The neighborhood slept beneath a moonless sky.

No wind disturbed the trees. No dogs barked behind fences. The only sound came from the distant hum of power lines stretching across the darkness like invisible threads.

An unknown figure moved between the houses.

His footsteps were silent on the pavement. Familiarity guided him more than sight. He crossed a lawn, stepped onto a small porch, and tested the front door.

Unlocked.

The door opened without a sound.

Inside, the house was still.

A faint blue glow spilled from beneath a partially opened bedroom door. The figure slipped through the darkness and entered.

The room belonged to a teenage girl.

She was asleep, curled beneath a blanket. One arm hung loosely from the side of the bed. Beside her lay a phone, its screen dark.

The figure approached.

For several moments he simply stood there.

The room showed traces of ordinary life. Schoolbooks stacked near a desk. A jacket thrown over a chair. Notes pinned carelessly to a wall. The quiet evidence of someone expecting another day.

His gaze settled on the phone.

Earlier that day, she had complained that it refused to charge.

The memory surfaced without effort.

He picked up the device.

The battery icon blinked red.

Dead.

He searched for the charger, found it tangled beside the bed, and plugged it in. The screen lit up almost immediately.

A small green symbol appeared.

Charging.

The figure placed the phone carefully where it had been before.

For a brief moment, he looked at the sleeping girl.

Then he turned away.

The bedroom door closed softly behind him.

A minute later he was outside again.

The night remained unchanged.

Silent.

Empty.

Patient.

He crossed the narrow distance between two neighboring houses.

This one was locked.

A thin metal tool appeared in his hand.

Seconds later the lock clicked.

The figure entered.

The glow of a television flickered across the living room walls. Some late-night program played to an audience that wasn't watching.

A girl slept on the couch.

One arm rested across her chest. A blanket had slipped halfway onto the floor. The television's shifting light washed over her face in pale flashes.

The figure watched her.

No hesitation.

No uncertainty.

His hand disappeared into his coat and returned holding a syringe.

He stepped forward.

The needle pierced the side of her neck.

The girl stirred.

A weak sound escaped her lips.

Then nothing.

Her body relaxed.

The television continued talking to itself.

The figure lifted her from the couch with practiced ease.

One arm fell limply over his shoulder.

He carried her toward the door.

Outside, the darkness welcomed them both.

The television kept playing long after they were gone.

Morning sunlight slipped through the curtains and fell across Nova's room.

She groaned and rolled over.

For a few seconds she simply stared at the ceiling, trying to convince herself that getting out of bed was a terrible idea.

Then something clicked in her mind.

"My phone."

Nova sat up abruptly.

Last night she had been too tired to deal with it. The battery had been dying, the charger had refused to work, and at some point she had simply fallen asleep.

She reached toward her bedside table.

The phone was there.

Charging.

Nova blinked.

"Huh?"

She grabbed it and stared at the screen.

Ninety-eight percent.

The charging cable was plugged in perfectly.

For a moment she frowned.

"I don't remember doing that."

She tried to think back.

Nothing.

She remembered lying down.

Scrolling through messages.

Getting tired.

Then...

Nothing.

Nova shrugged.

"Sleepy me is apparently smarter than awake me."

The mystery lasted all of three seconds before she unlocked the phone.

A notification sat at the top of the screen.

School Notice: Classes Suspended Today.

Nova stared.

Then reread it.

Then reread it again.

"No way."

Her eyes widened.

"No way!"

She threw her blanket into the air.

"YES!"

The room echoed with her celebration.

No classes.

No assignments.

No teachers.

No waking up early for absolutely no reason.

This was the greatest morning of her life.

Nova collapsed back onto the bed with a grin.

Then another thought struck her.

Emily.

She immediately opened her contacts and pressed call.

The phone rang twice.

"Hello?" Emily answered, sounding half asleep.

"Emily."

"What?"

"Tell me you've seen the school announcement."

