The next few days passed in a haze of confusion and unease. Addison kept her distance from both Aonmi and Xotic, retreating into herself, her thoughts locked behind a barrier she wouldn't let anyone break through. She spent most of her time alone, either in her room or wandering the quiet, dim streets, the silence a welcome relief from the tension that seemed to surround her.
Aonmi didn't leave, though. He stayed just outside her reach, lurking in the shadows, watching her from a distance. He didn't push her anymore; he knew better. But every time she caught his gaze, it was as if she could feel the weight of his regret pressing down on her.
It was a silent standoff.
Xotic, meanwhile, stayed close. He seemed to know exactly when Addison needed someone nearby and when she needed to be left alone. He'd show up with food, with a joke, or simply stand beside her in silence, offering the kind of presence that didn't demand anything. It was strange. Comforting, in a way, but unsettling all the same. She didn't know who to trust-didn't know what to feel anymore.
And then, one night, the storm finally broke.
Addison had been pacing the hallway, restless and unable to settle. Her mind was a whirlwind of emotions-anger, confusion, pain-and all of it centered around one thing: the people she loved.
But it wasn't just them. There was something else, a darkness she couldn't shake, something lurking at the edge of her thoughts. A shadow that had been whispering to her since she woke up that night-since that moment with the figure in the woods.
She couldn't get away from it.
A soft knock on her door broke her out of her thoughts. She paused, her heart pounding. The familiar, calm voice of Xotic came through the crack in the door.
"You okay?" he asked, voice low, a hint of concern threading through it.
Addison swallowed. "Yeah, just... thinking."
She didn't want to talk about it-not yet. Not with anyone. Especially not after everything that had happened.
"Mind if I come in?" Xotic's voice was gentle, non-pressuring.
With a sigh, Addison opened the door just enough for him to slip through. He didn't wait for an invitation, walking in like he had every right to be there. And in some strange way, it felt like he did.
He didn't sit down immediately. Instead, he stood by the window, looking out at the moonlit streets. The calmness in his demeanor was almost too much for her. It was like he wasn't rattled by anything-like he could handle anything that came his way.
"You seem lost in thought," he said after a long pause.
Addison nodded, rubbing her forehead. "I don't know what to think anymore. Everything is so... messed up."
Xotic turned to face her, his expression softening. "You don't have to figure it all out right now. You don't have to do anything you don't want to."
She met his gaze then, and for the first time in days, she allowed herself to feel something other than frustration. There was something about him-something in the way he didn't rush her, didn't push for answers-that made her feel a little less alone.
"Do you know what it's like," she began, her voice quieter now, "to have someone you care about hurt you, but not even realize they're doing it? Or worse, not even care?" Her voice cracked at the end, and she hated herself for it.
Xotic didn't answer immediately. He stepped closer, his presence oddly comforting, like a blanket around her. "I think I get it," he said, voice steady. "But Addison, you have to remember-sometimes people don't know how to fix what they've broken. They don't know how to get back to where they started."
Addison swallowed hard, trying to push the emotions back down. "I don't know if I can forgive him. I don't know if I can trust him again."
"You don't have to forgive anyone until you're ready." Xotic's voice was a little firmer now, but not in an angry way-in a protective way. "But you also don't have to shut everyone out. Especially not the ones who are actually trying to help."
Addison glanced away, her thoughts swirling. "I'm just so... tired," she whispered. "Tired of all the lies. Tired of pretending that everything's okay when it's not."
For a moment, there was silence between them. The air hung heavy with unspoken words, and Xotic didn't rush to fill the space. He simply let her sit with her thoughts.
Then, as if on cue, there was a sound at the door-a soft tap.
Addison's heart skipped a beat.
She turned, but before she could even make it to the door, it creaked open, and there he stood. Aonmi.
His eyes were wide with something unreadable-desperation, maybe, or just sheer frustration. "Addison..." he said, his voice hoarse.
Xotic moved to step between them instinctively, but Addison stopped him with a gentle touch. She met Aonmi's gaze, her expression unreadable.
"What do you want?" she asked softly, trying to keep her voice steady.
"I... I don't know what to say," Aonmi said, taking a step toward her, his voice faltering. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I never wanted to. But I messed up. I shouldn't have left. I shouldn't have..."
