Lina didn't wake up.
Not when Noah carried her out of the rain.
Not when he placed her carefully in the back seat of his car.
Not even when the engine started.
She was still.
Too still.
Noah glanced at her through the rearview mirror.
Her chest rose and fell slowly.
But her face—
It wasn't peaceful.
It was tense.
As if something inside her… was fighting.
"Hold on," he muttered.
"I'm not losing you."
The city blurred past as he drove.
Fast.
Focused.
He wasn't taking her to the hospital.
That would be a mistake.
Too many questions.
Too many risks.
Instead—
He turned into a narrow street, stopping in front of an old building hidden between taller ones.
No sign.
No lights.
Perfect.
He stepped out quickly, opening the back door and lifting Lina into his arms again.
"She's getting colder…" he whispered.
Inside—
The building was quiet.
Empty.
But not abandoned.
Noah walked straight down the hallway, stopping in front of a metal door.
He knocked twice.
Paused.
Then once more.
A click.
The door opened.
A woman stood there.
Mid-thirties.
Sharp eyes.
Calm expression.
"You're late," she said.
"I need your help, Mira."
Her gaze shifted to Lina.
And for the first time—
Her expression changed.
"…What did you bring me?" she asked quietly.
Noah stepped inside.
"Not what," he said.
"Who."
Mira closed the door behind them.
"Explain."
Noah placed Lina gently on a table in the center of the room.
"She's not normal."
Mira raised an eyebrow.
"Obviously."
"She absorbs people."
Silence.
"…What?"
"She touches them," Noah continued, "and then she lives their lives."
Mira stared at him.
Then at Lina.
Then back at him.
"You're serious."
"Yes."
A pause.
"And now?" Mira asked.
Noah's jaw tightened.
"Now something is inside her."
Mira stepped closer to Lina.
Slowly.
Carefully.
She didn't touch her.
Not yet.
"Define 'something'," she said.
Noah hesitated.
"Not human."
Silence filled the room.
Mira exhaled slowly.
"…You always bring me the worst cases."
Noah didn't smile.
"Can you help her?"
Mira didn't answer immediately.
Instead—
She leaned closer to Lina.
Studying her.
Then—
Very slowly—
She placed two fingers near Lina's neck.
Not touching.
Just… sensing.
And suddenly—
Her hand snapped back.
"Don't touch her!" she said sharply.
Noah froze.
"What is it?"
Mira stepped back.
Her expression serious now.
"She's not alone in there."
Noah's heart sank.
"I know."
"No," Mira said.
"You don't."
A pause.
"There are multiple consciousness layers."
Noah frowned.
"Layers?"