I stood at the gravel road's edge, staring at the small, weathered signage. Through the dense bush that encircled it, the words "Welcome to Oakridge" were barely noticeable. As I took in the scene and its surroundings, a chill ran down my spine. I was returning to this forgotten corner of the earth in years, and a strange mix of nostalgia and apprehension surged within me.

My knuckles turned white as I tightened my grasp on the steering wheel. It had not been an easy decision to return to Oakridge. The draw of city life was its promises of success and excitement. The draw of city life was its promises of success and excitement. But there was something about my hometown that had always captivated me, like an unfinished story demanding to be completed.

Memories flooded my head as I drove by the familiar houses, their faded paint and creaking porches a witness to the passing of time. Days spent exploring pastures, nights spent watching stars glitter against a sky free of city lights. But underlying the memories lay a simmering discomfort, like a shadow waiting to emerge.

I parked my car on Main Street, a quiet street surrounded with abandoned businesses. The wind rustled through the cornfields that stretched into the distance, their golden waves shimmering in the setting sun. It was as if the town itself was holding its breath, as if it knew secrets lurking in its forgotten shadows.

When I shoved through the diner door, I was greeted by the familiar clang of the bell. An antique jukebox played an ominous tune and the aroma of coffee mixed with the aroma of newly cooked pie. Except for an elderly man sitting by the window, peering out into the quiet street, the diner was deserted.

I approached him cautiously, lured in by the aura of mystery that appeared to surround him. "Excuse me, sir," I muttered, barely noticeable above a whisper.

He turned to face me, his eyes filled with a mix of understanding and regret. "Ah, Miss Morgan," he murmured, his voice filled with a gravely depth. "You have returned just in time." My eyes widened at the sound of my name. "In time? For what?" The man in front of me abruptly stood up and walked out of the building. I tried to persuade the man not to go in order answer my questions but the mysterious man was gone, replaced with the sound of rustling leaves. Leaving me unanswered.

The sky was now a dark navy blue, its stars just beginning to shine. The moon's soft glow illuminated the town's old houses, each one standing silent and still. I notice a shadowy figure approaching me yelling my name, a familiar voice I hadn't heard in a long time.

"Emily?" I ask, my voice trembling.

"Yes," she answers. She takes a few steps closer, "you look different." I laugh. "Well, so do you. But what are you doing here?" Feeling of nostalgia she reaches her hand out and touches my cheek, the same way as she would do when we were kids back then.

"I came here for inspiration for my next novel to write and I wanted to see my best friend." We both giggle.

"Come on," she says. She dragged me back to the diner. We both sat down at the counter, facing the antique jukebox. "Do you remember what song I like?"

"Yeah, of course. 'The Night We Met' by Lord Huron." The jukebox started to play, the sound of the piano ringing through the empty diner. Emily was mesmerized by the music. I was mesmerized by her.

"Do you still think about us?"

My eyebrows rised, surprised by her question. "All the time."

"Me too." Her eyes meet mine and the world around us fades. "I miss you," she whispered. I missed her too, more than I could ever put into words.

"You mean a lot to me, Emily," I said. My eyes never leaving hers. "More than you could possibly know." She smiled at me, taking my hand in hers.

"I think about the times we had together, how much we've grown since we were younger." She paused, taking a deep breath. "You are the most important person in my life, Eilian." My heart ached as I listened to her words.

"I-"

"No, you don't understand. I have feelings for you, Eilian." She marked. I couldn't move, couldn't speak. I was frozen in place. Shocked by what she said.

"Emily-"

Suddenly a man barged in, cutting off my sentences. He was a surly man who seems to know more than he lets on. I was startled, I couldn't believe my eyes to see a familiar face. "Harttie!" Emily exclaimed. I was confused, I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

"What are you doing here?" I asked. He was the last person I'd expected to see. His eyes widened as he saw me, a look of shock and relief washed over his face. He quickly walked towards me, pulling me into a hug.

"I'm glad you're here, Eilian," he whispered. I pulled away from him and looked at him with confusion.

"Why? What happened?" He didn't answer but instead he pointed to the jukebox.

"You remember, right?"

I followed his gaze to the antique jukebox, my mouth falling open as I saw the song that was playing. "How do you-" I was cut off by Hartwin.

"The song, you remember?" He repeated.

My mouth was agape, and I could only nod, I turned to face Emily.

"Emily?"

