A New Threat
We’ve waited. We’ve watched. We’ve plotted, all while hiding in the shadows, waiting for the day the Graham family would finally be dethroned. Their tainted bloodline has ruled this decaying town for decades, spreading pain and misery everywhere they went.
But now?
Now it’s our turn.
Our turn to claim the revenge we’ve been owed for years.
We’ve been patient. We’ve remained calm, moving through the darkness unnoticed. We’ve walked the roads and sidewalks beside the townspeople, and they’ve never seen us. They never will, not until we decide it’s time. Midnight Ridge and the traitors among them aren’t prepared for what we’ve planned. But they’ll learn soon enough.
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“Well, hello again, my friends and fans! This is Retro Rory coming to you live from a brand-new, fully refurbished radio station.” Rory chuckled.
“Where, you might ask? Well, my loyal, charming listeners, we’ve officially moved into what you all refer to as the abandoned radio station. Though I can assure you, it isn’t abandoned anymore—and it’s definitely not one strong breeze away from collapsing.” She paused, glancing around the newly renovated broadcast booth.
The walls were covered in vintage music posters, banners displaying the station’s logo, and framed photographs of the station’s owner posing with musicians he’d met throughout his years as a DJ. Those pictures always made her roll her eyes, but she couldn’t deny how incredible the place looked. It was almost impossible to believe it was the same building she and Jackson had broken into not so long ago.
“That’s right, ladies and gentlemen—we’re officially up and running, broadcasting farther than ever before. We’re moving up in the world!” A prerecorded round of applause echoed through the speakers. Looking through the booth’s glass window, Rory smiled as she spotted her dad sitting at the control board, adjusting knobs and checking wiring. His years of experience with electronics, sound equipment, and music made him perfect for the job.
Seeing him there made her smile.
Readjusting to normal life hadn’t been easy after everything he’d endured. There were still moments when the trauma surfaced in his eyes, reminders of everything he’d survived, but those moments came less often now. He was here. He was trying. He was becoming the man she remembered, and that was all that mattered to her family. “So, let’s catch up on everything we’ve missed while we’ve been away, shall we?” She glanced down at the stack of papers in front of her. “Midnight Ridge has officially stepped into a brand-new era! Yesterday marked the grand reopening of the Midnight Drive-In and Dine-In, and this weekend they’re showing a back-to-back feature of... that’s right... Friday the 13th! Pretty fitting for the first weekend of summer, don’t you think? So grab your tickets and prepare for some scares.”
She grinned.
“Unless you’re there making out. Then you already know the rules of scary movies, so... be careful out there.” She laughed at her own joke. “Next up, we’ve got a brand-new bookstore and hardware store opening later this week. And if you’ve been hearing those quiet little rumors floating around town about the council striking a deal with some mysterious, influential business... well, wonder no more, because this just in—hot off the presses—the rumors are true!”
She scooted closer to the microphone.
“That’s right, Midnight Ridge is officially getting a brand-new factory, bringing jobs and money into town like never before. I don’t know about you, my favorite listeners, but we here at Retro Radio are super excited for this next chapter.” She shuffled through her notes. “Let’s see... anything else?” She smiled.
“Oh! There actually is.”
“The old mill has officially received its demolition date. In just two weeks, that nightmare of a building will finally be gone, bringing an end to the last remaining hold that... well... the family who shall not be named had over this town.”
She paused before leaning toward the microphone and lowering her voice to a whisper. “If you’re new around here, that’s a very long story, and honestly, I don’t enjoy telling it.” A beat passed before she smiled again. “But if you’re still curious, you can always check out Penelope Maddox’s true crime and investigative podcast and blog. It’s a wild ride.” She chuckled. “Trust me... I’ve got firsthand experience.” She wasn’t exaggerating. She, her father, her mysterious uncle, and Jackson had all played a part in bringing Midnight Ridge to where it stood today. Every day the town healed a little more, slowly leaving its haunted past behind.
Or at least that’s what everyone believed.
“But enough about the news. Let’s get back to the music.” She reached toward the console. “Since it’s officially summer, I think it’s only fitting that we take it back to a time when summers were an absolute riot. So, without further ado, this is Cruel Summer by Bananarama.” She smiled into the microphone. “Enjoy, my listeners... and crank up that AC, because it’s going to be one hot, killer summer.”
Little did Rory know just how true those words were about to become.
