The car rumbled along the desolate Outer Ring highway, its headlights cutting through the suffocating darkness. The stretch of road was devoid of life—no streetlights, no signs of civilization, just the endless expanse of dust and barren land stretching into obscurity.

Jane's hands gripped the wheel firmly, her expression unreadable as she kept her eyes on the road. The hum of the engine filled the silence, a steady drone that seemed to amplify the void between them.

Zhu sat slumped in the passenger seat, her cheek resting against the glass of the window. Her body ached with exhaustion, and her thoughts felt as scattered as the faint, dry wind kicking up dust outside.

The day had dragged on relentlessly—from the stubborn patient of Ether Recovery Institute to the tense conversation with Caesar, and finally to Lighter's cryptic help. Every step felt like chasing shadows, and now, she couldn't even tell if she was any closer to Elias—or Jaxon.

The car's vibrations lulled her into a brief, uneasy doze. Just as the road's rhythmic thrum began to drag her deeper into oblivion, a sudden jolt of realization snapped her awake. "Jane?" Zhu muttered, blinking away the fog in her mind. "Can I see that note? The one from Lighter."

Jane glanced at her; her face momentarily illuminated by the glow of passing headlights from an oncoming vehicle. Without a word, she reached into her jacket pocket, fishing out a crumpled napkin. Grease stains smudged its edges, evidence of the rushed diner meal they'd left behind. She handed it to Zhu with a casual flick of her wrist, her other hand never straying from the wheel.

Zhu unfolded the napkin carefully, her fingers smoothing out the creases. Two numbers were scribbled hastily in Lighter's handwriting. Her heart clenched as she stared at the first number—familiar yet unreachable. She recognized it instantly; it was tied to Elias's old contact. She'd tried it before. No answer. No pings. Just silence. She was sure indeed Elias is Jaxon.

Her gaze shifted to the second number, her chest tightening with cautious hope. This one was unfamiliar. Maybe this was it—a new lead, a chance to finally break through the wall of dead ends. She tapped her tablet, noting it down quickly. Her fingers hesitated over the screen for a moment, hovering as if the weight of her expectations might shatter the fragile hope she was clinging to.

"Thanks, Jane," Zhu murmured, her voice softer now, tinged with weariness. She leaned back in her seat, her eyes fixed on the note for a few seconds longer before slipping it into her pocket.

Jane glanced at her again, the corners of her mouth curling into a faint, almost invisible smile. She said nothing, letting the silence settle back into the car, but her grip on the wheel tightened just slightly.

Her eyes flicked to Zhu for the briefest of moments, catching the Captain's tired profile against the window. Zhu didn't notice the concern in Jane's gaze, her mind already preoccupied with her own spiraling thoughts.

As the car sped further into the city's faint glow on the horizon, Jane's jaw tightened imperceptibly. Her concern wasn't just for Zhu's exhaustion—it was the risk she was digging into without realizing the full cost. But Jane kept that thought to herself, burying it beneath the hum of the engine and the endless road ahead.

The desert stars twinkled brightly; their brilliance undiluted by the Outer Ring's light pollution. The Milky Way stretched like a shimmering river across the vast night sky, and in the distance, the jagged silhouette of far-off mountains rose against the horizon.

Zhu leaned her forehead against the cool glass of the window, her gaze fixed on the celestial spectacle. It had been so long since she'd seen stars like this—real ones, not digital recreations plastered on holo-screens. For a brief moment, she felt like a kid again, captivated by the wonder of something as simple and unreachable as the universe.

The faint glow of the city lights ahead began to creep into view, their artificial brightness signaling a return to reality. Beside her, Jane's mood seemed to lift as the familiar skyline drew closer. She glanced at Zhu, catching the faintest trace of awe on her Captain's face.

"Cap, care to spill another tea about this 'agent' of yours?" Jane teased; her smirk unmistakable as she tapped the steering wheel.

Zhu, startled from her thoughts, blinked and glanced at her partner. "Tea? Really, Jane?" she sighed, shaking her head with a half-smile. "Fine. You've been a big help tonight, I guess I owe you something." She fished into her pocket, checking her tablet again, her thumb scrolling absently through the empty notifications. Not a single update. No messages. Her smile faltered slightly, replaced by a tinge of disappointment.

