Chapter 3

The sun had already sunk below the horizon.

I sat quietly on the balcony, staring absentmindedly at the bustling streets below. After some time, I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone. Twitter notified me that someone I often followed had posted something.

Thinking it might be Aiden Hayes, I clicked on the notification. To my surprise, it was from Zaria Phillips. It was a minute-long video clip featuring a clear sky, fluffy white clouds, and tall oak trees serenaded by cicadas. Aiden stood beneath the trees, smiling warmly at the person filming:

"Zaria, look at the trunk;…