Grinded Part III

Grinded Part III is a slasher story, the sequel to ***Grinded Part II*** and the third instalment overall in the series.

It once again follows August Thrombey one year on after the LA murders, now having returned back to New York City when a new string of killings begin with all clues pointing to him. When the survivors reunite once again, they quickly discover that the past is far from finished with them.

The story stars August Thrombey, Sophie Dlamini, Luis Dominguez, Sarah Abbott, with Miles L. Ray and Alanda Laurent.

## Plot

### Synopsis:

> One year on from the Los Angeles Murders, and survivor August Thrombey has since returned to New York to try and rebuild his shattered life. But when he's viciously attacked, it draws out the other survivors to the Big Apple as they're weaved into another terrifying web of murder, mystery and mayhem.
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### Summary:

In 2022, 15 months after the LA murders, August Thrombey and his roommate Miles L. Ray return to their apartment after a night of studying for their final year of college. They pass by Collin Elm, the superintendent of the complex, who compliments August as they pass by. August notices the apartment door at the end of the corridor slam shut and Collin calls back over his shoulder, stating that he thinks the person that lives there got dumped. They get into their apartment where August eagerly throws back some pills, ready to go to bed. Miles grunts and holds up an old trashbag with disappointment. He tells August he needs to remember to take it out, walking out with it in his hand. August rubs his head; he feels everyone getting tired with him. His phone buzzes and he checks to see a text from Luis Dominguez, asking to grab coffee. August mulls on replying, having neglected his relationships again recently. Another text from a blocked number comes through, and the conversation is innocent at hurt, with a miscommunication said to be the reason of their interaction. But it takes a sinister turn when August reads between the lines and realises it isn't a mistake. He sprints to the door to find Miles but is attacked by the killer. He puts up a fight but is still overpowered, winding up with three stabs to the stomach before being left for dead. Minutes later, Miles returns to find August and immediately calls an ambulance, just barely saving August's life.

That same night, in LA, Sophie Dlamini is up late painting a portrait of Thomas as she reminisces over their memories. Her girlfriend Alanda Laurent, having woken up, comforts her and urges her to come to bed. When the phone rings, Alanda begrudingly answers it, while Sophie continues her painting. Alanda then rushes back and tells her that something has happened to August, throwing Sophie into a state of immediate worry.

Back in New York the following morning, August is placed in ICU to stablize him, although he is unconscious. Journalists have desenced upon the hospital as Luis arrives to see him. He gets an irked phone call from his boss, Jane Kapowski, and mentions his competitors making bigger strides than he is. She wants an exclusive on August. Once inside, he finds Miles and Wes Williamson, who reassure him that August will pull through. Luis peers through and watches him with heaviness before mentioning that Sophie and Alanda are on their way, much to Wes's surprise. Dr. Leigh Calder suddenly comes out of the room, having been leaving flowers for him. She is thankful to them for being there for him. When she leaves, Luis tries probing Miles for details regarding what happened; Miles becomes tearful, not fully able to given an explanation, which Luis finds interesting. Wes then asks Luis if he wants to get a cup of coffee for Miles with him, which Luis agrees to happily.

Sophie's plane lands in the early afternoon and she and Alanda waste no time in hurrying over to the hospital. They narrowly avoid the journalists and are greeted by Luis at the reception. He takes them up as Sophie frantically asks what happened. Luis tells her that he isn't fully sure yet himself. They get to August's floor where the girls are introduced to Miles and Wes. Sophie keeps her guard up and focuses on looking over into August's room. Her name is called out and behind her is Sarah Abbott, who's come from Sunset Ridge to support August and stop the murders once and for all. The three women and Luis are left alone as Miles and Wes dismiss themselves, with Miles heading to class. But their reunion is cut short when two detectives, Brad Mayfield and Julie Carpenter, interrupt them wanting to speak with them. Mayfield and Sophie have an awkward encounter but Sophie eventually agrees to work with them as much as she can. The detectives leave with Sarah to talk with Dr. Calder, while Sophie remains at the hospital, with Alanda going back to the hotel to grab a change of clothes, and Luis offers to grab some things from August's apartment for him, which Sophie vastly appreciates.

