(The Day when Alex and his friends had meeting about Dylan at Riverwood Park)

---At night---

Lucy was alone in her room, her studies completed for the day. As she sat there, a sense of boredom began to creep in, prompting her to reach for her phone on the nearby table. With a determined look on her face, she dialed her friend Sofia's number, hoping to find some solace in their conversation.

Meanwhile, Sofia was enjoying her time in Miami, nestled comfortably in her own room. The sound of her phone ringing interrupted her blissful state, and she eagerly picked it up, recognizing Lucy's name on the screen.

"Hi Lucy? How are you? It's been a while, hasn't it?" Sofia greeted her warmly.

Lucy sighed softly, appreciating Sofia's caring nature. "I am fine, Sofia. Sorry for calling so late. How are you?"

Sofia reassured her, "It's fine, Lucy. I'm doing great, as usual. Miami is absolutely amazing. The weather is perfect, and the surroundings are breathtakingly beautiful. It's everything I expected and more."

A hint of envy tinged Lucy's voice as she replied, "That's great to hear, Sofia."

Sofia, ever perceptive, sensed something amiss in Lucy's tone. "Are things going well there?"

Lucy hesitated for a moment, unsure of whether to burden Sofia with her troubles. But the concern in Sofia's voice was undeniable, and she found herself yearning for someone to confide in. "Yeah, kind of."

Sofia's softly said, "Something is clearly bothering you, Lucy. I don't want to pry, but I'm here to listen if you want to talk about it."

Lucy's voice trembled as she spoke to Sofia on the phone. "It's just... Alex thinks Dylan is back." she said, her fear palpable.

Sofia's heart skipped a beat. "Dylan, you say? I don't think that's possible."

Lucy continued, "I am scared. I don't want anything to happen to anyone."

Sofia took a deep breath and said, "Lucy, calm down. It's okay. Don't worry. Look, can you tell me everything?"

Lucy then recounted everything that had happened in the woods, about the strange creatures that Alex and the others had faced, and how they believed that Dylan was back.

Sofia listened intently, her mind racing with thoughts. "Lucy, trust me. We will figure something out, okay? I will also help you in this."

Lucy let out a sigh of relief. "Okay. I'm sorry, but I don't feel okay." she said before hanging up the phone.

Sofia sat there for a moment, trying to process everything. "Well, that was weird."

She got up from her chair and walked over to the balcony, closing the windows. As she turned around, she noticed her phone on the desk and picked it up, placing it beside her on the bed.

She lay down, her mind still racing with thoughts about the strange occurrences in the woods. Sofia couldn't shake off the feeling that something was not right. She closed her eyes, hoping to get some rest, but her mind was too preoccupied.

As she lay there, she heard a faint rustling sound coming from outside her window. She sat up, her heart racing, and peered out into the darkness. But there was nothing there.

Sofia shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. "I must be imagining things," she thought to herself. She lay back down, closed her eyes, and tried to get some rest. But the feeling of unease lingered on.

Sofia gazed at her big, white teddy bear, holding it close as she sought comfort in its embrace. A heavy sigh escaped her lips, as she struggled to escape the haunting and melancholic feelings that seemed to persistently plague her. Memories of happier times flooded her mind, memories of when she and Alvin used to play together, laughing and having fun. But now, everything had changed, and Sofia couldn't help but worry about the well-being of everyone involved.

Feeling the weight of her emotions, Sofia lay on her side, her thoughts consumed by the past. Suddenly, her eyes fell upon a framed photograph from her childhood. She reached out, clutching her teddy bear tightly, as she picked up the photo. It depicted a younger Sofia and Alvin, their innocence captured in a frozen moment. Sofia's shyness was evident in the photograph, and as she gazed at it, a wave of nostalgia washed over her.

Placing the photo back down, Sofia returned to her bed, seeking solace in the embrace of sleep. Before drifting off, she whispered softly into the darkness, "I miss you, Alvin."

As Sofia closed her eyes, her mind began to wander, conjuring vivid images of the past. She remembered the carefree days spent running through fields, their laughter echoing in the wind. Alvin's cute smile and playful nature were etched into her memory, reminding her of the joy they once shared.

---First POV---

The next day, I was jolted awake by the sound of my alarm. Groggily, I reached out to find my alarm clock, still clutching my beloved teddy bear close to me. Finally managing to turn off the blaring noise, I sat up in bed and stretched, feeling the stiffness in my muscles slowly dissipate. With my hair in disarray, I made my way downstairs.