She didn't respond. She just stood there, frozen in place.

"Emily!"

Her eyes widened and she snapped out of her trance. She turned to me and smiled.

"Are you okay? You seem to be spacing out." I said worriedly. She giggled and said, "Yeah, I'm fine. Don't worry." I sighed in relief.

'So, what brings you here Eilian?" Hartwin asked.

"I came back to my hometown to write a novel." Emily's eyes widened, "No way!" She exclaimed as if she wasn't paying attention to what I said to her a while ago.

I chuckled, "Yes way."

"So you finally achieved your dream, to be a writer!" Hartwin added.

I nodded. "Yeah, but I still need to find inspiration and it's hard to get ideas." Emily and Hartwin chuckled at my words.

"Well, since you're here, why don't we have dinner?" Hartwin asked.

"Sure!" Emily agreed. "Wait for me here, I'll go get us some dinner."

As he go through the back of the diner I notice something peculiar. I saw a man wearing a black cloak, staring out the window. His eyes were glued onto my direction, his hand was clenched into a fist. I turned away from him and faced Emily.

"You look pale Eilia?" she asked.

I shook my head and smiled. "Yeah, I'm just tired from the drive."

"Are you sure?" she asked again.

I nodded. I can still feel the gaze of that unknown man on me.

"Why does Hartwin take so long," I said, trying to distract myself.

"I know right, I'm really hungry" Emily sighed.

Emily reached out her phone as it rings continuously, she then answer the call.

"Here yer go, I hope you like it Miss!" Hartwin sat at the chair facing me and Emily.

"You go ahead; I will catch up after this call." Emily hurried.

"Oh okay, I'll be at the table." Hartwin said. "Eilian, you can have some of mine."

"Thanks!"

An awkward atmosphere filled the room. We sat quietly, eating in silence. I could not bring myself to enjoy my food.

I kept thinking about the man in the diner.

"That man looks familiar, but I can't remember," I muttered.

"Who?" Hartwin asked.

"He was sitting at a table, next to the window. He was wearing an outdated apparel, and I could've sworn he knows me."

Hartwin froze, his fork in mid-air. "Are you sure?"

"Positive."

"What was he looks like?"

I shook my head, trying to ignore the images of his cold, dark eyes. "They were dark, as if they were filled with evil intent." I could hear my voice tremble and felt my heart pound faster.

"Did he have a tattoo on his hand?" Hartwin asked, his voice laced with fear. I nodded, my eyes wide.

"Yes, he did."

"Oh no." Hartwin stood up and grabbed my arm.

"What's going on?" My heart raced in my chest.

"I think you should be better to be at Emily's house." Hartwin suggested.

"Wait, what? Why?" I exclaimed.

"You have to come with me. There's no time to explain." His grip tightened around my arm.

Emily suddenly appeared finishing the call.

"What's going on?" Confused.

"Eilian has to leave," Hartwin ordered. Emily's eyes widened as she realized the situation.

"What?"

Emily's face hardened as she clenched her fists.

"Are you going to tell me what's happening or not?" I demanded.

"No, not here," Hartwin whispered.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive," Hartwin said, his voice dripping with fear.

"Why?"

"Just keep your mouth shut, Eilia!" Emily yelled enraged with fear on her voice. "We need to go Eilia," Emily calmed. "Let's go!"

"But what about the food?" I asked.

"Oh I can bring it fo yer guys" the guy put it on the bag securely.

"Okay, thank you so much!"

"Eilian, hurry!" Hartwin insisted.

"But what about my stuff? I didn't bring enough clothes."

"I can give you some of mine," Emily offered.

"Okay, that would work." I turned to Hartwin, "Let's go!" He drives on the way to Emily's house using my car.

"Gosh! You're going back in here with just a few clothes?!" Emily exclaimed.

"Is this really necessary?"

"It is!" Emily insisted.

"Okay, okay," I said, holding up my hands.

I heard the sound of rain hitting the windows. "It's raining cats and dogs."

"Yeah, it's been like that for a few days," Emily said, frowning.

"It's only going to get worse. It's going to flood." Hartwin added, his voice filled with concern.

"Hartwin, what are you talking about?" Emily asked, her eyes widened.

"We'll talk about it when we get home, but for now, we must focus." Hartwin said, his voice laced with urgency.

We arrived at Emily's house, the rain pouring hard. Emily and Hartwin rushed to help me with my things.

"Eilian!"