Edel let out a heavy sigh as she sank onto the couch beside Tabo, burying her head in her hands.

"No, I don't need it," she said firmly to Perchance, her voice low but resolute. Her chest felt tight, weighed down by the day's grim events, and she couldn't help but feel a deep sense of disappointment in herself for even considering turning to drugs.

The idea of speaking to her family again was tempting, but the memories of the massacre lingered vividly in her mind, chilling her to the core. She knew she needed to stay sharp—clear-headed—for whatever might come next.

"You sure, boss? You don't look too great right now," Perchance remarked, finally finding his lighter and igniting the marijuana.

"I'm fine," Edel replied curtly, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Perchance raised his hands in surrender, nodding and shrugging before taking a long puff, letting the smoke curl lazily into the air.

The room was heavy with smoke and tension, the air thick and suffocating. Everyone seemed lost in their own worlds, retreating to their respective corners, and Charlotte couldn't help but feel the isolation settling over her like a blanket.

Her eyes drifted to Edel, and a pang of concern tightened her chest. Edel looked more drained than ever—her complexion pale, almost ghostly, and deep shadows had formed under her eyes. The vibrant luster her hair once held was now dulled, mirroring the weariness etched into her face.

Charlotte wanted to say or do something—anything—to help Edel, but uncertainty kept her frozen. She cursed herself for being so useless and began wracking her brain for a way to comfort her.

Then, an idea struck. Maybe she could help Edel recall happier memories, something to lift her spirits even slightly. It wasn't much, but it was worth a try. Besides, Charlotte needed the distraction too—talking might steady her own nerves and keep the haunting images of the day at bay.

She took a deep breath, carefully choosing her words, not wanting to risk upsetting or irritating Edel.

"Hey, Edel," Charlotte ventured cautiously. "Can I ask you something?"

Edel let out a tired, irritated sigh. "What is it?"

Charlotte hesitated, her heart thudding in her chest. "I was just curious... What were you like when you were younger?"

Edel didn't answer right away. She stayed turned away, silent, the pause stretching on long enough to make Charlotte regret asking. Charlotte stared at her shoes, fidgeting awkwardly, waiting for a response.

"I was carefree," Edel finally said, her voice flat. "And careless."

"Careless?" Charlotte asked gently. "Why do you say that?"

Edel shifted slightly, her voice dropping to a near-whisper. "I didn't think much about the future. Didn't care about the consequences back then."

Charlotte leaned in a little closer, straining to hear her.

"I feel the same," Charlotte admitted with a small nod. She remembered her own carefree days, when her biggest worries were deciding what to eat or what outfit to wear. "What's your happiest memory?" she asked, hoping to lighten the mood.

Edel didn't respond right away. The silence stretched, and Charlotte shifted uncomfortably, glancing at Edel for any sign of a reaction. The lack of an immediate answer made Charlotte wonder if the question had struck a nerve.

"When I was loved," Edel finally said, her voice quiet and heavy with emotion. There was a faint tremor in her tone, as though she was holding something back.

Charlotte's heart ached at the answer. "I'm sure you were loved a lot," she offered gently, her voice soft with sympathy. She couldn't imagine someone like Edel—so charismatic, beautiful, and accomplished—not being adored by those around her.

"I guess."

Edel's brows furrowed as she stared at the ground, muttering softly, "I don't think I deserve love anymore... not after everything I've done." She looked like as if she was about to cry.

Her words hung in the air, heavy and raw, before silence settled over the room. After a while, Edel's eyelids grew heavier, and the surprisingly comfortable couch beneath her offered a brief reprieve from her turmoil. Despite her best efforts to fight it, sleep began to take hold of her.

She braced herself for the nightmares she'd grown accustomed to—the Maskers, their hollow faces clawing at her mind, dragging her into dark, suffocating memories. But instead, she found herself in a dream that was different.

She was standing behind someone familiar—a figure she couldn't quite make out. The image was hazy, their form wrapped in a gentle light. Though Edel couldn't see their face clearly, a sense of calm washed over her, a welcome contrast to the terror she had anticipated.

