Eva bid Clara farewell before mounting her bicycle outside Clara's house. As she prepared to pedal back home, she spotted the black dog again, sitting quietly across the street on the sidewalk.

You again!

Eva decided to approach the dog slowly, but as she started to dismount, the dog got up and began to move.

Eva began pedalling slowly, then picked up speed as the dog started to run.

"Stop!" Eva called out to the dog.

Eva had no idea where she was going. She glanced around at the town as she passed by various buildings.

Eva had been pedalling after the black dog, following him through the town in the late hours. It was almost ten o'clock.

Where are you taking me, dog? Why won't you stop?

It had been a while since she began chasing the dog on her bicycle. She had lost track of time and direction, hoping she would still end up in town at the end of the journey.

You're chasing a dog! You shouldn't be following him. You'll get lost. I have a GPS map on my phone, but I need to know why the dog is following me.

Turning a corner, Eva found the dog standing still.

Where am I?

Looking around in the dim moonlit night, Eva saw a restaurant ahead of her. She dismounted her bicycle and placed it in a bike rack.

As the clock's hands aligned at the stroke of ten, the mahogany doors of the restaurant swung open to an endless line of patrons who had been eagerly waiting outside in the moon's pale light. One by one, they stepped inside.

As Eva entered the restaurant, she was welcomed by a dimly lit, gothic interior. The scent of aged books and incense mingled in the air, creating an intoxicating fragrance that hinted at ancient tales and forgotten secrets. Ornate tapestries adorned the walls, depicting cryptic symbols. Soft, haunting melodies played from hidden speakers, their eerie tunes echoing through the cavernous space. It felt as if she had been transported to the medieval era.

Sniffing the air to take in the food on offer, Eva was greeted by the tantalising aroma of freshly baked bread and sizzling meats. Her stomach rumbled at the rich scents surrounding her. She quickly scanned the room for a place to sit, noting both tables and booths available as options.

The tables were draped in fine tablecloths, set with polished plates, gleaming glasses, and neatly arranged cutlery. The booths, covered in plush velvet, caught Eva's attention. Spotting a booth by the window where she could observe the occasional passerby, she took her seat.

As Eva waited for a waiter to arrive, she glanced around the bustling restaurant, observing the type of patrons who dined there. In a corner booth within her view, a young couple enjoyed a steaming plate of goulash, their faces lighting up with delight at each bite. Across from her, a group of teenagers devoured an array of sarmale, laughing and chatting through half-full mouths as they praised the food. At one of the tables, a neatly arranged platter of submarine sandwiches caught Eva's eye, with a group of patrons savouring the classic flavours.

As Eva continued to look around, a loud gasp caught her attention. She turned toward the source of the sound and was met with an astonishing sight: a patron who had ordered a plate of tentacles found one of them emerging from the dish. The tentacle tightly gripped a fork and moved it back and forth, as if aiming to stab the patron with determination. It launched itself quickly at the patron, but he swiftly dodged the menacing fork, which stabbed the air beside him. More gasps filled the air as the tentacle continued its relentless pursuit, turning the ordinary dining experience into a thrilling spectacle for the onlookers.

Eva turned her gaze back to the window by her booth, wondering if she might have the opportunity to meet the delightful owner of the restaurant. Instead, she was greeted by a friendly waitress dressed in gothic attire, her warm smile spreading across her face.

"Welcome to Late Night Bite. Here is the menu. I'll be back to take your order," the waitress said.

"Thanks!" Eva replied.

The waitress placed the menu in front of Eva and walked away to take orders from other patrons.

The menu, at first glance, appeared like any other menu at any other restaurant. There was a 'Central and Eastern European Cuisine' section, a 'Drinks' section, a 'Desserts' section, and a 'Submarine Sandwich' section. The last page of the menu was empty, which seemed strange to Eva. However, upon a second glance, a menu had appeared. How had she missed it?

"Secret Menu", it read.

