The wall slid open silently.
A hidden staircase.
Dark.
Deep.
Elias pointed down.
"Move."
Kael grabbed Aria's hand.
"Come on."
They ran down the stairs.
Mira followed behind them.
The door above slammed shut.
The sound of something heavy hitting it echoed.
Aria whispered while running,
"Are they breaking in?"
Mira answered casually,
"They're trying."
They reached the bottom.
A large underground room.
No windows.
No clocks.
Just dim lights and old machines.
Aria looked around.
"What is this place?"
Elias walked past them.
"A blind spot."
"A place where time can't see us."
Kael finally released Aria's hand.
"You're safe here."
Aria exhaled slowly.
For the first time since the clock tower
her heart slowed.
Mira studied her.
"So."
Aria looked at her.
"So?"
Mira smiled slightly.
"You're the girl Kael destroyed time for."
Aria glanced at him.
He avoided her eyes.
"That's… not exactly—"
Mira interrupted.
"Oh please."
She leaned closer to Aria.
"He's been watching you for months."
Aria's cheeks warmed slightly.
Kael groaned.
"Can we focus?"
Mira shrugged.
"I am focused."
Then she looked at Aria again.
"You know he's in love with you, right?"
The room went quiet.
Aria blinked.
"What?"
Kael rubbed his forehead.
"Mira."
"What?" she said.
"It's obvious."
Aria looked at him.
He still wasn't looking back.
"…is that true?"
Kael stayed silent.
Mira laughed softly.
"Wow."
Aria whispered,
"…Kael?"
He finally looked at her.
His voice was quiet.
"Yes."
The word barely left his lips.
Aria's heart skipped.
"You barely know me."
Kael stepped closer.
"I know every version of you."
The air between them felt heavier.
Aria's voice softened.
"Every version?"
Kael nodded.
"Every day you lived."
Silence stretched between them.
Then Aria stepped closer too.
Slowly.
Very close now.
Her voice barely a whisper.
"…and you still like me?"
Kael gave a small smile.
"I think that's the problem."
Aria stared at him for a second.
Then suddenly —
She leaned forward.
And kissed him.
Soft.
Quick.
Unexpected.
Kael froze.
Completely.
Aria stepped back.
Her face red.
"Sorry."
Mira clapped slowly from behind them.
"Well."
"That escalated fast."