Luis arrives to August's apartment complex to grab some thing's for August. He gets a text from Miles, thanking him for swinging by. As he walks up, he runs into Emmett Freeman, the fairly new neighbor of August and Miles. He apologises but Emmett is blunt, warning him to watch himself. As Luis starts to unlock the front door, he feels Emmett's gaze. Luis asks what the issue is and Emmett makes a remark regarding Miles and August being troublemakers, bringing all sorts of chaos where ever they go. Luis defends them just as Collin, the superintendent, comes downstairs and intervenes. Emmett walks off back to his apartment and slams his door; Collin apologises and begins making conversation about August and how he's doing. Luis plays it safe and doesn't say too much. When Collin continues to linger, Luis politely asks Collin to leave and Collin awkwardly does so, continuing downstairs. Luis watches after him suspiciously before heading inside, a chill creeping down his spine as he faces the place of August's attack.

A few hours later and Sarah, Mayfield and Carpenter have arrived at Dr. Calder's house, where she also runs her therapy practise. Mayfield is stand-offish and demanding, wanting the file on August. Dr. Calder stands her ground and remains firm, denying access to his file, while calling August a tortured person that doesn't need anyone else to think of him as the cause. Mayfield makes a remark about bringing a warrant before storming out; Sarah apologises on his behalf and Dr. Calder thanks her, mentioning how August talked fondly of her. Sarah and Carpenter exit Dr. Calder's home and Sarah eagerly parts ways for the day. She gets a text claiming August is awake and rushes back to the hospital.

Luis gets home to his apartment, finding it devoid of his roommate, Casper. As he sits down at his desk and reflects over his tough choices, he gets the idea to create a pseudo-account on Grindr in the hopes of luring and catching the killer. He notices Wes on the app and almost hits him up, but remembers its not actually him. Setting his phone down, Luis then decides to go ahead and write a story on the murders and the survivors.

Back at the hospital and August, now finally awake, has Miles, having finished class, and Sophie by his side. He's grateful to see her but wishes she hadn't come, stating both of them know what's coming. Sarah then bursts through the door and is completely ecstatic to see August. They manage a brief hug as August notices Alanda trailing in behind her. After briefly catching up, August cuts to the chase and asks if they've found anything yet. He isn't given any answers much to his dismay. Sophie suggests that she stay with him tonight and he agrees before Alanda gives him a hug and promises him they'll find whoever it is. Sarah, Alanda and Miles then leave as a nurse comes in to give August his nightly medication.

Later that night at Dr. Calder's house and she is putting away some patient files, specifically ones regarding August, when she gets a phone call. Upon answering, she finds nothing but static and hangs up, wasting no time in activating her home security system. She pours a glass of wine and returns to her office and makes the horrifying discovery that August's file is now open on her desk. Realising someone to be in the house, she races for her phone but is cut off by Blank Face; they pursue Calder through her house, tripping her security system and alerting the police, before she is chased upstairs. Despite her attempts at fighting back, Calder is overpowered and stabbed once before the killer throws her over the balcony, snapping her neck on a railing as she hits the ground.

Sophie and Alanda rush to the hospital the following morning after news of Calder's murder hits the streets. Alanda begins expressing concern over things getting dangerous while Sophie is insistent on being there for August. At the hospital already is Sarah and Miles, both of them in disbelief of what is happening. A Grindr notification catches Sophie's attention and Miles reveals its his; Sophie instructs him to delete it immediately. She then asks if August is aware of Calder's death and she learns from Sarah he does know. She also mentions that she'll be meeting Mayfield and Carpenter at Calder's house to see if they can find any leads. A doctor comes by and allows them to see August now.

The group head into August's room to find him torn up by Calder's murder; his guilt is beginning to consume him as he feels responsible for another death. The words of Ivan are replaying in his mind, reminding him that there are people that won't stop until they've finished what Freddie started. Luis arrives shortly after and hugs August, grateful he's okay. August informs them he's being discharged either tonight or tomorrow morning, with Miles promising to stick by his side. This makes August question where Wes is, and Miles explains he had an early class. August expresses his desire for them to stay away from him, bringing up what Ivan said last year about someone pointing him in August's direction. He doesn't want to make his friends targets by association. Luis discreetly makes a note before chiming in, wondering if the new killer was a close friend of Ivan and Nichole's. Sarah catches on to his theory and agrees they should dive into Ivan's background. A text from Mayfield pulls Sarah away from the group, but unbeknownst to her, Luis is following.

