The alarm clock buzzed harshly, breaking the silence of the early morning. Lucas groaned, rolling over to slap the snooze button, but the anticipation of the day ahead wouldn't let him fall back asleep. It wasn't just any school day—it was the first day of middle school. A new chapter. A new start. But also, a reminder of how different life had become.

He sat up, rubbing his eyes. His room was still cluttered with remnants of his childhood: action figures lined up neatly on a shelf, a crumpled map of South Park tacked to the wall, and his sister Emily's favourite book resting on the nightstand. He hadn't had the heart to move it. Swinging his legs off the bed, Lucas sighed and stared at the floor for a moment.

Lucas: "Middle school," he muttered. "Just great."

He threw on his usual hoodie and jeans, then shuffled to the bathroom to splash cold water on his face. As he stared at his reflection, he noticed the dark circles under his eyes. Sleep had been hard to come by lately—not just because of nightmares, but because of the quiet that filled the house now. It was a suffocating silence. Heading to the kitchen, he grabbed a granola bar, stuffing it into his backpack while glancing at the clock. His mom entered, holding a neatly packed lunch box.

Mrs. Taylor: "Lucas," she said softly, placing the lunch on the counter. "You haven't said a word all morning. Are you okay?"

(Lucas hesitated, looking down at the floor)

Lucas: "I just... I miss her, Mom. I miss Emily."

(His mom's face softened, and she walked over, resting a gentle hand on his shoulder)

Mrs. Taylor: "I miss her too, sweetie. Every single day." She took a deep breath before continuing. "But she's in a better place now. And you know what? She'd be so proud of you, Lucas."

(Lucas swallowed hard and nodded)

Lucas: "Yeah... I hope so."

Mrs. Taylor: "She would," his mom assured him with a small, bittersweet smile. "Now go on. You don't want to be late for your first day."

He hesitated at the door, taking a deep breath. Today was supposed to be normal. But deep down, Lucas knew South Park had a way of making even the most ordinary days unpredictable. He stepped outside, the crisp morning air biting at his cheeks. The familiar streets of South Park stretched before him, quieter than usual. The autumn leaves scattered across the sidewalks crunched under his sneakers as he started walking. His breath formed faint puffs of mist in the chilly air, but the town felt less alive than it should on a day like this. As he rounded the corner, he spotted Kyle up ahead, his green ushanka unmistakable even from a distance. Kyle was walking with his head down, hands stuffed in his jacket pockets, the weight of something clearly on his mind.

Lucas: "Yo, Kyle!" Lucas called, quickening his pace to catch up.

Kyle glanced up, his expression brightening slightly as Lucas jogged to his side.

Kyle: "Hey, man. Ready for this? First day of middle school," Kyle said with a half-smile, his voice carrying a mix of sarcasm and unease.

Lucas: "Ready as I'll ever be," Lucas replied with a shrug. "Feels... weird, doesn't it? Starting over, I mean. Especially with everything that's happened."

(Kyle nodded solemnly)

Kyle: "Yeah, it does. And it's been over a year now since... since Tweek left."

(Lucas sighed)

Lucas: "I know. Feels longer, honestly. Have you spoken to him recently?"

(Kyle hesitated before answering)

Kyle: "A few months ago. We texted a bit, but... I don't know. He's keeping his distance. What about you?"

Lucas: "Same," Lucas said. "He replied once or twice, but it's like he's trying to move on, you know?"

(Kyle gave a small nod)

Kyle: "Can't blame him, I guess. But still..." He trailed off, glancing at the ground before adding, "It's not just Tweek. It's Howard, too. He's been gone almost as long. No word, no leads... it's like he just vanished."

(Lucas clenched his fists in his hoodie pockets)

Lucas: "I know. And it doesn't feel right, does it? Like... I don't know. Maybe we should've looked harder."

(Kyle glanced at him with a hint of determination)

Kyle: "Maybe it's time we do."

