Uo tain her shock, Roselle let out a scream that could have woken the neighbors, and she leaped out of the chair, nding several feet away in a panic. She stammered, “W-what...how did I end up in your p?”

  Jess ughed pyfully. “Well, I saw you deep into this and I wao see you were up to, but I guess I got a little carried away. You’re so cute when you’re flustered, Roselle.”

  Roselle stood there, flustered and blushing, still trying to catch her breath. “Jess, you ’t just sneak up on me like that! It’s not... it’s not…not nice.”

  Jess chuckled. “I didn’t mean to startle you that much. But hey, I like seeing that blush on your face.”

  Roselle, still catg her breath, mao pose herself. “Jess, you ’t just sneak up on me like that. It’s... nht.”

  Jess’s face shifted to one of . She could see that Roselle was being genuine, and nodded, giving her full attention.

  “Jess,” Roselle began, “did you see all the chatroom messages?”

  Jess shook her head. “Nope, I only saw the oh that CipherMystery08 person. I didn’t get into the chatroom this m.”

  Roselle let out a small sigh of relief. “Okay, let me expin what’s going on…” She quickly recapped the events of the day: the mysterious phone call about Michigo, the strange behavior in the chatroom, and the revetion that someone was using Michigo’s at to manipute them. Roselle also mentiohe doppelgaheory and her pnned meeting with CipherMystery08 at the arcade.

  “This sounds serious,” Jess said, crossing her arms. “You really think this CipherMystery08 person is going to help you?”

  Roselle hesitated for a moment. “I don’t know, but it feels like the only lead we have right now. And if there’s any ce that it help Michigo, I have to take it.”

  Jess gently grabbed Roselle’s head and rubbed the top of it affeately. “You know, Roselle, we’re going to figure this thing out, and Michigo will be safe.”

  Roselle took a deep breath and said, “Jess, you know what will happen if this p work. If the CipherMystery08 person isn’t who they cim to be… I’ll have to follow through with what they said. That means you would have to leave.”

  Jess sched up her face. Then she shook her head gingerly. “If you wao leave, Roselle, all you have to say. I’ll respect your decision.”

  Roselle’s eyes met Jess’s with sadness. “No, Jess. I don’t want that, and if CipherMystery08 is trustworthy, we might not eveo go that far.”

  Jess’s pulled Roselle into a genuine hug. “You’re taking on so much, Roselle. It reminds me of Risebelle. Like…the only thing is… you’re a lot less serious than she is. You’re cute and lovable.”

  Roselle smiled. “Thanks, Jess.”

  While the two were still in embrace, the door to Roselle’s room burst open, and her mother, Mrs. Magenta, stormed in with a face full of anger.

  “I heard screaming!” she excimed. “What is going on in here?”

  Roselle, wide-eyed and flustered, tried to expin, “M-mom, this is not what you think...”

  But Mrs. Magenta was having none of it. She dashed up to Jess and pointed a fi her. “You! This was the st straw! I’ve had enough of your shenanigans!”

  Roselle attempted to intervene, pleading, “Mom, please, it’s not what you think. Jess was just--”

  Mrs. Magenta interrupted her. She turo her daughter and decred, “Roselle, this girl has brought nothing but chaos into our home, and it’s time she goes! I won’t have it anymore!”

  Jess, with a resigned sigh, stepped towards the door. She turo Roselle with a hint of a mischievous smile and said, “Well, Roselle, it seems I’ve overstayed my wele. Hey, there are still lots of pces left for me to go and explore. There’s a lot of ‘fun’ to be had between me and you Roselle… I’ll see you again really soon.”

  Roselle’s face turned a shade of red that even Mrs. Magenta couldn’t help but notice.

  Mrs. Magenta gave Jess a stern look, “Just go already, Jess. It’s time for you to leave.”

  Jess stepped out of the room. She went downstairs to the front door. Jess gave o “Goodbye” which the duo barely heard.

  Ohe front door had closed, and Jess was gone, Mrs. Magenta turo Roselle and, with a softer tone, asked, “Are you okay, Roselle?”

  Roselle’s face was still flushed from anger. “Mom, I didn’t o kick Jess out anymore! I had a pn. Jess was just f me. You...you didn’t have to do this!”

  Mrs. Magenta’s eyes widened in surprise. “I heard the scream and panicked. I thought maybe it was a good opportunity to have her leave before things got worse. I—I’ve never done anything like this before.”

  Roselle’s anger softened upon hearing her mother’s words. “Mom, I uand you were worried, but it was a mistake. Jess was just here to support me through something serious.”

  Mrs. Magenta’s eyes welled up with tears. “I’ve never done anything like this before, Roselle. I just…I wao protect you, but now... I feel awful….”

  Roselle frowned. “Mom, she’s not a close friend, but even so… she didn’t deserve this.”

  Mrs. Magenta wiped her tears aut on a serious look. “I’m going to find Jess and bring her back. She shouldn’t be out there alone because of my mistake.”

  Mrs. Magenta’s face hardened with . “That sounds dangerous, Roselle. You o be careful. Make sure t something for prote. You don’t know what you might be walking into.”

  She quickly grabbed a few items from the kit and hahem to Roselle: bug spray, pepper spray, and a bottle of bleach. “Here, take these. They might not be much, but they could help you stay safe if things get out of hand.”

  Roselle accepted the items, nodding appreciatively. “Thanks, Mom. I’ll be careful.”

  Mrs. Magenta pced a f hand on Roselle’s shoulder. “I’ll still go after Jess. I o make this right, no matter what. I have every hope that things will turn out alright.”

