"Jesus (Y/n)! You look so pale - what's going on?" Ellie exclaimed in surprise as you entered the restaurant, brimming with worry.

"Yeah no kidding. You look like a zombie." Lucas bluntly joined the conversation - heavy bags under his eyes.

"Lucas!" Ellie hissed and elbowed the brown-haired male irritably.

"I just...have a lot on my mind." You made up a half-truthful excuse, letting out a tired sigh.

"Are you okay? When was the last time you ate? You don't even look well." Ellie was acting like a mother as she held your shoulders firmly. When was the last time you ate? Yesterday morning right...?

"Wednesday at breakfast..." You hesitantly answered and her eyes widened.

"Wednesday at breakfast!? That's not healthy! You're going to make yourself sick if you continue, that's just-"

"Ellie. Get Julian to prepare a classic burger with a side of crispy onion rings and medium fries, then add the sweet sundae special dessert. Tell him to put it on my tab." Lucas cut her off quietly; his tone authoritative.

"Of course. Be right back." She disappeared into the kitchen and you sent him a confused glance - not understanding what they were doing.

"Hey...uh, listen. Don't do this again; choosing not to eat I mean. Please. It worries the people around you." Lucas lectured, his tone strangely soft.

"Sorry...I didn't do it on purpose." You awkwardly apologised.

"Oh...good. That's good. It's just...Did Ellie tell you about me? Like...why I didn't do my shift the other day?" Lucas asked and avoided your gaze due to slight embarrassment.

"Ellie said it was because your mother was ill. Is she feeling any better?" You wondered timidly, relieved when he nodded.

"Yeah. But now I'm worried about my sister, Lucy. She's been having...weird dreams. Not just nightmares. Lucy's been waking up with scratches on her skin, deep wounds and burns. It's crazy." He responded in a low voice.

"I'm sorry. That must be difficult, having to tend to your mother and sister." You sympathised deeply, having respect for the blunt teen.

"I don't mind looking after them - they're family - it's just the strange stuff that Lucy's been saying." Lucas bit his lip; his moody persona crumbling away as he opened up to you.

"What has she been saying?" You questioned in a hushed tone, genuinely curious now.

"She keeps saying that someone's trying to kill her, like some sort of night stalker. She described a glove with blades on it and a burnt guy in a striped sweater. I don't know if Lucy's doing it for attention or if she's actually traumatised by her nightmares. Either way, it's working me to the bone." Lucas sighed after he explained - his face tired and drawn.

"A burnt guy...in a striped sweater...?" You echoed in shock - the guy with the glove coming into your mind. Had Lucas's sister saw the same male you'd seen?

"Yeah. Don't tell me you've seen this toasted freak running around." He rolled his eyes and reverted back to his forthright self again.

"N-No. Just surprised, that's all." You decided not to tell him - not wanting to look like a lunatic.

"I just hope Lucy snaps out of it soon; our mother needs both of us." Lucas seriously spoke, walking off to serve a couple waiting by the door.

"I hope so too." You said to no one, mulling over things as you tried to connect the dots.

A burnt guy in a striped sweater. A glove with blades on it. Lucy waking up with scars and actual wounds. A person in your memories called the Springwood Slasher. All of these things corresponded with one another - they must be linked somehow.

"Hey (Y/n), come with me." Ellie tapped your shoulder from behind and then took your hand, leading you out of the main restaurant room.

"Where are we going?" You tilted your head, bewildered whilst she took you into a spare room. There were spare tables, chairs, tablecloths - you name it. On one table there was the food Lucas had ordered...but why...?

"After I told Julian - our head chef - to make this food for you, I went straight to Amy and told her you'd be a little late to your shift. She's very understanding so don't worry about taking your time with this." She gestured to the food in front of you and your eyes widened in realisation. Lucas got the food for you.

"I can't accept this - this went on Lucas's tab. I'll grab something to eat after my shift." You feebly disagreed, trying to respectfully decline the offer.

"Nope. Coworkers look out for one another. Now dig in so you can start your shift, or Amy's kindness may dwindle." Ellie giggled and pushed you towards the table.

"But-"

"No buts. Now I gotta go wait tables with Lucas - Andale Andale!" She stuck her tongue out before dancing out of the room - her affectionate attitude very much welcomed.

Your stomach rumbled as you sat down and marvelled at the food in front of you. You were hungry and the food looked...magnificent. Looks like you owed Lucas for this one. You owed Lucas and Ellie both. You hurriedly scarfed down the food, your tummy appreciating the delicious tastes and giving you a warm glow of energy - making your mood more positive.

So what if your mother was a complete bitch and you left the only house you remembered? At least you can live on your own now! No rules, no complications - only the solo life. And Ferris can help you if you needed. But you highly doubted that you'd ever ask him for more help. He was a...very weird friend.

Soon you were back to waiting tables, your shift growing more tedious as more customers filtered into the restaurant, expected to be waited on. Ferris was back at it again with his stalking act, shooting you sly smiles whilst you worked. You mouthed the word stalker at him and he winked back, making you roll your eyes. Typical jerk behaviour.

"So are you going?" Ellie asked cheerily, breaking your line of sight with Ferris.

"Going where?" You blankly inquired.

"I just told you! Wait...who are you looking at?" She looked towards Ferris and you froze. What if she told Amy you'd been distracted by a guy while you were on your shift? Oh boy, this wouldn't be good.

"N-Nobody! Uh, I mean...just a customer, that's all." You panicked and blocked her view of your stalkerish friend, hoping she'd take the bait.

"Ooh, do you like him? Is that it? D'aww, your cheeks are all red!" Ellie teased slyly.

"They are not! What were you saying anyway?" You denied her claim hurriedly, checking to make sure your cheeks weren't pink. To your relief they weren't; she was just playing with you.

"I asked if you were going to Springwood's Annual Summer Festival. It's all day tomorrow, but Amy said she'd close down the restaurant so we could all enjoy ourselves!" She grew overexcited again - her dark eyes sparkling with joy.

"She did? That's awesome! I don't know if I'll go though...are you definitely going?" You hesitated as you wiped a table clean; your shift almost over. Just a few more minutes~

"Yep! Lucas asked me to go with him." Ellie's cheeks flowed a cherry pink when she answered you, clearly having a cute crush on the teen.

"Oh, like a date?" You began to mess around; nudging her side and even making kissing noises towards her.

"Well yeah." She blushed deeply - her skin a shade of scarlet now.

"That's so cute! Ellie and Lucas sitting in a tree, K I S S I N-"

"Shut up!" Ellie laughed and pushed you, both of you giggling by this point.

"But hey if you are going, why not hang out with Lucas and I? We'll have a super duper fun time." She invited you along merrily, stretching as her shift was already over.

"I don't know...I don't want to be a third wheel..." You uneasily responded.

"Nonsense! You won't be third wheeling, I'm 100% sure Lucas won't mind - ooh, we could ask him right now!" Ellie went to grab your hand but you shook your head.

"No really, it's okay. I don't mind going alone. It'll be fun to learn about the town whilst I have fun at the festival." You rejected her offer politely, throwing the cleaning rag into the laundry room as your shift ended.

"Oh. I understand, I guess we'll see you tomorrow then." Ellie smiled and gave you a quick hug before she left the restaurant.

Springwood's Annual Summer Festival. Huh...sounded like fun. Perhaps Ferris would attend the festival too - not that you cared whether he did or not! You walked out of the restaurant as well, Ferris not following you for once. Probably got tired of stalking you.

Unbeknownst to you, that's not what happened at all.