Sarah gets to Dr. Calder's house and spots Julie smoking hastily outside. As she heads over, she stops when a voice calls her name - it's Luis. She doesn't mask her frustrated confusion at his presence, but he states that she's going to want all the eyes she can have that will be on her side. She reluctantly agrees and the two join Julie, who is quick to inform them of the security system activating but they were too late. Sarah inquires about possible security cameras on the property and Julie reveals that the killer was spotted in several shots yet displayed little care of being seen, their sole mission clear. Julie then leads them inside where they meet with a disgruntled Mayfield, who actively disapproves of Luis's involvement. Mayfield walks them through the scene and ends it by telling them August's file is missing, with only a photo of him and his friends from Sunset Ridge being left behind. Sarah recognises the connection between what's happening to August now and to the photo. Mayfield reveals his intent to interoggate August which earns him looks of annoyance from Sarah and Luis, who step in and defend August. Sarah then asks if they know if anyone was aware that August had a therapist which gets Luis to reveal even he didn't know; Sarah speculates the killer to be from Sunset Ridge.

After having a tearful conversation with his mother, August takes a moment to think about Thomas; he regrets not doing more to try and save him, wishing he should've been the one to live and not August himself. A doctor comes by to check on him and offers him some light comfort. The mood is dampened by Mayfield's presence, wanting to speak with August. August is less then happy to see him and it doesn't take long for Mayfield to begin grilling him regarding his attack. August ends up becoming agitated and emotional and lashes out at Mayfield, just as Sophie, Alanda and Wes arrive to berate the detective. Mayfield leaves bitterly and Wes gives August a hug, happy to see him. Wes then reveals he is headed to the library to do some studying and that he'll be back later tonight. Sophie and Alanda ask if he trusts Wes, and August simply says 'Right now? I don't think I trust anyone.'

Luis is heading to his work building to do some quiet sleuthing as the sun begins to set, having invited Sarah along with him. Once inside, he notices something off and begins to second guess going; but all is okay when he discovers Casper, his roommate and co-worker, to also be at the office still. Luis asks why he never mentioned anything and Casper states Jane ordered a complete overhaul of his piece on a viral courtcase. They're interrupted by Sarah, who questions why she's there. Luis leads her to his cubicle and shares his findings - he tried looking into Ivan and Nichole when he stumbled across a photo of Nichole, and in the background is Ivan with Miles. Sarah is horrified as she realises Miles knew Ivan, implicating him in the murders. Luis gets a text from Grindr and at first believes it to be nothing of use, but the messages quickly turn sinister. They find Casper and begin to head for the exit when Blank Face strikes, slashing at Luis's arm. They're relentlessly chased through the office, locking themselves in one of the printing rooms. The killer kicks the door off its hinges and actually grabs Sarah and is about to kill her, but Luis and Casper help free her. They flee the room with Sarah and help her escape through a tight window. As Luis is about to tell Casper to go next, the killer strikes again and Casper shoves Luis through, but he becomes stuck. The killer nears them and both Sarah and Casper fight to free Luis, managing to do so but its too late for Casper, as Blank Face stabs him in the back before stabbing him in the head. The two scream and flee the building, with the killer giving up their chase.

Sophie and Alanda arrive to Luis's work sick with worry. They're thankful to see Luis and Sarah alive. Alanda expresses her growing worry that things are getting dangerous, with an attack happening each night so far. Sarah urges Luis to share their findings and he does so, sharing with the women the fact that Miles knew Ivan in some capacity. Sophie grows enraged, instantly believing Miles to be the one behind it; Alanda agrees with her, suggesting Miles insistence on showing sympathy could simply be nothing but a front. And Sarah adds that it could also be what the actual killer wants them to think. Sophie, agitated and stressed, expresses doubt over Sarah's idea. Luis stops them from arguing. Sophie plans on confronting Miles and Alanda gives her a look of support.

