Penelope was restless. She punched at her pillow and threw herself down on it, trying to relax. She wanted to sleep but she couldn't settle her mind. The first rays of sunlight were already peeking through the blinds in her room, taunting her.

She had only been in bed for a couple of hours, though it felt like much longer. While her father had agreed to stay in Ridgestone with Penelope, it still had taken most of the afternoon, night, and into the very early morning for them to finalize the finer details of their agreement.

Her father had agreed that Penelope could stay and continue her search for the Raven, as long as she was safe. Her father even vowed to purchase a smartphone or tablet—his first-ever—so he could monitor any of her future live streams.

But, Penelope had agreed, if she got into a dangerous situation again then she would tell him and they would leave immediately.

Penelope pulled herself up with an angry huff. It was obvious sleep wasn't going to come for her and she was done trying. If she couldn't get sleep, she could at least get coffee.

She threw off the covers and pulled her usual hoodie over her pajamas before padding out into the kitchen. Her dad was snoring loudly in the loft above, so she tried to move as quietly as possible.

Pulling out the coffee pot, she filled it with water, got a new filter out, and went to the cupboard to get the coffee grounds... But there was only an empty tin. Staring at it, Penelope had a vague memory of yesterday, before they had headed out for the search, when her dad mentioned that they'd need to go into town afterwards and pick up a few things.

Considering how the day had gone, that errand had been forgotten. She cursed under her breath.

Penelope weighed her options with a sigh. Going back to bed wasn't an option. Liam and his family were unlikely to be awake either, so she couldn't ask to borrow any. She could drive into town, but...

Well, why not drive into town? she thought. What else was she going to do?

Leaving her dad to sleep, Penelope took his keys that were hanging on the hook next to the door and headed out. She knew that driving tired was almost as bad as driving drunk, but she wasn't normal-tired. While her body was exhausted her brain was wired, still racing with the nervous energy from the day before. That's why she hadn't slept—she felt like she was stuck in defensive mode, crouched and waiting for something to attack.

Fortunately, the drive was easy and uneventful. As she reached the town, she was pleased to find it still asleep. It was still too early for even the early risers to be out.

It wasn't until she pulled up to the grocery store that she realized that it was also too early for stores to be open. Penelope cursed again before she remembered.

There was one place that would be open...

The diner.

Penelope pulled out of her parking spot and drove a few blocks further, down to The Ravens Nest. A handful of semi-trucks and trailers were lined up in the gravel lot next door, and a couple of rusted-out cars were parked out front, a sure sign that it was, in fact, open. She pulled into a spot next to an old burgundy Buick. Penelope felt her nerves ease as she imagined the fresh cup of coffee that awaited her inside—

Her phone buzzed in her hoodie pocket. Penelope pulled it out, wondering who'd be texting so early. Her heart gave a stutter as she imagined some still-disgruntled former fans finding this number...

But it was just a message from Liam. So, have you officially fled Ridgestone?

She blinked at the message on her phone, wondering what he was doing up so early. Maybe he had slept as poorly as she had.

He sent another message. I saw your truck leave.

No, we're not leaving, she wrote back, smiling. I just went into town to get some coffee. She wished she would've known that he was up at this hour, 'cause then she could've just borrowed some. I convinced Dad to stay for a little longer, she added. She went to tuck the phone into her pocket, but Liam's reply was almost instantaneous.

Hell yeah! he replied. Another bubble popped up as he typed out his next message that followed in another second. Then is Raven-hunting back on the menu? Your fans are getting RAVENOUS.

Penelope's face fell. Despite Liam's silly pun, a feeling of dread crept through her. She hadn't checked social media since Daevon's disappearance. It had only been a day, but she knew Liam was right—her fans must be hungry for news. She could only imagine the questions they had... She needed to give them something. But what?

Either way, she could figure that out with a warm cup of coffee in her hand.

Let's talk about Raven-hunting when I get back from town, she wrote quickly.

Nah I gotta work, came Liam's ever-quick reply. After tho?

Sure. But first I gotta figure out what to say to my subscribers, Penelope replied. Any ideas?

Tell them not to worry 'cause Daevon is just faking it, Liam answered.

Penelope felt a flare of heat on the back of her neck. Stop saying that. You don't know!

Maybe not, but I'm not the only one thinking it, Liam said. You should check Twitter.

