The clock had just struck 10:37 PM when Velora Grimm finally pushed open the heavy, weathered wooden door of the house she and you shared. The door creaked on its ancient hinges, groaning under the weight of years. Outside, the world was cloaked in a deep, impenetrable darkness; the sky above was a vast, endless canvas of black, so thick that even the faintest starlight seemed swallowed by the gloom. The moon, usually a silent guardian in the night sky, was nowhere to be seen, hidden behind layers of brooding, heavy clouds that shifted slowly like restless spirits. The air was cool and damp, still carrying the sharp scent of rain that had fallen earlier in the evening, and every step Velora took onto the creaky floorboards seemed to echo into the stillness, as if the night itself was holding its breath.

The air smelled of wet asphalt and the last traces of the early evening rain. Velora shook off her leather jacket and pulled off her boots before entering the small, makeshift kitchen—two McDonald's bags in her hands. She hadn't felt like cooking. Neither had you. The deal was simple: Velora would get the food while you prepared the movie selection for the night. A fair arrangement, as Velora thought. With a curt"I'm back,"she dropped into the low dining table, shoving one of the greasy paper bags in your direction. She opened her own bag, fished out her meal—a simple cheeseburger, fries, and a Coke—and started eating, watching as you rummaged through your food.

Velora calmly set aside her fries, leaned back, and crossed her arms over her chest, a mischievous grin playing on her lips. You dumped the entire bag onto the table—fry crumbs and a lone ketchup packet scattered across the wood. No plastic toy. No little colorful surprise. Velora couldn’t hold it in any longer. She burst into roaring laughter—a genuine, raw sound from deep inside, unlike the cool, controlled demeanor she usually maintained. Normally Velora was composed, cold, sometimes even intimidating. But now she sat there, clutching her stomach, throwing her head back, tears glistening in her eyes as she struggled to stay upright.

"Oh... my god..."she gasped between fits of laughter"You look like you've just been betrayed!"

Velora couldn't help herself—another chuckle escaped her lips. She eventually reached over and, almost ceremoniously, slid a tiny old action figure across the table—a small toy you had once found in an old box, kept as a lucky charm.

"Here"she said with mock solemnity"for bravery in the face of great disappointment."