A pause.

"What announcement?"

Nova gasped dramatically.

"You don't know?"

Emily groaned.

"Nova, if this is another meme—"

"Classes are suspended today."

Silence.

Then:

"...You're lying."

"I'm not!"

A rustling sound came from the other end.

Several seconds passed.

Then a loud yell exploded through the speaker.

"Oh, let's go!"

Nova laughed.

"I know, right?"

Emily sounded considerably more awake now.

"So what are we doing?"

"What do you mean?"

"We have a free day."

"Good point."

Nova sat upright.

The possibilities suddenly seemed endless.

Emily spoke first.

"We could meet up."

"Definitely."

"Grab food."

"Definitely."

"Walk around town."

"Definitely."

"Annoy Simon."

Nova laughed.

"Absolutely definitely."

Emily snorted.

"Then it's settled."

Nova smiled.

A completely free day stretched ahead of them.

Neither of them knew that while they were making plans, someone else's morning had begun very differently.

She got out of bed and walked toward her wardrobe.

The room was clean as always.

A football rested beneath her desk. Several books were stacked beside her bed, some finished, others abandoned halfway through. A skateboard leaned against the wall near the door.

The room still felt temporary in places. A few unopened boxes sat in one corner, leftovers from the move to Havenfall months ago.

Nova pulled open the wardrobe and searched for something to wear.

A few minutes later she was dressed and ready.

She left her room and headed downstairs.

The television was already on.

Her mother sat on the couch with a mug of coffee in hand, watching the morning news.

"Morning, Mom."

Her mother looked over and smiled.

"Morning."

Her eyes moved up and down briefly.

"I see you're dressed up already."

Nova grinned.

"Just going out with some friends."

"Friends already?"

Her mother raised an eyebrow.

"You never cease to amaze me with how quickly you get along with people."

Nova laughed.

"I learned it from the best."

She walked over and wrapped her arms around her mother. Her mother chuckled and returned the hug.

"Flatterer."

Nova rested her head on her shoulder for a moment before pulling away.

"Maybe."

Her mother pointed a finger at her.

"Enjoy your day, but don't be late."

Nova immediately knew where this was going.

"Sofia's Passion?"

"The last episode."

"The last episode," Nova repeated dramatically.

"You know how important this is."

"I know."

"You missed the season finale of Detective Streets."

"That was different."

"It absolutely was not."

"It was."

Nova laughed as her mother leaned forward and kissed her cheek.

"Just be home before it starts."

Nova picked up her phone from the table.

"Trust me, I wouldn't want to miss it either."

"Good."

With one final smile, Nova headed toward the door. The morning sun spilled across the front yard as she stepped outside.

For the first time in days, she had absolutely nothing she needed to do.

Emily and Simon were already seated inside the Glasslight Café when Nova and Anthony arrived. For a moment, Simon leaned back in his chair.

"Seems we're the first ones here."

"Yeah," Emily replied, eyes fixed on her phone.

Simon tilted his head.

"What are you looking at there, Emmy?"

Without looking up, she answered.

"Your pictures online."

Simon blinked.

"…Oh."

Then he grinned.

"Aww, you're starting to have a crush on me. Makes you look more adorable."

Emily finally looked up at him with a flat expression.

"Don't get ahead of yourself."

Simon chuckled.

Footsteps approached from outside. Nova stepped in first, followed by Anthony.

"Seems we two decided to arrive earlier," Anthony said.

"And you two decided to arrive late," Simon replied immediately, "at the same time."

Nova dropped into a chair.

"I thought I'd be the last one here, actually."

Emily stretched slightly.

"I was going to be last. I slept at like 4 a.m."

Anthony glanced at her.

"You sleep late."

"You have no idea what happens at night," Emily said.

Anthony raised a brow.

"Nightmares?"

"My brain is imagining other things involving vibrations," Simon added casually.

A beat of silence.

