"This way!" Evangeline's voice cut through the chaos as she led them through the palace corridors.

Footsteps echoed behind them.

Too close. But they started growing faint.

"Faster—" Haider hissed, clutching the side of his face as blood continued to drip down. "I swear they're gaining on us—"

"Keep moving!" Ethan snapped, glancing back.

They burst through a side exit, cold night air hitting them all at once as they stumbled out into the empty streets.

For a second—

No one spoke.

Just heavy breathing.

Then—

"Okay," Haider panted. "I'm really glad we do pacer every week."

"This isn't the time," Lorenzo shot back, scanning the streets.

They were nearly empty. The Grand Ball had pulled most of the town away, leaving the night strangely quiet.

Too quiet.

"We need to get back to the forest," Ethan said quickly. "It's the only place that makes sense."

"The well," Loralie added, breathless. "That's how we got here."

Zuri turned to Evangeline, still catching her breath. "Do you know anywhere like that? A forest? Foggy, old—hidden?"

Evangeline hesitated.

"...No," she admitted. "But I know it would be far from here."

"Great," Lorenzo muttered.

"We'll figure it out," Ethan said. "We can ask someone—"

"No one's out," Loralie cut in, gesturing to the empty streets. "And even if they were, do you really think we'd get normal answers?"

Silence fell for a moment.

Only the distant echo of voices behind them reminded them they weren't safe yet.

Then—

Evangeline slowed.

"Wait."

They all turned.

She looked at them carefully.

"...This might sound insane," she said slowly, "but did any of you... fall into something?"

They froze.

"...An old well?" she continued. "And then—everything changed?"

Beat.

"YES." they all said at once.

Even Ethan.

Even Zuri.

Lorenzo stayed quiet—but his grip on her hand tightened. A growing pit in his stomach started form.

Evangeline looked at them, something heavy settling behind her eyes.

"...I thought so."

Loralie stepped forward slightly. "You too?"

Evangeline nodded once.

Lorenzo's eyes shot towards her.

God, she was full of secrets and lies.

"I've been trying to get back for a long time."

That hit differently.

No jokes.

No sarcasm.

Just silence.

Will they ever get to go back home?

⸻

"...We can't stay out here," Evangeline said after a moment, her voice steadier now. "If the forest is as far as I think, we won't make it tonight."

"So what?" Haider asked. "We just wander around until morning?"

"No," she said, already turning. "I know somewhere."

They followed.

Down narrower streets.

Darker ones.

The kind people didn't walk unless they had to.

Until finally—

A building came into view.

Tall. Worn. Quiet.

Not quite abandoned... but close.

Evangeline pushed the door open.

⸻

The smell hit immediately.

Zuri blinked. "It smells... kind of nice?"

Loralie frowned. "That is not nice."

Haider grimaced. "Smells like Christmas at your grandparents house."

"Close enough."

The voice came from the shadows.

They all tensed.

An old man stepped forward from behind a wooden counter, his presence calm—but sharp.

His hair was curly and wild, streaked with white. His beard, neat. His eye—

Scarred.

Badly.

But his gaze was clear.

Too clear.

He looked over the group slowly.

Then—

his expression softened.

"Well," he said, voice low but warm. "Look what the night dragged in."

Evangeline stepped forward. "Hi, Mr. Ambrose."

"Evangeline."

There was familiarity there. Real familiarity.

His eyes flicked to Lorenzo.

Then to their hands.

Ah.

That kind of look.

"Friends?" he asked, one brow lifting.

"Friends," Evangeline said quickly.

"Right," Haider muttered under his breath.

Lorenzo shot him a look.

Zuri stepped in smoothly. "Hi! I'm Zuri."

She pointed around. "Loralie, Ethan—"

"Haider Afzal," Haider cut in proudly.

Ambrose chuckled softly. "Reckless boy."

Haider opened his mouth—

Loralie stepped on his foot.

Hard.

"I'm Ethan," Ethan spoke up calmly. "Nice to meet you."

"Hm."

Ambrose nodded slowly.

"I'm Hugh Ambrose," he said. "But you may call me Ambrose."

He studied them again.

Longer this time.

More carefully.

"...You've had an interesting night," he added as he studied the blood dripping from the side of Haider's face.

That wasn't a question.

Evangeline stepped forward again. "We just need somewhere to stay."

Ambrose didn't answer immediately.

Instead, he turned, disappearing briefly into the back room.

His voice drifted out:

"They say," he began, "you should keep kindness close."

He returned, now adjusting a dark patch over his scarred eye.

His gaze landed—very deliberately—on Lorenzo.

Like he knew something the others didn't.

He looked back to the group.

"...Especially when it choose you."

A beat.

Then, finally:

"Very well."

A small smile.

"You may stay."