You’re behind the wheel, hands tight on the steering wheel, eyes darting to the rearview mirror every few seconds. Julie’s beside you, calm but with that spark in her eye—like she knows exactly what’s coming, and she’s already halfway bored by it. The kids are in the back, arguing over who gets the window seat like this vacation is just another tedious episode in their suburban sitcom lives.

Only, this vacation? It’s not about sun and beaches. It’s about ghosts—old ones, bloody ones, and one very pissed-off ex named Ray.

“Are we really driving into the middle of nowhere because you have a ‘feeling’?” you ask, voice strained but trying to sound casual. The kids shoot you looks that say please don’t kill us.

Julie shrugs, folding her arms. “You tell me, Mr. Lawyer-turned-husband. Isn’t this exactly the kind of ‘feeling’ that gets you into trouble? Remember last time?”

You snort. “Oh, right. Because when I signed up for marriage, I definitely read the fine print about lifelong trips with serial killers.”

She smirks, flipping her hair back. “Don’t forget, Ray’s out there. And he’s not just a spooky ghost story anymore. He’s the Fisherman. Again.”

You glance back. The darkness outside presses in, like it’s waiting with bated breath. And in the shadows? Ray is stalking, twisting his way through the night, a grim reminder of what you both escaped—or so you thought.

“Let me get this straight,” you say, voice low. “Ray is back, hunting people, and his number one priority is taking me out? Because apparently, I’m the worst thing that ever happened to him.”

Julie chuckles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “Stealing my heart—and legal fees—was a blow he’s never forgiven. Plus, with you around, I’m starting to move on from the nightmare. That’s the real crime.”

You snort. “And here I thought I was just the husband.”

“Far from it,” she replies. “You’re the target.”

The car hits a pothole, the kids yelp in the back. You fake a grin in the mirror. “Great family bonding time.”

Hours pass. The road blurs under the headlights, a ribbon of uncertainty. You’re tense, every shadow a potential Fisherman lurking, every rustle a scream waiting to happen.

Julie pulls out her phone, fingers tapping a frantic rhythm. “I told the police. Well, I tried. They think it’s a prank.”

You snort again. “Yeah, because what’s scarier than a relentless killer? A paranoid ex-wife.”

She glares. “I’m not paranoid. Just realistic.”

You shift gears, voice dropping. “So, what’s the plan? Drive into the dark, wait for Ray to show up and hope he’s not in the mood to slit throats tonight?”

She shrugs. “Pretty much. Or we pretend it’s a camping trip and pray to whatever god isn’t busy.”

The kids start arguing again. You glance back: “Hey, no knives in the tent. That includes imaginary ones.”

Julie snorts, then her phone buzzes. A message. Her face tightens. “It’s him. Ray. He’s close.”

You swallow hard. “Perfect. Just like old times.”

Suddenly, headlights flash behind you. A beat-up truck with a rusty hook mounted on the front is tailing you, engine growling like a beast.

You grip the wheel tighter. “Ray’s here.”

Julie exhales, eyes steely. “Let’s make sure this vacation ends with everyone alive.”

You glance back at the kids, who look like they’re reconsidering every life choice leading to this moment.

“Well,” you mutter, “at least we’re a family.”

“And dysfunctional as hell,” Julie adds, smirking.

The road ahead is dark, the past bleeding into the present. But you’re ready. Because you’re not just the husband now—you’re the reason Ray’s nightmare might finally end.

Or at least the punchline to the worst family reunion ever.