Light filtered softly through the yellow curtains.
Too soft.
The kind of light that belonged in a memory, not reality. It painted warmth across a couch Hale didn't remember lying on. The room smelled of dust, chamomile, and old books.
His head pounded.
His throat was dry.
His heart knew something he didn't.
He sat up fast too fast and nearly collapsed.
"Where the hell am I…?"
The blanket draped over him was unfamiliar. Heavy. He stood, legs unsteady, and pushed through the nearest door. It led to a hallway.
Too neat. Too quiet. Too clean for something real.
Family portraits lined the walls. Smiling faces in gentle lighting. Time had been kind to this place.
And then he saw the photo.
The Photo
Framed on a side wall.
Ivy.
A younger version of her hair in loose curls, grinning. Her uncle stood beside her, and an older woman her aunt, maybe pressed close behind.
They were happy.
Not in a forced way.
Genuinely happy.
That's what unsettled him.
Hale stared at the photo, not because it shocked him… but because it was peaceful. And he didn't know how to trust that feeling anymore.
Bodily Collapse
A wave of nausea struck.
His stomach twisted violently, like it hadn't been fed in days. He stumbled into another room bathroom, barely making it to the sink before vomiting.
He clutched the basin, cold sweat running down his back. He looked into the mirror.
Didn't recognize what stared back.
He looked like the ghost of someone who used to be Hale.
"You found the bathroom before I told you where it was."
The voice came from behind him. Calm. Curious. Male.
Hale turned, breath catching.
A man stood at the threshold, arms crossed, gaze observant.
Gyroson
He stood like the world had made space for him.
Six feet tall, maybe a little more. Hair swept back, silver at the temples like time had tried to touch him and failed. A faint scar ran along his jawline.
He wore an old wool coat, dark as smoke, and a watch that ticked just slightly too loud.
His voice?
Deep. Calm. Velvet around gravel.
The kind of voice that made you want to sit up straighter.
"You found the bathroom before I told you where it was," he repeated casually.
"I… just followed instinct," Hale said, unconvincingly.
Gyroson's smile was warm.
But it didn't reach his eyes.
"Instinct doesn't explain knowing a house you've never visited."
(beat)
"Unless, of course… this isn't your first time here."
Hale's blood ran cold.
He said nothing.
He passed out.
Waking Again
He opened his eyes slowly.
Back on the couch.
Blankets heavier this time.
Ivy sat nearby, relief flooding her face the moment she saw him stir.
"You're awake," she whispered.
A steaming mug sat on a nearby table. A lamp hummed faintly.
Across the room, Gyroson sipped tea.
"Where… where am I?" Hale's voice rasped.
"You're at my uncle's," Ivy said softly. "You passed out at the hospital… He picked you up."
Gyroson offered a dry grin.
"Not exactly a five-star hospital, but our towels are fluffier."
Hale frowned. "Hospital…?"
Ivy nodded. "You've been out for three and a half days."
"You scared me, you idiot." Her voice cracked through a smile. "I've never seen anyone sleep like that and not be a corpse."
Gyroson raised his mug.
"If I didn't know better, I'd say you two were halfway to marriage with that level of panic."
Hale managed a weak chuckle.
But inside, something was wrong.
Something Breaks
Gyroson passed him a glass of water.
Hale reached out
And his mark pulsed.
Not burned. Not screamed.
Just… pulsed. Like a heart answering something far away.
He flinched.
No one noticed.
But the water vibrated slightly.
Ivy's eyes flickered like something brushed her mind too quickly to catch.
She blinked. Said nothing.
Hale sipped slowly.
"You're lucky she found you," Gyroson said with a smile.
"Most people aren't that lucky.
Especially not twice."
Hale's hand froze mid-sip.
Twice?
He never told Gyroson about the first time.