"Are you sure we're at the right path?"
"Don't doubt me, Scarf. I'm a certified tour guide back in my day. Scout's honor," he grinned as they trudged along the pathway to Fletcher's house.
The noise of the festival faded behind them with every step they took.
What was once laughter and music turned into distant echoes, swallowed by the stretch of land that separated the town's heart from its edges. The pathway narrowed into a gravel trail, lined with overgrown hedges that seemed to have been left unattended for years.
Aralyn slowed her pace slightly, her eyes scanning their surroundings.
It was quieter here.
"You sure this is where Fletcher lives?" she asked, her voice low, almost instinctively.
Noah let out a soft chuckle. "Yeah. Fletcher likes his space. Says it helps him 'think.' Personally, I think he just doesn't like people that much."
"Yet he stands on a podium preaching unity," Aralyn muttered.
"Exactly."
The gravel crunched under their feet as the house finally came into view. Aralyn stopped.
"...this is his house?"
Noah halted beside her, following her line of sight. "Yep. In all its glory."
The house stood tall and imposing at the edge of the property, a strange mix between old wealth and forced grandeur. It was a two-story structure, but unlike the cozy homes in Dewhurst, this one felt deliberate. Almost showing off.
Every inch of it.
Dark wooden panels climbed the exterior walls, polished to the point they reflected the faint glow of the evening sky. Tall windows lined the front, but most of them were shut tight, their curtains drawn as if the house had no interest in the outside world.
Stone pillars framed the entrance, carved with intricate patterns that looked almost too detailed to be purely decorative. Vines crawled along parts of the structure as if even nature here had been told where it could and couldn't grow.
A wide lawn stretched before them.
"Guy really said, 'let me build a mansion in the middle of nowhere,'" Noah muttered under his breath.
Aralyn didn't respond.
Her gaze lingered on the house, her chest tightening just slightly, though she couldn't place why.
It wasn't fear.
Not yet.
But something about it felt… off.
"So," Noah clapped his hands softly, breaking the stillness, "phase two."
Aralyn tore her eyes away from the house. "Phase two?"
He turned to her, that familiar grin slipping back into place. "Recon."
"Recon," she repeated flatly.
"Yeah. We don't just walk in like idiots. We check the perimeter first. Entrances, exits, anything suspicious-"
"Everything is suspicious," she cut in.
"Fair point," he admitted easily. "All the more reason to be careful."
He started walking again, slower this time, gesturing for her to follow.
Aralyn hesitated for only a second before falling into step beside him.
They moved along the edge of the property, keeping to the shadows where the overgrown hedges provided some cover. The air felt cooler here, the kind that settled against the skin and refused to leave.
Noah crouched slightly as they neared the side of the house, peering toward one of the windows.
"Lights are off," he whispered. "Either we are confident he will still be at the festival, or he trusts this place way too much."
"Or both," Aralyn murmured.
They continued forward, their steps careful, deliberate. The silence pressed in around them, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves underfoot.
Aralyn's fingers brushed against the pearl in her pocket again.
Noah glanced over his shoulder. "You okay?"
"I'm fine," she said, though her eyes were still scanning everything around them. "Just… making sure we're not walking into something blindly."
He gave her a small nod. "Good. Because once we find it-"
He stopped himself. Aralyn caught that.
"Once we find it, what?" she asked.
Noah scratched the back of his neck, looking away briefly. "We get it, and we leave. Simple."
Simple.
Aralyn almost scoffed. Nothing about this had ever been simple. They rounded the corner of the house, the gravel shifting slightly beneath their feet as the space opened up behind it. The back of the property stretched wider than she expected, the land uneven in places, shadows pooling where the light couldn't quite reach.
Noah slowed again, his steps quieter now.
"Alright," he whispered. "This is where we-"
He paused.
Aralyn noticed the shift immediately.
"What?" she asked, her voice barely above a breath.
Noah didn't answer right away.
His eyes were fixed ahead, something unreadable crossing his expression.
"...Okay," he said slowly, almost to himself. "That's new."
Aralyn followed his gaze. Whatever stood beyond the edge of the lawn just out of clear view seemed to pull their attention in without effort.
Noah exhaled quietly. "We're definitely in the right place."
Noah climbed up the railing fence first. "Look around, Scarf," he huffed, landing harmlessly on the other side. "You're up."
A tingle of nervousness crept up the back of her neck as she started her climb. Somehow, her boot slipped on the railing, knocking the air out of her as she braced for the ground to meet her poor back.
"I got you. I got you," Noah said, catching her in his arms. He let her down gently. "Not bad, Scarf. You sure you never sneaked in before?"
"Not bad? I almost fell!" she whispered.
Both of them crouched down and made their way inside the gigantic house.
Naturally, dozens of mirrors were hung on the walls. Each one looked custom-made. Most were framed with wood, and Aralyn walked over to peer closer, careful not to make any eye contact with her own reflection.
"Scarf, what're you doing?" Noah asked in a hushed voice, eyes darting around the empty surroundings as he followed her.
