Alex was trapped in a nightmare, vivid and terrifying. He saw June dying, and the face of her killer was unmistakable: Dylan. The horror gripped him tightly, refusing to let go until he jolted awake, screaming June's name.

He sat up in bed, his body drenched in sweat, his heart pounding like a drum. Nausea churned in his stomach as he tried to catch his breath. Tears streamed down his cheeks, and he hugged himself, his body shaking with sobs. The images from the dream clung to him, refusing to fade.

At the end of his bed, Lily, the neighbor's dog, stirred. She lifted her head and blinked sleepily at him, her eyes full of concern. Alex reached down to ruffle her ears, seeking the comfort of her familiar presence.

"It's nothing, girl. We're okay," he whispered, though he wasn't sure if he believed it himself.

Lily settled back down on the bed, her eyes drifting closed once more.

Alex knew he had to make this right.

...

At school, Alex spotted Noah walking up the front steps and hurried to catch up with him. Noah looked as bleary-eyed as Alex felt.

"Wow, you look as bad as I feel. Didn't sleep well?" Noah asked, his voice rough with exhaustion.

"Nightmares. You too?" Alex replied.

Noah nodded ruefully, rubbing his eyes.

"I can barely think straight. Pretty sure I called my mom a fascist for asking me to take out the garbage this morning."

Alex managed a weak smile at that, grateful for the brief moment of levity. The two friends walked together, each carrying the weight of their troubled nights but finding a measure of solace in their shared struggle.

Alex and Noah stepped through the front doors of the school, Alex's mind still clouded with the remnants of his nightmare. As he walked down the hall, he spotted Andy coming from the opposite direction, looking just as exhausted as he felt.

"Hey, how are you holding up?" Alex asked, trying to offer some support.

"Hanging in there. How about you?" Andy replied with a tired smile.

Before Alex could respond, mocking voices cut through the corridor's noise.

Hey, Andy King! Did you throw that game on purpose, or are you just a one-hit wonder?

Bet you're glad those spiders showed up, huh?

Nice excuse for ditching the game early.

Andy flinched, his face contorting with anger. He turned toward the source of the taunts, his eyes blazing.

"Hey, you wanna say that to my face?!" he shouted, his voice echoing off the walls.

Without another word, Andy stormed past Alex, chasing the mocking laughter down the hall. Alex watched him go, a mix of empathy and frustration tightening his chest.

Noah appeared beside him, shaking his head.

"We gotta do something about Dylan before one of us cracks," he said quietly.

Alex nodded, his jaw set in determination.

"Well, I for one am done taking hits. It's time we start hitting back."

Noah looked at him, both hopeful and anxious.

"Okay, totally. So, uh... what do you want to do?"

Alex took a deep breath, "Homework," he said with a grim smile, pulling out his phone.

With quick, determined taps, he typed a message in their WhatsApp group :

Alex :
Attention literally everyone

Dylan is going to come after us all which is definitely my fault and I am sorry.

But I think we can all agree that we need to find a way to stop him.

I am going to the library tonight to get to the bottom of this. To find some way to stop/banish/kill him.

Can I count on you?

Kimmy :
I will be there.

Noah :
You don't have cheer practice or something?

Kimmy :
Duh, of course I do, but this is more important. C u after class!

Alex then put his phone back in his pocket.

....

Kimmy entered in the class for first period English, her thoughts preoccupied with the text Alex had sent. Spotting Lucy, she made her way to her desk and leaned in.

"Hey, did you get Alex's text?"

Lucy looked up, her face conflicted.

"Um... yeah, I did. I want to go, but um... Maria and I are supposed to go look at homecoming dresses tonight."

Before Kimmy could respond, Maria glided up to Lucy's desk with a confident grin and a packet of chocolates.

"Good morning, Lucy. Want one?" she asked, her tone dripping with sweetness.

Lucy nodded with a smile, taking a chocolate. Maria then turned her gaze to Kimmy, her eyes challenging.

"Good morning, Kimmy. Do you want one?"

"Hard pass. Also, we need to talk," Kimmy said curtly.

Ignoring the confused stares from their classmates, Kimmy grabbed Maria's arm and dragged her to the other side of the classroom. Maria's cheerful demeanor vanished, replaced by a flash of anger.

"Ow, what's your problem?" Maria whispered harshly.

Kimmy's eyes blazed with intensity.

"My problem is you. I don't know what kind of game you're playing, but you listen to me—"

Maria cut her off, holding up her hand and flapping it like a talking mouth.

"'If you hurt her, I swear to god.' Blah blah blah. Look, I do this routine daily with Alex, so can we skip the threatening?"

