Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Griffin’s eyes fluttered open. Vision blurry. They were lying on what felt like grass, which shouldn’t be right considering they fell asleep on the couch. They sat up, groaning, running a hand through their messy hair, then rubbing their eyes. Looking around, Griffin came to realize that they wasn't anywhere close to where they slept.

Red covered as far as they could see. Red clouds dotted above in patches, only leaving spots where the black sky could be seen. Pieces of land floated, looking as if they had been pulled out of the red earth by giant hands, reaching down and scooping. The grass field Griffin had found themself in stretched as far as they could see with the darkness that settled over the place. Standing up, the grass reached mid-stomach on Griffin.

“Donna?” Griffin called, “Vance! Billy!”

Griffin quickly turned and froze at what he saw. It was a young woman, no older than 21. Dressed in a hospital gown with frizzy blonde hair haphazardly thrown into a knot at the back of the head, with no looks of physical harm. Something clicks within Griffin as he takes in what's before him. Something is off. 

This woman is dead, and Griffin can feel it.

“Who are you?” Griffin asks, completely ignoring the ‘don’t talk to strangers’ stuff Vance had drilled into their and Donna’s heads.

“You don’t remember me?” The woman asks, voice void of emotion. She sounded like a robot, the sound made them want to laugh.

“Who are you!” They ask again, voice rising to a shout. 

They drop through the ground with no previous warning.

Griffin heard the splash of water as his feet hit the ground. Grey surrounds him, going darker the farther away from Griffin it got. He was in some kind of tunnel that Griffin was willing to bet was underground, if the smell was anything to go by. Green water pooled by his ankles.

Griffin turned right and took off in a dead sprint, heart beating faster than any time they can remember. 

A brick wall came up out of nowhere, well, not nowhere as Griffin had their eyes shut. Purely believing the tunnel was never-ending. 

They slammed into the wall.

And…

Nothing. 

Griffin opened their eyes again. No brick wall. They turned, but found the wall again as it scraped their cheek. Blood poured, more than what would usually come if this was just a scratch. He reached up, but his hand wasn’t met with soft flesh, no, instead Griffin’s hand was met with a hard surface with grooves and a sticky substance. Quickly pulling his hand back in horror, Griffin’s fingers were covered in red. 

They stumbled back, tripping over their own feet; still in shock, they fell.

Water engulfed Griffin as they screamed, only bubbles coming out of their mouth as the black pounced.

---

“GRIFFIN!”  A voice shouts. The person in question shoots up, desperately trying to get away from the embrace he was in. “Woah, buddy. Calm down, It's just me,” The voice says again. Eyes clearing, Griffin could see that it was, in fact, just Vance. No dead woman in a hospital gown, no brick wall, and no skin gone missing. 

Instinctively, Griffin put a hand to his cheek, feeling for bone and blood, but was met with soft skin.

Looking back at Vance, as his eyes had fallen as his hand came to his cheek, he took a moment to ground himself. Taking in all the blond’s features. Striking blue eyes looking back at him. Flushed cheeks. Soft freckles dusted the bridge of his nose. Worry in his face directed at Griffin. Pink lips and eyebrows darker than his hair-

His hair.

His long, blond frizzy hair. The hair looks like the woman's.

The dead woman.

Griffin’s breathing started picking back up. Tears swelled in their eyes.

“Woah, hey. Griffin, listen to me. Wherever you think you are, you’re not. You’re not there. Can you take deep breaths? Try to match my breathing.” Vance said, pulling Griffin closer.

That just made things worse.

Limbs thrashing, escape was the only thing on their mind, Griffin wanted out. Shaking, Griffin got away and was now on the wooden floor on the other side of the room. Both were harmed with scratches. At some point during the escape, Griffin must have hit Vance in the nose as the boy's eyes were watering and his nose had a stream of blood dripping onto his top lip and down the front of his shirt. 

“Griffin, calm down, I’m not going to hurt you,” Vance said, hands raised and slowly approaching Griffin.

Griffin, however, did not hear Vance's words. Blood was roaring in their ears, their brain screaming. 

He was still there. Still in that horrible red hellscape with the blonde woman. Soon the ground was going to swallow him whole, then he would lose his cheek! The skin on his would come off and it would bleed and bleed until he fell and drowned!

Griffin’s mind was running and it was taking them along with it. Eyes wide, backed into the corner of the room with Vance slowly approaching, step by step. 

All this proved to be too much for Griffin to handle, and how did they react?

By promptly collapsing.

---

The next time Griffin woke up, he was greeted with yellow and music. The music was short little spurts of songs, some not even playing for more than 5 seconds before being skipped in favor of the next one. The yellow, however, was nice and soft. Becoming more aware as the seconds passed by, Griffin realized he was no longer in the living room, but now was lying in a soft bed. His bed.

Griffin let out a groan, and rolled onto his back, staring at the ceiling. The music cut off as he did so, and a face came into his line of sight.

“How are you feeling? I’m sorry I wasn’t home, I went to Gwen’s house after school.” The voice was sweet, reminding Griffin of honey. Donna. His sibling. His twin.

“Donna?” Griffin asked, voice horse.

“Yes, Griffin?” Griffin didn’t say anything. Slowly, they lifted their head and placed it on her shoulder. Donna knew what he wanted.

Wrapping her arms around Griffin’s smaller frame, she sat him up and sat on the bed and stuck her face into his mop of dirty blond hair. 

Griffin had a feeling Vance told Donna what had happened earlier, and for the rest of the week, he and Donna (if Billy found out, which he most likely will) would be treating them like glass, scared of another outburst.  

They took their eyes up, scanning the room for lack of items. Drum set, sitting so close to the bed Griffin could lift a hand and touch it. The desk next to the drums, dresser touching. Bookshelf opposite the bed. Everything was in its right place.

Griffin’s stuff liked to play hide and seek with them sometimes, whether or not the blame fell on Donna or their Step Mother they didn’t know. 

“You wanna tell me why you freaked on Vance earlier?” Donna’s voice, slightly muffled, brings Griffin out of his scan around the room.

“Nightmare,” Was all Griffin said. Donna nodded, speaking again after a beat,

“Wanna tell me what it was about?” A shake of the head was all Griffin gave. It still freaked him out.

Who was the woman? How did she die? How come he felt she was dead? And why did it feel so…

“Okay, well, do you want food? Vance was making something downstairs, he might be done with it now.” 

“Food sounds great, thank you, Donna.”

“Of course, come on.” 

Griffin swung his legs out from under the covers, pulling himself to his feet. Donna held a hand out for him, and he grabbed onto it, grateful. At Donna’s lead, both twins came down the stairs, skipping the squeaky step as they did so.

Vance had finished making food. Bloody tissues were on the counter from Vance’s earlier nosebleed.

Oh, Griffin thought absentmindedly, I forgot about that. 

Donna had gone back into the kitchen at one point, apparently forgetting something. The only part of their lie that had failed them was the fact that they didn’t come back with anything additional. Plus the fact that they and Vance had acted differently afterward, telling Griffin that whatever had been shared between the two, wasn’t meant for Griffin to know. Griffin guessed it was about his most recent outburst. 

Usually, when Griffin has an outburst, no one is harmed. Except for himself, but that was usually a bloody knee or scraped hands, sometimes a bloody nose, nothing too bad. Griffin never meant to hurt Vance. The thought made him slightly guilty.

“-ffin. Heyyy, Helloooo, you back?”  It was Donna who was speaking.

“What were you guys talking about?” The question escaped Griffin’s lips before he knew it.

“What do you mean?” This time it was Vance. 

“In the kitchen, when Donna said she was going to get something.”

“How do you know we were talking?”

“Donna, please, you came back with nothing in your hands, and you and Vance have been acting off since then. Besides, you’re my twin, you can’t lie to me.” Donna’s mouth had formed an ‘o’ shape. 

“Griffin-”

“It was about my outburst, wasn’t it?” He questioned, interrupting whatever lie Vance was going to spill out. “I know it was, and I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you, I just got freaked out.”

“Griffin, listen to me.” Vance’s words cut off Griffin, “Yeah, okay, it was about your outburst. I don’t blame you for hitting me, I did something I probably shouldn’t have done. All me and Donna were doing was trying to figure out why you freaked.”

“You could have just asked me.”

“Yes, we know, and we're both sorry.” Donna spoke, “We just… didn’t want you to freak out again.”

“I wasn’t going to,” Griffin mumbled.

“Yes, and we know that-”

“Apparently not.”

“Griffin, don’t be like that.”

“Like what Vance? Annoyed? Annoyed that my own siblings would lie to me? I would have told you guys if you had asked!”

“To be fair, I tried that.”

“Yes, Donna, I understand you tried already,” Griffin snapped, clearly annoyed. “I was still processing things. I had just passed out, for God’s sake! If you had waited a little longer, or just asked me again, I probably would have told you.”

“Griffin, I don’t know what you’re thinking.” Vance tried, “But you’re our sibling, and all we were trying to do was not trigger you, so something like this never happened.” 

Adopted. The word was on the tip of his tongue, but he bit it back. He knew that if he said it, he would regret it as soon as it left. It would have shattered Vance. They knew they were just being petty, and that it was a low blow. 

Instead, Griffin just shook his head, standing up. Moving towards the door, he didn’t glance back as he grabbed his converse that lay by the door, and walked out.

---

Griffin had ‘run away’ before, sure, it was just to blow off steam. They'd walk around or go to the Grab n’ go for a snack if they had brought any money, which they didn’t. 

The only reason Griffin knew he was in trouble was when he came across the basketball court. He was in trouble because this was on the other side of town and because he didn’t know how to get back.

He walked towards the park, as it was close to the basketball court, and kicked rocks as he did so. It was after dark, and Griffin was lucky that he had his phone on him as it was his only light source. Finally reaching the park, in which he sat on the swings, Griffin tucked their phone away into their pocket, deeply regretting not grabbing a coat and exiting out their bedroom window later. 

All Griffin had was a thin, short sleeve shirt, sweatpants, dirty socks, beat-up converse, and their phone inside their pocket. And the hair tie that pulled his hair back into a small ponytail, but what can you do with that? 