Appetisers:

    1.    Monster Mash Nachos
    2.    Franken-Fingers
    3.    Ghoulish Gyoza
    4.    Batty Bruschetta
    5.    Slime-Dipped Calamari

Main Course:

    1.    Tentacle Capers
    2.    Vampire's Delight Steak
    3.    Mummy's Revenge Pasta
    4.    Werewolf's Roar Burger
    5.    Banshee's Wail Pizza

Desserts:

    1.    Screaming Cheesecake
    2.    Caramel Cauldron Delight
    3.    Zombie Brains Pudding
    4.    Monster's Delight Sundae
    5.    Cursed Chocolate Tart

Mocktails:

    1.    Elixir of Enchantment
    2.    Wicked Witch Brew
    3.    Poltergeist Potion
    4.    Dracula's Elixir
    5.    Banshee's Breeze

Eva was immediately captivated and intrigued by the names in this section of the menu, and she couldn't resist sampling some of the delights. But what should she try? After careful consideration, she decided on Monster Mash Nachos for the appetiser, Mummy's Revenge Pasta for the main course, Screaming Cheesecake for dessert, and Wicked Witch Brew for her drink.

Eva turned to the 'Submarine Sandwich' section and read through the names of the subs on offer. The Turkey sub sounded good to her. With her order decided, she gestured for the waitress to come and take it.

Everything was fine with Eva's order until it came to the turkey sub. She had to choose the bread and ingredients she wanted inside. Everything was going smoothly until she selected garlic sauce as her sauce option.

There was a look of terror on the waitress's face, as if Eva had asked for poison to be added to her food. The waitress explained that the garlic sauce was not available and apologised for the inconvenience. Eva decided to go with mayo as an alternative sauce for her sub, and the waitress happily wrote it down.

The waitress disappeared into the kitchen area with Eva's order, leaving her alone with her thoughts. Eva took the opportunity to glance around the restaurant once more, observing patrons she had initially thought were just figments of her imagination.

A few patrons wearing black capes sipped red beverages from cocktail glasses. A group of young men tore into grilled meat like wolves. Nearby, a group of elderly women with warts, long unkempt hair, and bony fingers ate what appeared to be stew. The next group of patrons seemed translucent, but Eva assumed it was the dim lighting that made them appear that way. They were eating soup that also seemed to shimmer with a translucent quality.

Eva assumed the next few groups of patrons she encountered had come from a costume party. One group of figures, wrapped in bandages from head to toe, were eating tarts. Another group consisted of tall figures with bluish skin, short black hair, and body parts that appeared to be stitched together. These strange-looking men were eating salad. In the booth behind them, a group of women with green skin were eating pizza.

"Moonlit Alchemy," announced someone from the front of the restaurant.

A makeshift stage had been set up at the very front of the restaurant, but it was empty.

The patrons and waitstaff in the restaurant fell into a hushed silence, all waiting in anticipation for something to happen—but what?

A sudden surge of black smoke appeared at one side of the stage, swirling like a tornado.

A sudden sound exploded into the air, sharp and metallic, like a howl of thunder trapped in a wire. It twisted and bent, shifting from a deep, rumbling growl to a piercing wail, vibrating through the air with an almost electric energy.

As the smoke dissipated, a teen boy with raven-black hair, similar to Eva's, stood on the stage playing an electric guitar. Another teen boy with dark brown hair walked up to the other side of the stage, playing the bass guitar. The last to join was a blonde-haired teen boy, who materialised on stage with his drum set, playing behind the other two. All three were dressed in leather jackets, exuding a rock-and-roll vibe. The combination of the three instruments filled the air with rock music, and the lead guitarist sang his heart out, adding lyrics to the tune.

As Eva eagerly awaited her order, her anticipation reaching its peak while listening to the band play, the waitress finally arrived with a sub sandwich and placed it in front of her. Eva devoured the sandwich like a hungry wild animal, savouring every bite. It was, without a doubt, the best sandwich she had ever eaten.

The first item to arrive from the 'Secret Menu' section was the Monster Mash Nachos. They looked like any other nachos served at a restaurant, but with a unique twist. The plate in front of Eva was piled high with crispy tortilla chips, topped with a delicious blend of melted cheeses, tangy salsa fresca, and guacamole. For an extra kick, the chips were adorned with jalapeño "eyeballs".

As Eva tasted the dish, there was something uniquely satisfying about its flavour, something she couldn't quite describe. The chips retained their crunch with every bite, unlike the ones from other restaurants that often become soggy from absorbing toppings. Eva wondered what secret technique they used to prevent the chips from losing their crispness.

As Eva continued crunching through her nachos, the Mummy's Revenge Pasta arrived in all its glory. The name had intrigued her from the moment she read it. Would its taste live up to its name? The pasta was al dente, glistening in a rich tomato sauce with meatballs nestled within. It was crowned with shredded cheese, which the waitress called "mummy cheese". The dish was garnished with fresh basil, adding a touch of freshness and contrast. Eva's mouth watered as she savoured the aroma wafting from the dish.

