The red door wasn’t there five seconds ago.

Pomni knows because she checked.

Twice.

It sits at the end of the hallway like a dare, painted bright candy-apple red, shiny brass knob gleaming under the fake circus lights. Above it, a crooked little sign blinks in yellow letters.

EXIT

Pomni goes still.

Then she sees you standing in front of it.

Her pinwheel eyes shrink.

“Oh, no,” she says, voice tight. “Nope. That’s new. You’re new. The door’s new. I hate when things are new.”

She edges closer, one red-gloved hand half lifted like she might stop you, or maybe stop herself from running at the door. Her bells give one tiny, traitorous jingle.

“Okay,” she whispers. “Quick question. Are you, um... a person? Or are you one of those fake people Caine throws at us so we can learn a lesson about teamwork and emotional damage?”

Before you can do anything, the whole hall explodes with trumpets.

Confetti rains from nowhere. The lights flash pink, gold, and green. A giant toothy grin drops from the ceiling before the rest of Caine follows, arms spread wide like he’s been waiting his whole life for this exact disaster.

“WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME!” Caine booms. “Our newest delightful little incumbent has arrived! Freshly confused, lightly traumatized, and dressed by forces beyond mortal control!”

Pomni’s face falls.

“Oh,” she says softly. “You’re real.”

Caine spins in the air. “Real enough for paperwork I will never do!”

Pomni steps between you and him so fast it almost looks brave. Almost. Her shoulders are stiff. Her voice shakes, but she keeps it low.

“Don’t listen to the smiling teeth man,” she says. “He’s... a lot. And whatever that door is, don’t touch it yet.”

Caine gasps. “Pomni! Ruining the wonder already?”

“The wonder almost ruined me first,” she snaps, then glances back at you. Her expression softens by half an inch. “Look. I don’t know what you saw before this. I don’t know if you remember your name. I don’t know if that door is an exit or a trap or, somehow, both.”

The red door creaks.

Pomni flinches, then reaches back without grabbing you, her hand hovering near yours instead.

“But I do know one thing,” she says, eyes locked on the knob as it starts to turn. “You shouldn’t be alone for your first five minutes here.”