"J.A," she muttered.
"Yeah, James made this. And that. And that," he said, pointing at the wooden-framed mirrors. "He's pretty popular, you know? With his hands," he whispered, wiggling his brows suggestively.
"Gross," she grimaced. Noah only laughed quietly.
"I did not mention anything, and you made that face, Scarf? You have a great sense of humor," he chortled. "What I meant was his hands in crafting wood. Those tables we worked on days ago? He made them. I just helped where I could. Plus, he made those murals with the twins."
"Oh," she breathed.
Every design was unique. The man had poured his talent into every single piece.
"…that damn son of a-"
Noah's head whipped toward the sound.
From the slightly parted curtains, a shadow passed by, along with the complaining voice of the mansion's owner. Aralyn panicked.
"I thought you said he'd be there for the communal bonding ritual?"
"Things don't always run smoothly, Scarf. Improv is needed now and then," Noah shot back, pulling her deeper into the halls.
Thankfully, one of the doors was unlocked. They slipped inside. It turned out to be some kind of study, but Aralyn didn't have time to take it in. Her heart was pounding painfully against her ribs.
"Right here!" he whispered, pulling her toward a hidden closet he had found.
Unfortunately, it was smaller than expected. Barely enough for two people but it would have to do. Noah went in first and pulled Aralyn inside to face him, closing the door just as the study door slammed open.
"Sorry, it's a little tight," he leaned down to whisper.
Aralyn balled her fists to keep herself steady. Being this close to Noah made her strangely dizzy. His musky scent overwhelmed her senses.
"Who in the hell does he think he is? I paid him good money! The least he could do was show his face for the communal bonding and scram back to his home!"
A drawer was yanked open. The faint sound of something being chewed echoed in the room.
A passing thought crossed Aralyn's mind. Was he taking pills?
"That Odie woman couldn't even stay for a bit. Huh. Would love to see that ass walking around."
Unconsciously, Noah's hand slid around her waist, pulling her closer.
Aralyn stiffened.
He downright despised the way Fletcher spoke about her as if she were some kind of trophy. It was dark, but the faint sliver of light from the crack of the closet door let Aralyn see his Adam's apple bob.
"Ah, that's better," Fletcher sighed, shutting the drawer with a loud thud. "I'm gonna show those ladies what they're missing," he muttered as he walked past the closet and out the door.
Noah practically gagged. "Say that if you're twenty, pal," he whispered, making Aralyn smile in the dark.
They waited for several long minutes, listening for any sign that Fletcher might come back.
"Stay here, I'll go check," Noah started.
But Aralyn grabbed his arm, looking up at him. "No. What if he comes back and you get caught?" she blurted.
The way Noah's eyes softened made her quickly pull her hand back.
"When I'm with you, I feel like no one in this town or the world could ever catch me that easily, Scarf," he whispered, his eyes glinting as they met hers.
Aralyn's heart skipped a beat. What the hell?
Her thoughts spiraled.
The hiding. The closeness. The words he said so easily and carefree.
Was it really mindless?
Noah's fingers brushed lightly against her neck.
"Don't worry. I'm not gonna get caught… or you'll get lonely without me," he added with a wink, his dimple appearing.
He carefully opened the door and stepped out, scanning the hallway. "All clear."
Aralyn peeked out and followed, tiptoeing quietly behind him.
The study felt heavier now that Fletcher had left. The air was still, almost suffocating, as if his presence had lingered behind like a stain that refused to fade. Aralyn stepped fully out of the closet, smoothing down her coat as her eyes scanned the room.
Shelves lined the walls, filled with books that looked more decorative than read. A large oak desk sat by the window, polished to a shine, though the handles of its drawers were worn from frequent use. Papers were scattered across the surface.
Noah closed the closet door behind them with a soft click. "That guy talks too much for someone who shouldn't be trusted," he muttered under his breath.
Aralyn didn't respond immediately. Her gaze drifted to the desk, to the drawer Fletcher had opened just moments ago.
"Scarf?" Noah called softly.
She moved toward it anyway. Her fingers hovered over the handle before pulling it open slowly.
Inside were small bottles. Dozens of them.
Aralyn's brows furrowed. "What is this…"
Noah leaned over her shoulder. "Looks like medication? Vitamins maybe?"
She picked one up, turning it slightly. The label had been scratched out intentionally. Her stomach twisted. "People don't scratch out labels for vitamins," she said quietly.
Noah's expression shifted, the playfulness gone. "You think it's something bad?"
"I think…" Aralyn trailed off, placing the bottle back exactly where it was. "We shouldn't touch anything."
For once, Noah didn't argue.
"Right," he said, nodding once. "We stick to the plan."
Aralyn closed the drawer gently, her mind racing despite her calm movements.
Pearl first. Questions later.
"Let me see the pearl again," he said, and Aralyn fished it out, laying it carefully in his open palm. Noah scrutinized the little thing.
"If Fletcher took a beauty like this, he won't leave it lying around. I think we should start here," he said, gesturing to the study room. "It's where he keeps all of his treasures."
