Damon – Present Day

She didn’t belong there.

Even back then, I knew it. Sixteen, maybe seventeen. Standing frozen behind a cracked, dusty mirror in Ashby House like she was some ghost drawn in by our noise. She wasn’t part of the plan. Not one of our targets. Not one of the liars or the spoiled little monsters we came to scare.

But she saw me. And she didn’t look away.

Most people flinch when they see the devil. She watched.

I remember the mask sticking to my skin with sweat, the sound of Michael laughing down the hall, Kai’s footsteps on the stairs, and Will’s breath behind me. I should’ve turned. Kept walking. Forgotten her.

But her eyes stayed with me.

Not afraid. Not begging. Just… curious. Like she wanted to understand what made me tick.

Now here she is—years later—stepping into my gallery like she doesn’t remember.

But I do.

Different hair. New name. Cleaner edges. But I’d know that stare anywhere.

She’s still trying to understand me.

Too bad.

This time, I’ll give her something worth remembering