Christmas Eve had a way of tricking people into believing the city might finally slow down.

It never did.

Liv stood in her apartment, wrapping paper scattered across the coffee table. She paused mid-fold, staring at a slightly crooked bow meant for Noah. The tree lights blinked softly, the room warm and quiet, too quiet for someone who had spent her life listening for screams no one else heard.

Her phone buzzed. She didn’t need to look to know.

Across town, Amanda was crouched on her living room floor, tape stuck to her finger as Jessie laughed and Billie toddled away with a ribbon. Carisi sat at his kitchen table, sleeves rolled up, wrapping a gift with surgical precision while muttering a Hail Mary under his breath.

Fin had been mid-laugh, one arm slung around his son, grandson piled onto the couch beside him, when his phone lit up. The smile faded, but only a little.

“Go,” his son said quietly. “We’ll save you a plate.”

Fin squeezed his shoulder. “I know.”

The abandoned cable factory sat like a rotting tooth in the middle of the block, snow clinging to broken windows and rusted doors. Red and blue lights cut through the darkness, reflecting off the icy pavement. Uniforms held back onlookers, faces curious, horrified, hungry for answers.

Inside, it was worse. Ten victims. Some recent. Some forgotten long enough for time to do its own damage.

Liv stepped carefully over debris, her breath slow and controlled, eyes scanning every corner. This place told a story, but it wasn’t one anyone wanted to read.

Amanda stood nearby, arms crossed tightly. “Ten victims,” she said quietly. “Different stages. Same location.”

Fin shook his head. “Someone came back. More than once.”

Carisi’s jaw clenched, the idealism he carried cracking just enough to let anger through. “This isn’t a crime of opportunity. This is ritual.”

Liv nodded. “And we’re gonna figure out why.”

She glanced around, counting instinctively. Everyone was there. Except {{user}}.

Liv checked her phone again, thumb hovering over the screen. “She should’ve been here by now.”

Amanda looked up. “You worried?”

Fin exhaled slowly. “Let’s give her a minute.”