Sylvia's POV

*Tap tap...*

I hear some strange noises coming from my door. My drowsiness is what keeps me from noticing it.

*Tap tap...*

There it goes again. At this point, I already sat up from my bed.

*Tap tap...*

Now I know I wasn't imagining things. I got out off my bed stealthily  and went to the door. I just keep making tiny steps.

*Tap tap...*

I can feel my legs wobbling a bit. My chest starts to tighten like there's a large snake constricting it. My heart started beating louder like a volcano erupting in a continuous pace.

*Tap tap...*

For a second, I didn't realized that I already got a hold of the door handle. I let out a shaky breath, and then I decided to do what must be done.

I flew the door open and saw-

Nothing.

There was nothing. I look around the dark hallway that is being illuminated by the moonlight from the windows.

There was nothing but pure emptiness. No sign of life can be seen around the dark hallway.

I was about to close the door, but then-

*smash*

I heard the shattering of glasses from downstairs. I froze to my spot like a statue. Right now, I am contemplating whether I should go downstairs or not.

At the end, I decided to choose the first option. I took a knife out of my drawer and went out of my room. Dad wouldn't approve me keeping dangerous objects in my room. To tell the truth, I secretly bought the knife just for protection. I can't defend myself without any weapon, especially if there's already a killer running out there on the loose.

I crept down the stairs while paying full attention to my surroundings. The only thing I hear is the deathly silence that is all around the house. Combine the silence and the darkness of the house, and that may cause someone to be nerve-wrecked. As for me, the combination of those are driving me crazy. Paranoia started to crawl up to my skin. All the time, I was thinking that something might leap out of a dark corner and attack me.

I am now at the ground floor, and all I can see is the light-orange shine of the lights in the kitchen. A question has marked inside my mind: Who turned the lights on?

It's already 12 midnight. There's no way the twins or either Tyler could be awake at this time of the night. I gathered all of my bravery up, and so I cautiously went inside the kitchen. I look around. The large, black kitchen counter is normal. There are no open cabinets either from above the sink or under the counter. The chairs were all properly arranged also. All I can say is that, the kitchen seems normal.

Nothing out of the ordinary.

I turn around and started walking away when I felt something sharp slowly plunging itself to my left foot. I yelped in throbbing pain, feeling the sharp sensation of whatever has plunged itself into my foot.

I felt the blood oozing out. I look down and saw that there are few glass shards scattered around the smooth, shiny brown floor.

So that's where I heard the smashing sound of glass from upstairs a while ago.

"Someone might've broke inside the house." I muttered.

I cleaned all of the mess before leaving the kitchen. I closed the kitchen door behind me, but then I stopped right from my tracks.

*Pit pat pit pat pit pat...*

My ears detected light footsteps running from ahead. I think the footsteps stopped right in front of the main door.

It felt silent for who knows how long. My fear is almost at its peek. I can feel the chilling touch of dread brushing against my skin. It's like I am in some sort of 'do or die' situation. One wrong move, and I might face the consequences. That's what I'm afraid about right now. What if I done a wrong move? What if the intruder is already behind me, and yet, I still didn't bothered turning myself around? There's plenty of possibilities about my current situation right now. Who knows what might happen to me?

Just then, I hear light tapping sound coming from the front door. It always stops in threes before continuing again.

*Tap tap tap. tap tap tap. tap tap tap...*

It kept going on like that until it stops all of a sudden. I don't know if my imaginations are getting the better of me, but a half of me tells that this is all real.

I cautiously walk with a limp towards the front door where the tapping sounds had come from.  My grip on the knife is getting tighter each step I make. I kept going and going until I felt my hand gripping on the door knob. I didn't took further thoughts and flew the door open. I felt the cool breeze blowing at my face. I look around and saw nothing. Just the trees swaying eerily from the howling wind.

"You're getting paranoid Sylvia." I told myself.

I was about to close the door when I noticed something attached onto the door. I saw One small light green paper and one orange paper. I took both the paper up and found that there's a poor-written letter written on it.

I examined the light green paper first.

"Three days is enough, for the deadly games will now resume in a rough. I am the wolf, and you are the shepherd. Protect the sheep, and no blood will be seeped. I'll give you a hint if you care, so that you will not play the game in despair. Let's play the alphabet if you dare, the hint is two letter 'E' that'll give them a scare. Play fair, wise youth, for I'm—"

That is what's written on the green paper.

I read the orange paper next. And the words written on it sent chills down my spine.

"ALWAYS.WATCHING.YOU."

I let go of the papers and ran back upstairs. I do not know where my feet are gonna carry me, but I just keep on running. I ran and ran until I ended up in the twins' bedroom.

I locked the door and pressed my back to it.

