"Seriously, Rob? Do we really have time for a party?" Zack crossed his arms as he eyed his friend, the dim glow of a streetlamp catching his look of disproval. "We still have no leads on where Greed is keeping Olivia and Kristian."


    "And you think we are going to make a massive break in the case tonight?" Rob asked, raising an eyebrow. "Nemo''s my lab partner and a great guy, plus he knows how to throw a party. We are nineteen, can''t we just be nineteen for one night?"


    "I guess one night won''t hurt," Zack relented, looking up at the house with party guests spilled out onto the lawn.


    "Exactly!" Rob''s grin was irrepressible, lighting up his face in a way that made him almost seem innocent. Almost. "We need a night of fun. It will clear our minds, so we can get back to searching with fresh eyes."


    Zack let out a sigh, his instinct was to text Deb to join him but that really wasn''t an option anymore. He pocketed his phone with a decisive click. "Alright, let''s let''s do this. But if it''s a bust, you''re buying me breakfast tomorrow."


    "Deal!" Rob said, already ushering Zack towards the home.


    Inside, the party was in full swing, red Solo cups in the hands of every guest as the music blared. Nemo, a muscular figure with deep dark eyes, toasted his own cup with Samantha, his sidekick for the evening.


    "Three months sober today," he confided to her, a note of pride threading through his words. His cup held nothing more intoxicating than tonic water.


    "Which is all the more reason to celebrate tonight," Samantha insisted, nudging him playfully. "You''ve earned this."


    "Plan on making the most of it," Nemo assured her, his gaze suddenly tracking to the front door where Zack and Rob had just stepped through.


    "Rob!" Nemo''s voice cut through the noise, high on excitement as he bounded over to him. Without warning, he took both of Rob''s hands in his, causing Rob''s face to turn red. "Meet me in the backyard later?" Nemo winked, before dissolving back into the crowd.


    "Sure thing, Nemo," Rob replied, a little too late to be heard, though he cast a glance at Zack as if to say, ''Can I?'' Zack gave him and nod and Rob followed after Nemo.


    Once they maneuvered behind the shed, slightly removed from the pulsing heartbeat of the party, Nemo leaned in, closing the distance between himself and Rob with a kiss, this one lingering like a promise.


    "You are really cute," he confessed, his breath warm against Rob''s ear. "I have wanted to do that since our first lab together."


    "Oh, wow, you are a good kisser," Rob murmured, doing his best to flirt.


    "I was hoping to do more than just kiss you," Nemo added, a touch shy now, as he caressed Rob''s chest.


    "Oh, right, yeah." Rob realized what Nemo wanted, he could feel his palms start to sweat. "I would... I would be down for that."


    "Cool," Nemo beamed, a playful glint returning to his gaze. "So, think you can sneak into the upstairs bathroom and grab some...protection?"


    "Your wish is my command," Rob quipped, winking as he turned to execute his mission—leaving Nemo alone in the quiet of the backyard.


    ---


    The car''s interior was dim as Deb and Ahmed drove through the city. Ahmed''s hand was steady, with his scabbed-over cuts still visible. I made Deb uncomfortable to look at, it seemed so familiar yet so foreign.


    "It''s healing up pretty nicely," Ahmed half-joked, looking over at Deb. Deb nodded before quickly adverting her gaze, her focus now outised her window.


    Deb''s eyes then scanned over some passing graffiti, squinting at one of the artworks. "Stop," she yelled, grabbing Ahmed''s arm. Ahmed slammed on the brakes, shooting her a look that screamed ''What the hell!''


    "Geeze Deb, you almost got us killed," Ahmed scolded, as he turned to meet her gaze. Deb didn''t say anything, she simply lined up his injured arm with the graffiti on the old home across from them.


    "It''s the same," Deb suddenly exclaimed, as the pair looked at the run-down home. Neither one was willing to leave their seat, unsure of what could be lurking inside. "Could they be in there?"


