"What is this? Mom, what are they talking about?" Riley demanded, storming through the door and shoving her phone toward her mother.

Olivia glanced up, startled. "What do you mean?" she asked, taking the phone from Riley's hands.

"Listen to this!" Riley tapped at the screen, her voice rising while doing it.

Olivia's face tightened as she listened. She took a deep breath and handed the phone back to her daughter. "I'm going to the police," she said abruptly, turning toward her bedroom. "This is the second strange thing that's happened this week."

"No, Mom, wait!" Riley followed her, her voice thick with desperation. "Tell me what they're talking about!"

Olivia didn't respond. She just kept walking, like she was determined to do something.

"Mom!" Riley shouted, her frustration spilling over. "Please! All my life, I've been wondering about my dad. This is the closest I've ever gotten to any answers, and now you want me to ignore it? Are they saying he's a murderer?" Her voice broke with a bitter laugh.

Olivia stopped abruptly and turned to face her daughter. "Don't listen to them," she said firmly. "They're trying to manipulate you, Riley. To turn you against me. I know more than they ever could. I'm your mother."

Riley's face hardened, her voice a flat echo of Olivia's words. "Yeah, and yet, they've mentioned him more than you ever have."

The words stabbed Olivia in the heart. She hesitated before speaking again, her voice softer now. "Sweetie, I love you. I don't want you to hate me for this. Do you know how long it took me to get over his death?"

Riley's breath caught in her throat as her Mother's words sank in. "He's... dead?" she whispered, stumbling back a step.

"Riley—" Olivia reached out, but her daughter pulled away, her eyes wide with shock.

"Is Lila's dad dead too? Or am I the only one with a dad who's just gone?" Riley's voice cracked.

Lila walked in late, the click of the door drawing both Riley and Olivia's attention. She paused, her smile fading away, when she noticed how her mother and sister looked both in shock.

"What's wrong?" Lila asked, her smile dropping completely.

Riley rather didn't answer, but instead, she rushed toward her sister, grabbed her arm, and dragged her down to her room. The door slammed shut behind them, leaving Olivia standing in the hallway, her face clouded with guilt before walking back into her room.

Inside the room, Riley spun to face Lila, her voice trembling. "Please tell me you didn't know anything about my dad."

"What?" Lila looked confused, shaking her head. "No. Of course not. I would've told you if I did. Why are you asking?"

Riley's breath hitched, and tears began streaming down her face. "He's dead, Lila," she choked out. "He's dead, and she never told me. I don't even know who he is. I don't know what he looks like. I don't know if he was murdered or if he's a murderer!" Her voice cracked as a sob escaped. "I just know he's gone. I'll never get to see him, and he'll never know me." Riley tries to breath, but holding herself.

Lila's expression softened, and she immediately pulled Riley into an embrace. "Oh, Riley, I'm so sorry," she murmured, holding her close. She cradled Riley's head against her shoulder, swaying gently side to side. "I'm so, so sorry."

Riley sobbed uncontrollably, clutching Lila tightly. "Why didn't she tell me?" she whispered through her tears. "Why would she keep this from me? Like, I know she through some stuff but I just wanted to know who dad was..."

Before Lila could respond, Olivia's muffled voice came from just outside the door. "Baby, I'm sorry. I really am. I swear I never meant to hurt you."

Riley stiffened, her tears momentarily halting as Lila keeps comforting her trying to help her sister stop crying.

"But I can't wait any longer," Olivia continued, she showed determined, "I'm calling some friends and heading to the police. Lock your door. Close the windows. Do everything I've taught you. Stay safe."

Her hurried footsteps ran down the hallway, followed by the sound of the front door closing.

Riley pulled away from Lila, wiping at her wet cheeks. "What does she mean, some friends?" she asked, her voice sounding a little clearer.

Lila frowned, glancing toward the closed door. "I don't know," she said quietly. "But, maybe it's relating to the attacks of Woodsboro. Or in other words where mom got attacked. And we're going to find out what happened."

(Author's Note: I know this chapter is short but cause I'm releasing another chapter today, and it's an attack scene who do you think is getting attacked?)