The two continued walking in silence for a moment, the looming school building coming into view ahead. The chatter of students filled the air, but the weight of their conversation lingered, a quiet reminder that the past wasn't ready to let go.

The school loomed ahead, a stark Gray building that somehow felt both too big and too old for its purpose. The gates were buzzing with students, some chatting in groups while others stood awkwardly, clearly as nervous as Lucas felt.

Lucas: "There it is," Lucas muttered, adjusting the straps on his backpack. "Middle school."

(Kyle smirked)

Kyle: "Yeah, looks like a real dream come true."

As they approached the gate, Lucas spotted two familiar figures standing off to the side. Stan, wearing his signature red and blue beanie, leaned casually against the fence, while Wendy stood beside him, arms crossed, her sharp gaze scanning the crowd.

Kyle: "Hey, guys!" Kyle called, waving as they made their way over.

(Stan straightened up when he saw them, a grin spreading across his face)

Stan: "About time you two showed up. I was starting to think you were skipping already."

Lucas: "Not a bad idea," Lucas joked, giving Stan a fist bump.

(Wendy smiled faintly, though her expression held a seriousness that never seemed to leave her anymore)

Wendy: "First day. You guys ready?"

Kyle: "Ready as we'll ever be," Kyle replied. He glanced at Wendy and added, "How about you? Big shift from elementary, huh?"

(Wendy shrugged)

Wendy: "Yeah, but it's not like we haven't handled bigger stuff, right?" Her tone was light, but her eyes darted briefly toward the school building, as if searching for something—or someone.

(Stan stepped in, trying to lighten the mood)

Stan: "Hey, maybe middle school will be different. No killers, just... math tests and bad cafeteria food."

The group chuckled softly, though none of them could shake the weight of their shared past. As the morning bell rang, students began streaming through the gates, and Lucas glanced at his friends.

Lucas: "Well," he said with a nervous grin, "let's do this."

Together, they walked through the gates, bracing themselves not just for the challenges of middle school but for whatever else South Park might throw their way.

The inside of the school was alive with chaos. Lockers slammed, sneakers squeaked on the polished floor, and snippets of conversations echoed off the beige walls. Students navigated the unfamiliar hallways, clutching schedules and searching for their classrooms. Lucas, Kyle, Wendy, and Stan stopped just inside the entrance, taking it all in.

Kyle: "It's like a zoo in here."

Stan: "Yeah, except I think the animals are better behaved."

(Wendy glanced at her schedule and scanned the crowd)

Wendy: "Homeroom's on the second floor. Let's stick together until we figure this place out."

(As they began making their way through the throng of students, a loud voice called out)

?: "Hey, you new here, too?"

Lucas turned to see a girl with sharp green eyes and wavy brown hair jogging toward them. She wore a denim jacket with patches on the sleeves and carried a notebook tucked under her arm.

?: "I thought I was the only one who didn't know where anything is."

Kyle: "Uh, yeah, we're new, too. First day."

Megan: "Same. Name's Megan Hartfield." She gestured toward herself with a thumb. "I guess we're all in this together, huh?"

She grinned, but her eyes darted over the group with curiosity, as if sizing them up. Before they could respond, two more kids approached. One was a boy with messy black hair and a cocky smirk, his hands jammed into the pockets of a worn leather jacket. The other was a cheerful-looking blonde girl who practically skipped up to them.

Ace: "You guys look like you could use a guide. Luckily, I'm an expert." He gestured grandly toward the chaos. "Welcome to middle school. Hell on Earth... I'm Ace Carter."

Jess: "Hey, I'm Jessica Hall... just ignore him. He's just mad because he already lost his locker key." She laughed, swatting Ace's arm playfully.

(Stan stepped forward, curious.)

Stan: "You two friends of hers?" He motioned toward Megan.

(Megan rolled her eyes.)

Megan: "Not exactly. More like... people who won't stop following me."

(one more boy appeared last, leaning casually against the nearest locker. His smile was slow and confident as his gaze swept over the group.)

