Jacqueline's allies

The smell of black tea filled Jacqueline's room as she studied the odd books laid out on her bed. She traced a weird circular symbol, trying to decode Victoria's creepy notebook, when a noise at the window broke her focus.

Jacqueline gasped as Emma, dressed in a sheer dress, slipped silently through the open window. “I got your text,” she whispered, eyes darting around Jacqueline’s room. “We better make this quick."

“Emma...you really came.” Jacqueline hugged her friend tightly, then held her at arm’s length, noticing how tired she looked. “How’d you sneak out this late?”

Emma half-smiled. “I’ve gotten pretty good at vanishing when I need to...” She gestured at her dress that blended perfectly with the shadows.

More soft footsteps preceded another red-haired girl slipping into the room. Shutting the door quietly behind her, the dancer Alex leaned back against it with relief.