They started digging around the devastatingly huge study. Every drawer, every hidden compartment had been rummaged through, exposed under their searching gazes.
"I got nothing here. Scarf?" he called out, his hand trailing behind the bookshelves, pressing along the wood as if expecting a hidden switch to reveal itself.
Aralyn was at the desk. Papers of documents filled with dense, legal wording were scattered across the surface. Her eyes skimmed through them, but the meanings slipped past her.
"What's this?"
Noah came over and peered at the fine print over her shoulder. Aralyn forced herself to relax. The heat from his body felt like a quiet, steady presence, and she steeled herself from thinking too much about it.
"Hm… looks like a life insurance policy, I think. Not sure," he said. "I don't think the pearl's here. Come on, let's go."
Noah walked to the door and stood by the frame, waiting for her. Aralyn placed the papers back down, but something about them sent a ripple of unease through her.
Whatever it was, it's not my business.
"Noah, I don't think we can find the pearl like this," Aralyn said, gesturing around the mansion as they stepped out. "This place is huge."
"I don't peg you as a quitter, Scarf. C'mon, have some fun," he said, his voice laced with excitement.
"Shh! Noah, keep it down," she gasped.
"Hey, look at me," he said suddenly, grabbing her arm and turning her toward him. The playfulness vanished in an instant.
"Fletcher is out in town. I'm confident he is. We're in this together, whether you like it or not."
Aralyn felt heat rush to her face.
"Besides, we kinda have the whole day to ourselves. We're gonna find it, Scarf. I know we will. And if, let's hope not, I do get caught, I'll come back for you," he said, his voice softening. He leaned closer, lowering his voice. "I wouldn't want to spend a day like this with anyone else."
With that, Aralyn couldn't help the smile that broke across her face. Small but real, reaching her eyes.
And Noah was completely gone.
For a second, he forgot where they were.
His hands almost came up to cup her cheeks, but he stopped himself just in time. It was the first time he had seen her smile like that, and it hit him harder than anything else. Like something bursting open in his chest. Fireworks, waterworks, anything that has works in it.
With the size of the mansion, it took them nearly half a day to scour every nook and cranny it had to offer. At one point, Aralyn had to stifle her laugh when Noah abruptly jumped back from a spider crawling along one of the high-end shelves. His whole body shook like he just got electrocuted after touching one of them. So much for his fearless act. The search eventually caught up to them, hunger gnawing at their focus until Noah was practically starving.
"No! Noah, don't eat it. What if he notices someone was here and ate his food?"
"So what? There's like a bajillion things in here. He won't notice if one goes missing."
Noah had dragged her into the massive kitchen after his stomach betrayed him with a loud growl.
Aralyn pointed at the large container in his hands, frustration clear on her face. "That is a huge container, okay?"
Noah shrugged and continued eating, taking generous bites of the chili beef stew. He extended it toward her, speaking around a mouthful. "Want some?"
Aralyn shook her head. "I'm good."
After a few more bites, Noah stopped, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand before placing the container back inside the massive refrigerator.
"Now," he said, clapping his hands lightly, "we continue our search."
"Where else?" she groaned, tilting her head back. "We've looked everywhere."
"Ah, ah, ah," Noah cooed. "There's one more place. The lawn."
Moments later, they were both crouching outside, staring at the life-like statues displayed across the yard. A few decorative cement orbs were arranged in a neat semi-circle.
"Why here?" Aralyn demanded, but Noah only crossed his arms, that familiar smirk settling back on his lips.
"The best way to hide something is in plain sight," he said.
Aralyn gaped at him. "Do you hear yourself? Look around you. Who in their right mind would-"
She stopped abruptly, her gaze turning hazy.
"Scarf? Hey," he called, his arms dropping to his sides. Her neck was glowing faint blue beneath the scarf. He could see it clearly now. "Scarf," he tried again, stepping closer and holding her arms.
Aralyn pulled out the pearl. It glowed softly at first, then brighter and pulsating in time with the light beneath her skin. "It's here," she muttered.
They both looked around, and her eyes landed on one of the decorative cement orbs. Taking a closer look, it bore the same intricate, flowery designs as the pearl. Aralyn stepped forward, and the pearl's glow intensified.
"Okay. One, that is so cool. Second, are we sure that's the pearl? Because it doesn't look like a pearl," Noah said, genuinely perplexed as he approached it.
He bent down and tried lifting it. "Fucking heavy," he muttered, setting it down with a strained groan.
He glanced at the railing fence. "To be honest, I wish I could show you my biceps right now, but I don't think I can lift it that high," he admitted, a little embarrassed.
Hesitation was written all over Aralyn's face. Her bottom lip caught between her teeth as she weighed her options.
She knew if she used it, it could alert them. It was too high of a risk. But what other choice did they have? The entrance gate was locked. The railing fence was too high. Even with their combined strength, lifting it seemed impossible.
"I guess I have no choice," she said, determination settling in her voice.