CH: 13 cracks in the dream

– Cracks in the Dream

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Panel 1

Scene: Midnight. The clock shows 1:30 AM. The front door creaks open as Joile walks in, looking tired. Rena stands in the dim hallway, smiling eerily.

Rena (softly):

Welcome home, my hubby.

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Panel 2

Scene: Joile smiles as he walks in, setting his keys down.

Joile:

Hey babe... why are you still up? You should be sleeping.

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Panel 3

Scene: Close-up of Rena holding his jacket gently, still smiling but her eyes seem a little too wide.

Rena:

How could I sleep without you? I was worried.

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Panel 4

Scene: After dinner. Both are lying on the bed, the lights dim. Rena stares at the ceiling while Joile scrolls through his phone.

Rena:

Hubby… why have you been coming home late lately?

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Panel 5

Scene: Joile glances over at her, smiling casually.

Joile:

My senior at work gave me extra cases. It's hectic. You know… I'm a cop.

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Panel 6

Scene: Rena turns slightly toward him, eyes narrowing just a bit but still smiling.

Rena:

Of course. You have to save people.

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Panel 7

Scene: Joile laughs and rolls over, poking her cheek playfully.

Joile (teasing):

You're mad at me, huh? Because I haven't spent time with my pretty wife?

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Panel 8

Scene: Rena pouts playfully but with a subtle tension in her tone.

Rena:

You should take care of your wife. I'm bored at home all day...

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Panel 9

Scene: Joile rests his head back with a smile.

Joile:

Don't worry. Tomorrow, you won't be bored.

My big sister and her kids are visiting.

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Panel 10

Scene: Rena quickly sits up in surprise.

Rena:

Wait... You never told me you had a sister?

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Panel 11

Scene: Joile explains while looking relaxed.

Joile:

Oh, she's not my real sister. I saved her during a case. Since then, she calls me brother.

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Panel 12

Scene: Close-up of Rena's face—her smile fades slightly, a shadow over her expression.

Rena (inner voice):

She's not blood...

But she's still close.

Too close.