  The outside world was shrouded in cloudy skies. They caused a gray gray hue to take over the city. Roselle and her man to search the nearby streets and alleys, hoping to find any sign of Jess. However, the city was vast, and Jess had left in a hurry, leaving no trail to follow.

  Roselle imagined Jess in some hidden alley, perhaps feeling lost or distressed. Her grew. She started calling out Jess’s name and hoping to catch a glimpse of her familiar fa the cityscape.

  Roselle and her mother had scoured the city streets and alleys to no avail. There was no sign of Jess anywhere. After cheg her watch, Roselle could see it was almost noon.

  Mrs. Magenta put a hand on Roselle’s shoulder and said, “Roselle, we’ve been searg for hours, but there’s no sign of Jess. I think it’s time to head bae. You o have lund get ready for whatever you have p 4 pm.”

  Roselle she nodded and said, “You’re right, Mom. I should get back. Maybe Jess will find her way or reach out to us. I’ll make some lunch, and then I o prepare for what’s ing ter.”

  Mrs. Magenta patted her daughter’s back.

  At 2 PM, Roselle and Mrs. Magenta arrived at “La Pizzaz,” a cozy restaurant with the distinct aroma of freshly baked pizza. The chefs greeted them warmly. They found a table by the window, and soon enough, their pizzas arrived. The waiter set down Roselle’s pte with a flourish, presenting a steaming jape?o pizza. Roselle’s face briefly starry eyed. She picked up a slid began to eat it.

  Mrs. Magenta eyed the pizza with curiosity. “Jape?o pizza, huh? I don’t know how you hahat. Isn’t it too peppery for you?”

  After several bites, Roselle maintained her posure and smiled bravely, but the fiery heat was evident in her reddening cheeks and slightly teary eyes. “It’s not too peppery at all!”

  Mrs. Magenta chuckled. She dug into her own pizza—a simple cheese variety with no toppings. “I don’t know how you handle all those spices. Sometimes pin is just the way to go.”

  Roselle griaking another bite. “I like the kick, but I see that you prefer the simplicity, Mom.”

  Mrs. Magenta smiled warmly. “Sometimes, you need a little excitement, and sometimes, you just o enjoy the basics.”

  Time: 3 PM

  Roselle began to prepare for her meeting with CipherMystery08 at the old, abandoned arcade. She wao ensure she was ready. She entered her room ahrough her routine, seleg her outfit for the day. Today, she opted for something fortable yet suitable for the mysterious enter.

  Roselle chose a pair of dark jeans and a light, long-sleeved blouse. She checked herself in the mirror, adjusting her hair and making sure she looked pretty.

  Once she was satisfied with her appearance, she packed a small bag with her essentials: her phone, a fshlight, a notepad, and a pen. She knew she might o take notes or make quick sketches, and she wao be prepared. Finally, she put on her sneakers.

  Roselle stood by the doorway, ready to leave for her meeting with CipherMystery08. Her mother approached her and pced a hand on Roselle’s shoulder. She spoke with a geone, “Roselle, I know you have to go, and I trust that you’ll be careful. But please, remember that your safety is my priority. If things start to look dangerous or if you sense any trouble, don’t hesitate to leave and call for help. We’ll find another way to help Michigo.”

  Roselle nodded, her own for her mother evident in her eyes. “I promise, Mom. I’ll be cautious and do my best to hahis situation. But you have to promise me something too.”

  Mrs. Magenta raised an eyebrow, curious about her daughter’s request.

  Roselle tinued, “Promise me that you’ll still try to find Jess. I don’t want to leave her out there alone. I know she’s caused some problems, but she deserves a ce.”

  Mrs. Magenta gave an uanding smile. “You really care about her, don’t you?”

  Roselle nodded. “I do, Mom.”

  Mrs. Magenta sighed, but she nodded in agreement. “Alright, I promise, Roselle. I’ll do my best to find Jess. “

  Mrs. Magenta stepped back. ”Alright, let’s do a quick cheake sure you have everything.” She raised an eyebrow. “Do you have your wooden stick?”

  Roselle reached int and pulled out the sturdy wooden stick she kept for emergencies. “Got it,” she said, giving it a shake.

  Mrs. Magenta nodded and moved on. “What about the bug spray?”

  Roselle patted her bag, indig the small ister of bug spray. “Here.”

  “Pepper spray?”

  Roselle pulled out the ister, holding it up for iion. “Check.”

  “And the bleach?”

  Roselle retrieved the bottle of bleach from her bag. “All set.”

  Mrs. Magenta looked satisfied with the check. “Good. I just want to make sure you’re prepared. Remember, if anything feels off, don’t hesitate to use these for your prote.”

  Roselle ug everything bat. “I uand, Mom. I’ll be careful.”

  Mrs. Magenta gave her a supportive smile. “I know you will. Now go on, and take care of yourself.”

  With that, Roselle left her home.

  Roselle walked past the lively Silver Star arcade. A few blocks away, she found herself in front of the old, abandoned building. It stood as a reli a different time, a pce long fotten by most.

  The building was an old arcade which was a shadow of its former self. The once-vibrant sign now flickered weakly. Boards covered the windows, and the entrance had no door. The building seemed to sag under years of .

  Roselle ehe abandoned arcade when she heard the sound of someone calling out to her. The sound of that person’s tohe way they called her name, and evech they used. There was no mistaking this for anyone else. “No way…it’s…you?”

  The person responded. “Impressive, Roselle. You’re five minutes early.”