This always calmed Griffin. The darkness. The silence. It was different than what he was used to, unnerving. Griffin never got silence, every moment was filled with something, even before he could remember. Donna, braiding his hair while talking, their voice soothing on Griffin’s ears. Vance, a loud person himself, was always doing something; playing music, yelling, fighting. Billy, sweet, sweet Billy, whose laugh could make Griffin melt; repeating in his head like a heavenly sound. And even himself, thoughts so loud only the sound of his drumming quieted them and set them straight.

Coming to the swings, Griffin closed their eyes, a smile tugging at the corner of their lips, head turned to the sky. they hated blowing up on them. On their family . The thought still echoed in their head, why had he done that? They pushed the thought away, trying to enjoy the peaceful silence when a ding caught their attention.

Griffin groaned, they knew it was from Vance, checking on them, telling them to come home. That he was sorry. They reached for their phone, not planning on replying, simply reading the message before going back to thinking. 

He opened his eyes, dropping his head back into a normal position before something grabbed his attention.

It was a shadow in the darkness, nothing Griffin could see. Looking down, he flicked on his flashlight before pointing it back at the shadow.

A small girl was making the shadow. White dress, looking like the type a young child would use for pretending to be a bride, was on the girl. Long brown hair fell around the girl, framing her face. 

The feeling was back.

The nightmare feeling.

The dead feeling.

Pain exploded in Griffin’s back, catching them off guard. The swing disappeared, a low hiss escaping their lips as their knees came in contact with the ground.

The little girl beckoned him, but no sound was shared between the two. Griffin was sure he could hear energy pulsing in the air.

She turned, and the back of her dress was stained red, something glittered as Griffin pointed the flashlight at it.

The pain stopped.

A stab, Griffin thought, so she was dead. He slowly got to his feet. He didn’t remember falling asleep, nor did he have a history of falling asleep in totally random places, so this all had to be real. He pinched himself just to check.

They walked towards the girl, light still on her, and listened as the energy thrummed. It had gotten louder. 

The girl turned, entering the forest; Griffin had no choice but to follow.

Shortly, the little girl came to a stop. She had led him to something. It was a gravestone. There was writing on it. Bending down, Griffin had come to a realization; This was her grave. This is where her body lay.  The grave read:

Lillian Hall

1667-1690

She was thirteen. Just short of a year from you, he thought bitterly, who would kill a child?

As if on cue, Lillian went over to a different grave, this time the grave read: 

William Hall

1643-1692

He killed her… He was her father and he killed her, how Griffin knew this was beyond them. They stood up and noticed they were still in the forest, but the trees had cleared. There were about fifty graves, if Griffin had to guess, inside the clearing. 

The leaves rustled, but Griffin wasn’t afraid. They knew what they were, they couldn’t hurt them. Not yet.

“I’m sorry,” Griffin spoke into the air. When did it start raining? Had they not noticed it before now? 

There were more now. They were all around him, If he wanted out, it wouldn’t happen. Griffin turned in a circle, looking at them all. 

They all faded after he did so. 

Griffin made his way to Lillian’s grave. Kneeling, he stared. Why did he do that? He was her father. She was thirteen. 

After what felt like an hour, but had probably only been around five minutes, he stood up, pulled out his phone, and sent something to the last person who was expecting a text from him at this hour. 

Giffin S: hi robin.

Robin A: griffin?

what are u doing up?

Giffin S: do u think ur able to come to the park? i kinda left and got lost

Robin A: yea, but i have some friends over so they’re goig to be coming too

is that ok?

going*

Griffin S: yea ok 

thank u, btw

Robin A: don’t mention it:)

Now, to find my way back. This was going to be fun.

Strangely, Griffin didn’t have a problem getting back to the main park. It seemed like Lillian was still guiding him. He gave a silent thanks. 

True to his word, Robin showed up not even five minutes after Griffin got out of the forest.

“Griffin Stagg! Why the hell are you out in the park, in the rain, without a raincoat or umbrella?” Robin called from his place under the umbrella, arm around the shoulders of someone Griffin didn’t know. 

A small flash came from Robin’s right wrist as the yellow street lights showed down, illuminating the way. Gwen’s friendship bracelet. A ratty t-shirt was hanging off one shoulder, no jacket even though he told Griffin he needed one. Probably thought the umbrella was going to keep him safe. Faded and ripped red flannel pj pants were dragging the group as he walked. His hair was slightly messy and his bandana wasn’t on his head. Beat-up converse were on his feet.

“I told you, I left. How was I supposed to know it was going to rain?” Griffin answered from the swings as the three people walked up under two umbrellas. 

“You’re sharing an umbrella with Bruce, we only had two at the house. And, this is Finney, but I call him Finn.” Robin explained, pointing at Bruce when he said the name, causing the boy in question to wave. Finney just nodded when his name was said.

Finney had on a rain jacket Griffin had seen on Robin a few times, Robin’s bandana poked out from the sleeve. The jacket wasn’t zipped up so Griffin could see a loose NASA shirt on under. A light bruise kissed the skin under his eye. Finney also had on a pair of gray sweatpants.

Bruce had an umbrella all to himself, holding it with both hands over his right shoulder. Matching Robin, he was wearing a pair of worn-out blue flannel pj pants with the drawstrings tied in a bow. He was wearing a plain black shirt and some of his hair had been pulled back into a small ponytail at the back of the head.

Griffin got up and walked to Bruce, muttering a ‘hi’ as he did so.

He got a hello back.

Griffin got as close as he dared, not wanting to make Bruce uncomfortable, tensing as Bruce put an arm around his shoulders and pulled him close. 

“Come here, we don’t need you catching a cold,” Was all Bruce said as an explanation. 

“Why’d you even text me anyways? Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad that you did, it’s just the fact that…” Robin was glad that he texted, don’t get him wrong, but they rarely talk to each other, let alone text.

“Because we’re not close?” The other boy just nodded. “I didn’t want to text Vance or Donna, I just blew up on them, and I didn’t want to text Billy because I had a feeling that he would show up with Vance and Donna in tow. You’re the only other person I know.” Griffin said, wrapping an arm around Bruce’s waist, god, he was freezing. Bruce only pulled him closer. 

Finney and Robin were engrossed in their conversation as they walked, not even knowing they had come to Griffin’s house until they saw the other two had stopped walking. Bruce was typing something into Griffin’s phone, before handing it back to him. 

“Thank you again, Robin, for coming and getting me,” Griffin said, hand resting on the doorknob as he spoke.

“No problem man, if you ever need to be picked up again, you know who to text.” Griffin nodded, looking at Bruce, the boy shot him a playful wink. 

Despite spending some of the walk silent, he and Bruce hit it off pretty well. Griffin learned Bruce played baseball and had a cat named Hazel, and Bruce found out that Griffin played the drums and was Donna’s twin. Griffin felt he and Bruce were going to become close, and for once he hoped this feeling wasn’t wrong. 

They turned the doorknob and stepped inside. Whatever was being played on the tv was paused and two people made their way into their line of sight. 

Vance’s blond hair was even more messy than usual, a sign that Vance had been worrying. Donna’s hair was pulled into a bun, her bangs pushed back behind her ears, sleeves rolled up. Vance pulled them into a hug before they could even shut the door, something Donna did before joining the hug. 

“Oh my god Griffin, don’t ever do that again,” Vance said, pulling away from the hug, hands still on Griffin’s shoulders, “Why are you soaking wet?”

“It’s raining outside Vance, didn’t you know?” Griffin asked, pulling out of the embrace to take his soaked converse off and put them by the door.

A small ‘oh’ came from Vance as Donna pulled him into a hug.

“That might have been the longest time you were gone for,” they said, “I had a feeling that something was wrong since the moment you left.”

“What time is it anyway?”

“Somewhere around three, you left around midnight.”

“Okay, you two. As glad as I am that Griffin is back, we all have school tomorrow, and I do not want to be the one to deal with your grumpy selves.” Vance said as if he isn’t the most grumpy one out of all three of them.

Donna grabbed Griffin’s hand, “Sure, Vance.” Off the twins went, up the stairs and into Donna’s room.

“Donna, what are we doing? You heard Vance.”

“When were you one for listening to Vance? Besides, I just want to braid your hair.”

“Fine, but if you wake up really tired and super grumpy, the blame is on you.” Griffin sat on Donna’s bed, melting into Donna’s touch when they run their hands through his hair.

“Something happened… I felt it.” Donna said, breaking the silence.

“Nothing happened Donna, all I did was go to the park and swing on the swing a little.”

“The park?” They questioned, “Isn’t that on the other side of town?”

“Yes, Donna. Yes, it is. I’m not really in the mood for talking right now.” Donna let Griffin off the hook but made a mental note to question him about it later that day.

---

After the day Griffin had, sleep should’ve come easy for them. School (which is a problem itself), nightmares, fainting spells, fights, ghosts. The day had been exhausting. They sighed, then remembered something Bruce had said earlier that night:

"Here’s my number, in case you want to talk. I probably won’t be sleeping much the rest of the night."   He shot a glance over to Robin and Finney, checking to see if they had heard the comment. They hadn’t.

Griffin smiled to themself, pulling out their phone and unlocking it. They pulled up Bruce’s contact.

Griffin S: hi bruce!

He didn’t have to wait long for a reply.

Bruce Y: hey!

Bruce Y: god, these names are so formal im changing them.

give me a sed

Griffin S: k

Bruce Y changed two names

baseballboy: better, but not the best

its all i could come up with on short notice

thebettertwin: dw about it

…

true

dont tell her i said that

she’d kill me

baseballboy: if u dont mind me asking

why were u even at the park in the first place?

thebettertwin: got into a fight with my siblings

i left and got a little lost

then ended up at the prak

*park

baseballboy: oh

well i hope you got that fixed

thebettertwin: i did

r finney and robin messing with your sleep?

baseballboy: yes! im not going to get anysleep tonight because of the 2 of them 

thebettertwin: aww how sad u big baby

baseballboy: shhhh

u wouldn’t be saying that if u were in my spot

and were literally watching a movie and theyre talking n staring at each other and everything

thebettertwin: sucks to be u

im making tea in the morning

u want me to maek u some too?

baseballboy: im good

i burnt the top of my mouth on some a while ago and now im scared-

thebettertwin: boohoo

i gotta go

have fun with finney and robin

baseballboy: bye bye griffy!

thebettertwin: dont call me that ever again

Griffin put his phone down with a smile, getting up and stretching his back out. He pulled his shirt off, quickly deciding that was a bad idea as the cold air rushed to meet his skin. Griffin picked up the uniform shorts and pulled them on, pulling the button-up and blazer on after. He tucked the tie down the front of his shirt. The boys got shorts that reached the knee or pants that didn’t fit well. The girls got skirts with itchy tights under them if the weather was cold enough.

