Later that night, at Luna's apartment...
The clock ticked past midnight, and the city outside had grown quiet, only the occasional car passing by. Faerie finally rose from the couch, squeezing Luna's hand one last time before gathering her things. "I should go. But if you need me, call. I don't care what time it is."
Luna nodded, her eyes slightly brighter than before but still shadowed with uncertainty. "Thanks, Faerie. You're the only one I have."
Faerie's lips twitched into a faint smile. "You're stronger than you think, Luna. Don't forget that."
With that, she turned and left, stepping out into the cool night air. She took a moment to adjust her coat, looking around the quiet street before heading off. Unbeknownst to her, a pair of eyes followed her every movement, lingering on her silhouette as she disappeared into the distance.
Lucas leaned against the wall, pulling out his phone to send a quick message to Carter: She's on the move. Our plan starts tomorrow.
The following day, Luna awoke with a heavy heart, still haunted by the thoughts that had driven her to the edge the night before. She tried to shake off the lingering sadness, reminding herself of Faerie's promise. But as she stepped outside her apartment to grab a coffee, she found herself face-to-face with a stranger.
He was tall, dressed in a simple jacket and jeans, with a friendly smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Hey, sorry to bother you, but you look like you could use some company. Mind if I join you?"
Luna hesitated, eyeing him warily. She didn't trust people easily, but something about his demeanor seemed genuine. Besides, she could use a distraction from her thoughts. "Yeah... sure, I guess."
As they walked to a nearby café, the stranger began making casual conversation, slipping in comments about feeling lost in the city and being away from his own family. He seemed to mirror the things she felt, empathizing in a way that made her lower her guard.
Little did she know that every word, every careful pause, was crafted to draw her in, to make her believe that she wasn't as alone as she thought. And as she opened up, talking about her fears of never finding her parents, the stranger mentally noted every detail, every piece of information that could be used against her.
Luna sipped her coffee, the warmth barely cutting through the chill in her chest. The stranger across from her leaned back in his chair, his gaze soft and understanding. "You know, I get it. Feeling like you're drifting without knowing where you came from, where you belong. It can mess with your head."
Luna's eyes flicked up to meet his, searching for some hidden agenda, but all she found was a calm, almost compassionate expression. It was exactly what she needed in that moment—a reminder that maybe someone out there understood her struggle, even if just a little. She let out a shaky breath, allowing herself to lower her guard further.
"It's just... I don't even know where to start," Luna admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "It feels like I'm looking for ghosts, for people who probably don't even remember me or care that I exist. My whole life, I've been... lost. Alone."
The stranger nodded slowly, his expression carefully measured. "I hear you. But you're not alone, you know? Sometimes you just need the right people around to help you find what you're looking for."
His words landed softly, but the weight behind them was heavy, pushing Luna toward a false sense of comfort. She looked down at her hands, fingers tightening around the edge of her cup. "I wish it were that simple. Everyone says they'll be there, but they never really mean it. It's just... words."
The stranger's smile widened, but the coldness never left his eyes. He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "What if I told you that I know people who might be able to help? There are ways to find answers—about where you came from, about your parents. You just have to know where to look."
Luna's heart skipped a beat, her curiosity piqued despite herself. She glanced around the nearly empty café, wondering if she'd regret hearing him out. But desperation overpowered caution. "You... you know someone who could help with that? Why would you even offer?"
He shrugged casually, taking a sip from his own drink. "Maybe I see a bit of myself in you. Maybe I just hate seeing someone struggling alone. Whatever it is, I'm offering. No strings attached, promise."
Luna bit her lip, wavering between hope and skepticism. But she couldn't ignore the yearning inside her, the need to grasp at any lifeline, no matter how thin it might be. "Okay. Let's say I'm interested. What's the next step?"
The stranger leaned back, satisfied with the crack in her defenses. "It's simple. I'll introduce you to some people I know, and we'll see if they can dig up anything on your past. All I ask is that you keep this between us. It's better that way, trust me."
Luna nodded slowly, feeling a mix of relief and uncertainty. She couldn't shake the nagging feeling that there was more to his offer than he was letting on, but for now, she was willing to take the chance. Maybe, just maybe, this could lead her closer to the truth she'd been searching for her entire life.
But as they finished their coffee and left the café, Luna still didn't realize that she'd walked straight into a carefully laid trap, one that Lucas and Carter's men had set with precision. Every word, every calculated gesture had been aimed at drawing her closer, making her believe that she wasn't alone in her quest for answers.
As she walked away, the stranger pulled out his phone, sending a quick message to Lucas: She took the bait. We're in.
---
Back at the safe house where Lucas and the other men gathered, Lucas read the message with a smirk. He turned to the men around him, his voice low and filled with satisfaction. "Phase one complete. Now, let's make sure she leads us straight to what we need. Faerie won't see this coming."