"You can't keep doing this, Aonmi," she interrupted, her voice shaking. "I can't keep doing this. I need space. I need time. To think, to breathe."
Aonmi's face twisted in pain. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I didn't know how to fix it. I just... I don't know what I'm doing anymore."
Addison looked at him, her chest tight. "I need you to leave for now," she said firmly. "Please."
He hesitated, then nodded. "Okay," he whispered. "I'll go."
As he turned and walked away, Addison felt an unfamiliar emptiness settle in her chest. But she didn't call after him. She didn't ask him to stay. For the first time in a long while, she chose herself. She chose peace.
Xotic watched the exchange in silence. He stepped forward again, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I know it's hard," he said quietly. "But you're not alone in this."
Addison didn't respond immediately. She just stood there, staring at the door, as Aonmi's figure faded into the night.
__________________
Addison stood motionless, her breath caught in her chest. The door was still open slightly, the faintest breeze from outside carrying in the coolness of the night. The silence that followed Aonmi's departure felt heavier than anything she'd ever experienced.
Xotic stayed close, not crowding her but there, offering a steady presence in the midst of her storm. She finally let out a shaky breath, the weight of the situation pressing down on her chest like a vise.
"I don't know if I can keep doing this," she whispered, barely audible. Her words were raw, as if saying them out loud made them more real-more tangible.
Xotic didn't speak right away. He seemed to understand that silence was sometimes more powerful than words. After a moment, he moved closer, resting a hand lightly on her shoulder, offering what little comfort he could.
"You don't have to do it alone," he said, his voice soft but firm. "Not unless you want to. And if you want to walk away from all of this, I won't stop you. But I'll be here, Addison. I'll always be here."
His words were gentle but held a weight of sincerity. There was no judgment in his eyes, no push for her to choose a side. He simply accepted her as she was-and that alone made her feel a little less burdened, like someone understood the mess inside her head.
Addison gave a faint nod, swallowing down the lump that had formed in her throat. She wasn't sure what the future held or what to do next, but for the first time in days, she felt like she could breathe again, if only a little.
She glanced at the window, the moonlight casting long shadows across the floor. Her mind flickered back to everything that had happened-Aonmi's obsession, her fears, the fleeting moments of peace she'd had with him, and now, the unbearable weight of uncertainty.
Her heart ached in ways she couldn't fully understand.
But as she turned back to Xotic, she knew she couldn't keep hiding from her own truth. She couldn't run from the past forever.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, looking up at him. "I just... I don't know how to fix this. I don't know if I even can."
Xotic's smile was gentle but reassuring, his expression filled with a quiet understanding. "You don't need to fix anything, Addison. You're allowed to take your time. You don't have to have all the answers right now."
The weight on her shoulders felt a little lighter as she let his words sink in. Maybe she didn't have to fix everything. Maybe all she needed to do was take things one step at a time.
For once, Addison didn't feel quite as alone in her confusion.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed down the hall. The door creaked open slightly, and Amanda appeared in the doorway, her face pale, her eyes wide with concern. She looked at Addison and Xotic, the tension between the three of them palpable.
"Addison... where's Aonmi?" Amanda asked quietly, her voice tinged with worry.
Addison didn't immediately answer, but she felt a flicker of something in her chest-a mixture of guilt and pain. She hadn't even had a chance to speak to Amanda properly since she'd come back into the picture, and now, with everything that had happened with Aonmi, she wasn't sure how to explain it.
"He... left," Addison finally said. Her voice was small, but it carried a depth of finality that made Amanda flinch slightly. "I told him to. I needed space."
Amanda stood there for a moment, processing her sister's words. Her gaze softened, but there was still worry in her eyes. "I understand," she said quietly, walking into the room and sitting down on the bed beside Addison.
"I don't know what to do anymore, Amanda," Addison admitted, her voice cracking slightly. She looked up at her sister, her eyes filled with exhaustion and doubt. "Everything feels like it's falling apart. I just-"
"Addison," Amanda interrupted gently. "You don't have to have it all figured out. I know it's hard right now, and it's okay to be uncertain. But don't carry all this by yourself."
There was a warmth in Amanda's tone that Addison hadn't realized she needed until now. It was like a lifeline thrown her way in the middle of a storm she didn't know how to navigate.