The school was a public school, even though their parents had enough money to send them to a private school. The school got tired of everyone breaking the dress code so now they have to wear uniforms. This was the first year.

Reaching up to feel how messy his hair was, Griffin was met with the feeling of braids. He ran his hand down the braid, remembering something Donna had said the night before:

"The braids are called dutch braids," Donna had told Griffin, "I’m doing two so now they’re called double dutch braids. Or twin braids, as I like to call them, there’s one for each of us." Griffin didn’t want to disappoint Donna, he knew she would understand if he had taken them out, but he still didn’t want to. Besides, he quite liked the braids. They didn’t get in the way of anything, as they curled below the ear and stopped.

Griffin exited the room with a slight skip in their step. 

Downstairs with the kettle on the stove, Griffin scrolled through the conversation with Bruce again. They smiled to themself, thinking, I just met this man. I feel like I’ve known him my whole life. Eyes staring at the floor past the phone, a shadow moved in the corner of their eye. 

Looking up, Griffin saw a familiar face. White dress, long brown hair, green eyes, freckles. 

“Lillian.” Griffin didn’t register the word coming out of his mouth, the sound caught in his throat. The girl in question showed no sign of acknowledgment, at least to Griffin’s eyes. The smallest quirk of her lips told a different story.

“Whatcha say, Griffin?” A voice called. Donna. Griffin glanced at them before looking back at where Lillian was, only to find she had gone. 

“Nothing.” Griffin turned his gaze back to Donna as he spoke. 

Donna didn’t look much different than she did on a normal, non-school day. Her hair was pulled back into a half-up half-down look, bangs framing her face. A white button-up shirt was hidden under the school blazer and tie. The skirt fell down and ended just above the knee. No tights as the weather was warmer and the tights got hot and itchy fast, but she had on socks that were scrunched down closer to her ankles.

“Um… okay, your kettles done, by the way.” She walked past Griffin. How Griffin hadn’t noticed the screaming kettle before it was brought to his attention? A question he would not like to answer. 

“Damn it. Thank you, Donna.”  He grabs the kettle, turns the burner off, and sets the kettle on the stand. The kettle had been a suck-up gift from his dad just after Griffin started drinking tea. Whenever he thinks about how the kettle came ‘round, it always makes him laugh.

Kids are supposed to suck up to their parents, not the other way around. But, when in the family only to make one feel better about themselves, the suck-up might be slightly needed. 

Bringing a small thermos from the higher shelves down (tiptoes might have been needed for this), putting a tea bag in, taking the kettle from the stand, and pouring the water on the tea bag. He let the tea bag steep for around 5 minutes, taking the bag out by the string only to dunk it back in shortly after. Lifting the bag out and holding it over the cup to let it drip out, deciding that the bag is finished dripping, Griffin places a hand under the bag and walks over to the trash, steps on it, and drops the bag in. 

Donna, sitting on the counter with a small bowl of cereal in their lap, watches. Sure, Donnas has seen Griffin make tea before, and this surely isn’t the last time, but they always find it fun to watch. It’s like a dance, the movements are always the same, and the timing is the only thing that’s sometimes different. Whether or not that’s the bag dripping, the dunking, or the boiling based on the type of tea, each time is slightly different than the last. 

“I see you didn’t take your braids out, is that a sign that you’re going to wear them to school?” Donna asked.

“Yeah,” Griffin said, then added as an afterthought, “I don’t think they go against the dress code.”

Donna’s eyes lit up, smiling, “does that mean you’ll let me do it again?”

“Sure,” Griffin took a sip of tea.

Someone knocked on the front door. Griffin saved Donna the grace of having to put the bowl aside and jumping off the counter, put the cup of tea down, and walked over to the door. They already knew who it was, and they have told the person many times that they don’t need to knock and can let themselves in unless their parents’ car is in the driveway. It wasn’t, but they continued to knock anyway.

Griffin opened the door to see Billy, their best friend of 9 years, standing outside on the front porch with his book bag on his back. 

Billy was wearing the school uniform, he had chosen shorts, too. The laces on his black converse are wrapped around his ankle once and then double-knotted, just the way he likes them. Fluffy brown hair pushed back from the left side due to Billy running his hand through it before knocking. His hands are clasped in front of him so Griffin can see the silver watch and friendship bracelet on his right hand. Griffin’s is on their left hand. He isn’t facing them, so they can only see the end of the scar on his left cheek, but Griffin still knows it’s there. 

Griffin looked to where Billy was looking. Harper, Billy’s golden retriever, was sitting behind the glass door to Billy’s house. 

Before school on Wednesdays and in the mornings on Sundays, Billy Showalter gets up and delivers the newspaper. He brings his dog Harper along with him, and on Wednesdays when he finishes, he puts Harper in the house and walks over to Griffin’s. Soon, Vance will be able to drive them-- his road rage made him scare the tester, fail the test, and get yelled at,-- the next one is in a few weeks, but for now, they all walk to school together.

Griffin didn’t know he was zoning out until Billy was waving a hand in front of his face, “Can I come in?” He knows he can, he’s only asking to tease Griffin because Griffin is blocking the door.

“Yeah, sorry,” Griffin moves to let Billy in, shutting the door behind him. Billy leads himself to the kitchen, greets Donna with a nod to which she gives back.

“What’s with you two and sitting on counters? We have a dining table right there.” They say, walking into the kitchen and finding Donna and Billy on the counter.

“Where’s the fun in that? Besides, I’m so much taller than you up here. You look like an ant.” Billy laughs at Donna’s answer, Griffin only mumbles ‘I’m not even that short. You’re already taller than me with both of us standing, no need to rub it in.’

“Showalter,” Vance greets as he walks to the pantry in search of breakfast-- Vance never chooses the shorts. 

Billy sticks his tongue out.

“Is everyone ready?” Vance asks, tossing an apple into the air and pulling out an iced coffee from the night before from the fridge.

“Yes, Vance,” everyone said in unison. Donna and Billy hopped off the counter, Griffin put the cap back on the thermos. Donna, Griffin, and Vance all got their book bags from near the front door and all four of them were out the door.

---

“My parents want to give me braces,” Billy says once they’ve started down the road, “I don’t want them. If I get them, I won’t be able to do this anymore,” he proceeds to stick his tongue in the gap between his front two teeth. 

“Why do they want to give you braces? I thought your parents were fine with you not wanting them,” Donna asked.

“They said something about how I’m getting older, and how I need to start caring about my appearance and focus more on school and all that stuff. They even tried to get me in one of the sports programs at school.”

“Feel bad for ya, Bills,” Griffin said, patting Billy on the shoulder.

“Never call me that again.”

The walk to school wasn’t usually quiet. The gloomy atmosphere wasn’t doing much to help. Vance wouldn't listen, having his headphones on. Donna would share gossip with Billy if he wasn’t already caught up. Griffin was just kind of there. He would loop his hand into Billy’s, trying to keep up. Billy and Donna were fast walkers, and both were taller than Griffin, so they were usually ahead. Having Billy tied to Griffin helps keep everyone together.

Today was different. Vance’s headphones were around his neck, no music was playing. Donna and Billy weren’t gossiping, even though Billy was a little behind; drifting through conversation topics like flipping through a book, reading but not understanding. Griffin and Billy weren’t holding hands. 

Glass.

Griffin wasn’t glass.

“I can tell someone wants to say something.” It’s not a lie, Griffin can tell someone wants to say something, but he can also tell that someone is Billy. He just didn’t want to single him out. He’s nice like that.

“I heard about your blow-up,” Billy confesses, quickly, “I just didn’t want to be the one who brings it up because I know you don’t like to talk about them and I probably should’ve minded my own business-”

“Billy, Billy, take a deep breath.” Griffin grabs Billy’s hand, hoping to soothe nerves, “I don’t mind after a while. I just can’t deal with it as soon as it happens.”

“Okay,” Billy breathes, “we don’t have to talk about it. I just wanted to see if you were okay and didn’t know how to bring it up.”

“I’m okay now, come over later?”

“Sure.”

---

Griffin should’ve known school wouldn’t go well.

This, however?

This was a new level of bad.

(Thank God Billy was coming over after.)

Chapter Text

Homeroom was never fun. Griffin’s teacher, Ms. Halo, an old lady with graying hair, would give them worksheets or would write on the board. No one would ever do the work, or ignore whatever was written on the board. Griffin was no exception, tuning everyone out and reading a novel.

“Thank you for joining us today-- and before you ask-- no, this will not take long,” A voice said, startling Griffin from reading. Marking their page, Griffin tuned into what the voice was saying:

“For safety reasons, we are having practice drills the rest of this week,” The man speaking paused as a few students let out groans, “now, now. This won’t interfere with lunches of any grade, but instead will be happening around 11:30 each day, which should be your grades block 3.” He looked at the teacher for confirmation, getting none. “Again, this is for safety reasons and is required by the county.” The man walked out of the room.

Ms. Halo got up like nothing just happened, grabbed a stack of paper, and began handing it out to everyone. Griffin’s classmates were whispering, maybe talking about the drills, maybe talking about a party someone was hosting this weekend, Griffin didn’t care enough to listen.

Which drill were they doing today? They hoped the fire drill wasn’t the first one, it was the one Billy hated the most. And they hated the idea of a lockdown drill today, as the practice made them feel sticky. Vance hated that one too, and Griffin couldn’t deal with his whining and complaining today.

Taking the worksheet from Ms. Halo’s hand, Griffin began to work, but not before seeing something out of the corner of their eye. 