Evan: "And here I thought middle school would be boring. Looks like I was wrong... I'm Evan Grey"

(Wendy crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow.)

Wendy: "Well, this just got interesting."

The two groups exchanged wary glances, and though no one said it out loud, the weight of first impressions hung in the air. The awkward silence lingered for a moment as the two groups stood in the bustling hallway. Megan raised an eyebrow, tapping her notebook against her hip.

Megan: "Okay, so we introduced ourselves. Are you guys going to keep the mystery act going, or are we just supposed to guess your names?"

(Kyle rubbed the back of his neck, realizing they hadn't said a word about themselves yet.)

Kyle: "Oh, right. Uh, I'm Kyle. Kyle Broflovski."

(Wendy stepped forward, her tone calm but firm.)

Wendy: "I'm Wendy Testaburger."

Stan: "I'm Stan Marsh."

(Lucas hesitated for a moment, shuffling his feet before speaking.)

Lucas: "And I'm Lucas Taylor."

Ace: "Well, nice to meet you, Broflovski, Testaburger, Marsh, and Taylor. Sounds like a law firm."

Jess: "Or a detective agency." she says, laughing

(Wendy's expression didn't waver, and she crossed her arms.)

Wendy: "We're not really any of those things. Just... a group of friends trying to get through the day."

(Evan smirked, leaning lazily against the nearest locker.)

Evan: "You guys seem pretty tight. What's your story?"

(Stan exchanged a glance with Kyle, and Lucas felt the tension in the air shift slightly. The four of them had been through more than they cared to explain to complete strangers.)

Kyle: "Nothing special. Just, you know... regular kids from South Park."

(Ace caught the hesitation in Kyle's voice and gave him a skeptical look but decided not to push it.)

Ace: "Well, if you're looking for regular, middle school's not it. Better get used to this chaos."

Megan: "And lucky for you, you've got us now." she says, grinning

Jess: "Yeah! Who knows? This could be the start of something awesome."

Wendy gave a polite smile, but her eyes darted toward Stan and Lucas, silently communicating what they all seemed to be thinking: Awesome wasn't exactly what they were expecting. The morning bell rang again, louder this time, jolting everyone into motion.

Megan: "We'd better head to homeroom. Don't want to get detention on day one."

Kyle: "Yeah, good idea."

The two groups began walking together, a tentative sense of camaraderie forming, but underneath it all, Lucas couldn't shake the feeling that their story was far from ordinary—and this year wasn't going to be either.

The classroom was already half-full when Lucas, Kyle, Wendy, Stan, Megan, Ace, Evan, and Jess entered. The desks were arranged in neat rows, but the students filling them weren't exactly neat. Papers were already flying, voices clashed as friends called out to each other, and one kid was noisily bouncing a basketball in the back of the room.

Ace: "And here I was thinking homeroom was supposed to be boring."

Kyle rolled his eyes as they found seats near the middle of the room, the group instinctively sticking together. Megan dropped into the chair next to Wendy, already scribbling something in her notebook.

Megan: "So, what's the deal? Do we just sit here and wait for something exciting to happen?"

Jess: "Don't get your hopes up. It's probably just attendance and some lame announcements."

Lucas glanced around, taking in the chaotic energy of the room. His attention was drawn to a teacher stepping through the door. She was short and stern-looking, with sharp glasses perched on her nose. The noise in the room immediately dropped as she clapped her hands for attention.

Mrs. Turner: "Alright, settle down. Welcome to homeroom. I'm Mrs. Turner, and I suggest you get used to seeing me every morning for the rest of the year."

(She walked to her desk, flipping through a folder of papers as she continued.)

Mrs. Turner: "Homeroom is for attendance, announcements, and anything else you need to prepare for your day. You're expected to arrive on time, stay in your seats, and keep the noise level to a minimum. Any questions?"

(Ace raised his hand lazily.)

Ace: "Yeah, uh... is this the part where you tell us we're getting a pop quiz?"