"Ew, no Simon," Emily said, immediately laughing.

Nova shook her head, smiling. For a few seconds, the table settled into easy laughter. Then Nova leaned forward.

"So… where are we going for our lovely freeze day?"

"I'm not sure," Anthony admitted.

"I was thinking cinema," Emily said.

"That's very cinematic of you, Emy," Simon said, "but I think the best place is the abandoned rollercoaster park."

Nova blinked.

"Abandoned?"

"Yeah. Abandoned," Simon repeated, smiling.

"I've never been there," Anthony said.

"Me neither," Emily added.

Nova looked between them.

"So I'm guessing that's where we're going."

Simon stood up first.

"Ahh yeah. Let's get going, kids."

They left the café together, stepping out into a day that felt far too normal for what had happened the night before.

Cyrus walked alone toward the Hill of Edenus.

The path was quiet, worn down by time and footsteps that no one remembered.

With each step, he spoke under his breath.

"I am Cyrus Karmen."

A pause.

"Today is 8 March 1997."

Then again.

"I am Cyrus Karmen. Today is 8 March 1997."

The words didn't change in tone. They didn't rise or fall. They simply existed, repeated like something being checked for stability.

"I am Cyrus Karmen. Today is 8 March 1997."

The hill rose slowly ahead of him.

And he kept walking.

---

By the time he reached the top, the city of Havenfall spread out beneath him.

Lights. Roads. Movement that looked distant enough to feel unreal.

He stopped near the old tree at the edge of the hill.

That was when he noticed her.

A girl stood there first.

She had already turned toward him.

For a moment, Cyrus hesitated.

His weight shifted slightly backward, as if deciding whether the correct action was to leave.

The girl spoke before he could decide.

"There's no need to leave just because I'm here."

Silence.

Then Cyrus stayed.

He walked past her and stood beneath the tree instead, facing the city below.

The wind moved lightly through the branches above him.

He exhaled.

Havenfall stretched out in front of him like a thought that refused to settle.

"I missed you, Cyrus."

Elizabeth stood beside him, watching his face as if expecting something to return to it.

Cyrus didn't turn.

For a moment, he stayed focused on the city below.

"It doesn't hurt to say it back, you know," she added quietly.

Cyrus exhaled once.

"I think about you," he said. "But I can't say I feel what people usually mean when they miss someone."

Elizabeth tilted her head slightly, as if accepting an answer that didn't quite belong to her.

A pause settled between them.

Then she spoke again.

"Today is Freeze Day."

Cyrus repeated it under his breath.

"Freeze Day."

"It's going to be one hell of a day," she said. "Don't you think?"

"I don't know what it is," Cyrus replied. "Freeze Day."

Elizabeth gave him a small, knowing smile.

"Of course you don't."

She stepped closer to the edge of the hill.

"You have a lot to learn."

Cyrus finally looked at her—but not fully, not for long.

"About what?"

Elizabeth glanced back at him.

About to answer.

Then she simply said,

"C'mon. Let's go."

"Where?"

She shrugged lightly.

"I don't know."

A faint smile crossed her face.

"Somewhere you're supposed to remember."

Elizabeth began walking down the hill.

For a moment, Cyrus remained beneath the old tree.

The wind moved through the branches overhead.

Below him, Havenfall stretched toward the horizon. Roads crossed through neighborhoods. Cars moved like tiny insects. Smoke rose from distant chimneys.

Elizabeth had already reached the path when she turned around.

"Coming?"

Cyrus looked at her.

Then at the city.

Then back at her. As she walked in front of him, he felt at peace.

"...I suppose."

A small smile appeared on Elizabeth's face before she continued down the hill.

Cyrus followed.

The path wound between patches of grass and old stone steps. Fallen leaves gathered at the edges. A few birds occasionally crossed overhead.

Elizabeth walked a few meters ahead of him.

Cyrus watched her.

Not because he was suspicious.

Not because he was curious.

