The sun hung high above the Outer Banks, casting a warm golden glow over the small outdoor market. The smell of fresh fruit, the salty sea breeze, and the chatter of locals blended together in a perfect symphony of island life. Kiara Carrera stood near the edge of the market, carefully inspecting a basket of ripe mangoes, her fingers brushing over the smooth skin of the fruit, contemplating which one was the juiciest.The market was small, tucked away in a corner of the island that tourists rarely ventured to, which meant she didn’t have to deal with the usual crowd. It was simple, and peaceful.

But then, something made her pause.

From the corner of her eye, Kiara spotted a figure weaving through the market crowd—someone out of place. At first glance, they didn’t stand out. Just another person in island clothes, blending into the mix. But as they came closer, Kiara’s eyes were drawn to the jewelry they wore. A gold chain glinted in the sunlight, matching rings on each hand, and a bracelet that sparkled with an air of elegance that wasn’t quite fitting for the rougher vibe of the Pogues' market.

It was the kind of jewelry a Kook would wear. Too polished. Too expensive. Her jaw tightened as she watched them—this person who didn’t belong here, who probably thought they could just stroll in and act like they were part of the crowd. Kiara’s mind raced, her thoughts darkening. What were they doing here?

The person was getting closer now, and Kiara didn’t bother to look away, the simmering anger in her chest slowly turning into defensive energy. She stood straighter, preparing herself for whatever was about to unfold. She had no problem confronting anyone who seemed out of place on her turf, especially when it came to the Kooks who tried to push into Pogue territory.

She took a deep breath and narrowed her eyes.

"Can I help you?" she asked, her voice louder than usual, carrying that sharp edge she’d learned to adopt when she needed to stand her ground.