✦ At Home ✦
Syra was lying on her bed, half of her body swallowed by shadows, while the other half was bathed in a cold blue light bleeding from her phone screen.
Her thumb brushed over the photos unconsciously.
Her eyes were wide open… but her thoughts were far away.
Then—
A meow.
Faint. Intermittent.
As if it had emerged from between the trees, not from the night itself.
Her hand froze.
She slowly lifted her head, her breath catching for a moment.
A meow…
She sat up abruptly.
Her feet touched the cold floor as she headed toward the balcony.
She brushed aside the sheer curtain slightly.
The garden was still. The trees were motionless.
No one.
But the sound… it didn't disappear.
She returned with quick steps, pulling a small canvas bag from under the desk.
She packed wrapped pieces of cheese, a bottle of water, and a bottle of disinfectant.
She zipped it shut.
And just as her hand touched the doorknob—
— "Syra."
She froze.
Her mother's voice came from behind her, low but sharp:
— "It's past one AM."
She turned around slowly.
She hid the bag behind her back, like a schoolgirl caught red-handed.
— "A cat…"
She hesitated.
— "A kitten. I heard it. Maybe it's hungry… or injured."
She took a step closer.
— "I won't bring it into the house. I promise. Emma, Becky, and Itachi are enough… I just want to check."
The mother placed her hand on her forehead.
She let out a long sigh.
Then, she waved her hand in surrender:
— "Go. But don't be late."
Syra opened the door before she could change her mind.
✦ In the Car ✦
Aiden's phone was vibrating for the third time.
He pressed the ignore button… then put the phone to his ear with irritation.
— "Have you spoken with Vinrak?"
A short laugh escaped him.
— "Are you going to issue a document proving my insanity?"
Silence on the other end.
— "We need to talk."
Aiden jerked the steering wheel suddenly.
The car veered slightly.
The screech of tires tore through the road's silence before coming to a stop.
— "About what?"
He laughed.
A loud, unstable laugh.
— "When I was twenty-one, I told you everything. You called it nonsense. And now… we need to talk?"
— "Aiden. This is serious."
He went silent.
Then he said with sudden coldness:
— "I'll think about it."
He hung up.
✦ Arcadia Vaulte Garden ✦
Syra slipped between the trees.
Leaves whispered beneath her feet.
Her eyes searched every shadow, every corner, every deserted bench.
Her heart was racing ahead of her steps.
On the other side of the garden, a black car pulled over.
Aiden stepped out.
They met under the moonlight.
— "Syra?"
His voice came out startled, laced with genuine surprise.
— "What are you doing here? At this hour?"
She lifted the small bag, smiling:
— "I heard a cat. I just… wanted to help it."
The moon traced a silver line across her face.
Her eyes reflected it like wet glass.
Something in Aiden's chest… shifted.
Something he wasn't used to listening to.
— "Will you help me?"
She said it shyly, as if asking for a small favor.
He turned his head slightly, ruffling his hair; the black earrings caught the light.
— "Let's look."
They walked side by side.
Silence lingered between them, but it wasn't heavy.
Then—
There.
A small kitten.
Black as a moonless night.
Golden eyes glowing from behind a short bush.
Trembling.
Syra knelt immediately.
— "How did you get here?"
Aiden reached out slowly, touching its shivering fur.
He murmured, barely audible:
— "Abandoned… because it's different."
They sat on the grass.
Syra laid out the food.
The kitten approached cautiously… then began to eat.
Syra's eyes filled with tears.
She looked up at him, as if seeking permission.
— "I don't want to leave Black alone…"
He repeated the name quietly.
He smiled.
He picked up the kitten with a steady, gentle hold:
— "Beautiful. It will make a nice friend."
The tears spilled over.
Under the moonlight, they looked like glass beads.
Suddenly—
She lunged toward him.
She hugged him tightly.
Her arms wrapped around him, her forehead resting against his chest.
— "You're the best…"
She whispered.
— "You've lifted a heavy burden from my heart."
Aiden stiffened.
The world… stopped.
His heartbeat hammered violently against his chest.
Once.
Then again.
Then faster.
He didn't move.
He didn't pull away.
He didn't hug her back.
He just… stood there.
Trying to understand why this simple embrace
Was more dangerous
Than any interrogation room,
And more intense
Than all of his madness combined