"I'm here for you," Amanda continued softly, "always."
Addison nodded, feeling the first hints of relief slip through her heart. She wasn't sure what would come next. She wasn't sure if she could ever find her way back to the person she was before all of this. But in that moment, with Amanda beside her and Xotic's quiet understanding in the background, she felt a small flicker of hope. Maybe she could still find a way through this mess.
For now, though, she allowed herself to simply breathe, to exist in the silence of the room, knowing that she wasn't entirely alone in her pain.
As the night stretched on, the feeling of uncertainty still hung over her, but there was a small sense of calm, like the eye of a storm. It wasn't over yet-but at least, for now, Addison could rest.
And that was enough.
__________________
The night passed quietly, but it wasn't the peace Addison had hoped for. Sleep had been restless, haunted by dreams she couldn't escape, ones that pulled her between the present and the past-memories of Aonmi's obsession, the uncertainty of her place in the world, and the relentless pull of the unknown. She hadn't expected the weight of it all to settle so heavily in her chest. The next morning, the light felt too bright, the sounds too sharp, as if reality was still an echo of her fractured thoughts.
Addison sat up in bed, staring at the blank wall across from her. The events of the past few days still felt like a blur. Aonmi's departure, his haunting words, the strange calm she'd felt around Xotic and Amanda. She hadn't told Amanda everything-not about Aonmi, not about the dream, not about the reflection in the glass that made her question who she really was.
She shook her head, trying to clear the fog from her mind. She needed clarity. She needed to do something-anything-to stop this spiraling feeling.
After a while, she rose, pulling on some loose clothes. The weight of her hoodie felt comforting, as if it could shield her from the growing tension in the air. She needed space.
When she walked out into the living room, Amanda was sitting at the small kitchen table, scrolling through her phone. The sight of her twin sent a pang of guilt through Addison's chest, but she forced a smile as she approached.
"Morning," Addison said softly, her voice a little hoarse from the lack of sleep.
Amanda looked up, her expression soft but tinged with concern. "Hey," she replied, setting the phone down. "How are you feeling?"
Addison hesitated, looking down at her feet. "I'm fine. Just... tired."
Amanda didn't seem convinced but didn't push. Instead, she stood and came over to Addison, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to hide anything from me, you know."
Addison met her eyes, the guilt pressing heavier on her. "I know," she whispered. "I just... I don't know how to explain everything. Not yet."
There was a moment of silence between them before Amanda nodded, squeezing Addison's shoulder lightly. "You don't have to explain it all right now. Just take your time."
Addison appreciated the offer, but she knew the truth-time was the one thing she couldn't afford. Every passing second felt like it brought her closer to something she couldn't quite understand. She wasn't sure how much longer she could pretend she had everything under control.
"I'm going out," Addison said after a moment, the decision feeling impulsive but necessary. "I need some fresh air. Clear my head."
Amanda's brow furrowed. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"
Addison gave a small, weary smile. "I'll be fine. Just need to think for a while."
Before Amanda could protest further, Addison grabbed her jacket from the back of a chair and slipped out the door. The cool morning air hit her face as soon as she stepped outside, and she closed her eyes, letting the breeze wash over her. It didn't take away the weight in her chest, but it did give her a moment of quiet.
She needed to be alone.
The streets were quiet, the hum of early morning traffic in the distance, and the occasional bird call breaking the silence. Addison walked aimlessly, her feet carrying her through the city she had once known so well. Each step felt like it was carrying her further from everything-Amanda, Xotic, Aonmi, the tangled web of her past and future.
As she walked, her mind drifted back to Aonmi.
His face. His eyes. The way he'd looked at her. She shuddered involuntarily. It was too much.
She didn't know how to stop the cycle of fear and confusion that kept her trapped. Maybe she never could.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket, breaking her thoughts. Addison pulled it out and glanced at the screen, her stomach tightening when she saw the message.
It was from Amanda.
"Where are you? Please come back. I'm worried."
Addison's heart ached. She didn't want to put Amanda through this, but she didn't know how to make her understand. She couldn't explain it. Not yet. Not in a way that made any sense.
She typed a quick reply, trying to ease Amanda's worry without revealing too much.