Edel took slow, deliberate steps toward the figure, the sound of her shoes echoing softly across the polished white marble floor. The person stood still, gazing out over a balcony at a breathtaking sunset, their silhouette bathed in golden light. As Edel drew closer, the haze lifted, and the figure's features sharpened.

It was a woman with sleek black hair, her presence as familiar as it was striking. Edel's heart skipped a beat.

"Karina?"

The woman turned around, her hair catching in the breeze, flowing gently like a dark ribbon. She smiled warmly, her expression soft and inviting.

"You're back," Karina said gently.

She gestured for Edel to join her. Eagerly, Edel stepped forward, taking her place beside Karina. Resting her hands on the cool white railing of the balcony, she looked out at the vibrant expanse of the horizon. The world below seemed calm and serene, a stark contrast to the chaos that haunted her waking hours. She tried her best to savor every moment of this rare respite.

"The city is beautiful, isn't it?" Karina remarked, her voice soft and wistful. "There's nowhere else quite like it."

The sun hung low in the sky, a vivid orange-red orb casting golden light across the horizon. The sprawling landscape below seemed to glow, painted in warm, rich hues. In the foreground stood a dozen sleek skyscrapers, their glass exteriors reflecting the fiery sky. Smaller, rectangular buildings clustered around them, creating a patchwork of urban life. Beyond the cityscape, formidable mountains rose in the distance, their shadowy peaks framing the scene as if they were maintaining a silent dominance over the city.

To an outsider, the city might have seemed like any other—a collection of buildings silhouetted against the sunset. But to Edel, it was unmistakable. Each structure, each street, represented her Los Angeles, a city etched into her very soul. Yet, she was unfamiliar with the balcony they were standing on.

Edel, sensing the dreamlike quality of the moment, glanced at Karina and asked, "Where are we?"

Karina met her gaze, full of knowing in her eyes. "Edie, this is the ivory tower."

Edel furrowed her brow in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Karina's expression softened, and she gently took Edel's hand in hers. "We were born with silver spoons," she explained. "Everything's been handed to us on a platter. We've never had to struggle like so many others. Our lives have been cushioned from hardship."

Her gaze drifted out over the city, her voice growing more reflective. "In Los Angeles, there's always a divide—the haves and the have-nots. That's the truth of this place. And, somehow, it's what makes this city... unique. The contrast, the extremes, the beauty and the pain."

Edel looked out at the cityscape once more, her mind trying to process the weight of Karina's words. The city stretched out before them, a living, breathing contradiction.

Karina's gaze softened, as if she understood the quiet turmoil brewing within Edel. "But at least here, in this ivory tower, we're safe. Far removed from the chaos, the problems of the world. Our privilege keeps us insulated from all of it."

Edel's expression hardened, her gaze growing distant. "Nowhere is safe anymore. Not even in this ivory tower." Her voice trembled with frustration as she clenched her fists. "The world is falling apart, and I... I can't just ignore it."

She took a deep breath, fighting the rising tide of emotion. "I have work to do, Kari. I don't know when it'll ever end."

Suddenly, the ground beneath them began to crack, the once pristine white marble splitting apart and crumbling into an abyss. Edel's heart raced as she looked around, panic rising in her chest, but Karina remained eerily calm. The once solid white walls disintegrated, falling into the void alongside the floor, leaving nothing but darkness and the remnants of their surroundings.

Kari gently rested on Edel's shoulder. "Okay, Edie. I believe in you. I always have. Just remember, I'm always here for you, no matter what. I will always—"

"GOOD MORN-ING!"

Perchance's voice rang out, loud and cheerful, as he suddenly leapt from his armchair, breaking the silence of the room.

Edel jolted awake, instinctively reaching for her holster, her heart racing as her eyes darted around for danger. Perchance, oblivious to the fear and tension he caused, grinned widely at her reaction. Meanwhile, the rest of the group groaned, some muttering curses under their breath at being startled awake.

"Fucking hell, Perchance! What is wrong with you?!" Charlotte snapped, sitting up abruptly. Her face was flushed, and she clutched the pillow she had borrowed from Perchance, her breathing uneven from being startled awake.

Tabo, sprawled out on the floor near the foot of the couch, barely reacted, his expression as calm as ever. He raised an eyebrow lazily and stretched, unfazed by the commotion. He had been relegated to the floor after Edel claimed the entire couch for herself, but he didn't seem to mind, used to making do with what he had.

