The lab smelled faintly of metal and dust, wires coiled like sleeping snakes across the tables.
Morning light leaked through the high windows, catching on glass beakers and half-assembled parts.
Lunara stood near the far desk, still wrapped in the oversized coat, its sleeves pushed up just enough to free her hands.
The black beanie clung stubbornly to her head, hiding what it needed to hide. She was focused—too focused—adjusting something small and delicate with careful fingers.
Her tail stayed tucked beneath the coat, invisible but tense.
Theo paced, already talking to himself. Rex hovered by a toolbox. Leon leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watchful as ever.
Eliot sat at the edge of the main table, shoulders slightly hunched, silky dark hair falling into soft curls at his temples, glasses slipping every time he leaned forward to jot something down.
The door opened.
Mira stepped in.
She wore the school uniform like it actually belonged to her—blazer fitted neatly, tie loose but intentional.
One side of her hair was cut short, sharp against her jaw; the other side fell longer, brushing her shoulder.
Her expression was calm, controlled, with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Hi," she said easily. "I'm Mira. Nice to meet you, juniors."
Theo nearly jumped.
"Oh—oh! Yes. Yes. This is her!" He pointed far too dramatically. "The new member I told you guys about."
Introductions went around the room.
Rex waved. Leon nodded. Theo rambled. Lunara didn't speak—just watched.
Mira's attention, however, had already drifted.
To Eliot.
She stepped closer, just enough to be polite. "You're Eliot, right?"
He looked up, startled. "I—yeah."
She smiled a little more this time. "You probably don't remember me."
His brow furrowed. Then his eyes widened slightly.
"You… you're the girl," he said slowly. "From the hallway."
"The one who pulled Brent's ear?" Theo added helpfully.
Mira tilted her head. "I prefer intervened."
Eliot adjusted his glasses, embarrassed. "Thank you. For that."
"You didn't deserve it," she replied simply.
Something low and irritated cut through the room.
"Another human," Lunara muttered.
Everyone stiffened.
Mira turned, finally noticing her properly. The coat. The beanie. The way Lunara stood like she was ready to bolt or bite.
"I come in peace," Mira said, palms lifting slightly. "Promise."
Lunara's yellow eyes narrowed. "They always say that."
Mira studied her openly now. "Why are you wearing a coat and a beanie indoors?"
Theo opened his mouth. Closed it again.
Lunara stepped forward before anyone else could speak. The coat shifted with her, heavy and concealing, the beanie pulled low as if daring anyone to question it.
"Because," Lunara said coolly, "humans have a habit of staring at what they don't understand."
The air went tight.
Mira held her gaze, unflinching.
"Then maybe," she said quietly, "you haven't met the right ones yet."
Eliot swallowed.
Lunara didn't respond—but she didn't step back either.
I came for Eliot."
Theo blinked. "Wait—you're not… a new member?"
"No," Mira replied evenly. "I'm not joining. I'm here for one person. Only Eliot."
Rex raised an eyebrow. "One person? Seriously? That's… suspicious."
Leon frowned. "You mean only him? Not the whole group? Doesn't sit right with me."
Lunara's tail flicked irritably beneath her coat. "And humans never come for just one reason," she muttered, low and sharp.
Mira ignored the murmurs. Her gaze stayed fixed on Eliot. "I have a task that needs to be finished. It is important. And it requires someone who understands the consequences… and can act."
Eliot's glasses slid slightly down his nose. "I—I'll help."
Theo adjusted his glasses nervously. "Eliot… are you sure? She could be—"
"—a trap," Leon finished. "Exactly what I was thinking."
Rex shook his head. "Brent's sister. Her father isn't someone you casually meet. Don't do this, Eliot."
Lunara's ears twitched, coat brushing the table as she stepped closer. "If this is about harming humans or being used… don't," she warned softly.
Eliot swallowed, meeting each of their eyes, then looking back at Mira. "I… I want to help. Especially… for Lunara. I don't want her world hurt any more than it already is."
Mira nodded once. "Good. You understand. That's why I came."
She opened the folder on the table, pushing it toward him. "My father captured fourteen others recently. Some… three of them were family."
Lunara froze. Her tail flicked sharply beneath the coat, hands tightening. She knew. Her family.
Mira's voice stayed calm. "I need to stop him. But I cannot do it alone. I can't confront him directly. I can't destroy his work alone. But if you help me… we have a chance."
Theo exhaled sharply, clearly torn. "It's too risky. Eliot, think about it!"
Leon crossed his arms, scowling. "She's not asking the group. Just you. That alone should worry you."
Rex muttered, frustrated. "Yeah. This could go horribly wrong."
Lunara stayed silent, but her eyes were sharp, golden, burning with quiet anger at the mention of her family.
Eliot nodded slowly, determination settling in. "I know it's risky. I… I'll do it anyway."
Mira's lips curved faintly. "Meet me after school. I'll take you somewhere. Someone… where this will make sense. Nothing else. Just you."
Theo's shoulders slumped. Sadness and worry mixed in his expression. "I don't like this, Eliot…"
Leon's jaw was tight. Rex shook his head, irritated. "This is a terrible idea."
Lunara's gaze stayed on Eliot, softening slightly. She didn't speak, but she didn't pull away either. She wanted him to help, too.
Eliot lingered for a moment, staring at the door Mira had gone through, letting the weight of everyone's worry sink in.
Finally, he spoke, quiet but steady: "What about the portal? We were going to fix it."
Theo adjusted his glasses, voice soft. "We will. Don't worry."
Eliot nodded. "I promise."
Lunara's tail twitched once beneath the coat.
She had witnessed everything—the tension, the concern, the warning—but she said nothing. For the first time, she didn't expect Eliot to fail.
The walk was quiet except for the scuff of their shoes against the cracked pavement. Lunara trailed slightly behind Eliot, coat brushing the ground, black beanie pressed low, tail tucked tight.
"Why am I coming with you?" she asked sharply, ears flattening. "This is your human problem."
Eliot adjusted his glasses, shoulders tense. "I can't face them alone," he admitted quietly.
"After today… I need someone by my side. Someone I trust."
Lunara's tail flicked irritably. "Humans always make a mess," she muttered. "And now we have to deal with it too."
Eliot exhaled. "I know… but I can't just ignore it."
With a resigned huff, Lunara fell into step beside him.
The location Mira had chosen was deserted: an abandoned industrial yard, sunlight glinting off rusted metal and cracked glass.
Mira was already there, waiting near a tall fence. She spotted Eliot immediately, eyes narrowing slightly in focus.
Ignoring Lunara, she stepped forward. "Eliot," she said, calm but firm. "Come."
Eliot hesitated only for a moment before moving forward. Lunara's eyes narrowed. She didn't like being ignored, but she followed cautiously, scanning the area for anyone lurking nearby.