah. Completely tailored suit. A nice wide collar. And the dress shirt is, to stay comforted in their own ways, a kind of creamy beige color. And not to forget their hair: their hair is still down, but they have added a few very small braids throughout it. Just to give it some flair.

Cassandra
Valley did not go home after this incident. And she did not join Sable and Camdyn in the theatre dressing rooms while they were tending their wounds. She’s learned her lesson about eavesdropping. So she goes to the locker rooms.

She’s moving very ghost-like. Almost like she’s having trouble staying tethered to this plane a bit. And it’s very unnatural and still, and very floating as she goes into the locker room and starts to take off her clothes and change into her dress.

Similar to what Camdyn did, she also has been altering a hand me down, because her parents are “waste not want not” type people. And so she’s wearing a periwinkle blue dress that feels very reminiscent of the late 90s, early 2000s. Something her mom would have worn to prom. But she has cinched it in. And it looks a little Cinderella-esque in the color and in the style. It’s strapless and sleeveless. And she has managed to scrounge up some white elbow-length gloves to hide most of the bruises and marks on her arms. And she has put glitter over some of these crosses and chains that are marking her arms, to mask them and give them a little bit of brightness. But I think after the conversation with Sable, they have stopped burning and are starting to look more like scars and les like burns. And her hair is up in a high bun with little tendrils floating around her face. But she is giving off the vibe of a traumatized Cinderella, headed off to the ball.

Percy
Yakubu wasn’t planning on going. But Yakubu also knows that his friends, and as important, his team, needs him. As all of the football players are wearing matching suits.

Kim
Aww…

Percy
They are these gaudy light blue satin one-button suits. They have a crisp white shirt, and a bright yellow satin tie. And the pocket square is a tiny little trident. And Yakubu’s is more akin to a carnival tent, with the size of it. And as he makes his way to the dance floor, you do see that he is sheepish as the rest of the guys are energetic and celebrating from the win that they had not an hour ago.

Janaya
[Laughs] This means Jackson’s wearing the same suit.

Percy
Oh yeah.

Kim
Yeah.

Janaya
Awesome. This fucking rules.

[Soft indie music]

Kim
Yakubu, as you enter, Michael finds you and claps a hand on your back.

Michael (Kim)
You disappeared so quickly after the game. I thought you would have stayed to celebrate.

Yakubu Anozie (Percy)
Yeah, um… Family issues. I had to deal with it.

Michael (Kim)
Gotcha. Well, I’m happy you’re here. You look great. We all do, I guess.

Yakubu Anozie (Percy)
Yeah. We look great.

Michael (Kim)
[Chuckling] I can’t even remember whose idea this was.

Yakubu Anozie (Percy)
I’m pretty sure it was Jackson, and I think it was a bit? But like you know, he also knows if we had lost, we all would have had to come here in dresses. Which to be fair, I think I’ve got the figure for it. And I think you’ve got the figure for it.

Michael (Kim)
[Laughs] Thank you?

Percy
And you’ll see him kind of just, like, give him a playful punch in the arm.

Yakubu Anozie (Percy)
But I’m fine, man. I appreciate it. I just, uh… I’m gonna need some time, okay?

Michael (Kim)
Yeah. You were incredible tonight. You were like… something else out there, man.

Percy
And he like sheepishly scratches the back of his neck.

Yakubu Anozie (Percy)
Yeah, uh… I was something else, alright.

Percy
And I think as he says that, his eyes kind of probably catch… if not Camdyn, then Valley. One of the two. And I think that kind of locks him in place as the rest of the guys continue on their conversation, and he’s able to just fill in with some…

Yakubu Anozie (Percy)
Yeah… Uh huh…

Percy
And it’s very obvious that he’s not here right now.

Madeleine
After this interaction with Yakubu and the other football players, Sable’s gonna quickly push her way through the crowd of students around Yakubu. And thinks twice before grabbing his arm… Is just gonna present herself in front of him really quickly and go…

Sable Finch (Madeleine)
I won’t say anything. Thank you for stopping your sister. But stay away from Camdyn.