I saw Molly and Holly sleeping peacefully on their separate beds. The colors within my face drained into that of black and white just to see the window beside them hanging open. The howling wind keeps entering inside the room.

I approached the window and took a peek. There was nothing out there. I closed the window shut. Any moment now, and I might go insane. How come the window was left open? I'm sure I had checked that a while ago while I was tucking the twins for bed.

As I tried to process my thoughts, my eyes caught something from the lamp table that is placed between Holly and Molly's respective beds. I walked closer, only to see another colored paper. It was a purple one. With trembling hands, I reached out for the paper.

"Two lovely doves sleeping."

Not able to stand this any longer, I tore the paper into pieces and threw it out the window. I went over to Molly's bed before laying beside her, struggling myself to fall asleep again.

______________________________________

It's 5:30 in the morning, and I haven't earned enough sleep that night. In order to clear my mind for a bit, I decided to go out and take a walk around the quiet town. I went to my room and changed my clothes. I put on a white t-shirt, white shorts and a pair of black sneakers matched with white socks before going out of my bedroom.

I went downstairs, only to set myself surprised just to see Tyler asleep on the couch. The green and orange paper are still lying on the spot right where I left them. I quietly went to that spot and picked the papers up. I proceeded to put the papers inside my pocket.

It's just a good thing Tyler didn't noticed those papers.

I took a sticky note from the kitchen counter, wrote a message for Tyler to read, and attached it on the fridge before leaving the house.

I felt the cool air swirling around me as soon as I step outside. The sun is already rising. But still, it's a bit dark outside. I closed the gate behind me before proceeding myself to walk down the quiet road that is surrounded by tall trees that continues to sway gently from the breeze. I just kept on walking. I felt my light blond hair swaying gently from the cool wind, but I didn't mind at all.

A moment later, I heard someone whistling out to me. I stopped to my tracks and looked from behind. A smile made its way across my lips as my eyes caught Jack jogging towards me while waving.vHe's wearing a pair of black jogging shorts, plain white t-shirt and black sneakers. There is also a white towel hanging on his shoulder.

"You're up early, princess?" He greeted me.

The thought about the kiss yesterday made its way inside my mind, but then again, I chose to ignore it.

"Same as for you, tough guy." I answered back playfully while giving him a light punch on the shoulder.

"Yep." He said with a chuckle. "So what's a little ding-dong doing here in this early morning? Hm?" He then asked.

"Nothing." I replied back with a grin, shrugging my shoulders. "Just wanna go for a walk. How 'bout you?" I then returned back the question to him.

"Nah. Just really got into the mood of making my feet do the hiking." He said. "So you wanna come with me? I'm gonna stop by a coffee shop. It's my treat."

"Sure." I simply replied without hesitations.
______________________________________

It didn't took long, and we've finally reached the coffee shop that Jack was telling me about. As usual, the small town looks deserted. Not even a single vehicle passed by the road.

"Why's this town so quiet?" I pondered. "It's like it was completely abandoned for a decade. This is like the quiet Tarry town near Sleepy hollow."

"Oh the headless horseman, Ichabod Crane, Katrina Van Tassel—" Jack in return, chuckled at his little joke. He shakes his head a bit, then answered. "Sylvia Savana. You gotta get used to this place. It's what makes Diamond field so memorable and unique!"

"A quiet town isn't unique." I corrected him.

"Comparing it to Tarry town isn't." He retorted back playfully while wriggling his eyebrows.

I shake my head, not able to contain a small laughter. "I hate you Jack." I said with a grin.

"And I'm still the best!" He boasted while flexing his arms exaggeratedly, making me give him a not so serious frown in return.

Being a fine gentleman that he is, Jack opened the door for me, which make me utter a 'thank you' to him.

The place looks quite huge and fancy.  The small red armchair is comfy-looking, and the black round table that has small white roses placed in expensive vases looks beautiful.  The japanese ceiling lamps looks cool, adding more beauty to the shop's interior.

We sat at one of the tables beside a large window. This is where I noticed the town's real beauty. It may look deserted, but something about Diamond Field made it look peaceful in its own way. The sun that started to settle up added more beauty to the view. I couldn't help but to feel mesmerized. Jack is right. Maybe I do need to adjust myself firmly around this place.

"So what do you wanna have?" I was cut off of my day dreamung to the husky voice of Jack. I turned to face him casually with a smile.

"cappuccino coffee will do." I answered.

"Then I'll order the same thing." He said, not taking off his genuine grin.

After we gave our order to the waiter, we had a normal conversation.

"It's a nice morning huh?" He said as he stares from outside.

"You said it." I agreed.

"So Ms. Hadenile said that the whole school will not have classes starting from tomorrow until 5 weeks." He announced.

"Huh? Why is it? She didn't told me anything about it.  I asked, my curiosity lighting up.