(The room chuckled softly, but Mrs. Turner didn't look amused.)

Mrs. Turner: "You'll find out soon enough, Mr. Carter. Now, let's get to attendance."

She started calling out names, and one by one, the students answered. As she called out their names, Lucas found himself growing more aware of how small their group felt compared to the larger class. Even surrounded by new faces, there was an unmistakable sense of unease that hadn't left him since Emily's death—or Howard's disappearance. Megan leaned over toward Wendy, her voice a low whisper.

Megan: "You guys seem tense. What's up with that?"

(Wendy hesitated, glancing at Stan and Kyle. This wasn't the time—or the place—to explain everything. She gave a small smile instead.)

Wendy: "It's just the first-day nerves. Nothing to worry about."

(Megan raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. Before she could say anything else, the PA system crackled, and a voice came through.)

PA System: "Good morning, students. Welcome to your first day of middle school! Please make sure you've received your schedules. We hope you're ready for an exciting year ahead."

Lucas shifted in his seat. Exciting wasn't exactly the word he'd use. As the announcement continued, his mind drifted. Middle school might be new, but some things in South Park never changed—and that included the lingering sense that something wasn't right.

The bell rang, and the students began filing out of the classroom, schedules in hand. The hallway quickly filled with the chaotic shuffle of feet and the murmur of voices as everyone tried to find their next class. Lucas walked alongside Kyle, scanning his schedule.

Lucas: "Math first period. Great. Just what I needed to make this day worse." he says, grumbling

Kyle smirked, folding his schedule and shoving it into his pocket. He glanced over his shoulder to make sure they weren't being overheard before nudging Lucas.

Kyle: "Hey, can I talk to you for a second? Like, just us."

(Lucas raised an eyebrow, glancing at Kyle's unusually serious expression.)

Lucas: "Sure. What's up?"

(Kyle motioned for Lucas to step off to the side, away from the flow of students. They leaned against the lockers, keeping their voices low.)

Kyle: "After school, I was thinking... we should go to Tweek's parents' coffee shop."

(Lucas blinked in surprise, caught off guard by the suggestion.)

Lucas: "Tweek's parents Coffee shop? Why?"

Kyle: "I just... I want to know how he's doing, you know? It's been over a year since he left, and he hasn't exactly been chatty."

Lucas frowned, leaning back against the locker. He understood where Kyle was coming from—he missed Tweek too. But there was something else in Kyle's tone that caught his attention.

Lucas: "That's not the only reason, is it?"

(Kyle hesitated before shaking his head.)

Kyle: "No. I also want to ask them about Howard. See if they've seen or heard anything. It's been so long since he disappeared, Lucas. It's like he just... vanished."

Lucas exhaled slowly, crossing his arms. He'd been thinking the same thing lately, but every time the thought crossed his mind, it left a knot in his stomach. Officer Howard had been one of the few constants during the chaos of the past year. Losing him felt like losing a lifeline.

Lucas: "Yeah, okay. Let's do it. After school, we'll head over there and see what they know."

(Kyle nodded, relief washing over his face.)

Kyle: "Thanks, man. I just... I have a bad feeling, you know? About all of this."

(Lucas gave a small, humourless laugh.)

Lucas: "You're not the only one."

The hallway around them began to thin as students headed to their next classes. Kyle patted Lucas on the shoulder, the two of them exchanging a silent understanding before rejoining the others.

As the day went on, the final bell rang, releasing a tide of students into the hallways and out the doors. Lucas adjusted his backpack and stepped outside, spotting Kyle, Wendy, and Stan waiting near the front gate.

Stan: "First day done. Only about, what, two thousand more to go?"

Wendy: "Don't remind me."

Lucas: "Speak for yourself. My math teacher already gave us homework. First day! Who does that?"

The group chuckled, though Lucas noticed Kyle seemed distracted, glancing at his phone as if waiting for a message. Before Lucas could ask, Megan's group approached, weaving through the other students leaving the building.

