I pulled into the driveway with all the windows and doors locked. Mom's Corvette was parked in my spot, so I parked 下一个 to it. Unlocking the door, I slowly stepped onto the gravel in my beat up sneakers; grabbing my bag before I shut and locked the door. I walked into the front entrance of my house to find my mom and Dylan on the couch. “Mom, I'm home.” I 说 loud enough for both of them to hear.
“Oh, uh hi dear. How was your day?” My mom asked be as she got up from the couch, patting her frizzy hair down and straightening her shirt. “Dylan was going to stay for dinner. We brought Chinese food.”
“Good thing 你 bought 食物 because the cupboards are bare. 你 really need to go grocery shopping.” I shrugged out of my 夹克 and placed my bag on the end table.
“Yes, I was meaning to go shopping, but then I ran into Dylan and we got to talking. He bought us lunch, then we went to his 音乐 studio in the 下一个 town. How about we go eat. 你 look like you're starving.”

We went into the dining room where a big paper bag was waiting. I opened it and smelled the contents. “Yum, we haven't had this in a while.” I said. The truth was, we hadn't had Chinese 食物 since mom brought 首页 Jackson, her 前一个 boyfriend. My mom took the 食物 out of the bag, while I got some plates. Dylan was behind my mom's already pulled out chair, waiting for her to take a seat. She took a 座位 and thanked him. I took my usual 座位 on the opposite side of the 表 and Dylan sat beside my mom. “So, Julie, what grade are 你 in now? Grade 11? 12?” Dylan asked me as he passed the rice.
“I'm in grade 11.”
“Are 你 interested in music? Because, as 你 now know, I own the 音乐 studio in East Wood.”
“I've played the 吉他 and drums since I was 7 if that counts.” Just then, I got a text. I pulled my phone out of my back pocket and flipped it open. It was from Brett:
“They know where 你 are. See 你 soon.”
What was wrong with this guy? Was he trying to freak me out? 'Cause it was working. “What's wrong?” my mom saw the look on my face.
“Nothing.” I put my phone back in my pocket and continued eating.


After the dishes were done and Dylan was gone, I went to my room and sat on the edge of the bed. I opened my phone and texted Sophie.
“Hey, what's new?”
I waited for a response. But got none. That wasn't like her, when I texted her it was a matter of 分钟 before she replied. I got up and walked over to the window. Throwing open the silk curtain, I let the cool breeze flow through my hair. I was enjoying the calming air when I noticed something in the bushes. I squinted to get a better look, but all I could make out was a large black shape with glowing yellow eyes. What is that? I turned around to look for a flashlight and when I turned back, it was gone.