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"If you want to stay behind, I understand," Finn said. "Really, I can handle this."
They had just pulled up to the curb in front of an old multi-story building. Painted on the cracked brick exterior was an outdated mural proclaiming "Mystic Insights" with a picture of a crystal ball underneath. This was where Sage Walker conducted her palm readings.
Sheila stared up at the fire escape that crawled serpent-like up the side of the building, trying to shake off the uncomfortable feeling gnawing at her insides. She couldn't help but remember her unsettling experience with Autumn Wood, and she wondered what secrets Sage might reveal about her. Did she really want to know the truth?
"No," she said, deciding she wasn't going to run away. "I'm not going to leave you to do this alone. We're a team, right?"
"Right," Finn agreed with a nod, his eyes crinkling in reassurance. "We've got each other's backs. But if you need a break...don't be afraid to take it, okay?"
Sheila nodded. Then, taking a deep breath, she opened the car door and stepped out, followed closely by Finn. The entrance led into a large, cavernous lobby. The air was stale and heavy, filled with an almost oppressive silence. Sheila shuddered as a chill raced down her spine.
"Fourth floor," Finn murmured as they approached a narrow staircase that seemed to spiral upwards into darkness. "That's what the sign said."
With each creaking step, Sheila's heart thudded louder in her chest, her anxiety growing as they climbed higher.
"Are you sure you don't want to reconsider?" Finn asked again, noticing her white-knuckled grip on the stair rail.
"Positive," Sheila replied through gritted teeth, her determination overriding her unease. "Let's just get this over with."
Upon reaching the fourth floor, Sheila and Finn were greeted by a narrow waiting area adorned with an eclectic mix of furniture. A plush velvet chair stood next to a worn wooden bench, while a small glass coffee table displayed a stack of dog-eared magazines. The walls were decorated with framed artwork depicting celestial bodies, mystical symbols, and tarot cards. Sage's office door was closed, with a sign on it indicating that she was in the middle of a reading.
"Guess we'll have to wait," Finn said, taking a seat on the bench.
Sheila nodded but didn't sit; instead, she began pacing the room, her eyes darting around as if seeking an escape from her uneasiness. Her fingers twitched at her side, itching for the comforting weight of her kickboxing gloves. She tried to focus on her breathing, recalling the countless hours of training that had taught her how to center herself in high-pressure situations.
"Try to relax, Sheila," Finn said, watching her fidget. "You're making me nervous."
"Sorry," she muttered, forcing a weak smile. She picked up one of the magazines from the table and began flipping through it, her eyes not really registering the words or images.
As Sheila attempted to distract herself, she couldn't help but overhear a muffled conversation coming from behind Sage's door. Though she couldn't make out the exact words being exchanged, she could tell that one of the voices belonged to a man, and his tone was growing increasingly agitated.
"Hey, Finn, do you hear that?" she whispered, her grip tightening on the magazine.
Finn leaned closer to the door, listening intently. "Yeah," he replied, his brow furrowing in concern. "Sounds like an argument."
"Should we do something?" Sheila asked, feeling a surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins. Her instincts told her that something wasn't quite right, and she couldn't shake the feeling that danger was lurking just beyond that closed door.
"Let's give it a minute," Finn said, his hand instinctively moving to rest on the holster at his hip. "We don't want to barge in if it's just a heated discussion. But if things escalate..."
Suddenly, a woman's scream pierced the air, and Sheila's heart leaped into her throat. She immediately dropped the magazine and rushed to the door, trying to turn the handle, but it was locked.
"Damn it!" she exclaimed, panic rising in her chest. "Finn, we need to get in there!"
"Stand back," Finn said, positioning himself in front of the door. He reared back and kicked it with all his might, but the door didn't budge. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he tried again, only for the same result. "This thing must be reinforced—or barricaded somehow."
"Shit," Sheila muttered, her mind racing. They had to find another way in before someone got hurt—or worse. She scanned the hallway, her gaze landing on a nearby window. An idea struck her, and she hurried over to it, peering outside.
The fire escape was just below the window, its metal structure clinging to the side of the building like a spiderweb. Though it looked old and slightly rusted, it seemed sturdy enough to support her weight. More importantly, it ran right past Sage's office, where another window promised access to the room.
Her heart pounded in her chest as she climbed out onto the fire escape, gripping the metal railing tightly. The cold wind sliced through her clothes, but she couldn't afford to let it distract her. With each step along the narrow platform, the screams and crashes from inside the room grew louder, fueling her determination.
Stay focused, she told herself, trying to silence the fear creeping into her thoughts. You can do this.
Her breaths came in short, shallow gasps as she continued to navigate the fire escape, feeling the adrenaline surge through her veins. As she neared the window leading into the room where Sage conducted readings, she couldn't help but think of all the time she had spent honing her body into a weapon—training for moments just like this one.
"Almost there," she whispered, steeling herself for whatever lay on the other side of the glass.
As she reached the window, she hesitated for only a moment before peering inside. Her eyes widened in horror at the scene unfolding before her: A large man, his face twisted in rage, had his hands wrapped around the throat of a woman who could only be Sage Walker.