---

Block 2 was the time Griffin got the most done. Homeroom changed into ELA after a while, Griffin’s best, then they found themself walking the halls. Bumming into people, getting pushed into lockers, and being stuck behind slow people, the hallways had to be what Griffin hated most about this school.

Block 2 was history. Griffin always felt they got the most done, but that was probably just because they spent their time copying notes. Billy’s worst was history, so whenever both were free before a test, Griffin would help. Griffin honestly found it fun, watching Billy peer over notes covering the floor, tongue pushed against his front teeth. 

(Griffin was an auditory learner, which, in short, means they pick up what's being put down easily and can remember it. They’re the assigned study helper.)

Block 2 passed into block 3, and Griffin found themself sitting alone at a table near the back of the classroom. 

The intercom cracked, then a voice came through;

“Attention please, this is a tornado drill. Please remain calm to hear the instructions given. I repeat this is a tornado drill. Please remain calm to hear the instructions given.”

“Alright, guys. You heard the man! Everybody up!”  Mr. Nelson, Griffin’s favorite teacher, called to the classroom. All the students that shared Mr. Nelson’s science class got up with little chatter and followed him out of the room. It was crazy how well he could command a room.

“We’re going to line up against this wall, get on our knees, and bring our hands over the back of our neck to protect it.” Mr. Nelson said, waving a hand at the wall.

Griffin walked over towards where the classes collided, planning on staying at the end of the class and bringing up the rear.

“Long time, no see.” A voice said from beside Griffin.

Turning to look at where the voice came from, they were met with a familiar face. Dirty blond hair, brown eyes, the ghost of a bruise.

“Finney!” Their eyes moved to the teacher behind Finn, noticing it was one of Vance’s from last year. “You’re in grade 10?”

“Hey, Griffin. I didn’t expect that to be the first words out of your mouth, but yes, I am.”

“Cool, I’m only in grade 9, so not far behind.” Both Griffin and Finney were on their knees now, bending over with their hands covering the back of their neck.

“Can I ask you a question, Griffin?”

“What is it?”

“How do you know Robin? I asked him but he just said something about Vance Hopper.”

“Oh, yeah. Vance is my brother, him and Robin are friends. Sorry to interrupt your hang out, or whatever.”

“Brother? I didn’t know Vance Hopper had a brother.”

“Yeah, he’s got two siblings.”

“Really? Who?”

“Donna. They’re my twin.”

“The same Donna that came over Friday? The exception to the rule Donna?”
“What rule?”

“My sister, Gwen, only hangs out with Suzie on Fridays, but Suzie was sick so Donna came over instead. That never happens.”

Griffin just nodded, letting the conversation drift off.

---

A man was standing in the corner of Griffin’s elective class. 

No one else seemed to see him, if they did they didn’t care he was there. They probably should. He was badly burned, his shirt torn and dirty with ash. Chunks of his skin were missing, and he was missing his arm under the elbow. His breaths came out in puffs.

Griffin’s body started burning just under the skin when he saw him.

A sharp pain started in his stomach, making him shudder. Looking down he saw what it was.

A rod.

A woman came around his chair, grabbing onto the front of the rod now. She didn’t have much hair, and what she did have was matted with ash. Her clothes had burn holes and she was dragging her right leg. 

It pulled out slowly, now going the other direction, and Griffin found no blood, it didn’t hurt, just this cold-tickle-ish feeling. But, oh God his throat was feeling weird, and it felt like he was choking-

“Someone get him a trashcan!”

After that, he didn’t remember much. A hand rested on his back, a trashcan in front, then an arm was around his shoulders and he was being led down the hallway. Cool hands patted his face, and he was handed an ice pack and a trash can in between his feet.

He could hear talking but didn’t pay attention until he heard Vance’s name. His head snapped to the side, most drowsiness leaving, muttering a no. 

If Vance got called out of class, surely he would skip, and I can’t deal with the questions. Maybe he would go back to school? But then I would have to deal with the questions tonight.

A hand rested on Griffin’s back, rubbing along his spine. Donna. She smiled at him, bangs almost covering her face. “You feeling good enough for a tag chase?” She asked, raising an eyebrow and nodding her head to the exit, “we could hang out. Just us, till schools out.” 

“Sure, might throw up again after,” he said, eyeing the nurse from where she was debating to call Vance up with whoever was sitting at the front desk. “Front? We could use that window in the girls’ bathroom.”

“Nah, I might need that later. If we lead them to the window, chances are they’ll close it up. We can deal with the vomit, let’s just hope you get off school grounds.”

“Sure, but what’s the plan after? Head home? Meet up with Vance and Billy?”

“We can meet back up with them if you want. Maybe we can hit up that convenience store a few blocks down.”

“You have your backpack?”

“No. Let’s chance it. You know our father dearest will just get us out if we seriously mess up.”

Griffin sighed, he thought this might be a quieter day, and after what happened the night before he really needed it. He dragged the trash can back beside the desk, throwing the ice bag inside. Donna smoothed out her dress, looking back at Griffin for his signal, grabbing his hand. Tapping the inside of Donna’s wrist, he counted down from three.

They took off running, pushing the entrance doors open with a shout from the front desk lady. They continued outside, running across the basketball court. Donna tugged on Griffin’s arm, pulling him down a trail.

“Shortcut.” She breathed.

Griffin tugged on Donna’s arm, breathing heavily. He still felt nauseous, sweat beading on his forehead. She turned, breathing also labored. She raised her eyebrows, at which Griffin waved a hand, bending over to rest with his hands on his knees. 

“Come on, the store isn’t that fair. We can sit out front if we need to.” Donna said, turning and walking. Jogging to catch up, Griffin fell into step with her.

They sat outside the convenience store, both blazers discarded behind them. 

“You ready?” Donna asked, grabbing both blazers and holding a hand for Griffin. He sighed, taking her hand and standing up. 

They managed to get inside the store easily, and Griffin took a diet coke, shoving it in the front of his shorts. He and Donna split, her going to stash a bag of chips. He grabbed another bottle, this time waking away from a customer before placing it in his armpit. He saw Donna go up to the counter, chip bags hidden under the blazers, take a pack of gum and place it down. 

She moved to get the change, and moved the chip bag, too. Quickly, Griffin made his way to the chip aisle, grabbing a bag of chips and making noise to cover Donna’s. He saw her pay, then walk out. 

Making his way toward the door, he made sure to stay away from the worker. He got out, walking around the side of the building before removing the bottles. 

“God, Donna, you almost blew us.” He said, handing her a coke with a fond grin on his face. She offered the chips in return. 

“Thanks for the cover, but I was supposed to cover you. Let you get out.”

“Donna?” A voice called, bringing the twins' attention away from the food.

“Gwen?” She called, “what are you doing? Why weren’t you in school earlier?”

“I could ask you the same.” She walked closer, circling Griffin to sit on Donna’s other side.

“I asked first.”

“Threw up this morning. Feel better and I’m not contagious, you?” What’s with everyone vomiting?

“We’re skipping, had a test, and I didn’t study. Griffin’s keeping me company.”

“Gwen.” The girl said, reaching out a hand for Griffin to shake.

“Griffin.” He shook.

An awkward silence stretched over the group, and Donna rubbed her hands on her skirt, standing up. “It’s about time to head back. You wanna come with?” 

“Head back? Where?” Gwen asked, taking Donna’s outstretched hand. 

God, Griffin thought. A girl comes along and suddenly I get kicked to the sidelines. 

“We gotta go pick our idiots up from school-”

“If Billy complains the whole walk home, I’m blaming you,” Griffin says, throwing both cokes in the trash and rolling the chip bag up. “We totally left him at lunch.”

“Sure, I’ll come. Walk back home with Finney.”

“Do you maybe, wanna stay the night?” Donna asks, shifting her weight between her feet. Gwen nods, smiling.

“Come on, slowpokes.” Walking along the dirt path, Griffin kicks at a rock, knocking it into the bushes. “Caught rumor some fight was going down, wanna see it.”

“Who’s fighting? I never heard about this.” Donna said.

“Kinda the whole point. The teachers hear, the fights canceled.” Gwen interjected, jogging to match her pace with Griffin. 

“I don’t know. Some kid was trash-talking, other caught word of it. Soon as schools out, they meet and battle.”

“You make it sound like some great big thing, Griffin. It’s just a fight.”

“Well, my wonderful twin, it’ll be a big thing around school tomorrow, maybe Monday. At this point, someone's bound to try and stop it, I wanna be there when they do.”

“Then let’s hurry our pace. Finney won’t let me stay, he hates things like this.”  Gwen said, rolling up the sleeves of her shirt. The leg of her jeans dragged against a bush.

---

The fight was underwhelming. Arriving at the school, the three 9th graders climbed back in threw the window in the girls’ bathroom. They stayed there, joking and almost flooding the place, until the bell rang. Quickly, Griffin and Donna ran back into their elective class to grab their backpacks before meeting back up with Gwen closer to where the fight was supposed to happen. Vance and Billy could wait, and Finney was set to walk home with Robin and Bruce anyways. 

11th grader Gabrial Jamison had his hands around 10th grader Joshua Adams's neck when teachers arrived. It had even been five minutes and someone was already screaming for everyone to clear out. 

So much for that great big thing. Griffin thought, them and Donna meeting back up with Vance and Billy.

“Where were you two? Both of you left me! I ate lunch in Mrs. Charles’s class all by myself.”

“Griffin-” Donna started but got elbowed before she could finish.

“Come on, we were about to leave you.”

“Hello to you too, Vance,” Donna said, brushing past him to continue down the path. 

The walk home from school is quite like the walk to school. Donna and Billy talking, Vance listening to music, and Griffin just being there. They grabbed Billy’s hand, swinging it slightly. 

---

“Do you think we could steal the rest of the ice cream without Donna noticing?” Billy asked, throwing his bag down in Griffin’s room.

“No need, gotta bag of chips right here,” Griffin said, taking the chips from where they lay mushed in their backpack and chucking it at Billy.

“Wow, thanks.” He caught it and opened it, leaning on the wall where the bed sat. Griffin flopped on the bed next to him.

Billy placed the bag next to the bed, running his hands through Griffin’s hair. “What really happened today?”

