Laura and Eula were just hanging out at a fast food spot, enjoying their meals and minding their own business.
Out of nowhere, Eula noticed a guy walking by—it was a young gentleman who seemed to be around their age.
"You know him?" Laura nudged her.
Eula shook her head. She didn't know him, but she does remembered running into him back in Florida. Nathan Calliwell. Could this really be a coincidence? Or was he following her?
"Eula," Laura called out.
"Ah, it's nothing. I just remembered we still need to catch up with Enora about our gear updates," Eula said quickly, getting up to leave.
"Wait—" Laura hurried after her.
Was Eula overthinking things? Maybe all that training had got to her after all?
"Eula, wait!" Laura panted, trying to keep up.
Eula paused.
"Sorry, I just need some time alone. You don't mind heading back by yourself, right?" Eula asked.
Laura rested her hands on her hips. "Well, I—"
"I'll see you later," Eula said, darting off.
"But—" Laura sighed. What was up with everyone? They all seemed so off lately—was it just that time of the month for everyone?
Suddenly, her phone rang.
"Laura?"
"Mom?"
"I've been trying to reach you for days! Why didn't you answer?"
"You have? Oh—sorry, Mom, I guess I was just busy. What's up?"
"It's nothing, honey. We were just worried we couldn't get through. (She sighed) How's your new job? Everything okay?"
Laura smiled. "Yeah…"
"Honey?" her mom prompted after a brief pause.
"Everything's fine, Mom. Don't worry. I'll be getting my paycheck in a few days, and I'll send some money."
Her mom replied, "Keep those first few checks for yourself, Laura. I can manage things here just fine. You need it more than we do right now."
"Alright, Mom."
"I won't keep you any longer. Have a good night, honey. Love you."
Laura smiled. "Love you too."
Laura walked slowly down the quiet street, hands tucked in the pockets of her jacket. The night was calm and cold.
As she passed a small convenience store, a flickering neon sign buzzed above the door. Inside, only one employee stood behind the counter, lazily scrolling through his phone.
Laura pushed the door open.
A small bell rang.
The cashier barely looked up.
Laura wandered through the aisles, grabbing a drink and a small bag of chips. Nothing unusual. Just another late-night stop.
But as she reached the counter, something caught her eye.
A small antique bracelet sat inside a glass display case beside the register. It looked old—silver with a dark green stone set into the center.
"New item?" Laura asked casually.
The cashier glanced at it. "Oh… that thing? Someone pawned it earlier today."
Laura leaned slightly closer to look.
Even through the glass, she felt something strange.
"Mind if I see it?" she asked.
The cashier shrugged and unlocked the case. "Sure. Probably fake anyway."
He handed it to her.
Then the lights in the store flickered.
The cashier frowned. "Power's been weird all night."
Laura couldn't take her eyes off the bracelet. Out of nowhere, a hand emerged from it, gripping her wrist. Startled, she let the bracelet slip back onto the counter.
"Whoa, easy there! Unless you're planning to buy it," the cashier irritably said.
This wasn't just any old antique, there's definitely something wrong with it, Laura thought.
"Where did the guy say he found it?" Laura asked.
"No idea. From some estate, High Granville or something like that"
Laura examines the bracelet closer.
As her hands near it—
The lights shut off.
The entire store went dark.
The refrigerator units hummed loudly in the silence.
"Uh… okay, that's new," the cashier muttered.
Laura didn't move.
She could feel the temperature dropping.
The ring rolled slightly across the counter… even though nothing had touched it.
Laura's eyes narrowed.
Laura quickly got out of the store, but soon as she exits, she could feel someone's gaze looking at her. Shivers, Laura called for an uber back.
..
Eula found herself sitting alone on the beach, the cool sand shifting beneath her as the waves rolled in rhythmically. The night was peaceful, filled only with the sounds of the ocean and the distant calls of seagulls.
She gazed out at the dark horizon, her mind wandering.
Maki still hadn't returned.
It had been days.
With a slow exhale, Eula brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
Everything felt off.
At times, it was almost surreal.
She let out a quiet scoff.
"Demons… spirits… evils," she muttered.
If she hadn't grown up with these things, she would have laughed in anyone's face for suggesting such nonsense.
But Rayen's words kept replaying in her mind.
As much as she hated to admit it, lately… it felt like Rayen might actually be onto something.
The waves softly crashed against the rocks.
For a moment, she simply listened.
"Hey, mind if I join you?" a voice called from behind.
It was Nathan Calliwell—what a coincidence! Eula sprang up and, in a swift motion, tackled him to the sand.
"Why are you following me? Who sent you?!", she demanded.
"Wait—this is a misunderstanding—I can explain—"
Just then, someone splashed water on Eula.
Seconds later, they found themselves on the front porch of an oceanfront house. Nathan turned out to be from the area and was just on vacation in Florida. This house belonged to his aunt, and the person who splashed water earlier was Nathan's niece. It was all just a big misunderstanding.
"So, just a little misunderstanding, Miss?" Nathan's aunt asked.
"Eula Fujioka," she introduced herself.
Nathan's aunt set down a drink and smiled, "I'm really sorry about what Lily did. She thought someone was hurting Nathan."
Eula cleared her throat, "I'm sorry too; it was my fault."
"No worries, our Nathan does have quite the scary face," his aunt joked.
Nathan grinned, "I must've startled you earlier—sorry about that."
Though Eula remained a bit suspicious, she knew when to let things go. She quickly stood up and handed them her business card, "Here's my card. Feel free to call me anytime; I'll make it up to you for earlier."
"Miss Fujioka, it's really nothing," Nathan replied.
Eula smiled, "My sincerest apologies, but I really must be going."
..
"I've got something to say," Laura declared as she burst into Arwan's office.
Inside, Afia and Pacey were already seated, poring over some files.
Arwan tossed a file across his desk, "That's your new mission, by the way."
Laura looked puzzled but picked up the file.
"The High Granville Estate?" That sounded just like what the cashier had mentioned earlier.
Arwan raised his eyebrows as if to confirm.
"Alright, my work here is done. I'll be out for the next few days."
"What about our training?" Afia asked.
Arwan tilted his head, "Training—ah, yes. If you need anything, just talk to Leonce; he'll figure it out. Then…" he opened the glass door to the balcony, lifted himself up, and sat on the fence, "adios!" With a playful wink, he dropped down and poof—he was gone.
Laura hurried to the balcony, but Arwan had vanished in an instant. "That jerk, I knew we couldn't trust him!"
She walked back into the office, "How does Rayen expect us to take on those… demons or whatever with how things are going right now?! I can't believe I even agreed to this!"
Just then, the door swung open, and in walked Eula, drenched from head to toe.
"What happened to you?" Pacey asked.
Eula sighed, "Nothing much. I heard we have a new mission?"
Laura flopped onto the couch, eyeing the file on the desk, "High Granville Estate—probably some haunted place."
Eula picked up the file.