Kimmy's eyes narrowed, her grip tightening.

"I don't need to threaten you, remember? Not when I have your phone."

Maria's bravado faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered, smirking.

"Wow, Kimmy. It's a shame you're not as good at cheerleading as you are at blackmail."

"At least I didn't get my blackmail material by secretly filming my so-called friend," Kimmy shot back, her voice icy.

Maria's smirk faded, replaced by a flicker of genuine worry.

"But I have feelings for her," she said, her voice quieter, almost pleading.

Kimmy's expression hardened.

"You can't have feelings seriously. You're a monster."

Maria was about to say something, but just then, Kimmy's phone began to buzz. She pulled it out, and suddenly, an audio clip blasted from the speakers.

A video played on the screen, showing Kimmy in tears, confessing, "I hate my life. Everyone thinks we are perfect, this family, because that's what my mom needs to be... but it's all fake. Mom and Dad hate each other. They are both having affairs. And they don't even try to hide it from me."

Kimmy's eyes widened in horror, her hands starting to shake as she frantically mashed the power button. But her phone wouldn't turn off. Around her, students began to stare, their expressions ranging from shock to amusement.

Panic surged through Kimmy, and in a desperate move, she smashed her phone on the ground. The case exploded, but the audio only grew louder, the speaker seemingly indestructible.

Maria's smirk was unmistakable.

"Uh... oh my god?"

Then, as if on cue, another phone buzzed, then another. All around Kimmy, phone screens lit up one by one, speakers blaring the same devastating message. The PA system screeched overhead, amplifying her private confession: "I hate my life. Everyone thinks we are this perfect..."

"This shouldn't be possible," Kimmy whispered to herself, her mind racing.

"Unless... it must be Dylan."

Students pointed and whispered, their eyes fixed on her. Kimmy felt the room closing in on her, fighting the urge to throw up. She slumped against a desk, her vision blurring with tears.

Maria's smirk widened. "This is too good."

But then Lucy's voice cut through the chaos.

"Maria, what the hell? Can't you see Kimmy's upset?"

Maria's smirk faltered, and she mumbled, "Um... I am sorry."

Kimmy's voice was barely a whisper.

"It's over. My life is over."

Overwhelmed, she pushed Maria aside, her vision blurring as she ran for the door. The hallway blurred around her as she fled, the mocking voices and blaring speakers echoing in her ears.

She burst through the doors and into the courtyard, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. She stumbled to a bench, collapsing onto it, her body shaking with sobs. The betrayal and humiliation crushed her, leaving her feeling utterly exposed and alone.

Kimmy sat on the bench, the cool air doing little to calm her. She felt as if her world had shattered, the fragile façade she had maintained crumbling in an instant. She knew things would never be the same again.

Texts on What's app group

Noah :
Anyone else's phone acting weird? This video or Kimmy just started auto-playing at full volume.

Andy :
I got it too and I am pretty sure I just saw her run down the hall. What's going on?

Alex :
It's Dylan it has to be him. Somehow he got that video and sent it to everyone.

We've gotta watch each other's back today. Something tells me he's not done yet.

Andy :
Speaking of, anyone seen Ava?

Alex :
I haven't. You don't think something happened?!

Leo :
Something did. But it wasn't Dylan.

....

Leo was standing at his locker, methodically spinning the dial to his combination. He glanced down the hall and spotted Ava glaring at her own locker. Blood-red letters spelled out the word "witch" across the front. Ava's face flushed with anger as she shouted, "Hey, whoever did this, your handwriting sucks!"

She slammed her locker shut with a bang, and Leo shook his head, muttering to himself, "Jeez. Poor Ava."

The sound of raised voices caught his attention, and he turned to see Lucy hurrying past, her face set in a grim expression. Maria trailed close behind, looking anxious.

"How can you be this cruel, Maria? You were standing there laughing! Kimmy was really upset," Lucy said, her voice trembling with emotion.

Maria's face was pale, "I'm sorry, it just slipped out. I’m trying to be better, but you know I’ve been having headaches and sometimes I just can’t think."

"Or maybe you’re just not the person I thought you were," Lucy shot back, her words cutting through the air like a knife.

The two girls continued past Leo, their voices fading as they disappeared around the corner. Leo sighed, thinking, Alex is right... things are very bad today.

He turned back to his own locker and spun the dial, the familiar click bringing a small sense of normalcy. But when he opened the door, his heart nearly stopped. A pile of prescription bottles tumbled out, clattering to the floor.

No. Impossible. I threw my pills away, and I never had this many, he thought, panic rising in his chest.