“I threw up during 4th block, and me and Donna made a run for it.”

“Are you feeling sick? Or was it something else?”

“There was a man. And a woman. And I know this is going to sound weird, but I am telling the truth, but they were dead. They died and somehow I was the only one who could see them.”

“Griffin, are you sure you’re feeling okay?”

“I’m telling the truth!” Hot tears burned in their eyes as they faced him, they hadn’t prepared to tell Billy, hadn’t planned to tell anyone. Guess that’s the charm of William Showalter. They weren’t sure if they could handle the rejection if Billy didn’t believe them.

“Griff, don’t cry. I believe you. I believe you.” Billy took his face in his hands. The look in his eyes told Griffin that he was honest. 

“They died in some sort of fire. The woman stabbed me with something, some sort of rod, right through my stomach. Made me throw up.”

“Sounds gross, glad I wasn’t there for that.” Billy pulled them into a hug, and they stayed like that until after dark and until Vance shouted up the stairs calling for Billy, enjoying each other's presence. Billy ran his hands through Griffin’s hair, while they played with his other hand. 

Whatever they were going to do tomorrow, could wait till tomorrow, and as Griffin fell asleep that night, they thought about a group of eight and ice cream.

Chapter Text

The dream started out normal.

He was hand-in-hand with Billy, an ice cream in the other. 

That’s when everything went wrong.

Darkness covered his vision, and he fell.

He was back in the forest, Lillian floating in front of him.

“Lillian? What’s going on? Where am I?” Once the words left his mouth, he was in a house, Lillian nowhere in sight.

“You listen to me, you ungrateful little brat!” Turning around Griffin saw a man, looking in his 40s or 50s. A knife in his hand.

A little girl was standing opposite from him. White dress. Long, brown hair. Lillian.  

The sounds of the man shouting turned to static as Griffin watched.

Tears were streaming down Lillian’s face, her hands bunched in the fabric of her dress. William pointed the knife at her, and she cowarded away from him. That’s when Griffin heard it.

“You look at me when I’m talking to you, girl!” And he shoved the knife in her back.

She fell to the ground, a gasp of shock escaping her lips, as her father pulled the knife out.

He fell to the floor next to her, cradling her head in his lap. “Lillian… my poor baby.” He mutters, rocking back and forth, acting like he didn’t just stab his own daughter.

Darkness comes again, and he’s back in the forest. Lillian’s staring at her father’s grave, her figure moving as she sobs, but no sound is coming from her. Griffin can feel the energy pulsing in the air again, reminding him of their first meeting.

They’ve only known Lillian for about a day, but they can already sense a growing bond, like she planted a seed in them. An invisible string tying them together.

A bigger grave caught Griffin’s eye. This one was a cream color, most likely from the weather, and shaped in a cross. It looked the newest.

The name on the grave was “Chris Peck”  with the years 1692-1747. 55 years.

Cold crept up their spine and the dirt began to rumble. 

---

Griffin shot up in their bed.

Breathing heavy, they creeped down the stairs to get a glass of water. 

Turning the tab off, they could still hear the water dripping. 

Once they turned around, they came face to face with Lillian. The blood on her back was splattering on the floor. 

Fighting back a scream, Griffin ran back upstairs and grabbed his phone.

thebettertwin: are u up?

baseballboy: now i am

whats up?

thebettertwin: are u up for going to the park with me? theres something i need to do

baseballboy: ill met u in 5

---

Walking up to the park, Bruce was already waiting for him. Bruce smiled as he came up.

“Hey! I didn’t know what you needed to do, so I just have my phone. Hope that's okay.” He said, eyeing Griffin’s bookbag.

“You're good, I have everything I need. Follow me.” And with that, Griffin led them into the woods, hoping Lillian was guiding him.

---

When they got to the clearing, Bruce gasped. 

“What is this place? How do you know about it? How did you even find it?” Bruce asked, looking around.

“You wouldn’t believe me.”

“Hit me.”

“I met a ghost named Lillian and she led me here to show me her and her father's grave. ”

“Okay then. Why are we back here?”

“I had a dream, well nightmare actually, about this place.” Griffin walked over to the grave labeled “Chris Peck”. Bruce trailed after him. 

He sat down at the head of the grave, closing his eyes. 

He was trying to feel the vibrations coming from the grave, but he couldn’t pull anything.

“Give me your hand, close your eyes, and breathe.” He instructed Bruce, reaching for him. He hoped this would work.

Hands intertwined, Griffin reached out and tried feeling again. 

He felt a low pulse but wasn't able to do anything about it. 

He sighed, opening his eyes and letting go of Bruce’s hand, making him open his eyes. 

“What were you trying to do?” Bruce asked, brushing himself off and getting up.

“Seeing if I can find out how he died. It happens sometimes, I just… know how someone died.”

“When did this even start happening?”

“The nightmares started about a week ago, I only met Lillian last night.”

“So maybe you’re just not ready yet? If you only met… Lillian last night, maybe you’re not strong enough.”

“Maybe, but something is off about this grave, that’s for sure.”

“I trust you. Have you told Donna yet?”

“No, but with my luck, she already knows.”

Bruce sighed, looking around.“This forest is kind of giving me the creeps, can we get out of here?”

“Yeah, let’s go.”

Griffin gave the clearing one last look before leading Bruce out of the woods.

---

“Where have you been?” Donna asks, sitting at Griffin’s desk.

They walked Bruce home, before coming back and climbing through the window.

“I’ve been… out. Why are you in my room? What did I tell you about stealing my stuff while I was asleep?”

“I don’t steal, I borrow, and you aren’t even asleep.”

“You do steal, so hand over whatever you took.”

“Fine,” Donna huffed, removing the shirt she had behind her back. “But, you most definitely were not asleep, so maybe I might just… slip this to Vance.” Donna said, innocently, swaying back and forth in their desk chair.

“If you mention this to Vance, I will tell Gwen-”

“Oh Griffin! When did you wake up?” Donna asked, her voice a tad sour.

“That’s more like it. And, if you have to know, I was out with Bruce.”

“Bruce, like Bruce Yamada? Since when did you know him?” Donna eyed him.

“Like, last night. Robin picked me up and him and Finney were with him. I got his number and now we’re friends.”

“And you forgot to tell your poor twin this? This feels like something I should’ve known!”

“Sorry Donna, I’ll fill you in next time I have a friend.” Griffin said, sarcasm dripping from his tongue.

“That’s better. Also why the park? I mean, that’s on the other side of town.”

“I… left something there, last night.”

“Okay…” Donna looked skeptical, but she let him go. “I’m taking this, by the way.” She grabbed the shirt out of Griffin’s hand and shut the door.

“Damn you, Donna”

Chapter Text

Donna had been hearing screams all week. The screams became overwhelming when she was in school, trying to block them out and listen to what her friends were saying. Someone was whispering in her ear during science.

She felt that people were beside her, but no one was there. The halls were more crowded. People were pushing up against her who weren’t there.

And the nightmares. She had been getting less sleep because of them, listening to music to drown the thoughts out.

Then the Gwen stuff. Donna knew she could be a lot when making a new friend, but she really didn’t want to mess this up. She keeps reminding herself that her brother is Finney Blake, and that she shouldn’t be worried about being weird, but the fear stays strong.

And she has to deal with the whole drama class and getting that sorted out, and-

God, she is so tired. Her body will explode if she drinks anymore caffeine.

Griffin has been struggling since his nightmares have become more recent, and she just felt so alone and-

Okay. Happy thoughts.

On the up side of her week, she got casted as the main character in the school play which-

The school play. She totally forgot.

“Griffin! Griffin get up!”  Donna yelled, jumping out of bed.

She pulled off the big shirt she slept in, and pulled on the one she stole from Griffin. She hopped into her uniform skirt, tucking her shirt into it. Grabbing her blazer, she rushed into Griffin’s room, only to find them sleeping.

“Griffin!” She yelled, shaking them. “Get up, we have to leave now.”

“Now?” They whined, “It’s so early.”

“Yes now, I can’t be late.”

“Donna.” They said, looking at the clock. “School starts in an hour and a half.”

“I have rehearsal.”

“I’m waiting for Billy.” They said, turning over.

“You can see your little boyfriend later, besides, he wakes up at the same time everyday. I’m sure he’s ready.” Donna said, pushing the cover off them before leaving. (She ignored Griffin’s protests about Billy being his boyfriend, but she just knew they liked each other.)

Moving on to Vance’s room, Donna knocks before walking in, even though she knows he’s asleep.

Leaning on the doorframe, she called out, “Get up, I have to be at school.” 

Vance, being a light sleeper, mumbled back. “Go by yourself.”

“Do you want me to be kidnapped?” She asked, rolling her eyes. “Come on.” She banged on the doorframe before leaving.

Griffin came downstairs before Vance did, but left to see if Billy was awake. Anxiously, Donna waited for Vance, her book bag already on.

When Griffin came back with Billy in tow and Vance came downstairs, they left.

Donna made it to rehearsal with three minutes to spare.

---

All that was happening in that rehearsal was reading lines, so they truly could have skipped but they knew Mr. Sheldon would be mad.

It was nearing second period when it started raining. Big rolls of thunder and flashes of lighting. The rain was pounding on the roof. What really messed with Donna was the fact that they couldn’t make out anything that was being said. 

They needed to get their grade up in this class, but someone kept whispering nonsense in their ear. Finally they asked to use the bathroom.

Opening the door, they looked at all the stalls, but the last one was shut. Going into the stall next to that, they waited for the person to leave before coming out again. 

Pushing the glass aside, Donna went out, dangling by their fingers. Letting go they fell onto the bushes down below. Thunder rumbled and lighting cracked as Donna walked across the football field, getting soaked.

Then someone screamed.

Someone screamed ‘help’.

Donna took off running, almost slipping in the puddles. The person screamed again. Darting in between the trees, they reached a clearing. There was a tree branch in the middle, a puddle forming around it. They still hear the scream.

“I’m here! Stop screaming! Stop screaming.”  The screams cut off immediately. “Tell me why you need my help.”

“Griffin.” A shrill voice said. A shiver ran down their spine. 