My parents would often leave the house early in the morning, leaving me to make breakfast for myself. I didn't mind though, as I enjoyed cooking. They were both very busy and didn't even get Sundays off. Sometimes they were lucky enough to have Fridays off, but not always. Despite their busy schedules, they were both hard workers. This meant that I often had the whole house to myself. Sometimes they would return in the evening, but other times they wouldn't.

In the kitchen, I decided to treat myself to a delicious breakfast of homemade pancakes. I gathered all the necessary ingredients, carefully measuring out the flour, sugar, and baking powder. The soft, powdery texture of the flour felt comforting as I sifted it into a large mixing bowl. With each measured spoonful of sugar, I imagined the sweetness it would add to the final product.

Next, I cracked a couple of eggs into the bowl, their golden yolks breaking apart and blending seamlessly with the other ingredients. I poured in a splash of milk, watching as it cascaded into the mixture, creating a smooth and creamy consistency. With a whisk in hand, I vigorously beat the batter, ensuring that all the ingredients were thoroughly combined.

As the batter rested, I turned my attention to the stove. I heated a non-stick pan, allowing it to warm up gradually. The anticipation of the sizzling sound that would soon fill the kitchen made my heart flutter with excitement. Once the pan was adequately heated, I ladled a portion of the batter onto its surface, watching as it spread into a perfect circle.

The pancake began to cook, its edges slowly turning a golden brown. The tantalizing aroma of the batter transforming into a delectable breakfast treat filled the room. I carefully flipped the pancake, revealing its beautifully cooked underside. The sight of the fluffy, golden pancake made my mouth water.

I repeated the process, creating a stack of pancakes that grew taller with each perfectly cooked addition. Finally, I drizzled a generous amount of maple syrup over the stack, the rich, amber liquid cascading down the sides, creating a mouthwatering sight. I couldn't resist adding a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of fresh berries for an extra touch of indulgence.

With the pancakes ready, I set the table, arranging the plates and cutlery with care. As I took my first bite, the warm, fluffy pancake melted in my mouth, the sweetness of the syrup and the tartness of the berries creating a harmonious symphony of flavors. Each subsequent bite brought me closer to breakfast bliss, a moment of pure culinary delight.

Savoring each mouthful, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. The morning solitude, the comforting aroma, and the exquisite taste of the pancakes all combined to create a moment of pure bliss. As I enjoyed my homemade breakfast, I couldn't help but appreciate the simple pleasures in life, like the joy of making pancakes and savoring them in the tranquility of my own home.

After finishing my delicious pancakes, I placed the plates in the basin and began washing them.

After that, I couldn't resist the temptation of the chocolate ice-cream in the fridge. Despite knowing that it wasn't the best time to indulge in such a treat, I couldn't resist the creamy goodness. I carefully took the container out of the fridge and opened it, revealing the smooth, chocolatey goodness inside. I scooped a generous amount into a bowl and savored each bite, letting the rich flavor and creamy texture melt in my mouth. Despite the guilt that came with indulging in such a sweet treat so early in the day, I couldn't help but enjoy every last bite of the delicious ice-cream.

Once I was done, I quickly hopped into the shower and took a refreshing 10-minute shower. Wrapping a towel around my body, I made my way upstairs to my room. I dried my hair and opened my cupboard, feeling a little unsure of what to wear. After a moment of contemplation, for my outfit, I slipped into my chosen outfit.

It was a pair of light-washed, high-waisted jeans that hugged my curves in all the right places. My white t-shirt was slightly oversized, with a cute graphic design on the front. I had paired my outfit with a pair of white sneakers and a simple silver necklace. Overall, my outfit was comfortable yet stylish, perfect for a day at school and grabbed my bag, ready for school.

As I opened the door to my room and made my way downstairs, I locked the door behind me and began walking towards school. It was only a few minutes away, and soon enough, I was inside the school and went towards the locker room, grabbing my books for the day.

I entered my classroom and sat through the day's lessons, feeling a little bored. As the school bell rang at 3 pm, I made my way back to the locker room and placed my books inside. Walking home, I felt relieved that it had been an easy day.

Once I arrived home, I took out my keys and opened the door. Making my way to my room, I opened the door and plopped down on my bed, letting out a sigh of relief.