Madeleine
And is gonna retreat as quickly as possible, holding her camera up.

Percy
You say that, and you’ll very obviously notice the glow of gold when you tell him to stay away from Camdyn. And you are indeed out of his reach before he can comment. And you’ll watch as he kind of watches you bring up the camera. And puts on the mask that is needed to survive high school as he crowds around with the other football players so you can get a shot. But I believe there is 1000% this tension, the entire time the camera’s not going off, between Sable and Yakubu.

Kim
Absolutely.

[Gentle lo-fi music]

Janaya
There’s finally a moment for a dance. And with your consent, Sable…

Madeleine
Uh-huh.

Janaya
[Laughs] I turn to you and say – as like one of those slow, mega romantic songs comes on, and says…

Camdyn Lithey (Janaya)
Thank you for your help today. And it may feel crazy right now, but… I think there’s some Walls in the Stalls that need to be tended to. Do you want to join me?

Madeleine
Sable has a brief moment of extreme fear, and then realizes this is probably just being playful. If only because Sable has not revealed to Camdyn that Sable is the Janitor.

Sable Finch (Madeleine)
Uh… Yeah.

Camdyn Lithey (Janaya)
[Chuckles]

Sable Finch (Madeleine)
Yeah. Absolutely.

Madeleine
Presents her hand. Does an overly dramatic… Spins Camdyn, then spins themselves.

Camdyn Lithey (Janaya)
Ah! [Laughs]

Madeleine
Pulls Camdyn in really closely, and then says…

Sable Finch (Madeleine)
I need time. I got your text from earlier. I just… I need time, okay?

Camdyn Lithey (Janaya)
No, absolutely. Heat of the moment, you know?

Sable Finch (Madeleine)
But, uh… I mean, if you wanna go make out?

Camdyn Lithey (Janaya)
Absolutely.

Kim
Well, this perfectly good slow song is still going on…

Cassandra
Valley is very much a wallflower. You see the wash of the disco ball kind of, like, skating across her skin as she just stands there and watches all of this life and these people moving forward, while she’s stuck. And just kind of longing for that, but not stepping out into it.

Percy
In the center of the dance floor is Yakubu. He is swaying rhythmically, almost just with himself. Almost a little mockingly. And he gets shoved by one of the football players, and he goes stumbling over. And he is facing the wall that Valley is against. And the joy that he had been presenting on his face turns to almost a shameful relief, as he sees her. He straightens himself up, walks on over.

Yakubu Anozie (Percy)
Got tired of telling everyone “no” to a dance, huh?

Valley McAllister (Cassandra)
As if anyone asked me…

Yakubu Anozie (Percy)
Well, I… You know, I’m sure everybody asked the future Homecoming Queen… You, uh… You heard about that?

Valley McAllister (Cassandra)
Yeah. Um… I thought it was sweet, but… I’m not gonna win.

Percy
Yakubu kinda like is still all jitters from the moon, but this nervousness that he feels in his chest is something different. And he will kind of gingerly hold his hand up to her.

Yakubu Anozie (Percy)
I mean, even if you don’t win, I’d kinda like to dance with the prettiest girl here.

Cassandra
There’s a lot of unresolved items, here. But this is a very sweet gesture that Valley desperately longs for. And even though there is a lot left unsaid at the moment, she takes his hand and I think as they’re walking onto the dance floor, she kind of marvels at the difference in their body temperatures, and what that feels like. To have all of the heat from him just kind of enveloping the coldness that she now lives with. And you would notice her hand is freezing.

Percy
As they both take their positions to dance, and Yakubu very gingerly reaches down to put his hand around her waist. And as her smaller hands are in his much larger hands, you feel as he gives you that squeeze. Almost as though he is trying to put some kind of warmth or life into you. As they dance, he probably notices that they both are holding back. And he lets out a puff of air.

