"The Calm Before the Storm"

The streets were quiet as the group parted ways to head home, the weight of the recent killings hanging heavily in the crisp October air. Alex Harper adjusted his bag strap as he glanced back at his friends.

"Stay safe," Riley Connors called out, her tone firm, as if commanding fate to leave them alone for the night.

"I always do," Eli Sanders quipped, offering a half-hearted grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. Mara Turner gave Alex a long look, her journalist instincts itching to dig deeper into the chaos.

"You sure you don't want me to walk with you?" Mara asked, her voice tinged with concern.

Alex shook his head. "No, I'm good. We're all practically neighbors anyway."

Mara nodded reluctantly and headed off. Alex watched until everyone had disappeared into their homes before turning and walking into his own.

---

The night passed uneventfully, save for the faint hum of the wind outside Alex's window. By morning, the tension had shifted. Alex awoke to the sound of his younger sibling, Paige, sprawled out on the couch in their living room. The TV was blaring the infamous Stab, a dramatized, almost satirical take on the first Ghostface killings.

"Oh, come on," Alex groaned, rubbing his temples as he entered the room.

"This is a classic!" Paige defended, stuffing popcorn into their mouth. On-screen, the masked killer cornered their victim in an overly dramatic monologue riddled with clichés.

"It's garbage, and you know it," Alex replied. "They made this two years after the original murders. It's disrespectful."

Paige rolled their eyes. "Not everything needs to be deep, Alex. Sometimes it's just about the gore and the thrill."

Alex grabbed the remote and flipped the channel to the news. Paige groaned loudly, but Alex's attention was already fixed on the screen.

The anchor's voice was solemn: "Breaking news this morning: Local authorities are investigating the disappearance of Officer Daniel Marks. His patrol car was last seen in the vicinity of Maple Lane late last night. Officer Marks, who lived alone, has not been located, and his family has been notified. This is the latest in a string of troubling events plaguing the town in the lead-up to Halloween."

Paige sat up, their expression finally serious. "Wait… does that mean he's—"

"Missing," Alex said flatly, though the unease in his tone betrayed him.

The segment shifted to footage of Officer Marks' car, now absent from the scene. Alex stood abruptly and turned off the TV.

"Where are you going?" Paige asked, confused.

"To school," Alex replied. "Can't let Ghostface ruin my GPA."

---

The day at school began under a cloud of tension. Whispers and rumors filled the hallways as students speculated about the recent events. Teachers did their best to maintain normalcy, though their nervous glances betrayed them.

In the principal's office, a brief announcement came over the intercom during homeroom. "Students and staff, we understand that recent events have caused some concern, but rest assured, there is no danger. Halloween activities will proceed as planned. Thank you."

During lunch, Alex sat with Mara, Eli, and Riley at their usual spot near the library. Their voices were hushed as they debated the events.

"It's the same as the original killings," Mara said, her voice almost excited, as if piecing together a puzzle.

Eli frowned. "You sound too happy about that."

"It's not that," Mara defended. "It's just—this isn't random. Someone's trying to make a statement."

Riley rolled her eyes. "Or it's just some psycho with a death wish."

As their conversation continued, Alex's gaze wandered to the library doors. Inside, Noah Grant was meticulously stacking books onto a display labeled "Halloween Thrills: The Best Slashers". Alex excused himself and wandered in.

"Isn't this a little on the nose?" Alex asked, gesturing to the slasher-themed display.

Noah smirked but didn't look up. "The people want slashers, Alex. Who am I to deny them?"

The librarian picked up a thick volume and placed it on the shelf. "Besides, there's something fascinating about how these stories pull people in. The fear, the thrill, the unpredictability—it's primal."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "You really get into this stuff, huh?"

Noah shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. "It's just fiction." He glanced at Alex briefly, his gaze sharp yet unreadable. "Or is it?"

Alex couldn't tell if he was joking. Before he could respond, Mara called from the door, "Alex, come on! Lunch is almost over."

He turned back to Noah, but the librarian was already engrossed in his work, whistling an eerie tune as he restocked the shelves.

---

As the group walked back to their classrooms, the school bell rang, marking the end of lunch. Unbeknownst to them, Noah paused, staring at the display he had meticulously crafted. His hand lingered on the cover of a book with a knife on the cover, his expression unreadable.