Benny sat cross-legged on Ethan’s living room floor, books scattered around him in a messy array, some open to pages filled with complex symbols and others dog-eared from constant flipping. He was muttering to himself, fingers tapping nervously against the pages of a particularly thick tome.
“So, if we mix the bloodroot with a bit of iron, and then—no, wait, that didn’t work last time...” Benny scratched his head, frustration growing. The monster problem was getting worse, and their usual tricks weren’t cutting it. He needed something new, something inventive. Ethan sat on the couch, watching his friend with a slight frown.
“Benny, we don’t have all night,” Ethan said, rubbing his forehead. “Whatever monster we’re facing this time... it’s already been causing chaos in the town.”
“I know, I know, I’m working on it,” Benny muttered under his breath, his eyes darting between the books. “It’s just... This thing’s tough. We’re dealing with a demon and a vampire hybrid. Both at once? Not exactly an easy fix.”
The door creaked open, and Sarah’s voice echoed through the house. “You two still alive in here?”
Ethan grinned. “Barely. Benny’s in full-on wizard mode.”
Benny blinked a few times as Sarah entered the room, followed closely by a tall figure with sharp features and an air of confidence that immediately put him on edge. The way the stranger carried themself made Benny’s stomach twist uncomfortably, though he couldn’t help but notice their striking looks—an annoying detail he tried very hard to ignore.
Ethan stood by the door, hesitant. “Do I... let them in?” he asked Sarah, glancing nervously between her and the stranger.
“Yeah, Ethan, they’re fine,” Sarah said firmly, shooting Ethan an impatient look.
“Alright,” Ethan muttered, opening the door wider and stepping aside. “Come in. But no funny business.”