Penelope was definitely not going to check Twitter. And she wasn't even going to dignify that with a reply. Putting her phone back in her pocket, she climbed out of the truck and headed into the diner.

Despite the early hour, the diner was as busy as Penelope had ever seen it. Every booth was occupied, though by only a single patron like it was 'hermit hour' or something. She fit right in. She walked up to the register where the waitress was already waiting to greet her.

"Morning, dear," the woman said. Her white-and-grey hair was pulled back into a neat bun at her neck with a puff of curled bangs at the top of her forehead. She wore a slate-blue uniform with a plastic name tag that read Dawn. "What can I get you?"

"Coffee," Penelope said immediately, before squeezing her eyes shut. "I mean, two large coffees. Actually, I mean... Do you sell coffee grounds?"

Dawn the waitress raised her eyebrows at Penelope's onslaught of nonsense. "Not typically, but if you're really in need..."

"Please," Penelope said. "And one large coffee to go, too."

Dawn nodded. "I'll go ask the cook." And she left Penelope at the counter, disappearing through the swinging doors that led into the back.

Settling in to wait, Penelope took a seat on one of the stools at the counter. It squeaked as she fidgeted, twisting back and forth.

"Good morning, Penelope."

Penelope turned, the stool squeaking beneath her.

Mayor Gunnar Christensen was standing just behind her, his immense height towering over her even more since she was sitting. Penelope remembered her first encounter with him in this very diner. He had on the same beige blazer and another newspaper rolled up and tucked under his arm.

He smiled as she met his eye. "You're up early," he said. "What brings you to town at such an hour?"

Penelope forced a smile, then swivelled back around. She still didn't like the guy, but he had helped get her into the search... "Coffee," she said politely. "We're out."

"Coffee is important," Gunnar agreed.

Penelope shot him another smile but said nothing, hoping he'd leave it at that.

Thankfully Dawn had returned, dropping a small paper bag of coffee grounds on the blue-speckled Formica counter in front of her. "Now I'll get you that cup of joe," the waitress said, rushing off again. She called behind her, "I'll be with you in a second, Gunny."

Gunnar nodded, then moved to sit on one of the other squeaky stools a few spots down from Penelope. Penelope watched him out of the corner of her eye. His smile stayed fixed on his face as he dropped the newspaper on the counter beside him. The paper flopped open and Penelope caught sight of the front page. Shivers shot up her spine.

Daevon stared back at her from a large photo, alongside one of Xander, on the front page of the RIDGESTONE REVIEW. A smaller row of photos of the crew ran below and the headline over top screamed in all caps: STILL MISSING—RAVEN HUNTING GONE WRONG.

Gunnar caught Penelope's gaze as it stayed fixed on the newspaper. He turned it over so that the cover story faced the counter. "They still haven't got anything," he said sharply, answering Penelope's unspoken question. His smile was gone.

"Wonder what happened," Penelope said, surprised to hear her voice just as sharp—almost accusatory. She bit into her tongue like it alone had been responsible for her response. In her head, she cursed Liam's conspiracy theories.

Gunnar picked up on her tone. He studied her, his icy blue eyes cold. "Wish I knew," he said with a well-practiced smoothness.

Dawn returned again and, oblivious to the awkward tension, gave Penelope a sunny smile as she pushed the tall paper cup of coffee towards her. "A large coffee and a bag of grounds... That'll be five even, chef's special," she said with a wink before turning to Penelope's neighbour. "And what can I get ya, Gunny? Your usual?" She laughed like she didn't know why she was even bothering to ask. "Danny's almost got it ready for ya."

"Y'know what?" Gunnar said, perking up. "Not quite. I'll take it to go, please."

Dawn's eyebrows rose high into her curled bangs. She opened her mouth as if to ask why, but Gunnar had already turned back to Penelope.

"If you don't mind, Penelope," he said, "I'd like to have a word. Would you be able to stop by my office for a chat?"

"Uh, when?"

"I was thinking now."

Penelope chewed on the insides of her cheeks, staring at the tall man who seemed to loom over her, even from two seats away. She wanted to say no, but the mayor's help from the day before nagged at her.

"Fine," she said at last.

"Great," Gunnar said, sliding a twenty across the counter to the waitress, who was already back with his order in a large paper bag and his own paper cup of coffee. "That's for hers, too," he said. "Keep the change."

