The air behind the school was unnaturally still, carrying the heavy scent of damp earth. Anastasia glanced around nervously, clutching the crumpled letter in her hand.
"Patricia… I don't like this place," she whispered.
Patricia frowned, her instincts on edge. "Neither do I. Stay close."
Suddenly, a shuffling noise broke the silence. Out of the shadows, three large figures emerged—masked, broad, and menacing. The glow of a cigarette lit up one man's grin.
"Well, well. Look what we've got here," the first goon sneered, tossing the stub to the ground.
Patricia's stomach dropped. "This… this isn't Devin and Lucian," she muttered, stepping in front of Anastasia.
Before they could react, one of the goons lunged. Patricia's reflexes kicked in—her knee shot up, connecting sharply with his jaw. The man staggered back with a grunt, cursing.
Another grabbed Anastasia's arm, but she twisted, using all her strength to slam her elbow into his ribs. He groaned, stumbling, but before she could escape, the third goon appeared from behind, a syringe gleaming faintly in the moonlight.
"Patricia!" Anastasia cried, just as he jabbed her. The sting of the needle pierced through her skin, and a burning numbness spread instantly through her veins.
Patricia knocked down her opponent with a wild punch, but as she turned to help Anastasia, the syringe met her too—shoving a strange liquid into her system.
"Run…" Patricia's voice slurred as her knees buckled. Anastasia tried to fight, but her vision blurred, the world spinning out of focus.
The last thing they saw before darkness swallowed them was the masked men dragging them deeper into the shadows.
High above, Ellie's delighted laughter echoed through the night. Nikki, pale and trembling, turned her head away.
"They're mine now," Ellie whispered to herself, eyes gleaming with triumph.