The night Evie disappeared started like any other autumn evening. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp leaves, roasted marshmallows and smoke from the fire. The girls had gathered around the old bonfire by the lake, wrapped in scarves and sweaters, trading jokes and teasing each other like they always did. It felt cozy, familiar — a tiny world where nothing outside could touch them. Evie sat quietly near the edge of the fire, her pastel dress catching the flickering light, ribbons tied neatly in her hair. She didn't need to speak to be noticed, not really. The others barely realized she was there half the time, and that was just how she liked it. Still, when someone needed advice, it was always her they turned to — if they were lucky enough to catch her attention. Lilith and Evie argued for the first time that night. Something small, something stupid, but Lilith's voice had a sharp edge that didn't belong in the laughter-filled woods. Evie's replies were soft, almost apologetic, but it only seemed to make Lilith angrier. In a sudden flash of frustration, Lilith shoved her. Evie stumbled, scratched her arm, and for a moment, the firelight caught the brief look of shock and hurt on her face. Then Lilith turned away, pretending nothing had happened, and the group laughed again like it had never happened at all. The air smelled of smoke and charred marshmallows, mixed with something sweeter — the faint traces of chocolate and cinnamon from hot drinks tucked into hands. Everything was calm. Warm. Safe. Or at least it seemed that way. Evie didn't notice the tension curling in the shadows. She smiled at Valentina, who leaned against a tree, distracted and distant as always. She gave a small wave to Fliss, fiddling with her pink ribbon and whispering a joke to Lilith and Eleanor without really expecting anyone to hear. By the time the fire burned low and the girls started gathering their things, Evie had gone for a walk alone, just down the path toward the lake. No one thought anything of it at first. But that was the last time they would see her. By morning, Evie Sinclair was gone. And the world they thought they knew — warm, safe, easy — had changed forever.