"He might've ghosted me," Zhu admitted quietly, her voice trailing off. "Can't really blame him, though. I wasn't exactly the most... trusting person when it came to him. His case is—was—complicated." She glanced back out the window, her face dimly lit by the city's approaching glow. "And then there was that time he tried to reach me, but my phone was broken..."

Her brow furrowed as the memory bubbled up, uninvited. Right. That pre Nightro Fest mission. The undercover van had been parked in the wrong spot—thanks to Seth—and one of the bikers thought it would be funny to spray-paint "The Violators" across the side in neon green. The moment she'd seen it, her phone had slipped from her hand, shattering on the solid floor. She could still feel the simmering rage from that night, mostly aimed at Seth, who had looked sheepishly guilty but somehow also amused. Yeah, great job maintaining our cover, Seth.

Jane nearly choked on her own laughter. "Wait—what?!" she exclaimed, shooting Zhu a wide-eyed glance. "So, let me get this straight. You ghosted him first? With the classic 'sorry, my phone was broken' excuse?" Her voice pitched higher in mock incredulity. "Oh, no wonder he's MIA! The guy's probably off somewhere nursing his shattered heart!"

Zhu flushed a deep red, her mouth opening as if to retort, but no words came out. Instead, she stammered, "I—uh—it wasn't—look, that's not what happened!"

Jane's grin widened, her tone turning overly dramatic as she slapped the steering wheel for emphasis. "Oh, sure, Captain. Totally convincing. Poor guy's sitting in a corner somewhere, journaling about his heartbreak while you're over here playing detective like nothing happened."

Zhu buried her face in her hands, groaning. "Jane, stop! I didn't mean to ghost him—it was bad timing, okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, keep telling yourself that," Jane quipped, her laughter filling the car. "Just saying, next time he turns up, you might owe him more than an apology. Maybe throw in a coffee and some heartfelt groveling."

Despite her embarrassment, Zhu couldn't help but laugh softly, the tension of the day easing just slightly. Outside, the city lights grew brighter, their reflections bouncing off the car's dashboard. Whatever awaited her back in the city, at least for now, she could take a moment to breathe—and endure Jane's relentless teasing.

The city lights grew sharper as they approached the urban edge, casting flickering reflections against the windshield. Zhu, as relentless as ever, had already pulled out her phone, dialing Qingyi. Jane shot her a sideways glance, her smirk faltering into something more cautious.

"Cap, seriously, could you just drop the investigation for a bit? You look like you're running on fumes," Jane muttered, her tone laced with half-hearted frustration.

Zhu barely acknowledged her, pressing her phone tighter against her ear. "I've handled worse, Jane. This is nothing," she said, the words clipped with exhaustion but steady enough to sound convincing—at least to herself.

Jane clicked her tongue, shaking her head lightly. "Right, because running yourself ragged is super productive. You're like a Tiger Mom micro-managing the rookies—scary and stubborn." Her eyes darted toward Zhu for a reaction.

Zhu paused mid-dial, her deadpan expression betraying nothing. "Funny, Jane. My mother actually was like that." She let the jab land with a weight Jane clearly hadn't expected.

Before Jane could respond, Qingyi's voice crackled on the line. "Captain, I've tracked a possible escape route, but we hit a dead end at 6th Street. The security cameras in the area are all busted —too bad Sita and Gerant is not patrolling here that night due to spooky gossips."

"6th Street?" Zhu echoed, her tone sharpening with interest. She glanced up, noticing Jane's fingers tightening subtly around the steering wheel. "Order a barricade in the area. I don't want anyone passing through until we investigate tomorrow morning."

Jane's jaw tightened, but her voice remained casual. "Wow, barricading ghost street. Sounds like someone's about to tick off some spooky urban legends." She offered a chuckle, masking the unease in her eyes as Zhu flipped open her PUBSEC tablet.

Zhu tapped away, issuing the command to Janus Station with practiced precision. Jane stole another glance at her, her smirk returning but feeling thinner this time. "You know, Cap," she said lightly, "you're way too stubborn for your own good. Maybe tomorrow we investigate after you've slept like a human for once."

"Jane, come on... just let me do my job." Zhu replied dryly, eyes locked on her screen. She didn't see the way Jane's grip on the wheel tightened again, her knuckles briefly paling before she eased off the accelerator.

