Alex and his friends emerged from the dense woods, their faces illuminated by the pale moonlight. The night was serene and still, with a cool, crisp air that carried the distant hum of crickets. They had reached the opposite bank of the river, a small boat bobbing gently in the moonlit water.

With small group one by one of five, they crossed the river in the boat. First, Sofia climbed in, followed by Dwayne, Andy, Noah and Lucy. Next came Alex, Ava, Leo, Claire, and Kimmy, each finding a spot as they made their way across. Finally, Alice, Alvin, Kevin, and Shoyo made their way over, the boat shifting with their movements.

Once they reached the far shore and disembarked, they gathered began to walk away from the river. As they exited the woods, the landscape opened up to reveal the roadside where their cars were parked. The familiar sight of their vehicles offered a comforting end to their journey, and they eagerly approached them.

They climbed into their cars, the engines rumbling to life, and set off toward the hardware store.

The drive through the sleeping city was surreal. The streets were empty, bathed in the soft glow of streetlights, casting long shadows that danced eerily as they passed. The only sound was the steady hum of the car engines and the occasional rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze. The journey was a mixture of tension and calm, the night's stillness amplifying their anticipation.

As they neared the hardware store, its flickering neon sign came into view. They pulled into the parking lot, the gravel crunching under their tires. The store loomed ahead, a solitary beacon in the dark.

They got out of their cars, stretching their legs. Kyle tried to follow Alex, his bony frame clattering softly. Alex gently pushed him back into the car.

"Uh... no. You have to stay in here," he said firmly.

Kyle's shoulders slumped in a posture of sad resignation and looked down in sadness, his glowing eyes dimming slightly.

Leo glanced back. "And please don't get drool on my upholstery."

Kyle's grin spread wide, his skeletal mouth forming a creepy smile.

Ava chuckled, "That sounds like 'no promises' to me."

Leo sighed, as they all headed toward the store. The door chimes jingled softly as they entered, the sound echoing in the quiet space. Behind the counter, Levin looked up slowly from a tattered paperback, his eyes narrowing. "Hey. I am about to close up, so-"

"Hi, Levin," Alex interrupted.

Levin slapped his book down on the counter, glaring at Alex before turning his steely gaze to his cousin Kimmy. "Kimmy, what are you doing here?"

"Don't be a jerk, Levin," Kimmy retorted, her voice sharp.

"We’re just here to buy supplies."

Levin's glare didn't waver. "Supplies for what-.... Actually, you know what? I don't care, and I don't want to know. Store closes in five minutes, so just get your stuff and get out."

Alex's friends split up to browse the store, each one quickly grabbing what they needed. Meanwhile, Alex made his way to the counter, where Levin was putting away his book and preparing to close up shop.

"Do you have a second?" Alex asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

Levin glanced up, his expression skeptical. "For the person who told me everything was fine while some kind of deranged murderer was on the loose? Sure, why wouldn't I?"

Alex took a deep breath. "Look, Levin, I can explain. A lot of really crazy stuff has been happening."

"Yeah, right, like shadow monsters," Levin scoffed, rolling his eyes.

Alex said "Yes, actually and the reason I didn't tell you is because you wouldn't have believed me."

Levin frowned, his frustration evident. "How do you know?"

"Because you still don't believe me," Alex replied.

Levin sighed, rubbing his eyes. He seemed calmer, though still wary. "Look, I have to close up soon. You should just get whatever you came for. Unless..."

Levin looked directly into Alex's eyes, his expression softening slightly.

"Unless... you're ready to tell me what's going on. And I mean everything."

Alex hesitated, then nodded. "You'd actually listen if I told you what's really happening?"

Levin nodded, his eyes serious. "I promise."

"Alright," Alex said, motioning for Levin to follow him. "Come on. It's time I explained some things."

The two of them stepped outside the hardware store, the cool night air hitting them as they walked toward the vending machine. Levin grabbed a soda, the clink of the can echoing in the quiet parking lot. He propped himself against the wall, popping the tab and taking a sip.

Alex took a deep breath, trying to organize his thoughts. "It's kind of a long story, and I don't have a lot of time. So bear with me if I skip over some stuff."

Levin nodded, taking another sip of his soda. "I'm listening and bearing."