"I'm fine. Just needed a little space. I'll be back soon."
She stared at the message for a moment, then hit send, pocketing the phone once again.
A soft rustle behind her caught Addison's attention, and she turned, startled by the presence of someone just a few paces away.
It was Niko. She was standing at the edge of the street, arms crossed over her chest, a soft but knowing smile on her lips.
"You always did like to disappear when things got heavy," Niko said, her voice light but tinged with something else. It wasn't judgment-more like understanding, as though she had seen Addison in these exact moments before.
Addison blinked in surprise. "How long have you been standing there?"
Niko shrugged casually, pushing a strand of her dark blonde hair out of her face. "Long enough to know when you need a friend and when you need space."
Addison was caught off guard. She hadn't realized Niko had been so close, but something about her presence felt... grounding. The way she stood there, confident but not pushing, it reminded Addison that maybe she didn't have to figure everything out on her own.
"I'm not really good at this whole... talking thing," Addison admitted, her voice quieter than she intended.
"I get it," Niko said with a smile, stepping closer. "But you don't always have to explain everything. Sometimes, just having someone around is enough."
Addison didn't know what to say to that. She wasn't sure she believed it, but part of her wanted to.
"Thanks," Addison said softly, the words feeling heavier than they should have.
Niko gave her a playful grin. "Don't mention it. Now, if you're looking for a little distraction, I'm sure I could come up with something."
Addison let out a small laugh, the first in what felt like ages. Maybe the weight of everything wasn't hers to carry alone after all. And maybe, just maybe, she didn't have to walk this dark road completely in silence.
"Lead the way," Addison said, her voice steadying just a little.
With that, Niko fell into step beside her, and for the first time in a while, Addison allowed herself to simply exist in the moment. Maybe it wasn't the answer she'd been searching for, but it was a small step forward.
And right now, that was enough.
___________________
The days blurred together in an unsettling haze of uncertainty. The streets felt quieter now, the city somehow less familiar, as if the very air had changed since Addison had left. The weight in her chest hadn't lifted, and it hadn't helped that Amanda's anxiety had only deepened. With every passing moment, the pressure on Addison felt more suffocating. But it wasn't just Amanda who was on her mind. There was another person-another presence-that had begun to haunt her thoughts.
Rosalia.
Her little sister.
Rosalia was always the one person Addison couldn't quite protect, no matter how hard she tried. No matter how many times she promised herself that she'd keep Rosalia safe, something always seemed to slip through her fingers.
It had been years since she last saw Rosalia, and yet, the longing to find her still clung to Addison's heart like a weight she could never shake off.
Addison hadn't told Amanda about her search for Rosalia. She couldn't. Not yet. Not while there were still so many unanswered questions.
And there was still so much she didn't understand.
As she paced through the empty streets, the cold wind biting at her skin, Addison's thoughts wandered to her sister. Rosalia had been younger, smaller, and fragile-yet there had always been something fierce about her. She wasn't the helpless child Addison used to believe her to be. No, Rosalia had always had a strength deep inside of her, one Addison couldn't always comprehend, but something she admired nonetheless.
"Where are you, Rosalia?" Addison whispered to the wind, hoping the universe would hear her.
She paused for a moment, gazing up at the dimming sky. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the streets. There was a chill in the air as the last bit of light slipped behind the horizon.
Her heart ached for Rosalia. She hadn't forgotten about her-how could she? The memories were still vivid, the way Rosalia had smiled at her before everything fell apart.
But that was years ago. Things had changed.
Addison couldn't shake the feeling that something was drawing her closer to Rosalia. It was like an invisible thread, tugging at her from far away. Maybe it was just her longing. Or maybe it was something else.
Her mind was racing when a sudden voice broke her train of thought.
"Addison."
She turned around quickly, surprised by the sound of her name in the darkening street. Standing a few feet away, leaning against the corner of a building, was Niko. Her arms were folded over her chest, and she wore that look on her face again-calm, but a bit concerned.
"Are you... okay?" Niko asked, her voice softer than usual.
Addison hesitated for a second before nodding. "Yeah... I just-need to find Rosalia."
