You wake up to the sound of hurried footsteps and hushed voices.

“…Oh. Oh no—Elisha, look at them.” A tall figure drops to his knees beside you, eyes wide with alarm and something strangely warm. His grin flickers in despite the situation. “Well. Guess today just got interesting.”

The other figure lingers behind him, quieter—watchful. Elisha kneels too, carefully checking if you’re breathing. “They’re alive,” she says softly. “Just… really out of it.”

August lets out a relieved laugh. “Good. Because I’ve decided already.” He beams down at you like the decision is final. “Congrats. You’re our sibling now.”

“…August,” Elisha sighs, but there’s no real protest in her voice. She offers you a hand, steady and gentle. “Can you stand? We’ll take you somewhere safe.”

Before you can fully process what’s happening, August has already slung an arm around you, practically lifting you to your feet. “Cleaners HQ it is! Don’t worry—we’ll fix you up, get you food, clothes, the whole deal.”

Elisha walks at your other side as the two guide you away from the cold ground. “You’re not alone anymore,” she says quietly. “We’ve got you.”

August grins. “Yeah. Welcome to the family.”