    "I mean it''s possible," Ahmed nodded. "But I don''t exactly have a weapon on me, what if it is guarded by vessels or something?" Ahmed shifted in his seat as he thought about it, he could feel a knot forming in his stomach.


    "Zack," Deb said, her voice urgent. "We need Zack."


    ***


    Nemo''s feet felt the cool grass beneath them, he had stripped down to his underwear while he waited for Rob to return. The night embraced him, and he practised different poses behind the shed, wondering which one would impress Rob the most.


    "Beautiful night for a celebration, isn''t it?" A voice cut through the quiet, silken and enticing.


    Nemo jerked around, startled and trying to cover himself up, to find a young man stepping out from the bushes, the moonlight giving him an otherworldly glow around his chiselled features. In his hand was a bottle of wine, adorned with a massive bow.


    "I''m so sorry, I didn''t think anyone else was out here?" Nemo explained, pulling his shirt back on over his head.


    "No I get it, got to have some fun while you can," the stranger replied, offering the bottle with a flourish. "Speaking of some fun, care for a drink?"


    The offer dangled before Nemo, as he looked at the clearly expensive bottle. "I... I can''t," he stammered, the struggle evident in his tone.


    "Ah, man of principal. I can respect that," the man smiled, moving even closer to the Nemo. He opened the bottle and took a swig. "You don''t mind holding this for me, do you? I need to take a leak." Nemo could smell the sweet wine on the young man''s breath, close up he realized just how much this man looked like Rb.


    Compelled by a force he couldn''t quite understand, Nemo reached out hesitantly, fingers brushing against the cool glass. "Yeah, I can hold it for you." He watched as the man turned and went deeper into the bush. Once out of sight, he looked down at the wine bottle, would a sip really hurt, he was celebrating after all.


    He brought the bottle to his lips, the liquid inside touching his tongue, and for a moment Nemo was reminded of how much he loved the taste of it. He never noticed that the man had vanished or the wind had begun to pick up. He didn''t see the vines slithering toward him until it was too late. with a single gasp, they dragged Nemo into the bushes, where no one could hear him scream.


    ***


    "Hey, Deb!" Zack called out, waving her over to the front yard of the party. "What did you need to talk about?" He smiled seeing her make her way toward him.


    "Sorry we couldn''t explain over the phone but we think we found something" Deb huffed, breathless as she approached with Ahmed in tow. She thrust forward Ahmed''s arm and her phone with the photo of the home with the graffiti on it. "They match don''t they?"


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Zack studied the mark, his face a mask of concentration. "They are similar, that''s for sure. How exactly did Ahmed get these cuts?"


    But the answer would have to wait. Rob burst through the front door with a look of worry on his face. "Hey, have any of you seen Nemo out here?"


    "Wasn''t he with you?" Zack asked, turning to face him.


    Rob shook his head, his voice tinged with panic. "He told me to go get.... a drink. And when I came back he was gone, I''ve looked everywhere for him." Rob''s eyes continued to scan over the party-goers, "this is his place, he wouldn''t just go,"


    "Don''t panic, I am sure he just wandered off. Take me to where he was last and I''ll track his aura for you," Zack follow Rob to the backyard, ready to help his friend. Deb and Ahmed followed too, hoping to discuss their findings further after locating the missing Nemo.


    They arrived together behind the shed, only to be greeted by an eerie silence and a single, open bottle of wine lying discarded on the ground. Zack looked confused "You are sure you were back here?"


    "Of course I am sure, I haven''t even had a drink yet." Rob tapped his foot impatiently on the grass. "Why?"


    "Because the only aura here is yours," Zack whispered, feeling an unease settle into the pit of his stomach.


    ---


    John''s shadow paced back and forth across the polished concrete floor, his hands folded neatly behind his back. The click of his boots echoed through the large loft space.


    "Kyle''s on his way," Ethel said, as she set her phone down. She was perched on the edge of her desk, her dark eyes fixed on John as he paced.


    "Great," John muttered, the word laced with sarcasm. "Because spending an evening with the guy who turned me into this is always a pleasure."