As Eva savoured the dish, she was transported on a journey through ancient times, to forgotten tales of the past. With every bite, she was filled with stories of pharaohs and the lifting of curses. Eva was captivated by the culinary journey she had experienced.

As Eva continued eating the pasta, she caught sight of two figures clad in attire that mirrored the night itself—cloaks billowing like ink spilled upon the ground. As they glided past a mirror hanging on the wall, Eva noticed something unsettling—there was no reflection.

You just imagined that, Eva.

Eva hadn't noticed, but her drink, Wicked Witch Brew, had already been served. The sight gave her a nasty fright. There, sitting beside her plate, was a cauldron-shaped glass. What startled her was an eyeball floating in the dark-coloured drink. Eva knew it wasn't real—after all, who would use a real one? Inside the glass was also a black straw. Eva hesitantly took it out and examined it closely. It was made of liquorice and tasted nice. As for the drink itself, it was a mixed berry concoction with a hint of lime—not bad. Overall, it was enjoyable once she removed the eyeball.

There's a saying, "save the best for last," and the final item for Eva to taste was the cheesecake. Cheesecake always brought back memories of her childhood, eating it at the local neighbourhood cafe. Though the cafe no longer existed, the taste still lingered in her memory. Eva had never been able to find a cheesecake quite like the one from her childhood.

The moment of truth arrived: the arrival of the Screaming Cheesecake. Eva's eyes widened with curiosity and fear as the dessert was placed before her. She watched as the creamy surface of the cheesecake came to life, almost as if it were animated. The surface transformed, forming a mouth that opened wide, emitting a high-pitched scream that reverberated through the restaurant.

Once it fell silent, Eva cautiously poked at the dessert with a spoon, still unable to believe what had just happened. Suddenly, it reanimated and screamed again. Eva looked around in terror, realising that the spectacle had drawn the attention of other patrons, who now stared at her in shock and amazement.

It took some time for Eva to muster the courage to eat the cheesecake. The first bite transported her back to her childhood, to the days when she enjoyed cheesecakes at her neighbourhood cafe. The taste brought those childhood memories rushing back. Eva could confidently say that the best had truly been saved for last.

The lead guitarist and singer from the boy band that had just played was walking toward Eva.

"Is this booth taken?" the teen boy asked.

Eva hesitated for a moment. "No," she replied.

The boy took a seat at the booth, facing Eva. Eva picked at her cheesecake, secretly hoping it would scream again and scare him off.

"Ethan," said the boy. He paused for a moment before speaking again. "And you are?"

"Eva," Eva said.

"So, did you see me and my band jam out?" Ethan asked excitedly.

"Yeah, I did," Eva replied, stuffing her mouth with cheesecake.

"How were we?" Ethan asked.

"Good," Eva said through her half-full mouth.

"Good? Not awesome?" Ethan questioned.

Eva ignored his question.

"What will it be today?" a waitress asked.

"Banshee's Wail Pizza," Ethan said.

Ethan had ordered without looking through the menu that lay on the booth table. Eva wondered if he had been to the restaurant before, or maybe he had read the menu beforehand.

"Anything else?" asked the waitress. "Would you like something to drink?"

"Water," Ethan said after contemplating.

"Banshee's Wail Pizza and a glass of water," the waitress said as she wrote them down on a notepad.

"Small, medium, or large?" the waitress asked.

Ethan turned to Eva. "I can order a medium pizza if you'd like to share."

"I'm full, and I still have my cheesecake to finish," Eva replied.

"One small pizza, please," Ethan replied to the waitress.

The waitress disappeared into the crowd of patrons and soon reappeared with a glass of water and a small pizza.

Placing the pizza in front of Ethan, Eva saw that it was a hauntingly delicious creation, with a crispy crust topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and a combination of toppings, including mushrooms, peppers, and olives. The pizza was a true culinary masterpiece.

Banshee's Wail Pizza? A strange name for an ordinary pizza.

Eva's question about the strange name for the pizza was quickly answered. Without warning, the pizza emitted a mournful wailing noise. Eva came to realise that the pizza was named after the haunting sound it made.

"First time at Late Night Bite?" Ethan asked, noticing the surprised expression on Eva's face.

