While everything with Loren and the FBI was happening…
Ryan was sitting on the rooftop of a building.
From there, he watched the three girls, their faces still soaked with water.
Vivian.
Brittany.
And Ana.
Ryan sighed.
Seems like the time I was gone was short.
These girls didn't do much.
Well… whatever.
Ryan sharpened his hearing to listen to their conversation.
Vivian was the first to move.
Brittany and Ana followed.
Ana stood up to look for some towels for the three of them.
"What do you think that clown meant?" Ana asked.
Brittany thought for a few seconds before answering.
"I think he was referring to when we talked about him in the café."
"It was a public place."
"Maybe he wants us to talk about these things in private."
Vivian remained thoughtful.
"I think we should leave, Brittany," she finally said.
Then she looked at Ana.
"Ana, you should give me your number so we can stay in contact."
Ana thought about it for a moment.
Then she nodded.
She gave her number to Vivian and Brittany.
The three girls walked toward the door to say goodbye.
But at that moment…
The television in the living room turned on by itself.
All three of them stopped.
A news broadcast appeared on the screen.
Brittany looked closely.
She recognized the face in the photograph.
It was Gabriel.
The man who had been extorting her father.
Gabriel was dead.
Brittany walked toward the television.
Vivian and Ana followed her.
Ana said nothing when Brittany rushed toward the screen.
She already knew her story.
The reporter on the news spoke.
"We are here in downtown Trenton, where a brutal murder occurred just a few minutes ago…"
"The victim has been identified as Gabriel."
"Witnesses claim that balloons descended from the sky before exploding and releasing confetti."
"Authorities suspect that the person responsible is the same individual known as 'The Clown.'"
Brittany stared at the screen in silence.
Vivian and Ana stood beside her.
"That clown killed Gabriel…"
"He did it."
Brittany couldn't believe it.
How was that possible?
Vivian remembered the clown's words.
This world is dangerous.
Vivian understood.
It was the same as when he saved her.
"Brittany… we have to go," Vivian said.
"We need to head back."
Brittany looked at her and understood.
Ana walked them to the door.
"Ana, you need to be careful," Vivian said.
"Maybe we'll come back later to talk in person."
Ana nodded.
Vivian and Brittany left the house.
As they walked down the street, Brittany spoke.
"Tell me something, Vivian."
"Do you think that clown is sending us messages?"
"The television turned on out of nowhere."
Vivian looked at her.
"Maybe he's watching us."
"But he hasn't hurt us."
"Though… he is observing us."
Brittany looked at her seriously.
"Then tell me something."
"When you were in the forest with Madeleine…"
"Why didn't that clown hurt you?"
Vivian didn't know how to answer.
She didn't understand what that clown was thinking.
"I don't know, Brittany."
"But now we need to go back to Morris County."
The two girls walked toward the bus stop.
As they walked, some guys approached them to talk and invite them out.
But they rejected them and continued on their way.
When they reached the bus stop, they sat down to wait.
Vivian had just called her mother to say she was heading home.
Then…
Confetti began to fall from the sky.
Everyone at the bus stop was surprised.
Vivian and Brittany froze.
They looked around.
But there was nothing.
Then balloons shaped like letters slowly began to descend.
The people at the bus stop looked up.
The balloons formed a message.
Everyone could read it.
"Remember.
Morris County and Sussex County are my territory.
Whatever happens in these two counties is my responsibility.
If you leave them… I don't know what might happen to you."
People began murmuring in confusion.
The balloons kept floating.
This time they didn't explode.
Vivian and Brittany read the message.
They didn't know why…
But something inside them told them those words were meant for them.
Suddenly, Brittany felt someone watching her.
She turned her head.
Vivian followed her gaze.
And then they saw him.
The clown.
He was standing on the other side of the street.
Holding a balloon in one hand.
And in the other hand, he held a card.
At that moment the bus arrived.
Vivian and Brittany quickly got on.
They sat down.
But when Vivian looked at the seat…
There was a card.
It was the same one the clown had been holding.
There were words written on the card.
"Open it in private."
Vivian picked up the card.
And put it away.
From the rooftop of a nearby building…
I watched everything.
They took the card.
Perfect.
Well…
I already told them these two counties are my territory.
If something happens to them in other counties…
That will be their bad luck.
When they open the card…
I'll start eliminating Loren and his entire organization.
I smiled.
Then I teleported to my room.
I lay down on my bed.
Closed my eyes.
And fell asleep.