    "Only a sin can unlock your forgotten memories," Ethel replied, unfazed by his tone. "He''s all we got."


    "Yeah, well, Zack doesn''t trust him, and neither do I." John stopped pacing long enough to lock eyes with her.


    "Zack isn''t you Supreme John. I am, you need to trust me," Her words were pointed, demanding an affirmation.


    "I do, Ethel. But Kyle..." He shook his head, frustration evident in every line of his body.


    "Nobody likes Kyle," she said flatly as if stating a universal truth.


    The door swung open, and Kyle stepped into the loft, his presence immediately filling the space with an uncomfortable energy. "Heard my name. Hope you''re not talking behind my back," he quipped, a half-smirk playing on his lips.


    "Wouldn''t dream of saying anything about you behind your back," Ethel shot back, crossing her arms. "We don’t like you."


    "Charming as ever." Kyle’s gaze shifted between them. "But let''s get down to business. Touching souls, seeing lives—it''s messy, dangerous work."


    "And you can do it?" John asked, skepticism heavy in his voice.


    "Let''s find out." Kyle approached John, who stood rigid, preparing himself. A finger reached out, barely touching John''s temple.


    As Kyle''s eyes glowed orange, John''s body slackened, his breaths coming slow and deep. In the trance, images flickered past: a flash of Kristian''s smile, the darkening scowl of Danny.


    "Got something," Kyle announced, his voice low but triumphant. "Kristian and Danny are together. Danny is keeping him locked away. He''s got plans—something about Ethel saving them or else..."


    "Or else what?" Ethel interjected, her face pale.


    "Or they die by the 15th," Kyle finished, just as Ethel''s phone began to ring. She glanced at the screen—Zack''s name lit up.


    "Now who could that be?" Kyle remarked, but Ethel ignored him, answering the call.


    "Ethel, we think we might have found where greed is keeping Olivia," Zack''s voice came through, urgent and filled with hope.


    "Okay, text me the address and I''ll meet you there," she responded, looking over at John. Every second mattered now. She hung up, turning to Kyle and John.


    "You two are coming with me, Zack thinks he has something," she declared, making her way to the door.


    ---


    The amber glow of the streetlights illuminated the small home, where Zack stood with his arms crossed, standing guard in front of it. Ethel exited the home, her eyes scanning the desolate space, landing on Ahmed who held out his arm, showcasing the cuts that had become the night''s unsolved riddle.


    "Well, was there anything in there?" Zack urged, his voice low and insistent as tried to read the disappointment on Ethel''s face.


    Ethel''s gaze was dismissive, and she barely spared the blemish a second glance before saying flatly, "It''s a dead end."


    "Nothing?" Ahmed muttered, pulling his sleeve back down. "It felt so real in my vision and the graffiti looks exactly like it."


    "You''re seeing meaning where there isn''t," Ethel snapped, her patience wearing thin. She turned her sharp gaze to Zack. "You''re sure he can be trusted?"


    "Are you sure we can trust you?" Deb interjected, stepping forward with a tilt to her chin.


    "Excuse me?" Ethel raised an eyebrow, turning her full attention to Deb despite Zack''s protests. "Zack, remind me, who freed Gluttony from his prison?"


    "Hey, now," Rob cut in before Zack could respond, he placed himself between Ethel and Deb. "Fighting isn''t going to help us find anyone. Remember we are all on the same team here... we should be focusing on finding Oliva and Kristian and possibly Nemo."


    "I don''t know if I can trust a killer," Deb retorted sharply, her words hanging heavy in the air.


    "what are you... oh, you still don''t know the truth about that night do you,?" the realization dawned on Ethel, she almost laughed at the whole situation.


    "Look," Zack interjected, taking Ethel aside with a gentle firmness. "She doesn''t need to know what Father Bill was doing that night, it won''t fix anything."


    "Won''t it?" Ethel asked, raising an eyebrow. "She should know he was trying to kill you." She glared back at Deb. "We''ll be going now Zack, good luck with her."