Megan: "Hey! So, what's the plan? Are we hanging out or just heading home to bask in the glory of middle school?"

Ace: "We could hit the arcade. Or the park. Something fun."

(Evan leaned lazily against a nearby lamppost, while Jessica stood with her hands clasped in front of her, smiling warmly.)

Kyle: "Actually, Lucas and I were planning to go somewhere after school."

(Ace perked up.)

Ace: "Yeah? Where?"

Kyle: "Tweek's parents' coffee shop. We wanted to check in."

(Jessica tilted her head, curious.)

Jess: "Tweek? Who's that?"

(Lucas paused, unsure how much to say. He glanced at Kyle, who sighed and lowered his voice.)

Kyle: "Tweek's... an old friend of ours. He left South Park last year."

Megan: "Why'd he leave?"

Wendy: "It's a long story. But we're going to see his parents, just to check in. It's been a while."

Jess: "That's nice of you. But why his parents? Shouldn't you just call him?"

Stan: "He's been... distant. It's complicated."

(Ace and Megan exchanged glances, their curiosity turning more serious. Evan finally spoke up.)

Evan: "Alright, mystery men. If you're heading there anyway, we'll tag along. Could be interesting."

Jess: "Yeah, and it sounds important."

Wendy: "It's not really a hangout trip. It might get... complicated."

Megan: "Complicated? In South Park? You don't say."

Lucas sighed but nodded. He glanced at Kyle again, who gave a small shrug, and the group started walking together. As they made their way through the quiet streets of South Park, the light hearted chatter from earlier faded into a heavier silence. The closer they got to the coffee shop, the more Lucas felt the weight of the past year pressing down on him. Lucas didn't say anything. His stomach churned with a quiet dread he couldn't shake. He looked up at the coffee shop in the distance, unaware of how much this visit would change everything.

The group stopped in front of the coffee shop, its familiar green-and-white sign swaying gently in the breeze. The building looked the same as always—cozy, welcoming, and completely ordinary. But for Lucas, Kyle, Wendy, and Stan, stepping inside carried a heavier weight than it once did.

Stan: "Here we go."

Kyle pushed the door open, and the familiar chime of the bell overhead greeted them. The rich aroma of coffee filled the air, and a few patrons sat at tables, chatting quietly or typing on laptops. Behind the counter, Tweek's mom, Mrs. Tweak, was busy frothing milk for a cappuccino while Mr. Tweak wiped down the counter.

Mrs. Tweak: "Oh! Kyle, Stan, Wendy, Lucas! It's been so long."

She set the milk pitcher down and came around the counter, her smile warm but slightly strained, as if she hadn't quite recovered from the events of the past year.

Kyle: "Hi, Mrs. Tweak. How are you?"

Mrs. Tweak: "Oh, you know... keeping busy. Business is good, though." Her gaze shifted to Megan, Ace, Evan, and Jessica. "And you brought friends!"

Wendy: "Yeah, these are some people we met at school. Megan, Ace, Evan, and Jessica."

(The new kids offered polite waves, though Megan's sharp eyes were already scanning the room, taking everything in.)

Mr. Tweak: "What brings you all by? Not that we don't love seeing you, of course."

(Kyle hesitated, exchanging a glance with Lucas before speaking.)

Kyle: "We just wanted to see how you were doing... and, uh, check in about Tweek."

(The warmth in Mrs. Tweak's expression flickered slightly, and she folded her hands in front of her apron.)

Mrs. Tweak: "Tweek's doing well. He's staying with his uncle right now, actually. We thought a little distance would help him... heal."

Stan: "That's good. We miss him, though. It's not the same without him."

(Mr. Tweak gave a small nod of agreement but didn't say much. Lucas shifted awkwardly, glancing at Kyle, who took a deep breath and pressed on.)

Kyle: "We also wanted to ask if you've seen or heard anything about Officer Howard."

(The Tweaks exchanged a glance, their expressions falling into something more serious. Mrs. Tweak shook her head.)

