{{Unedited}} Vincent spent most of his time in the lab with Klara, Sabine, Chamber, and Kirra. A day passed, and another… and Austin and Marielle mostly avoided one another; or rather, Marielle avoided Austin as best she could. He seemed to be doing the same, but it was difficult to tell being right next to …

{{Unedited}} By the time that a week had past, Austin had slipped into a cycle that was unrelenting and entirely dissatisfying every…single…night. The time involved a dark room, bright screen, entertaining his familiars with high anticipation, and low satisfaction. However, that evening he had an idea that flickered across his mind in bright neon. The …

{{Unedited}} Austin looked down at his left finger noting the new ring. It was black, matte and there was a small shimmering blue band of radianite in the center. It was otherworldly, but reminded him of ice. This ring had a secret, as did hers. He pulled it back from the base of his finger …

{{Unedited}} Austin hadn’t heard his own voice crying out her name. Nor would he remember rushing to her, and firing at the assailant with his arm gun long enough to take hold of Kirra’s wrist and pull her around the back of the fountain. He wouldn’t remember that he used his jacket to prop her …

{{Unedited}} Neither of them said a word the entire ride home and Marielle spent most of the time leaning against the window, sobbing, thinking about Austin and how more than anything she wanted to talk to him; to hold him. She’d felt the emptiness in him open up before she and Vincent left. No, not …

{{Unedited}} Austin dove into an ocean of open windows on his computer, attempting to entertain his demons. Each one turned to ash in his mouth, and crashed on his desolate mind like waves on the shore. He didn’t understand; his demons didn’t want him anymore or maybe… “I don’t want this anymore,” he whispered into …

{{Unedited}} “Love…” the whisper was distant, but still audible. “Love…” That time it cracked the silence like a gunshot. Vincent opened his eyes to the frail beauty before him. The room was black as it was the middle of the night. He glanced at the nightstand; past three in the morning. “Vincent,” she whispered again. …

{{Unedited}}   When they left the meeting room, they were met with a man somewhere between forty and forty-five. He had dark skin and eyes that were full of experience. He extended his hand to Austin. “Rancor,” he said and Austin took his hand and gave him a strong handshake. “I’m Aaron Falk.” Austin’s gaze …

{{Unedited}} Vincent followed suit, slipping into his pants. “You’re going to leave me here?” Marielle asked twisting her fingers together. “He just revealed that he has no idea where you are… but he’s going to find out. So, you’ll be safe here. But he’s definitely at Valorant,” Vincent was saying as he pulled a shirt …

{{Unedited}}   A day had passed and not much had been said about the incident with Cory, nor had she had a lot of contact with Austin. Cory’s words twisted in her mind and her stomach, making her feel a deep sorrow and anxiety. She had compassion for Vincent and his situation and she understood …