Alex took a deep breath and began recounting everything to Levin. He started with the truth about June's tragic death, then moved on to Alvin and Alice's mysterious disappearances, and finally, Dan's sudden vanishing and about the animal attacks. He detailed each harrowing event, sharing the nightmarish encounters and the relentless pursuit of the truth that had consumed him and his friends.

By the time Alex reached the part about the spider attack, Levin's brow was deeply furrowed, and he rubbed his forehead in consternation.

"You don't look like you believe me," Alex said, trying to read Levin's expression.

Levin sighed, shaking his head slightly. "I mean, look, I don't want to be the kind of guy who doesn't believe someone when they... But you have to admit this all sounds pretty... out there. Do you have some kind of... I don't know..."

Alex smiled knowingly. "Proof? Oh, look inside Leo's car. Just do it. I promise you're gonna believe everything I've told you in about ten seconds."

Levin frowned skeptically but pushed off the wall and strode toward the car. "So what? Is this the part where something jumps out at me and—"

Kyle, sprang up against the car window, his eerie grin pressing against the glass. Levin scrambled backward, tripping over his own feet, a look of sheer terror on his face.

"What the hell is that thing?"

"That's one of those dog things I told you about," Alex replied, struggling to suppress a grin.

"I know that, but you didn't tell me you took one home as a freakin' pet!" Levin exclaimed.

Alex shrugged. "I hadn't gotten to that part yet. But do you believe me now?"

Levin got up and sank back against the wall, clutching his chest as he tried to steady his breathing. "Well, I guess. Kimmy was acting weird then and now. But all this..."

Levin shook his head, tossing his empty soda can into the garbage with a clatter.

"But if things were this crazy, why the heck didn't you say something sooner?"

Alex sighed, the weight of unspoken truths pressing down on him. "I wanted to tell you, but when should I have done that? At the party? During the basketball game? Would you have believed me if I had texted you out of the blue?"

Levin looked at him, the frustration in his eyes softening a bit. "Okay, fair. There's really no good time to spring 'the monster talk,' is there? So tell me, what's the next step? I assume you're all here because you're about to run off and do something stupid?"

Alex hesitated, struggling with his words. Levin's gaze narrowed, sensing the unspoken truth. "And you know whatever it is, I'm gonna come along, right?"

Alex still didn't say anything, Levin glanced down, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. "But I can't?" he finally murmured,

Alex finally met Levin's eyes, a deep sadness in his expression. "You can't come because it has to be us."

Levin's brow furrowed. "Says who?"

"Ophelia. She gave us a sort of spell. We’re going to put a stop to this, but it only works if we're the ones doing it." Alex replied.

Levin crossed his arms, frowning deeply. "I really don't like this. I feel helpless."

Alex nodded, understanding his friend's frustration. "Yeah, I know that feeling. But I need you to trust me."

Levin ran a hand through his hair, clearly struggling to process everything.

"So, any other questions?" Alex asked.

"Honestly, about a million," Levin admitted, his voice heavy with resignation.

"You kinda just turned my world upside-down, but all that can wait. Seems like you've got enough to worry about right now."

"Thank you," Alex said, feeling a rush of gratitude.

"When all this is over, you can ask me anything you want. Thanks for hearing me out. Keeping all this a secret has been eating me up inside."

Levin smiled warmly and then Alex rejoined his friends inside the hardware store. He found Noah and Andy browsing in the center aisle, surrounded by an assortment of tools and supplies.

"How's it going?" Alex asked, trying to keep the mood light.

Noah looked up, a faint smile on his lips. "Andy's having way too much fun with this."

Andy, grinning, set down a jar of nails and turned to face them. "Hey man, I'm just trying to live out my cheesy action movie dreams here. Don't ruin it for me."

Suddenly, Andy's eyes lit up with excitement. He leaned in closer, his grin widening. "You know what I just realized? This is gonna be over tomorrow."

"Yeah, assuming we don't all die," Alex replied with a nervous chuckle.

"No, that's what I mean," Andy insisted.

"Demon Slayer's new season is going to start soon. There's no way I'm missing that. So we're definitely gonna win. I’m serious—what are you guys looking forward to? What have you been waiting for so hard it proves we're gonna live?"

Noah shrugged, his expression thoughtful. "I don't know. I haven't had much to look forward to lately."

Alex looked at him with concern. "There must be something. What about homecoming?"

Noah sighed. "I'm probably not going. Seems kinda pointless without a date, doesn't it? And I'm really not in a good place for that. Dating, I mean."

