The screen light did not go out.
The symbol that had formed remained lit, still, as if waiting to be understood. Its reflection fell on the cracked marble floor, creating strange shadows that seemed alive if stared at for too long.
Richard Blackwood stood closest.
His gaze did not shift.
He memorized its shape.
Every line.
Every angle.
"Direction," he said simply.
Daniel reacted immediately.
The device in his hand lit up brighter.
His fingers moved quickly, trying to match the pattern to the city map.
"This isn't regular coordinates... but wait..."
The graphics on the screen changed.
Several points flickered.
Then one of them
lit up brighter.
"Found it."
Leonard Graves grinned faintly.
"Of course he left a clue. Too confident, isn't he?"
The child did not join in the joke.
His eyes were still fixed on the symbol.
"We aren't invited..."
he whispered softly.
"...we're being lured."
Silence fell.
But no one stepped back.
Richard turned around.
"Location."
