Kenneth took a deep breath as he stepped out of his last class for the day. The sun was beginning to set, casting an orange glow over the college campus. At eighteen, he was still trying to find his place in the world, balancing academics, social life, and the pressure to belong. Cavite wasn't the biggest city, but it held enough secrets to keep his curiosity alive.
The student council was hosting an event that night, a social gathering meant to strengthen friendships among students. Kenneth wasn't particularly interested in the idea, but he also didn't want to feel left out. If blending in meant staying until almost midnight, then so be it. He had spent too many years as an outsider, and he was determined to change that.
"Yo, Kenneth!"
Kenneth turned around and saw Frank jogging toward him. His best friend since childhood, Frank had always been the more confident of the two. His father, Jordan, was the police chief at the local station, and that meant Frank was constantly exposed to the ins and outs of law enforcement. The stories Frank told fascinated Kenneth and led them to their shared hobby, solving mysteries.
"What's up?" Kenneth asked as Frank fell into step beside him.
"Nothing much, just came to check if you're really going to that event tonight," Frank said, nudging him playfully. "Didn't think you'd actually try to fit in."
Kenneth sighed. "I have to, man. I can't be the quiet guy forever."
Frank chuckled. "Fair enough. Just don't forget the real fun, there's a mystery waiting for us."
Kenneth raised an eyebrow. "You mean the animal attacks?"
Frank nodded, his expression turning serious. "Six months, Kenneth. Six months of people reporting strange attacks in the area, and the cops have nothing. My dad says they're no closer to finding out what's behind them."
Kenneth frowned. He had heard the stories, animals attacking late at night, strange howls in the distance, claw marks found on trees and fences. But the details were never clear, and the lack of any real evidence made it all the more intriguing.
"I overheard my dad talking to one of his officers," Frank continued. "They found another body last night. Not human, some stray dog. But the way it was torn apart? It wasn't natural."
Kenneth shuddered. "And they still think it's just some wild animal?"
Frank nodded. "That's the official story. But I don't buy it. Whatever's out there isn't normal."
Kenneth ran a hand through his hair. "So, what? You want to go out looking for clues again?"
Frank grinned. "You know me too well."
Kenneth hesitated. The last time they went investigating, they almost got caught sneaking around restricted areas. Frank always had the confidence to pull it off, but Kenneth wasn't so sure he wanted to risk getting into trouble.
"I don't know, man," he said. "Maybe we should leave this to the professionals."
Frank scoffed. "Since when do we do that?"
Kenneth sighed. He knew he wouldn't be able to talk Frank out of it. And truth be told, he was curious too.
The bus arrived, its headlights illuminating the dimly lit street. Kenneth and Frank stepped on, swiping their cards before finding seats near the back. The bus was mostly empty, with only a few passengers scattered throughout. The hum of the engine and the occasional flicker of streetlights added an eerie ambiance to the quiet ride.
Frank leaned back, staring out the window. "I think we need to check out the latest attack site," he said, his voice low. "We might find something the cops missed."
Kenneth glanced around, making sure no one was listening. "And how do you plan on doing that?"
Frank smirked. "Leave that to me."
Kenneth shook his head. Frank was reckless, but he had to admit, he always found a way.
As the bus rolled down the road, their conversation faded into silence. Kenneth stared out the window, his mind racing with possibilities. What if the attacks weren't just random animal encounters? What if something more sinister was at play? He could feel the unease creeping up his spine. There was always something thrilling about the unknown, but this time, it felt different. It felt dangerous.
A sudden jolt pulled Kenneth from his thoughts as the bus hit a bump. He turned to Frank, who was still lost in thought. "You really think we'll find something?" he asked.
Frank nodded. "I do. And honestly? I think we need to figure this out before someone else gets hurt."
Kenneth sighed, rubbing his temples. He knew that once Frank set his mind on something, there was no stopping him. They had been like this since they were kids, chasing stories, uncovering small-town mysteries. But this time, it felt like they were diving into something far bigger than either of them had ever faced before.
A few stops later, the bus pulled into Kenneth's neighborhood. He grabbed his bag and stood up, hesitating for a moment. He turned to Frank. "Just… be careful, alright?"
Frank smirked, giving him a small salute. "Always."
Kenneth shook his head, stepping off the bus. As the doors closed behind him and the bus pulled away, he couldn't shake the feeling that tonight would be the start of something much bigger than either of them expected.
As he walked down the familiar streets, the lampposts casting long shadows along the pavement, a strange unease settled in his stomach. The night felt different, heavier. He couldn't tell if it was paranoia or if something was truly lurking just beyond the reach of the streetlights.
A sudden rustling in the bushes made him freeze. He turned his head sharply, scanning the area. His heart pounded in his chest as he waited, listening. Nothing. Maybe just a stray cat? He exhaled slowly, forcing himself to relax. Still, as he continued walking toward his home, he couldn't help but glance back one more time. For a brief moment, he could have sworn he saw a shadow shift, something moving just out of sight.
Kenneth quickened his pace. Whatever was happening in Cavite, he had a feeling it was only just beginning.
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