Flashback:
Ron stood at his locker, his heart racing. He'd been dreading this moment all day, knowing that the bully would be waiting for him after class. As he opened his locker, the bully sneered at him, a group of his friends standing behind him.
"Well, well, well, look who it is," the bully said, a smirk on his face. "I thought I told you to stay out of my way, freak."
Ron felt his anger rising, but he forced himself to stay calm. "I didn't stand in your way" Ron speaks.
"You're thinking high of yourself freak" the bully taunted.
"You're only angry because I'm the best student in basketball, get over it" Ron retorted.
"Hah, you think you're so great just because you're good at a stupid game?" the bully scoffed.
Ron felt the words like a knife to the gut. He knew the bully was just trying to get a rise out of him, but the words still stung. Taking a deep breath, he tried to stay calm.
"You're nothing but a talentless bully who will never beat me in the game," he said, looking the bully in the eye.
Just then, a punch landed on his face. The bully had hit him.
A wave of anger and rage took over Ron, his eyes turned black which he successfully hid from everyone present. His hands found their way to the boys neck.
Ron's hands trembled as he felt the energy coursing through his body. It was like nothing he had ever experienced before, and he could barely control it. With a surge of strength, he threw the bully across the room, the boy hitting the wall with a loud thud.
Ron stared at his hands in shock. He had no idea what had just happened.
The next day, Ron was called into the principal's office. The principal, a stern-looking man with a serious expression, stared at Ron over his desk.
"You've been accused of attacking another student," the principal said, his voice hard. "Is this true?"
Ron felt his heart sink. He knew he couldn't deny what had happened, but he also knew that it had been an accident. He opened his mouth to explain, but no words came out.
"I... I didn't mean to," Ron finally managed to stammer out. "I don't know what happened. I felt this surge of energy, and then the next thing I knew, he was on the ground."
The principal frowned, his eyes piercing into Ron's. "I'm sorry, but I can't just take your word for it. You could have seriously injured the other student."
Ron felt a pit in his stomach. He knew he had to do something to prove his innocence, but he had nothing to prove.
Ron's father withdrew him from the school, not wanting him to be a danger to the other students. After that, he never joined a basketball team or any other team again. It was like he had become a social outcast. He spent most of his time alone in his room, trying to make sense of what had happened. But the more he thought about it, the less he understood. It was like he had become a different person that day, and he didn't know how to go back, dreading himself, his powers and the thought of being a freak.
Soon he drifted out of the memory lane.
Lila couldn't wait to inform Jeremy and Matt about the trip. Getting home, she tells them and they spend the rest of the evening talking about Crestville city and the mission.
The next day, they all met up at the institute, ready to embark on their mission. There was a bus already prepared for them. For a three day trip Christine sure had a lot of luggage.
Christine's luggage was overflowing with supplies, much to the amusement of her teammates. "You've got enough stuff there to last a week!" Matt said, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm prepared for anything," Christine said, a hint of pride in her voice. "You never know what you'll need when you're out in the field."
"Well, let's just hope you don't have to carry all that by yourself," Jeremy said, giving her a smile.
It was a long journey. Christine and Lila kept everyone entertained by singing songs, while Ron sat back and enjoyed the show. Shane was engrossed in a book, not paying much attention to the rest of the group. Mark kept his eyes on the road, while Isabel slept soundly. Despite the monotony of the journey, the group was in good spirits, knowing that the destination was worth the long trip.
Finally, they arrived at their destination - Crestville city. They located a hotel and lodged there.
After checking into the hotel, the team gathered in the lobby to discuss their plan of action. "So, what's the game plan?" Ron asked, looking around at his teammates.
"We should see if we can find any clues about what's been going on here," Mark said, taking charge. "We can meet back here in a few hours and compare notes."
"That sounds like a good plan," Shane said, nodding in agreement.
Sorry, my bad! Let's see where this takes us, shall we?