“What’s wrong with him?” They yelled, spinning around. “His nightmares?” The voice didn’t answer back. “What’s wrong with him!”

“Chr…”

They broke down sobbing. Falling down to their knees and putting their face in their hands, they were praying Griffin was fine. Truth was, she knew Griffin had been acting off, but they chalked it up to his nightmares. She didn’t think to ask beyond that, and God, did she feel bad. Standing up and brushing off the dirt from their skirt, they asked “How can I help him.”

“Chris…” The voice spoke.

“Chris? Chris who?” They didn’t get a response. Turning around, they marched back through the woods.

Climbing back in the window and sliding it shut, Donna came face to face with Evelyn King, their rival and drama class crush.

“Evelyn.” They squeaked, embarrassed and soaking. Evelyn just smirked, grabbed a few paper towels. 

“I won’t tell anyone if you tell me why you were out there.”

“Why do you want to know?” They asked, taking the paper towels out of her hand.

“Why were you in the rain?” She counters, staring at Donna intensely (They would be lying if they said that didn’t make them blush). 

“Needed a break, why did you want to know so bad?”

“Why did you go out there?” Evelyn asked, brushing out Donna’s question. 

Sighing, Donna walked over to the sink to squeeze the water out of their hair. “It’s calming. There’s something about the rain that just… pulls me in.” They took off their blazer, wringing it out in the sink. 

“That’s not going to do much.” Evelyn said, laughing. “Stick it under the hand dryer.”

Donna stuck their head under first, blushing slightly, trying to dry their hair off before putting their jacket under it. Untucking Griffin’s shirt, Donna wrung it out before doing the same to the skirt. Getting paper towels to clean the water from the floor, they noticed Evelyn was just staring at them.

“Can I help you?” They ask, throwing the paper towels away and facing her.

“You can’t go back to class like that.”

“What?” Donna said, taken back.

“You’re still dripping, just stay here.”

“I left my backpack in class, I have to get it.”

“I’ll get it, stay here.” Evelyn said, turning and leaving. Donna knew no one ever used this bathroom if they could avoid it, but hid in the stall until Evelyn came back anyway.

“I got your stuff for you, along with whatever you were supposed to finish.”

“Thanks, Evelyn.”

“No problem.”

Donna takes the papers, laying their blazer, socks and shoes on the floor next to them and starts working; they don’t mind when Evelyn sits down next to them. They stay like this until the bell rings signaling lunch. Donna put back on their shoes and blazer, putting their papers in their bag and leaving, muttering a ‘bye’ to Evelyn.

---

She met up with Billy and Griffin for lunch.

She goes through the lunch line even though she rarely eats what they put on her tray.

Sighing, she sits down with Billy and Griffin at the round table they claimed. “You will never believe who kidnapped me.”

“Who?” Billy asks, turning to look at her.

“Evelyn King.”

“Like your crush, Evelyn King?”

“You have a crush on her? I thought you couldn’t stand her?” Billy asks, looking between the twins.

“Griffin! I told you not to say anything.”

“Oops,” they say, shrugging their shoulders but not looking very sorry. “But why did she kidnap you? Did she dunk your head in the toilet, is that why your hair is wet?”

“No, I went outside in the rain. She kidnapped me because I was dripping and wouldn’t let me leave before the bell rang.”

“Is that really a bad thing?” Billy asked, putting his elbows on the table and leaning into his hands. “Being stuck in the bathroom with your crush?”

“You got over that quick.” Donna said, poking at the soggy grilled cheese on her tray. “But it kind of was because I’ve hardly interacted with her outside of drama class.”

“So why do you hate her again?”

“Why do you ask so many questions? But I don’t hate her, Billy.” Smirking, Donna moved down seats to be closer to Billy before shaking her wet hair in his face. She heard Griffin giggling before she moved back.

Donna pulled out chapstick from her blazer pocket when Billy kicked her under the table. She gasped and kicked back, the chapstick being forgotten. Griffin, knowing what was about to happen, stopped Billy from kicking Donna back.

“You should invite Evelyn to sit with us.”

“No.” Donna said as Billy laughed. “Never. I hardly know her!”

“So? The only way to know someone better is to talk to them.”

“I know, but not this soon! Also one of you two would say something-” 

“That’s such a mean thing to say! We would not!”

“Yes you would, Billy.”

---

The rest of the day went by in a blur. She hardly remembers the fire drill and Billy’s complaints on the walk home. 

She could only think of Evelyn and the forest.

She decided to paint her nails to distract herself. Her polish was chipping anyway.

She had just picked a nice lavender color when Griffin walked past her door. “Where are you going?” She asked.

“Over to Billy’s. We’re going to watch a movie.”

“Oh,” she said, looking down at the polish. “Have fun.”

“Are you okay?” He said, leaning on the doorframe. “You’ve been acting off since lunch, and you’re painting your nails.”

“What does painting my nails have to do with anything?” Her voice was getting higher, she really hoped those voices were wrong. Griffin was fine.

“You always paint your nails when you’re stressed. I can cancel with Billy and stay, I’m sure he would understand-”

“No! Go to Billy’s.” Griffin looked taken aback by this but nodded and left anyway. Donna sighed, moving to the floor to start painting.

She had the first coat finished when she heard it.

Quiet sobbing.

Turning, she couldn’t see anyone, but she felt something in the corner. “Hello?”

“Who are you talking to?” Donna spun around, only to see Vance standing at her door.

“No one, thought I heard someone.”

“Okay… Where’s Griffin?”

“He's at Billy’s. They’re watching a movie.” Vance just nodded, leaving for his room.

She could still hear the sobbing.

“How can I help?”

“Dad-” 

Her phone buzzed.

Unknown: hi donna:)

Donna S: who are you? how do u know my name?

Unknown: we go to school together

Donna S: doesn’t answer who u are

and how u got this number

Unknown: call me parker

and i asked around

Unknown changed two names

donna: why are you even texting me if we go to the same school?

parker: cause i think ur cute and im scared to tell u that irl

donna: u have no problem telling that to me over text

parker: its the same reason people are more likely to get bullied online

cause saying it irl might get u punched

donna: are u saying i would punch u?

parker: its possible

donna: im taking that as a complement

parker: it was one

donna: …

was the only reason u wanted my number to tell me im cute?

parker: not the only reason

but definitely one of them

donna: ok weirdo

what are the other ones?

parker: dont u worry about that

donna: have u ever seen scream? this could totally be a kill scene

parker: i didnt know u were into that type of stuff

donna: well

now u do

parker: so

wyd?

donna: painting my nails u?

parker: babysitting my neighbors kids

donna: shouldnt u be looking after them then?

parker: they are out cold

donna: thats what im about to be

bye

parker: night:)

Donna put her phone down to finish painting her nails, thinking about who it could be. She didn’t know there was a ‘Parker’ at her school. Dismissing the thought, Donna put a top coat on and moved downstairs so she could watch TV while they dried. She didn’t move until Griffin came into the door.

“I think Vance is out, don’t wake him.”

Griffin nodded, taking his shoes off. “What color did you decide?” 

“Purple.”

“You sure you’re okay?” He asked, coming up on the back of the couch after getting water from the kitchen.

“I’m good.”

“Okay. Night, Donna.”

“Night, Griff.”

Chapter Text

Griffin was locked in their room.

They had tried kicking their door, banging on it and screaming for Vance, and even sticking something in between the door and wall to get it open. The door didn’t budge.

That’s when they realized their window was open. Climbing out, they slid onto the roof. When they looked down they realized why their door wouldn’t open.

Fire engulfed the house.

A sob almost escaped their mouth, but they held it.

The flames tore down their door, coming into their room. 

Sweat stuck their shirt to their back. They slid down the roof, holding on to the gutter. A creaking noise was made when they let go. Falling into the bushes, Griffin looked up, seeing their house up in flames. Brushing off the leaves, they round the house so they are looking at the front. 

A figure in a black cloak was standing there. Seeming to feel Griffin’s presence, they turned and their hood fell. 

All Griffin saw was blond hair and a frown.

---

Donna’s room was covered in blood.

It was sliding down their walls in clumps, dripping from their ceiling, on small piles on their floor. All of it made them want to throw up. They felt their throat closing in on itself, their breaths becoming quicker. Their bangs were stuck to their forehead with sweat, their knees feeling weak and hands trembling.

They had to get out but the door handle was covered in blood.

They heard a scream, followed by laughter.

Closing their eyes, they inched toward the door, hearing the blood under their shoes. Holding their breath they grabbed the door handle and yanked the door open, almost throwing up. Quickly going to the bathroom to get the blood off their hands, another scream is heard.

Almost racing down the stairs, Donna stops when they hear gasps and sobbing. They still feel lightheaded, and break down in tears.

“Why… Why Griffin? Leave him alone!” They yelled between sobs. Whoever else is sobbing continues. More screams echo throughout the house. Laughter follows.

Wiping their tears, Donna runs to the front door and opens it, coming face to face with a man. The man has brown eyes with graying blond hair, a light beard, and frown lines. They stare at each other before the man starts laughing and Donna runs past him.

When they get to the sidewalk and turn around, they find the man watching them.

---

Griffin walks up to the man. “Did you do it? Did you set the house on fire?” They don’t get a response. “I’m talking to you-”

When the man turns around, Griffin wishes they hadn’t said anything.

Blond hair, brown eyes. Chris Peck.

Griffin’s breath starts to quicken, stepping back when Chris’s hands are around their neck. 

Gasping for air, they thrash around hoping that will throw him off.

Accept everytime Griffin kicks him their foot goes through him.

Griffin can’t hear anything Chris is saying to them with the ringing in their ears. They are clawing Chris’s hands but nothing is happening.

Until everything fades to black

---

“Why us? What have we done?” Donna cries, angry tears falling from their eyes.

“Listen. Watch.” The man’s mouth moved but Donna heard the voice behind them.

They knew better than to look.

They felt a cold touch on their cheek, running over their nose. They tried to scream but it came out as a whisper through their cracked lips. A sharp pain appeared in their side, making them cry out.

Backing up, holding their side, Donna turned but felt like they had just run into someone. It felt like a small child that was standing in front of them. They felt their hand go cold before being pulled forward.