Around him, the others groaned in frustration, some rubbing their eyes while others muttered complaints under their breath. Slowly, they began to stir, their movements sluggish and annoyed as they shook off the remnants of sleep.

Perchance, however, stood with a smug grin, looking entirely too pleased with himself. "Rise and shine, everyone!" he chirped, clearly proud of the chaos he'd caused.

Charlotte shot him a glare, her tone icy. "You're lucky I don't throw this pillow at you."

"You're free to try!" Perchance quipped, unbothered, as he shrugged.

"Wipe that grin off your face," Edel snapped sternly as she brushed past Perchance, heading toward the front window to check the time. Her eyes widened as realization struck her.

"Shit!" she exclaimed, a surge of panic overtaking her.

"Where's the fire, boss? You look-"

"Not now, Perchance, I have somewhere to be!" Edel snapped, frantically fixing her appearance and hurriedly cleaning herself up. She was clearly in a rush, her movements haphazard and urgent.

"Whoa, whoa, Edel, where are you going?" Charlotte asked, stepping in front of the door to block Edel's path. Despite her best efforts, it was a bit of a challenge, given their noticeable height difference. "Why are you leaving us?! At a time like this??"

Edel froze for a moment, exhaling sharply. "I'm going out, Charlotte. I'll be back soon. In the meantime, don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"That doesn't tell me much," Charlotte replied, crossing her arms. "What kind of errand is this? Why the rush?"

"Don't worry about it," Edel said curtly. "I'll explain later."

Charlotte frowned but reluctantly stepped aside, watching Edel disappear out the door, her hurried footsteps fading into the distance.

"Uh... now what? Ooh, does anybody want to—"

"No."

"Tough crowd," he groaned.

------

Meanwhile, Edel quickly jumped into her van, starting the engine and pulling onto the street with a sense of urgency. As she drove toward her "date" with Astrid—if she could even call it that—she couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. The streets were unusually quiet, far too quiet. In a city like LA, where traffic was a constant, the emptiness felt unnerving. Given the recent wave of murders, Edel assumed people were too scared to go out, even during the day. Despite the oddness of the situation, she reminded herself that meeting Astrid now was probably the right thing to do. After all, Astrid would need someone to talk to, especially after such a traumatic event. While Edel knew her time might be better spent researching the attackers, her mind was weighed down by anxiety and despair. She needed a distraction, something to steady her crumbling mental state and keep herself from spiraling.

As Edel stepped into the Starbucks, she was surprised to see the workers still on the job, their muted conversations filled with snippets about the recent tragedies. She assumed they had no choice but to show up for their shifts, driven by the necessity of making ends meet, a burden Edel had never known due to her privileged upbringing. Scanning the room, her gaze landed on Astrid, sitting alone by the corner window. Astrid's eyes were distant, fixed on something far beyond the glass, lost in thought. She wore a black UCLA off-shoulder top and light blue jeans, her posture radiating quiet melancholy, and it attracted Edel in ways she couldn't describe.

On the table sat two steaming cups of coffee, with one seat clearly reserved for Edel. The small, thoughtful gesture caught her off guard, stirring an unexpected warmth in her chest. It had been a long time since someone had done something like this for her, and she couldn't help but feel grateful.

As she slowly walked towards Astrid, Edel's mind raced, searching for the right words to say. The weight of the recent massacre made her unsure of how to begin.

"Hello, Astrid," Edel greeted softly, her voice almost hesitant.

Astrid turned to her, her emerald-green eyes catching the sunlight, and for a moment, Edel found herself captivated. She couldn't deny how beautiful Astrid looked, even in the simplest of settings.

"Hey, Edel," Astrid replied. Her voice immediately reeled Edel in and left her enamored.

For a moment, it was as if time stood still. Edel hesitated, unsure of what to do next, and while she was known for being a social butterfly, she found herself at a lost for words.

Astrid let out a soft giggle, breaking the silence. "Are you just going to stand there? Sit down already!"