Penelope opened her mouth to object—she didn't want to owe him any more than she already did—but Gunnar quickly ushered Penelope out of the diner and onto the street. By the speed Gunnar led her down the sidewalk, it didn't seem like he'd be willing to let her stop off at the truck. She had to tuck the bag of coffee into her hoodie pocket and jog a little to keep pace.

"What did you want to talk to me about?" Penelope asked, half-breathless. Gunnar walked fast.

Gunnar shook his head. "Not here." He motioned with his coffee to the Raven statue on the road divider. The town had begun to wake up and there were already a few tourists gathered around, taking pictures with the creature.

Penelope frowned and kept half-jogging alongside him in silence. She wondered what he had to say that he didn't want to risk being overheard.

Gunnar's fast walk—and Penelope's jog—meant it wasn't long before they made it back to the train station. The double doors were already propped open with a welcome sign. He strode right through them and then took an immediate right, headed for the municipal wing. Penelope followed behind, panting now.

"Morning Sylvia," Gunnar said as he stepped past the wide, built-in desk at the front.

The woman sitting behind it looked up, peering over the edge of her cat-eye glasses. Her hair was densely curled and dyed a bright red. "Good morning, sir," she said, sounding bored. She eyed Penelope as she passed, but said nothing. Penelope barely had time for a wave before Gunnar was off again.

They passed through a bank of desks surrounded by small, glass-fronted private offices. This wing of the building was significantly more modern than the rest of the place but still looked like it hadn't been updated in the last several decades. Gunnar finally came to a stop at the far end of the long office, in front of a pair of sleek wooden doors. One of the doors wore a little black sign, gold letters reading: GUNNAR CHRISTENSEN, MAYOR OF RIDGESTONE.

Gunnar pulled open the same door and stepped aside to let Penelope through. She slipped by with a nod. Her eyebrows raised as she took in the mayor's office. It was large—huge, even—and all wood-panelling except for the tall windows behind the desk. His view looked over the park, the Raven statue's usual haunt. From here, she could even see the bench where she had filmed her re-introduction video with Liam.

Thinking of Liam made her self-conscious; she could only imagine what he'd say if he was here with her now. But he wasn't, so Penelope took a seat in one of the dark leather chairs that sat across from the Mayor's massive desk. She couldn't wait until their talk was over so she could consider her 'debt' to him repaid and go back to disliking him.

While she waited—the mayor was behind her, busy unpacking his meal on what looked to be a little beverage bar—Penelope took a closer look at his office. It, too, looked like it had been redesigned many decades ago, but with someone's idea of old-fashioned glamour. There were many shelves of books, a gold-framed veined-glass mirror over the brick fireplace, and portraits lining the walls, all white men with white hair—former mayors, Penelope assumed. She squinted her eyes trying to read the little plaques beneath without getting up.

"Curious about my legacy?" Gunnar said, still busy at the bar area.

"Your legacy?" Penelope asked, looking back at him. She wasn't aware he had been watching her.

"My father, my uncle, my grandfather, my great-uncle, my great-grandfather, my great-great-grandfather..." Gunnar said, pointing out each portrait with the fork in his hand. "I come from a long line of town mayors."

Now that he said it, Penelope could make out the name CHRISTENSEN on each little plaque.

"A Christensen has been mayor as long as Ridgestone has existed."

"I thought towns had to vote for mayors," Penelope said.

"Oh, they do," Gunnar said, straightening up to give Penelope a bright-eyed smile. "And they vote for us every time." He turned back to the bar. "It's a silly little tradition, but I guess we're doing something right." He laughed.

Penelope didn't. She sipped at her coffee as she turned her gaze out the window, to look out at Gunnar's view of the sleepy little town. Are they really so set in their ways that they just vote for the same family over and over again? It seemed kind of sad.

"Here we go," Gunnar said, returning to his desk and plopping down his meal. It was now laid out on a proper plate and his coffee had been poured into a china mug. He settled into his large, high-backed leather chair and draped a napkin across his lap before he tucked into his breakfast.

Penelope scrunched up her nose. She hadn't come here to watch him eat. "What did you want to talk to me about?" she asked again, firmer this time.

"Mm, yes," Gunnar said with his mouth full of hashbrowns. He took a gulp of coffee to wash it down and then dabbed at his mouth with his napkin. "I wanted to talk to you about the festival."

