The house was alive again.
Voices echoed through the halls, bouncing off walls that had seen far too much chaos to ever truly feel quiet.
Kit slammed his cards down.
"I'M TELLING YOU, THIS GAME IS RIGGED—"
MJ leaned back, smirking. "You just suck."
"YOU'RE CHEATING—"
"I'm winning."
"That's not the same thing—"
Kavin groaned loudly. "Why do I even play with you people?"
Kanning didn't even look up. "Because you lose every time."
Aum sighed. "…This is painful to watch."
On the couch—
slightly away from the chaos—
Jay sat quietly.
Calm.
Composed.
Like always.
But today—
she wasn't in the center of it.
She leaned back slightly, eyes half-focused on the group, but not fully engaged.
Still recovering.
Still slower than usual.
Beside her—
Keifer.
Close enough that their shoulders brushed every now and then.
He glanced at her.
"…You're quiet."
Jay didn't look at him.
"…Too much noise."
Keifer smirked slightly.
"You were fine yesterday."
Jay exhaled softly.
"…That was before I almost lost to a fever."
A faint chuckle escaped him.
A moment passed.
Then—
Jay's hand moved.
Slowly.
Her fingers caught the edge of his sleeve.
Not obvious.
Not dramatic.
But she didn't let go.
Keifer noticed instantly.
Didn't react.
Didn't call it out.
He just shifted slightly closer.
"…Better?" he murmured quietly.
Jay nodded faintly.
"…Mhm."
Across the room—
Kit narrowed his eyes.
"…Something's weird."
MJ didn't even look up.
"You're weird."
Time passed.
Games turned into arguments.
Arguments turned into laughter.
Someone turned on music.
Someone else complained.
For once—
no danger.
No tension.
No enemies waiting in the shadows.
Just… them.
Jay leaned slightly more into the couch.
Relaxed.
Her head tilted just a little toward Keifer—
not enough for anyone to notice—
but enough for him.
And for a moment—
everything felt normal.
The lights flickered.
Once.
Twice.
Then steadied.
Aum frowned slightly.
"…Did you see that?"
Kanning looked up.
"…Yeah."
Kit waved it off.
"Relax, probably power issue—"
The lights flickered again.
Longer this time.
Jay's eyes sharpened slightly.
Something felt wrong.
The lights went out.
Darkness.
Silence.
Then—
glass shattered.
Windows exploded inward.
Figures rushed in.
Fast.
Coordinated.
Silent.
Not random.
Not sloppy.
Trained.
Everyone moved instantly.
Thyme tackled the first attacker.
MJ grabbed another.
Kavin swung without hesitation.
Chaos exploded across the room.
Keifer stepped forward—
dropping one—
then another—
movements sharp, controlled.
"Stay back," he said, without turning.
Jay ignored that.
She stepped forward—
instinct kicking in—
But—
her body didn't respond the same.
Slower.
Heavier.
She blocked one hit—
countered—
but staggered slightly.
"…Tch—"
Another attacker came.
She moved—
but too late.
A grip caught her wrist.
She twisted—
broke free—
but her balance slipped.
Her vision blurred for a second.
"…Not now…"
"Jay—!"
Keifer turned.
That moment—
was enough.
A strike hit him from behind.
He staggered.
Another blow—
stronger—
forcing him down to one knee.
Jay's eyes widened.
"Keifer—"
She tried to move—
but two men grabbed her arms.
She struggled—
but her strength wasn't there.
One by one—
they were restrained.
Not defeated.
Not broken.
Just—
outnumbered.
Kit: "WHAT IS THIS—"
MJ: "LET GO—"
Thyme struggling—
Kavin shouting—
Bindings locked.
Tight.
Precise.
They weren't trying to kill.
They were taking them.
Jay froze.
This wasn't random.
This was planned.
And for once—
she couldn't stop it.
Keifer looked up.
Breathing heavy.
Restrained.
"…You okay?"
Jay stared at him.
Even now—
that's what he asked.
Her jaw tightened.
"…Idiot."
But her voice—
was softer than ever.
They were dragged outside.
Cold air hit instantly.
Black SUVs waiting.
Engines running.
Doors open.
Jay struggled again—
weak—
failing—
Keifer was pulled closer—
just enough—
Their hands brushed.
Then—
held.
Tightly.
For a second—
everything else faded.
Then—
they were forced apart.
The doors slammed shut.
Engines roared.
The house—
once loud, alive—
now stood silent.
Empty.
And inside the moving vehicle—
for the first time in a long time—
Jay sat there—
weak—
powerless—
unable to fight—
watching everything slip beyond her control.
"…Not like this."