Evelyn had forgotten how loud a kitchen could be when people cared about you.
The sound wrapped around her now—chairs scraping, a kettle whistling, overlapping voices arguing gently about nothing important. It was grounding in a way she hadn't realized she needed.
Lucas's sister, Hannah Vale, moved easily between the counter and the table, placing mugs down with quiet authority. She was the kind of woman who remembered birthdays, who noticed when you stopped eating your favorite foods.
"You're shaking," Hannah said, sliding a mug toward Evelyn. "Drink this. Chamomile. No caffeine. Doctor-approved comfort."
Evelyn managed a smile. "Thank you."
Across the table sat Jonah Reed, Lucas's oldest friend. He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, sharp eyes taking everything in. Jonah worked in IT security—trained to see patterns, anomalies. He hadn't said much since arriving, which meant he was thinking.
At the window stood Mara Collins, Evelyn's closest friend since college. Mara's presence was familiar in a way that hurt a little—proof that there had once been a time before fear.
"We're not here to interrogate you," Mara said softly, as if reading Evelyn's mind.
"We're here because you don't get through this alone."
Evelyn's throat tightened.
Inside her, something warm stirred.
She has allies, a voice observed.
Good, another replied.
Lucas leaned against the doorframe, watching Evelyn more than anyone else. Not guarding her from them—guarding her with them.
"Detective Hale came by again," Jonah said finally. "Didn't push. That worries me more than if he had."
Lucas nodded. "He's circling."
Evelyn stared into her tea. "I don't remember going to my uncle's house," she said. "But I have his key. And my fingerprints are everywhere."
Mara reached out, covering Evelyn's hand.
"That doesn't mean you killed him."
Jonah tilted his head. "It means something happened that someone wants you to believe you did."
Evelyn looked up sharply. "You think I'm being framed?"
"I think," Jonah said carefully, "that missing time doesn't automatically equal guilt."
Inside, the Analyst listened closely.
He's useful, she noted.
Hannah sat across from Evelyn. "Tell me this," she said gently. "When you forget things… does it feel like sleep? Or like someone else was driving?"
The question landed too close to truth.
Evelyn hesitated. "Like… stepping into a room after someone's left. The air's still moving."
Mara's eyes filled with quiet concern. "Eve, why didn't you tell me it was this bad?"
"I didn't want to scare you," Evelyn said.
That wasn't the whole truth.
Inside, the Child curled inward.
We didn't want to be seen, she whispered.
Lucas stepped forward. "We're getting her help," he said firmly. "A specialist. Someone who understands dissociation."
Jonah frowned. "You think this is psychological?"
Lucas didn't answer immediately. "I think Evelyn's mind learned how to survive something it shouldn't have had to."
The room went quiet.
Mara swallowed. "Her family… there were rumors. Years ago."
Evelyn's heart skipped. "What rumors?"
Mara hesitated, then sighed. "About Thomas Calder. About parties. About things girls weren't supposed to talk about."
The air thickened.
Inside Evelyn's mind, a door trembled.
Careful, warned a sharp voice.
Lucas looked at Mara. "Why didn't you tell her?"
"Because she was already breaking," Mara said softly. "And she loved him. In her way."
Evelyn's ears rang. "Loved him?"
"You were young," Mara said quickly. "You thought protecting him meant protecting the family."
Something inside Evelyn cracked.
Images pressed against the surface—her younger self, standing too close to a door, being told to stay quiet, to be good.
"No," Evelyn whispered. "That's not true."
Her vision blurred.
Lucas was beside her instantly, hands steady on her shoulders. "Breathe. Stay with me."
Inside, the Guardian surged forward.
Enough, she said firmly.
The memories retreated, but not without leaving bruises.
Jonah cleared his throat. "There's something else."
Everyone turned to him.
"I pulled traffic camera data near Dockside Road," he said. "Off the record."
Lucas stiffened. "Jonah—"
"I know," Jonah said. "But listen. There's footage of Evelyn's car near the docks at 8:41 p.m."
Evelyn's breath hitched. "I don't remember driving."
"That's not the worst part," Jonah continued.
"She's not alone in the car."
Silence slammed down.
"Who was with me?" Evelyn asked.
Jonah hesitated. "The footage is grainy. But the height, build…" He looked at Lucas. "It could be you."
Lucas didn't flinch.
"I was with Hannah," he said immediately.
"She can confirm."
Hannah nodded. "All night."
Inside, the Judge leaned forward.
Someone wants him close, he murmured. Too close.
Evelyn felt panic claw up her throat. "Why would anyone make it look like Lucas was there?"
Mara whispered, "To isolate you."
The truth settled heavily.
Lucas took Evelyn's hands. "Listen to me," he said. "Whatever is happening, I'm not leaving. And neither are they." He nodded toward the others.
Evelyn looked around the room—at the people who had chosen her without understanding everything.
For the first time, the darkness didn't feel absolute.
Her phone buzzed.
A message appeared on the screen.
They can't protect you forever.
Evelyn's hands trembled.
Inside her mind, five presences stirred.
Not awake.
But no longer sleeping.