The wind howled between the crumbling buildings of the industrial district.Finn pulled his jacket tighter, glancing at Jax, who was already hugging himself like a scared little boy.
"Tell me again why we're walking here?" Jax whispered, glancing over his shoulder. "This place gives me horror movie vibes."
"Because this shortcut saves us ten minutes," Finn muttered. "And we don't have all night."
But then—he stopped.
Jax bumped into him. "Ow! What now?"
Finn held up a hand."Shhh… Listen."
A faint sound.Barely audible.A soft, broken whimper… like someone in pain.
Jax's eyes widened. "Was that… a ghost?"
Finn didn't answer. He was already moving, silently stepping toward the nearby abandoned building, the one that looked like it had been empty for years.
The noise came again. A soft cry. Then a cough.
This time, it was clearer.
"Someone's in there," Finn said, voice low. "And they're hurt."
"Let's just call Rayzen—"
"No time."
Finn pulled open the rusted door, the hinges screaming in protest.
Inside, the air was cold and heavy with dust. Light from the cracked windows barely reached the center of the room.But there—tied to a chair, bruised, lips trembling—was Alea.
"Holy sh—Alea?!" Jax gasped.
Finn rushed forward, crouching beside her. "Alea. It's me—Finn. You're safe now."
Her eyes fluttered open. "F-Finn…? Jax…?"
She tried to speak, but the pain was too much.Jax looked around, panicking. "Who did this? Who the hell did this?!"
Finn's eyes darkened. He already had a guess.
Selia.
And she didn't work alone.