As the train screeched to a stop at the seaside station, the group stepped off into the salt-kissed air. Laughter echoed from the others, stretching and groaning from the long ride, but Jace's mind was elsewhere.
He glanced at the girl the same one Johan warned him about.
"Hey," he said casually, walking beside her. "You hungry?"
She looked surprised but nodded. "Yeah… I could eat."
Cut to a cozy seafood restaurant down the street…
They sat in a booth by the window, soft waves crashing in the distance. The girl poked at her food nervously, while Jace watched her with quiet intent.
"I know who you are," Jace finally said, voice low. "You're part of Hostel, aren't you?"
Her fork clinked against the plate.
"I… I don't want to be," she whispered, trembling. "I was forced into it. They promised safety. A place to belong." Her voice cracked. "I didn't think they'd go this far…"
Tears welled up in her eyes, and before Jace could say anything
BAM!
The restaurant door burst open. Three figures in dark jackets, Hostel insignia stitched subtly into their collars, stormed in.
"There you are," one of them snarled.
"No please!" the girl backed up, but they grabbed her.
Jace stood up, fists clenched. "Let her go."
The lead member smirked. "Stay out of it, J High."
Before Jace could move, the group shoved past him and dragged her out onto the street.
Cut to the street outside, moments later…
Across the road, two figures sat under a parasol outside a cafe: Johan Seong and Olly Wang, an untouched meal between them.
Olly slurped his drink and leaned back. "Anyway, I'm heading out. You can pay for all this, right?"
"What?" Johan blinked, confused.
"You're good for it," Olly grinned, tossing a toothpick aside and walking off into the crowd.
With a sigh, Johan crossed the road and caught Jace by the arm.
"You want to go after them?" he asked flatly.
Jace looked up, surprised. "Why do you care?"
"I don't," Johan said. "But if you pay that restaurant bill Olly just dumped on me, I'll help."
Jace blinked, caught between disbelief and urgency. "...Fine."
Johan cracked his knuckles. "Alright then. Let's go get her back."
The unlikely duo turned toward the van disappearing into the coastal roads, the scent of sea breeze now sharpened by the promise of a fight.