Jolted from her thoughts, Edel quickly complied, sliding into the chair across from Astrid. Her gaze fell on the coffee waiting for her, steam curling invitingly from the cup. She reached for it, her fingers brushing the warmth. "Thank you for the coffee," she said sincerely.

"Of course," Astrid replied with a gentle smile. "I hope it's to your liking."

Edel took a cautious sip, the rich, complex flavors of an Americano spreading across her tongue. A small smile tugged at her lips. "It's perfect," she murmured, her voice soft but genuine.

Astrid's thoughtfulness felt like a balm to Edel's frayed nerves, rekindling a glimmer of something she thought she had lost—a fragile connection to her own humanity.

"I'm glad," Astrid said simply, her voice carrying a warmth that made Edel feel, for just a moment, like things could be okay.

""How are you holding up? After everything?" Edel asked gently.

"To be honest... I'm scared," Astrid admitted, her gaze dropping to her coffee cup. "No one's going to class anymore, and I don't know how I'm going to handle it."

Edel nodded, the warmth of her own coffee seeping into her palms as she searched for the right words.

"It's hard to even imagine," Astrid continued, her voice trembling slightly. "There's a murderer—or, God, dozens of them—out there, and they could show up anywhere, anytime."

Her fingers tightened around her cup, and her lips quivered as she added, "I don't feel safe, not even with the police everywhere. I don't even know how I'll manage to graduate at this point."

Edel frowned, tilting her head slightly. "What year are you? What's your major?"

"I'm a third-year, majoring in theater," Astrid replied, a faint, wistful smile flickering across her face before fading again. She clutched her cup a little tighter. "I want to go home, but... I don't have a home."

Edel's brow furrowed. "Why not?"

Astrid hesitated for a moment, then took a shaky breath. "I'm a foster child. My parents... they were addicts—hooked on just about anything you could name—and abusive on top of it. I got taken away when I was a kid."

Astrid's voice wavered as she finished, and Edel felt a sharp pang in her chest, as if her heart were breaking for the woman across from her.

"I'm so sorry to hear that," Edel said gently, connecting with Astrid's circumstances. "What are you going to do now?"

Astrid let out a deep sigh, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the edge of her coffee cup. "I thought I'd graduate and become an actor... but now, I'm not so sure anymore."

Her gaze dropped to her lap as she continued, "I think I'll just go back to my apartment. It's the only place I can really call home, even if it doesn't feel like much of one."

"Is it far from here? I can take you back. You shouldn't be out on these streets alone," Edel said hurriedly, her worry evident. Without thinking, she reached out and grasped Astrid's hand, a protective instinct taking over.

The warmth and softness of Astrid's skin surprised her, but as soon as Edel realized what she had done, she quickly withdrew her hand, her cheeks flushing slightly. She didn't want to overstep or make Astrid uncomfortable.

Astrid blinked in surprise but didn't seem offended. "Are you sure? It's not too far. I can just walk back," she said softly.

Edel's expression remained resolute. "Then I'll walk you," she insisted, her violet eyes reflecting a deep, genuine concern.

"Okay," Astrid agreed with a small nod.

As they stepped outside, the cool air brushing against their skin, Astrid moved closer to Edel, clinging to her like a magnet. She looped her arm tightly around Edel's, which caught her off-guard. Edel's cheeks flushed a faint pink, but she said nothing, focusing on the path ahead.

"Why do you kind of smell like weed?" asked Astrid, sniffing Edel's sleeve.

Edel blushed at her lack of professionalism and cleanliness. "Some guy decided to smoke it around me. I'm so sorry about that."

"That's okay! It smells... good on you," Astrid replied, holding Edel tighter. The thought of weed smelling good to anyone baffled Edel, but she remained silent.

While Astrid gave quiet directions to her apartment, her fingers slipped into Edel's hand, intertwining them naturally. Edel's heart raced, and she glanced at Astrid, who seemed calm but vulnerable. The touch was delicate yet grounding, and neither seemed eager to let go.

"This is me," Astrid said, stopping in front of a modest two-story apartment. The white paint on the exterior was cracked and peeling, while the ground nearby was littered with trash, broken beer bottles, and burnt cigarette butts. It was a stark contrast to the beauty Astrid exuded, and Edel's heart sank at the sight.