"All of the teachers, including the principal, will be having an important meeting." He answered with a shrug.

"Oh. That's quite odd." I bluntly replied back.

I let out sighed before looking out from the window once again.

"You know what Sylvia?"

"What is it?"

"I always have this feeling everytime when I'm with you."

"And what is that feeling?"

"The feeling that I am already falling in love for you."

My ears ticked at his words. I don't know if I heard it right, since my attention was focused from outside.

I turn to look at him my face scrunched up in curiosity and startlement.

"Wh-what was that?" I asked with a stutter.

"N-nothing! I said that I feel like I always enjoyed of hanging out with you. Th-that's all." He stuttered while forcing a smile.

I kinda let out a doubting look. I'm not sure if what he  said is the same from the previous one. My conversation with him was cut off when our coffees  have finally came. The rest of the time went on awkwardly.

______________________________________

??? POV:

Tyler had left the house for a while to fetch some groceries. One of Sylvia and Tyler's friend is the one who will look after me and my sister for a while.

"Girls. I'm just gonna watch tv from downstairs. You guys can do whatever you want. Just don't do silly things. And call me if you need anything. Alright? Good!" She said before going downstairs.

I grabbed my long meat hook that I'd hid inside my closet before going out my bedroom. I quietly crept downstairs and saw  her watching from the tv. I stealthily went up to her. I felt the adrenaline in me as I raise my hook. My addiction for blood started to function again. I was almost in plunging my hook to her when I heard the doorbell sound ringing around the house.

I quickly crouched behind the couch as she stood up to her feet. I quickly ran back upstairs when she left the house.

I almost had her! Well. Don't need to be too much frustrated. I still have plenty of time to finish her off.

______________________________________

Chantelle's POV:

"Sheena? Are you sure you're doing fine over there?"

I am currently in my family's grocery store. Right now, I'm walking down isle to isle with a shopping cart. I was filling up some of the product shelves with stuffs.

I phoned Sheena 'cause I haven't seen her for the past few weeks. No message, no call, or even just a voice mail from her.

"Yeah! Yeah! O-of course I'm fine." She replied in a hoarse voice.

"Really? Not even gonna buy it." I said, not sounding completely satisfied.

"Chant!" She uttered while letting out a chuckle. "I'm good, promise!" She insisted.

I know she's lying, but then again, I won't push her.

"Ok then. Just really wanna make sure you're not busting a leg over there. Goodbye." I said.

"Oh you little b*tch." She retorted back before letting out a laugh. "Ok ok. I'll see you soon. Goodbye!"

I hung up the call and resumed my work. Even though Sheena is assuring that there's nothing wrong going on around her, I still do not believe in her words. If she's really ok, she would at least send me a text. Yet, it's been few weeks with no signs from her, and I only managed to get in contact with her if it weren't for me making the first move. But then again, maybe I'm just really overthinking.

"Holy cow!"

I let out a light yelp right after I bumped into someone while I'm busy putting stuffs on the shelves. Some of the products I was holding within my arms fell to the floor.

Way to go Chantelle! You're now the worst employee of the month!

"Oh cr*p! I'm sorry. Let me help you."

I froze for a second to that familiar voice. I look up, and my eyes caught the sight of Tyler's angelic face.

"Chantelle?"

"T-Tyler?"

Without a word, he helped me get up to my feet. I do not know why I, but I felt this strange sensation inside my stomach. Butterflies? I'm not so sure. I can also feel my heart pounding 2 times faster than normal.

What's happening to me?

"Hey! It's nice to see you here!" Tyler exclaimed before tackling me with a hug.

I was startled, not fully expecting for him to do that. With a blank mind, I returned the hug.

"Hey. You alright?" He asked. "It's like you saw a ghost?" He added, his face that is full of curiosity won't falter.

I forced a smile before answering. "Sorry!" I apologized. "I'm just really shocked to see you here. Not expecting it." I added while letting out a slightly nervous chuckle.

"Surprise surprise!" He said humorously. "So is this your store? I saw your last name on the billboard for this store from outside."

I nod as an answer. "Technically, I don't personally own this store. It's my family's." I explained.

He nodded satisfyingly while looking around the place. "I see. So what're you doing?" He asked curiously.

"Grocery duty. Just putting these stuffs on the shelves." I answered while showing all of the products in my shopping cart. "What about you?" I returned the question.

"Just buying some groceries." He said. He then looked at his silver watch before looking back atback "Guess I gotta get going. Need to go home."

I smiled, patting him by the shoulder. "Sure. See you soon."

I then proceeded to walk away from him in order to resume my work. All the time, the strange sensation inside my stomach wont fade.

