Graveyard of the living

A Silent Resolve

**Hans**: So, you've been using a signal jammer all along.

**Unknown person**: I must say, I do enjoy that look of desperation on your face. It's quite... satisfying.

**Hans**: Then explain why you took John's safety ring.

**Unknown person**: Ah, that wasn't an easy feat. I crafted a copy of John's ring from a water-soluble material. Celine, using a magician's sleight-of-hand trick similar to the vanishing card, replaced the real one with the fake. When John entered the water, the ring dissolved and disappeared without a trace. The final touch was the most crucial—Celine wiped all the fingerprints from the ring, leaving only hers in the center. We knew you'd examine it, and she made sure to capture your and Kathy's attention at every step.

**Hans**: So, we've been dancing in the palm of your hand from the start.

**Unknown person**: You could say that.

---

*November 12th, Afternoon*

**Kathy**: Fine. I trust you.

Hans handed Kathy a ring.

**Kathy**: You idiot, this isn't the time for something like that!

**Hans**: What are you talking about? It's not *that* kind of ring. It's a camera ring. You can see the footage from the cameras through it.

Kathy's face flushed a deep red.

**Hans**: Your face is turning a bit weird. Are you alright?

Kathy snatched the ring and muttered, "You idiot, of course, I'm alright," turning away as she spoke.

**Hans**: You know, the camera came with two rings, so we can each monitor things separately.

**Kathy**: Oh... I knew that.

Hans leaned in and whispered something into Kathy's ear.

**Kathy**: Fine, I'll do it.

Hans and Kathy sat together in Hans's room, discussing the plan. Suddenly, Hans spotted Celine exiting the dining room.

**Hans**: Alright, Kathy, it's your turn.

Kathy quickly left Hans's room, the camera ring still on, inadvertently keeping the feed live. On her way to the dining room, she ran into Celine and paused for a brief moment.

**Kathy**: Oh, sorry! I left something in the kitchen.

As she hurried away, a key slipped from her pocket, unnoticed by Kathy, but not by Celine, who stayed silent. Moments later, Kathy returned from the kitchen with her bottle of pineapple juice and discovered her key missing. Just then, Celine approached.

**Celine**: You dropped this.

**Kathy**: Oh, thank you so much.

Grateful, Kathy invited Celine into her room and offered her some pineapple juice. As Celine sipped, her eyes wandered over Kathy's study.

**Celine**: Your study room looks lovely. May I take a closer look?

**Kathy**: Sure, why not.

Celine entered the neatly organized room, admiring the large teddy bear sitting among the bookshelves—an old gift from Oberheuser. It gave the room a warm, cozy touch, contrasting with the shelves of books, chemical flasks, and Kathy's modern computer setup. Kathy placed her camera ring on the study table.

**Celine**: Is that the camera feed?

**Kathy**: Yes. Hans gave it to me. He said I'd be responsible for guarding the village.