She narrowed her eyes at him. It hadn't even been 48 hours since Daevon and the crew had been missing. "Is this really the time to be worried about your stupid festival?"

"Stupid festival?" Gunnar echoed, dropping his fork onto his plate. He frowned at her, his pale face going red. "This stupid festival is our most important event all year. It's the town's busiest time! Do you know that our tourism season now accounts for more than seventy percent of the town's revenue since the mill closed? And half of that comes from this so-called stupid festival!"

"I-I had no idea," Penelope said, her eyes widening. She understood Ravenmania a little better, now. "Sorry, I was just saying, it just doesn't feel right with Daevon and the others still missing."

"I know, I know," Gunnar said, leaning back into his cushy chair. He seemed to deflate. "I don't like it either, but I can't just cancel it. My responsibilities are to the town and its people. They're relying on this festival to support their business and feed their families. As they say, the show must go on." Despite his bluster, he didn't seem that happy about it.

"Even so, you might not want to be so brazen about it," Penelope said. "Or someone might think that this is all a hoax and that you're in on it."

"Is that what you were getting at back at the diner?" Gunnar said, raising an eyebrow. "And just who put that bug in your ear?" Judging by his expression, Penelope could guess that he already knew.

Penelope averted her gaze and shrugged like she didn't. "You should check Twitter."

"Oh, I have," he said, giving her a dark look. "Have you? They're saying interesting things about you, too..."

Penelope shivered. She didn't really want to know what they were saying about her, especially if it had anything to do with Daevon being missing.

"But I'll tell you now, just so you don't get any more ideas. I had nothing to do with them going missing, whether staged or not. I have too much respect for our town's service people to send them on a wild goose chase after some braindead influencers just out for some publicity. If this is some publicity stunt, then Xander thought it up on his own." He scoffed, sounding disgusted. "Believe me, I almost wish it was a stunt because that would mean at least they were safe." His face tensed up then and he turned the chair to the side so he could look out at the park.

Away from the cameras and the watchful eyes of his constituents, Gunnar seemed like... an ordinary guy. An ordinary guy who was worried about his town and cared for its people, even the visitors, even people like Daevon... even people like her.

"But that's what I wanted to talk to you about," he said, twisting back towards her. There was a strange sadness in his eyes. "Without Xander, I don't have a special guest for the opening night of the festival."

Penelope scowled, back to disliking him. She knew where this was going.

"Will you, Penelope?" he asked, leaning forward across his desk. "Will you please be our special guest? Only if Xander doesn't turn up, of course. I just need someone with name recognition and we're too close to book someone else and—" He cut himself off with a huff. "I know you don't like me. I'm sure you've heard your fill about me from Liam... But I'm not asking you to do it for me. Do it for the town that has welcomed you with open arms. Do it for the people that rely on the Raven. People like Beth, like Dawn. People who haven't hurt anyone and just want to get by."

Penelope looked down at her knees. The intensity of Gunnar's icy eyes made it hard to hold his gaze. "I-I don't know." He made a good point about the other people of the town, but she knew a few that wouldn't be too happy about her working for him.

"Please, Penelope..."

"Well, I'll need some time to think—"

"Please! I'll pay and pay well might I add—"

"But all your Raven shit is fake!" she snapped. "You don't even believe in the Raven! And I really don't need to be associated with any more falsehoods."

That quieted him. Gunnar stared at her. "Of course I believe in the Raven," he said. "What makes you say I don't?"

"Oh, come on," Penelope shot back, pointing up at the ceiling, towards the tourism centre on the top floor. "I've been through the Raven experience."

Gunnar stared at her for a moment before his signature politician smile spread across his face. "Alright, alright," he said. "I'll admit to embellishing the legend of the Raven to make it a little more exciting, but that doesn't mean it's not real."

Penelope shared him down. "Do you believe in the Raven?"

Gunnar leaned back, still smirking. "Now, I'm a very practical man, so I really can't say for certain..."

Penelope stood up. There was nothing left to talk about. "That's no, then."

"Come now, Penelope," Gunnar said, getting up too. "I didn't say that. Let's just say that I believe that the world is a whole lot weirder than most people think it is—so who knows? But again, you don't have to agree with me to be our special guest. So, please, at least consider it."

Penelope hesitated in front of Gunnar's desk. The faces of the friends she'd made in town burned in her mind. In her head, Liam scowled while Beth smiled. "Fine. I'll think about it."