111. A naughty seraphina

The park was eerily quiet, bathed in the dim glow of scattered lampposts. A light breeze rustled the leaves above, whispering through the trees like ghosts in mourning. Isaac sat alone on a weathered wooden bench, his shoulders hunched, eyes staring blankly ahead at the shadows that danced on the path.

It had been days since he left the house. Nights blurred into mornings and back into darkness again. He didn't know what he was waiting for anymore. Maybe to wake up from this nightmare. Maybe for Lucas to walk down that path and call out his name, like he used to after long shifts at the hospital.

But the path remained empty.

"You're really hard to catch up with these days."

Isaac didn't turn his head. He knew the voice.

Luri.

She came into view, hands in the pockets of her coat, her steps casual but her eyes sharp and observing. She didn't say anything else until she stood next to him.