“More important than the FBI,” Jake nodded solemnly. “We’re trying to save Nora’s soul!”

  His overly dramatic tone made Nora laugh, while Lucas—walking silently beside her—tightened his grip on the paintbrush in his hand, occasionally sneaking glances at her. Thoughts whirled through his head: how could he stand out on this mission? How could he make Nora notice him?

  The amusement park buzzed with joyful chaos—upbeat music floated through the air, colorful balloons bobbed in the breeze, children shrieked with glee, and the scent of popcorn and cotton candy clung sweetly to the summer air. Above them, a massive roller coaster roared past, screams slicing through the sky, while the Ferris wheel turned slowly, passengers tossing giggles into the clouds.

  It was a sea of noise and delight—and somewhere in that ocean, they were searching for a mysterious little girl.

  “Wow, I haven’t been here in years!” Jake flung his arms wide, grinning like a kid let loose after finals. “This place is awesome!”

  “Focus,” Alex elbowed him. “We’re here to find someone, not to play.”

  Jake shrugged and unfolded his sketchy-looking “operation map.” “I say we split up. Increases our chances.”

  “Good idea,” Nora nodded. “We’ll regroup under the Ferris wheel.”

  They broke off into teams.

  Jake and Alex wandered the park while theorizing. “If I were a little girl,” Jake mused, “where would I go?”

  “The candy stall,” he answered himself a second later, smacking his palm. “Kids love sweets.”

  “Or the claw machine,” Alex added. “Though I doubt the girl with a fox tail necklace is just any kid…”

  Elsewhere, Nora and Lucas weaved through the crowd.

  Lucas’s heart was pounding a little faster than usual. He wanted to say something—maybe apologize for last time, maybe even tell her how he felt—but the fear of being relegated to the “just a friend” zone kept his lips sealed.

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  They walked aimlessly, pausing now and then to scan the faces of nearby children.

  “We’ll find her… right?” Nora asked quietly.

  “Maybe,” Lucas replied. “But you said there’s a punishment if you don’t find her. What happens if you do? Is there a reward?”

  Nora froze slightly, then muttered under her breath, “A new mom.”

  Lucas blinked. “What did you say?”

  “Oh, nothing. No reward.” She wasn’t ready to explain that part—not yet.

  They walked on.

  Finally, Lucas took a breath and stepped in front of her. Paintbrush clenched tightly, he was about to say something—"You know, I actually…”

  But then his expression shifted. He looked past her, startled. “There!”

  Nora turned around just in time to see a little girl in a white dress darting through the crowd. Around her neck, something fuzzy and orange-white bobbed in rhythm—a fox tail pendant.

  Another child was chasing after her.

  “That’s her! Come on!” Lucas shouted, grabbing Nora’s hand and pulling her forward.

  She followed without hesitation. Just before they disappeared into the crowd, she caught a glimpse of the children’s backs and felt her heart skip.

  They pushed through the sea of people, breathing hard as they reached an open plaza. Looking around frantically, they found the scene had changed—dozens of kids, adults, balloons, and vendors. The target had vanished.

  “Over there!” Nora pointed to a shady corner beneath a tree where a balloon cart stood surrounded by kids. In the center, the white-dressed child was choosing a balloon.

  They rushed over.

  Lucas gently turned the girl’s shoulder. Nora glanced down quickly—there it was: the fox tail pendant. It was large, fluffy, orange and white. Eye-catching.

  “Is it her?” Nora looked up at Lucas, uncertain, as if hoping for confirmation.

  Lucas bent slightly, ready to speak—but stopped.

  A small curl of golden hair peeked out beneath the girl’s ear.

  A wig.

  Lucas frowned. “He’s a boy, Nora.”

  She leaned in to check. Sure enough, the “girl” grinned up at them and shouted, “Mom! I want this balloon!”

  A middle-aged woman came hurrying through the crowd, digging in her purse for change.

  Lucas gently tugged Nora’s sleeve. “Let’s go.”

  But Nora hesitated. Something felt… off. She turned back to the child.

  “Hey, can you tell me where you got that necklace?” she asked softly.

  The boy grinned. “The clown gave it to me!”

  He made a goofy face and bounced off with his balloon.

  Nora looked up—and locked eyes with the clown.

  Her stomach flipped.

  It was a fox-faced clown.

  His eyes were narrow and glinting. His face was painted with tribal fox markings, and a massive, bushy tail draped behind him—either fur costume or something more real.

  Strangely, he didn’t look away.

  He stared right at her.

  Like he was waiting for her to understand.