Donna was being pulled into the woods.

Despite the cold touches on their face and the man at the door, they felt like they could trust whatever was leading them.

Coming to a clearing, there was one tree in the middle which a body was hanging from. When the body swung to face them, Donna almost threw up.

They were hanging from the tree, rope around their neck, eyes missing, blood pouring down their face.

---

Griffin found themself in the middle of a town. Looking around, they saw wooden houses and a little girl in a white dress, carrying a bucket. Looking down at themself, they realized they were wearing flowy cream top with tan pants.

“Lillian!” They called out, running toward the girl.

“Isaac, there you are. My father’s asking if you would milk the cow while he is out.”

Isaac? Griffin thought. Their response came naturally. “Of course, you know I love her.”

Lillian turned to look at them, locking eyes. “Thank you. Truely.”

“You don’t have to thank me, Lillian.”

She smiled, handing them the bucket before walking away.

---

Donna’s knees felt weak when they saw the blood running down their face. Their hand was still cold. 

They heard a whisper before a loud scream. 

Something was creeping up Donna’s throat, leaving a vile taste in their mouth. Doubling over, they threw up. Wiping their mouth, they noticed that they were wearing a white nightgown, barefoot. Drops of blood and vomit on the front, mud coating on the bottom. The cold disappeared from their hand. Looking at their hands, they saw they were covered in red. 

The darkness from the forest overcame them.

---

Griffin had a bad feeling about this town.

That’s when they heard the shrieks. 

Turning around, they saw a wooden house up in flames, a mother holding hands with a little girl, had a baby in her arms. All were watching, no one trying to put the fire out.

“Isaac!” Turning around, Griffin found a woman with graying brown hair and wrinkles was the caller.

“Yes, Ma?”

“You have chores to do, get to them.”

“Yes Ma’am.” They said, following the woman into the house. The wooden floor creaked under their footsteps. “I’m milking the Hall’s cow while Mr. William is out.” They didn’t get a response. Sighing, they set the bucket down next to the table, moving out back to get started.

That’s when Griffin awoke with a gasp.

---

When the darkness faded, Donna was still in the clearing but the tree was gone and their dress was clean.

They took a few deep breaths before turning around. 

They saw a boy with brown hair, freckles, and missing eyes. They started sobbing again. Stumbling back, they felt hands come and squeeze their neck, but no one was there. Gasping for breath, Donna clawed at the invisible hands.

That’s when they woke up with a scream.

---

Griffin stood in Donna’s door frame, staring at frazzled Donna sitting in their bed.

“We have to talk.” They say in unison.

Chapter Text

Griffin is sitting next to her when Vance rushes into the room. His hair was frizzy when he talked, “Who screamed?”

“Sorry,” Donna said, “nightmare.” She jumped, making the bed creak.

“What was it?” Griffin asked.

“Nothing… I just thought I heard a scream.”

Griffin looked at Vance before his eyes landed on his lap. “We all need to talk.”

“Get them.” Donna said, understanding the ‘all’ was more than just the three in the room.

“Get Billy.” He said, walking out of the room.

“What’s going on?” Vance asked, staring at Donna now that Griffin left.

“Go sit on the couch and get something to eat or drink.” She said, slipping on shoes before leaving to get Billy.

---

When Donna came back with Billy in tow and Griffin finished making the calls, only four were missing.

When the last four got there, Vance had had enough of his questions being ignored.

“Vance. Calm down.” Griffin instructed. “Everyone’s here now.” He heard Vance mumble something under his breath.

“Stop being so sour, Vance, what were you saying?”

“Why is everyone at our house? What’s even going on?” He crossed his arms as he talked.

“We wanted to wait for everyone to be here so we didn’t have to explain it more than once.” Donna piped up from her place next to Griffin.

“Okay, so why are these four here then?”

“Robin, Finney and Bruce found me at the park, and I went with Bruce again. And Gwen has those dreams so I thought she might be able to help.” Griffin said, gesturing to each one as if Vance didn’t already know who they were.

“You showed Bruce before me? I’m your twin!”

“I just didn’t want to freak you out.”

“You can’t freak me out if we’re dealing with the same thing!”

“I didn’t know it was the same thing-”

“Guys, guys.” Billy said, putting a hand against Griffin’s chest so he would stop. “Chill out, you can’t change the past but we’re all here now.” He ran a hand through his hair before throwing it around Griffin, pulling him closer (Donna shot him a ‘so smooth’ face to which he pretended not to notice).

“Is this about Lillian?” Bruce asked, sitting up a bit straighter.

“Who’s Lillian?” Vance eyed Griffin. “You better not be seeing a girl-”

“Vance, what-”

“Wait, is this about why you threw up two days ago?” Billy asked, turning toward Griffin, their nosing almost touching.

Donna stood up before the others could ask anymore questions, walking to the kitchen. Her breathing evened slightly as she shakily grabbed a glass from the cabinet. She tried to even her breathing out as she filled the glass up. She had been hearing whispers since she woke up, but only one brought her comfort.

“Lillian?” She asked, taking the water in both hands.

“Here.” She heard a whisper say.

“Donna, are you okay?” Turning around, Donna found Gwen standing in the entrance to the kitchen.

“I’m doing better.” She smiled, taking a sip of water. “Let’s go back in there.”

Heading back in, Donna found Robin and Finn cuddling in her parents' love seat, Robin pressing a kiss to Finney’s forehead, Griffin resting his head on Billy’s shoulder, and Vance and Bruce talking with each other.

“Gays.” Gwen said as she sat on the floor by Finney and Robin. Donna laughed as she sat next to Griffin again.

“Shut up, Gwen.” Finney said as Robin laughed.

“Just stating facts, since you two are dating.”

“Wait, you guys are dating?” Billy asked.

“Yep.” Finney said, popping the ‘p’.

“Anyways,” Griffin spoke.“Back to why I call you all here today-”

“Stop making it sound so ominous.”

“But it is ominous, Donna!”

“No, it’s not-”

“We’re talking about ghosts! It is ominous!”

“Woah, wait.” Robin said, sitting up straighter. “Ghosts? You never said anything about ghosts on the phone, Griffin.”

“How was I supposed to phrase that? ‘Hey, Robin. I need you to come to my house so we can talk about the fact that a ghost has been tormenting us for the past week’?”

“Shut up guys!” Billy yelled, shutting his eyes. “I’m getting a headache from all your bickering and it’s like, two in the morning, and we have school tomorrow! So can we not?”

“We’re skipping tomorrow,” Vance said, looking at Billy like that was obvious.

“I’m not, my parents are going to make me go.”

“I’ll pull you out early then.”

Donna glanced at them all before talking. “Billy’s right, it’s too early for all this back and forth. So yes, me and Griffin have been having frequent nightmares the past week and are being tormented by a ghost. Leave if you want, but I will find out if you say anything about this.” No one got up to leave, so Donna took it as everyone was accepting the consequences.

“Should we…” Bruce looked around before his eyes landed on Griffin. “Go to the gravesite?”

“Not yet. It doesn’t feel right and it’s too cold out.”

“What gravesite, Griffin?” Donna asked, turning toward him.

“I’ll show you all later. It’s in the park.”

“Is that what you found when you were there two nights ago?” Finney asked, cuddling into Robin’s side.

“Yeah.” Griffin answered, falling back onto the couch.

“He’s watching us.” Donna said, looking over the couch at the back corner.

“Who is.” Robin asked, glancing over but saw nothing.

“Chris.” Griffin said, not following Donna’s gaze. “Chris Peck.”

“Like the name from the gravestone?” Bruce asked, glancing at Donna before locking eyes with Griffin.

“I can feel him.” Donna said, wiping her hands down her pants. “We need to get out of here.”

“Looks like we will be visiting the gravesite sooner than we thought.” Bruce said, standing up and stretching. Everyone else followed his lead, grabbing coats and putting on shoes before going out the door.

---

Robin gave them directions to the park, walking hand in hand with Finney. 

It wasn’t until they got into the woods that Griffin started seeing the spirits. All they were was quick, bright shadows, but he still knew they were there. 

“I keep hearing little giggles,” Donna says, looking toward the sky. It reminded her of when the spirits said Griffin was in danger, but Donna was with him, and she wouldn’t let anything hurt him. Not if she could help it. It’s that moment her phone buzzes.

Parker: couldnt sleep

u up?

“Who’s that?” Griffin asked, peering over her shoulder.

“Some kid, they’re nice but I’m pretty sure they’re pranking me.”

“What’d they say?”

“Something about how I’m pretty, and how they like me, and how I would punch them in the face if they ever told me that in real life. They go to our school, too.”

“Is it Evelyn?”

“They said to call them Parker, but besides Evelyn doesn’t like me like that.” She sighed, shoving her phone back in her pocket before a cold feeling hits her arm. She gasped slightly, turning to face the woods. She couldn’t see anything but she could hear laughter and the faint ‘we got her’ in a sing-song voice. The cold was replaced by a burning. She thought she could see a faint, orange shadow.

“What are you looking at?” Bruce said, and it was that moment that she realized the whole group had come to a stop and was looking at her.

She felt her cheeks heat up at the attention, but mumbled a ‘nothing’ under her breath and kept walking.

“Does anyone know someone named Parker that goes to our school?”

“Shut up, Griffin!” Donna put a hand over his mouth. 

“Nobody that I know of,” Billy said, “Unless it’s their preferred name and they aren’t out yet.”

“I know a Peter,” Finney spoke, “But no Parker.”

Robin laughed, “Peter, Parker. Peter Parker. Get it?”

“I think we got it, Robin.” Vance says, smacking him lightly on the back of the head.

“Isn’t he the kid who hangs around Evelyn all the time?” Billy asked.

“Yeah, he is.” Gwen chimes in as Griffin turns right.

“Wait, yeah I know him now.” Donna says as Griffin comes to a stop. “But that's still Peter, not Parker.”

“We’re here, so I think we can talk about them later.” Griffin said, turning around to face them.

That’s when Billy started choking.

He coughed and gagged, holding a hand to his throat. His eyes started to water as Robin had quickly let go of Finney’s hand, pushing his way to Billy. The latter was clawing at his throat, tears now streaming down his face.