Mrs. Tweak: "No, nothing. We haven't seen him... Not since everything happened."

Lucas: "You haven't heard from him at all? No phone calls or anything?"

Mr. Tweak: "Not a word. We're worried about him too. He was always looking out for Tweek... for all of you."

The air in the coffee shop felt heavier, the usual hum of conversation around them fading into the background. Megan finally broke the silence, her voice curious.

Megan: "Who's Officer Howard?"

(Wendy gave a quick, measured response, her tone steady but firm.)

Wendy: "A good man."

(Megan seemed like she wanted to ask more, but before she could, Mrs. Tweak clapped her hands lightly, trying to brighten the mood.)

Mrs. Tweak: "Well, why don't you all sit down? I'll bring over some drinks—on the house."

Jessica: "That's so nice of you!"

The group reluctantly found a table near the window, but as they settled in, Lucas couldn't shake the unease in his stomach. Something about the conversation with the Tweaks didn't sit right. And as he glanced at Kyle, he could tell his friend felt the same way. The group remained seated near the window, sipping their drinks and chatting casually. Despite the warm atmosphere of the shop, there was a subtle tension hanging in the air.

Ace: "So, do you guys hang out here all the time, or is this just a one-off?"

Kyle: "We used to. It's kind of... nostalgic, I guess."

(Evan leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed as he studied the room.)

Evan: "Nostalgic, huh? Must've been some good times if you're dragging us all here."

(Lucas shifted uncomfortably, glancing out the window. Wendy noticed and gave him a gentle nudge.)

Wendy: "You okay?" she said softly

Lucas: "Yeah. Just... thinking."

(Jessica tilted her head, curious.)

Jess: "Thinking about what?"

Lucas hesitated, unsure how much to share. Before he could answer, Mrs. Tweak approached their table with a warm smile, holding a tray of refills.

Mrs. Tweak: "Here you go! More hot chocolate for the kids and coffee for the brave ones."

(The group chuckled lightly as she set the drinks down, but Megan's sharp gaze lingered on her.)

Megan: "So, uh... do you guys run this place by yourselves?"

(Mrs. Tweak nodded, her smile faltering slightly.)

Mrs. Tweak: "It's just the two of us, yes. Tweek used to help out sometimes, but... well, he's taking some time for himself right now."

(Kyle glanced at Mrs. Tweak, his voice cautious.)

Kyle: "And you haven't heard anything about Officer Howard, right? Nothing new?"

(Mrs. Tweak paused, her hands tightening slightly around the tray. Mr. Tweak, standing behind the counter, glanced over but said nothing.)

Mrs. Tweak: "No, nothing. I wish we had more to tell you."

(The weight of her words hung in the air as she walked back to the counter. Megan leaned toward Kyle, lowering her voice.)

Megan: "What's the deal with this Officer Howard guy?"

(Kyle sighed, glancing at Lucas for backup before responding.)

Kyle: "He's... someone who helped us a lot last year. He disappeared, and no one's been able to figure out what happened."

Jess: "That's scary. Do you think something bad happened to him?"

(Lucas looked away, his hands tightening into fists under the table. Wendy leaned forward, her tone steady but firm.)

Wendy: "We don't know. But we can't stop looking."

(Ace leaned back in his chair, his grin fading slightly as he tapped his fingers on the table.)

Ace: "Sounds like you guys have been through a lot."

Lucas: "You have no idea."

Outside, the late afternoon sun began to dip lower, casting long shadows across the street. The quiet hum of the coffee shop continued, but beneath it all, a sense of unease lingered, like the calm before a storm. The group lingered near the door of the coffee shop, the warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee wrapping around them like a familiar hug. Mrs. Tweak wiped her hands on her apron as she approached, a kind smile on her face.

Mrs. Tweak: "Heading out already? It was so nice seeing all of you again."

Kyle: "Yeah, it was nice to catch up. Thanks for the drinks."

Mrs. Tweak: "Oh, don't mention it. You're always welcome here."