It's boring with no friends around here. I didn't like anyone except my old friends who were in Riverwood. Well, anyway, life isn't simple here. When I was taken away from Riverwood orphanage, I felt happy that I had a mom and dad. Everyone was happy, my friends and even the caretakers. They all wished me good luck for my new life. But then, I saw him crying. The only person who I knew was the strongest among us all, Alvin. He was silently shedding tears, his eyes watery, but he didn't let a single tear fall. At first, I didn't believe it, but he was truly sad. I promised myself that I would ask him out once we got older, but I guess that day never came.

It was three years ago when Alice disappeared, and then two weeks later, Alvin also disappeared. I don't know why all this happened, but what happened, happened, right? I have to move forward, but I still feel bad. Alvin is missing, and I had a crush on him ever since we were kids. But life can turn things upside down. I kept thinking, and then my phone started ringing. I took out the phone from my bag and picked up the call. It was my mom.

I said, "Hi Mom."

Mom said, "Hey sweetie, I want to let you know that I won't be coming home tonight, and neither will dad. We have a lot of work to do, so take care of yourself tonight, okay?"

I didn't like it, but they weren't doing this on purpose. I replied, "Okay, sure, mom."

Mom said, "Make sure to eat dinner and also make sure to lock the doors, okay? And don't forget to buy groceries."

I replied, "Okay, sure, mom. Take care."

Mom said, "Yeah, sweetie. Bye. We will come home tomorrow."

I said "bye" and hung up the phone, putting it back on my shelf. I was bored and didn't want to study at all, so I decided to go to sleep. I held my teddy tightly as I lay on the bed, cuddling with it, and eventually drifted off to sleep.

I woke up slowly from my bed, rubbing my eyes and letting out a yawn. I checked the time and saw that it was already 7 o'clock. I had slept really well. I stretched my arms and headed downstairs to prepare dinner.

As I walked into the kitchen, I decided to make a light dinner. I took out some chicken breasts from the fridge and marinated them with some spices and olive oil. While the chicken was marinating, I boiled some water and cooked some pasta.

Once the pasta was cooked, I drained it and added some butter and grated parmesan cheese. I also made a simple salad with lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers.

I then heated up a grill pan and cooked the chicken until it was golden brown and cooked through. I served the chicken with the pasta and salad on the side.

As I sat down to enjoy my dinner, I couldn't help but feel satisfied with the delicious and healthy meal I had prepared.

After finishing my dinner, I diligently placed the dirty plates in the basin and began washing them. Letting out a tired sigh, I continued scrubbing away at the dishes, my mind wandering aimlessly. Once I had completed the task, I dried my hands with a towel and made my way back upstairs to my room. The last thing I wanted to do was study, so I aimlessly paced around my room, trying to pass the time.

Suddenly, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I had completely forgotten to buy the groceries, and I knew my mom would be furious if I didn't do it. Glancing at the clock, I realized it was only 8 o'clock. I still had a chance to make it to the store before it closed at 8:30. Without wasting another moment, I hastily grabbed my purse and rushed downstairs. After locking the front door behind me, I ventured out onto the dimly lit streets.

A sense of unease washed over me as I walked alone. The lack of people around made me feel vulnerable and unsafe. Only a few passing cars broke the silence, their headlights casting eerie shadows on the pavement. Ignoring my growing apprehension, I continued on, determined to complete my task before it was too late. I'm starting to regret buying groceries so late. There are no cars around, and I shouldn't have slept in for so long.

As I approached the store, relief washed over me when I saw that it was still open. Stepping inside, I quickly surveyed the aisles, mentally noting the few items I needed to purchase. With a small basket in hand, I efficiently gathered the necessary supplies and made my way to the cashier. After paying the bill, the cashier placed the items in a bag and handed it to me. Grateful for his efficiency, I thanked him and exited the store, clutching the bag tightly.

Walking back home, my mind couldn't help but dwell on the eerily quiet streets. Earlier, there had been at least a few passing cars, but now, there was an unsettling stillness in the air. Suddenly, the sound of footsteps reached my ears, causing my heart to race in my chest. Glancing over my shoulder, I caught sight of a figure trailing behind me. It was a man, or perhaps a young boy, dressed in a black hoodie and matching attire. His white shoes stood out against the darkness, giving him an enigmatic and mysterious aura.