He crouched down, quickly gathering the bottles in his arms. His hands shook as he read the labels, his name glaring back at him in stark black letters.

How did these get here? he wondered, his mind racing with fear and confusion.

Leo crouched, quickly gathering up all the bottles that had tumbled out of his locker. His heart pounded as he tried to shove the pills back into the already full space, his movements frantic and desperate.

Just then, Mrs. Morris approached, her expression concerned.

"Leo, do you have a second?"

Leo froze, his breath catching in his throat.

"I-I am a little busy right now, so—"

"I am worried about how students are coping with so many accidents so close together," Mrs. Morris continued, undeterred.

"Between Dan, Principal Erickson, Zack, and now Mateo..."

Hidden behind the locker door, Leo continued to frantically shove pill bottles into his locker, his mind racing for a way out of this situation.

"I’m so sorry, but can we talk about this later?"

Mrs. Morris frowned, her concern deepening, "I apologize, Leo."

"It’s fine! Can we talk about this tomorrow?" Leo's voice was strained.

Mrs. Morris stepped closer, her eyes narrowing as she tried to see past the locker door.

"Leo, are you alright? You seem—"

But then, a pill bottle slipped from Leo's fingers, hitting the floor with a faint clatter.

"No!" Leo shouted, his voice a mixture of panic and despair.

Mrs. Morris had already stooped to pick up the bottle. She turned it over in her hand, squinting at the label. "Focus Pills?" she read aloud.

"Leo, what's this?"

Before Leo could respond, four more pill bottles slipped from his grasp, hitting the floor and rolling away. Mrs. Morris’s expression hardened, her eyes now filled with disappointment and concern. She crossed her arms, tapping her foot impatiently.

"MY OFFICE. NOW!" she commanded, her voice leaving no room for argument.

...

After the final bell of the school day rang, Alex and Noah anxiously waited in the library, their nerves palpable as they wondered if anyone else would show up. Noah drummed his fingers on the table, a sign of his restless energy.

"Do you think anyone else will come?" Alex asked.

Noah let out a sigh, his expression troubled.

"I knew this was gonna happen. I just knew--"

Before he could finish, the door swung open with a loud bang. Leo stormed in, his usually calm demeanor replaced by an angry scowl.

"I got suspended," Leo announced bitterly.

Alex raised an eyebrow, shocked.

"Woah, what? Why?"

Leo clenched his fists, his eyes flashing with resentment.

"Because even though I tried to do the right thing, Dylan is determined to ruin my life. Point is, if there's anything in this library that can take him down, I'm gonna find it, even if it takes me all year."

Leo scanned the room, his eyes searching for the others.

"Hmmm? Where's everyone else?"

Andy followed shortly after, with Kimmy trailing behind him, her face streaked with tear tracks.

"Here," Andy said quietly, his usually cheerful demeanor subdued by the weight of the situation.

Kimmy spoke up, her voice trembling.

"I hope you guys don't mind if I just curl up on the floor in a ball."

Lucy entered next, draped in a garment bag she had likely picked up from the dress store, her shoulders slumped with exhaustion.

"Guys, I'm not sure about Maria," Lucy murmured, her concern evident in her tone.

Noah couldn't help but smile, relief spreading through him.

"Woah, you guys... you actually came!"

Kimmy looked incredulous. "Of course we came! Why wouldn't we?"

Lucy nodded in agreement. "We need to stick together now more than ever."

Just as the group started to gather and exchange worried glances, Ava appeared at the doorway, hesitating as if contemplating a quick retreat.

"Wow, this is getting dangerously close to group hug territory," she remarked, trying to make a quick exit.

But Kimmy wasn't having it. She grabbed Ava by the collar, pulling her into the room. "Oh no you don't. You're not gonna escape that easily."

Alex grinned and gestured towards Ava.

"You made it. Let's group hug, seriously."

Ava frowned, but there was a hint of resignation in her eyes. "Noooo..."

With Alex, Kimmy, and Lucy coaxing her gently, Ava reluctantly joined the circle. She sighed dramatically as Alex threw an arm around her, causing the others to laugh softly.

"I hate this, you're all gross," Ava muttered half-heartedly, but the warmth of their embrace softened her resistance.

"Okay, so here's what comes next," Alex began, his voice determined.

"We're looking for anything we can find on Dylan, his weird monsters, or any cults from past years. Also, information on coma epidemics followed by multiple deaths. And there's this guy named Michael Ramsey."

Noah furrowed his brow. "Who's that?"

"A scholar who arrived in Riverwood in 1935," Alex explained.

