Night had fully claimed the city of Riverport, and within the quiet sanctuary of The Midnight Academy, a new rhythm was taking hold. In Ethan Gray’s living room, the shadows beneath the television console seemed to pulse with a familiar, rhythmic sound.
Chirp... chirp... chirp.
The crickets had clearly found the environment to their liking. They were breeding. What had once been a solitary, lonely sound had multiplied into a trio of voices: one deep and resonant, and two smaller, higher-pitched notes that sang in a jagged harmony.
Ethan was in the kitchen, his hands submerged in warm, soapy water as he finished the dinner dishes. He let out a long breath, listening to the sounds of the night. On the sofa, Blanche was a small, focused silhouette, her eyes glued to the dark television scr