At least not entirely.

Following her simply felt... acceptable.

Comfortable.

Which was unusual.

Most people exhausted him.

Most conversations felt like puzzles he had to solve.

Most relationships felt like obligations he failed to understand.

Yet walking behind Elizabeth felt natural.

As though it was meant to be.

The thought lingered briefly before disappearing.

The two eventually reached the streets of Havenfall city centre.

The city was lively.

People filled the sidewalks. Loud noises of excitement came from them.

Children ran between groups of adults.

Music played from portable speakers.

Colorful banners hung between buildings.

Several local businesses had decorations hanging in their windows.

The atmosphere felt closer to a festival than an ordinary day.

Elizabeth spread her arms dramatically.

"Behold."

Cyrus glanced around.

"A city."

Elizabeth sighed.

"You are impossible."

They continued walking through the crowd.

People laughed.

Street vendors shouted prices.

Someone was performing tricks for a gathering audience.

The scent of baked food drifted through the air.

A group of children rushed past them carrying balloons.

Cyrus watched them disappear into the crowd.

"Why are there so many people outside?"

Elizabeth looked genuinely surprised.

"It's Freeze Day."

"I still don't know what that means."

"You will."

Before Cyrus could ask another question, Elizabeth suddenly changed direction.

He watched her approach a small ice cream stand.

The vendor greeted her with a smile.

"You again?"

"Me again."

"Same thing?"

"You know me too well."

The vendor laughed. A minute later Elizabeth returned carrying two ice creams. She held one toward Cyrus.

He stared at it.

"What is this?"

Elizabeth froze.

"You are joking."

"I know what ice cream is."

"Good."

"But why did you buy one for me?"

Elizabeth looked at him for several seconds. Then shook her head.

"Because I wanted to."

Cyrus accepted it.

The answer seemed sufficient.

The two continued walking.

For a while neither spoke.

Around them, Havenfall continued celebrating.

People gathered in small groups. Families sat together.

Friends wandered from shop to shop. For a city supposedly full of mysteries, everyone seemed remarkably happy.

Eventually Elizabeth slowed near the center square.

A large crowd moved around them.

She looked toward the people.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

Cyrus followed her gaze.

"The architecture?"

"The people."

Cyrus remained silent.

Elizabeth smiled.

"Isn't it beautiful how people gather together like this?,to have fun and enjoy holidays with smiles."

She pointed toward the crowd.

"Families."

A group walked past.

"Friends."

Another group crossed the street laughing.

"Couples."

Someone carried a child on their shoulders.

"They celebrate. They talk. They spend time together."

Cyrus nodded.

"I suppose it is enjoyable."

"It is."

For a moment Elizabeth simply watched them

Then she asked:

"How many people live in Havenfall?"

Cyrus answered immediately.

"Approximately one hundred and eighty-three thousand."

Elizabeth looked amused.

"That's what you think."

Cyrus frowned.

"It is the recorded population."

"Can you tell me who died yesterday?"

"No."

"Can you tell me who was given birth to yesterday?"

Cyrus stopped walking.

The word lingered.

Born.

He looked at her.

"What is giving birth?"

Elizabeth stared at him.

For a brief moment, something strange crossed her expression.

Something between sadness and concern.

Then it vanished.

She looked away.

"I'll explain later."

Cyrus continued watching her.

"That wasn't an answer."

"I know."

They resumed walking.

Elizabeth pointed toward a man standing outside a bookstore across the street.

An elderly man in a long coat.

"See him?"

"Yes."

"Mr. Neo."

"What about him?"

Elizabeth tilted her head slightly.

"You say there are one hundred and eighty-three thousand people in Havenfall."

"Correct."

"Then tell me something."

She glanced at him.

"How do you know they're all people?"

The sounds of the city suddenly felt more distant.

Cyrus looked back toward the old man.

For the first time, he realized he had never once questioned the answer.

