Nora and Lila stepped inside together, closing the door softly behind them.
Dr. Rowan looked up at once. Her blonde hair was pinned in its usual elegant twist, not a single strand displaced. Her charcoal suit fit perfectly, classic and sharp, and her deep red lipstick made her look like she'd stepped straight out of another era.
But when her gaze fell on Nora—and then Lila—her expression softened.
"Nora," she said warmly. Then, with a small nod: "And Lila Morwyn. Please, sit—both of you."
They sat side by side.
Dr. Rowan folded her hands. "Tell me what's brought you here."
Nora took a shaky breath. "I… need to request a temporary withdrawal. And so does Lila."
Dr. Rowan's brows lifted. "Both of you?"
Lila squeezed Nora's knee. "I'm not letting her do this alone."
Dr. Rowan studied her a moment—almost as if she recognized something in her—before turning back to Nora. "Explain from the beginning."
Nora pulled the folded parchment from her bag and set it on the desk. Dr. Rowan's breath hitched ever so slightly.
"May I?"
Nora handed it over.
The moment Dr. Rowan saw the crest—the crescent moon curling around an ancient symbol—her posture stiffened. Her thumb traced the mark with delicate reverence.
Then she schooled her expression and handed it back.
"I see."
"You recognize it," Lila said quietly.
Dr. Rowan hesitated—then shook her head."No. But I can tell it wasn't sent lightly."
Nora's voice trembled. "I don't know these people. I don't know the place. But I feel like I have to go."
"If this is connected to your mother's family…" Dr. Rowan said softly, eyes warming with something like memory, "then it may be important. Life-changing."
"You think I should go?" Nora whispered.
"I think," Dr. Rowan said gently, "that when the past reaches out… it does so with intention."
Lila took Nora's hand.
Dr. Rowan slid two forms toward them. "Temporary leave. I'll handle the processing myself. Neither of you will lose your place here."
Nora stared at her. "Why are you being so… kind?"
Dr. Rowan looked at her with an expression that almost broke.Some mix of grief, tenderness, and something unspoken.
"Some journeys," she said, "you were always meant to take. And none should be taken alone."
Lila signed quickly. Nora followed, hand trembling.
As they stood, Dr. Rowan murmured:
"You look so much like her… it's almost startling."
Nora froze. "Like who?"
Dr. Rowan's face shuttered instantly."No one. Safe travels, both of you."
They left.
Outside the office, the air felt cooler. Different.
Lila nudged her. "You okay?"
Nora nodded slowly.
But something inside her had shifted.
Dr. Rowan's reaction.The crest.The mist this morning.The summons.
Everything was pulling her toward Wolf Creek.
As they walked down the hallway, the final thought pressed heavy in Nora's chest:
Whatever awaited them at Wolf Creek Manor…
It was already calling both of them. 🌙🌙 End of Part Two 🌙🌙