Andy clapped a hand on Noah's shoulder. "That's cool, dude. If it's not the right time, then it's not the right time."

"You shouldn't let that stop you from enjoying homecoming, though," Alex said.

Alex then continued with a smile. "We could all go together."

Andy's face lit up with enthusiasm. "Yeah, let's rent a limo! I've always wanted to do that."

Noah's eyes brightened, a genuine smile spreading across his face. "That sounds really fun. But what about you, Alex? Gonna ask someone to homecoming?"

Alex paused, considering the question. He glanced around at his friends, feeling a mix of uncertainty and determination.

"I... I don't know. I mean, there is someone I've been thinking about asking, but I'm not sure if it's the right time. Especially with everything that's going on."

Andy nudged him playfully. "Come on, man. Life's too short to wait for the perfect moment. If you like someone, go for it."

Noah nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Alex. You never know what might happen."

Alex smiled, feeling a bit more encouraged. "Thanks, guys. I guess we'll see how things go. But first, let's focus on not dying tonight."

Alex took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest, and found Ava in the next aisle inspecting a length of bike chain. Steeling himself, he approached her.

"Ava, can I ask you something?"

Ava glanced up, curiosity lighting her eyes. "Yeah, sure, why not?"

Alex swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the moment. "Uh, no. I was going to ask... do you want to go to homecoming?"

Ava paused, a sly smile spreading across her lips as she set the bike chain back on the shelf. She turned to Alex, her eyes twinkling.

"Do I want to go to homecoming in general? Nah. But with you? Yeah, I could do that."

Relief and joy flooded through Alex, and he impulsively hugged Ava. As he pulled back, he grinned. "So, hey, does this mean I’ll get to see you in a pretty dress?"

Ava laughed, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Hell no. I’m gonna wear a dress so hot your eyes will explode."

Alex laughed. "Okay, it’s settled then."

Feeling a weight lifted, Alex rejoined Noah and Andy, who were still browsing the store. He found Noah looking thoughtfully at a wall of power tools.

"So, you gonna buy anything?" Noah asked, glancing at Alex.

Alex shrugged. "I’m not sure... what kind of weapon do you use against an army of undead plant monsters? I will probably go with stick and stones."

Noah then pointed behind Alex, where a 'Now in stock' sign hung next to a pole saw. Alex examined it and took it down, the weight and balance feeling just right in his hands. A sense of determination surged within him.

Ava came around the corner, practically bouncing on her feet with excitement. "Wow, a chainsaw on a stick! Please tell me you’re gonna buy it."

Noah nodded in agreement. "You should totally get it. This thing will tear through those plant monsters like they’re nothing. Way better than my weapon."

Alex grinned, feeling a thrill of anticipation. "Yeah, no way I’m passing this thing up."

Ava grinned, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Yess... you're gonna let me borrow it sometime, right?"

Noah raised an eyebrow. "Woah, for what? You got some landscaping to do?"

Ava shrugged, her grin widening. "If it means I get to swing stuff like that around, I'll find something to landscape."

Alex chuckled, shaking his head as he rejoined the rest of his friends at the front of the store. He got in line behind Andy, who was paying for a large crowbar. Andy turned and stopped short, his eyes widening as he saw Alex holding the pole saw.

"Whoa, that's a big gun," Andy said, his voice filled with admiration.

Leo, standing nearby, nodded in agreement. "So, everybody set?"

Alex glanced around at his friends, a determined look on his face. "Let's do this."

Levin, who had been watching from behind the counter, frowned, his expression troubled. "Hey, please be careful."

Alex met his gaze. "I will. I promise."

Turning away, Alex and his friends walked out into the night, their footsteps echoing in the quiet parking lot. They piled into Leo's and Kimmy's cars, the engines rumbling to life as they drove towards Alex's house. The night was dark, the moon casting a silvery glow over the landscape as they navigated the empty streets.

When they arrived, they parked near Alex's house and got out, the cool night air biting at their skin. Alex led the way, taking the back roads until they stood at the edge of the dark woods once again.

Noah looked around, his face tense with apprehension. "Hope this goes better than last time."

Alex clutched the paper with Ophelia's instructions, reading through them for the tenth time. The words were etched into his mind, but he needed the reassurance.

"We've got to leave one goblet at the entrance to the ruins. Ava and I will take care of that, then meet the rest of you at the clearing."

