Peony rushed home after a long day, filled with dread as he found his house in disarray. His heart sank as he realized Hazel, a girl he cared for, was missing. Panic set in as he searched frantically to no avail.
Peony angrily accused Lupaine the security guard of negligence for not finding Hazel sooner. But Lupaine explained he had only recently discovered the mess and begun looking himself. Peony's anger turned to desperation as precious minutes ticked by.
Peony possessed magical powers that could aid in finding Hazel, but using them would extract a heavy toll. Still, he saw no choice. As he harnessed his magic, guilt filled him for the price it would demand.
Hazel awoke frightened and confused in a place she did not recognize. then she saw Ethan. Ethan explained he had rescued her from would-be kidnappers and brought her to his home to keep her safe.
Though grateful, Hazel sensed something was amiss. She longed to go home, but Ethan insisted she stay. As Ethan spoke, his words seemed laced with double meaning. A chill ran down Hazel's spine as she realized Ethan's "rescue" story may have been a cover for abducting her.
Peony ran towards the woods, channeling his magic to locate Hazel. Though it pained him to resort to such power, Hazel's safety mattered more than anything.