KATIE

Chapter 5

As the events were taking place in the forest, Richie remained blissfully unaware of what was happening, as he was still in the warmth and safety of his home. His house filled with the scent of incense, followed by the soft light radiating from his lamp. Richie was engrossed in a world of his own creation, seated at a worn-out wooden desk cluttered with sketchbooks and art supplies.

His nimble fingers danced across the canvas he was drawing on, the sound of the graphite moving back and forth filled the room. Outside the sanctuary of his creative haven, the moon hung low in the night sky, casting silvery beams that cast a glow on the surroundings. Nothing but the sound of distant rustling leaves and the occasional hoot of an owl were present. While Katies fate teetered on the edge of darkness in the forest. Richie delved deeper into his artistic side.

Oblivious and unaware of what was taking place inside the forest. "I really should probably start to get ready for school," he said. Richie reluctantly set aside his sketchbook and stood up from his cluttered desk. The warm glow of the lamp dimmed as he switched it off, leaving the room in the moonlit darkness. The scent of incense lingered as he made his way to the small bathroom to freshen up.

As Richie got dressed putting on his pants and sweater, the events in the forest remained a distant reality. He slipped on his sneakers and slung his backpack over his shoulder, ready to face another day of classes.

Exiting his house, Richie was greeted by the cool morning air. The moon was still visible, casting an ethereal light on the quiet suburban street. The only sounds were the soft shuffling of leaves and the distant hum of traffic.

As Richie walked towards the bus stop, he couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. The quiet stillness of the night felt eerie, and a faint unease lingered in the air. Nevertheless, he dismissed it as mere imagination and continued his way.

Just as Richie approached the bus stop, he saw Katie standing there as if everything was normal. She wore her usual cheerful smile, her backpack slung over one shoulder. "Hey Richie! Morning!" she exclaimed, waving at him.

"Uh, hey Katie," Richie replied, a bit surprised to see her at the bus stop at this hour. "Everything okay?"

"Of course! Why wouldn't it be?" Katie responded, her smile unwavering.

Richie hesitated, glancing around the quiet street. "I don't know, just had a weird feeling, I guess."

Katie chuckled. "You worry too much, Richie. It's just another day. Now, let's catch that bus before we're late."Usually, we have to walk because we wake up late and miss the bus," Richie says, still feeling like something is off about the surrounding area, but he. Chalks it up to him, still being exhausted.

After he couldn't sleep from all the excitement, he decided to draw and paint, but he got absolutely lost in his craft, and the hours flew by quickly. The screeching of the busses breaks rings in the distance, and a very wary Richie jumps as it had startled him. "Jumpy today, aren't you? Are you sure you're alright? Katie asks concerningly. The bus in the background is still heard as the roaring of the engine gets closer and closer. As it gets closer, Richie begins to walk forward towards the pickup area,

But as he does Lilith who is pretending to be Katie sees a small boy walking by with a ball with his mother and she gets a very demented twisted smile as she is standing behind Richie and she uses her otherworldly powers and pushes the ball out of the boys hand and the ball rolls towards the road in front of where the bus is coming,

" Wait, little boy, don't do it !" Richie screams out and starts to run towards the small boy to stop him. The small boy makes it to his ball, and as he bends down to pick it up and turns back, he turns his head, seeing the bus coming and freezes, not knowing what to do.