The damaged support beam was replaced before sunset.
Workers whispered among themselves as they secured the stage for a second time.
"It must've snapped."
"No, someone cut it."
"I heard the wood was rotten."
"No, it was the rope."
Rumors spread faster than the repairs.
Brook stood beside the stage, looking at the clean end of the rope.
It hadn't frayed.
It hadn't worn out.
Someone had sliced through it with a sharp blade.
Crowley walked over carrying a coil of fresh rope.
"What do you think?"
Brook looked around the square.
"Someone wanted the stage to fall."
Crowley nodded.
"But why now?"
Brook didn't answer.
There wasn't enough evidence to reach a conclusion.
Only questions.
By evening, most of the volunteers had gone home.
The square was almost finished.
Rows of colorful lanterns stretched from one building to another, gently swaying in the evening breeze.
Sera admired their work.
"It looks beautiful."
Brook looked around.
"It does."
She smiled.
"You actually admitted it."
"I never said it didn't."
"You usually avoid compliments."
Brook shrugged.
"I just don't think about saying them."
Sera laughed.
"I know."
She checked the clock tower.
"It's getting late."
"I should head home."
Brook nodded.
"I'll walk with you."
The streets were quieter now.
Shopkeepers closed their doors while families gathered for dinner.
The smell of grilled meat drifted through the neighborhood.
Children chased fireflies near the sidewalks despite their parents calling them inside.
Brook and Sera walked in comfortable silence.
It was something they'd always shared.
They never felt the need to fill every quiet moment with words.
After a while, Sera spoke.
"Do you remember this street?"
Brook looked around.
"The one with the old oak tree?"
She nodded.
"We used to race here."
A small smile crossed Brook's face.
"You always cheated."
"I did not."
"You started running before I counted to three."
"I was enthusiastic."
"You were impatient."
She bumped his shoulder playfully.
"I still beat you."
Brook laughed.
"You won once."
"I won twice."
"You've been telling that story for ten years."
"Because it's true."
Brook shook his head.
"I'll never admit it."
"You just did."
They stopped outside a small playground.
It was empty now.
The swings moved gently in the breeze.
Brook walked toward one of them and sat down.
The chains creaked softly.
"I haven't been here in years," he said.
Sera sat on the swing beside him.
"My father used to bring me here every weekend."
Brook smiled.
"My parents too."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The playground held memories that hadn't faded with time.
"I still remember the day everything changed," Sera said quietly.
Brook lowered his eyes.
"The Experiment."
She nodded.
"I was only seven."
"I remember people running."
"I remember everyone shouting."
"My mom grabbed me so tightly it hurt."
Brook looked toward the ground.
"I remember waiting."
Sera turned to him.
"Waiting?"
"For my parents."
He swallowed.
"They said they'd be home."
"I waited outside our apartment until it got dark."
"They never came."
Sera reached over and gently placed her hand on his.
"You weren't alone."
"I know."
"My family found you."
Brook nodded slowly.
"I'll never forget that."
A cold breeze swept through the playground.
Brook looked toward the northern Wall.
Even from here, it dominated the skyline.
Silent.
Unmoving.
Watching over the city.
Or trapping it.
Sometimes he wasn't sure which.
"You still think they're alive?" Sera asked.
Brook didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
"Why?"
He took a deep breath.
"I don't know."
"It doesn't make sense."
"But every time I try to believe they're gone..."
He looked at the Wall.
"...something tells me the story isn't finished."
Sera smiled softly.
"Then we'll keep searching."
Brook looked at her.
"We?"
She rolled her eyes.
"You really thought I was letting you do it alone?"
Brook laughed.
"I guess not."
As they stood to leave, Brook noticed something lying beneath the old oak tree.
A folded piece of paper.
He frowned.
"I don't remember that being there."
He walked over and picked it up.
There was no name on the outside.
Only one sentence written in neat black ink.
The truth isn't outside the Wall.
Brook's smile disappeared.
Slowly, he unfolded the rest of the note.
Inside was another message.
Stop looking beyond the Wall.
Start looking beneath it.
Before Brook could say a word, a gust of wind slipped through the empty playground.
The paper was torn from his hand and carried into the darkness.
He ran after it.
But by the time he reached the street...
It was gone.
Only silence remained.
Sera caught up beside him.
"What happened?"
Brook stared into the empty road.
"...Someone knows I'm searching."
Far above them, hidden on a nearby rooftop, a hooded figure lowered a spyglass.
Without making a sound, they disappeared into the night.