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Movement.

Uneven.

Measured.

The rhythm wrong for this house.

I didn’t turn fully. Didn’t need to. The sound carried. Across the floor. Along the hall. Disturbing the pattern of silence that existed long before she entered it. It’d been consistent. Predictable. The clock. The crows. The low, controlled movement of those permitted inside it.

All of it contained.

Corrected when necessary.

But this.

This didn’t settle. And it didn’t like correction.

You found me out here, didn’t you?

A twitch came.

My fingers shifted against the cloth.

Yes.

The word didn’t leave me. It didn’t need to.

Yes, I did.

The sound changed again.

Closer—

No.

Further.

Then—

Slap.

Notes. Stacked.

Books.

My head turned. Not fully. Just enough.

You said I could be in the library. Are you telling me I can’t be there either?

My fingers tightened once against the cloth.

Beep.

The vibration came first. I reached into my pocket and pulled it free and hit the message, playing the audio out loud. A voice. Flat. Distorted.

“Last known location confirmed. Subject remains unaccounted for. Instructions pending… if you’re—if you’re listening to this, we’re waiting.” A pause. “Advise.”

Silence returned.