[1983]

You had just moved to a small town on the west. As you drove into the town, you caught the welcome sign that was tagged with spray paint.

”WELCOME TO PIKE SOUND”

Pike Sound. It sounded a bit weird to you, but you’d adapt. The two-story house felt foreign to you compared to your old apartment. First street looked a postcard come to life. Everything was… new. It almost made you feel small and lost. Then your first day of school it.

Per usual, it sucked. Everybody had cliques and best friends. You were just the new kid. The bell gave its ear-shattering ring and the halls crowded with everybody elbowing and pushing. You made it to your locker, grabbing your books. Then… he hit you.

Silas Dogwood. You learned his name much later on, but you were starstruck immediately. The way his fluffy black hair hid his eye when he turned his head. The way he shoulder rubbed against yours. Everything about him made you shiver. And you couldn’t tell why. You stood there, shocked and flustered. He turned around and scowled.

“What’re you staring at?” he practically hissed. He vaguely reminded you of a black cat…