Nestled in the mountains about a dozen miles from Falls Town, there stood the Gospel Asylum.
Despite the breathtaking scenery and its close proximity to the town's famous tourist attraction, the Great Falls, the asylum remained largely deserted.
The locals avoided it as much as possible—after all, it housed many dangerous psychiatric patients.
By the way, Falls Town got its na from the Great Falls, which drew crowds of tourists every sumr, fueling the town's economy.
That's why the town governnt was eager to suppress the buzz surrounding the Ghostface Killer—who would want to visit a place that felt unsafe?
Luckily, the Ghostface Killer case only made headlines after the tourist season had passed. Aside from neighboring cities, not many people had even heard about it.
---
On the third floor of Gospel Asylum, a heavyset white nurse walked into a patient's room, carrying a tray of dication. Inside sat a man with a vacant expression, staring blankly out the window.
"Ti to take your ds."
The man didn't respond—his gaze remained fixed on the ground outside.
The nurse had long grown accustod to the strange behaviors of the asylum's patients. Compared to the ones who scread or acted out, this silent, passive man was practically a model patient. He made her job easier.
She glanced out the window. Nothing but an empty patch of land.
Shaking her head, she dismissed the thought. A normal person couldn't possibly understand how a ntally ill mind worked. Without further question, she went through the routine—handing him the pills and a cup of water before ensuring he swallowed them.
After completing the process, she left, locking the door behind her.
But once she was gone, sothing peculiar appeared in the empty space outside.
A red-haired clown holding a balloon stood eerily still on the ground below.
The man's vacant stare was now locked onto the clown, the two seemingly communicating through an unspoken connection.
---
The Ghostface Killer craze faded quickly. With Halloween around the corner, people were far more excited about planning their celebrations.
For Roy, life hadn't changed much. He remained the school's golden boy—admired by all. Girls still slipped him love letters and their phone numbers in the hallways.
But there was one major difference: Roy had quit the football team.
No matter how hard he trained, he knew football wouldn't be his ticket to college. Rather than waste his senior year chasing an impossible dream, he decided to focus on boxing and marksmanship instead.
Thanks to his run-in with the Ghostface Killer, Roy had established a connection with Oak High's principal. They struck a deal—Roy would help promote the school in exchange for the establishnt of a boxing club with a hired coach.
For the next year, Roy planned to secure his college admission by competing in amateur high school boxing and shooting tournants.
Both sports were recognized by the NCAA. While not as prestigious as football, they offered a solid path to earning a full scholarship.
anwhile, Needy's life returned to normal. She was back to being a quiet, unassuming student—only interacting with Roy and Jennifer while focusing on her studies.
Unlike Roy, she didn't need sports to get into college. Her academic performance alone was enough to guarantee her a spot at an Ivy League school.
Her relationship with Roy had also progressed. She no longer shied away from his hugs, kisses, or holding hands. There was only a thin layer of hesitation left between them before she would fully let him in.
---
While Roy and Needy were settling into their routines, Jennifer's situation was less fortunate.
College applications lood over her, and though her grades were decent enough for a respectable public university, she had no chance of securing a scholarship. That ant she had to find a way to cover her tuition and living expenses herself.
Even at a public university, annual costs ran into the tens of thousands. For a high school girl, that financial burden was overwhelming.
Her deadbeat foster father certainly wasn't going to help.
Between studying, working part-ti, and dealing with her toxic ho environnt, Jennifer was visibly drained. Not even the excitent of the upcoming Halloween festivities could lift her spirits.
Seeing her best friend struggle, Needy couldn't stand idly by. She turned to Roy for advice.
The solution was simple. In Arica, most problems could be solved with money.
As it happened, Roy had received a $20,000 reward from Falls Town's governnt for his involvent in the Ghostface Killer case. The money was just sitting there—he hadn't found a good use for it yet.
While online stock trading had been possible since 1996, that luxury was reserved for big cities. In a small town like Falls, just having dial-up internet was a privilege.
---
"Roy, I'm really worried about Jennifer. She's lost so much weight lately."
"I'll talk to her."
That afternoon, Jennifer was gathering her things to leave school when Roy approached her.
Arican high schools prioritized extracurricular activities, so classes ended early, leaving students plenty of ti for clubs.
Jennifer had quit her clubs around the sa ti as Roy. She needed the extra hours to work and save up for college.
The problem was, Falls Town didn't offer many job opportunities—especially after the tourist season ended. Her savings were growing painfully slow.
That was the harsh reality of Arica. It was no wonder so many girls turned to "sugar daddies" to pay for college.
"Jennifer, can we talk privately?"
She hesitated. If anyone else had asked, she would've declined without a second thought.
But she couldn't say no to Roy.
"Alright."
They walked to the oak grove near the school—a popular spot for couples. Oak High got its na from this very forest, which many students found romantic.
"Needy told you've been struggling."
Jennifer stayed silent.
"Is it about college tuition?"
Her pride flared up, making her uneasy.
"I'll figure it out."
Roy shook his head. If it were that easy, she wouldn't look so exhausted.
"Jennifer, I told you before—if you ever needed help, I'd be there. I have so money saved up. Let cover whatever you're short on for your first year."
Jennifer stared at him in shock. This wasn't just pocket change.
"You're serious?"
"Completely."
His unwavering gaze made her feel sothing she hadn't in years—security. For the first ti since being placed in foster care, she felt truly safe.
A radiant smile spread across her face.
"Thank you."
**(End of Chapter)**
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