The hum of the car slowed as the city skyline loomed closer, but the glowing red brake lights ahead stretched endlessly. Jane's grip on the wheel tightened, and she let out a yawn, her gaze flicking to the rows of cars barely crawling forward. "A protest this late? Really?" she muttered, her irritation barely concealed.

Zhu stirred in the passenger seat, blinking awake. Her tired eyes drifted to the chaos outside the window—a mess of traffic and restless drivers. "Figures. I think I'll just walk the rest of the way home. Lumina Square's only about fifteen minutes from here," she said, her voice still heavy with fatigue.

Jane stretched in her seat, casting a glance at Zhu. "Alright, Cap. Just make sure you actually go home. We need you in one piece tomorrow morning," she teased lightly, though there was an undertone of genuine concern.

Zhu nodded, already reaching for her coat draped over the backseat. "Got it. Don't wait up." She stepped out onto the bustling, well-lit street, the cool night air waking her up further. Waving briefly to Jane, she adjusted her coat and took a steadying breath.

It was 9 p.m., but the city felt alive in its usual chaotic way. Ahead, a sea of people moved in clusters, their voices blending into an indistinct hum against the backdrop of the protest.

Her feet moved instinctively, weaving through the crowd. She was aware of the way her thoughts felt as jumbled as the noise around her. The city felt suffocating this month—overflowing with tension—and her mind wasn't faring much better.

She stopped momentarily to glance at a street sign. "8th Street..." she murmured, narrowing her eyes. Just a couple of blocks. Her pulse quickened as a thought crossed her mind.

"6th Street isn't far from here. I could check the area myself... Maybe pay the manager a visit while I'm at it." Her lips pressed into a firm line as she adjusted her coat and resumed walking, her steps quick and purposeful.

It wasn't the smartest idea to go alone at this hour, but exhaustion had a way of muting her better judgment.

Even though fatigue weighed on her, Zhu pushed herself to reach 6th Street. To her irritation, the area was still bustling with activity—no barricades, no secured perimeter. Her brow furrowed as she surveyed the scene.

"I told them to barricade this area," she muttered under her breath, frustration evident. "People might mess with crucial evidence."

The street, contrary to its ghostly reputation, was brightly lit and filled with the hum of city life. Pedestrians strolled by, some laughing, others deep in conversation, oblivious to the investigative significance of the area.

Zhu's gaze swept across the surroundings, her mind alert despite her weariness. Spooky? she thought, her lips twitching into a faint smirk. Who comes up with these stories when it's just a normal street?

Determined to leave no stone unturned, Zhu began questioning the locals, hoping someone might have seen something unusual in the past few nights. The noodle general Chop gave her a blank stare, the barista at the coffee shop shrugged apologetically, and a teenager exiting the arcade center offered nothing more than a mumbled "Dunno, wasn't here."

The timing of the heist worked against her. Midnight? Most of these people were probably at home, and those who weren't didn't seem interested in late-night street happenings.

Zhu sighed, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. "I'll have to follow up on that barricade request," she muttered to herself, the irritation creeping back into her tone. As she turned, her gaze landed on the familiar glowing sign of the Random Play Video Store.

Straightening her coat, she resolved to visit Wise and Belle. They're always here, and they've got sharp eyes for the area. Maybe they noticed something. Zhu's stride gained purpose as she crossed the street.

As Zhu reached for the door, her phone buzzed with a text message. She paused, half-expecting it to be Elias. Instead, Jane's name popped up on the screen.

"Hey Cap, you already at your apartment?"

Zhu sighed, her fingers hovering over the keypad, debating how to respond. Jane's concern was well-intentioned, but Zhu couldn't shake the slight irritation bubbling under her exhaustion.

Before she could finish typing, the door creaked open unexpectedly.

"Sorry, we're cl—"

Belle's voice faltered mid-sentence, the words dying in her throat as she stood frozen in place. Her wide eyes locked onto Zhu, betraying a mix of surprise and something else—was that fear? Zhu frowned, her investigative instincts kicking in.

Belle didn't move, her hand still gripping the edge of the doorframe as if to steady herself. Zhu's gaze sharpened, following Belle's line of sight. Shadows flickered in the dim store lighting, their movements subtle but deliberate. The faint sound of hushed voices drifted through the space, a quiet reminder that they weren't alone.

