They had just started their journey to the girls' quarters. After washing up and changing into fresh clothes, the trio walked in silence for a while.
But It didn't last long.
"I still don't think this is a good idea!" Bray whined, hands shoved deep into his pockets.
"I don't think it is either,but we need allies.And the girls make perfect allies if we ever need information "
Alexander admitted, adjusting his glasses.
Bray groaned and pointed accusingly at Jamie. "If anything happens, you're to blame!"
"Me?" Jamie's voice cracked.
"Yes, you! You could've just said you'd think about it."
"He did nothing wrong," Alexander cut in, clearly tired of the bickering.
"We're all gonna die because he likes that girl!" Bray snapped.
"Her name is Lora!"
"See? They're already exchanging names!" Bray mocked, exaggeration dripping from his voice.
"I have a girlfriend!" Jamie blurted out.
"So?"
"I couldn't cheat on her—even if this isn't our world!" His voice softened with conviction. The silence that followed only made the words feel heavier.
Bray smirked after a long pause. "The era of the quiet Jamie has ended!" He mimicked Jamie's tone mockingly. "Fine. I'll keep my mouth shut. Leave all the talking to you and Alex."
"Agreed," Alexander muttered.
Behind them, Greg's residence was still visible. The top bedroom window stood slightly open. From there, a tall figure watched the trio disappear down the street.
Greg.
Freshly bathed and dressed in clean clothes, his long hair falling neatly over his shoulders, he stood quietly by the window.
But he wasn't alone.
A tall, muscular girl leaned against the wall behind him. Her dark skin gleamed faintly under the room light, powerful arms crossed over her chest. Short black hair with yellow highlights framed a sharp, confident face.
She radiated strength even in stillness.
"Do you trust those girls?" she asked, voice calm but skeptical.
"No. I don't."
The girl scoffed and dropped onto his bed, the mattress creaking under her weight. "So you're not going to do anything? Classic Greg."
"If I help them now, they'll never reach their full potential," he said without turning away from the window.
"That's your excuse? Running away again?"
"Say what you want, I've already made up my mind."
"You know the Captain won't be happy with this," she warned.
"They won't die. They can handle themselves," Greg said coldly.
The girl watched him silently for a moment, jaw tightening.
"I just hope you're right."
"I am,i always am."
Ten minutes later.
The trio reached the girls' residence.
A white fence stood ahead, its entrance marked with a strange crest—a red heart-shaped symbol painted across the top. Inside the fence stood two identical white houses, their curtains drawn low.
Warm light glowed through the windows.
The air carried the sweet scent of cooked food drifting from inside.
Inviting.
Almost too inviting.
"Jamie… what the heck are we walking into?" Bray whispered, staring at the symbol like it was a warning sign.
Jamie didn't answer.
His chest felt tight. His heartbeat thumped loudly in his ears.
"Act like a grown-up, will you?" Alexander muttered, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.
"Let's just… focus on why we're here," Jamie said, though his voice wavered slightly.
He pressed the bell icon beside the gate.
Ding-dong.
"Coming!" a voice echoed through the speaker.
All three stiffened. It was the same kind of system their own house had, though they had never actually used it.
A soft click sounded.
The gate unlocked.
Lora stepped out onto the path, smiling warmly.
"Welcome!" she called, her tone cheerful and welcoming.
As the fence slowly slid open, Jamie forced a polite smile.
"What a beautiful place you have."
"Thanks," she replied easily. "Come inside. The others are waiting."
Inside, the house looked almost identical to their own. Same couch. Same dining table. Same staircase.
But one thing was different.
The portraits on the walls.
Five figures appeared in every frame, standing together in different poses. The photos looked real—too real.
How they had taken them was a mystery.
"Welcome to our house," another girl said.
She looked slightly older than the rest, with delicate Chinese features and a calm expression.
"Thanks for the warm welcome," Alexander replied politely.
"No need," the girl answered shortly.
"Introduce us already," a muscular girl lounging on the couch interrupted. Her posture looked lazy, but her sharp eyes studied the boys carefully.
"Forgive my manners,I'm Emily, and this is Charlotte."
"Welcome. Shall we eat?" Emily added quickly, though something uneasy lingered in her voice.
Charlotte smirked from the couch.
"Manners, Emily. Don't embarrass yourself in front of our guests."
"Don't worry about us," Jamie said nervously, scratching the back of his head.
"Ever since coming here, I haven't had a decent meal," Charlotte said, leaning forward slightly.
"Let's just have dinner," Emily said quickly.
The group moved toward the dining table.
Except Jamie.
Lora suddenly grabbed his wrist.
He froze.
"Ahm… guys!" she stammered, cheeks slightly red.
The entire table turned to look at them.
Jamie stood stiffly, his body screaming at him to run.
"We'll be upstairs," she blurted out, tugging his arm.
The room went silent.
Charlotte raised an eyebrow, then casually popped a piece of meat into her mouth.
"Have fun," she said while chewing.
Jamie's eyes widened.
His friends looked at him in shock.
"Help me," he mouthed desperately.
But it was already too late.
Lora was dragging him up the stairs.
Upstairs.
Her room was spotless.
Pink blankets matched the walls, and the bed was neatly made.
Jamie sat on the edge of it, staring toward the closed window while trying to calm his racing nerves.
"I've waited so long for this," Lora whispered.
She climbed onto his lap, locking eyes with him.
Jamie's heart started pounding.
He quickly grabbed her hand when it moved toward his trousers.
"I have a girlfriend."
Her eyes narrowed slightly, though a playful smile remained.
"Really? Tell me about her. Who's the lucky girl?"
"Cynthia," Jamie said. "We… went to school together."
Her lips curved slowly.
"Is she prettier than me?"
Jamie blinked. "What?"
"Who's prettier—me or her?" she asked again, leaning closer.
Jamie coughed awkwardly.
"Her!"
"Alright," Lora said with a mischievous grin. "But I bet I can make you enjoy more than she ever did."
"We… we never did it," Jamie admitted.
"You what?"
She laughed like she had just heard the funniest joke.
"I was saving myself… for marriage."
"You know she didn't, right?" Lora said quietly, her voice lowering. "I know what I'm saying."
Jamie's expression faltered slightly.
Doubt crept in.
She wrapped her arms around his head and leaned closer.
"This isn't Earth," she whispered softly. "Even if you do it here… it doesn't count."
Her lips moved toward his.
Jamie turned his head quickly.
Right.
Then left.
Barely dodging each attempt.
Finally, he pushed her away and stood up.
"I'm going back downstairs. I can't do this."
He reached for the door.
Thunk.
A shuriken slammed into the wooden door in front of him, embedding itself deep into the surface. The metal blade vibrated slightly.
Lora's voice changed.
Cold.
Filled with bloodlust.
"You're not going anywhere."