𝑼𝑵𝑬𝑿𝑷𝑬𝑪𝑻𝑬𝑫 | 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑑𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡

𝑇𝐴𝐾𝐸𝑁

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　　 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐄 Krane and Douglas disaster, Adam, Bree, and Chase haven't been allowed out of the lab. Davenport says it's for their safety, but honestly, I think it's more about his peace of mind. Which leaves Leo and me stuck at school, just the two of us. Weirdly enough, it hasn't been too bad. We've sort of fallen into this rhythm together—me, trying to keep things calm, and him, being... well, Leo. Chaotic, ridiculous, and sometimes actually helpful. Somehow, it works.

Meanwhile, I've been pouring myself into the school play. Costumes, props, rehearsals—it's consumed me. Only two weeks until opening night, and the panic in the cast is starting to reach fever pitch. Everyone's afraid of forgetting their lines, as if the months—no, half a year—of rehearsals haven't prepared us enough. I keep telling myself that once the curtain rises, it'll all be worth it. Still, the stress is constant.

I'm moving at the speed of a snail as I pack my books from my locker. My head's buzzing with half-finished costume alterations and Janelle's late addition to the cast (Leo guilt-tripped me into that one; I should've known better).

That's when I hear it—the pounding of sneakers slamming against the linoleum.

Leo.

He barrels toward me, red-faced, panting so hard I'm half convinced he just sprinted from another zip code.

'W-, w-, w—'

Immediately, I stiffen. Leo's rarely serious, and when he is, it's never good. I let my bag drop to the floor, heart starting to thud faster than I want to admit. 'Breathe, Leo.'

He doubles over, trying to catch air, but all that comes out are broken consonants. 'D-, D-, D—'

My patience frays instantly, because beneath his panic is a cold sliver of fear that's already sliding into me. 'I said "breathe," not move up the alphabet.'

Finally, between gasps, he gets it out. 'Douglas came to school.'

For a second, the name means nothing. My brain scrambles, clumsy, until the connection clicks. Douglas Davenport. The evil brother.

My mouth goes dry. 'Who's Douglas?' The question feels useless the second it leaves my lips.

'Mr. Davenport's brother. He's the evil one, you know. He said—'

Leo doesn't get to finish.

His feet leave the floor.

I blink, stunned, and there it is: the nightmare made flesh. Bald head. Muscular frame. That face.

Krane.

The man who kidnapped Bree and me. The man who could crush me like I'm nothing. My stomach caves inward, hollow with dread.

Leo shrieks, his voice cracking with raw terror, but Krane doesn't flinch. He simply slaps a huge hand over Leo's mouth like silencing a child.

'You two. Come with me.'

I spin, instinct screaming at me to run, but my body doesn't obey. My legs refuse, my arms lock stiff against my sides. It's like invisible chains are welded to my muscles. My breath hitches in panic. He's controlling me. I'm a puppet, and Krane holds the strings.

I don't even resist when we're shoved into the van.

The interior is dark, metallic, suffocating. My heart slams against my ribs as my eyes adjust—and then I see her.

Tasha.

She's curled into the corner, shoulders hunched, eyes wide with terror. When she sees us, her face breaks in despair. 'No, no. Not you two, too.'