Alex then looked over at Alvin, who was still perusing the bookshelf, his fingers tracing the spines of various titles. He was tired from spending time with Leo, Kimmy, Andy, and then Ava, but he still wanted to make sure that his friends were working at 100%. So, he wanted to do everything he could. Alex walked over, his steps measured and purposeful.

"Hey, how are you doing?" Alex asked.

Alvin didn't look up at him immediately, his attention still on the books before him.

"I'm doing good as usual," he replied calmly.

Then he glanced at Alex, raising an eyebrow. "But are you doing okay, Alex 'The Therapist?' You're starting to look like a zombie after all this socializing. It's kind of you, but don't overwork yourself. You are not a robot you know."

A small smile tugged at Alex's lips when he heard Alvin calling him 'Therapist.' He nodded. "So, you noticed that I am tired, huh?"

Alvin's gaze drifted over to Kevin, Shoyo, and Claire, who were sitting at a nearby table, before returning to Alex. "It's pretty obvious. Still, thanks for spending time with them; it's relaxing for them."

Alvin paused for a second and continued "Well Alex, if you still want to keep going, then you should definitely talk to Shoyo, Kevin, and Claire too, if you want. And don't forget to check on Sofia. You don't want to leave her alone, right?"

Alex smiled and saluted him playfully.

"Yes sir. Alex the therapist on his way."

Alex nodded again, his smile widening slightly, as he made his way towards the table where the trio was sitting.

Meanwhile, Alvin's eyes scanned the room until they landed on Alice. She was on her tiptoes, slightly jumping, trying to reach a book on the top shelf. Alvin walked over, effortlessly grabbed the book, and handed it to her. "Is this what you were looking for?"

Alice felt a rush of warmth to her cheeks as she extended her hand to take the book and took it. Just then, Alvin wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her gently against him. She clutched the book tightly to her chest with both hands, feeling a wave of vulnerability wash over her.

"You know you've been avoiding talking to me ever since... you know," Alvin whispered, his breath warm against her ear.

Alice looked up into his eyes, her gaze shifting to the white bandage on his forehead, a stark reminder of that night when she had hit him. She quickly looked away, unable to meet his eyes.

"Is it because you hit me?" Alvin asked, a gentle smile playing on his lips.

Alice nodded slightly, still avoiding his gaze.

Alvin leaned in and pressed his lips against hers, soft and reassuring. Alice closed her eyes, allowing herself to be swept up in the moment. Her grip on the book tightened, her heart pounding in her chest as she surrendered to the kiss, feeling a mix of guilt and relief.

Then he pulled back from the kiss, his eyes searching hers as he spoke softly, "You don't have to feel sorry, okay? It was a setup by Dylan. What's done is done; we have to move forward."

Alice turned her head away, her eyes filled with remorse. "But still, it's unforgivable, what I did."

Alvin gently brushed his fingers through her hair, tucking a stray strand behind her ear. His touch was tender, meant to soothe her troubled heart.

"It's alright. In time, you'll be able to forgive yourself. And if you can't, then I'll help you forgive yourself."

Alice's eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she looked back at him, the weight of her guilt still heavy on her shoulders. But in Alvin's steady gaze and gentle touch, she found a glimmer of hope, a promise that they could move past this together.

---Meanwhile---

Alex, Shoyo, Kevin, and Claire were engrossed in a lively conversation, their laughter echoing through the library like a symphony of joy. Despite Alex's initial exhaustion from spending time with each of his friends, he found himself revitalized by their banter, his fatigue replaced by a surge of energy. Shoyo and Claire's playful arguments, punctuated by witty barbs and playful teasing, were as entertaining as a comedy show, while Kevin's deadpan humor and absurdly exaggerated facial expressions added to the hilarity, making the entire scene a masterclass in comedic timing.

What started as an attempt to help his friends relax had turned into a rejuvenating experience for Alex himself, as he found himself laughing along with them, his worries and fatigue momentarily forgotten in the midst of their infectious mirth.

"Thanks, guys," Alex said, rising from his chair with a grateful smile. "I really needed that."

He walked over to his main group, who were diligently searching for clues about Dylan. The atmosphere was buzzing with determination, everyone working more efficiently than before.

"All right! Let me take a look at those books," Alex said, his voice filled with renewed energy.

Lucy's eyes lit up with excitement. "Ooh! I just remembered there's a rare books room in the back. Someone want to check it out with me?"

Ava's face brightened, her excitement palpable. "Aw yeah! If there are any ancient tomes of dark and forbidden magic in this place, that's where they'll be!"

Andy flexed his arms playfully. "Need someone to help carry? I feel like I could lift about twenty books right now."

Kimmy grinned. "Only twenty? I thought your record was twenty-five."

Leo, who had been deeply engrossed in his current book, looked up with a thoughtful expression. "Let me know if you see Volume 2 of Riverwood History there. I'm almost through Volume 1."

