At night in the woods

It had been a long year since Alexa and Skylar had seen each other. Life had taken them in different directions, with Skylar moving out of town for work and Alexa staying at home to care for their sick father and manage his little shop. But now they were finally reunited and sitting across from each other at the bookshop which held many dear memories in the heart of their hometown.

Skylar looked at Alexa with tears in her eyes, feeling overwhelmed with emotion. "I've missed you so much, Lexa"

"I've missed you too Sky," She replied, also getting teary-eyed, "So, tell me Everything?, how was life in the city?," Alexa asked with a sparkling gaze while Mr. Oliver left the girls alone.

"Well, it wasn't much," She shrugged it off, "You want to know the best tut the city?," She paused watching Alexa's interest pique at her question, "Hot sexy delicious guys,"

"Huh?," Alexa facepalmed herself, as Skylar laughed out loud. Seems she still hadn't changed, Alexa thought with a smile, "Well seems you have been living the life, Skylar, while I'm stuck in this gloomy town,"

"I'm sure Dad will get better soon," She said with a smile. Although Alexa was a year younger than Skylar and sought the freedom to explore the outside world, Mr Oliver's health after the loss of his first wife dwindled. He struggled with the early stages of dementia and unexpected vivid hallucinations. She couldn't bring herself to abandon her father at such a difficult time in his life.

How's father doing?" Skylar asked turning her gaze to Mr Oliver who was preoccupied with arranging the books left by its readers into their proper places on the shelves. She smiled at the sight. He was simply the most caring and hardworking man she had ever met.

"He's getting better," Alexa smiled, "You don't have to worry about him," She said leaning back and letting a tired sigh

"Don't tell Dad, but..." She leaned closer to Alexa who did the same. She watched Mr Oliver make sure he wasn't eavesdropping on their conversation before whispering, "I met someone,"

Alexa's eyes lit up with excitement. "Oh, really? Tell me more."

Skylar couldn't help but smile "His name is Jack. He's kind, funny, and we have so much in common. I'm really happy with him but we aren't really together yet, I just feel the time isn't perfect yet,"

"That's great, ," she said, beaming with joy for her sister. "I'm so glad that you've found someone that makes you happy."

"What about you, Lexa? How's dad doing?" Skylar asked, taking a bite of her muffin while turning her gaze to Mr Oliver who was preoccupied with arranging the books left by its readers into their proper places on the shelves. She smiled at the sight. He was simply the most caring and hardworking man she had ever met.

Alexa's expression turned a bit somber. "He's stable, but it's been tough. I've been taking care of him all alone, and it's exhausting. But I'm managing."

Although Alexa was a year younger than Skylar and sought the freedom to explore the outside world, Mr Oliver's health after the loss of his first wife dwindled. He struggled with the early stages of dementia and unexpected vivid hallucinations. She couldn't bring herself to abandon her father at such a difficult time in his life.

"But he's getting better," Alexa assured her with a smile, "You don't have to worry about him," She said leaning back and letting a tired sigh

Skylar reached across the table and took Alexa's hand. "I'm sorry that I couldn't be here for you. But I'm here now, and I promise to help you in any way I can."

Alexa's eyes filled with tears again, touched by her sister's kindness. "Thank you, Sky, I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Well nothing of course," Skylar teased with a smirk

"Tsk..seems your brain's still stuck in your chest," She retorted with a smirk of her own while Skylar chuckled at her tease.

"And it seems you're still as sharp-tongued as usual," She shook her head, "You really should do something about that tongue of yours, at this rate you might end up an old single woman who drove all her suitors away,"

"Oh my poor me, what could I ever do without the love of a man, how can I survive alone in this cold heartless world, without a big strong arm to protect me," She exaggerated her expressions which earned a loud burst of laughter from Skylar.

"You don't have to worry about me, sister, I'm not in a hurry to find love," She smiled.

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, sipping their drinks and enjoying each other's company. It felt like they had never been apart, and Alexa was grateful for this moment of connection with her sister.

"So, what's the plan for today?" Skylar asked, breaking the silence.

"We can't do anything today," She said earning a puzzled look from Skylar. From her expression, she could guess she hadn't heard what happened in town. Her gaze was sullen knowing she had to pass along the terrible news to Skylar on her first day arriving home after a year in the city.

"Adrian, Ellis, Clara, and Ella were found dead today," A moment of silence followed before Skylar let out a loud gasp

"What are you talking about?, how.....how did it happen?, was it a serial killer?," She asked with an expression of disbelief.

"It wasn't a serial killer, their bodies were found.....mutilated at the roadside,"

"Huh?, could..could it have been the wolves?," She asked Alexa who let out a tired sigh

"Probably...." She paused contemplating whether to tell the next piece of information to Skylar who easily read her face like a book

"Come on, spill it out," She urged Alexa

"Some people in town suspect two brothers as the murderers,"

"Brothers?, why?,"

"Last night, two brothers showed up during the rain, they looked.... unusual, too pretty for men, and a day later, four teenagers end up dead at night in the woods,"