Sarah and the detectives arrive at Dr. Calder's house, where she is finishing up a session. Dr. Calder is less than pleased to see the detectives, and urges them to make it quick. Brad asks her about August and his sessions, if he said anything that would warrant concern or could point to possible connections to his attacks. Dr. Calder picks up on accusative tone, as does Sarah, and both women come to August's defense. But Dr. Calder also says that what August has said is confidential. Julie reminds her of the severity of the circumstances, and all Dr. Calder is willing to share is that August had a recurring fear of it happening again. Leaving Calder's home, Brad tells Sarah to not override him again as this isn't her case, before leaving. Julie gives her a longing stare and follows after him. Sarah then thinks over what Dr. Calder said, and feels guilty for not being there August more. She then heads back to the hospital.

Later that night, Sophie is outside of the hospital as she reflects on what has happened. She is then approached by Wes and Miles, who haven't had a proper chance to talk before. Wes expresses his admiration towards her and August. Sophie thanks him but doesn't extend herself to be overtly nice, remaining suspicious of everyone she doesn't know. Wes asks if they've seen Luis, as he isn't answering his texts, and Sophie explains that Luis is at home cleaning himself up before coming back over. Wes thanks her and gives his sympathies towards August, before saying 'It'll be one hell of a painting, though' and walks off. Sophie admits her unease around Wes, which Miles questions. Not wanting to share her cards, she tells him to ignore it. Suddenly, Sophie hears the voice of Nichole Peterson call her over.

Seeing Nichole, Sophie is confused as to why she's there. After an awkwardly forced hug from Sophie, Nichole brushes Sophie up on what she's been doing before introducing her newest assistant, Harry Campbell. Sophie asks what Nichole is doing here and Nichole simply claims she wants to be there to support and help. Sophie isn't buying it but takes her into the hospital. Before they reach the ward August is on, Sophie tells Nichole that she can't bring in people that none of them. Harry is visibly offended and makes it known, but Nichole tells him to go back to the hotel and she'll cal him when she's ready to come back. Harry begrudingly leaves and the women go to the ward, seeing Alanda and Sarah there. It doesn't take long for Alanda to become frustrated, but Sophie keeps her from snapping. The interaction of Nichole meeting Sarah is awkward, as Sarah gets a strange vibe from her. Sarah then realises that the attack has brought survivors together, leading her to suspect the killer isn't just going after the original trio, but anyone that has survived and profitted from being a survivor. She doesn't share her theory immediately, however. After a conversation regarding August, Sophie decides to send them back to their hotels for the night, and she'll stay with him tonight.

That night, Dr. Calder is running through some patient files as she prepares for taking on new clients, while August's file is on the table close to her. She eyes it and thinks of the scarred trauma on August. She then gets a phone call, only to hear static. Immediately believing something to be wrong, she quickly alarms her home security systems. Returning to her office, she gets back to work when she gets a notification on her phone that someone is at her front door. She checks her front door camera but sees no one. Appropriately alarmed, Dr. Calder leaves the room to head to the stairs to grab a knife when her phone rings again. She answers it and hears breathing and hangs up. But she freezes when the breathing continues beside her, realising too late the killer is already inside. She's attacked and chased back to her office, where she locks the door. The killer starts kicking into it and Calder screams as the hinges begin to fly off. She sets off her security, notifying the police. She pushes her desk against the door and then quickly runs into the bathroom that is connected to her bedroom. Locking both doors, she listens as the killer seems to break in and start looking around. Hearing distant sirens, Dr. Calder tries sneaking across the hallway but she's attacked once more. The killer grabs her by the hair and smacks her head into the oak beam before then throwing her head first over the balcon, where Dr. Calder falls and snaps her neck on the railing, killing her.

Over at Luis's apartment, he is working on a piece about a current celebrity lawsuit, but he can't stop thinking about the company he writes for urging him to do a piece on August. He checks the email he got from them, saying if he doesn't do it, they'll get someone who will and Luis will lose his reputation as a journalist. He then checks the news to find Dr. Calder has been murdered. He knows her connection to August and hatches an idea to help Sarah with uncovering the killer as it'd get his boss off his back and he'd help prevent another killing spree.

