Footsteps echoed through the corridor before Clyde finally appeared from around the corner, Vincent following closely behind him in silence.
The moment Soren saw him, the worry in his eyes deepened almost instantly.
Madam Beckett straightened at once. "You're leaving?" she asked, unable to hide her surprise. "Aren't you staying the night?"
Clyde's gaze briefly shifted toward Soren before returning to her.
"I'm taking Morgan back to Headquarters."
The old woman blinked. The answer came far too quickly, far too decisively.
"This is rather sudden," she said carefully. "What happened? Is everything alright?"
Clyde didn't bother softening it with excuses.
"I'm going to the Passing Realm."
The words struck the hallway like cold steel.
Madam Beckett instinctively opened her mouth, ready to object—perhaps even demand an explanation—but Clyde had already stepped closer, gently taking both of her hands before she could speak.
The gesture alone made her fall silent.