    As Ethel stalked off, frustration radiating from her as she went, Zack let out a sigh, exchanging weary glances with his friends. The group''s energy had dwindled to nothing. "Let''s call it a night," He said.


    ---


    Later, amidst the hushed whispers of turning pages in the university library, Rob hunched over a scatter of books, his brow furrowed in concentration. Zack sat adjacent, lost in thought, his fingers tapping an uneven rhythm on the table.


    "Do you think that symbol could be some ancient pictogram? Or maybe—" Rob mused aloud, his theories trailing off as he caught Zack''s distant expression.


    "Zack?" He nudged his friend, trying to reel him back from wherever his mind had wandered.


    "Hmm?" Zack''s attention snapped back. "Right, the symbol could be anything."


    "Ok, what is up with you?" Rob asked, leaning back in his chair with a thoughtful frown.


    "Deb, she doesn''t know why Ethel placed that curse on Father Bill." Zack explained, "She sees the man who tried to kill me as a hero,"


    Before Rob could speak, the young Filipino and Chinese freshmen walked by, engaged in a quiet, intense conversation. A flicker of something unreadable crossed Zack''s face as he watched them leave, something familiar about the pair.


    "Supremes?" Zack said abruptly, standing up and shuffling his books into a bag. "They aren''t human." Rob followed his gaze.


    "Those two don''t look all that tough, are you sure?" Rob asked, also gathering his things.


    "Very," Zack said, never taking his eyes off the pair. "We need to keep an eye on them too."


    "Great," Rob said flatly, "I will add that to our list of things to do, speaking of which basketball practice starts in ten minutes," both boys zipped up their backs and raced out.


    ---


    The scent of varnished hardwood and the echo of whispered voices filled the gym as Coach Reynolds paced before the team, his gaze sweeping over the young athletes. "Gentlemen," he began, his voice resonating with a seasoned timbre, "Basketball is like the Stock Market. It operates on two fundamental principles—any guesses?"


    A sea of hesitant faces met his question until Zack''s hand shot up, causing the group to fall silent. Coach Reynolds'' eyes narrowed skeptically. "Zack, if you need to use the restroom, now''s the time."


    Undeterred, Zack leaned forward, his voice steady. "Risk and reward, Coach."


    Astonishment flickered across Coach Reynolds'' features before giving way to a broad grin. "Exactly! Just like in basketball."


    "Speaking of risk," the coach continued, turning his attention back to the group, "who’s up for a challenge?"


    Rob, quick on the draw, threw his hand up before the coach could elaborate, nearly hitting Cody, who was seated next to him.


    "Here''s the game," Coach said, ignoring Rob''s hand. "Make a three-pointer—you skip suicides." He paused for effect, then pointed at the towering figure of Cliff. "And Cliff here says they''re not that hard anyway."


    "Who''s first?" Coach challenged, locking eyes with Zack. The weight of expectation hung heavy in the air.


    "Oh did I forget to mention, miss your shot and you add twenty push-ups to everyone''s workout," Coach added, his expression unwavering.


    "Or..." his voice trailed off, purposefully inviting the suspense, "you can choose not to play. But remember, your past experiences inform whether or not you take the risk. So, what’ll it be, Dawson?"


    Zack''s mind raced as he looked from the ball to his team and then to the net. After a moment that stretched too long, he shook his head. "No, I''m out."


    A murmur rippled through the team. "Fair enough," the coach said turning back to the rest of the team. "Would anyone else like to give it a go?"


    Rob stepped up, his hand extended for the ball, the entire team groaned, already knowing exactly how this was going to end. Suddenly the melody of a phone call filled the space.


    "Oh shit!" Rob called out, racing back to his bag by the bench. He fumbled through his things until he finally found it in the bottom of his bag. He went to turn it off when a text message from Lindsey arrived.


    "A young man named Nemo Hardez was reported missing this morning. According to an eye witness, he was last seen leaving the party with you. You need to call me right away, we need to get to the bottom of this as soon as we can, please call me back." Rob froze staring down at the message, it felt like all the air had just been sucked out of the room.