"You're welcome to come in if you'd like."

Edel hesitated for a moment, her hand lingering by her side. There were other pressing matters she needed to attend to, but she couldn't leave Astrid's side at a time like this. She glanced at Astrid, who looked over her shoulder with a hopeful expression, and felt a tug in her chest.

"Sure," Edel said quietly, stepping closer to the door. "If you don't mind."

Astrid smiled, her dimples showing as she finally found the keys and unlocked the door. "Thanks. Your presence means the world to me."

The door creaked open, revealing a small but cozy living room, cluttered with mismatched furniture and a mix of personal items strewn about. A faint scent of lavender air freshener tried to mask the lingering odor of cigarette smoke.

"This is my home... I guess," Astrid said, kicking a stray red plastic cup out of the way. "Let's go to my room. It's much cleaner there."

Edel trailed behind Astrid, her eyes scanning the apartment as they made their way through. The mess wasn't overwhelming, but it had the same chaotic energy as Perchance's place. She couldn't quite pinpoint what made it feel that way—perhaps the scattered belongings or the mismatched furniture or the smell of smoke.

When they reached Astrid's room, the atmosphere shifted. It was a complete contrast to the rest of the apartment—tidy and inviting. The walls were decorated with a mix of candid photos featuring smiling faces and vibrant movie posters that spoke of Astrid's passion for theater and film. A string of fairy lights framed the room, casting a soft glow that added a cozy warmth to the space.

"It's not much, but it's mine," Astrid said, sitting on the edge of her neatly made bed and motioning for Edel to sit next to her.

"It's nice," Edel replied, taking in the details. She spotted a stack of scripts and playbills on the desk, along with a small plant that looked surprisingly well cared for. "Feels... personal."

Astrid chuckled. "I try to keep it that way. It's the one place that really feels like mine, you know?"

"You did a great job. I can see all the work you put into it," Edel complimented.

Astrid offered a small smile and hummed softly, inching closer to Edel until their fingers brushed and intertwined. Her touch was light, but it was addicting to Edel.

"I don't think I can continue school in this state," Astrid admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I might ask for a leave of absence."

Edel nodded understandingly. "That's a good idea. You should prioritize your mental health first. It's been a lot—too much for anyone to bear. It's okay to take a step back."

Astrid let out a deep breath, as though releasing a weight she had been holding. "It's nice to know I'm not alone in this," she murmured, shifting closer to Edel. The faint scent of her floral perfume lingered in the air as she rested her head lightly on Edel's shoulder.

"You're not alone," Edel reassured her, her voice soft yet firm. She gave Astrid's hand a gentle squeeze, offering her support.

Astrid tilted her head up, her doe-like eyes locking onto Edel's with an innocent curiosity. "Edel, what do you do for a living?" she asked softly.

The question caught Edel off guard, but she quickly composed herself. "I help people," she replied, her tone steady. "You could say I'm kind of like a private investigator."

Astrid's eyes widened with intrigue. "A private investigator? That sounds so cool! Do you, like, solve mysteries and catch bad guys?"

Edel chuckled lightly, trying to downplay the gravity of her work. "Something like that. It's not always glamorous, though. Most of the time, it's just tracking down leads and piecing together puzzles."

"Wow!" Astrid said in awe. "It must feel good, knowing you're helping people.

Edel nodded, though her expression dimmed slightly. "Yeah... it does. But it's not without its challenges."

Astrid smiled gently, sensing the weight in Edel's voice. "I can tell you're good at it, though. You've got this... aura about you. Like someone people can rely on."

Edel felt her cheeks flush faintly at the compliment. "Thanks, Astrid. That means a lot."

Astrid leaned in closer to Edel until their faces were inches apart and asked, "Is it okay if I go with you? I don't think I can handle being alone, and I don't know what to do with myself during my leave of absence. Maybe I could help you with your private investigations."

"No, Astrid. It's too dangerous. You could get hurt."

Astrid's fingers tightened slightly around Edel's. "I want to help people too, Edel. Even if it means I might get hurt."

Edel's heart twisted at Astrid's words. "I understand wanting to help," she said carefully, "but this work isn't what you think. It's messy, unpredictable, and sometimes..." Edel hesitated, searching for the right words. "It's not worth the cost."

