Vince woke up abruptly from a terrible dream. He scratched his head, still groggy.
Fernan… I know we have to act now. Your memories… they're starting to fade.
He checked the time—it was three in the afternoon. He quickly stood up; he had to prepare everything before heading back to the warehouse.
When he stepped out of his room, he found Thalia by the window again, map in hand, gazing out over the forest below.
Thalia noticed him and turned his way, but said nothing. She kept holding the map he had given her.
Vince sat at the table, spotting leftover food from earlier. He furrowed his brow.
Did we have visitors while I was asleep? he wondered, noticing the cleaned plates and utensils.
"Did anyone come by while I was sleeping?" he asked.
"Yes," Thalia replied briefly.
"Who?" he asked, grabbing a plate—his stomach already grumbling with hunger.
"Aunt mentioned Ericka, Chesca, and Gerald—Ericka's childhood friend," she answered simply.
Vince paused. He stared at her.
Gerald? Could that be William's brother? And Ericka… and Chesca?
"Did you meet them?" he asked again, chewing on his food.
Thalia shook her head.
"Why not?"
Thalia let out a quiet sigh before answering, still not looking at him.
"I went out, but I didn't catch up with them."
Vince simply nodded. He finished eating quickly, gulped down some water, and started preparing to leave.
"I won't stop you from doing what you want, Thalia," he said as he turned toward his room.
"I know what you mean—I won't go near the warehouse without your knowledge."
"Good."
He headed to his room, exhaled deeply, and looked at himself in the mirror.
Am I making the right decisions?
Vince sighed again and walked over to his closet. He picked a simple, comfortable outfit—something he could move easily in. Once dressed, he left his room. Thalia was still sitting silently where he had left her.
"I'm heading out," he said.
Thalia simply nodded.
Vince went to the small car in their garage, started it, and drove straight to the warehouse. The trip wasn't long by vehicle.
When he arrived, he parked immediately. As he stepped out, he caught the distant, thoughtful stares of William and Zenne. He furrowed his brows and approached them, tapping them both lightly. They tapped him back and exchanged a meaningful look.
He nodded, yawned, and decided to visit Charles first.
Same old, same old, he thought as he walked past the rooms. The stench of people met his nose again.
He heard it all—laughter, muffled voices, pain-filled cries, desperate pleading. No matter how many times he experienced it, Vince never became numb to it.
He shut his eyes tightly and tried to block it all out. But it wasn't easy.
Damn it! he cursed inwardly, quickening his pace toward Charles.
He reached the room quickly. Turning the doorknob, he stepped inside quietly and shut the door behind him.
Charles was already there, standing, waiting. From the look of him, he hadn't slept either.
"Explain yourself, Vince."
Vince didn't have to ask what he meant. He knew—this was about Thalia.
He sighed. "Do I really need to explain?"
"Yes. You didn't tell me Thalia was here," Charles said firmly.
"Felix asked me to do it. I didn't have much of a choice—it was his decision."
"You could've talked to me. Challenged Felix. At least informed me. You know how complicated things are, especially with Felix's siblings involved."
"You don't have to remind me, Charles. I know we're already deep in this mess. But I—no, we—need to see it through. I won't let our cousins' deaths be in vain."
Vince narrowed his eyes.
"What's going on with you? Your guard's up more than usual."
Charles let out a long breath. "It's nothing."
He changed the subject. "I've got a mission for you."
Vince looked at him, curious.
"This might sound paranoid, but I need you to carry it out. Identify anyone who might betray us."
"Betray?" Vince echoed.
"That's the feeling I've got. There are eyes watching us—ones we don't even know about."
Vince nodded. "Okay."
"And please… be careful."
"I will. Thanks."
After the conversation, Vince left.
Betrayal…? he thought, stepping out into the afternoon light. Who would betray us now?
The sunlight warmed his face. The forest swayed gently in the breeze. He stretched his arms and exhaled.
Suddenly, his phone rang.