"First time," Eva replied, trying to avoid making eye contact.

"How long has this restaurant been around?" Eva asked, curious.

"Opened last summer," Ethan replied.

"And how long have you and your band been playing here?" Eva asked curiously.
"We started playing here two months before summer vacation," Ethan said proudly. "It's a lovely place—the customers really enjoy our music."

"Rock and Roll?" Eva questioned.

"Yeah, are you a fan of rock and roll?" Ethan asked.

"I don't have any particular genre of music that I'm into," Eva said.

"You should hear us play again—maybe you'll find a favourite genre," said Ethan.

"Where are your other two bandmates?" Eva asked, looking around the restaurant.

"Must be sitting with some of their fans," Ethan replied. "We've heard this place attracts people of all types, including music industry managers."

"So your plan is to get noticed by a manager?" Eva questioned.

"Why not? We could get a record deal out of it," Ethan said.

Eva looked down at Ethan's right arm and noticed a blackish-purple bruise, identical to the one on her right arm. What a coincidence.

"14 years old and getting a record deal. That would be a nice way to begin life," Eva said.

"How did you guess my age?" Ethan asked, surprised.

"I just assumed we were the same age, even though I haven't seen you in my class," Eva said.

"Rosewood High?" Ethan asked.

"Yes," Eva said, confused. "What else were you expecting your school to be called?"

"Mareville Academy," Ethan said.

"Mareville Academy? Are you talking about the private school? Do you go there?" Eva bombarded him.

He's a freaking rich kid.

"Yes, to answer all your questions. My bandmates go there too. We're all in the same class," Ethan replied.

Ethan had already finished his pizza while talking with Eva.

"Ethan!" called out the dark-brown-haired bandmate, who, along with the other bandmate, were coming toward Eva's booth.

"A fan, I assume," the brown-haired teen boy commented.

"This is Liam, and that is Julius, my two bandmates," Ethan said.

"Nice to meet you," Julius said.

"Nice to meet you too," Eva said.

"I play the bass guitar," Liam said. "I bet you think we were awesome on stage."

"She used the word 'good'," Ethan said.

"Good?" Liam repeated, almost fainting. "She is definitely not a fan."

"She hasn't heard us play much," Julius interjected.

"Your friends are nice," Eva complimented.

"Ethan, we should be getting back to our dorms. I don't want to be sleeping in class," Liam said, yawning.

"Can't you play earlier at the restaurant?" Eva suggested.

"The place opens at ten," Ethan explained.

"That's late," Eva said, surprised.

"It closes at dusk," Ethan added.

"They must be paying you well to have you play this late at night," Eva said.

"The benefit of playing here is that you get to eat for free," Julius said. "All you can eat."

"You're not getting paid?" Eva asked, surprised.

"Not much," Julius replied. "You look like someone who plays an instrument."

"Piano and classical guitar," Eva answered. "And I sing. I won the junior singing contest in the city I used to live in."

"Wow, you can play instruments and sing. Ethan, we need to hear her sing sometime," Liam said. "New to town?"

"New," Eva said.

"We already have a singer, Billy," Ethan reminded.

"And where is Billy?" Liam said. "Not here."

"Just because he didn't come tonight doesn't mean he won't come the next time we play," Ethan said, looking crossed.

"This isn't the first time," Liam said.

"Will you two quit it?" Julius said.

"It was nice meeting you. I didn't get your name," Liam said to Eva.

"It's Eva," Eva said.

Liam and Julius were staring at Eva and Ethan, both of whom were standing now.

"Is everything alright?" Ethan asked.

"If you were both the same gender, I would swear you were the exact same person," Julius said.

"You both look so similar, it's uncanny," Liam said. "Are you related?"

"You know it's impossible, and you know why," Ethan explained.

"Right, my bad," Liam said.

"Maybe we'll run into each other again," Ethan said to Eva as he left the booth.

"Hope to see the three of you around," Eva said. "Bye."

"Bye," the three boys said in unison.

Eva watched as the three teen boys disappeared into the crowd of patrons before taking her seat at the booth.

As Eva finished the last bite of her delicious, creamy cheesecake, she looked around for a waitress to settle the bill. She must have been so focused on eating that when she glanced at the table, she realised the bill had already been placed there.

Eva picked up the bill and glanced over the items she had ordered. After settling it, she stood up and took one last look around the marvellous, unique restaurant before stepping out into the night air.