Ron and Lila headed west, towards the woods and the lake. The scenery was beautiful, but there was an undercurrent of unease in the air. The trees seemed to whisper, and the water lapped at the shore in a sinister way. But they pressed on, determined to find out what was happening in this strange town.
Meanwhile, Shane and Isabel headed north, towards the town center. They passed by shops and houses that were all shuttered and dark. It was like the whole town had been abandoned.
While Lila and Ron made their way through the woods, a heavy silence hung between them. They both walked with their heads down, carefully picking their way through the undergrowth. The only sound was the rustling of leaves and the soft crunch of twigs underfoot. The air was thick and still, and the only light was the weak rays of the sun filtering through the dense canopy of leaves. The atmosphere was so quiet and heavy that it was almost suffocating. That continued for a few more minutes before Lila decided to speak.
"It's so quiet here," Lila said, her voice breaking the silence. "It's like the woods are holding their breath."
Ron looked at her, his face serious. "Yeah, it's weird. Do you really think something's out there?"
Lila shrugged, her eyes darting around the trees. "I don't know. It could be nothing, or it could be something. But it's definitely making me uneasy." She paused, taking a deep breath. "I know we're supposed to be on the lookout for clues, but do you mind if we look for clues and just keep walking for a bit? I think I could use some fresh air."
"There's nothing to be afraid of mi amor" Ron said in a rather serious tone.
"no soy tu amor(I am not your love in Spanish)" Lila said rolling her eyes.
"Oh, Ella habla!(oh, she speaks!) Ron exclaims in surprise.
Don't flatter yourself, love," Ron said, a grin on his face. "I call every female that, you're not special."
Lila rolled her eyes and scoffed. "Oh, please. You're not as charming as you think you are, Romeo."
Ron clutched his chest, feigning offense. "Ouch! That stung. You wound me, mi amor."
"Don't call me that," Lila said, though the corners of her mouth twitched upward. "We're a team, not a couple."
Ron laughed, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Aww, come on, you know you secretly like it."
"Did you just laugh?" Lila asked in disbelief.
"No I did not" Ron replied trying to hide it.
"You did" she pressed on.
"No, you saw wrong" he said giving her the usual cold stare.
"I think you should smile or laugh more often. It makes you look cuter" she says.
"Wait…you think I'm cute" Ron says looking at her.
"No I don't think you are cute at all" she said in denial.
"I think you're hot" she murmured to herself.
Ron heard her, though she had said it quietly, and he felt his cheeks flush. "Did you just say...I'm hot?" he began, unsure of what to say next.
Lila's eyes widened, realizing she had spoken her thoughts out loud. "Oh my gosh, "I said I think you are hot-headed" Lila said laying emphasis on hot-headed.
Ron gave her a knowing look and a smile. Once again, she's lost not only in his eyes but his smile.
"He's just so cute" she thought.
Ron couldn't help but chuckle. "It's okay, I won't hold it against you," he said, trying to ease the tension.
"She thinks I'm cute and hot" he murmured with a smile as they continue strolling through the woods.
At this point he forgot he was Ron. This was the first time he smiled genuinely in a long time. Normally, He wouldn't do that but she made him.
Something about Lila made Ron feel different, more carefree. She brought out a side of him that he didn't even know existed. He felt comfortable in her presence, and her smile made him feel at ease. He had never had a friend like her before, and he wasn't sure what to make of it. But for now, he decided to just go with it and enjoy the moment. After all, it was nice to smile, and to be around someone who made him feel good.
As they walk further, they see traces of a demon's presence in the woods and become alert, ready to fight.
"I guess we found our demon" Ron said looking at Lila".
"I guess so," Lila replied, her grip tightening on her weapon. "Though I have to say, this doesn't feel quite right.
"I know what you mean," Ron said, his eyes scanning the surrounding trees for any sign of movement. "But we can't turn back now. We have to keep going and be on our guard."
As they continued their walk, the feeling of unease grew stronger with every step.