(Mr. Tweak stepped out from behind the counter, his expression warm but tired.)

Mr. Tweak: "You kids take care of yourselves, alright? And don't be strangers."

Stan: "We won't. Promise."

(Lucas hesitated, glancing at the counter and then back at the Tweaks. His voice was soft when he spoke.)

Lucas: "If you hear anything... about Howard, or Tweek... let us know?"

(Mrs. Tweak's smile faltered slightly, but she nodded.)

Mrs. Tweak: "Of course, sweetie. And if you ever need anything, you know where to find us."

(A moment of silence passed, heavy with unspoken words. Finally, Megan spoke up, her tone light but curious.)

Megan: "Thanks for the coffee. And, uh, sorry if we crowded your shop."

(Mr. Tweak chuckled, shaking his head.)

Mr. Tweak: "Oh, don't worry about that. It's nice to see the place so lively."

Jessica: "Yeah, thanks again. Everything was great."

The group made their way to the door, the little bell jingling softly as they opened it. Kyle paused before stepping outside, turning back to the Tweaks.

Kyle: "Take care."

(Mrs. Tweak gave him a small, bittersweet smile, one hand resting on the counter.)

Mrs. Tweak: "You too, Kyle. You too."

The door closed behind them, and the group stepped out into the cool evening air. The familiar street stretched out before them, quiet and calm under the glow of the streetlights.

Stan: "Alright, I'm heading this way. See you guys tomorrow?"

Wendy: "Yeah. Night, Stan."

The group began splitting off, saying casual goodbyes as they walked toward their respective homes. Kyle and Lucas stuck together, their footsteps slow as the weight of the conversation lingered.

Lucas: "They're good people. Tweek's lucky."

Kyle: "Yeah. He is. But... I don't know. I just have this bad feeling."

Lucas frowned but said nothing, his thoughts clouded with the same unease. The coffee shop stood quietly behind them, its warm light spilling out onto the sidewalk. Inside, Mr. and Mrs. Tweak were busy cleaning up, their laughter faintly audible through the glass. The town felt peaceful, almost too peaceful.

The Following morning, Lucas stirred as sunlight streamed through his bedroom window, the warm glow of the morning pressing against his eyelids. He groaned, rolling onto his side, hoping for just a few more minutes of peace. But then, the distant wail of sirens shattered the quiet. Lucas sat up groggily, rubbing his eyes as the sound grew louder. Fire engines, their sirens blaring, rushed past his house, the rumble of their engines shaking the walls. Confusion clouded his still-sleepy mind.

Lucas: "What's going on...?" he muttered

He threw off the covers and padded to the window, pulling back the curtain just in time to see the fire trucks disappear around the corner. Bright red lights reflected off nearby houses, the urgency unmistakable. Downstairs, the muffled sound of the TV drifted up, along with the clink of dishes. Lucas quickly got dressed, pulling on his hoodie and jeans from the day before, and hurried downstairs. His mom was in the living room, standing frozen with the remote in her hand, staring at the TV screen.

Lucas: "Mom? What's happening?"

(She glanced at him, her face pale.)

Mrs. Taylor: "There's... there's a fire. Somewhere downtown. It must be serious—half the fire department's on it."

Lucas frowned, his heart beating a little faster. Fires weren't unheard of, but this felt different. He grabbed his sneakers from near the door and started putting them on.

Mrs. Taylor: "Lucas, where are you going?"

Lucas: "I just want to see what's going on."

Mrs. Taylor: "Stay out of trouble. You hear me?"

Lucas nodded distractedly as he stepped outside, the cool morning air hitting his face. The distant plume of smoke rising over the rooftops caught his attention, sending a shiver down his spine. He began walking quickly, then broke into a jog as the sirens grew fainter in the distance. His thoughts swirled, but he pushed them aside, focusing on finding out what had happened.