Kingsmere Box Street

Matt's car slowed as it approached the Freeze Day gathering area. At the Box street known for it's ,many clubs and parties . Music could already be heard in the distance. Lights. Movement. The kind of energy that made the entire city feel slightly unstable. People were already gathered in lines ,some drunk and enjoying parties.

He parked.

Before he stepped out, a girl leaned toward him from the passenger seat.

Natasha.

"You'll be quick, right?"

Matt glanced at her.

"Yeah. I've got something to handle first."

She smiled and leaned in. They kissed briefly—natural, familiar, practiced more than emotional. His hand was wrapped on her neck as if he was going to strangled her but it was gentle.

When she pulled back, she opened the door.

Then paused.

Her hand checked her pockets.

A small silence.

"My phone…"

Matt exhaled, already reaching across the seat. He picked it up from where it had slipped beside her.

He handed it to her without looking annoyed.

"You keep forgetting this."

She smiled slightly, almost apologetic.

"Sorry…Daddy"

He corrected her automatically, tone light but firm.

"Don't lose it again."

She nodded, still smiling.

"Okay."

She stepped out and closed the door.

Matt watched her walk away for a second longer than necessary. Then he drove away slowly as he saw all the people who has been in the street ,seeing them made him - smile ,as they looked at this car .

After few blocks he stooped his car ,parked next to the XS club,Billie was already standing outside waiting for him.

Then his phone buzzed.

Natasha: I already miss you.

A photo followed.

Matt didn't smile immediately—but when he did, it was quiet and self-satisfied.

Not warmth.

Recognition.

Billie stood beneath the glow of the city lights, a drink resting casually in her hand. Her dark hair flowed past her shoulders, framing a calm, confident expression. A fitted lime-green crop top hugged her figure, leaving her midriff exposed, while a short cream-colored skirt wrapped closely around her hips and thighs, accentuating her silhouette. The outfit was simple yet striking, drawing attention without seeming forced. Under the moonlit sky, she carried herself with effortless confidence, as though the bustling city around her barely existed.

She walked towards Matt's car and knocked on the passenger side window,he looked at her and nobbed.

Matt slipped the phone into his pocket and stepped out of the car.

"Get in," he said.

Billie hesitated slightly.

"What do you think of my outfit?"

Matt looked at her briefly.

Then at the street around them.

People were already moving through Freeze Day crowds.

"Don't stand there too long," he said.

She frowned.

"That's not an answer."

Matt opened the passenger door.

"Get in."

A pause.

Then she did.

As he started the car again,then looked at her as she was sitting next to him.

She looked back at him and smiled as she fixed herself slightly.

"what color are your panties?",he looked at her short skirt.

"I'm not wearing any" ,she smiled.

Spreading her legs opened hoping he sees.

"We are in public - you're my property not the public's property. They shouldn't be seeing you like this" ,Matt started driving the car.

"But you told me to not wear them whenever I'm with you" ,Billie was pulling down her skirt hoping it magically becomes longer than it was.

Matt's car pulled away from the noise of Box Street.

The city there never really settled. Even during Freeze Day, it felt like it was refusing to pause—horns, overlapping voices, bursts of laughter that didn't quite match the tension in the air.

He turned the wheel, merging into a quieter road.

Billie sat in the passenger seat beside him, relaxed but observant in the way she always was around him. Not nervous. Not fully at ease either. Just aware.

Matt noticed that.

He liked that about her more than he ever admitted.

Most people around him either tried too hard to impress him or faded into the background. Billie didn't do either. She stayed present.

That made her harder to ignore.

"Bank first," Matt said, glancing at her briefly. "Then we go."

"Cash for what?" she asked.

"Because I don't like depending on systems that slow me down," he replied simply.

Billie smirked faintly. "You mean ATMs hurt your feelings?"

Matt didn't answer, but the corner of his mouth moved slightly.

