Rain fell harder.
But Lina didn't feel it anymore.
Her body stood still in front of Noah.
Her eyes—
Empty.
Cold.
Not hers.
"We've been waiting."
The voice came from her lips.
But it wasn't Lina.
Noah didn't move.
Didn't panic.
But his entire body tensed.
"Waiting for what?" he asked calmly.
Lina's head tilted slightly.
Almost… curious.
"For you to notice."
A chill ran down Noah's spine.
"This isn't her," he said quietly.
A faint smile appeared on Lina's face.
"No."
Silence.
"Then who are you?" Noah asked.
The smile widened.
"Something better."
Lina's body took a step forward.
Slow.
Controlled.
Noah stepped back slightly.
Not fear.
Calculation.
"Are you controlling her?" he asked.
"No."
A pause.
"We are becoming her."
Noah's eyes narrowed.
"That's not how that works."
Lina laughed softly.
A sound that didn't belong to her.
"You still think this is simple."
Another step forward.
"This is evolution."
The word hung in the air.
Heavy.
Noah's mind raced.
"Three lives," he said.
"Three minds."
Lina's smile sharpened.
"Now you're learning."
"Then what happens next?" Noah asked.
Silence.
Then—
Lina whispered:
"More."
Her body suddenly moved.
Fast.
Too fast.
Noah barely reacted in time as she lunged toward him.
Her hand reached for his face—
But he grabbed her wrist mid-motion.
Contact.
Everything stopped.
For a split second—
Lina's eyes flickered.
And she was back.
"No—!" she gasped.
Her body shook violently.
"Don't touch me!" she screamed.
Noah immediately let go.
Stepping back.
"What just happened?" he demanded.
Lina stumbled backward.
Her breathing chaotic.
"I almost—"
Her voice broke.
"I almost took you…"
Silence.
Noah stared at her.
"You can't control it anymore," he said.
Lina shook her head violently.
"No… it's not me… there's something else—"
"Inside you."
She froze.
"Yes," she whispered.
Noah's expression darkened.
"Then we don't have time."
Her heart dropped again.
"What does that mean?"
Before he could answer—
Her phone buzzed.
Both of them looked at it.
Lina slowly picked it up.
Message.
"Interesting."
Her blood ran cold.
"You found each other faster than expected."
Noah stepped closer.
"Put it on speaker."
Lina hesitated.
Then did it.
Another message.
"Detective Noah Hale."
Noah's eyes sharpened instantly.
"So you do know me," he said.
"Of course."
A pause.
"You were always part of the design."
Silence.
Noah's jaw tightened.
"What design?" he asked.
No reply.
Then—
"Tell me, detective…"
"How far would you go… to save her?"
Lina's breath caught.
Noah didn't answer.
"Because soon…"
The final message appeared.
"You'll have to choose."
The screen went dark.
Silence.
Heavy.
Lina looked at Noah.
Fear in her eyes.
Real fear.
"What is happening to me…?" she whispered.
Noah didn't answer immediately.
Instead—
He looked at her differently now.
Not as a suspect.
But as something far more dangerous.
"Something is using you," he said finally.
Lina's heart sank.
"And if we don't stop it…"
A pause.
"You won't be Lina anymore."
The rain kept falling.
And for the first time—
Lina believed him.