Gulping, I read the note out:

'Roses are red,

Violets are blue,

Watch your back,

I'm coming for you

-J'

There was a picture of a man wearing a clown mask and smiling creepily at the camera.

"Penny!" David barked out and the guard came back.

"Yes, sir?"

"Did you see the person who gave you this?" David demanded.

"No, sir," Penny shook her head, "it was given to me by one of the guards. Now that I think about it, I don't think I've seen him before."

David swore and immediately ordered the house to be on lockdown, to search for the imposter.

I was staring at the picture in dismay. I felt so scared. Suddenly, I realised that was what John wanted. He loved to cause fear on his enemies. I closed my eyes and imagined a large metal door slamming shut on everything to do with John. I pretended locking the key, dragging the bolt and doing countless other things. Once I'd done that, I felt much better.

Suddenly, I heard heard gunshots. I brought out my gun- always have it with me now- and sprinted towards the sound, ignoring my family yelling something. I heard footsteps behind me and saw Jax, Julian and Daimen had followed, each holding a gun.

I rounded the corner and saw a boy of about 18 standing there with an arrogant smirk on his face.

"You're the intruder," I said calmly, "how did you get in?"

The boy's smirk grew wider, "In-tru-da window!"

I raised and eyebrow, "a Doctor Who reference? If I didn't have to kill you, we'd be great friends."

"Oh Iris," he smiled, "you're not going to kill me! Not when I have information about someone you care about..."

"Who?" I snapped back, annoyed. I didn't lower my gun.

"A certain Alex Lykaios."

My breathing became shallow and I could hear Jax gasp behind me.

"What do you know?" I demanded, my hands shaking slightly.

"He's not dead," the boy sniggered at my expression. As quick as a mouse, he scampered away, leaving us in too much shock to do anything. He dropped a piece of paper as he went, and I walked over and picked it up.

It was a picture of a boy with brown hair and dark blue eyes I've only seen once before. Jax inhaled sharply being me. I dropped the photo, letting it flutter to the ground.

I need to get away.

I turned around and ran, ignoring my name being called behind me.

X

I ended up at the cemetery. I half walked- half stumbled towards Alex's grave and leaned against the headstone, tears streaming down my face. After crying a bit, I took a shuddering breath and stood, wiping the debris from my clothes.

"You're not alive," I said softly. The wind whistled, as if agreeing with me.

With renewed vigour, I left the graveyard and walked home.

I opened the door and was immediately assaulted by 9 people. They hugged me, punched me and then hugged me again, saying how stupid I was to be gone for so long.

"By the way, Rainbow," Jax said, "I'm staying here for a while... no offence to your family, but I'll sleep easier at night knowing you're safe."

"Sure," I shrugged, "I have your box and you can get your clothes tomorrow."

"What box?" David asked.

"Sometimes, I crashed at Iris' place when Elise was out," Jax explained, "so Iris created a box of clothes which I would use. It's weird, but it's a system that works perfectly."

My family all raised their eyebrows in sync- it was quite creepy, but I let it slide.

"Where are you going to sleep?" I asked.

"Well, it's Taco Tuesday so..." Jax trailed off with a sly grin.

I slapped my forehead with my hand, "I'd completely forgotten!"

When I was younger, I used to sometimes feel very sad. So Alex and Jax came up with lame excuses to have weekly sleepovers when Elise was out- not the healthiest these were, but they certainly brought up my mood. I explained this to my family. They were smiling and Lisa said it was cute, but Daimen and Julian were glaring at the floor. What was their problem?

That reminds me...

"By the way, Jax," I said, "that photo wasn't of Alex."

Jax's smile faded, "Iris, are you sure?"

I nodded adamantly, "100% percent," I said confidently, "we can scan it tomorrow and see when and where it was taken. I can guarantee it's a fake."

Jax sighed and ran a hand through his hair, "Okay, Rainbow. If you're sure. Now, come on! Those sweets and tacos aren't going to eat themselves!"

I laughed and turned to my family, "do you guys want to join us?"

They nodded and I told them to get the sweets and tacos and meet us in my room.

X

A couple hours later, we were all laughing our heads off and having a great time- even Daimen and Julian. We were playing board games and binging on sweets and tacos. I think we all needed some cheer after today's events.

"Alright," David said clapping his hands, "that was fun, but you guys need to sleep now. It's late and you have school tomorrow."

We all started to protest, but it was half-hearted since we knew he was right. My family and Jax said goodnight to me and left.

However, I couldn't sleep. My mind was reeling over what happened this morning. Who would try to fool me into believing Alex was alive? My first thought was John, but why would he do that?

I heard my door creek and sat up. It was Jax.

"Can't sleep?" He asked and nodded, "me neither," he paused and sat on my bed, "do you think Alex is alive, Rainbow?"

I shook my head, "I want him to be, Jax, I really do. But, he's not," I told him about my suspicions of John.

We ended up talking a lot and ended up falling asleep at 1am. Just before I did, one clear thought hit my mind.

What did John want?