The group nodded, determination etched on their faces. They knew what was at stake and they were ready to face whatever came their way.

Leo gave a resolute nod. "Sounds like a plan."

Ava glanced around, her gaze sharp but warm. "Be careful, guys. Watch out for those gross skeleton monsters."

Kyle, looked up at Ava with wide, innocent eyes he thought she didn't like him.

Ava's smile softened as she addressed him. "Of course you're not gross, Kyle! Those other skeletons are way less cute than you."

Kyle’s bony tail wagged energetically, his grin widening. He gave a playful bark, clearly pleased by the compliment.

With a collective nod, Alex and his friends began their trek into the woods. The dark forest loomed around them, the trees casting long, twisting shadows that seemed to writhe with every gust of wind. Alex took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead, and followed his friends into the dense underbrush.

Ava and Alex, each holding one of the goblets, felt the weight of their mission pressing heavily on their shoulders. The goblet in Alex’s hand trembled slightly, a physical manifestation of the nervousness he felt. His fingers gripped it tightly, knuckles white.

Suddenly, Alvin stepped up beside them, stifling a yawn. Without warning, he reached out and snatched the goblet from Alex’s hand. Alex looked at him, bewildered.

“What are you doing, Alvin?” Alex asked.

Alvin’s gaze was steady, his movements calm despite the urgency of their task.

“I’ll handle this. I’ll take the goblet to the ruins. See you at the clearing.”

With that, Alvin turned and headed toward the ruins, the dim light from his lantern casting fleeting shadows on the overgrown path. Alex and Ava watched as he disappeared into the darkness, a mix of relief and apprehension settling over them.

...

After a brief detour, Alvin rejoined his friends in the clearing. Andy, who was scanning the perimeter with a wary eye, looked up as Alvin approached.

“Run into any trouble?” Andy asked.

Alvin shrugged, his expression relaxed. “Nope. All clear.”

Alex then carefully set the second goblet down on the ancient stump at the center of the clearing. The clearing, bathed in the eerie light of the moon, was thick with tension as the group prepared for the ritual.

Lucy, her brow furrowed in concern, turned to Ava.

“So, what exactly do we do?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ava glanced at the scattered papers in her hand, her expression focused. “Looks like two people need to read the incantations written here. As soon as we start the spell, Dylan will be drawn toward this clearing. We light the goblet of fire, which somehow ignites the other goblet. The two flames will form a bridge that channels Dylan into the ruins. Then, when the flames go out, he’ll be sealed inside.”

Alex nodded, gripping his pole saw with a determined grip. “So who wants to read the words? You’d have to get through the whole spell, and Dylan will do whatever he can to stop you.”

Lucy stepped forward, her gaze steely. She looked at Kimmy, who had just emptied her purse onto the ground, filling it with large rocks. She hefted it experimentally, a grim smile on her face.

“I’m not gonna do it. I’ve got some anger to work out.”

Leo took a deep breath, his resolve clear. “Okay, I’ll do it. Just make sure no one tries to attack us.”

Alvin clapped Leo on the back. “I’ve got your back and your sides too.”

Alex looked around, ensuring everyone was in place. They arranged themselves in a loose circle around the stump, their faces illuminated by the flickering light of their lanterns and the ghostly glow of the moon. Lucy and Leo took their positions at the center, preparing for their roles in the ritual.

Lucy’s eyes swept over the group, her voice steady despite the tension. “Is everyone ready?”

Alex adjusted his grip on his pole saw, his face set in a mask of concentration. Andy, his crowbar held firmly, stood by his side. Kimmy, with her rock-filled purse, was ready for any threats that might arise.

Noah clutched a sturdy branch, his eyes scanning the surrounding darkness. Ava, her long knife drawn and ready, maintained a vigilant stance.

Dwayne, Kevin, Shoyo, and Alice, each armed with long wooden sticks, formed a defensive perimeter. Alvin, bouncing on the balls of his feet, looked ready for action, while Claire, stretching slightly, held her pistol with a determined grip.

The clearing was silent but for the distant rustling of leaves and the occasional hoot of an owl. The stakes were high, and each member of the team understood the gravity of their task. The night was their stage, and the ritual was about to begin.

Noah watched Claire as she twirled her gun in her hands, her fingers dancing with the weapon like she was auditioning for a circus act. He raised an eyebrow, curiosity etched across his face.

