When the last message from Sara faded from the screen, Amy stared at it for a moment longer than she meant to.
It was late.
She stretched slowly, arms above her head, shoulders tight from lifting boxes most of the afternoon.
Her gaze drifted toward the still-unopened crates near the wall — tools, devices, some archived files. She'd gone as far as she could tonight.
With a quiet breath, she tapped the side panel near the door.
A soft flicker shimmered in the air, and a well-dressed figure materialized — a translucent man in a neutral-toned suit, posture impeccable.
"Orrin," she said, stepping aside.
"Welcome back, Miss Amy," the hologram replied with a crisp bow. "Might I say, the house is already livelier with your presence."
Amy smirked. "Could you finish organizing the boxes near the east wall? Closet and studio labeling. Just make sure everything stays in the same room."
"Of course. Nyxara always said you'd be the sort to leave half the work to the help." His tone was drier than usual — almost amused.
Amy rolled her eyes, but the smile stayed.
"Goodnight, Orrin."
"Sleep well, Miss Amy."
She did.
…
The morning sun filtered through the curtains, soft and warm. Amy woke to the gentle vibration of her phone against the nightstand.
[Lumi 💫]: What happened yesterday?? You vanished!! You alive?? Are we going out today or WHAT 💥
Amy blinked at the message, thumb hovering over the screen.
She hadn't told them.
Not Lumi. Not Risa. Not anyone.
She sat up slowly, running a hand through her hair. The mansion's quiet was different now — filled with her presence again.
She started typing.
[Amy]: Sorry. I moved out yesterday. Back to my grandmother's house.
[Lumi 💫]: WHAT.
[Lumi 💫]: And you didn't TELL US?? 😤
[Amy]: It was… fast. I meant to. Just got lost in it.
[Lumi 💫]: That's a big thing to forget to tell your friends.
[Amy]: I know. I'm sorry.
There was a pause. Then:
[Lumi 💫]: I forgive you, but only if you feed me today 😌
Amy laughed softly and typed:
[Amy]: Deal. Are you free?
[Lumi 💫]: I'm always free for food. I'll ask Risa. Wanna pick us up?
Amy paused.
She opened her closet. Most of her clothes were functional, practical. The idea of long-term survival was creeping in again — and she realized, with quiet horror, that she'd packed only what she needed to stay alive. Not to blend in. Not to charm. Not to date.
And she was supposed to be dating Sara.
Apocalypse armor didn't exactly scream "romantic."
She typed again.
[Amy]: Actually… I need help picking out clothes. For future dates. With… Sara.
[Lumi 💫]: OHMYGOD FINALLY you say it.
[Lumi 💫]: This is now an emergency mission. Fashion rescue. Risa will love this. I'll get her. You bring the car.
[Amy]: Be ready in an hour.
Amy grabbed the key to the Midnight Linx from the drawer and headed down the stairs, her boots echoing softly against the polished floors.
The mansion didn't feel empty anymore.
It felt like it was waiting.
So was she.
…
The Midnight Linx purred like a whisper as Amy pulled up to Lumi's building.
A second later, Lumi and Risa burst out the front door, arms full of bags that definitely didn't contain emergency gear.
Risa stopped dead in her tracks. "Wait. That's not the Lilac Ghost."
"Nope," Lumi said, eyes wide. "And it's not the Specter either."
Amy stepped out and leaned against the car. "Get in."
Risa blinked. "When did you get a new car?"
"I didn't. I've had it."
"You've had this?" Lumi circled the sleek black frame. "This is… like, heiress-level mysterious rich girl vibes."
Amy smirked. "Funny. Get in before I drive away."
They piled into the back, still talking over each other as the Linx eased back into motion. Its engine barely made a sound.
"Why have we never seen this one before?" Risa asked, poking at the seat settings.
"It's for when I want to be invisible," Amy replied.
Lumi rolled her eyes. "You're literally glowing in this car. No one's missing you."
Amy only smiled, eyes on the road.