The Cunning Hares are here.

"Come in, Officer Zhu Yuan. You may check our new release of videotapes, or are you here to borrow one of our players again?" Belle's half-worried smile didn't quite reach her eyes as she opened the door wider.

"Ah, no, not that. No worries," Zhu replied, stepping inside cautiously. Her eyes swept over the shelves and dim corners, her instincts buzzing with the quiet tension in the air. Why does it feel like the room is holding its breath?

Nicole finally broke the silence, her voice pitched higher than usual. "Uhh, so." She threw a nervous glance at Zhu, shifting on her feet as if trying to blend into the scenery. "I think you can prioritize the officer's request." Her words were aimed at Wise behind the counter, but they felt more like an attempt to steer the tension away from herself.

Zhu waved her hand dismissively, her movements uncharacteristically slow. "No, no, go ahead with your transaction," she said, her tone weary but measured. Her gaze shifted to Belle, who stood frozen near the counter. "I'll just make an inquiry with Belle instead."

Belle's lips tightened into a thin, anxious line. She hesitated before gesturing toward the couch near the doorway. "Uhh, yes, have a seat, officer." Her voice was strained, a little too eager to please.

Zhu shook her head lightly, already pulling out her PUBSEC-issued tablet. "Don't worry, it'll be quick. Just a few questions." Her fingers briefly grazed her neck below the jawline, scratching absently as if soothing an itch.

The motion seemed almost instinctive, but Belle's eyes flicked to it for a fraction of a second.

From across the room, Billy's enthusiastic voice broke the awkward lull. "So, got any new collections for Starlight Knight?" His voice tinge with excitement, his tone overly casual, as if he was trying to dissipate the tension. Zhu caught the words and glanced at him briefly, but her focus remained on Belle.

"Uhm, Belle," Zhu began, her voice firm but tinged with fatigue. "Have you noticed any commotion around here these past few nights? Especially by midnight?"

Belle froze, her hand automatically moving to prop her chin as if in thought. "Uhm..." She dragged the sound out, her gaze darting toward Wise behind the counter as if seeking silent backup. "Midnight?" she echoed nervously, her voice wavering.

Zhu shifted on her feet, a shadow crossing her expression. "Yes, midnight," she repeated, though her voice sounded softer now, almost drowsy. Her hand slipped to steady herself on the counter, her grip faltering as if it wasn't quite solid.

Then, without warning, Zhu's knees buckled. She reached out, clutching Belle's arm as her body tilted forward, her balance completely gone.

"Officer?!" Belle's panicked voice rang out as Zhu leaned heavily against her, dragging her down slightly. The weight was too much for Belle to handle—Zhu's taller frame made the imbalance glaringly obvious.

Wise was already vaulting out from behind the counter, his expression unusually sharp. "Belle!" he barked, moving in quickly. Billy abandoned his perch on the stairs, blurring forward with surprising agility.

Zhu's head lolled slightly, her eyes half-closed as though she was fighting to stay conscious. Her lips parted as if to speak, but no sound came out. Belle's small hands scrambled to keep her upright, but her knees wobbled under the pressure.

"Wise, help!" Belle gasped, struggling as Zhu's full weight sagged against her.

Billy was the first to reach them, his red jacket flashing under the fluorescent lights. "I got her!" he exclaimed, his voice both concerned and oddly cheerful, as if he didn't quite understand the gravity of the situation.

"Careful," Wise muttered, taking Zhu's other arm as the two of them eased her down onto the couch near the doorway. Her breathing was shallow, her complexion pale under the artificial lighting.

"She just... fainted?" Nicole murmured from the side, her tone uncertain, her pink pigtails swaying as she tilted her head. She glanced nervously at Anby, who stood eerily still, observing the scene with her usual inscrutable expression.

Wise crouched beside Zhu, his sharp eyes scanning her face, but his expression betrayed nothing. "She looks exhausted," he said finally, his voice steady. "That's all."

Belle hesitated, biting her lip as her gaze lingered on Zhu's neck. Her fingertips tingled with unease, but she didn't say anything. Instead, she shifted her weight nervously, her movements betraying her inner turmoil.