Sophie rushes back to the hospital early the next morning after learning of Dr. Calder's murder, leaving Alanda to get dressed. Once there, she finds Miles and Sarah. Sophie and Sarah both come to terms that it is indeed happening again. Suddenly, Miles gets a Grindr notification and Sophie instructs him to delete it now. He does without so much as a second thought. Sarah then tells her that August is actually awake, and they go through to see him. After an emotional reunion, August expresses his apologies for being the one to consistently put them in harms way. Sophie shushes him, telling him nothing is his fault. A nurse then stops by and tells them that August can be discharged tomorrow, much to August's happiness. Sarah then gets a call from the detectives, who instruct her to come to Dr. Calder's house. She dismisses herself and August asks Sophie to stay with him.

Sarah heads to her car when she's stopped by Luis. He proposes the idea of working together and at first she is resistant and shuts him down. But he stops her from leaving by telling her that he has people in places that could get them out of a pickle or get them from point A to B. Sarah reluctantly agrees and they head to the crimescene, meeting with Julie and Brad. At first, Brad refuses Luis entry but Sarah surprisingly keeps good on her deal to him and claims that he comes with or none of them do. Julie reminds Brad that they need their eyes, especially Sarah's. Unhappy with it, Brad agrees and they head inside. They run them through the crime and how the killer seemed to evade all of the home security. Luis suggests the killer to have already been in the house beforehand, irritating Brad. Julie goes on to explain that a picture of August and the original friendship group was found with a note that says 'You give me away by taking me. What am I?'. Brad and Julie are both stumped by it, and apparently so are Sarah and Luis. Sarah notes that this killer is the first to directly taunt the police, and Brad shares his thoughts that maybe August has snapped and not know it. Sarah shares her theory that the killer is from Sunset Ridge and connected to their past, and she makes a plan to speak to everyone August knows to weed out who could be it. The detectives include themselves, much to Sarah's dismay. Luis tells them to meet at August and Miles's apartment, as Miles is there already. Luis and Sarah then promise to meet them there, and once outside, Luis shares he knew the answer to the riddle: 'revenge'. They both fully believe Sarah's theory to be true.

At the hospital, Sophie gets a text from Luis who fills her in on their plan. She tells August, who wishes to disappear from the world. Nichole and Harry storm in, wanting to surprise him. Sophie attempts at getting them out, but she's steamrolled by Nichole. When Harry expresses a strange admiration towards August, Nichole asks him to fetch her something, giving Sophie the chance to ask how long she's known him. Shocked, Nichole defends Harry and claims that she's actually worried over him, to which August instructs both her and Sophie to send home Harry and Alanda, if they want to keep them safe. Alanda then arrives and its fireworks between her and Nichole, with Alanda not beating around the bush at telling her to leave. Sophie sees Nichole and Harry out, and Nichole reminds her that she's apart of it, whether they like it or not. The two then leave.

The duo of Sarah and Luis head over to August's apartment, where they find Wes outside. They're initially confused, but Miles comes out and lets them in, discreetly telling them that Sophie mentioned she didn't trust him, so its best to keep him in sight. Heading inside, they run into Emmett Freeman, another tenant in the building. He has a less-than-friendly interaction with the group, calling Miles a troublemaker just like August apparently is. They walk off, and Miles says that he's only met Emmett a handful of times and he's been an asshole each time. He's also thankful that August hasn't ran into him yet, since August would really let him have it. The apartment door is open, when Miles shut it, and they quietly head in. Jonah Warren, the landlord of the building, suddenly appears, scaring everyone. He claims that Miles told him about the damaged wall after August's attack and that he was preparing to fix it. Sarah asks how long he's been in the apartment, which Miles tries to apologise for, but Jonah claims to have been the landlord since 2014. Following Jonah's exit, the detectives also arrive and they begin talking to both Wes and Miles about their history with August. Brad becomes increasingly hostile as he asks them pressing questions, leading to a heated stand-off between him and Sarah. Julie pulls Brad away and apologises briefly before the two go outside. Sarah and Luis bid farewell as well, and then she brings up how Miles said he was at the hospital when Calder was killed, but there is no one to back him up. Sarah says she's going back to her hotel to shower, while Luis claims he has work to do. The two then part ways.