"Woah, is it really okay to be playing with a gun like that? Are you even legal to carry one?"

Claire grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Well, technically I'm not, but as a detective, I have a few exceptions. So, yes, I am allowed to play with my little toy here."

Alvin, who had been silently watching from the sidelines, shifted his gaze to Claire. There was a note of concern in his eyes that Claire immediately picked up on.

"What?" Claire asked, she was more curious than annoyed.

Alvin's voice was laced with genuine worry. "I'm just worried about you."

Claire's cheeks flushed a delicate shade of pink. She could hardly believe that Alvin was actually concerned for her well-being—it almost seemed like a prank and felt almost absurd, like something out of a cheesy romance novel. Trying to regain her composure, she cleared her throat and stammered, "You don’t have to worry about me. I’m perfectly fine."

Alvin took a step closer, causing Claire’s blush to deepen. Her heart raced as she looked up into his dark eyes. She found herself captivated by the intensity of his dark eyes.

Alvin's voice softened, but his concern was unmistakable. "But I do worry."

Claire, struggling to maintain her bravado, averted her gaze. She wanted to say something sweet, something that might melt the apparent concern in his eyes, but instead, she puffed up her chest and pouted. "Don’t be stupid. I’ll be perfectly fine.

She glanced back at Alvin, her eyes searching for words. "Why are—"

Alvin’s calm, almost clinical response cut through her thoughts. "I’m worried that in the middle of a fight, you might accidentally shoot one of us. Your accuracy is the worst and could use some work."

The comment hit Claire like a tidal wave, washing over her with sudden clarity. She felt her cheeks burn hotter.

Her eyes narrowed as she processed his words. "Oh, yeah? Well, you good for nothing moron. You’ll be the first one I aim for."

Alvin sighed deeply, his shoulders slumping as the weight of his concern became evident. His dark eyes softened, revealing a rare glimpse of vulnerability.

"Claire, please, use the gun only when we’re truly cornered. If you can, try to avoid using it altogether. I just... I can’t shake the feeling that if you don’t get a better handle on it, it could put us all at risk."

Claire slid the gun into her pocket with a resigned huff, the movement accompanied by the soft clink of metal. She pouted, her lips jutting out in a frustrated manner.

"Fine," she muttered.

The blush on her cheeks had faded, replaced by a determined glint in her eyes as she tried to mask her true feelings behind a facade of exasperation.

Alex clapped his hands together, the sound sharp in the cold, tense air. "Okay, I hope everyone’s ready. And one last thing!"

His voice softened with warmth, a rare moment of sentimentality. "I love you guys."

Ava wrinkled her nose in mock disgust, her smile betraying her true affection. "Barf."

Lucy, taking a deep breath to steady herself, began the incantation. Her voice was steady, but the words carried a sense of urgency. "Power of glorious song of all that grows."

Leo stood beside her, his presence a solid anchor. He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder and picked up the next line. "By right of our covenant, we summon thee."

As the final words echoed through the clearing, Alex’s grip on his weapon tightened. A frigid wind swept through the area, stirring the leaves and carrying with it eerie growls and the gnashing of unseen teeth.

"Alright, listen up!" Alvin’s voice cut through the growing chaos.

"We have to protect Lucy and Leo, no matter what. Otherwise, all of this will be for nothing."

Beside Alex, Kyle with mossy hackles, let out a menacing roar. His eyes blazed with an unnatural fire, a chilling warning of the danger that was closing in.

Lucy continued the chant, her voice unwavering despite the growing tension. "Come before us..."

Dark shapes began to slither through the undergrowth, their amber eyes glowing ominously from the shadows of the trees. The oppressive silence was broken only by the sounds of their creeping advance.

From the edge of the clearing, a larger shape emerged, its form partially illuminated by the moonlight. The figure’s face came into view, and surprise rippled through the group.

Andy exclaimed in disbelief, "Wait a second, is that—?"

Alex’s shock was evident as he stared at the figure. Alvin, noticing the newcomer before anyone else, tilted his head in confusion, debating whether to attack. He hesitated, wondering if Alex knew him and if his presence was a threat or an ally.

The figure’s lips curled into a knowing smile, adding an unsettling layer to the already tense atmosphere.

"Looks like I stumbled into a loser convention haven't I?" Mateo asked grinning.