Niko's expression shifted slightly, though it was hard to tell if she understood or simply felt the weight of Addison's words. It was clear that Niko wasn't going to press her on the details of why Addison felt so strongly about finding Rosalia, but she knew enough to know that something was off. She could sense it, just as Addison had sensed something wrong for days now.
"I don't know if you'll find her in the city," Niko said thoughtfully. "But I do know there's someone who might know where she's been hiding. Someone who's been around long enough to see things that most people miss."
Addison's eyes narrowed, a sense of urgency creeping up her spine. "Who?"
Niko hesitated, then spoke again. "Marsh. He's been here longer than most people realize. He might not know everything, but he's been watching. And he knows the streets better than anyone."
Addison wasn't sure what to think. Marsh? The same guy who had saved her life from that attack? She'd barely spoken to him, and yet, Niko spoke of him like he held answers to everything.
"Where do I find him?" Addison asked, her voice firm.
Niko pushed off from the wall and gave her a small smirk. "Follow me."
The walk to find Marsh was almost too quiet. Addison could hear the distant hum of traffic and the occasional sound of a dog barking in the distance, but otherwise, the world felt muted. It was as though even the city was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.
Finally, they reached a small, nondescript building at the edge of the city. Niko knocked on the door, and Addison stood behind her, feeling her nerves tighten. The door opened after a moment, and a familiar face appeared: Marsh.
He looked a little different than the last time Addison had seen him. His usual easygoing demeanor was replaced with something more serious-his eyes alert, scanning the street behind him before locking onto Addison.
"Niko," Marsh greeted, his voice calm but low. His gaze shifted to Addison. "You. Shouldn't be out here alone."
Addison stepped forward, shaking off the feeling that he was scolding her. "I need your help," she said, her voice steady but urgent. "I'm looking for someone. Her name's Rosalia. I need to know where she's been."
Marsh didn't hesitate for long. His eyes flickered for a moment, assessing her, then nodded. "I can help you. But it's not going to be easy. Rosalia... she's been tied up with people you probably don't want to get involved with. But if you really want to find her, we need to go deeper. The city's a maze. And it's a lot more dangerous than you think."
Addison nodded, determination setting into her bones. "I don't care. I need to find her."
Marsh gave her a sharp look but then turned back toward the door. "Then come in. We've got work to do."
Addison followed him inside, the door shutting behind her with a soft click. The room was dimly lit, filled with maps and papers scattered across the table. A large map of the city covered one wall, marked with various locations-some familiar, some unknown.
"This is where we start," Marsh said, gesturing to the map. "You need to know everything. And we need to be ready for anything."
Addison took a deep breath. Whatever it took, she would find Rosalia. She had to.
______
The room was silent except for the rustling of papers as Marsh moved across the floor, pulling down more maps from the wall. Addison stood by, trying to steady her breathing, but the sense of urgency clawed at her chest. Rosalia was out there somewhere, and she was running out of time.
Marsh's tone was serious as he unfolded the next map on the table, showing a detailed layout of the underground tunnels beneath the city. "There are places even the cops won't go. Hidden corners, old infrastructure, abandoned places... and they're all connected."
Addison leaned over the map, her eyes scanning the complex network of tunnels and hidden passageways. "Is this where she is?"
Marsh's gaze lingered on the map before meeting Addison's eyes. "I don't know for sure. But these tunnels... they've been used by people who don't want to be found. If she's caught up with anyone dangerous, this is where she'll be."
A chill ran down Addison's spine. She'd heard rumors about the city's underworld-illegal activities, shady deals, and forgotten places. But to think that her sister could be caught in the middle of it was beyond terrifying.
"I need to go," Addison said, her voice quiet but firm. "Now."
Marsh shook his head slightly. "It's not that simple. If you go down there without knowing exactly where you're going... you won't make it back. The people down there don't play nice, and if they catch wind of what you're trying to do, it's not going to end well."
"I don't care." Addison's voice grew sharper. "I'm not going to let them hurt her. Not again."
Marsh met her gaze, his face softening just slightly. "Then we need to prepare. These places, these people-they won't hesitate to kill if they think you're a threat. You need to be ready for anything."
Addison's jaw tightened as she glanced at the maps again, trying to memorize every detail. Time was ticking away, and she couldn't afford to waste another minute. She had to find Rosalia before it was too late.