They pulled into the bank area—modern glass structure, clean lines, too calm compared to the rest of the city today. People moved in and out quickly, like they were trying not to linger anywhere for too long.

Inside, everything was controlled silence.

Matt moved through it like he belonged there more than anyone else. Staff recognized him immediately. That familiar shift in posture. That automatic attention.

He didn't rush. He never rushed in places like this.

At the counter, he spoke casually with the clerk—polite, confident, just enough charm to make the interaction effortless. Billie watched from a distance, leaning slightly against a pillar.

She was used to this version of him.

The version that didn't need to raise his voice to be obeyed.

When he finished, he walked out with her.

The air outside felt slightly different now. Warmer. More unstable. Like the city had shifted while he was inside.

That's when he saw them.

Billie was already speaking to a man near the curb.

Matt slowed.

The man wasn't dressed like someone from her usual circle. Older. Calm posture. Not reacting to the environment the way most people did today.

Billie turned slightly when she noticed Matt approaching.

"Matt—wait, it's okay, he's—"

"Who is he?" Matt asked immediately.

The question wasn't loud.

But it didn't need to be.

The man looked at him briefly, then back at Billie, as if the situation didn't require escalation.

Billie stepped forward slightly.

"He's my cousin."

A pause.

Matt didn't respond right away.

His eyes stayed on the man.

Not anger first.

Assessment.

That was always the first step.

The man began to turn away. Matt stepped forward.

"Don't walk away."

The man stopped—but didn't turn back fully.

That irritated Matt more than resistance would have.

Billie moved quickly.

"Matt, stop. He's literally my cousin."

Matt finally looked at her.

For a moment, something softer was there. Not vulnerability exactly. More like hesitation he didn't like showing.

Then it disappeared.

"Then why is he here now?"

Billie exhaled sharply. "Because families exist outside your schedule."

That landed.

Not as an insult.

As an interruption of control.

Matt stepped closer to the man again, tension tightening in his posture.

The man finally turned.

Looked at him properly.

And then simply said:

"I'm leaving."

No threat. No challenge. No fear.

Just removal of himself from the situation.

That bothered Matt more than anything else.

He stepped forward as if to block him. The man adjusted his path slightly, bypassing him without contact, and continued walking away down the street.

No reaction.

No engagement.

Just absence.

Silence settled for a second.

Billie looked at Matt.

Not afraid.

But watching.

Waiting for what version of him would respond.

Matt didn't speak immediately.

Something in him wanted to force the moment back into control.

But there was nothing left to control.

Only distance.

Finally, he exhaled once.

Then turned.

"Get in the car," he said.

Billie followed without arguing.

Inside, the door closed.

The engine started again.

And for a moment, neither of them spoke as the city moved past them like nothing had happened.

But something had shifted.

Just slightly.

Not in the world.

In him.

Rollercoaster Park,Edenus 6th Avenue

Emily was taking a picture of Nova at the gate of the rollercoaster park, adjusting the angle as Nova posed casually, half-smiling under the fading light.

Simon stood slightly off to the side, reading a weathered poster near the entrance.

"Enjoy the ups and downs," he muttered to himself. Then he glanced back at the others.

"If you really had the chance to ride these, you'd understand what it means to enjoy the ups and downs of life."

Anthony gave a light shrug. "Maybe it's just because you were young. That's why you think like that."

Simon didn't answer immediately, still looking at the faded artwork of looping tracks and rusted rides.

"I heard the owner of this place had the best engineers build these rollercoasters," he said instead.

"You'd make a great storyteller," Nova replied as Emily snapped another picture of her, this time mid-pose.

A strange silence followed for a moment—nothing heavy, just the kind that sits between thoughts.

Emily lowered the phone slightly, reviewing the image.

Behind them, Anthony's attention drifted to a strange duck statue near the fence line, its shape slightly off compared to everything else around it.

"…alright," Anthony said finally, turning back toward the entrance.

"Let's go check if these ancient machines still work."