“Billy? Billy. I want you to give a thumbs up if you can hear me,” Robin called. Everyone watched with bated breath as Billy held his hand up. 

“Good job, Billy. Now are you choking or is it something else?” Billy held up two fingers and Donna felt a chill run down her spine.

She swears she heard something hiss ‘Showalter.’

Billy stumbled backward.

He could breathe again.

He took shuddering breaths, Robin coming to rest a hand on his shoulder. Wiping the tears off, he still had one hand around his throat.

Something clicked in Donna’s mind.

“Billy, can you take a step forward?” Surprisingly, he didn’t put up a fight and did what was asked. Nothing happened. “Can you take another one?” He listened again and his hands were around his throat, his gasps being the only sound until Donna moves him back. He rested into Robin’s side, and the latter threw an arm around him.

“It’s the threshold,” Gwen caught on, snapping her fingers. “Someone- or something- doesn’t want him here.”

“So, I just have to… stay here? While you guys mess with the ghosts?” Billy asked.

“Unless you want to be choked again.” Donna watched as Billy’s face paled, hand going back up to his throat.

“I’ll stay back with him,” Robin spoke up. “I don’t really think we should be messing with this stuff.”

“You don’t believe in it.” Griffin clocked, seeing through the lie. “You don’t have to, no one’s going to get mad if you don’t.” He added, interrupting Robin’s protests.

Donna can tell that Griffin wants to stay back with Billy, but the voices from earlier were still in her head, so she tugged on his arm, pulling him forward.

Everyone played follow the leader until it was just Billy and Robin alone.

---

“Why is it only me who gets choked?” Billy said, finger tracing in the dirt. He had quickly sat down after the group left, Robin following suit.

“Did you piss it off?”

“I didn’t know they were real until yesterday afternoon!” Billy cried, waving his hands in the air. “I couldn’t of done anything.”

“Maybe… it was someone else, and whatever it was thought you were them.”

Billy just sighed, opting to lay on the dirt instead. “It’s probably going to be while, better get comfy.”

Robin followed with no complaints.

Chapter Text

When they stepped into the clearing, Finney gasped.

“This place is actually kind of calming when there's more people here.” Bruce said, staring at the sky. Gwen had already seemed to find her way to Chris’s grave, and Donna to Lillian’s .

“She was so young,” Donna said, her voice soft and full of pity. She turned to Griffin , “do you know how she died?”

“Her dad stabbed her. He acted like he didn’t when she did die. He held her and everything.” 

“Why is she- why is she here? I mean, I’m glad and she seems nice but I thought that when people died they passed over.”  Finney said, shifting his weight between his feet. He was messing with the hem of his shirt.

Vance hadn’t said a thing, he was just going around and looking at all of the graves. Griffin watched him as silence covered the group like a blanket. 

“When a spirit stays, it usually has something unresolved, right? Like, isn’t that what they always say on tv?”  Gwen said, finishing looking at Chris’s grave.

“But what would be unfinished? She was like, eleven. That’s not much time for something to be left unfinished.” Finney said, stopping with his shirt and crossing his arms.

“Her life, then. I mean, it’s just like you said, there isn’t much time for anything.”

“Gwen, if you died right now, would there be something you would leave unfinished?” Vance said, still looking at the graves. Everyone looked at him weird, and Gwen moved her arms to cover her torso.

“Why me?” 

“You’re the closest in age, right? And I think you would relate to her the best.”

“Why would you think that? You hardly know anything about her-” Gwen stops, arms falling down to her sides. She quickly realized what Vance was implying. “I don’t like that way of thinking, Vance.”

Finney looked deeply confused, and no one knew what Vance was saying, before it dawned on Bruce. He didn’t dare say anything.

Gwen looked back at her brother, noticing he didn’t get it. “I swear you're autistic.”

“You-”

“He’s talking about our dad.” All the color drained from Finney’s face, and no one moved. “But he wouldn’t do that. He’s done a lot but he wouldn’t try to kill us.” Finney’s face said differently.

“Gwen,” Donna was adopting her therapist voice, the one she only used in serious conversations or when somebody needed help. “What has your dad done?”

As Gwen looked at everyone, she must’ve realized she said something wrong, as she hugged herself. “Currently not important-”

“It’s impor-”

“We need to find out why Lillian is still here. Other things can wait.”

No one spoke for a minute, and Vance came to stand next to Bruce.

“Do you think the house is safe to go back to?” Bruce piped up, rocking back and forth on his toes.

“Maybe? If not, we can just walk around.” Griffin said, turning back around and heading to where Robin and Billy would be.

---

When they found Billy and Robin, they were huddled together. They wouldn’t say why, but they would start laughing whenever they caught each other's eye.

Bruce was leading the group, Vance trailing behind, with Griffin telling him which way to turn whenever needed. Griffin was pressed against Billy’s side, the cold just now taking effect. Finney was grabbing onto both Robin and Gwen’s hands. They didn’t talk much on the walk back, but when they did get back, Griffin and Donna decided that the house was safe for them to stay.

They were back in the living room, coats thrown about and multiple glasses of water were sitting on the coffee table. No one really knew how to start, but Donna knew that Billy and Robin should know what they figured out, even if they themselves were still confused.

“So, you guys think that Lillian is still here because she didn’t properly live her life?” Robin asked, sitting in the love seat with Finn again.

“Well, she doesn’t really have a reason to still be here, does she?” Donna asked, moving to lay against the back of the couch.

“Unless she’s upset that she died with her father, assuming she doesn’t like him,” Billy put in. “Or, it could just be that she didn’t get justice, that’s why she led Griffin over to her grave. So they would tell her story for her.”

“How’d you even come up with that?”

“I like mysteries, Vance. I’m disappointed you didn’t remember that.”

Gwen piped up, “even if that’s true, why didn’t she get justice? And, no offense Griffin, but why him?”

“No one in her town really cared.” Griffin said, staring at the floor. He looked up after a beat of silence, realizing everyone wanted an explanation. “In my dream, I was this boy, Isaac. I think him and Lillian were friends. But in the dream a house was on fire, the family was just watching it burn, and no one did anything. I had a bad feeling about this town.”

“Do you think they held hangings?” Donna asked, everyone’s eyes shifting to her. “Weird question, sorry, but during my dream I saw myself being hung, but I was…” She thought about the blood, “I didn’t have any eyes.”

“Maybe we should go over these dreams?” Robin asked, eyes a bit wide.

They did, and at the end they were left with more questions than answers. Billy was rubbing Donna’s back as she was bent over, her hands gripping her hair, Bruce was staring into space, and Vance looked deep in thought.

“Who was the boy without eyes?”

“I don't know, Vance.” Donna sounded exhausted, much shaker than she did before she started with her dream. They took their water cup into her hands, taking a sip before leaning back into the couch.

“How about we sleep on this? I think we should sleep on this.” Finney said, sounding almost asleep.

“Sounds good to me,” Billy said, standing up to leave.

---

Everyone ended up staying over except for Billy, who’s parents did make him go to school, but Vance called him out, pretending to be his dad. Finney and Bruce went for food while Billy slept. When he finally woke, they ate in silence.

“Is everyone feeling better?” Bruce asked, pushing the food around in the plastic container.

“I’m glad we slept on it.” Finney said.

“You just love sleeping.” Gwen clipped back.
“There isn’t anything wrong with that-”

“Something told me Chris was after Griffin. What if Lillian is working with him?” Donna asked, making everyone look at her. Their cheeks burned, realizing that this was totally uncalled for and brought the mood down. “Sorry.”

“Or if Chris has control over Lillian?” Griffin said, setting his fork down.

“Yeah, that too.”

“I feel like that would be assuming the worst,” Bruce sat his fork down too, “like that Lillian can’t do anything. That her moves aren’t her own.”

“It’d be realistic,” Vance said. “We don’t know how their world works.”

“Maybe that’s what we need.” Gwen nodded to the idea she didn’t say yet. “If both Griffin and Donna can contact them, why don’t we use it?”

“I tried that, I couldn’t do anything.”

“Did you have Donna?”

“No, but-”

“Exactly. You’re twins, your powers are better together than apart.”

“I never thought about it like that.” Donna said. They held out their hand, “should we try it?”

Griffin grabbed it, “let’s do it.”

---

They both sat on the floor of the living room, Donna wearing a tie from her school uniform over her eyes, and a sleeping mask over Griffin’s. They were holding hands. Everyone else was sitting around the room, all quietly watching the scene in front of them.

Donna flinched when they first heard the breathing. Quick, labored breaths, right next to her ear. It went out with a sigh when she muttered stop.

Griffin, however, could only hear the other kids moving in the room. He saw the tree Donna did in her dream, though. There wasn’t anyone hanging from it, but two kids were running around the tree in circles. He saw brown hair and assumed it was the boy Donna saw. He had eyes this time. The other was a girl, brown hair flowing in wind Griffin couldn't feel. Lillian and Isaac. 

He couldn’t move, but he could see that clouds covered the sky. Thunder cracked making him jump, and Donna squeezed his hand as the rain fell. This melted away and he was back in Lillian’s village.

He didn’t get the chance to do anything before Donna pulled her hand away, making Griffin pull his blindfold off. Donna had already taken hers off, and was reaching for a glass of water on the table. Griffin looked around the room but everyone seemed to be just as clueless as him.

“That was- short.” Gwen said, breaking the silence.

“Sorry, someone- something screamed.”

“I didn’t hear anything.” Griffin said.

“I didn’t see anything.”

Gwen quickly caught on. “Oh! That makes sense. Since you guys are twins, you need each other's powers to know everything. You only get one side of the story with one person.”

“Wonderful,” Donna moved her bangs from her eyes. “Why did I just hear a scream, Griffin?”

“They were having fun - Lillian and Isaac. They were chasing each other around the tree from your dream, no bodies this time.” He thought to add this before she could question it. “It started raining. Maybe they screamed because of the rain? They didn’t want to get wet?”

Donna pulled her hair back into a bun with the spare hair tie she kept on her wrist, ignoring her buzzing phone. She held out her hand. “Shall we try again?”