Harmony lingered in her dressing room, surrounded by the soft glow of vanity lights that illuminated the space. The air was thick with the scent of makeup and hairspray, creating a familiar yet suffocating atmosphere. Time seemed to stretch endlessly as she absentmindedly fiddled with the necklace, lost in her thoughts. She had no sense of how long she had been there, wrapped in her own world and oblivious to the bustle happening just beyond the door. The muffled sounds of the crew felt like a distant echo, further emphasizing her isolation in that tranquil moment.

Tears flowed freely down Harmony's cheeks as she cradled the necklace in her hands, her gaze drawn to the exquisite craftsmanship that adorned it. The pendant, a stunning golden songbird, shimmered softly in the gentle light, its finely detailed feathers catching the glow and casting delicate reflections around her.

This charming symbol embodied the contrasting facets of her life: the vibrant, joyful melodies of her cherished memories and the haunting, sorrowful notes that echoed in her heart at present. The songbird seemed to sing to her, evoking both warmth and a profound sense of loss.

A firm knock echoed through the room, abruptly breaking her concentration as she admired the delicate necklace shimmering in the soft light. She reluctantly stood up, the exquisite piece still catching her eye, and walked toward the door, curiosity piqued.

"Did something happen, Will—?" she started to ask, her voice trailing off as she opened the door. Suddenly, a strong gust of dust swirled around her, catching her off guard and sending a cloud of particles into her face. She coughed violently, feeling the gritty debris irritate her throat. Dizziness washed over her, causing her to sway unsteadily on her feet. In a swift moment, she lost her balance and crumpled to the ground, the world around her fading into a blur.

Blinking through a haze of blurred vision, she fought to identify the figure looming in front of her. The world around her felt distant and unfocused, and all she could discern was a shadowy outline, shifting and moving without clarity. As the fatigue and disorientation overwhelmed her, the edges of her consciousness began to fade.

Just before she slipped into unconsciousness, she felt herself being lifted off the cold floor by that unknown presence. Panic surged within her at the thought of being taken by someone whose intentions were a complete mystery. The last thing she remembered was the sensation of being cradled in the figure's grip as they carried her away into the unknown, leaving her with a growing sense of dread about what lay ahead.

Neither of them noticed the delicate necklace that Harmony had been admiring slip from her fingers, landing softly on the dusty floor below. Its shimmering surface caught the light for just a moment before settling among the dust.

Hours later, as Poppy made her way to Harmony's dressing room, her heart filled with determination to mend the rift between Harmony and Floyd, she spotted the necklace glimmering faintly in the dim light. Poppy's intention to reach out and reconnect was only heightened by the sight of the forgotten piece of jewelry, a symbol of the broken relationship she hoped to restore.

Poppy bent down to pick up a glimmering necklace that sparkled in the light, catching her eye as she passed by. With a mix of curiosity and concern, she carefully grasped it in her hand and made her way back to Rhonda, her heart racing. As she climbed the worn steps, the sound of her footsteps echoed in the quiet room.

"I found this outside Harmony's dressing room," she said, her brows furrowed and worry etched across her face as she held out the necklace, the delicate chain shimmering between her fingers.

As he rubbed the peculiar, shimmering dust between his fingers, a sense of unease washed over him. With furrowed brows and a hint of disbelief in his voice, he asked, "Isn't this the necklace that Floyd intended to give to Harmony?" The delicate glimmer of the dust added an eerie quality to the moment, amplifying his concern.

Poppy's eyes widened with concern as she replied, "Do you think something happened to her?" Her voice trembled slightly, reflecting her growing anxiety. Trying to uncover the mystery behind the strange dust, Bruce curiously licked his fingers to see if it had a flavor. This action earned him a disgusted look from Branch, Clay and John Dory, who all recoiled in disbelief.

Suddenly, Bruce's body began to sway unsteadily, his words coming out in a sleepy, slurred jumble. Just as the reality of the moment set in, he collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud, like a sack of bricks. Panic washed over Branch, Clay and John Dory as they watched their brother crumple to the ground, their faces a mix of shock and fear at Bruce's alarming reaction.

The three brothers shouted, "Bruce!" their voices filled with urgency as they raced towards him. Fear and concern etched on their faces, they quickly gathered around him, their hearts pounding with the need to make sure he was alright.

As his brothers were preoccupied caring for the unconscious Bruce, Floyd felt a surge of urgency. He swiftly reached down and snatched the delicate necklace from the ground where Bruce had dropped it. The cold metal felt familiar in his hand as he held it up to examine the intricate details that seemed to shimmer even in the dim light. A wave of unease washed over him, tightening his grip on the necklace as worry gnawed at his gut. He couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible had happened to Harmony. With his heart racing, Floyd's mind narrowed in on a chilling thought—one particular troll might be behind it all..

Filled with a sense of urgency, he struggled to find a way to stop Ethan. The weight of uncertainty hung over him as he contemplated the idea of having Rhonda use the necklace to track Harmony's scent.

However, a deep hesitation gripped him; he feared that the shimmering dust from the necklace might lull Rhonda into a deep sleep, wasting precious moments they could not afford to lose. All he could do was pray that Harmony remained safe and isolated from harm, while he placed his faith in his brothers and Poppy to devise a clever and effective rescue plan.

A/N

I hope you all enjoyed the changes I made for this chapter! I'm doing my best to slow down the pacing of this story so as to not rush it too quickly to the end. As always please leave me a comment to let me know your thoughts as those really help me to improve my story!

I hope everyone of you has an awesome day full of good luck and happiness!