I didn't tell Lena or Ava what I saw next.
Because I wasn't sure I believed it myself.
But all through class, the image kept coming back — that building. That door. The person waiting inside like they'd been expecting me.
It felt too real to ignore.
So after school, I went looking for it.
I didn't take the usual route home. Didn't check my messages. Just walked.
And somehow, I knew where to go.
Down a side street behind the old mall. Between two abandoned shops. There it was.
A plain, gray building.
No sign. No windows.
Just a door.
I stared at it for a long time.
Then I reached out.
The second my fingers touched the handle—
A voice from behind me.
"You're early."
I turned fast.
A man stood there.
Not the same one from the cafeteria. Younger. Wearing a simple jacket instead of a suit.
He smiled like this was normal.
Like he hadn't been watching me.
Like I hadn't seen him before.
Except I hadn't.
Or had I?
"You're not supposed to find us," he said. "We find you."
I swallowed hard. "Who are you?"
His smile didn't fade.
"We're the ones who've been helping you," he said. "Even when you didn't know you needed help."
I took a step back.
He didn't follow.
"Come inside," he said. "You already know how this ends."
And damn it…
I think I did.