Claire watched as Hugo stared at her, disbelief and confusion warring on his face. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself for what she had to say. “Hugo, Talia is dead. When I returned home, everything was upside down, and her body… her body was still warm.”
Hugo's face went pale, his mouth opening and closing soundlessly. "What? Claire, are you—are you sure?"
She nodded, tears brimming in her eyes. “I don’t know who killed her, but it’s dangerous. When I found her, it was clear she was attacked. Someone was looking for something. Or someone.”
Hugo was visibly shaken. “Claire, this is insane. We need to go to the police! This is beyond crazy. You can't handle this alone!”
“No,” Claire said firmly, shaking her head. “It’s too dangerous to involve the police. They won’t understand what's really happening.” She omitted the part about Thomas and the Academy, crafting a quick lie instead. “I’ve been staying at this private school—one we visited once with Talia. It’s a safe place.”
Hugo seemed to accept her explanation, albeit reluctantly. “God, Claire, Talia... I can’t believe it.” He paused, looking at her with guilt in his eyes. “I don't know how to say this, but you passed your exam. You’re in the art academy.”
Claire nodded, a small, tired smile crossing her face, but she couldn’t muster the enthusiasm she might have once felt. “Thanks, Hugo. But right now, that feels like a lifetime ago. I need to figure out who did this and why.”
Hugo gripped her hand tightly, imploring her. “Then we go to the police. Claire, this is serious. This was a murder.”
“I’m telling you, Hugo, it’s more complicated than that,” Claire said, trying to pull her hand away, but he held on even tighter.
“No, Claire. This is the only way. You can't be alone in this.” His eyes were pleading, and she felt her resolve waver. He looked so earnest, so desperate to help, that it pained her to deny him.
Before she could argue further, an explosion shattered the front windows of the café. Glass rained down in shards, and chaos erupted as patrons screamed and ducked for cover. Claire’s heart raced, but amidst the shock and confusion, she spotted a group of people outside, their eyes scanning the interior of the café, looking for something—or someone.
“We need to move,” Claire shouted, grabbing Hugo’s hand and pulling him toward the parking lot. They had barely made it to the door when one of the attackers stepped in front of them, a satisfied smile curling his lips. Claire braced herself to fight, but before she could react, the attacker was knocked down by a swift punch. She looked up and felt a wave of relief wash over her. Thomas stood in front of her, fully equipped and as cold as ever.
“Let’s go. You shouldn’t be here,” he commanded, grabbing her hand.
“No, wait! Hugo is coming with us,” Claire insisted, looking back at her bewildered friend.
“Hugo?” Thomas raised an eyebrow, his face a mask of unreadable emotions.
“Yes, I told him about Talia,” Claire explained hurriedly.
Hugo, still in shock, looked around in confusion. “Claire, who are you talking to?” he asked, his voice trembling.
“He can’t see you, Thomas. Can you do something to let him see you?” Claire pleaded.
Thomas sighed. “You’re not going to like it…”
“Do it!” Claire insisted, her voice firm despite the chaos around them.
Thomas grabbed her hand and made a small cut. Claire winced but didn’t pull away. He took a drop of her blood with his knife and swiftly smacked it into Hugo’s mouth. Everything happened so fast that neither Claire nor Hugo fully grasped what was happening until it was over.
Hugo blinked, his vision clearing as he saw Thomas standing before him, covered in tattoos and still holding Claire’s hand. His mouth dropped open in shock.
“Satisfied? Now, let’s go,” Thomas said, urgency heavy in his voice.
Hugo nodded mutely, still processing the sudden coalescence of the unseen into the seen. They moved quickly, Thomas taking the lead and expertly navigating the chaos. Claire held Hugo's hand, feeling the weight of all the secrets she had yet to reveal.
They hurriedly exited the café, making their way toward a safe house known only to Thomas. As they ran through the streets of Paris, a city now marked with danger and uncertainty, Claire couldn’t help but feel the gravity of their situation. With every step, she knew their journey had only just begun, and the truths left to uncover would be darker and more perilous than any of them could have imagined.