Yakubu Anozie (Percy)
Can… Can I go first?

Valley McAllister (Cassandra)
Uh…

Cassandra
Valley has had her head on her chest, I think, because she’s clearly so much shorter than him.

Percy
Mmhmm.

Cassandra
And has just been using him as a heating blanket in this moment. And pulls away from him and looks him in the eye. And nods for him to go ahead.

Percy
And the words kind of come out all at once.

Yakubu Anozie (Percy)
I’m sorry. I didn’t… I didn’t mean to cause any kind of this trouble. Not for you, Camdyn… Even Sable. None of y’all. Like, you are the best girl I have ever met. You are kind. You’re smart. You look out for me, and you look out for others – even when they ain’t looking out for you. And I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you tonight.

Cassandra
Valley’s gone very still in this moment, hearing you praise her. Knowing what she took from you, and you don’t know that yet.

Valley McAllister (Cassandra)
Well, since we’re being honest… I don’t think you’re gonna feel that way after what I’ve done.

Yakubu Anozie (Percy)
What… What do you mean?

[The music suddenly cuts out]

Valley McAllister (Cassandra)
Camdyn didn’t kill your sister. I did.

[Music comes back in]

Kim
At this moment, we hear the student council president announce…

Class President (Kim)
And your Homecoming King and Queen are Michael Henry and Valley McAllister!

Kim
The gymnasium erupts into applause as Valley, someone is pulling you away from Yakubu and leading you onto the stage to give you a crown and a sash and flowers. Michael is up there next to you with a crown, and he kind of… In like a friendly way, is pulling you into a hug of congratulations.

And I think we just end there, with Valley looking out at Yakubu in this crowd. Yakubu looking at Valley, reeling with this new information, but unable to act on it in this moment.

And that feels like a good Season 1 finale.

Cassandra
You’ve read my mind.

Madeleine
Woo!

Cassandra
[Laughs]

Percy
Ahh!

Cassandra
Oh, the cinema! The girls are gonna be eating good for this one!

Percy
Where’s my cigarette, god damn it?

Janaya
I gotta get a pack, at this point.

Kim
So that was Monsterhearts.

Percy
Fucking loved Monsterhearts.

Janaya
Awesome.

Cassandra
That was a blast. That was so much fun. I’m actually deeply upset and depressed now that we’re done. It was too short!

Kim
That was so much fun. I wanna thank all of you for joining me on this chaotic high school journey through Hemlock High. It couldn’t have gone any better. And by that, I mean so much of it was a disaster. But in like all the best ways.

Madeleine
Felt like high school.

Percy
Exactly. It was too short, it was a mess… We’re all crying and wondering how this happened. Like, that’s high school.

Madeleine
You said things you didn’t mean to…

Cassandra
Yeah!

Percy
You killed someone’s sister… I mean, what are you gonna do?

Cassandra
It’s almost like we all have watched shows like this before, and liked them.

Kim
Maybe we’ll see these characters again later, who knows? A senior year, perhaps…

Madeleine
Summer break?

Kim
I mean, we still have the whole second semester of Junior Year. Yeah, summer break.

Cassandra
We have so much time ahead of us.

Madeleine
We have our whole lives ahead of us!

[Everyone laughs]

Cassandra
Oh my god…

[Hemlock High theme]

Kim
Hemlock High is a Kitten Marlowe production, edited and produced by Kim Dalton. This episode featured a theme song written and performed by Jason Myers, with additional lyrics by Kim Dalton. You can find out more about us by visiting KittenMarlowe.com, signing up for our newsletter, or following us on socials. For Discord access, exclusive cast talkbacks, ttrpg materials, and more, visit Patreon.com/KittenMarlowe and join the coolest kids we know, our Kitten Marlowe patrons, in supporting artist-driven storytelling. Thanks for listening.