Family

His name sounded familiar. Where had I heard it before?

That's right—Yin Hee had mentioned him.

But why would he have information about me? No, more likely, he had all kinds of information.

I came to that conclusion because he also knew about Igor.

While I was lost in thought, she spoke up.

"That medicine makes your body stable, right?"

"How did you know?" I asked, furrowing my brows.

"Trick told me," she said. "He also mentioned that if you take all of it, your lifespan will only last a few months."

Her voice tightened with a mix of disappointment and worry. "Why would you risk your life for a goal I don't even know about?"

I hesitated, considering whether I should tell her. But after a second's thought, I knew it was pointless. My sister would help me without question. Yet, this was my fight, not hers.

"I can't get you involved. But don't worry, I'll be fine," I said slowly, trying to sound reassuring.

"When's the last time you said 'don't worry' and it actually turned out fine? Never! You always get hurt!" Her voice pitched slightly higher.

"Okay, I'm sorry! I'll try my best not to get hurt. Would that calm you down?" I immediately backed down, trying to pacify her.

If this kept up, we'd just go in circles.

Maybe she sensed my sincerity; her tense expression softened, her furrowed brows easing.

Seizing the moment, I cut in before she could speak again.

"About this person, Trick. Why did he tell you all that? Did you ask him?"

Trick clearly knew things about me. But he wouldn't just share that with anyone for free—or without a reason.

"Yeah, I did," she replied briefly.

"He didn't ask for anything in return?"

"We're online friends. He just said he knows a lot about different things," she said, brushing past my question.

"You're not worried about how he got that information?" I asked, my concern growing.

"Of course I am! You think it's not creepy that Trick knows so much about you?" she snapped back.

"Yet you're still friends with him," I said, suspicion slipping into my voice.

"He's not a bad person. He didn't ask for anything—he just wanted to help a friend."

I stared at her in silence. She misread it, thinking I doubted her.

"It's true! If you don't believe me, here's our chat history!" she insisted, pulling out her phone.

I scanned through their conversation. Just like she said—nothing suspicious. Just normal online banter between friends.

I looked away, signaling I was done. She pocketed her phone.

"You don't have to worry about Trick. He's a good guy."

"How would you know? You two have never even met."

"We did, actually. A few times. He even treated me to some food."

Knowing my sister, I chose to trust her—at least for now. I'd find out more about Trick later. He was officially on my to-do list.

"Syn," Mira suddenly called my name, pulling me back to the moment. I met her eyes just as she hesitated.

"Are you really not going to quit?"

Quit? Ah. She meant my goal.

Of course not.

It seemed we were circling back to that topic. I owed her an answer—even if it made her hate me a little more.

"Yeah," I said, nodding slightly.

"Why?"

"It's for you and Mom. I don't want you two to be in danger. Maybe not now, but someday.

"Before that happens, I need to reach my goal.

"You have to understand, Mira. I'm doing this for our family. I love you both."

"I love you too, Syn," she said, voice tight. "But it hurts when you don't rely on us. Why do you have to fight alone?"

"I told you—I don't want to drag you into danger."

"So we're just a burden to you?" she burst out.

"What? No! Of course not!" I said quickly, desperate to keep her from misunderstanding.

"Then rely on us! Is that so much to ask?"

"Yes, it is!

"You two are all I have left! My friends are dead—everyone I knew is dead!

"I can't afford to lose you too...

"Because..." My voice cracked, fragile and raw. "If I lose you guys... I might break."

As the words left me, memories of fallen friends flashed before my eyes. Wounds I'd tried so hard to bury reopened in an instant.

"So please, Mira... If you really want to help me, just understand my wishes. Please... don't get involved."

"Will that really be enough?" she asked quietly, doubt flickering in her eyes.

"Yeah," I said firmly. "It will."

"...Okay," she whispered, nodding solemnly.

Relief washed over me.

"Thank you," I said, smiling.

A weight lifted off my chest. I felt lighter, like I could finally breathe again.

From downstairs, Mom's voice floated up, muffled but clear enough.

"Mira! Help me with the chores!"

"Coming!" Mira called back, waving at me before closing the door behind her.

The room fell silent. I lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

I'm not alone, I thought. I let that idea sink into my mind—and my body. As it did, the heaviness I carried disappeared, leaving behind a deep, soothing calm.

I was savoring the moment when I *saw* it—a flicker of red flame in my mind's eye.

The rat had found someone.

Two hundred meters away from my house.

I stayed still, deciding to wait until the rat finished scouting. I wasn't sure how many were out there, but my instincts said there was more than one.

I pulled out my phone and called Eve.

**[How's the situation over there?]**

**[Not good. Someone beat us there. The diary's gone, and someone just set the house on fire. We're getting out now. Kuh! Kuh!]**

I could hear her coughing through the text. I bolted upright, heart pounding—then forced myself to relax.

It was Eve. She could handle herself.

**[I see. Any clues who it might be?]**

**[An assassin, probably. I didn't sense them until I picked up their malicious intent.]**

**[Right. Do you still have the three beads I gave you?]**

**[Yeah, but I won't need them. This is just fire. I've dealt with worse.]**

Her words were confident and steady.

I couldn't help but smile a little.