What's happening to you Chantelle?
——————————————————

Sylvia's POV:

Me and Jack already got out of the coffee shop. I was planning to go home now, but he insisted me to go to a quiet park with him for a while. It's only a 15 minute walk towards our destination, so it's no big deal for me.

After  while, we've finally arrived at our destinatiom. I've noticed that the park is still closed, base from the sign on the gate. As I'm taking my time checking the place out, I noticed Jack climbing on the brick wall, which makes me end up raising an eyebrow.

"Uh... Jack?" I called out to him while giving him an awkward look.

"Yeah?" He replied, not bothering to turn around and look at me as he proceeded to climb up the wall.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Entering the park. What else?" He simply answered.

"But the sign says it's closed." I retort back.

He finally got on top. His gaze soon met mine. He gave me a warm smile before speaking again. "Exactly." he said before lending me his hand.

I grabb hold of hand and climbed over the brick wall. He was the first one to jump down. He looked back up to me, not taking off his smile from his face.

He spread his arms before speaking. "Come on now. Jump. I'll catch you." He said while raising both his eyebrows up and down in a teasing manner.

I do as I have been told. He caught me by his arms with ease. Our eye soon met each other. My emerald ones are staring at his hazel irises intently. I felt my heart beating faster than before, which is strange. We both stayed in our position for who knows how long.

"Uhm... You can put me down now." I said as I noticed that Jack isn't still putting me down.

He gave me a sweet smile before doing what I told him to do. I do not know why, but he's acting weird today.

I followed him to where he was going, and we stumbled upon a beautiful tree. For me, this tree is different from the others around here. It has a much larger size, and it has different colors of flowers on it.

I sat under the tree, followed by Jack sitting beside me.

"This tree is beautiful." I complimented while staring up the tree in total awe.

"Yeah." He replied, his once smiling face soon faltered to a sad one. "This is where me and my dad used to play when I was little. We always visit this place. It's such a good memory. But that memory..." he paused. He then let out a sorrowful sigh, making me a bit uncomfortable. "It was a long time ago."

I sensed deep the sadness in his tone. I took a glance at him, and I was surprised to see few tears streaming down from his eyes. It is my second time seeing Jack in tears, and let me tell you, I am not fine about it.

"Dad changed ever since my mom left him with another man... I miss my old man." He said with sorrow in his tone. He lowered his head down a bit, sobbing quietly.

I lend my hanky to him. He declined my offer and just proceeds to stare from nothing. I hugged him real tight as I lay my head on his shoulder.

"You know what Jack—" I began. "Your dad can still change for the better. I know he's still the same loving father you once knew." I assured him.

"No Sylvia." He denied, shaking his head in disagreement. "That wouldn't happen anymore. He's different now. He won't be the same ever again."

"Don't be. People change. Don't deny it. What about you? You'd changed from a cold jerk into a fine gentleman. You don't need to rub the fact that your father isn't the same anymore. He's still the same loving father you knew. Prove me wrong." I said with a sense of pride and positivity in my voice.

I felt his warm arms wrapping around me ever so tightly. I smiled, returning back the embrace.

"Thanks Sylvia. You're really the best."

"Anytime, my friend."

______________________________________

After a while, it is time to go home. We went out of the park in silence. We just kept walking and walking, not even uttering a single word throughout the whole stroll. After 20 minutes, We've finally reached my house.

"It's nice to hang out with you again Sylvia. I had a great time." Jack told me with a smile.

"Yeah." I agreed. "Let's do this some other time."

I was about to open the gate when suddenly, Jheld me by the shoulder.

"Wait." I heard him from behind.

"What is it Jack?" I asked confusingly, now facing him.

"Answer my question honestly." He said, his expression turns that into a serious one.

"Ok. But promise me this isn't a---"

"Do you love me?"

I was left speechless at his sudden question.

What is he talking about?

"Wh-why?"

"Because of this."

I froze, not expecting the next thing to happen. Jackleaned in, and he kissed me on the lips quickly before pulling away.

Th-that was my first kiss.

I was paralyzed to where I am standing right now. My eyes are just focused to his. I can read the mesage within his gaze. It's full of love.

Is he already falling... for me?

There are various of questions raiding my mind, but I could not answer all of them.

"Sorry if that surprised you." He apologized, looking down in shame.

I'm still lost at words. My heart keeps beating faster than the average pump. I felt like my legs are gonna melt from its place.

And then, something snapped inside of him in order to panic. "I-I gotta go now!" He said in shaem before starting to run away from me.

"Jack! Wait!" I called out to him.

I tried to yell out his name to him numerous times, but he just kept on running, not even daring to look back at me.

I was left standing here motionless. I touched my lips lightly with my hand. Many questions still flooded my mind, but I still can't give any answers to any of them.

Jack... Are you really in love with me?

______________________________________

Aaannddd that's all for now. Hope you guys like the update.

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