Astrid met her gaze, unflinching. "I've already lived through pain and chaos, Edel. Maybe this is how I make something good out of it. By helping you. By helping others."

"You've already been through so much. You should focus on yourself first."

"I want to be with you," Astrid countered. "I want to make a difference, even in a small way."

Edel wanted to refuse outright, to protect Astrid from the dangers she faced daily. But as she looked into Astrid's eyes, she found it impossible to say no. There was a look of pure determination there, a spark that refused to be extinguished despite everything that happened.

Her voice softened as she finally spoke. "Astrid... you don't know what you're asking for. But I can see you're not going to back down easily." She sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Just promise me, if I do let you come, you'll listen to everything I say. No exceptions. This isn't something to take lightly."

Astrid nodded immediately, her grip on Edel's hand tightening. "I promise. I just want to help. I need to do something that matters."

For a moment, they simply gazed at each other, the silence between them charged with unspoken emotions. Edel's breath caught in her throat as Astrid leaned in, her eyes soft and searching, as if seeking permission.

Before Edel could react, Astrid closed the distance and kissed her. It was gentle at first, tentative, as though testing the waters. Edel froze, her mind racing. But as the warmth of the moment washed over her, she found herself relaxing, her heart pounding in a rhythm that seemed to match Astrid's.

Astrid and Edel remained locked in the kiss, their embrace growing tighter as they lost themselves in the moment. But just as quickly, Edel pulled away, breaking the connection. Her breathing was uneven, and she looked away, her expression unreadable.

"What's wrong, Edel? Are you okay?" Astrid asked softly, her hand reaching for Edel's again.

Edel gave a small nod, forcing a smile to reassure her. "Yeah, I'm fine," she said, though her voice wavered slightly. She took a deep breath and cleared her throat, collecting herself. "I just think we should probably get going. We've got things to do."

Astrid hesitated but didn't press further. "Alright," she replied, though she sounded slightly disappointed.

They quickly gathered their belongings, with Edel guiding the way for Astrid this time. As they made their way to the van, Edel held the door open for Astrid, who climbed in with a quiet "thank you."

"I'm taking us to our hideout for now. Lay low while we investigate the recent events in the city. You'll meet the others when we get there," Edel explained.

"Who are the others?"

"There's Charlotte, Tabo, and Perchance. Don't worry, I'll introduce you to them. Perchance is providing us with the hideout for now, but it isn't the cleanest nor tidiest."

"How so?"

"The whole place reeks of weed, and there's a rat problem."

"Oh, I see. I can handle that. I've been through worse," Astrid replied. "So what's Perchance like?"

"He's quite eccentric, I'll tell you that.

The drive to Perchance's parlor was uneventful, the hum of the engine filling the silence between brief bouts of small talk.

"The clouds are so dark. I feel like it might rain soon. I'm starting to miss the sun, but maybe it's a good thing it isn't shining right now. I can't imagine things to return back to normal after everything's that happened," Astrid murmured as she stared out the window.

"People will move on eventually. It will just take some time."

"Yeah, you're right."

Eventually, they arrived at their destination. Edel parked the van and stepped out, walking around to help Astrid down from her seat. Astrid gave her a grateful smile, and they paced side by side toward Perchance's parlor.

"Thank you. You didn't tell me the hideout was a fortune teller's shop. I was half-expecting an underground bunker or something," Astrid said, eyeing the neon signs and faded tapestries with mild surprise.

Edel let out a dry chuckle. "It's not ideal, but it's all we've got."

As they pushed open the door, a bell jingled overhead, announcing their arrival. Inside, Perchance was mid-sentence, holding up a strange triangular furry shaped object with hints of gold glistening through to Charlotte and Tabo.

"So this is kind of like a monkey's paw—at least, that's what the guy told me when I bought it off the street. We shared a blunt, so who knows—anyway—"

Charlotte's head whipped toward the entrance at the sound of the bell, her golden hair smacking Perchance square in the face.

"Edel! You're back!" she said, jumping to her feet—then paused when she saw Astrid. Her eyes narrowed in curiosity. "And who's this?"

