The gymnasium lights felt harsh and artificial after the soft glow of the art exhibition, and the lingering scent of popcorn and cheap hot dogs hung in the air, a testament to the festival's end. The last of the families were filtering out, their chatter echoing in the large, emptying space.
Kofi stood by the exhibition panel, carefully taking down Thea's framed drawings one by one. Nina was beside him, handing him pieces of bubble wrap she had somehow produced from her bag, while Ruby was methodically wiping down the frames with a soft cloth before he wrapped them. Jake was on lookout duty, his eyes scanning the thinning crowd for any sign of Jessica, a self-appointed guard for an enemy that had already retreated.