"He was investigating a monster said to be living in the woods... I think he might have been the one who found it."

Leo's eyes gleamed with resolve.

"Alright! That should be more than enough to crack this thing. Let's get to it."

Andy glanced around the group, his expression thoughtful. "I think we're missing one person."

Noah nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you're right. Where's Dwayne?"

Just then, the library door swung open, revealing Dwayne standing in the doorway. "Here," he announced simply.

Alex smiled warmly. "Finally, the group's complete with you here."

Dwayne stood awkwardly in the library, his nerves palpable as he glanced around at his friends, unsure of how they would react to what he was about to reveal.

Dwayne's voice trembled as he spoke, a mixture of anxiety and hope evident in his words.

"Before that... I have someone I'd like you all to meet."

His nervous smile faltered as he glanced away from his friends, biting his lip.

"Firstly, I want to apologize for my actions. I know it's long overdue, and I wanted to tell you sooner, but I just couldn't..."

Alex's brow furrowed in confusion.

"What are you talking about, Dwayne?"

Before Dwayne could respond, the library door swung open behind him. Two figures stepped into the room, causing a collective gasp from everyone present. Alvin and Alice, their faces worn but unmistakably real, stood before them.

Alvin appeared in a striking ensemble, juxtaposing formal elegance with a touch of casual flair. His crisp white shirt, meticulously pressed, accentuated his slender frame, its fine fabric catching the light with a subtle sheen. The azure hue of his well-fitted jeans provided a refreshing contrast, hugging his legs with tailored precision. Atop his head, a conspicuously large white bandage stood out, stark against his otherwise immaculate attire, hinting at a recent injury. Completing his ensemble were pristine white shoes, their laces neatly tied, adding a final touch of polished refinement to his eclectic appearance.

Alice floated into the room like a serene apparition, draped in a celestial blue dress that seemed to capture the essence of a cloudless summer sky. The fabric cascaded in gentle folds around her form, shimmering softly with every movement as if kissed by the light itself. Delicate lace accents adorned the neckline, adding a touch of intricate elegance to the ensemble.

Her earrings, matching the hue of her dress with a brilliant clarity, dangled gracefully from her ears like drops of sapphire, catching the light and casting tiny azure reflections upon her cheeks. Each step she took echoed with a subtle whisper of fabric against polished floors, harmonizing with the faint melody of her presence. Alice's attire exuded a quiet sophistication, blending timeless grace with an ethereal charm that effortlessly captivated all who beheld her.

Kimmy and Lucy couldn't contain their shock, hands flying to cover their mouths as tears welled in their eyes. Andy stood frozen, disbelief etched on his features. The sight of their long-lost friends, missing for three agonizing years, standing before them now seemed surreal.

Leo couldn't believe his eyes. Standing before him were Alvin and Alice, unmistakably real despite the years that had passed. He recognized them instantly, but in his disbelief, he took off his spectacles. Carefully, he cleaned the lenses with the hem of his shirt, his movements slow and deliberate.

After a few moments, he put the spectacles back on, hoping for clarity. There they stood, unchanged—Alvin with his characteristic smirk, and Alice with her gentle, reassuring smile.

"No way," Noah muttered incredulously, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"Am I dreaming? Is that really Alvin? Please, someone pinch me."

Alvin, with a wry smile, quipped, "Instead of a pinch, would a punch work? I'd love to test it out."

Alice's voice, though gentle, carried a hint of admonishment as she chided him softly.

"Alvin, don't be ridiculous. You need to rest; the doctor said so."

Alex stepped forward, his voice trembling with emotion.

"Alvin, is it really you?"

Alvin's grin softened into a heartfelt smile.

"Do I look like someone else?"

Andy couldn't help but chuckle, relief flooding his expression.

"Nope, that's definitely him," he affirmed, his voice filled with joy and disbelief.

Leo stared at Alvin, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"But still, I can't believe it's you. I thought you two were dead for sure. I still can't believe you're alive. I feel like I'm in a dream or something."

Alvin's expression softened as he met Leo's gaze.

"It really is me. I had my reasons for disappearing."

The weight of Alvin's words hung in the air, and for a moment, the room fell silent. Leo's mind raced, trying to reconcile the relief and confusion swirling within him. He took a deep breath, grounding himself in the reality of the moment.

"I just... I can't believe it," Leo repeated.

Alvin stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on Leo's shoulder. He said, "I know it's a lot to take in, but I'm here now. And I promise, I'll explain everything."

Leo nodded slowly, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly.