Back over at the hospital, Sophie and Alanda are grabbing coffee for themselves when Sophie lightly scolds Alanda for her handling of Nichole. The women manage to make up over Alanda's outburst as Sophie gets a call from Sarah, telling her about them going to the precinct to talk to the cops. She denies Sophie's request to come with, wanting someone there with August. Noticing her battery close to dying, Sophie asks Alanda to get her charger from the hotel and to bring her a fresh change of clothes. Alanda says she can stay with August, and Sophie hesitates, before agreeing. She promises she won't be long and heads off.

Sarah arrives at her hotel and she thinks over the case so far, suspecting Miles at the top of her list while also keeping in mind Brad and Julie. After getting cleaned up, she heads out to the elevator, which is now out of service. Forced to take the stairwell, Sarah hurries down when she hears a door slam at the bottom. She stills and waits, hearing faint footsteps slowly ascending the stairs. She peers over the railing but can't see anyone but a faint shadow. She pulls her head back and shakes it off, slowly walking down when she then hears a ruffle and something metallic slice the air. Freezing again, Sarah listens closer and then hears what sounds like a blade being dragged across the metal. Sarah grabs the railing and looks over again, seeing nothing once more. The grinding stops and Sarah calls out, warning them to have their hands up. She goes down another floor and supposedly hears a door open and close. She figures the killer must've left but when investigating, she is suddenly attacked. A vicious battle occurs between the two, with it almost claiming Sarah's life. But Sarah manages to hold them back and escape, triggering the fire alarm. She looks back to the door and sees the killer look through the window and point at her before rushing off.

Sophie gets to the hotel, retrieves her charger and changes her clothes. She then gets a text from a blocked number, saying 'You're going to feel what he felt.' A picture of her, August in hospital, and Sarah outside of Calder's apartment, is sent to her, followed by another message 'You all will.' Freaked out, Sophie tries calling Alanda, but there's no answer. She manages to get back to the hospital where she sees Harry quickly exiting, looking shady. She goes to approach him when she's stopped by Nichole, who is also surprised about Harry. Nichole admits that he's been acting weird ever since meeting August, and they both come to the conclusion that Harry is the person behind it. They head inside to tell August and Alanda.

## Characters:

### Main Characters:

* **August Thrombey**: *The main protagonist and survivor of the previous two killing sprees. After becoming hospitalised, he becomes driven to end everything related to Blank Face.*
* **Sophie Dlamini**: *A survivor and August's closest friend who still resides in LA, she has become a successful artist who finds herself drawn to the bottle.*
* **Luis Dominguez**: *A friend of August and Sophie from LA and an upcoming investigative journalist, he moved to New York City for an internship and decides to do his own investigation of the new murders.*
* **Sarah Abbott**: *The Sheriff of Sunset Ridge. Arriving in NYC to help solve the case, she finds herself working with Luis as they butt heads with the local police force.*
* **Miles L. Ray**: *August's roommate since he started college. He is outgoing and supportive, constantly encouraging August to live his life.*
* **Alanda Laurent**: *Sophie's girlfriend and survivor of the LA murders. Still remaining protective over Sophie, she tries helping solve the murders.*

### Supporting Characters:

* **Detective Brad Mayfield**: *An LAPD detective who is put on the NY case. He holds clear dislike towards August and the other survivors which tends to get in the way of the investigation.*
* **Dr. Leigh Calder**: *A therapist who has August as one of her patients, she is a trustful woman with a good ear that clashes with the detectives over their feelings towards August.*
* **Emmett Freeman**: *A new rude and impolite neighbor at August and Miles's apartment complex.*
* **Detective Julie Carpenter**: *A NYPD detective and Brad's partner, she's assigned to work with him on the case, but disapproves of his tactics.*
* **Wes Williamson**: *A friend of August and Miles who finds himself drawn to Luis.*
* **Collin Elm**: *The overly friendly superintendent of the apartment complex which August and Miles live at.*
* **Jane Kapowski**: *Luis's boss with journastilistic integrity that often clouds her morales.*
* **Casper**: *Luis's roommate and co-worker.*