Holly cleared her throat. “Okay, so this round, we have two Werewolves, the Seer, and seven villagers. Flip over your cards. Don’t let your neighbors see them.” As others did, I glanced at my card. Villager, I guess it’s a smooth start to a long night. I scoffed to myself. “Just a laid-back start?” Harper asked from my right side. I smiled at her. “Yeah, but I’m sure something good will happen.” She mumbled something under her breath. “Huh?” “Nothing.” She smiled.

The lights flickered off and on. Some gasped out of surprise. “Spooky old house,” Silas joked. A knock came from upstairs. “Knock, knock! I’m here with pizza.” Silas’ mom, Lillian Rivera, walked down the stairs. “Here is the usual half and half with soda in the fridge. Try not to be too loud; Nathan has to sleep soon. He’ll be down here in a little while for Silas.” Lillian smiled and looked at me. “Your dad messaged me that you’ll spend the night. Should I expect a full band rehearsal?” She placed the food in the middle of the table and kissed Silas on his head. “Thanks, Mom.” Lillian walked over to me and gave me a quick hug. “I’m sure you’ll have a lovely concert to attend this evening, madame.” She chuckled. “Alright, I guess I’ll leave you to have fun. Boys, try not to be too loud if you play later, please?” She stepped up to the rest of the house. We thanked her in unison as the door shut. “Anyone wants a drink?” Sam got up to get drinks while others yelled for which one they wanted. Harper handed out paper plates and served the pizza. I had a can of soda and a few slices of pizza. 

As I ate, I looked around the room. Behind me was the storm door. Next to it was a small window to see outside. It had started to rain. On the other side was a shelf full of bins. Knowing the family, it’s probably their mountains of different holiday decorations. Silas’s parents are from different religions, and many decorations are necessary. Next to those shelves were the stairs, with a dark, unused closet hidden behind. The stairs had always been scary when we were younger. Tanner and Erik would pressure Silas to go to the corner and hide from his dad with us.

Sergeant Rivera was a mean drunk. Silas had often told us that the corner was where he’d be punished for misbehaving. “Denver? Hello? Earth to Denver.” Harper surprised me. “What? What’s wrong?” “You zoned out. Holly was going to start the game.” She giggled. “Oh, oops. My bad. I guess the pizza was so good, I got lost in the sauce.” I tried to play it off. Silas looked at me, not believing my reason for staring at the spooky corner. “Since ‘the Space Cadet came back. Can we start the game?” Holly said as everyone laughed at me.

Then, the hunt began.