Just then, Dwayne approached with a sly smirk, placing five volumes in front of Leo. Leo stared at the stack, clearly surprised. "I only asked for Volume 2."

Dwayne's smirk widened. "Well, now you've got all five."

Leo sighed, shaking his head but couldn't help but smile. "Thanks, Dwayne. I guess I'll be busy for a while."

Alex took a seat beside Noah, diving back into the research with a contented smile. They worked in silence, the sound of pages turning and soft whispers filling the air. But then Alex suddenly remembered Sofia. He glanced over at Alvin, who was standing nearby. Alvin gave him a reassuring smile and a slight nod, as if to say, "I took care of that, no worries."

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Alex silenty thanked him and sat back down. They continued searching and checking books, but they didn't find anything useful. Frustration began to set in, but Alex knew they couldn't give up.

As he finished with another book, Alex walked over to the shelves to return it. He noticed Lucy in a corner, flipping through a book with colorful illustrations.

"What's that?" Alex asked, curiosity piqued.

"It's just a children's book," Lucy replied. "I noticed it on a display and thought it was cute."

Andy, overhearing their conversation, walked over. "Hey, I remember that book! That's the one with the shadow, mud dude and skeletons, right?"

Lucy looked at Andy, a hint of fear in her eyes. "Mud dude?"

Andy took the book from her and flipped through the pages. "Let me see. Check this out."

He showed Alex a page, and Alex's eyes widened in recognition.

"Holy crap, wait a minute," Andy said.

Alex leaned in closer, studying the crude illustration of a creature. "That's the shadow monster. The thing that attacked me in my room."

Everyone clustered around Alex, peering over his shoulder as he flipped through the pages. The book was filled with familiar illustrations and eerie poems.

" 'Never trust a skeleton?' " Leo read aloud, his brow furrowed.

"Spiders? Snakes? And then 'Dead dog trick?' What kind of freaky book is this?" Kimmy asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Alex closed the book and read the front cover. "Shadow Woods? Poems by Ophelia Omen."

Lucy's eyes widened. "That name is creepy but it sounds familiar."

Ava nodded slowly. "I know that name. Isn't that the creepy old woman who lives in the woods? I'm not sure, though."

Dwayne chimed in, "I think she lives somewhere near Neibolt Street. You'll find only woods surrounding that street."

Noah looked skeptical. "Okay, but how would some old crackpot know about all this stuff? This can't be a coincidence."

Alex took a deep breath, his mind racing. "I don't know... but I know one way to find out. It's time to pay her a visit."

They grabbed their belongings and hurried out of the library. Outside, the night had settled in, casting long shadows across the empty streets. With two cars at their disposal, Kimmy and Leo took the lead, their group split between the vehicles. Alvin's gang settled into Leo's car while the others piled into Kimmy's.

Kimmy leading in her trusty vehicle with Leo following closely behind.

As they drove through the town, the fading light of dusk cast elongated shadows over quaint houses and empty streets. The air was thick with the promise of nightfall, a blanket of quiet descending as they approached Neibolt Street.

The transition from familiar town roads to the outskirts was marked by a gradual change in scenery. Tall trees lined the path, their branches intertwining to form a canopy that seemed to swallow the fading daylight. The road narrowed, they reached a gravel road, and both cars came to a stop. Kimmy parked first, followed closely by Leo, who shut off the engine with a sigh.

Andy voiced the question on everyone's mind, "Why are we stopping?"

Kimmy glanced around and pointed towards a looming gate barely visible in the dim light. "There's a gate. We're going to have to walk from here."

Noah's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Yeah, sure, why not? How could anything bad happen to a bunch of teens all alone in the woods at night?"

Despite the unease, everyone piled out of both cars, their footsteps crunching on the gravel. Lucy, her voice hesitant, spoke up, "So... can we just... go in?"

Leo scanned the surroundings and spotted a weather-beaten signboard. Squinting in the dim light, he tried to make out the faded text. "I'm not sure... what does that sign say?"

Ava, always the adventurous one, stepped forward and scrutinized the hand-painted sign, partially obscured by a low-hanging branch.

"Trespassers will be..." She paused dramatically before lifting the branch, revealing the rest of the ominous warning.

"Sacrificed?"

Noah's attempt at humor didn't quite mask his unease. "Cool, cool, cool, cool."

Alex, spoke up with determination.

"We've come this far. We can't give up now."

Despite his words, no one dared to take a single step forward. Glancing at each other, the group's attention slowly turned to Alvin, who was casually yawning despite the seriousness of the situation. Finally finishing his yawn, Alvin noticed everyone's eyes on him and furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

"Hmm... What?"

Dwayne walked over, effortlessly lifting Alvin like a teddy bear. He carried him to the front of the group and set him down gently.

