Chapter One: Summer of ’97

It’s the kind of summer that feels endless. The kind where your sneakers scuff the cracked sidewalks, the air smells like warm asphalt, and the arcade across from the Blockbuster glows with neon until midnight. You’re fifteen, and though nothing much ever happens in this town, something about this summer feels… different.

Your friends say the same thing—though they don’t always admit it.

Cory, with his neck-length wavy hair and too-honest mouth, leans against the arcade wall, flicking his quarter between his fingers like he owns the place. “I swear, if I see another clown poster outside the carnival ad, I’m moving states,” he mutters. He says it jokingly, but you know he isn’t kidding.

Veronica rolls her eyes, brushing a dark strand of highlighted hair from her face. She’s funny, sarcastic, but always the one who notices the details no one else does. “Don’t be such a baby. It’s just a poster. Unless…” she smirks, lowering her voice, “…there’s something in the dark behind it.”

Cory swats at her shoulder, annoyed, but you catch the twitch in his jaw.

Vincent, adjusting his glasses for the third time in five minutes, pipes up. “Urban legends always start like this, you know. Posters, rumors, someone missing. Then bam—next thing you know, you’re a campfire story.” He laughs nervously, though he’s clearly half-serious.

And Giselle, tall and confident, smacks a soda straw against his arm. “Don’t scare yourself, Vincent. You’re way too jumpy.” Her grin softens as she turns toward you. “So, what’s your take? Creepy coincidence, or something’s actually happening in this town?”

Because the truth is—kids have been going missing. Posters stapled to telephone poles. Bicycles left on curbs. Everyone whispers about it, but nobody really talks about it. Not the adults. Not even the kids… except your group.

The rain starts suddenly, summer-heavy and fast. The five of you run under the arcade’s awning, laughing as thunder rattles in the distance. But then—

You hear it.

A faint laugh. High-pitched. Childlike. Echoing down the street, even over the storm.

Cory stiffens. Veronica tilts her head. Vincent swallows hard, his eyes flicking toward the gutter where water rushes. And Giselle… Giselle grabs your arm lightly, grounding you.

The laughter comes again.

Somewhere in the dark, something is waiting.