Suddenly, the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. She could feel the air shift, the sense of danger creeping in around her. It was a gut feeling, the kind she couldn't ignore.
She was about to speak when a loud crash echoed from the door.
Marsh's hand flew to his waist, where a weapon was tucked. His expression hardened as he moved swiftly to the door, pushing Addison behind him. "Stay back."
Addison's heart raced as she tried to peer over Marsh's shoulder, her mind screaming at her to move, to act, but her body froze in place. The door creaked open just enough for someone-or something-stealthily creeping into the room. A figure in a dark cloak, hood shadowing their face.
"I knew I'd find you here," the figure growled, voice low and gravelly.
Addison's blood ran cold. She didn't recognize the voice, but something about it felt wrong, dangerous. The figure took a step forward, the tension in the room palpable. Marsh didn't flinch, but his hand was steady, his fingers tightening around the weapon.
The figure's eyes gleamed from beneath the hood. "Looking for something? Or someone?" They took another step forward, their gaze locking onto Addison with a chilling familiarity.
A strange, cold sense of deja vu swept over her. She had seen this person before, but where? It felt like a fragment of a forgotten memory, something just beyond reach.
Marsh moved first, his body a shield between Addison and the cloaked figure. "Stay back," he ordered.
The figure smirked, but it wasn't a smile. It was something darker, more sinister. "You think you can stop me?" Their voice dripped with mockery. "I don't need to explain myself to you."
Before Addison could react, the figure's hand shot out, and with it came an energy she couldn't explain. It was like the room itself warped around her, a strange force that tugged at her mind, distorting everything in her line of sight.
Addison gasped, staggering back. Her vision flickered for a split second-an unnatural sensation, like the world was folding in on itself.
Then, just as quickly as it started, the pressure was gone.
Marsh reacted instantly, slamming the door shut behind him with a loud bang. The cloaked figure had vanished, leaving only a trail of broken air in their wake.
"Who was that?" Addison asked breathlessly, still reeling from the sensation. Her hands were shaking.
Marsh's expression was stone-cold. "Not sure. But I know one thing-they're not here by coincidence."
Addison's mind raced. This person had known exactly where to find her, which meant they knew something-about her, about Rosalia, or perhaps something even worse.
"I need to go after them," Addison said, already turning toward the door.
"No," Marsh said sharply, grabbing her arm before she could make it out. "You can't. They're too dangerous."
Addison met his gaze, eyes flashing with determination. "I don't care. Whoever they are, they're connected to Rosalia. And I won't let them take her again."
Marsh hesitated for a moment before releasing her arm, a reluctant agreement in his eyes. "Fine. But we need to be smart about this. We can't just charge in blindly."
"I don't have time for that." Addison's voice cracked slightly, the weight of the situation pressing down on her chest. Her mind was spinning with possibilities, and every thought led back to Rosalia. She had to find her. And now, with this new threat looming in the shadows, Addison's resolve had only hardened.
With one last glance at Marsh, she turned and walked toward the door, ready to face whatever dangers lay ahead.
_______
Addison moved swiftly through the hall, her heart pounding in her chest. Every step felt like it could be her last, the weight of Rosalia's absence pulling at her like a heavy anchor. She barely heard Marsh's footsteps following behind her. His warning about being cautious echoed in her mind, but she wasn't listening-not now. Rosalia needed her.
She could feel the presence of the cloaked figure from earlier still lingering in the back of her mind, like a cold breath at her neck. She couldn't shake the sense that whoever they were, they were linked to Rosalia's disappearance-and that made them her immediate priority.
The city was dark, the streets eerily silent, save for the occasional rustling of the wind through the trees. The moon cast long shadows on the pavement as Addison led the way toward the nearest entrance to the underground tunnels Marsh had shown her earlier.
The hairs on her neck stood up. She wasn't alone.
Marsh, sensing her unease, spoke in a low voice. "Stay alert. If they're still watching us, we don't want to lead them to Rosalia."
Addison nodded, her grip tightening on the weapon at her side. There were no more distractions now. The only thing that mattered was getting to Rosalia before it was too late.
They reached the entrance to the tunnels, an old, rusted door barely visible beneath a tangle of overgrown vines. Marsh moved to push it open, his fingers trembling slightly from the tension. Addison glanced around one last time, her instincts screaming that something was about to happen.