Alex scratched his head and said, "Alvin, it's best if you take the lead."

Alvin muttered to himself, his voice barely audible, before looking at his friends one by one. "Cowards," he said, his eyes narrowing with disdain.

Alvin then rolled his eyes good-naturedly, not showing any signs of annoyance. With a nod, he set off confidently through the dense woods, the rest of the group quick to follow in his footsteps.

After a short trek, they arrived at a weathered, rusty gate that stood imposingly before them. Alex began to suggest finding a weapon to break through, but Alvin interrupted, bracing himself before delivering a powerful kick with his left leg. The gate groaned under the force and then collapsed into pieces, clearing a path forward.

Despite the evident pain in his left leg from the kick, Alvin masked any discomfort. He calmly urged the group forward.

"Let's go. We don't have time to waste finding a weapon."

Alex nodded in agreement, the group rallying behind Alvin once more as they proceeded into the unknown, their resolve strengthened by his leadership and determination.

After walking through the dense woods for what felt like an eternity, the group finally emerged near a tranquil river, its clear waters flowing gently under the moonlight. The sight was a welcome change from the oppressive atmosphere of the forest.

"So, do we have to cross the river?" Kevin asked, eyeing the swift current thoughtfully.

Noah nodded, squinting across the riverbank. "Looks like it. The question is, how do we do that?"

Shoyo's eyes darted around the river, taking in the serene beauty of the surroundings. The moonlight danced on the water's surface, casting a silvery glow over the rippling currents. As he scanned the area, his gaze fell upon a small boat nestled against a tree, half-hidden by the shadows. Its weathered wood and worn paint hinted at years of use, yet it seemed sturdy and intact. Excitement sparked in his eyes as he pointed toward the find.

"Hey, guys, look over there! I found a boat! It looks like it's still in working condition!" he called out.

Excited murmurs broke out among the group as they hurried over to inspect the boat. The air buzzed with anticipation and a hint of nervous energy. Kevin knelt beside the boat, running his hands over the weathered wood, feeling the rough texture beneath his fingers. He examined the joints and the hull, noting the signs of age but also the craftsmanship that had kept it intact. The boat's oars, resting inside, seemed serviceable enough. He looked up at the others, cautious optimism in his eyes.

"It looks sturdy enough," he said, tapping the wood with his knuckles.

The group sighed in relief, their hopes rekindled by this unexpected stroke of luck.

Kevin continued. "I think it'll hold up. Surprisingly, it's in good condition. But it can only fit five people. Any more than that, and we risk sinking."

Alvin started thinking, running his fingers through his hair as he considered their options. The moonlight cast a faint glow on his contemplative expression, highlighting the furrow in his brow. After a moment, he looked up, a determined glint in his eyes.

Alvin said he's voice steady "We can make it work. The first group of five will row across, then one person will return with the boat. After that, the next four can cross. Does that sound good?"

He scanned their faces, seeking confirmation. The group nodded, appreciating Alvin's quick thinking.

Leo grinned, nodding in approval. "Sounds like a solid plan to me."

The group reached a consensus, ready to implement Alvin's strategy. Just as they were about to organize themselves, Sofia's keen eyes suddenly widened with alarm as she stared at the river's surface. Her expression turned tense, her body stiffening as she saw something moving in the water. The gentle ripples of the river, illuminated by the moonlight, seemed to shimmer ominously.

Claire then noticed Sofia was shaking, her normally steady hands trembling visibly.

"Hey, are you okay? You look like you're freaking out." Claire asked, her voice tinged with concern.

Sofia's eyes were wide with fear as she nervously pointed to the water, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I think there's something moving in the water. There's something in there." She took a step back, her face pale under the moonlight.

Claire followed Sofia's gaze and squinted at the dark, rippling surface of the river. Sure enough, there was a slow, deliberate movement beneath the water, drawing closer to the boat. Claire's heart skipped a beat, her pulse quickening as she realized the danger they might be in.

"Alvin!" Claire called out, "there's something moving in the water. And it's getting close to the boat."

Alvin shouted. "Everyone, step back and keep your distance from the water."

As the group complied, tension thickened in the air. A ripple broke the surface, and with an eerie grace, a massive creature emerged. A crocodile, ancient and formidable, its scaled hide glistened with moonlit water as it moved with stealthy determination towards the boat. Its eyes, like obsidian orbs, scanned the shore as it closed the distance with unnerving ease.

Its eyes were cold and predatory, fixed on the potential prey before it.

The crocodile's jaws opened and closed in a rhythmic display of power, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth that glistened menacingly in the moonlight. Its muscular tail swished lazily behind, propelling it closer with a deceptive languor that belied its predatory instincts. The air was charged with fear as the group watched in awe and apprehension, their hearts pounding in synchrony with the rhythm of the river.