SCREAM

t, nor the shocking immediacy of the crimson message on the mirror. This was something far more insidious – a hidden gesture, almost a secret handshake, confirming that the

all door, where few would notice unless they were looking closely, spo

h Annex." It was a chaotic symphony of dusty historical texts, half-assembled electronics, and the faint, nostalgic scent of

ecifically, a variant found in older Blackwood land deeds. It was used by certain early settlers to denote properties where 'the eyes of the anc

"A threshold? Like, between worlds?

the Woodsman, or serving him, then this mark signifies that Blackwood High, specifically that restroo

her spine. "So they're not just sending mes

e of location – a restroom, specifically the one you initially discovered the message in – is highly si

hat she had been singled out, was a chilling thought she hadn't ful

ent," Kaelen mused. "Or perhaps you unknowingly fit some archetype

ave a new symbol, a new clue. What does it tell us about who is doing this? Who would

iculous, cramped handwriting. Under "Suspects," he had three names underlined: Lyraeus Th

d be unparalleled. He might even have access to the original documents where such marks are found. Motive: a warped sense of ancest

ld symbols all the time. He could even be looking for them. His obsession with the abandoned church and dark aesthet

al, darker side of Blackwood. Her art is a reflection of the town's unsettling history. And she seems to have an almost intuitive understanding of the Woodsman. Mo

time alone, capable of meticulous planning and execution. The subtlety of the Watcher's Mark, its scratched

dance is Friday. We're running out of time. We need to find

ion. "We need to observe their reactions to heightened tension. The perpetrator thrives on fear.

we do that without putting ourselves in

s a series of 'accidental' discoveries of minor, yet unsettling, folklore references. Or perhaps, a general increase in conversation about the Woodsman legend among the student body. Th

making the killer feel seen made a terrifying kind of sense. If they trul

like a potential clue, every person a potential suspect. The school buzzed with pre-Halloween dance e

ed it off as creepy, but Roxy Atheria's reaction was notable. She went still, her eyes flickered towards Anya, and a strange, almost imperceptible smile touched her lips before she

whispers were already spreading, fueled by some unknown source. Solara? Kaelen? Or was the

ained, pushing his glasses up his nose. "Specifically, how some deeds contained symbols not recognized by standard cartography. He became noticeably agitated.

d white images. They were undeniably artistic, hauntingly beautiful, but deeply disturbing. One photo showed the abandoned church on Elm Street, but with a shadowy figure, barely discernible, standing in the bell tower, looking out. Another was a close-up of an

in her throat as she stared at the effigy photo. "He

at the scene of one of the 'ritualistic offerings.' His knowledge of the Woodsman legend, his artistic inclination for such constru

ke him. He's always taking photos of weird stuff,

a nagging doubt lingering. "And Mr. Thorne is a Thorne. An

locket. It suggests a direct involvement in the progression of the 'ritual.' Perhaps Mr. Thorne's knowledge merely makes him an unwilling in

, swept through the crowded room. Principal Thorne, usually a stoic, unflappable presence, stood by the doors, his face pale, his

eloped Anya. Something ha

n incident. Overnight, significant vandalism occurred at the Blackwood Historical Society. Several artifacts related to the town's early history were damaged or... remo

split second, Anya swore, on her and her friends. Or was it Kae

ed indefinitely," Principal Thorne announced, his voice heavy with reluctant finality. "We believe it

semester, meticulously planned, eagerly anticipated. But for Anya, Solara, and Kaelen, the announcement brought a different kind of d

hen. "They're escalating. They're stealing

here all the original Lyra Thorne documents are kept. The old journals. The original land deeds with t

ollecting their props. Or their weapons. And the postponement of the dance, while meant to protect, h

f the situation. Anya saw one of them approach Mr. Lyraeus Thorne, who was standing stiffly by the teache

, he glanced furtively towards the police officers, a strange, almost nervous excitement flickering in his eye

oody, were wide, almost unnaturally bright. She wasn't angry or disappointed like the other students. She looked... fascin

s. "They all seem to know more than they're letting

ociety, the postponement of the dance... this is a direct response. Our perpetrat

The game was no longer theoretical. It was real, urgent, and very, very close to home. The Halloween dance was off, but the killer'

Society. The postponement of the dance. It was all connected. And Blackwood High, her home, her sanctuary, was no longer safe. The Woodsman was not merely rising. He was already among them, walking t