Charlie Brown watched the car drive into the manor.
He'd come over to check on the new arrivals who were now moving in to Birchwood.
Was it someone he knew, he wondered, or a complete stranger?.
The car screeched to a halt, and the door opened.
Charlie Brown held his breath, just maybe, maybe, luck had smiled down on him. It might just be that his crush had at last moved back.
But as he looked on, the only people who got out were two boys and a girl. None of them were familiar, and he didn't think they'd try to change that.
His crush hadn't returned, he realised with a sigh.
But with his misfortune, Charlie Brown glumly thought, why'd he expect anything else.
He trodded back home, faint hope now once again a depression.
But unbeknownst to him, the new arrival, Edward Black the Fifth was looking over from his car.
In the manor, a gold locket glinted on the table in the sunlight.
Adrenaline rushed through the body of Edward, as he continually struck the punching bag. He had been at this for 10 minutes, and showed no sign of stopping. Since arriving at his new home, he had unpacked his items, set up furniture and organised his homemade gym.
Then, he had got straight to work, he needed to compensate for sitting in the car for the 3 hour drive.
His family had owned this manor for years, but had not used it in some time. Hopefully, it would now serve more of a purpose.
"Next time, check out the local gym before setting up your own".
A girl, around Edwards age, stepped forward.
"I've checked membership, it's a bargain compared to what you're used to" she continued.
Edward smiled at his friend, "I see you've settled in, Maddison".
He walked over, and offered her a pair of gloves, "Hows the new town been treating you?".
Maddison Freeman gave a sly smile, "Perhaps I should let you know with physical actions, shouldn't I".
She suddenly attempted to punch Edward, but he dodged and landed a blow to Maddison's leg, Maddison used this opportunity to land a blow to his head and they continued ducking and punching for around a minute.
"Haven't been slacking off as much as improving, I take it" Edward smiled as he wrapped up the skirmish.
"I've been practicing", Maddison replied, "If I had a good teacher, I'd be a marvel".
Edward rolled his eyes, "Between the surprise attack and the jab at my training ability, you've been implying the town is, err, less than pleasant" he suggested.
Maddison shrugged, "I haven't seen any problems yet. But it's the atmosphere. It's tense, like everyone's walking on thin ice, worried about what the other will say".
She turned to Edward, and her laid back attitude faltered into a serious expression "Your cousin was right, there are definitely some problems".
"Yes" Edward said "but, she didn't leave us empty handed. She asked me to find a friend of hers, the one who helped her."
The two of them contemplated this.
"This town needs people like us" Maddison said firmly to Edward.
Edward stepped forward, and as he lifted the gold locket over his black haired head, fastening around his neck, he nodded.
"You're right" he commented "We won't stand for this misery".
He clasped Maddison's hand,"Tomorrow, for the good of this town, it's time to restart our club".
Maddison grinned at him, "On it, Kingmaker".