The van was eerily silent. Karl sat in the middle seat, staring blankly ahead. Ella was next to him, her arms crossed tightly, radiating coldness. Lucy sat at the back, her sharp eyes focused on Valencia, who was in the front, directing the driver.
The only sound was the hum of the van's engine as it cruised through the night. A faint chill crept in from a small crack in the window, adding to the awkward tension hanging in the air.
Karl finally broke the silence, his voice hesitant. "Where exactly are we going, Valencia?"
Valencia, busy with a small tablet in her hands, replied without looking up. "My place. It's safe. No one knows about it, not even the Neosia."
"Safe?" Ella scoffed, her voice dripping with skepticism. "How do we know that? You haven't explained anything."
