The incident at Ana's house appeared on every news channel.
Local.
Statewide.
Even a national one mentioned it briefly.
Four dead men.
A failed kidnapping attempt.
A "clown-costumed individual" as the central mystery.
The case became trending within hours.
As for Ana…
She was probably under protection now.
A watchful family.
Alert neighbors.
Police patrolling the area.
For now, that kept her off the board.
My priority remained someone else.
Vivian.
- - -
News Report.
—Last night, four individuals forced entry into a residence with the apparent intention of kidnapping a minor.
Blurry images of the house.
Police tape.
Flashing lights.
—According to the victim's statement, while she was gagged, a balloon floated out from the kitchen and circus music began to play. Shortly after, an individual dressed as a clown eliminated the four attackers in an extremely violent manner.
A brief pause.
—At the scene, authorities found a symbol: a smiling face drawn with blood.
The anchor took a breath.
—Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of a vigilante… or a potential serial killer.
The television turned off.
—Interesting.
"""
A gasp.
Vivian woke up abruptly.
The nightmare again.
The forest.
Breathing behind her.
The feeling that something was catching up.
She got up and walked to the bathroom.
Turned on the light.
In the mirror, her red hair fell over her shoulders like a calm flame.
Her green eyes still shimmered with tears.
Beautiful.
Vulnerable.
Exactly like in the dream.
She leaned on the sink.
—It was just a dream…
But she didn't fully believe it.
For a second, she thought she saw something behind her reflection.
A faint shadow.
She blinked.
Nothing.
She exhaled slowly.
The game was that night.
She had to focus.
- - -
Cafeteria.
The atmosphere was tense.
Not just because of the game.
Because of collective fear.
Whispers.
Comments about the case.
Exaggerations.
Absurd theories.
Madison walked beside Chloe.
Inseparable.
Madison saw me and said:
—Ryan.
I turned my head.
—Madison. Chloe.
—How are you? —Chloe asked.
—Fine.
—You were heading to the cafeteria, right? —Madison said.
—Yeah.
—So were we.
We walked together.
Light conversation.
Superficial.
But Madison watched me more than usual.
Curious.
From another table, Victor clenched his fist.
He didn't understand the scene.
It didn't fit his idea of hierarchy.
But that night, during the game, he would try to shine.
That much was obvious.
—Ryan… —Madison said suddenly.
I looked at her.
—It must have been hard… what happened to your parents.
A brief silence.
They weren't my parents.
But the file said they were.
There was no mockery in her eyes.
Only sincerity.
—I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable.
—It's fine —I replied calmly.
Madison smiled slightly.
—Then tonight I'm buying you something at the game. Whatever you want.
—Oh yeah?
—Yeah.
The bell rang.
As they walked away, Chloe asked:
—Why are you so interested in that guy?
Madison raised an eyebrow.
—I don't know… he's different.
And I was.
Just not in the way she imagined.
- - -
In a room lit by a single lamp, a map was spread across a table.
Seven photographs.
Madison.
Chloe.
Vivian.
Brittany.
Daisy.
Susan.
Sara.
A finger traced each image slowly.
—Very beautiful…
A smile.
—How fragile beauty is.
He picked up Ana's photo.
Studied it for a few seconds.
—You were lucky.
He set it down.
Then placed his hand over the stadium area.
—Clown…
His voice was calm.
—You've eliminated several of my pieces.
His fingers tightened slightly.
—But the Skinless One…
I didn't like that.
- - -
The sunset arrived without drama.
The sky turned soft orange and pink.
The school parking lot was full.
Parents stepping out of their cars.
Students laughing.
Little kids running around wearing team shirts.
The band practiced near the field.
The smell of fast food lingered in the air.
It was a normal night.
Too normal.
Vivian stood with the cheerleading squad near the tunnel.
Adjusting her uniform.
Smiling.
For the moment, she seemed relaxed.
Madison and Chloe were in the front rows.
Sharing fries.
Talking about something trivial.
I stayed nearby, close enough to observe without drawing attention.
Victor was warming up on the field.
Competitive.
Focused.
I spoke casually when needed, but my attention never relaxed.
The seats filled slowly.
The noise grew.
Laughter.
Applause.
Voices.
Beneath that orange sky…
Everything seemed perfectly normal.
For now.