I JUST WANT TO RESTART.

“I owe you like big time,” she admitted with a sheepish grin, taking the phone from the older woman and dialing her grandmother’s phone. It was pretty late and there was always a chance she was already in bed. The other line dialed for a few moments until she could hear the familiar voice. “Hey grandma, I got a flat on the way home. I’ll be home soon though, I’m okay”, she explained the situation to her. “Thank you again, I need to make sure to bring my charger next time.”

Of course the two know of each other, to Daphne it wasn’t a big town and lately it seemed like everyone was in each other’s business. Though she’s sure she’s never spoke to the other, she never writes it off completely. “Exactly, then I write about them in the local paper for money— Am I joke?” It’s a rhetorical question, one she really hope’s that the other doesn’t feel the need to actually answer. She laughs, though it’s much more of a scoff if anything. “Unfortunately it is, this stuff happened before you were born— Before I was born even.” She shrugs, taking a sip of her drink. “Are you drowning your sorrows too? Hope, is it?”

“I’m not sure if my rim is bent from my tire, it could be? I’ve been meaning to get newer one’s,” Clementine confessed. Truthfully, she needed a brand new car all together. But, that was simply out of her budget at the moment. The first thing she wanted to do was be able to save up enough for her and Ren to get their own place. “You can maybe try calling my grandma? She’s been in bed all day sick to her stomach, but she might pick up?”

Ryan really did mean for this to happen. they look with a smile and hops she is okay. “I’m fine thank you for asking. but are you are okay? don’t worry about it.” they said. “I don’t believe that but it’s not everyday beautiful girl does not bump into me.” they would say and looks at her. “thank you for grabbing that for me.”

Finley would be the first to admit that she wasn’t the greatest person in a crisis, or any kind of serious situation. In fact, she’d been about to jump on Calista or scare her or some shit, until she’d realized that her friend was crying. And then her great idea was to slowly back away so maybe Calista wouldn’t know she’d even been there…but then it was too late, Calista spotted her, and Finley froze in place. “Nah, that’s alright. We all have our moments,” she said with a shrug of her shoulders, stepping up next to the other so they were shoulder to shoulder and holding out a lit joint to share. “Just burnin’ off some steam. You alright?”

Daphne raises her gaze to meet the other’s, clearing her throat as she realises how harsh her words sounded aloud. “What is that?” She questions, reaching a hand out to take it from her hand. “Oh! Thank you, I was— Looking for that.” She mumbles, though Calista is right in saying so, she should watch herself when she’s speaking. Especially with the town’s nerves and emotions heightened due to the recent findings. “Oh my God,” She realises very quickly exactly who the girl standing in front of her now is. “I am so sorry.”

She feels so awkward now, what a horrible thing to say to someone to close to the cases. “You’re completely right, I was out of order. I apologise, Calista it’s been a long day but that’s no excuse.” She sighs, hand running through brunette tresses as she sits herself down at her desk. “Please, have a seat. Did you need something?”

Calista entered the room rather slowly, once she processed the fact that she was welcomed in. The woman nodded, releasing her grip on the card in her hand as the other took it. “Of course!” She flashed the other a weak smile. “Glad I could be of help.” Calista didn’t hold anything against the woman. Everyone was scared, after all. Everyone had the right to be. “Nah, I get it. No hard feelings. We’re all a little on edge and just want this to be over.” God, that couldn’t be more true. 

Aaron has to scoff under his breath at her words, she seems so hostile with a man she’s never spoken to before and of course he has no idea why. “I’m well aware of what’s going on in soon-to-be my town.” He keeps his smile as he introduces himself, dropping it soon after he realises there’s probably no reason for him to keep up a façade she clearly isn’t falling for. “Of course.” He holds out his hand for her to shake if she so pleases, though he’s not expecting much. “I plan on fixing all of that when I become Mayor, I’m working hard on a plan just now. Is that any help if I tell the people that?”

Truthfully she didn’t expect much to come from the elder female, though when she does speak up Adriana has every intent on listening. “Something like that,” She empathizes with Regina, ever since she was attacked she’s convinced the same person is still out to get her. “You mean everything going on in town? — Maybe the universe is laughing at us all honestly.” She sighs, gently sliding over a freshly poured glass for the other on the house. “What was it that was going well at first? Maybe you could get yourself back on track with it.”

Jezebel found herself returning to the beach over and over again during her time in Rosecastle. Ever since that very first paranormal investigation, she was determined to find someone. Even if it was a body rather than a spirit. Something was better than nothing. 

She stood barefoot in the sand snapping pictures of various vantage points of the beach. “Bodies could get trapped in the rocks,” she muttered below her breath, zooming in to focus on the rocky cliff below the lighthouse on the opposite side of the beach. 

She had taken a few steps forward when she heard a nearby person startle. “It’s a public beach, toots. Expect someone, alive or dead. Y’never really know around here.” A low chuckle slipped from Jezebel’s lips. “Eh, that was kind of a fucked up thing of me to say, sorry.” She sighed as she kicked the sand up. “I didn’t mean to startle you, promise. You can yell at me or some shit if that makes you feel better.” 

Honestly, it was welcome to have another face out here. It may have been an unknown face, but she still had to stay vigilant. The other seemed like just a curious.. photographer? Calista was just overwhelmed more than anything else. Her dad had said something today that just got to her: what if she’s still out there? He had asked his daughter. What if she’s out there, somewhere, just waiting for someone to come get her?

“No, you’re fine.” She shook her head, shrugging off the offer. “Just come out here sometimes to get some fresh air. Sometimes it feels like the furthest place you can get away from all this.” 

Calista just wanted to run along the shoreline, her legs pumping and taking her as far away from this town as she possibly could. Of course, she knew what held her here. The band. Her steady job. Her dad, who didn’t want to go anywhere else with his irrational hope that his sister was still alive. There was no way out for her. 

Emery couldn’t help but let out a small laugh. Not only was Regina talented and beautiful and powerful, but she was also sweet and funny. In the short time they’ve known each other, she’s made him smile more times than he’s probably ever had in his 35 years of life. It wasn’t fair that she was given a bad rap in the news. “I’m sure your baby will be fine,” he told her, the smile still on his face. “Uhm, in the meantime, do you want me to show you around? The shop, I mean. The new owner has made some awesome upgrades.” 

Rowan chewed on the inside of his cheek as he listened to her, concern etched into his features, ill-hidden in the creases from his frown. He knew Hope was hurting, he wanted to comfort her, but he didn’t know where to start. He didn’t know how to help her with this, not when he was fighting his own demons, itchy from the crawling feeling underneath his skin almost constantly now. “Sometimes when you’re afraid, your mind makes things up. You imagine you saw something that wasn’t there, or heard a sound you shouldn’t have. Your body is hyper-vigilant. Maybe it’s not for attention. Or maybe it is, but only because they need some attention. They’re afraid too.” He tried quietly, sipping at his drink and then sighing softly. “How are you doing, besides the work stuff?”