**Chapter 3: Shadows in the Night**

The darkness outside seemed to press in on the Welcome Arms, making the warm glow of the fire pit feel like a fragile barrier against the unknown. Sol couldn't shake the feeling that Billy Bones' presence had awakened a malevolent force, one that lurked just beyond the edge of perception. As she gazed into the flames, she noticed Jim lingering in the doorway, his eyes fixed on her with a concerned expression. "Hey, Sol, you okay?" Jim asked, his voice low and gentle. Sol nodded, her eyes still fixed on the fire. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just trying to process everything." Jim stepped closer, his eyes scanning the room. "I don't like this, Sol. Something feels off. Billy Bones' story seems...convenient. Like he's hiding something." Sol's gaze snapped up to meet Jim's. "You think he's not telling the truth?" Jim shrugged. "I'm not saying that. But I've been around long enough to know that there's usually more to the story than what people let on. And Billy Bones seems like a man with secrets." Sol nodded thoughtfully. "I get what you mean. But what if he's telling the truth? What if there really are people after him?" Jim's expression turned grim. "Then we're in this too, Sol. We can't just ignore him and hope it goes away." As they spoke, a chill ran down Sol's spine. She felt like they were being watched, and the sensation was growing stronger by the minute. Suddenly, a loud creaking noise echoed through the room, making them both jump. The sound came from upstairs, where Billy Bones had retreated to his room. Sol's heart skipped a beat as she exchanged a nervous glance with Jim. "Go check on him," Sol whispered, her voice barely audible. Jim nodded and took off up the stairs, his footsteps creaking on the old wooden stairs. Sol waited, her ears straining to hear any sound from Billy's room. But there was only silence. As the minutes ticked by, Sol's anxiety grew. She paced back and forth in front of the fire, her eyes scanning the room for any sign of movement. And then, just as she was starting to relax, a faint scratching noise came from Billy's room. It was a soft, deliberate sound, like someone was trying to signal for help. Sol's heart racing, she rushed to Jim's side and grabbed his arm. "Jim, I think we need to go check on him," she whispered urgently. Jim's eyes locked onto hers, and together, they crept up the stairs, their hearts pounding in unison. As they approached Billy's room, the scratching grew louder, more insistent. Sol's hand instinctively went to the knife at her belt, her senses on high alert. She exchanged a tense glance with Jim, and then, with a deep breath, she pushed open the door to Billy's room. What they found was not what they expected. Billy Bones was gone, but the window was open, and a piece of paper was pinned to the bedpost with a dagger. Sol's heart sank as she read the message scrawled on the paper: "They're coming for you. Run."