Starkville was louder than usual that night.
Plates clattered against tables, glasses chimed softly, and conversations overlapped in a comforting chaos. For once, the world felt almost harmless.
Julian took a large bite of his food.
And immediately regretted it.
"—ACK—"
He slammed his fist against his chest, coughing violently.
Sebastian looked up at once. "Julian."
Julian waved him off between coughs. "I'm—cough—fine—why is this—so dry—"
Wendy stared at him flatly. "You eat like you're racing death."
Julian grabbed his glass and gulped down the water. "If death wants me, it can wait until dessert."
Sebastian didn't smile. His eyes had already shifted away from the table, scanning the room instinctively.
Then—
A scream pierced the air outside. Sharp and panicked.
Sebastian was on his feet before the echo faded.
"Outside," he said.
They rushed toward the entrance, pushing past frozen diners. The night air hit them hard, along with a growing crowd gathering near the side of the building.
A body lay sprawled on the pavement.
Blood pooled beneath it, dark and spreading.
Julian stopped short. "…You've got to be kidding me."
Wendy's breath caught. Her eyes scanned the scene automatically—the angle, the position, the people watching from a distance.
Sebastian crouched beside the body, his expression cold, focused.
"Not an accident," he said quietly.
Julian blinked. "You didn't even touch him yet."
Sebastian pointed. "Wrists. See the marks?
Someone grabbed him before he went over."
He shifted slightly.
"And the way he landed. If he jumped, the impact would've been different."
Wendy swallowed. "So… he was pushed."
"Yes."
Sebastian's gaze lifted slowly toward the building. One window on the upper floor stood open.
"The restaurant was loud,"
Sebastian continued calmly.
"Perfect cover. No one would notice a struggle."
Julian let out a humorless laugh. "So let me get this straight. We finally sit down for a peaceful dinner—"
"And someone dies right outside," Wendy finished.
Sebastian rose to his feet. "Not just someone."
Both of them turned to him.
"He wasn't random," Sebastian added. "This timing isn't a coincidence."
Julian frowned. "You thinking what I'm thinking?"
Sebastian's jaw tightened. "I have no idea."
Sirens arrived quickly.
Patrol cars sealed off the street as officers pushed the crowd back. Red and blue lights washed over the pavement, cold and mechanical. The body was covered, lifted, and placed into a forensic vehicle without ceremony.
Just another case.
Sebastian stood silently, observing every movement. The procedures, the timing, the bystanders. Too clean and deliberate.
"Let's go," he said at last.
"Forensics will want statements."
They decided to walk. The forensic unit wasn't far. The night air felt heavier now, as if the city itself was holding its breath.
Julian muttered under his breath, rubbing the back of his neck,
"You know… I'm starting to think this city hates us personally."
Sebastian didn't answer. His mind was still replaying angles, distances, and the open window above the restaurant.Wendy walked a step behind them, clutching her notebook tighter than usual.They were halfway across the street—
Headlights flared suddenly.
A horn blared, sharp and violent.
"Julian—!"
Sebastian turned.
Too late.
The car slammed into Julian, throwing him sideways onto the pavement. His body rolled once before stopping, unmoving.
"JULIAN!"
Wendy screamed.
Sebastian ran to him, dropping to his knees.
"Julian, stay with me. Look at me."
Julian groaned faintly. "Wow… I didn't even get dessert…"
Sebastian forced his hands to stay steady as he checked Julian's condition.
Then,he noticed the car.
It didn't stop.
It sped away into the night.
For a split second, through the rear window—
He saw her.A woman in the passenger seat.
Her face turned slightly.
Their eyes almost met.
Sebastian froze.
That face was familiar. Painfully familiar.
The car disappeared.
"Seb…" Wendy's voice trembled.
"The car… it ran away."
Sebastian stood slowly, fists clenched so tightly his knuckles whitened.
"I saw someone," he said quietly.
Wendy looked at him. "Who?"
Sebastian didn't answer. His gaze remained fixed on the empty road.