Lucas stepped outside, the cool morning air biting at his cheeks. The distant wail of sirens still echoed faintly, and a plume of smoke loomed ominously over the rooftops. As he jogged down the street, he spotted two familiar figures up ahead—Kyle and Wendy, standing on the corner, looking equally confused.

Lucas: "Kyle! Wendy! What's going on?"

(Kyle turned toward him, his phone clutched tightly in his hand.)

Kyle: "I don't know. I messaged Stan—he's on his way. Did you see the fire trucks?"

Lucas: "Yeah. They were flying past my house. Something's going on downtown."

(Wendy stared toward the distant smoke, her brow furrowed.)

Wendy: "It must be serious. Look at that smoke."

Lucas's stomach churned uneasily, but before he could respond, they heard voices calling out behind them. Turning, they saw Megan, Ace, Evan, and Jessica walking briskly toward them, their faces a mix of curiosity and concern.

Megan: "Hey! What's going on? We saw the fire trucks."

(Ace stuffed his hands into his jacket pockets, his usual smirk replaced by a rare seriousness.)

Ace: "Looks like something big."

(Kyle motioned for them to follow, his pace quickening.)

Kyle: "We're heading to check it out. Come on."

The group fell into step, their chatter subdued as they turned the corner and followed the rising smoke. The distant noise of fire trucks grew louder, joined now by the murmur of a crowd. As they approached the scene, the group slowed, their eyes widening in shock. A huge crowd had gathered on the sidewalk, held back by yellow police tape and the flashing lights of emergency vehicles. Firefighters moved in and out of a charred building, the air thick with smoke and ash. Lucas's chest tightened as his gaze fell on the familiar green-and-white sign—or what was left of it.

Lucas: "No... no way..."

Kyle: "It's... the coffee shop."

The realization hit them all at once, and they rushed forward, weaving through the crowd until they were stopped by the police tape. Wendy gripped Kyle's arm, her eyes wide with panic.

Wendy: "What happened?!"

Firefighters and police moved methodically, ignoring the questions shouted from the crowd. The group scanned the scene, looking for any sign of Mr. and Mrs. Tweak. Suddenly, Kyle froze, his eyes locked on two black bags being carried out on stretchers. He grabbed Lucas's arm, his voice breaking.

Kyle: "Lucas... is that...?"

Lucas followed Kyle's gaze, his heart plummeting. The black bags were zipped tight, but the realization hit him like a freight train. He shook his head, refusing to believe it.

Lucas: "No. No, it can't be..."

Wendy covered her mouth, tears brimming in her eyes as she turned away. Megan's group stood in stunned silence, their earlier curiosity replaced by a cold, sinking dread. Evan finally broke the silence, his voice low.

Evan: "This... this is messed up."

(Jessica stepped closer to the tape, her voice rising in desperation.)

Jess: "What happened?! What happened to them?!"

(A police officer stepped forward, holding out a hand to keep the crowd back.)

Officer: "Everyone, please stay calm. The situation is under control."

Kyle: "What about the owners? Mr. and Mrs. Tweak?! Are they—are they okay?!"

The officer hesitated, his expression grim. He didn't answer. Instead, he turned and walked toward the building, leaving the group to piece together the truth on their own. Lucas clenched his fists, his breath shallow as the weight of the moment crashed down on him.

Lucas: "They're gone..."

The group stood in silence, the sound of crackling flames and murmuring voices filling the air as the reality of what had happened began to sink in. The group stood frozen, the weight of the moment pressing down on them like the smoke-filled sky above. The coffee shop, once a place of warmth and familiarity, was now nothing more than ash and ruin. Firefighters moved in and out of the wreckage, their expressions somber, while the crowd murmured in hushed disbelief. Kyle wiped his face with his sleeve, trying to hold himself together. Wendy placed a trembling hand on his shoulder, but even she couldn't find the words to speak. Lucas stared at the scorched remains, his fists clenched tightly at his sides as a cold emptiness settled in his chest. Finally, he broke the silence, his voice shaky and barely above a whisper.

Lucas: "Tweek needs to know..."

End of Chapter 1