P-Popcorn?" Ralph asked, pulling out a whole-ass bag like this was movie night.
"That's... literally all we can do right now," Levi muttered, didn't take his eyes off the chaos.
I took some. I needed the salt to cope.
Just then, I saw Spencer pulling up from on top the roof like he was spiderman's broke cousin.
"Stay back my love, I'll save you!" He yelled, leaping from the warehouse rooftop like some bootleg anime protagonist.
"Shut up, perv," Levi cut in like a glitch in the matrix, swatting Spencer's moment out of the air.
Camille peeked in through the door, holding a book like it was a shield. "Umm… hi? Is this the—uh—wrong warehouse?" she mumbled, eyes scanning the overwhelming chaos.
Levi blinked her out of harm's way. "Watch your pages, bookworm. This ain't a library."
Michelle landed right after, flipping her hair like she wasn't fazed. "Ew. Smells like testosterone in here. And regret. Definitely regret."
"That's Jacob and Jamal... long story," I muttered, still trying to process what universe we were in.
"How did y'all even find us?" I asked, squinting at all the sudden cameos. "What, y'all got a group chat or somethin'?"
Goldie busted in with a random kid dangling from her grip like a handbag. "Anyone missing a child? Lyra? Did you forget you were pregnant? He was spying. Probably a future villain. Vibe-check him."
Perfect, just what we need right now. More mouths for the popcorn. I ain't giving no idiot my share.
Hold on. You know what? Screw this! I'ma just do an intro. I haven't really given yall a proper intro to my dumbass gang. I really need an escape from... whatever this is.
First we have stupid Goldie. Her full name is actually Goldara Sinclaire or some bullshit like that, but who cares? She's kinda one of those girls with generational wealth… you know, always best friends with their mama. Although she's an orphan now… who isn't? Am I right? Damn, tough crowd. Anyway, yeah, she's a pop singer, uses her fists... you can't catch her hands she don't need no blade... emotional, dramatic, freaks out over nothing, total dork. I could go on, but you get the gist. I met her when I joined that trashy school. She was my roommate. Still is. Even after we graduated. Like… girl, don't you have a whole mansion somewhere? Move out already!! Annoying.
Then there's Michelle. Michelle Addams. Sassy, rich, mirror-worshipper. If life were a high school movie, she'd be dating the quarterback and calling everyone "peasants." Also plays the violin and heals people cos.... why not?
Up next we have Spencer. DJ. Comic relief. Techno beats and pervy jokes. Think Sanji-meets-Jiraiya, minus the god-tier respect. Carries dual pistols and other guns, he basically a gun man. Surprisingly useful for someone who once flirted with a blender.
And Camille. Mystery girl. Always got a book in hand unless she's drunk or high, then she's the karaoke queen. And her voice is... Chef's kiss, literal hypnosis. If she hums, you're done for.
Then there's a dude named Ralph. Just met the guy. Band-in day, he got lumped with me, Levi, and Javi. Dude barely speaks, but I saw him punch a wall once and it begged for mercy. Still weak though, dude wet himself when he felt Levi's vibes. Just what you'd expect from an extra. He's a drummer BTW. But he's got brute strength. That's the résumé
Javi. Same story. Band-in day special. Carries around this massive hammer like he's ready to go Thor mode at any second. I don't know much else. Side character, quiet, vibes like he's seen things, like he's seen.... everything.
And finally Levi. They say save the best for the last right? He's my best friend. My number one. I don't usually do the whole "bestie" speech, but for him, I'd make an exception. We met the day I arrived at that shitty school and we've been tight ever since. He's calm, smart, cool, good-looking, basically everything I'm not. He manipulates time. Yeah. Time. No biggie.
Oh there's a last one, Elodie. My girlfriend. She's not here right now, but you'll love her. I know, I know.... "Elodie" sounds like she's got a castle in a Disney movie, but she's actually super chill. And a healer too. So yeah, that's a plus.
"What the fuck are you mumbling about lyra??? Is this your kid?" Goldie's stupid voice sounded louder than…. I don't even know what to compare it to. So guys, that's us. Like us? Probably not.
And Where's that murderer Jacob"
"Isn't that Jamal's kid we were supposed to rescue?" Javi asked, stuffing the last of his popcorn in his mouth.
"Nah, Kunal is. This dude's just some actor, the whole thing was a setup to trap us in here, right?" Levi asked, tilting his head at the kid.
"How did you know?" the kid asked, genuinely confused.
Levi smirked. "I'm not just good-looking."
"Yeah kid, he's smart too" Michelle added, eyes twinkling. "Like... 'crush-on-your-tutor' smart."
"We're still not hooking up Michelle" Levi muttered.
"Aww," she pouted.
"Can we talk about how insane that fight is, though?" Ralph said, tossing more popcorn to Javi. "That's peak trauma energy right there."
"Honestly," Javi nodded. "I'm just waiting for one of them to scream 'This isn't even my final form.'"
"Do you guys mind?!" I snapped. "Am I the only one who heard Goldie call Jacob a MURDERER?! Am I the only one who needs a damn explanation of everything that's freaking going on here???"
Everyone turned to camille when she finally muttered up the courage to speak, clutching her book like it was shielding her from judgment.
"Remember those rumors… about a Jacob who murdered his best friend? The Cursed reaper? " she said, eyes scanning everywhere but our faces. "Turns out, it was Jacob. Your supervisor. Your Harmonic."
The room went dead silent, even the popcorn froze mid-air in Javi's hand. Yeah... that's cap, I know.
Camille continued, voice still shaky but getting stronger, "Goldie freaked when she found out. Thought he'd snap and take the two of you out. She insisted we come find you."
"We used the tracker," Camille exhaled like she'd just swallowed an Everest-sized weenie. "The one the Ministry put in your briefing. That's how we found you."
Ralph blinked. "Hold up—the government's tracking us now? That's... actually kinda dope. I feel important."
"Focus, Ralph," Javi muttered, tossing him a kernel. "Murder mystery first. Existential crisis later."
Levi just sighed. "This day is like three seasons of Kdrama packed into one freaky warehouse."
"You guys are unbelievable" I snapped, my voice pitching into panic. "Jacob is right there, right there!!! Fighting Jamal. JAMAL. The same guy who made us both look like Tenten trying to solo Pain. And Jacob's making him look like a warm-up act! He's moving at godspeed, eyes like he's already buried us in his head, and you're all cracking jokes?! He's gonna win, and guess who's up next on the chopping block? US!!! And y'all are feeling important?! I'm cooked!"
"Shut the fuck up, scaredy cat!" Michelle barked back. "We don't even know if he's gone rogue. Those murder rumors? Still rumors!"
"Oh, he's guilty alright," Spencer muttered, pointing a shaky finger at Jacob.
All eyes turned.
Jamal was one the cold floor... lifeless.
And Jacob… was, Jacob was just standing there.... Holding his kusarigama. The chain wrapped loosely around his arm, the sickle-end dripping with... with blood. Staring at us like death had outsourced the job.
Like we were next.
No words. Just that cold, grim reaper energy.
Goldie blinked. "Okay… maybe I overreacted by calling him a murderer, but also? Maybe I didn't."
001 take over this shit, I'm done.
Just before we could move, before we could think of even stopping him. His hand was already buried deep in Camille's back, his hand gripping her heart on the other side like... like it was nothing.