I pulled into the driveway with all the windows and doors locked. Mom's Corvette was parked in my spot, so I parked susunod to it. Unlocking the door, I slowly stepped onto the gravel in my beat up sneakers; grabbing my bag before I shut and locked the door. I walked into the front entrance of my house to find my mom and Dylan on the couch. “Mom, I'm home.” I sinabi loud enough for both of them to hear.
“Oh, uh hi dear. How was your day?” My mom asked be as she got up from the couch, patting her frizzy hair down and straightening her shirt. “Dylan was going to stay for dinner. We brought Chinese food.”
“Good thing you bought pagkain because the cupboards are bare. You really need to go grocery shopping.” I shrugged out of my dyaket and placed my bag on the end table.
“Yes, I was meaning to go shopping, but then I ran into Dylan and we got to talking. He bought us lunch, then we went to his music studio in the susunod town. How about we go eat. You look like you're starving.”

We went into the dining room where a big paper bag was waiting. I opened it and smelled the contents. “Yum, we haven't had this in a while.” I said. The truth was, we hadn't had Chinese pagkain since mom brought tahanan Jackson, her nakaraan boyfriend. My mom took the pagkain out of the bag, while I got some plates. Dylan was behind my mom's already pulled out chair, waiting for her to take a seat. She took a upuan and thanked him. I took my usual upuan on the opposite side of the mesa and Dylan sat beside my mom. “So, Julie, what grade are you in now? Grade 11? 12?” Dylan asked me as he passed the rice.
“I'm in grade 11.”
“Are you interested in music? Because, as you now know, I own the music studio in East Wood.”
“I've played the gitara and drums since I was 7 if that counts.” Just then, I got a text. I pulled my phone out of my back pocket and flipped it open. It was from Brett:
“They know where you are. See you soon.”
What was wrong with this guy? Was he trying to freak me out? 'Cause it was working. “What's wrong?” my mom saw the look on my face.
“Nothing.” I put my phone back in my pocket and continued eating.


After the dishes were done and Dylan was gone, I went to my room and sat on the edge of the bed. I opened my phone and texted Sophie.
“Hey, what's new?”
I waited for a response. But got none. That wasn't like her, when I texted her it was a matter of minutos before she replied. I got up and walked over to the window. Throwing open the silk curtain, I let the cool breeze flow through my hair. I was enjoying the calming air when I noticed something in the bushes. I squinted to get a better look, but all I could make out was a large black shape with glowing yellow eyes. What is that? I turned around to look for a flashlight and when I turned back, it was gone.