You pick up your coat and brave the now-icy night wind to get to your car. You're huddling inside it when Alex says, "You wanted to partner with Kayla."
With a start, you realize that Alex hasn't spoken since they said that it was good that Kayla shot you down. It's not a moment you particularly want to re-live, but you answer them anyway. "I did."
"I see. Hopefully you do not feel the weight of aloneness."
That's a pointedly specific comment. Alex sounds almost lonely.
"Listen, I've had a bad night. I'm not really up for conversation."
"Of course. I would not wish to talk your ear off. That's an idiom," Alex adds. They sound lost.
Next
You start your car and wince at the cold air blowing from the vents. A tug jerks you into your steering wheel. Your car horn lets out a short honk.
In the corner of the parking lot, far from any cars, space folds. It pulls into a puckered wound at chest height. Looking at it makes your head throb.
"The dimensional barrier!" Alex says, like you can't see for yourself that someone has ripped open the barrier as part of a summoning pattern.
You shut off your car and slide out, then run for the fold in space, riffling through your metal patterns. You don't know what's being summoned or who's doing it, but it can't happen so close to the activity center.
Next