'A Traitor, Perhaps?'

The empty white room was eerily still, its silence pressing against Aden's ears like a heavy weight. He sat cross-legged on the ground, staring blankly at his sister's iPad, his finger trembling as he scrolled through the last few lines of the novel.

"Hey, Kaz..." Aden's voice wavered, breaking the oppressive quiet.

Without warning, Kaz appeared in front of him as though she'd always been there. Her wide smile gleamed unnaturally bright against the stark whiteness.

"Yes, Aden?"

Aden blinked, trying to steady his breathing. "What happens in the end?" he asked, his voice cracking slightly.

Kaz tilted her head, her smile unwavering but her expression puzzled. "Eh? What do you mean?"

"After Florian dies... what happens to Heinz? To Lucius and Lancelot? Cashew? Everyone?"