And then she heard it.
A sound-a low, grating hiss, followed by the unmistakable thud of footsteps approaching from behind. Too late.
Before either of them could react, a group of shadowed figures emerged from the darkness, their eyes glowing faintly in the moonlight. Their movements were slow but deliberate, as if they'd been waiting for the right moment. And now, that moment had come.
"You're not going anywhere," one of them growled, stepping forward. The voice was muffled, as if speaking through layers of fabric.
Addison's heart stopped for a moment. This wasn't a random encounter. This was deliberate. And they knew exactly who she was.
"Who are you?" she demanded, her voice steely.
The figure grinned beneath his hood, revealing sharp teeth. "You don't need to know who we are, little girl. Just that you're too late."
Marsh raised his weapon, but Addison grabbed his wrist, stopping him. "We don't need to fight," she said, her eyes narrowing. "Tell me where she is, and I'll leave you alone."
The figure laughed darkly, an unsettling sound that made Addison's skin crawl. "Oh, we're not here to negotiate."
The air suddenly thickened, an overwhelming presence swirling around them. The temperature dropped, and Addison's breath became visible in the chilling atmosphere.
The figure gestured to the others, and they all advanced. The shadows around them seemed to pulse, alive with dark energy.
"Run," Marsh whispered to Addison, his face grim.
But it was too late. The figure raised his hand, and in an instant, the ground beneath Addison's feet seemed to shift. The air vibrated with power, the feeling of something unnatural coiling around her.
Without warning, a force collided with Addison's chest, throwing her backward. She crashed to the ground hard, the impact knocking the wind from her lungs. Her vision swam as she tried to scramble to her feet, but the world spun, and her limbs felt sluggish, weighed down by something she couldn't explain.
The cloaked figures circled around her, their movements synchronized, as if they were part of a single entity. Addison's heart raced, but she refused to back down. This was her fight.
A voice, low and growling, filled the air. "We've been waiting for this moment, Addison."
Her blood ran cold. She knew that voice.
The cloaked figure stepped forward, and for the first time, the hood fell back, revealing a face that Addison recognized-but couldn't place.
The man was tall, his features sharp and angular, with jet-black hair falling in messy waves around his face. His eyes glowed with an unsettling, unnatural light, and a cruel smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
"You..." Addison's voice faltered. She didn't understand. Why did he look so familiar?
"You don't remember me, do you?" the man said with a dark chuckle. "I should have known. You've been so lost, so distracted by your little games, that you forgot the real reason you're here."
Addison's breath hitched, her mind racing. "What do you want from me?"
He stepped closer, his eyes burning with an intensity that made her want to recoil. "Everything you hold dear. Starting with her." He pointed toward the tunnels.
Her heart skipped a beat. Rosalia.
"No," she whispered. "You don't get to take her. Not again."
The figure laughed, a deep, mocking sound that made her stomach twist. "You never could protect her. You couldn't protect yourself, let alone anyone else."
Before Addison could react, the figure snapped his fingers, and in the blink of an eye, the air shifted again. A powerful wave of energy slammed into her, pushing her back further, until her head collided with the cold stone of the tunnel entrance.
Darkness crept at the edges of her vision, her body slowly losing feeling.
But then, through the haze of pain and confusion, a voice-sharp and familiar-cut through the silence.
"Stay away from her."
Addison's heart skipped a beat. She could barely make out the figure standing before her, but she knew that voice.
Aonmi.
He appeared out of the shadows, his presence like a storm on the horizon. The cloaked figures hesitated, momentarily thrown off guard by his sudden appearance.
Aonmi's eyes were wild with fury, the glow of his power radiating from him in waves. "I said... stay away from her," he growled, stepping closer.
With a wave of his hand, a surge of energy blasted from his body, knocking the cloaked figures back. For a moment, the world seemed to pause as the force of his power pushed against them.
But the figures were quick to recover, their movements almost predatory.
"Who is this?" one of them hissed.
Aonmi's eyes flared. "You don't get to touch her. Not now. Not ever."
In that moment, Addison's vision blurred, and the world around her spun. Her body screamed for relief, but her mind fought to stay awake. Aonmi was here-he had come for her.
And this time, she wasn't alone.