The air was thick with emotions—relief, joy, and a lingering sense of disbelief. Tears welled up in Kimmy's eyes as she stepped forward tentatively, as if afraid the illusion would shatter. Lucy reached out, her fingers trembling as they brushed against Alice's arm, confirming her presence.

Noah shook his head in disbelief, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"I can't believe this... after all this time."

Andy's heart raced with a mix of joy and relief as he tightly embraced Alvin, feeling the familiar warmth and solidity of his friend. Leo, unable to contain his emotions, joined in the hug, his arms wrapping around Alvin's shoulders before stepping back, patting Alvin's back with a brotherly affection.

Leo noticed the large white bandage wrapped around Alvin's head and frowned.

"Anyway, what happened to your head? It looks bad," he asked, concern lacing his voice.

Alice quickly looked down, her face flushing with guilt. She was the one who had accidentally caused the injury, and the remorse weighed heavily on her. She bit her lip, feeling a knot tighten in her stomach.

Alvin, sensing her distress, forced a smile.

"Well, let's just say I got hurt, that's all. But I feel good though, so no need to worry" he reassured, trying to ease the tension.

Andy clapped a hand on Alvin's shoulder, his usual cheerfulness shining through.

"Okay, bro! I'm glad you're feeling good," he said with a grin.

Alvin, his eyes scanning the group with a solemn intensity, spoke up, his voice carrying a weight of unspoken stories.

"I know you guys have tons of questions also we have a lot to catch up on, and I promise I'll explain everything about why Alice and I disappeared. But right now, there's something important we need to take care of."

As if on cue, the library door swung open once more, revealing three familiar faces. Alvin gestured towards them with a sense of urgency.

"Oh these are my friends. The tall one is Kevin, the short one is Shoyo, and the blonde is Claire."

Handshakes were exchanged amidst cautious smiles and wary glances. Noah, observant as ever, scrutinized their expressions after the pleasantries. Sensing their unease, he leaned towards Dwayne and whispered urgently, "Did something happen to them? They look terrified."

Dwayne's face darkened momentarily before he replied in a hushed tone, "It happened last night. I don't know all the details, but it was violent, and Dylan was behind it. He scared the hell out of them."

Noah's brow furrowed in concern as he absorbed the gravity of the situation. Meanwhile, the door creaked open again, and this time it was Sofia.

She timidly entered from the door, her hand nervously tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

"Um... Hi, guys. It's been a while."

She was draped in a pristine white dress that cascaded around her like a waterfall of satin, its fabric flowing effortlessly with each step she took. The dress, immaculately tailored, hugged her slender form in all the right places, accentuating her graceful silhouette.

Her black hair, lustrous and sleek, fell in smooth waves down her back, framing her delicate features with an almost ethereal softness. It gleamed subtly under the soft ambient light of the library, adding a depth of contrast to her ensemble.

Everyone was so happy to see all of their friends coming back one by one. The group welcomed Sofia.

Ava's voice broke the tense silence that had settled in the library.

"Wow, one after another, our friends are coming through that library door. I wonder if Dylan will show up."

Her attempt to lighten the mood met with serious expressions from everyone present. Ava noticed their reaction and quickly added, "What? It's just a hunch."

Meanwhile, Alex seized the opportunity to greet Sofia warmly, his smile genuine as he enveloped her in a hug. Sofia, taken aback but clearly touched by the gesture, returned the embrace.

"Sofia! I wasn't expecting you to be here. It's really good to see you," Alex remarked sincerely.

Sofia's smile widened, relief evident in her eyes.

"It's good to see you too, Alex."

Kimmy and Lucy, sensing the emotional weight of the reunion, joined Alice in embracing Sofia next. The room seemed to exhale a collective sigh of relief as the friends came together in a group hug, their bond palpable despite the years of separation.

Alvin surveyed the group, his eyes scanning each face with determination.

"It looks like everyone is here, so how about we do some digging about this ghost that's trying to ruin our lives?"

The group exchanged glances, a mix of apprehension and eagerness flickering in their eyes. One by one, they nodded in agreement, their expressions hardening with resolve. Alex, always the first to voice what others were thinking, stepped forward.

"We should and we will bring him down." He said firmly.

With everyone finally together, a sense of purpose filled the room. They knew the task ahead was daunting, but they were ready to face it together.

𝐹𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑝 𝑖𝑠𝑛'𝑡 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑤ℎ𝑜𝑚 𝑦𝑜𝑢 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑠𝑡... 𝐼𝑡'𝑠 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑐𝑎𝑚𝑒, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑛𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒. 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑤𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑠𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑖𝑐 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠 ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑑, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑡𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑎𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛.

𝐼𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑢𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑎 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑡𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑎𝑠 𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛.