Vivian walked calmly through the streets of New Jersey while the wind gently moved her bright red hair.
People's eyes naturally followed her.
It was hard not to notice her.
Athletic.
Intense green eyes.
Tight jeans and a dark jacket that emphasized her figure even more.
Several guys tried approaching her as she walked down the sidewalk.
One gave her a nervous smile.
Another tried making a joke.
One even directly asked for her number.
Vivian simply smiled politely.
—Sorry. I already have a boyfriend.
A lie.
But it worked quickly.
She kept walking without stopping for long.
She sighed softly.
Her mind was still stuck on the letter.
On the warning.
On that sentence:
—"There's no turning back."
The more she thought about it…
The more true it felt.
Ever since that night in the forest, everything had changed.
She could no longer ignore it.
Monsters existed.
And they were close.
Very close.
Eventually, she arrived in front of Brittany's house.
A quiet house in a normal neighborhood.
Far too normal for everything that was happening.
Vivian walked up the porch steps and rang the doorbell.
A few seconds later, the door opened.
An older woman appeared on the other side.
She smiled lightly when she saw her.
—Oh, Vivian. What a surprise.
Vivian returned the smile politely.
—Hello, Mrs. Megan. It's nice seeing you again.
The woman let out a small laugh.
—Vivian, you can just call me Megan.
Vivian nodded slightly.
—I understand.
Megan was about to call Brittany, but before she could—
—Vivian?
Brittany walked toward the entrance.
Her expression showed surprise.
But also something else.
Concern.
As if she already knew Vivian hadn't come just for a visit.
The two girls stared at each other for a few seconds.
Then Brittany spoke quickly:
—Mom, I'm going out for a walk with Vivian.
Megan looked at them for a moment before nodding.
—Don't come back too late.
—We won't.
The two girls left the house while the door closed behind them.
They walked in silence for a few seconds.
Finally, Brittany spoke.
—What happened?
Vivian slowly pulled the letter from her jacket pocket and handed it to her.
Brittany took it.
Her eyes slowly moved across every line.
And as she kept reading…
Her expression became more serious.
She frowned slightly.
—So that's why you came…
Vivian nodded.
—That clown was near my location. That's why he sent me this letter.
Brittany slowly folded the paper.
—And the twins?
Vivian shook her head.
—I haven't seen them in days.
Jack and Justin had practically disappeared after the incident at school.
Although technically…
The flooding had damaged several parts of the school, and the principal had announced a temporary closure. Most students were actually happy about the unexpected break.
But even so…
That didn't reassure either of them.
Ever since those twin brothers arrived, they had only focused on the two of them.
Vivian and Brittany had seen Chloe and Madison reject them before the twins shifted their attention toward them instead.
And now the clown's letter had specifically warned them to stay away from them.
They continued walking through the streets while several people discreetly glanced at them.
It wasn't surprising.
Brittany attracted attention too.
Long black hair.
Hazel eyes.
Delicate features.
And a calm beauty that completely contrasted Vivian's more intense presence.
Eventually, they entered a small café near downtown.
The place smelled like fresh coffee and sweet bread.
Normal people talking about normal things.
That only made everything feel even stranger.
The two girls ordered drinks and sat near the window.
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.
Until Brittany finally broke the silence.
—Tell me something, Vivian…
She slowly raised her eyes.
—Do you think that clown will really keep his word?
Vivian stayed quiet for a few seconds.
—What promise?
—The one about leaving us alone if we stay out of his business.
Silence.
Vivian looked down at the coffee in front of her.
Thinking.
Remembering.
The forest.
The blood.
The Skinless Ones.
And that figure laughing in the darkness.
Finally, she spoke.
—Honestly…
She slowly raised her gaze.
—I don't know.
Brittany stayed silent.
Vivian continued.
—But ever since we saw things we never should've seen…
Her voice lowered slightly.
—There's no turning back.
Brittany looked away slightly.
Vivian kept speaking.
—Besides… he had many chances to hurt us.
She remembered the alleyway.
The organization.
That night.
—And he didn't.
Her green eyes locked onto Brittany's.
—I think if he truly wanted to hurt us… he already would have.
Silence.
Brittany breathed slowly.
—I understand…
Then she lowered her eyes toward the letter.
—We should probably warn Madeleine and Ana about this too.
Vivian nodded.
—Yeah.
—I'll go with you.
A small smile appeared on Vivian's face.
But then—
She felt something.
Her body tensed slightly.
She slowly turned her head toward the café window.
And she saw them.
Two eyes floating in the distance.
One yellow.
One green.
Watching them from outside.
Vivian froze.
Brittany immediately noticed her reaction.
—What is it?
Then she followed Vivian's gaze.
And she saw them too.
The eyes glowed in the distance like two unnatural lights staring directly at them.
And then—
Confetti slowly began falling outside the café.
Small colorful pieces drifting through the wind.
The people around them didn't seem to notice it at all.
As if it existed only for the two of them.
Brittany felt a chill run down her spine.
Vivian slowly narrowed her eyes.
And outside—
Far away from the café—
Ryan sat on the edge of a rooftop, watching them from the distance while the wind slightly moved his dark hoodie.
A grin spread beneath the shadow of his hood.
—Good…
He let out a small laugh.
—That little scare should be enough for today.
His eyes glowed faintly in the darkness.
—Now it's time to eliminate more of its subordinates.
His smile widened.
—I hope that entity enjoys watching itself lose all of them.
He slowly stood up.
And disappeared from the rooftop.