"Everyone, this is Astrid," Edel said. "She's one of the survivors from UCLA. She'll be staying with us and helping out."

"Oh! Well—hello, Astrid. I'm Charlotte. It's nice to meet you." She wiped her hands on her skirt and extended one toward Astrid.

Astrid took the handshake politely. Her emerald eyes met Charlotte's, and for a split second, something in them made Charlotte uneasy—but she quickly brushed the feeling aside. It was nice to finally have another girl around. Edel, while cordial at times, could be a bit... intense.

"Astrid, this is Tabo," Charlotte continued, gesturing toward him. "He's not much of a talker, but he's super sweet. And that's Perchance. He's, uh... a lot, but you'll get used to him."

"Ohoho... My love reading was right after all!" Perchance snickered, waggling his eyebrows.

Edel's face flushed a deep red. She quickly turned away, tucking her hair behind her ear to hide it.

"What?" Astrid asked, visibly confused.

"Don't mind him," Edel muttered. "He talks too much."

Charlotte smiled, oblivious to the situation between Edel and Astrid. "I hope you're holding up okay, after everything that's happened. If you ever need someone to talk to... you could always come to me. I've been through some rough stuff too. You're not alone."

"Thank you, Charlotte," Astrid said gratefully.

Suddenly, a strange wailing echoed from outside, followed by a jagged, screeching sound—like nails dragging across a chalkboard or the grind of a butcher's saw.

Charlotte flinched, covering her ears. "God, what is that? Perchance, do you know?"

Perchance raised an eyebrow, unfazed. "A lot of weird things happen around here, but that one's new to me. I just hope it's not the gas again..."

Edel was already heading for the door. "I'll go check it out."

Charlotte grabbed her arm, stopping her. "Whoa, hold up. You're not going alone—we're a team, remember? We don't know what's out there."

"Yeah," Perchance added with a shrug. "You kept us cooped up here all day. Let us do something for once."

Edel sighed. "Alright. But Astrid, you're staying here. Keep an eye on the place. If something happens..."

She paused, realizing they had no reliable way to communicate. She didn't have a phone to communicate nor any other devices.

"You could use the crystal ball!" Perchance chirped, pointing at the cloudy orb on his cluttered desk. "Just speak into it. I carry mine everywhere—it should reach me."

Edel blinked. "That... could work. Okay, Astrid. If anything seems off, don't hesitate."

"I won't," Astrid said with a nod. "And... would it be alright if I tidied up a bit while you're out?"

Perchance gave her a wary glance. "If 'yer up for it, sure. Just don't go pokin' around where your nose doesn't belong."

"Got it."

Edel gave Astrid a reassuring nod, then turned back to the others. "Alright. Let's move."

The rest of the group followed the source of the eerie noise in the van. The streets were unnaturally still—no cars, no people, not even distant city noises. Just silence, broken only by that grating, metallic screech in the distance.

"Is no one else hearing that?" Charlotte winced, pressing her hands to her ears. "It's like a blade scraping my skull."

As the sound grew louder, Edel slowed the van and scanned the area. Without a word, she jumped out, pistol drawn and eyes sharp. The streetlights started to flicker sporadically.

Thwip!

A tranquilizer dart buried itself in her thigh.

She gasped, stumbled, and collapsed to the pavement.

Before anyone inside could react, a gas canister clattered into the van, releasing a thick cloud of choking smoke. Charlotte coughed violently, Perchance shouted something unintelligible, and Tabo slumped over without a word.

As Perchance lost consciousness, his crystal ball rolled from his lap and struck the floorboard, cracking with a sharp snap.

And then—silence.

------

As Edel struggled to cling to consciousness, muffled voices drifted through the haze.

"I thought you'd be smarter than that. You made it too easy," said a woman's voice—smooth, mocking. A shadow loomed over her.

She felt a sharp nudge against her side as a piercing heel rolled her onto her back.

"Edel Monclerchanteau," the voice repeated with a purr of satisfaction. "Hunting you down is like chasing a white tiger. Rare, thrilling... and long overdue."

"And you know what? I like that name for you... White tiger."

The last thing Edel saw was the woman's silhouette above her, dark against the dim light—smiling.

Then, everything went black.