𝑼𝑵𝑬𝑿𝑷𝑬𝑪𝑻𝑬𝑫 | 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑑𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡

𝑇𝑂 𝐵𝐸 𝑂𝑅 𝑁𝑂𝑇 𝑇𝑂 𝐵𝐸

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　　 𝐀 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐂𝐊 𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 front door pulls me out of my thoughts. I set the damp dish I was drying onto the counter, my fingers still pruned from the water, and wipe them against my jeans before walking toward the sound. The house is quiet except for the faint hum of the fridge and my grandpa's voice mumbling something unintelligible from the living room. He's been pacing all morning, muttering, his energy spiraling higher and higher in that manic way I've come to dread.

I crack open the door and to my surprise, Bree's there, practically bouncing on her toes.

'Hey, Bree.' My voice is flat, but I try to stretch a smile onto my face.

'Hi!' she squeals, almost too brightly. 'I've got some time off. Want to go to the mall?'

Her grin is contagious, and I nod with a faint smile. 'Sure.' At least someone can make time for me. Even Bree, with her missions and her busy life, finds a way to show up. The reminder of Chase burns in my chest like an ember I can't put out.

I grab my purse and step outside with her. The air smells faintly of cut grass and gasoline, warm and sticky on my skin. 'How was the mission?' I ask carefully, though I already know the answer.

'It went well. We saved the world once more,' Bree says sarcastically, throwing her hands in the air. Her laugh is light, but there's exhaustion in her eyes. 'I'm just happy I got some time off.'

'Where are the others?' I try to sound casual, but I can feel the question snag in my throat. I want to know if Chase is free—if he'd even want to be.

Bree shrugs, tilting her head. 'Mr. Davenport asked Chase to help with one of his inventions. He didn't want to, but Mr. Davenport begged him, so he eventually said yes. Leo and Adam are playing that stupid game again—what's it called? Human Bullseye Bounce.'

I huff a small laugh, shaking my head. 'As if they never learned anything from their previous attempts.'

'Exactly!' Bree giggles, bumping my shoulder. I glance sideways at her, a warmth spreading in my chest despite everything. 'I'm glad you wanted to spend time with me,' I admit quietly.

'Of course! I make all the room in the world to spend time with my bestie.' She grins, tossing her hair back dramatically. 'Finally something normal, like going to the mall. Do you know how much I miss that?'

Her joy eases something heavy inside me, and for a second I forget about the ache Chase always leaves behind.

But when we step back inside to grab my jacket, reality slams back.

'Addilynn!' Grandpa's voice booms from the living room, louder than usual. I freeze, dread sinking into my stomach. He's pacing, wild-eyed, hands waving as if he's orchestrating some invisible symphony. 'The TV! It's been spying on us again. I pulled the plug, but I can still hear it whispering—can't you hear it? You've got to help me block the signal. Where's the aluminum foil? They're watching us, I know it!'

Bree shoots me a worried glance, her smile fading. My jaw tightens. I love him—God, I love him—but when he's like this, when the mania grips him, it feels like I'm losing him to some stranger.

'Grandpa, not now,' I say, forcing patience into my voice even though my temples are already throbbing.

'Not now?' He laughs sharply, pacing faster. 'That's what they want you to think! You've got to stay alert, Addilynn! Don't you see?' His eyes shine with a manic gleam, his words tumbling out so fast they blur together.

I press my fingers into my temple, heat flooding my cheeks. 'Grandpa, please.' I hate the edge in my tone, the irritation that seeps through. He can't help it, but I'm stretched so thin I feel like I might snap. Between Chase pushing me away, the constant fear every mission brings, and now this—I can barely breathe.